Fox of Fox Hall

by R. Cooper

Throughout the kingdom of Kaska and into the countries beyond, they gossip about the scandalous Fox, the beautiful commoner who went from singing in taverns to being court musician and the king’s lover. But the king has grown distant and now seeks a proper consort, leaving Fox shut out of the king’s bedroom and uncertain of his place at court. His worries are compounded by the crowded accommodations during the King’s Tournament, as even nobles fight for space within the castle. Fox might have nowhere to go.

Then legendary knight Byr Conall, the famed Dragonslayer, steps in to offer Fox a place to stay among the knights competing in the tournament. Conall is the one person at court not intimidated by the king, and therefore the one person Fox has avoided so as not to incur the king’s wrath. At least, that’s one reason. The other is that something about the thoughtful, crafty mountain of a man makes Fox feel less like the glamorous, clever figure known far and wide as the King’s Fox and more like the jittery, uncertain youth Fox was when he first arrived at court.

Conall almost makes Fox believe in the romantic songs he sings to entertain others. But nobles do not marry commoners, and even if they did, Fox can’t believe that an actual hero like Conall would choose a jumped-up street musician only lately out of the king’s bed. It might take winning a tournament, defying the king, and shocking the court, but Conall is out to convince Fox that Fox doesn’t just deserve his heart, but also a home.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance, LGBT, Historical, Queer, Fiction

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 27, 2024

About the author

I'm R. Cooper, a somewhat absentminded, often distracted, writer of queer romance. I'm probably most known for the Being(s) in Love series and The Suitable 'Verse stories. Also the occasional story about witches or firefighters in love.

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Reviews

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

You been a good old wagon, you got me there in style / Oh, but you left me here to walk a ragged mile (The New SF Blues – Hurray for the Riff Raff).

This is probably obvious by now, but I’m actually not all that great at expressing my emotions. I kind of try to make up for it by using an exuberant amount of exclamation points, but I sometimes wonder if that’s enough, you know? This is why I’d be a terrible BookTok or YouTube book reviewer, because I’d be on there saying shit like “Ahhhhh this was the best book I’ve ever read in my life!!!!!!” with zero inflection in my voice, sitting there with my “:|” face, all neutral-like. When I finished this book a little bit ago, all you really need to know is that I kind of just stood up from my chair and then sat back down in repeated succession like some kind of Sim. This book was good though. Really good! And I’m not even lying when I say that it’s probably going to win my own personal award of “Best Fantasy of 2024!” It’s a highly esteemed honor, if you didn’t know. This novel reads like a folk song, as pretty as can be. Which felt like a breath of fresh air in my endless and continuous reading journey, because the fact is, I kind of dipped on the fantasy genre a little bit ago. I abandoned my boy! I don't know, I guess things were getting a little too samey for my taste. I mean, all these books with the same overindulgence on world building, the same weird worship of royalty and “man’s divine right to rule,” and the same cookie-cutter, doe-eyed main character starring opposite the resident “bad boy” in order to satisfy some kind of algorithmic “enemies-to-lovers” formula, I can see in perfect hindsight why I dropped off. But hey, no worries! I can solely put the blame on Fox of Fox Hall for pulling my ass back into the fold. And I’m glad I’m saying all this in writing, because now you can just imagine the all of the vast excitement in my voice rather than me having to act it out. “Yoo~oou’ve got me feeling emotions” and all that. Anyway, we follow Fox, a beautiful and clever bard who also happened to be the king’s favorite until recently falling out of favor, as he tactfully maneuvers, with knots in his stomach, through the complicated machinations of court-life. At court, he’s constantly being subjected to subtle and not so subtle mockery from the high-class nobles who think lowly of him and feel threatened by his presence due to his “commoner” status and the fact that he was able to move up in the world despite that fact. Being justifiably afraid that his new precarious standing with the king will lead straight back to him living on the streets, Fox has to find some kind of lifeline. The only problem being that he’s utterly alone… that is, until during one particularly public humiliation from these rich jerks too many, a knight in shining armor by the name and title of Byr Conall comes to the rescue and defends him. This catches Fox’s attention immediately and he spends the rest of the story wondering what the shape of his cock is like. That’s what they call a learning curve! Badum tssss.

Okay, but really, I was captivated by this book. A lot of “Cinderella” type stories get so caught up in the extravagance, the flash, and the excess of the whole new world and lifestyle that Cinderella finds herself in, that they don’t really take the time to properly explore what such an upheaval would actually do to someone. What I think this book does masterfully in this respect is closely examine that journey and more realistically depicts what would actually happen when a kind man with a predilection for justice tries to romance a strong, but wounded person who believes that their only purpose in life is being useful. They’d take a while to get used to the idea that they can be happy, no? How can a person with severe (and justified) trust issues learn to love and trust wholly and completely? That’s what this book is; a patient and caring love letter to those who need a little more time than most. That’s why Fox of Fox Hall affected me so much, because it’s nice when a story takes the time to take care of the characters, and doesn’t just try to move past the natural conflict too quickly by stamping a big old “happily-ever-after” at the end and calling it a day. But you know, Fox and Conall aren’t the only main characters of this book, the third most important dude here is the King, Domvoda. And yeah, he sucks, but the way he’s written doesn’t suck, that’s for sure. I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I think the scenes with just him and Fox conversing, meaning when they were verbally sparring, ended up being some of my favorite chapters in the whole book. It’s not the easiest thing to write awkward and tense stand offs without the writer eventually bailing on the scene and writing in some kind of physical altercation, but R. Cooper let the tension lie. Every. Single. Time. They made casual dinner conversations into nail-biting thrillers. The simmering rage, the quiet judgments, the pearl-clutching. It’s great stuff! Seriously, I literally leaned forward from my very comfortable reading position several times whenever they were going at it. It was like I was watching [enter sport name here]! And I liked the way that none of the conflict in the story was directly life-threatening, because the “uncomfortable dinner party” vibes actually helped to highlight the king and his court’s petty and childish nature. I may have hated Domvoda, but I was always happy to see him show up. Really though, fuck him. Well, maybe not, because he was totally going to win my own personal award of “Least Fuckable Man on the Planet – 2024," but El*n Musk’s already won the top spot in that category from now going on until forever. Anyway, it turns out that the ingredients of a beautiful love story combined with beautiful prose will concoct a beautiful potion that’s sole purpose is to enrapture me. I don’t recommend books often (because I’m terrified of somehow doing it wrong haha), but I don’t think it’s too tall an order to ask everyone to read Fox of Fox Hall. Come join me in feeling all the feels! I don’t say it enough, but I do so love it when a book manages to gut-punch me. Oof.

“Come here.”
Fox affected a shocked look. “With me like this?”
“With you however you please.”

[Astra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story felt long, not in a bad way. You just have to pay close attention to what you're reading. The writing is very complicated, strange, but also beautiful and the world-building is truly something. One of my favorite additions were the names of the tail positions, I thought that was super clever!! And it really gives a feel to how sophisticated and strict this society is. Yes, these characters have tails and I’m living for them. Fox, who is our main character, is sly and sharp, everything you would think of when you think of a fox. But underneath all those layers he’s tired and is just trying to survive. He soaks up warmth wherever he can reach it and picks his pieces back up when he’s broken.

Him and Conall’s relationship is everything. He is exactly what Fox needs!! He’s so gentle, quick on his feet and completely selfless. In my opinion Domvoda was really well written, he's cold and laced with thorns but I don’t think he’s evil. He’s just lonely and in order to not feel lonely he punishes those around him so they're just as miserable. I could never get inside his head and it really felt like you were trying to figure out his emotions alongside Fox. Overall, I had a really good time with this book. It has some of the spiciest smut I think I’ve ever read and towards the ending I could barely breathe!!! There’s not many action packed scenes, it's more following a romance and witnessing a reach for freedom but it all just fits together so well. I’m gonna miss these two. (4.5)

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m floating between a 4 and a 4.5 for this one. I like to walk a fine line between going in to a book blind vs doing enough research to know that the book will work for me and my tastes/ mood.

At a first glance, this is a fantasy medieval-esque romance set over a Royal Tournament weekend between a beautiful court musician, who started life as a commoner and has been cast aside from his role the Kings lover and a famous and nobel Royal Knight and known champion. Everything about that is my shit and I will happily eat that up any day of the week.

So, believe me when I tell you how surprised I was that as I was happily reading along with my silly little book, I found myself completely blindsided by the fact that this ended up essentially being omegaverse (although without the a/b/o labels) 😂😂 and featuring so much knotting…..like truly an ungodly amount of knotting 😂😂. That being said, I’m not mad about it, it was really hot, but I was definitely not expecting it. Also worth noting that mpreg is possible in this world although not featured in this story.

The world building in this is kind of a lot to get your heads around, you are definitely just thrown in the deep end and left to fend for yourself. Which is kind of challenging cause I’m still not sure what exactly Fox and Conall actually are? Like they have what sound like elven-esque ears but prehensile tails (which based off the cover appear devil-esque) but I’m also not sure that it actually matters. It’s interesting cause really outside of that and some dragons there isn’t really much in the way of fantasy elements in this world.

This was not a perfectly written book, there was some typos and some of the dialogue was a bit unclear at times, but I had a lot of fun with this silly little book.

(Kind of hoping we get a sequel where we get to meet Conalls sister and family 🤞🏻🤞🏻)

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars.
Lovely fantasy romance.
The fantasy elements ranged from a medieval caste system and knights tournaments, to people having long tails expressing their emotions and colored, pointy ears, to intimacy with lots of fucking, knotting, breeding, and (rarely) mating .
The fantasy world was interesting, the best part of the story (as usual with this author) was the relationship development, though.
The story is told in single pov (Fox), third person, past tense.

Through Fox's narration and feelings we slowly (achingly slowly) get to see the predicament Fox is in.
He's not wanted anymore as lover by king Domvoda, but is nevertheless still expected to pay court to the king and to watch closely how the king selects a future consort at the festivities surrounding the knights tournament.
Knight Conall is the first person to show Fox kindness in years, and Fox is overwhelmed, by Domvoda's cruel treatment, by Conall's steady and reassuring friendship (expressed partly through mutual fucking), and by his own insecurities and fears of the future.

A extraordinary storyline, compelling writing, with lots and lots of reassurances of feelings towards the end.

[Sully (sulliedjedi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is fisting. There is mouth-knotting. Both off-page, but I'm not allowed to complain because holy fuck, everything else was on-page.

Coherent RTC.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

I cannot believe how long I have had this on my TBR and never felt like picking it up. What a fool I was! I absolutely adored this.

I was in the mood for high fantasy and this was the perfect level for me. I loved the setting and the omegaverse style biology and the court politics, and none of it was too confusing for my admittedly not very fantasy aligned brain. There wasn't complicated magic or political machinations or anything - just a pretty straightforward caste system and nobles vying for the favor of a king.

Fox was fucking fantastic! One of my favorite kinds of MCs. He was a bit of black cat (or clever fox if you will) but mostly due to necessity and he was also kind of a hot mess. He was delightful and flawed and he used his wit as both a weapon and a shield, while doing his best to survive alone in a world he didn't belong in.

Ugh and Conall! God, the competence, the zero fucks given, the Daddy undertones, the dirty fucking mouth, the "I will very calmly pull you apart and put you back together" vibes. Seriously, so fucking hot. He was the most supportive and solid LI and his only flaw was not recognizing sooner that all was not what it seemed. But damn did he shoot his shot once he realized he could. The clear and reassuring declarations he made were exactly the kind of shit I go absolutely feral for. Every other man who isn't saying these things is doing it wrong. He is very much a top tier book boyfriend for me.

One of the things that had held me back from picking this up was that a large part of the plot revolved around the fact that Fox was formerly the King's lover. Based on the blurb I wasn't sure how recent they'd been together or if Fox had been in love with him or if there was going to be a lot of information on it, and for someone like me who strongly avoids "other person drama" that put me off. But I'm so glad that I went ahead.

It did indeed play a large part of the plot, and it was mentioned a fair amount, but luckily Fox and Domvoda had not been together for many months at the start of the book and, importantly for me, Fox never loved him. If Fox ever had feelings for him they were over a long time ago, and according to Fox himself were probably more the product of being young and feeling flattered and special that the King took an interest. Fox was never pining for Domvoda, he was just in a precarious position of being on the outs as the King's lover but still being kept as court musician in a court who very much felt threatened by him.

I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed the scenes between Fox and Domvoda and the court at large - they were often tense but they were well written and Fox was very clever, even though it was stressful for him to be so. I wouldn't have thought that court politics would be interesting to me but I was invested. There were a handful of scenes between Fox and Domvoda or Fox and some of the side characters (including Domvoda's "Potentials") that were just so fucking good. And I loved all the fun bits about tail positions, and the songs Fox sang, and the tournament and knights, and every clever, bitchy little gibe Fox gave to a deserving noble.

This wasn't plot heavy at all and took place all during this tournament - just a couple days. Mostly it was about Fox figuring out where his place was going to be now that the King was likely to take a consort/breeder, but the romance was still strong enough for me.

Fox and Conall were really freaking cute and, while there was definitely an element of miscommunication, it felt appropriate here. Fox was very aware of his place and wouldn't even dream of getting to be with someone like Conall (knights are part of the nobility). He knows men like that will fuck him but he truly could not conceive of anything more, so him not voicing how he was feeling was 100% understandable, even if I wanted to be like "Jesus Christ Clever Fox, be clever". And Conall had thought that Fox was in love with Domvoda all that time, and even once he saw that wasn't true, it took him a while to realize how naïve Fox was and that he needed to really spell things out to him.

And spell it out he did! Every nervous, overthinking man with low self esteem who believes they could not overcome their station needs a man like Conall to love them. Truly, it took a Master Overthinker like Fox to still kind of question things after Conall so explicitly, so unequivocally, so unambiguously laid things out for him. And in response to that uncertainty? Conall simply stated it again, even more clearly, backed it up with actions, and did it all publicly, unashamedly, where even Fox could make no mistake about it. Fucking SWOON!

Also, as an aside, they were really fucking hot together and for some reason I didn't expect the spice to be so good.

My complaints were few - there were a couple of editing errors (very minor), there was one scene where they DO talk a bit too specifically about Domvoda, there was one part of the big climax/confrontation that I thought may have best been said in private, and lastly, I simply wanted a little more time at the end. I wished to see Fox and Conall a little bit down the road - an epilogue would've been great but even just one more chapter would've done it for me!

I just loved pretty much everything about this and I'm so glad that I flat out bought it (it was on sale!) because I am very sure that I will read this again. And I will definitely read this author again.

P.S. I love this cover!

Pet names: lovely, my lovely

Byr Conall was not the sort to be wasted on one night in a hayloft, which was, unfortunately, all Fox would have been good for. That was likely what Byr Conall saw when he studied Fox. The foolish child he’d been and the scared, mean creature he was now.

“It is not something they can imagine themselves doing, so that makes me unusual. Frightening.” He met Fox’s stare. “And now I might not be able to do that anymore, which makes me slightly less frightening, so they say what they will say and think of themselves as the ones slaying dragons.

“You thought I’d say no?” Conall demanded, rough, pushing Fox’s legs apart with his sheer mass. He looked from Fox’s ready hole to Fox’s stunned gaze. “Say the word and I’ll hold you down and mate you now. You thought it would be no?”

“He’s a fool, you know,” Conall said, still quiet, as he opened the door to Fox’s room for Fox, who didn’t move forward. “He doesn’t even know what you are.” Fox tipped his head back to study Conall with sleepy bemusement. “What am I?”

“You’re thinking a great deal. Always, but especially now.” It was said so gently. “As you do your thinking, I’d beg you to consider that I don’t expect you to be anything but Fox. That is, whichever Fox you feel like being.”

“If you were like them, or wanted to be, you would have said nothing. You’re a sweet creature, Fox, even if you don’t like to think so or have forgotten you are.”

“Because that rose serves you better than any shell jewelry ever could and if I were Domvoda, I wouldn’t have let you leave that garden without making that clear.” Fox closed his eyes while trying vainly to work a knot where there was none. “What would you have done then? Would you have given me your knot there? Shown your potential consorts what they might also get?” “What potential consorts?” Conall asked, bringing Fox’s gaze back to him. “Why would I ever bother with them if I had you?”

Domvoda leaned forward. “You claim not to be a fighter, but you’ve shown teeth on more than one occasion.” As any cornered animal did. Fox kept his smile and shrugged again. “Even a rabbit will kick.”

“You’re too nice to me.” “Or no one else in this place is nice and you’ve forgotten what care is like.” Conall’s voice softened. “Or you have never known it.”

“You should do better by them,” Fox insisted without looking at the king, hardly knowing if he meant the knights or the Potentials. “Soft for everyone,” Domvoda murmured in return, “but me.” “Why would anyone expect softness without giving any?”

“You should fear me,” he pressed on, breathing fast and knowing Conall would notice, “because now I am going to take something of yours, just you wait.” “Do as you please, Fox,” Conall agreed softly, “but consider perhaps that you already have.”

I fell for the act, as badly as everyone else did. The Fox, lovely, clever, witty… and cruel if it would please the king for him to be so.” He released Fox’s hand to cup his cheek. “But never as cruel as he could have been. Sometimes even gentle when he could get away with it. But always turned from me, so I forgot who you were when I first saw you.” Fox spoke against Conall’s palm. “A lost little commoner?” “A remarkably innocent outsider, standing all alone.” Conall swept his thumb over Fox’s cheekbone. “Chin up while they whispered about you, outshining all their glitter in simple wool. But your back to the wall, and so alone. I’m sorry.”

