What a romp! This book was everything I hoped it would be as a fan of Thea Guanzon, Critical Role and all things Dungeons and Dragons.

The two main characters are lovable and so cute together. I liked the pacing, side characters and the fairly low stakes plot. It was a cosy vibe. I sort of want a book around each of the side characters now, please?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy.

I failed to get through The Hurricane Wars and was wondering why I requested Tusk Love because of this, but I’m so glad that I did.

This is as such a lovely and cozy tale of adventure. Gwen and Oskar were a dream of a couple and I loved how they complimented each other despite being from two completely different worlds. Gwen was an absolute cutie from the beginning and it was lovely to see her character grow throughout the story.

I would very much like my own Oskar also. He was such a simp for Gwen from the beginning. His protective streak was a mile wide and I was swooning and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl.

There was also a great cast of characters we meet along that way that added more delight to the story.

I love that the ending was open to a possible sequel, which I would devour if it became a reality.

4.25 ⭐️

The perfect cosy fantasy read, with lovable characters, a magical world full of wonderful creatures, and an underlying mystery that’ll keep you hooked from the outset!

The romance is wonderful - it’s forbidden, there’s a one bed trope, grumpy v sunshine and he falls first <3

The medium stakes adventure provides the perfect opportunity for our two main characters to fall for each other and I loved the journey they went on together.

The pacing was great - the book is less than 300 pages so it’s deliciously bingeable! And it’s hilarious - so many times I laughed out loud as I read this one.

Thoroughly enjoyed this - as is expected from Thea Guanzon - and thoroughly recommend!

Anything Thea writes I immediately have to read! I adored this book. It was such a fun and lighthearted read, with characters that you can’t help but love. Such an easy read to get anyone out of a slump - easy 5 stars!

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon ❤️‍🔥

I have not long finished this book and I can't get it out of my head. This was the ultimate cosy fantasy. I had no idea what Critical Role was but I absolutely loved this as an outsider to Dungeons and Dragons.

I had a bad experience of "monster romance" last year and I went into this quite sceptical but it's done so well. The romance was the standout pull for me with this book. There is so much pining and swooning, I could have kicked my feet at some of the moments. I love when a romance gives you all the feels. It happens rarely as the tropes of romance all blend into one sometimes but this was different. I was invested.

Oskar's devotion to Guinevere needs to be studied and men need to take note!

If romance isn't your thing it also has adventure, magic and a stunning world!

tropes included
------------------------
~grumpy×sunshine
~forbidden romance
~only one bed
~he washes her hair🥹

This book publishes on the 1st July ❤️‍🔥

I highly recommend. 4.75 stars out of 5 🫶

Good gravy this was FILTHY and I LOVED it. I cackled, kicked my feet and almost screamed at times.

As a Critical Role fan this hits something special. I loved the pacing of this, it was fast but not too fast for me.

Thea used accurate references from CRs sessions and mentions of Tusk Love and bought it to life and I am sure any other CR fan will adore this as much as I did.

This was just an absolute joy from start to finish. This is what a light-hearted fantasy romance should be. Fun and fast-paced and sexy and swoony.

I haven't spent much time in the world of Critical Role so I went into this with very little knowledge or understanding of the origins of the work or the world but it didn't matter at all, it was a joyous read regardless and I already know I'll be returning to it when I'm in the mood for something sweet and spicy and charming and adventurous.

I absolutely ADORED this book.

Guinevere, the FMC, has been set upon by bandits and is saved by Oskar, a half Orc. We follow their story as Oskar accompanies Gwen to where her parents are waiting for her. Obviously, a LOT more goes on but for the sake of spoilers I wished to keep it brief. The writing is absolutely top tier and the pacing felt perfect.

I fell in love with both Gwen and Oskar. They felt real and fully fleshed out in a way that is rarely done as well as it has been done here. This story was a perfect blend of Cozy and spicy where I was truly invested throughout and was unable to put the book down until I finished. For those who are not aware, Tusk Love is a Novel that is often mentioned in Critical Roles D&D Campaigns but was never actually written until now. Thea Guanzon has proven to be the absolute Perfect author to write this story and has done a truly amazing job.

I recommend this Novel to anyone who enjoys Cozy Fantasy, with a notable emphasis on Romance whilst still having good plot and pacing. If I could give this more stars, I would.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review Voluntarily.

I liked this book but didn’t love it which I was majorly disappointed by. I wanted to love it. I felt like the pacing was off but there were moments that made me laugh and kick my feet.

I am Thea Guanzon’s number one fangirl, I fell so quickly for the Hurricane Wars, and when the announcement of Tusk Love started to circulate around the booksphere I knew I would do anything to get an early copy, and thanks to @netgalley, I did!

I want to start at the beginning- right at the beginning even. That cover? Dream. A cartoon clinch-cover featuring a tusked-up man and dreamgirl with ballet ribbons on her shoes! I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this is so perfect it hurts.

