It's enjoyable and fun! I think it's going to speak mostly to the Critical Role audience, but I think other readers could pick this up and enjoy it if you're willing to just think about it as an easy romantic fantasy book.

Heat Index: 7/10

—roadtrip romance

—a perfect blend of hilarity and heat

—TRUE grumpy/sunshine

—princesses don't marry kitchen boys!!!

The Basics:

Merchant's daughter (and perfect lady) Guinevere is on the road to marry her fiance when she's ambushed by robbers—and saved by half-orc and blacksmith's apprentice Oskar. His initial plan is a simple good deed, but due to a combination of circumstances and Guinevere having the sweetest little face ever (despite her prissy manners) Oskar finds himself escorting her on the road. And. Maybe more. You know. If she can't figure out how to stop being so adorable and tempting.

The Review:

I wouldn't call myself a a Critical Role fan EXACTLY, but I've seen my fair share of (very entertaining) clips and am a Legend of Vox Machina fan. Can't wait The Mighty Nein!

It's through those clips—and a bestie—that I found out about Jester and her love of Tusk Love. And I was already a Thea Guanzon fan... and I love, LOVE this cover...

But even then, I don't think I expected just how much I would enjoy this novel. It's just so, so fun, and while Guanzon's writing style always has a wry wit and sense of humor, she takes the humor to another level here. The plot isn't overly complicated—yes, there is some overarching Bigger Magic stuff, but overall we're really getting a true roadtrip romance. If you're looking for a slice of life vibe with a side of adventure, look no further. This is really Oskar and Gwen getting to know each other, falling in love, and dealing with somewhat intense threats to their happiness every now and then. (My one critique of this novel would be that the ending is a little rushed, but it's not as if the conflict isn't foreshadowed beforehand. Really not a big deal.)

Yes, the "princesses don't marry kitchen boys" energy here is real. Oskar is big and brusque; Gwen is bright and all about propriety. Until she isn't. Like, at the start of this novel there's a lot of "Oh noes, we mustn't sleep in the same room at the inn, LET ALONE THE SAME BED..."

And, uh. She gets over that.

Grumpy/sunshine gives me a lot of grief as a reader because a lot of the time it's like—is he really grumpy? Is she really sunshiney? Or are they just kinda different? Nah, Guanzon fully leans into it here, and the humor she wrings out of every moment in which Gwen and Oskar's personalities clash is really one of the best parts of the book. There are so many scenes in which he is genuinely BAFFLED by something that comes out of her mouth—and honestly? Fair, she's WACKY in the best possible way.

But God, it's cute. There's so much affection and fondness, and you really feel these two falling in love in a way that made me so warm. Like, she makes him wear a FLOWER CROWN at one point. And he's very *grumble grumble* about it. Just in a manner I could only swoon for.

There is true emotion here, and a touch of angst, but the overall vibe is kind of "The Princess Bride But What If it Banged". It's kind of the perfect mood for The World We Must Live In: adventurous, funny, sweet, and kinda incredibly earnest.

And I will not lie: There was a part of me that worried about this feeling a bit... contrived. Because of the entire concept, really. I mean, yes, I knew Critical Role had a good rep, and I knew Thea Guanzon was a great romance writer, but—in a lot of situations, I can see where this would've felt like a corny cash grab. That's not the case at all. There's a true sense of love for the romance genre here, but it also doesn't read like a tribute band in book form. I can confidently say that Tusk Love stands on its own completely as a romance novel, and sort of fits perfectly into the cozy fantasy/monster romance blend of a niche.

Except. A lot of the time? Those niches aren't exactly my jam. This really was. Wholeheartedly, truly, it was my jam. I really think that a lot of this was due to Guanzon's voice and the way she absolutely leaned in to making me fall in love with these characters. I adored Gwen and Oskar. I couldn't wait for them to kiss! I did a little bit of faceclutching about it, in fact!

I needed a book like this.

The Sex:

WELL.

In Critical Role, this book is kind of painted as Jester's dirty little romance novel. But, you know—a lot of the time, books promoted as dirty aren't actually that dirty. This? Is super hot. I'm not saying that any especially crazy acts occurs (It's not kinky, and Gwen is A Virgin On The Road, for God's sake) but... Guanzon writes a hell of a sex scene, and she fully milks the roadtrip setting.

And maybe Gwen and Okar milk some things, too?

But yeah, dude. I underestimated Tusk Love's game. At one point, I messaged my CR-fan bestie like "UMM??? THEY ARE NOT MESSING AROUND."

To avoid spoilers, I shall say that there is An Act that is in itself Not An Especially Rare Romance Act, but the particular Positioning of That Act is not often seen in traditional publishing. Or like. Not as often as we should see it. It's not RARE, rare, but it is coveted. A delicacy, if you would.

