Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book early in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this was freaking delightful. Critical Role was a huge part of why I got into playing D&D, and Campaign 2 is my favorite campaign they've done. I love that they made Tusk Love into an actual book!

The author rose up to the task, and I feel like she did justice to a book so beloved by Jester. I devoured it in a single day and barely noticed the time flying by. It's just a fun ride, very readable and heartwarming; the dialogue flows well, and the main characters are incredibly sweet. It's a very funny book, and I liked that it didn't take itself too seriously despite having some quite emotional moments, especially in connection to Oskar's relationship with his mom.

Despite it not being my favorite genre, Tusk Love is exactly the kind of romantasy book that tends to work for me: on the lighthearted side with characters that are genuinely good to each other. It contains copious amounts of smut (as it should according to canon), and while some of the dirty talk really wasn't my thing, it didn't distract from the things I liked about the book.

I'm not going to lie and say I'm unbiased in my review since I adore the world of Exandria so much. However, I feel like this is a pretty beginner-friendly book. It stands on its own, and you don't need to know any Critical Role lore beforehand. It probably does help if you have some basic knowledge of D&D races such as half orcs, though.

There has never been a more perfect combination of my interests than D&D meets smutty romance in Tusk Love. For some backstory for the non-critters (Critters being the fandom name for D&D streaming show Critical Role), a beloved character during campaign 2 finds a little smutty novel called Tusk Love. DM Matt Mercer delightfully described a swooning heroine fawning over her broodingly handsome orc hero. I’ve waited YEARS for someone to finally write this little easter egg and when Critical Role began releasing some of their character backstories as novels, I KNEW this was coming.

Having never read Thea Guanzon, I went in blind with full hope. And I could NOT be happier. I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire novel. Not only does Guanzon manage to seamlessly create characters in the world of Exandria, nothing feels like inorganic; I haven’t felt so confident in a fantasy novel in years. I know this world, I know the continents and the rules and systems. It felt like home. Guanzon also manages to give readers some of the classic romance tropes; opposites attract, only one bed, drunken confession, grumpy/sunshine; it’s all there and effortlessly tied into the characters.

The other compelling piece? Guanzon ties in the themes of classic D&D; the traveling party, wild encounters, bands of misfits, and magical components. With lovingly composed interactions between our FMC and MMC and STEAMY spice (seriously…really really good spice), this was an absolute delight to read. Fulfilling and entertaining, I don’t know if anyone else could have done a better job. 10/10 stars and a new fan here!! I will own this book with pride for the rest of my life.

Thank you to Thea Guanzon and Del Rey for providing a review copy.

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me the pleasure of reading this book.

Tusk Love is possibly my favorite Romantasy of this year. It is a stand-alone and tells the story of Guinevere, a woman governed by expectations set forth by her parents, a merchant's daughter on her way south to meet the man she is to wed. But after her caravan is intercepted by bandits she finds herself lost and alone. After meeting Oskar she begins to long for adventure, passion, and freedom from those expectations.

This was Shrek meets Bridgerton ugh I loved this book so much. With all the usual tropes of one bed, one horse, and then she falls in love with her bodyguard trope. Oskar is a gruff grumpy surly man who ends up having the biggest of soft spots for Guinevere. What I wouldn't give for a man like Oskar and this is an Orc we are talking about. The expectations go higher ladies with this MMC.
This is filled with heartfelt romance and spice while not entirely too smutty the spice is perfect for the tension that builds between them and the romance is perfectly woven into the heart of this book. I look forward to read ANYTHING and EVERYTHING Thea writes.

I loved this book. Thea Guanzon has delivered a delightful, cozy, romantic fantasy that many people would be enchanted by. Readers will fall in love with the two protagonists of the book-- I was rooting for them from the very first chapter. I believe it was a fundamentally well written story that succeeded in delivering the promise of the book blurb, genre, and cover - it was sweet, spicy, adventurous, and heartwarming. I can't wait to read more of Thea Guanzon's work.

While my threshold of Critical Role knowledge is limited to what I've been able to glean through general pop cultural osmosis, you don't really have to know that much about the genesis of this book to enjoy it. It's a fun, charming fantasy romance between two opposites (who are just about immediately attracted to each other) with a lot of familiar tropes peppered in along the unexpected road trip they have to embark on together. No wonder Jester recommends this book to everyone she encounters!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fun cosy read with all the best tropes! Multiple one-bed situations. Forced proximity. Grumpy/sunshine. I loved watching Oskar thaw in the presence of Guinevere. And her step into her own power and strength with his own encouragement. Some great found family moments too. A total shift in tone from the author’s other books but i really enjoyed it!

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group, Critical Role, and Thea Guanzon for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jester is one of my favorite Critical Role characters, and I am delighted that Tusk Love now exists in our realm as well! It was everything I wanted it to be, and more. It reminded me of those vintage bodice rippers where the innocent rich girl got saved by the ruffian, and fell in love.

The character development for both Gwen and Oskar were great. Gwen was hands down my favorite. Watching her grow up from being a scared abused girl to a strong independent woman in control of her power was amazing. This book is one of the few times where I've seen the guy cry too. It was so good, and deeply emotional at times.

I really want a second book where we get to see their adventures on the way to Oskar's homeland. Pretty please, with cupcakes and unicorns on top?

This was pretty cute! I enjoyed the writing a lot, it felt like an improvement from others I've read. I'm not 100% familiar with Critical Role but I think that fans will like it, especially. those looking for a bit of a romance in the story.

I adore Critical Role and I am very invested in Thea Guanzon's Hurricane Wars Series, so I immediately requested this ARC when it became available! I was nervous that maybe these two loves of mine wouldn't mesh well, but boy, was I wrong! Tusk Love is an ode to all things DND and Romantasy.
Here is what you will fall in love with when you read this book:
- TRUE Grumpy X Sunshine
- A QUEST, filled with only-one-beds, bandits, tension, and MORE!
- Swoon-inducing dialogue
- Heartfelt message meant for only/eldest daughters trying to do their best

Thank you so much to NetGalley and DelRey for an ARC of Tusk Love! I am looking forward to purchasing a copy for my own shelves on Pub Day: July 1, 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love a good cozy fantasy as well as grumpy/sunshine dynamics so this worked so well for me. I don't know anything about Critical Role but I enjoy a good monster romance from time to time so this was very interesting! I love the romance breakdown as well as the exploration of prejudices and how to get past them. This was so sweet and I know this author is known for this fanfics turned novels so I'm interested in those too!

4⭐️ thank you net galley for this arc book!
I really enjoyed the Hurricane Wars series, so I know I had to read this one. Ngl, it had a slow start, was a bit confusing on where the story was going, but once I got into it, I was starting to enjoy it. Was not expecting spice at all, and I'm glad it didn't make me cringe or roll my eyes and go "ugh ofc they are. what a suprise" it felt right.

I loved the vibe of it too. Definitely needed another low stake adventure, and it was a fairly easy read. Did think about giving it a 3 but the more I read on, the more engrossed I was with the story, and I couldn't stop. Also, I had no clue on the lore of 'critical role', but I sure hope this book does it justice!

This was a very sweet book. I know next to nothing about the Critical Role plots, but I don't think that significantly impacted my enjoyment of the book. It's a lovely story with good pacing, good character development. The world building isn't amazing, but there's enough that you don't feel completely untethered. And it's a fluffy romantasy book, you don't really need much in the way of worldbuilding. Fast read, would recommend for anyone who enjoys some just tropey enough D&D influenced reading.

I love Critical Role and I've been wanting them to put out an IRL version of Tusk Love for ages. But I was also a little worried that it would turn out to be thinly-veiled Fjord-Jester fanfic or otherwise flat and disappointing. Fortunately, Tusk Love is neither of those things!

As fans of the show might remember, Tusk Love is the love story of Guinevere and Oskar. She's a spoiled merchant's daughter with a secret and he's a rough-and-tumble Orcish blacksmith with a heart of gold. It's a classic setup and, really, kind of classic romance.

This book was at its best when it was pretending to be an in-universe Exandrian romance novel. In that way, it reminded me of a regency romance - we all know where London is, so why explain it? Similarly, there was never too much information doled out about the way the world works. Guinevere has magic because sometimes people have magic. Orcs are orcs. Exandria is Exandria. When Tusk Love really hit its stride, it was fun and immersive and like slipping into the best episodes of Critical Role.

The thing is, that even when it was being a solid Exandrian romance novel, Tusk Love is kind of just a fine romance novel. It's enjoyable and a little silly, and gives a few winks for fans, but it didn't blow my mind. I don't think I really wanted it to, either. Like Jester, this is the kind of book I want to read while traveling and read out loud to my companions. It doesn't need to be any more than that.

