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Charms of Albion #1
Pastiche
Can a chivalrous lord and his clear-sighted wife find love together?
As a child, Richard dreamed of knighthood and gallant deeds. As a grown man, he is committed to doing his best as an officer of the Guard, as a Lord of the land, and as a father. Living up to his oaths is easy. Being a good husband is much more of a challenge.
Alysoun has done everything expected of a woman in her position. She has married well and had two clever, healthy children. That's not enough. Richard is kind, but increasingly distant. Alysoun herself has pain and fatigue magic can't fix. In truth, she is isolated and more than a little bored.
When Alysoun visits a new museum exhibit, she sees something odd in one of the stained glass pieces. Investigating could bring her closer to Richard or at least give them something to talk about. But it might threaten his position or even his life.
Join Richard and Alysoun in 1906 as they explore a mystery, take on new oaths, and discover each other after years of marriage.
Pastiche is set in the Edwardian era of Albion, the magical community of England, Wales, and Scotland. It is a standalone story of an arranged marriage turning into a true love match.
As a child, Richard dreamed of knighthood and gallant deeds. As a grown man, he is committed to doing his best as an officer of the Guard, as a Lord of the land, and as a father. Living up to his oaths is easy. Being a good husband is much more of a challenge.
Alysoun has done everything expected of a woman in her position. She has married well and had two clever, healthy children. That's not enough. Richard is kind, but increasingly distant. Alysoun herself has pain and fatigue magic can't fix. In truth, she is isolated and more than a little bored.
When Alysoun visits a new museum exhibit, she sees something odd in one of the stained glass pieces. Investigating could bring her closer to Richard or at least give them something to talk about. But it might threaten his position or even his life.
Join Richard and Alysoun in 1906 as they explore a mystery, take on new oaths, and discover each other after years of marriage.
Pastiche is set in the Edwardian era of Albion, the magical community of England, Wales, and Scotland. It is a standalone story of an arranged marriage turning into a true love match.
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First published August 4, 2020
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About the author
Celia Lake
47 books75 followersCelia Lake spends her days as a librarian in the Boston (MA) metro area, and her nights and weekends at home happily writing, reading, and researching.
Born and raised in Massachusetts to British parents, she naturally embraced British spelling, classic mysteries, and the Oxford comma before she learned there were any other options.
Born and raised in Massachusetts to British parents, she naturally embraced British spelling, classic mysteries, and the Oxford comma before she learned there were any other options.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 1, 2025
4.5 stars: A lovely, slow-moving, cozy historical-fantasy romance
I love this gentle romance, which explores how two people, through sheer politeness, respect, and upper-class British reticence, end up in a conventionally distant arranged marriage instead of the affectionate, loving union they both desire… and how they eventually find their way to the real marriage they long for (with a little outside help from an unexpected quarter.)
Richard and Alysoun Edgarton are fond of each other (though they have never actually said so) but they barely spend any time together. Part of that is Richard’s position in the Guard, of course, which means long hours in Trellech, the capitol of magical Britain. A little is due to the demands of his position as a Lord of the land. But much of the distance between them is due to Richard’s reluctance to impose on Alysoun or ask for her time… especially since the pain and fatigue she has experienced since the birth of their second child. (Alysoun struggles with what today we would call fibromyalgia, and the author’s portrayal of what it’s like to live with chronic illness is both sensitive and nuanced.) It’s clear that Richard values Alysoun, but his upbringing—a distant father who lived mostly in a man’s world, and a mother who impressed on him that women don’t really want men demanding their time and attention—leaves him incapable of stepping past polite interactions into any real intimacy.
For her part, Alysoun would welcome the chance to be more a part of Richard’s life, as well as deeper emotional tie between them. But she doesn’t know how to ask or even encourage him in that direction, without being demanding or forward—in other words, without stepping outside the bounds of a proper wife of their social station.
Two things happen to shake them out of their polite reserve. First, a pair of mysteries gives them not only something to talk about, but (in the case of one involving stained glass artworks) also something they can work on together. And Richard receives an unexpected nudge from his mentor and former dueling master, Magni Torham, who wants for Richard the same long-lasting, deeply loving relationship he himself has found.
How Alysoun and Richard solve the mysteries and find their way to each other forms the heart of this lovely, slow-moving, cozy historical-fantasy romance. It has become one of my favorite comfort rereads of the past several years.
Challenges: COYER Unwind (2024), Chapter 3
Review originally published on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
I love this gentle romance, which explores how two people, through sheer politeness, respect, and upper-class British reticence, end up in a conventionally distant arranged marriage instead of the affectionate, loving union they both desire… and how they eventually find their way to the real marriage they long for (with a little outside help from an unexpected quarter.)
Richard and Alysoun Edgarton are fond of each other (though they have never actually said so) but they barely spend any time together. Part of that is Richard’s position in the Guard, of course, which means long hours in Trellech, the capitol of magical Britain. A little is due to the demands of his position as a Lord of the land. But much of the distance between them is due to Richard’s reluctance to impose on Alysoun or ask for her time… especially since the pain and fatigue she has experienced since the birth of their second child. (Alysoun struggles with what today we would call fibromyalgia, and the author’s portrayal of what it’s like to live with chronic illness is both sensitive and nuanced.) It’s clear that Richard values Alysoun, but his upbringing—a distant father who lived mostly in a man’s world, and a mother who impressed on him that women don’t really want men demanding their time and attention—leaves him incapable of stepping past polite interactions into any real intimacy.
For her part, Alysoun would welcome the chance to be more a part of Richard’s life, as well as deeper emotional tie between them. But she doesn’t know how to ask or even encourage him in that direction, without being demanding or forward—in other words, without stepping outside the bounds of a proper wife of their social station.
Two things happen to shake them out of their polite reserve. First, a pair of mysteries gives them not only something to talk about, but (in the case of one involving stained glass artworks) also something they can work on together. And Richard receives an unexpected nudge from his mentor and former dueling master, Magni Torham, who wants for Richard the same long-lasting, deeply loving relationship he himself has found.
How Alysoun and Richard solve the mysteries and find their way to each other forms the heart of this lovely, slow-moving, cozy historical-fantasy romance. It has become one of my favorite comfort rereads of the past several years.
Challenges: COYER Unwind (2024), Chapter 3
Review originally published on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
May 29, 2021
I have completely surrendered to the charms of late spring/early summer backyard and books that are a little bit magic, a little bit cozy, and a little bit romance. These fit the bill perfectly. The mystery (such as it is) is beside the point, we want to see these very good people find their way to each other and to connect their very large brains together (now that I think about it, the brains are as much my catnip as anything else- and TBH I do have that in my own marriage). I like it, it is good for what I need right now.
March 26, 2023
Richard, Lord Edgarton, believes in chivalry and gallant deeds. He approaches everything in his life with the same nobleness he's always valued. He plays with his children in the nursery as much as he can while being respectful of their schedule- though he wishes he could visit more. He stays out of his wife's hair and takes his mother's advice that men are always underfoot and unwanted. Alysoun was trained all her life how to be a proper upper class lady of society. How to be a wife to a powerful lord was all she knew how to do. After her health declines following the birth of her second child, she becomes isolated and bored. She visits a local museum on a whim and her attention to detail leads to her and her husband investigating together, working together, really talking together for the first time in their whole marriage.
I will say while this was a book that CAN be read on its own, I don't recommend it. I was sent this book for review based on its disability inclusion without having read the previous books. Thankfully, I was able to follow the magical society and structure decently, but at the end of the day this was clearly a book that follows in the footsteps of others that better established the world building. The magic wasn't a CORE aspect of the book, but mentions and references left me confused and overwhelmed. That said- I fully intend to read the other books in this world. I was left intrigued enough to know I want more of Albion, but a reader less familiar with fantasy worlds might be left very frustrated by the lack of context for information thrown around. Multiple times references to classes/magic styles, school house systems, and social structure were done in a way that told me something was being implied or inferred, but I had no context for it and so the reference was lost on me. For example the characters being in Fox house, or another in Bear house was done in a way to clearly lead me to imply something about character, but I was left having to ignore that detail and that was frustrating.
Outside of that single aspect, this book was something I really loved reading. Set in the Edwardian era, I loved the historical accuracies and attention to morphing the magical world Lake built into the real historical society. I personally love the Edwardian era, I find it really fascinating, but not many books are set during this time period, so reading Pastiche was extra fun for me. Add in that I am also a museum studies student, making the subtle aspects of the museum inclusion mean even more to me. The blowhard academic who acts like they know everything but is clearly wrong, the having to cater to patrons, all of it was so much fun for me to read about. It also added a level to the mystery at foot that keyed me into strangeness far earlier than blatantly obvious to the casual reader.
I also fully enjoyed the inclusion of Alysoun's unknown ailment, what we would today call Fibromyalgia. It was such a great depiction of the disease. I loved that there wasn't some magical cure- literally. All that exhausted was a potion that could dull her pain, but which she would pay for the next morning as it allowed her to go past her natural limit the body imposes on itself. The way that mimicked a number of drugs I would take today, where 'yes, I will be able to do this extra exhausting thing, but tomorrow will be even worse because of it so I have to gauge what's more worth it.' The way every aspect of it was discussed, and nothing was shied away from. It was so refreshing to see such a truthful exploration of living with this bizarre disability, seeing it have an effect on every aspect of her life, and seeing her loving husband being so in-tuned with asking her what she needed. It made me happy to read.
I wish more books covered Fibro, and other disabilities, with this much grace, honesty, and sincerity. Not as something to overcome, something to hide, or be ashamed of, but as something that is a part of life and something that needs to be worked around and incorporated.
I will say while this was a book that CAN be read on its own, I don't recommend it. I was sent this book for review based on its disability inclusion without having read the previous books. Thankfully, I was able to follow the magical society and structure decently, but at the end of the day this was clearly a book that follows in the footsteps of others that better established the world building. The magic wasn't a CORE aspect of the book, but mentions and references left me confused and overwhelmed. That said- I fully intend to read the other books in this world. I was left intrigued enough to know I want more of Albion, but a reader less familiar with fantasy worlds might be left very frustrated by the lack of context for information thrown around. Multiple times references to classes/magic styles, school house systems, and social structure were done in a way that told me something was being implied or inferred, but I had no context for it and so the reference was lost on me. For example the characters being in Fox house, or another in Bear house was done in a way to clearly lead me to imply something about character, but I was left having to ignore that detail and that was frustrating.
Outside of that single aspect, this book was something I really loved reading. Set in the Edwardian era, I loved the historical accuracies and attention to morphing the magical world Lake built into the real historical society. I personally love the Edwardian era, I find it really fascinating, but not many books are set during this time period, so reading Pastiche was extra fun for me. Add in that I am also a museum studies student, making the subtle aspects of the museum inclusion mean even more to me. The blowhard academic who acts like they know everything but is clearly wrong, the having to cater to patrons, all of it was so much fun for me to read about. It also added a level to the mystery at foot that keyed me into strangeness far earlier than blatantly obvious to the casual reader.
I also fully enjoyed the inclusion of Alysoun's unknown ailment, what we would today call Fibromyalgia. It was such a great depiction of the disease. I loved that there wasn't some magical cure- literally. All that exhausted was a potion that could dull her pain, but which she would pay for the next morning as it allowed her to go past her natural limit the body imposes on itself. The way that mimicked a number of drugs I would take today, where 'yes, I will be able to do this extra exhausting thing, but tomorrow will be even worse because of it so I have to gauge what's more worth it.' The way every aspect of it was discussed, and nothing was shied away from. It was so refreshing to see such a truthful exploration of living with this bizarre disability, seeing it have an effect on every aspect of her life, and seeing her loving husband being so in-tuned with asking her what she needed. It made me happy to read.
I wish more books covered Fibro, and other disabilities, with this much grace, honesty, and sincerity. Not as something to overcome, something to hide, or be ashamed of, but as something that is a part of life and something that needs to be worked around and incorporated.
September 7, 2023
Gentle, kind, slow build, mystery, responsibilities, friends, reader heroine, chronic pain, relationship.
November 15, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
Celia Lake really has something special, here.
This in an indie novel set in a hidden magical world (Albion) located in the UK's Edwardian period. And apparently, there are loads of other books Lake's written in this world to go along with this one.
I neglected picking this up because I was too worried. Based on the summary, I knew it had a number of things I enjoy, and I just got...anxious, the way you do when you're worried something won't live up to the hype.
Having read it, I'm not disappointed! Ugh, where to begin.
This book was gentle. This book was sweet. This book wasn't trying to scream in my face, and I don't think I realized how much I've gotten used to clamping my hands over my ears and bustling through stories full-throttle. The title? Delightful and clever. The cover art is CUTE. The printed copy I have feels good in the hands, and the best part is how short and digestible the chapters are.
If you're a caregiver or generally busy or have a processing disorder, short chapters are lovely. <3
I do think this book is for a particular sort of reader, though.
This is not a fast-moving story, nor are the displays of romance sweeping and steeped in melodrama. It's refined. Subtle. Mundane, even. Cozy.
There were a few moments when I'd have appreciated a bit more intensity, such as during the showdown near the end. And sometimes the plot (particularly that of the mystery) really dragged longer than it needed. I found myself a bit disconcerted by the nature of parent and child relationships (particularly how little they seem to see of each other, but I know that's more typical for the people in their class in this era). But overall, I was pleasantly refreshed by a novel that didn't feel the need to rollercoaster me through it. Lake's depiction of Alysoun's fibromyalgia seemed well-researched; I was a bit worried she was suddenly going to be healed by a case development or something. I appreciated Lake not kill-or-curing her protagonist in that way.
There were a handful of typos and things, but that doesn't really bother me much. For the most part, I think the book is well put together, and considering that this is a prolific indie author, I think they've done a fantastic job.
I'm excited to pick up my next Albion story. It's a rich magical universe, and clearly very intentionally laid out. <3
Celia Lake really has something special, here.
