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Heartstrings and Mercenary Things: A Whimsical, Cozy Sapphic Romantasy
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Autre
I have to ask this first : Where is the fantasy in this book ? Sure there is a man turned into a rabbit at some point but that’s pretty much it and I admit I was disappointed. Nevertheless, the mercenary falling for the woman she is supposed to deliver to a man she is in depbt with kept me hooked. The forced proximity, the sweetness between them after the initial tension and the spicy sex scenes were well written. Still, I did not connect with the book. The premice was promising with Claire being a bit immature and dreaming of a better future. But the way she was written made it hard for me to like her at first and I expected more from her character growth. I was looking forward to their journey, with the dangers it could bring (creatures because it’s a fantasy, or bad guys attacking) getting them close. There were some danger, but pretty late in the book. When they started to catch feelings, I was wondering why.
They just went from barely baring each other to longing from afar without true key scenes or true connection. Their was also a lot of potential for tension with the duke being a bad guy, but everything just went too fast for my taste. Overall, the writing was agreable to read, and the pace was good, but the way the plot unraveled left me a frustrated.
They just went from barely baring each other to longing from afar without true key scenes or true connection. Their was also a lot of potential for tension with the duke being a bad guy, but everything just went too fast for my taste. Overall, the writing was agreable to read, and the pace was good, but the way the plot unraveled left me a frustrated.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cozy Adventure, Feisty Romance, and Finding Freedom
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things is exactly the kind of cozy fantasy adventure that feels effortlessly charming from beginning to end. Sarah Primiano keeps the fantasy elements light and approachable, letting the characters, journey, and romance take center stage. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed, balancing daring adventure and emotional moments while giving the characters and romance plenty of room to shine.
Claire and Ash see the world so differently. Claire is sweet and snarky, seeing endless possibilities in the world and wants to leave it better than she found it. She's bubbly, compassionate, and unwaveringly sure of what matters to her. Ash is guarded, sharp, and used to relying only on herself, expecting disappointment long before trust. Their shared adventures and unexpected detours slowly shift those perspectives, with Claire helping Ash see the value in connection and kindness while Ash encourages Claire to trust her own strength.
Their relationship unfolds with a steady, teasing tension that feels believable every step of the way. The banter is hilarious, filled with playful needling and clashing personalities, but beneath that is a growing understanding between two people who are both searching for freedom, acceptance, and a place to belong. What begins as guarded resistance gradually softens into partnership, affection, and a connection neither anticipated. The romance is gentle, heartfelt, steamy, and wonderfully grounded in who they are.
This was an excellent blend of cozy fantasy and feisty romance, proving that some journeys are less about where you end up and more about who you find along the way. Warm, funny, adventurous, and full of heart, this is a story about choosing connection, embracing a little chaos, and discovering that sometimes the best thing you can find on the road is a reason to stay.
Thank you to the author for the chance to read this ARC!!!
Favorite Quotes:
Dedication — "Sometimes the best way to find yourself is to get utterly lost and realize the detours were leading you to the right person all along."
"There was nothing I enjoyed more than loving women."
"I don’t want something I can walk away from. I want something worth staying for."
"When did that happen? I couldn’t trace it back to a single moment. It had just…grown quietly, steadily. Until now, it was impossible to ignore."
"I’ve seen the way she looks at you, like you’ve hung the damn stars yourself. She’s not subtle about anything. But especially not about you. It was as clear as day."
"You don’t get to decide her life for her. But you do get to give her the chance to choose it with her eyes open. And if you love her, you owe her that."
"[She] was anything but plain. She was warmth in places that had long since gone cold. She was kindness where there had been none, light where there had been none, and beautiful not just in the way she smiled, but in the way she gave pieces of herself without ever asking for anything in return."
"It had never been about traveling. It was about her. About standing beside her. Moving with her. Laughing with her. Discovering the world together."
"But [she was] standing there so soft and radiant and entirely unaware of what she was doing to me—that was a different kind of danger."
"And for the first time in a long, long while, I let myself want something more than survival. Her. A future that didn’t end in blood or debt or running."
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things is exactly the kind of cozy fantasy adventure that feels effortlessly charming from beginning to end. Sarah Primiano keeps the fantasy elements light and approachable, letting the characters, journey, and romance take center stage. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed, balancing daring adventure and emotional moments while giving the characters and romance plenty of room to shine.
Claire and Ash see the world so differently. Claire is sweet and snarky, seeing endless possibilities in the world and wants to leave it better than she found it. She's bubbly, compassionate, and unwaveringly sure of what matters to her. Ash is guarded, sharp, and used to relying only on herself, expecting disappointment long before trust. Their shared adventures and unexpected detours slowly shift those perspectives, with Claire helping Ash see the value in connection and kindness while Ash encourages Claire to trust her own strength.
Their relationship unfolds with a steady, teasing tension that feels believable every step of the way. The banter is hilarious, filled with playful needling and clashing personalities, but beneath that is a growing understanding between two people who are both searching for freedom, acceptance, and a place to belong. What begins as guarded resistance gradually softens into partnership, affection, and a connection neither anticipated. The romance is gentle, heartfelt, steamy, and wonderfully grounded in who they are.
This was an excellent blend of cozy fantasy and feisty romance, proving that some journeys are less about where you end up and more about who you find along the way. Warm, funny, adventurous, and full of heart, this is a story about choosing connection, embracing a little chaos, and discovering that sometimes the best thing you can find on the road is a reason to stay.
Thank you to the author for the chance to read this ARC!!!
Favorite Quotes:
Dedication — "Sometimes the best way to find yourself is to get utterly lost and realize the detours were leading you to the right person all along."
"There was nothing I enjoyed more than loving women."
"I don’t want something I can walk away from. I want something worth staying for."
"When did that happen? I couldn’t trace it back to a single moment. It had just…grown quietly, steadily. Until now, it was impossible to ignore."
"I’ve seen the way she looks at you, like you’ve hung the damn stars yourself. She’s not subtle about anything. But especially not about you. It was as clear as day."
"You don’t get to decide her life for her. But you do get to give her the chance to choose it with her eyes open. And if you love her, you owe her that."
"[She] was anything but plain. She was warmth in places that had long since gone cold. She was kindness where there had been none, light where there had been none, and beautiful not just in the way she smiled, but in the way she gave pieces of herself without ever asking for anything in return."
"It had never been about traveling. It was about her. About standing beside her. Moving with her. Laughing with her. Discovering the world together."
"But [she was] standing there so soft and radiant and entirely unaware of what she was doing to me—that was a different kind of danger."
"And for the first time in a long, long while, I let myself want something more than survival. Her. A future that didn’t end in blood or debt or running."
Did Not Finish
September 10, 2026DNF @ 10%
Made it through both character introduction chapters, and I didn’t like either. Claire comes off extremely spoiled and Ash comes off as a pig (I’ve had those exact lines said to me irl and it makes me cringe).
Thank you to the author for letting me read this as an ARC.
Made it through both character introduction chapters, and I didn’t like either. Claire comes off extremely spoiled and Ash comes off as a pig (I’ve had those exact lines said to me irl and it makes me cringe).
