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Letters of Enchantment #0
Wild Reverence
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romantasy (2025)Blockbuster bestseller Rebecca Ross returns to the world of international sensation Divine Rivals with her most epic story yet.Before Iris sat at her typewriter and before Enva sang her song, a young goddess wandered dreams…
Born to the firelit domain of the underworld, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods kill each other for magic, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry letters through the realms, but she also carries secrets of her one of them deadly, the other a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met…
Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life – begging the goddess he befriended in dreams for aid. But his prayer went unanswered, forever hardening his heart against the gods. That is until the same goddess comes tumbling through his window, bearing a letter to change both their destinies. For Matilda and Vincent are tangled together by threads of fate and the promise of a future beyond dreams, one that might rewrite the dark, blood-soaked ways of the gods…or end them.
Born to the firelit domain of the underworld, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods kill each other for magic, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry letters through the realms, but she also carries secrets of her one of them deadly, the other a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met…
Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life – begging the goddess he befriended in dreams for aid. But his prayer went unanswered, forever hardening his heart against the gods. That is until the same goddess comes tumbling through his window, bearing a letter to change both their destinies. For Matilda and Vincent are tangled together by threads of fate and the promise of a future beyond dreams, one that might rewrite the dark, blood-soaked ways of the gods…or end them.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2025
6528 people are currently reading
180435 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Ross
15 books27.7k followersRebecca Ross is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults.
She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.
When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.
Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.
She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.
When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.
Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,755 reviews
September 19, 2025
6 stars.
I genuinely do not have words. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year and without at doubt one of my new favorite books ever. This was the type of book that brought tears to my eyes simply because of how heartbreakingly beautiful it was. The writing, the prose, I wanted to inject each and every word into my veins. I didn’t want to leave this book, it made me feel every emotion under the sun and the amount of tears I shed in the end?! My goodness how lucky are we that words on paper can make us feel so much?????
This is a romantic fantasy about a goddess and a mortal whose love knows no bounds despite time and distance and circumstance pushing them further and further apart. Matilda meets Vincent in his dreams when they are 13, and they are tethered by fate from the moment they lay eyes on one another. In a world run by corrupt gods, love between the divine and mortals is forbidden…. Matilda has messenger magic and is constantly being pulled away from Vincent over the years and the pain that comes with that hurts so good. There’s so much more I could say but I truly believe yoh should go into this blind.
Vincent and Matilda. This is what I meant when I say I want romance with devastating yearning and longing and pining from both of the characters. This book reminded me why I fell in love with romance as a genre and I fear I’m doomed because nothing will compare for quite some time. I cannot even put their love into words, it would do it a disservice. Vincent Vincent Vincent. He is now the standard. The blueprint. The painnnnnn his POV brought me. This is a man who yearns. This is a man who is robbed of breath and brought to his knees by the sight of her, who crumbles by a single touch. Who waits years and years for her and never gives up hope that one day they will be together despite outside forces pushing them a part. Think Mr. Darcy, Anthony Bridgerton. Yes he does a Mr. Darcy hand flex. This book will have you gnawing at the bits for a single kiss. My god I’m in agony because of how much I love them. Matilda’s unwavering strength and growth made my heart swell with warmth. Her story is devastating but so empowering at the same time. Talk about a character who never loses their fight and is strengthened by emotions she was brought up thinking are a weakness.
This world Rebecca built is just as beautiful as when I read it the first time in divine rivals. Each page sucked me and left me hungering for more and more and more. I cannot say anything else I will just leave some quotes to hopefully convince you to read this.
“And I thought that I could perish then and there and be wholly content to die, on my knees before her, my heart beating so wildly it felt like it would split open, like a tithe of first fruits on an altar.”
“I was weak for her alone, and I wanted her to know it. We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it.”
“When her gaze held mine, I found that I could not move. She could break me with a single word, and I waited for it.”
“I collect each moment that you’ve been away, and I feel them gather in my bones like winter. I long for you. I do not know when this happened, when the current rose and when I let it take me, willingly, but there came a moment when I looked at you and could not breathe. There was a moment when I watched you depart, and I wanted to fall to my knees.”
“My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it.”
“His name was like a second heart, beating in my chest, and I hesitated, caught in a web.”
“I waited for her return like the stars wait for the sun to set.”
“I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar.“
“Her hand slipped from my face. But I was certain that she left a mark behind on me. I was convinced that anyone who looked upon my countenance would know her hand had been there.”
“And I had never desired to be a god, to wield power as one, but in that moment, I longed to halt time. I would have made an interlude for us, a space when the hour lost its bite and the sun stood still.”
I genuinely do not have words. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year and without at doubt one of my new favorite books ever. This was the type of book that brought tears to my eyes simply because of how heartbreakingly beautiful it was. The writing, the prose, I wanted to inject each and every word into my veins. I didn’t want to leave this book, it made me feel every emotion under the sun and the amount of tears I shed in the end?! My goodness how lucky are we that words on paper can make us feel so much?????
This is a romantic fantasy about a goddess and a mortal whose love knows no bounds despite time and distance and circumstance pushing them further and further apart. Matilda meets Vincent in his dreams when they are 13, and they are tethered by fate from the moment they lay eyes on one another. In a world run by corrupt gods, love between the divine and mortals is forbidden…. Matilda has messenger magic and is constantly being pulled away from Vincent over the years and the pain that comes with that hurts so good. There’s so much more I could say but I truly believe yoh should go into this blind.
Vincent and Matilda. This is what I meant when I say I want romance with devastating yearning and longing and pining from both of the characters. This book reminded me why I fell in love with romance as a genre and I fear I’m doomed because nothing will compare for quite some time. I cannot even put their love into words, it would do it a disservice. Vincent Vincent Vincent. He is now the standard. The blueprint. The painnnnnn his POV brought me. This is a man who yearns. This is a man who is robbed of breath and brought to his knees by the sight of her, who crumbles by a single touch. Who waits years and years for her and never gives up hope that one day they will be together despite outside forces pushing them a part. Think Mr. Darcy, Anthony Bridgerton. Yes he does a Mr. Darcy hand flex. This book will have you gnawing at the bits for a single kiss. My god I’m in agony because of how much I love them. Matilda’s unwavering strength and growth made my heart swell with warmth. Her story is devastating but so empowering at the same time. Talk about a character who never loses their fight and is strengthened by emotions she was brought up thinking are a weakness.
This world Rebecca built is just as beautiful as when I read it the first time in divine rivals. Each page sucked me and left me hungering for more and more and more. I cannot say anything else I will just leave some quotes to hopefully convince you to read this.
“And I thought that I could perish then and there and be wholly content to die, on my knees before her, my heart beating so wildly it felt like it would split open, like a tithe of first fruits on an altar.”
“I was weak for her alone, and I wanted her to know it. We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it.”
“When her gaze held mine, I found that I could not move. She could break me with a single word, and I waited for it.”
“I collect each moment that you’ve been away, and I feel them gather in my bones like winter. I long for you. I do not know when this happened, when the current rose and when I let it take me, willingly, but there came a moment when I looked at you and could not breathe. There was a moment when I watched you depart, and I wanted to fall to my knees.”
“My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it.”
“His name was like a second heart, beating in my chest, and I hesitated, caught in a web.”
“I waited for her return like the stars wait for the sun to set.”
“I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar.“
“Her hand slipped from my face. But I was certain that she left a mark behind on me. I was convinced that anyone who looked upon my countenance would know her hand had been there.”
“And I had never desired to be a god, to wield power as one, but in that moment, I longed to halt time. I would have made an interlude for us, a space when the hour lost its bite and the sun stood still.”
September 28, 2025
2.5 stars ✨
"I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.
Honestly, such a disappointing read. It was inconsistent in the way it was paced. There were so many ups and downs, it was tough to push through. The middle was a drag. So repetitive in its narratives with how Matilda's character arc was stuck in a loop with little growth. The book could have easily been edited and did not need to be this lengthy.
🍅 Matlida was such a boring and dull fmc. I was snoozing in her chapters by the middle of it. It was like reading a robot's chapters. Yes, I get she's some goddess but she just comes across as emotionless and it annoyed the hell out of me.
But my men, Bade and Vincent carried this book. If it wasn't for them, I would give it like one star. But they brought emotion and real growth to the book. They set the romanticism and their dynamics were far more interesting than whatever Matlida was trying to achieve.
The romance is a dud. I'm sorry, but Matilda has nothing to give except guiding souls and poetically redundant wars that did nothing to move my heart. All of the romance, yearning and tension was carried by Vincent. Honestly, the man deserves far better than an emotionless stuck up. He was the one making declarations and devotion. I felt the love for a goddess towards a mortal. But I did not feel the goddess loved that mortal and this is what I mostly disliked.
The ending was something I really enjoyed, not only because the book finished but also because there was something actually happening plot wise. There was decent action and twists but it was also because there was a lot more of Bade and Vincent. Matlida can go suck it.
Thanks to beautiful Ashlyn for surviving this book with me.
~•~•~
Ahh so excited for this one.
"I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.
Honestly, such a disappointing read. It was inconsistent in the way it was paced. There were so many ups and downs, it was tough to push through. The middle was a drag. So repetitive in its narratives with how Matilda's character arc was stuck in a loop with little growth. The book could have easily been edited and did not need to be this lengthy.
🍅 Matlida was such a boring and dull fmc. I was snoozing in her chapters by the middle of it. It was like reading a robot's chapters. Yes, I get she's some goddess but she just comes across as emotionless and it annoyed the hell out of me.
But my men, Bade and Vincent carried this book. If it wasn't for them, I would give it like one star. But they brought emotion and real growth to the book. They set the romanticism and their dynamics were far more interesting than whatever Matlida was trying to achieve.
The romance is a dud. I'm sorry, but Matilda has nothing to give except guiding souls and poetically redundant wars that did nothing to move my heart. All of the romance, yearning and tension was carried by Vincent. Honestly, the man deserves far better than an emotionless stuck up. He was the one making declarations and devotion. I felt the love for a goddess towards a mortal. But I did not feel the goddess loved that mortal and this is what I mostly disliked.
The ending was something I really enjoyed, not only because the book finished but also because there was something actually happening plot wise. There was decent action and twists but it was also because there was a lot more of Bade and Vincent. Matlida can go suck it.
Thanks to beautiful Ashlyn for surviving this book with me.
~•~•~
Ahh so excited for this one.
October 17, 2025
my favourite book of the year rtc.
_
Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows were two of my favourite books from last year, so I'm sooo excited to start this book!! 🤭 Like my expectations are sky high!! I hope it's 5 stars.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher- Saturday books for an E-Arc.*
_
Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows were two of my favourite books from last year, so I'm sooo excited to start this book!! 🤭 Like my expectations are sky high!! I hope it's 5 stars.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher- Saturday books for an E-Arc.*
September 5, 2025
Beautifully Wounded, Wildly Devastating!
This book is my language—hauntingly beautiful prose, devastatingly raw emotions, tropes that never miss, ache, the letters… it’s like the author raided my brain and wrote a dream novel. Nothing beats a beautifully written YA fantasy that rips your heart out and heals it in the same breath. and characters that will live rent free in my head forever. If a book could bruise me in the best way, it’s this one.. A fever dream of angst and love—I’m obsessed.The definition of a book that ruins you beautifully.
Did I finish the book… or did the book finish me? I’ll never truly know. What I do know is that Wild Reverence carved itself into my soul—and I would gladly let it again. Hijacked my brain, wrecked my sleep schedule, and left my soul wandering long after the last page… and I’m not even mad about it.
-♾️ stars because “emotional devastation” is my brand.
Easily one of my top reads of the year!
Wild Reverence deserves more than a rushed review, so I’ll be back when my heart can string sentences instead of sobs. Stay tuned—because once I manage to put words together, it’s going to be a lot.
-----
ೃ ⁀➷ Pre-view:🔮
– Before the war. Before the rivalry. There were only the letters...📜
Back to Cambria 🌌
—a world where gods clash in the skies, mortals bleed in trenches, letters carry fate, and every secret can cost your life.and where the sky and the under realm never stop hungering for power.
🖋️💌EXPECT:
📍Enter- Matilda: the youngest goddess of her clan, armed with messenger magic (and a secret she’ll die to protect)
🕊️ Vincent: a mortal lord who once dreamed of her, now hardened by loss, until fate throws her back into his life.
🌌 A return to Cambria’s myth-soaked history, where the war of gods still shadows every corner. A myth-soaked world where even shadows hum with secrets.
⚔️ Divine betrayals, godly rivalries, and the courage it takes to stand against the blood-soaked rules of the gods..
🖋️ Anonymous letters brimming with heartache & hope
🌙 Two souls falling in love through ink before they ever meet
📨 Book with letters 💳💥
💭 Yearning so loud you can feel it between the lines
🔥 The slowest of slow burns—starting with “dear stranger” and ending in destiny
🎇 Whispers, confessions, vulnerabilities they’d never admit out loud
🌹 Themes of grief, strength, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to choose love in a blood-soaked world
📚 The foundation of a love story epic enough to shake realms
📍ACOMAF Vibes say less 🤺
I had the ARC sitting on my shelf for weeks (oops 👀) and now that release day is practically here—it’s finally time to crack open Wild Reverence... Before wild card..
I saved this book for my weekend plan, and honestly? Perfect timing.
✨ If Divine Rivals showed us war through ink and typewriters, Wild Reverence takes us into the myths themselves—where gods walk, secrets burn, and love might just rewrite the rules of eternity.
🖋️ Matilda. Vincent. Cambria.
Let the second round of destiny begin… and may the gods beware.I’m so ready for the yearning, the vulnerability, and the heartbreak...
This book is my language—hauntingly beautiful prose, devastatingly raw emotions, tropes that never miss, ache, the letters… it’s like the author raided my brain and wrote a dream novel. Nothing beats a beautifully written YA fantasy that rips your heart out and heals it in the same breath. and characters that will live rent free in my head forever. If a book could bruise me in the best way, it’s this one.. A fever dream of angst and love—I’m obsessed.The definition of a book that ruins you beautifully.
Did I finish the book… or did the book finish me? I’ll never truly know. What I do know is that Wild Reverence carved itself into my soul—and I would gladly let it again. Hijacked my brain, wrecked my sleep schedule, and left my soul wandering long after the last page… and I’m not even mad about it.
-♾️ stars because “emotional devastation” is my brand.
Easily one of my top reads of the year!
Wild Reverence deserves more than a rushed review, so I’ll be back when my heart can string sentences instead of sobs. Stay tuned—because once I manage to put words together, it’s going to be a lot.
-----
ೃ ⁀➷ Pre-view:🔮
– Before the war. Before the rivalry. There were only the letters...📜
Back to Cambria 🌌
—a world where gods clash in the skies, mortals bleed in trenches, letters carry fate, and every secret can cost your life.and where the sky and the under realm never stop hungering for power.
🖋️💌EXPECT:
📍Enter- Matilda: the youngest goddess of her clan, armed with messenger magic (and a secret she’ll die to protect)
🕊️ Vincent: a mortal lord who once dreamed of her, now hardened by loss, until fate throws her back into his life.
🌌 A return to Cambria’s myth-soaked history, where the war of gods still shadows every corner. A myth-soaked world where even shadows hum with secrets.
⚔️ Divine betrayals, godly rivalries, and the courage it takes to stand against the blood-soaked rules of the gods..
🖋️ Anonymous letters brimming with heartache & hope
🌙 Two souls falling in love through ink before they ever meet
📨 Book with letters 💳💥
💭 Yearning so loud you can feel it between the lines
🔥 The slowest of slow burns—starting with “dear stranger” and ending in destiny
🎇 Whispers, confessions, vulnerabilities they’d never admit out loud
🌹 Themes of grief, strength, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to choose love in a blood-soaked world
📚 The foundation of a love story epic enough to shake realms
📍ACOMAF Vibes say less 🤺
I had the ARC sitting on my shelf for weeks (oops 👀) and now that release day is practically here—it’s finally time to crack open Wild Reverence... Before wild card..
I saved this book for my weekend plan, and honestly? Perfect timing.
✨ If Divine Rivals showed us war through ink and typewriters, Wild Reverence takes us into the myths themselves—where gods walk, secrets burn, and love might just rewrite the rules of eternity.
🖋️ Matilda. Vincent. Cambria.
Let the second round of destiny begin… and may the gods beware.I’m so ready for the yearning, the vulnerability, and the heartbreak...
September 3, 2025
જ⁀➴ 5 ✰
I have so many feelings about this book that I honestly don’t even know where to begin. This story completely swept me away—it was magical, emotional, and so beautifully written that I found myself rereading scenes just to feel them again.
At its core, this book is about love, trust, fate, and the painful but necessary journey of self-discovery. It’s about choosing to keep going even when the world has been cruel, and learning to trust yourself enough to hold on to love when it finally finds you.
The author dedicated it “to anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love”—and I think that line alone encapsulates the entire essence of the story. It’s a book about holding on and letting go, about the ache of loss and the beauty of finding someone who makes that ache feel bearable. That dedication set the tone for everything that followed.
𓍼 I’ll admit, I went into this book with hesitation. I had planned to read Divine Rivals first, since it takes place in the same world, but I simply didn’t have the time. On top of that, I saw so much mixed discourse online. People called it boring, said it lacked the “magic” of Divine Rivals, and warned that it was slow. Because of that, I opened the first pages nervously, bracing myself for disappointment. But what happened was the complete opposite. The deeper I went, the more I realized how wrong those fears were. By the time I finished, I had tears streaming down my face and a heart so full I could barely put into words what the story had given me. This wasn’t just a pleasant surprise—it was a treasure I didn’t know I needed.
I’m still fairly new to fantasy, but every time I dive into the genre, it feels like it reshapes the way I see storytelling. With every book, I discover new reasons to fall in love with it—whether it’s the sprawling world-building, the depth of the characters, or the way magic becomes a metaphor for something greater. This book reminded me why fantasy has quickly become one of my favorite genres. It pulled me out of the reading slump I’ve been struggling with for weeks. It kept me engaged, hungry to know what would happen next, even when I thought I was too tired to keep reading. Fantasy is starting to feel like home to me, and this book played a big part in that.🩶
𓍼 Yes, the world-building was confusing at first—I won’t lie. Everything tripped me up in the beginning, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to follow along. But little by little, piece by piece, the world started to open up. The rules of the magic system, the divisions between worlds, the balance between immortals and mortals—all of it became clear the deeper I went. By the middle of the book, I wasn’t confused anymore; I was enchanted.
The writing in this book was breathtaking. Rebecca Ross doesn’t just tell a story—she crafts it, line by line, like poetry. Her words were vivid enough to transport me into the heart of every scene. I could feel the tension in battles, taste the air of the mortal world, and see the golden glow of the gods’ realm as if it were right in front of me. There were moments where my heart was pounding so hard I had to physically stop reading just to breathe. And yet there were also quiet, delicate lines that made me want to cry simply because of their beauty. That balance—between intensity and softness—is what made the book feel alive. it’s a long book, but not once did I feel like it dragged. In fact, I devoured half of it in a single day because I couldn’t put it down. It consumed me, body and soul.
ೃ𓍯𓂃⋆˚࿔Matilda 𓂃˙⋆✮
One of the reasons I’m falling in love with fantasy is because of the heroines. They are so often strong, independent, and resilient—and Matilda is the perfect example of that. Her life was full of hardship, caught between being an underlying and a skyward, never knowing who to trust or if she would be hunted down for what she was. Yet despite all of that, she grew into a clever, compassionate, and powerful young woman.
Her journey was both heartbreaking and inspiring. She had to grow up too quickly, facing challenges without allies, save for Bade (who stole my heart completely). And still, she carried herself with grace. When she entered the mortal world, the way she immediately began to care for the people of Wyndrift showed her true heart of gold. She is fierce, but she is also gentle, and that balance made her a heroine I’ll never forget.
ೃ𓍯𓂃 ⋆˚࿔Vincent𓂃 ࣪˖➴
And then there’s Vincent. The moment I saw we would get his POV, I nearly screamed. Because if you want to read about a man who yearns—deeply, desperately, with every fiber of his being—Vincent is that man. The longing between him and Matilda was enough to shatter me. He thought of her constantly, even when he only saw her in dreams. He carried her with him like a secret flame, one that guided him even in his darkest moments. Despite being a mortal, he wanted nothing more than to protect her.
I also enjoyed his journey in this book, how he had to take care as the king when he wasn’t ready but he still gave his all for the people he loves, how he protected Nathaniel. Everything about him is perfect!
And his words!!!!!!! The letter he wrote to Matilda made me sob. His protectiveness, his tenderness, his reverence for her—even kissing her scars; showing love not just for her beauty, but for her pain and her strength—cemented him as one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. His words still echo in my mind:—cemented him as one of my top book boyfriends. Lines like “My wife will have anything she wants”and “There came a moment when I looked at you and could not breathe” still echo in my mind. Vincent isn’t just romantic; he’s devoted to the point of selflessness. He would rather die than live without her, and that is exactly the kind of love story that destroys me.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Matilda & Vincent:
⤷ soulmates ᰔ
Together, these two are breathtaking. They mirror each other in so many ways: both scarred by betrayal, both isolated in their pain, both willing to sacrifice everything for the people they love. And yet, instead of becoming hardened, they remain selfless. Their love is not toxic or selfish—it is patient, enduring, and filled with yearning. They embody the goddess x mortal boy trope perfectly. The letters, the waiting, the stolen moments—it’s everything I could have wanted. They anchor each other, they ground each other, and their bond feels ancient and inevitable, like something written in the stars long before either of them existed.
Their romance is slow but not in a frustrating way. It builds patiently, like a fire catching spark after spark until it’s a roaring blaze. If you’re here only for the romance, you might wish for more, but personally, I adored the pacing. This is a love story that doesn’t rush. It simmers. It yearns. It waits. And when it finally blooms, it feels all the more powerful because of that waiting.
ೃ𓍯𓂃 ⋆˚࿔ Bade & Adria ִ ࣪𖤐˚⋆
And now… let’s talk about Bade and Adria, because THEY. OWN. MY. HEART.
Honestly, in the beginning, they were the reason I kept reading. I want, no, I NEED more of them. I will literally beg on my knees for a book about them. Imagine, the god of war going all soft for a mortal after fighting the other😩😩 GIVE IT TO MEEEEEE. Loved how supportive Adria was to Matilda and how bade always had her back.
╰┈➤ I NEED THEIR BOOK LIKE THE AIR I BREATHE
But what truly broke me was Bade’s bond with Matilda. Though not her father by blood, he became the father figure she had always longed for. He protected her, guided her, loved her in a way no one else had. Their relationship brought me to tears more times than I can count. By the time I reached Chapter 78, I was wrecked. Their bond shattered me and healed me all at once. Bade wasn’t just a side character—he felt like the beating heart of the story, the protector who quietly carried more love than anyone realized. He is my favorite character of the book
╰┈➤ I’m crying again😭😭
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ final thoughts ] ࿐ྂ
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was tender, poetic, heartbreaking, and healing all at once. I went in scared and came out in awe, grateful for the love, pain, and beauty these characters gave me. It’s not just a fantasy novel—it’s a story about sacrifice, about the weight of love, about finding strength in the people who choose to stay. And it left me breathless.
ꨄ︎ immortal x mortal guy
ꨄ︎ forbidden romance
ꨄ︎ marriage of convenience
ꨄ︎ found family
ꨄ︎ YEARNING
ꨄ︎ slow burn
⤷ eleven eleven ⟡ conan gray
⤷ saw you in a dream ⟡ the Japanese house
⤷ adore you ⟡ harry styles
⤷ young and beautiful ⟡ lana del rey
⤷ sailor song ⟡ gigi perez
⤷ can you hold me ⟡ NF, Britt Nicole
⤷ forever & always ⟡ zeph
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “There is nothing more devastating to a god than to lose their power and immortality, for their name to be forgotten and blotted out in disgrace.
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “We were bound by friendship and a familiarity that made my chest ache.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”The expression on his face was one I had never encountered before in all my years below. It was wholly transparent—soft with wonder, comradery. Trust. Relief. Affection.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”And then came his voice again, soft and unguarded. Something I could recognize, as if we had met in a dream. “Matilda?”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”My throat closed as I continued to stare at her; she had only become more beautiful, more powerful with time. A rose that had grown thorns. It felt as if I were standing on sand”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “The sight of you here, after thinking you had drowned, has roused something in me that I have not felt in some time.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”I willed those stars to always burn, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “But in my heart, she had always been the wind, never staying in one place for too long.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “As with all divines, she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams. I had always thought such of her, even when we were children.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “But then I realized I wanted her to see me bare. I was weak for her alone, and I wanted her to know it. I did not want to keep anything from her.”
_______
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ pre-read:
I’M SO EXCITED TO READ THIS!😝 I started my romantasy journey early this year and have only read 3 books of that genre but loved all of them, so I have high hopes for this one🤞🏻
Also decided to not read divine rivals before this one cause my slump is not going to let me read it quick enough to do it before this one comes out✋🏻
_____________________
I GOT THE ARC!!!!! 🤭 but ummm do I need to read divine rivals and ruthless vows before this one?👀 someone help a girl out
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it.”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹
I have so many feelings about this book that I honestly don’t even know where to begin. This story completely swept me away—it was magical, emotional, and so beautifully written that I found myself rereading scenes just to feel them again.
At its core, this book is about love, trust, fate, and the painful but necessary journey of self-discovery. It’s about choosing to keep going even when the world has been cruel, and learning to trust yourself enough to hold on to love when it finally finds you.
╰┈➤ minor spoilers might be mentioned in this review
The author dedicated it “to anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love”—and I think that line alone encapsulates the entire essence of the story. It’s a book about holding on and letting go, about the ache of loss and the beauty of finding someone who makes that ache feel bearable. That dedication set the tone for everything that followed.
𓍼 I’ll admit, I went into this book with hesitation. I had planned to read Divine Rivals first, since it takes place in the same world, but I simply didn’t have the time. On top of that, I saw so much mixed discourse online. People called it boring, said it lacked the “magic” of Divine Rivals, and warned that it was slow. Because of that, I opened the first pages nervously, bracing myself for disappointment. But what happened was the complete opposite. The deeper I went, the more I realized how wrong those fears were. By the time I finished, I had tears streaming down my face and a heart so full I could barely put into words what the story had given me. This wasn’t just a pleasant surprise—it was a treasure I didn’t know I needed.
I’m still fairly new to fantasy, but every time I dive into the genre, it feels like it reshapes the way I see storytelling. With every book, I discover new reasons to fall in love with it—whether it’s the sprawling world-building, the depth of the characters, or the way magic becomes a metaphor for something greater. This book reminded me why fantasy has quickly become one of my favorite genres. It pulled me out of the reading slump I’ve been struggling with for weeks. It kept me engaged, hungry to know what would happen next, even when I thought I was too tired to keep reading. Fantasy is starting to feel like home to me, and this book played a big part in that.🩶
𓍼 Yes, the world-building was confusing at first—I won’t lie. Everything tripped me up in the beginning, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to follow along. But little by little, piece by piece, the world started to open up. The rules of the magic system, the divisions between worlds, the balance between immortals and mortals—all of it became clear the deeper I went. By the middle of the book, I wasn’t confused anymore; I was enchanted.
𓍯𓂃“Love amongst immortals is a weakness.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
The writing in this book was breathtaking. Rebecca Ross doesn’t just tell a story—she crafts it, line by line, like poetry. Her words were vivid enough to transport me into the heart of every scene. I could feel the tension in battles, taste the air of the mortal world, and see the golden glow of the gods’ realm as if it were right in front of me. There were moments where my heart was pounding so hard I had to physically stop reading just to breathe. And yet there were also quiet, delicate lines that made me want to cry simply because of their beauty. That balance—between intensity and softness—is what made the book feel alive. it’s a long book, but not once did I feel like it dragged. In fact, I devoured half of it in a single day because I couldn’t put it down. It consumed me, body and soul.
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚characters:
ೃ𓍯𓂃⋆˚࿔Matilda 𓂃˙⋆✮
One of the reasons I’m falling in love with fantasy is because of the heroines. They are so often strong, independent, and resilient—and Matilda is the perfect example of that. Her life was full of hardship, caught between being an underlying and a skyward, never knowing who to trust or if she would be hunted down for what she was. Yet despite all of that, she grew into a clever, compassionate, and powerful young woman.
Her journey was both heartbreaking and inspiring. She had to grow up too quickly, facing challenges without allies, save for Bade (who stole my heart completely). And still, she carried herself with grace. When she entered the mortal world, the way she immediately began to care for the people of Wyndrift showed her true heart of gold. She is fierce, but she is also gentle, and that balance made her a heroine I’ll never forget.
ೃ𓍯𓂃 ⋆˚࿔Vincent𓂃 ࣪˖➴
And then there’s Vincent. The moment I saw we would get his POV, I nearly screamed. Because if you want to read about a man who yearns—deeply, desperately, with every fiber of his being—Vincent is that man. The longing between him and Matilda was enough to shatter me. He thought of her constantly, even when he only saw her in dreams. He carried her with him like a secret flame, one that guided him even in his darkest moments. Despite being a mortal, he wanted nothing more than to protect her.
𓍯𓂃“She was not mine by spoken vow but something deeper. Something that felt older, stronger, darker, like a language that had been sung centuries ago but had now been forgotten. Something that simmered in the blood, calling to me, calling to her.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
I also enjoyed his journey in this book, how he had to take care as the king when he wasn’t ready but he still gave his all for the people he loves, how he protected Nathaniel. Everything about him is perfect!
And his words!!!!!!! The letter he wrote to Matilda made me sob. His protectiveness, his tenderness, his reverence for her—even kissing her scars; showing love not just for her beauty, but for her pain and her strength—cemented him as one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. His words still echo in my mind:—cemented him as one of my top book boyfriends. Lines like “My wife will have anything she wants”and “There came a moment when I looked at you and could not breathe” still echo in my mind. Vincent isn’t just romantic; he’s devoted to the point of selflessness. He would rather die than live without her, and that is exactly the kind of love story that destroys me.
𓍯𓂃“If it takes you,” I said, “then let it also take me. Don’t leave me behind like this, Red.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Matilda & Vincent:
⤷ soulmates ᰔ
Together, these two are breathtaking. They mirror each other in so many ways: both scarred by betrayal, both isolated in their pain, both willing to sacrifice everything for the people they love. And yet, instead of becoming hardened, they remain selfless. Their love is not toxic or selfish—it is patient, enduring, and filled with yearning. They embody the goddess x mortal boy trope perfectly. The letters, the waiting, the stolen moments—it’s everything I could have wanted. They anchor each other, they ground each other, and their bond feels ancient and inevitable, like something written in the stars long before either of them existed.
𓍯𓂃"He was holding on to me like he was an anchor in a storm. A weight to keep me grounded. He held me because he feared I was about to be carried away. And should I be, he was so entwined with me that the beast would have to take us together.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
Their romance is slow but not in a frustrating way. It builds patiently, like a fire catching spark after spark until it’s a roaring blaze. If you’re here only for the romance, you might wish for more, but personally, I adored the pacing. This is a love story that doesn’t rush. It simmers. It yearns. It waits. And when it finally blooms, it feels all the more powerful because of that waiting.
𓍯𓂃 “I would wait a thousand years for you,” Vincent said. “If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
ೃ𓍯𓂃 ⋆˚࿔ Bade & Adria ִ ࣪𖤐˚⋆
And now… let’s talk about Bade and Adria, because THEY. OWN. MY. HEART.
Honestly, in the beginning, they were the reason I kept reading. I want, no, I NEED more of them. I will literally beg on my knees for a book about them. Imagine, the god of war going all soft for a mortal after fighting the other😩😩 GIVE IT TO MEEEEEE. Loved how supportive Adria was to Matilda and how bade always had her back.
𓍯𓂃”I watched him gaze down at Adria. I had never seen such a delicate expression on his angular, ugly face before. As if he was made of feathers, thistledown, sun-warmed sand. Soft. “Don’t,” Adria said, her voice frayed and weak. “Don’t give . . . those up for . . . me.” She closed her eyes again as he caressed her hair”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
╰┈➤ I NEED THEIR BOOK LIKE THE AIR I BREATHE
But what truly broke me was Bade’s bond with Matilda. Though not her father by blood, he became the father figure she had always longed for. He protected her, guided her, loved her in a way no one else had. Their relationship brought me to tears more times than I can count. By the time I reached Chapter 78, I was wrecked. Their bond shattered me and healed me all at once. Bade wasn’t just a side character—he felt like the beating heart of the story, the protector who quietly carried more love than anyone realized. He is my favorite character of the book
𓍯𓂃“I was the daughter he would never have. The child he had secretly wanted.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
𓍯𓂃”I walked to him, and he surprised me yet again when he opened his arms and drew me into them, embracing me tightly. I laid my ear upon his chest, where I could hear the steady thrum of his heart—his fault line, the weak point in his armor—and I closed my eyes.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
╰┈➤ I’m crying again😭😭
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [ final thoughts ] ࿐ྂ
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was tender, poetic, heartbreaking, and healing all at once. I went in scared and came out in awe, grateful for the love, pain, and beauty these characters gave me. It’s not just a fantasy novel—it’s a story about sacrifice, about the weight of love, about finding strength in the people who choose to stay. And it left me breathless.
⋆౨ৎ ₊˚ 🗡️tropes:
ꨄ︎ immortal x mortal guy
ꨄ︎ forbidden romance
ꨄ︎ marriage of convenience
ꨄ︎ found family
ꨄ︎ YEARNING
ꨄ︎ slow burn
˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞. Wild Reverence playlist
⤷ eleven eleven ⟡ conan gray
⤷ saw you in a dream ⟡ the Japanese house
⤷ adore you ⟡ harry styles
⤷ young and beautiful ⟡ lana del rey
⤷ sailor song ⟡ gigi perez
⤷ can you hold me ⟡ NF, Britt Nicole
⤷ forever & always ⟡ zeph
──★some of my favorite quotes and scenes★──
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “There is nothing more devastating to a god than to lose their power and immortality, for their name to be forgotten and blotted out in disgrace.
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “We were bound by friendship and a familiarity that made my chest ache.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”The expression on his face was one I had never encountered before in all my years below. It was wholly transparent—soft with wonder, comradery. Trust. Relief. Affection.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”And then came his voice again, soft and unguarded. Something I could recognize, as if we had met in a dream. “Matilda?”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”My throat closed as I continued to stare at her; she had only become more beautiful, more powerful with time. A rose that had grown thorns. It felt as if I were standing on sand”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “The sight of you here, after thinking you had drowned, has roused something in me that I have not felt in some time.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”I willed those stars to always burn, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “But in my heart, she had always been the wind, never staying in one place for too long.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “As with all divines, she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams. I had always thought such of her, even when we were children.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “But then I realized I wanted her to see me bare. I was weak for her alone, and I wanted her to know it. I did not want to keep anything from her.”
_______
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ pre-read:
I’M SO EXCITED TO READ THIS!😝 I started my romantasy journey early this year and have only read 3 books of that genre but loved all of them, so I have high hopes for this one🤞🏻
Also decided to not read divine rivals before this one cause my slump is not going to let me read it quick enough to do it before this one comes out✋🏻
_____________________
I GOT THE ARC!!!!! 🤭 but ummm do I need to read divine rivals and ruthless vows before this one?👀 someone help a girl out
September 1, 2025
I mean… obviously! 😍🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️
Thank you SMP for the advanced digital copy! 🙏🏻💖
Set in the same world as Divine Rivals - Before Iris sat at her typewriter and before Enva sang her song, a young goddess wandered dreams...
Gods, dreams, and a heart melting love story! Omg I can't wait! 😍
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Thank you SMP for the advanced digital copy! 🙏🏻💖
Set in the same world as Divine Rivals - Before Iris sat at her typewriter and before Enva sang her song, a young goddess wandered dreams...
Gods, dreams, and a heart melting love story! Omg I can't wait! 😍
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
November 14, 2025
5 Stars ★
"My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it."
This had a slow start for me but once it picked up, I had a hard time putting it down.
Wild Reverence is the prequel to the Letters of Enchantment series. That is exactly what Rebecca Ross does is enchant you with her words. They just flow so poetically and beautifully telling a story that you get lost in and feel everything that is happening within. The world building was easy to fall into and entwined perfectly with the events and story that unfolded bringing this mythological feeling of mortals meets divine with tension, dark secrets, and romance together in this romantasy. This is not just a story of love but is one of finding yourself, healing, and embracing the moments that come with finding where you belong in the world.
Matilda was born in the under realm a goddess that has the magic of a messenger. She is known for carrying messages as words and letters across the realms. The gods are known to kill one another for their power. So, when Matilda learns of her new magic, she must keep it secret, allies included.
Matilda my gosh where do I even start. She is made out to be weak as she is in her world just a herald delivering messages. Let me tell you though she is so much more. She went through tribulations when she was young, forcing her to grow up quickly. This only showcases just how strong and resilient she is. Being both underling and skyward she has challenges, and this alone highlights her strengths. When tragedy strikes close to her, she isn't sure where she belongs, so she does what she thinks is best for her. Along this journey that she chooses she grows into the woman that she is meant to be, a woman who is not only strong but caring and selfless. I loved how she immediately began helping people as soon as she entered the mortal world. It showed the kind of woman that she is and grew into. I just love her.
"Movement was destined to be my armor. I was not fully an Underling, and nor was I a full- blooded Skyward. I was both, and this had never happened before. I was Matilda alone."
Vincent is the sweetest most caring man that is strong and a great leader, which he never saw for himself. He was never supposed to be the Lord over the people of Wyndrift but those circumstances changed when his family was killed. His journey was one that changed him. He was hardened from the deaths of his family but as time went on, we watched him unfold that hardness into something beautiful becoming a man who loved deeply and would do anything to protect the ones that he loved no matter the cost to himself, especially his brothers. What really stands out to me though is his yearning. I've never met a character that has yearned for someone as much as Vincent but the way that he did for Matilda did me in.
"She was not mine by spoken vow but something deeper. Something that felt older, stronger, darker, like a language that had been sung centuries ago but had now been forgotten. Something that simmered in the blood, calling to me, calling to her."
Matilda and Vincent are the epitomes of soulmates, though for years they had only met in Vincent's dreams until Matilda had disappeared. While they were separated, they yearned and longed for one another over that time proving that they are destined to be together and even more so as they fight against all odds to get back to one another. The chemistry and playful banter along the way adds depth to their many layers. Their love for one another is slow to build up. I personally loved it because I love a good slow burn that just has sparks along the way until it ignites. It is also patient, allowing them to build up the trust that they both need since they have been hurt by betrayal and carry so much pain. I loved that they shared their vulnerable moments with one another as they healed both separately and together. The words that they shared for one another had me swooning, especially the letter that Vincent wrote to Matilda. I will always love letters. The love that they had for one another was honestly felt through the pages as the story progressed.
"Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine."
There were a couple of characters that I absolutely loved and adored just as much as Matilda and Vincent. They are Bade and Adria. I really do hope that we get their story at some point. Bade is the father figure that Matilda always longed for. He was there to protect and guide her when she needed it most and at times when she didn't. He showed her the kind of love that a father gives to their daughter. Their moments had me giggling and then at other times in tears with how precious it was. Adria looked after Matilda as well and gave her something that only one who truly cared for and loved you did for another. Their relationship was short but so sweet and supportive.
"I was the daughter he would never have. The child he had secretly wanted."
I don't even know what else to say. I truly adored this from beginning to end. I took my time with it and savored the story and just let myself feel all of it. This had me swooning, giggling and literally sobbing. I was left trying to catch my breath from the beauty that this story is. I loved how everything wrapped up in the end and tied it in perfectly to Divine Rivals.
*Spoilers may be mentioned
Favorite quotes and moments
"We were bound by friendship and a familiarity that made my chest ache."
"He was holding on to me like he was an anchor in a storm. A weight to keep me grounded."
"The expression on his face was one I had never encountered before in all my years below. It was wholly transparent—soft with wonder, comradery. Trust. Relief. Affection."
"I willed those stars to burn always, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark."
“If it takes you,” I said, “then let it also take me. Don’t leave me behind like this, Red.”
"The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe."
"We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it."
“I would wait a thousand years for you,” Vincent said. “If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.”
“But I think you know that the soul can be found in words, and words within the soul. The two reflect each other in the sky, do they not?”
-----‐------------------
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Pre-read
One of my most anticipated reads of the year!! I'm ready to visit this world again, so let's gooo! ❤️
Set in the same world as Divine Rivals 🤸♀️ and there is a mention of a letter 👀😍 I NEED this rn!
"My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it."
This had a slow start for me but once it picked up, I had a hard time putting it down.
