Category: Romantasy

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. *

 

Heir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

Heir of ProphecyHeir of Prophecy by Analeigh Sbrana

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Audra is a human whose life changes when magic and the Fae become unavoidable parts of her world. She begins as someone connected to her home and family, but her abduction and arrival at Holyvere Academy place her in a setting where she has to manage fear, secrecy, and the possibility that she may be the foretold Heir. The supporting characters include fellow prisoners, Fae Priestesses, academy figures, and a dangerous prince tied to a competing prophecy, though several of these relationships remain more lightly developed than the premise suggests.

The plot follows Audra as she is taken from the human realm and brought into a magical academy where she and others are expected to train, survive, and potentially serve a larger ritual connected to ending the Desolate Winter. The story blends Fae politics, prophecy, magic, guilds, academy lessons, visions, and conflict between two possible destinies. Much of the middle portion centers on Audra adjusting to the academy and trying to hide or understand her unstable power before the larger stakes become clearer near the end.

Overall, I liked the idea of the story and thought the premise had a lot of elements that usually appeal to me, especially the academy setting, prophecy angle, and fantasy worldbuilding. However, the pacing felt slow, the romance did not have as much intensity as I expected, and the darker elements did not fully come through until later. Personally, it seemed more like a young adult fantasy novel than the dark academia romance I was expecting, so while I can see the appeal for readers who enjoy detailed academy-focused fantasy with light romance, it did not completely work for me.

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