Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon

A spellbinding romance where magic meets heart—and a grumpy half-orc meets his match

Thea Guanzon’s Tusk Love completely swept me away with its lush writing, magical world-building, and compelling characters. Even as someone who doesn’t follow Critical Role, I never felt out of the loop—the story stands solidly on its own.

The premise is simple but engaging: Guinevere's caravan is attacked, and Oskar, a gruff, reluctant half-orc, steps in to help her return safely to her family. Their journey becomes the heart of the book, with plenty of tension, banter, and romantic chemistry to keep things interesting.

Oskar was a standout for me. He’s the perfect balance of grumpy and kind—his frustration with Guinevere is often justified, but he still manages to be patient and protective. Guinevere, on the other hand, is a bit of a mixed bag. At 20, she’s understandably sheltered, but at times her immaturity feels more childlike than naïve. When we finally meet her cruel and emotionally distant parents, it’s hard to reconcile how she managed to stay so soft and kind. That disconnect was a little jarring.

The romance is very steamy, but Guanzon does a great job balancing spice with emotional development. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the story never loses momentum in favor of heat.

Overall, Tusk Love was a delightful surprise. Guanzon’s storytelling is rich and immersive, and I’m definitely adding more of her books to my TBR.

RATING: 4.5/5
SPICE: 3.5/5