This is one of my favorite series. I love a magical/sentient house. This series features an Inn. Inns are magical places for aliens to stay when traveling to other plants. This Inn is set in Texas but has doors that open all over the galaxy.

The whole series is wonderful but I think this may be my favorite book so far. A werewolf was kidnapped and taken to an inhospitable planet. In order to gain access to mount a rescue effect, the Innkeepers have to agree to host a dangerous spouse-search competition for the ruler of a large galactic empire.

It is a dangerous event. Not only do the different species of candidates have rivalries but there are credible threats against the Emperor himself. The Innkeeper council has decreed that if anyone dies during the event then the Inn's permission to operate will be revoked.

It all adds up to detailed worldbuilding of many different species who all interact with the world in their own way. Each gets their own habit in the magical Inn. The competition is fascinating. After all that, they still need to go rescue a werewolf.

I listened to this on audiobook and loved it all even though it is over 16 hours. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.