I’m super excited to talk about this book! I normally like to wait to check out books from the library to see if I actually like them, but I just knew from the premise that this one was going to be something I’d love.
The premise is as follows: Bertine, the woman pictured on the front, a noble daughter of a Marquess from the island Kingdom of Luenne and, is sold off by her country as part of a negotiation for reparations in a war between the continental Empire (who Luenne was supporting), and a southern country called “The Federation”. She is forced to go to the Federation and is offered as a bride to winning side’s king, a man named Cecilio. Except, the Federation needs money for war damages, not a random noble bride!
After facing some harsh treatment at the King’s estate (when Cecilio isn’t there), she decides to leave and make a living and life on her own, with the help of her attendant and some friends she meets along the way.
First and foremost, although this is supposedly a romance series, this is mostly a book about a woman finding a way to establish herself in a new country as an independent merchant through connections and wit.
I thought the negative relationship between Cecilio (her primary love interest), and Bertine would drag on through the entire book complicating her goals, but I was pleasantly surprised that Cecilio apologizes right away for how his staff initially treated Bertine. From there on out, Bertine and Cecilio are a team, working to uplift the Federation.
The first book is mostly about establishing Bertine as a merchant, and is quite similar in tone and feel to the first three books of the Ascendance of a Bookworm series. I read this book entirely in one sitting!
I absolutely love the art style, and the story is such a cozy read.
The seeds of a future romance between the two leads have already been planted, and I assume we’ll get more development on the romance front in the 2nd (and last book) which comes out on March 29, 2024.
I’ll be awaiting it eagerly!