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Brides of Karadok #6
The Favourite
Alisander de Balon, fifth Viscount Bardulf is a lot of things. Ambassador. Diplomat. Spy. He is also bored as hell at the Argent King’s court. His only diversion these days is tormenting staid Jane Cecil, the Queen’s favorite Lady-in-Waiting. Seeing her vexed amuses him more than any royal entertainment.
Jane has finally found her place at Court, and it is among the Queen’s retinue. All she wants to do is faithfully serve Her Majesty, something she could do in peace if it was not for the Queen’s countryman, Viscount Bardulf, who seems to delight in baiting her!
Neither Bardulf nor Jane could have foreseen the sudden tragedy that leads to their hasty union and certainly, neither of them could have anticipated that they would fall so easily into different roles… that of husband and wife.
Jane has finally found her place at Court, and it is among the Queen’s retinue. All she wants to do is faithfully serve Her Majesty, something she could do in peace if it was not for the Queen’s countryman, Viscount Bardulf, who seems to delight in baiting her!
Neither Bardulf nor Jane could have foreseen the sudden tragedy that leads to their hasty union and certainly, neither of them could have anticipated that they would fall so easily into different roles… that of husband and wife.
489 pages, ebook
First published May 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
May 10, 2023
3.5 stars, decided to round up bc I love AC too much to round down.
So this story is about Jane Cecil and Alisander, Viscount Bardulf. Jane’s sister (the king’s former mistress) dies after giving birth to her child, but first begs Jane to raise the baby (the king’s bastard daughter). This is ofc a messy situation since Jane is the queen’s favorite, and has to leave the queen’s service to do something so objectionable to her much esteemed monarch. In order to take control of the baby away from her opportunistic uncle’s clutches, she must first marry, which is where Alisander comes in. He cannot stand to see her marry another and manipulates matters so that he is the one to become her husband. This was probably the highlight of the story for me, I love a hero who can manipulate events and people to get his heroine! The rest of the story is about them settling in to married life in court with a few small ups and downs.
The story overall was enjoyable, but I felt like it got a little too repetitive in the middle. I was bored of the constant back and forth between the MCs, with very little in way of an actual plot. I usually love AC for her excellent dialogue, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint in that regard. However, there wasn’t much that actually happened beyond sex. I was hoping for some kind of third act drama…which is unusual for me. I just wanted something (anything) to shake up the monotony of the story. When something did come, it was all pretty subdued. Somehow this story just didn’t quite work for me, but maybe I will feel differently about it in the future. After all, I didn’t really like Oswald Vaudrey’s book the first time around either. Now that I think of it, this hero felt a little like a less impressive version of Oswald. His schemes and machinations started off interesting and intriguing, but he quickly wavered in his skill as a spy and diplomat, which was fairly disappointing to me. Did I mention I love myself a manipulative hero?
Still an enjoyable read because I would probably read AC’s grocery list just to get a hit. Now I’m just sad that I have to wait forever for another book. 😭😭😭😭😭
Safety Spoilers:
Prob the least safe of AC’s books since she started writing the Karadok books. But still safe for most.
Heroine virgin
Hero not a manwhore but he mentions his past lovers and mistresses several times.
What irked me a bit was that he claimed to have been in love with the heroine after first meeting her years prior (although he wasn’t really aware of the fact himself) but it is assumed that he still kept mistresses and had liaisons during this time. That’s simply not my cuppa.
The heroine is frequently jealous about his past lovers.
No OM/OW drama during the story, but both exhibit jealousy
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
So this story is about Jane Cecil and Alisander, Viscount Bardulf. Jane’s sister (the king’s former mistress) dies after giving birth to her child, but first begs Jane to raise the baby (the king’s bastard daughter). This is ofc a messy situation since Jane is the queen’s favorite, and has to leave the queen’s service to do something so objectionable to her much esteemed monarch. In order to take control of the baby away from her opportunistic uncle’s clutches, she must first marry, which is where Alisander comes in. He cannot stand to see her marry another and manipulates matters so that he is the one to become her husband. This was probably the highlight of the story for me, I love a hero who can manipulate events and people to get his heroine! The rest of the story is about them settling in to married life in court with a few small ups and downs.
The story overall was enjoyable, but I felt like it got a little too repetitive in the middle. I was bored of the constant back and forth between the MCs, with very little in way of an actual plot. I usually love AC for her excellent dialogue, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint in that regard. However, there wasn’t much that actually happened beyond sex. I was hoping for some kind of third act drama…which is unusual for me. I just wanted something (anything) to shake up the monotony of the story. When something did come, it was all pretty subdued. Somehow this story just didn’t quite work for me, but maybe I will feel differently about it in the future. After all, I didn’t really like Oswald Vaudrey’s book the first time around either. Now that I think of it, this hero felt a little like a less impressive version of Oswald. His schemes and machinations started off interesting and intriguing, but he quickly wavered in his skill as a spy and diplomat, which was fairly disappointing to me. Did I mention I love myself a manipulative hero?
Still an enjoyable read because I would probably read AC’s grocery list just to get a hit. Now I’m just sad that I have to wait forever for another book. 😭😭😭😭😭
Safety Spoilers:
Prob the least safe of AC’s books since she started writing the Karadok books. But still safe for most.
Heroine virgin
Hero not a manwhore but he mentions his past lovers and mistresses several times.
What irked me a bit was that he claimed to have been in love with the heroine after first meeting her years prior (although he wasn’t really aware of the fact himself) but it is assumed that he still kept mistresses and had liaisons during this time. That’s simply not my cuppa.
The heroine is frequently jealous about his past lovers.
No OM/OW drama during the story, but both exhibit jealousy
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2023
I love this world that Alice Coldbreath created. I love the setting and the characters. I love that this is the 9th book in the series (if you include the Vawdrey Brothers books) and we're still learning things about the characters in this world. I love that, even if some of her characters have similarities, she makes them all unique. She gives them quirks and flaws, and makes them have awkward moments.
Jane was never considered anything special by her family. Then, her first time at court, Queen Armenal was kind to her, winning Jane's loyalty and giving her life purpose. Jane's loyalty to the Queen strains her relationship with her sister Helen, because Helen is the King's mistress. When Helen writes Jane asking her to come to her deathbed, Jane leaves court at once. On her deathbed, Helen asks Jane to adopt her infant daughter to protect her from their awful uncle.
Alisander is a diplomat from a neighboring country. He prides himself on being manipulative and flippant, but he finds himself drawn to Jane in a way that he's never felt to anyone before. His favorite pastime is teasing Jane when they are in the Queen's Chambers, and he's at a loss when she's not around. When Alisander learns that Jane is looking to marry, he manipulates everything so that he can be the one to marry her.
********************
It's here! I can't wait to read it!
Jane was never considered anything special by her family. Then, her first time at court, Queen Armenal was kind to her, winning Jane's loyalty and giving her life purpose. Jane's loyalty to the Queen strains her relationship with her sister Helen, because Helen is the King's mistress. When Helen writes Jane asking her to come to her deathbed, Jane leaves court at once. On her deathbed, Helen asks Jane to adopt her infant daughter to protect her from their awful uncle.
Alisander is a diplomat from a neighboring country. He prides himself on being manipulative and flippant, but he finds himself drawn to Jane in a way that he's never felt to anyone before. His favorite pastime is teasing Jane when they are in the Queen's Chambers, and he's at a loss when she's not around. When Alisander learns that Jane is looking to marry, he manipulates everything so that he can be the one to marry her.
********************
It's here! I can't wait to read it!
May 8, 2023
AMAZING and perfect as always. As expected I’ve read it too fast as usual and now I sit and wait not at all patiently for her next release.
October 5, 2023
Boosted to 4 stars due to fave author status.
This had all the Alice Coldbreath goodness; smitten hero, strong yet innocent heroine, marriage of convenience, funny dialogue and awkwardly hot sex scenes, but it lacked quite a bit in story and felt overlong. There were about 20 sex scenes here, I think Alice might have finally exhausted this series and is just writing medieval porn, but it was still decent and made me laugh. The hero was so outrageous and extra but also a bit of a liar and slightly cruel, I’m not sure I liked him. Jane was nothing special and kind of an amalgamation of all of Coldbreath’s heroines. Overall kind of meh for this author, which is still pretty good considering.
Anyway, I wouldn’t recommend putting money in this one, grab it from a library if you’re a fan, skip if you aren’t. It’s too bad because I wanted to see this pairing and wished it had more story and romance.
3.5 stars rounded up because I always love this author.
This had all the Alice Coldbreath goodness; smitten hero, strong yet innocent heroine, marriage of convenience, funny dialogue and awkwardly hot sex scenes, but it lacked quite a bit in story and felt overlong. There were about 20 sex scenes here, I think Alice might have finally exhausted this series and is just writing medieval porn, but it was still decent and made me laugh. The hero was so outrageous and extra but also a bit of a liar and slightly cruel, I’m not sure I liked him. Jane was nothing special and kind of an amalgamation of all of Coldbreath’s heroines. Overall kind of meh for this author, which is still pretty good considering.
Anyway, I wouldn’t recommend putting money in this one, grab it from a library if you’re a fan, skip if you aren’t. It’s too bad because I wanted to see this pairing and wished it had more story and romance.
3.5 stars rounded up because I always love this author.
May 21, 2023
The Favourite was definitely a departure from many of the other books in the Karadok world and I enjoyed that! Alisander (H) is a diplomat for the Western Isles who is basically a spy, but approaches his job very differently than Oswald Vawdrey (from prior books in this world). Alisander presents himself as vain, attention-loving, and someone who enjoys poking at others. He esp enjoys tormenting the Queen's favorite, Jane (h), who's very correct in her behavior and easily ruffled by Alisander. I loved that Alisander, who's incredibly observant, lacked self-awareness to observe himself throughout the book. He doesn't realize that his interest in Jane is deeper feelings until she's put in a situation, due to the death of her sister, where she needs to marry. He, of course, is only ok with her marrying him and uses manipulation to make it happen. Then we get all the adjusting to married life, also adjusting to court life as a married couple, sometimes awkward but always steamy bedroom times, and the development of the main characters realizing they're in love. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, H is not a virgin and h is a virgin (there are mentions of H treating h like a mistress but these times didn't bother me like some readers and there's no one specific mentioned or even how long it's been for him; the h doesn't have a genuine suitor who would compete with H but he still ends up jealous a couple of times over men who were possible options for her before their marriage).
