The House of Wisdom Kiss
In ninth-century Baghdad, paper merchant's widow Layla knows exactly which scholars pay their debts late—and exactly how much her own expertise is worth, even when the House of Wisdom's translators refuse to see it. When Nestorian translator Yunan arrives at her shop haggling over a rush commission, their prickly bargaining turns into something else entirely: witty marginal notes tucked into ledgers, late-night meetings among the manuscript stacks, and a shared discovery that could ruin them both. A folio of translated Greek astronomy has been quietly forged to manufacture a political prophecy, and the evidence trail runs straight through Layla's own paper stock. As accusations mount and Yunan is publicly denounced before his patron, Layla must decide whether to risk her hard-won shop and reputation to defend a man the court refuses to let her vouch for. A slow-burn, opposites-attract romance rich with book-market bargaining, translation disputes over a single stubborn verb, and a forgery mystery with real stakes, The House of Wisdom Kiss is a standalone historical romance about claiming your worth—in scholarship, in commerce, and in love—and building a home where no one has to ask permission to be believed. Free sample available.
About the story
In ninth-century Baghdad, paper merchant's widow Layla knows exactly which scholars pay their debts late—and exactly how much her own expertise is worth, even when the House of Wisdom's translators refuse to see it. When Nestorian translator Yunan arrives at her shop haggling over a rush commission, their prickly bargaining turns into something else entirely: witty marginal notes tucked into ledgers, late-night meetings among the manuscript stacks, and a shared discovery that could ruin them both. A folio of translated Greek astronomy has been quietly forged to manufacture a political prophecy, and the evidence trail runs straight through Layla's own paper stock. As accusations mount and Yunan is publicly denounced before his patron, Layla must decide whether to risk her hard-won shop and reputation to defend a man the court refuses to let her vouch for. A slow-burn, opposites-attract romance rich with book-market bargaining, translation disputes over a single stubborn verb, and a forgery mystery with real stakes, The House of Wisdom Kiss is a standalone historical romance about claiming your worth—in scholarship, in commerce, and in love—and building a home where no one has to ask permission to be believed.
Plan your listen
By Honey Books. Listed listening length: 52 minutes. Category: Historical Romance. Story dynamics: Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Secret Relationship.
Try the opening
An opening sample is available for The House of Wisdom Kiss. Hear the narration and pacing before choosing full listening access. The sample introduces the opening; use the book’s content guidance to assess themes throughout the story.