The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Stolen Groom #2

by J.E. Ridge

Five royal champions embark on a quest to break the curse on a haunted forest!

But one of them is lying about their identity.

Trey is the Prince of Bane’s son from before his marriage. At least, that’s what he claimed when he showed up on Brendon’s doorstep twelve years ago. In truth, Trey is the son of an evil mage determined to destroy the defense spell protecting the Desolated Lands.

Now it’s Trey’s mission to lead the royal champions right into the evil mage’s trap—even if it means betraying the family who raised him. To assist him with this mission, the evil mage has sent along his apprentice, an arrogant and mysterious young man who is as enticing as he is frustrating.

While fighting monsters and outwitting magical traps, Trey must untangle his ties between his blood family and his found family. Will he choose to complete his mission? Or will he become the person he’s always pretended to be?

Genres: Queer, Fantasy

339 pages, ebook

First published November 15, 2025

About the author

J.E. Ridge is a pen name for Jennifer Ridge to distinguish between Adult and Young Adult fiction. She has her Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University, and her Master's in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. She wrote her first novel at twelve years old, which--along with several other projects--will probably never again see the light of day. Many of her earliest projects focused on LGBT+ couples and lately she's been revisiting her favorite tropes with a queer spin.

Source: Amazon.com

Reviews

[unhingedreaderaunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession to make.

I am a fraud. A fake. A phony.

I am not really a fantasy fan. Not since the ACOTAR-Romantasy pipeline spat me out in this wonderful community, where I got hooked on contemporary MM romance thanks to the likes of Alexis Hall, Tal Bauer and Emmy Sanders.

So you might be thinking, what authority do you have to review a fantasy, Unhinged Reader Aunt? Shouldn’t you be in your contemporary corner, playing with your hockey players and single dads?

Well, maybe. BUT!! In my defence, I love, LOVE!! JE Ridge. Her signature blend of accessible fantasy and fairytale/romcom sucks me in Every. Damn. Time.

There’s just so much to love. The quality of the writing, the balance of humour and emotion, the characters, the unique narrative style (mostly single MC POV, with a sprinkling of side characters and antagonist POV that adds to the fun). Another reviewer said this was like a first-time DND group with a really lenient DM, which is honestly the perfect summary of the plot. A DND-style quest with hilarious and colourful SC’s, and a romance between two of the…bad guys? (Who also happen to be the MC’s.) It’s just such a rollicking good time, and I can’t get enough—so much so that I broke the door down on JE’s DM’s, begging for an ARC of the next book in the series.

I’m obsessed with Wilde’s and Trey’s dynamic, their simmering sexual tension, and the way you just know—from the wonderfully understated way JE drops hints to the reader—that Wilde is absolutely Obsessed with Trey, with a capital O.

There’s just so much I could say about this book; this review could be an entire thesis on Why You Should Read JE Ridge, Even (or Maybe Especially) if You Are Not a Fantasy Fan. There’s no epic world building that spans 100 pages, no complicated character names that you can’t pronounce, no maps that you need to consult to figure out where tf you are. You’re immediately plunged into a rich, accessible fantasy setting with a cast of hilarious, loveable characters that will capture your heart from the very beginning.

Did you watch and enjoy the Dungeons and Dragons movie? Did you wish it was gayer? Do you like having your heart unexpectedly ripped out at an ending, and only have to wait less than a month to have it put together again?Then read this, and then DM me about how much you loved it because I am not going to shut up about this for… probably forever.

The Prince and His Stolen Throne will be available on Kindle Unlimited on the 15th November (only 5 days!!), and is perfect if you enjoy:

❤️ DND-style party quest
🤍 Fantasy Romcom
❤️ Fake dating
🤍 Jealousy / possessiveness
❤️ “Good boy”
🤍 Subtle D/s vibes between a powerful evil mage and his brat baby boy
❤️ “Who hurt you?”

Wilde will be ready and waiting for you to kneel for him on the 15th November, in the meantime you can read Book One in the series: The Prince and His Stolen Groom. It’s not necessary to read Book One to understand Book Two, but it’s amazing and worth it, I promise!

Join me on Instagram @unhingedreaderaunt for more queer romance reviews and reccs.

I received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prince and His Stolen Throne is the second book in the Stolen Groom series. In my opinion this series is best read in order. This is the story of Trey and Wilde. First let me say this was just a fun read with a dnd like feeling. I loved both Trey and Wilde for different reasons. I cried a couple of times but laughed also. I loved the other characters as well. The twists and turns made the story more enjoyable. The ending wasn't what I expected but was perfect. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
received a free review copy

[Adeselna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Gay Romance Review for the ARC“The Prince and the Stolen Throne” is the second book in the “Stolen Groom” series and takes place some time after Brendon and Rick. It follows the quest of Brendon’s supposed son, Treasure (Trey), to go on a quest to keep the spell of the Desolated Lands. Following Trey, other four champions from the families involved in the spell join forces to defeat the evil mage, but Trey’s mission is different. Trey’s real father, an evil mage, tasks him with making sure the champions fail in their quest, and to make sure his son succeeds, the evil mage sends his apprentice, Wilde, to help Trey.

I don’t know if my review will ever do justice to this book, because this was really fun!This book was a riot! It’s just a classic funny adventure that reminds us a lot of classic role-play games. Or even fairy-tales adventures, where the heroes go on a quest to fight for the good and save the kingdom. Except it’s a little more complicated than that, isn’t it? Because the champions some are kind of fools and the entire salvation of the kingdom is in their hands.

Trey has the role of the warrior, he is brave, he can fight and he’s the main character of this adventure. He’s both the hero and the villain, even though he doesn’t want to. Princess Delilah is Trey’s cousin, and she makes sure things get moving, she’s an agent of chaos, but with her everything gets moving. My favourite champion was Princess Angela! Even though she looked pampered and spoiled, she was really good at getting what she wanted! Also, she treated the orcs like people, and even though she was spoiled, she was never rotten! I loved how she got so many orcs wrapped around her finger just by being kind. We also have Prince Fritz, the scholar of the group, who helps them with knowledge, and, my least favourite, Prince Maximus. I don’t know if he was meant to be a caricature of strong men who aren’t really that strong, he was jealous of Wilde a lot and probably had feelings for Trey, but he never acted around them.

The focus is mostly on Trey and Wilde and their relationship, which was really good. Wilde is evil, but he has a soft spot for Trey, and he sees Trey as someone good, probably too good for him, anyway. Trey feels conflicted. He has been so far away from his father on this mission that he no longer believes that he’s doing the right thing. How can he help someone he hasn’t been with since he was nine? The tension between Wilder and their banter is chef’s kiss.

Wilde is dominant, and he loves to make sure Trey begs for what he wants. But while we know that Wilde is evil, we can also see that his adoration for Trey makes him want to protect him. We can see how much Wilde’s heart bleeds for Trey and how much he’s willing to do to make sure Trey is always safe.

I also want to kudos to the evil minions, because they were a great comic relief and I had a blast with them. I just keep remembering Maleficent’s minions!

While “The Prince and the Stolen Throne” is lighthearted and I feel people who love role-play and D&D will love this book, it also deals with themes of some obsession and how far we are willing to go for our beloved ones. With Trey, we see his internal conflict of loyalty, should he be loyal to his adoptive parents, who loved him all these years, or his actual father? Wilde finds his love for Trey something he needs to stay away from, but even an evil soul can love and deserves to be loved, right? Angela is someone who’s probably used to people looking at her and thinking nothing about her, and yet she’s really cool and strong in her way.

[Kinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads didn't save my review, I don't know why. I might pick up the mental fortitude to write it all out again but for now I give a brief summary:

I elected to be an ARC reader, so I received a free e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't the target audience for this book but I still had fun reading it. I think where Ridge excels is smut and character interrelations. My favorite part of the whole story was Wilde and Trey's electric sexual tension, and that's what kept me reading more than anything else, because the silliness of the story made it difficult to be invested in or concerned about the characters, the dangers, or the stakes. Perhaps that is the intention, but personally, that's not generally the kind of stories I go for. It has a "first time DnD group playing their first quest with a very lenient DM" vibes, which is not at all bad if that's what you're into!

