👻 standalone romantasy
🍑 open door spice
👻 dual POVs
🍑 naive sunshine FMC x grumpy MMC
👻 themes of classism
🍑 perfect blend of cosy and action
👻 story within the Critical Role / DnD world
🍑 only one horse & bed

Wow. I fell in absolute adoring love with this book. As I'm writing this review I'm still all smiley and giggling and kicking my feet.

I'm not a DnD player / Critical Role understander I feel like you don't have to be part of this world to enjoy this one.

It's very akin to the original fantasy recipe - main characters are on an adventure in an immersive world (i lost time reading this as I got so into it), great and unique MCs who you learn more about as you go, some incredible (and hilarious) characters you meet along the way, and a romance to quite literally die for.

Bless Guinevere - she is a naive and wholesome FMC.
She goes on such a journey, from being sheltered and unloved to this wild and free individual. And Oskar? H deserves the biggest hug. He's also so swoon worthy like the grumpy but slowly gets soft for her hits SO HARD.

And I'm sorry but the communication in this? Incredible. No miscommunication here, readers. They.
Communicate. Yes, I'm pointing it out because Thea has done this so well and it's so perfect and so necessary for these two. You'll see what I mean.

Overall, I fell in love with every aspect, from the writing to the characters. This was truly a wonderful read and with a perfect blend of action and cosy vibes, this is an incredible addition to the genre. Centre of the shelf for you, Tusk Love!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was AMAZING! It was such a heartwarming warming journey with the most incredible character growth. The world building and side characters were so well done and our MCs were just perfection!

I just love Guinevere and Oskar 🥰 Their relationship was so wholesome, I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. We praise the healthy communication trope 🙌🏼 I love how vulnerable these characters were with each other, showing that it’s okay for even big ass orcs to cry! And the way these characters changed and grew together was just *chefs kiss*. Guinevere learned to embrace and love who she truly was, becoming a strong independent woman! And Oskar learned that it’s okay to smile every now and then 😂

I simply loved everything about this book. It deserves all the star. Thea Guanzon can do no wrong 🙌🏼

But I need to know what happens next! I need more of Gwen and Oskars story as they travel to onward!

A very sweet romance with a great setting and some good characters.

Id definitely recommend this to romantasy readers. It's not my favorite genre but I can still appreciate a good book.

4.75

this was just so much fun. when i say i want cosy fantasy romance THIS is what i mean! i am seated for every single thing thea guanzon writes from this moment on; i loved her humour and style in this and hope it translates into her other work too!

the characters were so loveable, the romance was believable and their chemistry was palpable from the start.

i’ll be the first to admit i love a tropey plot and this was IT! only one bed trope TWICE in ONE BOOK? im living my best life.

quarter star lost only because the ending felt a little rushed.

Tusk Love could not have come at a better time because I have been slumping and slumping hard, I do not pmuls. And this book brought me back.

Guanzon writes the perfect blend of romance and fantasy in Tusk Love.

Oskar is man that is just happy to be in Guinevere's presence and isn't that what we all want. He worships the ground upon which she walks, as he should. At one point her praised her walking and I kicked my legs in glee because that is what I want to be praised for walking or sitting or breathing, I'm flexible.

In Tusk Love, Guanzon delivers a cozy romantic fantasy that makes you feel content. I enjoyed Guinevere's and Oskar's character development but Guinevere's in particular as she free's herself from the prison that is her parents. There is a bit of insta love but I think it's great in this, like yes get me to the romance faster, but also it didn't detract from the development. The developing was still happening and I think the early intimacy was needed in order for both of them to grow emotionally and not be selfish.

I loved Tusk Love - a perfectly executed low (but also high) stakes cozy romance with loveable idiots.

Thank you to Del Rey , Thea Guanzon and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest reivew.

Tusk Love releases in the UK on the 1st of July!

Tusk Love is a delightful cozy fantasy romance. The setting is super vivid and the side characters were so much fun. The romance is a fast, sweet whirlwind. They’re all heart-eyes for each other right away, which isn’t usually my thing, which is why I didn't give it five stars. But honestly, I had a good time with this one. If you love rich, atmospheric worldbuilding and sweet, fantasy romance (with a bit of spice), give it a shot.

This was SO GOOD! I devoured this and loved every minute. It's so romantic and has such a cozy adventure! Plus the breaking down of ones own prejudices was such a powerful and lovely message. I think Thea Guanzon did an amazing job and i'm so grateful to have been able to read an ARC of this!

Thank you so much Del Rey for my ARC, I am so appreciative!

5/5

Thank you to Cornerstone and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I wanted to note that I don’t know anything about Critical Role so I went into this knowing there would likely be things I would miss.

However, I think this book is absolutely fine to read with zero knowledge of critical role! I found it very easy to follow and enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding and I found the plot very easy to follow. Typically I find travel books where the characters have to get from point A to point B rather boring because it becomes very repetitive. However, I really enjoyed the travelling aspects in this book as I found it to be well engaging.

