The writing style of this book really wasn't the one for me. It felt very much like she'd gotten a few words out of a dictionary, and they didn't flow very well. I was very invested in the storyline, but felt the plot was subpar.

First of all, thanks so much to NetGalley for this ARC! It's very much appreciated.

This book for me was a solid 3.25 stars read!
The story follows Rayna and an Orc and from my experience, I could see an enemies to lovers relationship and tension. I thought it was a very cool plot and there are little fantasies featuring Orc's and I felt like I was reading something Disney themed! Or even Shrek which brought back childhood memories 😅 Overall, the book was very enjoyable, Rayna was hilarious and I loved her character. I also loved the mood of the book and the writing was entertaining. I wasn't bored at all and loved to read the dialogue!!

Though I knocked off some stars because:
I felt like this was a fantasy (based on the atmosphere) of something rather not that modern. So when dating apps were mentioned I got a bit annoyed. There's also mentions of slang and abbreviations like "tbh" that I didn't really enjoy. They'd be fine in a romance, but in a fantasy, I think not. Especially the Orc "vibe" if you will that really reminded me of a vintage foresty style.
I also loved the enemies to lovers relationship but there was a part about 20 percent in that he grabbed her from the waist, and she got butterflies and I wanted there to be more of a slow burn as it's enemies to lovers.

Though this is my personal opinion and I think overall this book was great and had a lot of thought. It's an enjoyable book and I think it's also great for people who want to get in the fantasy genre.

Anything I said shouldn't be taken to heart as it's my opinion, and how I interpreted it. I hope others enjoy those parts I didn't and I wish the author all possible success! Thank you again, this was a lovely experience.

Keep on writing Shay, you have lots of potential ❤️❤️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
I enjoyed the start of this book but I think that as much as it tried to have a plot, it was lost at the end of the day.
I did enjoy the banter and also loved the Nigerian names by the way made me smile. However, it felt very underwhelming and the end that was supposed to give shock value really fell short.

This reminds me of a jack and the beanstalk retelling except its a 'shrek' retelling about a Orc who was sent to earth like banished from his hometown to earth by a witch and all he needed was loves true kiss to break his curse of being a human an turning back into a orc so he goes on a mission and meets these two humans Rayna and her sister Juno who think at first hes a homeless man. The book had comedy it was funny and I loved how it made me laugh, Vultog is the orc's name. He just wants to go back to his hometown.
The book is funny, fast-paced, and full of fairy-tale mayhem. Think rom-com with a fantasy twist until the final act, when things get intense. Secrets come out, the spice level rises, and the emotional punches hit hard.

A delightfully strange and heartfelt monster romance that completely surprised me!

"The Orc’s True Love" blends humor, slow-burn tension, and emotional depth into a truly original fairy tale twist. Vultog is charmingly sincere (even when absurd), and Rayna’s cynicism makes their dynamic electric. Their banter crackles, the stakes feel real, and the slow build of trust is incredibly satisfying.
The “fated mates” trope is used smartly here—not as a shortcut, but as a foundation for real emotional conflict. Plus, the London setting adds a gritty, grounded contrast to all the magical chaos.
Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger. And yes, I’m already desperate for book two.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Shrek but make it spicy, emotional and slightly traumatised”

Imagine you’re an orc. You had a home. A life. Then some greedy human named Jack climbs a beanstalk and steals your money and while following you fall into another world, fast forward, and you’re living in the woods, broke and lonely—until a witch zaps you straight into modern-day London… wearing the face and body of the lowly humans you despise.

Welcome to the chaotic tale of our poor displaced orc, now homeless and confused in a city that exactly welcoming to homeless, mentally deranged people.
All he wants is true love’s kiss to break the curse (as one does), but what he finds instead are Juno, a bit too trusting and helpful and Rayna: a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense Londoner who grew up in the foster system and is fiercely protective of her little sister. Trying to maneuver dating apps and making a living as a Viking impersonator challenges the strongest orc.

The book is fun, snarky, and doesn’t take itself too seriously—for the first two thirds, at least. Think rom-com meets fairy-tale chaos. But don’t be fooled: once we return to the fae realm in the final act, things get intense. Secrets are revealed, loyalties questioned, and the emotional stakes suddenly skyrocket. The spice gets spicy. The contrast works well and gives the story surprising depth.

The romance? Slow burn with heat. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The emotional damage? Unexpectedly real.

Oh, and the cover? Absolutely atrocious. But don’t judge this one by its art department.

Highly recommended if you like fairy tale twists, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, or just want to root for a cursed green man trying to make it back home with his true love….and yes, I know that Shrek is an ogre and not an orc IYKYK

Picking up the sequel for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion.