When Edwin finds his friend missing and a new government employee in his place he is more than a little put out. When the replacement, Robin, turns out to know nothing about magic or magicians, it’s even worse than he though. Robin takes the whole ‘magic exists’ thing in stride and intends to give up his seat as soon as a more appropriate replacement can be found.

Unfortunately for both of them, before anything happens to fix the situation a shadowy figure places a curse on Robin and since the curse was a result of Edwin’s friend’s investigation he feels obligated to try to help Robin find a way to lift the curse.

Cue to them spending time together at Edwin’s family estate in the English countryside with his elitist and much more magically gifted family. This delightful mystery solving romance features such tropes as grudging colleagues to lovers, found family, coming into your own power, and discovering that the patriarchy is full of shit and magic is more than the idiot cis men decided it should be.
There is an amazing magical library, facing peril together, idiots in love, ancient mysteries, semi sentient houses/estates, and some truly awesome diverse ensemble cast kicking some major ass. I really enjoyed this adventure/mystery/romance and I’m looking forward to the next book!