Not many books have managed to make me laugh out loud in a very embarrassing way while in a coffee shop, but this one did to spectacularly.

I absolutely loved the characters, the world, the relationship development and the mixture of cosy vibes with higher stakes. It sucked me in so quickly and I didn't want it to end. I need more books with sock-knitting paladin's.

I would happily jump straight into book number two immediately, even knowing it focuses on different characters, as every character was so alive and realised. I do hope the next few books include more of Stephen and Grace but even if they don't, I'll happily re-read this book again.

The end was unexpected but brilliant and I'm now hoping for even more dark vibes going forward.

This book had great vibes, was a lot of fun and kept me turning pages. I was sad to finish it so quickly but also couldn't put it down.

⤷ 2.75✩
This book has its strong and weak points. Maybe my expectations were too high, which is why I’m being this critical. Maybe it’s just not my genre, but after some chapters, this book kinda felt like a “meh” to me.

The writing style and world-building really appealed to me, but those were the most positive aspects I could find. I did not care much about the characters and their backstories and, as a result, also not about the romance. I also found the plot and/or stakes of this book to be lacking.

Speaking of stakes, it often felt like the story jumped from problem to problem. These issues stacked upon each other without any clear connection, only being referenced later out of convenience to “solve” these problems. This also only took up the last 20% of the book, lacking an overall impact by postponing this so much. Overall an okay book. I don’t feel that strongly about it, but it also does not leave a lasting impression.

first of all, thank you Netgalley for letting me read this :)

this was a fun, cosy first foray into this authors writing, and while I did find that the author rushed the ending and everything was wrapped up for the main characters in a sort of unsatisfying way I honestly don’t care because this was really funny and cute.

We had two older main characters (finally no 18 years in sight) who were more relatable with their awkward conversations and self deprecating banter.

Also we need more hot, gentle giants who knit.

Paladin Stephen has been broken since the death of his god three years prior. But when he meets perfumer Grace, he realises he might have something left to live for after all. But first, they need to deal with a botched assassination attempt and severed heads.

This was a fun read with romance and intrigue. I really enjoyed the wit and humour of the writing and am looking forward to reading reading through the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Paladin’s Grace

Rating: 5⭐️


This was my first T.Kingfisher book and It surely won’t be my last! I didn’t expect to love Paladin’s Grace as much as I did, I found it literally impossible to tear myself off the pages even if it meant sacrificing my much needed sleep.

We follow the story of Stephen, a disgraced paladin since his god died three years ago and Grace, an adorable perfumer with a lovely civette, Tab.
I loved both main characters, Stephen was an absolute sweetheart, so very considerate of Grace’s feelings, so careful about what to say, attentive to her needs and frankly to those of everyone surrounding him. And he.knits.SOCKS!!!! How can a character get any better??

Grace on the other hand has a complicated past, she’s very capable, understanding and sweet but she always stands on business; she doesn’t like confrontation but at the same time she’s very determined and doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinion when something bothers her. I’m so happy that she managed to get a good man like Stephan to be on her side after her difficult past!

The mystery element was also very interesting but not overly creepy. I obviously appreciated most secondary characters, especially Marguerite, I can’t wait to read more about her!!

My only complaint is that I wish the epilogue showed us more Stephen and Grace together😭 but I guess I’ll have to keep reading the other books in the series to get some glimpses of them👀

P.S. these new covers are so beautiful!!

Thanks so much to Orbit Books and Netgalley for an arc of this amazing book, all opinions are my own!

What a fun read!! I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud like this one. The miscommunication and slow burn between Grace and Stephen was both hilarious and delicious. The secondary characters were brilliant, and the plot twists had me gasping in public. My only issue was probably the frequent use of the same descriptors throughout the book.

I already have my preorder placed for the physical book, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!

I was eager to start this one after seeing that there were no covers in this vein and was thoroughly impressed.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for a copy of Paladin's Grace by T.Kingfisher! New editions of this series out 8th April!

