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Broken Lances #0.5
First Tilt
HEATED RIVALRY meets A KNIGHT'S TALE
A NAMELESS KNIGHT. A CHAMPION'S FALL. A SQUIRE CAUGHT BETWEEN.
When the mysterious Alaric challenges Ser Halden, an undefeated tournament champion who clawed his way up from nothing, their confrontation sparks more than rivalry. Halden's humiliating defeat leaves him keenly aware of the distance between noble and commoner and drives him toward a dangerous fixation on the man who unseated him.
Caught in their orbit is Perrin, Halden’s loyal squire, who has spent years anticipating his knight’s every need. As tensions between the two men escalate, Perrin is torn between his loyalty and desires he can no longer ignore.
First Tilt is a medieval fantasy romance where pride, power, and desire collide on and off the tournament field, and three men discover that some rivalries burn hottest when the armour comes off.
Perfect for readers who love intense rivals-to-lovers romance and medieval-inspired spectacle.
A NAMELESS KNIGHT. A CHAMPION'S FALL. A SQUIRE CAUGHT BETWEEN.
When the mysterious Alaric challenges Ser Halden, an undefeated tournament champion who clawed his way up from nothing, their confrontation sparks more than rivalry. Halden's humiliating defeat leaves him keenly aware of the distance between noble and commoner and drives him toward a dangerous fixation on the man who unseated him.
Caught in their orbit is Perrin, Halden’s loyal squire, who has spent years anticipating his knight’s every need. As tensions between the two men escalate, Perrin is torn between his loyalty and desires he can no longer ignore.
First Tilt is a medieval fantasy romance where pride, power, and desire collide on and off the tournament field, and three men discover that some rivalries burn hottest when the armour comes off.
Perfect for readers who love intense rivals-to-lovers romance and medieval-inspired spectacle.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
131 people are currently reading
1839 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
February 27, 2026
I need a full book NOWWWWWW
February 12, 2026
4.5🌟 I LOVED THIS!! I picked this up for the absolutely gorgeous cover, and stayed for the story! I could not put this down, the author promoted this as Heated Rivalry meets A Knight’s Tale and honestly I think that sums this up almost perfectly! This is a super short and bingeable prequel novella for the coming series Broken Lances and when I tell you I am so sat and ready for that first book now?! What a fantastic introduction to the characters. This is a poly MMM between two extremely competitive rival knights competing in a jousting tournament (Hal and Alaric) plus Hal’s devoted and fiercely loyal squire Perrin. The tension and yearning in this made me want to scream. I’m so intrigued by the dynamic of these characters and that last line has sent me into a spiral, I am likely going to be insufferable until Second Pass releases!!!
February 21, 2026
sign me the fuck up. I'd read lucien burrs grocery list at this point. (I still stand by this)
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post read: *raises my pitchfork* JUSTICE FOR PERRIN!!!!1
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post read: *raises my pitchfork* JUSTICE FOR PERRIN!!!!1
February 25, 2026
OMGGGGGG DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS NOVELLA.
First Tilt is described as Heated Rivalry meets A Knights Tale and that's pretty spot on and I am OBSESSED. It's hidden identity, class difference, rivals to lovers, and omg I think it ends up being MMM eventually? Two of the guys are knights, one is a squire, there is JOUSTING and SWORD FIGHTING (literally and... you know) and secret tourney tent hookups and I ATE IT UP. From what I understand this is a prequel to a full length novel and you'd better believe I'll be reading that the MOMENT it's available.
This is my first Lucien Burr book, and apparently his alternate pen name is Seth Haddon, who has been recommended to me MANY TIMES. I get it now friends!! Lemme go look through the backlist for both because THE WAY I NEED MORE OF THIS!
First Tilt is described as Heated Rivalry meets A Knights Tale and that's pretty spot on and I am OBSESSED. It's hidden identity, class difference, rivals to lovers, and omg I think it ends up being MMM eventually? Two of the guys are knights, one is a squire, there is JOUSTING and SWORD FIGHTING (literally and... you know) and secret tourney tent hookups and I ATE IT UP. From what I understand this is a prequel to a full length novel and you'd better believe I'll be reading that the MOMENT it's available.
This is my first Lucien Burr book, and apparently his alternate pen name is Seth Haddon, who has been recommended to me MANY TIMES. I get it now friends!! Lemme go look through the backlist for both because THE WAY I NEED MORE OF THIS!
January 31, 2026
Excited for book 1!
February 2, 2026
I need the actual first book right the fuck now
March 15, 2026
ᝰ.ᐟ 4 stars
i have some serious mixed feelings about this book. the writing was absolutely amazing and gripping, so there are no complaints there. but, i wasn’t invested in alaric and hal whatsoever. it felt like the potential between hal and perrin was completely overshadowed in favour of a sex fuelled baseless relationship. alaric is a morally ambiguous character, but his motivations were somewhat nonsensical?
i’m absolutely obsessed with the dynamic between hal and perrin and hope that is explored more in the full book over alaric and hal.
i have some serious mixed feelings about this book. the writing was absolutely amazing and gripping, so there are no complaints there. but, i wasn’t invested in alaric and hal whatsoever. it felt like the potential between hal and perrin was completely overshadowed in favour of a sex fuelled baseless relationship. alaric is a morally ambiguous character, but his motivations were somewhat nonsensical?
i’m absolutely obsessed with the dynamic between hal and perrin and hope that is explored more in the full book over alaric and hal.
February 18, 2026
4.5 stars
Heated Rivalry Meets a Knights Tale.
MMM
This is a prequel
Enemies to Fuckers (lol)
Loooooooved the writing style!! Ahh it was delicious! Perfect for the time period.
Heated Rivalry Meets a Knights Tale.
MMM
This is a prequel
Enemies to Fuckers (lol)
Loooooooved the writing style!! Ahh it was delicious! Perfect for the time period.
February 17, 2026
This is the start of an enemies to lovers jousting series, and I am here for it.
Hal has been the upstart and champion on his jousting circuit for a year and a half. Undefeated, and by far yhe best in the circuit, he came from common roots and trained, fought, and clawed his way to the top. He is enraged when he meets his match: Alaric, the Nameless Knight, who must have royalty in his blood but has no interest in using it. When Hal is finally defeated by Alaric, he is livid that a noble born came in and stole the glory he worked to hard for. But Alaric is intrigued, and makes Hal an offer he desperately wants. It ends horribly, both their tryst and their final bout.
Alaric comes across cruel and arrogant, but there’s definitely more to him. He’s so determined to prove his own worth without his title, and gets a little too caught up in that.
My favorite character was Hal’s squire, Perrin. He’s incredibly dedicated to Hal, and I hope he gets his due in the series.
Hal has been the upstart and champion on his jousting circuit for a year and a half. Undefeated, and by far yhe best in the circuit, he came from common roots and trained, fought, and clawed his way to the top. He is enraged when he meets his match: Alaric, the Nameless Knight, who must have royalty in his blood but has no interest in using it. When Hal is finally defeated by Alaric, he is livid that a noble born came in and stole the glory he worked to hard for. But Alaric is intrigued, and makes Hal an offer he desperately wants. It ends horribly, both their tryst and their final bout.
Alaric comes across cruel and arrogant, but there’s definitely more to him. He’s so determined to prove his own worth without his title, and gets a little too caught up in that.
My favorite character was Hal’s squire, Perrin. He’s incredibly dedicated to Hal, and I hope he gets his due in the series.
March 10, 2026
very short but good! excited for this to become a full length story.
February 18, 2026
Okay, when I saw that this was advertised as “Heated Rivalry meets A Knight’s Tale”, sign me the fuck up! I literally could not not read it, right? I mean, Heated Rivalry and A Knight’s Tale are two of my favorite things, like, ever. (and of course the 3 sexy af dudes gettin it on on the cover didn’t hurt my decision making at all😂) So, babe, when I tell you this book was bangin, I mean it was BANGIN!! 138 pages wasn’t near enough!! And this is just the PREQUEL NOVELLA for an upcoming series *mind blown*!!
That was INTENSE. Every page was intense. My jaw is sore from gritting my teeth for 138 pages.
And so damn sexy. And they didn’t even fuck! Don’t worry, there’s still lots of good spice and the fucking IS definitely coming!
