A review by astarions_bhaal_babe
Healer to the Ash King by Rebecca F. Kenney

5.0

I need to get close to him and learn his habits, his secrets.
He truts me. He doesn't believe I'm his enemy.
But I am.
I will see him undone.

Rebecca Fenney, the gift that keeps on giving.


Healer to the Ash King is The Selection for naughty girls, sans the love triangle turmoil that came with the America/Maxon/Aspen triad.
I mean, the Ash King was a bit of a little bitch, and there was some jealousy drama, but we kind of expect it from someone who belongs to a book series called Dark Rulers.

The best thing about this series is that you can pick up any of the books, in no particular order and simply based on your mood, and would always find something for you.
In this, I found everything I needed in that moment.
For example, the MMC is basically a grown up Cardan Greenbriar with bad maneers and long white blond hair. Chef's kiss is an understatement.
Cailin is a badass and she just doesn't take anyone's shit. We absolutely love a heroine who can stand up for herself.
The enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story is well done; it's clear as a tropical sea that these two have the hots for each other, right from the start, but they try to hide it well.
I appreciate that they became reluctant allies before they gave in to their carnal desires. I like my smut dirty and filthy, but give me the hint of a deeper bond beneath the sexual surface, and I go all mushy.

Kenney's writing has easily become one of my favorites. She can craft the most quotable lines with the simpler words and manages to make you squirm with a glance between her main characters.
If that's not what talent means, I've been reading the wrong books.

There also is some good queer rep in this. I love that one of the contestant is a beautiful trans woman, and that two of the previous rulers were a gay couple who adopted a son, and nobody is making a case out of it. You can tell inclusivity was the goal, and I can't help but praise the fact that it wasn't forced nor there for the sake of plain diversity.

Overall this book wasn't perfect, but it's perfect for me.
Many thanks to my Fishy for recommending me this book/author/series. What would I do without you?

"I would like my payment, and I would like different lodgings. I don't care how small and simple the lodgings are - I can't stay in the Rose Room. I want to mantain my dignity where you are concerned."
"Which is why you came in here dressed in that. I thought you swore you'd never seduce me."
"I'm not seducing you. I'm yelling at you."
"By all means, continue. It's working for me."