I’m not sure if it’s the book or me but I had to DNF at 60%. Maybe I’m a bit more picky with cozy romances but I was actually a bit bored. I did like the dynamic with the two MMCs, but I feel there wasn’t really enough to the romance. The story seemed to be more focused on the so called “low stakes” which don’t feel very low. I feel that being wool merchants could be interesting….but I felt my attention drifting whenever it was leaning towards the business plot. The spice was okay but even so I didn’t really care enough about the characters or plot to really have it mean something. Not to mention one of the MMCs is actively engaged. I know his fiancé is not in love with him but still….that’s kind of icky for a romance.

I tried so hard for months to get into this book but I’ve accepted it’s just not for me. I don’t know what it is but I loved her previous books. It’s well written but the story just didn’t captivate me. I think the right audience will enjoy this as there’s nothing objectively wrong with it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to get back to it.

I will be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this one after her Marvelous light series, but it was still enjoyable. I really like her world building and character dialog. I would reread it!

Marske’s newest fantasy takes place in a city teeming with guild politics and competition where a wool merchant’s son, Matti, hires a swordsman for his upcoming wedding, then finds himself falling for the swordsman instead of the bride. But Luca is more than a simple swordsman, and his secrets cause a surprising amount of trouble. This one’s spicy and heisty and cozy in just the right balance.

Thank you to Tor who provided me with an Arc copy through NetGalley

Having loved their Last Binding series I was excited to receive this title, and although I did enjoy it, it wasn’t as much as I was hoping to. The book was an easy read but at a few points felt too slow, and the Luca storyline – when he was referencing his past crime – mostly just made me roll my eyes. Matti and his family were far more interesting to read about and the pressure he was under more relatable. It's pretty plot heavy for something being touted as low stakes too – and the only aspect of this that makes it fantasy is that its set in a non-earth world.

Still, I overall enjoyed it and would recommend it for anyone who liked Marske’ previous work.

I am a sucker for m/m romances and this one was great. Also I loved the double meaning of the title “wink wink*. Martinesh Jay needs to relax. Luca Piere needs to escape. This was a slow burn romance between the heir to the premier wool manufacturing house, Matti Jay, and a mysterious new swordsman Luca Piere. The way the desire between these two ramps up before their first spicy scene is done so well. I squealed at every kiss and longing gaze. The eventual spice was so well done. It was sexy and I was so happy when they finally gave into each other. I also just really enjoyed the story. It had some mystery and intrigue. Jay wool house is struggling and while their swift downfall seems like it could just be a stream of bad luck and coincidences, something just isn't adding up and with the help of Luca and Matti’s sister Maya, they come to find maybe their luck hasn't been so bad after all.

Character driven and romantic with a lovely coziness I didn’t expect, amidst the adventure and the swordplay and the intrigue. Very much enjoyed,

This was an interesting story. I liked the romance; it was nice slow burn throughout the book. However, the plot was a little much to get through. However, I still enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to review this book.

Swordcrossed is a relaxing, low stakes romantasy. Where you will find a slow burn romance with tension and forbidden elements, which I do love! This book is much slower paced than what I’m used to, I’m not sure that “low stakes” books are for me. I think I need a bit more to keep me interested. But I definitely enjoyed the setting, cozy atmosphere, and the author’s writing!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc of this book!

After falling completely in love with miss marske after a marvellous light, i was so looking forward to a new world of hers. i did enjoy my time, but it felt a little lifeless. the romance took so long with nothing really actually happening to develop their relationship. it did feel kind of insta-love-y, but also… idk.
i was rooting for his sister to marry [redacted] before there was any obvious hints at it. let’s go lesbians!
overall, fun , but lacking oompf . sorry :-/

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske is a wonderfully slow-burning queer cozy romantasy. Mattinesh Jay is the heir to a struggling textile business who needs his arranged marriage to go perfectly if he wants to ensure his family’s finances. That means having an experienced swordsman to take on any challenges as his best man. He hires the best he can afford—Luca, a con artist on the run from his past. Luckily, Luca is an excellent swordsman, so Matti blackmails him to give him sword lessons before the wedding. The anxious, busy, and burdened Matti doesn’t get much time to himself, so when he gets a bit of freedom in Luca’s lessons, he can’t give them up, even if he feels himself falling for his best man. It doesn’t help that as they prepare for Matti’s wedding, a long sabotage plot begins to unravel, revealing the true reason behind the fall of the family business.

Luca and Matti’s romance burns at a glacial pace. That is not a complaint, mealy a warning for anyone unused to slow burn romances in their romantasy. They have a competitive relationship that gives both of them space to breath and become their best selves. Of course, this is all happening with the knowledge that Matti is going to get married. It’s a difficult needle to thread, but I think Marske pulls it off.

This is really a fantasy book for anyone interested in guild management, fabrics, and corporate espionage. The corporate mystery comes first, then sword lessons, then the arranged marriage plot. Meanwhile, Luca and Matti are slowly building their relationship on top of it all. If you have read A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland, the pacing and topic focus are similar here.

Above all else, Swordcrossed by Freya Marske explores what it feels like to look for an escape root out of your own life. When you are alone and you feel like you have no other options, sometimes you meet someone who is similarly alone, and together you find a way through. I highly recommend picking it up.

I am loving how popular cozy low stakes fantasy is becoming this book was fun and full of swooning! Swordplay is always fun.

A delightful queer fantasy romance full of swords and swashbuckling. Sassy interplay, political intrigue, though more heavy on the ins and outs of trade and wool merchantry than one might expect.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

There is so much I LOVED about this book. I genuinely loved the characters and their relationship development . I thought the chemistry was fantastic and the way they made each other better made my heart so happy. The romance is the STRONG point of this book which was good since that was the main focus of the story. I did also greatly appreciate the casual and normalized queerness in the world.

That being said, I did have some issues with the world building. It honestly didn't feel like a fantasy. There is no magic to speak of, the customs, practices, and gods of the world were just kind of there with little explanation, and while it doesn't take place in our world, it basically is just a different version of Victorian England. Overall it felt like a sequel book despite being a stand alone. This was unfortunate considering the magic system is what I loved of Freya Marske's previous series.


Still a bop though and I would recommend to lovers of Historical Romance

Swordcrossed is a cute and cozy queer romance that I'd recommend to fans of Legends and Lattes. This wasn't my favorite by Marske, but I enjoyed it. I do agree with other reviewers that this dragged a bit in the middle, but I enjoyed the characters and the coziness.

I ... didn't like the majority of this book. I may be in a romance story fatigue, so it's not 100% the book's fault, but yeah. The tension between the MCs was good until like 30% then I started to find nothing to be hot anymore, more in the cute and comfy realm. I kept hoping the MCs will be doing some hot stuff, but it always fizzled because it's too nice and polite for me. The worldbuilding was great, but way too complicated than the story needed, imo. By 68% (I'm looking at my notes here) I didn't care whether the MCs will end up together or not. Instead of making me sympathize, their personalities both annoyed me. It was too painfully obvious their frontal lobes had not yet finished developing. The last 2 chapters were nice (92-100% of the book). The worst of all, I suppose, was how boring all the business and technical talks were! I wanted to dnf at like 60% but decided to push through and I suffered. I just found no excitement while reading this book. It's not bad, but it wasn't for me.

This was my first Freya Marske, and it definitely won’t be my last! Swordcrossed had this wonderfully cozy, almost low-stakes vibe that made it such a comforting read, while still delivering on all the emotional beats. Following Matty and Luka’s story was just so heartwarming, and I completely fell in love with them.

And can we talk about the Jay family? Because they are adorable. Easily one of the best family dynamics I’ve read in romance—supportive, funny, and full of love in a way that feels so natural. Also, I’m a total sucker for sword fighting and training scenes, and this book delivered. I really hope we get to revisit this world because I’m not ready to let it go yet!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had a great time reading Swordcrossed. I loved Freya Marske's previous books so I knew I would love this one. It had high steam and spice, a lot of sass, and felt exactly like a cozy fantasy that I enjoy. The historical elements within the book add an entertaining element. Always happy to read more queer fantasy books and historical fantasy is a favorite of mine.

The perfect book if you love swooning, pining heroes absolutely yearning for each other!
I walked into this moderately curious and left with absolute love for this! I found the plot engaging and the meet cute refreshing! It’s not often you hire someone to be the best man for your arranged marriage!
It was a little plot heavy at times when I wanted a little bit more romance but I think that’s more a a personal problem rather than the books problem. I thought Luca and Matti had a lot of chemistry together and their love story flowed well.
This was super cute and I would recommend!