As the daughter of an ambitious merchant, Guinevere’s path has been predetermined: marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire, raise her family’s station, and live quietly as a lordling’s obedient wife. But Guinevere longs for a life unbounded by expectations, for freedom and passion and adventure. Those distant dreams become a sudden reality when her caravan is beset by bandits, leaving her guards slain and Guinevere stranded alone on the dangerous Amber Road. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, the aloof half-orc who saved her during the attack.
Unlike Guinevere, Oskar’s path is not so set in stone. With his mother dead and his apprenticeship abandoned, all that’s left is a long, lonely walk to a land he’s never seen to find family he’s never met. The last thing he needs is a spoiled waif like Guinevere slowing him down—even if the spark between them sizzles with promise.Despite his cold exterior, Oskar is brave and thoughtful and unlike anyone Guinevere has ever met. And while Guinevere may be sheltered, she brings out a softness in him that he has never dared to feel before. As the flames of their passion grow, they realize that soon they’ll need to choose between their expected destinations or their blossoming romance.
Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon was published July 1, 2025. Del Rey/Random House provided a galley for review.
This fantasy romance novel comes out of the world of Critical Role, the TTRPG live-play show where it was referenced in their campaign 2 as a fictional work read by some of the characters. Now that novel has become a reality. If you're a fan of the show, you'll recognize and appreciate lots of names and locations that make up Matt Mercer's game world.
However, the story works even for those unfamiliar with the source. It is basically your "opposites attract", girl-meets-boy kind of road-travel adventure tale with a narrative that bounces between the two lead characters. Heads up- this one gets really steamy and explicit with the sexual attraction and descriptions. Given the book's notorious reputation in-game, Guanzon certainly makes sure her novel lives up to it.
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