The third in this series finds Arabella and Sir Horley eloping to save him from marrying a woman he doesn't love (when he really just wants to find a man to love).

This was another enjoyable entry in this series! If you haven't read the previous two (especially the first one), you might be a little confused about the characters. I think though that Hall gives enough to readers that they could be fine even without reading those.

3.5 stars. Ultimately I liked this book, but it took forever for the plot to get going! Even after our main characters are on their way to elope, there’s so. Much. Talking. I skimmed some of the discussions and inner monologues. The HEA is unusual but genuine.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I have DNF'ed this story. I couldn't get into it, and it felt a bit blunt. Might be because this is the third part in the series, but the synopsis makes it seem like this can be read as a standalone. I wouldn't recommend it

I LOVED THIS!!!

The Something Fabulous series is one of my FAVORITE queer historical rom-coms, and Alexis Hall's writing never fails to make me laugh!!

Arabella was never my favorite character in this series, but I've officially done a 180 on my feelings. Being inside her head and truly understanding her thoughts and worries about love, I felt seen in a way I wasn't expecting. I want to give her the biggest hug ever. In contrast, Sir Horley is a character I've loved since his first appearance, but I never expected to have his POV and journey with him as a main character. His backstory made me so emotional, and I loved watching him and Arabella's relationship deepen as the book went on.

I was really excited to read the third instalment of this series. It was a nice addition to the series and showcases the friendships and found family trope beautifully (it's my favourite thing about the 'Something' series!). I am not sure it added anything to the plot that wasn't already seen before, but I liked the extra time I had with these characters :)

Another superb regency romance from Alexis Hall - full of love, swooning and the best kind of mischief. My heart is full.

Fun read with a different take on regency romances. Loved the characters and the mischief weaved into the story.

How to even review this. I absolutely love the premise - gay MMC and bi/pan and aromantic FMC mutually abduct each other into marriage of convenience that becomes more. It is a stunning reminder of how many shapes a happily-ever-after can take, and it is the only romance I've ever read with an aromantic lead. The queer platonic partnership is honestly breathtaking! And the satire! I would argue that this is more regency satire than regency romance, and I'm a-ok with that, because it feels like both a love letter to historical romance and a middle finger to cis and heteronormative stories.

But will anyone aside from the Hall superfans and ARC readers make it to the 50% mark?! This is 400+ pages and felt (to me) like it could have been 200 pages shorter. The inner monologue detours, the dialogue detours, the freaking DETOURS, I was pulling my hair out. I love Hall's humor but when it's overdone and repetitive it becomes tedious to read. I almost DNF'd multiple times in the first half, despite beautiful prose and moments of really compelling emotional insight because the story arc felt buried under zany asides. The second half had more emotional heft (and felt more linear?), but ultimately it still took several detours to revisit characters from previous books that I wasn't invested in (I read this as a stand-alone, and if the other two in this series feel as disjointed as this one, I will probably call it one and done on this series).

I'm so grateful characters like this have on-page HEAs, and I just wish this had felt more intentional all the way through.

Thank you to the publisher (Montlake) and Netgalley for a complimentary ARC.

if there's an author who can write a good platonic romance story, it's alexis hall. this book is about a lavender romance and teaches us that sometimes your soulmate is simply your best friend. it nevertheless contains fun romance tropes (marriage of convenience, elopement, found family), and due to rufus and belle's arrangement there are plenty of steamy scenes for both leads (though obviously not with each other).

if you're a stickler for period-accurate language in your historicals (like me), you might not enjoy this as much since hall takes a lot of liberties with slang and modern vernacular. speaking of which, this is also a very dialogue-heavy book, some of which is wonderful and contributes beautifully to character development, and some of which is just fluff. the plot at times is a bit over-the-top, but this is pretty standard for this series, so if you're willing to just go with it you'll have fun.

overall i really enjoyed this unique contribution to the romance genre and loved seeing rufus and belle get their well-deserved hea.

Unfortunately my ARC expired before I could finish this book but I loved it so much I have requested it from the library and am desperately awaiting its arrival.

