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!

NGL, I came for the orc on the cover and stayed for the cozy & spicy romantasy. I don’t know much about Dungeons & Dragons or Critical Role, but I’m so glad I took the chance. I truly felt immersed in this world and I really enjoyed the writing Thea Guanzon weaved in telling Oskar & Guinevere’s story. It gave me the nostalgic feels of when I played a lot of MMORPGs as a dorky teen (just a dorky adult now).

I absolutely adored both these characters in Tusk Love. Sweet and kind-hearted Guinevere longs for adventure, growing up sheltered and naive. Oskar is the brave and grumpy orc who saves her from thieving bandits. Together, they bring out the courage and softness in each other—and it was so darn cute. You can’t help but fall for both of them! This fantasy couldn’t be complete without dangers lurking at every turn, sword fights and magic, and fun times in lakes and caves. 🤭

It was such a delightful read. There was a scene involving a troll and mosquitoes and I literally barked out laughing. If you love character-driven lighthearted and spicy romantasys, you definitely need to read Tusk Love!

Add to your tbr if you like…
🗡️ Bodice ripping
🩰 Only one bed & horse
🌸 Grumpy x sunshine
🗡️ D&D/RPG vibes
🩰 Dual pov
🌸 Opposites attract
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!

A really fun adventure with plenty of romance, heart and magic. Thea Guanzon takes you on an adventure with Gwen and Oskar battling acceptance, grief and the occasional mercenary.

I adored both characters. Oskar was the grumpy to Guinevere’s sunshine, and their dynamic worked perfectly. I could read a whole series of their adventures.

When books are a continuous journey sometimes it can feel repetitive but Tusk Love is full of humour, light and enough magic and battles to keep you gripped until the end.

You’ll like this if you like
⚔️D&D-esque adventures
⚔️Grumpy x Sunshine
⚔️Quests
⚔️Magic
⚔️Found family

This is the book of Jester's DREAMS (and, incidentally, is now one of my all time favorite adventure stories)! Thea took the Critical Role lore and breathed new life into it in the best way. I read this book in one sitting and had the absolute best time with it, start to finish.

Guinevere and Oskar had insane chemistry, but beyond that, the way they cared for each other was such a joy to experience. Guin made Oskar soften his grief ridden, hardened exterior, and Oskar made Guin see the beauty in the fire within. I loved them with every fiber of my being and then some.

You don't need to be familiar with the Critical Role campaign that birthed Tusk Love, but I will say, doing a deep dive into the lore was SO FUN!

This is the best thing I've ever read 😭 the wholesomeness and comfort this book has is just >>>>> very very warm coffee and a hug while it is raining outside vibes 😭 the MCs, I love them SO FRICKIN MUCH, they were peak grumpy sunshine-ing

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

✨ Save a horse, ride a half-orc ✨

Tusk Love is a fast-paced, cozy romantasy that delivers exactly what the cover (and Jester Lavorre’s dramatic flair) promises: adventure, banter, and a big-hearted, brooding half-orc who is absolutely going to ruin you for other fantasy love interests.

Guinevere is a merchant’s daughter, raised with a clear path: marry well and behave better. But she wants more—freedom, passion, purpose—and when her caravan is ambushed on the Amber Road, she gets it. Enter Oskar: a gruff, emotionally walled-up half-orc with a tragic backstory, a strong jaw, and zero patience for spoiled noblewomen. Or so he thinks.

This is opposites attract meets class difference with one bed, one horse, and one cave. The tension and banter snap. Oskar is quiet but deeply kind, and Guinevere is a little sheltered, sure—but her sincerity and bravery shine through. There’s something so compelling about watching her earn his trust and watching him slowly let her hold not just his hand, but his grief.

The journey is just as enjoyable as the romance. Along the way, they meet fun side characters, dodge bandits, and lean into the delicious pining that comes from close proximity. I did want a bit more resolution around Guinevere’s fire elemental and the magic system as a whole—it felt like it was building toward something a bit bigger than we got—but the emotional beats landed, and the ending left me smiling.

Perfect for fans of cozy romantasy with spice, swordfights, and cinnamon-roll heroes who are only soft for one woman. If you’re craving an adventure with heart and heat, Tusk Love is a worthy companion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for letting me read an e-ARC of Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon! I've rated this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Picture this: a gorgeous merchant’s daughter is on a journey across the country to meet her betrothed when her caravan is attacked by bandits and she must fight for her life (and her fortune) to escape. She’s rescued, but barely makes it out alive thanks to a ridiculously handsome half-orc who happened to be camping nearby on a journey of his own. The two must work together to complete both of their journeys and, along the way, just maybe fall desperately in love with each other. Mix in a hearty helping of wild magic an MC is trying to keep secret, processing the grief of a recently deceased parent, and the classic falling for someone of a “lesser” station and you have this book summarized in a nutshell. Guinevere and Oskar may be from two different worlds, but they quickly find they have so much more in common than they originally thought and are a perfect match.

While insta-love and descriptions of anatomy that aren’t very straightforward aren’t my usual cup of tea, I ate this book up! Let me be the first to say that you don’t have to have any preexisting knowledge of Critical Role to enjoy this fantasy romance. Having the background knowledge of Critical Role’s campaign setting (and knowing about the character Jester’s obsession with this book in campaign 2) is merely an added bonus and makes the experience even funnier and heartfelt!

If you’re looking for a fun fantasy romance with characters that’ll make you swoon, lots of steamy scenes, and an absolutely fantastical setting - look no further! Oskar and Gwen will steal your heart and get your blood pumping (the STEAM, the LONGING, the EVERYTHING about their dynamic) the entire way through this book! You’ll be aching for more of this duo before you finish the final chapter. (I’m just saying, I would read so many more books about their adventures together than just this one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars

Ok so this surprised me, whilst I was excited to read this one I was also hesitant as I didn't know much about critical role and the backstory until I googled it after I had finished.

Reading this though felt like I was on the journey with with Gwen and Oskar (whilst respectfully being around for their intimate moments of course.) You don't need to know about Critical Role at all to read this and enjoy it! 🙏🏻

To compare this, within the first 20% I was getting the same feelings as Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart. Which I enjoyed and gave 3 stars, but after that point Tusk Love become it's own unique love story with lots of fun moments and I just didn't want to put it down.

Was there were some wording of actions and names of body parts, during their intimate sessions, that personally I don't like in romance? Yes, but because I loved the characters and the story so much I could look past them and continue to be immersed in it.

I actually wish this one was longer as I just wanted more and more interactions and forced proximity moments, even though we got a lot and the tension from these too was hot, hot, hot, I just didn't want it to end.

I loved Thea's writing in the hurricane wars and this one just confirmed it even more for me and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us going forwards.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions in this review are my own.

5 "Oh, Oskar!" stars! I am so glad I shamelessly begged for a chance to read this early. I am a huge long standing fan of Critical Role and campaign 2 holds a special place in my heart while the OG Tusk Love journal holds a special place on my shelves. This book will join that.

To start off before I go on to spoil the book, you do NOT need to know anything about Critical Role to read this. Any terms you might be unfamiliar with (mainly the renaming of D&D species/races to fit the CR world) is explained to you right after what they are/look like. If you need further visualization there is a very in depth and through wiki for Critical Role specifically that you can just type the term in the search bar. Like I said though, you shouldn't need to do so unless you want to and if you are interested in learning more about the CR world, I suggest watching campaign 2 (The Mighty Nein) first if you have time for the live plays (eagerly awaiting the animated show for c2!) or watching the animated show Vox Machina that is based off campaign 1 which is also an excellent watch. There are also tons of other spin off live play shows, comics, and other prequel books for characters from the universe.

Now onto the book, this is quite obviously a love letter to Critical Role and it is camp as fuck. I absolutely adored it! I laughed so much and had such a wonderful time falling back into one of my most cherished worlds. This literally couldn't have been any more perfect as a real life adaptation of the in game joke of a romance novel. It was tropey as hell and a bodice ripper but it fit PERFECTLY for what it was going for. I love the characters, I love the romance, I love the setting, I love the plot. It was all just truly perfection. This book would 100% make Jester duplicate a thousand copies to give to everyone.

Thea, you did Matilda Merceria proud.

BROODY SHREK DADDY but make it d&d vibes !!!

This was an amazing cozy fantasy standalone about and orc and a human embracing on a quest to her betrothed!! This was funny and adventurous but also way spicer than I expected !

I will definitely be selling this in my store!!

This was a cute romantasy featuring a merchant’s daughter born in high society and a half-orc who is of the common folk. Their paths collide when our FMC is attacked on the way to meet her betrothed and our MMC intervenes to make sure she makes her trip safely. They fight their growing attraction for each other since she has to marry the lord to save her family’s reputation and finances - but they can only fight it for so long.

I would consider this a cozy fantasy mixed with monster romance and found it to be a rather relaxing, enjoyable listen! I thought both narrators did a great job.

Thank you to Del Rey and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review!

I love The Hurricane Wars series, so I wanted to try another book by Thea Guanzon that’s outside that world. Tusk Love is a Critical Role tie in, and I was curious about it. Since I received an advance review copy, I was able to read it before its release.

The dynamics between Guinevere and Oskar were refreshing. It’s not uncommon for writers to put people from different classes together and force them to choose between social expectations and their desires; however, Guinevere isn’t exactly upper class, and her position is precarious. That makes it more interesting to see her grapple with what she wants versus what her parents expect from her.

Guinevere had an interesting character arc, because she’s also confronted with the truth about her relationship with her parents and how much emotional abuse she’s suffered from them over the years. She wrestles with accepting and embracing her magic and she also confronts the fact that her parents have kept secrets that are endangering her life.

Oskar is more noble than those who carry a title, and he always tries to put Guinevere first, even when it’s breaking his heart. Despite the fact that he’s the rain cloud in this grumpy sunshine romantasy, he’s a generous, considerate character who’s willing to sacrifice his happiness if it means Guinevere is okay. It’s easy to root for him because he is such a good guy.

There were a lot of interesting developments throughout this story, and it moved in unexpected ways. I enjoyed some of the friendships developed along the way, and I enjoyed the resolution. I’d actually love to see more adventures featuring Oskar and Guinevere.

Overall, this was a fun read that I enjoyed and it’s a great option for those who like steamy romantasy stories.

I thought this book was a cute fun romantasy read. The characters were funny and engaging. This reminded me of swordheart except I felt that the author made it a little more engaging. I appreciated the realness of the characters and how they grew up. I also liked that both of them had more real reactions.