This in an indie novel set in a hidden magical world (Albion) located in the UK's Edwardian period. And apparently, there are loads of other books Lake's written in this world to go along with this one.
I neglected picking this up because I was too worried. Based on the summary, I knew it had a number of things I enjoy, and I just got...anxious, the way you do when you're worried something won't live up to the hype.
Having read it, I'm not disappointed! Ugh, where to begin.
This book was gentle. This book was sweet. This book wasn't trying to scream in my face, and I don't think I realized how much I've gotten used to clamping my hands over my ears and bustling through stories full-throttle. The title? Delightful and clever. The cover art is CUTE. The printed copy I have feels good in the hands, and the best part is how short and digestible the chapters are.
If you're a caregiver or generally busy or have a processing disorder, short chapters are lovely. <3
I do think this book is for a particular sort of reader, though.
This is not a fast-moving story, nor are the displays of romance sweeping and steeped in melodrama. It's refined. Subtle. Mundane, even. Cozy.
There were a few moments when I'd have appreciated a bit more intensity, such as during the showdown near the end. And sometimes the plot (particularly that of the mystery) really dragged longer than it needed. I found myself a bit disconcerted by the nature of parent and child relationships (particularly how little they seem to see of each other, but I know that's more typical for the people in their class in this era). But overall, I was pleasantly refreshed by a novel that didn't feel the need to rollercoaster me through it. Lake's depiction of Alysoun's fibromyalgia seemed well-researched; I was a bit worried she was suddenly going to be healed by a case development or something. I appreciated Lake not kill-or-curing her protagonist in that way.
There were a handful of typos and things, but that doesn't really bother me much. For the most part, I think the book is well put together, and considering that this is a prolific indie author, I think they've done a fantastic job.
I'm excited to pick up my next Albion story. It's a rich magical universe, and clearly very intentionally laid out. <3
February 6, 2025
Audiobook reread - 5 extra stars! I’d love to have all of Lake's books in audio!
Celia Lake writes cozy historical fantasy about diverse characters- usually characters dealing with disabilities, or racism and sometimes with LGTBQ characters.
In Pastiche, Alysoun and Richard are in an arranged marriage and Alysoun develops chronic pain (in the author notes, she says it’s fibromyalgia, but it didn’t have that name in 1900). Alysoun and Richard struggle in their marriage to understand the expectations they have for one another and her illness also creates misunderstandings.
This book is very cozy and gentle. Alysoun gets involved with a mystery involving stained glass in a museum. Richard has some cool magic duels, and they become friends with another couple, but much of the story is the two of them working out their relationship. This wasn’t one of my favorites when I first read it -Wards of the Roses or Goblin Fruit are better, I think as a place to start- but I absolutely loved it as a reread. There were several wonderful scenes with great dialogue among characters I’ve come to love. I adore the world Lake has created and how all the stories and many characters overlap. Richard and Alysoun appear as an older couple in Wards of the Roses, Alysoun is featured in the newest book, Three Graces, and their daughter is the FMC in the book coming out in February, and I love how that gives depth to the world of Albion that Lake has created. Her historical research is also meticulous and described in more depth in the author’s notes at the end of each book.
Celia Lake writes cozy historical fantasy about diverse characters- usually characters dealing with disabilities, or racism and sometimes with LGTBQ characters.
In Pastiche, Alysoun and Richard are in an arranged marriage and Alysoun develops chronic pain (in the author notes, she says it’s fibromyalgia, but it didn’t have that name in 1900). Alysoun and Richard struggle in their marriage to understand the expectations they have for one another and her illness also creates misunderstandings.
This book is very cozy and gentle. Alysoun gets involved with a mystery involving stained glass in a museum. Richard has some cool magic duels, and they become friends with another couple, but much of the story is the two of them working out their relationship. This wasn’t one of my favorites when I first read it -Wards of the Roses or Goblin Fruit are better, I think as a place to start- but I absolutely loved it as a reread. There were several wonderful scenes with great dialogue among characters I’ve come to love. I adore the world Lake has created and how all the stories and many characters overlap. Richard and Alysoun appear as an older couple in Wards of the Roses, Alysoun is featured in the newest book, Three Graces, and their daughter is the FMC in the book coming out in February, and I love how that gives depth to the world of Albion that Lake has created. Her historical research is also meticulous and described in more depth in the author’s notes at the end of each book.
October 13, 2023
In Edwardian Albion, the community of magic-users of Great Britain, arranged marriages are common. Lord Richard Edgarton barely knew Alysoun, his bride-to-be, before being sent to the Sudan. Brought back to be confirmed as land-heir at his father's deathbed, he & Alysoun had no time together before their wedding, & only a few days afterwards before Richard had to take up his duties in the Royal Guard. He & Alysoun had no opportunity to learn about one another--he had his Guard duties & responsibilities to the land; she raised their children, ran the household, coped with fibromyalgia--and was bored. Then Richard's mentor, the Guild's dueling master, was injured on duty, & getting to know him outside of work made Richard question his own conduct of life--including the kind of marriage he wanted.
August 11, 2021
I'm slowly making my way through Lake's books after enjoying Eclipse so much. This one is a prequel to a subseries I haven't started yet about one of the main character's parents. It's a marriage of convenience story between two fundamentally intelligent and good people who are constrained by social expectations of gender and class as to what a marriage should be. It's a beautiful slow-paced romance made even more powerful by the fact that the heroine suffers from chronic pain which is not identified directly in the story or magically cured even though this world has magic. The author's note explains that this is fibromyalgia.
This might be a good place to start the series but it is very Edwardian in feel. I really liked this book.
This might be a good place to start the series but it is very Edwardian in feel. I really liked this book.
May 29, 2021
Really, really loved this one. They're already married and have two kids, but they fall in love only after several years of relatively happy, but distant, marriage. Also, I liked the compassionate way in which Richard supports Alysoun through a challenging chronic illness.
January 4, 2024
This book went back in time to look at the marriage of Gabriel Edgarton's parents. Gabe and Rathna's romance is The Fossil Door. It was an arranged marriage, and Richard Edgarton doesn't have a clue about dealing with a wife, except that his mother had hammered into him that wives don't want to be bothered by their husbands.
Richard and Alysoun figure it out well enough at first, but after their second child, their daughter Charlotte, is born, Alysoun develops a chronic illness. She'd been isolated during her pregnancies, because it isn't safe for pregnant people of Albion to go through the magical portals that take them from place to place. While the demesne home of Veritas is grand, it's also rural. With the development of what in the future would be called fibromyalgia, Alysoun's ability to get out and about is greatly lessened again, and she doesn't know when she'll have a good day or bad day. She's only in her twenties, and doesn't want to give the image of being an invalid, so she doesn't like to use a cane in public.
Richard's worries about bothering Alysoun are greatly increased by the unpredictable pain Alysoun has, and he doesn't want to tire her, especially if she's having a low energy day. He knows she's intelligent and likes to read, so he brings her books she might like. Alysoun appreciates that. When she is able to go out, she finds a mystery to solve. Richard takes her seriously, and introduces her to Mason, who is a special kind of analyst. Ms. Lake gave the title of Penelope to those of her characters who unweave badly done magic and solve mysteries and problems. Mason gives Alysoun the high compliment of saying that she would have made a good Penelope.
Richard's apprentice master and mentor, Captain of the Guard Magni Torham, realizes that Richard has no idea of how he should be treating Alysoun. Magni takes Richard to his home, and introduces Richard to Magni's life partner, Gil. Same-sex relationships are not illegal in Albion like they are in mundane Great Britain then, but Magni and Gil don't often tell people about their relationship. Alysoun very quickly becomes good friends with Gil, who is a master of architectural magics and, like Alysoun, intelligent and curious about the world.
Gil had a leg amputated below the knee due to wounds he got from a war in Sudan. The Healers of Albion did what they could once he got to them, but he'll always have trouble with the residual limb. Usually he can use a prosthetic leg, but every so often he needs a wheelchair. He understands about managing chronic pain, and Alysoun really needed to talk to someone who understood what it was like to have a disability.
It's great for Alysoun to find friends and colleagues who match her intellectually and appreciate her talents and abilities. Mason becomes "Aunt Mason" to Gabe in childhood. Gabe also has his "Uncle Magni" and "Uncle Gil," probably from that time on. Magni says that he's known Gabe since Gabe was six. Magni was the longtime Duelling Master of Albion's Guards, and started Gabe's dueling training at age eight, when Gabe was ready. Richard was Magni's best apprentice, but Gabe is up there for dueling skills.
Gil notes to Alysoun that the two of them are the ones in their respective relationships who are better at using their words. Alysoun uses her words, and Richard gets there, too. Richard learns from Magni and Gil's example how to have a good relationship with a partner. Alysoun realizes that Richard spends much more time with their children than she'd thought, reading to them and otherwise interacting with them. His parents hadn't spent much time with him, but he's determined to be different.
Richard's got a learning curve about being a good life partner, and Alysoun enjoys interacting more and communicating better with him, and finding new friends who appreciate her mind.
Richard and Alysoun figure it out well enough at first, but after their second child, their daughter Charlotte, is born, Alysoun develops a chronic illness. She'd been isolated during her pregnancies, because it isn't safe for pregnant people of Albion to go through the magical portals that take them from place to place. While the demesne home of Veritas is grand, it's also rural. With the development of what in the future would be called fibromyalgia, Alysoun's ability to get out and about is greatly lessened again, and she doesn't know when she'll have a good day or bad day. She's only in her twenties, and doesn't want to give the image of being an invalid, so she doesn't like to use a cane in public.
Richard's worries about bothering Alysoun are greatly increased by the unpredictable pain Alysoun has, and he doesn't want to tire her, especially if she's having a low energy day. He knows she's intelligent and likes to read, so he brings her books she might like. Alysoun appreciates that. When she is able to go out, she finds a mystery to solve. Richard takes her seriously, and introduces her to Mason, who is a special kind of analyst. Ms. Lake gave the title of Penelope to those of her characters who unweave badly done magic and solve mysteries and problems. Mason gives Alysoun the high compliment of saying that she would have made a good Penelope.
Richard's apprentice master and mentor, Captain of the Guard Magni Torham, realizes that Richard has no idea of how he should be treating Alysoun. Magni takes Richard to his home, and introduces Richard to Magni's life partner, Gil. Same-sex relationships are not illegal in Albion like they are in mundane Great Britain then, but Magni and Gil don't often tell people about their relationship. Alysoun very quickly becomes good friends with Gil, who is a master of architectural magics and, like Alysoun, intelligent and curious about the world.
Gil had a leg amputated below the knee due to wounds he got from a war in Sudan. The Healers of Albion did what they could once he got to them, but he'll always have trouble with the residual limb. Usually he can use a prosthetic leg, but every so often he needs a wheelchair. He understands about managing chronic pain, and Alysoun really needed to talk to someone who understood what it was like to have a disability.
It's great for Alysoun to find friends and colleagues who match her intellectually and appreciate her talents and abilities. Mason becomes "Aunt Mason" to Gabe in childhood. Gabe also has his "Uncle Magni" and "Uncle Gil," probably from that time on. Magni says that he's known Gabe since Gabe was six. Magni was the longtime Duelling Master of Albion's Guards, and started Gabe's dueling training at age eight, when Gabe was ready. Richard was Magni's best apprentice, but Gabe is up there for dueling skills.
Gil notes to Alysoun that the two of them are the ones in their respective relationships who are better at using their words. Alysoun uses her words, and Richard gets there, too. Richard learns from Magni and Gil's example how to have a good relationship with a partner. Alysoun realizes that Richard spends much more time with their children than she'd thought, reading to them and otherwise interacting with them. His parents hadn't spent much time with him, but he's determined to be different.
Richard's got a learning curve about being a good life partner, and Alysoun enjoys interacting more and communicating better with him, and finding new friends who appreciate her mind.
July 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this love story! It was always relaxing and refreshing to come back to these characters, and I was excited to see their relationship change over the story. The MC's start the book with an optimistic but arranged marriage. Throughout the whole book, Richard was charmingly eager to try to be kind to his wife. Even when he had it wrong, it was such a refreshing change from the hero who starts out as a jerk.
I enjoyed the world-building, although it felt more like a basic first-world fantasy than historical fantasy. Although the characters occasionally mention London and Wales, all the locations the book takes place are invisible to non-magical people and real-world politics/customs don't really influence the plot. The author built the world and the plot smoothly, without info dumps but so by the time I was a few chapters in, I could understand what was going on.
I felt like this plot was basically a vehicle for the love and friendship story. The mystery and investigation never caused much tension, and the "bad guys" barely had any page time at all. That was fine for me as a reader -- I enjoyed all four principle characters, plus some smaller parts that I felt like had enough detail that I could really envision the interaction and their perspective. This felt to me like a gentle, slow-paced book, but with just enough plot to make me eager to come back and read more.
My favorite part was how we really had the chance to sink into the characters. The two love interests had plenty of time together on page, and we got to sink into their emotions (in alternating POV). I found their changing relationship absolutely believable, and the ending was emotionally satisfying.
I enjoyed the world-building, although it felt more like a basic first-world fantasy than historical fantasy. Although the characters occasionally mention London and Wales, all the locations the book takes place are invisible to non-magical people and real-world politics/customs don't really influence the plot. The author built the world and the plot smoothly, without info dumps but so by the time I was a few chapters in, I could understand what was going on.
I felt like this plot was basically a vehicle for the love and friendship story. The mystery and investigation never caused much tension, and the "bad guys" barely had any page time at all. That was fine for me as a reader -- I enjoyed all four principle characters, plus some smaller parts that I felt like had enough detail that I could really envision the interaction and their perspective. This felt to me like a gentle, slow-paced book, but with just enough plot to make me eager to come back and read more.
My favorite part was how we really had the chance to sink into the characters. The two love interests had plenty of time together on page, and we got to sink into their emotions (in alternating POV). I found their changing relationship absolutely believable, and the ending was emotionally satisfying.
