Cute fantasy romance with a unique magic system. I liked the style and the characters. I wanted a little more build up of romance but overall it was a satisfying read.

"Casters and Crowns" by Elizabeth Lowham is a cozy romantasy book set in a world where Casters (magic users) are looked down on. When Aria, the heir princess of Loegria, gets cursed by a woman who wants revenge, she seeks the help of Baron, a Fluid-type Caster, to break her curse.

When I started this book, it made me question why there's no one speaking about it. It has everything a popular romantasy book has: a charming MMC, hilarious and lovable characters, and an interesting world and magic system. So if you like all these things, you should definitely check out "Casters and Crowns" when it comes out on 1st October.

The romance between Baron and Aria was the cutest. I found myself giggling and rooting for them to be together throughout the whole book. As a fan of slow burn, this was *chef kiss*!

However, out of all the things I loved in this book, my favorite was the dynamic between the characters. And I'm not only talking about the slow-burn romance between Baron and Aria. This book has multiple sibling relationships I just fell in love with, especially Baron's twin brothers. I'm confident they will be everyone's favorite characters.

The only thing I think could be better was the worldbuilding. I feel it could have been more explored and detailed, as it has so much potential. Maybe that's just my personal likes, but when reading a fantasy book, I feel the need to know more about the history of the world or country the book is set in and why things are like they are, and while "Casters and Crowns" had some parts that explained that, to me, it could have been more explored.

All in all, you should check out "Casters and Crowns" if you're a fan of a slowburn, cozy romantasy book with loveable characters. Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve always loved the books from this publishing house, and this one is no exception!

I also want to give a big shout-out to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read it early, and I can’t wait to buy the final copy when it’s released!

Now, let's move on to the story—The magic system was so much fun! I loved how it tied into politics and laws—it made everything more interesting.

Having dual POVs was amazing! Seeing the story from a princess’s perspective and then from a young man with magic was such a cool experience.

The slow-burn, forbidden love? Loved it. The characters were so fun, and the romance unfolding slowly just made it all the cozier. I just felt like I was reading the cutest story, while reading about self-discovery, accepting who you are, learning it's okay to make mistakes, and so much more. This book healed a little part of my heart.

The fantasy world was also exactly what I call a comfy fantasy. I’m such a fan of these kinds of books and I couldn't put this one down. I needed to read to finally see what would happen to the characters and how they would help each other.

I heavily recommend it!

I wanted something with a little magic going into the autumn months and this one ended up being such a perfect read.

I loved the pace of this book. Sometimes I struggle with fantasy. Things are too fantastical to keep up with or it drags a little with too much background. I loved how this kingdom of magical and non-magical people was set up and easy to understand.

Princess Aria strives for perfection in her role as princess and the one in line to inherit the throne. When her heart and mind differ from that of her father the king, she finds herself on a journey of self discovery and in pursuit of solutions to the problems her country face with those who have magical powers (casters).

Baron Reeves is a know castor and discriminated against for his abilities. I loved his integrity and strength of character as he defends himself and looks after his brothers.

As Aria turns to Baron for help in overcoming a curse, they get to know each other. I loved Aria’s ability to recognize prejudice and make a change in herself in how she views casters. It’s a great example of knowledge is power. How can we solve a problem if we don’t understand it?

This book kept me interested the whole time. It is also a book with a content level I would feel comfortable having my kids read. I think several of my kids would enjoy it and plan to buy a paperback for our yearly holiday book gifts. This is definitely a book I would recommend to all those who like light fantasy.

Casters and Crowns is the perfect fairytale read for a cozy fall day. This was my first read by Elizabeth Lowham and I was not disappointed. The writing style and the plot were both fantastic.

Princess Aria is truly a great character. Her personality was totally unique compared to most FMC in the fantasy genre. She had doubts about herself and wether or not she could live up to her father’s expectations, which made her a relatable character on so many levels.

Baron and Aria complemented each other so well and the romance between them was really cute. Baron had such a great personality and was always very kind. His brothers were a great addition to the story and made me laugh so many times.

The only issue I had was it had a bit of a slow start but things really picked up towards the end.

All around this was a great read and I highly recommend it!

I'll be honest. I gave this the fairest shot I could, but I could not get into the story. I couldn't bring myself to feel anything for the characters. Aria's constant inner dialog about all the marks against her got old very quickly. She's supposed to be the older sister, but seems childish at times.

Baron, ~Guilliaume~, at least had something interesting, being a Caster, going for him. I got about 20% in and when I stalled for a few days and felt no interest in picking it back up again, I knew to call it quits.

I had high hopes for it, so it still gets 3 stars for me. The plot seemed incredible, the execution was meh.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Romantasy, Historical Fantasy
Spice Level: Expect kisses
Language: Free of profanity

Here's my tru confession—I LOVE some of the female fantasy writers from the 80s. CASTERS AND CROWNS has everything I love about those novels but in a more modern packaging (this is historical, but I just mean the attitudes aren't in the dark ages).

Aria is headstrong and wants to prove herself worthy to rule. AND she gets herself in trouble. I liked how a strength was the very thing that made things worse.

Baron wants to rule his land even though he has magic as a caster. BUT he's ousted in favor of a younger brother. His dedication to his brothers is awesome.

Now put Aria and Baron together with clever letters and secrets, and you have a just-right romantasy. I enjoyed both of the characters immensely.

I actually liked how the lines between the magic-users and royalty was clear cut. The magic is pretty simple and straightforward—which is refreshing after too many books that become needlessly complicated. World building could be slightly strengthened. I saw this as medieval because of the jousting tournament and the spectacle at court. It could be a different time period, so until I have more information, I'm sticking with my gut instinct.

There is also room to grow this book into a series. I would definitely read more.

Happy reading!

Netgalley kindly provided me with an ARC of this book for an honest review, and I must say it truly is a hidden gem.

The plot and characters are exceptionally well-written, focusing on growth and self-discovery for protagonists Aria and Baron as they navigate their fathers’ legacies. Aria, the main heroine, stands out for her relatability and lack of special powers, making her a refreshing character.

Her journey to break a curse kept me intrigued, and her determination for peace over violence impressed me. The theme of growth is beautifully portrayed throughout the novel, with characters facing emotional and physical struggles and evolving into stronger individuals.

The world-building and magic system are unique yet easy to follow, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged.

Romance is subtly woven into the story, adding sweetness without overshadowing the main plot. Aria’s internal conflicts and her choice to forge her own path make her a compelling character, demonstrating perseverance and growth.

Overall, this book is a tale of overcoming challenges, learning from mistakes, and becoming the best version of oneself. It is a motivating and realistic read that captivates with its complexity and heartfelt storytelling.

This book felt like a books I've read before. I mean the part I read was interesting I guess but not interesting enough for me to pick it up a second time to continue reading. (DNF at 11%)

This was a really interesting fantasy book about a highly perfectionist princess who intends to take the crown someday. Her perfectionist struggle is something that's quite apparent through the story through her choices and internal dialogue, which makes it quite relatable for many of us. She makes a poor decisions and seeks help from a Baron she believes can help her. This plot is filled with unexpected friendship and mystery. The dynamics between those who have powers and those who don't is also interesting, along with the cultural dynamics this creates in the kingdom.

If you enjoy clean fantasy, with a young adult vibe, I think you'll want to give this one a try!

"Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king's line is dead.

Aria's best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster - the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows to not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer - especially since she might be the key to changing the king's opinion on Casters - but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he's not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom."

Damn. That is a damn wicked curse.

Wow, this is the first book I’ve read from this author and I thought it was a great novel! There are so many things to love about this book. First of all, the book has great and memorable characters, particularly the main FMC and MMC, Aria and Baron. Both of them are easily likable and easy to root for. This book has an empowering, moving and uplifting message about finding your voice and speaking up for yourself and I love the journey we go through with the two leads. You sympathize with Aria and Baron who are two sides of the same coin and it was so satisfying seeing both of them find their voice and overcome their inner demons. There is also a sweet slow burn with even sweeter letters that had me swooning and squealing on multiple occasions! They are such a cute couple and I love how they lift each other up. I want what they have, seriously.

The book also has a gorgeous writing style. There is almost a lyrical quality in the way the author writes and it evokes a strong imagery of each scene that is written. I found the book easy to read and follow the entire time. Particularly, I loved learning about the magic as I found it fascinating and loved even more the way the magic is described in the novel. It is definitely perfect for readers wanting to enter the fantasy genre.

This book has a lot of genuine laugh out loud moments — I’m looking at you Leon and Corvin — as well as swoon worthy and heart wrenching ones that will tug at your heart strings. I found that the themes of anxiety, perfectionism and prejudice are done very well and it leads to a very satisfying pay off that really moved me. There were plot twists I genuinely did not see coming and makes you reflect on who the real villain is. You understand each character’s motives and what drives them to do the things they do.

My only real flaw with this book was its slow start. I wasn’t feeling the novel initially since it started slow, but it picks up momentum around the halfway mark and you start to feel the urgency of the curse. The second half is when the novel truly shined for me and it made me willing to overlook my issues with the first half and upped my rating drastically. I would even say the slowness was necessary to depict the calm before the storm. The third act is filled with so many twists, action and high stakes that nicely juxtapose the calmness of the first act. In addition, I love the dual POV – Baron’s especially. I felt the love he has for Leon and Corvin, but wish the same was done with Aria and Eliza as it would have made for more impactful moments. It would’ve been nice to have Aria and Eliza's relationship fleshed out more as sisters as there was more love that went towards establishing the bond between Baron and his bickering brothers.

In conclusion, I would definitely love to see more of this world as I found it really moved me. As a perfectionist, I personally related to the themes presented in this novel so the characters resonated with me a great deal. This was a great read with an empowering, moving and uplifting message filled with twists, magic and amazing character development with a satisfying pay off.

Read if you like:
- forbidden romance
- forbidden magic
- dual POV
- sweet MMC
- slow burn
- unique magic system
- casters and shapeshifters
- plot twists
- lovable brothers who will make you laugh out loud
- sleeping beauty except she falls asleep at the worst timings possible

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so insanely well written and well plotted I’m actually blown away. The way that this book was a million times better than any of those viral mediocre fantasy books on tiktok and will probably not reach even an ounce of popularity of those books physically pains me. This is one of my favorite Netgalley arcs I have ever reviewed and I have reviewed a ton of them over the past few years. This one I’m going to remember.

I’m a simple girl. I see the word “princess” in the synopsis and I want to read it. Sure this is not technically a fairytale (which is more of my thing) and is a fantasy, but seeing that this is about a princess made me perk up. Though this is technically a fantasy, it very much felt like a fairytale (that isn’t a retelling) rather than a fantasy EXACTLY WHAT I LOOK FOR as that is the only kind of fantasy I typically like. There are definitely fairytale elements in this (namely sleeping beauty) with a deadly curse that reminded me somewhat of sleeping beauty’s curse. The curse itself is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read in a fairytale or fantasy, where instead of sleeping for 100 years, Princess Aria is cursed to be unable to sleep over the course of 100 days, until she wastes away and dies. Which, after that, it would pass onto her sister and everyone else until her entire family on the King’s side is dead. And worse, the curse forbids she tells anyone so she can’t even ask for help. The story itself was so creative, I had zero clue how she was going to get out of this.

I am really iffy when it comes to fantasy because it’s not my thing, but fairytales 100% are. Yet, I never fully write off fantasy because some fantasy feels like a fairytale does, but it’s like playing Russian roulette trying them sometimes because you never really know for sure from the synopsis, but I had a great feeling about this before starting this one and I was right. From the get go this very felt like a fairytale that just happens to not be a retelling (a fairytale doesn’t have to be a retelling to be considered a fairytale!) I could tell after the first few pages that this book was going to be my sort of thing! The magic is not overly complicated, and you get a taste of royal life of a princess just like you would in a fairytale. The world building is done well and is not overly complicated like some fantasy tends to be.

