I started reading this hoping for a queer fantasy romance with a lot of angst, pining, and hurt/comfort, considering this is a second chance romance and one of them is king. However, I'm just not invested in the relationship. The characters feel very flat and one-tone, the political machinations aren't interesting me, and other than some banter, there is no chemistry between Balen and Zavrius. I got to 43% and I don't think their relationship had changed at all from the way it started.

I did look up some other reviews with spoilers, so I know how it ends, but I don't think I have the patience to read the rest of the book to get there.