The Orc Who Hated Christmas (An MM Monster Christmas Book 1) by Gigi Rivers


The Orc Who Hated Christmas is a standalone set in an existing universe. It's a Christmas story with an Orc who finds the love and family he's always craved with a sunshine pixie who can't help but love everything Christmas.


From the blurb:

A grumpy orc who hates Christmas. A Christmas-obsessed pixie. Can these opposites find love together?


Graal is an orc who hates Christmas. Every year, he spends the day alone in his crappy rented room, haunted by memories of a family who never loved him. He just wishes Christmas and everyone who celebrates it would leave him alone.

Cas is a pixie who loves Christmas. He dresses up in sparkly outfits, calls himself the Christmas pixie, and spreads holiday cheer and pixie dust in the bakery where he works. But this year, his partner cheated on him and then left him. Still, Cas won’t let a broken heart ruin his favourite time of the year.

When Graal steps into Cas’s bakery, Cas is determined that the grumpy orc will enjoy the holiday. Graal is reluctant, but it’s hard to resist the pixie’s charms. As Cas shows Graal the magic of the season, something lingers in the air between them. And it isn’t just pixie dust.

But can a pretty Christmas pixie really love a grumpy orc? And can Cas open his heart again so soon after being betrayed? Or will Graal celebrate another Christmas alone?


Rogue's review:

- Christmas
- Opposites attract
- Found family
- Snowed in

I was all set to use Grumpy/sunshine as a trope for this one, but it's not really that. I am a sucker for grumpy/sunshine but I realised pretty quickly that this isn't really that at all. That's not a criticism in the slightest, far from it. Graal is an Orc in a world that's less than kind to his people, he's been downtrodden and mistreated all his life so he thinks that's all he deserves. When he meets Cas, a pixie who's his polar opposite it's so much fun to see him realise that maybe he does deserve more out of life, and their relationship is such a joy to read from the instant they meet. Cas gives Graal the home and family he's so desperate for, and in return Cas gets the stability and love he's always craved.

I understand this is set in an existing universe, but I read it as a standalone and really enjoyed it as such. Add in that it's a Christmas story and this was the perfect comfort read. Highly recommended.


SNik's review:

Part of a series (An MM Monster Christmas), but can be read as a standalone. Paranormal. Grumpy/sunshine. Hurt/comfort. Found family. Dual POV. 

Graal is an orc that has felt unwanted and unloved all his life, never experiencing Christmas until the pixie Cas catches his eye. Just off a bad break up, Cas is the self proclaimed Christmas pixie and wants to try something casual with Graal and perhaps show the orc that Christmas can really be magical. 

Cas and Graal start off with a bang and there are plenty of spicy interactions, but even in a short amount of time they learn a lot about each other and we get a good amount of background for both characters which really showed how their personalities and lives were similar and different. I really enjoyed their attraction, and Cas’s outrage on Graal’s behalf, and that Graal appreciates everything he experiences not taking it for granted just in case it doesn’t last. Another sweet holiday story for this author and series.


MiKi.J.'s review:

Oh, bless his heart !! This one, I think, is a touch angstier than the other two published previously. Very much a grumpy/sunshine trope (but seriously, do not get Cas angry !!!! oh boy !!!) but with an added bittersweet nostalgia. I really felt for Graal ... (I just wanted to hug him) as you see his life through flashes and explains a lot of "why's". And Cas - poor guy ...that sparkle hides quite a bit but they do find their way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - had all the feelings with plenty of steam...and found family !! And the world building/background is very decently written up without being overwhelming.


The Orc Who Hated Christmas is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription

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