Thank you Random House and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Confounding Oaths was just as fun and engaging as Mortal Follies, if not more-so. I absolutely adore the whimsical nature of these books with an outside faerie narrator.

This book followed John Caesar, cousin of the first books protagonist, his romance with Captain Orestes James, and his younger sisters dealings with the faerie world.

I really liked the relationship between Caesar and James. It was unconventional and neither seemed altogether suited for the other and yet they fell for each other anyway. I loved that they were entangled with each other from the start, both helping save the other, both ensuring their lives are forever entwined.

I really liked the way race was handled in this. It truly broke my heart that Mary was made to feel less beautiful because of her African heritage and therefore her African features. But I love that she owned who she was in the end, that she wanted to connect with that side of herself, after so desperately wanting to throw it away.

The magic and inclusion of the faerie world was a lot of fun, as always. Turning a woman into glass because she asked to be beautiful? I would expect nothing less from the fae.

All in all, a great second addition to this world. I’d love to have Miss Bickle’s story next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for this honest review!!

Another beautiful and magical Alexis Hall book with Ana amazing cover. Whoever does this art deserves a raise. I also am a sucker for a good historical fantasy and I’m loving this series!

How do I explain just how much I loved this book?

I have not read Mortal Follies, but I need to go back now to catch up. I was hooked from the prologue when our impish narrator asked why I hadn’t read the first book yet and if I was determined to see him suffer. And then a few pages later, I became absolutely obsessed with Miss Bickle as she explained the concept of Jane Austen fanfiction to her friends without using any of these words: fanfiction, fandom, Jane Austen, Austenverse, or draft. I, too, am an “avid reader of the words of the anonymous lady author of Sense and Sensibility.”

I think that Lizzie Bickle and Catherine Morland would make excellent friends. Someone please write this fanfic.

So unfortunately Miss Bickle is not the main character of this book, but I hope that that is soon remedied in a later novel.

The actual MC is Mr. John Caesar, a biracial, 19 year old Regency dandy who is regretting his role as the older son who must marry off his younger sister, Miss Caesar. (There are two Caesar daughters, but remember: in this period, the eldest is Miss Caesar and the younger is Miss Anne.) At the ball, he spars with his ex, then gets in a fight with a guy who makes racist comments about his sister, and that’s when he meets the ~handsome~ Black soldier named Captain Orestes James. And…. then Mr. Caesar and Captain James must team up to save Miss Caesar from a very ill-advised bargain with a fairy. Our narrator, by the way, is a sprite who serves Oberon and hates Titania’s fae. He also hates Shakespeare.

The only other book I’d read from Alexis Hall was A Lady for a Duke, which was another very lovely, queer Regency romance. I’m usually cautious about Regency romances, but having read both of these books, I can trust Hall to write a Regency romance that doesn’t feel like it’s justifying colonialism or bigotry.

I knew this was a gay romance, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that race featured prominently in this! Lady Caesar is a white woman who married a Senegalese man, and the family is not always welcomed by the white gentry. The ball at the beginning of the novel is explicitly thrown by a French Indian, who has a tricky social position because he is rich but has to fight harder to prove his English patriotism due to the current war against Napoleon. Mr. Caesar and Captain James also have a discussion about how their different social positions put them in the company of people who either do or don’t accept them as they are.

The 10th Kingdom taught me to love any fairytale that teaches, “be careful what you wish for,” and this book delivered. I appreciated the character growth that each of the Caesar siblings had to learn, and I was happy to find a happily ever after that acknowledged that life would be hard but our lovers could endure. I mean, this is a series where fairies are always listening and Napoleon has not yet been defeated at Waterloo. The setting has constraints, and I like having those constraints. They ground the story.

If you have not read the first book, neither have I, so you will be able to catch on. We see the lovers from Book 1 a few times, but you will not be lost or confused having missed their story. It’s perhaps more important to be familiar with Midsummer Night’s Dream, since Puck might be our narrator. I’m not sure if a non-Shakespeare fan would be confused by the Titania/Oberon mentions.

In any case, this was a very lovely book that I plan to buy. It’s sweet, but the spice is not graphic because the narrator doesn’t care to watch. Mr. Caesar and Captain James are surrounded by good friends/family, and I laughed a lot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for this ARC.

"A nobleman must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone awry in this swoon-worthy romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material.

It is the year 1815, and Mr. John Caesar is determined to help his sister, Mary, successfully navigate the marriage mart. A high-stakes endeavor at the best of times, this task is made slightly more difficult by his family's nontraditional background, the pernicious whims of the ton, and the ever-present complication of living in a world full of scheming fairies and capricious gods.

Despite all that, John knows that his parents wish to see his sister comfortably settled. He also knows that the sooner he sees Mary's future secured, the sooner he can get his own wish - returning to an aristocratic life of leisure. And as for Mary? Sweet, sensitive Mary just wishes gentlemen would pay as much attention to her as they do to her younger sister.

When Mary's all-too-literal wish puts her squarely in the sights of a malicious fairy godmother, John sets out to save her. This choice throws him into the path of Captain Orestes James - the handsome up-from-the-ranks hero of Wellington's armies - and his ragtag band of misfits. Together, John and the captain will venture into a vicious world of fey bargains and sacrificial magic as they draw ever closer to rescuing Mary - and to each other. While John is no stranger to casual dalliances with soldiers, until now he's never expected one to last - or wanted one to. He and the captain come from different worlds, and even if Orestes feels the same, John knows there's no point in wishing for something more between them.

After all, John has learned firsthand that getting what you wish for can be a dangerous thing...."

Regency Magic in the house! Yes, I am dancing! And?

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't quite what l expected. Part of this is on me, because I didn't realize until I started it that it was technically a sequel, and therefore I didn't know what to expect going in beyond the description on NetGalley. I enjoyed the plot quite a bit, but I never quite came to love the characters for reasons that I really can't explain. That being said, it's a solid story, and for those who love the author l'd highly recommend it- I think I simply struggle with this author's writing voice, but it seems to work quite well for others. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I can't get enough of this series. I fell in love with MORTAL FOLLIES and CONFOUNDING OATHS sealed the deal. The stand out for me is the narration - it's sharp, snappy and had me laughing out loud constantly.
Alexis Hall's work is unfailing exciting, queer and joyous.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Confounding Oaths is a witty, hilarious, and wild novel about John and Captain James. I personally have not been able to read Mortal Follies, but the narrator's style has drawn me in with the commentary! Discussions regarding social classes and race are refreshing, especially the depth that it goes through for a romantic sub-genre. I can sense that Alexis Hall is truly truly passionate not only about writing, but learning and discussing in general as there were a few instances where there were some interesting expansions regarding British history.

The magic system and the true chaos of the fae is a truly entertaining read!

I thought this was a romance which is why I picked it up. Now I'm noticing that it wasn't categorized that way, which makes sense because I wouldn't categorize it that way just because the main plot (while you could say there were 2 that were given pretty equal "air time") was a "lessons learned" type plot. Because the focus wasn't on romance, I wasn't really invested in the couple.

I did love the whimsical narration and if I was into fantacy, I would have loved it even more.

3.5 rounded down. Opposite to my experience with [book:Mortal Follies|62984592], I kind of liked the romance here, but felt just about everything could've been better in a way? Like, it's not that the narrative was boring, but I feel like there could've been better picked scenes that played out. Robin is a focused storyteller indeed, but because he skips out on giving us detail about things, it's hard to really get invested with any of the characters in the deeper way that I want.

That being said, Miss Bickle remains my highlight of the series because how could you not love her, truly? 😂 I did like the dynamic between John and Captain James for what we did get, and feel the overall arc of the bigger narrative made sense for the type of plot we got. The new cast that we get here and the cameos from Mortal Follies added fun flavor as well! Getting to explore a variety themes with class, race, and overall society while also throwing in the magic and many references was really well-balanced on Alexis's part!

If Alexis gives us a Miss Bickle book, I'll be the happiest camper. But at the same time, this feels complete as well.

Alexis Hall's superpower as a writer is making me giggle about the tiny things. If you commit to the bit so hard that it invades your "about the author", you're my hero.

In Confounding Oaths, our mischievous narrator leads us into yet another story. This story has winning ingredients: dashing romances, a wish gone wrong, and the comedic relief that helps the reader through the many woes the characters experience. It's best read on a warm evening when the magic in the air is palpable and you can believe that the narrator would watch your many stumbles too.

A story about being careful what you wish for, coming into yourself, and well-chosen names, Confounding Oaths is as technically brilliant as it is a wonder to behold. More fantasy than romance, but the romance didn't feel diminished despite being one of many plot lines. Most importantly, there's Miss Bickles’s fanfic society. Then there's a story about fairies taking advantage of Miss Caesar’s wish. Patriarchy compelling sisters to squabble. The societal consequences of colonialism and vice versa. Cults. And, of course, the ongoing meta commentary narrators, dead authors, and fourth walls.

The alliteration serves the humor and emphasizes just the right moments. The foreshadowing adds enough zhuzh to keep you interested in the overarching plots without detracting from the journey or spoiling the fun. The voice is sublime. Robin is tired and not a little stressed, and the early flippancy reflects that. It borders on the edge of irritating, but Robin is irritated. As the story shifts and consumes, the voice keeps pace (with a few asides to poke at playwrights and, ahem, mortal follies).

In a world where narrative is surer than gravity, wordplay abounds, and the garden paths are enchanting. I giggled a lot and as often reacted with gleeful recognition at foreshadowing come true.

But ultimately, as with everything AJH writes, the book is kind. Miss Bickle remains an absolute delight, and the cast of Irregulars adds Hall’s typical (and appreciated) friendship textures. The characters are kinder than they should be given *gestures broadly*, and Robin is kinder than he seems. I wish them all well.

Spoiler: even fairies choose the bear

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Alexis hall has such a way with a farce. Mixing it up with elements of Jane Austen and Shakespeare and a narrator that breaks the fourth wall.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s so different from most of the romance out there.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Del-Rey for the chance to read an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great follow-up to book one in this series. It has great LGBTQIA+ representation. There is some romance but it is sweet, not so much spice, which I enjoyed. This has such fantastic narration. I found myself legitimately laughing out loud at times while reading.

Without giving anything away, the Gods are having some fun with the mortal world. A wish is granted and now there needs to be a solution to undoing said wish. This is a true homage to "be careful what you wish for." This was a truly enjoyable read.

Robin is back and better than ever!

Lord, what fools these mortals be! Robin Goodfellow returns once again to give us his account of foolish mortals and their ability to maybe fall in love. This story has a couple of storylines to monitor, but it ultimately follows the Caesar family as their siblings experience adventure, love, mischief, wish-granting, and more! I think we got a wonderful extra slice of life in this book that perhaps was a bit more focused in "Mortal Follies."

Once again this is such a creative way to tell a story. I truly think that Alexis Hall is an exceptional storyteller. This is unique in a wonderful way. You get to see this immortal being once again return to observing these mortals who make the worst possible decisions at every turn. AND you get the see all the mischief Robin loves to sow. I just really enjoyed it. Additionally, the love story between Mr. Caesar and Captain James. Ultimately, it is adorable watching these two fall in lust and eventually maybe something more.

The other part of this story was also something different but great. One of Mr. Caesar's siblings has the opportunity for a secret wish to come true. However, whenever faeries (double entendre meant) are involved, things never go according to plan. Mary's adventure to become beautiful was both so heartbreaking and incredibly tender. I enjoyed seeing how this resolved itself and how capricious the faeries could be. It was another layer to this that made it interesting. No faery bargain is ever as easy as it seems. The ending to this particular story thread was beautiful and full of found family and heroics alike.

Readers will LOVE returning to this world of magic and mayhem. Robin makes for an excellent narrator and I cannot wait for our next adventure through the eyes of the devious but well-meaning creature!

I am a fan of both Alexis Hall and historical romance novels, so this book feels meant for me. This is a sequel to Mortal Follies.

Our narrator continues to be over the top and a bit annoying, but I guess that’s his charm? This book focuses on the cousin of the previous heroine. He is a bit more stoic at times, but I really love the couple and the found family of soldiers. This time, the dangers come in large part due to dealing with racism and classism, and I think Hall handles it well.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one. I found it hard to put down once the plot got rolling, and I really cared about everyone involved.

As usual, Hall has a way with words that just leads to some beautiful prose. I highly recommend this book if you liked the first one, and even if you might not have.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

I’m a huge fan of Alexis Hall and I am always glad to have the fortune to read one of his books, especially before it will be published. I was especially waiting for this one, because I really loved Mortal Follies. This book doesn’t disappointed me AT ALL. I LOVE IT. It’s funny and desecrating. And I love the narrator, he’s my favorite character, sorry not sorry.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

A little deeper dive than most of Hall’s works but fun for those looking for swing drama and some Greek influences. Fun and lush.

In this sequel to Mortal Follies, we follow the story of Gentleman John Caesar and Captain Orestes James as they meet when the Captain steps in to prevent him from getting a thrashing from the dastardly Major Bloodworth. Situations are further complicated when James’ sister enters a bargain with a Lady from Faerie. The family must come together to stand against the combined dangers of the Seelie Court, a Murderous Ancient Cult, and the unsubtle racism of English society.

I haven’t read Mortal Follies, the first in the series, so there were parts of this I’m sure I would have liked better if I had read it, but I still enjoyed this one. I SUPER love that it’s narrated by Puck/Robin Goodfellow, and there’s a whole thread of Puck being shady towards William Shakespeare. I really only have one complaint which was why this wasn’t a four star read for me. Alexis Hall’s works are marketed as romances and they really aren’t. They are fantasies and contemporary fictions with romantic subplots IN THEM. And there is a difference. I need to keep this in mind going in, because I do really enjoy Alexis Hall’s work, the snarky dialog is SO GOOD. But they aren’t romances and when I see them marketed that way and then they turn out not to be, I’m left disappointed. It’s like if you ordered hot chocolate and were delivered iced tea. I like both beverages, but when I want hot cocoa, iced tea isn’t going to hit the spot.

Favorite Part - Puck being exactly himself, especially that line about how Oberon has never gotten his antlers tangled in light fixtures,

Read This If You - want a fantastic adventure with intrigue, the world of Faeries mixed in with our own, and soldiers being more “gentlemanly” than the “Gentlemen”.

Confounding Oaths picks up shortly after the events of Mortal Follies and follows Mr. Caesar as he struggles to balance all of his various priorities and identities. Along the way, he meets a dashing captain and the two work together to keep the young Misses Caesars out of mortal danger. A story of cults, fae, and romance, this book is perfect for fans of Bridgerton who are looking for more Queer representation!

The Caesar family was honestly a bit difficult to root for, at times. In particular, the two sisters' bickering got old very quickly. Yes, the girls are young and their future relies on their marriage prospects, but the fighting was just not enjoyable to read.

Mr. Caesar and his love interest really help each other grow throughout the story, which was great to read. Mr. Caesar matures a lot throughout the book and grows into his own person.

Miss Bickle may have been my favorite part of the book. While I found her a bit irritating in Mortal Follies, she really shines in the smaller doses we get in Confounding Oaths. She was just *so* charming!

Overall, I would say that, while fun, this book didn't quite hook me like Mortal Follies did. It suffers from a few too many plot threads running simultaneously. Still, I had a great time reading it and was on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would be wrapped up. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys regency romances, stories about the fae, and queer romance!

I want to thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. Alexis Hall is one of my favorite authors anytime I see a book by them I know it is going to be good. This book just like all their other books was able to draw me into this “historical” world of these characters. We got to follow an openly but also secretive gay romance and a sister that kept making deals with Fae.