May 3, 2025
An interesting take on the time
So I had some sympathy with Richard's mother when she prepared him for a less than enthusiastic wife, their marriage being arranged. Unfortunately, it did hamper his emotions and behaviour. Which I thought were nicely described. I like the idea of magical folk living alongside non- magical, but wonder how it is explained geographically. Empty spaces.
Overall, a nicely written story with enough linkages to make the plot work not too obviously.
So I had some sympathy with Richard's mother when she prepared him for a less than enthusiastic wife, their marriage being arranged. Unfortunately, it did hamper his emotions and behaviour. Which I thought were nicely described. I like the idea of magical folk living alongside non- magical, but wonder how it is explained geographically. Empty spaces.
Overall, a nicely written story with enough linkages to make the plot work not too obviously.
November 7, 2023
magic and romance!
I don’t usually like historical novels but the blend of magic and romance made this book a delight. I’ve signed up for authors newsletter and plan to read more of this series.
I don’t usually like historical novels but the blend of magic and romance made this book a delight. I’ve signed up for authors newsletter and plan to read more of this series.
August 1, 2025
A portrait of a marriage.
There may be magic, and soldiers, and lords and ladies but the heart of this book is about an arranged marriage. How after many years they slowly open up to each other and discover their true wants and wishes.
There may be magic, and soldiers, and lords and ladies but the heart of this book is about an arranged marriage. How after many years they slowly open up to each other and discover their true wants and wishes.
July 20, 2024
Delightful.
A wonderfully gentle mystery and blossoming love story. The appearance of Gil and Magni was beautifully done, as was the friendship between Alysoun and Gil.
A wonderfully gentle mystery and blossoming love story. The appearance of Gil and Magni was beautifully done, as was the friendship between Alysoun and Gil.
dnf
May 11, 2025DNF at 23%, It's not you, it's me, I'm bored.
August 12, 2025
3.5 rounding up. Quiet, introspective and rather lovely.
abandoned
April 2, 2024Soft DNF at 15%
Stronger editing probably would have fixed a lot of my early difficulties with this book, from jarring time jumps to relationship basics that stagnate for several years because *plot* to a truly distracting amount of commas. (To be fair, that last would have been a non-issue with me if I were listening to an audiobook edition.)
When I realized I was enjoying the book club commentary more than the book, I decided to move on to a book I'm more interested in. Which is a shame! Because I was genuinely excited about this slow blooming historical romance that depicts a chronic illness.
Sweater Weather book club pick for March 2024
Stronger editing probably would have fixed a lot of my early difficulties with this book, from jarring time jumps to relationship basics that stagnate for several years because *plot* to a truly distracting amount of commas. (To be fair, that last would have been a non-issue with me if I were listening to an audiobook edition.)
When I realized I was enjoying the book club commentary more than the book, I decided to move on to a book I'm more interested in. Which is a shame! Because I was genuinely excited about this slow blooming historical romance that depicts a chronic illness.
Sweater Weather book club pick for March 2024
March 19, 2023
This was lovely and exactly what I was looking for, an Edwardian fantasy that's a lot of romance and an intriguing world of magic. This is gentle and kind, about a couple who went through an arranged marriage and are only now, six years later, making their way to each other. Richard wants to do the right thing, he's a Guard (protecting the land with magic) and honour is everything to him. Alysoun did everything expected of her as a wife and mother but she's keen to be involved in more and she stumbles upon a mystery.
I thought the romance in this was beautiful and the communication so good and realistic. The secondary characters are excellent (Richard meets a couple who becomes an inspiration to him, they were lovely) and the fact that Alysoun's chronic illness is worked into the story so seamlessly is brand new to me, I'd never seen such a good representation of chronic pain before. The magic lost me a little in parts but I suspect everything becomes easier to understand if you read more books.
Definitely a new series I'll keep reading.
I thought the romance in this was beautiful and the communication so good and realistic. The secondary characters are excellent (Richard meets a couple who becomes an inspiration to him, they were lovely) and the fact that Alysoun's chronic illness is worked into the story so seamlessly is brand new to me, I'd never seen such a good representation of chronic pain before. The magic lost me a little in parts but I suspect everything becomes easier to understand if you read more books.
Definitely a new series I'll keep reading.
June 25, 2025
Dearest Unhinged Reader,
Have you ever read the back of a book and thought, “Well, that’s a major spoiler” - That was me going into this story. But it was so cute, I couldn’t put it down anyway.
I was convinced the blurb had spoiled a mentor’s death—and by the time I was 80% through the book, it still hadn’t happened. At that point, I was deeply attached to the mentor in question. I adored his dynamic with his husband, and his relationship with both of the main characters was such a joy to read. Naturally, I began spiraling. I was not emotionally ready.
