The Orc and the Innkeeper is a charming and imaginative start to the Elderberry Falls series. Set in a whimsical magical town, this fake-relationship paranormal romance delivers humor, heart, and a touch of steam. Mariah and Thorak’s dynamic—former schoolyard tension turned reluctant partnership—adds just the right amount of emotional pull.

The audiobook, narrated by Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro, was a highlight. Their performances captured the characters’ personalities and emotions beautifully, adding depth to the story’s humor and warmth. I listened at 1.5x speed and found the quality smooth and engaging throughout.

From pixie dust mite infestations to a reformed orc with a long-time crush, this was such a fun ride. I’m looking forward to more from Elderberry Falls!

Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC.

I thought this was going to be a cute, cozy, D&D inspired type of book, but I was sadly wrong. Although this book had good parts, it wasn't what I thought it would be. I knew going into it that bullying was involved, but it was brutal stuff. The MMC was an idiot. For the first book in a series, it didn't do much to set up for the other books, and some of the details in this book didn't make sense.

This book gave major Hallmark vibes with a sprinkle of fantasy fluff — and honestly, I wanted to love it more. It’s light, it’s heartwarming, and there’s literally a man with a teacup pig trotting around on tiny hooves 🐷😭 SO CUTE. But let’s talk about why I couldn’t rate it higher…

💬 The dialogue?
Cringe city. Like, 75% of the time, I was physically wincing at my screen. Think cheesy one-liners that even a rom-com in 2002 would’ve rejected.

😬 The romance?
Our girl Mariah goes from “he made my life hell in school” to “I think I love him” way too fast. He bullied her. Relentlessly. And now she’s swooning after one hot reunion and a half-baked apology? Not buying it. Also, the “he always loved her, just didn’t show it right” trope? 🗑️ HARD pass.

🎭 The second half?
So much unnecessary drama. Between Mariah’s endless insecurity spiral and the messy ex subplot, the chill cozy vibes got totally lost. I came for magical fluff, not emotional whiplash.

💫 That said… if you’re after a feel-good, small-town romance with fantasy touches and a guaranteed happy ending — this still might hit the spot (especially if you’re immune to cringe and obsessed with tiny animals).

I really enjoyed this! Sometimes you need a little palate cleanser between the heavier books, and this was perfect for that! It was sweet, low stress and quick resolution to the conflicts. The author did a great job at creating chemistry between the leads in under 300 pages and that is IMPRESSIVE.

Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 (r0unded down)

I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I stumbled upon this book but I'm very happy I did. The Orc and the Innkeeper is a fantasy romance that is equal parts cozy and spicy. We follow two enemies, Mariah and Thornak, who manage to wind themselves into a fake engagement for each of their own personal gain... or are they in it for something else?

"These next 14 days will either be my sweetest fantasy come true or my ultimate undoing."

This was a bit of a different writing style than I am used to - but not in a negative way at all. I think it really helped draw me into the novel and feel at home in this fantasy world; being able to imagine the town of "Elderberry Falls" and understanding the social issues that plague some residents and visitors. As stated above, this book has such a cozy atmosphere. Nailing all the little details that make up this novel - like the opening with "pixie dust mites". Because of this I found it to be such a fun read that put a smile on my face.

"Don't let your fear of the past keep you from embracing the future."

I found myself rather enthralled in the lives of our main characters and their shenanigans. I enjoyed how real these fantasy creatures (and one human) really felt. They were flawed, loveable, interesting, charismatic, and brave. Although, I was also slightly taken aback by how casually the main female character, Mariah, got over her so called "torture" from her school bully-turned possible lover. It didn't seem right to me that she would just casually accept everything and everyone at their word. However, she does go on a rollercoaster of trust uncertainty later on in the book so maybe she was written like this on purpose. A strong character, most definitely, but maybe a little bit of a pushover in certain scenes. Loveable, nonetheless.

“How hearts can open, and prejudices fade when people are given the chance to truly understand one another.”

Overall, I found this a wonderful quick read that I didn't want to put down.

This book is one very fun ride. If you're looking for fantasy, very spicy, cozy, enemies to lovers, fake dating, types of books - I would highly recommend you pick up this series.

super cute romance without a drawn out angst plot, i really enjoyed it, the voice actors also did a great job, the characters are all loveable and the plot was so good!

