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The Unwanted King #1
Gary of a Hundred Days
The Kingdom of Estla is in turmoil. Power plays, intrigue, and plots seethe in the corridors of power. And Gary of a Hundred Days, Last of the Tyrant Kings is…well, he's pretty offended, actually?
Tyrant?
Seriously? Who is making this up?
Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he's ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.
As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.
Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.
Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.
More specifically, about their future.
Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.
Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?
(Unless that really is a bear following him.)
Tyrant?
Seriously? Who is making this up?
Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he's ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.
As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.
Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.
Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.
More specifically, about their future.
Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.
Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?
(Unless that really is a bear following him.)
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2022
190 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Murray
12 books405 followersIsabel is a writer, a reader, and a lover of love. She couldn’t stick to a subgenre if her life depended on it, but MM romance is her jam. She lives in the UK, reads way too much, and cannot be trusted anywhere near chocolate.
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
September 19, 2025
Sure, this could be considered a “light and fluffy” novella.
BUT I like my novellas to have… ✨a reason for existing, or basic plot, or instantly interesting mc’s who capture your heart, or mind blowing smut, or to be at least 10% interesting✨
This novella rewarded me with approximately NONE of those things. 👏
The first chapter set up WAS FIRE 🔥 I was like… fuck yeah, a king who doesn’t wanna be king, gets betrayed and stabbed, but doesn’t die so he can run away and be free whilst everyone thinks he’s dead…
GREAT SET UP…
GREAT CONCEPT…
Then the story begins and GAVE US NOTHINGGGGGG, YAAAAASSSSS QUEEN, I LOVE IT WHEN YOU LEAVE US STARVING INSTEAD OF GIVING US A SINGULAR CRUMB OF ENTERTAINMENT.
Why do novellas just always SUCK? 🥲
I have a curse of bad novellas.
(sorry to all who think all my reviews feel negative lately, (someone told me I was negative and I overthought it alot since then, but at the end of the day, I just like giving my honest reviews and never intend to hurt anyone's feels🥺🥺) but books are giving me the shits and I keep choosing bad books by accident, please don’t hate me)
Pre read note:
Next bookclub book, but a psa: no one named Gary can be hot. surely? 🫣
I googled "hot gary" and all that came up was Gary from SpongeBob with bumcheeks, before instantly closing that browser and removing my search history, I rest my case.
September 27, 2022
“I shall be known as Gary, Bondmate of Magnus.” I cupped his face and kissed him softly. “The happiest man in all the lands.”
I think we can all agree that Gary, king for a mere hundred days, needs to be protected at all fucking cost. With our boy Magnus acting as said protector, obviously.
With Gary of a Hundred Days I think it's safe to say I'll read anything Isabel Murray writes. There's something about her books that I just adore. Basically, she writes dense as fuck main characters in a way that I love.
September 10, 2024
Great premise, great first chapter. Unfortunately the execution flopped for me. As soon as Gary met up with Magnus everything just felt so sex-centric and shallow and sappy. Which would be fine if the sex was appealing but sadly it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Gary was too innocent it gave me the icks when he acted like a child and needed to be told all about how sex works and where penises go and what tongues do when they are kissing. Despite admitting to watching animals have sex on their estate, perving on much older Magnus having sex with stable boys, and reading some kind of secret sex help book to keep him ‘limber and flexible’ he appeared utterly clueless. Having Magnus immediately starting a sexual relationship with Gary when he comes across as a simple, childlike person after a traumatic experience just defied all sexiness for me. If there was less sex and more other stuff this would have been ok but there wasn’t much else going on. And Gary’s incessant childish rambling killed me.
Gary was too innocent it gave me the icks when he acted like a child and needed to be told all about how sex works and where penises go and what tongues do when they are kissing. Despite admitting to watching animals have sex on their estate, perving on much older Magnus having sex with stable boys, and reading some kind of secret sex help book to keep him ‘limber and flexible’ he appeared utterly clueless. Having Magnus immediately starting a sexual relationship with Gary when he comes across as a simple, childlike person after a traumatic experience just defied all sexiness for me. If there was less sex and more other stuff this would have been ok but there wasn’t much else going on. And Gary’s incessant childish rambling killed me.
September 8, 2024
This had such a good premise- but it didn’t deliver. It needed more world building, it had like none and I wanted way more info. And more plot. And more romance. I guess more everything lol. And I don’t believe a person can be that innocent and inexperienced. And like my book club besties already said- Gary is a very unsexy name. (Sorry if you’re reading this and your name is Gary ☹️)
September 21, 2022
Utterly charming, adorably entertaining and sweetly romantic.
Loved Gary’s naïveté and cluelessness not just about the political plotting and antics happening right before his eyes, but about people in general, relationships and sex. Though it’s not explicitly stated on page, Gary codes as gray ace/demi and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
I may have had a niggle here and there but I really enjoyed this delightful tale.
KU but am putting it on my Christmas wishlist to add to my permanent library, it’s an amusing, lighthearted comfort story that I know I’ll reach for again when a quick little dose of sunshine and a smile are needed.
Loved Gary’s naïveté and cluelessness not just about the political plotting and antics happening right before his eyes, but about people in general, relationships and sex. Though it’s not explicitly stated on page, Gary codes as gray ace/demi and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
I may have had a niggle here and there but I really enjoyed this delightful tale.
KU but am putting it on my Christmas wishlist to add to my permanent library, it’s an amusing, lighthearted comfort story that I know I’ll reach for again when a quick little dose of sunshine and a smile are needed.
September 10, 2024
These types of books are the ones that give novellas a bad reputation.
The first couple of chapters were interesting, good even, but then Gary escapes (una very unrealistic way) and runs into Magnus and the story collapses.
There is literally no plot whatsoever in this story. They just walk through the forest, have the most awkward make up session ever and then we get to read about them reminiscing about all these moments that happen in the past and are basically the foundation for their relationship.
If there is one thing that I hate about books is when we are just told things but not shown, and this is exactly what happened here, all of the romance and relationship,etc happened before the book even started so we just have to see them talk about it.
Gary is 28 but he acts like a child, like yes, I get you are not into sex but dude, you have seen animals fuck and apparently have this whole book about sex that you read and still know nothing? Plus adding the whole ridiculous “bondmate” thing to it to justify the fated/mates situation was just ridiculous.
I’ll just add that if I thought “Paul from Dune” was the worst name for an MC I stand corrected now, nothing is less sexy than Gary.
The first couple of chapters were interesting, good even, but then Gary escapes (una very unrealistic way) and runs into Magnus and the story collapses.
There is literally no plot whatsoever in this story. They just walk through the forest, have the most awkward make up session ever and then we get to read about them reminiscing about all these moments that happen in the past and are basically the foundation for their relationship.
If there is one thing that I hate about books is when we are just told things but not shown, and this is exactly what happened here, all of the romance and relationship,etc happened before the book even started so we just have to see them talk about it.
Gary is 28 but he acts like a child, like yes, I get you are not into sex but dude, you have seen animals fuck and apparently have this whole book about sex that you read and still know nothing? Plus adding the whole ridiculous “bondmate” thing to it to justify the fated/mates situation was just ridiculous.
I’ll just add that if I thought “Paul from Dune” was the worst name for an MC I stand corrected now, nothing is less sexy than Gary.
September 23, 2022
Popcorn and chocolate-covered raisins, okay? Just relax and enjoy the -- whatever this is. Don't argue.
October 4, 2022
Had this been a full story it would’ve been perfection
January 27, 2023
3.5/5 stars. Naive, clueless characters aren’t usually my favorite—authors often write them in a way that feels mean, like you’re supposed to laugh at them. For the most part, I thought this book did a good job skirting the line and wasn’t cruel in its treatment of Gary’s naivete and inexperience. It helped having the book entirely from his perspective, and written in first person, because the gaps in his knowledge were often only alluded to, and it was clear that these were due primarily to how isolated and sheltered his life had been.
Unfortunately, this took some of the power of the romance away for me, because knowing that Magnus had been in love with Gary for years didn’t feel as impactful since Gary had no idea and wasn’t even aware of his own feelings. Instead of feeling like a culmination of years of planning and longing, the romance felt rushed. Similarly, while learning about Gary’s history made me very glad he was finally going to be in a safe, caring environment, I didn’t feel the same relief I might have felt if I’d seen more of his past (or its negative effects on him) on-page.
Overall, this was a sweet novella, but could have been stronger.
Unfortunately, this took some of the power of the romance away for me, because knowing that Magnus had been in love with Gary for years didn’t feel as impactful since Gary had no idea and wasn’t even aware of his own feelings. Instead of feeling like a culmination of years of planning and longing, the romance felt rushed. Similarly, while learning about Gary’s history made me very glad he was finally going to be in a safe, caring environment, I didn’t feel the same relief I might have felt if I’d seen more of his past (or its negative effects on him) on-page.
Overall, this was a sweet novella, but could have been stronger.
September 12, 2022
Tags: ageless fantasy realm, no magic, innocent / naive MC, size difference, horse trainer MC, fated mates (sortof?) but not shifters, rom com
This was cute. Short, funny, and really sweet between the MCs. The only reason it wasn’t 5 stars for me was the innocent MC was almost too innocent to be believable at times.
Overall would recommend.
This was cute. Short, funny, and really sweet between the MCs. The only reason it wasn’t 5 stars for me was the innocent MC was almost too innocent to be believable at times.
Overall would recommend.
January 24, 2023
Gary was such an unbelievably loveable little idiot. Who is that unaware?
September 9, 2022
This was charming, it was humorous, it had great pacing. I loved the writing, I loved Gary.
The only complaint I have about this is the epilogue. I’m not a fan of epilogues to begin with, but I absolute cannot stand when the POV switches just for the epilogue. Granted, it did have a distinct voice from Gary’s, but if this had to have an epilogue (and I don’t think it did), then I wish Isabel Murray had stuck with telling it from Gary’s POV.
The only complaint I have about this is the epilogue. I’m not a fan of epilogues to begin with, but I absolute cannot stand when the POV switches just for the epilogue. Granted, it did have a distinct voice from Gary’s, but if this had to have an epilogue (and I don’t think it did), then I wish Isabel Murray had stuck with telling it from Gary’s POV.
January 1, 2023
This was fun, light-hearted fluff that surprisingly really worked for me. It’s not meant to be taken seriously but it has a certain level of seriousness applied to it that makes the story feel just realistic enough to be enjoyable.
I really enjoyed Magnus and Gary's relationship. The romance happens ridiculously fast and readers are given little information about Magnus and Gary’s past history until the romance is already well underway, but I liked both characters and how much they respected and liked each other. In particular, I liked that Gary might not be the strongest or fastest person around but he's smart and he uses the skills he does have to keep himself safe. In addition, I liked the many things Magnus had been doing behind the scenes to keep Gary safe through the entire 100 day debacle. Magnus hadn't just rushed after Gary when the latter had been taken to be crowned as King but Magnus had stopped to make plans and ensure that he could keep Gary safe but also that he could provide them both with a future. Some of my favorite details were .
To be honest, I could have lived with fewer/shorter sex scenes, especially given how short this story was and I would have loved to read a full-length serious version of this story because the characters and their dynamic were really great. But I liked the way the author handled the romance, the age gap and class divide between the characters. It really was a silly rom-com so I refused to give it more than 3 stars, but it was exactly what it promised to be and my December had been filled with so many duds that I welcomed this one.
I really enjoyed Magnus and Gary's relationship. The romance happens ridiculously fast and readers are given little information about Magnus and Gary’s past history until the romance is already well underway, but I liked both characters and how much they respected and liked each other. In particular, I liked that Gary might not be the strongest or fastest person around but he's smart and he uses the skills he does have to keep himself safe. In addition, I liked the many things Magnus had been doing behind the scenes to keep Gary safe through the entire 100 day debacle. Magnus hadn't just rushed after Gary when the latter had been taken to be crowned as King but Magnus had stopped to make plans and ensure that he could keep Gary safe but also that he could provide them both with a future. Some of my favorite details were .
To be honest, I could have lived with fewer/shorter sex scenes, especially given how short this story was and I would have loved to read a full-length serious version of this story because the characters and their dynamic were really great. But I liked the way the author handled the romance, the age gap and class divide between the characters. It really was a silly rom-com so I refused to give it more than 3 stars, but it was exactly what it promised to be and my December had been filled with so many duds that I welcomed this one.
September 17, 2022
I couldn’t get through it
It starts off intriguing but falls off quickly. I was totally not interested in the “romance”. It was too abrupt. This went from a guy trying to escape an attempted assassination to him being taken advantage of sexually by the first person he sees who can help him. They don’t talk about what happened or how to escape to safety, they just start kissing, like that’s normal. Gary is completely innocent about sex, so this is just stupid. Not my cup of tea.
It starts off intriguing but falls off quickly. I was totally not interested in the “romance”. It was too abrupt. This went from a guy trying to escape an attempted assassination to him being taken advantage of sexually by the first person he sees who can help him. They don’t talk about what happened or how to escape to safety, they just start kissing, like that’s normal. Gary is completely innocent about sex, so this is just stupid. Not my cup of tea.
November 21, 2022
Absolutely delightful. Deposed king and stable master age-gap sexual-awakening hello! This was probably a five star read, in honesty, but reading it after her novella Worth the Wait made it seem not quite as good.
January 18, 2023
Another cracking romance with a quirky twist from Isabel
I absolutely adore this author's books, she always manages to bring something new to each genre type she writes.
Here it's high fantasy with a twist as Gary escapes from an assassination attempt while he's lamenting the fact he's king at all.
When he finally gets free of the city, in stolen boots and a soggy greatcoat, he finds the stablemaster from his former estate on the road behind him.
As they set off on the journey onwards, it becomes painfully clear Gary is not only a cinnamon bun, but also possibly the most clueless ex-king to have
survived numerous assassination attempts.
Because Magnus has been protecting his back from the off...
I loved this book so much, it's not overly long, it has enough world building to give you an idea of the pseudo medieval setting, and it's got a super sweet romance between two very different people.
I'd happily read more from this pair.
I absolutely adore this author's books, she always manages to bring something new to each genre type she writes.
Here it's high fantasy with a twist as Gary escapes from an assassination attempt while he's lamenting the fact he's king at all.
When he finally gets free of the city, in stolen boots and a soggy greatcoat, he finds the stablemaster from his former estate on the road behind him.
As they set off on the journey onwards, it becomes painfully clear Gary is not only a cinnamon bun, but also possibly the most clueless ex-king to have
survived numerous assassination attempts.
Because Magnus has been protecting his back from the off...
I loved this book so much, it's not overly long, it has enough world building to give you an idea of the pseudo medieval setting, and it's got a super sweet romance between two very different people.
I'd happily read more from this pair.
September 28, 2022
DNF at 77.8%, which is unusually late for me. The story would have had real potential if the author hadn't lost interest in anything outside the bedroom by the middle of it. The plot eventually decayed into one prolonged sex scene(s), interrupted only by banter and flashbacks. As anyone who writes erotica could tell you, sex scenes become ineffective when they are needlessly drawn out. My breaking point was
September 9, 2022
This was hilarious, sweet and so much fun. Very recommended.
Only complaint is that it is short.
Only complaint is that it is short.
January 16, 2023
very cute, very funny, unfortunately not very well thought out. this could’ve been a full length book. also, someone should’ve pointed out that the spice is a number very close to zero.
April 21, 2024
Gary's sexual ineptitude was the highlight of this for me. The number of times Magnus got bitten on his journey of sexual exploration with Gary😭😭😭
These two were so sweet together, even though Gary had to be told everything under the sun.
“Ask me why, Gary.”- Magnus, for the millionth time, because Gary is the most oblivious man on earth.
"If you could only see the way you look at me. How often you look at me. Thinking you’re well hidden. My beloved, you have told me how you feel, over and over.”
Awwwwww. Also, how embarrassing for Gary, who thought he'd been discreet 💀
“Are you trying to tell me you’re a virgin?”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
“How could you possibly know?”
“There were a few hints. Here and there.” DEADDDDDDD
“Believe it or not, I don’t want to do things to you that you don’t enjoy.”
“I don’t believe it. You tried to make me ride Hazlette over a jump once. I told you for an hour straight before you made me do it anyway that I didn’t want to and I didn’t have to try jumping to know I didn’t like it.”
GARY, THAT'S NOT - 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
“Shh,” he said when I stiffened. “I’m not going to make you ride me. I need to get you ready.”
“No, you don’t,” I assured him. “I’m about as ready as I can stand to be.”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I can't even.
"I am not letting your teeth anywhere near my cock until you’re less likely to be surprised by new experiences. You have a terrible habit of biting when startled.”
Smart man, that Magnus.
These two were so sweet together, even though Gary had to be told everything under the sun.
“Ask me why, Gary.”- Magnus, for the millionth time, because Gary is the most oblivious man on earth.
"If you could only see the way you look at me. How often you look at me. Thinking you’re well hidden. My beloved, you have told me how you feel, over and over.”
Awwwwww. Also, how embarrassing for Gary, who thought he'd been discreet 💀
“Are you trying to tell me you’re a virgin?”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
“How could you possibly know?”
“There were a few hints. Here and there.” DEADDDDDDD
“Believe it or not, I don’t want to do things to you that you don’t enjoy.”
“I don’t believe it. You tried to make me ride Hazlette over a jump once. I told you for an hour straight before you made me do it anyway that I didn’t want to and I didn’t have to try jumping to know I didn’t like it.”
GARY, THAT'S NOT - 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
“Shh,” he said when I stiffened. “I’m not going to make you ride me. I need to get you ready.”
“No, you don’t,” I assured him. “I’m about as ready as I can stand to be.”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I can't even.
"I am not letting your teeth anywhere near my cock until you’re less likely to be surprised by new experiences. You have a terrible habit of biting when startled.”
Smart man, that Magnus.
February 8, 2023
2.5 stars. This was plotless fluff about incredibly hapless Gary, who survives an assassination attempt and flees right into the arms of Magnus - a hulking stable master from his past. It was more like a palate cleanser than a real read. It was funny at times, moderately sexy, but ultimately utterly insubstantial.
June 2, 2024
Being a fan of the m/m fantasy genre, I gave this a try. But Gary's (the ex-king) inner thoughts ramble on and on. It was SO tedious, I had to DNF before the 50% mark (example below).
🚫 The author's writing style is very wordy.
💋 Book Excerpt - Gary's First Kiss:
He held there for a long moment. This was my first kiss, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I was sure that I didn’t want Magnus to know that the closest I’d ever got to kissing was seeing other people do it.
Unwittingly, I would like to add. I didn’t lurk around hoping to catch people at it.
It wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed witnessing. I hadn’t even thought that it was something I’d like to try out for myself.
Except…
Over the past three years, since the day I’d fallen off Hazlette rather more dramatically than usual, and Magnus had carried me to my room while bellowing for the physician, I’d begun to wonder what it might be like to kiss him.
But only Magnus.
The other kisses I kept seeing had all been quite unnerving. It seemed to happen all the time. All over the estate. House and grounds. People were always doing it. Was that normal? I didn’t know.
I caught the maids at it, Arne the estate manager and Mrs Robards the housekeeper. The gardeners, the footmen, the stable lads. Guests, visitors, couriers.
In fact, if I sat down with one of my journals, wrote a list of all the people on the estate, and marked off whether or not I’d seen them kissing someone? I estimated that at least sixty percent would have a check mark by their name.
From a purely observational standpoint, the whole business of kissing looked quite horrifying.
The first time I’d stumbled across it, I’d thought…well, I was ten years old. I couldn’t begin to guess what was happening. All I could think was that Elayne, one of the chambermaids, and Jafray, one of the gardeners, were engaged in some kind of hostile tussle, and things had devolved to biting.
It wasn’t anything like the odd snatched buss on the cheek I’d seen every now and then, despite how sheltered my mother had kept me. I’d even had kisses on the cheek myself, from Mother and from any of her friends, back when she was still well enough to receive visitors.
But this, what was happening between Elayne and Jafray, this wasn’t a light brush that barely landed before flitting off. Their faces were mashed together, and their jaws were moving.
I’d dithered anxiously, wondering whether or not I should intervene, when it dawned on me that they were sighing and giggling at the same time as they were wrestling. Elayne had wound her arms around Jafray’s broad back and she kept pulling him closer, rather than smacking him and stalking off back to the kitchen.
Elayne didn’t take any nonsense from anyone. If Jafray was looming over her, then it was because she permitted it, or he’d know otherwise. I had backed away without them being any the wiser. I’d seen Magnus kissing lots of people.
Make that men. I’d never seen Magnus kissing a woman, even though they sighed and fluttered around him often enough, and he clearly appreciated their company. When Magnus kissed someone, it didn’t look awful.
Sometimes Magnus had held the lads for it. Usually it was a stable lad. Sometimes a courier, or a visiting land agent or horse breeder. He’d hold them steady between his big, firm hands, or push them up against the wall.
Sometimes he hadn’t held them at all. It was nothing more than a laughing, hearty kiss dropped on their eager mouths as he passed them by. They nearly always tried to get more. One way or the other, the feeling stirred in me when I saw Magnus kissing someone wasn’t the usual faint horror.
It was worse.
It was faint curiosity.
I hadn’t allowed myself to indulge in too many daydreams about Magnus and kissing. There was little point. I had a wonderful imagination, but I never quite managed to see myself in the role as the sort of tempting young man Magnus might want to spend an afternoon with.
Once or twice I’d closed my eyes and thought about it. But nothing had prepared me for this. Magnus either didn’t notice my frozen cluelessness or he didn’t mind it.
He lifted his head after a warm press of our mouths together. It hadn’t lasted long. He smiled down at me, his tanned cheeks dusky under his pepper-and-salt stubble, and his beautiful eyes bright.
He was lovely.
I wanted to kiss him again.
🚫 The author's writing style is very wordy.
💋 Book Excerpt - Gary's First Kiss:
He held there for a long moment. This was my first kiss, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I was sure that I didn’t want Magnus to know that the closest I’d ever got to kissing was seeing other people do it.
Unwittingly, I would like to add. I didn’t lurk around hoping to catch people at it.
It wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed witnessing. I hadn’t even thought that it was something I’d like to try out for myself.
Except…
Over the past three years, since the day I’d fallen off Hazlette rather more dramatically than usual, and Magnus had carried me to my room while bellowing for the physician, I’d begun to wonder what it might be like to kiss him.
But only Magnus.
The other kisses I kept seeing had all been quite unnerving. It seemed to happen all the time. All over the estate. House and grounds. People were always doing it. Was that normal? I didn’t know.
I caught the maids at it, Arne the estate manager and Mrs Robards the housekeeper. The gardeners, the footmen, the stable lads. Guests, visitors, couriers.
In fact, if I sat down with one of my journals, wrote a list of all the people on the estate, and marked off whether or not I’d seen them kissing someone? I estimated that at least sixty percent would have a check mark by their name.
From a purely observational standpoint, the whole business of kissing looked quite horrifying.
The first time I’d stumbled across it, I’d thought…well, I was ten years old. I couldn’t begin to guess what was happening. All I could think was that Elayne, one of the chambermaids, and Jafray, one of the gardeners, were engaged in some kind of hostile tussle, and things had devolved to biting.
It wasn’t anything like the odd snatched buss on the cheek I’d seen every now and then, despite how sheltered my mother had kept me. I’d even had kisses on the cheek myself, from Mother and from any of her friends, back when she was still well enough to receive visitors.
But this, what was happening between Elayne and Jafray, this wasn’t a light brush that barely landed before flitting off. Their faces were mashed together, and their jaws were moving.
I’d dithered anxiously, wondering whether or not I should intervene, when it dawned on me that they were sighing and giggling at the same time as they were wrestling. Elayne had wound her arms around Jafray’s broad back and she kept pulling him closer, rather than smacking him and stalking off back to the kitchen.
Elayne didn’t take any nonsense from anyone. If Jafray was looming over her, then it was because she permitted it, or he’d know otherwise. I had backed away without them being any the wiser. I’d seen Magnus kissing lots of people.
Make that men. I’d never seen Magnus kissing a woman, even though they sighed and fluttered around him often enough, and he clearly appreciated their company. When Magnus kissed someone, it didn’t look awful.
Sometimes Magnus had held the lads for it. Usually it was a stable lad. Sometimes a courier, or a visiting land agent or horse breeder. He’d hold them steady between his big, firm hands, or push them up against the wall.
Sometimes he hadn’t held them at all. It was nothing more than a laughing, hearty kiss dropped on their eager mouths as he passed them by. They nearly always tried to get more. One way or the other, the feeling stirred in me when I saw Magnus kissing someone wasn’t the usual faint horror.
It was worse.
It was faint curiosity.
I hadn’t allowed myself to indulge in too many daydreams about Magnus and kissing. There was little point. I had a wonderful imagination, but I never quite managed to see myself in the role as the sort of tempting young man Magnus might want to spend an afternoon with.
Once or twice I’d closed my eyes and thought about it. But nothing had prepared me for this. Magnus either didn’t notice my frozen cluelessness or he didn’t mind it.
He lifted his head after a warm press of our mouths together. It hadn’t lasted long. He smiled down at me, his tanned cheeks dusky under his pepper-and-salt stubble, and his beautiful eyes bright.
He was lovely.
I wanted to kiss him again.
October 20, 2022
I’m very shocked I didn’t like this book, because I tend to adore Isabel Murray’s writing.
I just couldn’t get into anything after Gary runs away. The beginning was great. I loved the analogy of the goats that faint and pretend to play dead with Gary doing the same thing after he’s ‘stabbed’ by Drusan.
The minute Gary made it out into the world though I was kind of unimpressed. Gary’s naivety and innocence quickly got on my nerves. He was completely incapable of taking care of himself, or understanding the tiniest of things.
I was hopeful Magnus‘s appearance would smooth out the rough edges, but my hope quickly dwindled when Gary and Magnus shared their first kiss. It was awkward, uncomfortable and I think meant to be funny, but fell short. Gary had way too much inner dialogue - about past masturbation going on - that I would forget they were even trying to kiss.
The book quickly went into it less being about Gary on the run from his kingdom, and just Magnus and Gary exploring each other’s bodies. Barely. Again, Gary’s innocence and mild stupidity made things so uncomfortable. I skimmed almost every scene of them being ‘intimate.’
The bond mate thing was a little odd too. They just didn’t seem to have that type of connection to me.
So in the end I was left with no attachment to either of the characters or their short lived story.
Sorry 😞 Hoping the next book out by Murray is a winner for me.
I just couldn’t get into anything after Gary runs away. The beginning was great. I loved the analogy of the goats that faint and pretend to play dead with Gary doing the same thing after he’s ‘stabbed’ by Drusan.
The minute Gary made it out into the world though I was kind of unimpressed. Gary’s naivety and innocence quickly got on my nerves. He was completely incapable of taking care of himself, or understanding the tiniest of things.
I was hopeful Magnus‘s appearance would smooth out the rough edges, but my hope quickly dwindled when Gary and Magnus shared their first kiss. It was awkward, uncomfortable and I think meant to be funny, but fell short. Gary had way too much inner dialogue - about past masturbation going on - that I would forget they were even trying to kiss.
The book quickly went into it less being about Gary on the run from his kingdom, and just Magnus and Gary exploring each other’s bodies. Barely. Again, Gary’s innocence and mild stupidity made things so uncomfortable. I skimmed almost every scene of them being ‘intimate.’
The bond mate thing was a little odd too. They just didn’t seem to have that type of connection to me.
So in the end I was left with no attachment to either of the characters or their short lived story.
Sorry 😞 Hoping the next book out by Murray is a winner for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2024
Safety Stats
Sexuality as conflict - no
Imbalanced histories - yes
Sex scene with OM - yes
Cheating - yes
OM drama - no
Overall, Not Safe.
Sexuality as conflict - no
Imbalanced histories - yes
Sex scene with OM - yes
Cheating - yes
OM drama - no
Overall, Not Safe.
May 19, 2024
Gary is perhaps not the sharpest sword in the castle, so when he is dragged from home and set on the throne of the Kingdom of Estla ... to say he is unaware of what is happening is an understatement.
Gary spent most of his time sitting in his royal chambers and journaling daily. Turns out Gary was really in solitary confinement, while his minister did horrendous things in Gary's name and stabbed him in the back .... literally. Gary plays dead, and escapes into the woods, only to be stalked by a bear .... who turns out to be Magnus, his ex-stable master.
Let's just say that Gary discovers why Magnus has followed him and protected him from numerous assassination attempts during his 94 days on the throne (not 100 days - Gary did not shirk his daily journaling) as well as learning why Magnus has ceased his frequent and enthusiastic dalliances with the stable lads, an occasional courier or a visiting land agent or horse breeder. AND ..... much steamy sex follows. Love all the snark and smut - Isabel Murray is awesome! 4 stars.
Gary spent most of his time sitting in his royal chambers and journaling daily. Turns out Gary was really in solitary confinement, while his minister did horrendous things in Gary's name and stabbed him in the back .... literally. Gary plays dead, and escapes into the woods, only to be stalked by a bear .... who turns out to be Magnus, his ex-stable master.
Let's just say that Gary discovers why Magnus has followed him and protected him from numerous assassination attempts during his 94 days on the throne (not 100 days - Gary did not shirk his daily journaling) as well as learning why Magnus has ceased his frequent and enthusiastic dalliances with the stable lads, an occasional courier or a visiting land agent or horse breeder. AND ..... much steamy sex follows. Love all the snark and smut - Isabel Murray is awesome! 4 stars.
March 2, 2024
I really didn't enjoy the details and recurring flashbacks of Magnus, the love interest, fucking other people left and right (sometimes while the main character was nearby). They weren't a couple at this point, but it's just not super romantic to me. Meanwhile Gary is and always has been cartoonishly innocent and naive with, of course, absolutely zero experience — a fact that Magnus is quite smug about. Not digging that power imbalance.
I might have been able to get past all of that depending on how it was handled, but I couldn't really get far enough to say. Gary's nonstop internal rambling and childishness was just too much for me to handle. I love an oblivious himbo (the previous book I read had one and I was obsessed) but this was just disappointing.
I might have been able to get past all of that depending on how it was handled, but I couldn't really get far enough to say. Gary's nonstop internal rambling and childishness was just too much for me to handle. I love an oblivious himbo (the previous book I read had one and I was obsessed) but this was just disappointing.
September 25, 2022
Very cute and funny. Loved it
July 30, 2023
Nope. Started well then Gary turned into a ninny. He and Magnus get right to the sexy times when they meet up in the woods during Gary’s escape. Their first time (and Gary’s first ever) at a time and place like that? Really? And from the reviews it sounds like sex dominates the rest of the book. I’m out at 33%.
October 24, 2025
C+ / 3.5 stars
I was looking for a quick palatte cleanser, and as I'd enjoyed Isabel Murray's Not That series, I thought I'd give Gary of a Hundred Days a go. It's billed as a low-angst fantasy rom-com, and it ticks most of those boxes except the romance, which arrives fully-formed out of nowhere. I can't quite call it insta-love, but it's close.
Around three months earlier, Gary, a minor noble in this universe, was declared king of Estla (next in line because of the rapid deaths of all the previous kings), bundled into a carriage and carried off to take his rightful position on the throne. Never mind that he doesn't want to be a king or have the first idea how to go about being one - or that he has no idea that he won't be on the throne for very long.
The book opens strongly, with Gary realising he's survived yet another assassination attempt, and legging it out of the palace before anyone can find out he's not dead. He's trudging through the forest, wet through and covered in mud, not really knowing where to do or what to do when he’s accosted by a familiar and very welcome face – that of his big, brawny stablemaster, Magnus. It turns out Magnus travelled to Estla shortly after Gary did, and has been looking out for him ever since (and foiling more than a few of the attempts made on Gary’s life).
I enjoy the author’s narrative voice and her humour always hits the spot for me, but after Gary and Magnus are reunited, the story turns, basically, into a long sex scene and the plot more or less disappears. It’s kind of cute, seeing Gary having absolutely no idea that Magnus is head-over-heels for him, and having no idea of his own attractiveness, although I can’t deny that his complete and utter cluelessness when it comes to sex (despite having watched the animals on the estate, having caught Magnus going at it with various stable boys and reading a book of exercises to help keep him flexible and limber (obviously some kind of sex manual)) comes across as rather unlikely. He reads as ace or demi given what we’re told about his lack of interest in or curiosity about sex, and the two of them starting a sexual relationship immediately, despite Gary’s cluelessness, feels off. (I mean, they’re in a damp, dark forest late at night and Gary has just survived a murder attempt – couldn’t Magnus at least have waited until they were safe, warm and dry?!)
Gary of a Hundred Days is amusing, light-hearted, and funny, Gary is ridiculously endearing and Magnus is clearly devoted to Gary, has a romantic soul and is much more than a pretty face and hot body given the way he’s planned ahead and the lengths he went to to keep Gary safe. I just would have liked a bit more plot to go along with the lengthy sex scenes.
I was looking for a quick palatte cleanser, and as I'd enjoyed Isabel Murray's Not That series, I thought I'd give Gary of a Hundred Days a go. It's billed as a low-angst fantasy rom-com, and it ticks most of those boxes except the romance, which arrives fully-formed out of nowhere. I can't quite call it insta-love, but it's close.
Around three months earlier, Gary, a minor noble in this universe, was declared king of Estla (next in line because of the rapid deaths of all the previous kings), bundled into a carriage and carried off to take his rightful position on the throne. Never mind that he doesn't want to be a king or have the first idea how to go about being one - or that he has no idea that he won't be on the throne for very long.
The book opens strongly, with Gary realising he's survived yet another assassination attempt, and legging it out of the palace before anyone can find out he's not dead. He's trudging through the forest, wet through and covered in mud, not really knowing where to do or what to do when he’s accosted by a familiar and very welcome face – that of his big, brawny stablemaster, Magnus. It turns out Magnus travelled to Estla shortly after Gary did, and has been looking out for him ever since (and foiling more than a few of the attempts made on Gary’s life).
I enjoy the author’s narrative voice and her humour always hits the spot for me, but after Gary and Magnus are reunited, the story turns, basically, into a long sex scene and the plot more or less disappears. It’s kind of cute, seeing Gary having absolutely no idea that Magnus is head-over-heels for him, and having no idea of his own attractiveness, although I can’t deny that his complete and utter cluelessness when it comes to sex (despite having watched the animals on the estate, having caught Magnus going at it with various stable boys and reading a book of exercises to help keep him flexible and limber (obviously some kind of sex manual)) comes across as rather unlikely. He reads as ace or demi given what we’re told about his lack of interest in or curiosity about sex, and the two of them starting a sexual relationship immediately, despite Gary’s cluelessness, feels off. (I mean, they’re in a damp, dark forest late at night and Gary has just survived a murder attempt – couldn’t Magnus at least have waited until they were safe, warm and dry?!)
Gary of a Hundred Days is amusing, light-hearted, and funny, Gary is ridiculously endearing and Magnus is clearly devoted to Gary, has a romantic soul and is much more than a pretty face and hot body given the way he’s planned ahead and the lengths he went to to keep Gary safe. I just would have liked a bit more plot to go along with the lengthy sex scenes.
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