So dear reader, in a moment of weakness, I flipped through the book…looking for that moment. And….he didn’t die.I was shocked. I scrambled back to the blurb and—you guessed it—I had misread it. He was only going to be injured. Insert giant forehead smack. I felt like the world’s biggest goof, but also deeply relieved.
Now, let’s talk about the book itself. It’s adorable. A hefty dash of mystery, a heaping tablespoon of “these two need to get out of their own way already!”, and a warm, unique magical take on Edwardian England.
The story follows two lovers from an arranged marriage: Alysoun, a brilliant woman living with a chronic illness, and Richard, a Lord and member of the Guard who is incredibly intelligent yet painfully awkward and emotionally stunted thanks to his upbringing.
Watching these two slowly, clumsily fumble their way toward intimacy in a relationship that was never meant to be about love is so rewarding. Sometimes I wanted to gently bonk their heads together—other times I was kicking my feet and grinning <3
Celia Lake does a masterful job of weaving together magical and historical elements with rich emotional depth. While the magical terminology can be a bit dense at times, fear not: Lake provides a handy wiki to help you navigate the Charms of Albion world.
If you’re craving a cozy fantasy romance with magic, politics, a sweetly slow-burning married couple, and a cast of lovable characters, Pastiche is a perfect pick.
So tell me, dear reader—have you ever misread a spoiler, panicked, and then realized you were totally wrong?
Have you ever read the back of a book and thought, “Well, that’s a major spoiler” - That was me going into this story. But it was so cute, I couldn’t put it down anyway.
I was convinced the blurb had spoiled a mentor’s death—and by the time I was 80% through the book, it still hadn’t happened. At that point, I was deeply attached to the mentor in question. I adored his dynamic with his husband, and his relationship with both of the main characters was such a joy to read. Naturally, I began spiraling. I was not emotionally ready.
So dear reader, in a moment of weakness, I flipped through the book…looking for that moment. And….he didn’t die.I was shocked. I scrambled back to the blurb and—you guessed it—I had misread it. He was only going to be injured. Insert giant forehead smack. I felt like the world’s biggest goof, but also deeply relieved.
Now, let’s talk about the book itself. It’s adorable. A hefty dash of mystery, a heaping tablespoon of “these two need to get out of their own way already!”, and a warm, unique magical take on Edwardian England.
The story follows two lovers from an arranged marriage: Alysoun, a brilliant woman living with a chronic illness, and Richard, a Lord and member of the Guard who is incredibly intelligent yet painfully awkward and emotionally stunted thanks to his upbringing.
Watching these two slowly, clumsily fumble their way toward intimacy in a relationship that was never meant to be about love is so rewarding. Sometimes I wanted to gently bonk their heads together—other times I was kicking my feet and grinning <3
Celia Lake does a masterful job of weaving together magical and historical elements with rich emotional depth. While the magical terminology can be a bit dense at times, fear not: Lake provides a handy wiki to help you navigate the Charms of Albion world.
If you’re craving a cozy fantasy romance with magic, politics, a sweetly slow-burning married couple, and a cast of lovable characters, Pastiche is a perfect pick.
So tell me, dear reader—have you ever misread a spoiler, panicked, and then realized you were totally wrong?
April 20, 2025
Recommended by author Rachel Neumeier. Pastiche is set in an alt-Edwardian England with magic. Alysoun has been in an arranged marriage for years but longs to be closer to her husband, who investigates magical crimes. Meanwhile, Alysoun investigates a suspicious exhibit of stained glass that isn’t what it seems.
This was a charming and gentle and slow read. It was focused more on the romance arc than the museum shenanigans arc, which I think slides it more into the “romance” genre than in fantasy proper. I do like a good arranged marriage to lovers arc, and I think it was handled well. Alysoun’s chronic pain was also handled very well (it’s not named in the text since it’s 1906, but the author’s note mentions she has fibromyalgia). Her disability isn’t just waved aside or used as a plot point (and definitely not magically cured at the end)– Lake goes into detail about how Alysoun manages her day, that some things can help but other times she’s bedbound.
An interesting read, enough to make me check out other works by this author.
This was a charming and gentle and slow read. It was focused more on the romance arc than the museum shenanigans arc, which I think slides it more into the “romance” genre than in fantasy proper. I do like a good arranged marriage to lovers arc, and I think it was handled well. Alysoun’s chronic pain was also handled very well (it’s not named in the text since it’s 1906, but the author’s note mentions she has fibromyalgia). Her disability isn’t just waved aside or used as a plot point (and definitely not magically cured at the end)– Lake goes into detail about how Alysoun manages her day, that some things can help but other times she’s bedbound.
An interesting read, enough to make me check out other works by this author.
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