This cosy urban romantasy had the perfect set-up but unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. I was left questioning a lot and just felt uncomfortable by the love interests.

Mal and Jasmine's conversations were very awkward and stunted, and I didn't find there to be any chemistry between them. They didn't get to know each other at all, and the insta-love felt out of place.

The first half of this book was very slow to progress and repetitive - with the characters going back and forth in their heads with their indecision on what to do with the pet shop. The plot didn't engage me, and I don't think it was very strong. Nothing really happened during the story; the characters just came into work each day and did the same tasks tediously and repetitively. It would have been good to see the characters in different environments or participating in activities. The small-town setting was basically completely unexplored. The two characters just side stepped each other and repeated the same day over and over.

I also found that a lot of the actions the characters took were over described, making scenes longer or more monotonous than they needed to be.

Then there was the magic system, which was very underdeveloped and left me wanting a lot more. I found myself a little confused by the modern technology aspect when combined with magic and mythical creatures and would have loved more detail to this world building. I would have also liked to have more understanding of how magic meshed with the non-magic side of the world.

I found myself wondering how prevalent magic was in the modern world they lived in, and to what extent people were aware of it/ educated on it if they weren't magic themselves. There's a moment where Mal admits he's never heard of a tree giant before. This took me out of the story because I began to wonder how people couldn't be aware of a giant species. Mal is an orc who has magic and occasionally uses his magic to do repairs, however, it is never described how this magic works, what it looks or feels like, or what the limitations are.

Perhaps if the romance had been stronger, I wouldn't have minded the lack of development in the world building and magic system. This book was lighthearted and definitely could have been fun, but it felt a little lacking.

My final critique was a scene where Mal and Jasmine were having a 'moment' that I found to be quite inappropriate - maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I find this actually happens often in romance novels - where they were lusting over one another while at a school in front of many children during a presentation. The male love interest mentions afterwards that he'd had to (direct quote) "remind himself many times they had an audience, otherwise, he would have been sporting a semi the entire time." I don't think children should be anywhere near a scene that takes on that kind of s*xual tone.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

*I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*

Cozy with the right amount of spice.

I haven’t read too many PNR/MR but I really enjoyed the cute story of Jasmine and Mal. It was sweet and emotional. I loved the subtle exploration between being new to a place and finding your home there.

I'm a huge fan of this book! I loved it so much. It's cute and fun-to-read.. with magic and mishaps.. But always with lots of love.

All of the funny and suspenseful moments, plus the attraction of the grumpy orc versus the sunny human in this action oriented and emotional small-town, monster romance. Jasmine slowly discovers more about herself, and her past as she comes to realize her worth as shown through the actions and the attentions of Mal. He realizes that home is a person and that legacy is not just in the books.

that was cute and nice. set in a small town and light hearted for most part, horn in my side is pretty decent read. i just wish there was something remarkable about it but alas, it dangles at the good but not rememberable territory. still worth a read for anyone looking for a nice calm read

A very sweet and cute little town love story that will melt your heart away. Ms. Montgomery’s ability to write is off the chart greatness. I recommend this awesome book to anyone who enjoys a easy reading.

This was such an adorable and feel-good read. I loved the idea of a magical pet shop and a grumpy contractor slowly falling for the sunshiney manager. The pacing felt a little slow at first, but once things picked up, I was completely hooked. Perfect for when you want something cozy, sweet, and a little bit spicy.

This was a sweet romance, that I really enjoyed reading Jasmine and Mal get to know each other and fall in love. I was a big fan of the setting of this book, and the world-building with the different types of characters living in this small town- I'd be keen to read more in this world.
I did think there was some pacing issues with the story, and I didn't personally enjoy some of the miscommunication moments between the main two.

Overall I'd give this book 3.75 stars, and I'll be keeping an eye out for any more books set in this town. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Fully in my ORC ERA! This was cosy, sweet and everything I wanted and needed it to be! The writing style was easy to digest and addictive, loved it!

Hot Orcs, cozy small town, what more can you want?!
This is perfect for pretty much everyone in their orc era!

IN MY ORC ERA!
Wow this was such a cute and cozy fantasy romance. I also recently read another orc romance so I am fully converted!
I loved the low stakes, close proximity vibes and Mal was a total GREEN flag. This is a perfect easy read for people who love a sweet romance but also crave magic.

Thank you Netgalley and Headline for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Horn in My Side is a cosy, small town fantasy romance that's so sweet it'll give you a toothache.

Perfect for fans of The Baby Dragon Cafe. Hallmark meets monster romance.

This was a cute story that I did enjoy. I really enjoyed all the cute magical creatures. Jasmine has the dream job!

Despite being adorable and easy to read, I did find it dragged. The first 50% is an extremely slow build up and then the latter half just goes full throttle. Pacing is an important factor for me to enjoy a book and if this was 100pages less it may have been 4 stars.

Read this if you love:

⚔️ All the monster romance tropes
⚔️ Swoony moments
⚔️ Adorable magical creatures
⚔️ Small town romances

I love a grumpy x sunshine romance. And I also love a monster romance. So as soon as I saw this, I knew I needed to read it.

Jasmine is our sunshine character who manages a magical pet shop and has been running is since the owner passed.
Mal is an Orc who has inherited his Uncles pet shop and has had to travel to the small town it’s in to handle the sale of the shop.
When Jasmine says she wants to buy the shop from him, he decides to stick around for 6 months whilst she saves up the money for a loan.
Did someone say forced proximity👀

I loved this book. I thought it was a cute and easy read with really loveable characters. Not just the main characters, but also the side characters in the small town and especially the animals in the pet shop!
The romance between the characters was believe able and has a natural, rational build up of tension and then romance.

Overall a good read and I recommend it!

A delightful blend of romance and enchantment!
This story weaves together warmth, whimsy, and just the right hint of magic. The heroine, Jasmine, tends to an extraordinary pet shop filled with fantastical creatures. After the shop’s kind-hearted owner passes away, she longs to carry on his legacy and make the store her own. But her plans hit a snag when Mal, a grumpy orc with zero interest in retail—or magic—inherits the property. His goal? Sell the shop and return to his steady work as a contractor.
However, fate (and perhaps a little magic) intervenes. Mal reluctantly agrees to stay on and help Jasmine run the shop while she tries to arrange financing. As the days pass, what begins as an uneasy partnership gradually transforms into something deeper. Their connection unfolds slowly but surely, drawing readers into a sweet, slow-burn romance that’s both tender and a little steamy. (Because let’s be honest—there’s a reason orcs have a certain reputation!)
The setting is pure charm: a peaceful town where magical beings and humans coexist, baby dragons nap on counters, and every corner seems touched by wonder. I couldn’t help but wish for more detail about how this unique world came to be—the coexistence of the ordinary and the extraordinary is so appealing, and I found myself craving a deeper dive into its history and lore.
If you’re looking for a comforting read that’s light on angst and heavy on heart, this one fits the bill perfectly. It’s a gentle, feel-good romance with fantasy elements that enhance rather than complicate the plot. Ideal for readers who enjoy cozy, low-stakes love stories with a sprinkle of the paranormal.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The cover and title of this book was what drew me to it.
I really really enjoyed this one. It was sweet and spicy. I LOVE a grumpy sunshine romance.
This was everything I was hoping it would be when I requested it!

When I saw this cosy, grumpy x sunshine, small town monster romance, of course I was going to want to read it, and it didn't disappoint.

Mal is an ORC who inherits his uncles pet shop and house when he passes away and Jasmine is the shop manager who is hoping that she can buy the pet shop because this has been her home for such a long time and she loves all the animals.

This book had everything you could want if you love your small town cosy romance and you enjoy monster romance as this had a perfect blend of the 2.

A cozy romance with a magical twist!

Jasmine works at a pet shop for magical creatures, and when the beloved owner passes away, she dreams of taking over the store. Enter Mal, a gruff orc and the unexpected heir, who plans to sell the shop and return to his life as a building contractor.

Reluctantly, Mal agrees to delay the sale and help Jasmine run the place until she secures a loan. As they spend more time together, sparks fly—and Mal finds himself torn between his old plans and the new life he’s building in Dewberry Falls.

With a baby dragon, a peaceful paranormal neighborhood, and a touch of magic, the setting is as charming as the slow-burn romance. The chemistry is sweet with a bit of open-door spice (just saying—orcs are legendary).

My only wish? More backstory how on earth humans and magical beings came to co-exist —it’s a delightful setup that begs for deeper lore.

A feel-good, heartwarming romance with fantasy flair. Great for fans of low-stakes, high-comfort stories. It’s not complex, but it doesn’t try to be—what it promises, it delivers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion!

3/3.5

This is a cute story, and it works. However, it felt a bit dragging for me (hence the stars). This book felt like a mix of "what works in monster romance" slapped together. It does the job, but it could have been 100 pages less. Some parts felt a bit too much (the social media part mostly).
I disliked the miscommunication part between Mal and Jasmine; it felt unnecessary at times. There are some cute/swoon moments, and the writing is good so don't be agraid to give this book a read. It reads well and it's under 350 pages.

A note: this is 3rd person POV. Not that it changes anything, but just a FYI for people out there who prefer 1st person POV.

Pick it up if you like:
- Monster Romance
- Open door (but relatively mild)
- Found family
- Cute pets!