Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The Reluctant Companion
SERIES: 13 Kingdoms #1
AUTHOR: H L Day
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 232 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2022
BLURB:
Sebastian might have the power to summon animals, but winning Jack over? Far more difficult.
As first encounters go, Jack and Sebastian’s isn’t ideal, leaving Jack nursing a grudge he’s not about to let go of in a hurry. Yet, if Jack is to find his missing sister, and Sebastian is to rescue his captured prince, they’ll need to set their differences aside and work as a team.
Jack is stubborn and somewhat volatile. Sebastian is vain and clearly in love with himself. But as the unlikely companions face all manner of dangers together, they grow closer. Rescuing the prince should be easy. Rescuing him from an impenetrable tower guarded by dragon-shifting knights? Okay, that part is harder.
But once the adventure is over, letting Sebastian go might be the hardest thing Jack has ever had to do.
The Reluctant Companion is an 85k MM enemies to lover’s story featuring murderous orcs, deadly creatures, and marauding bandits. Opposites attract in this light-hearted fantasy romance which mixes humor with action and adventure. Meet a whole cast of colorful characters in the first book of the 13 kingdoms series.
REVIEW:
Jack is on a quest to find his missing sister, Annabelle. En route, his purse is stolen by a monkey, controlled by another man. Hence, his first encounter with Sebastian did not foster trust. For one reason and another, they end up as traveling companions where one vows never to sleep with the other!!!
The Reluctant Companion is an amusing, entertaining story full of fraught situations and barbarous banter that morphs into more foreplay than a brush-off. It’s a tale that I immensely enjoyed.
The story is told in the first person, with chapters from the viewpoints of Jack and Sebastian. The worldbuilding was enough for me to form a picture – which suited me just fine. Indeed, there is a map at the beginning of the book. However, as informative as these are, a printable version would be even better, as one rarely refers to a map in digital format.
As for Sebastian and Jack, they are as bad as each other with the barbs. I loved their banter which tends to cover their actual feelings, resulting in miscommunication and hints at hidden secrets. Sebastian has a boyish charm in a man’s body. He comes across as a mildly camp ‘He-Man’ (Masters Of The Universe) lookalike – and he certainly has the power. One minute he’s all butch, and the next, he’s pouting and talking in his sleep. Jack has a quiet strength and tries to be more of an adult than Sebastian. However, situations often throw a spanner in the works, and some of Jack’s actions in some scenes were absolute gems.
The more expansive cast includes Many people from Sebastian’s colorful past, whose encounters shed light on well…that would be telling.
The Reluctant Companion is a rollercoaster of a read, with pirates, bandits, orcs, and a simmering connection that comes to a boil. One aspect of the story is concluded; another continues to the next book. It was a pleasure to read, and I look forward to reading the next one.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: