Bromantasy

A mishap-fueled quest threatens to break two best bros apart in this unabashedly silly friends-to-lovers medievalesque fantasy from Roche (We Are the Match, written as Mary E. Roche). Juniper O’Reilly loves mead, wrestling, his cozy farm abode, and, above all, sharing these simple pleasures with his long-time best friend, Morn “Mo” Elmthorn. Strong, thoughtful, outdoorsy, and handsome, Mo stands as a constant reminder of everything Juniper is not. It once seemed like their friendship could become something more, but Juniper can’t let go of the fact that Mo abandoned him for an adventure 10 winters ago and their relationship hasn’t been the same since. When Juniper’s incessant tavern brawling injures a mercenary and lands both him and Mo in jail, the two are obliged by law to embark on a dragon hunt. This dangerous mission—which sees them stumbling on a shape-shifting dragon child and feuding with an untrustworthy prince—magnifies their worst flaws and years of buried animosity, while also amplifying their long-simmering mutual attraction. Unfortunately, their budding romance gets stuck in a cycle of miscommunication that quickly grows tiresome. While the pacing is wonky and the romance is only ever lukewarm, the cozy trappings and abundant humor will please those looking for lighthearted queer romantasy. (May)