This story was magical! It had spice, banter, humor, friendship, family, and the best setting ever! I love to be relationship so much! This cover drew me in, and the book was absolutely stunning!

Ugh, Thea Guanzon is just always such a hit for me!

I've never gotten into Critical Role, but I SURE want to now. This managed to stand incredibly well on its own, its cozy and romantic as well as spicy and adventurous. I can definitely pick up on the Dungeons & Dragons influence even as someone who isn't terribly familiar with it, which on my end, only added to the depth of the world and the magic & whimsy as well as the danger that existed within it. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic of this story is ON POINT and so delightful, I loved both Guinevere and Oskar so much, and I thought their dynamic was so fun and authentic feeling. I loved how multilayered Guinevere was in particular, she is girly and whimsical but also a terrifying force in her own right, and she has a complicated history that effects her opinions of herself. Oskar is also a complex bear of a man, he's a hard-edged grump but he also cries on Guinevere's shoulder and grieves freely.

I normally struggle a bit with plots that take place almost entirely "on the road," but this actually worked so well for me. Maybe it's the nature of the D&D influence, but it didn't feel tedious or like a chore, or like I was just spending every page waiting to get to the ultimate destination. The "destination" is very clearly the JOURNEY in this one, both physically and metaphorically, and both of our MCs have really transformed once the end has come around.

I really just enjoyed everything about this. Its romantic, spicy, cozy, magical, adventurous, heartwarming, unique. It manages to be all of these things in equal measure, and its truly greater than the sum of its pieces in this way. Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this eArc!

Gather round, adventurers. Tonight, I spin for you a tale of tusks and tenderness, of fire and fate, of a merchant’s daughter and the brooding half-orc whose heart beats like a war drum even as it longs for gentler songs. Hear ye, hear ye! By decree of this humble Dungeon Master and chronicler of fantastical quests, I must raise my voice in thunderous gratitude to the venerable sages of Del Rey U.K. For their generosity and wisdom, a wondrous arc of storytelling has been granted to the realm, allowing brave readers to embark upon adventures both perilous and heart-stirring. Their counsel and patronage have breathed life into the Amber Road, empowered heroes both tusked and tender, and gifted us a tale worthy of bardic songs. May their coffers be ever full, their quills never dry, and their tomes continue to unlock realms where courage, passion, and destiny collide.

On the storied Amber Road, where danger waits in shadowed thickets and destiny rolls like dice across the map, Thea Guanzon sets her stage for a romantasy quest unlike any other. Tusk Love is no mere dalliance in the margins of Exandrian lore, it is a full campaign of heart, forged from equal parts longing, peril, and passion. Guanzon delivers a romantasy that is both smoldering and tender, tender enough to make even the grimmest half-orc melt. Tusk Love is an epic road trip of desire and discovery, complete with sword fights, whispered secrets, and stolen touches that make the blood rush and the heart pound.

Guinevere is sunshine incarnate, sweet, spirited, and full of a fire that belies her silk-clad exterior. She should marry into comfort and propriety, but when bandits strike her caravan, her life—and her heart—takes a detour into chaos, she finds herself lost, stranded, and on the cusp of awakening powers that burn hotter than the forge. Enter Oskar, a half-orc of scars and silence, a reluctant protector whose past is painted in grief. Picture, if you will, Darcy with tusks and a battle-axe: the kind of gruff, grumbling guardian who glares at the world, then crumbles the moment she smiles at him. He is as steady as stone, as haunted as the ruins he treads, and, gods help us all, soft enough to cry when the weight of it all comes crashing down.

Together, they embark upon a road of inns, ambushes, and whispered confessions under starlight. This is opposites-attract at its highest level of enchantment: her warmth melting his defenses, his quiet strength shielding her fire. Their journey brims with the tropes adventurers crave forced proximity, arranged marriage, only-one-bed (rolled more than once, mind you)but Guanzon wields these tropes like a master bard with a lute, turning familiar notes into a ballad that feels new, vibrant, and achingly sweet.

But do not mistake this tale for fluff alone. Beneath the cozy tavern meals and stolen glances lies an odyssey of growth. Guinevere discovers her inner power is more than fire its freedom. Oskar learns that vulnerability doesn’t make him weak it makes him irresistible. And as their hands brush over maps, their swords clash with bandits, and their hearts collide in quiet, forbidden moments, you will root for them like a party of adventurers betting on their own hero’s love story.

