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Twisted Crown Trilogy #1
If the Crown Fits
Magic forests, forbidden romance and villainous royalty in a tale about an uncommon thief, a soldier prince and a deadly power struggle.
In the kingdom of Everness, the memory of magic only lives on through whispered stories. Lara, an elusive bandit raised in a clan of thieves, makes the mistake of stealing from the tyrannical royal family . . . and getting caught.
She has no idea how high the price for her freedom will be.
Forced to choose between forfeiting her life or offering her services to the cruel, spoiled prince regent, Lara is blackmailed into retrieving a stolen heirloom from the crown prince of an enemy kingdom. She must pose as his betrothed — a princess of Everness he is yet to set eyes on.
Bound by a dangerous secret and driven by a desperate need to protect those she loves most, Lara's path to freedom is rife with treachery and complexity. Most of all, an infuriating and charming prince who can only lead her to becoming an enemy of the crown, or an enemy of her own heart . . .
If the Crown Fits follows an uncommon thief as she fights to survive among ruthless princes while fighting against forbidden desire, injustice and a kingdom of secrets.
Tropes:
🗡 Enemies to lovers
🗡 Found family
🗡 One bed
🗡 Badass FMC
🗡 We support women's rights and women's wrongs
🗡 Slow burn romance
🗡 Fake relationship
🗡 Forced proximity
In the kingdom of Everness, the memory of magic only lives on through whispered stories. Lara, an elusive bandit raised in a clan of thieves, makes the mistake of stealing from the tyrannical royal family . . . and getting caught.
She has no idea how high the price for her freedom will be.
Forced to choose between forfeiting her life or offering her services to the cruel, spoiled prince regent, Lara is blackmailed into retrieving a stolen heirloom from the crown prince of an enemy kingdom. She must pose as his betrothed — a princess of Everness he is yet to set eyes on.
Bound by a dangerous secret and driven by a desperate need to protect those she loves most, Lara's path to freedom is rife with treachery and complexity. Most of all, an infuriating and charming prince who can only lead her to becoming an enemy of the crown, or an enemy of her own heart . . .
If the Crown Fits follows an uncommon thief as she fights to survive among ruthless princes while fighting against forbidden desire, injustice and a kingdom of secrets.
Tropes:
🗡 Enemies to lovers
🗡 Found family
🗡 One bed
🗡 Badass FMC
🗡 We support women's rights and women's wrongs
🗡 Slow burn romance
🗡 Fake relationship
🗡 Forced proximity
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2021
155 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 5, 2025
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
If the Crown Fits is the first book in a romantacy series and I was sent a copy to read before reading the second book that I'm on the book your with Zooloos Book Tours to read and review.
Filled with my favourite tropes, I knew I couldn't pass down the chance to read this series, and I'm glad I did. The book has a strong plot and character development, although it did feel a little rushed and skimmed over in places, but there may be a reason for this that gets brought to light further in the series?
The story sucked me in - straight away, and is fast paced and easy to follow through the dual POV narration.
If the Crown Fits is the first book in a romantacy series and I was sent a copy to read before reading the second book that I'm on the book your with Zooloos Book Tours to read and review.
Filled with my favourite tropes, I knew I couldn't pass down the chance to read this series, and I'm glad I did. The book has a strong plot and character development, although it did feel a little rushed and skimmed over in places, but there may be a reason for this that gets brought to light further in the series?
The story sucked me in - straight away, and is fast paced and easy to follow through the dual POV narration.
September 27, 2024
I really found myself not being able to put this down. I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced. The only sacrifice of that is sometimes it felt like some things could've used more details. That is only because I wanted more of the story. The characters are well developed, as is the plot. I did predict the twist, but thought it was a great one to throw in. The romance is a slooooowwww burn. There is even opportunity for one bed AND THEY DON'T TAKE IT! hahaha! The main characters have great chemistry and banter. I felt the tension every time they interacted. I hope this continues to develop in later books. The morally gray villain...can't wait to see what happens there!
November 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for a copy of this ARC!
This was such a fun read! Right from the get go you’re thrown into the action & it does not let up & nor do you want it to!
It’s very fast paced, easy to read & captivating, but at times this strength means that some moments feel slightly rushed, or parts feel like they’ve jumped over some key background or context. I also thought that towards the ending things felt a little bit too convenient (I’m looking at the uncle & Rhen here). This said, I don’t think the speed detracted from the overall story, it just would have been nice to have had a little bit more time spent on some aspects, that’s all!
The two main characters were well-developed & I really enjoyed getting to know them through their own separate POVs, there are also some good side characters as well as some great twist & turns in the plot that kept it entertaining & gripping!
I also liked that the ending was one that you can either stop at, or, as I hope will be the case, continue with a second book!
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the story & romance will progress in book 2 as this has easily been one of my favourite reads of the year & I can’t wait for the next book!
This was such a fun read! Right from the get go you’re thrown into the action & it does not let up & nor do you want it to!
It’s very fast paced, easy to read & captivating, but at times this strength means that some moments feel slightly rushed, or parts feel like they’ve jumped over some key background or context. I also thought that towards the ending things felt a little bit too convenient (I’m looking at the uncle & Rhen here). This said, I don’t think the speed detracted from the overall story, it just would have been nice to have had a little bit more time spent on some aspects, that’s all!
The two main characters were well-developed & I really enjoyed getting to know them through their own separate POVs, there are also some good side characters as well as some great twist & turns in the plot that kept it entertaining & gripping!
I also liked that the ending was one that you can either stop at, or, as I hope will be the case, continue with a second book!
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the story & romance will progress in book 2 as this has easily been one of my favourite reads of the year & I can’t wait for the next book!
October 10, 2024
"If the Crown Fits" was an interesting read, though it didn’t entirely meet my expectations. Based on the title, I was ready for a sweeping fantasy with grand stakes, but instead, the book leaned more toward an adventure vibe. That’s not necessarily bad, but it left me wanting something a little more intense.
