Halfling: A Fantasy Monster Romance

Monstrous World, Book 1

By: S. E. Wendel

Narrated by: Sophie Daniels, William Macleod

A half-orc, half-human belongs nowhere…

Orek has spent his life trying to prove himself to a clan that despises him. The son of a deposed orc chief and human captive, he must try twice as hard to prove himself a worthy male, a strong hunter, a potential mate…

Resigned to a thankless place in the shadows, Orek ekes out a living on the fringes of the clan, just waiting for an opportunity. But what he finds instead one cold autumn night could ruin everything he's worked so hard to gain—a human woman, captured just as his mother was so many years ago. The choice to protect her from the clan isn't a choice at all. But what will protect him and his lonely heart from her?

A life about to begin, usurped by fate…

Sorcha has spent her life helping raise her many siblings but now finally has the chance to seek her own adventures. At least, she did, before she was snatched from her horse and peddled by slavers. Taken far from home, she's brought to the worst place imaginable—the craggy western mountains infested with brutal, brutish orcs. All humans know to fear them and stay away, and now she's been sold to the cruelest clan chief of them all. But the first orc she meets is nothing like the stories. He's gentle. He frees her.

Nothing is what it seems as they lose themselves in the forest, hunted by trackers and slavers. Out of her depth, Sorcha has no choice but to rely on the mysterious halfling who saved her—but she's been betrayed already and cannot afford to trust him. Even if, little by little, the quiet male reveals himself to be everything she could ever want.

A human and a halfling, lives ripped apart, brought together by coincidence or fate. Running for their lives, they may find the most dangerous place is together…

Fans of Finnley Fenn, SJM, Grace Draven, and Ruby Dixon will love this fluffy, steamy monster romance fantasy road trip story! Intended for mature listeners.

©2023 Sarah Wendel (P)2024 Podium Audio

A stand out

This is not the typical spicy orc book (of which I've read tons), this was sweet, tender, beautiful world building and gorgeous prose

Fantastic book

This book really surprised me. It was so well written and had great main characters. Strong female character that wasn’t bitchy and didn’t make me want to pull my hair out .The MMC was sweet and devoted. I will definitely be listening to this book again .

The Amazing Story Telling!

This book will capture your heart in so many extraordinary ways! Well done Author & Narrators!

The voices, the characters, the SEX!!!🥰

They chose PERFECT voices for the two main characters. And I cannot express how much I loved this. I loved the development of the relationship, and I loved the TYPE of spicy scenes. I loved both characters in all that they were. (I've gotten really tired of "independent woman = bitchy" tropes in books, and how they typically either meet a charming simp with no spine or a bad boy who tames her. So this take on Mutual respect and charming banter was refreshing and delightful). Male character is wonderful in every way, shape, and form. His flaws and weaknesses only add to his appeal and, unlike most sexy men in spicy books, I would 100% marry a man like him in real life. The female was fantastic. Sassy in a fun way. Her hard life made her loving and fun, but firm when absolutely necessary. Not at all whiney or edgy or bratty. I respect her and never got tired of her.

The conflict TYPE in the story was not my favorite, personally, but it was PEEFECTLY well done for those who enjoy that type of conflict. (Trying really hard to gush without spoiling lmao)

I would re-read this (and I have) before going back to ACOTAR any day. 😁

(It's wholesome. Sex scenes are good, not too vanilla, but not DARK and edgy either. It's a very cute, hot, passionate, wholesome, feel good book. 10/10 would recommend, 10/10 would read again. I've been trying to find more books like this and have failed repeatedly, so I just come back to this one. It's probably my favorite, tbh.

Enjoyed!

Very lovely and entertaining story. Had to take off a star due to the number of misunderstandings to prolong the runtime but still a fine use of a credit. I'll eat a story up like this everytime. Orek was very charming, Sorcha was actually a strong FL, lots and lots of steam, the accents... the voice acting? ... Chefs kiss. No notes. Absolutely perfect voice cast. Will wait for more from this author.