✨𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨

“𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.”

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 15, 18, 19, 27 & 29
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 48%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Bully romance, fake engagement, he falls first, small town romance
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Dual POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Dual
𝐊𝐔: Yes

This one was just okay for me. Unfortunately, I never really felt connected to the characters or fully invested in the storyline. It felt like the book didn’t have quite enough length to flesh out the plot or develop the emotional stakes.

It’s definitely low-angst—think Hallmark movie vibes, but with orcs. If that sounds like your kind of escapist fantasy, it might work better for you than it did for me. I liked the cover, I think maybe cozy fantasy books aren’t my thing. I haven’t given up on monster romance though.

The Orc and the Innkeeper by Cora Crane
Fake relationship - Human and monster(orc)

Mariah inherited an inn which is now infested with glittering pixie dust mites. She agrees to a fake engagement with an orc named Thorak Ironfost to pay for cleaning it up, He was her high school bully..

I did not like it as much ad I thought I would. The world building and setup was not done thoroughly. I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. It just felt lacking in alot of aspects.
I realized that I don’t like a bully to lovers story; he was a tormentor, never really apologized to her and the reason he gave for bullying her was BS. So kind of threw me off !!

The audiobook is narrated by Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro. Both of them did a great job in bringing the characters to life.
There were no audio production or quality issues throughout even at a faster pace.

Fake dating
Monster romance
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Small town

Audio narration - well done
Jack Calihan; Rose Dioro


Main characters
Thorak (orc)
Mariah (human)

This was a fun and cute story that also delved into deeper topics. Bullying and prejudice were two of the major issues but played an important part of the story. It was not written on sn offensive way and really handled well.

I applaud Mariah and her strength. She went through a lot when she was growing up and still was able to be a good person with a good heart.
Thorak had a lot to answer for. A lot of his growth was in the past but he had to show Mariah that he had changed for the better.

Entertaining and a quick read. This is the first in the series. The building was stellar. I will definitely visit the town of Elderberry Falls again

Thank you @NetGalley and @RBmedia for the AAC. This audio was so cute. I loved the human/monster romance. I want to live in Elderberry Falls. I can not wait to read the other book in the series.

Tropes:
╰⪼ Monster x Human
╰⪼ Fake engagement
╰⪼ Cozy fantasy

This book was such a delightful surprise! I usually don’t reach for cozy fantasy, but the monster x human romance hooked me — and thankfully, it wasn’t overly sweet or too cozy. There was just the right balance of whimsy, tension, and heart to keep it engaging, and the narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Some of the worldbuilding details were hilariously on-the-nose (ie., teacup boar and pixie dust mites), but it added to the charm. A great palette cleanser after heavier reads!

I’m squealing, this book was adorable, and it’s the first in a series so you know I can’t wait for more.
She’s a sassy human innkeeper. He’s the orc that made high school unbearable. The twist? He’s actually a cinnamon role and he needs her help to convince an investor to help him distribute his ale in the human lands. Can they move past their past?

I have been getting into monster romances, especially anything with an orc! The cover is super cute and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to this one. The narration was great and had me intrigued from the beginning.

I wasn't sure how the plot would be since I honestly didn't read the blurb for it. Oops! I loved that it involved a fake relationship and that both were secretly in love with each other. They were so cute together and I was happy that she saw past who he was in school to help him, even if she herself needed something out of it.

The only thing I wasn't a fan of was how lusty they were from the beginning. I felt like it took a bit away from the chemistry between them because it would feel more physical than anything.

Overall, this was good!

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary audiobook to review!

The beginning of this book was fun and I was really excited for the story. It slowed down so much I couldn't stay interested in it.
The characters were fun but the story got really repetitive and I felt like I was not getting anywhere with it.

Such a cozy monster romance one of second chances that will pull on youre heart strings so much where a monster grew up being told to hate humans grows up to realize they aren’t as bad as he was told from old history and finds himself in a predicament with a human and his conflicted feelings and a human girl who finds herself in a tough situation and cleverly finds a way to fix her problems but it leads to way more than she thought it would in that moment, I definitely will be reading the next book in this series and I highly recommend this one!
Such amazing narration and voice actor selection for the audiobook!

The Orc and the Innkeeper is a charming and imaginative start to the Elderberry Falls series. Set in a whimsical magical town, this fake-relationship paranormal romance delivers humor, heart, and a touch of steam. Mariah and Thorak’s dynamic—former schoolyard tension turned reluctant partnership—adds just the right amount of emotional pull.

The audiobook, narrated by Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro, was a highlight. Their performances captured the characters’ personalities and emotions beautifully, adding depth to the story’s humor and warmth. I listened at 1.5x speed and found the quality smooth and engaging throughout.

From pixie dust mite infestations to a reformed orc with a long-time crush, this was such a fun ride. I’m looking forward to more from Elderberry Falls!

Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC.

I thought this was going to be a cute, cozy, D&D inspired type of book, but I was sadly wrong. Although this book had good parts, it wasn't what I thought it would be. I knew going into it that bullying was involved, but it was brutal stuff. The MMC was an idiot. For the first book in a series, it didn't do much to set up for the other books, and some of the details in this book didn't make sense.

This book gave major Hallmark vibes with a sprinkle of fantasy fluff — and honestly, I wanted to love it more. It’s light, it’s heartwarming, and there’s literally a man with a teacup pig trotting around on tiny hooves 🐷😭 SO CUTE. But let’s talk about why I couldn’t rate it higher…

💬 The dialogue?
Cringe city. Like, 75% of the time, I was physically wincing at my screen. Think cheesy one-liners that even a rom-com in 2002 would’ve rejected.

😬 The romance?
Our girl Mariah goes from “he made my life hell in school” to “I think I love him” way too fast. He bullied her. Relentlessly. And now she’s swooning after one hot reunion and a half-baked apology? Not buying it. Also, the “he always loved her, just didn’t show it right” trope? 🗑️ HARD pass.

🎭 The second half?
So much unnecessary drama. Between Mariah’s endless insecurity spiral and the messy ex subplot, the chill cozy vibes got totally lost. I came for magical fluff, not emotional whiplash.

💫 That said… if you’re after a feel-good, small-town romance with fantasy touches and a guaranteed happy ending — this still might hit the spot (especially if you’re immune to cringe and obsessed with tiny animals).

I really enjoyed this! Sometimes you need a little palate cleanser between the heavier books, and this was perfect for that! It was sweet, low stress and quick resolution to the conflicts. The author did a great job at creating chemistry between the leads in under 300 pages and that is IMPRESSIVE.

Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 (r0unded down)

I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I stumbled upon this book but I'm very happy I did. The Orc and the Innkeeper is a fantasy romance that is equal parts cozy and spicy. We follow two enemies, Mariah and Thornak, who manage to wind themselves into a fake engagement for each of their own personal gain... or are they in it for something else?

"These next 14 days will either be my sweetest fantasy come true or my ultimate undoing."

This was a bit of a different writing style than I am used to - but not in a negative way at all. I think it really helped draw me into the novel and feel at home in this fantasy world; being able to imagine the town of "Elderberry Falls" and understanding the social issues that plague some residents and visitors. As stated above, this book has such a cozy atmosphere. Nailing all the little details that make up this novel - like the opening with "pixie dust mites". Because of this I found it to be such a fun read that put a smile on my face.

"Don't let your fear of the past keep you from embracing the future."

I found myself rather enthralled in the lives of our main characters and their shenanigans. I enjoyed how real these fantasy creatures (and one human) really felt. They were flawed, loveable, interesting, charismatic, and brave. Although, I was also slightly taken aback by how casually the main female character, Mariah, got over her so called "torture" from her school bully-turned possible lover. It didn't seem right to me that she would just casually accept everything and everyone at their word. However, she does go on a rollercoaster of trust uncertainty later on in the book so maybe she was written like this on purpose. A strong character, most definitely, but maybe a little bit of a pushover in certain scenes. Loveable, nonetheless.

“How hearts can open, and prejudices fade when people are given the chance to truly understand one another.”

Overall, I found this a wonderful quick read that I didn't want to put down.

This book is one very fun ride. If you're looking for fantasy, very spicy, cozy, enemies to lovers, fake dating, types of books - I would highly recommend you pick up this series.

super cute romance without a drawn out angst plot, i really enjoyed it, the voice actors also did a great job, the characters are all loveable and the plot was so good!

"The Orc and the Innkeeper" by Cora Crane is a delightful fantasy romance that will whisk your attention away to the charming, magical Elderberry Falls. Narrated by Jack Calihan & Rose Dioro, it is a total gem if you're into cozy, heartwarming stories with that awesome fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers vibe!

The unique plot immediately drew me in as it presents Mariah, an innkeeper, who finds herself in a surprising arrangement with her old high school bully, Thorak, an orc brewmaster. He needs a fake fiancée, and she desperately needs to save her inn from a glittery pixie dust mite infestation. Their deal kicks off an engaging and often hilarious adventure, full of unexpected twists and turns.

What truly shines is Mariah and Thorak's dynamic. Cora Crane did a fantastic job developing their relationship with all its historical package, making it incredibly satisfying to listen to them go from rivals to something genuinely sweet and tender. Their "enemies-to-lovers" journey is handled nicely, letting their past play into things, all while building a believable and heartwarming connection. Thorak becomes incredibly endearing, wile Mariah's resilience and wit make her easy to root for! Also, I have to say that the choice to feature characters around 30 years of age was a refreshing touch, adding a lovely layer of maturity to their evolving relationship.

And Elderberry Falls itself? Its magical charm creates a cozy atmosphere that's just perfect for a romantically-calling setting. It's the kind of enchanting town you'll wish you could visit, full of quirky details that add to the book's overall cozy feel.

