A thoroughly queer and extraordinary historical romance.
Two unconventional people try to avoid matrimony by…eloping.
Sir Horley Comewithers and Arabella Tarleton were good friends once upon a time, but life has taken them in opposite directions. Sir Horley, who is extravagantly gay but miserably in love with Belle’s (now taken) twin brother, spends his days thoroughly soused. Belle, who once dreamed of being a dashing heroine and now has no interest in adventure of any kind, feels abandoned by her friends and family. Even so, she still cares about Sir Horley enough to try to keep him from entering a loveless marriage. Unfortunately for both of them, he’s too drunk and miserable to listen to the reasons they should elope, and the only solution she can think of is to (technically) kidnap him and head to Gretna Green. This, of course, almost immediately goes pear-shaped. Though Sir Horley is both hungover and furious when he realizes what’s happening, he also realizes he has to see it through, lest Belle’s reputation be ruined. Their slow trek toward the Scottish border, while increasingly absurd, brings them closer with every screwball moment, though not in the way that romance readers will expect. That’s because once again, Hall has leveraged his trademark wit to nudge historical romance into new territory. For example, though the story includes multiple steamy intimate scenes, none of them are between the hero and heroine, which everyone involved is very happy about. Their separate sex lives do not detract from the development of true affection and love between Sir Horley and Belle, who lean into their unconventional future with aplomb, including Belle’s acceptance of herself as what we would now call aromantic. Fans of Something Fabulous (2022) and Something Spectacular (2023) will be delighted to see these two make a life together, especially given how they came across earlier, and the book is best enjoyed in that context, though it can stand alone well enough. Though the pacing is a bit uneven, with great warmth, a good deal of silliness, and a touch of anachronistic language, this story succeeds across the board.
A thoroughly queer and extraordinary historical romance.Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2024
ISBN: 9781662509421
Page Count: 415
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781538704431
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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