TL;DR Review: High on the steam, spice, and sass. An insightful exploration of the burdens of duty and the cost of desire.
Synopsis:
Low stakes. High heat. Sharp steel.
Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying—and failing—to do for the past ten years.
What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
Luca, for his part, is trying to reinvent himself in a new city. All he wants to do is make some easy money and try to forget the crime he committed in his hometown. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible—and inconveniently handsome—wool merchant like Matti.
However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As the days count down to Matti’s wedding, the two of them become entangled in the intrigue and sabotage that have brought Matti’s house to the brink of ruin. And when Luca’s secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away, when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
Full Review:
Mattinesh Jay—or Matti, to his friends—is fighting to keep a grip on his family’s fortunes, and pinching every penny in his efforts to just stay afloat a little bit longer until his marriage to a rich heiress saves their noble House. He needs money to hire a “best man”, a duelist to stand at his side at the wedding in case a rival challenges the marriage. Which he knows someone will do, because someone has made it clear they’re madly in love with the same heiress.
But his streak of ill luck continues when his stag night revelry ends in a broken watch that costs him a significant chunk of what he’s set aside to hire a duelist. He’s forced to pay for a cheaper—and potentially less talented—best man.
Who turns out to be the very man whose watch he broke.
Luca Piere is a talented duelist but an even more talented con artist. He lies as easily as he breathes, flits his way through the world with a smile and a laugh, and can charm his way into and out of any situation. Except he’s met his match with Matti. Matti’s no-nonsense, businesslike approach to life cuts right through Luca’s nonsense. Luca’s offer to stand as his best man/duelist is one-upped by Matti’s demand that Luca teach him to fence.
And thus begins their days of crossing blades—and, soon, stealing glances and a whole lot more.
The banter between Matti and Luca was an absolute delight. Luca is quick-tongued and sharp-witted, but Matti’s no slouch in the quip and zinger department. It’s clear from the very beginning that though their personalities may seem opposite, they’ve got the potential to be the perfect match.
Matti’s direct, efficient nature is contrasted wonderfully by Luca’s airy, happy-go-lucky, smile-and-wink approach to life. Matti helps Luca take life more seriously and Luca helps Matti to unclench. I loved the exploration of Matti’s struggles, the weight he’s carried in his duties to his family and his House—duties that are no less burdensome despite the fact that he’s doing it out of love. At the same time, Luca’s outward flippancy and breeziness hides deep pain, and through the time spent with Matti, we see what it has cost him in the past.
As their relationship develops, there is a risk that it will interfere with Matti’s marriage—and the salvation of his House. Obviously this presents a wrinkle to his story. I won’t spoil the outcome, but I will say that I LOVED how this aspect wrapped up. It was a delicious ending with a twist that I absolutely loved (and can honestly say I didn’t see coming).
Alongside their simmering romance—which is as steamy and spicy as you’d expect—there’s an interesting look into the business of Matti’s House, and the mystery of how things have gotten so bad is explored. Luca’s con artistry and thief skills come in quite handy in this endeavour, while Matti’s head for business and insights into commerce create an excellent balance.
By the end, you can see exactly why these two are perfect for each other. What begins as “opposites attract” winds up being the very reason that each is drawn to the other, and how each’s strengths helps the other to conquer their weakness.
From start to finish, it’s a well-crafted relationship that is believable and enjoyable to read, set in a fascinating fantasy world evocative of Renaissance Italy.
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