I struggled to get into this at first. Something about it felt sort of stiff, and I initially thought it was the audio narration, and I still think it was a little bit, but I think it was more so the writing. I also just wasn’t really feeling the romance. They were attracted to each other with no real development beyond that.

But about halfway through, I got more into it! It became less focused on the romance, more about Alexios’s struggles and political mystery and figuring out how to break a magical curse. Funnily enough, that also helped me enjoy the romance more, because I was seeing the characters actually do things together and feeling the connection between them.

And it was ultimately a sweet romance. Also hot! This book had some beautiful sex scenes.

But I have to admit I found some parts of the mystery and plot so frustrating. I just couldn’t believe these characters wouldn’t think of the most obvious things. I felt like I was watching a horror movie and screaming at the characters to not split up and go into creepy dark rooms filled with weapons. One person all but spelled out the answer to one part of the mystery directly to the MCs, and they just shrugged it off. *SPOILERS (I know I just said they were obvious, but still)* “Oh, there was no body, that was a lie, so it was the princess’s family who hired the assassin.” “There’s clearly some sort of shapeshifter or mimicry magic. Alexios, Auro, and Leofric need to stop automatically trusting everyone, and they should have code words for each other to make sure it’s really them.” “Don’t drink that tea! Don’t drink that wine! Stop drinking everything you’re handed while alone in rooms with people you know are being shady!” *END SPOILER* And honestly, Leofric was a terrible guard. Sure, he knew how to fight if Alexios was attacked, but that was it. He didn’t actually keep Alexios safe. In fact, all of the guards were terrible, considering how Auro kept sneaking into Alexios’s room without anyone noticing. I still wanted to know what would happen in the plot, I just would’ve preferred if it hinged less on characters being bad at their jobs and ignoring things right in front of their faces related to the mystery they were trying to solve.

This was basically a complete story, but it’s more of a “happy for now” than a “happily ever after.” A couple bigger story threads are still open. So even though the next book is about different characters, you’ll have to keep reading to get a complete happy ending. (At least, I assume it will be happy, and I assume there will be four books, one for each brother/season.)

I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Lance West well enough. To be honest, it was somehow both natural and stiff, which doesn’t seem like it makes sense, and I’m still not sure if the stiffness came from the narration or the writing. But it was still good, there was some emotion in it, and characters sounded different enough.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, despite the negatives I mentioned. Once I got into it, I wanted to keep listening, and I want to continue the series. This was a sweet, sexy fantasy romance with a bit of politics and magic!

*Rating: 3.5 or 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Audiobook*