Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Romancing the Throne 
SERIES: Marriage Market Misadventures
AUTHORS: Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 136 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2026
BLURB:
Birdoswyn Abrecan Cranhawc-Hazelthorn is a traditional elf with a traditional name, from the tiny village of Hillstowe, and he has been raised with one imperative duty to fulfil—to marry Prince Aldian of Emberleigh. He just has to attend the Everend Market and impress Aldian with his mien, manner and magic. The cost of failure? His parents will have to continue living in constrained circumstances, forced to make their own cheese.
Elowin, the envoy sent by the prince, did not sign up to babysit a rustic innocent all the way to Everend Market. Especially one who is shocked there’s no regal carriage to travel in. But it turns out there’s more to Sparrow, as Elowin nicknames him—because nobody deserves to be called Birdoswyn Abrecan Cranhawc-Hazelthorn—than meets the eye.
Elowin finds himself drawn to Sparrow, who is as bright and curious as his namesake bird. Attraction blossoms between them, and butterflies literally burst into life when they kiss, but how can they have a future together when Sparrow is meant to marry the prince?
With magic in the air, anything can happen.
Romancing the Throne is a heartwarming low-angst story containing romantic awakenings, first times, and plenty of casual nudity and body piercings that are a real eye-opener for a sheltered elf from Hillstowe. It’s the first book in the Marriage Market Misadventures.
Marriage Market Misadventures is a light hearted series of queer romances where Elves from all over the realm gather at the Everend Midsummer Markets to meet, match, and marry—with plenty of shenanigans along the way.
REVIEW:
Birdoswyn Abrecan Cranhawc-Hazelthorn is an only elf raised in a very small and isolated provincial village. His family had once been nobility but have fallen on hard times – selling off their land to make ends meet and making their own food including some very bad cheese (that tastes like “betrayal and sadness” according to some). The only hope is that Birdoswyn will go off to the Everend Marriage Market to be presented to Prince Aldian who will then solve the Cranhawc-Hazelthorn money issues.
Elowin, the envoy of the prince is sent to fetch the Fyreham Lathian and deliver him to the marriage market. The Fyreham Lathian is the honor bestowed on Birdoswyn’s family when his ancestor saved a princess many generations before. But the delicate elf with the way too long hair is not at all what Elowin expected. And then there are his clothes. He should have had a clue given the state of the house that seemed to have remained in the past. But the clothes will not do for the walking journey to market.
Birdoswyn changes his clothes and packs for his trip. An elf after my own heart, his pack is stuffed full of his most treasured things – books. But the weight is nearly impossible for him, so Elowin offers to trade packs. Other than the heavy weight though Birdoswyn is loving the walk through the forest and farmland. He’s delighted by the animals and especially the birds who jump down the rest in his hand. He’s so cute that Elowin begins calling him Sparrow.
It turns out the Sparrow has never been outside of his village and everything he sees is new to him. Like a tavern. He’s not sure about that – there might be something “improper” about being in a tavern. But he’s game to try when Elowin says it’s fine. He tries beer for the first time and maybe overindulges 😉 He didn’t enjoy the hangover, but Elowin took care of him 🙂
The next night they have another adventure with more elves. All these new people and ways fascinate Sparrow. He’s beginning to realize that maybe what he’d been told his whole life is not exactly the way things are now. But he takes it all in stride and enjoys every part of the adventure with Elowin by his side.
Sparrow also learns that there is much more at the marriage market than just making a match. So many things he’s never seen before that he is interested in. He’s worried about his old fashioned clothes, so Elowin introduced him to someone who can help. He gets to try so many new things. He’s also most interested in trying new things with Elowin which leads to some delightful surprises 🙂
Then he finally meets the Aldian, the prince that he’s supposed to marry. But what if he doesn’t want the prince or worse, the prince doesn’t want him? His whole life has been preparing him for this match. Maybe there is something better out there for him though, now that he’s discovered a whole new world.
As I sit her in the sweltering heat of Europe right now, this delightfully sweet story with the perfect amount of humor and heart really hits the spot! I loved this whole story from the first word to the last. I can’t imagine anyone not loving Sparrow and Elowin 🙂 They are so cute and funny together. Sparrow is naive in many ways, but he’s curious and brave about trying new things. Elowin can’t help but admire how Sparrow has adapted to all the things he never knew existed. He seems to relish new experiences. And he is certainly interested in sharing a lot of experiences with Elowin 😉 The magic part of the story is a surprise and so beautiful as well! Truly I just adored this story. I think anyone who is looking for a respite of the dumpster fire that we find ourselves living through right now will just be charmed by this story. Loved it and highly recommend it.
RATING: 
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