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A Rival Most Vial (Side Quest Row 1), by R.K. Ashwick (2023)
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Premise: Sparks of all kinds fly when a new arrival in town opens up a potion shop across the street from the shop of a renowned and reclusive potionmaster

Review: I sometimes find cozy fantasy a bit too light on plot, but this struck the perfect balance between cozy vibes and storytelling. All of the characters pop and the found family element is perfect.

Okay, I just basically mainlined this book in two big gulps — I would have finished it in one last night except I fell asleep with my kindle on my face😅 Absolutely the perfect cozy fantasy, with a hilarious and tight found family — who need to be found — enemies to friends to lovers, escapades and tribulations and just…yeah. From a fun premise to well-drawn characters to real, deeply felt issues explored, this book is a joy to read.

This cute, cozy romantasy follows rival potion makers who have set up shop on the same street. Ambrose has always been reluctant to let others in, and he's steaming when an inexperienced, over-the-top potion maker named Eli opens a shop just doors away. As they're forced to work and socialize together, Eli slowly gets the stoic man to open up--and a sweet romance blossoms between them. But is this street really big enough for two potion makers?

All the rival enemies-to-lovers magicians this weekend #WeekendReads

Yesterday‘s two most excellent purchases: my favourite ice cream and a book from my Litsy stack! A RIVAL MOST VIAL is currently on for $0.99, but I‘m trying to get back into the buy-book-read-book schtick so I didn‘t jump on the sale until last night, after I finished my previous read. I made it 17% in before bed and I‘m in big-time love with its small business romance feel and its D&D side characters focus. I can‘t wait to read more.

Perfect cozy fantasy recommended by my son. He states it‘s better than Legends and Latte which I haven‘t read yet. It was totally delicious. M/M rivals to partners an extrovert and introvert with lovely cast of characters. Am looking forward to more set in this world. Also now following author so I can read all their work. Indie published for bonus points

I only managed two #auldlangspine reads this month, but they were both new to me authors that I really enjoyed, and I definitely plan to read more from both. Thanks @peanutnine for such a great list and @monalyisha for organizing!

4.5/5

A new rivalry is formed when Eli opens a potion shop across the street from Ambrose's potion shop in this romantic, cozy fantasy. I loved the rivalry and eventual chemistry between Ambrose and Eli. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

This was a perfect #auldlangspine read to start off my year. @peanutnine @monalyisha

#ScarathlonPhotoChallenge Day 20 🧪 #Potion
This is a really cute mm fantasy romance set in a dnd-type world with two rival potion makers
#Scarathlon #TeamBOOkLovers @Bookwormjillk

This book is many things. Cozy fantasy. Sweet romance. Belated coming-of-age fable. Found-family saga. Treasure hunt. Magical adventure. And much more. A Rival Most Vial is the literary equivalent of a warm mug of apple cider. You just want to curl up under a comfy blanket and revel in it. I hope that Ashwick returns to this world again and again, so that I can keep reveling in it. Highly recommended. #cozyfantasy #lgtbq #magic #romance

A lovely fantasy with a touch of romance! 💕 If you're looking for something sweet & cozy, with low stakes & found family, this is the perfect book. Ambrose is upset when Eli opens a rival potion shop across the street but their animosity & competition is tested when they are commissioned together on a big project. Set in a queer normative world filled with elves & orcs, potions & wands, the most important theme is finding your place and purpose

I realized I never posted a review of this, my favorite read of March! Ever wonder about the lives of the shopkeepers in fantasy adventure games? Love enemies to lovers? Need more queer fantasy? This is the book for you! I loved the two main characters, who are rival potioneers on the same street. Lots of found family vibes. Delightful and charming.