This book was just a teaser for what’s to come.
That last paragraph gave me goddamn chills! I am SO looking forward to seeing where their story goes in the next book!!
The ONLY thing I can possibly think of that would have made this better is if the crowd had started singing We Will Rock You before the first jousting match. Y’all know what I’m talkin about.
Rivals to Lovers
Medieval Inspired
(soon to be) Poly MMM
Jousting
Triple POV
Brutal
Fighting as Foreplay
That was INTENSE. Every page was intense. My jaw is sore from gritting my teeth for 138 pages.
And so damn sexy. And they didn’t even fuck! Don’t worry, there’s still lots of good spice and the fucking IS definitely coming!
This book was just a teaser for what’s to come.
That last paragraph gave me goddamn chills! I am SO looking forward to seeing where their story goes in the next book!!
The ONLY thing I can possibly think of that would have made this better is if the crowd had started singing We Will Rock You before the first jousting match. Y’all know what I’m talkin about.
Rivals to Lovers
Medieval Inspired
(soon to be) Poly MMM
Jousting
Triple POV
Brutal
Fighting as Foreplay
March 5, 2026
i’m invested
January 30, 2026
Very sexy. Very yearny. Yep, sign me up for the next one, please! 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
I fear HR is the new RW&RB comp this year- in that it means boys are kissing. But yes, I guess two of them ARE rival jousters! (?)
I fear HR is the new RW&RB comp this year- in that it means boys are kissing. But yes, I guess two of them ARE rival jousters! (?)
January 29, 2026
I loved this, it was a good introduction to the main characters of the series. The main characters had strong personalities despite the short length. I thought there might have been small typos like a repeating sentence on page 3? It wasn't a big issue for me but if those things bother you it may. Overall I am excited to see where the series goes.
February 8, 2026
I get so grumpy when the cover art does not accurately depict what is in the book. The scene from the cover does not happen. 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
GIVE ME THE SERIES NOW! Didn’t expect this 0.5 book to be as good as it was honestly, but I enjoyed every words of it to be honest. You know where I’m gonna be on September: in the first book of this very promising series!
February 16, 2026
3.75⭐️
this is a really cute and unique novella. a really good set up for a full story where we can delve into the characters a bit more. i really want to learn more about perrin🫣
this is a really cute and unique novella. a really good set up for a full story where we can delve into the characters a bit more. i really want to learn more about perrin🫣
March 8, 2026
3.5*
Okay, yeah im pretty excited for this series in September. This prequel was so fun.. I am just not fully attached yet because it was so short.
Okay, yeah im pretty excited for this series in September. This prequel was so fun.. I am just not fully attached yet because it was so short.
March 18, 2026
I need the full book IMMEDIATELY!!! I was not expecting to be so captivated by this prequel novella but I’m sooo invested and super intrigued to see how the dynamic is going to play out for these 3 men! Also I know it’s just a short novella but I’m already prepared to defend Perrin with my life!!! They better treat my boy right in the next installment! Ughhhhh September is too far away 😫
February 5, 2026
I know this was a prequel novella, but the ending left me unsatisfied. I wish it could've been one big entire book instead of its own little thing.
Still really enjoyed the characters and their dynamics, I'm really looking forward to the next book!
Still really enjoyed the characters and their dynamics, I'm really looking forward to the next book!
February 5, 2026
First Tilt is a MM/M novella. I think it’s advertised as MMM, and maybe that will come later in the next book, but this book is MM. Alaric comes to the joust to prove his worth without his title behind him. He challenges Hal, the Upstart, a commoner who rose up and has not lost a challenge in 18 months. He comes and beats him, which catches the other knight’s attention. Hal has a squire that is devoted and will do anything for him.