The only thing I wasn’t too fond of was the insta love between our characters. I understand that this is a short book and it was almost a given considering the genre and how short this book is, but I wanted more development between them before they immediately fell in love.

This is a sweet short read, and I do recommend picking this one up. The horses were a fantastic addition to the story too!

Such a fun and entertaining book!

This was everything I love in a romance, with historical vibes. Heroine (who is all sunshine) is betrothed to another man, but falls in love with her grumpy travelling companion along the way to her destination.

Guinevere was so adorably naive and charming, sheltered, yet brave, with a thirst for adventure. Oskar was reluctantly sweet and protective, and they were each other's opposite in every way.

The way their relationship went from shy and hesitant, to hot and sizzling was incredibly charming.

There was also just enough action in between the romance, and so much emotion with hints of vulnerability too.

And I love this author's writing, it's so beautifully descriptive and very easy to get lost in.

I would have liked Guinevere and Oskar to have eventually made it to the destination he abandoned in favour of accompanying her, and I was a little disappointed this didn't happen. Otherwise, I had such a fantastic time with this story and really loved it.

4.5 stars
“You light up every room you walk into. With you, hiking through interminable wilderness is actually bearable. You’re very good at making people happy.”

I adored this book! Guinevere’s caravan is attacked by bandits while she en route to her wedding, and she gets rescued by Oskar, a half-orc travelling to find his family. After their encounter he ends up escorting her (and her mysterious dowry-containing trunk) all the way to her parents. As expected, they soon begin to fall for each other, even if it takes them a while to admit it.

The romance was everything, cosy, sweet, and spicy, with plenty of well-loved tropes such as grumpyxsunshine and one bed/horse trope (“What the hell happened to all the beds in Wildemount? Are we in a shortage?”), but the best part for me were the characters. Guinevere truly finds herself during this adventure, at the beginning she is kind but spoiled and somewhat naïve, while after her journey she becomes more confident, capable of standing up to her parents and fighting for herself and what she wants. And to be honest, her reactions at having to trek through the forest were so relatable and a perfect comic relief (“Because yes, she could do this, but surely no one should have to.”). As for Oskar… he might be the grump in the relationship, but he is incredibly sweet, and he never stood a chance against Gwen!

While I’m sure that for fans of Critical Role this book is filled with names and places they recognize and love, it really is not necessary to be able to understand the story, as the author does a great job of explaining the characters and the worldbuilding without info-dumping. The book is fairly short, but it jumps right into the action, and the pacing is perfect at keeping the reader’s attention. The writing is hilarious and it made me laugh out loud a few times!

Tusk Love truly is the perfect whimsical romantasy to read in one sitting, with a mix of cosy and spicy, loveable characters and a few sword fights to shake things up.

Thank you to Netgalley, the editor, and the author for the copy!

When I tell you this was my number 1 anticipated book for this year so it was so exciting to receive an advance edition (which I promptly inhaled in the following two days). I think this month alone I've listened to more than 3000 minutes of Critical Role, and I'm a big Hurricane Wars fan (pls Thea Guanzon go on tour with this book so I can get a copy of this signed to go with my Hurricane Wars copy I beg).

My general take-away from this book was if you're a big Critical Role fan then there are a whole load of little name drops and I loved that the landscape all felt familiar. The fight scenes also felt D&D styled, although no dice rolling or stats involved. Guanzon being a DM herself has a thorough understanding of the turn taking, story-telling rhythms that make the game (and the book!) so much fun.

And for those who have no idea who Critical Role are, or what D&D is, I think this book still succeeds in being a light-hearted romantasy that wraps the reader up in fighting mercenaries and falling in love with your accidental bodyguard. Super fun characters, absolutely recommend!

I am such a HUGE fan of Thea Guanzon – truly, to me she can do no wrong. Tusk Love was steamy, a little bit silly, very heartfelt and most of all, an ode to Critical Role. Guinevere’s personal journey, from how she gained confidence and came out from her oppressive parent’s control was refreshing and sweet, and at no point did I feel like she was too much or too little. Like Oskar, I fell head over heels for her! And grumpy but earnest Oskar has my heart too! He deserves such a happy life and I love that by the end he and Guinevere would seek one out together, on the road for as long as they want, happy in one another’s arms. I will say I wished for more from them – maybe an epilogue? – but I was ultimately satisfied with the end we got.

As a diet DnD fan, it was so nice seeing familiar aspects of the lore and the history scattered throughout the book! Thea Guanzon’s writing shone and made the world shine. I was enamoured by the new descriptions of each city Oskar and Gwen visited on their way to the Menagerie Coast. Above all, this made me want to start a new BG3 save, which is exactly what I was looking for when I requested this book. I wish I could reread it again already and can’t wait until I have my final copy in my hands.

Tusk love [critical role]



Author Thea Guanzon

Release July 1st 2025

Rating 5 stars [10 on CAWPILE]



“Oh Oskar…”

I had to say it.

When I saw this pop up on NetGalley I knew I had to request it as a huge critical role fan and someone who has been in love with Tusk love since the moment Laura Bailey uttered it at the table. I was so excited for this and I am so happy to report I was not disappointed this has everything about it and Thea looked after our Gwen and Oskar so well.



I was swept into the world and captivated by these to and how much the world had little nods for us critical role fans but I also think that this book is going to invite all the people who just loves a bit of romantasy in their life because they are everything and more.



I would lay down my life for these to as much as I would for Vaxleth and if you know me at all that is the highest compliment I could give anyone.



The world was so immersive that I could see it all and where they were in each part. And don’t worry I am getting there. There was Smut are we shocked hell no we knew that there would be smut for this book just on how it was created and now I wait until I can yap about this with the CR peeps as well as my bookish friends because I predict this will blow up.



I will say even if you have read from this author before this book is so different and if I could give it a higher rating I would.


So let’s head in Exandria and say to Guinevere and Oskar AKA captain Tusktooth How do you want to do this? And capture the heart of the masses.


Review going up today 29th March

This heartwarming adventure follows an orc and the girl he saves as they travel to deliver her to her betrothed. Along the way, they form an unexpected bond.

While the plot isn’t complex, the story is sweet and character-driven, making it an easy, binge-worthy read with plenty of charm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having followed Thea since her fanfic days, and been a fan of Critical Role for many years, I was delighted when I was picked for this ARC.

Tusk Love follows Guinevere, a high-born, merchants' daughter, woefully ignorant of the ways of the world, and Oskar, an apprentice blacksmith, who stumble upon each other quite by chance when Guinevere's caravan is attacked by bandits.

After realising how innocent she is of the world, Oscar reluctantly agrees to help her reach Nikodranis, where he learns Guinevere is to be married, all the while fighting their growing attraction to one another.

Fans of Thea Guanzon, Critical Role, Dungeons and Dragons, and fans of a certain trope will adore Tusk Love.

What to expect:
Rich x Poor
🔮Hidden Magic
Travelling
Grumpy x Sunshine☀️
⚔️ Half-Orc Warrior
He Falls First 💕
Secret Softie
Only One Horse 🐴

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

What a cosy fantasy romance to settle down with. Pick up your tea, burrow under those blankets, and get ready for a delightful adventure.

Two worlds collide when Guinevere and Oskar meet, though the apprentice blacksmith doesn’t know what’s coming for him when he saves the prim damsel from blazing fire. Little did Oskar know that in rescuing Guinevere, he’d end up so tightly wrapped around her finger.

Tusk Love was such a delightful read. The action is non-stop, never once did the story drag it was simply a cosy, spicy and sweet story that was such fun to read.

This was a really fun read and exactly what I needed after finishing a heavy emotionally devastating book beforehand.

I loved seeing Gwen develop throughout the book and come into her own. There some really funny moment and over all it felt light, cosy and full of joy with just the right amount of threat to keep things interesting.

I had no previous knowledge of critical role and I dont think this hindered my enjoyment at all.

For me some aspects of the spicier scenes didn't seem to fit the characters and although I like a "good girl" as much as the next person it didn't feel authentic to the character.

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0 STARS

As a fan of Critical Role, this book was an immediate add to my TBR and I am so grateful to be given an eARC by Random House UK. The origin of the book Tusk Love starts early in Critical Role's DnD Campaign 2 but you definitely do not need to be aware of any lore to read this!

Tusk Love is the quintessential cozy fantasy. It was so enjoyable I read it in a few hours. I'm normally someone who enjoys high stakes/epic fantasy but this was a great change of pace.

If you are looking for a fast paced read with cozy vibes, adult romantasy, forbidden love/opposites attract, yearninggggggggggg and grumpy/sunshine this is a must read!

i had high hopes for tusk love by thea guanzon, especially after enjoying the hurricane wars, but i found myself somewhat disappointed. the story moved too quickly for my taste - i wanted more world-building and deeper character development. the fast pacing made it hard to fully connect with the characters and their journey

the novella follows guinevere, a merchant’s daughter expected to marry into nobility, but she dreams of adventure. when bandits attack her caravan, she’s rescued by oskar, a guarded half-orc traveling in search of lost family. though reluctant, he allows her to accompany him, and despite their differences, a slow-burning romance begins to form. as their feelings grow, they must decide between their planned futures or the unexpected bond between them

despite my issues with pacing, tusk love is a cute, whimsical read. it’s short length makes it a quick, enjoyable escape, even if it didn’t fully meet my expectations

Tusk Love is a cosy, low stakes, romantasy and I really enjoyed it.

This story has a grumpy half-orc who ends up playing chaperone/guard and a sunshine merchants daughter who needs to get herself and a mysterious trunk home to her parents after all of her guards are murdered when bandits want her and this trunk.

This book has one bed, one horse, forced proximity, forbidden romance, spice, secrets, magic, found family and some classic sword fights.