Chapel Orahamm

Everyone expects the king to rage at the suggestion that he find a new spouse to stand alongside–or better yet, replace–his beloved husband. Some might be planning on it, hoping to incite another conflict like what has plagued the country since the death of the last legitimate ruler. But to everyone’s surprise, the infamous Traitor King, Arden Canamorra, reacts to the suggestion with amusement, perhaps even interest.

Decades of chaos ended with Arden’s ascension to the throne. But many in the oldest noble families want more influence over the crown–noble influence, that is. Not from the king’s lower-rank and somewhat rough palace guard husband, Mil. They don’t care that Mil is a hero who helped secure peace at Arden’s side, and that, at least among the common people, Arden and Mil’s love story is legendary.

Mattin, however, is outraged. A librarian at the royal library and advisor to the king despite his relatively young age, Mattin deeply admires the royal couple. That they happen to also be incredibly attractive is something he very determinedly ignores. If Arden and Mil are going to marry again for political purposes–since Mattin is sure no new love could ever match their great passion for each other–he will at least find someone perfect for them. If thinking about it makes Mattin miserable, well, he ignores that, too.

But the king and his husband seem less interested in meeting appropriate nobles and more interested in fussing over Mattin while making plans of their own. It’s a more complicated matter than an innocent librarian could have realized, with more at risk than just his heart. The most suitable consort might not be enough to appease certain nobles, but the most beloved might win over the entire country.
An m/m/m romance

Mattin. His name is Mattin. Do you know how I have read this twice and my brain only caught in the second reading that it was Mattin and not Martin? Yeah. Anyways.

Okay, first book in the series. The rest hang off it in different sections of the time line. And that’s okay.

This story actually benefits from reading a second time. The first telling very much feels like Mattin’s perspective, but the second would be from Arden and Mil’s.

I can’t exactly say the presentation of Mattin’s character with the sparkles and feminization style would appeal to a large audience. It just borders on why. But it doesn’t quite give me “Mattin could have been a woman” vibe’s like C.S. Poe’s The Engineer’s main character did. I have yet to quite put my finger on the difference, other than the story felt correct for the representation. I have to wonder if it’s my impression of the world build. That this fantasy land could culturally accommodate this kind of clothing and accessory culture.

This one has a cleaner edit to it that A Suitable Captive which is good to see. The pacing doesn’t drag along with useless filler descriptions, but builds just enough for imagination to take over. The on-seen spice is also built and planned well.

The interactions between all three characters accomodates okay character growth. Mattin does the most. Arden and Mil feel flat in the first reading, but the second reading helps you catch the nuances to see their developments also.

But I’m not sure most readers would find it worthwhile doing a reread on it. I don’t know. I did. I plan on rereading Suitable a few more times just because I like the writing style and the world build. I would hope there a some others out there who would do the same and see the stories come out differently because of the time spent.

Would I suggest it? If you’re alright with on-page poly spice. Some folk aren’t into that, but I found it handled well and portrayed well. I’d say if you’re looking for a series with a complex world build, this would also handle that without turning full Lord of the Rings on you.

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