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Esperance Trilogy #1
Esperance
Twelve strangers. Six marriages. One year in Esperance.
Amryn has many reasons to hate the empire. Her latest is her forced marriage to General Carver Vincetti, better known as the Butcher. If he learns even one of her secrets, he will kill her. And Amryn has many secrets. Not only is she an empath with forbidden magic, she's also a newly recruited rebel intent on destroying the empire—starting at Esperance.
Carver knows the rebels have infiltrated the remote temple of Esperance. His job is to hunt them down before they can wreck the emperor’s new peace. Despite the demons that haunt him, Carver is intent on his mission—but he’s not prepared for Amryn. From her fiery red hair to her surprising wit, his new wife has captured his attention. The attraction that flares between them is undeniable. Now he just has to determine if she’s the enemy.
When the newly married couples become targets in a violent game, Esperance becomes more dangerous than anyone anticipated. Carver and Amryn are about to discover that no one is exactly who they appear to be—especially each other.
Esperance is book one in a New Adult fantasy romance series by Amazon bestselling author Heather Frost. If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, surprising twists, and an action-packed story you can’t put down, you’ll love Esperance!
Amryn has many reasons to hate the empire. Her latest is her forced marriage to General Carver Vincetti, better known as the Butcher. If he learns even one of her secrets, he will kill her. And Amryn has many secrets. Not only is she an empath with forbidden magic, she's also a newly recruited rebel intent on destroying the empire—starting at Esperance.
Carver knows the rebels have infiltrated the remote temple of Esperance. His job is to hunt them down before they can wreck the emperor’s new peace. Despite the demons that haunt him, Carver is intent on his mission—but he’s not prepared for Amryn. From her fiery red hair to her surprising wit, his new wife has captured his attention. The attraction that flares between them is undeniable. Now he just has to determine if she’s the enemy.
When the newly married couples become targets in a violent game, Esperance becomes more dangerous than anyone anticipated. Carver and Amryn are about to discover that no one is exactly who they appear to be—especially each other.
Esperance is book one in a New Adult fantasy romance series by Amazon bestselling author Heather Frost. If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, surprising twists, and an action-packed story you can’t put down, you’ll love Esperance!
531 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2022
166 people are currently reading
3235 people want to read
About the author
Heather Frost
15 books476 followersHeather Frost is a #1 Amazon Bestselling YA author who loves epic stories with breath-stealing romance. She is the author of the Seers trilogy and the Fate of Eyrinthia series. Her books have been Whitney Award Finalists and Swoony Award Finalists. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and call it homework. When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and re-watch Lord of the Rings. She lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains in northern Utah. To learn more about Heather and her books, visit her website: www.HeatherFrost.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
November 16, 2022
I just finished this story, and I AM NOT OKAY. Whew! What a brilliant read! Danger, intrigue, romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, hidden magic, and more, the story is intense, immersive, and one of my favorite books of the year.
The story follows Amryn and Carver as they are chosen to represent their kingdoms and wed, along with five other couples. The twelve must spend a year at Esperance, forming a new council in an effort to gain peace across the kingdom. But Amryn is a rebel and plans to work behind the scenes to rebuke the system that oppresses empaths like her. Not all is as it seems in Esperance as rigorous daily schedules and new relationships are forged, and Amryn and Carver learn some hard truths. Danger follows them and the other couples, and when one is murdered, the stakes grow ever higher.
I have so much I want to say about this book because I am obsessed! I fell in love with the characters, the writing, the world-building, and the intense story. They’re all layered and immersive, and they grip you from the very first page. I couldn’t wait to find out who was targeting the newly wedded couples, how Amryn would keep her power and ulterior motives hidden, and how these twelve very different people would handle new marriages, new friendships, and leadership roles, all of which they were thrust into without knowing how much danger they would face. It’s twisted and layered and filled with political intrigue, more morally grey and confounding characters than I ever expected, and THE BEST ROMANCE!
Amryn is everything I love in a protagonist. She’s intelligent and strong, and she fights for the causes and people she believes in. A solitary person, Amryn has never really had a friend. Her secret gift kept he isolated from others, so making friends at Esperance is an entirely new experience for her, and you can tell she’s out of her comfort zone. She is understandably shy, withdrawn, and hesitant to jump into conversations (and relationships), yet she slowly changes as she becomes more confident, accepted, and informed. She’s a complex character who goes into this arrangement to protect empaths like her and to help the rebels. However, her goals change as she gains more insight and becomes close with the very people she hates.
Carver is an equally layered character, and I might be a little in love with him. I adore a brooding hero, and Carver sure knows how to be emotionally withdrawn, brooding, and cold. Oh, and gorgeous! A war hero known as the Butcher, he has a reputation for being ruthless and relentless in battle. But his tough exterior hides the caring, protective, and broken man underneath. I adore him and want to give him all the love that he doesn’t give himself. I think that’s what makes his romance with Amryn even more special. They both open themselves up and become vulnerable in ways they never have before.
Amryn and Carver’s love story makes my enemies to lovers heart melt. They are from totally different worlds and have completely opposite alliances, yet they somehow work. The way these two fight their intense feelings for and attraction to each other slayed me! Their feelings for each other build slowly over time, and I think they both learn a lot about prejudgment and seeing things from different perspectives. Plus, their chemistry – the angst, the longing, the weighted conversations, THE SEXUAL TENSION – perfection! I just adore the way their story progresses and deepens and how they prove their love and commitment to each other. They change so much, both individually and as a couple, over the course of the story, and I loved every minute of it!
There are other unique and interesting love stories in the book, which I enjoyed since I’m a huge fan of a good romance. From tentative alliances to passionate love matches, many different kinds of relationships are highlighted. Jayveh and Argent are relationship goals, and what a great pair to be future leaders. They are amazing characters, and their romance contrasts with many others in the story. The friendships are also remarkable. Carver’s relationship with Argent and Amryn’s growing friendships with Jayveh and others she meets in Esperance are bright spots in the midst of never-ending danger. Carver and Argent have a life-long friendship, and you can totally tell by the way they talk and interact with each other. There’s an ease and trust there that Carver doesn’t have with anyone else, and I really liked seeing that side of him. And I loved that Amryn found some valuable friendships. It’s something she never had before, and it was so touching to see how these relationships changed her for the better.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series after the many shocking and emotional revelations. I’m curious to find out what happens to some of my favorite characters, and I’m eager to learn more about the magic system. If you like romantasy books like The Bridge Kingdom, Castles in their Bones, or The Selection, you should totally check Esperance out!
Special thanks to the author for (making me fall in love with so many characters and then ripping my heart out of my chest) providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The story follows Amryn and Carver as they are chosen to represent their kingdoms and wed, along with five other couples. The twelve must spend a year at Esperance, forming a new council in an effort to gain peace across the kingdom. But Amryn is a rebel and plans to work behind the scenes to rebuke the system that oppresses empaths like her. Not all is as it seems in Esperance as rigorous daily schedules and new relationships are forged, and Amryn and Carver learn some hard truths. Danger follows them and the other couples, and when one is murdered, the stakes grow ever higher.
I have so much I want to say about this book because I am obsessed! I fell in love with the characters, the writing, the world-building, and the intense story. They’re all layered and immersive, and they grip you from the very first page. I couldn’t wait to find out who was targeting the newly wedded couples, how Amryn would keep her power and ulterior motives hidden, and how these twelve very different people would handle new marriages, new friendships, and leadership roles, all of which they were thrust into without knowing how much danger they would face. It’s twisted and layered and filled with political intrigue, more morally grey and confounding characters than I ever expected, and THE BEST ROMANCE!
Amryn is everything I love in a protagonist. She’s intelligent and strong, and she fights for the causes and people she believes in. A solitary person, Amryn has never really had a friend. Her secret gift kept he isolated from others, so making friends at Esperance is an entirely new experience for her, and you can tell she’s out of her comfort zone. She is understandably shy, withdrawn, and hesitant to jump into conversations (and relationships), yet she slowly changes as she becomes more confident, accepted, and informed. She’s a complex character who goes into this arrangement to protect empaths like her and to help the rebels. However, her goals change as she gains more insight and becomes close with the very people she hates.
Carver is an equally layered character, and I might be a little in love with him. I adore a brooding hero, and Carver sure knows how to be emotionally withdrawn, brooding, and cold. Oh, and gorgeous! A war hero known as the Butcher, he has a reputation for being ruthless and relentless in battle. But his tough exterior hides the caring, protective, and broken man underneath. I adore him and want to give him all the love that he doesn’t give himself. I think that’s what makes his romance with Amryn even more special. They both open themselves up and become vulnerable in ways they never have before.
Amryn and Carver’s love story makes my enemies to lovers heart melt. They are from totally different worlds and have completely opposite alliances, yet they somehow work. The way these two fight their intense feelings for and attraction to each other slayed me! Their feelings for each other build slowly over time, and I think they both learn a lot about prejudgment and seeing things from different perspectives. Plus, their chemistry – the angst, the longing, the weighted conversations, THE SEXUAL TENSION – perfection! I just adore the way their story progresses and deepens and how they prove their love and commitment to each other. They change so much, both individually and as a couple, over the course of the story, and I loved every minute of it!
There are other unique and interesting love stories in the book, which I enjoyed since I’m a huge fan of a good romance. From tentative alliances to passionate love matches, many different kinds of relationships are highlighted. Jayveh and Argent are relationship goals, and what a great pair to be future leaders. They are amazing characters, and their romance contrasts with many others in the story. The friendships are also remarkable. Carver’s relationship with Argent and Amryn’s growing friendships with Jayveh and others she meets in Esperance are bright spots in the midst of never-ending danger. Carver and Argent have a life-long friendship, and you can totally tell by the way they talk and interact with each other. There’s an ease and trust there that Carver doesn’t have with anyone else, and I really liked seeing that side of him. And I loved that Amryn found some valuable friendships. It’s something she never had before, and it was so touching to see how these relationships changed her for the better.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series after the many shocking and emotional revelations. I’m curious to find out what happens to some of my favorite characters, and I’m eager to learn more about the magic system. If you like romantasy books like The Bridge Kingdom, Castles in their Bones, or The Selection, you should totally check Esperance out!
Special thanks to the author for (
October 19, 2024
You know when you read a book that was SO FREAKING AWESOME that you just want to pick it back up and re-read while at the same time shouting about it from the rooftops?
Yea, that's me after reading this book because holy hannah, it sucked me in from the first chapter and I binge-read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. And now I am slightly obsessed and in a serious book hangover because I absolutely loved every.single.page.
Carver, the emperor's top general and Amryn, a secret empath, are chosen by the emperor to wed, along with 5 other couples, and then must remain at a remote location called Esperance for a year.
Their slow-burn romance as a newly married couple is full of tension and there are so many great moments between them as they decide what secrets to share and learn to trust each other. The slow-burn chemistry is so well done and that first kiss is more than worth the wait. Oh.my.swooniness!
Add in political intrigue, suspenseful fight scenes, a mystery assassin, solid friendships, magical objects, plot twists, and a vivid setting, and it is no wonder this was one of my absolute favorite reads this year.
It does not end on a cliffhanger but the story will be continued in the next book which I will be anxiously awaiting!
Fans of Kourtney Kiesel's Desolation series, the Kiss of Deception or Dance of Thieves will enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
Yea, that's me after reading this book because holy hannah, it sucked me in from the first chapter and I binge-read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. And now I am slightly obsessed and in a serious book hangover because I absolutely loved every.single.page.
Carver, the emperor's top general and Amryn, a secret empath, are chosen by the emperor to wed, along with 5 other couples, and then must remain at a remote location called Esperance for a year.
Their slow-burn romance as a newly married couple is full of tension and there are so many great moments between them as they decide what secrets to share and learn to trust each other. The slow-burn chemistry is so well done and that first kiss is more than worth the wait. Oh.my.swooniness!
Add in political intrigue, suspenseful fight scenes, a mystery assassin, solid friendships, magical objects, plot twists, and a vivid setting, and it is no wonder this was one of my absolute favorite reads this year.
It does not end on a cliffhanger but the story will be continued in the next book which I will be anxiously awaiting!
Fans of Kourtney Kiesel's Desolation series, the Kiss of Deception or Dance of Thieves will enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
December 22, 2025
The idea of six arranged marriages where the couples are isolated from the outside world for an entire year was super intriguing to me. I've been seeing this book everywhere on IG (yes, this an Instagram-made-me-do-it book) and it's received such high praise that I just had to pick it up.
It did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat wondering who was the enemy. The banter was so good. I loved Argent and Carver's friendship. Amyrn was so sweet, but yet strong and ready to do what was right.
The romance was a wonderful slooooowww burn. I really enjoyed how the author showed them building a friendship with one another.
Wonderful story and I am eagerly waiting for the second book to see what happens next!!
It did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat wondering who was the enemy. The banter was so good. I loved Argent and Carver's friendship. Amyrn was so sweet, but yet strong and ready to do what was right.
The romance was a wonderful slooooowww burn. I really enjoyed how the author showed them building a friendship with one another.
Wonderful story and I am eagerly waiting for the second book to see what happens next!!
November 15, 2022
**4.5 stars**
Imagine that the government has picked your groom and that you have to live in the middle of a jungle with other couples in the same situation you are in. This is the premise for Espernace.
I admit that I was intrigued and wanted to see where Heather Frost would go with this. She did not disappoint me. The book captured my attention from the beginning and I had to know how this situation would work. There were several surprises for me to discover.
The book is filled with political intrigue. All of the couples come from different parts of the empire. They are paired with someone from different parts, and not all of the areas have the same views on the empire. Some feel oppressed and others believe it is the best way to go. Not everyone gets along, which leads to some intense disagreements, some with the fist.
The main characters are Caver and Amryn. She is an empath and not fond of the government and he is a General. They are in a unique situation. I loved the chemistry that they share. I also loved that we get both of their points of view to understand them better and to see their development as people and as a couple. I rooted for them from the beginning. :)
Someone in Esperance is committing murder, they just need to figure out who that person is.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Imagine that the government has picked your groom and that you have to live in the middle of a jungle with other couples in the same situation you are in. This is the premise for Espernace.
I admit that I was intrigued and wanted to see where Heather Frost would go with this. She did not disappoint me. The book captured my attention from the beginning and I had to know how this situation would work. There were several surprises for me to discover.
The book is filled with political intrigue. All of the couples come from different parts of the empire. They are paired with someone from different parts, and not all of the areas have the same views on the empire. Some feel oppressed and others believe it is the best way to go. Not everyone gets along, which leads to some intense disagreements, some with the fist.
The main characters are Caver and Amryn. She is an empath and not fond of the government and he is a General. They are in a unique situation. I loved the chemistry that they share. I also loved that we get both of their points of view to understand them better and to see their development as people and as a couple. I rooted for them from the beginning. :)
Someone in Esperance is committing murder, they just need to figure out who that person is.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 15, 2022
ESPERANCE is easily one of the best books I've ever read. I have read every book this author has written and her writing just gets better and better. ESPERANCE grips you instantly. It is a very intriguing story with a page-turning plot. I made it to a certain point about midway through and I didn't stop reading until the end. I kept saying out loud, no way that just happened! And thought, what could possibly happen next. Carver and Amryn are stunningly awesome characters. Amryn is so great. She has a lot of secrets and the ending! Her and Carver are just perfect. Just WOW. Everyone at Esperance is important and just when you think you have things figured out... BOOM. This book gives one shocking twist after another and it is absolutely excellent.
February 19, 2023
INVESTED.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book and I had a journey.
We started off super strong. I loved the premise for the plot and I am ALWAYS here for a arraigned marriage situation. There was good action to get the blood pumping and many mysteries afoot.
Then in the middle we lost me for a bit. The magic system and world building still needs some help. I think the confinement in one location caused a lack of understanding for the outside world and why there’s magic in the first place. I’m hopeful this is further explained in the next book since there’s going to be many new locations. I did struggle with the romance too, there was a bit more tell vs. show. Buuut I will say, once I got pass the 60% mark things progressively picked up.
And the ending. The whole last quarter was a wild ride. I loved having reveal after reveal after reveal. Some twists I saw coming, others, totally surprised by. And even better? NO THIRD ACT CONFLICT between the main couple. There’s plenty of other things happening around them and the fact they actually decide to TRUST one another was amazing. I love that kind of hope and communication.
I official consider myself invested in continuing this trilogy. I’m excited and hopeful about the next book!
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; mentions of closed-door between other couples
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, kidnapping, loss of loved ones, weapons violence, poisoning
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book and I had a journey.
We started off super strong. I loved the premise for the plot and I am ALWAYS here for a arraigned marriage situation. There was good action to get the blood pumping and many mysteries afoot.
Then in the middle we lost me for a bit. The magic system and world building still needs some help. I think the confinement in one location caused a lack of understanding for the outside world and why there’s magic in the first place. I’m hopeful this is further explained in the next book since there’s going to be many new locations. I did struggle with the romance too, there was a bit more tell vs. show. Buuut I will say, once I got pass the 60% mark things progressively picked up.
And the ending. The whole last quarter was a wild ride. I loved having reveal after reveal after reveal. Some twists I saw coming, others, totally surprised by. And even better? NO THIRD ACT CONFLICT between the main couple. There’s plenty of other things happening around them and the fact they actually decide to TRUST one another was amazing. I love that kind of hope and communication.
I official consider myself invested in continuing this trilogy. I’m excited and hopeful about the next book!
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; mentions of closed-door between other couples
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, kidnapping, loss of loved ones, weapons violence, poisoning
October 31, 2024
Fast paced closed door romantasy! I couldn’t put it down, this book had just the right amount of mystery and romance. Loved it!
November 18, 2022
Woot, woot! It's release day for this new book, Esperance, by Heather Frost!! I've been anxiously awaiting this day since I found out about this book. I really love books like this and I never feel like I can find enough of them. I'm so glad this author is writing books in this genre. I've loved everything she has written so far. (If you haven't read the Fate of Eyrinthia series yet, you really must. It's one of my favorites!!)
How can I sum up this book? Political intrigue. Enemies to lovers. Forbidden magic. Mystery. Danger. Are you interested yet?! You should be because this book is so good! This author does a fantastic job of introducing a whole cast of characters without making me feel overwhelmed. I felt like I knew each character as a distinct personality. That's hard to do with many characters in a story, especially right away. This story builds and builds in intensity and it was really hard to put it down. I'm invested. I'm intrigued. I want more.
Oh, and I love Carver. He's exactly the type of hero that I love. Strong, determined, loyal, brave. A little bit tortured too, which tugs at my heartstrings. He has patience and willpower. How could I not love him?!?!
This is book one in a trilogy so the story isn't over and will continue in the next book. Of course we are left with a cliffhanger but thankfully, I didn't feel as desperate as I have with other books by this author. I really cannot wait for the next book. And the next. I wish I had them right now!! But cheers to something good to look forward to.
Good news! This book is on KU if you have it.
Content: violence, peril, death. Kissing.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. I have since purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
How can I sum up this book? Political intrigue. Enemies to lovers. Forbidden magic. Mystery. Danger. Are you interested yet?! You should be because this book is so good! This author does a fantastic job of introducing a whole cast of characters without making me feel overwhelmed. I felt like I knew each character as a distinct personality. That's hard to do with many characters in a story, especially right away. This story builds and builds in intensity and it was really hard to put it down. I'm invested. I'm intrigued. I want more.
Oh, and I love Carver. He's exactly the type of hero that I love. Strong, determined, loyal, brave. A little bit tortured too, which tugs at my heartstrings. He has patience and willpower. How could I not love him?!?!
This is book one in a trilogy so the story isn't over and will continue in the next book. Of course we are left with a cliffhanger but thankfully, I didn't feel as desperate as I have with other books by this author. I really cannot wait for the next book. And the next. I wish I had them right now!! But cheers to something good to look forward to.
Good news! This book is on KU if you have it.
Content: violence, peril, death. Kissing.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. I have since purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 18, 2022
I just finished reading Esperance by Heather Frost and all I can say is, "Wow!" I've loved every series this author has written and could hardly wait to get my hands on this book. There are so many twists and turns and surprises waiting for readers. The main characters, Amryn and Carver are both great. This is a slow-burn romance that is filled with intrigue, mystery, magic, and the earlier-mentioned, romance. I love books that keep me guessing throughout the whole book. The only warning I can give you about this novel is that once you start it's incredibly hard to stop reading.
I highly recommend Esperance and this new series. It has everything you want in an engaging novel: romance, mystery, action, secrets, jealousy, and a great surprise waiting for you at the end, or I should say surprises. This is a 5-star fiction novel I highly recommend to all readers.
***This is a New Adult novel but is still clean with a bit of violence.
I highly recommend Esperance and this new series. It has everything you want in an engaging novel: romance, mystery, action, secrets, jealousy, and a great surprise waiting for you at the end, or I should say surprises. This is a 5-star fiction novel I highly recommend to all readers.
***This is a New Adult novel but is still clean with a bit of violence.
June 29, 2023
Absolutely loved this book!! It was fast paced and so much happened! It kept me guessing and never knowing what was doing to happen. I loved the marriage of convenience and the slow burn romance. Loved everything about this book! Can’t wait for the next one!!
Content: death and murder, injury, poisoning
Content: death and murder, injury, poisoning
September 27, 2022
Things I shouted while reading this book...
"Yes yes yes yes!" "No no no no!" "WHAT!?" "Aaaaaahhhh!!!"
I had an ARC copy for this book and all i can day is Esperance was simply amazing, no doubt about it. It was impossible to put down, even though I should have been focusing on homework. From the start to finish every moment was invigorating and left me wanting more.
If there's one thing Heather Frost knows how to do best, it's creating a plot and surprising her readers at every turn. I'd like to claim that I can usually see a plot twist coming before it does, but that was impossible while reading Esperance. I was at the edge of my seat for every page. The setting and world building were magnificent as well and I was so hooked on every moment of the story.
Then there's the characters, which were magnificent. Amryn's abilities were so intriguing and I loved what she could do with them. It just added so much to the main plot of the story. I wasn't sure what to expect from Carver when I first started the story, but I was attached to him from his first point of view. And then there's Amryn and Carver together...BEAUTIFUL! Both of these main characters had wonderful development and I loved their progression throughout the book. Every turn of the page had me wanting more of them. Their chemistry and connection was tangible in my mind every second. I loved how often their emotions betrayed them and how much they tried to deny the growth of their feelings. Them learning to trust each other had me wanting to rip my hair out.
The other characters were amazing as well. Argent and Jayveh were absolute couple goals!! My feelings on other (won't name them) characters varied based on which point of the book I was in. Many of them surprised me, to say the least. Like WOW!
This book was full of mystery and intrigue. Every character has secrets and as the plot swirls around these characters it was so fun to watch their interactions. Constant conflicts arise, which makes it a never ending excitement. I never new what to suspect next.
All in all this book is a MUST READ!!! I loved it with my whole heart! It was a wonderful experience to read this book as my first ARC! Heather Frost continues to amaze me with her writing and I already can't wait for the next book!! To anyone who is curious about this book I say GO FOR IT!!
"Yes yes yes yes!" "No no no no!" "WHAT!?" "Aaaaaahhhh!!!"
I had an ARC copy for this book and all i can day is Esperance was simply amazing, no doubt about it. It was impossible to put down, even though I should have been focusing on homework. From the start to finish every moment was invigorating and left me wanting more.
If there's one thing Heather Frost knows how to do best, it's creating a plot and surprising her readers at every turn. I'd like to claim that I can usually see a plot twist coming before it does, but that was impossible while reading Esperance. I was at the edge of my seat for every page. The setting and world building were magnificent as well and I was so hooked on every moment of the story.
Then there's the characters, which were magnificent. Amryn's abilities were so intriguing and I loved what she could do with them. It just added so much to the main plot of the story. I wasn't sure what to expect from Carver when I first started the story, but I was attached to him from his first point of view. And then there's Amryn and Carver together...BEAUTIFUL! Both of these main characters had wonderful development and I loved their progression throughout the book. Every turn of the page had me wanting more of them. Their chemistry and connection was tangible in my mind every second. I loved how often their emotions betrayed them and how much they tried to deny the growth of their feelings. Them learning to trust each other had me wanting to rip my hair out.
The other characters were amazing as well. Argent and Jayveh were absolute couple goals!! My feelings on other (won't name them) characters varied based on which point of the book I was in. Many of them surprised me, to say the least. Like WOW!
This book was full of mystery and intrigue. Every character has secrets and as the plot swirls around these characters it was so fun to watch their interactions. Constant conflicts arise, which makes it a never ending excitement. I never new what to suspect next.
All in all this book is a MUST READ!!! I loved it with my whole heart! It was a wonderful experience to read this book as my first ARC! Heather Frost continues to amaze me with her writing and I already can't wait for the next book!! To anyone who is curious about this book I say GO FOR IT!!
December 13, 2025
For now, she simply gazed at him steadily with those unsettling, fathomless eyes. Finally, her pink lips moved. “I know who you are.”
“Well, you have me at a disadvantage. But I look forward to getting to know you, Amryn.”
Esperance by Heather Frost
Oh my Gosh! Have I got a Romantasy recommendation for you!
This book was soo good, not just good, AMAZING! I loved every second of it. From the suspense and mystery to the romance between Carver and Amryn to the rich detail of the scenes. Wow, this book seriously blew me away!
Carver and Amryn are brought to Esperance, the Emperor's temple, where by decree of the emperor, they must marry each other along with 5 other couples in order to unite the kingdoms. For "there is strength and peace in unity."
What Carver doesn't know is that Amryn hates him and everything the Empire stands for, for they hate what and who she is.
Gosh, this book had my mind reeling, staying up late, not thinking about anything else. It's taken me 16 days after finishing the book to finally sit down and type these words.
To say this is a favorite and I'm obsessed, is putting it very lightly. So glad I finally picked this book up, because I can't recommend it enough and I really wish book 2 was out already.
If I could give this one more than 5 stars I 100% would. Seriously, just go read this one!
My favorite Parts:
The epic Beginning
He teaches her
Arranged marriage
Hand flex
Mystery and suspense
Aloe
Waiting out the rain
Their dance
The ending!! Oh my gosh!!!! So much action and suspense and intensity
Content Warning:
Language: mild: hell, whore
Sexual content: closed door 3-discussion about wedding night, feelings of attraction and desire, passionate steamy kisses with tongue and groans
Violence/gore: moderate-medieval violence and killings involving swords, domesticated violence due to drug addiction, death and gore with blood and limbs, attempted murder, multiple murders, poison
Substance Use: alcohol, intoxication, discussion of fictional drug use and addiction
Prejudices: Against a fictional group
Religious content: fictional religion
Other: mentions of past abuse, possible pregnancy loss
“Well, you have me at a disadvantage. But I look forward to getting to know you, Amryn.”
Esperance by Heather Frost
Oh my Gosh! Have I got a Romantasy recommendation for you!
This book was soo good, not just good, AMAZING! I loved every second of it. From the suspense and mystery to the romance between Carver and Amryn to the rich detail of the scenes. Wow, this book seriously blew me away!
Carver and Amryn are brought to Esperance, the Emperor's temple, where by decree of the emperor, they must marry each other along with 5 other couples in order to unite the kingdoms. For "there is strength and peace in unity."
What Carver doesn't know is that Amryn hates him and everything the Empire stands for, for they hate what and who she is.
Gosh, this book had my mind reeling, staying up late, not thinking about anything else. It's taken me 16 days after finishing the book to finally sit down and type these words.
To say this is a favorite and I'm obsessed, is putting it very lightly. So glad I finally picked this book up, because I can't recommend it enough and I really wish book 2 was out already.
If I could give this one more than 5 stars I 100% would. Seriously, just go read this one!
My favorite Parts:
The epic Beginning
He teaches her
Arranged marriage
Hand flex
Mystery and suspense
Aloe
Waiting out the rain
Their dance
The ending!! Oh my gosh!!!! So much action and suspense and intensity
Content Warning:
Language: mild: hell, whore
Sexual content: closed door 3-discussion about wedding night, feelings of attraction and desire, passionate steamy kisses with tongue and groans
Violence/gore: moderate-medieval violence and killings involving swords, domesticated violence due to drug addiction, death and gore with blood and limbs, attempted murder, multiple murders, poison
Substance Use: alcohol, intoxication, discussion of fictional drug use and addiction
Prejudices: Against a fictional group
Religious content: fictional religion
Other: mentions of past abuse, possible pregnancy loss
November 10, 2025
I know my review won’t do justice for how wonderful this book is, but I hope it convinces you to read this mind-blowing story!
It goes without saying that Heather has become one of my favorite fantasy writers. She’s an incredibly gifted writer and since we share the same name, it was a given I would love her book!
As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. It literally hurt to put this one down.
Carver and Amryn were the perfect duo. Their love story was achingly beautiful. Carver captured my heart. Especially with his tenderness and affection towards Amryn. If you look up swoon-worthy in the dictionary, you will find him listed there. He was definitely my fav character for good reason!
I also loved Argent and Jayveh so much, as well as some others. They all had so much heart and the friendships they forged were binding and true. These characters became like close friends to me and by the end I was so invested in them!
The suspense aspect was spot-on!! I was constantly changing my guesses for the bad guy(s) and loved all the mystery. There’s never a dull moment with this one!
The epic plot twists, the villains you love to hate, the multiple love stories, the knock-your-socks-off kisses, the thrilling fight scenes….what more can you ask for?!!
Just a warning, this book may cause you to stay up way past your bedtime. I’m guilty and have no regrets!
So if you’ve had your 👀 on this book or if it’s just sitting there in your TBR, put everything aside and start this now. This is one you don’t want to put off…just trust me.
What to love:
⚔️Dual POV
⚔️Multiple love stories
⚔️Arranged Marriage
⚔️The hand flex
⚔️Every balcony scene
⚔️Aloe 😏
⚔️Her “first kiss”
⚔️Sword-fighting lessons
⚔️The library scene
⚔️The dance
⚔️Mystery/suspense
⚔️Secrets
It goes without saying that Heather has become one of my favorite fantasy writers. She’s an incredibly gifted writer and since we share the same name, it was a given I would love her book!
As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. It literally hurt to put this one down.
Carver and Amryn were the perfect duo. Their love story was achingly beautiful. Carver captured my heart. Especially with his tenderness and affection towards Amryn. If you look up swoon-worthy in the dictionary, you will find him listed there. He was definitely my fav character for good reason!
I also loved Argent and Jayveh so much, as well as some others. They all had so much heart and the friendships they forged were binding and true. These characters became like close friends to me and by the end I was so invested in them!
The suspense aspect was spot-on!! I was constantly changing my guesses for the bad guy(s) and loved all the mystery. There’s never a dull moment with this one!
The epic plot twists, the villains you love to hate, the multiple love stories, the knock-your-socks-off kisses, the thrilling fight scenes….what more can you ask for?!!
Just a warning, this book may cause you to stay up way past your bedtime. I’m guilty and have no regrets!
So if you’ve had your 👀 on this book or if it’s just sitting there in your TBR, put everything aside and start this now. This is one you don’t want to put off…just trust me.
What to love:
⚔️Dual POV
⚔️Multiple love stories
⚔️Arranged Marriage
⚔️The hand flex
⚔️Every balcony scene
⚔️Aloe 😏
⚔️Her “first kiss”
⚔️Sword-fighting lessons
⚔️The library scene
⚔️The dance
⚔️Mystery/suspense
⚔️Secrets
October 29, 2024
Just finished my second read through and I still absolutely love this book!
Here are my Favorite parts:
- Carver and Amryn Sparring
- Amryn's sunburn
- Stories
- Ford
- Carrying Amryn
- In the Library
- During the storm
- Their kiss
I am not a big reader of fantasy. I think the thing I don't like the most about most fantasy books is that there are so many different rules and structures in the books from different authors. I mean, you have to learn about a whole new world and their rules and it changes from author to author and series to series.
Saying all that, I really enjoyed reading Esperance! I didn't feel like the world was all that foreign and even though it is fantasy, it wasn't overwhelming.
I have found a new trilogy to read (even though the other books haven't come out yet), I cannot wait for the other books to come out.
I loved the romance and the mystery in this book. I fell in love with Amryn and Carver and was rooting for their relationship to succeed, even though I wasn't sure how that would pan out.
I also fell in love with some of the other characters, like Jayveh and Argent. The other characters were well written and I was surprised by some of them as I continued to read the book.
I could not put this book down, it kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very surprised by the ending. It ended somewhat on a cliffhanger and totally makes you want more.
Here are my Favorite parts:
- Carver and Amryn Sparring
- Amryn's sunburn
- Stories
- Ford
- Carrying Amryn
- In the Library
- During the storm
- Their kiss
I am not a big reader of fantasy. I think the thing I don't like the most about most fantasy books is that there are so many different rules and structures in the books from different authors. I mean, you have to learn about a whole new world and their rules and it changes from author to author and series to series.
Saying all that, I really enjoyed reading Esperance! I didn't feel like the world was all that foreign and even though it is fantasy, it wasn't overwhelming.
I have found a new trilogy to read (even though the other books haven't come out yet), I cannot wait for the other books to come out.
I loved the romance and the mystery in this book. I fell in love with Amryn and Carver and was rooting for their relationship to succeed, even though I wasn't sure how that would pan out.
I also fell in love with some of the other characters, like Jayveh and Argent. The other characters were well written and I was surprised by some of them as I continued to read the book.
I could not put this book down, it kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very surprised by the ending. It ended somewhat on a cliffhanger and totally makes you want more.
October 12, 2025
OBSESSED. I loved this book so much! It was seriously everything I was hoping for and more.
Twelve strangers are brought together from different kingdoms and paired up in arranged marriages. The goal is to unite the Empire and form a counsel so the voices of the people can be heard better. They must remain in Esperance for one year to connect with their new spouse and each other. But with a rebel infiltration, divided loyalties, secrets, and murder, their isolation is far from easy. In fact, it’s dangerous.
There were so many twists and turns and it definitely kept me on my toes. The pacing of everything was perfect and I didn’t ever want to put this book down!
The romance between Amryn and Carver was a very slow burn, but considering the circumstances and each of their secrets and loyalties, I felt like it worked really well for this first book. Can’t wait to see more in book 2!
Twelve strangers are brought together from different kingdoms and paired up in arranged marriages. The goal is to unite the Empire and form a counsel so the voices of the people can be heard better. They must remain in Esperance for one year to connect with their new spouse and each other. But with a rebel infiltration, divided loyalties, secrets, and murder, their isolation is far from easy. In fact, it’s dangerous.
There were so many twists and turns and it definitely kept me on my toes. The pacing of everything was perfect and I didn’t ever want to put this book down!
The romance between Amryn and Carver was a very slow burn, but considering the circumstances and each of their secrets and loyalties, I felt like it worked really well for this first book. Can’t wait to see more in book 2!
February 12, 2023
This was amazing. Everything about it. I can't wait for the next books. I NEED THEM NOW. I absolutely loved everything about this book.
October 26, 2022
I love this one :)
November 16, 2022
I am OBSESSED with this author! The pen she writes with must be filled with magic because anything she puts out is amazing and it just keeps getting better!
I received an ARC of this book and was swept away on the first page. I love a book that causes me to dream about it as I sleep, makes we wake up early to pick it back up and promotes such vividness I forget it's just a book...or is it??
This is a story of twelve strangers chosen to unite into 6 couples, who meet for the first time on their wedding day! EGAD! Can you imagine the feelings swirling in your stomach? The main character Amryn is an empath, as am I (though she has a bit more to hers), so knowing how sick she probably felt during this moment had me snagged! Until her eyes meet Carver's... okay, book boyfriend harpy here, sorry, not sorry! Carver is beautiful! Even when he pretends not to know, or maybe he does but doesn't care? Even more attractive, yes?
This slow burn, enemies to friends to... dare I say... lovers? Is a page turning masterpiece! We get danger, suspense, intrigue, mystery (I bet it was... OH! I was wrong!), and a whole lot of mixed feelings with attraction, hatred, trust, comfort, love all jumbling around inside twelve heads! Oh how I LOVE this book! It had me on the edge of my seat and mumbling things like, Oh no, please don't do it! Awww, he is so sweet! and I'm gonna punch her!
This truly is an exciting book and Frost has entangled me into yet another series I will be beating down her door asking for the next, over and over and over again. I won't apologize though, she doe this to herself for creating such magic! I tip my hat to you Author Frost!
I received an ARC of this book and was swept away on the first page. I love a book that causes me to dream about it as I sleep, makes we wake up early to pick it back up and promotes such vividness I forget it's just a book...or is it??
This is a story of twelve strangers chosen to unite into 6 couples, who meet for the first time on their wedding day! EGAD! Can you imagine the feelings swirling in your stomach? The main character Amryn is an empath, as am I (though she has a bit more to hers), so knowing how sick she probably felt during this moment had me snagged! Until her eyes meet Carver's... okay, book boyfriend harpy here, sorry, not sorry! Carver is beautiful! Even when he pretends not to know, or maybe he does but doesn't care? Even more attractive, yes?
This slow burn, enemies to friends to... dare I say... lovers? Is a page turning masterpiece! We get danger, suspense, intrigue, mystery (I bet it was... OH! I was wrong!), and a whole lot of mixed feelings with attraction, hatred, trust, comfort, love all jumbling around inside twelve heads! Oh how I LOVE this book! It had me on the edge of my seat and mumbling things like, Oh no, please don't do it! Awww, he is so sweet! and I'm gonna punch her!
This truly is an exciting book and Frost has entangled me into yet another series I will be beating down her door asking for the next, over and over and over again. I won't apologize though, she doe this to herself for creating such magic! I tip my hat to you Author Frost!
December 19, 2025
Fun! This was a fun romantasy, good setting and characters. When I saw the second book was out I realized I somehow missed reading the first. I'm glad the second one is on hand now though so I can just dive back into the story. I really enjoy a good high fantasy story and I thought this was well written and a good set up for the rest of the series.
Content Rated PG-PG13 for violence
Romance: Clean, mild kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild-moderate. Quite a bit of death, killing, fighting, but nothing too graphic
Content Rated PG-PG13 for violence
Romance: Clean, mild kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild-moderate. Quite a bit of death, killing, fighting, but nothing too graphic
December 21, 2022
Wow! 😮
No question about to, I’ll be reading the next book as soon as it comes out.
No question about to, I’ll be reading the next book as soon as it comes out.
November 18, 2022
Riveting
Riveting! I was hooked from the start. I loved the characters! The slow-burn romance, the compelling mystery, and twists I never saw coming, made this book unforgettable. I can’t wait for more!
Riveting! I was hooked from the start. I loved the characters! The slow-burn romance, the compelling mystery, and twists I never saw coming, made this book unforgettable. I can’t wait for more!
November 2, 2024
Oh my goodness, I've been sitting on this review for over a week...because the story is just that good. This is a fantastic slow burn, enemies to lovers, romantasy. I tossed my kindle no less than 5 times and even though I had guess some of the plot twists....I yelled a lot. My husband had to tell me to chill out.
"Set in a world where twelve strangers are paired for marriage and sent to the remote temple of Esperance to foster peace, the plot follows Amryn, a secret empath and a rebel against the empire, who is forced to marry Carver, a feared general known as "The Butcher." Tension builds as Carver seeks to unmask rebels within Esperance while becoming drawn to his new wife, whose hidden abilities and rebellious affiliations place her in constant danger."
There is some amazing slow burn and tension throughout the book. There are many emotions and you truly keep guessing throughout the story. It has a wonderful feel of redemption, rebellion and strength in ones self. The forbidden magic, mystery and complex characters will have you hooked.
When you get to the last 75% of the book...hang on because you are in for one wild ride of twist after twist. Esperance is the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression on your heart.( That's why it took over a week to write a review and recover from being in an amazing world.) Did I mention I had probably 50 highlights? Heather's thoughts on libraries and books are now my go to quotes...they are simply amazing.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, romance, and unforgettable characters. Oh and there's an ending....but a cliffhanger and book 2 is coming soon. I am officially a Frosty.
"Set in a world where twelve strangers are paired for marriage and sent to the remote temple of Esperance to foster peace, the plot follows Amryn, a secret empath and a rebel against the empire, who is forced to marry Carver, a feared general known as "The Butcher." Tension builds as Carver seeks to unmask rebels within Esperance while becoming drawn to his new wife, whose hidden abilities and rebellious affiliations place her in constant danger."
There is some amazing slow burn and tension throughout the book. There are many emotions and you truly keep guessing throughout the story. It has a wonderful feel of redemption, rebellion and strength in ones self. The forbidden magic, mystery and complex characters will have you hooked.
When you get to the last 75% of the book...hang on because you are in for one wild ride of twist after twist. Esperance is the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression on your heart.( That's why it took over a week to write a review and recover from being in an amazing world.) Did I mention I had probably 50 highlights? Heather's thoughts on libraries and books are now my go to quotes...they are simply amazing.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, romance, and unforgettable characters. Oh and there's an ending....but a cliffhanger and book 2 is coming soon. I am officially a Frosty.
October 15, 2022
Action-packed. Slow-burn romance. A real page-turner!
I received this book as an ARC, and here's my honest opinion: I ABSOLUTELY loved it!
Having read several of Heather's books before, I knew she was a pro at world-building, and she has done it again in Esperance. I love how I could envision this new world without a problem.
The same goes for the characters. I have fallen in love with most of them (and admittedly created a disliking for some of the others)! Heather has given them all such unique features and personalities, making each and every one of them interesting. One of the main characters, Amryn, had special abilities, which I thought were a great addition to the story.
There were many twists and turns which made it a real page-turner! To me, certain things stayed a mystery until the end, which to me is a sign of good writing.
To conclude, I loved this book. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you love an adventurous story with great world-building and character development!
Can't wait to read more of Heather's work!
Thank you Heather Frost for sharing the Esperance ARC with me :)
I received this book as an ARC, and here's my honest opinion: I ABSOLUTELY loved it!
Having read several of Heather's books before, I knew she was a pro at world-building, and she has done it again in Esperance. I love how I could envision this new world without a problem.
The same goes for the characters. I have fallen in love with most of them (and admittedly created a disliking for some of the others)! Heather has given them all such unique features and personalities, making each and every one of them interesting. One of the main characters, Amryn, had special abilities, which I thought were a great addition to the story.
There were many twists and turns which made it a real page-turner! To me, certain things stayed a mystery until the end, which to me is a sign of good writing.
To conclude, I loved this book. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you love an adventurous story with great world-building and character development!
Can't wait to read more of Heather's work!
Thank you Heather Frost for sharing the Esperance ARC with me :)
November 19, 2025
Holy smokes!!!! This book was AMAZING!!! I could not put it down. The story was so much fun, with so many twists and turns, and so many guesses and being wrong 😂 my only complaint is that I have to wait so long for the next book in this series!! I loved Amryn and Carver, and their unique stories and arranged marriage. I loved this one, and definitely recommend it.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2022
One of Heather Frost’s strengths as an author is her attention to detail and ability to craft vivid scenes. She did a wonderful job at both in her newest novel Esperance.
My favorite scene was the opening. It pulled me in right away and drummed up my excitement for the rest of the book. I wouldn’t consider this to be an action-packed novel. It has a more steady pace, with a handful of well placed exciting moments to keep the plot rolling along. Esperance felt like a chess board being set up. It also felt like the tip of an iceberg - with the potential for so much more to be revealed in the next books to come!
I enjoyed this new world Heather has created in Esperance. I feel like we only got a small glimpse of it in this book because the scenes were mostly limited to one location, however, I’m looking forward to seeing more aspects of it as we move forward. The supporting characters also added so much dimension! They really helped to bring the novel alive.
Here are a few of the reasons the book didn’t get a full five stars from me:
-I was able to predict the plot twists. Not a big deal though. The book doesn’t necessarily need big shock and awe moments to be a great read.
-Mystery is one of my least favorite genres and this had the aura of a mystery novel to me. But the suspense kept me turning the pages - I had to find out if my predictions would come true!
-I had a hard time getting Amryn’s personality right in my head - I couldn’t figure out if she was bold or shy, reckless or reserved. There are plot-induced reasons why she displays one trait and then it’s opposite, but it just made it harder for me to get a grasp on her character. Hopefully in the next book I’ll get a chance to figure her out.
-Esperance starts with an enemies to lovers element, which I loved, but I felt like Carver and Amryn’s feelings toward each other got very strong in a rather short amount of time. I would have liked to see the “falling in love” last a little longer.
Esperance is a great novel for readers who enjoy clean fantasy, romance and mystery.
My favorite scene was the opening. It pulled me in right away and drummed up my excitement for the rest of the book. I wouldn’t consider this to be an action-packed novel. It has a more steady pace, with a handful of well placed exciting moments to keep the plot rolling along. Esperance felt like a chess board being set up. It also felt like the tip of an iceberg - with the potential for so much more to be revealed in the next books to come!
I enjoyed this new world Heather has created in Esperance. I feel like we only got a small glimpse of it in this book because the scenes were mostly limited to one location, however, I’m looking forward to seeing more aspects of it as we move forward. The supporting characters also added so much dimension! They really helped to bring the novel alive.
Here are a few of the reasons the book didn’t get a full five stars from me:
-I was able to predict the plot twists. Not a big deal though. The book doesn’t necessarily need big shock and awe moments to be a great read.
-Mystery is one of my least favorite genres and this had the aura of a mystery novel to me. But the suspense kept me turning the pages - I had to find out if my predictions would come true!
-I had a hard time getting Amryn’s personality right in my head - I couldn’t figure out if she was bold or shy, reckless or reserved. There are plot-induced reasons why she displays one trait and then it’s opposite, but it just made it harder for me to get a grasp on her character. Hopefully in the next book I’ll get a chance to figure her out.
-Esperance starts with an enemies to lovers element, which I loved, but I felt like Carver and Amryn’s feelings toward each other got very strong in a rather short amount of time. I would have liked to see the “falling in love” last a little longer.
Esperance is a great novel for readers who enjoy clean fantasy, romance and mystery.
August 3, 2023
Esperance is the first book in the trilogy by Heather Frost. The second book is said to be out in late 2023. I had mixed feelings going into this book but ended up liking it.
It is a clean romance. I hope it stays that way. There is featured kissing. There is a scene where one of the women talks about sex with her husband and tries to get the others to talk.
I do like Amryn and Carver, though Carver made me angry and I think the author should have the couple talk about that issue in more detail. Other than that, I like Carver. I’m wondering if he will open up a bit more about his time in the war in the next book and if he says why his nickname is “the Butcher”.
I did like the writing. It wasn’t boring or dragged on. I know some books are coming out thicker and they have absolutely no plot in half the pages. This is not one of the books. It was well-paced. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.
Be warned: it ends with a cliffhanger.
It is a clean romance. I hope it stays that way. There is featured kissing. There is a scene where one of the women talks about sex with her husband and tries to get the others to talk.
I do like Amryn and Carver, though Carver made me angry and I think the author should have the couple talk about that issue in more detail. Other than that, I like Carver. I’m wondering if he will open up a bit more about his time in the war in the next book and if he says why his nickname is “the Butcher”.
I did like the writing. It wasn’t boring or dragged on. I know some books are coming out thicker and they have absolutely no plot in half the pages. This is not one of the books. It was well-paced. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.
Be warned: it ends with a cliffhanger.
October 29, 2024
“Esperance,” by Heather Frost starts off with quite an intro, immediately throwing you into the story and you can’t help but want to know what’s going to happen next! I was instantly sucked in and couldn’t stop reading for a while, and then I had to binge the next half in one day!
The characters are so intriguing, the story line is captivating, and the plot is twisty! It starts out with wedding bells and quickly turns to murder and lots of mystery!
There’s also some really cool magical aspects and abilities being figured out which I’m excited to hopefully read more about in book 2!🤞🏼And the slow burn romance, is to die for!! Obviously I love this book, and you will too if you love fantasy and romance!
The characters are so intriguing, the story line is captivating, and the plot is twisty! It starts out with wedding bells and quickly turns to murder and lots of mystery!
There’s also some really cool magical aspects and abilities being figured out which I’m excited to hopefully read more about in book 2!🤞🏼And the slow burn romance, is to die for!! Obviously I love this book, and you will too if you love fantasy and romance!
July 9, 2023
Esperance by Heather Frost
I’d only heard amazing this about this book so I had high expectations going in, and boy did it deliver.
An arranged marriage with slow burn romance, mystery with several twists and turns and no idea who to trust, a secret rebellion with a hidden agenda, and divided loyalties becoming more complicated by the minute. What more could you ask for?!
This was an amazing start to the series and I can’t wait to see where Frost takes us next!
Content: violence, death, kisses
I’d only heard amazing this about this book so I had high expectations going in, and boy did it deliver.
An arranged marriage with slow burn romance, mystery with several twists and turns and no idea who to trust, a secret rebellion with a hidden agenda, and divided loyalties becoming more complicated by the minute. What more could you ask for?!
This was an amazing start to the series and I can’t wait to see where Frost takes us next!
Content: violence, death, kisses
November 19, 2022
ugh SO. GOOD.
Oh my goodness. It is just so good. SO so good. Read it. You’ll see. What more can I say?
Oh my goodness. It is just so good. SO so good. Read it. You’ll see. What more can I say?
December 11, 2022
Purchasing this book was a bookstagram-made-me-do-it purchase and I am not mad about it one bit!
I was hooked and enjoyed every moment of this book from beginning to end!
12 people from different kingdoms, 6 arranged marriages. All commanded to live isolated from the world, together in Esperance, for 1 year.
The story follows Amryn and Carver and I was totally invested! This story has:
•enemies-to-lovers
•arranged marriage
•fantastic set of characters
•SECRETS!
•CAN'T TRUST ANYONE!
•Action!
•mystery
•slow burn romance
•the Empire vs. the rebels!
I was a little nervous that it might get confusing trying to keep track of 12 different characters, but the author did a fantastic job, introducing them and bringing them into the story, making them unique and putting them into couples, I wasn't lost at all!
I loved getting to know the characters and some that became favorites☺️ (but I'm not going to share names because that would be spoilery!) You just never know who you can trust till the end!!
Just an absolutely enjoyable action-packed adventure with mystery and political intrigue and secrets and romance!
Most everything is wrapped up by the end, so the ending isn't SUPER cliffhangery, however it is a little abrupt, but in a good way, it left me wanting book 2 SO BAD! I gotta know what happens with Amryn and Carver!! I love them and I love them together🥰
Totally recommend this book!
Especially if you also enjoyed The Remnant Chronicles by Mary Pearson and/or the DoT duology and/or The Desolation Series by Kortney Keisel and/or We Hunt the Flame duology.
-no swearing, and romance is kisses only
There is a lot of action and violence/murder/assassination attempts, but nothing gory or gruesome!
--CW: It is discussed/everyone becomes concerned about how a woman who is pregnant might lose her baby due to a life-threatening situation.
I was hooked and enjoyed every moment of this book from beginning to end!
12 people from different kingdoms, 6 arranged marriages. All commanded to live isolated from the world, together in Esperance, for 1 year.
The story follows Amryn and Carver and I was totally invested! This story has:
•enemies-to-lovers
•arranged marriage
•fantastic set of characters
•SECRETS!
•CAN'T TRUST ANYONE!
•Action!
•mystery
•slow burn romance
•the Empire vs. the rebels!
I was a little nervous that it might get confusing trying to keep track of 12 different characters, but the author did a fantastic job, introducing them and bringing them into the story, making them unique and putting them into couples, I wasn't lost at all!
I loved getting to know the characters and some that became favorites☺️ (but I'm not going to share names because that would be spoilery!) You just never know who you can trust till the end!!
Just an absolutely enjoyable action-packed adventure with mystery and political intrigue and secrets and romance!
Most everything is wrapped up by the end, so the ending isn't SUPER cliffhangery, however it is a little abrupt, but in a good way, it left me wanting book 2 SO BAD! I gotta know what happens with Amryn and Carver!! I love them and I love them together🥰
Totally recommend this book!
Especially if you also enjoyed The Remnant Chronicles by Mary Pearson and/or the DoT duology and/or The Desolation Series by Kortney Keisel and/or We Hunt the Flame duology.
-no swearing, and romance is kisses only
There is a lot of action and violence/murder/assassination attempts, but nothing gory or gruesome!
--CW: It is discussed/everyone becomes concerned about how a woman who is pregnant might lose her baby due to a life-threatening situation.
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