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A review by geethr75
midwinter marriage by K.L. Noone
5.0
I started this as soon as I finished Midwinter Firelight and this was even more of a rollercoaster where emotions are concerned. This is connected to the earlier one, but I found out there is one book between these two which I missed, so I need to do that asap!
This one deals with Edmund Rookwood, the son of a Viscount, who is also the elder brother of Sam, who we meet in Midwinter Firelight. Edmund is given an ultimatum by his dying father: he has to get married by Midwinter which is in 7 days or he stands the risk of being disinherited. Edmund has always been the proper one, the one who adhered to rules, who studied hard, worked hard and selflessly for his estates and the people, who has been the obedient son unlike Sam who left home and chose a career which is frowned upon by the ton. To be disinherited was, to Edmund, worse than death. But he's also into men and very demisexual, so he can't obviously marry a stranger within the timeframe his father stipulated. Enter Sebastian, Edmund's best friend from childhood, a Duke who is also a mathematical genius. Sebastian suggests they marry each other to solve Edmund's problem.
Let me say that I was prepared to dislike Edmund at the start. I liked Sam and Edmund is strongly disapproving of his brother and his choices. But over the course of the book, I changed my mind and gods, I love Edmund so much that if so much as a hair is hurt, I will burn down the world. I loved Edmund and Sebastian's dynamics and how they became friends through mathematical arguments when they were children.
Edmund is a genius no less than Sebastian, but his has been muted by his father's constant recriminations and abuse both physical and emotional. He has been gaslit into thinking he's not good enough and struggles with seeing his own worth. He is at his element, free to be himself only when he's with Sebastian but even then it takes desperation for him to ask Sebastian for help with what he sees as a personal issue.
For those needing warnings, domestic abuse, especially that of children. It's not described as such, but it's mentioned and very much present. Also gaslighting, verbal abuse and whatnot. That there is no reconciliation between Edmund and his abusive father is something I liked about this book. The abusive father is left alone as he deserves to be.
This one made me cry, like full on ugly cry, with all the emotions I felt. Edmund is one of the most relatable characters in the series for me, and I just want to wrap him up and keep him safe from the world, except Sebastian maybe.
Some of the characters from the previous book makes their appearance here as well, and I loved the way it all tied together and ended.
Recommended for those who like romantic fantasy, fantasy romance, historical fantasy and historical romance and all things queer. Also angst with happy endings.
This one deals with Edmund Rookwood, the son of a Viscount, who is also the elder brother of Sam, who we meet in Midwinter Firelight. Edmund is given an ultimatum by his dying father: he has to get married by Midwinter which is in 7 days or he stands the risk of being disinherited. Edmund has always been the proper one, the one who adhered to rules, who studied hard, worked hard and selflessly for his estates and the people, who has been the obedient son unlike Sam who left home and chose a career which is frowned upon by the ton. To be disinherited was, to Edmund, worse than death. But he's also into men and very demisexual, so he can't obviously marry a stranger within the timeframe his father stipulated. Enter Sebastian, Edmund's best friend from childhood, a Duke who is also a mathematical genius. Sebastian suggests they marry each other to solve Edmund's problem.
Let me say that I was prepared to dislike Edmund at the start. I liked Sam and Edmund is strongly disapproving of his brother and his choices. But over the course of the book, I changed my mind and gods, I love Edmund so much that if so much as a hair is hurt, I will burn down the world. I loved Edmund and Sebastian's dynamics and how they became friends through mathematical arguments when they were children.
Edmund is a genius no less than Sebastian, but his has been muted by his father's constant recriminations and abuse both physical and emotional. He has been gaslit into thinking he's not good enough and struggles with seeing his own worth. He is at his element, free to be himself only when he's with Sebastian but even then it takes desperation for him to ask Sebastian for help with what he sees as a personal issue.
For those needing warnings, domestic abuse, especially that of children. It's not described as such, but it's mentioned and very much present. Also gaslighting, verbal abuse and whatnot. That there is no reconciliation between Edmund and his abusive father is something I liked about this book. The abusive father is left alone as he deserves to be.
This one made me cry, like full on ugly cry, with all the emotions I felt. Edmund is one of the most relatable characters in the series for me, and I just want to wrap him up and keep him safe from the world, except Sebastian maybe.
Some of the characters from the previous book makes their appearance here as well, and I loved the way it all tied together and ended.
Recommended for those who like romantic fantasy, fantasy romance, historical fantasy and historical romance and all things queer. Also angst with happy endings.