a loving marriage mother for his children capable of running a fortress sexually compatible someone intelligent
Luca’s REVISED non-negotiable husband checklist:
dependable friend capable of running a fortress willing to move to Bhodhsa someone with brains
Noe Keller’s husband checklist:
Luca
Luca’s UPDATED husband checklist:
Noe
Turns out wishing on the stars isn’t hopeless after all.
Tags:
Marriage pact, age gap, hurt/comfort, gay for you, workplace romance, chosen family, cinnamon roll protection squad, assemble!, I did not plan this book, Noe was the one on ship building duty this time, communication, no third act breakups because I can’t stand those, O’ Broin is getting his happily ever after, so is Noe, peanut gallery included, naked proposals are a thing for this series, Sakura dispenses wisdom like candy, Ren and Arman are hashtag relationship goals
AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
It makes me so happy to have this representation in books!
I am female and cisgendered.
Growing up, books were always about boys- they had adventures! Girls were domestic and sweet. (Gag.)
That was pretty much it.
So as someone who didn't have much representation- when females are 51% of the population, it gives me great joy that my gay and transgendered friends, now have such a delightful author writing such fun books with such loving relationships!
I'm almost 65. Gotta tell you, as an avid reader, it was pretty clear that only certain relationships were tolerated. And, as a woman, I was expected to comply, oh, and my female opinion didn't count.
Sakura's comment that the parents wanted obedience instead of love Made So Much Sense!
I almost didn't read this book because another review on Goodreads said that the author had rewritten history from one book to the next. That's not true at all, actually. The timeline is perfectly intact and nothing was changed from one book to the next. I think that reviewer probably should have re-read the first two books before reading the third or else they're just not very good at comprehension.
Anyway! This book picks up right after the raids on the Mong shipyard. In the second book there's a time jump from that point until the Brahms leave Mizuno, and the whole third book takes place in that time jump where we got no story. In the second book, it's stated that Luca also signed up to work on the fortress for two years while the Brahms would only be there for the first year. At the point where the Brahms leave Mizuno, the author time jumps another 17 months to where the fortress is finished. Maybe all that math and time jumping is why that other reviewer thought that there was a plot inconsistency, but there isn't. It lines up even if it is a pretty shoddy way to tell a story.
You can definitely tell that this book was a Patreon thing because it is choppy as all get out. There are a bunch of time leaps and it is really way too long. Then the ending is rushed into like two chapters. It's also borderline ick in the beginning with Luca just deciding he's going to marry a man because all the women in his country are brainless and weak. In truth I probably would have DNFed this book if I wasn't trying to avoid doing some work that I really don't want to do. I'm just giving it three stars because...why not?
I'm always so worried when a series I love so very much gets a sequel. My god did I really enjoy this one. It was a worthy hea for Luca with his partner Noe. Yes, it was low angst, yes, it Luca was very low anxiety and angst about his changing feelings toward a sex he was never previously attracted to, yes, nearly everyone was quite accepting without much fuss. BUT, ... I didn't care. I just loved and appreciated it for the sweet love story that it was and the lovely cameos.
As much as I loved the story, and as excited as I was for it, I’m left with the distinct feeling of ~😒~ now that I’ve finished and that’s it for this world.
Previously established facts, details, and timeline? We don’t know them. At all. Tf you mean “ignore the entire last third of the previous book”? I don’t even get a choice?? Shady business. Wonky shit.
Which, I mean, usually wouldn’t be a big deal to most folx (just me and my own personal hatred of inconsistency and continuity issues) but when it completely changes and contradicts the previous book? It’s a bigger whiff than I can get over.
3/5. For real, who checks this stuff? Did they decide enough time had passed that it wouldn’t matter? Whole vibe, ruined, and now I’m pissy because my bubble got destroyed with extreme prejudice and malice. I’m so tired of this shit, Grandpa, and no I do not wish to keep fucking digging.
The final (almost certainly) book in a favourite series. There are despicable family on both sides (living well is the ultimate revenge), and good, supportive friends everywhere. It would seem that fortresses are hard and time-consuming work.
I am very conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I love Luca so am happy for his story and HEA. Noe is great too; they make an excellent couple. Their courtship is sweet and respectful, and O’ Broín’s countryman are wonderful secondary characters.
On the other hand, one of the reasons I love Fourth Point of Contact is because its voice is different from most of Sherwood’s stories. It’s more in-line with the world she created, still contemporary language, but with less everything is so cute/adorable/fuck around and find out-isms, etc. This book sounds like everything else. I noticed the shift in book 2, now the transition is complete. She may categorize only some of her books as “crack” stories, but increasingly they all have the same voice—full of colloquially referential monologues that can grate.
However, much of the humor does land, and I enjoyed their relationship development and support of one another. The pace is a bit uneven and lopsided in Noe’s backstory. With nothing happening beyond the relationship, the only external stress is Noe’s strained relationship with his estranged family, particularly with his younger brother. Noe needed to work on his family issues, but the execution doesn’t flow well. It gets repetitive and is extremely ott imo, once again, making this story feel like it doesn’t quite fit with the others. Luca’s conflict happens so late and is so fast, you could blink and miss it.
The highlight for me, of course, is the Brahms family. They helped ground me back in the world when the writing pulled me out. I loved some things, was meh about some things, and was unexpectedly disappointed in several things, but I still enjoyed Luca and Noe’s story and where they end up.
Luca has decided that he needs a husband. He wanted a wife at first, but has never found a woman who would be able to stand by his side and be a helpmate instead of a millstone. So, he's decided to go for a husband. Noe was sent by his princess to help with building the fortress and immediately starts crushing on Luca. When he gets a little tipsy one night and kisses Luca, Luca takes notice of him. The more time they spend together, the more Luca is sure that they can make things work. They just have to fight off familial homophobia and get the darned fortress finished.
It was nice to revisit familiar characters, and I liked being in this world again. However, this one felt light on just about everything: plot (there wasn't really a lot of it, just a lot of angsting about various things), characterizations: honestly, Luca and Noe felt like kind of cardboard cutouts to me, which was disappointing. Especially since they didn't seem that way in the previous books. And the ending felt pat and rushed.
I adore this series and group of characters so seeing it continue with Luca O’ Broín and architect Noe Keller is amazing.
The story flows beautifully as the men go through the process of friendship to lovers, working together on the structure of the castle and with their crews. It’s a natural progression and the reader feels folded seamlessly into their journey and the love that they share.
Sherwood doesn’t forget the dramatic moments, which comes from both sides of each man’s family. But Starfire satisfactorily deals with each struggle and ends with a sense of accomplishment and success. Of a love and happiness for their future.
If this is the last book, I’m extremely happy for how they are going out.
A definite winner and highly recommended.
Cover by Katie Griffin
Legends of Lobe den Herren series: Fourth Point of Contact #1 Zone of Action #2 Starfire #3
4.25/5 This was a lovely, cozy continuation of the series where we got to see Luca and Noe find their HEA despite neither of them initially expecting more than a solid friendship and cordial relationship. I liked seeing Luca figure out what a good relationship was, not just not watching Arman and Sho but actually stumbling through it on his own.
I got so upset about Noe’s family, it was wonderful to see him be so accepted by a found family—and find what he never expected in Luca. (I might have liked if the two families and two outcomes were a little different, but I’m sure it happens in RL that two people with awful families end up together.)
Elspet and Nathan were fun additions to the expanded family. He really liked all the attempts to learn other languages and cultures and expand horizons for so many people (even if a few stubborn idiots remained).
It was satisfying to see the fortress actually complete, as well as to see Luca and Noe get such a good future together.
Luca, after realising he's not interested in any of the women his parents try to set him up with has decided that what he actually needs is a husband. Not because he's gay, but because he needs a friend he can rely on, someone who is kind, intelligent and can help him run a fortress when his parents finally retire. Noe would love a husband and family and to be honest, if it's just platonic then he's actually fine with that, probably.
These two were so sweet together. Luca using their first date as an interview. Noe, trying so hard, but failing at not falling in love. When they finally figured it out, they was hot! The backdrop to this is two families who are not interested in accepting that their children (even those in their 30s) have minds and opinions of their own and will fight tooth and nail for what they want.
This was a different and refreshing love story and I loved it.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it doesn't disappoint. Luca O'Broin, who has been a character since Ren and Arman's first book, meets Noe Keller in not the best circumstances, as they are tasked to help build a strategic fortress. Both men are very sweet, with Luca who understands that a woman might not be the perfect fit for him and acknowledging how Ren and Arman's relationship is beneficial and Noe, who wants to be free to be himself after being constricted for so long back in his home country. The story developed perfectly as Luca and Noe get to know each other, then start dating. Both men are dealing with families who aren't supportive of them and their choices, but in the end, I loved how they come together and defy all the odds to commit to a true romantic relationship. A great read!
I loved coming back very much, but I'm sorry to say that it's not Sherwood's strongest book. I enjoyed reading it very much. I like the characters - Luca, Noe, of course Ren and Armand, Sakura, the others... But: I didn't feel the relationship between Noe and Luca for a very long time, which is very likely due to the marriage of convenience situation. I rather like it when a relationship develops gradually, without expectations or duty. That's why everything felt kind of forced, too fast, and on top of that, Noe was already head over heels in love with Luca. For me, an unbalanced balance of power was added here, where I had to swallow first. Of course, that was solved (of course), after that I could definitely enjoy the story more. 😅🤗
Not my favorite book, but I'm already looking forward to the next one, which has already been teased, at least the title... 👀🥰🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love this series. The wait for this third book seemed to take forever. It was well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed every word in the book. This is a very sweet love story. It’s more about the relationship between the two main protagonists than anything else and doesn’t have as muck fighting action in it as the two previous books. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t have tense moments and lots of action. Noe’s brother certainly ensures that isn’t the case. He does everything he can to try and seperate the two lovers, some of which is very dangerous, especially for Noe. If you want a well written book with a wonderful love story, two great main characters and some old friends from previous books, you can’t go past this one. I thoroughly recommend it.
This book is such a disappointment. I absolutely loved Fourth Point of Contact so I was really excited when I saw that the author had written two other books in this universe. This book meanders and travels around the bend and up the mountain and around the corner to no specific destination.
Also, I'm not expecting complete historical accuracy, but in a universe where we are obviously in a time where there is no electricity and no machines as we know them today, it is absolutely ridiculous and distracting to read of characters using words like 'bling' and phrases like "on the regular. " I'm no longer torturing myself to try to finish this. This is a one and a half star that I am rounding up to two.
Very good addition to the series. This book has a different pair of main characters than the first two books of the series, but its timeline starts somewhere in the middle of the second book Zone of Action. Ren and Arman and Sakura are supporting characters. The ending is very satisfying. I giggled out loud several times. The entire trilogy is well worth rereading.
This series holds a special place in my heart since it was my first introduction to the writing of A.J. Sherwood. Noe and Luca were a lovely couple, and Ren, Arman, and Sakura were also featured as strongly supportive friends on the couple’s path to their HEA. Sakura even had some choice words of wisdom to offer Noe at a difficult time. I would love to read more with Sakura as the main character. (hint! hint!) Overall, this was a highly anticipated and wonderful return to the Legends of Lobe den Herren which I am happy to recommend.
Starfire is the third book in the Legends of Lobe den Herren series. In my opinion this series is best read in order. This is the story of Luca(General O’ Broín) and Noe. Both guys are in for a great ride. They are both using Ren and Arman as the perfect couple to show what a marriage should look like. I loved this story so much. All the characters are amazing especially Sakura. I hate seeing this series end. Any book that can make me laugh and cry is one I would recommend and this one did both.
This book was definitely not as good as the first two books in the series. I made the mistake of re-reading them before this one and noticed a few inconsistencies. Nothing horrible, just annoying. It felt like almost the entire book was about the struggles of being gay in this story world. It overshadowed the love story. I did enjoy Noe and Luca’s romance a lot. If the author writes another book in this series I will of course read it. I really like the world it’s set in.
It’s almost as good as the first two books in the series. The build up of the story is wonderful and how the love story develops is equally wonderful. It’s not much action and the sex scenes are sparse but nice. I like the authors more introspective stories, where it’s more the inner dialogues that move the story forward than action filled scenes and drama. I know it makes the book sound almost boring, but that is far from the truth. It’s still funny and filled with the banter you expect from AJ Sherwood.
The first two books were Ren and Arman's story. This is Noe and Luca's book. Luca is a general, and Noe is an engineer. Tropes include gay-for-you, bi awakening, and marriage arrangement to love.
AJ is great at including humor in her books, and Luca's men provide plenty of comedy relief.
So why not five stars? I was almost halfway through the book before I felt any real conflict. Luca wants a husband and the guys are trying hard to make it work. If you hang in there, trouble will finally show up, but I still consider this story "low angst".
So cute!!! They are so cute!!! Bad family examples...really BAD! Sakura is so smart...Ren and Arman are smug. The king of Bhodsa is also smart. Luca and Noe are just so cute!!! I'm going to miss them. But, I have hope that maybe Sakura will want to tell us about her adventures with the Rannoch crew. Imagin how much fun and torture they would give the pestering Z's?!
If you loved Ren and Brahms story then one is just as delightful. Noe and Luca are the perfect match. Looking for basically a contract marriage to help his people but ends up finding love in the process. You have the homophobes but also people who genuinely care and accept. Not much fighting action in this book but good comedy and romance .
Laughs and pain made a reoccurrence in this book, but it was an amazing thing to read. I loved seeing into our characters' minds and getting views of our other favorite characters. I do wish we could have seen something about the adoption process, though, since them having kids was brought up a lot throughout the story.
I don’t know why, but there was so much internal monologuing in this one. I started skipping through it because it wasn’t necessary for the narrative at all. The plot was very simple. I don’t think the title and cover remotely reflected the content. The previous two books were marvellous but I found this one a bit pedestrian and a let down.
Luca O’Broin is a good friend and Lord. Coming back to Shiirea to help rebuild and keep everything in check, he decides that instead of the women his family keeps throwing at him, he’ll have a husband! Here is the premise of this great story. Our favorite characters are back with some new faces. Absolutely loved this book! Highly Recommended
Luca and Noe are the best, and I'm so glad to have read their story! I just wish there were more of it to read, and I can only hope AJ is going to write an additional book for them as well.
Definitely recommend and very nice spice! Not too much and not too little.
I am beyond thrilled that the author decided to write Luca and Noe’s story. I so enjoyed watching them fall in love, the hijinks that Luca’s men often brought, revisiting REN, Arman, and Sakura, plus the excellent ending. My only wish? I would have loved to meet the children they end up adopting. Ah well, who knows? Maybe the author will revisit this world again.
This is utterly adorable fluff! I adore Noe and Luca as a couple and it’s lovely to continue to see some of our fave characters from the previous books- Sakura in particular was a complete joy to have in there