I loved this book. It was so hard to put down. Beau and Elias's friendship was so fun to read and watch evolve throughout the book, they are so great together and Elias is such a great friend for the prince. I love the banter between Beau and Victoire, the amount of nicknames Beau gave her amused me immensely. I had so much fun seeing their relationship evolve throughout the book. Beau's found family at the Isle are the best people and I adore them, it sounds like there will be more books and if so I really hope to see more of them. I really adore how Ma took Beau in when he really needed her the most because his biological family just sucked. I really enjoyed this book and there's more to the series I will be ready to read them all.

S.E. McPherson’s A King's Trust is a charming and heartfelt fantasy romance that explores the complexities of duty, love, and self-discovery. With its endearing protagonist and richly imagined world, this novel is a delightful blend of political intrigue, personal growth, and unexpected romance.

The story follows Prince Beauregard, the second son who never wanted—or expected—to take the throne. When his brother’s sudden death thrusts him into the role of Crown Prince, Beau is overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations that come with his new position. Determined to find a wife who is both honest and politically savvy, Beau is dismayed to discover that the only noblewoman who fits the bill absolutely despises him.

McPherson’s writing is warm and engaging, capturing the emotional depth and humour of Beau’s journey with grace and authenticity. The novel’s exploration of themes like duty, identity, and the sacrifices required by love is both poignant and thought-provoking. Beau is a relatable and endearing protagonist, his kindness and vulnerability making him a character readers will root for from the very first page.

The supporting cast, including the sharp-witted noblewoman who challenges Beau at every turn, adds richness and complexity to the narrative. The slow-burn romance is beautifully crafted, with moments of tension and tenderness that will leave readers swooning. McPherson’s world-building is vivid and immersive, creating a setting that feels both fantastical and grounded in real emotional stakes.

A King's Trust is a story of love and self-discovery, of finding the courage to embrace one’s true self while navigating the demands of duty. It’s a tale that will captivate fans of fantasy romance and leave them eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Beau’s journey.

This book was an absolute fXxk!ng delight! All of the political intrigue and scheming gave me real Bridgerton vibes (in a good way). You can definitely tell this book is world building (with a bit of adventure and spice) for the next two books in the trilogy. There are so many interesting, but unresolved, plot lines (again, in a good way).

What did I LOVE about this book?
- The MMC, Beau. What a good, loving, caring man with a traumatized inner child. Many books have a MMC POV, but this book felt like it was written entirely from Beau's POV (even though it's in 3rd person) and it was a refreshing change. Beau is complex and naive and has a heart of gold. I've never felt more attuned to a character. This is even more emphasized in relation to his enemies, who you come to hate pretty viciously (especially his parents).
- The banter between characters helps keep a light tone throughout when things could get pretty heavy. I love snark!
- I read a lot of reverse harem books and am always missing the MM action. This book has one spicy, on-the-page MM scene and it is an absolute delight. The romance was woven together expertly with both intense emotion and an advancement of the characters' stories. Given the tension between the two MMCs, I'd argue this scene was even better than the MF one.
- The introduction to the magical world of the Maurilel, which I'm sure will be expanded on the books to come

What didn't I like about this book?
- I read it so fast and now it's over! And since this is the first, I'll have to wait so long to spend time with these characters again. I'm missing them already.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy, which I received for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

5 Stars (can I do 10?!)– A Stunning Debut with Depth, Magic, and Swoon-Worthy Chaos

A King’s Trust is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading. S.E. McPherson has crafted a world that is immersive and intoxicating—full of magic, intrigue, and characters that feel like they could step off the page and into your life. I love them deeply.

At the heart of this story is a poly MMF romance (my first of its kind!) that burns in all the best ways—an AuDHD bi prince trying to survive a throne he never wanted, a lusciously loyal guard who knows too much, and a duchess who refuses to make it easy on anyone (and she’s definitely an enneagram 8 like me). The tension? Off the charts. The emotional depth? Gut-wrenching in the best way. And the world-building? So vivid that I felt completely transported—something that doesn’t always come easily for me, but this novel made easy.

A King’s Trust doesn’t just deliver an unforgettable story—it means something. It’s a love letter to found family (tulip family!), queerness, and the defiance of expectation—all things we need to uplift in these uncertain times. If you love fantasy romance with spice 🥵, depth, and razor-sharp storytelling, this is a must-read. I already can’t wait for what’s next from S.E. McPherson, and I’ll be starving until I get my hands on the sequel.

Order it. Devour it. Obsess over it. Thirst for the sequel. Trust me.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily (and truthfully) leaving a review.

I loved, loved, loved this book. Wonderful main characters with good chemistry all around. Beau was my favorite; such a sweet, kind-hearted man, doggedly determined to try to do the right thing. Also, as a reader with ADHD and a history of self harm, I thought his experiences with both were thoughtfully, beautifully portrayed. I would have loved to learn more about Elias’s backstory, but we were given enough information to get the gist of it and a basic understanding of why he is the way he is (a loyal, lovely badass). And Penny’s personality, her slyness and wit and formidable will, challenged and complemented Beau and Elias in delightful ways. I enjoyed the balance of plot and romance; I’m on the aromantic spectrum, and occasionally I’ll get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of pining in some romance books, but this one featured plenty of action and worldbuilding to keep my interest.

If I have any complaint at all, it’s that there’s no news of a planned sequel. While the story comes to a satisfying conclusion, there’s definitely room left for more, and I want it!

A King’s Trust by S. E. McPherson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am screaming, sobbing, throwing up, feral, absolutely destroyed in the best way possible. There are truly not enough words in any language to express how much I love this book and how absolutely amazing it was. This was everything. Growing up I would read so many books where there was always a love triangle and the main character had to choose, but I am so happy and fulfilled and emotional over the fact that this was not that. And it also wasn’t a why choose type romance where the main plot is the smut and the relationships, and I wanna be very clear that I’m not saying there’s a problem with that because I for sure adore those books as well. It’s just that I feel like I got something that I have rarely if ever been able to get out of a romance book where it just feels so natural to have this type of loving relationship and I need more of this immediately and forever. This book was just absolutely everything. And so queer! I love it!

Beauregard is the second son thrust into the role of heir when his older brother unexpectedly dies. He has no interest in becoming king, and is resentful of the responsibility keeping him from living the life he desires. He has to learn some hard truths about the people around him, and recognize the types of people who typically have privilege and power, and the ways in which they often use that power and privilege. All while uncovering various mysteries, navigating the court politics, trying to find a queen, and fighting his attraction to his guard.

I loved this book. It grabbed my attention and held it till the end. The tension in every aspect of this story was beautifully done. It was incredibly well written, evocative, and compelling. The dialogue in particular was written especially well, full of wit, sarcasm, and snark. It made me feel all the emotions. I cried, I laughed, I audibly gasped, I giggled and kicked my feet.

There were twists & turns I rarely saw coming. The magic system was unique and intriguing. I quickly fell in love with the characters. I loved the found family aspect, and seeing Beau realize that maybe deep down he knew all along who he could truly trust. The two romance plots were compelling. The slow burn was deliciously slow and incredibly satisfying. The enemies to lovers was done well, it could have been too abrupt a switch, but there was enough interaction and subtle building of trust to make it believable.

I will certainly be on the lookout for more from McPherson in the future, and will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

I received an ARC from netgalley and this is my honest opinion.