Thank you to the author for letting me read this as an ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2026
I was absolutely delighted to receive an ARC of this book! Here is my honest review:
This book is exactly what I wanted from a cosy sapphic fantasy book. The entire book is a delight to read. Claire is so entertaining, and she and Ash being somewhat oblivious to their feelings had me giggling.
The plot was very engaging, and Claire’s escapades were hilarious. Poor Ash was just trying to keep her safe! Honestly, Ash deserves a medal for her actions.
Also Ash is just really hot. There’s really nothing else I can say. Claire, you’re so lucky!
If you want an adorable sapphic cosy fantasy with a very dramatic plot line, I cannot recommend this one enough!
This book is exactly what I wanted from a cosy sapphic fantasy book. The entire book is a delight to read. Claire is so entertaining, and she and Ash being somewhat oblivious to their feelings had me giggling.
The plot was very engaging, and Claire’s escapades were hilarious. Poor Ash was just trying to keep her safe! Honestly, Ash deserves a medal for her actions.
Also Ash is just really hot. There’s really nothing else I can say. Claire, you’re so lucky!
If you want an adorable sapphic cosy fantasy with a very dramatic plot line, I cannot recommend this one enough!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 ⭐
As someone who absolutely loves bodyguard romances, this one was an instant read for me, and after really enjoying Sarah's debut novel, I couldn't wait to see what Heartstrings and Mercenary Things had in store. While I really enjoyed my time with it, I couldn't help but feel that a few aspects could have been pushed just a little further.
At its heart, this is a cozy romantasy about Claire, a sunshine-filled young woman who has always dreamed of a life beyond her tiny village. When she's suddenly promised in marriage to a Duke she's never met, she chooses to accept, seeing it as a chance to explore the world beyond the only life she's ever known. Along the journey, she's placed under the protection of a guarded mercenary named Ash, and what begins as a routine assignment slowly turns into something much more meaningful for them both.
Claire was such an easy character to root for. I loved that she always believed the best in people, though it occasionally made her seem a little naïve. At the same time, she wasn't afraid to stand her ground when it really mattered, and I thought that balance made her incredibly likable. My only small complaint is that by the end of the story, I didn't feel like she'd changed all that much. Her growth was there, but I wished it had been a little more noticeable.
Ash immediately caught my attention for the exact opposite reason. She's quiet, guarded, practical, and keeps everyone at arm's length. It made her fascinating because I never quite knew what she was thinking. Unfortunately, it felt like we only got glimpses of Ash's inner struggles instead of seeing them fully unfold. Her relationship with Garrick felt like the perfect opportunity to really explore how much that bond had shaped the person she'd become, but it all wrapped up a little too quickly. Because of that, her growth didn't feel quite as earned as I was hoping it would.
I also found myself hoping the supporting cast had been explored a bit more. Caspian, in particular, completely stole every scene he was in. He brought so much warmth and humor to the story, and I would've loved spending more time with him. His friendship with Ash felt like it had the potential to reveal even more about her than what we actually got to see.
The romance itself was incredibly sweet. I loved how Claire inspired Ash to imagine a different future, while Ash helped Claire realize the kind of life she truly wanted for herself. They complemented each other beautifully, and it was easy to understand why they were drawn together.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that a lot of their emotional journey happened off the page. Claire is wonderfully open from the very beginning, but Ash keeps so much of herself hidden until the final stretch of the novel. Because of that, it left me wondering exactly when her feelings shifted from quietly tolerating Claire to genuinely falling in love with her. Even during some of the most romantic moments near the end, I was craving a few more conversations, vulnerable moments, and quiet scenes that built toward those emotions.
One thing that completely won me over was Sarah's writing. Her prose is warm, witty, and incredibly immersive. I honestly could've spent another hundred pages in this world. I also have to give a special shout-out to the humor because it genuinely made me laugh, especially every scene involving Lord Peckington. Those moments added so much charm to an already cozy story.
The fantasy elements were probably the only part that felt a little lighter than I expected. There are magical healers, enchanted ribbons, silence weaving, ravens delivering messages, and plenty of hints that there's a much larger magical world beyond the page. I was so eager to see those ideas explored deeper because they had so much potential to enrich the world even more.
Overall, I think this story has such a strong foundation. The characters are lovable, the romance is incredibly wholesome, and the emotional premise really worked for me. I just wish the pacing had slowed down enough to let every relationship and every conflict fully breathe, though I can understand that the novel's shorter length probably didn't leave much room for that. At the end of the day, I truly adored Claire and Ash, and I have a feeling plenty of readers are going to fall completely in love with their story. If anything, this book made me even more excited to see where Sarah takes us next.
A big thank you to the author for the eARC—I really appreciate the chance to read this early!
As someone who absolutely loves bodyguard romances, this one was an instant read for me, and after really enjoying Sarah's debut novel, I couldn't wait to see what Heartstrings and Mercenary Things had in store. While I really enjoyed my time with it, I couldn't help but feel that a few aspects could have been pushed just a little further.
At its heart, this is a cozy romantasy about Claire, a sunshine-filled young woman who has always dreamed of a life beyond her tiny village. When she's suddenly promised in marriage to a Duke she's never met, she chooses to accept, seeing it as a chance to explore the world beyond the only life she's ever known. Along the journey, she's placed under the protection of a guarded mercenary named Ash, and what begins as a routine assignment slowly turns into something much more meaningful for them both.
Claire was such an easy character to root for. I loved that she always believed the best in people, though it occasionally made her seem a little naïve. At the same time, she wasn't afraid to stand her ground when it really mattered, and I thought that balance made her incredibly likable. My only small complaint is that by the end of the story, I didn't feel like she'd changed all that much. Her growth was there, but I wished it had been a little more noticeable.
Ash immediately caught my attention for the exact opposite reason. She's quiet, guarded, practical, and keeps everyone at arm's length. It made her fascinating because I never quite knew what she was thinking. Unfortunately, it felt like we only got glimpses of Ash's inner struggles instead of seeing them fully unfold. Her relationship with Garrick felt like the perfect opportunity to really explore how much that bond had shaped the person she'd become, but it all wrapped up a little too quickly. Because of that, her growth didn't feel quite as earned as I was hoping it would.
I also found myself hoping the supporting cast had been explored a bit more. Caspian, in particular, completely stole every scene he was in. He brought so much warmth and humor to the story, and I would've loved spending more time with him. His friendship with Ash felt like it had the potential to reveal even more about her than what we actually got to see.
The romance itself was incredibly sweet. I loved how Claire inspired Ash to imagine a different future, while Ash helped Claire realize the kind of life she truly wanted for herself. They complemented each other beautifully, and it was easy to understand why they were drawn together.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that a lot of their emotional journey happened off the page. Claire is wonderfully open from the very beginning, but Ash keeps so much of herself hidden until the final stretch of the novel. Because of that, it left me wondering exactly when her feelings shifted from quietly tolerating Claire to genuinely falling in love with her. Even during some of the most romantic moments near the end, I was craving a few more conversations, vulnerable moments, and quiet scenes that built toward those emotions.
