Do you like gentle giants? How about tiny twinks that need to let go of their tight self control and embrace hedonism? Would you like to see a gaslighting abuser get their comeuppance? If you like these themes and the joyful banter that Katey brings to every series, then nom this book.

For me, this is the best book Katey has written to date. Which says a lot, because I thought her recent novel, Heartwood, was a real masterpiece. Guardian, the second book of the Rade series, has a simple plot in many ways. How do you love after healing from loss? How do you trust after years of narcissistic abuse? Common, recognizable themes, through the lens of contemporary fantasy. At least Venkat’s gaslighting manager is courtly fae. What excuse do ab*sers have in real life?

The characterization in this book is rich, and the two protagonists have chemistry that sizzles. John, our returning protagonist, bass player of the Rade, is warm and genuine, the biggest teddy bear of our fairy exiles—big guard dog energy. His newly introduced love interest, Venkat, is a deeply sweet people pleaser, affectionate but isolated from his deepest needs. He’s a psy vampire, so he’s not completely in the dark about the supernatural world, unlike the mortal half of the pairing in The Rade book 1. What Venkat doesn’t understand keeps him on a tight leash. He’s too afraid of hurting others to step into his full potential.

The pace of this book is fluid and fun. While the biggest challenges are identified early, the story takes its time letting the characters explore, heal, fall in love, and reclaim their power.