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Rogue Devotions #1
Our Rogue Fates
On the hunt for hidden treasure, two former best friends turned adversaries must put the past behind them if they hope to make it home.
This childhood friends-to-lovers male/male romantic fantasy for fans of Tusk Love and Sara Raasch crackles with tension and heat.
When he isn’t training as a Warden to become half the hero his father was, Griff Sayer is in the business of breaking hearts all across the town of Mayfair, although that slows down after settling in with his current boyfriend. Griff's ex-best friend, Mal Pryce, meanwhile, is in business with whatever or whoever puts good money in his hands. Now in their mid-twenties, Griff and Mal have only exchanged scathing looks and carefully barbed jabs since the fight that sent them their separate ways years ago. But all that begins to change when an attack Mal plotted for his shady boss leaves Griff near death and their childhood friend Alys as his savior, forcing them back into each other’s orbit.
Livid at his boss, Mal makes a deal to earn his freedom and Griff’s safety. He has just four weeks to retrieve an ancient treasure from Rotrose Mire, a remote swamp known for its ghostly and beastly dangers, the same treasure Alys’s beloved father, Rhun, had been searching for when he disappeared for good. Armed with a map and a broken blade of Rhun’s, Mal sets off—with Alys and a reluctant and newly single Griff in tow.
Yet the explosive tension between the two men—along with the dangers of the mire pressing in around them—makes for a more difficult journey than any of them could have anticipated. As Griff and Mal peel back their tough facades and shared feelings heat up in unexpected ways as they learn to trust again, they also realize that someone—or something—seems to be following their path. Someone who doesn’t want them to succeed, no friend to their parents’ old enemies, but also no friend to would-be heroes…
This childhood friends-to-lovers male/male romantic fantasy for fans of Tusk Love and Sara Raasch crackles with tension and heat.
When he isn’t training as a Warden to become half the hero his father was, Griff Sayer is in the business of breaking hearts all across the town of Mayfair, although that slows down after settling in with his current boyfriend. Griff's ex-best friend, Mal Pryce, meanwhile, is in business with whatever or whoever puts good money in his hands. Now in their mid-twenties, Griff and Mal have only exchanged scathing looks and carefully barbed jabs since the fight that sent them their separate ways years ago. But all that begins to change when an attack Mal plotted for his shady boss leaves Griff near death and their childhood friend Alys as his savior, forcing them back into each other’s orbit.
Livid at his boss, Mal makes a deal to earn his freedom and Griff’s safety. He has just four weeks to retrieve an ancient treasure from Rotrose Mire, a remote swamp known for its ghostly and beastly dangers, the same treasure Alys’s beloved father, Rhun, had been searching for when he disappeared for good. Armed with a map and a broken blade of Rhun’s, Mal sets off—with Alys and a reluctant and newly single Griff in tow.
Yet the explosive tension between the two men—along with the dangers of the mire pressing in around them—makes for a more difficult journey than any of them could have anticipated. As Griff and Mal peel back their tough facades and shared feelings heat up in unexpected ways as they learn to trust again, they also realize that someone—or something—seems to be following their path. Someone who doesn’t want them to succeed, no friend to their parents’ old enemies, but also no friend to would-be heroes…
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Sarah Glenn Marsh
32 books912 followersSarah Glenn Marsh has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 541 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*PSA TO ANYONE WANTING TO READ THIS**
* BEWARE- DO NOT READ…unless 👀*
UNLESS, you’re ready to end up sad that the world building and environments laid out on page were so expansive, descriptive and detailed you can’t even *actually* be there…
UNLESS you’re ready to be jealous of the relationship Griff & Mal come into, from friends, to enemies, to “friends” to daresay *loversss* through thick and thin, and everything in between! No *Swamp 😉 will stop them!*
UNLESS you’re ready to be sad you don’t have an emotional support *REDACTED* to talk to!
UNLESS you’re ready to be sad you aren’t gentle parented by one of the MC’s.
UNLESS you’re ready to accept the fact Our Rogue Fates will be one of your top reads to release next year! So be there or be square, or I’ll send Gossamer after you! 🖤
And if you’re not ready, well buckle up anyways for the journey you’re about to experience!
In full seriousness I personally had such an immense time reading this book, and was my first book from Sarah that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and I cannot wait for whatever the future holds for Our Rogue Fates, the world, and the characters!
* BEWARE- DO NOT READ…unless 👀*
UNLESS, you’re ready to end up sad that the world building and environments laid out on page were so expansive, descriptive and detailed you can’t even *actually* be there…
UNLESS you’re ready to be jealous of the relationship Griff & Mal come into, from friends, to enemies, to “friends” to daresay *loversss* through thick and thin, and everything in between! No *Swamp 😉 will stop them!*
UNLESS you’re ready to be sad you don’t have an emotional support *REDACTED* to talk to!
UNLESS you’re ready to be sad you aren’t gentle parented by one of the MC’s.
UNLESS you’re ready to accept the fact Our Rogue Fates will be one of your top reads to release next year! So be there or be square, or I’ll send Gossamer after you! 🖤
And if you’re not ready, well buckle up anyways for the journey you’re about to experience!
In full seriousness I personally had such an immense time reading this book, and was my first book from Sarah that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and I cannot wait for whatever the future holds for Our Rogue Fates, the world, and the characters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
09/07/25:
This is one of those books that gets under your skin and grabs hold of you. From the first sentence I was hooked, and instantly transported to Sarah's world that she created. I need a moment to collect my thoughts before properly reviewing, but this is a book you won't wanna miss, and I wish I could rate it infinite stars!✨💖✨
12/07/25:
Ok DIVAS, IM BACK! 🤣
I have read the book for a second time now in prep for the next few books in the series. I have the pleasure of being on @ Street Team, and am able to beta read the next few. In doing so, I went back to reread book one.
My dudes, It was even better the second time. Sarah has built a world that all LGBTQIA+ identifiers and allies will fall in love with. It’s inclusive on many levels and it just feels like a place you wanna crawl into and get lost in. This is a very special book about found family, second chances at love, and learning to love yourself as you are. The three main characters are such a delight and very unique. I loved Mal and Griff, and watching them go on their journey to realize they’re meant to be was such a fun ride to be on. Although, Alys may be my favorite. I just really gravitated and identified with who she is as a person and how she lives her life. She loves fiercely, and always means well, yet somehow is a magnet for trouble and chaos. That’s me 😂
I know this book isn’t out until April 28th, 2026, but add this to your want to read on Goodreads and preorder it wherever you get your books from. This is one you won’t want to miss!
Thanks again to Sarah for letting me be apart of her Street Team, and an ARC reader. This has been a magical journey so far, and big things are coming! ✨💖✨
This is one of those books that gets under your skin and grabs hold of you. From the first sentence I was hooked, and instantly transported to Sarah's world that she created. I need a moment to collect my thoughts before properly reviewing, but this is a book you won't wanna miss, and I wish I could rate it infinite stars!✨💖✨
12/07/25:
Ok DIVAS, IM BACK! 🤣
I have read the book for a second time now in prep for the next few books in the series. I have the pleasure of being on @ Street Team, and am able to beta read the next few. In doing so, I went back to reread book one.
My dudes, It was even better the second time. Sarah has built a world that all LGBTQIA+ identifiers and allies will fall in love with. It’s inclusive on many levels and it just feels like a place you wanna crawl into and get lost in. This is a very special book about found family, second chances at love, and learning to love yourself as you are. The three main characters are such a delight and very unique. I loved Mal and Griff, and watching them go on their journey to realize they’re meant to be was such a fun ride to be on. Although, Alys may be my favorite. I just really gravitated and identified with who she is as a person and how she lives her life. She loves fiercely, and always means well, yet somehow is a magnet for trouble and chaos. That’s me 😂
I know this book isn’t out until April 28th, 2026, but add this to your want to read on Goodreads and preorder it wherever you get your books from. This is one you won’t want to miss!
Thanks again to Sarah for letting me be apart of her Street Team, and an ARC reader. This has been a magical journey so far, and big things are coming! ✨💖✨
August 18, 2025
Characters to fall for. Love to fight for. Queer Storytelling for the cottagecore soul. RTC
August 9, 2025
What a truly beautiful story between old best friends that lost their way but have a chance to find each other in the best possible way. On the greatest adventure of there lives, a treasure hunt that is worth more then just treasure.
Griff, Mal, and Alys used to be the best of friends always together always going on adventures but they each go there separate ways after a huge falling out where words had cut so deep. Now they are all different people, have been through so much and Griff and Mal don’t know each other but sure know how to rile each other, the love they have for each other is replace by so much hurt and hate.
Mal and Alys must go on a treasure hunt and bring Griff along and as the days go one everything that was never said comes to light and Mal and Griff must come together to beat all the creatures of the forest and hopefully see how right they truly are for each other.
Our Rouge Fates had be on the edge of my seat the hole time, seemed these three were always in danger no matter what they did, my heart sang every time Mal and Griff got to have there stolen moments. I loved how there coming together wasn’t rushed but they really talked about all the betrayal of the past. Alys just wanting her friends back together really spoke to me.
This book was so unique to me, and opened my eyes to such a beautiful world made up of some horrible creatures but what always hold true is who you have in your corner when those creatures come to collect.
Griff, Mal, and Alys used to be the best of friends always together always going on adventures but they each go there separate ways after a huge falling out where words had cut so deep. Now they are all different people, have been through so much and Griff and Mal don’t know each other but sure know how to rile each other, the love they have for each other is replace by so much hurt and hate.