Princess Aria is so likable, which is refreshing because I have disliked about 80% of all heroines in the fantasy novels I have tried. It just goes back to the fact that to me, this felt more of a fairytale than a fantasy which is why I liked it so much, and that even applies to the characterization of the heroine. I’m so sick of the females in fantasy being all blood thirsty and trained to be violent fighters and “I’ve killed 12 men before the age of 16” with all aggression and bite. Sure that’s ok every now and again but why does almost every mainstream fantasy character have to be that way? It’s not relatable, an old and tired way of writing female characters, and frankly annoying. Bring back soft characters in fantasy like Aria!

Aria felt more like a fairytale princess than a commercial fantasy princess, which is a good thing because it makes her far more likable. She is far more relatable than other heroines in those mainstream fantasy books, because while those characters tend to be overly confident and bulldoze over everyone to have their way, Aria has doubts about her worthiness to be a good ruler and feels like she needs to prove herself. She is timid about standing up for what she thinks is right, but pushes through not because of a “I’m going to do what I want so fuck you” attitude, but because she wants to prove herself to the council and her father despite her self doubts. Sure it all goes wrong and sets off the events of the curse, but what I like about her is that she struggles with talking herself out of ideas she has to help her people, because like everyone else in the world, she has self doubts. She isn’t all overbearing confidence and physical aggression, aka the most annoying type of character ever. Aria is a character I would actually get along with irl and want to be friends with.

This book rides the line between the fairytale and fantasy genre, so I think people who don’t normally enjoy fantasy could like this one. The magic system is unique but not complicated or overly confusing. This is one of the few fantasy’s that I’ve enjoyed and one of the rare occasions I’ve given one anything above 3 stars. I like Elizabeth Loham’s writing style and I have her books on my radar now. Now can we get a sequel about Princess Eliza?

Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!

✨They fit together like lemon and leaf, like sword and sheath, like two halves always meant to be whole.✨

Casters and Crowns was my first Elizabeth Lowman book and I enjoyed this magical royal fantasy.

Princess Aria has spent her life trying to one perfect, but the mental marks she gives each mistake are nearly innumerable. Her father demands excellence, not excuses or failures. When the Widow Morton’s son is murder by order of the king, she devises revenge on those who are not magically gifted, especially the castle’s inhabitants.

Aria believes that harmony can be found and attempts a truce, but her efforts result in a curse. A curse that will eventually take her life. Seeking answers to her predicament, she enlists the help of Baron, a Fluid Caster, the very type of magic that cursed her to begin with. She never dreams that she will fall in love with the so-called enemy.

She must overcome her fears and failures, and find strength and confidence in her ability to right the wrongs of her father.

A sweet and swoony clean romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was very cute! I enjoyed the romance a lot. Baron and Aria are both nice people who complement each other well, and their correspondence was charming and well done. But the heart of the book was definitely Baron's younger siblings, who were clever and obnoxious and full of life. Much of the plot is dedicated to their defense and rightly so. As a romance, I think it was well paced, but the curse plot lacked urgency in the first half. Aria was still occupied with concerns of court and it was not often clear what she was doing to mitigate her circumstances until she secures Baron's aid. As a result, Baron's chapters felt stronger as his primary concern was clear: he wants to hold a place in court and to protect his brothers. It helps also that he has to deal with a direct menace in Huxley whereas Aria's menace is relegated to the abstract.

But where Baron's brothers shined, Aria's sisters fell flat for me. Almost every conversation with Eliza is concerned with courtship, hers or Aria's, and it's not until nearly the end of the book that we get an opinion on the politics out of her. Jenny is quiet and considerate, but they don't really talk or joke or interact on the page the way Baron's family does. We're told they do. Aria thinks about how she loves her sisters and wants to talk with them like normal again, but we don't see it. I recognize that "young woman excited to be introduced to society and only talks about boys" is a common trope, but I still find it exhausting and reductive, especially from one of our only female side characters who isn't a villain.