It was. Very good. In this novel.

The Conclusion:

Genuinely, this book left me smiling. It's perfect breather, exactly what you want a comfort read to be. And it does all that while remaining wildly entertaining, which you would THINK would be a given, but actually kind of isn't? It's hard to write something that pleases both the "I just wanna be cozy" lovers (them) and the "flood my brain with emotion" lovers (me). This is the rare book that can make both sides happy.

Thanks to Random House Worlds and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I probably use this phrase too much, but it’s honest and true every time I do, this was such a fun read!

I didn’t know the history behind this book and its connections with Critical Role (which I’ve never watched) until I was like 70% in. And that didn’t stop me at all from enjoying it.

This was a fun and pretty classic fantasy tale which gave me some Tangled vibes. Naïve princess is on an adventure and learns the world isn’t like her parents told her. And I adored their reverse grumpy x sunshine thing going on. I love the growth both characters had throughout their journey as well. And the friends they made along the way!

The romance was full of yearning and favorite tropes and spice. The holy trinity. It was everything I was expecting from this book.

The middle was the tiniest bit slow for me so I wish that was different/had a bit more going on, but didn’t hold me back too much.

Overall, I really enjoyed Tusk Love and would recommend it to any fantasy/romantasy fan even if you aren’t into Critical Role (though I bet if you are you would find things to enjoy even more!!)

I'm a picky reviewer but this was 5 stars!
I've been begging for an accurately marketed book that did what it said on the tin and this hit the mark.
I've no background to D&D and I don't know what Critical Role is but this was written in such a way that you could understand and infer any missing info. The only elements from that context were locations/species and possibly Easter eggs that went over my head but didn't take away from the damn good time I had.
You want a real romantasy cosy adventure with a strong tipple of smut and some stakes look no further. The characters all leapt off the page and the pacing, while predictable, bobbed along like an old favourite song (you can guess where it's going but boy do you wanna get there). The ending was twisty (though I did guess some elements) and left the reader satisfued for all story arcs.
This was a perfect standalone romantasy adventure story with spice (2.5/5). Expect a story that depends on the romance but has simple and effective world building, side characters, fights and intrigue. A quality time, solid writing and I'll be grabbing the author's backlist asap.

This was a fun journey through Exandria. It was quite slow in the beginning, but the last 20% made up for it. Guinevere was a delight and I love that she recognized her bratty behavior and worked to be better. She didn’t magically change her entire personality overnight, but she tried to improve and it was endearing. Oskar was a brute, but found himself slowly becoming lighter as he spent time with Gwen. All in all, it was a cute story with a predictable but satisfying ending. I wish we had gotten even more of Teinidh and Gwen’s connection, though.

Tusk Love is a cosy hug in book form! It’s a fantasy romance that doesn’t take it itself too seriously and is a low angst, easy read.

Guinevere is a merchants daughter who is attacked by bandits and is found by Oskar, a big, gruff half-orc with a heart of gold. Oskar accompanies Gwen as she travels to meet her parents to ensure she arrives safely and naturally there are a few incidents along the way.

I really liked the descriptive world building and I could see the places where Oskar and Gwen travelled; on horseback through Autumnal forests, bathing in turquoise coloured rivers to markets overflowing with spices, silks and dates. The imagery was so vivid.

Gwen has major character growth throughout this book and while she starts off soft and pampered she discovers a strength and determination she never knew she had.

Oskar may start off a reluctant and grumpy travel companion but underneath his brooding exterior is a cinnamon roll hero who learns to express his feelings.

Tusk Love is a romantasy about class divides and defying fate that gives off Tangled meets Pride and Prejudice vibes with a dash of spice and I am absolutely here for it!

I really enjoy the author’s Hurricane Wars trilogy, and therefore had high hopes for this standalone. But this read too earnest and flowery without the delicious tension of her trilogy.

This book was perfect!!
I fell in love with Gwen and Oskar while reading, I'm so happy that an inside joke such as this was made into a real book.
Guinevere was a little annoying in the beginning, but she has major character growth and is amazing at the end.
The way people unlearn their prejudices and make themselves a priority will forever sit with me, especially Gwen, she's probably my favorite character

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an eARC for a chance to review this wonderful book.

Okay, so let me tell you about this book I devoured on a train ride—*Tusk Love* by Thea Guanzon. First of all, the vibes? Immaculate. I was looking for something that wouldn’t fry my brain but still gave me romance, adventure, and a touch of whimsy, and this book just *got me.*

This was my first monster romance—though calling Oskar a monster feels wrong because he's honestly such a soft, broody, misunderstood cinnamon roll of a half-orc. And don’t get scared off if you’re not into Dungeons & Dragons or Critical Role stuff—I have *zero* context for any of that, and I still had a blast.

