Amazon Editors' favorite summer reads
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$5.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Sarah Honey
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Stablemaster's Heart (Tales of Lilleforth Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Sarah Honey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 247 ratings

Mother Jones has spent his life working hard, running the royal stables at Lilleforth, and watching on fondly as those around him fall in love and lust.
But nobody, man or woman, has ever stoked that fire for him—right until the new royal groom barrels into his life. Vasily is all sunshine smiles, golden hair and laughter. For the first time, Mother finds himself attracted to someone, and he can’t help wondering what it might be like to court—and bed—his handsome new groom.
But Mother is over thirty, rough around the edges, and hardly a catch.
Vasily couldn’t possibly return his affections—could he?

Vasily Petrov, the fourth son of the king of Koroslova, is travelling incognito for a year. In Koroslova the old ways are the only ways, and a man being attracted to another man is unthinkable—especially if you're a prince. But in Lilleforth, Vasily has the chance to spread his wings and explore the side of himself that he can no longer deny, and he intends to make the most of it.
Except, he’s falling for his stablemaster—and worse, Mother doesn’t know he’s a prince, and Vasily doesn’t know how to tell him. And the longer he waits, the more he fears losing what they have when the truth comes out.

This was not the plan.

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 2 of 3
    Tales of Lilleforth
  2. Print length
    230 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    July 22, 2023
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  4. Dock Tease (Swallow Cove Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  13. On Duty (Smoke & Bullets Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $6.99
  17. Mighty Quill (Sanguis Et Fauna)
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  18. Road Trip
    Just released
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  19. The Hidden God of Open Doors
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
  20. The Boyfriend Fix
    Kindle Edition
    $6.99
  23. Switched
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  26. Salt (Island Love Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  29. The Right One
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
Next page
Loading...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C4JTFRP8
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 22, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 230 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Tales of Lilleforth
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 247 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sarah Honey

Sarah Honey

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Sarah started life in New Zealand. She came to Australia for a working holiday, loved it, and never left. She lives in Western Australia with her partner, two cats, two dogs and a life-size replica TARDIS.

She spends half her time at a day job and the rest of her time reading and writing about clueless men falling in love, with a dash of humour and spice thrown in along the way.

Her proudest achievements include having adult kids who will still be seen with her in public, the ability to make a decent sourdough loaf, and knowing all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody.

She has co-authored both the Bad Boyfriends, Inc and the Adventures in Aguillon series with Lisa Henry. Socially Orcward, the third book in the Aguillon series, was runner up in the Best Asexual Book category in 2021's Rainbow Awards.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
247 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this romance book to be a nice sweet story with wonderful characters. They describe it as an entertaining and humorous read, with one customer noting it's a fast-paced M/M historical romance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

11 customers mention "Romance"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as a nice sweet story with a good narrative, and one customer notes it's a fast-paced M/M historical romance.

"...It's a charming story of helping Vasily learn to cook porridge and other things...." Read more

"This was a humorous, sweet story about a conscientious curmudgeon stablemaster in the fictious kingdom of Lilleforth where King Leopold has a husband..." Read more

"Lovely story and return to Lilliforth. Mother’s demisexual awakening and Vasily spreading his wings and falling in love makes for a sweet romance." Read more

"...Reasons I enjoyed this book: Romantic/Wonderful characters/Great world building /Entertaining/Steamy //WittyPage-turner/Easy-to-read/Happily Ever..." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it entertaining and steamy, with one customer describing it as a witty page-turner.

"...Honey knows how to create a "Happy Ever After," and this one is heartwarming, satisfying, and comforting." Read more

"This was a humorous, sweet story about a conscientious curmudgeon stablemaster in the fictious kingdom of Lilleforth where King Leopold has a husband..." Read more

"...this book: Romantic/Wonderful characters/Great world building /Entertaining/Steamy //WittyPage-turner/Easy-to-read/Happily Ever After" Read more

"...Watching these two fall in love was an absolute joy to read." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how the characters from the first book make appearances, and another noting the steamy chemistry between the main characters.

"...I loved the characters and setting...." Read more

"...Reasons I enjoyed this book: Romantic/Wonderful characters/Great world building /Entertaining/Steamy //WittyPage-turner/Easy-to-read/Happily Ever..." Read more

"...You still see characters from the first book pop up, like King Leo, Flick, and Thomas, who help the couple throughout the book...." Read more

"Sarah has done it again guys 10/10 story with amazing characters...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful to read, with one describing it as a nice light read.

"...The pacing was neither fast nor slow, just a nice light read with just enough conflict to keep me invested...." Read more

".../Great world building /Entertaining/Steamy //WittyPage-turner/Easy-to-read/Happily Ever After" Read more

"Great read!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • NC Romantic
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was a lovely love story with a royal acceptance
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    In the second Tales of Lilleforth series, the stablemaster falls in love with the royal groom. Sarah Honey delivers on the root care and compassion "Mother Jones" has for his charges. Yes, he goes by Mother as it was a moniker given to him.

    The significant lineage that Vasily Petrov has when Mother nourishes and supports his integration into life at the Lilleforth castle is unknown to Mother and many others. As the fifth in line to the King of Koroslova, he won permission to travel without disclosing his secret. His mother must have known about the gay King Leopold and his husband Prince Felix and was hoping for acceptance of her son to travel incognito to learn more about the world outside his father's kingdom.

    It's a charming story of helping Vasily learn to cook porridge and other things. A visit to the ocean he has seldom seen and the adventure of spending time together creates romance.

    The plot centers around that romance, a declaration of feelings, and the guilt of not telling Mother about his background. When Vasily tells Mother, Mother goes silent, and the angst of Vasily perhaps losing him is immense. But Sarah Honey knows how to create a "Happy Ever After," and this one is heartwarming, satisfying, and comforting.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Linda Reads
    4.0 out of 5 stars Highly entertaining M/M historical romance
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a humorous, sweet story about a conscientious curmudgeon stablemaster in the fictious kingdom of Lilleforth where King Leopold has a husband, not a wife. Felix is Leo’s Prince Consort. (Read about them in the first book in this series.) Their stablemaster is 35yo Mother Jones. How he got his name is explained in the book so I won’t tell here. Unbeknownst to him, Mother is getting a new groom who is really the 4th son of the King of Koroslova, 22yo Vasily Petrov going incognito. Vasily is so funny trying to learn the ways of the world when he has lived a very sheltered and pampered life until his job. Mother cannot understand him sometimes but what Mother does have is feelings for the young man, which is an entirely new thing for Mother. He has watched others pair up but he has never found someone to feel that way about until Vasily. My favorite quote which occurs after a near-drowning: “ ‘I’ll always dive in, if it’s you,’ mother said, his gaze intense.”
    What a clever, humorous and sweet story. I adore Vasily’s mother, Queen Irina. The end of the book is so good! I just bought Leo and Felix’s book because I enjoyed this one so much. If you like humor with your romance, you will certainly enjoy this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through Gay Romance Reviews.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kitt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story of a prince in disguise falling for his boss
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was really sweet, with just a little angst and a lot of spicy scenes. I loved the characters and setting. The pacing was neither fast nor slow, just a nice light read with just enough conflict to keep me invested.

    My criticism is that the nickname of one of the MCs, Bryn, aka Mother, made the romance super awkward and uncomfortable for me. While the author does have Vasily call him Bryn in the spicy scenes, she still uses Mother when it isn't dialogue, even in those scenes. That just really didn't work for me.

    I get Mother Jones is a term for a caretaker, but it just felt bizarre to me to use it for a male MC. There are plenty of other ways for characters to reference his caretaker nature- heck Mother Hen would have worked and they could all have called him Hen!

    It spoiled the spicy scenes for me and low key bugged me the whole book. It just never felt necessary for the character or plot. It was definitely a choice! Just not one that worked for me.

    Otherwise, I loved this book and would enjoy rereading it if only they used his real name.

    TW for mention of the death of a sibling from drowning.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Manduh
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
    Mother Jones (aka Bryn) is the stable master in the kingdom of Liliforth. He is good at his job. He has never had the urge to be with someone. He has been satisfied being alone. That is until Vasily comes into his life.

    Vasily is a prince from the kingdom of Koroslova. He is fourth son of King Alexei and fifth in line for the throne. He loves his family and his kingdom but there is something about himself he has been hiding. He is attracted to men but in his kingdom that is not accepted. His mother, Queen Irina, is a very loving and accepting woman. She has the king under her thumb. When she suggest her son spend a year traveling her husband agrees.

    Vasily comes to the kingdom of Liliforth to work as a stable hand. No one in the kingdom knows his identity except the King, his consort and Janus, leader of the royal guard. While in Liliforth he was to work and be unknown as a prince. He wants to experience things in life he was never allowed to at home. One of the main things includes his sexuality. There is something about the stable master that draws his attention. He cannot help but be attracted.

    The two start off slow but feelings explode. But the closer they get to each other the harder Vasily's secret will be to keep. He knows he has to share it but will sharing it destroy what he and Mother built?

    I enjoyed this story. It was really sweet. These two together was very adorable. Neither has had any experience with relationships so they share many first together. I liked that the angst was low. I do wish there was a bit more of a resolution with King Alexei and Vasily but I will accept what was given. It did allow for the HEA in the end.

    *ARC provide by GRR, this is my honest review.*
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ariel Shaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars fun and sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Lovely story and return to Lilliforth. Mother’s demisexual awakening and Vasily spreading his wings and falling in love makes for a sweet romance.
    Helpful
     Report
  • tdb78
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and easy
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
    Cute story with a prince in disguise and a Demi/grey ace-sexual stable master. I really enjoyed their romance. There is some tension but mostly a very easy read with a happily ever after.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • marienz
    4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet read
    Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A bit tamer than The Kings Delight. An easy drama free read and good characters. I enjoyed this book. 4 stars
    Report
  • Kiz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Consent IS sexy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I adored this book. So much.
    Mother and Vasily are beautifully written, their relationship grows organically, and the fact that both of them are punctilious in asking consent to proceed gave me the shivers. The bump in the road was sorted out to the satisfaction of both the characters and myself, and the happy ending made me quite emosh.

    Loved it!
    Report
  • Maureen Crothall
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tale.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    It's been a while since I read the previous story in which Mother Jones played a slightly lesser role than he does here, I'm ashamed to say I forgot all about it. At first it was a fairly pleasant read but in the first half I found it a teensy bit on the slow side, rather draw out. BUT just a little before the halfway point it exploded into a wonderful, angsty tale with a push and pull relationship between Mother Jones (love him!) and a runaway Prince in hiding. (Mother doesn't know he's playing naughty with a Prince). A truly delightful story with a touching ending.
    Report
  • Elizabeth D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing fantasy romance
    Reviewed in Canada on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book has it all! Fake dating, secret identities, demi/ace spectrum rep, royalty, horses, and two really adorable MCs who fall hard—and are a bit confused about it, lol.

    It was entertaining and endearing watching Vasily figure out how to manage his own life (cooking, cleaning, no one bowing!), as well as seeing Mother Jones be confused but eager to help Vas with everything even as he wrestled with being attracted to someone for the first time ever.

    I really liked the balance in the book, where the confusion/secrets/miscommunications generally went on or were foregrounded just long enough to cause a bit of tension without blowing up into gargantuan misunderstandings. For the most part, Vasily and Mother actually communicated quite well, which was so refreshing to see. All the side characters were charming and rounded out the world. I had no idea how the HEA was going to be achieved, and I was delighted by the resolution.

    I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report