I do wish Wilde and Trey's relationship had been given a longer and more natural progression. It feels like it escalates from "strangers who hate each other on principle" to "colleagues who hate each other but want to f_" to "madly in love" without the characters or the relationship feeling like they really earned it.

ENDING REVIEW - SPOILERS:
I was also disappointed in the ending. At first I thought we were discovering that Trey had (already) been reliving this quest over and over until Wilde got the "ending" he wanted, but even if that was the intention, it doesn't withstand inspection. There's no "breadcrumbs" in the first (real first) chapter to suggest that, and Wilde's initial interactions with Trey are clearly not that of a man as madly in love as Wilde is by the end of the book, nor a madly-in-love-man-pretending-not-to-be-in-love. So it's not really a "plot twist" in the sense that it recontextualizes the entire story, it's more simply a "twist" in that it's unexpected. Which is fine, and very fun! But not particularly mind-blowing, so it fell flat for me. I am interested in seeing how Ridge plays with the concept in the sequel. And of course finding out Wilde's real identity.

All in all, despite any of that, I had fun reading it, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves light-hearted DnD-esque adventure stories with a smidge of sarcasm and a heap of silliness (plus a sprinkle of steamy smut).

[ProfeSancho · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

"The Prince and His Stolen Throne" is the second book in Ridge's "Stolen Groom" series, a queer comic romantic fantasy set in a distinctly whimsical magical land likely to appeal to fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld, Piers Anthony's Xanth, and Terry Brooks's Landover, and especially those who are also fans of m/m spice. As entertaining as its predecessor, "The Prince and His Stolen Groom," was (and indeed it was!), this new entry adds a degree of emotional complexity and conflicting motives that raise the stakes in the series in a very satisfying way.

Just as the first book in the series did, "Stolen Throne" revolves around the plight faced by the deliberately mis-named Desolated Lands, a group of five kingdoms protected from external threats by a magical spell that must be renewed by each generation of the kingdoms' royal families. In this installment, five heirs to the respective thrones must complete a quest to defeat a wicked mage in order to extend the protection spell. One of them, however, harbors a secret: that he is an imposter prince planted by deceit in one of the royal families as a child to one day betray the parents that raised him and destroy the kingdoms' magical defenses.

Ridge does not stint on the comedy of the five mis-matched, bickering royal heirs setting forth on a quest. (They recall every inexperienced D&D party dependent on the benevolence of a patient DM!) However, the imposter's private misgivings multiply as the gravity of his intended betrayal grows more clear, further complicated by his attraction to the very last person he should be canoodling spicily with. Real suspense results: what choices will he make? And what will the consequences be? Whatever ending the reader might predict, they will not foresee the ending, startling yet completely logical, that Ridge pulls out of a proverbial hat.

I was planning on giving this one 4 stars until I got to the ending, then that bumped it up to 4.5 stars.

The third installment of the series, "The Mage and His Stolen Prince", will be released in December 2025. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

With thanks to the author/publisher for access to a digital ARC on Gay Romance Reviews. All opinions are very definitely my own.

[Venus Dott · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC review**

First off, my heart really aches for Treasure. Having to grow up, to the age of 9, with a father who was more focused on his career as am “evil mage” than raising his child. Then being thrust into an evil plot to take over the Desolate Lands just because he could see the truth beneath the protection spell, and looked similar to the Prince of Bane with his pretty red curls. Then! Having to continually report to said “father” about how he was being raised and what he was being taught by his adoptive family after the Princes took him in..
All that boy wants is to be loved and cherished! To have a family and a place where he belongs!!
My heart, literally shattered for Trey. Crushed by the choices he was forced to make, by the weight of decisions made for him by someone who may share his DNA but clearly doesn’t love him, or care about him as a genuine human being,
I love the fact that Treasure feels that Brendon and Rick are his true parents, and that they really love him, and wants to protect them no matter what. I Nearly cried when Brendon said that he was mad, not for what Trey did, but for the position he was put into and forced to do.
There is something deliciously primal about the was Wilde hungers and longs for Treasure and his complete submission, It’s devious and calls to the needy part of Treasure that wants to give in They clearly are in lust, if not love with each other and just have yet to voice it to one another for their own reasons. I am burning for more of their relationship in the future.
I was damn near screaming at the ending! I cannot get over it, I seriously had to take a whole 10 minutes to just stare at my kindle thinking to myself ‘did this really just happen? Is this really how it ends right now?’ and ‘What is going to happen next?’

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being thrust into an evil plot to take over the Desolate Lands simply because he can see the truth beneath a protection spell—and because he resembles the Prince of Bane with his pretty red curls—is heartbreaking enough. But then he’s forced to continually report to that so-called “father” about how he’s being raised and what he’s being taught by his adoptive family after the Princes take him in.

All this boy wants is to be loved and cherished. To have a family and a place where he truly belongs.

My heart genuinely shattered for Trey. I was crushed by the choices he was forced to make, by the unbearable weight of decisions imposed on him by someone who may share his DNA but clearly doesn’t love him or care about him as a human being.

I absolutely loved that Treasure sees Brendon and Rick as his true parents—the ones who really love him—and that he wants to protect them at all costs. I nearly cried when Brendon said he was angry not because of what Trey did, but because of the impossible position he was put in and forced to endure.

And then there’s Wilde. There is something deliciously primal about the way he hungers for Treasure and craves his complete submission. It’s devious, intoxicating, and it speaks directly to the needy part of Treasure that wants to give in. They are clearly deep in lust—if not already in love—and just haven’t voiced it yet, each for their own reasons. I am absolutely burning for more of their relationship in the future.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.E. Ridge is a new author to me, and honestly? I need to know where their books have been hiding because this was a lot of fun!

Okay, full disclosure, I did read the first book in this series, The Prince and His Stolen Groom, before this one. Technically, I didn’t need to? But if I didn’t, this voice in my head would keep bugging me about it, so. I really really enjoyed it anyway, so I’m glad I did. And, thankfully, The Prince and His Stolen Throne was just as good as the first book. J.E. Ridge has a really fun writing style with lots of humor that borders on slapstick at times, with the occasional fourth-wall break. I’ll admit, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I had a very good time with it.

Now, I won’t go too deep into the story, because at this point… it’s not finished yet. Do not go into this expecting a HEA because we don’t get that yet. This is a duet that continues with the third book, so be warned for that if you’re sensitive for any sort of cliffhanger.

If you enjoy fantasy with a good dose of humor and fun characters, please check this series out! You won’t regret it.

Now I’m going to (im)patiently wait for book 3…

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is time once again to renew the protection spells for the Desolated Lands. The five royals responsible for doing that agree to do a quest in lieu of weddings. Their quest is to eliminate the spell on the Forest of Grimnight. Prince Treasure (Trey), Princess Delilah, Prince Fitz, Prince Maximus and Princess Angelica must work on defeating a Great and Terrible Evil. They each had their own personalities and brought different things to help with the quest. Angelica was arrogant and demanding but also quite capable. Maximus brings strength but in reality, not that great. Fritz is the scholar, willing to research everything. Delilah is a hoot. She has a collar that allow her to take some cat qualities which can be quite helpful. Trey is the center of the story. He is quite capable with weapons and other abilities. He is also both a hero and a villain. He is not happy about the villain part. Enter Wilde who is the Apprentice and everything gets mixed up.

This was such a fun book to read. While most of the book is told from Trey’s perspective, there are interruptions and chapters based on other characters’ perspectives. There are some great scenes filled with humor and surprises as well as some with lots of heat. You never knew what would happen next. The ending was a surprise and will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next one. This book is perfect for those MM fans who like fantasy, humor and some danger.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT?! I knew that I was going to be taken aback by this ending judging by some trusted friends reviews, but I was unprepared for the blank stare at a wall while I process because WHAT?!

