Book Review: A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick

A Rival Most Vial (Side Quest Row #1)
Publisher: RK Ashwick Books
Pub Date: 25 January 2023
Genre: Adult Cosy Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Two potion shops, one heated rivalryโ€ฆ until hate bubbles over into something else.

Any adventurer worth their sword knows about Ambrose Beake. The proud, quiet half-elf sells the best, and only, potions in the cityโ€”until a handsome new shopkeeper named Eli opens another potion shop across the street, throwing Ambroseโ€™s peace and ledgers far off balance.

Within weeks, theyโ€™re locked in a war of price tags and productsโ€”Ambroseโ€™s expertise against Eliโ€™s effortless charm. Toil leads to trouble, the safety gloves come off, and right as their rivalry reaches a boiling pointโ€ฆ

The mayor commissions them to brew a potion together.

The task is as complex as it is lucrative, pushing both men to the limits of their abilities and patience. Yet as the fires burn and cauldrons bubbleโ€ฆthey find a different sort of chemistry brewing.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Child abandonment and neglect (recounted), work injuries caused by explosion, blood

TL;DR: A Rival Most Vial was a sweet, heartwarming and delightful cosy fantasy! I loved everything about this from the rivals-to-lovers romance and the found family community to the potion-making and slice-of-life vibes. This is the perfect read for those looking for a low-stakes magical story about finding your path, recognising what family means, and embracing success on your own terms. Plus, it provides a wonderful escape from reality. The setting is a fun magical world and I can’t wait to read more about the shopkeepers of Rosemond Street in future books!

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