The setup is classic in the best way: Guinevere, our heroine, is a noble merchant’s daughter with a wild streak, and she ends up stranded after a bandit attack. Enter Oskar, who’s big, gruff, kind of grumpy—but obviously has a tragic backstory and a heart of gold. They end up traveling together on a mini quest, and let me just say: the *tension* is DELICIOUS. It’s like if Flynn Rider and Rapunzel got dropped into a slightly darker, slightly spicier fairytale with one horse and only one bed. You know what I mean.

There are so many tropes, but instead of feeling overdone, they just felt warm and familiar—like pulling on your favorite hoodie. Grumpy/sunshine? Check. Class divide/forbidden romance? Yep. Hair washing, comforting each other after nightmares, accidental cuddles? All there. But somehow it didn’t feel cheesy—it felt earned.

I will say the first half had me a bit more hooked than the second, mostly because I love the slow burn, getting-to-know-you part of any romance. Once they got to their destination, the pacing shifted a bit, but by that point, I was already invested in these two so I didn’t mind.

Also, this book is short (under 300 pages!), so it's perfect for binging. I finished it with this dumb little smile on my face and honestly, that’s the energy I need more of in my life. Will I now be looking into more monster romances? Maybe. Am I kind of mad no one told me they could be this soft and swoony before? Absolutely.

4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

A sweet and cozy short adventure fantasy story with loveable characters.

Oskar and Guinevere were the sweetest duo to follow in this cozy fantasy world. We meet Guinevere as a proper young lady who finds herself in need to rescuing, by Oskar who is a little rough around the edges half-orc. They then journey together which brought plenty of sweet, funny and romantic moments.

This isn’t a complex fantasy story and it’s more of a cozy adventure with romance and an overarching story which wraps up very quickly in the final 10% but I couldn’t put it down and Oskar is my new favourite crush! I’d absolutely read more about Oskar and Guinevere if given the opportunity!

Highly recommend this for all my cosy romantasy lovers out there!

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon ❤️‍🔥

I have not long finished this book and I can't get it out of my head. This was the ultimate cosy fantasy. I had no idea what Critical Role was but I absolutely loved this as an outsider to Dungeons and Dragons.

I had a bad experience of "monster romance" last year and I went into this quite sceptical but it's done so well. The romance was the standout pull for me with this book. There is so much pining and swooning, I could have kicked my feet at some of the moments. I love when a romance gives you all the feels. It happens rarely as the tropes of romance all blend into one sometimes but this was different. I was invested.

Oskar's devotion to Guinevere needs to be studied and men need to take note!

If romance isn't your thing it also has adventure, magic and a stunning world!

tropes included
------------------------
~grumpy×sunshine
~forbidden romance
~only one bed
~he washes her hair🥹

This book publishes on the 1st July ❤️‍🔥

I highly recommend. 4.75 stars out of 5 🫶

This was romantic, spicy and heartfelt story. I really enjoyed the characters and the banter between the two of them. I loved the ending!!

I’ve never played DND but I still really enjoyed this story. I do think it was well written. I do really enjoy cozy fantasy but I’m not sure if I’d read this one again.

Thank you NetGalley, Thea and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨
Publication: July 1st 2025

#TuskLove #NetGalley

This one stole my heart in the best way possible.

Guinevere was supposed to live a quiet, proper life by marrying well and keeping her head down. But when a group of bandits attack and one grumpy half-orc later, her life takes a very different turn down the Amber Road, and honestly, thank goodness for that.

This story is the perfect grumpy-sunshine slow burn. Guinevere is everything I love in a heroine: strong, clever, curious, and determined to figure out who she is and wants. And Oskar (our grumpy orc)? He's got all the brooding baggage you want in a reluctant travel companion with a heart of gold hidden under that scowl.

Their journey is survival, vulnerability, and learning to shed the roles other people have cast for them. The chemistry between them is sizzling, and seriously, this book was spicier than I expected (and I was not mad about it). Watching both Guinevere and Oskar slowly lower their walls and figure out what they want instead of what they're expected to be? Beautiful. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming fantasy with characters who feel real and romance that crackles, this one is it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Random House Worlds, for the opportunity to review the ebook.

I was a tiny bit nervous about requesting this book, because... and I know this will be blasphemous, I had no idea what Critical Role was before this. I have also never played D&D. I know, I know. But I think this is a great starting point for this review, because while having this back story likely would could have heightened my reading experience, I don't believe I needed the lore at all to consider this a 5 star read. I am a monster romance girlie, and for me, Tusk Love is going to be an amazing mainstream toe dipper into the genre. We've got a grumpy orc and a sunshiney princess who wind up together on a long-distance adventure to deliver our FMC and her dowry to her betrothed and less than stellar parents. The dowry is quite the prize, so lots of murdery plots ensue.

This was a fun adventure story, with a swoony romance. Tusk Love had realistic characterizations (as real as you can get for a big orc with giant tusks) and so many laughs. I found myself snorting so many times at the hilarious banter. While the stakes are high, this is cozy fantasy at it's best. The underlying themes of making your own fate and defying societal expectations were a great addition. What I love most about monster romance, and I hope readers take this away, is an ability to find love in different cultures, races and physical natures. They teach us to be accepting, if you're a reader willing to look for that in the stories you read. Reading is political. 5 stars!

Tusk Love is Jester Lavorre’s favorite bodice ripper, and for a good reason! Unlikely companions Guinevere and Oskar meet one night on the Amber Road and are brought together by Oskar’s sense of duty and Gwen’s desire for adventure.

Critical Role Campaign Two nostalgia absolutely drove me to this book. I think it stands just fine without any prior knowledge about Exandria, but it is full of plenty of nods for those who are familiar. I think this is a swoon-worthy romance novel done very well, and while the speed of the relationship developing wasn’t totally my taste, it is completely in expectation for the genre as well as what we know about the book from Jester. It’s a sweet romance set in a world where kindness is a hard fought for ideal and treasured value. What’s not to love?

If you love Anya and Dimitri’s relationship from Anastasia or are fond of the Tristan and Isolde romance, I think this book will be right up your alley!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC.

4.5 stars

Obsessed!! The start was a bit slow for me because it took a while for me to love it and to start liking Guinevere but once Oskar came in the picture, everything got way way better. Fictional men really do make a difference. Oskar was perfect, honestly one of the best MMCs I've read about in a while. Their romance was slow and sweet and I absolutely loved how Oskar loved and took care of Guinevere. I'm going to need like 5 more books like this!!

I'm still not sure what Critical Role is and while having knowledge about it will probably make your reading experience better, it is def not necessary.

Tusk Love is a beautifully written tale of love, adventure, and defying fate. It’s spicy, heartfelt, and one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a while. If you’re looking for a romance that burns slow and steady, with enough tension to keep you turning the pages, this is your book.

Tusk Love is a sweet, cozy romantasy to snuggle up with. Humorous and daring, I found that I greatly enjoyed the adventure that Guinevere and Oskar shared together on the Amber Road; the book shined brightest for me as they encountered friends, enemies and magic during their travels. Watching Gwen and Oskar's relationship bloom was also sweet, though the romance between them lacked a certain spark for me. I feel like their romance would have been amazing if they had the pages to allow for a longer slow-burn desire to build. As it is, I loved the honest friendship that developed between the two as both came to understand and learn from one another.

As a long time fan of Critical Role, getting to travel through Wildemount was a treat. I'd love to see Guanzon play in the Exandrian sandbox again. Also, did anyone else hear Matthew Mercer every time a side character spoke? No? Just me?

Did someone roll a natural WHORE because this book is HORNY and it hit the crit.

This book was everything. This book was a beautiful sweet treat that I ate up. There was not a part of this story that I was bored in. Every chapter was paced beautifully and the vibes were so consistent for both characters.

Guinevere is like that lizard in Frozen 2 that lights itself on Fire but just wants to curl up for cuddle. Like she doesn’t know how she got here or really the logistics of much but she is here to give it 1000% effort with 1000% enthusiasm. I love her. She is a sweet baby angel who I want to protect at all costs.

Oskar is everything I want in a grump. He is capable. He is determined. He is fighting for his life to just hold onto one dream when he is bamboozled by essentially a walking talking fairy floss princess. And then he is just the heart eyes emoji with a scowl and I die.

*clears throat* SCREAMS IN GRUMPY SUNSHINE IN EXANDRIA

Thea really threw her whole ass into this story and honestly I’m just so happy to be here and want to cry for five years in a happy moist pile.

As a non-dungeons and dragons girly, this gave me all the cosy fantasy vibes I could have wanted, with a nice sprinkling of spice on top! It was low angst (which is sometimes sooo needed, I love my morally-grey shadow daddies but sometimes you just want a cosy hug in book form!!) and just a super fun adventure, I loved Guinevere who was giving major rapunzel vibes and Oskar was so refreshingly emotionally intelligent I could have wept 😅

Overall, a super fun, whimsical adventure with two characters who I already can't wait to revisit (pls say we're getting more books in the Tusk Love universe??)