Mal and Alys must go on a treasure hunt and bring Griff along and as the days go one everything that was never said comes to light and Mal and Griff must come together to beat all the creatures of the forest and hopefully see how right they truly are for each other.
Our Rouge Fates had be on the edge of my seat the hole time, seemed these three were always in danger no matter what they did, my heart sang every time Mal and Griff got to have there stolen moments. I loved how there coming together wasn’t rushed but they really talked about all the betrayal of the past. Alys just wanting her friends back together really spoke to me.
This book was so unique to me, and opened my eyes to such a beautiful world made up of some horrible creatures but what always hold true is who you have in your corner when those creatures come to collect.
August 27, 2025
ARC REVIEW: “Who wants easy?”
This book is perfect for fans of DnD, Legends & Lattes, a Fantasy mission plot with a romance subplot, and a Trio on a treasure hunting quest. These characters have a lot of history that happens off-page, which was super interesting to see how they deal with their past actions and overcome their faults to move forward together. Overall, the story is about finding forgiveness and companionship along your journey.
“You’re my biggest dream. My castle. My world. None of it matters without you at the center.”
This book is perfect for fans of DnD, Legends & Lattes, a Fantasy mission plot with a romance subplot, and a Trio on a treasure hunting quest. These characters have a lot of history that happens off-page, which was super interesting to see how they deal with their past actions and overcome their faults to move forward together. Overall, the story is about finding forgiveness and companionship along your journey.
“You’re my biggest dream. My castle. My world. None of it matters without you at the center.”
August 21, 2025
Our Rogue Fates is one of my most anticipated books of 2026, so I'm both extremely thrilled and seriously honored to have been given a chance to read it early. Normally, when I get ARCs, I like to hold them until closer to the release date, but I was far too excited to wait any longer on this one.
The story begins with Griffin being attacked and left for dead by a mysterious group of bandits. We soon learn that the attack was orchestrated by Mal, not knowing that the victim would be his ex-best friend.
Griff, Mal, and Alys all grew up together, raised by Alys' parents. Several years ago, the three had a huge fight that splintered their relationship. Griffin, the son of a famous hero, has a strong moral code and strong opinions on the immoral jobs Mal takes. In the present, learning that his actions nearly killed Griff and fearing that his fellow bandits may try to finish the job, Mal makes a bargain with his shady employer: he'll venture into a treacherous swamp to retrieve a valuable artifact for the Shadow Queen. In exchange, he'll be able to leave his dangerous employment, and they'll agree to no longer target Griff. However, his destination just happens to be the same place where Alys' father, the man who raised the three friends, died years earlier. Brought back together by this perilous trek and wanting answers about what really happened to Alys' father, the trio set off on an epic and life-changing quest.
I loved all three characters. Alys was an unexpected highlight of the book. She's a mom of three, and she loves her two best friends dearly. Mal and Griff are complicated men, each with strong opinions and feelings. All three characters undergo satisfying character development throughout the book, and their relationship as a group is a touching found family dynamic.
The romance is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers journey. Griff is dating another man at the start of the story, but he's very aware that he has lingering feelings for Mal. Mal, however, is still very hurt and angry over their fight, and he's never considered a relationship with another man. Once they set off on their adventure, they're forced to think about what they truly want and how they actually feel. Their relationship is passionate and intense, but it also develops into a tender, protective, and healing one.
The world-building, while clearly inspired by The Lord of the Rings, is original and intricate enough to stand on its own. The politics are also a little more complicated with more shades of grey. The world is queer normative with multiple LGBTQ+ relationships and characters, too!
Our Rogue Fates is a fun and emotional queer romantasy. The three main characters have a great dynamic, and the romance between Mal and Griff had me fully invested. I'd recommend this most to readers who like books such as Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne and The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn.
* I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to NetGalley & the publisher. *
The story begins with Griffin being attacked and left for dead by a mysterious group of bandits. We soon learn that the attack was orchestrated by Mal, not knowing that the victim would be his ex-best friend.
Griff, Mal, and Alys all grew up together, raised by Alys' parents. Several years ago, the three had a huge fight that splintered their relationship. Griffin, the son of a famous hero, has a strong moral code and strong opinions on the immoral jobs Mal takes. In the present, learning that his actions nearly killed Griff and fearing that his fellow bandits may try to finish the job, Mal makes a bargain with his shady employer: he'll venture into a treacherous swamp to retrieve a valuable artifact for the Shadow Queen. In exchange, he'll be able to leave his dangerous employment, and they'll agree to no longer target Griff. However, his destination just happens to be the same place where Alys' father, the man who raised the three friends, died years earlier. Brought back together by this perilous trek and wanting answers about what really happened to Alys' father, the trio set off on an epic and life-changing quest.
I loved all three characters. Alys was an unexpected highlight of the book. She's a mom of three, and she loves her two best friends dearly. Mal and Griff are complicated men, each with strong opinions and feelings. All three characters undergo satisfying character development throughout the book, and their relationship as a group is a touching found family dynamic.
The romance is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers journey. Griff is dating another man at the start of the story, but he's very aware that he has lingering feelings for Mal. Mal, however, is still very hurt and angry over their fight, and he's never considered a relationship with another man. Once they set off on their adventure, they're forced to think about what they truly want and how they actually feel. Their relationship is passionate and intense, but it also develops into a tender, protective, and healing one.
The world-building, while clearly inspired by The Lord of the Rings, is original and intricate enough to stand on its own. The politics are also a little more complicated with more shades of grey. The world is queer normative with multiple LGBTQ+ relationships and characters, too!
Our Rogue Fates is a fun and emotional queer romantasy. The three main characters have a great dynamic, and the romance between Mal and Griff had me fully invested. I'd recommend this most to readers who like books such as Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne and The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn.
* I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to NetGalley & the publisher. *
September 1, 2025
ARC Review of Our Rogue Fates
Omgod. Oh. My. God. This book is my most anticipated book being released in 2026 and there is good reason. This is also the first book I ever made a vibes playlist for. Granted a lot of it Mal in his feelings but that’s my speciality.
This book fits in my cozy fantasy theme I am always after though there is some high stakes/intense moments, that will keep you turning the page and rooting for Mal, Griff, and Alys.
I loved the world building. I want to go to Mayfair. I want to go to the bakery. I personally would be watching the Griff and the other people building houses 🤭. I want to visit Stormveil or like to watch from afar. Not interested in Thrallkeld, if you know you know. I would also be steering clear of the Mire.
I loved how the adventure was written. The intense moments of battle but the comfort that trio would pull through even if they really had to go through the wringer. It was a page turner trying to figure out what would happen next. Because nothing could be easy.
Mal and Griff are everything. From Friends to Enemies to Lovers. Forget dying for your love. Imagine living for them. Imagine staying. Imagine being their guiding light. Imagine being their biggest dream. I think the relationship was built beautifully. Two broken and flawed individuals realizing they could still fit back together regardless not despite of everything.
And Alys. I love her. The trio would be incomplete without her (and Leo). She balances out the two boys, a voice of reason, and a complete badass that can handle herself.
Overall this was everything I could have wanted and more. I will be thinking about this book and world for the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for the opportunity to review Our Rogue Fates as an ARC. I can’t wait to hold and read it again when it comes out in April 2026
Omgod. Oh. My. God. This book is my most anticipated book being released in 2026 and there is good reason. This is also the first book I ever made a vibes playlist for. Granted a lot of it Mal in his feelings but that’s my speciality.
This book fits in my cozy fantasy theme I am always after though there is some high stakes/intense moments, that will keep you turning the page and rooting for Mal, Griff, and Alys.
I loved the world building. I want to go to Mayfair. I want to go to the bakery. I personally would be watching the Griff and the other people building houses 🤭. I want to visit Stormveil or like to watch from afar. Not interested in Thrallkeld, if you know you know. I would also be steering clear of the Mire.
I loved how the adventure was written. The intense moments of battle but the comfort that trio would pull through even if they really had to go through the wringer. It was a page turner trying to figure out what would happen next. Because nothing could be easy.
Mal and Griff are everything. From Friends to Enemies to Lovers. Forget dying for your love. Imagine living for them. Imagine staying. Imagine being their guiding light. Imagine being their biggest dream. I think the relationship was built beautifully. Two broken and flawed individuals realizing they could still fit back together regardless not despite of everything.
And Alys. I love her. The trio would be incomplete without her (and Leo). She balances out the two boys, a voice of reason, and a complete badass that can handle herself.
Overall this was everything I could have wanted and more. I will be thinking about this book and world for the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for the opportunity to review Our Rogue Fates as an ARC. I can’t wait to hold and read it again when it comes out in April 2026
Review of advance copy
I was one of the lucky ones to have met Griff, Mal, and Alys before they found their way onto physical pages, and it would be fair to say this story has been holding a dear place in my heart for a while now.
However, as biased as my opinion may be in some aspects, it still doesn't take much to see when a story is objectively good.
The premise is rather simple: an adventurous journey to find long-lost treasure and maybe uncover a few old secrets in the process. Yet the hardest path the main characters have to take is, of course, the one to each other. Three childhood best friends, torn apart by circumstances and a sprinkle of miscommunication and stubbornness, forced to travel and cover each other's backs once again after years of painful silence – well, sometimes killing is harder than speaking your heart, after all.
And props to Griff and Mal for succeeding in both, really. They can seem like a typical grumpy/sunshine–black/white duo at first (although the sunshine is the black one, for once), but oh you wait, they are anything but. Not every day you encounter a fantasy (anti?)hero with a concerning substance addiction, or loud enough with their sexual life (Griff baby, I will love you forever, but eight knights is where the line should be drawn).
The star of the show – the romance – is there from the very beginning, although "Our Rogue Fates" is one of those rare occasions when it starts off with the worst and only gets better from there, so don't fear any unnecessary break ups. Griff and Mal collect enough popular tropes, like enemies-to-lovers (actual enemies, mind you) or forced proximity with a dash of touch-him-and-die, and yet the plot makes them all work in its favor and not just exist for the sake of it, thanks to extensive backstory. You find yourself rooting for the characters even before they set foot outside the city, so every small step towards the climax (pun intended) feels all the more important.
And my personal favorite, of course – the secondary characters. Each and every one deserving of a book of their own, to put it lightly. But no spoilers.
With all that being said, it's incredibly confusing to find out the resemblance – or rather, the succession – to "Lord of the Rings" isn't as obvious to some. The relationships between characters, and not necessarily the romance, but friendships, familial bonds, even scenes with not-so-small bestial ensemble – the strength and softness of them, the depth; the ability to change and forgive and overcome; the world building, after all. To deny that, especially because Rouges happen to be a queer story, seems a little like a five-year-old comprehensive skills to me.
However, as biased as my opinion may be in some aspects, it still doesn't take much to see when a story is objectively good.
The premise is rather simple: an adventurous journey to find long-lost treasure and maybe uncover a few old secrets in the process. Yet the hardest path the main characters have to take is, of course, the one to each other. Three childhood best friends, torn apart by circumstances and a sprinkle of miscommunication and stubbornness, forced to travel and cover each other's backs once again after years of painful silence – well, sometimes killing is harder than speaking your heart, after all.
And props to Griff and Mal for succeeding in both, really. They can seem like a typical grumpy/sunshine–black/white duo at first (although the sunshine is the black one, for once), but oh you wait, they are anything but. Not every day you encounter a fantasy (anti?)hero with a concerning substance addiction, or loud enough with their sexual life (Griff baby, I will love you forever, but eight knights is where the line should be drawn).
The star of the show – the romance – is there from the very beginning, although "Our Rogue Fates" is one of those rare occasions when it starts off with the worst and only gets better from there, so don't fear any unnecessary break ups. Griff and Mal collect enough popular tropes, like enemies-to-lovers (actual enemies, mind you) or forced proximity with a dash of touch-him-and-die, and yet the plot makes them all work in its favor and not just exist for the sake of it, thanks to extensive backstory. You find yourself rooting for the characters even before they set foot outside the city, so every small step towards the climax (pun intended) feels all the more important.
And my personal favorite, of course – the secondary characters. Each and every one deserving of a book of their own, to put it lightly. But no spoilers.
With all that being said, it's incredibly confusing to find out the resemblance – or rather, the succession – to "Lord of the Rings" isn't as obvious to some. The relationships between characters, and not necessarily the romance, but friendships, familial bonds, even scenes with not-so-small bestial ensemble – the strength and softness of them, the depth; the ability to change and forgive and overcome; the world building, after all. To deny that, especially because Rouges happen to be a queer story, seems a little like a five-year-old comprehensive skills to me.
December 30, 2025
Edited to add full review below:
This was some of the most fun I’ve had reading a fantasy novel in a while. I miss the days of novels with long drawn out journeys, filled with action! And adventure! And maybe even a second chance at friendship and love and belonging?
The writing is wandering, winding and melodic, taking you on a journey much like the one our trio Is on. It’s very reminiscent of classic fantasy novels, which was a really enjoyable and lovely touch.
And obviously I have to give praise to our main characters: Griff, Mal, and Alys (please note that while Alys does not have a POV in this book, she is very much integral to the story, which I’m glad for because I would follow her to the ends of the earth). I really love how messy and flawed these characters are. They fight, and they make mistakes, often more than once, but they also have big hearts, and would do anything for each other.
Our Rogue Fates is a really beautiful story about second chances and how even those who have messed up are deserving of love and family.
I also really loved watching the relationship between Mal and Griff unfold. I wouldn’t quite call their relationship a slow burn, as at least one of them is aware of their feelings, but it was refreshing to watch them work to rekindle their old friendship, and later the development of their romantic relationship.
It doesn’t necessarily come easy all of the time, no matter their past, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.
If you are a fan of dungeons and dragons, or other fantasy based ttrpg or if you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, I would highly recommend checking this out! It felt so much at times like some of the shenanigans that would occur during campaigns I’ve been in with friends, but not in a way that felt like it was trying too hard. And there’s a lot of nods to Tolkien in the story that LOTR fans are sure to appreciate.
This was some of the most fun I’ve had reading a fantasy novel in a while. I miss the days of novels with long drawn out journeys, filled with action! And adventure! And maybe even a second chance at friendship and love and belonging?
The writing is wandering, winding and melodic, taking you on a journey much like the one our trio Is on. It’s very reminiscent of classic fantasy novels, which was a really enjoyable and lovely touch.
And obviously I have to give praise to our main characters: Griff, Mal, and Alys (please note that while Alys does not have a POV in this book, she is very much integral to the story, which I’m glad for because I would follow her to the ends of the earth). I really love how messy and flawed these characters are. They fight, and they make mistakes, often more than once, but they also have big hearts, and would do anything for each other.
Our Rogue Fates is a really beautiful story about second chances and how even those who have messed up are deserving of love and family.
I also really loved watching the relationship between Mal and Griff unfold. I wouldn’t quite call their relationship a slow burn, as at least one of them is aware of their feelings, but it was refreshing to watch them work to rekindle their old friendship, and later the development of their romantic relationship.
It doesn’t necessarily come easy all of the time, no matter their past, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.
If you are a fan of dungeons and dragons, or other fantasy based ttrpg or if you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, I would highly recommend checking this out! It felt so much at times like some of the shenanigans that would occur during campaigns I’ve been in with friends, but not in a way that felt like it was trying too hard. And there’s a lot of nods to Tolkien in the story that LOTR fans are sure to appreciate.
September 7, 2025
A heartwarming romance between our main guys amidst a trio of friends adapting to lived experiences.
A few critiques:
The storyline was hard to get into at first due to the present and background sharing feeling a little convoluted.
Mal tumbles right into sex with Griff after saying that he's never thought of another man that way... considering his wary and jaded nature that felt like a big jump. (not that I'm complaining! :P)
Griff's moral compass is a bit confusing. He's introduced as a staunch rule follower that's training to be a Warden, but he's easily swayed into a heist where they steal a mule and kill a man in the process. Only Alys is effected by the murder. Later, Griff says he wants to continue his Warden training in order to take heat off of Mal.
Lastly, the location of Griff's wound. Why was his chest being wrapped in the beginning if his wound was bisecting his beltline?
All in all, I wish I had a solid trio of friends like that! Watching them let go of their preconceived notions of what the other "should" be and instead fall in love with the scarred and lived version in front of them was a rewarding experience.
A few critiques:
The storyline was hard to get into at first due to the present and background sharing feeling a little convoluted.
Mal tumbles right into sex with Griff after saying that he's never thought of another man that way... considering his wary and jaded nature that felt like a big jump. (not that I'm complaining! :P)
Griff's moral compass is a bit confusing. He's introduced as a staunch rule follower that's training to be a Warden, but he's easily swayed into a heist where they steal a mule and kill a man in the process. Only Alys is effected by the murder. Later, Griff says he wants to continue his Warden training in order to take heat off of Mal.
Lastly, the location of Griff's wound. Why was his chest being wrapped in the beginning if his wound was bisecting his beltline?
All in all, I wish I had a solid trio of friends like that! Watching them let go of their preconceived notions of what the other "should" be and instead fall in love with the scarred and lived version in front of them was a rewarding experience.
September 22, 2025
This was such a beautiful story! I loved how humor was woven throughout the story even when the characters are facing danger and challenges. Seeing Mal and Griff fall in love and work on themselves for each other was so sweet! I loved this story 🥹
September 1, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.8/5
Spice: YES 🥵🌶️🌶️
KU AUS: I'm unsure
Our Rogue Fates - @sarahmarshauthor 🩷
Out 28th of April 2026 🗡️ PreOrder Now!
This book found me on Netgalley with a calling card on the cover in the form of words of praise by Sean Astin. As a LOTR fan that's all I needed to immediately pray for a copy. The spirits of the mire were on my side when I got approved for this ARC. And by the gods look at this COVER!! Stunning 🥺 Thank you @netgalley and our beautiful author for this ARC copy!
"If the LOTR was gay" a MM, treasure hunt quest style, fantasy romance, friends to enemies to lovers, comfort decapitated heads (my fav), cozy and heavy, touch him and die, soft but grumpy, mental health and disability rep, queer normative, and some absolutely badass female characters. I was hooked from the very beginning and it definitely helps to be able to picture Aragon while reading.
The world building for this book was so immersive that I felt like I was in the story alongside the characters. I decided to read this while on my walking pad and it truly felt like I was treking the long hours at their sides. And when things started heating up I could barely keep my footing! Once it started there was no stopping these two! I don't know how they found the time since I don't think there is a moment of peace in this entire book. It keeps the adventure one of high stakes, with so much to lose. Some of the lines in this book touched my soul so deeply. It truly captured the way struggling with mental health feels, the heaviness of it even when surrounded by those you love. It was exactly what I needed to read 💙
There is something I find so moving about harsher male characters sharing their softer vulnerabilities, and both Griff and Mal and even Alys express themselves so beautifully. I adore them. My only regret is that I found such an incredible story that isn't yet released which means book two is still far away! Sarah how do I sell my soul for book two!! 🥺
Our Rogue Fates is a love letter to fans of The Lord of the Rings, especially those who were rooting for Legolas and Aragorn or Sam and Frodo to get together.
Spice: YES 🥵🌶️🌶️
KU AUS: I'm unsure
Our Rogue Fates - @sarahmarshauthor 🩷
Out 28th of April 2026 🗡️ PreOrder Now!
This book found me on Netgalley with a calling card on the cover in the form of words of praise by Sean Astin. As a LOTR fan that's all I needed to immediately pray for a copy. The spirits of the mire were on my side when I got approved for this ARC. And by the gods look at this COVER!! Stunning 🥺 Thank you @netgalley and our beautiful author for this ARC copy!
"If the LOTR was gay" a MM, treasure hunt quest style, fantasy romance, friends to enemies to lovers, comfort decapitated heads (my fav), cozy and heavy, touch him and die, soft but grumpy, mental health and disability rep, queer normative, and some absolutely badass female characters. I was hooked from the very beginning and it definitely helps to be able to picture Aragon while reading.
The world building for this book was so immersive that I felt like I was in the story alongside the characters. I decided to read this while on my walking pad and it truly felt like I was treking the long hours at their sides. And when things started heating up I could barely keep my footing! Once it started there was no stopping these two! I don't know how they found the time since I don't think there is a moment of peace in this entire book. It keeps the adventure one of high stakes, with so much to lose. Some of the lines in this book touched my soul so deeply. It truly captured the way struggling with mental health feels, the heaviness of it even when surrounded by those you love. It was exactly what I needed to read 💙
There is something I find so moving about harsher male characters sharing their softer vulnerabilities, and both Griff and Mal and even Alys express themselves so beautifully. I adore them. My only regret is that I found such an incredible story that isn't yet released which means book two is still far away! Sarah how do I sell my soul for book two!! 🥺
Our Rogue Fates is a love letter to fans of The Lord of the Rings, especially those who were rooting for Legolas and Aragorn or Sam and Frodo to get together.
August 24, 2025
★★★★★ I devoured this book and loved every minute
This was such a fun, emotional ride. Our Rogue Fates has everything I love in a fantasy: a rich, eerie setting (Rotrose Mire is basically its own character), a treasure hunt full of danger and magic, and two ex-best-friends with ridiculous chemistry trying not to kill each other—or fall back in love.
Griff and Mal are messy and complicated in the best way. Their banter made me laugh, their tension made me yell at the pages, and their slow-burn romance had me fully invested. I also really appreciated how the story explored grief, loyalty, and second chances without ever feeling heavy-handed.
Sarah Glenn Marsh’s writing is vivid and sharp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end, and now I need everyone I know to read it so we can scream about it together.
If you’re into queer fantasy with heart, heat, and haunted swamps—this one’s a must.
This was such a fun, emotional ride. Our Rogue Fates has everything I love in a fantasy: a rich, eerie setting (Rotrose Mire is basically its own character), a treasure hunt full of danger and magic, and two ex-best-friends with ridiculous chemistry trying not to kill each other—or fall back in love.
Griff and Mal are messy and complicated in the best way. Their banter made me laugh, their tension made me yell at the pages, and their slow-burn romance had me fully invested. I also really appreciated how the story explored grief, loyalty, and second chances without ever feeling heavy-handed.
Sarah Glenn Marsh’s writing is vivid and sharp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end, and now I need everyone I know to read it so we can scream about it together.
If you’re into queer fantasy with heart, heat, and haunted swamps—this one’s a must.
August 27, 2025
I loved this book! Friends to enemies to lovers through an adventure to find treasure.
I loved the sweet moments between Mal and Griff, and Alys was the perfect side character to accompany them.
The world building was great, though I would’ve loved to see more from this world, I feel like we saw different kinds of enemies but it would’ve been cool to see more of other kinds too!
Overall a very enjoyable read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I loved the sweet moments between Mal and Griff, and Alys was the perfect side character to accompany them.
The world building was great, though I would’ve loved to see more from this world, I feel like we saw different kinds of enemies but it would’ve been cool to see more of other kinds too!
Overall a very enjoyable read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This entire review is a flowery way of saying I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH I WANT TO EAT IT so please go read it as soon as it comes out!
Some stories give you hope, some make you cry, some feel like home. Our Rogue Fates was all three for me.
This wonderful potion has the perfect ingredients: the chaotic spirit of D&D (with lots of critical fails), an immersive world that pulls you right in, and the romantic tension without world-ending threats, which however makes you feel every twist and turn as the personal worlds of the main characters spin off the axis, tearing them apart and them pulling them back together.
When Mal, Griff and Alys let me tag along on their unexpected journey, I travelled back in time to when I first fell in love with fantasy, with the Lord of the Rings films and books. From page one, I found myself immediately invested in the trio's story as it unfolded, bit by bit. It's fun, it's messy, it's irreverent, and it has so much heart.
The queernormative world of Rogues made me wish I had a book like this in my twenties. It's soothing to know that the characters' trauma is not caused by bigotry. They're driven by their own personal quests, their own shadows they want to shed light on. Seeing the world through Mal and Griff's eyes as they open up to love is a cozy fantasy in itself.
If you ever questioned your worth or felt unloveable, these characters will hold your hand and sit with you in comfortable silence as you navigate their messy healing journey. And they will heal you a bit, too. If you let them.
A huge thank you to Sarah Glenn Marsh for sending me the ARC of this book. The thoughts expressed in this review are my honest opinion.
Some stories give you hope, some make you cry, some feel like home. Our Rogue Fates was all three for me.
This wonderful potion has the perfect ingredients: the chaotic spirit of D&D (with lots of critical fails), an immersive world that pulls you right in, and the romantic tension without world-ending threats, which however makes you feel every twist and turn as the personal worlds of the main characters spin off the axis, tearing them apart and them pulling them back together.
When Mal, Griff and Alys let me tag along on their unexpected journey, I travelled back in time to when I first fell in love with fantasy, with the Lord of the Rings films and books. From page one, I found myself immediately invested in the trio's story as it unfolded, bit by bit. It's fun, it's messy, it's irreverent, and it has so much heart.
The queernormative world of Rogues made me wish I had a book like this in my twenties. It's soothing to know that the characters' trauma is not caused by bigotry. They're driven by their own personal quests, their own shadows they want to shed light on. Seeing the world through Mal and Griff's eyes as they open up to love is a cozy fantasy in itself.
If you ever questioned your worth or felt unloveable, these characters will hold your hand and sit with you in comfortable silence as you navigate their messy healing journey. And they will heal you a bit, too. If you let them.
A huge thank you to Sarah Glenn Marsh for sending me the ARC of this book. The thoughts expressed in this review are my honest opinion.
September 9, 2025
(Street Team eARC) *Very Light Spoilers* As a lifelong fantasy lover, this book was calling to me from the minute I heard about it. SGM's worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming; the settings, various factions, and inner-world politics are easy to comprehend, but don't detract from the main plot. The characters are easy to empathize with. They each have their own clearly defined goals and plans -- plenty of which are upended, which makes for a compelling tale, as they traverse their own emotions, along with completing the main quest at hand. Griff and Mal are reminiscent of classic fantasy characters, and there are certainly familiar bits and pieces shining through -- but they're so distinctly their own, with their own struggles, feelings, and ideals. But one of my favorite parts of the book was being able to connect with other characters, too. Alys was such an unexpected joy for me; I related to her in so many ways, and saw parts of myself in her, too. I caught myself rooting for Liam's happiness. There's a whole gaggle of animal companions that made me smile, and say "Yup, that sounds just like my dog." The whole cast of characters leads this story so beautifully, and I think that's one of the primary reasons I adored it so. Because while this is a fantasy adventure story, it is also, at its heart, guided strongly by love. I can't wait to celebrate this book's release, and I hope I can return to the world of Linden soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
Friends to enemies! enemies to lovers! LBGTQIA! kissing!?! I'll have what she's having
The plot to this book is overall very cute and the themes of redemption and friendship are so sweet. I love books about forgiveness even though they inevitably make me ugly cry. The characters in the book are men with big feelings and that's not all that's big - JK I'm so sorry. But on that note, personally, I enjoyed the romance more than the adventure/fantasy elements but hey I'm just a girl. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for sending me this book to review, it was a fun read!
The plot to this book is overall very cute and the themes of redemption and friendship are so sweet. I love books about forgiveness even though they inevitably make me ugly cry. The characters in the book are men with big feelings and that's not all that's big - JK I'm so sorry. But on that note, personally, I enjoyed the romance more than the adventure/fantasy elements but hey I'm just a girl. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for sending me this book to review, it was a fun read!