Ahhh this was such a fun and refreshing read. Summary:

- Fantasy
- Slow burn romance
- A warrior who knits
- A perfumer with a super-human ability to pick up any scent
- Murder mystery
- Humour and wit

I adored how different this was to any fantasies I have recently been reading. The setting is very "classic" fantasy and the characters really are what makes this story. I enjoyed the witty banter between them and the humour in some quite tense situations- the book felt cosy whilst also being high stakes.

4 stars- I have ordered the new editions from Waterstones. Can't wait to continue this series!

PS- Where can I get a Tabs?!

3.75⭐️UMMM!!! how fun was this book??? i genuinely thought that this was one of the most awkwardly fun books i have read in such a long time. and to have adult characters was so refreshing to read. i absolutely loved the dynamic of Grace and Stephan, they were both such cuties and so down for each other. and the humor??? i am fooled very easily and i fear this book fooled me with its almost 80s vibe corest-ripping romances. LOVE! Though the ending was a little anticlimactic for me.

The story follows Stephen, a paladin who has lost the Deity he served and who now tries in every way to fill the void the latter has left. Despite his imposing figure and reputation, Stephen knits socks in his spare time and he is a calm, respectful, loyal and sometimes a little clumsy character.

Graceis a perfumer , has a ferret as a pet and has a turbulent past. She is often lost in her world of smells and formulas, which is why she is almost always a little clumsy and eccentric with her interpersonal relationships.

The relationship between the two was very heartwarming and it was really nice to see them fall in love in a natural way with all the awkwardness and shyness of a 'crush'.
Also, the friendship and support that Stephen and the other paladins have with each other was really touching!

✨ Paladin's Grace bears the disturbing and dark mould that characterises all the author's other works, but at the same time, it is also a cosy, adorable, funny and less dark read than the others.
✨thanks to the publisher lo or the ARC copy✨

I’m sorry a Paladin who knits pink socks and serves the god of rats, if that doesn’t sell you on this book then I feel like we are very different people. Now don’t get me wrong that makes it feel rather silly and simplistic but this is just such a fun book filled with romance, intrigue and fun charming characters all full of personality. This is what a romantasy should be, instant attraction but a slow burn romance I’m sold. I absolutely love T.Kingfisher and this book has lived up to all my expectations, it is truly phenomenal. This is a fantasy world that is fully developed and portrays completely varied characters, from grumpy paladins to spies to perfumers. No one does characters like T.Kingfisher I literally feel like I’m there talking to the characters they are so funny and so easy to connect to, it’s just perfection. It is just so much fun and I would highly recommend it. This book is the perfect mix of drama, violence, romance and humour. You simply must read it.

Oh how I have been chomping at the bit to read a T. Kingfisher book! So when my approval popped into my inbox, I dropped all my other books to read Paladin’s Grace immediately. And I am glad to report that it was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be (don’t you love it when that happens).

The plot centers around a paladins who has lost his way, and a merchant who is trying to make a new life. They have a hilarious encounter and then continue to orbit each other after witnessing a harrowing event. This is a pretty cosy fantasy romance wrapped in a mystery and murder plot. If you’re a romantasy girlie like I am, this is an absolute winner. The pacing is perfect, the antics that ensue are equal parts absurdly hilarious and sweetly touching, the slow burn is wonderfully awkward, and honestly, the MCs are fully relatable.

I am a T. Kingfisher convert and now will be swan diving into books 2, 3, and 4 without further ado.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Paladin’s Grace.

A soft, light fantasy romance.

When your god dies, what have you left?
This story focuses on a paladin which feels no purpose in life and a perfumer who has so many goals and aspirations she’s scared of anything going awry after a devastating and hard luck past.

This was sweet and cute and gave me cuddly feelings.
The humour, per usual, was spot on and I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the awkward interactions.
And the portrayal of female friendship.

<blockquote> If she needed a body buried, the only question Marguerite would ask was, “How deep?“ </blockquote>

Set in the same world as Swordheart, Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine, but unconnected, this is a fabulous read.