3.75/5

I usually do not go for romantasy however, I heard so much positive stuff about this book & the cover is gorgeous so I gave this a try. I am so glad I did because this book was magical!

I fell in love with the characters. A secret ability is revealed after Guinevere's caravan is ambushed by bandits, and realizing she is in peril, Oskar decides to accompany Guinevere to her betrothed. Along the way, they begin to fall for one another. The romance is so well done here. You will fall head over heels for these two, I promise! These two made my heart swoon hard! I absolutely adored them. It's sweet, romantic and quite steamy!

The world is fantastical and full of adventure. I easily escaped into this book whenever I picked it up.

Oskar and Guinevere are grumpy x sunshine, class difference, and road trip romance. This book has action, adventure, and a swoony romance. What more could you want?! Highly highly recommend, even if romantasy isn't your usual genre. You won't regret it.

Thea Guanzon has outdone herself with Tusk Love—this book is equal parts romantic, feral, and achingly tender.

Tusk Love is unlike anything I’ve read. It sinks its tusks (pun fully intended) into your heart with her intricate world building, deep emotional undertones, and a romance that is both wildly primal and delicately sweet. You will absolutely fall in love with Gwen and Oskar’s tension. Their chemistry is not just sizzling; it crackles with intensity.

This is a story for those who crave fantasy with tusks, romance with a good bite, and writing that will have you swept off your feet.

Guanzon has done it again in this beautiful book. You won’t regret picking it up.

As always thank you so much to Random House Worlds for the widget for this book after begging to be united with my favorite author and thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

A surprisingly charming romantasy, although the actual royal politics left a bit to be desired. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

4.5⭐️

I'll be honest, I mainly wanted to read this as it was written by the author of The Hurricane Wars, Thea Guanzon, and the cover completely caught my eye. And being even more honest, I wasn't't expecting to love this as much as I did. I went into it thinking Thea's writing would be too similar to THW, and it would be difficult to not compare, or see the similarities, but boy was I wrong. (I'M SORRY THEA).

Tusk Love is a cosy fantasy-romance with a quest, pining and lots of swoon-worthy romance,💕 What more could you want?

We are completely transported into this Critical Role based world (which I'm sad to say I don't know much about), but the atmosphere and tone was remarkable. The world building was done brilliantly! Every time I dived into this book it felt like I was taken into to the world and I was right there alongside our main characters.

I adored our main characters, Oskar and Guinevere, and their growth throughout the book. They bounced off each other brilliantly and I wish we could have 100 more books with them🥺

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eArc. I absolutely LOVED IT💗

If you like:
✨cosy fantasy romance
✨a quest
✨grumpy x sunshine
✨only one bed
✨forbidden romance

Then this is not one to miss!!

Absolutely amazing! This perfectly references the world of Exandria in a way that fans of Critical Role, Dungeons & Dragons, and romance readers everywhere will love.

As a CR fan I had to jump on this book! Inspired by a book created in campaign 2, Tusk Love follows the tale of Guinevere and Oskar making their way to the coast, with love and ambush along the way.
The characters were grumpy/sunshine and I liked seeing their relationship develop. It did feel a bit repetitive, and preferred reading about each of their backstories and interactions on the road. I wish we seen more of the mystery element on why bandits were after Guinevere, more about the villain, etc. It felt like it was all crammed into the end.
Although it wasn't a usual read for me, it was fun especially being a fan of CR. Definitely done Jester proud! I can see non-CR fans also enjoying this, especially if they enjoyed Legends and Latte's or other cozy romances, but are looking for something spicier.

This was such a fun and different book to what I normally read. If I were to compare this to anything I would say that it was a spicier, and more adventurous/action packed Legends and Lattes type book.

I'm a fan of Thea Guanzon as a whole, I loved her books The Hurricane Wars and Monsoon Rising, so I'm really not surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. Her writing is amazing and enthralling.

The characters were super fun and I didn't want to leave them. Between Oskar being a big grump and Guinevere being this spoiled, but bubbly/sunshine, aristocrat type character, they balanced each other out really well. The magic that was encountered in the book was integral to Guinevere's character but I wouldn't say that it was a massive magic system in the book. This was definitely more of a romantic-adventure plot than a fantasy and world building type plot. It was honestly perfect this shorter story.

I definitely recommend this for a fun and romantic read, I gave it 4 stars and I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy when the book releases on July 1st!