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Romeria of this world is engaged to a king, who she is also responsible for the murder of his parents and seems to be persona non grata. But when you wear the face of the enemy, it's tough to convince anyone you're not her. Especially when you're sworn to secrecy for fear of your life.
She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. KEEP HER SAFE made Suspense Magazine's Best of 2018 list for Romantic Suspense.I only wish the magic was displayed more rather than explained, but also consider this book more of a build-up for the series.
This features a portal fantasy, with meddling gods, body swapping, vampires(?), elemental magic, and a prophecy that won't be broken. He's hot and sometimes charming, but that's it. He doesn't have anything in particular that screams book boyfriend and doesn't really shine in a field where competition has set impossibly high standards. Romeria is a young woman living in New York City, and is an expert thief. After a difficult childhood, she’s found a life that she’s well suited for, and though she’s under the thumb of a notorious underground crime boss, she has created a comfortable, though lonely, life for herself. But her life is upended when she accepts a job offer from a mysterious woman by the name of Sophie, and soon finds herself in a whole new world. It should be obvious, but this book is not a standalone. In fact, if you are fuzzy on any details, I’d recommend a reread of previous books because this one is a direct continuation, and you may otherwise find yourself a bit lost. Now, Romy, with the stern help of the now King Zander, must learn to master this new world and her new bodies capabilities, whilst also fighting those who wish this Princess dead, and her confusing, yet alluring relationship with Zander.
The heroine is feisty and complex and struggling to make it by in a world she doesn't understand. I love how her natural ability and strength is obvious, but her control of the power is clearly minimal. Sometimes I find that a characters ability to wield new magic feels underdeveloped, but that's not the case here. Zander is broody, serious and Zander thankfully seems to think with his upstairs brain although am sure many, including Romy would rather he didn't at times 😉 - I am so curious to see where his character in particular goes after this ending 🤐 The slow burn enemies to lovers romance between the two is angsty, full of tension and banter, and entirely full of chemistry.
Zander sacrificed his crown to save Romeria’s life, yet he dreads what her existence means for the future of his realm. As Ybaris’s plan to destroy Islor unfurls, a more insidious threat, orchestrated by rival fates, lurks beneath the surface. He can offer his allies no honest explanation for why he protects the Ybarisan princess and takes counsel from Queen Neilina’s caster, leading those closest to doubt his wisdom—and his allegiance. Romeria is a modern day New York thief who finds herself swept up in a world she knows nothing about but is very much a part of. Zander is the king of Islor and also happens to be her betrothed in this new world. Unfortunately for her, the body she has assumed has done despicable things before she arrives and Zander, along with the rest of Islor, despises her. Their slow burn romance is true enemies to lovers and is full of so much sexual tension and hateful lust. You mean, when I can see where I’m going? Or when I’m not in one of those ridiculous dresses?” I counter, blowing out the lantern and setting it on the ground inside before emerging behind him. The tunic and breeches I found in my closet are fitted but comfortable, the navy cloak perfect to hide beneath. “And let’s see how fast you are in twenty pounds of chiffon and tulle, and wobbly heels.”
This book is definitely girthy, but I raced through it as fast as I could. I simply could not put it down. Zander and Romeria’s relationship continues to be steadfast and a true partnership. Romeria’s sarcasm had me laughing and smiling throughout the book. She’s definitely one of my favorite female characters I’ve read recently. How did Princess Romeria meet that smile time and time again while plotting his murder and not waver in her plans? She would know the world of vengeful gods and monsters, and the length one would go for love. And nothing would ever be the same for her again.
Political intrigue, sexual tension, slow burns, the most perfect enemies to lovers and swoony kings!... I did NOT realise how obsessed I would become.' 5* reader review Long story short, Romy (h, 21) is a skilled thief from New York City who has been *magically* transported into a fantastical realm where she is tasked with stealing a ✦ stone ✦ from a certain sacred garden. The person who ‘asks’ (this is an understatement) her to complete said mission and dumps her into said realm also inexplicably PUTS her inside the body of her evil doppelgänger—Princess Romeria of Ybaris. Yikes!
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Thanks so much to Netgalley and Random House UK for allowing me to have an e-arc copy of this book! Very well done, and in such a way it doesn’t lose the reader. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the entire book. I hope the momentum continues. I’m enthralled. This book is low spice, but steamy. Honestly though, it worked for the series- romance is very much a side plot in this book. This took me almost four days to get through. It was literally putting me to sleep… all the politics, history and world building bored me so much I actually took two naps while trying to get through this book (which is never a good sign) - but even though it took me a while to wrap my head around what was going on… once I did, I got pretty invested in the story and was intrigued enough to make it through all of the info dumping. It was a bit of a slog to get through and the politics, intrigue, and mystery have fried my brain cells leaving only two of them left, but—
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