Book: The Spare Affair by Ella Frank
Reviewed by ErikaWasReading
Rating: 4.5/5
I absolutely loved Gabriel in book 1, so I was incredibly excited to jump into his story.
After his twin, the King, eschews his royal commitments to marry the love of his life, Gabriel knows that he is the only one who can smooth things over with Solterra. Since Gabriel had immensely enjoyed Alejandro, the Crown Prince of Solterra’s company when he pretended to be Nicholas at a pre-wedding dinner, winning him over as himself would be easy, right?
A spark definitely flickers between them as arguments turn into flirtation, but with the past hanging over them, can there ever be anything more?
While Gabriel was the charming, mischievous twin in book 1, book 2 showed us the man behind the smile. The man who learned early on that, as the spare, he was easily set aside. Alejandro is rightfully angry at the start of the novel, not because he had feelings for Nicholas, but because he was turned into a headline and a bit of gossip. Both men want to be seen for more than their facades, but don’t really know how to let someone in.
The competition between the two as they try to outmaneuver each other (while keeping up courtly appearances) is a fun rivalry. While the folks around them view their games as childish (poor Elena!), they show each other how well matched they are.
Though they’re attracted to each other from the beginning, Brooke & Ella show us why they’re hesitant to be open about their feelings. Alejandro doesn’t want to be humiliated by a Valemont again, and Gabriel has spent his life as everyone’s second choice. Both men have a lot to lose if their feelings aren’t returned.
The Spare Affair was a fantastic addition to The Crown Jewels series!