The dual narration by Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro was absolutely phenomenal. They both did a great job portraying emotions like lust, happiness, sadness, and even betrayal, keeping me utterly engaged throughout the entire narration. Their performances truly brought Thorak and Mariah to life, making their chemistry feel even more real. I'd definitely enjoy listening to more collaborations from this duo!

So, if you want a lighthearted, feel-good listen that expertly mixes fantasy, romance, and a good laugh, "The Orc and the Innkeeper" needs to go on your must-hear list right now! It's a perfect escape into a world where even an orc and an innkeeper can find their happily ever after. Seriously, I can't recommend it enough!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audio!

Tropes: Bully romance, second-chance, fake engagement

Rating: 5/5

Spice Level- 2/5


Summary:

Mariah is the owner and innkeeper located in Elderberry Falls. She struggles to keep the place afloat barely scraping by much of the time. It’s discovered there is a pixie mite infestation in one of the rooms which is going to cost around 20k to solve and the longer she leaves it alone the worse the infestation will become. Thorak an Orc is Mariah's high school bully who tormented her, made her life miserable, and can’t shake the way he made her feel awful about herself but just being a human. He wandered into her inn to meet with a possible client to expand his brewing company into the human lands. The client is prejudiced against supernatural's unwilling to strike a deal until Thorak blurts out that his fiancée is a human. The fiancé and the human are both nonexistent. Mariah decides to strike a deal with Thorak she will be his fake finance for two weeks if he will pay for her pixie mite infestation. The deal is agreed upon and the fake engagement starts.


Review:
The main characters are around 30 years of age which is a nice touch instead of the normal 21 year old romance books. The Characters have small town vibes, as someone who grew up in a small town it's normal to hold onto things especially when you can run into that person at any minute. I loved the fake engagement dynamic and how easy this book was to listen too. The book had a good pace, was quick, cute and I believe very well written for a first novel. I personally can’t wait for the next in the series to come out so I can listen and read that one as well.

Narrations:
The audio is a dual narration from Jack Calihan; Rose Dioro. I listened between 1.5x-2.0x and noticed zero issues with the audio. Both narrates did a good job portraying emotions such as lust, happiness, sadness, and betrayal. They kept me engaged in the story for the whole 6 hour narration and I would enjoy listening to more collaborations of this duo again.

Recommendations:
I recommend this to anyone who wants a cute and cozy read. One with fantasy, magic and small town vibes. This would be a perfect book to read/listen to on a rainy fall day.

"The Orc and the Innkeeper"? It's seriously such a delightful fantasy romance that'll whisk you away to charming, magical Elderberry Falls. This book is a total gem if you're into cozy, heartwarming stories with that awesome fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers vibe!

The unique plot? Mariah, an innkeeper, finds herself in a surprising arrangement with her old high school bully, Thorak, an orc brewmaster. He needs a fake fiancée, and she needs... well, she needs something too! Their deal kicks off an engaging and often hilarious adventure!

What truly shines is Mariah and Thorak's dynamic. Watching them go from rivals to something genuinely sweet and tender is so satisfying! Their 'enemies-to-lovers' journey is handled perfectly, letting their past play into things while building a real connection. Thorak becomes endearing, and Mariah's resilience and wit make her easy to root for!

And Elderberry Falls? Its magical charm creates a whimsical vibe that's just perfect for the romance. It's the kind of enchanting town you'll wish you could visit, full of quirky details!

So, if you want a lighthearted, feel-good read that mixes fantasy, romance, and a good laugh, "The Orc and the Innkeeper" is a total must-read! It's a perfect escape into a world where even an orc and an innkeeper find their happily ever after. Seriously, can't recommend it enough!

Oh, you want a cozy monster romance with a cinnamon roll but slightly grumpy Orc? An effervescent human innkeeper? And their lives as they live through some of the best tropes known to romance literature??? I am talking fake dating, grumpy sunshine, pining, ugh…10/10! The only thing that made the story better? THE AUDIOBOOK!! Rose Dioro and Jack Calihan did a brilliant duet for this story!! Hearing Thorack and Mariah brought to life via this dream team duo….again 10/10!

This was such a delightful surprise. I went into The Orc and the Innkeeper expecting a light, fun fantasy romance, and it delivered that and more. Cora Crane has a playful and heartfelt writing style that made the story feel both cozy and fresh.

What really brought this audiobook to life was the narration. Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro were a perfect match for the characters. Jack gave the orc such warmth and quiet strength without losing that edge of gruff charm, while Rose brought such emotional nuance and spark to the innkeeper. Their performances made the chemistry between the characters feel even more real. They played off each other beautifully, and the dual narration made it feel like a truly shared story.

The romance was sweet and genuine, with just the right amount of spice. I appreciated how both characters had depth and agency. There’s something really special about fantasy romances that manage to feel grounded while still giving you an escape.

If you enjoy low-stakes fantasy with heart, humor, and excellent narration, this audiobook is worth your time. I’ll definitely be listening to more from both the author and the narrators.

Solid four stars from me, and a big thumbs-up to the voice work.