The Favourite

Brides of Karadok, Book 6

By: Alice Coldbreath

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Alisander de Balon, fifth Viscount Bardulf is a lot of things. Ambassador. Diplomat. Spy. He is also bored as hell at the Argent King’s court. His only diversion these days is tormenting staid Jane Cecil, the Queen’s favorite Lady-in-Waiting. Seeing her vexed amuses him more than any royal entertainment.

Jane has finally found her place at Court, and it is among the Queen’s retinue. All she wants to do is faithfully serve Her Majesty, something she could do in peace if it was not for the Queen’s countryman, Viscount Bardulf, who seems to delight in baiting her!

Neither Bardulf nor Jane could have foreseen the sudden tragedy that leads to their hasty union, and neither of them could have anticipated that they would fall so easily into different roles—that of husband and wife.

The Favourite is a standalone novel set in a medieval style landscape in the fictional kingdom of Karadok. Please do not purchase if you are offended by strong language and or sex scenes.

©2023 Alice Coldbreath (P)2023 Alice Coldbreath

Good but needed a new narrator.

If you couldn't maintain the accent the whole book then why'd you even try? Alisander losing his accent is very noticeable and while it doesn't detract from the story it is distracting. Especially since the Queen keeps her accent.

Witty, seductive and clever

This is not your usual romance story - it is so nuanced and carefully written. I eagerly await each book Alice Coldbreath writes and have never been disappointed.

Another great story!

Love Alice Coldbreath and those book is a perfect example why…. Her characters have so much depth and dimension, she covers all the big “feels” and, holy smokes, her books are HOT!

Loved it

Great addition to the series! I love the banter between the main characters. Easy listen and kept my attention. Alice Coldbreath does it again!

Amazing. Loved every second of this book.

I've been on a HUGE Coldbreath kick, and this book was far and away my absolute most favorite(hehe) of the bunch!


This definitely scratched the itch I had for Tristan from Wed by Proxy to have his own book(maybe someday????).

Nowhere Near as Good as Her Prior Books

SPOILER ALERT. The characters were not as well-developed as in My Baseborn Bridegroom nor A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter (my two favorites). You never really know why H was fixated on h. Rather, the reader is expected to accept that which is not plausible based on what we we do know. So, the reader is simply expected to believe this handsome, stylish. complex spy/assassin with a traumatic background is deeply in love with a rather plain, unaccomplished, glorified servant to the queen. Which explains why the reader never becomes invested in either H and h or their relationship. Based on what we are told, there is no chemistry - plenty of sex but zero chemistry. The plot is also weak. The H and h’s relationship is never tested or in jeopardy. The fear of how the Queen will react is short lived and resolved quickly and adds no drama or real interest to the plot. Also, we know from the beginning H’s imprisonment will be temporary. Again, no drama, no interesting plot twist. While I don’t deeply regret reading this book I also would not have regretted saving the time and money with passing on it. The reader does a fine job with what she had to work with but it is not possible to elevate this lackluster story.