While I liked Alisander's teasing of Jane and her responses to him, I did have a hard time with some of his teasing that negatively affected her emotions. He enjoyed her reactions to him so much, that he'd sometimes miss that he actually hurt her feelings. Which was esp difficult because Jane had a hard time processing her emotions and being vulnerable thanks to how she was raised. I definitely liked Jane more than Alisander because of this, but I still enjoyed their sparks. I thought both of them had nice growth as Alisander had to be vulnerable and allow intimacy to develop (he has a tragic past and then mysterious activities in the present), while Jane needed to grow her strength and confidence. Their times at court were more engaging for me than the brief time they're at a country estate at the beginning of the book. The details of Jane's feelings towards court changing (when it had been her whole purpose to serve the Queen previously) were really nicely developed. I know I mentioned the steam briefly earlier, but it's worth mentioning again because Alice Coldbreath knows how to write some spicy times. Alisander's teasing also happens in the bedroom except there Jane enjoys it.
Side-character wise, Jane and Alisander become the parents of Jane's niece and also the head of a motley assortment of a household. Their household was great and the scenes of them in their rooms at the palace with everyone around them were wonderful. Other courtiers were also throughout the book and the King and Queen. The scenes with Oswald and Alisander were fantastic imo esp when they were forced to speak plainly. I didn't think I'd say this, but I liked the plot line involving the King and Queen. I haven't liked either of them in any of the other books, but this plot line appealed to me for some reason. I think because Jane had a hand in it and then was horrified at how it played out, it amused me.
The third act did have some conflicts and I was not a fan of the conflict between Alisander and Jane, but I did like the resolution and how Jane was a force standing up for herself. I definitely bought into their HEA by the end. The epilogue is a short time jump into the future with them in love. This was a solid read for me that I liked more than I thought I would.
While I liked Alisander's teasing of Jane and her responses to him, I did have a hard time with some of his teasing that negatively affected her emotions. He enjoyed her reactions to him so much, that he'd sometimes miss that he actually hurt her feelings. Which was esp difficult because Jane had a hard time processing her emotions and being vulnerable thanks to how she was raised. I definitely liked Jane more than Alisander because of this, but I still enjoyed their sparks. I thought both of them had nice growth as Alisander had to be vulnerable and allow intimacy to develop (he has a tragic past and then mysterious activities in the present), while Jane needed to grow her strength and confidence. Their times at court were more engaging for me than the brief time they're at a country estate at the beginning of the book. The details of Jane's feelings towards court changing (when it had been her whole purpose to serve the Queen previously) were really nicely developed. I know I mentioned the steam briefly earlier, but it's worth mentioning again because Alice Coldbreath knows how to write some spicy times. Alisander's teasing also happens in the bedroom except there Jane enjoys it.
Side-character wise, Jane and Alisander become the parents of Jane's niece and also the head of a motley assortment of a household. Their household was great and the scenes of them in their rooms at the palace with everyone around them were wonderful. Other courtiers were also throughout the book and the King and Queen. The scenes with Oswald and Alisander were fantastic imo esp when they were forced to speak plainly. I didn't think I'd say this, but I liked the plot line involving the King and Queen. I haven't liked either of them in any of the other books, but this plot line appealed to me for some reason. I think because Jane had a hand in it and then was horrified at how it played out, it amused me.
The third act did have some conflicts and I was not a fan of the conflict between Alisander and Jane, but I did like the resolution and how Jane was a force standing up for herself. I definitely bought into their HEA by the end. The epilogue is a short time jump into the future with them in love. This was a solid read for me that I liked more than I thought I would.
September 20, 2024
when you get so twisted at the thought of your rival marrying anyone else that you manipulate everyone at court so that she becomes your wife
alisander was so pathetic and bisexual i love it
the topaz necklace scene will continue to live rent free in my mind
alisander was so pathetic and bisexual i love it
the topaz necklace scene will continue to live rent free in my mind
May 19, 2023
Alisander de Balon what a character!
Flashy, witty spy who is fascinated by jewels. I imagined his wardrobe like a dragon’s lair full of intricate beautiful clothes, shoes and jewelry.
And Jane is described as plain but has true steady heart, deep emotions and fire that burns deeply within her.
I’m not sure what to say about this book though. I’ve been processing it for awhile. I was truly fascinated by Alisander until I didn’t know what to think …
The first half was fantastic. Infatuation turned into desire turned into total love. Jane needed to get married and Alisander could not foresee anyone else marrying her so he did.
It was so beautiful to see them get to know one another and not jump straight into marriage bed. But once they did it was the strangest and the hottest thing I’ve read. From that moment on they were so hot for each other they could not stay apart.
But Alisander turned out to be much darker character (which he was always claiming he was) than I expected.
And maybe that wouldn’t be an issue if the end of the book was better resolved but honestly I felt lost in the last quarter of the book. Sometimes I didn’t even know what the MCs were talking about.
I also have an urge to read it again so for that reason I am still giving it 4.5 stars
Flashy, witty spy who is fascinated by jewels. I imagined his wardrobe like a dragon’s lair full of intricate beautiful clothes, shoes and jewelry.
And Jane is described as plain but has true steady heart, deep emotions and fire that burns deeply within her.
I’m not sure what to say about this book though. I’ve been processing it for awhile. I was truly fascinated by Alisander until I didn’t know what to think …
The first half was fantastic. Infatuation turned into desire turned into total love. Jane needed to get married and Alisander could not foresee anyone else marrying her so he did.
It was so beautiful to see them get to know one another and not jump straight into marriage bed. But once they did it was the strangest and the hottest thing I’ve read. From that moment on they were so hot for each other they could not stay apart.
But Alisander turned out to be much darker character (which he was always claiming he was) than I expected.
And maybe that wouldn’t be an issue if the end of the book was better resolved but honestly I felt lost in the last quarter of the book. Sometimes I didn’t even know what the MCs were talking about.
I also have an urge to read it again so for that reason I am still giving it 4.5 stars
May 24, 2023
I loved it so of course my review wont do it justice! Let’s just say I have a new coldbreath boyfriend!
Gawh, I love me some smitten kitten men!
PS this gives me strong Lady Gallant vibes in the best way!
Gawh, I love me some smitten kitten men!
PS this gives me strong Lady Gallant vibes in the best way!
Read
May 7, 2023It's may 7th and no book yet.
At this point, I am so desperate that I am willing to read the first draft of this book.
It has been far too long since the release of Ms. Coldbreath's last book and like an addict, I need my fix or I might lose my mind. 😢
********
wasn't this book releasing on May 5th?
*******
Eagerly awaiting the release of this book, so much so that I am unable to read anything else.
At this point, I am so desperate that I am willing to read the first draft of this book.
It has been far too long since the release of Ms. Coldbreath's last book and like an addict, I need my fix or I might lose my mind. 😢
********
wasn't this book releasing on May 5th?
*******
Eagerly awaiting the release of this book, so much so that I am unable to read anything else.
July 11, 2023
2.75 ish but I’ll round it up to 3.
I have not read the previous books in this series so I was confused when those characters were mentioned or appeared on the page and what their roles were, i.e. Oswald Vawdry.
I went into this book expecting to read about the first two paragraphs of the blurb:
Alisander de Balon, fifth Viscount Bardulf is a lot of things. Ambassador. Diplomat. Spy. He is also bored as hell at the Argent King’s court. His only diversion these days is tormenting staid Jane Cecil, the Queen’s favorite Lady-in-Waiting. Seeing her vexed amuses him more than any royal entertainment.
Jane has finally found her place at Court, and it is among the Queen’s retinue. All she wants to do is faithfully serve Her Majesty, something she could do in peace if it was not for the Queen’s countryman, Viscount Bardulf, who seems to delight in baiting her!
And I was disappointed when I didn't get to read any of that. I think a review mentioned that all this vexing/baiting occurred in the previous books. Instead, the book starts with the "tragedy that leads to their hasty union" (<-- also from the blurb). To whoever wrote the blurb, why you gotta mislead me like that? 😡
The story was a little slow at the beginning and middle. I liked Alisander in the first couple of chapters. I was impatient for these two to be on the page together! The romance was okay. I found Jane to be a boring heroine. I enjoyed the love scenes since they were pretty steamy. I didn't care for the subplot with the king and queen's blossoming romance or anything to do with the court. Some of the spy stuff with Oswald and Alisander was confusing to me because maybe they were established in the previous books, and as I mentioned, I have not read them.
I have not read the previous books in this series so I was confused when those characters were mentioned or appeared on the page and what their roles were, i.e. Oswald Vawdry.
I went into this book expecting to read about the first two paragraphs of the blurb:
Alisander de Balon, fifth Viscount Bardulf is a lot of things. Ambassador. Diplomat. Spy. He is also bored as hell at the Argent King’s court. His only diversion these days is tormenting staid Jane Cecil, the Queen’s favorite Lady-in-Waiting. Seeing her vexed amuses him more than any royal entertainment.
Jane has finally found her place at Court, and it is among the Queen’s retinue. All she wants to do is faithfully serve Her Majesty, something she could do in peace if it was not for the Queen’s countryman, Viscount Bardulf, who seems to delight in baiting her!
And I was disappointed when I didn't get to read any of that. I think a review mentioned that all this vexing/baiting occurred in the previous books. Instead, the book starts with the "tragedy that leads to their hasty union" (<-- also from the blurb). To whoever wrote the blurb, why you gotta mislead me like that? 😡
The story was a little slow at the beginning and middle. I liked Alisander in the first couple of chapters. I was impatient for these two to be on the page together! The romance was okay. I found Jane to be a boring heroine. I enjoyed the love scenes since they were pretty steamy. I didn't care for the subplot with the king and queen's blossoming romance or anything to do with the court. Some of the spy stuff with Oswald and Alisander was confusing to me because maybe they were established in the previous books, and as I mentioned, I have not read them.
Want to read
April 19, 2023Can someone let me know when this is released? Because I’m sure to miss it, and the wait is pure torture!!
Read
June 25, 2023I almost read half of it and there is no spark, no romance, no nothing.
Sadly dnf
Sadly dnf
Want to read
April 17, 2023So ready for this book!!!!
May 13, 2023
Just okay. I liked the characters but ultimately nothing happened in the book. The heroine had no real agency. The hero swept in and solved her problems. Kept her in his rooms until he made her over. Voila he presented her. End of story.
May 17, 2023
I love obsessed heroes struggling to maintain their aloof countenance, I also really like when the hero is a sarcastic dandy who murders bad people. Alisander really reminded me of Nicholas Hoult’s rendition of Peter in The Great (yes, the Hulu show). I loved the scenes between him and Vawdry.
Alice Coldbreath employs a wonderful use of vocabulary in her writing, it’s been so long since I read her I forgot what a brilliant way with words she has!
this one was a little long, there’s a bunch of sex and some less engaging parts, but it was fun and the relationship was adorable. Lots of good girl, for those who partake.
There isn’t a lot of plot and this hero is a big deviation from Coldbreath’s usual schtick, so I would not recommend this one as your first foray into her books.
Alice Coldbreath employs a wonderful use of vocabulary in her writing, it’s been so long since I read her I forgot what a brilliant way with words she has!
this one was a little long, there’s a bunch of sex and some less engaging parts, but it was fun and the relationship was adorable. Lots of good girl, for those who partake.
There isn’t a lot of plot and this hero is a big deviation from Coldbreath’s usual schtick, so I would not recommend this one as your first foray into her books.
July 11, 2023
Alisander de Balon being the closest thing Oswald Vawdrey had to a friend is the funniest thing in the entire world.
The fact that Jane had to hear this from Fenella is the second funniest thing in the world because it's prolly true the other way around too.
If this whole book was about their bromance and bestiehood, I would have given this 5 stars. There's something very nice about two spy guys being besties. It's giving "This Is How You Lose the Time War" if that book was less intense and more humorous, and if they were single men. These 2 men are the epitome of two bros chillin in a hot tub 5 feet apart because they're not gay if they had hot tubs in AC's medieval world. Do you guys knows of Cumplane? The platonic/romantic ship between 2 characters from Mo Xiang Tang Xiu's Scum Villain'd Self-Saving System novels, who are sort of enemies but they're also bros who depend on each other? Yes they both have their own husbands who they are absolutely in love with but I am still firm in my belief that in another life, they'd have been enemies to lovers to exes to friends. Wow, sounds awkward here, since we know AC's leading men are all devoted to their wives, BUT I SAID WHAT I SAID AND HAVE NO REGRETS!!!! BECAUSE THATS WHY ALISANDER AND OSWALD ARE.
I was super excited to read about Jane because it's always seemed crazy to me her and her sister are in different factions and there has to be a story there. But the minute Ozzy boi pulled up and our main mans Alisander was too anxious to discover the whereabouts of Jane to engage in their usual banter, I thought, "Wow. ok. This is the true relationship I'm here for "
And no regrets!!! Because I love Jane!!! I love what she has with Alisander!!! BUT THE BROMANCE????? LISTENNNNNNNNN IRL IVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER OF BROS BEFORE HOES. OSWALD IS A TRUE BRO !!!
Adios 🌊
The fact that Jane had to hear this from Fenella is the second funniest thing in the world because it's prolly true the other way around too.
If this whole book was about their bromance and bestiehood, I would have given this 5 stars. There's something very nice about two spy guys being besties. It's giving "This Is How You Lose the Time War" if that book was less intense and more humorous, and if they were single men. These 2 men are the epitome of two bros chillin in a hot tub 5 feet apart because they're not gay if they had hot tubs in AC's medieval world. Do you guys knows of Cumplane? The platonic/romantic ship between 2 characters from Mo Xiang Tang Xiu's Scum Villain'd Self-Saving System novels, who are sort of enemies but they're also bros who depend on each other? Yes they both have their own husbands who they are absolutely in love with but I am still firm in my belief that in another life, they'd have been enemies to lovers to exes to friends. Wow, sounds awkward here, since we know AC's leading men are all devoted to their wives, BUT I SAID WHAT I SAID AND HAVE NO REGRETS!!!! BECAUSE THATS WHY ALISANDER AND OSWALD ARE.
I was super excited to read about Jane because it's always seemed crazy to me her and her sister are in different factions and there has to be a story there. But the minute Ozzy boi pulled up and our main mans Alisander was too anxious to discover the whereabouts of Jane to engage in their usual banter, I thought, "Wow. ok. This is the true relationship I'm here for "
And no regrets!!! Because I love Jane!!! I love what she has with Alisander!!! BUT THE BROMANCE????? LISTENNNNNNNNN IRL IVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER OF BROS BEFORE HOES. OSWALD IS A TRUE BRO !!!