Stephen is a paladin, utterly broken by the death of the Saint of Steel, the god he served. Now, three years later, along with half a dozen other broken paladins (the only survivors of the god's death) he serves the Temple of the White Rat. His only ambition is to be useful without experiencing his dead god's uncontrollable berserker madness and killing innocent people. His hobby is knitting socks. A soldier always needs a good pair of socks. Grace Angelica is a perfumer running from her past, trying to make a living in a new city - Archon's Glory - with only her landlady, Marguerite, and a civet for friends.

After Stephen inadvertently rescues Grace from the servants of the Hanged Mother, a particularly nasty god with acolytes to match, the pair of them dance around each other with engaging lack of social skills, but soon they are trying to outwit the Motherhood, track down an assassin and deal with a particularly nasty spate of beheadings. This is a love story, but so much more. There are some wonderful characters in this book: Bishop Beartongue, a formidable woman; Istvhan, a brother paladin, also broken, but with a sense of humour; Marguerite, not only a landlady, but a spy. The author handles all this with deft touch, light when necessary, even funny at times for such a serious premise. I loved Swordheart, and this falls into the same category for me, fantastic and romantic. Expect socks, severed heads, false accusations, scents (good and bad), foreign dignitaries, faithful friends, and an evil ex-husband. Highly recommended. I couldn't put it down.

There’s a rare kind of book that manages to be both heartwarming and full of tension, with a world that feels lived-in and characters who feel real from the start. Paladin’s Grace is exactly that—a charming fantasy that balances suspense, humor, and tenderness in a way that’s instantly compelling.

This story follows Stephen, a broken paladin, trying to find meaning in small, everyday acts (like knitting socks) after a life-altering loss. Grace is a perfumer with a sharp mind, a complicated past, and a keen sense of survival. Their lives collide in the most unexpected way—while fleeing danger and faking something very improper in an alley—and from there, a slow-burn connection unfolds against a backdrop of assassins, poisoners, and political intrigue.

What makes this book shine isn’t just the witty banter or the unique world-building (though both are excellent), but the way Kingfisher crafts two deeply human characters who are awkward, vulnerable, and quietly heroic in their own ways. Watching Stephen and Grace fumble through their attraction—while trying to save lives and outwit killers—was equal parts endearing and emotionally resonant.

The romance is central but never overpowering. It builds naturally, with plenty of miscommunication, longing, and those small, thoughtful moments that make you root for them. And the fantasy elements? Richly imagined yet accessible, with just the right touch of mystery to keep the stakes high and the pages turning.

Also, middle-aged protagonists in fantasy romance? More of this, please.

Paladin’s Grace is a cozy, heartfelt fantasy with sharp edges—a story about healing and trust in the messiest, most unexpected places. Highly recommend for fans of Legends and Lattes, character-driven fantasy, and slow-burn romances that leave you smiling long after the final page.

I must have read at least a dozen books by T.Kingfisher at this point and every single one of them has been absolutely brilliant! Paladin’s Grace is continuing that trend. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I’ve read this author’s fantasy and horror novels but this is the first I’ve read that was heavier on the romance side. Romance isn’t always my favourite genre but with T.Kingfisher’s trademark humour and loveable but down to earth characters this was a winner for me.

We have two people who aren’t looking for love crossing paths and finding themselves drawn to each other even though they believe themselves to be done with romance. They are kind, thoughtful and quirky. Both suffering trauma in their pasts that makes it hard for them to trust others and has negatively impacted their self esteem.

Alongside this we have a weird and fascinating crime spree involving severed heads and poisonings that our main characters, a paladin and a perfumer find themselves embroiled in! This was the perfect counter to the romance plot, adding jeopardy, intrigue and malevolence to the story. I found this an excellent balance between the love story and the terror in the city.

This was a really enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to reading the other three in the series!

T. Kingfisher does it again. I love this book, these characters and this story. I’m ecstatic that this story continues and can’t wait for the next book that will come out (which will be the. 5th given that this is a reprint of the 1st book of the series).

The author immediately draws you into the story with a mystery that is will be a thread through the next books, but it gives you enough answers to keep you asking questions. It’s a remarkable balance that she has achieved

Stephen is a honorable but slightly clueless man that does his best and thankfully shows a lot of consideration and compassion which is quite refreshing and welcoming to see in the male main character.
Grace is a strong but vulnerable woman that does what she must to survive and lead her life. I loved Grace, her wit, her strength and even her pride. Again it was a remarkable balance of all those traits in the character.

The romance wasn’t overshadowing the story but was still present, you were brought into this world and the back history of the characters were provided but in a very engaging way, you learned along side the characters.

The humor was slightly dark and dry at points, but honestly that is exactly my cup of tea, so it was very well received on my part. The additional characters provided a richness and realness to the story and makes you look forward to what will happen next or what they will say next.

This book made me laugh out loud and made me tear up with its tenderness. It’s a definitive recommendation and a reread for the future.



Favourite character(s): all the characters to be honest. It wouldn’t be the same book without all those characters
Book in three words: fantastic, hilarious and heartwarming.

Thank you Little Brown Book Group UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.


Quotes:

“There was little honor among thieves, but there was a great deal of practicality”

“His god might be dead but chivalry still lived”

“All women are beautiful, said Istvhan, dismissing this. It is the job of their lovers to make them feel that way if they do not already.”

“ Having men want to rescue you was worlds different than simply having a female friend who had your back. If she needed a body buried, the only question Marguerite would ask was, How deep?”

“Tea, she told herself grimly. Tea will fix this. Or at least it will fix something.”

Two awkward, middle aged people caught up in a murderous plot and a little coup? And I get to read about them falling in love and communicate their boundaries? And it's set in a fun fantasy world that I want to read more of? Sign me up.

Oh, T. Kingfisher can do no wrong in my eyes. Am I becoming a fan of romance with a touch of horror and grotesqueness? I guess so—and I have her to blame. This is only my second book by her, and I loved it just as much as Nettle & Bone.
If you’re tired of fantasy novels with impossibly attractive, overly special eighteen-year-olds high schoolers, let me introduce you to two awkward, well-meaning, middle-aged protagonists just trying to survive. Steven, a 37-year-old paladin, is stuck in a guilt spiral because he likes a pretty woman (who likes him back!) that he meets by accident, and it’s both cozy and wonderful. But he’s also lost his god—so really, what else does he have to do apart from knit socks and worry about going berserk? Grace, the heroine, is a perfumer, which is such a unique touch, and their dynamic is endlessly endearing.
At its heart, this novel is about the romance between Steven and Grace, but it never overwhelms the plot. The story weaves together fantasy courtroom drama, international intrigue, and a supernatural serial killer mystery, keeping the romance as just one (very satisfying) piece of the puzzle. Both Steven and Grace start the novel as broken people, and watching them find strength in each other while making space for growth is the true soul of the book.
Kingfisher also plays with fantasy tropes in ways that feel refreshingly logical yet unexpected. The paladin order in this world isn’t just noble warriors—they’re holy berserkers who rely on their gods to prevent them from harming innocents. It’s a take on paladins I haven’t seen before, and it makes for some fascinating tension. The world building is immersive and charming, balancing it all perfectly. And all under 400 pages!
I love when a book hits the perfect mix of funny, romantic, charming, and eerie.
I’m more than ready for the sequels and can’t wait to devour more of Kingfisher’s work!

This book was an absolute DELIGHT to read.

Stephen and Grace's romance is fundamentally about two traumatised people coming together and finding happiness and OH MY GOD THE LONGING. Love it!

The decapitated bodies plot (and that's not something you expect to write about a romantasy book, but here we are!) is super interesting and gripping, as is the political intrigue that they get caught up in!

It's also worth noting that the secondary characters are delightful! Full of personality and their individual voices, which makes them far more than just background.

I absolutely LOVED this book and can't wait to get the rest of the series and read more by T. Kingfisher.