“I am not overwhelmed to look at him.”

"You haven’t said yes but you haven’t said no. Knights are romantic fools, Fox. Musicians might not have such dreams but we do.” “Of course we have dreams.” Fox should have spat it but he couldn’t feel any anger. “But we don’t expect them to come true. I,” he corrected moments later. “I don’t expect them to come true. But if anyone could manage it, it would be you.” “Then let me, lovely. Please. Grant me your favor one more time.”

*
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Safety (may contain spoilers)

SA/rape: None

Other person drama: Fox used to be the King's lover but had not been for many months before the start of the book. He did not love him but still interacts with him regularly because Domvoda keeps him as his musician. Later in the book it's made clear that Domvoda loved Fox but not enough to withstand the backlash of mating him. It was also revealed that Conall had once been Domvoda's lover when they were both young (before Domvoda was King). That was the scene that had too much info for me because Conall described how Domvoda "squealed on his knot" and stuff like that and I didn't need those kinds of specifics, thanks. I didn't want the three of them to feel even more enmeshed/triangle-y so I didn't like that addition, but I was able to move past it. Fox and Conall only ever have feelings for each other and there are no others during the course of the book.

[Suzzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have words! (unusual for me! 😁) This is an astonishing, astounding, romantic, clever-beyond-words, piece of literary marvellousness. I applaud you., R. cooper. I’ve read romantic novels from Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Lynn Flewelling to modern day MMs from Abigail Roux, Lily Morton, NR Walker, Sabrina Bowen etc. etc. etc. R Cooper is a genius. This book is lovely. It’s not perfect. But it is so full of clever, thrilling, subtext and subtlety and so beautifully romantic that I will probably have to reread it again from the start. Thank you, R Cooper. It’s very rare these days that I cancel a whole day’s worth of stuff so that I can just stay home and read a good book. I could not put it down. Stunning and beautiful.

[trice · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've never rushed to read a book moreee. falnya and din are the ulitmate g's.

the only thing missing is that i wanted more about conall - his attitude towards being the dragonslayer reminded me of megan derr's heart of a dragonslayer.

most clever line in the book:
“The Fox has teeth,” Fox replied, eyebrows raised. Falnya agreed with him again. “Yes. But what is a fox to a dragon?”

→ 4.5 stars

[Achim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
A precious but particular medieval fantasy, R. Cooper style, where Fox, the court musician and the king's favorite for the last years, has to face the possibility that his time at the royal court finally ran its course. The king choose to use the annual royal tournament to select a noble to bear his child. It's not a consort he's looking for but nevertheless 3 noble houses are competing for that honor. All of them afraid that Fox is still holding the king's favor.

With that base case it could become a story full with court intrigue and scheming against the background and driven by the emotions of a bloody tournament but it doesn't. The story is told solely from Fox's PoV and because different to his official image as a ferocious, sharpe creature he's too soft-hearted to watch the tournament especially now that a certain knight and dragon-slayer is breaking through his walls and might become more than the passionate distraction with the ever available knot. It's a tale of introspection, about an innocent guy who fell for his own image and now has to find a way back to believe in romance again.

I was missing a bit the melancholy R. Cooper humor and yes, I admit I would have liked a bit more action (and I don't talk about sex because there's plenty of that) but following a quintessential R. Cooper hero carving his way back into life let me even acquiesce to that scene where he's telling the king his kind of truth without consequences.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this simultaneously a bit boring and very beautiful. I was confused a lot…still not even sure what these beings are? I basically imagined them as humanoid furries not going to lie. The relationship development was gorgeous. I wanted more on the relationship side of things.

Lots of sex and this is kinda omegaverse-ish. No a/b/o designations though and mostly equally respected. Lots of knotting. Mpreg is possible but Fox doesn’t want kids (my FAVEEE).

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really pleasant surprise. I read this basically at random, having forgotten what the blurb said - so going in basically blind. What a treat this was. We get a kind of self-contained fantasy world that's not quite omegaverse, but borrows a lot the physiology, although these characters have tails and pointy ears. Our protagonist, Fox, is a beautiful, clever, talented musician who has captured the attentions of the king, but he is a commoner with nothing to his name, and so is very aware of the pecking order of the nobility and his place in all this. He has no aspirations beyond being of service and looking good.