Speaking of tropes, the book relies heavily on your sense of the genre to establish its setting. The main detail we have about the palace is the stained glass windows. What period is this? Baron wears tailcoats. Regency perhaps? But later there is a joust. Are we medieval? Renaissance? They're writing on paper. A neighboring country is pioneering germ theory. I do not believe that a fantasy world must exactly map to a real world time, but I do believe that the world should be intentional in its construction. I did not have a strong sense of place at any point during the story, and the conflicting details about what time period I should be supposing confused the issue. Everything is a day's ride from the palace despite drastically different climates.

Tropes are useful tools: they let readers make inferences and guide expectations, so the author can build upon that shared foundation. I do not at all object to the use of tropes. My concern is that they were used less as building blocks but as ways of eschewing explanations. We all know what a palace looks like, so there is no need to elaborate past the polished granite floor. We've all seen an official courtship before, so no need to elaborate on Aria's responsibilities, or how this world's courtship differs from our own where women did not generally inherit. The first is an issue of place: there is a great variety in palaces that evoke different moods and a sense of purpose. The setting is vaguely European, so there's a vague sense of stone, probably, but the openness of a Spanish castle with its gardens is a far cry from a stuffy British castle or a fortress, and all still different from Regency era palaces. The second an issue of stakes. How much more interesting would it have been to have specific courtship rules that interfered with Aria's investigations? Or that posed a greater threat to her budding relationship with Baron? Lack of specificity leads to a lack of tension.

Now, that said, I think it executes the romance tropes very well! I'm quite critical here but I had a good time, and would not hesitate to offer this to a teen interested in romantasy. I think with a little more attention to the work these tropes are doing, this could have been a 5* read for me. As is, it lingers around a high 3, with characters I enjoyed and a lot of potential. I would be interested to see what Lowham does next.

How very dare you, Elizabeth Lowham. Wonderful characters? Check. Unique world? Check. Powers and fantasy? CHECK. Twists and turns? You betcha. Thank you so much, for making this a novel that I just couldn't put down. Please write more of this world. We need it. Thank you to NetGalley and to Elizabeth Lowham for the opportunity to read the ARC of this and review it.

So good! I love royalty books and this one is fantastic. Really glad this published picked this one up because I think they need more in this type of category.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elizabeth Lowham’s “Casters and Crowns” is a captivating and cozy fantasy that offers a fresh take on magic and royalty. This standalone novel follows Princess Aria and Baron Reeves, two characters on parallel journeys of self-discovery, both grappling with the legacies left behind by their fathers. Set in a world reminiscent of the regency era, with a magic system that flips traditional power dynamics, this book delivers a heartwarming and immersive experience. I absolutely loved the cozy vibes of this fantasy book as well as the found family aspect, which is my favorite troupe. While this is a standalone and everything is wrapped up nicely, I would love to explore this unique world even more!

Princess Aria is the heir to a kingdom divided by prejudice, where magic-wielders are the oppressed. Raised under the rigid rule of her father, she carries the weight of living up to his expectations while keeping a meticulous record of her own mistakes. Meanwhile, Baron, a caster who has recently lost his father, must fight for his right to protect his family in a court that views magic-users with suspicion. When their paths cross, they find themselves on a journey to break a deadly curse, learning that they have much to teach each other about leadership, compassion, and the importance of making mistakes.

Lowham’s world-building is refreshingly simple yet effective. The magic system is easy to understand but layered with history and depth that gradually unfolds throughout the book. I really liked the simplicity of the world-building, as this allowed Lowham to develop it in a satisfying way without becoming too complex. Fans of YA would definitely find themselves engaged in this world building as well as with the magic system. The setting, though lightly described, provides a perfect backdrop for the adventure without overwhelming the narrative. The dual perspectives of Aria and Baron add richness to the story, with both characters’ struggles reflecting each other’s in meaningful ways.

