Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: The Orc and the Manny

SERIES: Monsters Hollow #1

AUTHOR: Chloe Archer

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 330 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 22, 2023

BLURB:

Welcome to Monsters Hollow, where love knows no bounds—even in a town full of monsters!

Targan Wildethorne

A confirmed bachelor, and a historian by training, I haven’t the faintest clue how to care for twin orclings when I unexpectedly become their guardian. I’d love to retreat into the comforting sanctuary of my study, surrounded by my books and papers, but first I need to hire someone to help me with the children. Someone who can teach me the ropes of this new role.

Thank the Light for the All-Species Specialized Employment Services! In my most dire hour of need, they find the perfect nanny—ahem, manny—to help me look after my young wards. Now I can finally get back to writing my history of orc folklore for a few hours a day.

Or so I thought.

Instead I find the captivating new man in my home far too distracting. Max is so much more than I had expected. I’ve never fallen for a human before, but I can’t get him out of my mind. Could he ever feel the same about an orc? Humans are usually too intimidated by our large size and outer appearance. Can Max look past my green skin and tusks to see a man with a heart that yearns for him? And if he does, when he learns the truth about the children will the danger on the horizon send him running?

Max MacLeod

Working with kids is totally my jam and I’m damn good at what I do. Just call me Maxy Frickin’ Poppins! When a new job prospect comes my way, I’m intrigued. A chance to move to Mystic Hollow (aka Monsters Hollow) to be a well-paid manny for two adorable orclings? Talk about a dream position. Sold! But when I lock eyes with the seriously sexy orc who’s their guardian—and my new de facto boss—for the first time, I’m a goner. Big, muscular, and green all over–he’s giving me full-on Hulk meets stern professor vibes—and I like it.

As I get to know him, over meals with the kids during the day and soft-spoken conversations about history at night, I soon realize there’s so much more to Targan than the gorgeous orc who keeps starring in all my naughtiest dreams. He’s quite possibly the kindest, gentlest man I’ve ever met. And he accepts and appreciates every part of me and my flamboyant, full-figured fabulousness. I just want to feed and take care of him—and find out if he’s so deliciously big everywhere. Before I know it, I’m dreaming of being part of a forever family with him and his adorable twins. But an unexpected threat looms in the shadows that could threaten the safety of us all…

REVIEW:

This was a great book, which filled me with joy and made me smile whilst reading it.  It bubbles over with effervescence from the very beginning.  The acronym for the employment agency really made me laugh and the bits of information before each chapter were a nice touch.

Max bursts into Targan’s life as the answer to all his prayers someone to help him look after the twin Orcs he has recently become guardian for, after his friend sadly died.  Max knows exactly who he is and makes no apology for it, he is fun, fabulous, and so funny.  I really appreciated all the Mary Poppins references and wished I had someone like Max when I was little, the perfect combination between fun and structure which the twins really needed.

Targan leads a life of quiet study, writing his history books with only a couple of close friends and family.  He has no idea what to do with twins and his orderly life is totally turned on its head.  His idea of hiring a nanny and then his life returning back to the way it was, is so naïve, and it was nice to see him little by little with Max’s help stepping into a parental role.

The chemistry between Max and Targan is immediate, but each holds back because of the work situation, neither wants to jeopardize the newfound security and stability that Max has wrought with the twins.  I really liked the cosy chats they have with each other at night once the twins are in bed.   It doesn’t take long before they give into their obvious attraction to each other.

Max not only bursts into Targan’s life and changes it so much for the better, but gets out and about in Monsters Hollow, befriending people left, right and center and within a short time, has met so many of the locals and charmed them thoroughly.  Max is a dynamo and gregarious in the extreme which is a nice counterpoint to Targan’s scholarly introspective outlook, despite living in Monsters Hollows for years, Targan doesn’t know anyone from the town and rarely ventures away from the house.

There are so many really delightful bits of this book, Max’s little dog, who can quell the twin’s hellhound with a bark, who Max dresses up in the most fabulous outfits.  The twins are adorable and blossom once Max gives them the structure they need.  I also really liked the sensitive way the death of their mother was handled and that they were given the therapy they needed.

I loved this book, it was joyful to read and put a smile on my face. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

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