One thing I enjoyed was the setting. Its fantastic medieval atmosphere gave me a King Arthur vibe, which is always a win in my book. However, the plot didn’t quite match the energy of the world-building. There were large sections where the story felt slow, with not much happening, and I found myself waiting for a twist or moment of excitement that took too long to arrive.
The language in the book also felt a little uneven. There were moments when the dialogue didn’t quite fit the world or time period, which pulled me out of the story. Thankfully, that issue seemed to smooth out a bit as the book went on, but it was noticeable enough to be distracting in the early chapters.
As for the plot, it was a bit predictable. I guessed how things would turn out fairly early, and while I don’t mind predictability if it’s done well, I wanted a little more surprise here. The ending felt a bit unresolved, which made me think there’s more to come in the form of a sequel. While some readers might love that, I wished for more closure.
One of the book's saving graces was that it wasn’t overly long. I appreciated that it was a quick read, especially for a fantasy novel, and the pacing towards the end did pick up a bit. The concept of our main character being a thief caught by the royal family, only to be recruited for a new mission, was an intriguing setup. However, I felt the execution didn’t quite reach its potential. There was also the issue of some plot elements, like the hidden identity and the royal intrigue, feeling a little too convenient or underdeveloped.
Despite some frustrations, I did enjoy that the book used multiple POVs. I’ve always been a fan of seeing the story from different angles, and that helped keep me engaged even when the plot slowed down. There’s definitely potential for solid character development, but it felt like we only scratched the surface in this instalment.
Overall, the BOOK was an okay read. It had moments of charm, particularly with the setting and the multiple perspectives, but it struggled with pacing and predictability. I’m curious to see where the rest of the series goes, but this first book didn’t quite hook me as much as I’d hoped. Still, it’s a decent enough adventure for fans of light fantasy. Many thanks to NetGalley.
One thing I enjoyed was the setting. Its fantastic medieval atmosphere gave me a King Arthur vibe, which is always a win in my book. However, the plot didn’t quite match the energy of the world-building. There were large sections where the story felt slow, with not much happening, and I found myself waiting for a twist or moment of excitement that took too long to arrive.
The language in the book also felt a little uneven. There were moments when the dialogue didn’t quite fit the world or time period, which pulled me out of the story. Thankfully, that issue seemed to smooth out a bit as the book went on, but it was noticeable enough to be distracting in the early chapters.
As for the plot, it was a bit predictable. I guessed how things would turn out fairly early, and while I don’t mind predictability if it’s done well, I wanted a little more surprise here. The ending felt a bit unresolved, which made me think there’s more to come in the form of a sequel. While some readers might love that, I wished for more closure.
One of the book's saving graces was that it wasn’t overly long. I appreciated that it was a quick read, especially for a fantasy novel, and the pacing towards the end did pick up a bit. The concept of our main character being a thief caught by the royal family, only to be recruited for a new mission, was an intriguing setup. However, I felt the execution didn’t quite reach its potential. There was also the issue of some plot elements, like the hidden identity and the royal intrigue, feeling a little too convenient or underdeveloped.
Despite some frustrations, I did enjoy that the book used multiple POVs. I’ve always been a fan of seeing the story from different angles, and that helped keep me engaged even when the plot slowed down. There’s definitely potential for solid character development, but it felt like we only scratched the surface in this instalment.
Overall, the BOOK was an okay read. It had moments of charm, particularly with the setting and the multiple perspectives, but it struggled with pacing and predictability. I’m curious to see where the rest of the series goes, but this first book didn’t quite hook me as much as I’d hoped. Still, it’s a decent enough adventure for fans of light fantasy. Many thanks to NetGalley.
October 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for a copy of this ARC! If the Crown Fits moves at break-neck speed from the very first chapter. It is fast-paced and captivating. I think that strength is also a slight weakness with the book, because there isn't as much context and background detail as I would've liked.
However, overall I really enjoyed this book! It's a quick and fun read. It has similar vibes to Robin Hood or Into the Woods, with bandits, adventure, heists, princess, and a very strong female character.
I think one of the biggest strengths in the book is the two main characters. The plot is filled with action and adventure, and both are captivating leads. There are a few twists and turns in the plot, which intrigued me and will definitely keep readers hooked as well! I'm also loving how the little spark of romance unfolded. It was very well done, and can't wait to see where this heads in book two!
However, overall I really enjoyed this book! It's a quick and fun read. It has similar vibes to Robin Hood or Into the Woods, with bandits, adventure, heists, princess, and a very strong female character.
I think one of the biggest strengths in the book is the two main characters. The plot is filled with action and adventure, and both are captivating leads. There are a few twists and turns in the plot, which intrigued me and will definitely keep readers hooked as well! I'm also loving how the little spark of romance unfolded. It was very well done, and can't wait to see where this heads in book two!
November 3, 2024
Lara, a thief, is hired to steal a necklace from a corrupt prince. Things don't really go to plan though. To save her own life she ends up having to impersonate a princess and befriend a neighbouring prince, Cai.
Firstly, how beautiful is this cover please? I love it.
I really enjoyed this story and Lara was most definitely my favourite character. Oh, to have some of her courage and confidence. She did a great job at being a pickpocket and could probably give the Artful Dodger a run for his money. There were a few heart in your mouth moments throughout this as Lara and Cai found themselves in so much danger at times. Lance was your typical spoiled brat prince who thought everyone should bow down to him.
At the beginning it kind of gave off Aladdin vibes to me, but the roles of Aladdin and Jasmine reversed.
Firstly, how beautiful is this cover please? I love it.
I really enjoyed this story and Lara was most definitely my favourite character. Oh, to have some of her courage and confidence. She did a great job at being a pickpocket and could probably give the Artful Dodger a run for his money. There were a few heart in your mouth moments throughout this as Lara and Cai found themselves in so much danger at times. Lance was your typical spoiled brat prince who thought everyone should bow down to him.
At the beginning it kind of gave off Aladdin vibes to me, but the roles of Aladdin and Jasmine reversed.
March 10, 2023
This was fantastic! I loved reading this book. Only sad thing is, it went so fast by. If you are looking for a fairytale with bandits and princes, this is the one for you.