Adios 🌊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2023
DNF 60%
This is absolutely brutal coming from me of all people, but the male lead of this book is incredibly unlikable. Not in a he-did-something-unforgivable kind of way, but in a I-just-can’t-stand-his-personality kind of way.
This is absolutely brutal coming from me of all people, but the male lead of this book is incredibly unlikable. Not in a he-did-something-unforgivable kind of way, but in a I-just-can’t-stand-his-personality kind of way.
May 27, 2023
4.5☆
Another masterpiece ✨️ in this series.
I loved Jane and Alisander. I actually liked that in this book Alice focused more on developing the MCs relationship and love. Great story 👏 👌
Another masterpiece ✨️ in this series.
I loved Jane and Alisander. I actually liked that in this book Alice focused more on developing the MCs relationship and love. Great story 👏 👌
May 11, 2023
Helen, the king's mistress, is dying and on her deathbed she asks her sister Jane the queen’s favorite lady-in-waiting to take her baby, the king's bastard, as her own and how could Jane deny this? But for this to happen she would have to marry. Viscount Bardulf noticing the absence of his favorite person to annoy goes to investigate it and discovers that she is about to agree to marry someone else to fulfill her sister's last wish, he then decides to suggest to the queen, who was already unhappy with Jane for leaving her to visit with the king's mistress, that she should be the one to decide who Jane will marry, while making sure it would be him without making it look like he planned it all, sounds wonderful right? a hero who always liked the girl and can't stand the idea of her marrying someone else and manipulates things so that he gets the girl... I thought so too, but then they get married and things start to go downhill, first he doesn't let go of the act of pretending that he doesn't care about anything or anyone which confuses you on how he is going to woo Jane by doing that and also he utters the following phrase that will change the trajectory of the whole book:
“In truth, I have very little notion of how to treat a wife. I think the easiest thing will be if I simply treat you as my latest mistress.”
After that almost every conversation they had the topic "mistresses" was brought up and can you even blame Jane for that? why would you say something like that to your virgin wife? of course she will wonder if what you two are sharing is how you're with your mistresses, some people might like his answers about his mistresses since it made it clear that he had no emotional connection with them, but for me the constant reminder that he visited mistresses while already knowing the h who never even kissed anyone was fucking annoying and a big turn off and it killed all my romantic notions that he was already half in love with her before her sister died and the book tries to sell us this narrative later but i wasn't buying it, you always liked her but couldn't keep it in your pants? ok sure...
even though he knew the topic made the heroine jealous he used it to hurt her by telling her during a fight that "he and his mistresses had better things to do in bed than talk" he was a pompous hypocrite who got mad at her for wanting to know more about him because only him was allowed to know about the heroine's childhood, family and past but she was not allowed the same.
The only good thing about this book was the sex scenes, it was the only time i could really see any connection between them and that he liked her, but even this he ruined for me, happy he was that she lost some of her shyness in the bedroom and decided to proclaim that "now she was wife and mistress"
"Are you jealous, wife? You have no need to be for you are wife and mistress both"
i think we were supposed to swoon over this guys...
After losing all my braincells due to the word "mistresses" appearing on every page at this point i didn't even have the energy to get mad, i was at a point where he could kiss her feet every day and declare undying love and i still wouldn't be able to warm up to him.
Other than that most of the time nothing happens in the book, travels to the countryside, comes back to the city, servants this servants that, most of the time the heroine is stuck in an apartment, it's an infinite loop of going to sleep and waking up, something i wouldn't even notice if i was enamored with this couple, but most of the time i was annoyed, particularly with the hero.
age: H28/h25
om drama: no
ow drama: i would say yes, the h was constantly jealous of "his mistresses" and the topic causes angst even if we don't see any of them
cheating: no
hea: yes
“In truth, I have very little notion of how to treat a wife. I think the easiest thing will be if I simply treat you as my latest mistress.”
After that almost every conversation they had the topic "mistresses" was brought up and can you even blame Jane for that? why would you say something like that to your virgin wife? of course she will wonder if what you two are sharing is how you're with your mistresses, some people might like his answers about his mistresses since it made it clear that he had no emotional connection with them, but for me the constant reminder that he visited mistresses while already knowing the h who never even kissed anyone was fucking annoying and a big turn off and it killed all my romantic notions that he was already half in love with her before her sister died and the book tries to sell us this narrative later but i wasn't buying it, you always liked her but couldn't keep it in your pants? ok sure...
even though he knew the topic made the heroine jealous he used it to hurt her by telling her during a fight that "he and his mistresses had better things to do in bed than talk" he was a pompous hypocrite who got mad at her for wanting to know more about him because only him was allowed to know about the heroine's childhood, family and past but she was not allowed the same.
The only good thing about this book was the sex scenes, it was the only time i could really see any connection between them and that he liked her, but even this he ruined for me, happy he was that she lost some of her shyness in the bedroom and decided to proclaim that "now she was wife and mistress"
"Are you jealous, wife? You have no need to be for you are wife and mistress both"
i think we were supposed to swoon over this guys...
