Are you in for a super cute cozy fantasy romance? I didn’t think I was, at least for the romance part, but this book was such a delight.

Winter, that’s our main protagonist, is starting a new job as a baker in the Summer Palace, residence of the royal family. On his first night, he finds himself helping a stranger bleeding to death on his doorstep -  who turns out to be Prince Arturo himself. Soon the two of them develop a friendship  bridging their social classes. When Arturo takes Winter on a trip to find help for Winter’s sister, they come up with a wild scenario… but is it so wild for the two of them to develop feelings for one another?

I was struggling with stress when I started this book and let me tell you I retreated into the world of Winter & Arturo as if I was reaching for air. Their story is so cute and touching, a bit outrageous, sure, but it doesn’t shun the uncomfortable conversations on, for instance, privilege, given that half of the duo is royalty. The story is very queer but it’s never a big deal and I loved how seamlessly everything went. Sure, the blend of a pre-industrial revolution world and very modern situations and language felt a little strange at times, but it was also so comforting to be taken to a universe where you could chat about coffee and gender and also magic.

The low stakes soothed my stress-riddled heart. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m pretty sure Meliora would appeal to fans of Legends & Lattes.

Rep: non-binary MC with anxiety, trans character, sapphic characters.