The character Lara and Scott were my favorite. And that plot...boy, I did not see that one coming. I was sitting on the edge of my seat with this one.
Leanè, I adored this book. It was so beautiful. I hope there will be a book 2. We need some answers about Scott 😀.
Thank you so much for gifting me an e-copy of this beautiful book.
Infinite stars for this one. ✨️
The character Lara and Scott were my favorite. And that plot...boy, I did not see that one coming. I was sitting on the edge of my seat with this one.
Leanè, I adored this book. It was so beautiful. I hope there will be a book 2. We need some answers about Scott 😀.
Thank you so much for gifting me an e-copy of this beautiful book.
Infinite stars for this one. ✨️
November 12, 2024
This fantasy novel is a fast paced one and the start of a series (trilogy)
The author creates a fun world and characters that are enjoyable to read about. I'm looking forward to the next book.
If you enjoy romantasy fiction this series starter might be a good one for you.
The author creates a fun world and characters that are enjoyable to read about. I'm looking forward to the next book.
If you enjoy romantasy fiction this series starter might be a good one for you.
July 19, 2022
I expected an uber fantasy with a title like If The Crown Fits, but it was more adventure than anything else. It was a decent enough read. I loved the setting. Gave me Merlin, King Arthur vibes. I did, however, feel like the book dragged on a bit, with almost little to nothing happening. There was also a little discord in the language. Sometimes the things the characters said, didn’t exactly line up with the time period. For the most part though, at least, as the book drew on, the language became a little less fragmented.
I kind of figured out what the ending would be quite easily, it was a little predictable. Only because there wasn't really much excitement for most of the novel, so I expected the ending to be a little explosive, if predictable. The ending was a little open ended, there were a lot of unanswered questions and things hanging in the air, perhaps there's a sequel.
A decent enough read, if a little draggy.
I kind of figured out what the ending would be quite easily, it was a little predictable. Only because there wasn't really much excitement for most of the novel, so I expected the ending to be a little explosive, if predictable. The ending was a little open ended, there were a lot of unanswered questions and things hanging in the air, perhaps there's a sequel.
A decent enough read, if a little draggy.
October 1, 2024
This was such a great time, I was instantly hooked (and I find that it takes a minute for me to get super invested in fantasy novels because they usually start with so much worldbuilding).
I sped through this book (it definitely helped that this book was pretty short for a fantasy book) but I really enjoyed it and I think it was the right length for this book and what happened in it. And it's the first book in a trilogy, so I am very excited to read the rest of the series and I definitely will be!
Our FMC is a thief and is caught trying to steal something from the royal family, but instead of getting in trouble for it, it turns out to have been a test. Her being able to steal from the royal family was basically a job interview. So she has now been recruited to steal something from the prince.
And this a multiple POV fantasy! I always tend to like those more than singular POV. I get more invested in the story because I'm learning about it and seeing the world from different angles and perspectives.
Not too heavy on the in-world politics, we get hidden/mistaken identities, twist and reveals, the start to some great character development and arcs!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I sped through this book (it definitely helped that this book was pretty short for a fantasy book) but I really enjoyed it and I think it was the right length for this book and what happened in it. And it's the first book in a trilogy, so I am very excited to read the rest of the series and I definitely will be!
Our FMC is a thief and is caught trying to steal something from the royal family, but instead of getting in trouble for it, it turns out to have been a test. Her being able to steal from the royal family was basically a job interview. So she has now been recruited to steal something from the prince.
And this a multiple POV fantasy! I always tend to like those more than singular POV. I get more invested in the story because I'm learning about it and seeing the world from different angles and perspectives.
Not too heavy on the in-world politics, we get hidden/mistaken identities, twist and reveals, the start to some great character development and arcs!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
November 6, 2024
The twisted crowns trilogy 🤗
I really enjoyed this book so much so that I couldn’t put it down.
I really loved the chemistry that was forming between the two main characters and the banter between them but be warned it’s very much a SLOW burn.
I also felt like I was back reading Sarah j mass books.
I can’t wait to see what happens with them in the other two books.
Thank you NetGalley and team for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book so much so that I couldn’t put it down.
I really loved the chemistry that was forming between the two main characters and the banter between them but be warned it’s very much a SLOW burn.
I also felt like I was back reading Sarah j mass books.
I can’t wait to see what happens with them in the other two books.
Thank you NetGalley and team for the ARC.
September 20, 2024
I received this book as an ARC.
I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced and lively from the very beginning. I found the FMC and MMC to both be interesting characters that I rooted for.
I had an inkling on the twist so it didn’t catch me off guard. But I did like the ending and the not overly-romanticness of it all.
I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced and lively from the very beginning. I found the FMC and MMC to both be interesting characters that I rooted for.
I had an inkling on the twist so it didn’t catch me off guard. But I did like the ending and the not overly-romanticness of it all.
December 4, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ - fast paced romantasy vibes. very bingeable and the characters are likeable. I liked the plot but found the reveal quite predictable which was a little annoying (may be a me problem as my brain works overtime to ruin books for me xoxo). good ending tho, interested to see where the series goes.
October 9, 2024
3.5 stars -
In the Kingdom of Everness we meet Lara, who is one of a group of bandits. These bandits live hidden out in the woods, where like Robin Hood, they steal from the rich to give to the poor. Lara finds herself being hired to steal a necklace from the Royal Family and unbeknownst to her this sets off a chain of events that could change her life forever.
I raced through this book reading it in one day. I liked both the FMC and MMC and found the book to be fast paced with plenty of action. I did guess the twist but overall I enjoyed it and will read the next in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy.
In the Kingdom of Everness we meet Lara, who is one of a group of bandits. These bandits live hidden out in the woods, where like Robin Hood, they steal from the rich to give to the poor. Lara finds herself being hired to steal a necklace from the Royal Family and unbeknownst to her this sets off a chain of events that could change her life forever.
I raced through this book reading it in one day. I liked both the FMC and MMC and found the book to be fast paced with plenty of action. I did guess the twist but overall I enjoyed it and will read the next in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy.
September 25, 2024
I enjoyed this light fantasy, it was an easy read without heavy politics and world details. I was quickly able to understand the division in the world and the rivalry on either side.
We’re straight into the drama, the opening line of “I was dead” got me, I needed to know what Lara had gotten herself into.
I loved the case of hidden/mistaken identities in the introduction of Lara and Cai, it added a lighthearted element and a touch of humour, I could easily picture the scenes in my mind.
The twists through the story were great! The “double agents”, the big reveal, and the character redemption were also good.
I feel like the author missed a trick with the “only one bed” scenario ;)
I would have loved to see more tension between Cai and Lara, will that come in a second book? We can only hope!
We’re straight into the drama, the opening line of “I was dead” got me, I needed to know what Lara had gotten herself into.
I loved the case of hidden/mistaken identities in the introduction of Lara and Cai, it added a lighthearted element and a touch of humour, I could easily picture the scenes in my mind.
The twists through the story were great! The “double agents”, the big reveal, and the character redemption were also good.
I feel like the author missed a trick with the “only one bed” scenario ;)
I would have loved to see more tension between Cai and Lara, will that come in a second book? We can only hope!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe books for a chance to read this e-arc!
I am actually pleasantly surprised by this story. I took a chance with reading the small blurb and thought it sounded like something that would interest me.
If the Crown Fits is a face-paced, whirlwind story revolving around Lara, our witty bandit turned pretend princess and Cai, the rival kingdom Prince. Tasked with going undercover as her kingdom’s princess to steal something very important from the Prince. Along the way though, she steals more than she bargained for, his heart. As new revelations and histories come to par, both Lara and Cai need to sort through their feelings and directions their lives will take.
For a shorter sized book, I was glad that the story just started off right away. Dove right into it. I appreciated that. And throughout the story, there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary “fluff” which are stories I tend to like.
The banter and tension between Lara and Cai kept me gripped into the story. Their chemistry was seen very well on the page.
I did feel like the ending was rushed a little bit. I think we could have had a bit more to it. Leading up to it, we had good flow and then suddenly the big “battle” of the story was to come and it was over in what felt like a page. Just left me wanting to bit more out of it.
Overall, a solid story and sets itself up for more to come (which I hope it does because there are so many things left out there for it!)
4⭐️
.5 🌶️ (kissing only but lots of tension)
I am actually pleasantly surprised by this story. I took a chance with reading the small blurb and thought it sounded like something that would interest me.
If the Crown Fits is a face-paced, whirlwind story revolving around Lara, our witty bandit turned pretend princess and Cai, the rival kingdom Prince. Tasked with going undercover as her kingdom’s princess to steal something very important from the Prince. Along the way though, she steals more than she bargained for, his heart. As new revelations and histories come to par, both Lara and Cai need to sort through their feelings and directions their lives will take.
For a shorter sized book, I was glad that the story just started off right away. Dove right into it. I appreciated that. And throughout the story, there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary “fluff” which are stories I tend to like.
The banter and tension between Lara and Cai kept me gripped into the story. Their chemistry was seen very well on the page.
I did feel like the ending was rushed a little bit. I think we could have had a bit more to it. Leading up to it, we had good flow and then suddenly the big “battle” of the story was to come and it was over in what felt like a page. Just left me wanting to bit more out of it.
Overall, a solid story and sets itself up for more to come (which I hope it does because there are so many things left out there for it!)
4⭐️
.5 🌶️ (kissing only but lots of tension)
February 19, 2025
I read this book as I am on tour with @zooloosbooktours for book 2 #CrownofHearts and wow, this book didn’t disappoint.
This was jam-packed. There was so much going on and I loved it. From page one we’re thrown into the world and action. It’s very fast paced and very easy to read - I was hooked. The two main characters were so good and well developed.
It’s a slow burn, and by slow, I mean mega with missed opportunities however, it worked. As much as I wanted them together by page 2 (lol, jokes) them taking their sweet time was driving me round the bend!
It was tense and at times a little predictable but I loved this and can’t wait to jump right into Crown of Hearts, possibly a new favourite romantasy series of mine!
This was jam-packed. There was so much going on and I loved it. From page one we’re thrown into the world and action. It’s very fast paced and very easy to read - I was hooked. The two main characters were so good and well developed.
It’s a slow burn, and by slow, I mean mega with missed opportunities however, it worked. As much as I wanted them together by page 2 (lol, jokes) them taking their sweet time was driving me round the bend!
It was tense and at times a little predictable but I loved this and can’t wait to jump right into Crown of Hearts, possibly a new favourite romantasy series of mine!
November 18, 2024
Book Information
If The Crown Fits
By
Leane Giliomee
Genre - Romantasy.
Pages - 288 Pages.
Tropes -
Found Family.
One Bed.
Forced Proximity.
Enemies to Lovers.
Slow Burn.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Available on kindle unlimited.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information -
Published on 6th November 2024 by Joffe Books.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Dual POVs - Cai and Lara.
Dual Timeline - Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st Person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - The ending is open ended.
Series or Standalone - This is the start of a trilogy.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
I was drawn into the book by the cover, I mean its absolutely stunning! The tropes also had me drawn in as who isn't a fan of enemies to lovers. When the plot starts, you are shown how things can be misleading straight away. I loved how we meet Lara (bad @rse FMC by the way!) and Cai who is the complete opposite in worlds to Lara.
Plot
The plot is formed of to different worlds, the poor and the royals. From the start Lara needs to steal to survive. I loved that the fact that you could really feel Lara hatred for Lance and her distain of Cai. The forests and sounding villages are written so well, its easy to imagine and immerse yourself in their world. I loved the slow burn of the relationships, and the unique bonds that are formed within their groups. Towards the end when the plot builds quickly, I found myself unable to put the book down, I just had to know what happens, although I have to say, it wasn't what I expected, in a good way of course!
Characters
I absolutely loved Lara, she's so quick of the bat to remark with wit and she is definitely someone I would not want to mess with. Cai also has his own unique personality, that's kind of a golden retriever vibe I feel like. I hated Lance with a passion, but things become how they should. I enjoyed Cai's group and I loved Cordelia!