Belle and Sir Harley return, this time in their own story. Hall's writing is witty and brutal, the characters loveable and infuriating.
It's nice to see inside Belle's brain, to understand and value her worldview and choices.
She is stubborn and loyal to a fault, and Sir Harley is lucky to have her in his life.

Watching their relationship unfurl was such a pleasure, and it is refreshing to read a romance novel celebrating platonic love the way that Something Extraordinary does.
At 60% I was ready to give this 5* and I doubt I'll change my mind when I have the book in my hot little hands and can gallop to Gretna Green and over the finish line.

This book was a warm hug for the soul or a punch in the face, depending on the chapter, and I loved it!! I just wanted to jump inside this book and dive into its depths. Look, it's not a light read and it takes effort but that is part of what makes this book so special. Both main characters had incredible growth over the course of the plot. The side characters and sub plots made this a truly delightful read. The ending was so delightful. I was not sure how it would end until the very last page. This is the third book in a series and there are some times that having read the previous books would have been useful, but you can get away without it.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Alexis Hall for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Alexis can sure make me laugh! This was such a fun and laugh out loud ish book for me. I loved the main characters, and felt like I actually learned a lot from the queer relationship as well. I thought it was a very thought provoking read, as well as humorous and emotional. For an author to be able to do all of those things in one book is very impressive! I definitely enjoyed this one and recommend it!

No one does banter quite like Alexis Hall! I was very skeptical going into this one because I’ll be honest, Arabella is not my fav! But wow! Was I surprised? I absolutely devoured this book! The banter was probably my favorite by far in this book! Absolutely recommend this

Well, this was bonkers! Silly, whimsical, funny, wild, yet sometimes exasperating romp to Gretna Green and back. Have I expected an elopement slash mutual abduction from these two? Absolutely not. Loved to meet again Orpheo and Peggy as well as Bonny and Valentine, though I wished a bit more of the latter couple. At least I came to like and understand Bella, who was quite a frustrating character in the previous books. On the other note, the pacing of this story was a bit off, or maybe I was in the wrong mood for this book, since I don't remember ever reading a story by Alexis Hall at such a snail's pace, Still, I had fun with it more often than not.

Another fun installment in the series. I loved the unconventionality of the story and how it is a different kind of romance. I strongly suggest reading the previous one to fully enjoy this one (specially to see how the FMC has grown as a character) but it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Spicy, gay male main character, aromantic female main character, historical fiction. This is the third standalone interconnected book in the Something Fabulous series. A tad too long with a tad too much dialogue. Still, a fun romp though with some great moments.

This is a hilariously unconventional Regency adventure. Sir Horley Comewithers, flamboyantly gay and resigned to an ill-suited marriage, is saved by his aromantic best friend, Arabella Tarleton. In a dramatic escape, Belle whisks him away to Gretna Green, where they decide on their unique marriage. Filled with madcap adventures, witty banter, and colorful characters, this story explores the beauty of platonic love and forging a relationship that works on your terms. Hall’s signature humor and heartfelt writing shine, offering a fresh perspective on romance. The audiobook brings this delightful tale to life with vibrant narration by Steve West and Ell Potter. A must-read for fans of unique, character-driven stories.

I feel like l was missing bits of the story as I have only read book 1 of this series.

While the story has little to do with the historical regency accuracy, it does provide a variation on "what" a historical romance could feel like if told with modern language. This was a truly silly romp between mischievous characters seen in the previous books.

Thank you, Montlake

A gay man resigned to a loveless marriage, Sir Horley is dramatically rescued by his friend Belle, leading them on a chaotic journey to Gretna Green that redefines their views on love and marriage.

This novel is hilarious. Like the previous books in the series, it’s a romp, but it’s deeply emotional with well-developed characters. Don’t miss it!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Motnlake for the arc. I loved having a romance featuring a Queer Platonic Relationship. I was a bit nervous when I saw Belle had a book because I didn’t know how to reconcile aro and romance but this was amazing. In classic Something Fabulous way this was over the top, super dramatic and such a fun ride. Belle and Sir Horley were amazing together and I loved seeing them navigate the world and come to platonically love each other so much. While not my favourite of the series, I am thrilled that this exists and loved it.