One of the book's standout themes is the idea of self-compassion, particularly in the face of failure. Both Aria and Baron are haunted by the legacies of their fathers, but through their experiences, they learn that mistakes are a natural and necessary part of growth. This theme is subtly woven into the story, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable. The romance between Aria and Baron is light yet well-crafted, adding warmth to the story without overshadowing the plot. Their relationship develops naturally as they face their respective challenges, and their dynamic is refreshingly grounded. Their relationship felt very realistic and relatable with its development as well as with the characters themselves. Baron, in particular, is not your typical heroic male lead—he’s reserved, guilt-ridden, and filled with self-doubt, making him a flawed yet realistic character. Aria, meanwhile, is fiercely loyal, flawed, and unafraid to stand up for her beliefs, giving you a well-rounded, strong female protagonist.

“Casters and Crowns” also shines in its portrayal of sibling bonds. Both Aria and Baron share heartwarming relationships with their siblings, adding humor and emotional depth to the story. The twins, in particular, provide some of the book’s most entertaining moments, with their witty banter and endearing personalities. I could read an entire book about the twins; they definitely were an unexpected highlight of the book, as well as the found family troupe.

Overall, “Casters and Crowns” is a delightful fantasy with a perfect balance of adventure, romance, and personal growth. Its unique magic system, engaging characters, and heartfelt themes make it a standout in the genre. While the story wraps up nicely without any loose ends, there’s still potential for further exploration of this intriguing world, and readers will no doubt be eager for more. For anyone seeking a cozy, character-driven fantasy that’s easy to follow yet emotionally resonant, “Casters and Crowns” is a must-read.

I really enjoyed this fantasy - the world was interesting yet familiar with a few plot points that reminded me of various classic fairytales, which made it super approachable and easy to get into. I liked how distinct the characters were - I felt like I really hated the villains and loved our protagonists. The romance between Aria and Baron was so sweet and I loved their letter writing to each other, not to mention I loved how they grew and developed throughout the book and really changed! The side characters were so fun and their personalities (especially Corvin and Leon) brought perfect comedic relief to this book. Overall a great cozy fantasy (perfect for people who don't read a lot of fantasy or are new to the genre), with just enough romance woven in and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I can't wait to see what other fantasies Shadow Mountain might put out, because this first one was a hit in my books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC of this book!

Completely unputdownable!!!

Princess Aria's efforts to negotiate peace with the casters, or those who have magic, backfires in the worst way: she is cursed to be unable to sleep for the next 100 days, slowly losing her mind. After the hundred days, she will die and the curse will spread to the next member of her family.

In desperation, she seeks out Baron Reeves, another caster that she hopes can help to break the curse but as they spend time together, she realizes he may also break her heart.

Baron wants to help Aria but he is haunted by his past and the limitations of his power. As his heart becomes entangled with hers, however, Baron and Aria risk everything to break the curse and save a kingdom on the brink of war.

What you'll love:
fantasy
forbidden love
dual POV
a magical curse
slow burn
the letters
twists and turns
"Kiss me."
Leon and Corvin
traitorous plots
suspenseful moments
character growth
Sleeping Beauty vibes
adorably swoony romance!!

I think I just found a new must-read fantasy author! This book was fantastic - a unique and captivating plot, an easy to understand magic system, endearing characters with depth and heart, and a sweet and swoony romance that made my heart sign with happiness. I loved every moment watching Aria and Baron fall in love!

I was captivated from first chapter to last and read the entire book in one sitting - I could not put it down!! There were so many layers to the characters and the story and as each one was revealed, I became more entranced. The whole book was just so well-crafted and entertaining!

This reads like a stand-alone with no cliffhangers but there were openings for another book and oh, I would be so happy if there were a sequel. This one gets a very enthusiastic 5 stars from me!

CW: some fighting but nothing graphic or overly violent, talk of character getting hanged and characters getting branded with a mark, no swearing, kisses only

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review is required.