Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: The Foxling Soldati
Author: Charlie Cochet
Series: Soldati Hearts #2
Heroes: Toka & Rayner
Genre: M/M Fantasy
Length: 102 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 16, 2017
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Foxling Toka has served the Soldati king for centuries, and now he attends to the kingdom’s cherished Soldati prince. It’s a position of honor, and as Toka helps the once-human prince adapt to their magical realm, he finds joy in their friendship. He also grows bolder in his encounters with Rayner, Soldati warrior and the king’s second. But the laws are clear: servants and Soldati are not permitted to mate. It doesn’t matter that Toka lost his heart to the dashing cad long ago.
Rayner never imagined he would fall in love with a servant, but the clever and beautiful foxling has ensnared him, and he resents the regulations keeping them apart. When an arrogant and spiteful king visits from a neighboring realm, Rayner is in danger of losing everything. But Soldati warriors don’t surrender, and he intends to fight all the harder to keep Toka where he belongs—in Rayner’s arms.
Review:
Toka and Rayner have known each other for centuries but they could never act on the feelings between them because of their different roles within the kingdom. Rayner’s a Soldati warrior and Toka is just a servant but that doesn’t stop them from developing feelings and wanting to act on their chemistry. But when an angry king with a grudge against Rayner comes to visit, Rayner fears he’ll find out about his love for Toka and if that happens, will they be able to survive the coming storm?
This was a super cute story. I loved the connection between Toka and Rayner and how long they’ve been able to deny their attraction. It’s a little sad that they had to keep apart for so long but I liked the internal fight there was for Rayner. Toka is such a little sweetheart, I loved his POVs and Rayner made me all gooey with how much he wanted to protect Rayner.
I really enjoyed this one but I had two issues. For one, there was way too much sex for my liking, especially with how short this story was. I felt like there wasn’t much attempt to get to know the characters since Toka and Rayner already had a relationship. My second issue is a little harder to say because I don’t want to give away spoilers but I felt the whole problem that escalated everything was a little.. unbelievable. I mean Rayner knows Toka so it was hard for me to believe he couldn’t tell him apart from others. Plus, I kept wondering why Khalon wasn’t getting other guards involved and getting their account of things (such as who had escorted who to their rooms since they obviously had to get there) when Rayner couldn’t recollect things himself.
In the end, though, I still liked this one. I loved that Toka and Rayner got their own story and I ultimately liked where things ended up. I was a little frustrated by how things happened but I liked the resolution and I liked how strong Toka was and how gentle Rayner was. I can’t wait for the next one and really hope it’s about Segreti and Ezra!
Overall Impression: I liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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