So I’d rate this 3.5 (why Goodreads doesn’t do .5 is weird lol). I liked it and I am interested in more. The only thing I didn’t like was Perrin, the squire. I know he is supposed to be a love interest but he is annoying and I kind of wish it’s just Hal and Alaric. Maybe that’s just me lol
So I’d rate this 3.5 (why Goodreads doesn’t do .5 is weird lol). I liked it and I am interested in more. The only thing I didn’t like was Perrin, the squire. I know he is supposed to be a love interest but he is annoying and I kind of wish it’s just Hal and Alaric. Maybe that’s just me lol
February 10, 2026
Lucien Burr wrote one of my favorite trilogies of all times, The Teras Trials. Of course, when he announced his release of a whole new story about three gay knights, I knew I had to pick it up. This novella introduces us to our three main characters as their lives first collide: Alaric, rich heir, decides to lean into anonymity as he participates in a joust. He will challenge the rogue knight, Hal, who won't take too good to be beaten. Perrin is Hal’s squire, and will witness these two forces of nature collide, in the tournament and in the tent.
I wasn't expecting much because I’m not a big fan of novellas in general, but I was really pleasantly surprised with this one. The plot is centered around joust tournament, which allowed easy intensity and high stakes from the very first page. We don't get to discover more of the world beyond the joust, as there’s no politics or worldbuilding involved because of the novella format, but it wasn't needed at all to get us inside this universe. The story was thrilling, and definitely an easy page turner.
We follow our three main characters throughout each of their point of view, and they each allowed for very different takes on the story. We get to take in each view of the joust and the events afterwards, without ever being redundant. They each brought something new to the story, and even when I usually don't enjoy multiple POVs, I was really glad to see what was going on inside each of their head.
The three of them were all equally interesting. Alaric is the one I took the longest to get attached to, because he’s prejudiced by the education he got t’because of his status. At first, he seems like the kind to sneer at others because of their poverty. But it was interesting to see how quickly he showed his true feelings when necessary, and I do think he has a lot of depth I’m curious to explore.
Hal was roguish and proud, but this short view of him already shows he’s also deeply insecure. It was very interesting to see him surrendering, to both Alaric and himself, which allowed him to let go entirely.
Perrin is the one we see the less but he was the one I most fell in love with. At first meek and shy, he shows incredible strength of character and fearlessness once Hal is threatened in any way. He’s the one I’m most looking forward to getting to know more.
This novella was the perfect introduction to these three characters and their dynamics, and just enough was teased to make us anticipated the first full novel. I can't wait to properly meet them (again).
The fire in those green eyes wasn't just temper; it was purpose. And here was the core of Halden’s hurt, the thing that had made him the Upstart in the first place. Every victory was another piece of evidence that a commoner's blood could run just as noble as any lord's.
I wasn't expecting much because I’m not a big fan of novellas in general, but I was really pleasantly surprised with this one. The plot is centered around joust tournament, which allowed easy intensity and high stakes from the very first page. We don't get to discover more of the world beyond the joust, as there’s no politics or worldbuilding involved because of the novella format, but it wasn't needed at all to get us inside this universe. The story was thrilling, and definitely an easy page turner.
We follow our three main characters throughout each of their point of view, and they each allowed for very different takes on the story. We get to take in each view of the joust and the events afterwards, without ever being redundant. They each brought something new to the story, and even when I usually don't enjoy multiple POVs, I was really glad to see what was going on inside each of their head.
The boy’s devotion was exquisite torture to witness—raw, unguarded loyalty poured endlessly into a vessel too consumed by inner demons to recognise its worth. Did Halden feel those dark eyes burning into him? Did he understand the power he held over that desperate heart?
The three of them were all equally interesting. Alaric is the one I took the longest to get attached to, because he’s prejudiced by the education he got t’because of his status. At first, he seems like the kind to sneer at others because of their poverty. But it was interesting to see how quickly he showed his true feelings when necessary, and I do think he has a lot of depth I’m curious to explore.
Hal was roguish and proud, but this short view of him already shows he’s also deeply insecure. It was very interesting to see him surrendering, to both Alaric and himself, which allowed him to let go entirely.
But there was something else, too. Something in the set of those shoulders, the angle of that head, the sheer breadth of that childish grin. He was prideful but scared. Pride was his real armour, worn over some wound. Alaric knew exactly what that was like.
Perrin is the one we see the less but he was the one I most fell in love with. At first meek and shy, he shows incredible strength of character and fearlessness once Hal is threatened in any way. He’s the one I’m most looking forward to getting to know more.
This novella was the perfect introduction to these three characters and their dynamics, and just enough was teased to make us anticipated the first full novel. I can't wait to properly meet them (again).
January 29, 2026
Format Read: Kindle eBook
Spice Level: 🌶️
Lucien Burr is onto something with this one - but it's far from polished.
::::SPOILERS BELOW::::
Alaric is a wholly unlikable character who arrives just in time to ruin the dreams of Hal who had worked himself to the bone for years to achieve. I'm not a huge fan of Alaric, personally-- though his motivations are spelled out in the book for the reader, there is very little to him aside from "being the best without his name".
Hal, on the other hand, is my favorite genre of man - which is why I have such a hard time being negative about this book.
Hal is written so well! He's the type of character that's "lived in", his motivations are clear, he's worked incredibly hard to get where he is-- the common man sees him as a symbol that they don't have to settle on being oppressed by the ruling class. He's a big man, broad, body showing clear evidence of the battles he'd both won and lost. Then you see him with Perrin-- and while the feelings are unspoken, you get the feeling there is something *there* between them and it had the potential to be something very special.
Then Alaric, "I gotta prove myself", ruins everything.
One final complaint is the accuracy of the cover art. I know it's art, and that perhaps it speaks to things coming in later books in this series-- but as a whole it is misleading. The three protagonists are never in a situation that would prompt this cover art.
Over-all, in spite of my many complaints, I did enjoy this book! I enjoyed the author's writing style, their ability to describe a scene made it very easy to picture what they were envisioning, and the story was fairly enjoyable!
I do think that it could have used some polishing (perhaps a dozen more chapters), but at the end of the day it's still one more published book than I've written myself. Kudos to Lucien!
Spice Level: 🌶️
Lucien Burr is onto something with this one - but it's far from polished.
::::SPOILERS BELOW::::
Alaric is a wholly unlikable character who arrives just in time to ruin the dreams of Hal who had worked himself to the bone for years to achieve. I'm not a huge fan of Alaric, personally-- though his motivations are spelled out in the book for the reader, there is very little to him aside from "being the best without his name".
Hal, on the other hand, is my favorite genre of man - which is why I have such a hard time being negative about this book.
Hal is written so well! He's the type of character that's "lived in", his motivations are clear, he's worked incredibly hard to get where he is-- the common man sees him as a symbol that they don't have to settle on being oppressed by the ruling class. He's a big man, broad, body showing clear evidence of the battles he'd both won and lost. Then you see him with Perrin-- and while the feelings are unspoken, you get the feeling there is something *there* between them and it had the potential to be something very special.
Then Alaric, "I gotta prove myself", ruins everything.
One final complaint is the accuracy of the cover art. I know it's art, and that perhaps it speaks to things coming in later books in this series-- but as a whole it is misleading. The three protagonists are never in a situation that would prompt this cover art.
Over-all, in spite of my many complaints, I did enjoy this book! I enjoyed the author's writing style, their ability to describe a scene made it very easy to picture what they were envisioning, and the story was fairly enjoyable!
I do think that it could have used some polishing (perhaps a dozen more chapters), but at the end of the day it's still one more published book than I've written myself. Kudos to Lucien!
March 2, 2026
Second 5⭐️ of the year! I LOVED this.
I’ll start by saying that the writing in this was gorgeous. It is the kind of writing where I cannot even fathom being able to write like that. It was beautiful.
This was pitched as Heated Rivalry but with two rival knights and a squire - and while I would say that is a mostly accurate comparison, it does not do this story justice.
Even in just 133 pages we are given a fantastic window into the sheer complexity of these three characters. Each character is so multifaceted, it’s like looking at a prism with light shining through it.
The tension is high, the heat is high, the stakes are high, the YEARNINGGG… oh my god!!! The yearning from all three of them was intense and palpable, but especially from Perrin, oh my heart ached for his loyal and longing heart. The lines of prose surrounding his adoration and devotion specifically were so incredibly poetic.
I’m so glad there is a series following this novella because oh my god I could read forever about them.
BRING BACK YEARNING!!!!
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙮’𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨—𝙧𝙖𝙬, 𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝.”
I’ll start by saying that the writing in this was gorgeous. It is the kind of writing where I cannot even fathom being able to write like that. It was beautiful.
This was pitched as Heated Rivalry but with two rival knights and a squire - and while I would say that is a mostly accurate comparison, it does not do this story justice.
Even in just 133 pages we are given a fantastic window into the sheer complexity of these three characters. Each character is so multifaceted, it’s like looking at a prism with light shining through it.
The tension is high, the heat is high, the stakes are high, the YEARNINGGG… oh my god!!! The yearning from all three of them was intense and palpable, but especially from Perrin, oh my heart ached for his loyal and longing heart. The lines of prose surrounding his adoration and devotion specifically were so incredibly poetic.
I’m so glad there is a series following this novella because oh my god I could read forever about them.
BRING BACK YEARNING!!!!
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙮’𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨—𝙧𝙖𝙬, 𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝.”
March 18, 2026
HEATED RIVALRY meets A KNIGHT'S TALE
A NAMELESS KNIGHT. A CHAMPION'S FALL. A SQUIRE CAUGHT BETWEEN.
When the mysterious Alaric challenges Ser Halden, an undefeated tournament champion who clawed his way up from nothing, their confrontation sparks more than rivalry. Halden's humiliating defeat leaves him keenly aware of the distance between noble and commoner and drives him toward a dangerous fixation on the man who unseated him.
Caught in their orbit is Perrin, Halden’s loyal squire, who has spent years anticipating his knight’s every need. As tensions between the two men escalate, Perrin is torn between his loyalty and desires he can no longer ignore.
First Tilt is a medieval fantasy romance where pride, power, and desire collide on and off the tournament field, and three men discover that some rivalries burn hottest when the armour comes off.
Perfect for readers who love intense rivals-to-lovers romance and medieval-inspired spectacle.
review: This book disappointed me
Alaric challenges Hal
they are both knights but Alaric is definitely of nobility
the spice between these two wow
even though Alaric hurt hal and used him
now hal and Perrin I find interesting
there is definitely feelings between them
Hal got hurt
Alaric feels bad but challenges him again
see Alaric is a prince
.
I dont know if I will read the full book
A NAMELESS KNIGHT. A CHAMPION'S FALL. A SQUIRE CAUGHT BETWEEN.
When the mysterious Alaric challenges Ser Halden, an undefeated tournament champion who clawed his way up from nothing, their confrontation sparks more than rivalry. Halden's humiliating defeat leaves him keenly aware of the distance between noble and commoner and drives him toward a dangerous fixation on the man who unseated him.
Caught in their orbit is Perrin, Halden’s loyal squire, who has spent years anticipating his knight’s every need. As tensions between the two men escalate, Perrin is torn between his loyalty and desires he can no longer ignore.
First Tilt is a medieval fantasy romance where pride, power, and desire collide on and off the tournament field, and three men discover that some rivalries burn hottest when the armour comes off.
Perfect for readers who love intense rivals-to-lovers romance and medieval-inspired spectacle.
review: This book disappointed me
Alaric challenges Hal
they are both knights but Alaric is definitely of nobility
the spice between these two wow
even though Alaric hurt hal and used him
now hal and Perrin I find interesting
there is definitely feelings between them
Hal got hurt
Alaric feels bad but challenges him again
see Alaric is a prince
.
I dont know if I will read the full book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2026
When the mysterious Alaric challenges Ser Halden, an undefeated jousting tournament champion who clawed his way up from nothing, their confrontation sparks more than rivalry. There is heat. Desire for more than just the thrill of victory…
Tropes
🐎 MMM romance
🔥 Rivals to lovers (sort of)
🐎 Sports romance (jousting)
🔥 Fighting as foreplay
🐎 Knights and squires
🔥 Triple POV
🐎 Hothead one + irritatingly smug long-haired one + loyal scrappy one 😂
🔥 Spicy af
A charming and provocative medieval romance about 3 men who come from vastly different backgrounds, but are equally determined to prove themselves… whether it be as a faithful ‘companion’ or jousting champion.
This was a book I had no idea I needed until I happened to come across the cover and tropes on Instagram… and I was immediately hooked once I started reading!! It is sexy, entertaining, and just a rip-roaring good time if you love spicy MM tension, antagonistic verbal sparring, and the anticipation of dangerous spectator sports.
If nothing else, I wish it were longer. Lucien was such a friggin tease, like my LORD, the next book can’t come soon enough!!
✨ 4.25/5
🌶️ 2.5/5
Tropes
🐎 MMM romance
🔥 Rivals to lovers (sort of)
🐎 Sports romance (jousting)
🔥 Fighting as foreplay
🐎 Knights and squires
🔥 Triple POV
🐎 Hothead one + irritatingly smug long-haired one + loyal scrappy one 😂
🔥 Spicy af
A charming and provocative medieval romance about 3 men who come from vastly different backgrounds, but are equally determined to prove themselves… whether it be as a faithful ‘companion’ or jousting champion.
This was a book I had no idea I needed until I happened to come across the cover and tropes on Instagram… and I was immediately hooked once I started reading!! It is sexy, entertaining, and just a rip-roaring good time if you love spicy MM tension, antagonistic verbal sparring, and the anticipation of dangerous spectator sports.
If nothing else, I wish it were longer. Lucien was such a friggin tease, like my LORD, the next book can’t come soon enough!!
✨ 4.25/5
🌶️ 2.5/5
February 3, 2026
Simple short story to get you intested in the series on its way and to be honest you have me interested. We have Alaric the secret knight with a noble background trying to prove him self without title, Ser Hal our undefeated Upstart knight and his dutiful squire Perrin.
This feels like just a set up and taste of what the full book and series will be and it has got me watching for the next drop.
The dynamic between the men has a good start and I can see it developing into a compelling story. Hal wants to be more that a Upstart, Perrin has some inner growth to develop and Alaric needs to feel like his own man for once. Seems like they might make a strong team together.
This feels like just a set up and taste of what the full book and series will be and it has got me watching for the next drop.
The dynamic between the men has a good start and I can see it developing into a compelling story. Hal wants to be more that a Upstart, Perrin has some inner growth to develop and Alaric needs to feel like his own man for once. Seems like they might make a strong team together.
February 3, 2026
I added this book to my TBR purely based on the cover art and the description that it is "Heated Rivalry meets A Knight's Tale". That description is extremely accurate. There is literally nothing wrong with this book except that it is a novella and therefore entirely too short and I have to wait many months for the next full length book to come out. This story was a great introduction to the three characters, giving some backstory, and even gave some delicious spice. I'm sure it's meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek that it is a gay romance about jousting knights (and a squire). I highly recommend you check this out if you are a fan of queer romance, just know that you'll be FERAL for the next book as soon as it's over.
February 10, 2026
i love being gay!!!! needed this to be 500 pages longer.
-1 star because Alaric’s motivations weren’t explored as much as I’d like. I get that it’s a prequel/novella and that everything will be expanded upon in the next book but that makes this one sooooo unsatisfying. I don’t wanna wait until september! also some of the vocab and imagery gets repetitive.
+4 stars because horny caveman brain go brrrrrrrr😝
-1 star because Alaric’s motivations weren’t explored as much as I’d like. I get that it’s a prequel/novella and that everything will be expanded upon in the next book but that makes this one sooooo unsatisfying. I don’t wanna wait until september! also some of the vocab and imagery gets repetitive.
+4 stars because horny caveman brain go brrrrrrrr😝
February 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ I am guilty, Your Honor.
Holy. Shit.
The angst.
The yearning.
The emotional devastation?? I am officially deceased.
This book had me clinging to every interaction, every look, every almost. The unraveling was torture in the best possible way. I don’t even know how to articulate it beyond saying I felt physically unwell while reading — and I mean that as the highest compliment.
I will now be lying in wait until the next book releases. Do not attempt to revive me before then.
Holy. Shit.
The angst.
The yearning.
The emotional devastation?? I am officially deceased.
This book had me clinging to every interaction, every look, every almost. The unraveling was torture in the best possible way. I don’t even know how to articulate it beyond saying I felt physically unwell while reading — and I mean that as the highest compliment.
I will now be lying in wait until the next book releases. Do not attempt to revive me before then.
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