Overall the characters worked really well with the concept and time-period. I enjoyed the fact that there was a focus on the fact that people back then did keep animals as pets/working pets. I enjoyed how there was a focus on how gentle partners can be and is a welcomed contrast to what I have read so far in the historical fiction genre. It was a very realistic approach to how the better and loving relationships potentially were back then. A mixture of duty and having to find a way to make it work and become a loving team. Hooked from start to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The book as a meal: Overly sweet buns, but today I was craving that sweetness, so it was fine
The book left me: Warmed, but a little disappointed

Why did this call out to me?
I like romance, I like medieval books, I like a bit of "guilty" and "sinful" loving, so this was up my alley. I also really like the cover, stunning artwork

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
Pick-up-able. I just wanted to continue reading it and finding out what would happen next. Not much happens, but it was entertaining enough to keep me going

Issues:
Needs more show and less tell
Do we need to use the words "husband" and "wife" in every sentence?
No proper stakes to propel the story

Good things:
Immaculate vibes
Surprisingly filthy

How did it feel to read?
It felt very cozy, and a lot of the book had a "warmth" to it. Sadly, I also felt like I was listening to a new couple talking to each other inapropriately in a public place. Very awkward

What mood would I read this in?
I would read this in winter by the fire, longing for the warmer months. I think I would also read this on a plane, it is the perfect size for flight reading

Where does this fall in my tier list ranking?
C tier. It was entertaining enough, but fell short of my expectations. Some of my annoyances mentioned above really dragged the score down. I think someone I know would really like it, but ultimately it was not for me

Whoa, whoa, whoa now. I was enjoying this book and how lovely Max was so tender and loving towards Mary, when out of the blue we get a really violent scene of dub con. Maybe even non con. Either way, no. Sorry, but no. What the heck happened there??

i found this novel lighthearted despite its storyline. the cover is just so beautiful and the writing was very easy to understand. i would def recommend this to friends bc i feel like its something fresh. thank you so much to netgalley for the e-arc and to the publisher as well!

I enjoyed this book so much! The story was very good and I really enjoyed the romance. This was just what I wanted in a historical romance.

Historical Romance, But the Characters Were Not Fictional

Mary’ and Maximilian's marriage is arranged, but they manage to find the love of a lifetime. This book is well-written, and I enjoyed it.

The story is about real historical figures. I prefer to read stories about fictional characters because they are not as vulnerable as real people. They can live to be over one hundred years old, a nearly impossible feat for that time in history. I made the mistake of looking up Mary of Burgundy and finding out when she died. That shattered my illusion. Having said that, I did enjoy reading the book and wish I did not open that Wikipedia page.

My introduction to medieval romances and at 9% of the way in and we’ve already learned of an impending arranged marriage, on page falconry in action, and news of a parent in battle being MIA, and then a rush order on your arranged marriage.

Thoughts while reading -

*highly readable
*if someone put mail for me on my pillow, I would be in an apoplectic rage
*I really do like a well written arranged marriage trope
*he falls first
*this sent me down a rabbit hole of research, into the real Mary and Maximilian
*definitely spicy

All right, I finished it the day after I started it - the story was visually written and compelling (even as I shook my head at some things, I tried to look past my own mindset into how things must have been in the later 1400’s), I’m definitely looking forward to the next titles of this series.

This was my first time reading the author, and I will absolutely be reading more of her work 🙂


Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

This was a quick but enticing read, but you wouldn’t notice from all it has to offer. I enjoyed it very much and hope to read more from the author of this engaging book..

I found this novel, with its beautiful cover, entertaining and lighthearted, despite the dire circumstances that the Duchess of Burgundy found herself in. Forced into a marriage, not of his own making, Maximilian bends to his father's will but not before he has carried out his own plans. At times the young man seems entitled and dismissive of the needs of Mary of Burgundy, but as he spends time with her he starts to feel protective towards her. Ultimately the threat against Burgundy is realized but fortunately, this romance comes to a sweet conclusion. I received a copy of this book through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️

This is my first book by this author. I was intrigued by the premise of the story it’s a medieval HR and has the arranged marriage trope.
However, the writing style, insta love, and lack of chemistry between the protagonist hindered my enjoyment.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

I absolutely adored this book! 5 stars, it was romantic, caring, spicy. The characters were loveable and I can't wait for book 2. I loved that Mary though Maximilian was deformed lol. Lovely book.

When I started this book, I had never really heard of Mary of Burgundy or Maximilian. I was only aware of the Habsburgs because of their infamous jaws. This won't teach you like a history textbook would, but I did learn in the process that Mary died when she was 25 so that does add somewhat of a tragic edge.

The highlight of this book for me was Harlem's writing. I've seen other writers attempt it and it just come out wordy and full of unnecessary metaphors, but I enjoyed seeing how she described the world of Ghent.

I was a big fan of Mary, I was not a fan of Maximilian. He was fine at some points, and I loved that he was a big fan of consent, but especially when he would get jealous it would just irk me.

At some points I felt that the characters were in fact not from circa 1470s Burgundy, but instead 2024 or some other modern year. I understand that some liberties are always taken when it comes to historical romance, no one expects them to be perfect.

Overall, I really enjoyed this as my first Lily Harlem book. Would recommend!!

I absolutely loved this book. Here's why:
In history there really was a Mary of Burgundy and a Maximilian of Austria.
The author, took real people and created a beautiful functional story about them
True history can be exciting but also a bit dry, this book gets your interest going and leaves you wanting to know more about them, their truths and lives. A fantastic way to get pulled into actual history.
Demonstrated the culture of the times, double standard between men and women. The domination of women and how they overcame this through perseverance and determination.
Fully engaging!

Unexpected love found in an unexpected marriage makes for a beautiful love story. Never having met, Mary and Maximilian have what some would call a storybook marriage complete with lasting love. It is beautifully written, very descriptive in current happenings and has a HEA outcome. There is danger and war seems to be on the horizon. I loved Mary and the strong woman that she was during a time when women were considered as possessions. I was surprised at how educated they both were. I loved the story and would recommend it as a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

I feel a little wrong reviewing this, because I realized within the first few pages that I am decidedly not the target audience for it. This is not the type of romance novel I enjoy, and I do not want to be unfair to it as I know there are many people who enjoy this type of book. But I do want to give my honest opinion.

The book just wasn’t for me. I know it’s historical, but I didn’t expect the amount of casual misogyny that was sprinkled throughout constantly and at times even romanticized. I didn’t like that the man was so experienced and worldly and had to teach the poor naive innocent woman how things worked. I didn’t like his possessive nature or the fact that he’d slept with dozens of women before yet got angry at the thought of other men even being friendly towards her.

Also, being that it was an arranged marriage trope, I would’ve loved to see a slow burn and some mutual pining and yearning but instead it was love at first sight, which is just less fun to me, I’m sorry.

I also didn’t love the writing style, but once again, that’s because I am not the target audience. This type of book is a very specific niche and it’s just not my niche, so keep that in mind as you read my review.

A couple things I did enjoy; the MMC was very into consent and making sure his wife was comfortable and okay with everything they were doing, and I appreciated that aspect. I will also say that even if the book wasn’t my cup of tea, I was never bored while reading it, and I breezed through it very quickly. It held my interest and kept me turning pages.

Again, I feel my review is a little unfair since this is just not my taste. But if this is the type of romance book you enjoy I have no doubt you’ll like this book much more than I did, so if that is the case, definitely check it out!

Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was cute and entertaining. I learned a lot about the time period. I’ll definitely read the next one.

Thank you to netgalley for proving me with an advanced reader copy.