The entire book takes place over about a week at a tournament where the king is getting to know potential royal consorts, seemingly using Fox as some sort of weapon or test against them. Fox drifts along in the wake of the king, but ends up sharing a space at night with Conall, a favoured knight and famed dragonslayer. Conall is something else. From the start, he makes it very clear that he would give Fox anything he wants, but Fox, unused to people saying what they mean, doesn't know how to react to Conall's kindness. Fox is a a great character, complex and intelligent, kind without realizing it, but also oblivious and naive in some ways. Conall is a great foil to his anxiety, a steady and honest voice in a nest of vipers. They have crazy chemistry and the smut is pretty good.

The writing, especially the dialogue, can get pretty oblique in places, and I sometimes struggled to parse what people meant. But this fit with the medieval vibe of the story and the kind of courtly doublespeak one might expect from this setting. I appreciate that this author doesn't treat her audience as if we are dumb.

I genuinely enjoyed this. The writing was good, the story compelling, we're given just the right amount of world-building for the length of the book. I liked the MCs and the varied cast of characters. It's not a perfect book, but I had a good time reading it.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox and the Dragonslayer

I love Fox and Connall and I hope we get a short story or novella about them once they journey away from court. They deserve all the happiness they can find.

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of it really worked for me. Some of it really didn't.

Specifically to my fellow mpreg-haters: this is omegaverse-with-different-terms in a "breeding"-focused world, and while there's technically no mpreg (yet) between the two MCs, there is breeding kink. Honestly, this yucks my yum as much as actual mpreg.

I'll definitely check out more R. Cooper -- there was a lot I liked here between Fox and Conall -- but I'll be trawling the reviews first next time to screen out the kinks that are not my kinks.

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, stopping at 37%. This one's knee-deep in convoluted introspection and sexual tangles and I'm just bored. Court intrigue isn't my favorite in the first place. It's become a slog for me, which isn't the point of pleasure reading.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is incredibly hit or miss for me, and I was pleased that this was mostly a hit! Interesting characters and relationships, and the world-building was intriguing. Alpha/Omega type stuff isn't my favorite (this isn't technically that, but has a lot of the hallmarks of the trope) and the ears/tail aspect felt incredibly indulgent on the author's part, but I did appreciate how the tail did play an important role in the world-building and social stuff. To be honest, my biggest issue with this book came at the end, with the big public declaration and telling-off of the king, which felt really unrealistic for the world/characters that had been set up so far given the risk. I was also incredibly off-put by the way that Fox essentially "outed" the King for sexual preferences that he literally only assumed were true based on gossip he heard from his lover about what he preferred in bed literal decades before with one specific person. It just felt really gross and petty and honestly out of character -- it's one thing for him to say that stuff privately, but to do it in front of all of the most important people in the kingdom... I genuinely found all of the public declaration stuff such an awful note to end on that it's knocking a full star off the book.

[Myllady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another win for R Cooper

Another one I can already see myself rereading.

I loved that we got to enjoy the trademark MCs and confusion/misunderstandings that R Cooper is a master of, but in a very different dynamic with the more social politics and nobody knowing what's up with the king and his reactions. It's very relationship driven and a lovely story.

Once again we get Fox, who's never really known what it is to belong, to be safe, to be cared for or loved and Connall, who steady and just wants to love and protect him. It's one of my favorite trope/pairing in R Cooper's backlist.

I have read reviews of people being irked about the cluenessness, irritated about the idea that someone might not recognize love or safety, or even how to dream about these things because they've never known them. But it's real to me, because I felt safe for the first time I can remember when I was 24, and it took that to make me realise that I did not know how unsafe I felt before because I did not know it could be different. Anyway. TMI just to say that it's very rare that I find writing and characters that really show how that impacts a person, and it resonates with me and makes the HEA so much sweeter for it.

The ending was quite fairytale-y, although not completely unbelievable, and there was a bit too much smut for me, gods these two were horny 😅🌶️ (it's a me thing, I like stories lighter on sex, but the scenes were good and felt... Intimate and necessary most of the time).

[Mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just plain fabulous.

Well, not so plain, really. But yearning and complex and simple and passion-struck. I had to take a few breaks to catch my breath, but basically I gulped it down. Another wonderful story from the author. Thank you!!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical omegaverse

Fox and Conall are fascinating characters. They live in a world which sounds much like the medieval era, with knights, tournaments, Kings, and what amounts to a court jester. I would classify this book omegaverse because there is knotting, but it’s not your typical omegaverse. Each person has the capacity to be both a giver with a knot, and a receiver that accepts the knot. Though there tend to be definite preferences just like in our world.

