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stitchnlich's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
petra_reviews_mm's review
5.0
What a delightful book. These characters just claimed a room in my head and will not leave just yet.
I had no idea what to expect from the book as this is the first one by the author. The length may be a bit scary, but in the end, I did not want to finish the story just yet.
The world-building was just exquisite. It is true that it took me 15-20 % of the book to really get in the story, but after that, I felt like I was with the characters and could feel the atmosphere just as well.
The biggest strength of the book is one thing: the characters. Fiore and Enzo were just perfect. They are together 99 % of the time, and if they are parted, they cannot stop thinking of each other. The romance is a slow burn even though the intimacy is not. Yet the development and overall plotline were realistic and well-paced.
And there is also my favorite trope, hurt/comfort... and oh boy, there were tons of it! The pain is definitely on the page, and the comfort, too. All the caretaking and fussing and caressing were to die for. And the feels were everywhere.
I read a couple of people feeling like the men did not express their feelings fully, but I think those did not pay attention to what had been said and done. It is true that we do not get any sappy declarations of love, but more so, love and devotion are communicated through actions and overall attention.
I would happily read more about Fiore and Enzo, but even this story would be enough. More would be pure luxury.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had no idea what to expect from the book as this is the first one by the author. The length may be a bit scary, but in the end, I did not want to finish the story just yet.
The world-building was just exquisite. It is true that it took me 15-20 % of the book to really get in the story, but after that, I felt like I was with the characters and could feel the atmosphere just as well.
The biggest strength of the book is one thing: the characters. Fiore and Enzo were just perfect. They are together 99 % of the time, and if they are parted, they cannot stop thinking of each other. The romance is a slow burn even though the intimacy is not. Yet the development and overall plotline were realistic and well-paced.
And there is also my favorite trope, hurt/comfort... and oh boy, there were tons of it! The pain is definitely on the page, and the comfort, too. All the caretaking and fussing and caressing were to die for. And the feels were everywhere.
I read a couple of people feeling like the men did not express their feelings fully, but I think those did not pay attention to what had been said and done. It is true that we do not get any sappy declarations of love, but more so, love and devotion are communicated through actions and overall attention.
I would happily read more about Fiore and Enzo, but even this story would be enough. More would be pure luxury.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
hedonicbooks's review
4.0
To be completely honest, it took me quite a while to finish this book because.. well.. it's pretty damn long. But, ah, the writing is beautiful, the characters are unique and so easy to love, and the setting is spectacular. I'll come back with a proper review, promise!
rhyslightning's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely love the protagonists Enzo and Fiore. They’re so magnetic, the setting is fresh and unique, and the book is a feast for everyone that loves hurt/comfort.
the relationship between characters in Nothwell’s novels always avoid reliance on toxic tropes, and it’s been a huge comfort to read his gay pairings for me. i started with fiorenzo and will now read anything attached to his name!
the relationship between characters in Nothwell’s novels always avoid reliance on toxic tropes, and it’s been a huge comfort to read his gay pairings for me. i started with fiorenzo and will now read anything attached to his name!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Vomit, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
shrikebait's review
5.0
Delightful!
While I was initially hesitant to pick up a romance of this many pages...I am so glad I went for it. These two are cute. I mean CUTE. They have wonderful chemistry, a bit of will-they-won't-they, and intimacy that feels natural.
The setting is a lot of fun. Nothwell does a lovely job of introducing the world's culture and language in a way that is easy to follow. I especially liked how interwoven the setting is with the plot...you really can't divorce one from the other.
My third favorite part of this book is the casual LGBTQ+ representation. Yes, this is a M/M romance, but it goes beyond this. This book depicts a society in which queer love is normalized alongside heterosexual love. This society also has marked gender equality, with most titles being gender-neutral and no incidents of gender-based discrimination. Very refreshing.
The only issue I have does involve a potential spoiler, so I'll keep it vague. The characters wait a weirdly long amount of time after a horrific attack to seek justice. The perpetrator is free to do as they please for months. While this does happen in the real world, I would have loved some exploration into why our protagonists choose to wait. Do they feel there's nothing that can be done? Are they paralyzed by trauma? Are they simply too busy recovering to think about it? It isn't clear.
Overall, I loved this book. I'll be on the lookout for a print copy if the author ever chooses to release one.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
While I was initially hesitant to pick up a romance of this many pages...I am so glad I went for it. These two are cute. I mean CUTE. They have wonderful chemistry, a bit of will-they-won't-they, and intimacy that feels natural.
The setting is a lot of fun. Nothwell does a lovely job of introducing the world's culture and language in a way that is easy to follow. I especially liked how interwoven the setting is with the plot...you really can't divorce one from the other.
My third favorite part of this book is the casual LGBTQ+ representation. Yes, this is a M/M romance, but it goes beyond this. This book depicts a society in which queer love is normalized alongside heterosexual love. This society also has marked gender equality, with most titles being gender-neutral and no incidents of gender-based discrimination. Very refreshing.
The only issue I have does involve a potential spoiler, so I'll keep it vague. The characters wait a weirdly long amount of time after a horrific attack to seek justice. The perpetrator is free to do as they please for months. While this does happen in the real world, I would have loved some exploration into why our protagonists choose to wait. Do they feel there's nothing that can be done? Are they paralyzed by trauma? Are they simply too busy recovering to think about it? It isn't clear.
Overall, I loved this book. I'll be on the lookout for a print copy if the author ever chooses to release one.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
kevinscorner's review
4.5
Fiorenzo is a Venetian-inspired gay historical fantasy romance following the relationship of a courtesan and his mysterious masked lover. Fiore is a courtesan with a plan in mind—find a wealthy elderly man, become his, then inherit his wealth upon his death. Things don’t go according to plan when he catches the attention of a masked man called Enzo and both develop an attraction and affection for each other past the typical courtesan-client relationship.
This was exceedingly well written with beautiful prose and an engagingly well developed world. All this is then anchored by the surprisingly touching romance between these two men. Fiore is just such a lovable character with a tragic past who suffers so many misfortunes in the book. Enzo, meanwhile, is a man of mystery with a certain anatomical quirk—he is descended from a noble family of former dragon shifters with the only traces of it now being a vestigial cloaca in addition to his usual male anatomy (as someone who took both zoology and embryology in college, pretty sure that’s not how it works). That bit of anatomic anomaly plays heavily into the spice of the book, which was indeed spicy with some light BDSM elements.
This book is long—way longer than I would expect a romance book to be. It does have a serial quality to it that would explain (and break up) its length with the many events that happen in the book coming across as episodic. You won’t hear any complaints from me though because I just loved following along with the (mis)adventures of Fiore and Enzo and the beautiful relationship they develop that exemplify the hurt/comfort trope.
Fiorenzo is a beautifully written gay romance between a a courtesan and his client set in a historical fantasy setting.
*I received an eARC via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review
This was exceedingly well written with beautiful prose and an engagingly well developed world. All this is then anchored by the surprisingly touching romance between these two men. Fiore is just such a lovable character with a tragic past who suffers so many misfortunes in the book. Enzo, meanwhile, is a man of mystery with a certain anatomical quirk—he is descended from a noble family of former dragon shifters with the only traces of it now being a vestigial cloaca in addition to his usual male anatomy (as someone who took both zoology and embryology in college, pretty sure that’s not how it works). That bit of anatomic anomaly plays heavily into the spice of the book, which was indeed spicy with some light BDSM elements.
This book is long—way longer than I would expect a romance book to be. It does have a serial quality to it that would explain (and break up) its length with the many events that happen in the book coming across as episodic. You won’t hear any complaints from me though because I just loved following along with the (mis)adventures of Fiore and Enzo and the beautiful relationship they develop that exemplify the hurt/comfort trope.
Fiorenzo is a beautifully written gay romance between a a courtesan and his client set in a historical fantasy setting.
*I received an eARC via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review
socallahan's review
5.0
If you are a fan of hurt/comfort… and hurt/comfort… and also hurt/comfort, this book is for you. The story contains some heavy content, but the pain is most definitely worth the reward. Absolutely check it out if you enjoy historical fantasy-of-manners romance!
ellelainey's review
5.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Fiorenzo, by Sebastian Nothwell
★★★★★
3rd person, dual POV
Genre: MM, Romance, Historical, Alternative World, Courtesan/Brothel,
Triggers: BDSM (dom/sub, crop, bondage), references to sexual assault (off-page), allusions to past childhood sexual assault, mutilation, references to death of family member, past illness from plague/pandemic, gore, medical scenes, scenes of surgery, prejudice against left-handedness, poison, scenes of swordplay and dueling
~
Fiorenzo is an epic adventure in an alternative historical world where a Duke is charmed by a young courtesan with a strong spirit. The world-building was incredible, from the realistic portrayals of historical Italian life, to the additions of alternative-world elements, such as the Duke's being descended from dragons, the evolution of unique anatomy, and the fact there are women as Dukes and Princes.
Our two main characters are enchanting and each have a dark past and past betrayals to overcome.
A duel has left Enzo with facial scars and a fierce reputation as the Dueling Duke of Drakehaven. He uses a bauta mask when out in public to hide the scars on his face.
Fiore is a courtesan from the Kingfisher, working as a freelance agent of sorts. His life has been a long streak of bad luck – an orphan sent to the conservatorio because of his singing voice, trained to become an opera singer until a trauma made him run away. After some years, he became Fiore a courtesan and has been one ever since.
Together, they make an intriguing couple. Enzo, who has forsaken all hope of affection or compassion unless he's hidden behind a mask, and Fiore who is a free spirit with a jaded outlook on life. They come together purely by accident, but choose to remain together. The tenderness, heat and deep emotional affection displayed between them is profound and beautifully woven into every passage.
While the book has a slightly lyrical, literary style it works perfectly for the historical background and the nature of the characters. There are some amusing uses of metaphor, such as the constant use of sword and nautical themes in intimate situations. The writing is steeped in detail, both ancient and artistic, that it's impossible not to be instantly drawn into the world Nothwell is weaving, from the language use to the architecture and how the words paint a picture of time and location so clearly.
The story starts beautifully slow with Enzo and Fiore meeting, progressing through their tentative relationship at a pace that fits the budding romance and gives us time to see the bond growing between them. Then, at around the halfway mark, I think I held me breath for an entire 10%, because things suddenly took a turn that left no doubt that everything was about to change. Yet, the chemistry between Fiore and Enzo never wavered, becoming stronger for the adversity they faced. Regardless of who was at risk, the other was there to comfort, protect and care for them.
I loved how tentative Fiore was to believe and trust in Enzo, despite his flirtations and obvious affection. It spoke of how deeply he'd been betrayed and hurt in the past, making it hard for him to trust anyone and how aware he is of his own position in society. Alternatively, Enzo has the luxury of not caring about his position and exceeding people's expectations of him to do whatever he wishes. Even when Fiore is injured, Enzo does everything in his power to keep him safe and well, using all that position and authority that he never cared for, to make sure Fiore is safe.
Having undergone surgery without anaesthesia myself, I felt Fiore's pain. Though he was clearly terrified – having a fear of chiurgeons/surgeons – Enzo never judged him for that, instead respecting his choices and never telling him to feel any different or forcing him to face his fears. He takes care of Fiore with such tenderness that it made me want to cry, especially when Fiore was mentally and emotionally scraped raw.
When it comes to secondary characters, I loved Fiore's artist friend Artemesia, the loyal hound Vittorio, and Enzo's sister Giovanna and her family. I wasn't fond of Lucrezia, and I don't think I was supposed to be, but I would have liked to see a little more of his mother at the end.
~
Any issues?
I wouldn't call them issues, but there were a few things I noticed. For an ARC, there were very few editing issues, though I did notice some. One thing that jarred me a little – probably my Britishness getting in the way – was the constant use of the word “cunt”. It's just not a word I can read comfortably. The first few pages mention money, in terms of zecchini, and throughout there are clothing terms or historical elements that I felt a little lost navigating. I had to use Google and my dictionary a lot.
Mostly, my issues were plot gaps. I wanted to know what became of Orazio, but that was never explained. If that's to come in a following book, I'd read it, no doubt. But I did want even a sliver of a hint as to his fate. I also feel like that missing period of Fiore's life, between leaving the conservatorio and taking up residence at the Kingfisher could have used a little more explanation as it was entirely glossed over, though I (perhaps wrongly) assumed that meant he'd been on the streets, in a far less pleasant version of courtesan life.
However...in the long run, I couldn't bring myself to give this book anything less than the 5 stars it deserves, and I'll be adding it to my bookshelf to sit alongside Oak King Holly King.
~
OVERALL
Fiorenzo is an incredibly emotive, captivating story of two people who should never have found themselves together but who fit so perfectly that there's no denying what a perfect match they make. No matter the trials or troubles they face, they've faced them together and lead the reader on an enchanting journey through danger, ecstasy and pain to come out the other side stronger and more in love than ever. Nothwell has already secured a place on my physical bookshelf with his last book, but this book shows me I need to make more space because I can see many more of his books gracing my shelf into the future.
~
Favourite Quote
“what would you do with me when I'm old and flabby and wrinkled?”
Enzo smiled. “With any luck, I shall likewise become old and flabby and wrinked by then, and we would make a well-matched set.”
Another wistful smile graced Fiore's perfect lips. “Perhaps.””
“even with the mark on, Enzo had felt more seen by Fiore than he had by anyone since he'd first donned it.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Fiorenzo, by Sebastian Nothwell
★★★★★
3rd person, dual POV
Genre: MM, Romance, Historical, Alternative World, Courtesan/Brothel,
Triggers: BDSM (dom/sub, crop, bondage), references to sexual assault (off-page), allusions to past childhood sexual assault, mutilation, references to death of family member, past illness from plague/pandemic, gore, medical scenes, scenes of surgery, prejudice against left-handedness, poison, scenes of swordplay and dueling
~
Fiorenzo is an epic adventure in an alternative historical world where a Duke is charmed by a young courtesan with a strong spirit. The world-building was incredible, from the realistic portrayals of historical Italian life, to the additions of alternative-world elements, such as the Duke's being descended from dragons, the evolution of unique anatomy, and the fact there are women as Dukes and Princes.
Our two main characters are enchanting and each have a dark past and past betrayals to overcome.
A duel has left Enzo with facial scars and a fierce reputation as the Dueling Duke of Drakehaven. He uses a bauta mask when out in public to hide the scars on his face.
Fiore is a courtesan from the Kingfisher, working as a freelance agent of sorts. His life has been a long streak of bad luck – an orphan sent to the conservatorio because of his singing voice, trained to become an opera singer until a trauma made him run away. After some years, he became Fiore a courtesan and has been one ever since.
Together, they make an intriguing couple. Enzo, who has forsaken all hope of affection or compassion unless he's hidden behind a mask, and Fiore who is a free spirit with a jaded outlook on life. They come together purely by accident, but choose to remain together. The tenderness, heat and deep emotional affection displayed between them is profound and beautifully woven into every passage.
While the book has a slightly lyrical, literary style it works perfectly for the historical background and the nature of the characters. There are some amusing uses of metaphor, such as the constant use of sword and nautical themes in intimate situations. The writing is steeped in detail, both ancient and artistic, that it's impossible not to be instantly drawn into the world Nothwell is weaving, from the language use to the architecture and how the words paint a picture of time and location so clearly.
The story starts beautifully slow with Enzo and Fiore meeting, progressing through their tentative relationship at a pace that fits the budding romance and gives us time to see the bond growing between them. Then, at around the halfway mark, I think I held me breath for an entire 10%, because things suddenly took a turn that left no doubt that everything was about to change. Yet, the chemistry between Fiore and Enzo never wavered, becoming stronger for the adversity they faced. Regardless of who was at risk, the other was there to comfort, protect and care for them.
I loved how tentative Fiore was to believe and trust in Enzo, despite his flirtations and obvious affection. It spoke of how deeply he'd been betrayed and hurt in the past, making it hard for him to trust anyone and how aware he is of his own position in society. Alternatively, Enzo has the luxury of not caring about his position and exceeding people's expectations of him to do whatever he wishes. Even when Fiore is injured, Enzo does everything in his power to keep him safe and well, using all that position and authority that he never cared for, to make sure Fiore is safe.
Having undergone surgery without anaesthesia myself, I felt Fiore's pain. Though he was clearly terrified – having a fear of chiurgeons/surgeons – Enzo never judged him for that, instead respecting his choices and never telling him to feel any different or forcing him to face his fears. He takes care of Fiore with such tenderness that it made me want to cry, especially when Fiore was mentally and emotionally scraped raw.
When it comes to secondary characters, I loved Fiore's artist friend Artemesia, the loyal hound Vittorio, and Enzo's sister Giovanna and her family. I wasn't fond of Lucrezia, and I don't think I was supposed to be, but I would have liked to see a little more of his mother at the end.
~
Any issues?
I wouldn't call them issues, but there were a few things I noticed. For an ARC, there were very few editing issues, though I did notice some. One thing that jarred me a little – probably my Britishness getting in the way – was the constant use of the word “cunt”. It's just not a word I can read comfortably. The first few pages mention money, in terms of zecchini, and throughout there are clothing terms or historical elements that I felt a little lost navigating. I had to use Google and my dictionary a lot.
Mostly, my issues were plot gaps. I wanted to know what became of Orazio, but that was never explained. If that's to come in a following book, I'd read it, no doubt. But I did want even a sliver of a hint as to his fate. I also feel like that missing period of Fiore's life, between leaving the conservatorio and taking up residence at the Kingfisher could have used a little more explanation as it was entirely glossed over, though I (perhaps wrongly) assumed that meant he'd been on the streets, in a far less pleasant version of courtesan life.
However...in the long run, I couldn't bring myself to give this book anything less than the 5 stars it deserves, and I'll be adding it to my bookshelf to sit alongside Oak King Holly King.
~
OVERALL
Fiorenzo is an incredibly emotive, captivating story of two people who should never have found themselves together but who fit so perfectly that there's no denying what a perfect match they make. No matter the trials or troubles they face, they've faced them together and lead the reader on an enchanting journey through danger, ecstasy and pain to come out the other side stronger and more in love than ever. Nothwell has already secured a place on my physical bookshelf with his last book, but this book shows me I need to make more space because I can see many more of his books gracing my shelf into the future.
~
Favourite Quote
“what would you do with me when I'm old and flabby and wrinkled?”
Enzo smiled. “With any luck, I shall likewise become old and flabby and wrinked by then, and we would make a well-matched set.”
Another wistful smile graced Fiore's perfect lips. “Perhaps.””
“even with the mark on, Enzo had felt more seen by Fiore than he had by anyone since he'd first donned it.”
ajsteele1699's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
farenmaddox's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
This book is a fantasy-historical romance, so I went in expecting certain tropes, which I found in spades. Nothwell's prose is lovely, and as a hurt/comfort enthusiast, not to mention a fond spot for narratives that let sex workers be sex workers while still enjoying a romance plot that isn't fuelled by jealousy, I have to say this book really does it for me.
On the other hand, it's too long. Some of the backstory stuff could have been handled quicker and there was at least one too many episodes of convalesence. I sympathised greatly with Fiore's medical trauma, but the amount of repetiveness given to it was excessive. Because of those reasons, the pacing felt wrong in a few places.
On the other hand, it's too long. Some of the backstory stuff could have been handled quicker and there was at least one too many episodes of convalesence. I sympathised greatly with Fiore's medical trauma, but the amount of repetiveness given to it was excessive. Because of those reasons, the pacing felt wrong in a few places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Confinement and Sexual violence