Category: Paranormal / Fantasy

The Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Pumpkin BrideThe Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Princess Marigold and Sir Bram Duncan fell madly in love as teenagers and much to Marigold’s dismay, Bram insisted on leaving to seek his fortune before asking her parents for permission to marry her. Two years after he left, two major things happen in Marigold’s life, first she discovered she possessed a magical ability, but needed to keep it secret as magic was forbidden in the kingdom of Thornwick, and then she got the awful news that Bram was dead and sank deep into mourning. But she was alone in her grief as her family had no idea of the depth of her feelings for Bram. For the next three years loses herself in her studies and learning her magic and finally agrees to a political marriage with Prince Crispin of Harvest Hollow. Her marriage will never be a love match, but Crispin has pledged support in her kingdom’s war against the mountain sprites, so to help her people, she agrees to wed. But when she learns that Crispin is in cahoots with the sprites and plans to kill her brothers and then send her away so he can take over the kingdom of Thornwick, she runs away just weeks before her wedding. She runs with the Prince’s men in hot pursuit, and she seeks refugee at a pumpkin farm owned by a very grumpy orc.

Sir Bram Ducan faithfully served Prince Crispin for two years before the Prince betrayed him and caused him to be cursed by the Autumn Sprite, even though Bram correctly answered the sprites riddle. He was changed into an orc and bound by magic to Grimroot Farm, a small pumpkin farm in Harvest Hollow, and cannot tell anyone of his true identity, lest they die immediately. Crispin then taunts him about Marigold and tells him that he will take care of her, though enraged, Bram can do nothing and settles into a solitary life as Jask Bone-Cracker at Grimroot Farm. His life is mundane until three years later when who should come banging at his door than his true love. He tries to send her away, but Marigold is relentless and he finally agrees to let her stay one night. But one night turns into a month and he falls in love with her all over again, but to save her life, he can never tell her who he really is. Will true love find a way for these star-crossed lovers to find their HEA? Or will their hearts break all over again?

I requested this book because the blurb was intriguing and the author’s name was giving huge Princess Bride and Shrek vibes. This definitely is written with those stories in mind, but it is clearly its own story, Marigold and Bram are wonderful characters, and their love story is the kind you find in fairytales but with spice! This book has a sassy cat, a noble knight, a grumpy orc, a feisty princess, lots of magic, charming secondary characters, some warm love scenes, secrets, revelations, comeuppance, true love and wonderful HEA type of ending. If you liked Princess Bride and/or Shrek, you will love this book! I read this book and listened to the audiobook, they were both fantastic, but the audiobook was my favorite as it has dual narration, and the narrators really brought the characters to life!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Only One for the Orc (Claw Haven, #3)Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Claw Haven #3

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Two years ago, orc Nick Wicker met his fated mate, human, Violet “Vi” Harper, too bad she made it crystal clear that she didn’t believe in fated mates, and she thought Nick was annoying. He doesn’t accept rejection immediately and tries his best to make her like him, but as the time passes, he begins to lose hope. But when the owner of the bookshop that Vi works at is injured and can’t host the weekly book club, Nick sees his chance to impress Violet and offers to host the book club. Too bad he isn’t much of a reader and at the first meeting it becomes clear that he didn’t finish the book, which causes normally calm and collected Violet to yell at him and tell him to leave. Thinking all is lost, Nick makes a final attempt at winning her over by apologizing and to his absolute shock, she not only accepts, she kisses him! Could this be the opening he needs to finally convince her she is his mate?

Violet Harper moved to Claw Haven two years ago when her sister Gabrielle’s husband was killed in an accident. She found a job working at the local bookstore that is owned by Chester, a very grumpy dragon, but Violet seems to thrive in chaos and doesn’t know how to say No to anyone – other than Nic Wicker, the orc that everyone finds charming. But when Chester is injured and there is no way Violet can run his book club, she (ungraciously)accepts Nick offer to help. She is sure he is just trying to annoy her (as usual), so when he shows up unprepared, she flips out on him and tells him leave. She then feels bad and is shocked when he comes back to apologize and kisses him. Not only that but suggests they have a friends with benefits affair. But when feelings start to get deeper, old fears may tear them apart before they can see that they are meant to be.

I enjoyed returning to Claw Haven and was delighted to catch up with the previous characters and getting to know Violet and Nick. This story was your typical enemies to lovers & miscommunication romance, but it was anything but typical. Nick is keeping big secrets, and Violet has her own issues, but the chemistry between them is obvious and you can’t help but want them to find their happy ending. If you like a romantasy with great characters, spicy love scenes, secrets, lots of books & baked goods, more than one grumpy dragon, lots of witty banter, and sweet declaration scenes – this book is for you. This is the third book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *