I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
I went into this Willing Prey not knowing much about the storyline, but ended up devouring this book! I read a majority of it in one sitting. It was right on the border of contemporary/dark romance, but actually so much fun!
SYNOPSIS
An exhilarating, primal summer fling reveals an intensely sexy, edgy romance, where anything goes in the woods—just remember your safe word.
Post-divorce and buried in student loan debt, Claire Collins eagerly enters a spicy business agreement with an acquaintance who wants to explore his primal desires. The deal is simple—thirty days as his sexual prey, $30,000 in her bank account. All she has to do is give Shane Underwood the hunt of his life.
Claire’s a physical education teacher and perfectly happy to spend her summer having wild, kinky sex instead of working her usual serving job. But once they cross the tree line, she realizes how little she knows about the corporate lawyer paying her to be his prey.
Shane is different in the woods. Brutal. Devastating. Feral.
That’s okay with Claire—she is, too. And she’s sinking her teeth a little deeper into Shane’s heart every time he catches her.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in Willing Prey -spicy scenes -dual pov -primal play -he falls first -fast paced
Claire needs some extra cash and she needs it now. Being a teacher doesn’t give her a lot of grace to pay off her student loans. And after a messy divorce – she’s left with a lot of debt. So when she receives an offer that she really can’t refuse – she accepts.
The offer in question? A grand a day to stay at Shane Underwood’s residence and be his prey for 30 days. If Claire makes it to the end of her contract she’s guaranteed 30 grand. Only problem? She doesn’t know Shane Underwood (the mutual acquaintance that works with her ex) well – only that he’s interested in her and specifically hunting her down in his woods. When Claire and Shane’s inevitably start to get to know each other and their hearts get involved, will they be able to walk away after 30 days?
I did not know what to expect when I started reading Willing Prey and I went in not knowing anything about this book. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I loved the chemistry between Claire and Shane. This book was spicy – right from the get go. But the interactions between Claire and Shane never felt forced. I enjoyed all of the secondary characters as well and hope we get more books from this universe.
If you’re looking for a fast paced, spicy romance I highly recommend Willing Prey.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Series: Dearly Beloathed #1
Heat Level: 🔥
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Publisher: Berkley / Ace books
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
I read an ARC of this book a few months ago and have been so obsessed! This book quirky, funny and yet full of so much angst and longing. I CANNOT wait for the next book in the series!
SYNOPSIS
The first in a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy duology featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an exquisite fantasy world, perfect for fans of The Love Hypothesis and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.
Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, is in dire need of healing. Naturally – such is the grim comedy of fate – the only healer who can help is Aurienne Fairhrim, preeminent scientist, bastion of moral good, and member of an enemy Order.
Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick – so desperate that, when Osric bribes her to help him, she accepts, even if she detests him and everything he stands for.
A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders, much to Aurienne’s disgust. As Osric and Aurienne work together to heal his illness and investigate the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction, which only fuels the heat between them.
Romance tropes Enemies to lovers High interaction slow burn Hypercompetent idiots He falls first and harder Evisceration as a love language
REVIEW
I am O B S E S S E D with The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy…literally obsessed. This Dramione inspired romantasy has everything I love in a book: -witty banter -slow burn -he falls first 😮💨 -so funny -STEM (she’s a healer) -morally gray mmc (he verges in the darker shades of gray)
Osric Mordaunt has a bit of a problem – he’s kind of dying – whoops! And there’s only one person who can try to heal him…Aurienne Fairhrim. You see Osric and Aurienne are kind of enemies. Osric is an assasain and Aurienne is a healer…therefore these two shouldn’t really be spending any time together. But Osric finagles his way into her life by offering her something she can’t refuse – enough money to help with funding for the sick children Aurienne’s order is helping heal.
Soon these two are on unique missions to help solve Osric’s illness. The more time they spend together the less…they want to stab one another 🤭 Over time they seem to rely more and more on one another. Even though they’re growing closer to solving Osric’s illness and helping one another when other dire situations arise – how could they possibly even be together when he’s an assasain and she’s a healer?
Gah! I just finished this book and I literally don’t know what to do with myself. I loved everything about The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy. The humor, the wit, the way these two were so obviously drawn to one another but tried to fight it so hard.
The last 1/3 of the book went by way too quickly for me. I wasn’t ready for the book to end. Osric and Aurienne are my new fave couple and I cannot wait to read the next book! If you’re considering this book I highly recommend you add it to your tbr. July can’t come fast enough so I can add a physical copy of The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy to my shelves!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
If you were a fan of Maxton Hall (which I absolutely was), you will most likely end up loving Save Me! The tv adaptation followed so closely along with the books and I love that for us! I’m excited to read the next book in the series (and not gonna lie the next season of the series as well!).
SYNOPSIS
The first book in the international bestselling Maxton Hall series—now an Amazon Prime streaming series—in English for the first time.
They come from different worlds, and yet they are meant for each other.
Money, glamour, luxury, power—Ruby Bell couldn’t be less interested in these things if she tried. After being awarded a scholarship to one of England’s most prestigious and expensive private schools, Maxton Hall, all she wants is to keep her head down, work hard, and get accepted to Oxford. She keeps her distance from everyone, especially the arrogant, rich, and extremely handsome James Beaufort, ringleader of the school’s party boys.
When Ruby discovers a scandalous secret about the Beauforts, she is suddenly on James’s radar. It only gets worse when James is forced to work with her to plan the school’s annual gala. Yet the more time they spend together, the more they realize they share much more than they thought.
Falling for James Beaufort was never part of her plan, yet Ruby can’t help but let her feelings sweep her away. But James must make a decision for will he choose what’s expected of him, or what he feels for her?
I am excited to read an enemies-to-lovers romantasyfrom Karina Halle!! Bonus – there’s dragons! I’ve been in my Romantasy Era for a while yet and the synopsis of Realm of Thieves sounds so good!
SYNOPSIS
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.
For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the unthinkable: stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.
Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.
Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?
EXCERPT
REALM OF THIEVES by Karina Halle
Ace Trade Original | June 10, 2025
Excerpt
Brynla
“This is as far as I’ll take you,” the man says. His voice is as gnarled and rough as his hands that grip the oars.
I stare at his pockmarked face for a moment, my stomach pinching with unease at the thought of this mission going even remotely wrong.
“This wasn’t what we agreed upon,” I say. Beside me Lemi shifts on his haunches, casting a wary eye at the boatsman.
“I said I’d take you to Fjallen Rock,” the man says, and nods past me at the hazy shape of land shrouded by smoke in the distance, backlit by the orange glow of the Midland volcanoes. “That’s it right there.”
I give him a tight smile. I don’t want to start arguing with my only ride back to Esland and a stranger at that. “You know I meant past the wards.”
“You should have been more specific, then, girl,” he says, eyes narrowing. “Because that’s not what you said. There’s no law against coming this far. There is a law against going through the wards and to the Midlands.”
“The last boatsman-” I begin.
“Your last boatsman is no more,” he says, flashing me a smile of missing teeth. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be using me now, would ya?” His salt-crusted lips curl into a smirk.
I live more in each second of the day than you’ll ever live in your lifetime, I think as I try not to scowl at him. It’s hard for me to rein in my temper, but tonight I don’t have the luxury of letting it loose. I’m about to be dropped off at the most dangerous place in the world and I’m counting on this asshole here to pick me up. If he doesn’t, my dog and I are as good as dead.
“Also, most boatsmen wouldn’t allow a hound on the vessel,” he says, eyeing Lemi, who eyes him right back. “You’re fortunate I’m such an animal lover.”
I roll my eyes at that. On the two-hour boat journey he’s done nothing but try to spear every turtle, dolphin, and whale that’s come in passing distance.
I take in a deep breath to quell my mounting frustration, hoping I can reason with him. “But if you don’t go through the wards and bring the boat to shore, how am I supposed to come back with the egg?”
“That sounds like a you problem, not a me problem,” he huffs and sits back, crossing his arms until I get the point.
I sigh. It is my problem, and I don’t have the luxury of trying to figure out a solution with him. My plan was to be dropped off at the rock and, if I was lucky, I’d find an elderdrage nest. If not I’d head farther in to the other islands. But elderdrage eggs are at least three feet tall and they weigh a ton. It’s hard enough to carry them back across the rugged land and then swim them over to the boat, even with Lemi’s help.
Which means that now I’ll have to find either sycledrage or blooddrage eggs, and both are significantly smaller and harder to find in an unattended nest, let alone any nest at all.
But going back to the Banished Land empty-handed isn’t an option either. I need to come back home with something or I might be paying for it with my own blood. I’ve been too sick over the last few moons to come to the Midlands, so I already owe Sorland’s syndikat, and they aren’t the types to let a few absences go. Not only that, but the faster I get my coin, the faster I can hire a healer so that my monthly pains don’t continue to take me out of the game. I swear every month, every year, the pain gets worse, like it’s some punishment for being both a woman and alive. Even surgery from the discredited doctors in the Dark City costs more than I have saved so far.
Lemi lets out a whumpf of air through his nose, bringing my focus back to him. Of course more money would pay for more food for him and for my aunt Ellestra.
Staying alive is infinitely expensive.
“Fine,” I say to the boatsman, hating how right he is. My last boatsman disappeared while I’d been recuperating. People disappear all the time in Esland, especially those who have dealings with the Freelanders-the exiled such as myself-and the more likely you are to visit the Banished Land, the more likely it is that you are an unsavory character to begin with. My last boatsman might have been knifed during a card game gone wrong, or he might have been captured by the Black Guard and taken to the capital for execution. If it was the latter, they would know he’d been helping a Freelander steal dragon eggs to sell to House Dalgaard, Sorland’s syndikat, which means they’d be looking for me.
But they’ve been looking for me for the last nine years, ever since I escaped the convent. And, somehow, I’m still here.
“Promise me you’ll be here when I get back,” I implore the new boatsman. It’s awful having to put your trust in someone you don’t even know.
“I’ll have to be if I want my egg,” he says casually, splaying his calloused hands.
I swallow hard, still unsure if I’m making the right choice. I always pay handsomely for the services I render, often based on what eggs I end up stealing. If I don’t, I’ll be left behind. Another reason I can’t come back to the mainland empty-handed tonight.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be,” I tell him, glancing up at the dark sky. It’s the cycle of the pink moon, the crescent shape barely visible through the smoke from the volcanoes. Pink moon dragon eggs are mellower than the others, much like humans born under it, but beggars can’t be choosers in this case. Some people prefer the softer side effects that come with consumption of pink moon eggs, though the Sjef, the head of the syndikat, Ruunon Dalgaard, would scoff at that. The syndikat is the opposite of soft.
“You bring me the finest and the strongest eggs,” Ruunon had said to me the one and only time I’d met him. It had been a heavily guarded clandestine meeting on the blackened lava fields outside the Dark City. “You do this consistently, and we will have a fine partnership.”
So much was implied with what he didn’t say. That if I didn’t, then he’d kill me, Lemi, my aunt, and anyone else I knew. That was the way the syndikats worked. I had never met any of the other houses from Vesland or Norland and their crime families, despite how regularly their hired thieves pilfered the Midlands, but I imagined they all operated in the same way. With ruthlessness and violence and aversion to mercy.
But at that moment, when Ruunon offered me the job, I felt the first taste of hope since my father had died. It was dangerous to work for such men, but the promise that came along with it, the promise of a better life, sealed the deal.
“I’ll leave at dawn,” the boatsman says gruffly. “I’ll be here until then. You don’t show, I’ll assume you’re dead and you’ll be left in my wake. And no, I won’t give the dog a ride back even if he makes it.”
I try not to narrow my eyes at him. “I’ll see you before dawn,” I tell him before I say the wrong thing. Then I look to Lemi. “You okay with a night swim?” I ask him as I gather my empty bags and tie them to the holsters and straps around my leathered armor.
Lemi just wags his tail eagerly, knowing his fun is about to begin.
“Now don’t go disappearing on me. You’ll be towing me to shore,” I warn my dog, adjusting my two swords on my back, thankful that they’re made from ash glass forged in the depths of the Banished Land, weapons as light as they are strong.
Lemi seems to frown at that, his fluffy brows furrowing over his warm brown eyes.
I stand up, the boat rocking back and forth from my weight, and give the man one last glance, willing him to be here until dawn and not either chicken out or sell me out. Then I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the half-mile swim, and swan dive overboard.
Despite my armor and swords, I barely make a splash, the dark, frigid water engulfing me. I take in a harsh gasp of air as I surface, just as Lemi lands in the water beside me. Shivering already, I manage to swim over to him, grabbing ahold of his harness with stiff fingers. I hear the man on the boat chuckle behind me but I don’t bother paying him any attention now. All I can do is hope he’ll be there when I get back. Focus on getting the goods and getting back before the sun rises.
Lemi pulls me through the water with ease, though I can tell he just wants to shift himself onto the shore already. “Easy, boy,” I warn him. He’s shifted before while I’ve been holding on to him and it’s most unpleasant. Even though I don’t end up traveling with him, there is a bone-rattling shock as I’m left behind and he shifts elsewhere.
Thankfully the wards are close now. They’re nearly invisible to the naked eye, save for the faint glimmer of rainbows when you look at them from your peripheral vision. In the dark they’re harder to see but you still feel them, the faint hum and vibration of energy they give off, eons of magic condensed, a warning to those who may have strayed off path. A warning that would work on anyone else except for me and any other egg thieves.
The wards are magicked walls that extend to the bottom of the ocean and high into the farthest reaches of the sky. In the Old Text of Dragemor, the First Sorcerer-Magni-said it was akin to a dome, one that would prevent any dragon from escaping, whether they swam to the inky depths or tried to soar into the stars above.
If a romance has marriage of convenience as a trope I’m sold. Bonus – Ride with Me also includes opposites attract and it’s et in the F1 world. I’m looking forward to reading Ride with Me!
SYNOPSIS
A marriage of convenience threatens to go off track in this steamy Formula 1 romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Cross the Line.
Stella Baldwin thought her life couldn’t get worse. Being left at the altar was bad enough, and the drunken rant she posted to her social media followers in the aftermath was the cherry on top. But having to show up at her cousin’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas barely two weeks later feels like a cruel joke.
Thomas Maxwell-Brown is just looking for a good time. With his family’s expectations pressing down, his career as a Formula 1 driver threatened by fresh talent, and a new reputation making him the most hated man on the grid, he needs a break to clear his head. And what better way to decompress than with a stag party in Vegas?
Stella isn’t the woman Thomas expects to meet that night. And Thomas isn’t the man Stella expects to wake up next to in the morning—with a ring on her finger. Staying married might be the perfect solution to all their problems, even if it is a little wild. Sometimes, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay there. . . .
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher .
SYNOPSIS
He had everything he could’ve wanted…except her.
Dangerous. Powerful. Reclusive.
Vuk Markovic is notorious for shunning human interactions. The scarred billionaire rarely talks, and he has no interest in relationships outside his small but trusted circle.
His only exception? Her . The beauty to his beast, the object of his obsession.
He saw her first. He wanted her first. But now, she’s engaged to his oldest friend—and the closer the wedding looms, the more he’s torn between loyalty and desire.
She should be his…and he might just risk it all to have her.
*** Beautiful. Successful. Glamorous.
To the world, supermodel Ayana Kidane leads the perfect life. Her career has skyrocketed, and she’s engaged to one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.
What people don’t know is that the engagement is only a business arrangement. He gets his inheritance when they marry; she gets the money she needs to leave her abusive agency.
Pretending to be in love should be easy—until she finds herself increasingly drawn to her fiancé’s enigmatic best man.
Vuk thrills and terrifies her in equal measure. She knows she should stay away, but when her wedding is thrown into chaos, he’s the only person she finds comfort in…
Until his past catches up with them and threatens everything they love.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in King of Envy: -forbidden romance -slow burn -angsty/swoony -he falls first -forced proximity -messy/complicated relationships -broody, morally gray hero
I love love LOVE when Ana Huang writes a broody, morally gray hero. Those books are way up there as favorites from Ana Huang (ahem: King of King of Pride, King of Greed, Twisted Love) and King of Envy has moved way up the rankings as one of my favorite Ana Huang romance book.
I can’t help but really enjoy books that are on the messier side and King of Envy was definitely MESSY but in the best way. Vuk falling for his best friends fiancee?? Only he doesn’t realize it’s a marriage of convenience situation that isn’t out of love. GAH the angst in this book was on another level! I could not stop turning the pages.
Ayana and Vuk had so much chemistry. Right off the bat they were making me laugh with their banter. I loved how sensitive Ayana was towards Vuk. Their shared back stories/trauma made them a stronger couple and I loved that. And Vuk always putting Ayana’s needs first – yes, we love a man who YEARNS and Vuk was definitely yearning 🥹.
The suspense part of the storyline had me hooked. I never had a clue of who the “bad guy” was until I was to that part of the book! I’m not always big into suspenseful romance, but Ana Huang does it so well.
Easily a 5⭐️ read for me! I truly cannot wait for the next book (eek!).
p.s. I love that even though this was one of Ana’s angstier romances – the classic humor was still there and there were moments that literally had me laughing out loud!
This romance has it all: a one-night stand, forced proximity, and only one boat! Beth O’Leary books are always devastatingly beautiful and I expect the same from her newest release Swept Away. When a couple who shared a one-night stand together are stranded at sea – will they get to know one another or stay far far away?
SYNOPSIS
Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.
What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?
Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter.
Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.
With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.
Happy Friday! I realize that I’ve been blogging for a few years, but don’t really do a weekly recap. I love reading about weekly recaps on Instagram & TikTok so thought I’d start sharing one on my blog as well. I’d like to try getting back into blogging more. I love this space and shouting about the books I love or am excited to read. Here’s a weekly R.E.P.O.R.T with mostly bookish things but some non-bookish things as well!
(R)eading: I just finished Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven. This is the book that my book club picked as their next read. I enjoyed this book as the premise was unique – two people who love each other in every lifetime, but are destined to die at each others hands before their 18th birthday. While I loved 3/4 of the book, the last bit lost me and dropped down a rating. Still enjoyable, but a bit disjointed at the end.
(E)ating: brussell sprouts at bookclub this past weekend! Why can I never get them to taste as good at home.
(P)laying: just did a reread of Book Lovers by Emily Henry on audio. I am such a huge fan of Julia Whelan and remembered why I loved this book so much. I am way too excited for Great Big Beautiful Life (although I’ve been seeing mixed reviews) & felt like a reread of an older EmHen book.
(O)bsessing: over wanting to cut my hair into a bob. I’m not quite there yet, but I feel like later this year I’ll finally take the plunge and cut a good chunk of my hair off. My hair now is down to my lower back and I’ve been contemplating letting my gray hair grow out as well as cutting it short. I’m getting closer every day…
(R)ecommending: I finished Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone and gah it was so good. Yes it was a story about grief, but also the loveliness of everyday life and I loved listening to the audio for it {gifted by PRHaudio}. Also recommending the film Past Lives. It released a few years ago but I only recently got around to watching it and loved it so much. I’ve been thinking about it since I finished it a week or so ago.
(T)reating: myself to a manicure. I love getting my nails done – it’s my “me time” and I love the feeling of getting my nails done. I recently started getting my nails done regularly a few years ago and it’s such a treat. Loving my spring themed nails.
So that’s a little about this weekly wrap up. What did you think about this weekly r.e.p.o.r.t.? I’d love to know what you’ve been reading or recommending as well!
This rom-com is full of adventure and the perfect way to kick off warmer weather. I love a fake dating + second chance romance and I’m looking forward to reading Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker!
SYNOPSIS
Two exes. One mission. A trip she’ll never forget…
Max is just your average girl. She works odd jobs, has a soul-crushing amount of debt and just happens to have an uncanny resemblance to Europe’s youngest female prime minister, Sofia Christensen . . .
So when the prime minister receives a credible death threat, the CIA approaches Max with a a life-changing amount of money if she pretends to be Sofia on the prime minister’s annual Italian trip.
It would be a dream if it weren’t for those pesky assassins and Flynn, Max’s ridiculously hot handler – the man who broke her heart years and years ago.
With her life now on the line, Max knows she has no choice but to lose herself in the role. But losing her heart to Flynn again? Now that’s a risk that she isn’t willing to take . . . Red, White and Royal Blue meets Emily Henry in this opposites-attract, fake-dating romcom. Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Ali Hazelwood.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and audiobook from prhaudio.
SYNOPSIS
A heart-pounding romantasy following a rebellious princess who must compete to the death against her siblings for the crown to ensure justice, while fighting her feelings for her country’s most powerful enemy by debut author Alexandra Kennington.
Revna is no stranger to struggle. As the only member of the royal family without a magical ability, she is seen as an embarrassing mistake to her kingdom and a blight on her family tree. Luckily, Revna has found family in other outcasts in her kingdom. But when her two closest friends’ lives are put in danger, she is determined to save them by any means necessary, no matter the cost. The Bloodshed Trials—a competition where the last sibling in the royal family standing takes the throne—might just be the ultimate price.
Revna turns down her arranged marriage and commits to competing for the throne only to be kidnapped by the mysterious and terrifyingly powerful Hellbringer, the general of her country’s greatest enemy. He has the ability to rend souls with the flick of his wrist and is every inch as intimidating as the war stories say he is. But Revna wonders if there may be some humanity left in him—especially when he reveals there are other parties who want her on the throne for their own furtive reasons.
REVIEW
Revna a “godforsaken” is a royal who is treated as like a commoner. In a family in which she is the only daughter among multiple brothers and the only one without any magical powers, she is treated less than – especially from her father. When an offer comes for Revna to strengthen a stronghold through a marriage Revna’s father accepts. But Revna will only agree if she is allowed to fight in The Bloodshed Trials – in which only one of her siblings will be left standing and whoever is left will sit on the throne. But fate has other plans because soon Revna is captured and taken captive by noneother than Hellbringer – her country’s greatest enemy. While being held captive by the Hellbringer, Revna gets to know him. What are his ulterior motives and why is she suddenly starting to have feelings for him?
Blood Beneath the Snow started off really strong for me. I really liked learning about headstrong Revna and her relationship with her brothers, her father and her townspeople. And the mysterious Hellbringer definitely had me intrigued. I really liked his snarky, broody character – especially paired against feisty Revna.
The second half of the book wasn’t as strong as the first half. The romance started to feel very insta-love and I felt like the pacing was off.
I did have an opportunity to listen to the audiobook narrated by Ellie Gossage. I really liked the narration by Ellie Gossage and felt like she did a great job brining Revna to life as well as the mysterious Hellbringer.
Overall a solid 3 star read.
EXCERPT
BLOOD BENEATH THE SNOW by Alexandra Kennington
Ace Hardcover | On sale: March 11, 2025
Excerpt
I tapped my foot, growing impatient. The ritual and ceremony were supposed to start first thing in the morning, while the sun rose over the hills in the east. But here we all stood, blowing hot puffs of breath over our numbing hands, still waiting as the sun ascended in the sky.
The chatter of the crowd closed in around me and I fumed at how normal the godtouched sounded. They discussed what might still be available at the market despite the shortages, what parties they were attending later this week, whether their spouses and children were due back from the front lines in this round of military rotations. All the while, their expensive jewelry flashed in the dappled sunlight and they basked in the warmth of their fur-lined cloaks-as if they all weren’t here to witness a murder.
I tried not to think about the godforsaken-my own people. The ones at the back of the crowd, dreading what the next hour would bring. Knowing they’d see blood of their own spilled on the altar of the gods and then be expected to go about their day as if nothing had happened. I wondered if any would lose toes or fingers from frostbite after enduring the frigid conditions of midwinter in their worn shoes and their thin cloaks, fraying at the edges. Whether their children’s ribs were showing in the wake of a war they despised. Whether they’d go home and cry silently for a few moments, hugging their families tight as they wondered why it was worth living another day.
My thoughts were interrupted by the temple doors swinging open. The crowd fell silent immediately, every head bowing low. I stared at the priests for a moment too long before Freja elbowed me, and I directed my gaze to the ground as well.
The holy men still managed to make me shudder, even after having spent a lifetime in close contact with them. They dressed entirely in white, in robes stretching from their necks to their wrists and ankles. Veils covered their hair and faces so that they blended in perfectly with the snowy landscape-except for the eyes.
The fabric of their veils was pinned to the necklines of their robes, meaning not a single inch of skin was visible on any of the priests. Above each one’s forehead was an eye embroidered with bloodred thread, eerie enough to make both the godtouched and the godforsaken feel the priest was peering directly into the depths of their soul.
I hated the priests almost as much as I hated the gods.
An endless stream of them flooded out the doors until they had filled the steps of the structure, the blades of their scythes winking in the sun. The last to exit brought with him a white cloth with another embroidered eye on it to drape over the altar. Fury ripped through me at the sight, but I forced myself to stay still. My fingernails bit half-moons into the flesh of my palms and I busied my mind with the reminder of what I was here to do.
“Every priest in the country must be here,” Freja whispered as we surveyed them. “I’ve never seen this many in one place before. Do you think they traveled for the ritual?”
“Who knows,” I murmured, feeling the telltale furrow of my brows appear. “I wasn’t expecting them all to be here. This might be harder than we thought.”
My friend nodded, readjusting the bundle of fabric in her arms. “Guess we’ll see how fast we can run.”
Another figure exited the temple. The queen. She’d once confided to me when I was a small child that the crown she wore today was her favorite: an arch that stretched from behind one ear to the other, hugging tightly to her hair, rays projecting out like a halo to frame her face. The gold of it glimmered in the morning sunlight, contrasting against her dark black hair. Her gown was a deep blood red, one of our national colors. It flowed like liquid, and I found myself wondering if she was freezing beneath the fabric. It certainly didn’t look warm.
She stepped to the center of the dais and stood before the altar. My eyes found my feet and I clenched my jaw as if the tension would prevent her from seeing me, recognizing me. A priest came forward to stand next to her, facing the crowd. In one synchronized movement, the other priests pounded the wooden handles of their scythes on the temple’s stone steps, sending a booming echo through the square. The ceremony had begun.
“Ready?” I asked Freja. My heart pounded with anticipation.
She nodded. “Let’s hope this works.”
The priest at the altar began speaking in a resounding voice. “Welcome to the Winter Ritual, beloved citizens of Bhorglid. Today marks the beginning of a new year, one filled with great hope for our country. Even now, we wage holy war against Kryllian, our armies drawing closer to taking over the southernmost country in the Fjordlands.”
A cheer erupted around us, and I suppressed a sigh of irritation. The godtouched in the crowd, whose partners, parents, and children fought on the front lines, were ecstatic to hear it repeated: their loved ones weren’t fighting in just any war. No, it was a holy war. Decreed by the gods.