After losing all my braincells due to the word "mistresses" appearing on every page at this point i didn't even have the energy to get mad, i was at a point where he could kiss her feet every day and declare undying love and i still wouldn't be able to warm up to him.
Other than that most of the time nothing happens in the book, travels to the countryside, comes back to the city, servants this servants that, most of the time the heroine is stuck in an apartment, it's an infinite loop of going to sleep and waking up, something i wouldn't even notice if i was enamored with this couple, but most of the time i was annoyed, particularly with the hero.
age: H28/h25
om drama: no
ow drama: i would say yes, the h was constantly jealous of "his mistresses" and the topic causes angst even if we don't see any of them
cheating: no
hea: yes
May 15, 2023
AC just writes such great stories! All the Vawdreys and Brides of Karadok books begin with a marriage of convenience (some more willing than others) but they are all such unique journeys!
We’ve read about plain Jane Cecil for so many books. She’s been unremarkable except that she’s the queen’s favorite. Alisander played a prominent role in Oswald’s book but since then he’s just been another name at court.
There is so much more to both of them. They are deliciously perfect for each other. Every time I thought I knew the direction this book was going I was surprised by the conversation…
I love this world and Jane and Alisander are two new favorites of mine!
We’ve read about plain Jane Cecil for so many books. She’s been unremarkable except that she’s the queen’s favorite. Alisander played a prominent role in Oswald’s book but since then he’s just been another name at court.
There is so much more to both of them. They are deliciously perfect for each other. Every time I thought I knew the direction this book was going I was surprised by the conversation…
I love this world and Jane and Alisander are two new favorites of mine!
September 19, 2023
I generally prefer this Author's Victorian series but I liked The Favourite in the end, despite it taking a bit to get into. The hero in this book is a spymaster but unfortunately, he was a little too good at his chameleon like ways because I couldn't get a bead on him until well over half the book.
The heroine talked prudishly but exploded in the bedroom- which heh heh, yeah the sex in this one was hot. (psst He's a talker.)
They also really talked like a Jane Austen novel (outside the bedroom) even though they lived in a medievel-type court setting of a fictitious land. Anyway. it was entertaining at times but really not until last parts of the book. so im giving this one a "just ok"
The heroine talked prudishly but exploded in the bedroom- which heh heh, yeah the sex in this one was hot. (psst He's a talker.)
They also really talked like a Jane Austen novel (outside the bedroom) even though they lived in a medievel-type court setting of a fictitious land. Anyway. it was entertaining at times but really not until last parts of the book. so im giving this one a "just ok"
September 7, 2024
I will always read anything that Alice Coldbreath writes. This particular book was just OK for me.
For a lot of the story Alisander felt like the childhood bully who shows he likes a girl by pulling on her pigtails. Jane is a little reserved and doesn’t understand much of his teasing. When they marry and slowly get acquainted we learn more about their past and why they act as they do. But it felt like to took a very long time to get there and when we finally arrived it felt too sudden.
The book is also overly long. The last third is taken up by a sub plot with the king and queen and their relationship. I think the king is a twat so I didn’t really care about them.
Overall the H and h have a nice romance that develops very slooooowly but was satisfying in the end. There was also a really nice “found family” element to the story that I loved.
Safety spoiler
For a lot of the story Alisander felt like the childhood bully who shows he likes a girl by pulling on her pigtails. Jane is a little reserved and doesn’t understand much of his teasing. When they marry and slowly get acquainted we learn more about their past and why they act as they do. But it felt like to took a very long time to get there and when we finally arrived it felt too sudden.
The book is also overly long. The last third is taken up by a sub plot with the king and queen and their relationship. I think the king is a twat so I didn’t really care about them.
Overall the H and h have a nice romance that develops very slooooowly but was satisfying in the end. There was also a really nice “found family” element to the story that I loved.
Safety spoiler
November 28, 2023
3.5 Stars
This is a very slow romance, very low angst and overall cute story. The H is very different from the usual Heroes written by this author. I found him charming at first but I wished he was a bit more… direct at times. The h is very proper and it takes a while for her to fall for the H. While the H is head over heels for the h (he doesn’t realize it at first), he definitely doesn’t want anyone else having the h.
Not my favorite by this author but a solid read nonetheless.
This is a very slow romance, very low angst and overall cute story. The H is very different from the usual Heroes written by this author. I found him charming at first but I wished he was a bit more… direct at times. The h is very proper and it takes a while for her to fall for the H. While the H is head over heels for the h (he doesn’t realize it at first), he definitely doesn’t want anyone else having the h.
Not my favorite by this author but a solid read nonetheless.
September 27, 2024
alisander was so sassy love him !
Want to read
May 8, 2023May 8, 2023 Update:
IT'S OUT ON AMAZON!!
I have no idea why the GR page has not been updated, been checking periodically since April, but it's available on Kindle with the tag #1 best seller in medieval romance lol.
IT'S OUT ON AMAZON!!
I have no idea why the GR page has not been updated, been checking periodically since April, but it's available on Kindle with the tag #1 best seller in medieval romance lol.
May 22, 2023
I loved everything about this book.
Alisander is a very different MMC from other Alice Coldbreath MMCs - he's less gruff and stoic, more dramatic and mischievous, and his banter with the prim and proper Jane was a total delight to read. Their dynamic together evolved over the course of the book, and I struggled to put it down.
As always, the cast of supporting characters was really fun and fleshed out, and it was nice to see some familiar faces from previous books appear here.
Alisander is a very different MMC from other Alice Coldbreath MMCs - he's less gruff and stoic, more dramatic and mischievous, and his banter with the prim and proper Jane was a total delight to read. Their dynamic together evolved over the course of the book, and I struggled to put it down.
As always, the cast of supporting characters was really fun and fleshed out, and it was nice to see some familiar faces from previous books appear here.
May 8, 2023
I enjoyed this.
Rtc.
Rtc.
May 17, 2023
Nothing happens?
I usually love Coldbreaths novels because nothing really happens except the characters fall in love. We knew from the jump Alisander was in love with Jane so the whole book was boring. Alisander I think was a double agent? I’m not sure and who was Robert to him?? All of Colbreaths novels have the hero being obsessed with some obscure trait in the heroine, in this he loves when she gets flushed. Alisander makes it his mission to either piss her off or make her horny to get her to turn red. Book got somewhat repetitive with Alisander puttering around doing spy shit during the day and then seducing his wife at night- this goes on for CHAPTERS. I thought it was so sweet how he was with the babies. Thought celestia would have a bigger part in the story but they just dumped her off with the Anne and did their thing. The whole found family aspect was adorable I wish there was more written about them. This was an ehh for me.
I usually love Coldbreaths novels because nothing really happens except the characters fall in love. We knew from the jump Alisander was in love with Jane so the whole book was boring. Alisander I think was a double agent? I’m not sure and who was Robert to him?? All of Colbreaths novels have the hero being obsessed with some obscure trait in the heroine, in this he loves when she gets flushed. Alisander makes it his mission to either piss her off or make her horny to get her to turn red. Book got somewhat repetitive with Alisander puttering around doing spy shit during the day and then seducing his wife at night- this goes on for CHAPTERS. I thought it was so sweet how he was with the babies. Thought celestia would have a bigger part in the story but they just dumped her off with the Anne and did their thing. The whole found family aspect was adorable I wish there was more written about them. This was an ehh for me.
August 8, 2024
The Favorite was good installment in the Brides of Karadok series. I was pleasantly surprised at the covert persona Alisander put forth; a flashy, bored, trickster peacock which in truth disguised a rather dark character. The verbal sparring between Baldulf and Oswald was invigorating. These two really learned to maneuver the underbelly of palace intrigue and treachery.
My heart broke for Alisander when his family tragedy unfolded. To survive, he had to mask his anger and rage behind flamboyant clothing and gaudy jewelry.
In contrast, Jane was a total bore with no backbone. Although Jane was sweet, loyal, and kind she lacked backbone and risked everything for her selfish, dying sister. I was glad Helen expired, albeit her death left spineless Jane to clean up the disaster left behind (an illegitimate issue) and stick it to Queen Aremenal in one fell swoop.
How fortunate that Alisander swooped in to clean up the mess. I hated that Helen’s baby was the linchpin to Jane and Alisander’s story. Their interactions and chemistry were totally spoiled with scenes involving Helen’s brat, baby Celestia.
It beyond incredulous that Baldulf, the last of his line and who had helped Oswald Vawdrey thwart king Wymer’s plan to saddle Oswald with the king’s paramour and future bastards, would now would be fine with the king’s bastard issue inheriting Baldulf’s name and title. Jane wasn’t worth that kind of sacrifice to let his line die out.
Overall, the excruciating subplot with the bastard baby saddled on this couple spoiled my enjoyment of the relationship, but I look forward to book seven.
My heart broke for Alisander when his family tragedy unfolded. To survive, he had to mask his anger and rage behind flamboyant clothing and gaudy jewelry.
In contrast, Jane was a total bore with no backbone. Although Jane was sweet, loyal, and kind she lacked backbone and risked everything for her selfish, dying sister. I was glad Helen expired, albeit her death left spineless Jane to clean up the disaster left behind (an illegitimate issue) and stick it to Queen Aremenal in one fell swoop.
How fortunate that Alisander swooped in to clean up the mess. I hated that Helen’s baby was the linchpin to Jane and Alisander’s story. Their interactions and chemistry were totally spoiled with scenes involving Helen’s brat, baby Celestia.
It beyond incredulous that Baldulf, the last of his line and who had helped Oswald Vawdrey thwart king Wymer’s plan to saddle Oswald with the king’s paramour and future bastards, would now would be fine with the king’s bastard issue inheriting Baldulf’s name and title. Jane wasn’t worth that kind of sacrifice to let his line die out.
Overall, the excruciating subplot with the bastard baby saddled on this couple spoiled my enjoyment of the relationship, but I look forward to book seven.
August 14, 2024
Fantastic love story, funny, angsty and so very sweet. The h mourns her sister, falls in love with her sister's baby and a 'fool' from court. Loved the plots within plots, the spy master undone by the H was great fun. All the stars to the author, another amazing book in the series!
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