"The Orc and the Innkeeper" by Cora Crane is a delightful fantasy romance that will whisk your attention away to the charming, magical Elderberry Falls. Narrated by Jack Calihan & Rose Dioro, it is a total gem if you're into cozy, heartwarming stories with that awesome fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers vibe!

The unique plot immediately drew me in as it presents Mariah, an innkeeper, who finds herself in a surprising arrangement with her old high school bully, Thorak, an orc brewmaster. He needs a fake fiancée, and she desperately needs to save her inn from a glittery pixie dust mite infestation. Their deal kicks off an engaging and often hilarious adventure, full of unexpected twists and turns.

What truly shines is Mariah and Thorak's dynamic. Cora Crane did a fantastic job developing their relationship with all its historical package, making it incredibly satisfying to listen to them go from rivals to something genuinely sweet and tender. Their "enemies-to-lovers" journey is handled nicely, letting their past play into things, all while building a believable and heartwarming connection. Thorak becomes incredibly endearing, wile Mariah's resilience and wit make her easy to root for! Also, I have to say that the choice to feature characters around 30 years of age was a refreshing touch, adding a lovely layer of maturity to their evolving relationship.

And Elderberry Falls itself? Its magical charm creates a cozy atmosphere that's just perfect for a romantically-calling setting. It's the kind of enchanting town you'll wish you could visit, full of quirky details that add to the book's overall cozy feel.

The dual narration by Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro was absolutely phenomenal. They both did a great job portraying emotions like lust, happiness, sadness, and even betrayal, keeping me utterly engaged throughout the entire narration. Their performances truly brought Thorak and Mariah to life, making their chemistry feel even more real. I'd definitely enjoy listening to more collaborations from this duo!

So, if you want a lighthearted, feel-good listen that expertly mixes fantasy, romance, and a good laugh, "The Orc and the Innkeeper" needs to go on your must-hear list right now! It's a perfect escape into a world where even an orc and an innkeeper can find their happily ever after. Seriously, I can't recommend it enough!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audio!

Tropes: Bully romance, second-chance, fake engagement

Rating: 5/5

Spice Level- 2/5


Summary:

Mariah is the owner and innkeeper located in Elderberry Falls. She struggles to keep the place afloat barely scraping by much of the time. It’s discovered there is a pixie mite infestation in one of the rooms which is going to cost around 20k to solve and the longer she leaves it alone the worse the infestation will become. Thorak an Orc is Mariah's high school bully who tormented her, made her life miserable, and can’t shake the way he made her feel awful about herself but just being a human. He wandered into her inn to meet with a possible client to expand his brewing company into the human lands. The client is prejudiced against supernatural's unwilling to strike a deal until Thorak blurts out that his fiancée is a human. The fiancé and the human are both nonexistent. Mariah decides to strike a deal with Thorak she will be his fake finance for two weeks if he will pay for her pixie mite infestation. The deal is agreed upon and the fake engagement starts.


Review:
The main characters are around 30 years of age which is a nice touch instead of the normal 21 year old romance books. The Characters have small town vibes, as someone who grew up in a small town it's normal to hold onto things especially when you can run into that person at any minute. I loved the fake engagement dynamic and how easy this book was to listen too. The book had a good pace, was quick, cute and I believe very well written for a first novel. I personally can’t wait for the next in the series to come out so I can listen and read that one as well.

Narrations:
The audio is a dual narration from Jack Calihan; Rose Dioro. I listened between 1.5x-2.0x and noticed zero issues with the audio. Both narrates did a good job portraying emotions such as lust, happiness, sadness, and betrayal. They kept me engaged in the story for the whole 6 hour narration and I would enjoy listening to more collaborations of this duo again.

Recommendations:
I recommend this to anyone who wants a cute and cozy read. One with fantasy, magic and small town vibes. This would be a perfect book to read/listen to on a rainy fall day.

"The Orc and the Innkeeper"? It's seriously such a delightful fantasy romance that'll whisk you away to charming, magical Elderberry Falls. This book is a total gem if you're into cozy, heartwarming stories with that awesome fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers vibe!

The unique plot? Mariah, an innkeeper, finds herself in a surprising arrangement with her old high school bully, Thorak, an orc brewmaster. He needs a fake fiancée, and she needs... well, she needs something too! Their deal kicks off an engaging and often hilarious adventure!

What truly shines is Mariah and Thorak's dynamic. Watching them go from rivals to something genuinely sweet and tender is so satisfying! Their 'enemies-to-lovers' journey is handled perfectly, letting their past play into things while building a real connection. Thorak becomes endearing, and Mariah's resilience and wit make her easy to root for!

And Elderberry Falls? Its magical charm creates a whimsical vibe that's just perfect for the romance. It's the kind of enchanting town you'll wish you could visit, full of quirky details!

So, if you want a lighthearted, feel-good read that mixes fantasy, romance, and a good laugh, "The Orc and the Innkeeper" is a total must-read! It's a perfect escape into a world where even an orc and an innkeeper find their happily ever after. Seriously, can't recommend it enough!

Oh, you want a cozy monster romance with a cinnamon roll but slightly grumpy Orc? An effervescent human innkeeper? And their lives as they live through some of the best tropes known to romance literature??? I am talking fake dating, grumpy sunshine, pining, ugh…10/10! The only thing that made the story better? THE AUDIOBOOK!! Rose Dioro and Jack Calihan did a brilliant duet for this story!! Hearing Thorack and Mariah brought to life via this dream team duo….again 10/10!

This was such a delightful surprise. I went into The Orc and the Innkeeper expecting a light, fun fantasy romance, and it delivered that and more. Cora Crane has a playful and heartfelt writing style that made the story feel both cozy and fresh.

What really brought this audiobook to life was the narration. Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro were a perfect match for the characters. Jack gave the orc such warmth and quiet strength without losing that edge of gruff charm, while Rose brought such emotional nuance and spark to the innkeeper. Their performances made the chemistry between the characters feel even more real. They played off each other beautifully, and the dual narration made it feel like a truly shared story.

The romance was sweet and genuine, with just the right amount of spice. I appreciated how both characters had depth and agency. There’s something really special about fantasy romances that manage to feel grounded while still giving you an escape.

If you enjoy low-stakes fantasy with heart, humor, and excellent narration, this audiobook is worth your time. I’ll definitely be listening to more from both the author and the narrators.

Solid four stars from me, and a big thumbs-up to the voice work.

It was a cute story, and the duel narrators were really good in creating a love story I was invested in. The plot itself wasn't anything new or super exciting. It had fake dating for those who like that trope, but I didn't feel super connected to the characters. I'd recommend listening to this story over physically reading, because I fear I would have potentially DNF'd due to nothing too exciting. Overall not a bad book, but wouldn't say that everyone NEEDS to read this.

I adored this book so much, the character development was really nicely paced and I really liked the characters.
The narrators were wonderful very clearly spoken and kept me engaged and enjoying my time with the characters the whole way through

Oooh yes this was just the right amount of cozy, magical and a lil bit saucy.

Mariah and Thorak were the best kind of reluctant partnership. Mariah wanted to save her inn and Thorak needed to impress his potential brewing investor but their past really cast a shadow over everything in the beginning.

The fake engagement started out as a means to an end but for Thorak he wanted to prove to Mariah that he had changed and his behaviour towards her in high school was a product of his upbringing and trying to suppress his feelings for her. He was always enamoured. Mariah felt conflicted about Thorak, on the one hand he was one of her high school tormentors but on the other hand she was always drawn to him & felt there was more beneath the surface. I'm so glad they got another chance, they learnt more about each other after all those years apart and it just goes to show that growth is possible after years of separation. I'm so glad his parents came around in the end as well. Breaking down prejudices people!

Loved the setting and all the magical side characters of Elderberry Falls, would be glad to read more books in this series.

Narration by Rose Dioro and Jack Calihan was delightful and of course hats off to the production team as well.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, this ALC was truly charming!

Such a cute and cozy book!

Are you looking for a short, sweet and steamy monster romance?

I loved our main characters, the romance was very sweet. The book had the perfect blend of plot and spice. I actually enjoyed the conflict in the book, it made sense for the plot and it was well handled/written! It didn't drag on like some books do. Excited to see more of the Elderberry Falls series!

The audiobook was well done I loved both the narrators. The pacing was great!

3.5 Stars

I received the ALC for The Orc and the Innkeeper through NetGalley, and honestly, the dual narration was what caught my attention the most—and it did not disappoint. The narrators truly brought Thorak and Mariah to life, adding a delightful richness to a story that felt like a whimsical blend of romantic fantasy and cozy small-town drama.

This book is what you’d get if a Hallmark movie got magically teleported into a Dungeons & Dragons tavern. There’s a fake engagement, a broody orc-turned-brewmaster, a fiercely determined human innkeeper, a third-act miscommunication, overbearing parents, glittery pixie dust mites wrecking the guest rooms, and yes, even the hot ex who suddenly wants you back after ghosting you (ugh, the nerve). It’s a bit predictable, yes—but that’s part of its charm. If you're craving a low-stakes fantasy romance with a nostalgic feel, this book fits the bill.

This cozy fantasy follows Mariah, a hardworking innkeeper drowning in pixie dust mites and financial stress. Enter Thorak Ironfist—her former high school bully turned successful brewmaster—who needs a human fiancée to help close a big deal in the human realm. So when she overhears his fake engagement lie, Mariah makes him a deal: she'll play the part of the doting bride-to-be if he helps save her inn.

That said, one element didn’t quite work for me: the bullying backstory. Thorak made Mariah’s high school life miserable—and the excuse? That he bullied her because he liked her and didn’t want a vampire to use her?? Sorry, but that doesn't justify years of emotional distress. This wasn’t grade school, and I wish that dynamic had been handled with more nuance. Still, their growth and chemistry as adults helped balance it out, and it made for a decent redemption arc—even if I wasn’t fully sold.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review. This books gives off so much warm and cozy vibes! I truly wish I would have read this around Fall as it is the perfect blend of cozy, spicy romance, and different types of mythical creatures! Mariah is running the inn and runs into some financial trouble leading her to make a deal with her hunky enemy, Thornak. The deal involves fake dating in exchange for money to fix her inn infestation. Feelings from loathe quickly turn into steamy passion!

A cozy orc/ human romance set in the enchanting town of Elderberry falls.
A fake engagement with the fmc's high-school bully keeps the pair guessing whether their blooming feelings could be real.

Enter grovelling orc and a human struggling to trust the man who once tormented her.

The story looks at racial discrimination and prejudice several times within the plot, the world being a mixture of different magical races, all with backstories to their historical suffering and reason behind their feelings. This genrally light-hearted read also tugs at themes of bullying and the expections of children from their parents.

The setting for this tale is full of potential for further books in the series, i hope we get to see more of Thorak and Mariah.

For a monster romance, this was a sweet romance with some open door scenes and a 2/ 5 chilli rating.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy from netgalley of the Duel narrated Audiobook.
Both audio narrators were fantastic and brought the characters to life, their narration keeping with the style of the book.

Fav bit- Thorak's relationship with his sister and how he distanced himself from his parents to start his own business. We are proud of a self-made orc.

This is a story featuring an enemies to lovers trope between a human female and the orc male who used to bully her in school due to his misplaced ideas of racial purity. Now he needs her help posing as his fake human fiance to seal an important business deal, which she agrees to for her own very valid financial reasons. Things then unfold as you would expect...

I had tgmtggt this would be something along the lines of Penner's charming bookish romantasy stories of orcs and other creatures, but it turned out to be a pretty standard tale. It is best suited to those who like romance stories with minimal other storytelling elements, as the world building is fairly basic.

What a cute cozy orc romance! If you are able to forgive a bully trope then you can enjoy the fake dating side of this fun and enchanting book. There were times when the problems felt a little zoomed over but when I think about what I want from a cozy fantasy it would be closer to what is written in this story. I don’t want the problems to be drawn out. I want to hear about the magic, the willingness for people to change the way they think and be more inclusive and hello, the romance! This left me wanting more. I wasn’t ready for the story to be over and that to me is a sign that I liked the world building and the characters.