Tusk Love is a quick, cosy, fantasy standalone. Our hero Guinevere finds herself in a pickle when her travelling party is ahem, interrupted, and she finds herself needing an escort to a seaside realm. Luckily, our grumpy half-orc half-man Oskar happens to be camping in the vicinity. He is of course, annoyed at her lack of survival skills, her his rudeness, but they are reluctant travel companions-turned-allies nonetheless.

Magic, mystery, and making-out ensue. Both of these characters are so perfectly formed, for what is objectively a pretty short story as far as fantasy novels go, the relationship and character arcs evolve in a way that is so natural, and simply delightful to read. The spicy scenes especially had me BLUSHING and kicking my feet. I love how a story that is so sweet, can be so entirely horny at the same time. While we’re on topic, how do you feel about brat tamers? If you’re into it, this one’s for you.

Overall, Tusk Love is a romantic journey through a dreamscape, while also telling a deeper story about overcoming your prejudices and being true to yourself. Five (million) stars.

Guinevere, a merchant's daughter on her way to meet her betrothed, finds herself set upon by thieves and rescued by a half orc, a man who is the grumpy to her sunshine but still manages to brighten up her life. As the two of them embark on a journey together, sparks fly and tensions build ...

This is a sweet and sexy fantasy romance with lovable characters and a fun plot. It was a fast read because I couldn't put it down, and I wish there was more!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sooo cute! I really enjoyed this one, very cosy and sweet.
Oskar and Guievenere were typical slow burn, grumpy sunshine, I loved how Guinevere was so naive and Oskar couldn’t help but protect her. Both characters very likeable and the story flowed really well. I’d have loved to have seen more from her fire spirit as she seemed cute and feisty!

Defo recommend!

4.5 Stars rounded up

This is such a cute, easy to read cosy feeling romantasy, perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, and for those who just want a fun read!

As someone who hasn’t listened to an episode of Critical Role, I slipped into the world very easily, and I quickly became immersed into the story.

The main characters were both very lovable, each with their troubles, but nothing all too complex either. The stakes were mid to low and the world building, exceptional. I really liked how the romance blossomed, and the grumpy x sunshine personalities perfectly complemented each other. The spice came at the perfect time in the book too. Oskar had the dirtiest mouth and it wasn’t only Guinevere who was left blushing 🤭

Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a book with:
•Forbidden Love
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Only one Bed & Horse
•Yearning
•Human x half-Orc Romance
•Cosy Romantasy
•Duel POV

Thank you so much to Del Rey and Netfalley for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, I just adored this! I wanted a nice little palette cleanser after some heavy fantasy books and this was more than perfect. A cute cosy romantasy filled with fun. This is a short book, under 300 pages but I enjoyed it so much. The characters are endearing and I loved the humour in this one. I've genuinely no idea what critical role is but it didn't matter, this is a stellar 5 star book for me.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

This is how you do romantasy❤️‍🔥👏🏻

I read this in near enough one sitting because from the start it was that good!
Critical role holds a special place in my soul so i already had high expectations going in to this & it delivered. From the world setting, which you dont need to have any critical tole knowledge for, to both the main characters it ate.

The romance between Oskar & Guinevere was top tier from the beginning. They started as unlikely companions but the connection between them grew so quickly but so organically that it was just a joy to read. The one bed trope was 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
The main romance story was boosted by the fantasy elements but it didnt detract from the basis that at it’s core this book is a romance, it just happened to be between an half-orc & a fire wielding woman.
I have hardly any notes for this except that i need more of their next adventures & where they go from here🥹

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me access to this book.

I'm a huge fan of Critical Role, a 'caught-up-viewing-all-three-campaigns-in-just-over-one-year' level fan, and whilst I am not a romantasy fan, I wanted to dip into Tusk Love regardless.

This was a very sweet story, and it makes complete sense why Jester would be bowled over by it. A fun addition to the Critical Role world.

As someone who met and fell in love with her husband while a part of Critical Role fandom, this book? Perfect. It’s an absolute delight full of fun for both longtime fans of Critical Role and newcomers to the universe. Romantic and sexy, bursting with adventure and wholesome moments, I genuinely adored this book!

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon is a fun and imaginative story with a quirky, original premise that definitely stands out. Guanzon’s world-building is creative and engaging, filled with colorful characters and plenty of playful moments that fantasy romance fans will appreciate.

However, while the charm of the world and the humor shine through, the pacing felt uneven at times, and certain character arcs could have been more fully developed. There were moments where the emotional depth didn’t quite land, and the relationship dynamics sometimes felt a little rushed.

That said, Tusk Love is still an enjoyable, lighthearted read with lots of heart. Readers looking for a whimsical, unconventional fantasy romance will likely find it a refreshing change of pace, even if it doesn’t quite hit every emotional note.

Loveeeeedddddd this book! i have read all or Thea's books and thoroughly enjoy reading them all.
4/5 starts for this one, i will be keeping an eye out for all future releases!

A very charming little book, it almost felt like a fairytale I would read as a kid (only with quite a bit of adult material)