I was eagerly anticipating this read and it did not disappoint.

I love the world Marske built: gender fluid, racially diverse, economically varied, nods to HistRom aristocratic themes, and so very detailed.

This novel is, at its core, a love story between two men who know they should not be falling for each other but simply cannot help themselves.

In a nod to tradition, and anticipating a challenge, Matti (the son of a prominent family), hires a best man, Luca, whose role at Matti’s upcoming wedding is to defend Matti’s position as the groom. Luca is however not who he claims and Matti has a big family secret.

Important to note here that in addition to the best man arrangement, Matti blackmails Luca into giving him sword fighting lessons after Luca scams him. 

Anyway, as their working relationship turns into a friendship and then a love affair, they also start to tell each other some truths, and start investigating just what is happening to Matti’s family. 

Villains get caught, parents apologize, siblings explain themselves, and there’s even a lovely mini secondary romance. Plus it’s hot and Omari Douglas is the perfect narrator. 

It starts out a little slow but it’s worth it.