This reminds me of a jack and the beanstalk retelling except its a 'shrek' retelling about a Orc who was sent to earth like banished from his hometown to earth by a witch and all he needed was loves true kiss to break his curse of being a human an turning back into a orc so he goes on a mission and meets these two humans Rayna and her sister Juno who think at first hes a homeless man. The book had comedy it was funny and I loved how it made me laugh, Vultog is the orc's name. He just wants to go back to his hometown.
The book is funny, fast-paced, and full of fairy-tale mayhem. Think rom-com with a fantasy twist until the final act, when things get intense. Secrets come out, the spice level rises, and the emotional punches hit hard.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Shrek but make it spicy, emotional and slightly traumatised”

Imagine you’re an orc. You had a home. A life. Then some greedy human named Jack climbs a beanstalk and steals your money and while following you fall into another world, fast forward, and you’re living in the woods, broke and lonely—until a witch zaps you straight into modern-day London… wearing the face and body of the lowly humans you despise.

Welcome to the chaotic tale of our poor displaced orc, now homeless and confused in a city that exactly welcoming to homeless, mentally deranged people.
All he wants is true love’s kiss to break the curse (as one does), but what he finds instead are Juno, a bit too trusting and helpful and Rayna: a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense Londoner who grew up in the foster system and is fiercely protective of her little sister. Trying to maneuver dating apps and making a living as a Viking impersonator challenges the strongest orc.

The book is fun, snarky, and doesn’t take itself too seriously—for the first two thirds, at least. Think rom-com meets fairy-tale chaos. But don’t be fooled: once we return to the fae realm in the final act, things get intense. Secrets are revealed, loyalties questioned, and the emotional stakes suddenly skyrocket. The spice gets spicy. The contrast works well and gives the story surprising depth.

The romance? Slow burn with heat. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The emotional damage? Unexpectedly real.

Oh, and the cover? Absolutely atrocious. But don’t judge this one by its art department.

Highly recommended if you like fairy tale twists, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, or just want to root for a cursed green man trying to make it back home with his true love….and yes, I know that Shrek is an ogre and not an orc IYKYK

Picking up the sequel for sure.

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

A delightfully strange and heartfelt monster romance that completely surprised me!

"The Orc’s True Love" blends humor, slow-burn tension, and emotional depth into a truly original fairy tale twist. Vultog is charmingly sincere (even when absurd), and Rayna’s cynicism makes their dynamic electric. Their banter crackles, the stakes feel real, and the slow build of trust is incredibly satisfying.
The “fated mates” trope is used smartly here—not as a shortcut, but as a foundation for real emotional conflict. Plus, the London setting adds a gritty, grounded contrast to all the magical chaos.
Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger. And yes, I’m already desperate for book two.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!