Fire Spells Between Friends

Fire Spells Between Friends (2024) Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan (Fae & Human Relations #2)

Unbeknownst to their friends and family, Emrys Wrenwhistle and Torquil Pimpernel-Smith have been lovers since they day the met. Emrys position is heir and Torqil’s position as disinherited half-fay and half-human gossip columnist meaning they don’t mix in the same circles.

But like Roger and Wyndham, Torquil is now a member of the Council, and things are changing.

Unfortunately, one of the other things changing is that Emrys mother has decided it is past time for him to marry, and is seeking out a proper marriage for him.

Proper being someone of good family and strong magic.

“Such is the price for being the most outstanding sibling in a prominent family,” Keelan said matter-of-factly.

“Why should I be the one to suffer? Would it not make more sense that I be rewarded for my magical aptitude by having the freedom to marry for love rather than duty?” His brothers had been allowed such privilege, as would Aveline when she finally settled down.

Keelan made a thin hum of uncertainty. “Your reward is inheritance. Knowing your future is secure. In turn, you find an equally powerful partner to ensure that your children and grandchildren are guaranteed the same.”

But the work with Wyndham and Roger, creating a ruberic for fey-human magicians and exploring Torquil’s magic–something they had squashed since they were a child.

As soon as they arrived in Wyndham and Roger’s study, Wyndham handed them a purse full of money, explaining that Iris had instructed him to dole out their wages appropriately.

I might actually have enjoyed this more than the first book, probably because I much prefer the trope of friends to lovers than enemies to lovers.

It’s self-published, however, it was well-written and edited. And I really like both the magic and the exploration of that magic in the story. There is boinking, but since Torquil is non-binary, much of it is slightly less explicit, since it isn’t made clear for quite a while what body parts Torquil has. Which is an element I really liked.

Characters: Emrys Wrenwhistle, Torquil Pimpernel-Smith, Roger Barnes Wrenwhistle, Wyndham Wrenwhistle, Miss Aveline Wrenwhistle, Iris Wrenwhistle, Odella Wrenwhistle, Mr. Wrenwhistle, Sal Bailey, Lex, Councilmember Cricket, Councilmember Barnes, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Applewood, Councilmember Gibbs, Lady Cynthia Proust, Lydia Stanton, Keelan Cricket, Hortense Irving, Mr. Gerald Irving, Mr. Arlen Buckthorn, Mrs. Barnes, Frederica Barnes, Bernard Barnes, Leonora Pimpernel

Cover art: Caras Alexandra

Rating: 8.5/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• Confounding Oaths, Audiobook » »
• « « Lady Mechanika: The Devil in the Lake