The Orc and the Innkeeper

 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I normally don't like enemies-to-lovers but this book totally converted me! It was a super sweet, cozy romance fantasy with nuanced characters in a humorous sitcom of sorts. Mariah is a strong character in her own right, as one of the rare humans living in a primarily monster society. Thorak, although Mariah's former school bully, is thoroughly likeable and their chemistry (love or hate) is undeniable. The ways he goes to earn not her love but her forgiveness means so much more than a simple seduction or declaration of love - this story delves beyond that and I appreciate it. I wish it had even more smut but that is just my dirty mind. And, of course, the thing about cozy books is that it can be a mite predictable; the relationship of convenience to convince an outsider investor to make business has been done over and over again and unfortunately, this book doesn't really add upon that or make it their own. Still enjoyable, though and I can't wait to read the rest of the series so I can stay in Elderberry Falls a little longer.