Thank you to the Publisher HarperCollins UK/HarperFiction for providing this via book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’m a big fan of monster romance, there’s something about it which just draws me in. I think it may be the fated mates, the cozy setting and quirky characters, this book had all three. Poor Nick he really puts his foot in it when he first meets his fated mate Vi at his bosses barbecue, I don’t think it could have gone any worse. He was just so awkward that I wanted to give him a big hug, this made Nick very endearing. I really liked Claw Haven, it really added to the cosy feel of this book. I wasn’t sure if I liked Vi at first as I thought she was a bit hard on Nick to begin with, plus she needed to learn to say no once in a while as some of the other residents really did take advantage. Nick was the epitome of patience as he slowly wins over Vi, he’ shows up in a quiet way by always being there. I loved Mosey the winged cat, it was very cute how Mosey gravitated towards Nick. I don’t have any complaints about this book as I enjoyed everything about it, it worth staying up late to finish it.

The Only one for the Orc was a balm, it was extremely comforting and the perfect read for it's October release date.

It was an absolute masterclass in character arc, I was so unsure about Nick at the beginning. His actions seemed so rude and insincere, but it was a journey through his point of view to see his true intentions shine through, and him learn how to act in a way that was true to them. I was completely endeared to him by the end of the story.

Vi however, was love at first sight. She drew me in immediately as she reminds me so much of myself and so many other woman in my life who will light themselves on fire to keep others warm, hav a full calendar and an empty cup.

Watching Nick and Vi fall in love and figure out how to love each other is the perfect illustration of how to be loved is to be known.

Only One for the Orc is a completely charming soft romance perfect for when you need a soft place to land. I can't wait to continue the rest of the series and explore more of Sweethelm.

Every book in this series has been so much fun. It’s lighthearted and makes me smile but with characters that still show depth and I wanted to hug Nick and Violet all the times. It took them time but they both came to realise fate was pretty much right by matching them. Violet needed Nick to push her to stop putting everyone else’s first, and Nick needed Violet to stop being the funny guy as a defence mechanism - both of them opening up to each other and showing their true selves in a way they never had before. Also the way Nick loved Violet and was ready to accept any outcome as long as she was happy… this was so cute 🫠

This is a book I probably never would've picked up based on the cover. But it ended up being exactly the kind of cozy, low-stakes romance I was in the mood for.

Even though this is part of a series, I never felt lost. The small-town setting was charming, the supernatural community was vast and diverse, and I loved that the biggest mystery revolved around a secret baker leaving pastries around town.

Nick and Violet were such a sweet pairing. He's all nervous jokes and hidden insecurities, while she's the kind of person who takes care of everyone else but forgets herself. Watching him quietly try to lighten her load while she mistakes his teasing for annoyance was adorable, and I loved seeing their relationship develop. And this ran surprisingly deep, exploring both their insecurities and flaws.

I found so many little tidbits that made me think Isabelle Taylor is a reader. More than once I thought I knew where the story was heading, or how small details painted a picture only for the author to take it in a fresher direction.

The supporting cast was very fleshed out, with some suprising vulnerable moments shared. I also enjoyed Violet's relationship with her sister, and by the end I was ready to spend more time in Claw Haven. I'll definitely be picking up the rest of the series.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the eARC! This review reflects my own honest opinions.

Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor felt like a warm hug. It was such a wholesome, heartwarming read, and I loved watching Nick grow as a person and actively work to better himself.

Nick is the embodiment of if he wanted to, he would.

This is the third book in the series, but I jumped in without reading the first two and never felt lost. I loved the community, the side characters, and especially Chester and Mosey the cat. The side characters were cute and made this story even more special.

The yearning? Absolutely loved it.

I will definitely read more books by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Only One for the Orc
by Isabelle Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishers for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Only One for the Orc. Also, a huge thank you to my bestie for gifting me a physical ARC for my birthday! 💚

This book completely surprised me in the best way.

I absolutely loved how this story approached the fated mates trope. Vi isn't convinced that destiny alone is enough, and I really appreciated that the romance focused on choosing each other rather than simply accepting fate. Watching Nick realize she'd be his mate while trying to win her over the old-fashioned way was honestly so sweet.

Nick quickly became one of my favorite MMCs. He's thoughtful, supportive, and the definition of "if he wanted to, he would." Every little thing he did to make Vi's life easier showed just how much he cared, and seeing him find confidence and a place within his community made me love him even more.

The friends-with-benefits arrangement definitely added some tension (especially when one person is already hopelessly in love), but it made their relationship feel like it developed naturally instead of relying solely on the fated mates bond.

The side characters were another highlight—they brought so much warmth and humor to the story that it felt like one big cozy found family.

Overall, Only One for the Orc is adorable, comforting, and full of heart. If you're looking for a cozy monster romance with a genuinely healthy relationship, lovable characters, and an MMC who will do absolutely anything for his girl, definitely pick this one up. 💚✨