September 1, 2025
There is so much to love about this book. Not only was there an immediate hook into the plot itself, but it took no time at all to fall in love with the characters. I’m pretty sure I imprinted on Mal 2.5 seconds into reading his first chapter. There’s an impressive array of side characters (love seeing strong female leads) but the true stars of this book are Griff and Mal. The pining, oh my goodness. I loved every second of their romance, and can see so much potential for future adventures and books. The prose was beautifully written, the romance heartbreakingly tender, and the characters bruised in ways that make them relatable. Too often in fantasy stories it’s easy to lose track of the people and care more about the adventure— not so with this. Our Rogue Fates was a lovely blend of plot and character based story and I will absolutely be back for anything more the author writes.
November 5, 2025
I was provided an ARC copy of this, but my opinions are my own. This is a MM romantasy, and as soon as I read it, knew that this would become one of my favorite books of 2025. Griff, Mal, Alys and the rest of the cast are all characters that became friends once I finished reading the book. No spoilers of course, but this is the story of Griff and Mal, childhood friends who had a serious misunderstanding and now hide their feelings for each other under the guise of fighting every chance they get. When they get roped into a quest by their mutual friend, Alys, Griff and Mal realize that sometimes, second chances are needed to get to a HEA.
I really enjoyed this, and I hope you do too! It doesn't release until April 2026, so mark your calendars. :)
I really enjoyed this, and I hope you do too! It doesn't release until April 2026, so mark your calendars. :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got the privilege to read an ARC of this book after being invited to join the street team and I am oh so thankful because this might easily prove to be one of my favorite books of the year (yes yes a bit early to claim that but I had the same feeling when I finished Don't Let The Forest In in January of last year and I wasn't wrong. When you know you know)
I don't think I have enough words in my vocabulary to thoroughly explain my feelings on this book but I'm gonna try my best 🫡
Since I yap a lot TL:DR - I loved this book and think you should read it when it releases in April ♥️
This book has the perfect blend of adventure and romance for me, where I never felt like I was hoping for more of one or the other. And if you've seen me struggle with reading romantasy books recently you've probably heard me mention my pickiness with that balance in books.
Speaking of good blends it also did a good job of mixing in a bit of silly while not watering down the stakes and still managing to make me a little bit emotional at some parts. Like yes give me angst but also give me a random turtle and an unexpected use of a lullaby.
When it comes to the character Alys was my favorite the whole way through. There was something about her that just grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go, and I just want the best for her always. Obviously I also loved Mal and Griff and their relationship was so sweet to experience. I am a sucker for childhood friends to lovers tropes but childhood friends to enemies to lovers 👀 even better.
I don't think I have enough words in my vocabulary to thoroughly explain my feelings on this book but I'm gonna try my best 🫡
Since I yap a lot TL:DR - I loved this book and think you should read it when it releases in April ♥️
This book has the perfect blend of adventure and romance for me, where I never felt like I was hoping for more of one or the other. And if you've seen me struggle with reading romantasy books recently you've probably heard me mention my pickiness with that balance in books.
Speaking of good blends it also did a good job of mixing in a bit of silly while not watering down the stakes and still managing to make me a little bit emotional at some parts. Like yes give me angst but also give me a random turtle and an unexpected use of a lullaby.
When it comes to the character Alys was my favorite the whole way through. There was something about her that just grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go, and I just want the best for her always. Obviously I also loved Mal and Griff and their relationship was so sweet to experience. I am a sucker for childhood friends to lovers tropes but childhood friends to enemies to lovers 👀 even better.
October 28, 2025
"Our Rogue Fates" was such a fun and steamy read. I had the honor of acquiring an advanced reader copy ahead of release.
Mal took the place of my favorite character right off the bat, and I enjoyed following his journey through the Mire with Griff and Alys. Mal and Griff were very nuanced and felt like real people - it was both wonderful and horrible watching them stumble through their trauma and budding relationship. The supporting characters had some depth to them to make them stand out - Alys, Wynnie, and Liam were certainly memorable for their actions and how they impacted the story as a whole. There were times that I wish we spent more time with Alys exploring her history and character arc, but what we did get to see was lovely.
The world is unique and has a lot more to explore than just what we see with the trio's journey. I'm hoping more stories will be told in this world one day! I'd love to learn more about the other races, as well as the Shadow Queen and her forces.
All in all, a very enjoyable read!
Mal took the place of my favorite character right off the bat, and I enjoyed following his journey through the Mire with Griff and Alys. Mal and Griff were very nuanced and felt like real people - it was both wonderful and horrible watching them stumble through their trauma and budding relationship. The supporting characters had some depth to them to make them stand out - Alys, Wynnie, and Liam were certainly memorable for their actions and how they impacted the story as a whole. There were times that I wish we spent more time with Alys exploring her history and character arc, but what we did get to see was lovely.
The world is unique and has a lot more to explore than just what we see with the trio's journey. I'm hoping more stories will be told in this world one day! I'd love to learn more about the other races, as well as the Shadow Queen and her forces.
All in all, a very enjoyable read!
January 8, 2026
Thank you, Sarah Glenn Marsh, NetGalley, and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks, Sarah — I can tell you lovingly kissed the brick before throwing it directly at us with this one.
My ARC read of Our Rogue Fates ended up being my first book of 2026, and unfortunately for every other book this year, the bar has now been set unreasonably high.
Our Rogue Fates is high fantasy that feels Tolkien-esque in its broody, intricate worldbuilding, while also embracing a very D&D-coded, high-stakes, party-on-a-quest structure. And honestly? The group is what made this book shine. Alys, Griff, and Mal are deeply flawed in a way that felt refreshing and painfully real. Each of them played a role in the fracture of their friendship before the events of the book, each carries their own trauma, and each hurts both themselves and one another because of it. What made this story so powerful was watching them recognize that harm and then actively choose to change. For their friendship, for their love, but most importantly, for themselves.
The way trauma and addiction are portrayed here felt raw and realistic. Everyone reacts differently. Healing doesn’t erase damage. Scars remain. And ORF doesn’t shy away from that truth. The journey is messy and painful, full of mistakes and setbacks while threaded through all of it is hope, the kind that feels earned rather than easy.
The side characters were just as compelling, and I’m already desperate to see more of Liam (and all the critters!) in future installments.
What truly made this book stand out for me was its queernormative romantic fantasy. This story proves that queer romance doesn’t have to be soft or sanitized to be meaningful. It can be dark, gritty, emotionally complex, and still deeply romantic. The characters are vulnerable, messy, and complicated — and that complexity is what makes their connections hit so hard. Queer love stories deserve the same emotional depth, moral ambiguity, and narrative weight as any other epic fantasy romance, and Our Rogue Fates delivers that beautifully.
In short: if you love queernormative fantasy with high stakes, messy characters, emotional depth, and adventures that take you from kicking your feet to gasping at the edge of your seat — this book is absolutely for you. And the best part?
This is only Book 1. There’s a lot more to see from these characters!
Thanks, Sarah — I can tell you lovingly kissed the brick before throwing it directly at us with this one.
My ARC read of Our Rogue Fates ended up being my first book of 2026, and unfortunately for every other book this year, the bar has now been set unreasonably high.
Our Rogue Fates is high fantasy that feels Tolkien-esque in its broody, intricate worldbuilding, while also embracing a very D&D-coded, high-stakes, party-on-a-quest structure. And honestly? The group is what made this book shine. Alys, Griff, and Mal are deeply flawed in a way that felt refreshing and painfully real. Each of them played a role in the fracture of their friendship before the events of the book, each carries their own trauma, and each hurts both themselves and one another because of it. What made this story so powerful was watching them recognize that harm and then actively choose to change. For their friendship, for their love, but most importantly, for themselves.
The way trauma and addiction are portrayed here felt raw and realistic. Everyone reacts differently. Healing doesn’t erase damage. Scars remain. And ORF doesn’t shy away from that truth. The journey is messy and painful, full of mistakes and setbacks while threaded through all of it is hope, the kind that feels earned rather than easy.
The side characters were just as compelling, and I’m already desperate to see more of Liam (and all the critters!) in future installments.
What truly made this book stand out for me was its queernormative romantic fantasy. This story proves that queer romance doesn’t have to be soft or sanitized to be meaningful. It can be dark, gritty, emotionally complex, and still deeply romantic. The characters are vulnerable, messy, and complicated — and that complexity is what makes their connections hit so hard. Queer love stories deserve the same emotional depth, moral ambiguity, and narrative weight as any other epic fantasy romance, and Our Rogue Fates delivers that beautifully.
In short: if you love queernormative fantasy with high stakes, messy characters, emotional depth, and adventures that take you from kicking your feet to gasping at the edge of your seat — this book is absolutely for you. And the best part?
This is only Book 1. There’s a lot more to see from these characters!
May 9, 2026
Yikes. DNF @ 14%. Why the hell can’t I pick up a good book lately?
To sum it up: underdeveloped characters, bad writing, bad dialogue, and really boring plot.
From chapter one, I was stuck in the most boring backstory ever. Because even though the story literally started with the MMC bleeding out, I was being forced to read pages and more pages of background. This was just telling us what happened in the past, with tiny sprinkles of the present thrown in. I did not enjoy this at all.
What happened to slowly showing us the backstory? Or actually letting us get to know the characters?
I really don't understand all the five stars.
P.S. What do you mean Griff paid his new boyfriend to fuck him from behind in the dark and call him Mal?? That’s messed up
P.S.S. Why is Mal called Mister Dangerous? Cringe
To sum it up: underdeveloped characters, bad writing, bad dialogue, and really boring plot.
From chapter one, I was stuck in the most boring backstory ever. Because even though the story literally started with the MMC bleeding out, I was being forced to read pages and more pages of background. This was just telling us what happened in the past, with tiny sprinkles of the present thrown in. I did not enjoy this at all.
What happened to slowly showing us the backstory? Or actually letting us get to know the characters?
I really don't understand all the five stars.
P.S. What do you mean Griff paid his new boyfriend to fuck him from behind in the dark and call him Mal?? That’s messed up
P.S.S. Why is Mal called Mister Dangerous? Cringe
January 2, 2026
What a truly beautiful story between old best friends that lost their way but have a chance to find each other in the best possible way. On the greatest adventure of there lives, a treasure hunt that is worth more then just treasure.
Griff, Mal, and Alys used to be the best of friends always together always going on adventures but they each go there separate ways after a huge falling out where words had cut so deep. Now they are all different people, have been through so much and Griff and Mal don’t know each other but sure know how to rile each other, the love they had for each other is replace by so much hurt and hate.
Mal and Alys must go on a treasure hunt and bring Griff along and as the days go on everything that was never said comes to light and Mal and Griff must come together to beat all the creatures of the forest and hopefully see how right they truly are for each other.
Our Rouge Fates had be on the edge of my seat the hole time, seemed these three were always in danger no matter what they did, my heart sang every time Mal and Griff got to have there stolen moments. I loved how there coming together wasn’t rushed but they really talked about all the betrayal of the past. Alys just wanting her friends back together really spoke to me.
This book was so unique, and opened my eyes to such a beautiful world made up of some horrible creatures but what always holds true is who you have in your corner when those creatures come to collect.
Griff, Mal, and Alys used to be the best of friends always together always going on adventures but they each go there separate ways after a huge falling out where words had cut so deep. Now they are all different people, have been through so much and Griff and Mal don’t know each other but sure know how to rile each other, the love they had for each other is replace by so much hurt and hate.
Mal and Alys must go on a treasure hunt and bring Griff along and as the days go on everything that was never said comes to light and Mal and Griff must come together to beat all the creatures of the forest and hopefully see how right they truly are for each other.
Our Rouge Fates had be on the edge of my seat the hole time, seemed these three were always in danger no matter what they did, my heart sang every time Mal and Griff got to have there stolen moments. I loved how there coming together wasn’t rushed but they really talked about all the betrayal of the past. Alys just wanting her friends back together really spoke to me.
This book was so unique, and opened my eyes to such a beautiful world made up of some horrible creatures but what always holds true is who you have in your corner when those creatures come to collect.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our Rogue Fates was such a well developed intense romance with amazing chemistry between Mal and Griff. I loved both their characters irrespective of their relationship. Griff's playboy persona or history leads to a clash between childhood friend Mal, the thief which makes them so rich in chemistry and banter. The world in which they are in adds to the depth of this and the plot was a fun adventure style plot which built to the pace of their relationship being able to develop properly.
Mal and Griff are the superior childhood friends to lovers with bumps along the way obviously. I would highly recommend this as it had a lot of charcter focus and the right balance with tense moments of the shadows and other creatures. Griff and Mal bring the yearning and tension in their relationship that was so fraught after years of confused feelings and lots of the world development making the plot lead them away from each other before they're brought together again. I loved every moment of it- they are really perfect for each other especially in the semi 'dark' world they live in.
I loved Alys and Winnie as characters too who got to shine from both the boys pov as well. Wish we got to see more Winnie in person though. Amazing 5 star read for the intricate relationship and character building.
Mal and Griff are the superior childhood friends to lovers with bumps along the way obviously. I would highly recommend this as it had a lot of charcter focus and the right balance with tense moments of the shadows and other creatures. Griff and Mal bring the yearning and tension in their relationship that was so fraught after years of confused feelings and lots of the world development making the plot lead them away from each other before they're brought together again. I loved every moment of it- they are really perfect for each other especially in the semi 'dark' world they live in.
I loved Alys and Winnie as characters too who got to shine from both the boys pov as well. Wish we got to see more Winnie in person though. Amazing 5 star read for the intricate relationship and character building.
Review of advance copy
Any book with the comp titles of Tusk Love and Sara Raasch is a book that is meant for me as its audience. High stakes, high romance, high probability that you will fall in love with this book.
It has the perfect balance of fantasy and romance for what I look for in a romantasy. Whatever a step above a "cozy fantasy" is where I would put this novel genre-wise. Mal and Griff were very lovable disasters (a compliment) who joined back together on an adventure after a childhood estrangement. They were brought back together by Alys (the daughter of the people who raised them both and their friend). These people all need therapy, and I love them deeply for it. I loved all three of them so much.
If you're someone who loves perfectly imperfect characters combined with an adventure of DND level grandeur? This one is for you!
It has the perfect balance of fantasy and romance for what I look for in a romantasy. Whatever a step above a "cozy fantasy" is where I would put this novel genre-wise. Mal and Griff were very lovable disasters (a compliment) who joined back together on an adventure after a childhood estrangement. They were brought back together by Alys (the daughter of the people who raised them both and their friend). These people all need therapy, and I love them deeply for it. I loved all three of them so much.
If you're someone who loves perfectly imperfect characters combined with an adventure of DND level grandeur? This one is for you!
December 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It made me feel the way I felt as a kid reading fantasy novels. It was silly and funny, but also had emotional depth, complex characters, and a well-handled touch of adult topics such as addiction and self harm. I did not get bored once reading this book, which is rare for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy elements, laughing out loud at some of the shenanigans of the Rogues crew. This is not a book to be taken too seriously- the characters are morally grey and this is fantasy, after all.
Perfect for queers who like DND and emotionally constipated men of ambiguous moral standards. There is a huge character arc for both MCs, with lots of emotional growth to be enjoyed.
Technically speaking, the author’s writing style is great. Easy to read, engaging, and with the perfect amount of description to keep the imagination flowing. I can tell the author wrote this book with passion and real life experience behind her.
(I received this book for free as an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review)
I thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy elements, laughing out loud at some of the shenanigans of the Rogues crew. This is not a book to be taken too seriously- the characters are morally grey and this is fantasy, after all.
Perfect for queers who like DND and emotionally constipated men of ambiguous moral standards. There is a huge character arc for both MCs, with lots of emotional growth to be enjoyed.
Technically speaking, the author’s writing style is great. Easy to read, engaging, and with the perfect amount of description to keep the imagination flowing. I can tell the author wrote this book with passion and real life experience behind her.
(I received this book for free as an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you Alcove Press). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ 2 POVs
✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Pace
✅🆗 Plot (repetitive after a while)
🆗 Romance
🆗 Characters
🆗 Connections between the characters are confusing at first
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: stabbing, alcoholism, drug use, hearing loss
🔥 Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
1.5 stars
The ideas are good, but the execution is lacking. I had to force myself to finish it...
The quest seemed too easy, despite all the action Mal, Griff, and Alys encountered.. Many people died trying to get to those objects of power, and the swamps are deadly. Yet, our trio defeated every obstacle with almost too much ease. Sure, there was a brush with death here and there, but I never truly believed that any of them was in real danger, and overall, they defeated everyone too easily. The plot was a succession of “oh, here is an obstacle” immediately followed by “here is a solution, now let’s heal our wounded,” only for another obstacle to happen in the next chapter, over and over again. This structure became repetitive and predictable very quickly.
I struggled to connect with the characters. I found that they lacked depth, overall, and were sometimes acting in ways that were out of character. I didn’t care that much about Mal and Griff, and their chapters were very similar. I couldn’t always tell who was narrating. Alys, on the other hand, could have been an intriguing character, but she was mostly used as a plot device, only there to push Mal and Griff together, and fading into the background until she was needed again to give them a nudge. In the end, I didn’t like her either, and she appeared careless and immature at times.
The relationships and connections between some characters are confusing. I get that Griff, Mal, and Alys were childhood best friends. What I don’t get is the family bonds that are or are not there between them. It does eventually make sense, but it took me a while to understand who was related to whom, whether by blood or by adoption. Those explanations could and should have been more succinct and presented earlier in the book.
Griff is virtuous, until he is not, and it feels hypocritical. His father was a Warden, and he hopes to become one, too, someday. Because of his aspirations, he can’t accept the fact that Mal lives a life of illegal schemes, alternating between thieving, moving contraband, and lying to extort people. Still, when given the occasion, he joins Mal on a trip to find lost treasures, and on the road, they steal and kill people. Griff, who has been resenting Mal for his unethical life choices, seems okay with his group stealing and killing, and it just felt so out of character with what little we saw of him in the first part of the book. It made it even harder to connect with him. He also learns some hard truths about Mal that should have shaken him, seeing his feelings towards the Wardens, yet he seems to give up on his principles because Mal and he professed their love for each other, and there is no going back.
Mal often contradicts himself, too. He moves contraband for Shadow Queen’s agents, but while he facilitates their work, he does not care about their cause or whether they win or lose. He just wants the money linked to his business with them. At the same time, he seems to be disappointed not to have more responsibilities in their group at the beginning of the book. He also mentioned that he aimed to become the King of thieves and make a name for himself, but he also says that he didn’t want to be Mister Dangerous and to be called that. So which one is it? Does he care about the Shadow Queen’s agents’ schemes or not? Does he want to be a dangerous crime lord or not?
We keep being told how much Mal and Griff hate each other, yet I didn’t feel it. It was a typical case of telling and not showing. Mal says how much he hates Griff, yet he is willing to put his life at risk and give up everything he has to keep Griff safe. Those are not the actions of someone full of hatred. I feel that all the hatred happened before the book began, and we missed it. So now we are left with them saying how much they hate each other, but acting like they very much care.