Recommend
This is the next great Romantasy trilogy!
Favourite Quotes
"But he held, my very existence, in his hand like a pomegranate, with the ability to crush it any second."
"In fact, something about her face told me she was trouble herself."
"I think both my attire and prison-torture devices were made by the same guy."
"You and I are pawns in a wicked game. We do what we have to for our kingdoms."
"Your hands that keep holding knives to my throat and your hair that smells like a field of wildflowers and that damned mouth that won't stop cursing at me."
Favourite Chapter/s
Chapters 7 and 23.
Summed up in one sentence
The true meaning of enemies to lovers!
Overall Wrap up
This was a storyline that pulled me in straight away and i found myself quickly loving Lara and the energy she gives off, she can most certainly hold her own. The way she is with Cai, especially when the forced proximity come into play. I love how you could really feel all the tropes come into it. Overall this was a really great start to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
Stars.
3.75
Spice.
Closed Door.
If The Crown Fits
By
Leane Giliomee
Genre - Romantasy.
Pages - 288 Pages.
Tropes -
Found Family.
One Bed.
Forced Proximity.
Enemies to Lovers.
Slow Burn.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Available on kindle unlimited.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information -
Published on 6th November 2024 by Joffe Books.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Dual POVs - Cai and Lara.
Dual Timeline - Single timeline.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st Person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - The ending is open ended.
Series or Standalone - This is the start of a trilogy.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
I was drawn into the book by the cover, I mean its absolutely stunning! The tropes also had me drawn in as who isn't a fan of enemies to lovers. When the plot starts, you are shown how things can be misleading straight away. I loved how we meet Lara (bad @rse FMC by the way!) and Cai who is the complete opposite in worlds to Lara.
Plot
The plot is formed of to different worlds, the poor and the royals. From the start Lara needs to steal to survive. I loved that the fact that you could really feel Lara hatred for Lance and her distain of Cai. The forests and sounding villages are written so well, its easy to imagine and immerse yourself in their world. I loved the slow burn of the relationships, and the unique bonds that are formed within their groups. Towards the end when the plot builds quickly, I found myself unable to put the book down, I just had to know what happens, although I have to say, it wasn't what I expected, in a good way of course!
Characters
I absolutely loved Lara, she's so quick of the bat to remark with wit and she is definitely someone I would not want to mess with. Cai also has his own unique personality, that's kind of a golden retriever vibe I feel like. I hated Lance with a passion, but things become how they should. I enjoyed Cai's group and I loved Cordelia!
Recommend
This is the next great Romantasy trilogy!
Favourite Quotes
"But he held, my very existence, in his hand like a pomegranate, with the ability to crush it any second."
"In fact, something about her face told me she was trouble herself."
"I think both my attire and prison-torture devices were made by the same guy."
"You and I are pawns in a wicked game. We do what we have to for our kingdoms."
"Your hands that keep holding knives to my throat and your hair that smells like a field of wildflowers and that damned mouth that won't stop cursing at me."
Favourite Chapter/s
Chapters 7 and 23.
Summed up in one sentence
The true meaning of enemies to lovers!
Overall Wrap up
This was a storyline that pulled me in straight away and i found myself quickly loving Lara and the energy she gives off, she can most certainly hold her own. The way she is with Cai, especially when the forced proximity come into play. I love how you could really feel all the tropes come into it. Overall this was a really great start to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
Stars.
3.75
Spice.
Closed Door.
November 4, 2024
So she’s a thief??? With a good heart??? But she has to steal from the prince??? With a good heart??? Whilst pretending to be his royal fiancé??? And then they fall in love??? GASPING.
The style of prose is pretty basic, and the story felt a little rushed at times, but impeccable vibes. Probably a 3.5 but GoodReads doesn’t allow half star ratings.
Thanks to Giliomee and Joffe books for the ARC.
The style of prose is pretty basic, and the story felt a little rushed at times, but impeccable vibes. Probably a 3.5 but GoodReads doesn’t allow half star ratings.
Thanks to Giliomee and Joffe books for the ARC.
November 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this mixture of history and fantasy, written by a young author with a great imagination and a great way of spinning a complicated tale. I shall read more by Leané Giliomee.
September 29, 2024
Very much enjoyed this, 1st book of a trilogy?
Lara the thief and Cai the Prince,the story moves along quickly and I liked the turns it took.
Will definitely look for the next book in the series when it comes.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Lara the thief and Cai the Prince,the story moves along quickly and I liked the turns it took.
Will definitely look for the next book in the series when it comes.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
November 18, 2024
I have to admit to initially being totally drawn to this book by the front cover!
I love everything about it - the colours (my favourites), the thorns, the promise of a dark fantasy inside!
When I then discovered that this was the first book in The Twisted Crown trilogy, I was completely hooked!
I've never been a massive fantasy reader - but I'm fast becoming a lover of the romantasy genre and especially if they also involve mystery and conflict.
I loved the contrast in our characters here.
Enemies to lovers - thieves and royals - poor and rich and good and evil.
The way that their relationship develops slowly, worked so well and had me hooked from the start.
The storyline was gripping, exciting and fast-paced and with so much going on there was no one theme that overwhelmed the others.
In fact the romance, although there bubbling under the surface throughout, took a bit of a back seat with a delicious slow burn whilst the adventure races on.
The writing style was wonderful and everything I'd expect from this genre.
With the world building threaded throughout the story, this never becomes a barrage of information and the story therefore flows beautifully.
I am obsessed and already know that I have to get my hands on the next books in this series - I'll have to be patient though as these are set to release next year!!
I love everything about it - the colours (my favourites), the thorns, the promise of a dark fantasy inside!
When I then discovered that this was the first book in The Twisted Crown trilogy, I was completely hooked!
I've never been a massive fantasy reader - but I'm fast becoming a lover of the romantasy genre and especially if they also involve mystery and conflict.
I loved the contrast in our characters here.
Enemies to lovers - thieves and royals - poor and rich and good and evil.
The way that their relationship develops slowly, worked so well and had me hooked from the start.
The storyline was gripping, exciting and fast-paced and with so much going on there was no one theme that overwhelmed the others.
In fact the romance, although there bubbling under the surface throughout, took a bit of a back seat with a delicious slow burn whilst the adventure races on.
The writing style was wonderful and everything I'd expect from this genre.
With the world building threaded throughout the story, this never becomes a barrage of information and the story therefore flows beautifully.
I am obsessed and already know that I have to get my hands on the next books in this series - I'll have to be patient though as these are set to release next year!!
November 10, 2024
Who doesn't love a romantasy novel with a cover like this one? I adore it! That was before I even read it. The first book in a series, and I am already dying for the next book.
It was a fast-paced story I just couldn't put down from the minute I picked it up. We follow Lara, the masked bandit, who impersonates a Princess for reasons you learn in the book. Her fiancé is Cai, the Prince of a rival kingdom. She has the aim of gaining his trust and stealing precious.
The characters are vivid and have been developed well for the first book. I enjoyed getting to know them, even Lance, who seemed a touch on the shady side! I am just glad to know I will be able to return to this world.
It was truly a book that had me hooked. Interesting characters, romance, intrigue, and humour, too! A fabulous read! Thanks to ZooLoo's Book Tours and Joffe Books for my gifted ebook to write my review.
It was a fast-paced story I just couldn't put down from the minute I picked it up. We follow Lara, the masked bandit, who impersonates a Princess for reasons you learn in the book. Her fiancé is Cai, the Prince of a rival kingdom. She has the aim of gaining his trust and stealing precious.
The characters are vivid and have been developed well for the first book. I enjoyed getting to know them, even Lance, who seemed a touch on the shady side! I am just glad to know I will be able to return to this world.
It was truly a book that had me hooked. Interesting characters, romance, intrigue, and humour, too! A fabulous read! Thanks to ZooLoo's Book Tours and Joffe Books for my gifted ebook to write my review.
November 14, 2024
ugh this was such an easy, intricate romantasy which still packed an excellent punch at the end. ⠀
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there were SO many fun tropes in this one - third x royalty, slow burn, a heist, forced proximity, family drama, secret twists & side character love stories - all which i love!! ⠀
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i loved following lara along in her journey of uncovering deep, dark royal secrets whilst also being a thief in the night; i could perfectly imagine her in my head when the masked bandit was first depicted, and honestly she is the epitome of support women’s rights & wrongs, she’s 100% badass. ⠀
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i was so excited to discover this is a trilogy - if you need anyone to review 2&3 pls hit me up leané <3 ⠀
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thanks as always to @zooloosbooktours xxx
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there were SO many fun tropes in this one - third x royalty, slow burn, a heist, forced proximity, family drama, secret twists & side character love stories - all which i love!! ⠀
⠀
i loved following lara along in her journey of uncovering deep, dark royal secrets whilst also being a thief in the night; i could perfectly imagine her in my head when the masked bandit was first depicted, and honestly she is the epitome of support women’s rights & wrongs, she’s 100% badass. ⠀
⠀
i was so excited to discover this is a trilogy - if you need anyone to review 2&3 pls hit me up leané <3 ⠀
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thanks as always to @zooloosbooktours xxx
November 9, 2024
This is Book 1 of The Twisted Crown Trilogy and what a great start to this series!
We follow clever and head strong Lara who steals from the royal family and is given a questionable choice to make.... and Cai, who is a royal from another nation, and apparently, he has an heirloom that Lara's nation wants...
This is a very clever story, and I love how Leané writes - it's very easygoing and not overwhelming. She keeps you on your toes and intrigued at the same time!
While there is world building, there isn't too much in that it overpowers the story and basically Leané has chosen to build the world around the story and not the other way round like some fantasy authors do and I really like this.
It's a great start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!
We follow clever and head strong Lara who steals from the royal family and is given a questionable choice to make.... and Cai, who is a royal from another nation, and apparently, he has an heirloom that Lara's nation wants...
This is a very clever story, and I love how Leané writes - it's very easygoing and not overwhelming. She keeps you on your toes and intrigued at the same time!
While there is world building, there isn't too much in that it overpowers the story and basically Leané has chosen to build the world around the story and not the other way round like some fantasy authors do and I really like this.
It's a great start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!
November 7, 2024
Here is my review for If The Crown Fits by Leane Giliomee
I really enjoyed reading this story right from the start. It’s really easy to get into and it’s easy to read plus it’s quick to read. Lara is on a mission to steal a necklace from the royal family which she does but she is nearly caught on the way out of the castle. She is chased through the village by the guards until she is caught and taken back to see the Prince. There he throws her into the cells for the rest of her life but in the middle of the night she is led to his chambers. Whilst there he tries to blackmail her into working for him or he will kill her. She decides to take the job as offered and work with a lady-in-waiting to get lessons on etiquette and start wearing dresses. They set off in a carriage for their journey to another castle where she will meet her betrothed. This is a great story which I really enjoyed reading. It’s excellently written but it does have a few trigger warnings which are listed on Amazon. The storyline is terrific and well planned out. I like Lara’s character which is nothing like a princess and she certainly doesn’t always speak like one. She can be very rude at times.
Blurb :
A thief has three rules:
#1: Never get caught
#2: Never trust anyone
#3: Never, ever, forget to guard your heart
In the kingdom of Everness, the memory of magic only lives on through whispered stories.
Lara, an elusive bandit raised in a clan of thieves, makes the mistake of stealing from the tyrannical royal family . . . and getting caught.
She has no idea how high the price for her freedom will be.
Forced to choose between forfeiting her life or offering her services to the prince regent, Lara is blackmailed into retrieving a stolen heirloom from Cai, the infuriatingly charming crown prince of the enemy kingdom. Lara must pose as his betrothed — a princess of Everness he is yet to set eyes on.
Bound by a deadly secret and driven by a desperate need to protect those she loves most, Lara's path to freedom is filled with deceit and desire. But it can only lead her to becoming an enemy of the crown, or an enemy of her own heart.
If the Crown Fits follows an uncommon thief’s struggle to survive among ruthless princes while fighting against forbidden desire, injustice and a kingdom of secrets.
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, The Veiled Kingdom, Dance of Thieves, Powerless, Spark of the Everflame, A Kiss of Iron and The Cruel Prince.
I really enjoyed reading this story right from the start. It’s really easy to get into and it’s easy to read plus it’s quick to read. Lara is on a mission to steal a necklace from the royal family which she does but she is nearly caught on the way out of the castle. She is chased through the village by the guards until she is caught and taken back to see the Prince. There he throws her into the cells for the rest of her life but in the middle of the night she is led to his chambers. Whilst there he tries to blackmail her into working for him or he will kill her. She decides to take the job as offered and work with a lady-in-waiting to get lessons on etiquette and start wearing dresses. They set off in a carriage for their journey to another castle where she will meet her betrothed. This is a great story which I really enjoyed reading. It’s excellently written but it does have a few trigger warnings which are listed on Amazon. The storyline is terrific and well planned out. I like Lara’s character which is nothing like a princess and she certainly doesn’t always speak like one. She can be very rude at times.
Blurb :
A thief has three rules:
#1: Never get caught
#2: Never trust anyone
#3: Never, ever, forget to guard your heart
In the kingdom of Everness, the memory of magic only lives on through whispered stories.
Lara, an elusive bandit raised in a clan of thieves, makes the mistake of stealing from the tyrannical royal family . . . and getting caught.
She has no idea how high the price for her freedom will be.
Forced to choose between forfeiting her life or offering her services to the prince regent, Lara is blackmailed into retrieving a stolen heirloom from Cai, the infuriatingly charming crown prince of the enemy kingdom. Lara must pose as his betrothed — a princess of Everness he is yet to set eyes on.
Bound by a deadly secret and driven by a desperate need to protect those she loves most, Lara's path to freedom is filled with deceit and desire. But it can only lead her to becoming an enemy of the crown, or an enemy of her own heart.
If the Crown Fits follows an uncommon thief’s struggle to survive among ruthless princes while fighting against forbidden desire, injustice and a kingdom of secrets.
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, The Veiled Kingdom, Dance of Thieves, Powerless, Spark of the Everflame, A Kiss of Iron and The Cruel Prince.
dnf
October 7, 2024DNF ~20%
I was intrigued by the book description and always love to try new fantasy stories. However, I'm learning that I should know by now that if a book is being pitched as Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince and every other popular booktok fantasy title, it is unlikely to measure up in my opinion. This is no exception. I wanted to give this a fair shot, but having to reread chunks of text multiple times to understand what was going on was too tedious and I found myself mentally rewording sentences as I went (not something I normally do!)
As mentioned, I found the writing incredibly clunky and hard to process. Things move very quickly in terms of plot, which is fine, but also in some ways that don't make sense - there is no tension if after being captured, out main character is instantly brought to the prince and also apparently still has the item she was captured while stealing? It gives a lot of "not like other girls" in the way that our main character is portrayed as being this amazing and dangerous thief, but all we have that proves that is her saying it a bunch of times (I mean, we meet her as she literally getting caught. Even if it did turn out to be a setup, that doesn't read "amazing thief" to me). The hidden identity set up that is made early in the book also doesn't really make sense - the motives are confusing both from a real life and within the book world point of view. Nothing that we are told early in the book makes it seem like the incoming prince would start a war over a necklace (Also how incompetent are these guards? Or are we supposed to believe she hid the necklace like up her butt that they didn't notice it still on her?). The writing style and lack of editing does not help - a lot of missed punctuation, lack of capitalizing and errors in quote placement make it difficult to know where one thought ends and another begins, or which character is talking. To me, this reads very much as an early draft rather than a final, polished draft.
I was intrigued by the book description and always love to try new fantasy stories. However, I'm learning that I should know by now that if a book is being pitched as Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince and every other popular booktok fantasy title, it is unlikely to measure up in my opinion. This is no exception. I wanted to give this a fair shot, but having to reread chunks of text multiple times to understand what was going on was too tedious and I found myself mentally rewording sentences as I went (not something I normally do!)
As mentioned, I found the writing incredibly clunky and hard to process. Things move very quickly in terms of plot, which is fine, but also in some ways that don't make sense - there is no tension if after being captured, out main character is instantly brought to the prince and also apparently still has the item she was captured while stealing? It gives a lot of "not like other girls" in the way that our main character is portrayed as being this amazing and dangerous thief, but all we have that proves that is her saying it a bunch of times (I mean, we meet her as she literally getting caught. Even if it did turn out to be a setup, that doesn't read "amazing thief" to me). The hidden identity set up that is made early in the book also doesn't really make sense - the motives are confusing both from a real life and within the book world point of view. Nothing that we are told early in the book makes it seem like the incoming prince would start a war over a necklace (Also how incompetent are these guards? Or are we supposed to believe she hid the necklace like up her butt that they didn't notice it still on her?). The writing style and lack of editing does not help - a lot of missed punctuation, lack of capitalizing and errors in quote placement make it difficult to know where one thought ends and another begins, or which character is talking. To me, this reads very much as an early draft rather than a final, polished draft.
October 20, 2024
Okay, so this book? Chef’s kiss for anyone who's obsessed with enemies-to-lovers and badass female leads. Right off the bat, Lara is the kind of main character you root for. She’s a thief with rules—don’t get caught, don’t trust anyone, and definitely don’t let anyone get too close. But of course, she steals from the wrong people (aka the royal family of Everness) and gets caught. Classic. And instead of facing a gruesome end, she’s forced to work with the arrogant, spoiled prince regent, which just sets up all the delicious tension and scheming in the plot.
The forced proximity trope is on full display, especially when Lara has to pose as the betrothed of a prince from an enemy kingdom. Enemies to lovers? Check. And let’s not forget the one bed situation (which, let’s be honest, we all live for). There's plenty of banter, tension, and that simmering attraction that keeps you on edge throughout. The pacing? Perfect. Giliomee knows how to hook you with twists that have you flipping pages late into the night.
Plus, the whole found family dynamic really hit. Lara’s not just fighting for herself—she’s driven to protect the people she loves, which adds depth to her character and she makes some morally questionable choices, but you get why, and honestly? Sometimes you gotta root for a little chaos.. And the way she navigates this political mess while trying not to catch feelings for the prince… swoon. He’s frustratingly charming, and it’s so fun watching Lara’s walls start to crack.
If you love books like Throne of Glass or The Cruel Prince, you’re gonna eat this up. The slow burn romance, the fake relationship drama, and all those secrets and betrayals keep you hooked. The ending leaves you wanting more, so yeah, I’m 100% ready for book two.
4.5 stars
The forced proximity trope is on full display, especially when Lara has to pose as the betrothed of a prince from an enemy kingdom. Enemies to lovers? Check. And let’s not forget the one bed situation (which, let’s be honest, we all live for). There's plenty of banter, tension, and that simmering attraction that keeps you on edge throughout. The pacing? Perfect. Giliomee knows how to hook you with twists that have you flipping pages late into the night.
Plus, the whole found family dynamic really hit. Lara’s not just fighting for herself—she’s driven to protect the people she loves, which adds depth to her character and she makes some morally questionable choices, but you get why, and honestly? Sometimes you gotta root for a little chaos.. And the way she navigates this political mess while trying not to catch feelings for the prince… swoon. He’s frustratingly charming, and it’s so fun watching Lara’s walls start to crack.
If you love books like Throne of Glass or The Cruel Prince, you’re gonna eat this up. The slow burn romance, the fake relationship drama, and all those secrets and betrayals keep you hooked. The ending leaves you wanting more, so yeah, I’m 100% ready for book two.
4.5 stars
November 12, 2024
If The Crown Fits is an adventurous romp. With rival kingdoms, scheming heirs, a priceless necklace that may or may not be enchanted, and bandits round every corner, it's a lot of fun. And I wanted to love it, I really did. And while I did enjoy this novel, I didn't fall in love with it. I found it hard to have a rapport with the main character. Lara is a world class thief (so we are told), who is hired to steal a priceless necklace - but not all is as it seems, and the theft kicks off a complicated plot of betrayal and subterfuge. It's great to have a strong female lead, but for the best bandit in the land, she sure does get caught a lot. She's feisty and independent, and the banter between herself and Cai, our hero, is very well done and made me smile. But I would have liked to see her doing a bit more of the saving, and less of the having-to-be-saved. She does perform a daring rescue - but alas, even this is not all it seems.
Characterisation aside, I do admire the ambitious plot. There are a lot of threads to this story, and some of them appear out of nowhere and feel a little contrived. I would have loved the finale of the book to have been fleshed out more. After a huge build-up, the actual culmination is over in a very few pages, with important chunks of the action skimmed over or missed out altogether. The surprise ending was tossed out very quickly - and accepted by all characters very quickly. However this is only book one of a trilogy, and it definitely leaves many plot lines open for the next book. I'll be interested to see how it all comes together.
Although I didn't find myself intensely immersed in it, altogether this is an easy to read novel full of lively escapades and quests - fun escapism from the real world. Thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Characterisation aside, I do admire the ambitious plot. There are a lot of threads to this story, and some of them appear out of nowhere and feel a little contrived. I would have loved the finale of the book to have been fleshed out more. After a huge build-up, the actual culmination is over in a very few pages, with important chunks of the action skimmed over or missed out altogether. The surprise ending was tossed out very quickly - and accepted by all characters very quickly. However this is only book one of a trilogy, and it definitely leaves many plot lines open for the next book. I'll be interested to see how it all comes together.
Although I didn't find myself intensely immersed in it, altogether this is an easy to read novel full of lively escapades and quests - fun escapism from the real world. Thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2024
Lara is a thief, she has been engaged to steal a necklace from the royal palace but is caught and the Prince Regent offers her a strange trade. She can walk away with her life if she pretends to be the reclusive Princess Eloisa and meets Eloisa's betrothed, Prince Cai of a neighbouring Kingdom. Their marriage was intended to cement an alliance, but the Prince has asked Lara to steal a magical item that Prince Cai will be carrying.
While both parties are travelling to the agreed meeting point of Eloisa's palace, Lara's group is set upon by bandits and she escapes only to run into Cai's group, travelling in disguise. With no clue as to the other's real identity there are lots of opportunities for confusion and for romance to blossom.
I quite enjoyed this. I don't read much fantasy these days and I have to say this ran along fairly standard lines, I wasn't at all surprised by the big reveal, and I also wouldn't be surprised if the Prince Regent didn't turn out to be not as bad as we think he is.
Probably my only complaint was that it felt like this was meant to be an epic fantasy novel but (maybe because of word constraints) got cut down so about halfway through the novel there seemed to be a lot of going to this manor house for a discussion and then going to another place for another meeting - which could have been (maybe) covered by a sentence or a paragraph saying over the next few days/weeks they criss-crossed the land meeting with lords likely to be sympathetic to their cause, or who they could blackmail into supporting them.
Overall, pleasant enough and I would be happy to read the next book.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
While both parties are travelling to the agreed meeting point of Eloisa's palace, Lara's group is set upon by bandits and she escapes only to run into Cai's group, travelling in disguise. With no clue as to the other's real identity there are lots of opportunities for confusion and for romance to blossom.
I quite enjoyed this. I don't read much fantasy these days and I have to say this ran along fairly standard lines, I wasn't at all surprised by the big reveal, and I also wouldn't be surprised if the Prince Regent didn't turn out to be not as bad as we think he is.
Probably my only complaint was that it felt like this was meant to be an epic fantasy novel but (maybe because of word constraints) got cut down so about halfway through the novel there seemed to be a lot of going to this manor house for a discussion and then going to another place for another meeting - which could have been (maybe) covered by a sentence or a paragraph saying over the next few days/weeks they criss-crossed the land meeting with lords likely to be sympathetic to their cause, or who they could blackmail into supporting them.
Overall, pleasant enough and I would be happy to read the next book.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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