Absolutely delightful romance set in AJ Demas' alt-Mediterranean Classical world, with a house party, a retired soldier, a hot eunuch sword dancer/spyAbsolutely delightful romance set in AJ Demas' alt-Mediterranean Classical world, with a house party, a retired soldier, a hot eunuch sword dancer/spy, and a conspiracy afoot. The slow burn romance goes along with a twisty plot, lots of likeable characters, a very well-realised setting, and a hilarious mickey-take of Greek philosophers. There's depth to it, in the discussions of power, gender, sex, loss, and much more, but it's never weighted down by that and the writing bubbles with life. A pleasure from start to finish, and I am really looking forward to the continuation of the story. ...more
I really liked having a book about a nonbinary MC where the enby-ness wasn't the big deal in the plot. Ray's absolute embracing of their identity was I really liked having a book about a nonbinary MC where the enby-ness wasn't the big deal in the plot. Ray's absolute embracing of their identity was strong and refreshing for the most part. I liked Wyatt's acceptance, as well as the nifty way the author showed that, just because he was supportive didn't mean he noticed or understood the hostilities and aggressions to which Ray was subjected. He brushes them off a couple of times (through ignorance and in reassuring, loving ways), and I thought that was excellently shown.
All of that was great and I liked the central romance. I don't personally enjoy NA/college set romance much, and Ray's depression/anxiety/self-destructive urges were sufficiently well depicted to make them not a terrifically enjoyable character to spend time with, for me. But well written and edited, and enough to make me want to read more of this author....more
Loads of things to love about this. Cin is a delight, grumpy and cynical and vulnerable and determined. The relationship with Tom is very sweetly deveLoads of things to love about this. Cin is a delight, grumpy and cynical and vulnerable and determined. The relationship with Tom is very sweetly developed, and the author can really write. What I think I most liked though was the normality of it. This is a bi genderqueer man with a bi trans man, and dysphoria/its consequences was an issue in their sex life, but it wasn't a 'Big Traumatic Issue' issue. It was a *thing*, like the other things you get in romance novels, no more or less. A thing they negotiated and worked through and became stronger for. I'm cis, and can't comment on the accuracy of the handling, but the characters felt real to me (as May-December billionaire Cinderella romances go, obviously.)
In many ways this is a classic tropey romance in fact, a feelgood wish-fulfilment read. I found it very sweet and often funny. The time jumps could be a little jarring at points, but otherwise a smooth, fluent read. Gorgeous cover, too. ...more
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