Tusk Love

Thea Guanzon · Critical Role

Jul 2025 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Brittany Pressley

About this audiobook

A merchant’s daughter who yearns for adventure gets more than she bargained for when she falls for a broodingly handsome stranger in this saucy romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars.

“A true delight of a book! Spicy and heartfelt—this one is a winner all around.”—Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods

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.

Written by New York Times bestselling author Thea Guanzon at the behest of Critical Role’s Jester Lavorre, Tusk Love brings the most romantic story on Exandrian bookshelves to life.

Ratings and reviews

Amazing, and I loved it! I didn't realize there was a larger critical role reference, where they poke fun at the novels saucy romantic nature, lol. Because by no means is it a "fade to black" romance story. I miss stories like this, where the plot is simple in nature, but it's written so beautifully. I love the world building, the characters and the story. Nothing too complex where I have to sit down and write down all the crazy names and places for a DnD type book. Definitely a tale as old as time where the man saves the damsel. But, in DnD I live for these types of adventures, a tale of classic heroism.

Very fun and lovely and a little corny. I can see why it's Jester's favorite.

I loved this so much. Sequel please? I want more Oskar and Gwen. 🥰

About the author

Thea Guanzon is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of the Hurricane Wars series. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a specialization in International Politics and Peace Studies. Aside from being a writer, she is an avid traveler, an enthusiastic fangirl, a Dungeon Master, and an iced coffee junkie. Born and raised in the Philippines, she currently resides in Metro Manila.