The Bachelor's Valet

This is set in the same world as [b:The Botanist's Apprentice 58132756 The Botanist's Apprentice Arden Powell https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1621818731l/58132756.SY75.jpg 91117725] but otherwise there's no tie between the books. It's hard to pinpoint an era it's set in but there are telephones and automobiles but they also use magic to do more modern things that would now be done by machines. It's about double the length of the previous book in the series as well but felt like less happened - I just didn't care about these characters or feel the relationship made sense. There's literally no reason Jacobi would be in love with Alphonse other than the constant proximity and lack of other options. Alphonse is quite literally the “lovable idiot” and it got a little grating. I'm interested in reading more in this AU but this has been my least favourite Powell read so far.