Fox fills the role of a jester or entertainer type figure and sometimes bedmate of the king. He is a veritable force that seems to do whatever it takes to try and make the king happy. Even when it is at his own expense. However, he hasn’t been bedfellows with the king for quite some time, and the king is looking to find a fertile so he can have an heir. There is a tournament to take place for knights to show off their skills, and for the king to meet his “potential” fertiles.

Crowding from the sheer number of guests and knights, has Conall offering Fox a place to stay amongst said knights. Conall is the legendary dragonslayer and Fox has been low level crushing on him since he was fifteen. Their relationship journey is intertwined with Fox’s duties for the king and the big tournament.

Fox isn’t one of my favorite characters, but I was happy to see him realize what was right in front of him, and how he and Conall to get the happiness they both deserved. I do wish there had been an epilogue so we could see how life was for them after the tournament was over.

Well worth the read.

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+⭐

I'm still not completely sucked into the whole MM omegaverse scene and furries and whatnot, but when R. Cooper writes about humanoids with animal tails and ears, and knotting, I. Just. Eat. It. Up. And honestly, I rather liked how the tails had their natural places in court etiquette and showing emotion.

Well, furries aside, mainly this is a story about a selfish king and his waste-of-space court of bullies. Fox is a nobody, a bard, trying to navigate the dangerous waters, though also being one of the few that bend the rules. I certainly enjoy the historical fantasy settings from this author, and there is a certain exquisite anxiety in the way the King's whims keep people playing his games.

This is another angsty, piny love story by R. Cooper, between two idiots who think the other one barely acknowledges their existence. Fox and Conall talk around their feelings almost to the point of frustration, but this book doesn't feel quite as prolonged as some others. (Maybe it's the rather tight time-frame with the King's Tournament.) Conall is such a kind man and just what Fox needs; they make a lovely, memorable pair.

[❥ Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is utterly delightful ☺️ Medieval style court setting with animal-like people with knots & tails

Fox is one of my favorite types of MC’s: pretty, snarky & (secretly) sad. Not being noble, he is an outsider in the court but he can outplay them all with his wit and poise. He is totally oblivious to his effect on people and doesn’t think anyone would want to mate him

Then there’s Conall: Stern Brunch Daddy, Medieval Knight Style. Conall, the man that you are… *sigh*

I was not expecting the smut in this book?? Their first time had me burning up like a furnace, I had to go back and read it again. Conall’s dirty talk had me blushing along with Fox

Very very hot, sweet and romantic story. One of my top reads of 2024 and will definitely be a reread for me

[bwrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly beautiful. Funny. Lyrical. Romantic. Spicy. I read the last 10% with tears, slowly, having to put the book down at times to wipe my eyes, to breathe and calm myself before continuing. I may have not done this book justice, as I put it down after the first 40% to read several other books to fulfill commitments, all the while thinking about Fox in the recesses of my mind, and finally coming back with anticipation for the rest of the story. I stayed up way to late on work nights, read on the train and during lunch breaks, and realize I want to read it again in future, it is that good. I'm sorry I finished it, I'm still lost in the medieval fantasy world, the court life, the struggles of a careful but beleaguered court musician and past lover of the king, a commoner in a world of nobles, who must survive on his wit and observational skills as well as his talent and beauty. It isn't an easy life for Fox, but he is known for his biting wit, his charm and his influence with the king.
- Anthropomorphic elements abound in this omega-verse medieval court, the people have tails which emphasize their thoughts and actions, there are named tail positions for expressing emotions and desires; ears are pointed and tufted as are the tails, coloring of the hair and eyes is described and enhanced, and blushes are plentiful, both elucidating emotion and embarrassing the characters. Author Cooper's use of language, her descriptions of characters and emotions fooled me often, I kept forgetting these were people and found myself thinking they were animals, and then correcting myself. At times I was reminded of my pets, their ways of showing affection, fear, teasing and playfulness. The showing of teeth, of smiles to convey disdain, fear, attraction; the emphasis on colored hair tufts on ears and tails being attractive, smells as pheromones, even the back-biting of courtiers seemed at times animalistic; very effective at enhancing the plot and building this fantasy world. A delicate weave of refined court traditions and animal instincts and undertakings, was fascinating to me and drew me in further. Court life, contrasted with the knights' tournament, a more genuine and still playful showing of aggression, a more real show of emotion and force; knights laugh and love, are more honest about emotion, and yet they are still 'bir' (nobles), though a bit less structured and remote.
- Court life is cut throat, at least for Fox, he is judged for everything, from his appearance, clothes and hairstyles, to his cutting remarks to and for the king, rumors are spread about him ruthlessly, to the point where he has become guarded, aware of his reputation and power over the court and king, but also trapped by it, unable to break free to be himself in a world of etiquette and intrigue. Fox found himself at court very young, an orphan who survived on his talent for playing lute and singing, at 15 he was seduced by the king. Now 25, his place is questionable, the king wanting to pursue other nobles for treaties and aggrandizement, he wants heirs and more power, he looks to find consorts, not impermanent lovers. Commoner Fox, no longer sure of his continued presence at court, anxiety amplified by crowded conditions due to an impending knightly tournament, is at a turning point in his life, questioning his abilities, his continued value as a plaything/jester/counsel for the king.
- At the center of this book, it's heart, is the interaction of Fox with Connell the Dragonslayer, famed and honored knight. Where Fox plays it cool at first, Connell is smitten, approaches slowly, even shyly, but always with integrity and purpose. Connell sees beyond the court airs, sees Fox for his veiled kindness 'the fox bites, but never viciously', for his honesty in living his own truths, for his innocence in a contrived court, for his own inner beauty. A 'mountain' of a man, knight Connell is revealed as wise, as intelligent, nurturing and generous, a mentor to the younger knights, a big lusty and emotive man capable of seeing the true Fox. As the love story builds, with many spicy scenes, it is revealed that Connell has carried a torch for Fox from afar, has been aware of him for years, has been considerate and instrumental in Fox's rise and acceptance, and has waited for the king's passion to cool, for Fox to be available. Unaware of the knight's feelings, Fox has also been aware of Connell, but Fox is also painfully aware of his commoner status, and thinks a pairing with a 'bir'(noble) is as impossible as a mating with the king, it only happens in songs and legends. As a musician, Fox interprets the world through songs, but thinks they are only ideals, that nobility and commoners want and need different things; he is very aware of class and status, and has something of an inferiority complex, coming from humble beginnings, orphan status, a have-not existing in a privileged world only peripherally. Connell must convince him of his own worth, and also show that a knight, and even a king, can be with a commoner if it is a true love match. Knight Connell is willing to wait, to mentor, to convince, to be with Fox at all costs, even as the king has proved himself not equal to the task.
- Add to this the tournament itself, the spectacle upon which the plot develops, action and adventure and danger, and this splendid tale comes alive, never boring, always unfolding with touches of humor, wit, laughter and spice. A wonderful read and recommended to everyone that loves a deep romance, complex and beautiful as it can be.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and heartbreakingly beautiful

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not entirely my thing, but I did enjoy it, especially the last quarter.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love, love this book. I’ve read it at least 3 times this year.

[Fearne Hill]

This is a curious book - fantasy ?furry romance is not generally my go-to read. But I kind of really enjoyed it? I like court intrigue - I liked the subtlety behind what is unsaid, which in this story was as important as what was said, especially between Fox and the king. And I'm low-key obsessed with the tail positions reflecting points of tension or attraction- my favourite being daffodil-in-the-wind.

[A Low Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first R Cooper book, and I’m so happy about that fact that I’m bumping up my rating despite the smut content exceeding the plot to some degree (maybe it’s 50/50?). R Cooper writes pining, star-crossed mates like nobody’s business and Fox of Fox Hall is no different. The character development is richly thought out so that the emotional logic of the romance flows effortlessly with a delicious amount of tension despite the two MCs hooking up relatively early. I don’t need a sequel with these characters, but I’d love for this world to keep going.

[Mhor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so adorable. So glad I read it.

I think I would enjoy a series set in this world.

Maybe we can see the king find love, after losing it because he was too scared.

But if not, the two nice Potentials finding their mates would be good.

I don’t know if it was because of the name Fox but I pictured their tails as more fluffy like a fox than what’s on the cover?

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this one randomly based solely on the name and it being a court politics romance. extremely pleasantly surprised to find it was also an evolution of classic omegaverse 😍
could have used a lot more dragons and also i think domvoda was underutilized as a character. otherwise very sweet knight / bard style romance

[Meadow]

First DNF of the year - 20%. I can't with this writing.