Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: The Young Man’s Guide to Love and Loyalty
SERIES: Magic Emporium #8
AUTHOR: Clara Merrick
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 218 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2021
BLURB:
Loyalty is Lieutenant Owain Morgan’s watchword—loyalty to England’s Queen Elizabeth XII, to her daughter the Princess of Wales, and to the Royal Navy in which he serves. When his loyalty leads him into danger, an unseen something—or someone—lends a helping hand. Is he imagining it? Could it be a guardian angel? Or is it someone—or something—else?
Enter the intriguing Benjamin Fletcher. Owain knows that sharing a drink and a steamy afternoon together doesn’t have to mean anything, but Benjamin’s quiet charm works its way into his heart…. Until Benjamin turns up in the Earl of Essex’s retinue, that same Earl who, rumor says, is angling to marry the Princess of Wales and make her power his own.
Every encounter with Benjamin binds Owain’s heart more tightly to this enigmatic man yet tests his loyalty to Queen and Country. Will Owain be forced to choose between love and loyalty?
The Young Man’s Guide to Love and Loyalty is part of the Magic Emporium Series. Each book stands alone, but each one features an appearance by Marden’s Magic Emporium, a shop that can appear anywhere, but only once and only when someone’s in dire need. This alternate history contains princesses, palaces, steam trains, fumbling lovers, and a guaranteed HEA.
REVIEW:
I tell you, this started out on a bang for sure. And literally. And it’s filled with a story of traitors, spies, not knowing who’s who, who you can trust and a navy man who has no clue what he’s about to step into.
When Owain is on his journey home, he wonders if they will survive. I was wondering if they were going to as well. When I say this story starts with a bang, I’m not kidding. Owain’s naval ship is being chased by one that he never thought would have formed alliances. Which tells him two things. One, they may not make it to safety, especially since even the captain is hurt, and two, there are underground things going on he wasn’t aware of. But he’s about to find out. They make it to safety but he’s about to enter a world he never dreamed of. And I have to tell you, I didn’t know if he was going to be able to hold it together. Of course, considering what he’s been asked of by the Princess and the Queen themselves, is enough to shock him alone. He just considers himself a lowly naval man. And that is one of the things I love about him so much. He’s so humble in his position. He’s not egotistical about who he is or anything of the sort. He just considers himself a man who loves to serve in the navy. So it’s fun to see the shock in him when he is approached by the Princess, the Queen and even some Lords.
But it’s Benjamin too, that makes this book interesting. And I feel for Owain again. He’s not quite sure what’s going on and he has no clue who he can trust. Especially when his heart is getting involved and he feels like he’s been betrayed. But Benjamin is so special and I love him so much. There’s so much to say about him, but I can’t because it would give so much away. But it’s worth what he and Owain have to go through in the end. Because if they didn’t go through it, they wouldn’t get what they both need in the end.
This is a good page turner. There’s so much going on, you really never quite know who is going to be the good guy or bad. And what’s going to happen in between. Especially when politics and sabotage, loyalty and spies are all in play.
RATING: 
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