Orc's Taming

Monster Mate Hunt, Book 5

De: Ava Ross

Narrado por: Scarlett Dorian, Stephen Borne

I want to begin a new life far from my village. Will that life include an orc who vows to adore me?

Kaila

When a man in my village makes demands I'm not willing to give into, my younger brother and I flee into the forest. It's the night of the Monster Mate Hunt, but the orcs who are gifted with brides in exchange for protecting the village will be too busy with the other woman to notice me. Until Turren claims me as his mate. I'm not interested in marrying, and orcs scare me. But there's something sweet and endearing about this one. My brother and I planned to make a new life far from our village. Could that new life be with Turren?

Turren

Kaila's fierce and strong-willed, and I can't imagine a world without her. In exchange for taking her and her brother to the new village on the edge of the forest, she agrees to let me woo her during our journey. And me, a male of very few words, has talked her into giving me three kisses. I'm going to do all I can to convince her we're destined to be together, even if that means speaking of feelings and my past, things I've shared with no one.

When we reach the village, will Kaila leave me, or will she agree to be my mate?

Contains mature themes.

©2024 Ava Ross (P)2024 Tantor Media

Claimed by Fate, Not by Force

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Orc’s Taming

Series: Monster Mate Hunt
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Narrators: Stephen Borne and Scarlett Dorian

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Kaila

Kaila is the kind of heroine who quietly earns your admiration. Orphaned young and thrust into the role of caretaker for her teenage brother, she’s been surviving on grit and grace. Her job tending village gardens is grueling, but it offers shelter — a rare commodity. Unfortunately, her employer’s intentions turn predatory, pressuring her into a relationship she neither wants nor feels safe accepting. Kaila’s protective instincts kick in hard, not just for herself but for her brother, and when the threat escalates, she chooses flight over submission. Her escape coincides with the village’s annual Orc mate hunt — a night when two women are sent into the forest to be claimed by Orc mates. Kaila isn’t one of them, but fate has other plans.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Turren

Turren, the mountain-born leader of a roving Orc tribe, is a warrior with a heart full of longing. Visiting a neighboring village for trade, he joins the mate hunt more out of hope than expectation. When the necklaces of two Orcs glow, signaling their destined mates, he resigns himself to solitude — until his own necklace unexpectedly lights up. Somewhere in the forest, a third human woman awaits. She wasn’t sent into the woods for the hunt, but she’s there nonetheless. And she’s his.

📃 Plot Pulse

Kaila and her brother aim to reach a distant settlement of women, hoping for safety and community. But before they get far, Turren intercepts them, claiming Kaila as his fated mate. Kaila, ever the realist, isn’t swayed by prophecy or pheromones. She’s not about to hand over her autonomy just because a necklace glows. Turren, to his credit, doesn’t force the issue. Instead, he offers protection through the perilous forest — a journey filled with Shades, monsters, and emotional minefields. His plan? Win her heart the old-fashioned way: through kindness, shared laughter, and mutual respect. It’s a slow burn, and while Kaila’s resolve remains strong, the bond between them deepens with every step.

💘 What Hit Home

• Kaila’s independence is refreshing. Even with a literal mountain of muscle offering protection, she stays focused on her goal.
• The journey allows for organic connection — shared stories, mutual interests, and emotional vulnerability.
• Monster romance fans will find plenty to love here. Turren is tender beneath the tusks, and Kaila’s strength makes her a worthy match.

🧐 What Fell Flat

• Turren’s restraint, while noble, sometimes feels like narrative hesitation. When Kaila begins to reciprocate his feelings, his continued holding back creates a bit of emotional whiplash. A moment of decisive passion would’ve added punch.

🎧 Narration Notes

The dual POV narration by Scarlett Dorian and Stephen Borne adds texture to the story. Scarlett’s voice is expressive and intuitive — perfect for Kaila’s emotional journey. Stephen’s husky tone suits Turren’s rugged persona, though it lacks the deep resonance one might expect from a towering Orc warrior. His female character voices, however, are a definite miss — distracting enough to pull you out of the moment.

📝 Final Takeaway

This audiobook delivers a compelling blend of survival, slow-burn romance, and monster fantasy. Kaila’s strength and Turren’s patience make for a satisfying emotional arc, even if the pacing occasionally stalls. If you love heroines who fight for their freedom and Orcs who fight for love, this one’s worth the listen — just brace yourself for a few awkward narration moments.

Orc’s Taming

This was a great ending to this series. I enjoyed book 4 and 5 the most but the whole series was cute. I always love when there is two narrators and they did fabulous.