Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some times I just need to read a little Ruby Dixon. A bit ridiculous, but light and fun. Plus, the characters are amazing. Originally, I added this one to my TBR (before noticing the author) because it features an older woman and younger man, which totally isn't the norm in romance. I feel like it was written well. One of my only complaints is that it is only novella length. I could totally read more about this world and couple.
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The King's Spinster Bride by Ruby Dixon is my first read from her, though I've heard such good things from most of BookTube. The Aspect & Anchor prequel novella is 138 pages. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in just shy of four hours and is dually narrated by Jillian Macie and Mason Lloyd. The book alternates between Princess Halla and Mathior's first-person points of view.
At sixteen years old, Princess Halla of Yshrem is the heir apparent, and eligible bachelors have started to visit to win her heart--or more accurately, her hand, because she knows that she will not be able to marry for love. On top of that, the kingdom is currently at war with Cyclopae warriors. And on top of even that, she's watching over seven-year-old barbarian prince Mathior, stolen from his people in an act of war. She sees him as an honored guest, while her attendants just see him as a barbarian nuisance. When word comes that her father has been killed by an influx of Cyclopae warriors, his closest advisor proclaims they need to kill the young boy to avenge the king's death. However, Princess Halla puts her foot down and decides that Mathior will sit at her side as an equal and will wait for Alastair the Conqueror to take back his son.
Now twenty-four, Mathior sees to his father Alastair's funeral pyre as he is the next in line to rule the Cyclopae warriors as First Warrior. Said warriors poke out one of their eyes as part of their ritual into adulthood, and wear an eye patch over half of their face. His advisor suggests that to snuff out any uprisings of the people in this change of rule, he should kill Princess Halla, the last remaining member of the Yshrem royal line. Said princess is now a forgotten spinster in a quiet temple who bides her time reading love poetry. But Mathior has other plans, since he's been in love with Halla since she saved him as a child. And barbarian wedding customs are very interesting.
This novella was very charming and entertaining! The worldbuilding is much deeper than I expected for such a short campy story. I really appreciated how much Dixon uses consent here as well. I'm excited to check out more of her backlist.
Tropes in this book include: royalty, older woman/younger man, virgin hero
At sixteen years old, Princess Halla of Yshrem is the heir apparent, and eligible bachelors have started to visit to win her heart--or more accurately, her hand, because she knows that she will not be able to marry for love. On top of that, the kingdom is currently at war with Cyclopae warriors. And on top of even that, she's watching over seven-year-old barbarian prince Mathior, stolen from his people in an act of war. She sees him as an honored guest, while her attendants just see him as a barbarian nuisance. When word comes that her father has been killed by an influx of Cyclopae warriors, his closest advisor proclaims they need to kill the young boy to avenge the king's death. However, Princess Halla puts her foot down and decides that Mathior will sit at her side as an equal and will wait for Alastair the Conqueror to take back his son.
Now twenty-four, Mathior sees to his father Alastair's funeral pyre as he is the next in line to rule the Cyclopae warriors as First Warrior. Said warriors poke out one of their eyes as part of their ritual into adulthood, and wear an eye patch over half of their face. His advisor suggests that to snuff out any uprisings of the people in this change of rule, he should kill Princess Halla, the last remaining member of the Yshrem royal line. Said princess is now a forgotten spinster in a quiet temple who bides her time reading love poetry. But Mathior has other plans, since he's been in love with Halla since she saved him as a child. And barbarian wedding customs are very interesting.
This novella was very charming and entertaining! The worldbuilding is much deeper than I expected for such a short campy story. I really appreciated how much Dixon uses consent here as well. I'm excited to check out more of her backlist.
Tropes in this book include: royalty, older woman/younger man, virgin hero
emotional
fast-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes