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kindlelovingmom's review
5.0
Such a lovely finish for our beloved couple after 3 books! 4.5 Stars!
Natalie Blackmere is finally able to be with her beloved Brandon the Bear out in the open, now that he's left the Champion's Guild. Though neither she nor Brandon are comfortable rubbing elbows with Aldland's elite nobility, including the Queen! But when the next host of the Champion's Grand Tourney demands that Brandon and Natalie compete in the tournament, and the Guild Master requests it as well, they feel they must return to the Guild to train, one more time. The Guild has always been Brandon's family, and he hates how he left them, so he sees this as another chance for a final goodbye.
Natalie and Brandon have wildly hot chemistry, and it's hard for them to keep it in check, even when they must, while at the Guild. I enjoyed watching them really settle into their relationship, while both were facing the challenges and training required of them to get ready for the tourney. Their friends, and their foes, at the Guild made things interesting for them as well. But all may not be as it appears with some people there, who are NOT their allies.
Natalie was dreading having to return to Blackmere and her duties as it's mistress. She has never been cut out for noble life, and always dreamt of becoming a champion, and having a love like she's found with Brandon. Brandon is low-born, and has zero delusions of grandeur. He doesn't think he really has anything to offer Nat, and worries that he's not good enough for her, or to help her run Blackmere. Natalie is worried that Brandon will eventually resent her if they marry and he's forced to leave the Guild and live in Blackmere. They both have to learn to accept the other's love for them, as they are. It was a struggle for each of them.
The side characters here were mostly the same as the prior books. Some of the champions are wonderful and funny, like Darius and Thomas. Some are wretched, like Sara and Henry, and often the Guild Master. They each brought something to the story, and to Natalie and Brandon's journey together.
Watching Natalie become The Lioness of Blackmere was fantastic, and I enjoyed her progression so much. Watching Brandon really learn to know his worth and all he brings to their partnership was so lovely too. I really adored these characters, and I've so loved following their journey over these 3 stories. There will be a book 4, which it appears will be about Jenny & Genevieve, and I cannot wait for that one!! I highly recommend this series!!
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Natalie Blackmere is finally able to be with her beloved Brandon the Bear out in the open, now that he's left the Champion's Guild. Though neither she nor Brandon are comfortable rubbing elbows with Aldland's elite nobility, including the Queen! But when the next host of the Champion's Grand Tourney demands that Brandon and Natalie compete in the tournament, and the Guild Master requests it as well, they feel they must return to the Guild to train, one more time. The Guild has always been Brandon's family, and he hates how he left them, so he sees this as another chance for a final goodbye.
Natalie and Brandon have wildly hot chemistry, and it's hard for them to keep it in check, even when they must, while at the Guild. I enjoyed watching them really settle into their relationship, while both were facing the challenges and training required of them to get ready for the tourney. Their friends, and their foes, at the Guild made things interesting for them as well. But all may not be as it appears with some people there, who are NOT their allies.
Natalie was dreading having to return to Blackmere and her duties as it's mistress. She has never been cut out for noble life, and always dreamt of becoming a champion, and having a love like she's found with Brandon. Brandon is low-born, and has zero delusions of grandeur. He doesn't think he really has anything to offer Nat, and worries that he's not good enough for her, or to help her run Blackmere. Natalie is worried that Brandon will eventually resent her if they marry and he's forced to leave the Guild and live in Blackmere. They both have to learn to accept the other's love for them, as they are. It was a struggle for each of them.
The side characters here were mostly the same as the prior books. Some of the champions are wonderful and funny, like Darius and Thomas. Some are wretched, like Sara and Henry, and often the Guild Master. They each brought something to the story, and to Natalie and Brandon's journey together.
Watching Natalie become The Lioness of Blackmere was fantastic, and I enjoyed her progression so much. Watching Brandon really learn to know his worth and all he brings to their partnership was so lovely too. I really adored these characters, and I've so loved following their journey over these 3 stories. There will be a book 4, which it appears will be about Jenny & Genevieve, and I cannot wait for that one!! I highly recommend this series!!
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
brazenbookbabe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This whole series is very sweet and I very much enjoyed reading them.
vwalklate's review
5.0
4.75 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and this third one did not disappoint. Brandon and Natalie are just so sweet and pure together and I spent most of the book with a massive smile on my face.
The sex was even hotter than before, the plot interesting and fast-paced, and the supporting characters just as likeable and well-rounded as the MCs. As with the previous books, I would've liked dual POV rather than just Nat but that's just personal preference on my part.
One thing that definitely deserves a mention - I found the antagonist Henry's role and personality incredibly interesting in this book, as it was very different to his actions & temperament in the previous two.Despite the ending, I'm still wondering if he'll get his own redemption arc story at some point and honestly, I am 100% here for it
All in all a wonderful finale to a great trilogy which deserves a round of applause for its body positivity, LGBTQ+ rep, cinnamon roll older hero and all round wholesome celebration of love and softness.
Eagerly awaiting more stories from this author and this world. Can't wait for Jenny and Viv!
The sex was even hotter than before, the plot interesting and fast-paced, and the supporting characters just as likeable and well-rounded as the MCs. As with the previous books, I would've liked dual POV rather than just Nat but that's just personal preference on my part.
One thing that definitely deserves a mention - I found the antagonist Henry's role and personality incredibly interesting in this book, as it was very different to his actions & temperament in the previous two.
All in all a wonderful finale to a great trilogy which deserves a round of applause for its body positivity, LGBTQ+ rep, cinnamon roll older hero and all round wholesome celebration of love and softness.
Eagerly awaiting more stories from this author and this world. Can't wait for Jenny and Viv!
rubywren's review
medium-paced
3.75
Third in the Hearts of Blackmere series, Always His Champion finds Lady Natalie of Blackmere and former Guild Champion Brandon the Bear now find themselves notorious lovers, in demand and the subject of curiosity among the nobility of Aldland. Thrust out of their comfort zones and pulled back to the Guild, they face dangers and fight against the forces that would separate them, as well as their own doubts and fears.
While this series is continuing on, this does feel like as though it would be an effective and satisfying culmination of Natalie and Brandons story had it been a trilogy. With interesting world-building and conflicts, and a passionate romance between two middle-aged, full-bodied adults who experience character growth, with Natalie still being a bit adorably awkward and Brandon, as always, her cuddly, sweet, sweet cinnamon roll, Always His Champion joins the previous two books in a series that all add up to a scrummy historical fantasy romance. And though at times it felt a bit contemporary, I do like that the author chose to write this as historical fantasy, leaving room for her to build the culture of Aldland as she pleased.
Marie Lipscomb’s Hearts of Blackmere series is best read in order, and is full of fun, cuddly romance along with action and adventure for fans of medieval fantasy romance.
I voluntarily read a digital galley of this book courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are only my own honest opinions. Open door romance.
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