All of this is in the BEST way. Like I adored this book from the very first page. It's an epic fantasy quest with a group of adventurers (amazing), there's a good amount of humor, wit, and banter (without it ever feeling forced, it's quite masterfully natural), AND there's hidden intrigue, danger, so many plots!! It's just fantasy quest perfection.

The romance is just starting to cook, BUT I have so much trust in Ridge from how this was delivered and I know that book 2 is going to knock me off my feet. Plus, there was a huge amount of chemistry so you know it's gonna be amazing when everything finally works out. (Also, if you love a down bad MC, Wilde would go completely scorched Earth for Trey and it is amazing). But also, maybe I'm completely wrong because Ridge is the master at pulling the rug out from under you and shocking you.

Before this, I had only read (and loved) Ridge's novella. I now think I'm a superfan.

[Charlee Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I haven’t read the first book - but I surely will be now!

Without reading the first I was delighted that I didn’t feel as though I was lost with characters and world building, the author does an amazing job painting the pictures for you and the characters are brilliant.

That first chapter with the parents had my jaw drop and I was team Wilde but that chapter cemented it for me and the love I had for him grew immensely as the book carried forward.

I’ll be honest I’m a HEA gurly, however this ending has me hooked for the next book!!!

I’ve been very heavy in the smut world lately and it was so nice revisiting a fantasy world that had so much plot and when the spice came it hit just right!!

I loved the multiple pov and the change in narrative chapters it’s was fun seeing the world through the eyes of someone other than the MMCs.

I absolutely recommend this book, I am a hot second away from grabbing the first one and very much looking forward to the third in this series!!

[V.R. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a free e-arc, and all my opinions are my own.

I don't even know what to say beyond wow. This book is super entertaining, and that ending had me in shock!

I haven't read the first book, but all of the characters, old and new, are very entertaining. They all have their own personalities, and the way they clash and work together is very well done. Trey's character arc had my heart hurting, and his relationship with his fathers had me super emotional, as well as his relationship with his cousin. His relationship with the love interest was very sweet and spicy! It was a very fun dynamic!

The story feels like a classic royal adventure party but with a few twists that make it interesting and compelling. My heart was in my throat the last few chapters with anxiety!! And the ending!! I had to reread it twice to make sure I read it right! I am on tenterhooks waiting for the next book!

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. I enjoyed the first book enough to add this one and the next to my TBR. I wound up grabbing them as ARCs (again) because I’m fucking impatient and I knew I’d need the energy from them to recover from my book hangover.

Tell me how this one is leagues better than the first? Like!?? The plot within the plot within the plot? The characters? The twisty, turn-y bits?? I AM HERE FOR THIS. THIS IS GOOD FUCKING SOUP. For real, this is somehow light and heavy at the same time, the story is amazing, the different POVs add to it instead of feeling awkward or silly, and I’m already on the next one—I would stay on it, but I have to rest my eyeballs, so I’ll be back on it when I manage to get them to stop burning.

I loved the shit out of this. I love when “convoluted” is done in a way that isn’t awful. It’s, like, meaningful convolution. I respect the level of creativity, imagination, and effort this took. It’s fun. You’ll like it.




—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and (unwanted) opinions are my own.—

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prince and His Stolen Throne is book two in the Stolen Groom series. Not a standalone, it follows book one, about fifteen years later. As much as I enjoyed Trey and Wilde's story, it wasn't (for me) as good a read as book one. Which is fitting, since Prince and his Stolen Groom was absolutely J E Ridge's best.
Okay, okay. I was thoroughly enjoying the story and then we were hit with THAT cliffhanger! Cliffhangers make me a bit salty. Other than that, it was a good read. There was humor there, but this seemed a little more serious than book one. Lots of twists and turns, the five kingdom's champions had a rough road in front of them. Rick and Brendon aged well, now Father and Dad, which I found hilarious. The big (not really), bad was eviller and definitely less amusing.
That last battle had me on the edge of my seat. And clutching my tissue box.... and then....
I received an advanced copy of this ebook from GRR and this is my review.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal champions embark on a quest

The first book in this series had a couples married to protect their countries, but this next generation of royals chose to go on a quest. BUT BUT BUT! J.E. Ridge packs so many stories in here and even though the main romance is between Try and Wilde that is just a small part of the overall story. And the ending, but I can’t spoil it for you. Let’s just say that I am REALLY happy that the next book comes out soon. I am so glad that I found this series because it combines my love for true fantasy fiction with a bit of MM romance and adds in lots of mixed up tropes, tons of humor, paranormal creatures and way more.
I just finished reading this book and I could gush about it for hours. It will definitely go on my read once a year list and I will recommend it to all of my friends that like this type of book and I may even get my husband to read it. I will have to be patient until the next book comes out, but I want it now!

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

skeleton on the toilet, hack up a hairball, Mary Poppins bag, cloaca, heart emoji, knight in shining armor, melted sword, black sap, home

Wow. What a great book. Like every fantasy story, the beginning is slow as the world gets built. But boy, once it's set, the story goes smoothly and steadily. As it progresses, the book gets more intriguing, and engages the reader to become invested. I wish the ending was written differently, but as it is, it's fine.

It's interesting that one of the MCs, Treasure or Trey, doesn't have magic, while the other one, Wilde, does. What's also interesting it the choice of last names. I like how the POVs change to the secondary characters, but used artistically. Although they're not MCs, Delilah, Fitz, Angelica, and Maximus are so integral to the story, they seem like MCs. They don't have magic either.

I enjoyed this very much, and ardently recommend it.

[Michaela Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! If you’re not reading books from J.E. Ridge, what are you even doing with your life?! Their books are extremely captivating, exciting and full of adventure! The Prince and His Stolen Throne is such an incredible book! I’m already thinking about when I can reread it again! Every single character in this book is complex and so important to the story! I absolutely fell in love with Delilah, Treasure and Wilde but the other champions are just as lovable! This book is filled with laughs and light throughout their fight with evil in this journey. J.E. also knows how to bring out all the feels!!! I could quickly go from tearing up to laughing so loudly & feeling spicy to being very upset!!😆🤭While this book is mostly all about the quest and monsters, there are a few spicy scenes that majorly bring the heat!!! I absolutely cannot wait to see how the book continues in the third coming out soon, The Mage and His Stolen Prince!

[K.N. Timofeev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I signed up for an ACR of this book without having read the first one. I wasn't lost and quickly picked up on the world and its workings. I'm going to go back and read the first one because I fell in love with the writing style instantaneously. Now as an elder of the millennial clan I was blessed to grow up with shows that balanced perfectly between awesome story telling and wonderfully campy. For reference please go watch Firefly, Buffy, Cleopatra 2525 etc. And this book is right up there with that. I love it. I laughed so much while reading, that my husband asked if I was alright. (Imagine silence and then your wife starts cackling like a bog witch)

I won't say much more because the book is still months out and I don't want to spoil anything. But in a nutshell, this book is an entertaining, wild ride, with enough spice to make you go "ooohhh."

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

This was an intriguing read and I’ll definitely be picking up the first book in this series after this. The story follows on from the first after 17 years so, thankfully, I was able to follow along fairly easily without having read the first one. The focal character is Treasure (Trey), false prince and actual dark mage minion/son, and his mission to bring down the magic protecting the kingdoms, and his quest to save it.

It took me a little while to find the flow of this book as, with the exception of the sex scenes, it reads almost like the plot for a children’s cartoon with the elaborate evil plans with requisite cape swooshing and carefully placed shadows. The interactions between the characters were fairly one note at first but this improved as the story progressed. Similarly, the romance between Trey and Wilde felt more like insta-lust however I think this is because we’re restricted to just Trey’s POV and missing the context of Wilde’s full motivations.

The final third is truly where this story shines however because excuse me?? How very dare, I love that sort of twist and it was delivered in such a heartbreaking way.

I’m so looking forward to both the previous and the next book in this series!

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how this book swept me into a world of cursed forests, hidden identities, and high-stakes magic. Trey’s struggle between loyalty to the family who raised him and the dark legacy of his blood ties is gripping from the very first chapter. The quest itself has a wonderfully adventurous, almost D&D-style feel—full of monsters, clever magical traps, and a lively mix of personalities that kept the pace moving beautifully.

I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Trey and Wilde; their sharp banter and simmering tension added so much charm and heart. The whole cast shines, and the twists kept me guessing right up to an ending that was both surprising and deeply satisfying. A fantastic continuation of the series, and one I’d happily recommend.

I received a free ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[Nirav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry so much more than a rom-com should have!!!

It is not like the first book - the main reason is that the character we follow is different from the first - and that completely changes the narration - yet the vibes and overall feel of the world stays the same. I'm blown away with how the author has managed to do this.

I was a huge fan of the first book and this one doesn't disappoint one bit! I loved it so much!!!! This series will always be on top of my recommendations..

Although this can be read directly, I definitely recommend reading the first part first. There are so many callbacks that left me with a smile on my face, it definitely adds to the experience.

Perfection. Just don't know what else to say!

[Kelsie Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this ebook from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
Romantasy. Good vs evil and all the gray areas. A bratty imposter prince falling for his father's mage's apprentice who likes to boss him around. All the found family vibes. Wild cliffhanger.
This is my new favorite fantasy series! The balance between adventure and romance in these stories is well thought out. I fell in love with the first book, and wasn't sure if the next would love up to it's reputation. I was glad to be proven wrong. I can't wait to for December so I can read book three which continues where this one ends.

[Bretton Coppedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had more heat but a bit less romance than the first, which is why I'm excited that its a duology because I want to learn more about Wilde. I feel so bad for poor Trey, he has had a hard time living a lie. The geas was hilarious though.

Of his 3 fathers, one doesn't deserve the title. He also the one that fails at being an evil mage but succeeds at being an evil father. I definitely think any quest to defeat him is worthy.

We could have gotten to spend more time with the other champions. They didn't all get equal characterization but I did like Angelica. I'm looking forward to seeing their might quest actually get completed in the next installment.

[Rena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. This is my first book by the author, even though this is book 2, I enjoyed it very much, I will probably read book 1 at some point, I didn't feel like I must read it before understanding Treasure and Wilde's story. I loved the adventure, lighthearted banter, multi character plot with magical cursed forests, mages with super amazing powers and even a little bit of romance. Trey was fun to read about and he and Wilde has such as good chemistry from the very beginning. I am so excited for the third book in this series.

[Fussl · Rating 5 out of 5]

HELLO I LOVE THIS

no seriously im obsessed and definitely binged this and I probably need to start book 3 ASAP because, like, WHAT. spoilers.

Wilde and Trey are my precious little darlings who need to be protected at all costs and I'm gonna hold on to them forever

I'm also gonna go yell into the void about this for forever now okay good? deal

thanks to the author for the arc, i cannot express how obsessed i am with this series

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story about moral choices. The setting of a quest designed to break a curse provides the opportunity for Trey to follow the plan of his evil father or help thwart his plan to destroy the defenses of Trey's home. His fellow champions on the quest provide him with role models and the assistant his father has sent along is a wonderfully mysterious character who kept me guessing through the story.

[EmeraldFae13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this book early and all I can say is WOW! I am obsessed. I loved the first book, but this one is somehow even better. It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s spicy, and it feels like playing D&D while watching a romantic comedy. I didn’t want to put it down. I am eagerly counting down the days until it’s official release so I can add this book trophy to my shelf

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic fantasy quest

This was amazing and scratched my brain in just the right way.
It was filled with amazing DnDesque action, great characters and a perfectly convoluted plot filled with witty banter and plenty of action, intrigue and plot twists that had me racing to the last page.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They need to break a curse and he is not who he really is. He is in league with an evil mage and he needs to get them to fall into the trap set up for them. He may need to decide who he wants to protect more and it may not be easy for him. See where it will all lead

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and unpredictable! The characters and plot were absolutely amazing. Not a single boring moment in this book. Attention grabbing from start to finish.
I highly recommend adding to your TBR.

I received this arc from GRR for my honest feedback.