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scholarly_pigeon's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Blood
taurus_sieben's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Quick, self-indulgent read. Hot and sweet.
Love the main characters and how they approached the relationship.
Has some flaws in writing style but nothing too bad or too distracting.
Love the main characters and how they approached the relationship.
Has some flaws in writing style but nothing too bad or too distracting.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
gabibooksit's review
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
So I picked up this book on a whim because it reminded a teensy bit of Dragon Age and I hadn't read a trio/triad like it before and I'm so glad I did! For the course of the story you follow Mattin, a young man who is essentially a librarian/researcher for the King and his husband. This is a medieval fantasy setting, although the magic element is low and only referenced a couple of times. Arden, the king is relatively recent to the throne and took it through much upheaval. His husband, Mil, is a commoner and while the people are enamored with the couple and their love story, the court is...not. It's suggested by a member of the court that the king take a second spouse, which while not common, is not without precedent. Mattin takes on the challenge of finding the royal couple a suitable match while struggling with his own feelings.
Watching these three idiots is delightful. To be fair, Arden mostly has it together and just tries to navigate within the rules he's given. Mattin and Mil are hot messes, but both have a lot of heart and don't know how to show it. The slow dance of courting is so delicate and delicious and let me tell you I was so in love after the scene in the corridor. Whew. Cooper does a great job of showing the depth and longevity of Arden and Mil's love while growing the thread of affection between them and Mattin into something with a lot of power.
I will say the prose did wander in places and the worldbuilding wanders a little in the beginning. But I'm so glad I kept reading. It was soft a beautiful and such an unexpected joy to read.
Watching these three idiots is delightful. To be fair, Arden mostly has it together and just tries to navigate within the rules he's given. Mattin and Mil are hot messes, but both have a lot of heart and don't know how to show it. The slow dance of courting is so delicate and delicious and let me tell you I was so in love after the scene in the corridor. Whew. Cooper does a great job of showing the depth and longevity of Arden and Mil's love while growing the thread of affection between them and Mattin into something with a lot of power.
I will say the prose did wander in places and the worldbuilding wanders a little in the beginning. But I'm so glad I kept reading. It was soft a beautiful and such an unexpected joy to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Blood
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