One thing that completely won me over was Sarah's writing. Her prose is warm, witty, and incredibly immersive. I honestly could've spent another hundred pages in this world. I also have to give a special shout-out to the humor because it genuinely made me laugh, especially every scene involving Lord Peckington. Those moments added so much charm to an already cozy story.
The fantasy elements were probably the only part that felt a little lighter than I expected. There are magical healers, enchanted ribbons, silence weaving, ravens delivering messages, and plenty of hints that there's a much larger magical world beyond the page. I was so eager to see those ideas explored deeper because they had so much potential to enrich the world even more.
Overall, I think this story has such a strong foundation. The characters are lovable, the romance is incredibly wholesome, and the emotional premise really worked for me. I just wish the pacing had slowed down enough to let every relationship and every conflict fully breathe, though I can understand that the novel's shorter length probably didn't leave much room for that. At the end of the day, I truly adored Claire and Ash, and I have a feeling plenty of readers are going to fall completely in love with their story. If anything, this book made me even more excited to see where Sarah takes us next.
A big thank you to the author for the eARC—I really appreciate the chance to read this early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Heartstrings and Mercenary Things
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things was such a cozy, charming romantasy, and I honestly had such a lovely time reading it. As someone who will always pick up a book with a guarded mercenary and a sunshine-y heroine, I was immediately sold on Claire and Ash.
Claire was such an easy character to root for. I loved how kind and optimistic she was without making her completely helpless, and I especially enjoyed watching her slowly realize that the life she had always imagined for herself might not actually be the life she wanted. I just wish her character development had been a little more noticeable by the end because I could see the growth, but I wanted more of it.
And then there’s Ash. 😭 I was SO intrigued by her from the beginning. She’s guarded, practical, and clearly carrying so much beneath the surface, which made me want to understand her more and more. My biggest wish was honestly for the book to dig deeper into her inner world. Some of her emotional struggles felt like they were only touched on when I desperately wanted to see them fully explored.
The romance was incredibly sweet, though. I really loved the way Claire and Ash brought out different sides of each other. Claire encouraged Ash to imagine a future beyond what she had always known, while Ash helped Claire understand what she actually wanted from her own life. Their dynamic was genuinely adorable, and I loved seeing them find their way toward each other. 🥹
I also have to mention the side characters because Caspian completely stole every scene he was in. His humor and warmth added so much to the story, and I would've happily read more scenes with him and Ash. I also think some of the relationships outside the main romance had so much potential to be explored further.
The fantasy world was another area where I wanted MORE. There were so many interesting little pieces—magic, healers, enchanted ribbons, ravens delivering messages—and they made me feel like there was a much bigger world waiting beyond the pages. I would've loved a little more world-building and exploration of those elements.
But Sarah's writing was definitely one of my favorite parts. It was warm, witty, and incredibly easy to get lost in. And the humor?? Lord Peckington had me laughing. 😂
Overall, Heartstrings and Mercenary Things gave me a sweet romance, lovable characters, a cozy fantasy atmosphere, and a story with so much potential. I just wish some of the emotional arcs, relationships, and fantasy elements had been given more room to breathe.
4⭐ because I genuinely enjoyed this one and absolutely adored Claire and Ash. I'm definitely curious to see what Sarah writes next! 💗
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things was such a cozy, charming romantasy, and I honestly had such a lovely time reading it. As someone who will always pick up a book with a guarded mercenary and a sunshine-y heroine, I was immediately sold on Claire and Ash.
Claire was such an easy character to root for. I loved how kind and optimistic she was without making her completely helpless, and I especially enjoyed watching her slowly realize that the life she had always imagined for herself might not actually be the life she wanted. I just wish her character development had been a little more noticeable by the end because I could see the growth, but I wanted more of it.
And then there’s Ash. 😭 I was SO intrigued by her from the beginning. She’s guarded, practical, and clearly carrying so much beneath the surface, which made me want to understand her more and more. My biggest wish was honestly for the book to dig deeper into her inner world. Some of her emotional struggles felt like they were only touched on when I desperately wanted to see them fully explored.
The romance was incredibly sweet, though. I really loved the way Claire and Ash brought out different sides of each other. Claire encouraged Ash to imagine a future beyond what she had always known, while Ash helped Claire understand what she actually wanted from her own life. Their dynamic was genuinely adorable, and I loved seeing them find their way toward each other. 🥹
I also have to mention the side characters because Caspian completely stole every scene he was in. His humor and warmth added so much to the story, and I would've happily read more scenes with him and Ash. I also think some of the relationships outside the main romance had so much potential to be explored further.
The fantasy world was another area where I wanted MORE. There were so many interesting little pieces—magic, healers, enchanted ribbons, ravens delivering messages—and they made me feel like there was a much bigger world waiting beyond the pages. I would've loved a little more world-building and exploration of those elements.
But Sarah's writing was definitely one of my favorite parts. It was warm, witty, and incredibly easy to get lost in. And the humor?? Lord Peckington had me laughing. 😂
Overall, Heartstrings and Mercenary Things gave me a sweet romance, lovable characters, a cozy fantasy atmosphere, and a story with so much potential. I just wish some of the emotional arcs, relationships, and fantasy elements had been given more room to breathe.
4⭐ because I genuinely enjoyed this one and absolutely adored Claire and Ash. I'm definitely curious to see what Sarah writes next! 💗
Review of advance copy received from Author
NO SPOILERS in this review. Thank you to the author for the e-arc!
I absolutely adored this book!
I love Claire so much, she is very much like me in many ways and I love how she's just this ball of bright shining sunlight. She's super lovable <3 She's a very optimistic type of character. Her character growth was also just such a beautiful journey and seeing how her views changed from what she thought she wanted at the beginning to what she ended up realising she truly wanted at the end hit a few 'heartstrings' for me. Pun intended. I know it's a terrible pun.
Ash was absolutely a character that had my entire heart from the beginning and refused to let go and I was entirely happy about that lol I found her fascinating and intriguing and I was so eager to learn more. She is very guarded and practical, and I did love how different she was from Claire.
This was my first book by this author and I really love her writing so I'm exited to read more works by her in the future. There were several sentences that just absolutely tore out my heart whilst also making me giggle and blush and everything in between.
My only sort of small critiques would be I want more lol. I really would have loved another couple hundred pages maybe, I really would have loved to flesh the characters and the plot out a bit more. and I felt like a lot of the emotions and romance happened more off the page so I would have really loved to see that. Maybe it was because I just didn't want it to end and I could have read a 1000 pages of this books, I don't know. But overall, I had a great time in this whimisle, studio-ghibli like world.
It's the perfect cosy ready for people who loved Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne or maybe even the Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields (This does have a dark ending, despite it advertised as cosy), or the Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong (This is a very emotional and heart-wrenching tale but cosy all the same). But Heartstrings and Mercernary things is a super cosy, warm romantasy that I am so thankful to have read and I look forward to the release date!
If you are a ready who wants, sapphic, cosy, romantasy but want a standalone this is an amazing read! It has grumpy x sunshine (my personal favourite), bodyguard romance (my other personal favourite), slow burn with tension (which we definitely need more of!), only one bed and opposites attract.
I absolutely adored this book!