For fans of Critical Role, this book is a treasure trove of Easter eggs and in-universe winks. From subtle nods to Jester and Ford’s antics to landmarks like Rexxentrum, Zadash, and the infamous Labenda swamp troll, Guanzon peppers the story with references that make long-time Critters grin like they’ve just rolled a nat 20 on charisma. These touches don’t overwhelm the story, though, they’re a delightful reward for insiders, while newcomers can enjoy the romance and adventure without missing a beat. It’s a perfect balance: the book stands alone as a captivating romantasy, but for CR fans, it’s a playful wink, a nod, and a love letter to the world of Exandria. yes, the Easter eggs gleam like treasure in a dragon’s hoard. From the Amber Road to the swamp troll, from whispers of Rexxentrum to the streets of Zadash, Exandria’s pulse thrums beneath every page. Yet newcomers need not fear, this story welcomes all at its table. Whether you know Ford and Jester or not, Tusk Love stands tall on its own, a banner unfurling against the winds of fate.

Thea Guanzon has penned not just a romance, but a campaign of the heart: low-stakes enough to be cozy, yet rich with peril, longing, and laughter. This is not just a story; it’s a campaign of longing and lust, of courage and caresses, of stolen nights and whispered confessions by candlelight. Tusk Love is cozy yet scorching, tender yet teasing, and utterly irresistible., sigh like a bard at the moon, and maybe, just maybe roll persuasion on your own heart after closing its final page.

Final Verdict: Five stars, nat 20 on romance. If you’re a seeker of swoon-worthy quests, tender grumpy-sunshine dynamics, or simply a traveler looking for adventure wrapped in love, then by the gods, grab your pack, roll initiative, and march down the Amber Road.

A fun romp, a bit of smut, largely revolving around how to learn to love yourself and grow yourself into a better version of yourself when those who ought to have loved you instead spent years emotionally abusing you, with a significant sidebar into classism. Serious themes but cloaked in adventure and silliness.

I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Absolutely knocked it out of the park and I LOVED IT. The story, the romance, the ending. I usually am not a huge fan of epic jouneys and heist type feel, but this didn’t really feel like that. It was a well thought out journey and ending and I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced e-reader copy of “Tusk Love” in exchange for an honest review. As a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast, I was thrilled to discover this book. The adventure storyline was captivating, and the mutual pining between Gwen and Oskar was endearing. The subtle references to Tal’Dorei added depth to the story. Gwen and Oskar are such likeable characters who make a perfect pair. This book is not only ideal for RPG fans but also for those who enjoy cozy adventure romantasy.

This is an unexpected, yet very welcome, foray into the Critical Role universe.

Thea Guanzon thrilled me with The Hurricane Wars and continues to surprise me with Tusk Love. If you like sweet, romantic, nerdy stories...this is for you!

✨ Lighthearted, adventurous, romantic and funny. ✨ I always enjoy a good travel adventure, and this story brought together our main characters as travel companions. The various situations and encounters along the way were comedic and entertaining. The writing style was quite poetic and beautiful.

The characters had a natural, cute and fun dynamic. They were endearing in their own ways, and it was sweet how they started getting accustomed to each other's contrary personalities, overcoming their frustrations and annoyances, and sharing their vulnerabilities with each other. I liked that both of them had distinct, real personalities, irritabilities and emotions through the story.

Some things I didn't connect with:

🔹There was some crude language, and spice scenes in the book, which I am not a fan of reading - so I skipped some chapters either fully or partially. (FYI Ch. 21, 25, 30, 31, 33)

🔹The core plot and ending was actually quite simple, but it was rushed at the end, and not that impactful. The magical elements and abilities had potential but were left unexplored.

🔹Some of the endearments Oskar had for Guinevevre bothered me - especially princess. The attitude came across as condescending, and I didn't find Oskar's personality likeable in certain instances.

🔹There was a huge class difference in terms of the backgrounds they both came from, and from a practical standpoint, they didn't really have anything in common. This was a connection by chance, purely driven by an instant physical attraction. Insta-lust isn't my cup of tea - I need my romance to have some thread of a deeper connect, friendship or purpose drawing two people together.

Overall, a well-written light cosy adventurous romance that delivers for the romantasy sub-genre it is catering to.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc and audiobook of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Beautiful, stunning, gorgeous and so, so lovely!

As someone who is a D&D fan, and also someone who is familiar with Critical Role, I was ecstatic when I saw this.

I had a lovely and fun time reading this. The grumpy x sunshine premise always hits the right spot with me, and this was no exception. Tusk Love swept me away into a magical, fantastical adventure that held my full attention from start to finish! It's a perfect balance between action and romance. The yearning is what made this book for me. I was sitting there giggling and kicking my feet over these two and I'll admit that I read this in one sitting. Yeah, like I said, this hit the right spot for me.

This book is ideal for readers who enjoy lighthearted fantasy romances where opposites attract amidst adventure, featuring emotional depth and spicy tension.

Also, let me say, the cover is absolutely STUNNING.

Thank you for approving my request!

What a cute book! I read this in just two sittings. The characters are great, and I really enjoyed their banter.

I'm not a D&D fan, or critical role fan; but I got some enjoyment from Tusk Love. I can appreciate how fans would love this story, but as someone with no prior connection to the material I struggled to rate this how others do. Overall if you're after a low stakes (at a global level at least) travel narrative, with decent spice and an inevitable love story (kind of) happy ending; I'd recommend it, it just wasn't for me unfortunately!

The characters captivated me in the beginning of their stories, and also their endings; but everything in between made for a sluggish reading experience. I found myself checking the progress bar way too often, and as I got further towards the end I was disappointed when nothing substantial had occurred.
However, once I got to around 85% I did fly through the rest of the novel! The ending was action packed and full of the betrayal, love, grief and resentment I had heard it to be! I don't think there's a name for whatever the feeling is you get when running through manor grounds barefoot in a ballgown; but there should be!

My biggest qualm with Tusk Love isn't plot related, rather in the writing. If the sentence structure wasn't critical role lore/canon in some capacity, the excessive adjective use (in my opinion) was poor judgement.

Del Rey/Random House provided a galley for review.

This fantasy romance novel comes out of the world of Critical Role, the TTRPG live-play show where it was referenced in their campaign 2 as a fictional work read by some of the characters. Now that novel has become a reality. If you're a fan of the show, you'll recognize and appreciate lots of names and locations that make up Matt Mercer's game world.

However, the story works even for those unfamiliar with the source. It is basically your "opposites attract", girl-meets-boy kind of road-travel adventure tale with a narrative that bounces between the two lead characters. Heads up- this one gets really steamy and explicit with the sexual attraction and descriptions. Given the book's notorious reputation in-game, Guanzon certainly makes sure her novel lives up to it.

I think it's a decent introduction to characters/lore a la Dungeons and Dragons. However, Thea, who I do love and will continue to buy and recommend her books to library patrons, didn't let the characterization grow and therefore land as she has in her past works. The connection between the fmc and mmc felt rushed. However, Thea's writing made up slightly for this lack of time spent connecting initially with characters.

Thank you Netgalley and Thea Guanzon.

Tusk Love certainly stands out with its unique premise, blending romance with a fantastical, almost whimsical setting. The idea of exploring love through such an unconventional lens is refreshing, and the central conflict has the potential for a really compelling narrative.

The characters are intriguing on the surface, and the dynamic between them is intriguing there’s chemistry, but it never fully feels developed.

The story's pacing can be a bit uneven at times, and there were moments where the plot felt a bit forced or overly quirky.

All in all it was an enjoyable read for me.

A really fun romance! Has the feel of a historical regency romance while having a high fantasy setting and characters!
While I have watched some Critical Role I'm not familiar with this story at all but you don't need to have any knowledge of Critical Role at all to enjoy this story in my opinion! This is just a simple romance where you get all the characters history and get to know them throughout the plot!
There are a few detailed steamy scenes so it is a spicier romance!

I wasn’t sure if this would be my kind of read; but I really enjoyed it! It is a lovely cozy fantasy! One of my favourite tropes is grumpy x sunshine. So much fun to read, highly recommend.

Adorable cozy romantasy with a perfect, classic grumpy-sunshine trope.

A grumpy half-orc who broods and cries and YEARNS. A sheltered, naive, sushine-y cottagecore FMC who's entirely too trusting but learns to embrace and wield her fire. A mysterious quest and a really long road to get to their destination. The "there are two horses but one is carrying our stuff so you have to ride with me" trope. Yes, the "only one bed" trope is present as well. The banter!! So much huffing and grunting and giggling. She makes him wear a flower crown and I just know he secretly loves it.

So much to love in this book, and you don't need any prior knowledge of Critical Role (I went into it blind because Thea Guanzon is an auto-buy author for me). Tusk Love was downright fun and flirty and steamy; an instant classic of the high fantasy romance genre.

I absolutely love critical role. When it was announced that a fake book from campaign 2, mighty nein, was actually being published I knew I had to read it. It had everything that had been promised from the campaign. I don’t know how they did it but it was better than I imagined.

This was so much fun! I didn’t really know what to expect going in, but it completely surprised me in the best way. The romance is grumpy x sunshine perfection, the banter is adorable, and the spice is just right. Guinevere and Oskar have real heart, and I genuinely rooted for them.

Honestly, if you're into cozy fantasy with a bit of heat, this is the book. Just a really sweet, swoony story with great vibes all around.

Solid romantasy! Sort of a "on the road"-book, with bits of Critical Role lore sprinkled in. Cozy and cute and just spicy enough.