A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
15
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
Two potion shops, one heated rivalry…until hate bubbles over into something else.
Any adventurer worth their sword knows about Ambrose Beake. The proud, quiet half-elf sells the best, and only, potions in the city—until a handsome new shopkeeper named Eli opens another potion shop across the street, throwing Ambrose’s peace and ledgers far off balance.
Within weeks, they’re locked in a war of price tags and products—Ambrose’s expertise against Eli’s effortless charm. Toil leads to trouble, the safety gloves come off, and right as their rivalry reaches a boiling point…
The mayor commissions them to brew a potion together.
The task is as complex as it is lucrative, pushing both men to the limits of their abilities and patience. Yet as the fires burn and cauldrons bubble…they find a different sort of chemistry brewing.
Featured Series
2 primary booksThe Side Quest Row is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by R.K. Ashwick.
Reviews with the most likes.
I needed a cosy, light-hearted read, and I'm glad that I opted for A Rival Most Vial because it ticked all the boxes.
This was a low stake, low drama read; there was potion brewing and an adorable slow burn romance (seriously slow - our couple did not kiss until 71% into the book, I noted it down because it had me kicking my legs in giddiness). It also touches upon the more mundane parts of a fantasy world - what the merchants are up to when the adventurers are doing their monster-slaying.
Following a more typical guideline, our two lovers start off as enemies (both potioneers), who are forced to work together, which in turn leads them to grow closer in the process. The light drama comes from lack of communication, understandable from the past revealed, and an unexpected incident causes all the feelings and words to explode, but it works reasonably well.
I look forward to meeting with our beloved Dudes Who Brew in future books!
Such an adorable found family romantasy! The characters are all so well written and believable, the conflicts are realistic in their fantasy setting. And the author gives us an actual enemies to lovers story, with two rivals who really go from hate to love in such a sweet fashion. I can't wait for the next volume of the series to come out