The priest continued, “Generations ago, the Fjordlands were stolen from us. We, who communicate directly with the gods. Instead of harmony, discord was wrought and the Fjordlands were split into three. For thirteen generations, the gods have mourned with us as we have waited for their perfect timing. Now you are blessed to be part of the chosen few alive to see this miracle come to pass. Kryllian shall be rightfully ours. The gods have declared it.”
I tried not to let my emotions show on my face. The speech had been the same every year since the war began, but it never failed to make me wince. Halvar had been the one to explain to me years ago how the priest’s version of this story had been edited in Bhorglid’s favor. Only those who passed on the original stories verbally still knew the truth. He’d been lucky enough to come from a family that didn’t embrace the revisionist version of our history.
In actuality, the Fjordlands had been filled with wandering people, those with magical abilities and those without living in peace-until a pair with powers far beyond what was necessary for mortal man decided they could speak with the gods. And according to them, the gods said those with abilities had been blessed. Godtouched.
The rest of us were godforsaken. Forgotten by our holy pantheon, called unworthy from the moment we entered the world. While the godtouched enjoyed innate abilities that allowed them to manipulate elements of the world around them, the way the gods had once done as they walked the land millennia ago, the rest of us were normal. Shunted to the edge of a society where an invisible group of gods claimed we were lesser.
The speech grated against my nerves like the screech of a metal fork across a ceramic plate. Enduring the rest of this drivel was going to kill me. I was ready to move, ready to wreak havoc, ready to wrap my hands around the nearest priest’s throat and rip their veil off. Only watching the light fade from their eyes would be enough to calm me.
Freja snatched my hand and squeezed. “No,” she hissed. “We have to wait until they’ve brought out the child.”
My hands shook with fury against hers. But she was right. The priests enabled the foul treatment of the godforsaken, but we weren’t here to rid ourselves of them. Today was about saving a life, not taking it.
Even if I wished it were possible to do both.
The priest droned on, but I focused on Freja’s words and nodded, forcing myself to breathe deeply. The godtouched around us were too intent on listening to the priests to notice me acting strangely.
The ritual speech continued despite my swirling thoughts. “As we perform the new year ritual, this unholy blood will be a tribute to the gods. In exchange for our sacrifice, they will grant us their power. We will gain a powerful advantage in this war; with the vanquishing of this life, we will be able to defeat the Hellbringer. The gods have declared it so.”
Freja squeezed my hand again, barely in time to keep an indignant huff from escaping me. This part of the speech was new, the logic as incomprehensible as the rest. How would killing an infant grant us the power to stop the most powerful godtouched being to exist in any of our lifetimes and end the war? As Freja released my hand, the queen gestured to the side of the stage for several acolytes to bring someone forward. I glanced over but couldn’t make out the woman’s face; the figure was hunched at an odd angle and a low moan emanated from her mouth. There was a wriggling bundle clutched to her chest. My stomach sank, the way it did every year.
The priest took the infant out of the person’s arms and began to move toward the altar.
The figure left in the shadows-undoubtedly the child’s mother, a godforsaken woman-let out a haunting scream, her wail of anguish echoing through the square and silencing everyone, even the godtouched. I clenched my teeth. The screams were always the worst part. Worse than the blood. The mother collapsed to her knees and howling sobs cracked the silence.
Freja and I were the only ones who appeared affected. The priests’ expressions were carefully hidden behind their face coverings and the godtouched on either side of us were reverently silent, waiting for spilled blood to spell their salvation. The queen curled her lip at the bundle in the priest’s arms as he set it carefully on the altar.
As he laid it down, it wriggled, and a tiny hand emerged from the blankets.
Seeing the movement made my throat raw. The last child born to godforsaken parents each year was always culled-a horrifying euphemism-as a sacrifice to the gods. Only the youngest, freshest blood would do for this brutal tradition, repeated winter after winter.
“Now,” I said to Freja as anger sparked in my stomach. “We go now.”
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