A review by millah
Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms by S.O. Callahan, Sarah Wallace

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

I liked it. This cozy regency romantic fantasy was a lovely escape into a Regency magical world where queer identities were the norm. 

I particularly enjoyed the magical elements. The characters were delightful, the world-building was compelling, and the story was enjoyable. There were a delightful mix of tropes, like enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, marriage of convenience and opposites attract. I enjoyed the representation of a plus size character, pansexuality, demisexuality, and homosexuality.

However, I must admit that the love story felt somewhat heteronormative to me. Despite the queernormative society where queer relationships were accepted just as readily as heterosexual ones, the characters often embodied traditional gender roles typically seen in heterosexual relationships. This adherence to binary gender roles for Roger and Wyn undermined the queernormative setting. Furthermore, the fact that Roger kept being belittled, especially considering the supposed queernormativity of the world, felt jarring. Roger initially idolized Wyn, while Wyn's treatment of Roger felt unnecessarily cruel for an extended period. 

Because of this, the enemies-to-lovers trope less effective to me. When Roger and Wyn finally came together, their earlier animosity didn’t feel like it was fully resolved. Additionally, the last chapter felt rushed and left me a bit unsatisfied. Overall, though, I found the book enjoyable, especially the world-building and magic system. It was a fun read.