Swordcrossed : A queer fantasy with a steamy rivals-to-lovers romance

Read by Omari Douglas, known for his roles in It's a Sin and the theatre production of A Little Life.

'Douglas makes all of the characters eminently appealing, and he especially captures the sparking, zinging dynamic between Matti and Luca' – AudioFile

‘If you’re doing romantasy without Freya Marske, you’re doing it wrong’ – Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue

Brimming with steamy romance, rougeish charm and intrigue, Swordcrossed is a dazzling queer fantasy from the internationally bestselling author of The Last Binding trilogy.

Low stakes. High heat. Sharp steel . . .

Mattinesh Jay, heir to his family’s struggling business, needs his arranged marriage to go off without a hitch. But if he’s to successfully restore his house’s fortunes, Matti must first hire a swordsman to defend him against any sword-challenges at the altar. Unfortunately, the only duellist he can afford is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.

All Luca wants to do is make some easy money and forget the crime he committed in his home town. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible – and inconveniently handsome – wool-merchant like Matti.

However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away when the truth could mean losing everything you want?

The cosy, low stakes of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree meets the scorching bodyguard fantasy of Jennifer L. Armentrout's From Blood and Ash in this enemies-to-lovers romance by Freya Marske.

‘Deliciously cosy and blisteringly hot’ – Lex Croucher, author of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

‘Swordcrossed proves there's nothing in fantasy – or queer romance – Marske can't do’ – Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil