Red-Haired Ash Reads

Thorak Ironfist is determined to extend his ale business into the human realm but his investor is prejudiced and wants only a human go between. When Thorak blurts out he has a human fiancee who can handle it he finds himself with a potential deal but no fiancee. Mariah overheard the lie and agrees to be his fiancee if he pays for the repairs needed to fix her inn from a pixie dust mite infestation. 

I will admit I was a little apprehensive about starting this book because I saw it was a former bully romance, which I don’t really enjoy, but I am a fan of fake relationship stories so I figured I would give it a try. This was a surprisingly sweet story about people trying to overcome their past sins  and love finding a way. 

Mariah was an innkeeper who was determined to make her inn successful. She may agree to be Thorak’s fake fiancee but she doesn’t forget how he bullied her as a kid. Mariah was a sweet woman who may initially agree to this arrangement to save her inn, but we quickly see her start to fall for Thorak when he shows her how much he has changed. She does struggle to let go of her fear from the past and embrace the new Thorak and her love for him, but I think that is what made this romance believable. 

Thorak is a successful brewmaster and is trying hard to expand into the human realm. He has always been attracted to Mariah and as a kid that led to him being mean and hurting her. He has regretted his actions for over 10 years but this fake relationship situation is the first time he can apologize and show her who he truly is. I liked Thorak a lot, especially after he groveled for forgiveness. 

Throak and Mariah’s relationship was really sweet but also very emotional because they had a lot of past trauma they had to work through. They also have to deal with Thorak’s family who was prejudiced about humans and orcs being together. While I don’t normally enjoy bully romances, I did enjoy this one and how Thorak worked to prove himself to Mariah. 

Overall, this was a sweet and emotional story set in the magical cross-species town of Elderberry Falls. I am interested in reading the next book and seeing Mariah’s friend Ecco find love. 

TW: mentions of past bullying (some done by MMC); prejudice parents and side characters; 

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