I had a great time with this book! It is a wonderful mix of romance and adventure where they both feel important to the character development and each other. I love Max and his slow realization that actually, there are parts of the curse that aren't so bad when he stops to think about it, and sort of figuring out what the bits he doesn't like are and how to deal with them is so, so resonant with my experiences as a queer, trans, disabled person.

I was pleasantly surprised by the back half of the book going back to deal with the stuff Max was running away from at home, and yes, I did cry at multiple points during the ending.

It's a delightful fantasy story, a sweet romance, and oh my goodness that beautiful cover art!