The falling out between Mal and Griff left them both with deep emotional wounds that still affect them years later. I would have preferred to see them more as best friends, and to see this heart-wrenching fight and separation they had, instead of simply reading about it in bits and pieces. It was enough to understand what happened, but I think it would have had a bigger impact if I’d experienced it with Mal and Griff. It would also have helped me feel more connected to them.
I was hoping for some intense hatred, sassy banter, and emotional growth, but it didn’t quite deliver. Instead, we were told repeatedly how they both hated each other, but I never really felt it. Then, we got a repetition of intense action where someone almost died, a vulnerable moment that is shadowed by the memory of their falling apart, and the cycle began again. It was not a bad romance, but it was not what I was expecting, considering that Mal and Griff are supposed to hate each other. At least, if there had been some intense sexual tension, I could have forgotten about the lack of meaningful growth, but I didn’t feel the chemistry either. It’s just (supposed) hatred, then they eventually talk about their feelings while on the road, and voilà! They almost instantly became a couple and decided to have sex anywhere they felt like it.
Poor Liam is the true victim here. Griff and he have been building a good relationship for a while. Still, Griff does not hesitate to leave Liam to go on a treasure hunt with Mal, even though Liam told him that their relationship would be over if Griff left with Mal. It is hard to understand Griff’s rash decision when we don’t see or feel the deep bond between Mal and him, yet. Once again, because we are told about it, but it is not shown, and I feel bad for Liam, not for Griff.
The addiction representation is there, but it was not well done. I would have liked Alys’ addiction issue to be addressed. She does not seem to think twice before taking mushrooms or berries, and feeding them to others, and it is also implied that she is often high at home, but she has three kids… Is she high around her kids? The same goes for Mal and Griff; Mal is an alcoholic, and Griff is sober, yet Griff drinks twice in the book without any guilt or aftereffect, and Mal just decides to throw his flask away in the end after Griff tells him to stop drinking. With the three main characters each having an addiction or recovering from one, I would have expected that the addiction and recovery from it would take more room in the book, and be more elaborate than just having someone say “stop drinking yourself to death” is not enough to truly get an alcoholic to stop drinking. And Mal saying that he will just “sweat it out” makes it seem like stopping drinking is not that hard, even though he is an alcoholic.
While this book focuses mostly on the romance, there is also the issue of the Shadow Queen. She is the big bad evil that the Wardens are trying to defeat, and I was hoping for her to be more complex than what little we read about her, but no, she truly is an evil conqueror who simply wants to be evil and conquer. Just like the other characters, she was not that interesting, and I really didn’t care about the side plot about her and her plans. The sub-plot about Rhun and the wraiths was similarly underwhelming.
Overall, the ideas are good, and you might enjoy this book if you are looking for a simple childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers and don’t mind characters and relationships that lack depth. I saw many positive reviews, but sadly, this one wasn’t for me.
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✅ 2 POVs
✅ Gorgeous cover
✅ Pace
✅🆗 Plot (repetitive after a while)
🆗 Romance
🆗 Characters
🆗 Connections between the characters are confusing at first
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: stabbing, alcoholism, drug use, hearing loss
🔥 Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
1.5 stars
The ideas are good, but the execution is lacking. I had to force myself to finish it...
The quest seemed too easy, despite all the action Mal, Griff, and Alys encountered.. Many people died trying to get to those objects of power, and the swamps are deadly. Yet, our trio defeated every obstacle with almost too much ease. Sure, there was a brush with death here and there, but I never truly believed that any of them was in real danger, and overall, they defeated everyone too easily. The plot was a succession of “oh, here is an obstacle” immediately followed by “here is a solution, now let’s heal our wounded,” only for another obstacle to happen in the next chapter, over and over again. This structure became repetitive and predictable very quickly.
I struggled to connect with the characters. I found that they lacked depth, overall, and were sometimes acting in ways that were out of character. I didn’t care that much about Mal and Griff, and their chapters were very similar. I couldn’t always tell who was narrating. Alys, on the other hand, could have been an intriguing character, but she was mostly used as a plot device, only there to push Mal and Griff together, and fading into the background until she was needed again to give them a nudge. In the end, I didn’t like her either, and she appeared careless and immature at times.
The relationships and connections between some characters are confusing. I get that Griff, Mal, and Alys were childhood best friends. What I don’t get is the family bonds that are or are not there between them. It does eventually make sense, but it took me a while to understand who was related to whom, whether by blood or by adoption. Those explanations could and should have been more succinct and presented earlier in the book.
Griff is virtuous, until he is not, and it feels hypocritical. His father was a Warden, and he hopes to become one, too, someday. Because of his aspirations, he can’t accept the fact that Mal lives a life of illegal schemes, alternating between thieving, moving contraband, and lying to extort people. Still, when given the occasion, he joins Mal on a trip to find lost treasures, and on the road, they steal and kill people. Griff, who has been resenting Mal for his unethical life choices, seems okay with his group stealing and killing, and it just felt so out of character with what little we saw of him in the first part of the book. It made it even harder to connect with him. He also learns some hard truths about Mal that should have shaken him, seeing his feelings towards the Wardens, yet he seems to give up on his principles because Mal and he professed their love for each other, and there is no going back.
Mal often contradicts himself, too. He moves contraband for Shadow Queen’s agents, but while he facilitates their work, he does not care about their cause or whether they win or lose. He just wants the money linked to his business with them. At the same time, he seems to be disappointed not to have more responsibilities in their group at the beginning of the book. He also mentioned that he aimed to become the King of thieves and make a name for himself, but he also says that he didn’t want to be Mister Dangerous and to be called that. So which one is it? Does he care about the Shadow Queen’s agents’ schemes or not? Does he want to be a dangerous crime lord or not?
We keep being told how much Mal and Griff hate each other, yet I didn’t feel it. It was a typical case of telling and not showing. Mal says how much he hates Griff, yet he is willing to put his life at risk and give up everything he has to keep Griff safe. Those are not the actions of someone full of hatred. I feel that all the hatred happened before the book began, and we missed it. So now we are left with them saying how much they hate each other, but acting like they very much care.
The falling out between Mal and Griff left them both with deep emotional wounds that still affect them years later. I would have preferred to see them more as best friends, and to see this heart-wrenching fight and separation they had, instead of simply reading about it in bits and pieces. It was enough to understand what happened, but I think it would have had a bigger impact if I’d experienced it with Mal and Griff. It would also have helped me feel more connected to them.
I was hoping for some intense hatred, sassy banter, and emotional growth, but it didn’t quite deliver. Instead, we were told repeatedly how they both hated each other, but I never really felt it. Then, we got a repetition of intense action where someone almost died, a vulnerable moment that is shadowed by the memory of their falling apart, and the cycle began again. It was not a bad romance, but it was not what I was expecting, considering that Mal and Griff are supposed to hate each other. At least, if there had been some intense sexual tension, I could have forgotten about the lack of meaningful growth, but I didn’t feel the chemistry either. It’s just (supposed) hatred, then they eventually talk about their feelings while on the road, and voilà! They almost instantly became a couple and decided to have sex anywhere they felt like it.
He had left behind a good relationship, and for what? A phantom of a boy he’d loved and the ghost of a man who had been a father figure for a few years? Maybe he had made a mistake, chasing shadows when he wasn’t even a Warden yet and might never be now, a thought that made him ache with an emptiness as if he’d lost something vital, an organ rather than a limb.
Poor Liam is the true victim here. Griff and he have been building a good relationship for a while. Still, Griff does not hesitate to leave Liam to go on a treasure hunt with Mal, even though Liam told him that their relationship would be over if Griff left with Mal. It is hard to understand Griff’s rash decision when we don’t see or feel the deep bond between Mal and him, yet. Once again, because we are told about it, but it is not shown, and I feel bad for Liam, not for Griff.
The addiction representation is there, but it was not well done. I would have liked Alys’ addiction issue to be addressed. She does not seem to think twice before taking mushrooms or berries, and feeding them to others, and it is also implied that she is often high at home, but she has three kids… Is she high around her kids? The same goes for Mal and Griff; Mal is an alcoholic, and Griff is sober, yet Griff drinks twice in the book without any guilt or aftereffect, and Mal just decides to throw his flask away in the end after Griff tells him to stop drinking. With the three main characters each having an addiction or recovering from one, I would have expected that the addiction and recovery from it would take more room in the book, and be more elaborate than just having someone say “stop drinking yourself to death” is not enough to truly get an alcoholic to stop drinking. And Mal saying that he will just “sweat it out” makes it seem like stopping drinking is not that hard, even though he is an alcoholic.
While this book focuses mostly on the romance, there is also the issue of the Shadow Queen. She is the big bad evil that the Wardens are trying to defeat, and I was hoping for her to be more complex than what little we read about her, but no, she truly is an evil conqueror who simply wants to be evil and conquer. Just like the other characters, she was not that interesting, and I really didn’t care about the side plot about her and her plans. The sub-plot about Rhun and the wraiths was similarly underwhelming.
Overall, the ideas are good, and you might enjoy this book if you are looking for a simple childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers and don’t mind characters and relationships that lack depth. I saw many positive reviews, but sadly, this one wasn’t for me.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
"Because it was real."
If you love The Lord of the Rings and D&D, then Sarah Glenn Marsh's Our Rogue Fates is the perfect book for you!
This book absolutely wrecked me (in the best way possible.) I finished it and immediately fell into a book hangover. I enjoyed the story so much that if I didn’t already have other books lined up, I’d be rereading it over and over again without shame.
I completely fell in love with the characters and the bonds between them. They’re all so precious. What hit me emotionally the hardest was Mal’s growth, especially the way his decision to stop drinking was portrayed. Watching him choose to get better for Griff, and actively commit to change despite the harsh realities of withdrawal, was handled with such care. And the scene where he cut his hair, symbolising his new beginning? It genuinely touched my heart. The whole journey felt raw, honest, and full of hope.
And don’t even get me started on the animals. Every single one of them was adorable. The mention of Liam reading children's adventure books to his dog? I melted, it was so adorable. My heart couldn’t take it.
In short: I highly recommend this story, especially if you're into emotional damage of the best kind, hard-earned relationships, meaningful character development, and adorable animal companions.
And the best part? It's only the beginning, there are even more books planned and I can't wait!
If you love The Lord of the Rings and D&D, then Sarah Glenn Marsh's Our Rogue Fates is the perfect book for you!
This book absolutely wrecked me (in the best way possible.) I finished it and immediately fell into a book hangover. I enjoyed the story so much that if I didn’t already have other books lined up, I’d be rereading it over and over again without shame.
I completely fell in love with the characters and the bonds between them. They’re all so precious. What hit me emotionally the hardest was Mal’s growth, especially the way his decision to stop drinking was portrayed. Watching him choose to get better for Griff, and actively commit to change despite the harsh realities of withdrawal, was handled with such care. And the scene where he cut his hair, symbolising his new beginning? It genuinely touched my heart. The whole journey felt raw, honest, and full of hope.
And don’t even get me started on the animals. Every single one of them was adorable. The mention of Liam reading children's adventure books to his dog? I melted, it was so adorable. My heart couldn’t take it.
In short: I highly recommend this story, especially if you're into emotional damage of the best kind, hard-earned relationships, meaningful character development, and adorable animal companions.
And the best part? It's only the beginning, there are even more books planned and I can't wait!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
What if Lord of the Rings was more (openly) queer, oddly cozier, and had 100% more on-page swamp sex? Well then, you'd likely have Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh!
Set in a fictional realm, Marsh brings you former childhood friends who have become estranged - dare I say enemies?! - in their adulthood and throws them together on an epic quest to bring back treasure in order to ensure their happily ever after. Griff, Mal, and Alys grew up with one another, but as tends to happen in real life, their worlds began pulling them in different ways, their commonalities becoming farther and fewer between. These blossoming differences put them at odds with one another and turned them against each other. Herein lies where we find our would-be anti-heroes.
What unfolds, without giving too much away, feels quite like a Dungeons and Dragon game more than anything else. With numerous battles, countless injuries, a whole host of creepy creatures, and several "how the f*ck are they getting out of this?!" moments that make your skin crawl - it reads like a delightfully treacherous campaign and as a fan of DnD, it was a win for me! This is where it gets the Lord of the Rings vibes from as well, but don't go in expecting a copy and paste of the series, for Rogue is its own beast, merely taking inspiration from Tolkien's world to become something entirely and wholly new. That said, if you enjoy found family going on a fantasy road trip, it rings true in this book - as it does in LOTR!
What I particularly love MOST about this book are the characters. In a world of romantasy books where characters have one tiny flaw that is easily remedied, the characters in Rogue feel REAL. They're complex, they're messy, they have problems. Alys is a mom of three who is trying and failing to live up to the legacy sung about her by bards across the country, who doesn't particularly enjoy fighting or killing, but still wants to be the hero. She is constantly on some sort of alcohol or plant based trip and she has to learn how to balance ALL of that and figure out who she really is at her core. Griff is dating Liam almost 99.9% because he bears a striking resemblance to Mal who he is STILL hung up on despite being apart from for years and hating his guts. He also ditches him the second he has a chance to reunite with former friends, Mal and Alys. And Mal, oh Mal - he is messiness personified. For Mal has fallen in with a terrible crowd, working for the evil Shadow Queen who's dealings are less than her tea shop cover would have it seem. He dabbles in numerous financial ventures simply to take money despite it perhaps not being the most... fair of ways to do so. He is a chronic alcoholic, never without a flask in his pocket and frequently intoxicated. We even get to see him coming to terms with his confusing feelings for Griff and trying to rework his sexuality and what it means for him. I think it's clear that these characters need a lot of work, probably therapy, and maybe some medicine - but we would have them no other way!
Overall, this book is a love letter to so many different genres. It is, at its core, a queer love story between two men with a complicated past and a mutual friend who needs help as much as they do themselves. It is also a fantasy - full of monsters and an adventure to find missing treasure previously unattainable by those who tried. There's coziness in it, somehow in the middle of the Rotrose Mire, scenes that carve out just a touch of comfort amidst the chaos. And, of course, it's a bit smutty given the handful of scenes that bring you some top notch spice.... and I wasn't kidding about the swamp sex. Not one little bit.
YES, IF: You enjoy cozy queer fantasies and epic quests and wish they were blended together more in literature. If you're down for a bit of excellent spice that doesn't fade to black. If you can appreciate messy characters who don't IMMEDIATELY become perfect again. You enjoy former friends to enemies to lovers. You enjoy your characters ALL to be morally gray. You love a found family amongst characters.
NO, IF: YOU ARE HOMOPHOBIC/DON'T ENJOY LGBTQ+ ROMANCE, this is clearly not for you. (But seriously, why are you reading queer lit if you aren't interested in it?) You need characters to be flawless, loveable, and have quick redemption arcs. You don't enjoy modern slang or verbiage used in fantasy. You need EPIC world building to enjoy a romantasy; the world Marsh creates is lovely, but it definitely isn't Tolkien levels of depth just yet!
Set in a fictional realm, Marsh brings you former childhood friends who have become estranged - dare I say enemies?! - in their adulthood and throws them together on an epic quest to bring back treasure in order to ensure their happily ever after. Griff, Mal, and Alys grew up with one another, but as tends to happen in real life, their worlds began pulling them in different ways, their commonalities becoming farther and fewer between. These blossoming differences put them at odds with one another and turned them against each other. Herein lies where we find our would-be anti-heroes.
What unfolds, without giving too much away, feels quite like a Dungeons and Dragon game more than anything else. With numerous battles, countless injuries, a whole host of creepy creatures, and several "how the f*ck are they getting out of this?!" moments that make your skin crawl - it reads like a delightfully treacherous campaign and as a fan of DnD, it was a win for me! This is where it gets the Lord of the Rings vibes from as well, but don't go in expecting a copy and paste of the series, for Rogue is its own beast, merely taking inspiration from Tolkien's world to become something entirely and wholly new. That said, if you enjoy found family going on a fantasy road trip, it rings true in this book - as it does in LOTR!
What I particularly love MOST about this book are the characters. In a world of romantasy books where characters have one tiny flaw that is easily remedied, the characters in Rogue feel REAL. They're complex, they're messy, they have problems. Alys is a mom of three who is trying and failing to live up to the legacy sung about her by bards across the country, who doesn't particularly enjoy fighting or killing, but still wants to be the hero. She is constantly on some sort of alcohol or plant based trip and she has to learn how to balance ALL of that and figure out who she really is at her core. Griff is dating Liam almost 99.9% because he bears a striking resemblance to Mal who he is STILL hung up on despite being apart from for years and hating his guts. He also ditches him the second he has a chance to reunite with former friends, Mal and Alys. And Mal, oh Mal - he is messiness personified. For Mal has fallen in with a terrible crowd, working for the evil Shadow Queen who's dealings are less than her tea shop cover would have it seem. He dabbles in numerous financial ventures simply to take money despite it perhaps not being the most... fair of ways to do so. He is a chronic alcoholic, never without a flask in his pocket and frequently intoxicated. We even get to see him coming to terms with his confusing feelings for Griff and trying to rework his sexuality and what it means for him. I think it's clear that these characters need a lot of work, probably therapy, and maybe some medicine - but we would have them no other way!
Overall, this book is a love letter to so many different genres. It is, at its core, a queer love story between two men with a complicated past and a mutual friend who needs help as much as they do themselves. It is also a fantasy - full of monsters and an adventure to find missing treasure previously unattainable by those who tried. There's coziness in it, somehow in the middle of the Rotrose Mire, scenes that carve out just a touch of comfort amidst the chaos. And, of course, it's a bit smutty given the handful of scenes that bring you some top notch spice.... and I wasn't kidding about the swamp sex. Not one little bit.
YES, IF: You enjoy cozy queer fantasies and epic quests and wish they were blended together more in literature. If you're down for a bit of excellent spice that doesn't fade to black. If you can appreciate messy characters who don't IMMEDIATELY become perfect again. You enjoy former friends to enemies to lovers. You enjoy your characters ALL to be morally gray. You love a found family amongst characters.
NO, IF: YOU ARE HOMOPHOBIC/DON'T ENJOY LGBTQ+ ROMANCE, this is clearly not for you. (But seriously, why are you reading queer lit if you aren't interested in it?) You need characters to be flawless, loveable, and have quick redemption arcs. You don't enjoy modern slang or verbiage used in fantasy. You need EPIC world building to enjoy a romantasy; the world Marsh creates is lovely, but it definitely isn't Tolkien levels of depth just yet!
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