Half romance, half political space opera, this book is filled with many delightful and familiar fanfiction tropes- arranged marriage, hurt/comfort, and huddling for warmth all make an appearance. Another huge part of the plot centers around one of the characters being a widow and survivor of domestic abuse. His past trauma informs a huge part of his behavior, so if that's a topic you need to steer clear of, maybe avoid this book.

The story begins when disappointing minor royal, Prince Kiem (university drop-out and frequent tabloid fodder) is informed he must marry the recently widowed Count Jainan, an ambassador from one of the empire's vassal planets. The marriage is rushed, because an important upcoming galactic treaty must be signed by a pair of linked representatives. Kiem is attracted to but deeply intimidated by his new partner, whose silences he interprets as grief. Jainan is in shock, and anxiously tries to figure out what his new relationship and duties will entail- especially as it comes to light that his first husband may have been murdered, not killed in a piloting accident. I saw some reviews calling this a comfort read; that's not what I'd call it. A lot of the story involves both leads being very stressed/nervous and the awkward miscommunications that result. I listened to the audiobook and I did enjoy it, but it was a 3.5 stars book for me; I decided to round up instead of down, because it left me interested to see what the author will write next.