I love Claire so much, she is very much like me in many ways and I love how she's just this ball of bright shining sunlight. She's super lovable <3 She's a very optimistic type of character. Her character growth was also just such a beautiful journey and seeing how her views changed from what she thought she wanted at the beginning to what she ended up realising she truly wanted at the end hit a few 'heartstrings' for me. Pun intended. I know it's a terrible pun.
Ash was absolutely a character that had my entire heart from the beginning and refused to let go and I was entirely happy about that lol I found her fascinating and intriguing and I was so eager to learn more. She is very guarded and practical, and I did love how different she was from Claire.
This was my first book by this author and I really love her writing so I'm exited to read more works by her in the future. There were several sentences that just absolutely tore out my heart whilst also making me giggle and blush and everything in between.
My only sort of small critiques would be I want more lol. I really would have loved another couple hundred pages maybe, I really would have loved to flesh the characters and the plot out a bit more. and I felt like a lot of the emotions and romance happened more off the page so I would have really loved to see that. Maybe it was because I just didn't want it to end and I could have read a 1000 pages of this books, I don't know. But overall, I had a great time in this whimisle, studio-ghibli like world.
It's the perfect cosy ready for people who loved Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne or maybe even the Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields (This does have a dark ending, despite it advertised as cosy), or the Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong (This is a very emotional and heart-wrenching tale but cosy all the same). But Heartstrings and Mercernary things is a super cosy, warm romantasy that I am so thankful to have read and I look forward to the release date!
If you are a ready who wants, sapphic, cosy, romantasy but want a standalone this is an amazing read! It has grumpy x sunshine (my personal favourite), bodyguard romance (my other personal favourite), slow burn with tension (which we definitely need more of!), only one bed and opposites attract.
September 8, 2026
Thank you so much Sarah for the opportunity to be on the ARC team for your book!
Ever since I saw the cover, I have been soooo excited for this book! The beautiful cover compliments this book so well! This book is so ADORABLE! I loved it sooooo much! Such the perfect amount of cozy fantasy with some action and some damsel in distress themes!
Claire is a girl who wants something more! Her family is poor and has to work together to make a living. Claire wants someone who will take care of her, buy her dresses, make her food, do the chores, and most importantly love her. When the opportunity comes and her descended mother offered her youngest daughter to a Duke for marriage to pay off debts, Claire was excited at the chance!
Ash is a mercenary under Duke Garrick’s orders. She was forced to be his mercenary due to debts she has with him. Unfortunately, due to a lip sealing spell, she’s not allowed to talk about it to anyone. Ash has one last job and her debt will be paid! She can leave the Duke and this life behind her, FINALLY. All she has to do is pick up some girl who the Duke is supposed to marry and bring her to him. Shouldn’t be hard, right? Well Ash didn’t know Claire has never left her hometown. Will having to stop every five minutes, will they ever get there? Feelings start to form and there is a spark between Claire and Ash, does Claire really want this life of riches? Does Ash really want to let Claire go?
This store had so much humor! I was laughing so hard at some points because the jokes were that good! Claire and Ash are such great characters! They are such opposites but they flow nicely together! It was a very cute feel good story and I enjoyed it soooooo much! Definitely worth a read if you want an adorable cozy fantasy! 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Ever since I saw the cover, I have been soooo excited for this book! The beautiful cover compliments this book so well! This book is so ADORABLE! I loved it sooooo much! Such the perfect amount of cozy fantasy with some action and some damsel in distress themes!
Claire is a girl who wants something more! Her family is poor and has to work together to make a living. Claire wants someone who will take care of her, buy her dresses, make her food, do the chores, and most importantly love her. When the opportunity comes and her descended mother offered her youngest daughter to a Duke for marriage to pay off debts, Claire was excited at the chance!
Ash is a mercenary under Duke Garrick’s orders. She was forced to be his mercenary due to debts she has with him. Unfortunately, due to a lip sealing spell, she’s not allowed to talk about it to anyone. Ash has one last job and her debt will be paid! She can leave the Duke and this life behind her, FINALLY. All she has to do is pick up some girl who the Duke is supposed to marry and bring her to him. Shouldn’t be hard, right? Well Ash didn’t know Claire has never left her hometown. Will having to stop every five minutes, will they ever get there? Feelings start to form and there is a spark between Claire and Ash, does Claire really want this life of riches? Does Ash really want to let Claire go?
This store had so much humor! I was laughing so hard at some points because the jokes were that good! Claire and Ash are such great characters! They are such opposites but they flow nicely together! It was a very cute feel good story and I enjoyed it soooooo much! Definitely worth a read if you want an adorable cozy fantasy! 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartstrings and Mercenary Things! This was such a cozy romance with an opposites-attract dynamic that I really enjoyed. One day Claire’s father informs her that she’s to be married to a Duke to settle her mother’s debt. Immediately after finding this out, we’re introduced to Ash, one of the mercenaries who helps to protect Claire throughout their journey.
I loved watching Ash and Claire’s relationship develop throughout the journey, especially as their personalities began to complement each other. The dual POV was also a great addition because we got to see Claire’s somewhat naive but optimistic perspective alongside Ash’s more realistic and guarded outlook. Their different personalities made their dynamic so much fun to read.
I also found the fantasy world to be really interesting and loved Caspian and the other side characters introduced throughout the story. They all had such unique personalities, and I loved how funny they were and how much they added to the overall story. I definitely would have liked to hear more about Ash’s past because the little bit of information we did get was really interesting and left me wanting more. I think exploring more of her history would have added even more depth to her character, but aside from that, I thought this was such a fun and comforting read! If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy romance with an opposites-attract romance, entertaining side characters, and a quick, easy-to-read story, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!
I loved watching Ash and Claire’s relationship develop throughout the journey, especially as their personalities began to complement each other. The dual POV was also a great addition because we got to see Claire’s somewhat naive but optimistic perspective alongside Ash’s more realistic and guarded outlook. Their different personalities made their dynamic so much fun to read.
I also found the fantasy world to be really interesting and loved Caspian and the other side characters introduced throughout the story. They all had such unique personalities, and I loved how funny they were and how much they added to the overall story. I definitely would have liked to hear more about Ash’s past because the little bit of information we did get was really interesting and left me wanting more. I think exploring more of her history would have added even more depth to her character, but aside from that, I thought this was such a fun and comforting read! If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy romance with an opposites-attract romance, entertaining side characters, and a quick, easy-to-read story, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars
Sadly, this didn’t live up to my high hopes and expectations. It was too ambitious in its scope for me, the plot could’ve taken place over 2 or 3 books. The first half, the journey section, was my favourite part, but Claire was so naïve, and she and Ash really couldn’t communicate. The resolution to their main issue just felt like they both magically figured out what the other’s issue was and apologized without actually talking about it.
The second half somehow simultaneously felt overly convoluted and the resolutions too simple. There was a lot going on that we didn’t really sit with, and got fixed too quickly. The main villain lacked depth, and just felt evil for the sake of being evil, which yes, some men just are, but that could’ve been explored more. Something about the writing style of the spice didn’t fully mesh with the tone of the rest of the book to me.
It was lacking in fantasy elements, and felt as though it was just historical at times. One of the main locations was called Norwich, a real place in England, which really took me out of the story. There were a lot of time jumps that felt like they caused us to not fully see the relationship develop, and I struggled to connect with the characters and their relationship.
I enjoyed Ash’s character and the plot had a lot of potential, but overall it just didn’t hit the mark for me. Thanks to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
Sadly, this didn’t live up to my high hopes and expectations. It was too ambitious in its scope for me, the plot could’ve taken place over 2 or 3 books. The first half, the journey section, was my favourite part, but Claire was so naïve, and she and Ash really couldn’t communicate. The resolution to their main issue just felt like they both magically figured out what the other’s issue was and apologized without actually talking about it.
The second half somehow simultaneously felt overly convoluted and the resolutions too simple. There was a lot going on that we didn’t really sit with, and got fixed too quickly. The main villain lacked depth, and just felt evil for the sake of being evil, which yes, some men just are, but that could’ve been explored more. Something about the writing style of the spice didn’t fully mesh with the tone of the rest of the book to me.
It was lacking in fantasy elements, and felt as though it was just historical at times. One of the main locations was called Norwich, a real place in England, which really took me out of the story. There were a lot of time jumps that felt like they caused us to not fully see the relationship develop, and I struggled to connect with the characters and their relationship.
I enjoyed Ash’s character and the plot had a lot of potential, but overall it just didn’t hit the mark for me. Thanks to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
July 23, 2026
!!!SPOILERS!!!
So I have managed to read this book in less than a day. First things first: I’m in love with this book. It’s just as it’s described, it’s cozy, it’s funny (Lord Peckington the Third iykyk), it’s got some good spice (Ash is so hot I can’t). I really liked the banter between Ash and Claire, I also liked how badass they both are, the ending chapters had me gasping (imagining Claire in that red dress? ugh) . I really enjoyed the relationship between Ash and Caspian, I just wish we could have gotten to see more of them. I also wish we could have gotten to see the reunion with Claire and her family at the end instead of a time skip and it being inferred but maybe that is just me. I really liked how descriptive the author was with the settings, I felt like I could imagine myself in all the places the crew traveled through, reading the acknowledgments and seeing that the author was inspired by studio ghibli movies, I could definitely imagine it animated in that style. Overall this was a great book and I’m really happy I got the chance to read it before it officially releases. The only big critique I have is that I wish it was longer and we could have drawn things out more and had a peak into Ash and Claire’s life in Thistlebrook (bonus content maybe pls). All in all, this is a book I will definitely be recommending to people once it’s released! Great work Sarah!!🤍🤍🤍
So I have managed to read this book in less than a day. First things first: I’m in love with this book. It’s just as it’s described, it’s cozy, it’s funny (Lord Peckington the Third iykyk), it’s got some good spice (Ash is so hot I can’t). I really liked the banter between Ash and Claire, I also liked how badass they both are, the ending chapters had me gasping (imagining Claire in that red dress? ugh) . I really enjoyed the relationship between Ash and Caspian, I just wish we could have gotten to see more of them. I also wish we could have gotten to see the reunion with Claire and her family at the end instead of a time skip and it being inferred but maybe that is just me. I really liked how descriptive the author was with the settings, I felt like I could imagine myself in all the places the crew traveled through, reading the acknowledgments and seeing that the author was inspired by studio ghibli movies, I could definitely imagine it animated in that style. Overall this was a great book and I’m really happy I got the chance to read it before it officially releases. The only big critique I have is that I wish it was longer and we could have drawn things out more and had a peak into Ash and Claire’s life in Thistlebrook (bonus content maybe pls). All in all, this is a book I will definitely be recommending to people once it’s released! Great work Sarah!!🤍🤍🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"She was worth so much more than a comfortable cage."
Thank you for the ARC copy!
I was very excited to find a semi-cozy, fantasy, sapphic romance. The plot line allowed for a lot of freedom between point A to Point B, and gave opportunities for the tension the characters needed. I liked that Claire and Ash was absolute opposites. Claire is bright and bubbly, and hopeful to a fault. While Ash is guarded and suspicious, and keeps everything to herself. Definitely an opposites attract situation.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It had a good pace, and there was natural growth and tension between our two FMCs. But after that point, it kind of lost most. The back and forth with emotions and opinions was swapping every other chapter. And the stakes were really, REALLY high, but the solutions offered were elementary, at best. I failed to see how serious the situation was when Garrick caved and agreed at the first offer both times. I still don't necessarily see what he got out of it, and why it mattered in the first place.
I think if we were given another 150-200 pages for the story to grow, we would have gotten some more definite answers and such. It all just seemed to wrap up with a pretty bow way too easily to be satisfying.
Thank you for the ARC copy!
I was very excited to find a semi-cozy, fantasy, sapphic romance. The plot line allowed for a lot of freedom between point A to Point B, and gave opportunities for the tension the characters needed. I liked that Claire and Ash was absolute opposites. Claire is bright and bubbly, and hopeful to a fault. While Ash is guarded and suspicious, and keeps everything to herself. Definitely an opposites attract situation.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It had a good pace, and there was natural growth and tension between our two FMCs. But after that point, it kind of lost most. The back and forth with emotions and opinions was swapping every other chapter. And the stakes were really, REALLY high, but the solutions offered were elementary, at best. I failed to see how serious the situation was when Garrick caved and agreed at the first offer both times. I still don't necessarily see what he got out of it, and why it mattered in the first place.
I think if we were given another 150-200 pages for the story to grow, we would have gotten some more definite answers and such. It all just seemed to wrap up with a pretty bow way too easily to be satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.5/5
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things was a cozy and lighthearted read, full of yearning and whimsy. I enjoyed reading the perspectives of these two characters—Claire, a kind and optimistic woman who dreams of a life untouched by hardship (as well as pretty dresses), and Ash, a cynical mercenary with a heart of gold. They were easy to root for, and their character growth were wonderfully written as well as their romance.
As with most books, there were some aspects of this book that didn't quite work for me. I found that the writing style didn't mesh with me, primarily because the way that the sentences were structured was repetitive, and the moment that I picked up on it, I couldn't unsee it. I also did not like the spicy scenes—the dirty talk gave me the ick, but that's just my personal preference! Overall, this was a lovely and whimsical lighthearted read, perfect for anyone who's looking for a sapphic cozy fantasy.
Rating: 3.5/5
Heartstrings and Mercenary Things was a cozy and lighthearted read, full of yearning and whimsy. I enjoyed reading the perspectives of these two characters—Claire, a kind and optimistic woman who dreams of a life untouched by hardship (as well as pretty dresses), and Ash, a cynical mercenary with a heart of gold. They were easy to root for, and their character growth were wonderfully written as well as their romance.
As with most books, there were some aspects of this book that didn't quite work for me. I found that the writing style didn't mesh with me, primarily because the way that the sentences were structured was repetitive, and the moment that I picked up on it, I couldn't unsee it. I also did not like the spicy scenes—the dirty talk gave me the ick, but that's just my personal preference! Overall, this was a lovely and whimsical lighthearted read, perfect for anyone who's looking for a sapphic cozy fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A "grumpy/sunshine" love story that unfolds during a journey but leans more towards cozy romance—though there is certainly some action involved.
It centers on Ash, a brooding, quiet woman who loves bringing passion to the women she meets on her travels but refuses to commit or speak of love.
She is a woman who knows how to fight and, unfortunately, has a score to settle—a score that involves Claire.
Claire, a somewhat naive "sunshine" type, is blindsided by the news that she is being betrothed to a stranger to settle a debt left by her late mother.
Instead of being shocked, she is delighted at the prospect of a wealthy, secure life; she simply holds an incredibly romantic and positive view of the world.
She is the absolute opposite of Ash—especially given that Ash has been tasked with delivering Claire to the very person she loathes and to whom she owes a debt.
Along the way, their worlds and personalities collide.
What happens is something Ash never thought possible and Claire never even imagined... there are steamy scenes that I really enjoyed; otherwise, the story is a very easy read that satisfies a "cozy romance" heart—one that appreciates a bit of spice and the promise of a lovely happy ending.
I received a review copy from the author and am very grateful.
It centers on Ash, a brooding, quiet woman who loves bringing passion to the women she meets on her travels but refuses to commit or speak of love.
She is a woman who knows how to fight and, unfortunately, has a score to settle—a score that involves Claire.
Claire, a somewhat naive "sunshine" type, is blindsided by the news that she is being betrothed to a stranger to settle a debt left by her late mother.
Instead of being shocked, she is delighted at the prospect of a wealthy, secure life; she simply holds an incredibly romantic and positive view of the world.
She is the absolute opposite of Ash—especially given that Ash has been tasked with delivering Claire to the very person she loathes and to whom she owes a debt.
Along the way, their worlds and personalities collide.
What happens is something Ash never thought possible and Claire never even imagined... there are steamy scenes that I really enjoyed; otherwise, the story is a very easy read that satisfies a "cozy romance" heart—one that appreciates a bit of spice and the promise of a lovely happy ending.
I received a review copy from the author and am very grateful.
September 16, 2026
Dual POV
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy.
I always enjoy a good cozy fantasy read. I just want to say that I believe this book has so much potential. I feel like there could have been more to really bring this story out. I feel that the story maybe progressed a bit quickly in feelings. The main character Claire is very naive, and I didn’t get much of a character improvement that one would kinda see. I would’ve liked to have gotten a bit more about Ash and her background.
Now I mention this as more of a cozy fantasy because there really isn’t much violence in the story. They travel on a long trip through the dangerous wilds and only have one attack on them? Then as other reviewers have mentioned there is a magical bunny that gets mentioned and I’m kinda disappointed it wasn’t more involved in the story other than the brief mention. The resolutions at the end felt to easy. I was really hoping for a take down of the villain.
Overall, I enjoyed the read, but I feel that this could’ve been so much more.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy.
I always enjoy a good cozy fantasy read. I just want to say that I believe this book has so much potential. I feel like there could have been more to really bring this story out. I feel that the story maybe progressed a bit quickly in feelings. The main character Claire is very naive, and I didn’t get much of a character improvement that one would kinda see. I would’ve liked to have gotten a bit more about Ash and her background.
Now I mention this as more of a cozy fantasy because there really isn’t much violence in the story. They travel on a long trip through the dangerous wilds and only have one attack on them? Then as other reviewers have mentioned there is a magical bunny that gets mentioned and I’m kinda disappointed it wasn’t more involved in the story other than the brief mention. The resolutions at the end felt to easy. I was really hoping for a take down of the villain.
Overall, I enjoyed the read, but I feel that this could’ve been so much more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mild spoiler ARC Review
Pros
- Muscular guard love interest
- Cosy (relatively) low stake romance
- Grand romantic declarations
- Good banter
- Fun side characters (shoutout to the weirdly traditional ghost playing wingman)
Cons
It is always hard to review shorter stories, as a lot of the negative parts of my review will be due to page numbers.
- I found the connection between the love interests lacking, I can understand the attraction but there wasn't enough substance for love.
- I didn't love the ending, I liked how Claire was the one to save them in the end to show how much she cared for Ash, but I found it very anticlimatic.
- I disliked how the spice felt very one sided, Claire is a true pillow princess.
- Marketed as a fantasy but could easily fit into the romance genre and actually make more sense with the plot.
Overall it is a very nice read. The writing is well done and the characters are very lovable.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Pros
- Muscular guard love interest
- Cosy (relatively) low stake romance
- Grand romantic declarations
- Good banter
- Fun side characters (shoutout to the weirdly traditional ghost playing wingman)
Cons
It is always hard to review shorter stories, as a lot of the negative parts of my review will be due to page numbers.
- I found the connection between the love interests lacking, I can understand the attraction but there wasn't enough substance for love.
- I didn't love the ending, I liked how Claire was the one to save them in the end to show how much she cared for Ash, but I found it very anticlimatic.
- I disliked how the spice felt very one sided, Claire is a true pillow princess.
- Marketed as a fantasy but could easily fit into the romance genre and actually make more sense with the plot.
Overall it is a very nice read. The writing is well done and the characters are very lovable.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a very fun read.
though I will admit part of it feels a little rushed in timeline. I don’t feel this negatively affects it, just merely an observation of preference.
The characters are pretty well fleshed out, and relatable. But I do wish we got a bit more time with some of the supporting characters to build a fuller picture of the world. And how Claire and ash became who they were. I say this in terms of wishing we had perhaps a flash back or 2 to give a little more insight. To be sure there motivations are very clear, just felt like I was wanting a little more depth.
The world is a lite fantasy, there’s some various ancestries and alchemy. But if you’re looking for spell slinging, dragons everywhere, and mythical items abound. This is not your story, though I’d still recommend you give it a try. This is a very cozy fantasy setting, and I’d be very interested to learning more of it.
though I will admit part of it feels a little rushed in timeline. I don’t feel this negatively affects it, just merely an observation of preference.
The characters are pretty well fleshed out, and relatable. But I do wish we got a bit more time with some of the supporting characters to build a fuller picture of the world. And how Claire and ash became who they were. I say this in terms of wishing we had perhaps a flash back or 2 to give a little more insight. To be sure there motivations are very clear, just felt like I was wanting a little more depth.
The world is a lite fantasy, there’s some various ancestries and alchemy. But if you’re looking for spell slinging, dragons everywhere, and mythical items abound. This is not your story, though I’d still recommend you give it a try. This is a very cozy fantasy setting, and I’d be very interested to learning more of it.
September 13, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
I’m not sure I would classify with as a Romantasy, where was the fantasy? I did like the over all plot idea of a mercenary that had to deliver a bride so her family can pay off their debts. But unfortunately I didn’t see the chemistry between them. And I felt whiplash between them barely tolerating each other and Claire basically saying she hasn’t truly been kissed to BAM a spicy scene that wasn’t well developed and Claire is an expert now? Then right to them fighting about how Claire is selfish and spoiled but Ash also won’t properly explain why the man Claire is engaged is so bad….
I was very excited for this book, but it was just okay over all, but not fleshed out as well as it could have been.
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the authors choose to have spicy in chapter two of a MC with a rando. Spice can be well done and a nice touch in the proper places. but not like that.
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
I’m not sure I would classify with as a Romantasy, where was the fantasy? I did like the over all plot idea of a mercenary that had to deliver a bride so her family can pay off their debts. But unfortunately I didn’t see the chemistry between them. And I felt whiplash between them barely tolerating each other and Claire basically saying she hasn’t truly been kissed to BAM a spicy scene that wasn’t well developed and Claire is an expert now? Then right to them fighting about how Claire is selfish and spoiled but Ash also won’t properly explain why the man Claire is engaged is so bad….
I was very excited for this book, but it was just okay over all, but not fleshed out as well as it could have been.
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the authors choose to have spicy in chapter two of a MC with a rando. Spice can be well done and a nice touch in the proper places. but not like that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is packed full of so many things I love, including a hilarious stand off with a rooster, a broody mercenary masc, and an adorable femme who bless her heart, despite being totally sure of her wants ends up having a gay ass awakening with said broody masc. The tension and banter between these two was delicious and the glow up with Claire’s self worth and confidence was perfection. Ash, gosh she took my breath away!
The fantasy elements are light and dare I say subtle, and the coziness definitely hit the mark. The journey that you go on with the characters was very entertaining and I loved the addition of their travel companion Caspian who deserved a gold medal in patience!
Everything felt well paced, it gripped my attention incredibly well and I found my self wanting to read slower than normal because I didn’t want it to end.
Also…. God damn that spice you guys, woooooof.
🧡
The fantasy elements are light and dare I say subtle, and the coziness definitely hit the mark. The journey that you go on with the characters was very entertaining and I loved the addition of their travel companion Caspian who deserved a gold medal in patience!
Everything felt well paced, it gripped my attention incredibly well and I found my self wanting to read slower than normal because I didn’t want it to end.
Also…. God damn that spice you guys, woooooof.
🧡
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Received an advanced copy from the author*
It becomes difficult to find a truly cozy romance story sometimes. Yet, Sarah Primiano has done it amazingly.
This story is a beautifully written, quick read romance. You know, those one day ones that make you feel amazing for accomplishing a book so quickly? Yeah, this is it. This story was perfect for relaxing after a hectic work week, I didn't have to think too hard about what was going to happen. I was able to just witness a blooming love story.
When you're writing a shorter story, there is only so much world building you can do without distracting from the plot. Sarah seems to have done a great job finding the balance. Even though I hope she writes more about this world! The fantasy concepts would be so much fun to explore, I wish there was more to read!
Definitely recommending this story to others ❤️
It becomes difficult to find a truly cozy romance story sometimes. Yet, Sarah Primiano has done it amazingly.
This story is a beautifully written, quick read romance. You know, those one day ones that make you feel amazing for accomplishing a book so quickly? Yeah, this is it. This story was perfect for relaxing after a hectic work week, I didn't have to think too hard about what was going to happen. I was able to just witness a blooming love story.
When you're writing a shorter story, there is only so much world building you can do without distracting from the plot. Sarah seems to have done a great job finding the balance. Even though I hope she writes more about this world! The fantasy concepts would be so much fun to explore, I wish there was more to read!
Definitely recommending this story to others ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 ⭐️
I liked this cozy romantasy. Sometimes, you need a lower angst read and this one did the trick. This was a cute and quick read. Claire is an idealistic ray of sunshine, looking to make the best of any situation. She's the youngest child of her family's brood. Ash is the grumpy mercenary tasked with escorting the new fiancée ie Claire to the the duke she was promised by her dead mother. . She's no fan of the dastardly Duke but she herself is bound to hide employment. The journey is a learning curve for both sides, especially when the lodging only has one bed😉.
Tropes and triggers: arranged marriage, banter, bi-awakening, bodyguard, forbidden romance, forced proximity, grumpy vs sunshine, one bed, opposites attract, traveling party.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
I liked this cozy romantasy. Sometimes, you need a lower angst read and this one did the trick. This was a cute and quick read. Claire is an idealistic ray of sunshine, looking to make the best of any situation. She's the youngest child of her family's brood. Ash is the grumpy mercenary tasked with escorting the new fiancée ie Claire to the the duke she was promised by her dead mother. . She's no fan of the dastardly Duke but she herself is bound to hide employment. The journey is a learning curve for both sides, especially when the lodging only has one bed😉.
Tropes and triggers: arranged marriage, banter, bi-awakening, bodyguard, forbidden romance, forced proximity, grumpy vs sunshine, one bed, opposites attract, traveling party.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my voluntary review)
All in all, I REALLY enjoyed this sapphic romance! It's quick to get into the 'meat and potatoes' without too much filler. The pacing was pretty fast but the point is to get where it's going. The journey to get there is thoroughly enjoyable with bonus fun for those who like swapping POV!
Not much world building and the whole book is a pretty quick read. Nice and light with a bit of spice! I would say the spiciness is maybe a 3 out of 5. I can absolutely see myself reading this book again.
I would definitely recommend Heartstrings and Mercenary Things to those who love a budding lesbian romance! Don't overthink the logistics of everything, just try to enjoy the ride. It's meant to be sweet and cozy.
All in all, I REALLY enjoyed this sapphic romance! It's quick to get into the 'meat and potatoes' without too much filler. The pacing was pretty fast but the point is to get where it's going. The journey to get there is thoroughly enjoyable with bonus fun for those who like swapping POV!
Not much world building and the whole book is a pretty quick read. Nice and light with a bit of spice! I would say the spiciness is maybe a 3 out of 5. I can absolutely see myself reading this book again.
I would definitely recommend Heartstrings and Mercenary Things to those who love a budding lesbian romance! Don't overthink the logistics of everything, just try to enjoy the ride. It's meant to be sweet and cozy.
Read
August 3, 2026This book was one that was highly anticipated on my TBR. I had the absolute joy of reading this book as an ARC reader; however, I am committed to providing my honest opinion. This book was a 3.7 stars for me. I really enjoy protector and damsel tropes, and overall, I think that it was done really well. My main complaint is that the book felt rushed in the last few chapters. The pacing of the book was steady, and the worldbuilding was nicely done to give a basis of understanding prior to the climax of the story. However, the height of the storyline fell flat for me as a handful of the questions that I had remained unanswered by the end of the book. Overall, I would say that if you like knight in shining armor with a slowish burn, pick this book up but be prepared for an abrupt ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
We follow Claire and Ash as their paths come together when Ash's new mercenary mission is to escort Claire safe and sound to her future husband as part of a debt payment. Of course it means weeks of traveling together and catching feelings when they probably shouldn't and wondering what to do with these and what it would mean for their futures.
Claire and Ash were such amazing characters, both opposites in their ideas and view of life, having very different pasts. Claire sees hope and dreams, while Ash sees money and seeks freedom. Claire thinks her future husband will be the answer to all her doubts, whereas Ash knows he's the typical evil man most are. They disagreed and argued a lot, and the tension was palpable from the beginning, air crepitating between them. Every stare, every gesture, became important, and we quickly found ourselves screaming at them to just get on with their feelings, or else we would lose our minds.
The writing was beautiful, fluid, and additive, and the smut was absolutely delicious. The fantasy setting and the journey across little villages were nice additions to the main plot, which stays the romance. It was perfect for me since I am more of a romance reader than heavy fantasy. Also, please, can we give a medal to Caspian already for bearing with the girls with infinite patience ?
We follow Claire and Ash as their paths come together when Ash's new mercenary mission is to escort Claire safe and sound to her future husband as part of a debt payment. Of course it means weeks of traveling together and catching feelings when they probably shouldn't and wondering what to do with these and what it would mean for their futures.
Claire and Ash were such amazing characters, both opposites in their ideas and view of life, having very different pasts. Claire sees hope and dreams, while Ash sees money and seeks freedom. Claire thinks her future husband will be the answer to all her doubts, whereas Ash knows he's the typical evil man most are. They disagreed and argued a lot, and the tension was palpable from the beginning, air crepitating between them. Every stare, every gesture, became important, and we quickly found ourselves screaming at them to just get on with their feelings, or else we would lose our minds.
The writing was beautiful, fluid, and additive, and the smut was absolutely delicious. The fantasy setting and the journey across little villages were nice additions to the main plot, which stays the romance. It was perfect for me since I am more of a romance reader than heavy fantasy. Also, please, can we give a medal to Caspian already for bearing with the girls with infinite patience ?
September 8, 2026
2.5 stars. Soo I was really excited for this book since I love queer romances and that with a bit of grumpy/sunshine and mercenary? Wow! But unfortunately it was a disappointment. The plot was meh, it was boring and in the beginning, one of the FMC were so damn annoying.. I’m not gonna say more of what I didn’t like, so here’s what I did like: the banter and chemistry between the MCs were good and the spicy scenes were delicious and well written!
Unfortunately it was a miss for me but I think many will like this. So if you like queer romance, a bitter FMC mercenary, a fluffy and happy FMC and some delicious spice; this book is for you!
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book! All my opinions and thoughts are my honest and genuine ones!
Unfortunately it was a miss for me but I think many will like this. So if you like queer romance, a bitter FMC mercenary, a fluffy and happy FMC and some delicious spice; this book is for you!
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book! All my opinions and thoughts are my honest and genuine ones!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 rounded
ARC review
Claire is to be married to pay for her mothers debt. Ash is one of the mercenaries who was sent to take her to her betrothed.
I will say at the beginning Claire truly annoyed me, but I think it’s just because my personality matches Ash more. Claire definitely annoyed the crap out of Ash in the beginning. Ash eventually lets her walls down on the journey and Claire finds out much about herself.
I liked seeing us go from annoyance to feelings. It wasn’t fast by any means. But then showing how far either of them would go to make sure the other was safe. Seeing them both grow and evolve as people was great. I won’t lie, the prologue had me sweating for a minute but I’m happy they had their HEA.
For my spicy friends there was three spicy scenes ❤️
ARC review
Claire is to be married to pay for her mothers debt. Ash is one of the mercenaries who was sent to take her to her betrothed.
I will say at the beginning Claire truly annoyed me, but I think it’s just because my personality matches Ash more. Claire definitely annoyed the crap out of Ash in the beginning. Ash eventually lets her walls down on the journey and Claire finds out much about herself.
I liked seeing us go from annoyance to feelings. It wasn’t fast by any means. But then showing how far either of them would go to make sure the other was safe. Seeing them both grow and evolve as people was great. I won’t lie, the prologue had me sweating for a minute but I’m happy they had their HEA.
For my spicy friends there was three spicy scenes ❤️
July 26, 2026
3.75⭐️.
This book was exactly as described: a cozy, adorable, low stakes, sapphic short story.
The author’s writing style is a delight to read as it is witty and intelligent. I found myself often hoping for a slower paced, longer read so that many of the elements of the story (character arcs, world building, etc) could be further explored and developed.
If you’re looking for a well written, cozy short story to warm you up and make you giggle after a stressful week, this is worth a read!
*Thank you to the author for the eARC copy- I am so looking forward to reading more of her work!*
This book was exactly as described: a cozy, adorable, low stakes, sapphic short story.
The author’s writing style is a delight to read as it is witty and intelligent. I found myself often hoping for a slower paced, longer read so that many of the elements of the story (character arcs, world building, etc) could be further explored and developed.
If you’re looking for a well written, cozy short story to warm you up and make you giggle after a stressful week, this is worth a read!
*Thank you to the author for the eARC copy- I am so looking forward to reading more of her work!*
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC in return for an honest review.
For those looking for a quick, cozy fantasy that follows the typical formula without a lot of surprises. I was hoping for a bit more depth to the romance and the cast of characters. There’s not much of an ensamble cast, at least one you get to really know, which always helps make a story richer. I also wanted more instances to show the bond before moving to intimacy, so the love story felt a bit shallow. I think making the story longer would have given more opportunity to flesh out these points. This one didn’t hit the mark for me, but I could see it being a fun read for others.
For those looking for a quick, cozy fantasy that follows the typical formula without a lot of surprises. I was hoping for a bit more depth to the romance and the cast of characters. There’s not much of an ensamble cast, at least one you get to really know, which always helps make a story richer. I also wanted more instances to show the bond before moving to intimacy, so the love story felt a bit shallow. I think making the story longer would have given more opportunity to flesh out these points. This one didn’t hit the mark for me, but I could see it being a fun read for others.
September 15, 2026
The world building was chefs kiss. I throughly loved getting lost in this world.
Claire lived in delulu-land for most of the book, and I agree she deserves the best but idk her head was in a different reality. Ash you wonderful you, such a smooth talker! I would’ve like to know a bit more about your past/upbringing. The ending fell a bit flat for me. With the Duke being who he was, I expected more push back from him, in both Ash & Claire. This title has really good bones to possibly build upon later.
Claire lived in delulu-land for most of the book, and I agree she deserves the best but idk her head was in a different reality. Ash you wonderful you, such a smooth talker! I would’ve like to know a bit more about your past/upbringing. The ending fell a bit flat for me. With the Duke being who he was, I expected more push back from him, in both Ash & Claire. This title has really good bones to possibly build upon later.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fun quick read at just over 200 pages.
There’s a blend of a cozy atmosphere with real high stakes adventure for Claire, who just wants a soft, secure life, and Ash, the wonderfully fierce, grumpy mercenary hired to escort her to an arranged marriage. The dangers of their journey and their slow burn made this a fun read!!
Tropes:
👩❤️💋👩 Cozy sapphic Romantasy
🛡️ Grumpy mercenary FMC
☀️ Sunshine FMC
👑 Arranged marriage
🗺️ Adventure
🌶️ Spicy
📚 ARC
There’s a blend of a cozy atmosphere with real high stakes adventure for Claire, who just wants a soft, secure life, and Ash, the wonderfully fierce, grumpy mercenary hired to escort her to an arranged marriage. The dangers of their journey and their slow burn made this a fun read!!
Tropes:
👩❤️💋👩 Cozy sapphic Romantasy
🛡️ Grumpy mercenary FMC
☀️ Sunshine FMC
👑 Arranged marriage
🗺️ Adventure
🌶️ Spicy
📚 ARC
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