Utterly enchanting! The writing is exquisite. The characters are wonderfully developed, and their romance is both tender and exhilarating. The witty dialogue and well-paced plot keep you thoroughly engaged. A must-read for anyone who loves historical romance with a perfect blend of charm and passion.

The Vibes: queer found family, true love, calling HER daddy

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Horley Comewithers (or, as he is known for much of this novel, Rufus) is set to marry a woman of his aunt's choosing, despite the fact that he is a) gay and b) in love with someone else. In swoops Arabella Tarleton, twin sister of the man he's pining after. Arabella will secure her own freedom through marriage, and she has a fat dowry—but she knows she's no good for anyone who wants true love. So she proposes a scheme: why not run away together and marry?

What neither Rufus nor Belle realize is that there's a lot more to love than storybook romance, and sometimes the person you're meant to be with is the one you least expected.

The Review:

What an exciting, unique, heartstoppingly lovely book. Do Horley and Belle suddenly fall into the kind of m/f relationship you normally see in romance novels? No. But I would call this a romance nonetheless, because, despite Belle being on the aromantic spectrum (I'm not sure if you'd call her totally incapable of experiencing romantic attraction? I'm not educated enough on the aromantic experience to be certain, but based on what I've read, grayromantic may be a way to describe her?) there's just this like... sense of two people finding each other's soulmates in a way that isn't sexual, and isn't conventional, but also goes beyond standard platonic friendship.

Because Rufus and Belle have friends. They actually have a lot of them, even if the relationships aren't always easy or straightforward... and we see several of them in the form of couples from the two previous books in this series. So I would say that it's best to read Something Fabulous and Something Spectacular first. They're great books anyway, but you pick up on some dangling emotional threads from them and get resolution.

But no, what Rufus and Belle mean to each other is such a special and intense yet soft dynamic... They're truly husband and wife by the end of this book. Their future is together. They also enjoy sleeping with other people (though sex isn't out of the question for the two of them—there's a rather beautiful thing Rufus says about the capacity in which he would enjoy sex with Belle, if it ever happened, that I found remarkable).

What I find so smart about this book, the way so many Alexis Hall books are smart, is that she does confront the way something could be "missing" from Rufus and Belle's marriage. But it's not to do with Rufus's lack of sexual attraction to Belle. That's really not seen as an issue. It's not to do with their lack of monogamy, either (they both sleep with other people, on the page and off). It's to do with Belle feeling that, because she can't experience the type of romantic feeling that she's seen idealized in books, or within the sweepingly romantic relationships she's surrounded by... She is essentially depriving Rufus of finding the thing that she believes he needs.

Belle has been a polarizing character for readers throughout this series. Not for me, personally; she's flawed but hilarious, and clearly has had a good heart from the beginning (even if her choices aren't always... the best). She gets a bit of karmic retribution in this book that I feel some of her haters will enjoy, but it's not over the top, and she's not "redeemed", because there's... no need. But being fully in her head allows us to really get into why she is the way she is, and so much of it is like... Kinda meta?

Like—what would it be to be aro or on the aro spectrum in a fucking romance novel series? What would it be like to clearly love someone and not feel like you can ever love them in the "right" way? I will say, I don't consider myself on the aro spectrum (though shit, this book has made me wonder) but I did relate to Belle in many ways. It put her experience in a very "layman's terms", approachable perspective, which could be less than what the aro community could want? I can't speak for them, again, I do not identify on the spectrum. BUT I do think that if you've literally never read up on it at all, this book probably won't confuse you.

Rufus's development is probably a little less significant than Belle's, but it's still a breath of fresh air to see someone who's like... a bit lost, a bit sad, but also so funny and so willing to fully embrace "the difficult one" for who they are. He really rolls with the punches without ever seeming like a doormat. I also feel that his relationship with Belle would have fallen into "gay best friend" in a lesser writer's hands. But he's given such agency and such determination, even as he's initially drawn into this admittedly kind of zany plot.

No, this is a true queerplatonic relationship, and I love that it's given the space to be that while also receiving a classic historical romance novel treatment (albeit with the same degree of hilarious self-aware commentary this entire series has had—at one point we get an entire 1800s version of like, the Google review system for inns, and it is INCREDIBLE). Rufus does a run for your love. There's only one bed (and like, they are naked in the bed together, but no sex). There's an anvil marriage. It's great.

The only reason why I won't rate this a little bit higher is that I would've loved a teeny bit more Rufus and Belle together on the page, but I also deeply appreciated the roles Bonny and Valentine and then Peggy and Orfeo from the two previous books played in this one. Especially Orfeo. My kingdom for Orfeo, would die for them.

The Sex:

HOT. KINKY. SUPER GAY. You get several on the page sex scenes in this one, and they're all great (and not a one involves Rufus and Belle together, and they're so good with that). You have one f/f scene involving a sort of like... baby lesbian "it's giving missionary as in God" but in a funny way girl...? An m/m scene with a would-be highwayman bookseller guy and his MASSIVE SEA SERPENT (and some role-playing! Of the "oh no, I've never touched one before, you show me how" variety).

And... A spanking scene. Which is the first time I've ever read a man call the heroine "daddy". I was VERY pleased.

This may be the most unique romance novel I've read yet, and I'm so impressed with it. Would recommend to people interested in expanding their horizons (as readers, as people, whatever) or like, just interested in a hot, literally laugh out loud book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Alexis Hall and immediately grab for any new release of his. However, I extend a caution with this particular book. If you haven't read the first two books in this series, don't start with this one. The narrative takes off like a runaway carriage and never really lets you catch up if you're thinking, "Wait. Who? Huh? What?"

This book centers on Arabella "Belle" Tarleton, twin to protagonist Bonny of book 1 and BFF of protagonist Peggy from book 2. In those stories, she is a supporting character and general catalyst for mayhem. She hasn't changed much in that sense, which accounts in some part for the pace of the book and general sense that the plot is about to go off the rails or actually just did. Hall has referred to his "Something" books as silly, but as always, he attempts to inform the silliness with humanity and progressive thought. This book begins with a gender reversal as Belle kidnaps Sir Horley Comewithers the night before his marriage to an unsuitable bride, and she sort of convinces him to elope with her instead.

Yeah. That's his name. Sir Horley Comewithers. I laughed at it in book one even though I knew it was silly. I laughed at it in book 2 every time I saw it because in print, it's delightfully dirty Dickensian. By this novel, , it was still worth a chuckle, but when Belle discovered to her horror, she was now Lady Comewithers, that people would actually call her Lady Comewithers, I lost it. . So did Belle. SPOILER- So did Peggy.. Peggy sent her a letter addressed to Lady Comewithers, and the entire text was AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAA. This silliness led to Sir Horley adopting Belle's last name instead, and Belle along with the narrator referring to him as Rufus for the rest of the book because Belle decided Horley sounded too much like horny. Like Horny Comewithers.

If you're still with me (and Alexis) at this point, you'll love the book. It has an unexpectedly happy ending that redefines what a good and loving marriage should look like, checks in with old friends from other books in the series, offers surprises aplenty, and is pretty extraordinary way to pass a few hours.

I have no idea what's happening in this book or if the story is going anywhere. The dialogues make no sense, and the scenes feel like coming from a cheap theatre play. 50% in, I gave up.

I haven't read the previous books in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. This book is about finding that person who accepts you for who you are with no expectations. Rufus and Bella are friends who learn to accept themselves with the help of the other. It is also laugh out loud funny and in parts complete farce. If you are looking for romance this isn't it but if you want a good laugh I'd definitely recommend.

Something Extraordinary
- historical queer joy - hijinx and shenanigans - aromantic rep -

I don't think I've met a book by Alexis Hall that I didn't love, and 'Something Extraordinary' is certainly not an exception.

I'm always nervous heading into historical queer romances. All too often there looms over the central pairing this spectre of compromise, of only achieving a 'making the best of things' resolution -- it's a disheartening thing for any romance fan. However, I knew immediately on beginning this novel that I was in for something quite different.

'Something Extraordinary' lives up to its title magnificently. With hilarity and humanity, we're treated to a world of historical queer joy, of rollicking adventure and touchingly real characters.

Hall has such a talent for dialogue - for natural and witty banter - that I'm always immediately immersed, and the central relationships of this study of unconventional family and belonging are presented with both sensitivity and thoroughly satisfying forthrightness.

I felt safe, and seen and completed my eArc with a small sigh of contentment.

What an absolute joy of a book.

- Reviewed from eArc, many thanks to the publisher Montlake and Author Alexis Hall for the copy -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6687791249

I am enjoying this book so much! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Sir Horley isn't interested in getting married because he's gay. His friend Arabella decides to help him by abducting him on his wedding night. Lots of exciting adventures on their roadtrip....

Like any book by Alexis Hall, this book is terrific. It's funny, romantic and over-the-top in the best possible way. I enjoy the humour and laughed out loud so many times. Love the plot, the journey, the characters.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The cover was so enticing I had to read.
The main Characters of the book were full of personality and traits that dragged my interest back into the book, although the lengthy dialogue throughout the book was quite hard to keep engaged in.

Thankyou NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a truly magnificent book for those who love a story to be fun, warm, and ridiculous. With all sorts of flavors of the human kind, even though you don't have to be flamboyant to be colorful.
Yet it sports the deeply serious theme of not being good enough which I think is an important and very timely topic whether this story is set in a different century or not: the feeling of being unworthy, thinking you don't matter, the pain in experiencing all that. This was rather splendidly described, but at the same time in small amounts... leaving enough room for all sorts of shenanigans and weird encounters. Let me not reveal too much, but just add to expect the unexpected :)

And I enjoyed how it ended with a splash, making me yearn for the next book in this series. I. Can't. Wait.

PS – let me explain why this theme is significant enough for me to have a special being-good-enough shelf on Goodreads. As I've come to realize, being ill with ME for over nineteen years, how overwhelming hurt can be for people treating me differently since I am longterm ill. I feel I am not good enough as they no longer see me as fun or helpful which of course says nothing about me or who I am, but something about their lack of... well, you name it: lack of understanding, the inability to deal with someone else's pain, or simply denial of reality? Something like that? Either way, there is more to life than a demanding society, difficult or even toxic family members and/or people's ignorance. I am not less of a person, simply because they think I am a problem.
So please be kind, to each other generally – not only those ill with ME or LC/PC. You don't have to be brave, all you have to do is try not to be a coward and dare to doubt your own assumptions.

This book is truly something extraordinary—something exciting, something kind, something honestly revolutionary. I laughed, I gasped, I clutched at my chest. Essentially I behaved like Bonny with a book and enjoyed myself immensely.

This was a really fascinating story that explored all kinds of complex issues, played in unusual and lovely places, and wasn’t afraid to wade into murky waters—all the while offering up a great deal of real deep tenderness between our leads and a flurry of delightful side characters to take joy in as well. Throughout this trilogy Belle has always been wonderful, as has Sir Horley, but seeing what they can and do offer each other and the serious care they take with each other’s lives and hearts is extremely rewarding and deepens both characters in beautiful ways.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC. All opinions my own.

Something Extraordinary by A. Hall isbook 3 in Something Fabulous pub by Montlake.
Anhistorical marriage of convenience that is a witty and fun read.
Blurb: Sir Horley Comewithers isn’t particularly interested in getting married, especially when his match is a perfectly respectable young woman. Sir Horley is, after all, extravagantly gay. But he’s resigned to a fate there’s no point resisting—until a dear friend does it for him.
Arabella Tarleton has no interest in romance, but even she can see that Sir Horley’s nuptials are destined to end in a lifetime of misery. Well, not on her watch. And what are friends for, if not abducting you on your wedding night in an overdramatic attempt to save you from a terrible mistake?
Their journey to Gretna Green is a hodgepodge of colorful run-ins and near misses with questionable innkeepers, amateur highwaymen, overattentive writers, and scorned fiancées. Then again a bumpy road is better than an unhappy destination.
But when it comes to marriage, Belle and Sir Horley are about to discover that it’s not what you do or how you do it but the people who you choose to do it with that matter most.

Not my normal sort of read at all, but tried on the recommendation of a friend. Loads of ways I could describe this - amusing, definitely a bit quirky, and strong characters. A bit too spicy for me, but I'm sure it will suit other people.

A light, enjoyable read, recommended.

This book was interesting, but the dialogues and banter sometimes just threw me off from getting vested in the plot. Overall, this is not my kind of book, so I did skip pages to get to the meat of the story. A meh for me, but could be a winner for others

This Regency rom-com features two friends, Sir Horley and Arabella, whose doomed relationship history leads them to consider marrying each other.

The premise is not a love story per se but one of a chosen family. The protagonists find Platonic love with each other and some spicy adventures with others along the way.

While this novel is a fun romp, readers must read the author’s other works in this series to understand the action entirely. Note: The cover and description would benefit from indicating that it is part of a series.

It is enjoyable, but at times, the pacing feels inconsistent. It also has an everything but the kitchen sink feel by the end. Hall did a good job showcasing platonic love.


Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.

This was okay. I mean, there were moments of genuine fun and excitement, and others that unnecessarily prolonged and detracted from the overall pacing. A lot of dialogue in the story made it harder for me to stay engaged, unfortunately.

## Book Review: *Something Extraordinary (Something Fabulous)* by Alexis Hall

Alexis Hall's *Something Extraordinary (Something Fabulous)* is a delightful romp that blends humor, romance, and a touch of whimsy into a compelling narrative. Set in the Regency era, Hall’s novel stands out for its witty dialogue, charming characters, and a refreshing take on romantic tropes.

The story follows Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, who is every bit the quintessential Regency aristocrat—handsome, wealthy, and accustomed to getting his way. His life takes an unexpected turn when he proposes to Arabella Tarleton, fulfilling a promise made to their families. However, Arabella has no intention of settling for an arranged marriage and promptly flees, leaving Valentine to chase after her.

Enter Bonaventure "Bonny" Tarleton, Arabella's twin brother, who is every bit as unconventional as his sister. Eager to help Valentine—or perhaps simply to cause some mischief—Bonny insists on joining the pursuit. The dynamic between Valentine and Bonny is electric from the start, and their interactions provide a wealth of comedic and romantic moments.

Hall’s characterization is one of the novel's strongest points. Valentine is a stoic duke, bound by duty and decorum, while Bonny is free-spirited, impulsive, and full of life. Their journey together is as much about finding Arabella as it is about self-discovery and challenging societal norms. Through their adventures, they encounter a cast of eccentric and memorable characters, each adding flavor and depth to the story.

The humor in *Something Extraordinary* is sharp and clever, often playing on the absurdities of Regency customs and the rigid expectations of society. Hall has a knack for comedic timing, and the banter between Valentine and Bonny is both endearing and hilarious. Despite the lighthearted tone, the novel also touches on deeper themes such as identity, freedom, and the courage to live authentically.

Romance fans will find much to love in the developing relationship between Valentine and Bonny. Hall masterfully balances their growing attraction with moments of genuine connection and vulnerability. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, making their eventual romance all the more satisfying. It’s a slow burn that pays off beautifully, with a resolution that feels both earned and heartfelt.

One of the novel’s standout aspects is its subversion of traditional Regency romance tropes. Hall brings a modern sensibility to the genre, infusing the narrative with inclusivity and diversity that feels both natural and refreshing. The exploration of LGBTQ+ themes is handled with care and sensitivity, adding layers of authenticity to the characters and their experiences.

The pacing of the novel is brisk, with enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged from start to finish. The settings, from grand estates to quaint villages, are vividly described, immersing readers in the Regency era while maintaining a light and breezy tone.

In conclusion, *Something Extraordinary (Something Fabulous)* by Alexis Hall is a standout addition to the Regency romance genre. It combines wit, charm, and romance in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Hall’s ability to craft multi-dimensional characters and a compelling narrative makes this novel a must-read for fans of historical romance and anyone looking for a joyful, uplifting story.

For those seeking a book that offers both laughter and heartfelt moments, *Something Extraordinary* delivers in spades. It’s a celebration of love in all its forms, wrapped in a delightful package that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.

I actually didn't realize this was part of a series but they seem to be more like interconnected standalones so it was fine and I can't wait to read the previous books! This was so much fun and so sweet, I really loved the characters and the sort of silly but loveable tone

This book was delightful!

A lot of fun and shenanigans, plus a cute romance.

Would recommend!