Wild Reverence is the prequel to the Letters of Enchantment series. That is exactly what Rebecca Ross does is enchant you with her words. They just flow so poetically and beautifully telling a story that you get lost in and feel everything that is happening within. The world building was easy to fall into and entwined perfectly with the events and story that unfolded bringing this mythological feeling of mortals meets divine with tension, dark secrets, and romance together in this romantasy. This is not just a story of love but is one of finding yourself, healing, and embracing the moments that come with finding where you belong in the world.
Matilda was born in the under realm a goddess that has the magic of a messenger. She is known for carrying messages as words and letters across the realms. The gods are known to kill one another for their power. So, when Matilda learns of her new magic, she must keep it secret, allies included.
Matilda my gosh where do I even start. She is made out to be weak as she is in her world just a herald delivering messages. Let me tell you though she is so much more. She went through tribulations when she was young, forcing her to grow up quickly. This only showcases just how strong and resilient she is. Being both underling and skyward she has challenges, and this alone highlights her strengths. When tragedy strikes close to her, she isn't sure where she belongs, so she does what she thinks is best for her. Along this journey that she chooses she grows into the woman that she is meant to be, a woman who is not only strong but caring and selfless. I loved how she immediately began helping people as soon as she entered the mortal world. It showed the kind of woman that she is and grew into. I just love her.
"Movement was destined to be my armor. I was not fully an Underling, and nor was I a full- blooded Skyward. I was both, and this had never happened before. I was Matilda alone."
Vincent is the sweetest most caring man that is strong and a great leader, which he never saw for himself. He was never supposed to be the Lord over the people of Wyndrift but those circumstances changed when his family was killed. His journey was one that changed him. He was hardened from the deaths of his family but as time went on, we watched him unfold that hardness into something beautiful becoming a man who loved deeply and would do anything to protect the ones that he loved no matter the cost to himself, especially his brothers. What really stands out to me though is his yearning. I've never met a character that has yearned for someone as much as Vincent but the way that he did for Matilda did me in.
"She was not mine by spoken vow but something deeper. Something that felt older, stronger, darker, like a language that had been sung centuries ago but had now been forgotten. Something that simmered in the blood, calling to me, calling to her."
Matilda and Vincent are the epitomes of soulmates, though for years they had only met in Vincent's dreams until Matilda had disappeared. While they were separated, they yearned and longed for one another over that time proving that they are destined to be together and even more so as they fight against all odds to get back to one another. The chemistry and playful banter along the way adds depth to their many layers. Their love for one another is slow to build up. I personally loved it because I love a good slow burn that just has sparks along the way until it ignites. It is also patient, allowing them to build up the trust that they both need since they have been hurt by betrayal and carry so much pain. I loved that they shared their vulnerable moments with one another as they healed both separately and together. The words that they shared for one another had me swooning, especially the letter that Vincent wrote to Matilda. I will always love letters. The love that they had for one another was honestly felt through the pages as the story progressed.
"Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine."
There were a couple of characters that I absolutely loved and adored just as much as Matilda and Vincent. They are Bade and Adria. I really do hope that we get their story at some point. Bade is the father figure that Matilda always longed for. He was there to protect and guide her when she needed it most and at times when she didn't. He showed her the kind of love that a father gives to their daughter. Their moments had me giggling and then at other times in tears with how precious it was. Adria looked after Matilda as well and gave her something that only one who truly cared for and loved you did for another. Their relationship was short but so sweet and supportive.
"I was the daughter he would never have. The child he had secretly wanted."
I don't even know what else to say. I truly adored this from beginning to end. I took my time with it and savored the story and just let myself feel all of it. This had me swooning, giggling and literally sobbing. I was left trying to catch my breath from the beauty that this story is. I loved how everything wrapped up in the end and tied it in perfectly to Divine Rivals.
*Spoilers may be mentioned
Favorite quotes and moments
"We were bound by friendship and a familiarity that made my chest ache."
"He was holding on to me like he was an anchor in a storm. A weight to keep me grounded."
"The expression on his face was one I had never encountered before in all my years below. It was wholly transparent—soft with wonder, comradery. Trust. Relief. Affection."
"I willed those stars to burn always, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark."
“If it takes you,” I said, “then let it also take me. Don’t leave me behind like this, Red.”
"The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe."
"We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it."
“I would wait a thousand years for you,” Vincent said. “If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.”
“But I think you know that the soul can be found in words, and words within the soul. The two reflect each other in the sky, do they not?”
-----‐------------------
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Pre-read
One of my most anticipated reads of the year!! I'm ready to visit this world again, so let's gooo! ❤️
Set in the same world as Divine Rivals 🤸♀️ and there is a mention of a letter 👀😍 I NEED this rn!
November 11, 2025
This book made me believe in soulmates.
Classic romance and longing is back bitches. Romance, lore, and original magic mixed with beautifully poetic prose that feels timeless. I feel like we bottled the perfect 1920s classic romance in a bottle with fantasy. This was everything .
Classic romance and longing is back bitches. Romance, lore, and original magic mixed with beautifully poetic prose that feels timeless. I feel like we bottled the perfect 1920s classic romance in a bottle with fantasy. This was everything .
September 25, 2025
⌗ 1.75/2 stars
no one is more disappointed by this book than me.
rebecca, i trusted you 😭🙏🏻.
wild reverence started out so promising - i was enjoying every second of it and savoring how well the world was being set up; the characters felt like they were on a journey to become some of my new favorites, and the writing was magical, as always. however, after the 50% mark, everything fell apart. the pacing was terrible. it felt like nothing was happening and i was constantly skimming the pages. i literally did not care about anything that happened.
ৎ୭ the characters:
i. matilda: she was okay. i didn’t understand why she was doing so much for vincent though - like yes, i know he’s extremely hot and you walked in his dreams before but like 😭😭 why is she putting her title, powers, and life on the line for this mortal guy 🤡 i didn’t feel any romantic chemistry between them whatsoever, so maybe that’s also a reason why i thought there was no reason that she was giving up everything for him.
ii. vincent. soooo. where was the yearning. was i missing something?? it felt like Matilda was doing most of the backbreaking things in this book for HIM and HIS family. what is he doing for her back?? it got the the point where she was giving up her entire being for him and the thing he did back was write her a letter 😶🌫️ me while reading the letter: 😐 (could never compete with romaniris’s letters)
i can’t believe my most anticipated release of the year turned out to be a disappoint (i’m still in shock) 🥲
﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
this rating hurts me to give. RTC
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
🪄 ౨ৎ pre read .ᐟ
starting one of my anticipated reads with the highest of expectations 🤭💚.
no one is more disappointed by this book than me.
rebecca, i trusted you 😭🙏🏻.
wild reverence started out so promising - i was enjoying every second of it and savoring how well the world was being set up; the characters felt like they were on a journey to become some of my new favorites, and the writing was magical, as always. however, after the 50% mark, everything fell apart. the pacing was terrible. it felt like nothing was happening and i was constantly skimming the pages. i literally did not care about anything that happened.
ৎ୭ the characters:
i. matilda: she was okay. i didn’t understand why she was doing so much for vincent though - like yes, i know he’s extremely hot and you walked in his dreams before but like 😭😭 why is she putting her title, powers, and life on the line for this mortal guy 🤡 i didn’t feel any romantic chemistry between them whatsoever, so maybe that’s also a reason why i thought there was no reason that she was giving up everything for him.
ii. vincent. soooo. where was the yearning. was i missing something?? it felt like Matilda was doing most of the backbreaking things in this book for HIM and HIS family. what is he doing for her back?? it got the the point where she was giving up her entire being for him and the thing he did back was write her a letter 😶🌫️ me while reading the letter: 😐 (could never compete with romaniris’s letters)
i can’t believe my most anticipated release of the year turned out to be a disappoint (i’m still in shock) 🥲
﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
this rating hurts me to give. RTC
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
🪄 ౨ৎ pre read .ᐟ
starting one of my anticipated reads with the highest of expectations 🤭💚.
Read
October 1, 2025_RTC 🧘🧘🧘🧘🧘
_The journey has begun… and now I await a sign from the heavens! May the gods of reading shine upon this book and grant me the strength to finish it—for my greatest sin is that of abandonment 😅 I kneel before the altar of good plots and beg… LET THIS ONE BE GOOD! 🙏🤞🤭
_The bar is so high 💀💀💀. I am damned if that book turns out to disappoint me.
_The journey has begun… and now I await a sign from the heavens! May the gods of reading shine upon this book and grant me the strength to finish it—for my greatest sin is that of abandonment 😅 I kneel before the altar of good plots and beg… LET THIS ONE BE GOOD! 🙏🤞🤭
_The bar is so high 💀💀💀. I am damned if that book turns out to disappoint me.
September 23, 2025
3 stars ⭐
⤷ mini spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
another unpopular opinion (maybe i’m the problem) but this book was a struggle to get through 😭 the premise and plot were genuinely interesting, but the pacing was PAINFULLY SLOW 😭 it got to the point where i felt like i was on the verge of a reading slump and i came thisss 🤏🏻 close to dnf-ing it, but i pushed through till the end i always tell myself not to waste time on books i’m not enjoying, yet sometimes i just can’t bring myself to dnf them—and this was definitely one of those times. if i were to rate this purely off my reading experience, it would’ve been 2.75 stars. but i have to admit, i had grown attached to the characters and the world by the end, which made me bump my rating a little higher (i really need to stop being so lenient with my ratings 😭).
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall
i didn’t enjoy this book as much as i’d hoped and i honestly would’ve been fine if i hadn’t read it at all 🥲
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ letters of enchantment series
♡.ᐟ wild reverence (3 ⭐)
♡.ᐟ divine rivals (4.75 ⭐)
♡.ᐟ ruthless vows (3 ⭐)
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 📜
this is definitely going to be the first book i pick up once i’m back!
⤷ mini spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
another unpopular opinion (maybe i’m the problem) but this book was a struggle to get through 😭 the premise and plot were genuinely interesting, but the pacing was PAINFULLY SLOW 😭 it got to the point where i felt like i was on the verge of a reading slump and i came thisss 🤏🏻 close to dnf-ing it, but i pushed through till the end i always tell myself not to waste time on books i’m not enjoying, yet sometimes i just can’t bring myself to dnf them—and this was definitely one of those times. if i were to rate this purely off my reading experience, it would’ve been 2.75 stars. but i have to admit, i had grown attached to the characters and the world by the end, which made me bump my rating a little higher (i really need to stop being so lenient with my ratings 😭).
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall
i didn’t enjoy this book as much as i’d hoped and i honestly would’ve been fine if i hadn’t read it at all 🥲
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ letters of enchantment series
♡.ᐟ wild reverence (3 ⭐)
♡.ᐟ divine rivals (4.75 ⭐)
♡.ᐟ ruthless vows (3 ⭐)
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 📜
this is definitely going to be the first book i pick up once i’m back!
November 22, 2025
Here’s another review that made me want to shout from the rooftops and even write a long song for. That’s how deeply this book hit me.
I didn’t just read Wild Reverence — I lived inside it. From the first page, I felt that quiet, undeniable pull that only a truly special book has, the kind that makes you forget the world around you. Rebecca Ross took me on a journey that was at once intimate and epic, and I came out of it both breathless and strangely healed, like I’d been walking through someone else’s myth and found pieces of myself along the way.
The world Ross built is spellbinding — lush, layered, and alive in a way that few fantasies manage to be. There’s myth woven into every shadow and whisper, gods with motives as flawed and raw as the mortals who worship them, and a history that feels so real I caught myself wondering what hidden door I’d have to find to step into it myself. The late nights I spent turning these pages didn’t feel like reading; they felt like crossing into another realm and watching its secrets unfold.
But what truly gripped me wasn’t just the atmosphere or the sweeping mythology — it was the people who lived within it. Matilda in particular. Her journey from grief and betrayal into strength and selfhood was devastating and beautiful. She’s the kind of heroine who doesn’t just win battles; she claws her way through heartbreak, through choices that cut her open, and somehow keeps moving forward. Watching her decide not only who she wanted to be, but who she refused to let others make her into, broke me in the best way.
And then there’s Vincent. Their connection — fragile, hesitant, but laced with a kind of inevitability — was one of the most genuine romances I’ve read in a long time. This isn’t the kind of love that arrives wrapped in perfection. It’s built out of longing glances, unspoken truths, and the unshakable sense that two people have found in each other what the world would rather they never discover. I couldn’t stop rooting for them, not just because of how much they needed each other, but because of how much they deserved each other.
What makes this book stand apart is how Ross balances the divine and the human. The story is full of gods, myths, and battles larger than life, yet at its core it’s about something achingly real: love, survival, betrayal, trust, and the courage it takes to keep reaching for light in the middle of so much darkness. That blend of magic and humanity is what gave me chills.
By the end, I wasn’t ready to let go. I sat with the book closed on my lap for a long while, just holding it, letting it sink in. It’s not often that a story leaves me with that kind of ache — the kind that’s equal parts loss and gratitude, because it means you’ve just experienced something extraordinary.
Wild Reverence isn’t just one of the best fantasies I’ve read this year; it’s one of those rare books I know I’ll revisit again and again, each time catching something I missed the first time. It’s powerful, romantic, and unforgettable — a story that left me changed in ways I can’t fully put into words.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Saturday Books for sharing one of the year’s most anticipated novels’ digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I couldn’t be more grateful to have read this early.
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I didn’t just read Wild Reverence — I lived inside it. From the first page, I felt that quiet, undeniable pull that only a truly special book has, the kind that makes you forget the world around you. Rebecca Ross took me on a journey that was at once intimate and epic, and I came out of it both breathless and strangely healed, like I’d been walking through someone else’s myth and found pieces of myself along the way.
The world Ross built is spellbinding — lush, layered, and alive in a way that few fantasies manage to be. There’s myth woven into every shadow and whisper, gods with motives as flawed and raw as the mortals who worship them, and a history that feels so real I caught myself wondering what hidden door I’d have to find to step into it myself. The late nights I spent turning these pages didn’t feel like reading; they felt like crossing into another realm and watching its secrets unfold.
But what truly gripped me wasn’t just the atmosphere or the sweeping mythology — it was the people who lived within it. Matilda in particular. Her journey from grief and betrayal into strength and selfhood was devastating and beautiful. She’s the kind of heroine who doesn’t just win battles; she claws her way through heartbreak, through choices that cut her open, and somehow keeps moving forward. Watching her decide not only who she wanted to be, but who she refused to let others make her into, broke me in the best way.
And then there’s Vincent. Their connection — fragile, hesitant, but laced with a kind of inevitability — was one of the most genuine romances I’ve read in a long time. This isn’t the kind of love that arrives wrapped in perfection. It’s built out of longing glances, unspoken truths, and the unshakable sense that two people have found in each other what the world would rather they never discover. I couldn’t stop rooting for them, not just because of how much they needed each other, but because of how much they deserved each other.
What makes this book stand apart is how Ross balances the divine and the human. The story is full of gods, myths, and battles larger than life, yet at its core it’s about something achingly real: love, survival, betrayal, trust, and the courage it takes to keep reaching for light in the middle of so much darkness. That blend of magic and humanity is what gave me chills.
By the end, I wasn’t ready to let go. I sat with the book closed on my lap for a long while, just holding it, letting it sink in. It’s not often that a story leaves me with that kind of ache — the kind that’s equal parts loss and gratitude, because it means you’ve just experienced something extraordinary.
Wild Reverence isn’t just one of the best fantasies I’ve read this year; it’s one of those rare books I know I’ll revisit again and again, each time catching something I missed the first time. It’s powerful, romantic, and unforgettable — a story that left me changed in ways I can’t fully put into words.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Saturday Books for sharing one of the year’s most anticipated novels’ digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I couldn’t be more grateful to have read this early.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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Want to read
January 21, 2025If this makes me feel anywhere close to the letters Roman and Iris wrote eachother, I’m giving it a five, idc ✍️
June 19, 2025
➸ 5 stars
𓈀 🪻 𓄹𓂃 thank you to netgalley and st. martin’s press for the advanced readers copy!
“And I wondered how it was possible for my heart to miss something that I had never experienced.”
this book. THIS. BOOK. i loved everything about it. rebecca’s writing is so utterly beautiful and magical. i was so immersed in this book and this story. being back in the world of divine rivals felt like coming home but it also made me look at that series with an entirely different perspective! i highly recommend going into this book blind!!
𓍢⊹ 𖧧 ࣪
“Love amongst immortals is a weakness.”
we learn more about the entirety of the gods; powers, motivations, lifestyle, etc!! it was so intriguing to me and like nothing i’ve ever read before! we got to see some of the gods that were introduced in divine rivals and knowing more about them in depth added to much that was missing in the duology!
“He held me like a mortal father embraces his daughter, like nothing could tear me from him.”
i will have to say my favorite god is bade, he wasnt the main focus but his story was SO interesting!!! the letter, adria, everything after that!! his relationship to matilda brought tears to my eyes.
“I could have fallen to my knees to know I had been dreaming of her all this time.”
in this story, we have the goddess x mortal trope which was EVERYTHING.
it all starts with a dream. a boy with nightmares and a goddess who answers. a bond that formed to protect from the fears that haunt. their first meeting was EVERYTHING TO ME. it was so pure.
i loved how we got a lot of backstory before getting into the main plot, it added so much depth!!
“My wife will have anything she wants.”
now if there’s a marriage of convenience, i will be there!!! the my wife moments get me EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!! (giggling and kicking my feet!!!!)
“The truth was . . . I was not accustomed to this: allowing someone to touch me with such ease. To accept it, as natural as breathing. To trust another hand so implicitly. It was not because I did not crave touch, for I did. A desire I rarely voiced for fear of how it might swell. The avoidance was for my own survival, an effort to protect my fault line.”
“Let it go, he had said into my hair. Let it go, and yet I could not. I was too afraid to allow myself to come undone. If one loose thread was pulled, I worried the entire tapestry would unravel.”
i know i already mentioned this but, i just love rebecca’s writing so much!! i have hundreds of highlights!! there are so many quotes that i kept of rereading and rereading because of how they made me feel and how deeply they hit.
“A tether formed between us. Invisible but undeniable. A cord wound from my rib to his.”
“Stay. Stay with me a little longer.”
“How long?”
“However long you can give me, Red.”
the YEARNING in this book was undeniable. the history between them. the want. the care. the protectiveness. the LONGING!! EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM!!!!
“She smiled at my poor attempt of a jest. But I found that I was eager to do it again, if only to stir such light within her.”
“As with all divines, she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams. I had always thought such of her, even when we were children.”
vincent’s pov was EVERYTHING to me. i love when books have the mmc’s pov and we get to see their love through their eyes!! and oh was this one beautiful.
“He longs to worship you, but not in the way you think.”
OOOOOH y’all for a second i forgot this was an adult fantasy!!! and oh was it beautifully romantic <3
… vincent’s letter. THE LETTER. i won’t quote it as for it’ll be a better experience reading it for the first time blindly but just know, TEARS WERE BROUGHT TO MY EYES!!!!!
“We were doomed, she and I.
One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars.
But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it.”
i was on the edge of my seat when it came to the final part. heart was beating fast and i felt so much anguish and hope at the same time. jaw was on the floor and tears were streaming down my face. it was perfect and heart wrenching at the same time; i would do anything to read this book for the first time again. the way everything went down and how it ended was truly beautiful.
i will forever be amazed by rebecca’s writing. the ending truly had me eyes wide and jaw on the floor. the wardrobe, the letter, the typewriters, the infamous vows…. set centuries before divine rivals and somehow everything tied together so perfect; the parallels were genius.
i’m so excited for everyone to read this book. it was extraordinary.
“For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love”
𓈀 🪻 𓄹𓂃 thank you to netgalley and st. martin’s press for the advanced readers copy!
“And I wondered how it was possible for my heart to miss something that I had never experienced.”
this book. THIS. BOOK. i loved everything about it. rebecca’s writing is so utterly beautiful and magical. i was so immersed in this book and this story. being back in the world of divine rivals felt like coming home but it also made me look at that series with an entirely different perspective! i highly recommend going into this book blind!!
𓍢⊹ 𖧧 ࣪
“Love amongst immortals is a weakness.”
we learn more about the entirety of the gods; powers, motivations, lifestyle, etc!! it was so intriguing to me and like nothing i’ve ever read before! we got to see some of the gods that were introduced in divine rivals and knowing more about them in depth added to much that was missing in the duology!
“He held me like a mortal father embraces his daughter, like nothing could tear me from him.”
i will have to say my favorite god is bade, he wasnt the main focus but his story was SO interesting!!! the letter, adria, everything after that!! his relationship to matilda brought tears to my eyes.
“I could have fallen to my knees to know I had been dreaming of her all this time.”
in this story, we have the goddess x mortal trope which was EVERYTHING.
it all starts with a dream. a boy with nightmares and a goddess who answers. a bond that formed to protect from the fears that haunt. their first meeting was EVERYTHING TO ME. it was so pure.
i loved how we got a lot of backstory before getting into the main plot, it added so much depth!!
“My wife will have anything she wants.”
now if there’s a marriage of convenience, i will be there!!! the my wife moments get me EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!! (giggling and kicking my feet!!!!)
“The truth was . . . I was not accustomed to this: allowing someone to touch me with such ease. To accept it, as natural as breathing. To trust another hand so implicitly. It was not because I did not crave touch, for I did. A desire I rarely voiced for fear of how it might swell. The avoidance was for my own survival, an effort to protect my fault line.”
“Let it go, he had said into my hair. Let it go, and yet I could not. I was too afraid to allow myself to come undone. If one loose thread was pulled, I worried the entire tapestry would unravel.”
i know i already mentioned this but, i just love rebecca’s writing so much!! i have hundreds of highlights!! there are so many quotes that i kept of rereading and rereading because of how they made me feel and how deeply they hit.
“A tether formed between us. Invisible but undeniable. A cord wound from my rib to his.”
“Stay. Stay with me a little longer.”
“How long?”
“However long you can give me, Red.”
the YEARNING in this book was undeniable. the history between them. the want. the care. the protectiveness. the LONGING!! EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM!!!!
“She smiled at my poor attempt of a jest. But I found that I was eager to do it again, if only to stir such light within her.”
“As with all divines, she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams. I had always thought such of her, even when we were children.”
vincent’s pov was EVERYTHING to me. i love when books have the mmc’s pov and we get to see their love through their eyes!! and oh was this one beautiful.
“He longs to worship you, but not in the way you think.”
OOOOOH y’all for a second i forgot this was an adult fantasy!!! and oh was it beautifully romantic <3
… vincent’s letter. THE LETTER. i won’t quote it as for it’ll be a better experience reading it for the first time blindly but just know, TEARS WERE BROUGHT TO MY EYES!!!!!
“We were doomed, she and I.
One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars.
But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it.”
i was on the edge of my seat when it came to the final part. heart was beating fast and i felt so much anguish and hope at the same time. jaw was on the floor and tears were streaming down my face. it was perfect and heart wrenching at the same time; i would do anything to read this book for the first time again. the way everything went down and how it ended was truly beautiful.
i will forever be amazed by rebecca’s writing. the ending truly had me eyes wide and jaw on the floor. the wardrobe, the letter, the typewriters, the infamous vows…. set centuries before divine rivals and somehow everything tied together so perfect; the parallels were genius.
i’m so excited for everyone to read this book. it was extraordinary.
August 14, 2025
I am almost speechless as to how amazing this novel really is. Even though I finished this book, this book is really the one who finished me. I cried a lot and had a lot of emotions, while reading this. This book is adventurous, mysterious, hopeful, tense, sad, dark and reflective. The writing of this book by the author is perfection. It is beautifully written, original, came with vivid descriptions and was extremely addicting! This is a medium paced read that consists of a unique magical system. This book’s characters were strongly developed and lovable!
This is an adult slow burn romance fantasy! It also has mythic elements, which I loved! This book can be read as a standalone or as a prequel to the book “Letters of Enchantment”. This comes with a dual point of view, a young messenger goddess named Matilda and a mortal named Vincent. I absolutely loved the immersive world building and the emotional depth this book has. I really felt the chemistry and the romantic connection between the two main characters. I feel like the side characters in this book definitely stood out. The power of vulnerability is a big and important theme in this book. It will forever be a memorable story that I will never forget!
Content warnings include sexual content, death, murder and violence. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoyed the book “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Ross and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for this eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published September 2, 2025!
This is an adult slow burn romance fantasy! It also has mythic elements, which I loved! This book can be read as a standalone or as a prequel to the book “Letters of Enchantment”. This comes with a dual point of view, a young messenger goddess named Matilda and a mortal named Vincent. I absolutely loved the immersive world building and the emotional depth this book has. I really felt the chemistry and the romantic connection between the two main characters. I feel like the side characters in this book definitely stood out. The power of vulnerability is a big and important theme in this book. It will forever be a memorable story that I will never forget!
Content warnings include sexual content, death, murder and violence. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoyed the book “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Ross and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for this eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published September 2, 2025!
September 19, 2025
➳ 5 ☆
AHHHH. another amazing, entertaining, whimsical romantasy. firstly, thank you so much, netgalley—this book is out on september, 2nd! rebecca ross has left me speechless. when i first received this ARC, i was flabbergasted. i didn't read the description or synopsis of this book, and i am so glad for that. going into this world—as clueless as possible—was the best thing i could've done. rebecca's way of crafting this story, this world, these characters, spoke to me. her writing is so vivid and descriptive, which adds to the intricate layers of this plot. i found myself pausing, stopping this book, just so i could savor it longer. this isn't the type of story that will leave me anytime soon. once i finished, i found myself going back through my highlights just to feel something again. if you read, divine rivals and wanted more ornate worldbuilding, a lavish plot, detailed characters—this is the book for you. i can't wait to see what everyone thinks of this.
for starters, this book moves like water—scenic and evocative. this feeling can be chalked up to the lyrical prose and magical world building, as it is stunning. these aren't just words on paper. there is so much life to this story, which is hard to come across these days in fantasy. the plot is woven together quite seamlessly and there is so much emotion and depth rebecca put into these characters. this story follows our heroine, matilda, and she is easily the best aspect of this book. she is a goddess and is the youngest one there trying to stop other gods from killing each other. that's all i will say because it's better to go in blind. i love the lore of how the gods came to be, and how matilda is carrying herself throughout this world. she is such a powerful character—both physically and mentally—and carries herself in such an inspiring way. her character arc was beautiful.
obviously, i have to mention the romance. vincient is a pathetic, obsessed, yearner, and i love him so much. the romantic element in this story was stunning to read about. i am not the biggest fan of the “mortal” x “immortal” trope, but it works so well in this book. everything from the letters, to him waiting years; despite never seeing her, made this book what it is. he and matilda were so pure and their love means everything to me. these are two souls who are unapologetically themselves, yet they have to make so many sacrifices—including each other. one of the qualms i have with this book, is wishing we got to spend more time with them as a couple, regardless of what those scenes were. there are some hauntingly beautiful quotes that represent this couple, but i do wish we got to witness more of their relationship on page. the pockets that we did get to see—i will forever treasure.
by the time i finished this book, i felt like a shell of a human. i was not ready to let go of this world. this journey has been deeply intoxicating and stimulating. after so many fantasy books, this is one of the first ones where i NEEDED to know what happened next. i stayed up late desperately trying to finish this before it was out. the most salient aspect of this, is how the theme and the message linger even after closing the book. the different topics explored—love, friendship, courage, bravery, and self-discovery—is something everyone can relate to. this book isn't just a story—a novel. it was an experience. the main characters, the side characters, are some that i will never forget. this book will be with me for a long time. i am forever grateful i got an advanced copy. i can't wait to have this on my shelf.
here are some of my favorite quotes — 🍂🤎
just shoot me now, thanks!
“stay. stay with me a little longer.” “how long?” “however long you can give me, red.”
“if you asked me, i would wait for you until only my bones remained on upon the altar.”
AHHHH. another amazing, entertaining, whimsical romantasy. firstly, thank you so much, netgalley—this book is out on september, 2nd! rebecca ross has left me speechless. when i first received this ARC, i was flabbergasted. i didn't read the description or synopsis of this book, and i am so glad for that. going into this world—as clueless as possible—was the best thing i could've done. rebecca's way of crafting this story, this world, these characters, spoke to me. her writing is so vivid and descriptive, which adds to the intricate layers of this plot. i found myself pausing, stopping this book, just so i could savor it longer. this isn't the type of story that will leave me anytime soon. once i finished, i found myself going back through my highlights just to feel something again. if you read, divine rivals and wanted more ornate worldbuilding, a lavish plot, detailed characters—this is the book for you. i can't wait to see what everyone thinks of this.
for starters, this book moves like water—scenic and evocative. this feeling can be chalked up to the lyrical prose and magical world building, as it is stunning. these aren't just words on paper. there is so much life to this story, which is hard to come across these days in fantasy. the plot is woven together quite seamlessly and there is so much emotion and depth rebecca put into these characters. this story follows our heroine, matilda, and she is easily the best aspect of this book. she is a goddess and is the youngest one there trying to stop other gods from killing each other. that's all i will say because it's better to go in blind. i love the lore of how the gods came to be, and how matilda is carrying herself throughout this world. she is such a powerful character—both physically and mentally—and carries herself in such an inspiring way. her character arc was beautiful.
obviously, i have to mention the romance. vincient is a pathetic, obsessed, yearner, and i love him so much. the romantic element in this story was stunning to read about. i am not the biggest fan of the “mortal” x “immortal” trope, but it works so well in this book. everything from the letters, to him waiting years; despite never seeing her, made this book what it is. he and matilda were so pure and their love means everything to me. these are two souls who are unapologetically themselves, yet they have to make so many sacrifices—including each other. one of the qualms i have with this book, is wishing we got to spend more time with them as a couple, regardless of what those scenes were. there are some hauntingly beautiful quotes that represent this couple, but i do wish we got to witness more of their relationship on page. the pockets that we did get to see—i will forever treasure.
by the time i finished this book, i felt like a shell of a human. i was not ready to let go of this world. this journey has been deeply intoxicating and stimulating. after so many fantasy books, this is one of the first ones where i NEEDED to know what happened next. i stayed up late desperately trying to finish this before it was out. the most salient aspect of this, is how the theme and the message linger even after closing the book. the different topics explored—love, friendship, courage, bravery, and self-discovery—is something everyone can relate to. this book isn't just a story—a novel. it was an experience. the main characters, the side characters, are some that i will never forget. this book will be with me for a long time. i am forever grateful i got an advanced copy. i can't wait to have this on my shelf.
here are some of my favorite quotes — 🍂🤎
“my life feels as the dew when i compare it to your ocean, but if you will have me, this is what i offer you. my home is your home. my arms are a haven for you to rest. my last name is yours if you desire it. i will love you to my grave, and even beyond it.”
“i did not give myself time to second guess or doubt. i let my body lead, not my mind. my hands framed her face and i kissed her on the mouth.”
“as with all divines, she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams. i had always thought such of her, even when we were children.”
“you hold on to her. but who could hold on to the wind? and better yet—who would be so foolish as to trust—to love—such a wild being?”
“but i think you know that the soul can be found in words, and words within the soul. the two reflect each other in the sky, do they not?”
“but in my heart, she had always been the wind, never staying in one place for too long...but there were moments when i knew i could not follow her.”
“matilda stood close to me, moonlight and solemn. i could see the stars shining in her hair, like the constellations had drifted from the heavens to crown her.”
just shoot me now, thanks!
Currently reading
August 26, 2025⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (8/25/2025): I'm finally starting this, and I am super nervous because I've already seen two of my mutuals rate it 2 stars🫣 I'm only on the second chapter now but I'll see you all on the other side! I'm hoping this is a five-star read🤞🏼🍀
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/5/2025): I GOT THE ARC. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, I GOT THE eARC!🌸🌿🖤✨This is one of my most highly anticipated reads this year, and while I’ll be reading this closer to publishing day, I just wanted to let everyone know thatas of 8 AM EST, it’s available to Read Now on the US NetGalley website for the first 1000 people who request it, so GO GO GO! Update: it went back to Request only not even 10 MINUTES later like what😭
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (1/22/2025): Oh I’m so ready for this. It looks like it’s set in the same world as Divine Rivals!
BIG thanks to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Wild Reverence will be officially published on September 2nd, 2025!
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/5/2025): I GOT THE ARC. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, I GOT THE eARC!🌸🌿🖤✨This is one of my most highly anticipated reads this year, and while I’ll be reading this closer to publishing day, I just wanted to let everyone know that
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (1/22/2025): Oh I’m so ready for this. It looks like it’s set in the same world as Divine Rivals!
BIG thanks to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Wild Reverence will be officially published on September 2nd, 2025!
October 4, 2025
"My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it." (My favorite quote).
I absolutely loved this book!! ❤️ This was a stunning and heartbreaking romantic fantasy about love, loss, fate, power, and courage. Wild Reverence follows Matilda, the youngest goddess in her family and she is a messenger who carries letters throughout the worlds. The gods are after her powers and she must fight to stay alive. A mortal man, Vincent dreamed of Matilda as a child and now as an adult he writes to her asking for her help. Vincent and Matilda are fated for each other and they will have to make sacrifices that will change them forever.
"Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find you soul still sworn to mine."
Thoughts
I fell in love with this fantastic story and the characters from the very first page. The plot was engaging and the pacing was perfect throughout the book. The world building was stellar, the author spent a decent amount of time expanding on the world and explaining the history of the gods. I loved the addition of new magic and expanded worlds. The writing was phenomenal and the story was crafted with so much heart and emotion. The letters were so beautiful and warmed my heart. I felt every emotion while reading this book including happiness and sadness. I was transported into this world world and felt a raw connection to the characters as well as the story. This book reminded me why I love reading and it gave me a feeling of being in a happy space. The ending was so beautiful and heartbreaking. My heart broke and healed at the same time. This story will stay in my heart for a long time.
"The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe."
Characters
The characters were excellent and well crafted. I loved Matilda, she was brave, strong, resilient, relatable, caring and protective. Matilda's character development was wonderful, as a child she was uncertain of her space in the world and not trusting, but as she grew up she became a strong, determined and inspiring goddess. I also loved that she was herself she didn't let anyone change her into a hateful goddess. I'm in love with Vincent, he was so sweet, caring, strong, hardworking, and he never gave up on Matilda. His yearning for Matilda was so beautiful and made me very emotional. Vincent's character development was excellent, near the beginning he was hardened and not as sweet as he was as a child, but then he was optimistic again and was so caring to Matilda. I also loved Bade, he was caring, dependable, protective and a great father figure to Matilda. The scenes where he protected and cared for Matilda were wonderful. Adria was an excellent character too and I loved how sweet Bade was to Adria.
"I will those stars to always burn, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark"
Romance
I loved the romance between Matilda and Vincent. The chemistry and tension between them was amazing! I also loved that their love transcended time and space. I blushed and swooned at many of the romantic scenes. I could feel how much they cared for each other and the yearning on both sides was beautiful. Matilda and Vincent deserve each other and I'm so happy that they found one another. I loved Bade and Adria's relationship too, they were great together and Bade had such a soft spot for her.
More beautiful quotes:
"He dreamt of me before I knew of him. His soul found mine before I even knew how to look for his."
"I am yours, Red. I will always be yours. Not even Death can change that."
"I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained on the altar." (My heart, I love him!)
I absolutely loved this book!! ❤️ This was a stunning and heartbreaking romantic fantasy about love, loss, fate, power, and courage. Wild Reverence follows Matilda, the youngest goddess in her family and she is a messenger who carries letters throughout the worlds. The gods are after her powers and she must fight to stay alive. A mortal man, Vincent dreamed of Matilda as a child and now as an adult he writes to her asking for her help. Vincent and Matilda are fated for each other and they will have to make sacrifices that will change them forever.
"Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find you soul still sworn to mine."
Thoughts
I fell in love with this fantastic story and the characters from the very first page. The plot was engaging and the pacing was perfect throughout the book. The world building was stellar, the author spent a decent amount of time expanding on the world and explaining the history of the gods. I loved the addition of new magic and expanded worlds. The writing was phenomenal and the story was crafted with so much heart and emotion. The letters were so beautiful and warmed my heart. I felt every emotion while reading this book including happiness and sadness. I was transported into this world world and felt a raw connection to the characters as well as the story. This book reminded me why I love reading and it gave me a feeling of being in a happy space. The ending was so beautiful and heartbreaking. My heart broke and healed at the same time. This story will stay in my heart for a long time.
"The desire to drop everything and run to him. He was a place where I knew I would be safe."
Characters
The characters were excellent and well crafted. I loved Matilda, she was brave, strong, resilient, relatable, caring and protective. Matilda's character development was wonderful, as a child she was uncertain of her space in the world and not trusting, but as she grew up she became a strong, determined and inspiring goddess. I also loved that she was herself she didn't let anyone change her into a hateful goddess. I'm in love with Vincent, he was so sweet, caring, strong, hardworking, and he never gave up on Matilda. His yearning for Matilda was so beautiful and made me very emotional. Vincent's character development was excellent, near the beginning he was hardened and not as sweet as he was as a child, but then he was optimistic again and was so caring to Matilda. I also loved Bade, he was caring, dependable, protective and a great father figure to Matilda. The scenes where he protected and cared for Matilda were wonderful. Adria was an excellent character too and I loved how sweet Bade was to Adria.
"I will those stars to always burn, because I could not bear to imagine them ever going dark"
Romance
I loved the romance between Matilda and Vincent. The chemistry and tension between them was amazing! I also loved that their love transcended time and space. I blushed and swooned at many of the romantic scenes. I could feel how much they cared for each other and the yearning on both sides was beautiful. Matilda and Vincent deserve each other and I'm so happy that they found one another. I loved Bade and Adria's relationship too, they were great together and Bade had such a soft spot for her.
More beautiful quotes:
"He dreamt of me before I knew of him. His soul found mine before I even knew how to look for his."
"I am yours, Red. I will always be yours. Not even Death can change that."
"I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained on the altar." (My heart, I love him!)
November 19, 2025
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 4 stars
'Wild Reverence' takes its time to get going, but rewards with a compelling and expansive tale in Rebecca Ross's lush writing style.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio:🌟🌟🌟🌟
“it is good to laugh. Even on terrible days.”
From the start, I was captivated by the vivid descriptions and beautiful writing style. Although the initial introduction to the world and characters is leisurely laid out, the slow start paid off as the elaborate storyline and political threads gradually won me over. Matilda's rollercoaster journey and evolution are especially compelling, and key supporting characters, like Bade, are portrayed with nuance. However, Vincent fell a bit flat for me as his character lacked defining traits. I wasn't entirely convinced by the romance either, mostly because of the limited interactions between the characters, but the attraction between them was undeniable.
“she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams.”
The audiobook, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk, Hannah Van Der Westhuysen, and George Weightman, was excellent. Their emotive and natural narration made the listening experience truly immersive.
See my other reviews for Rebecca Ross:
Letters of Enchantment Series:
Divine Rivals
Ruthless Vows
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog! - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Rating: 4 stars
'Wild Reverence' takes its time to get going, but rewards with a compelling and expansive tale in Rebecca Ross's lush writing style.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio:🌟🌟🌟🌟
“it is good to laugh. Even on terrible days.”
From the start, I was captivated by the vivid descriptions and beautiful writing style. Although the initial introduction to the world and characters is leisurely laid out, the slow start paid off as the elaborate storyline and political threads gradually won me over. Matilda's rollercoaster journey and evolution are especially compelling, and key supporting characters, like Bade, are portrayed with nuance. However, Vincent fell a bit flat for me as his character lacked defining traits. I wasn't entirely convinced by the romance either, mostly because of the limited interactions between the characters, but the attraction between them was undeniable.
“she was beautiful in a way that robbed breath and stole into dreams.”
The audiobook, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk, Hannah Van Der Westhuysen, and George Weightman, was excellent. Their emotive and natural narration made the listening experience truly immersive.
See my other reviews for Rebecca Ross:
Letters of Enchantment Series:
Divine Rivals
Ruthless Vows
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog! - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
March 1, 2025
if nobody’s got me i know rebecca ross’ got me
rebecca ross did not play around with this wow i say as i sob profusely
mortal x immortal pairings you will always be famous
thank you to macmillan for providing me an advance copy to review
Bookstagram | Blog
rebecca ross did not play around with this wow i say as i sob profusely
mortal x immortal pairings you will always be famous
thank you to macmillan for providing me an advance copy to review
Bookstagram | Blog
October 1, 2025
This book promised “blood soaked gods” and “a goddess with a secret,” but instead I got Matilda… the human embodiment of plain oatmeal 😭 she had magic, yet somehow managed to stay the most boring character from start to finish. Zero growth. Zero spark. Just vibes (and not the good kind)
The premise was everything!! Messenger magic, letters across realms, a forbidden love but the execution was so flat it could’ve been written on one of Matilda’s own letters 💌💔 The only reason this isn’t a 1 star? Vincent. He’s the one thing that actually kept me awake.
Thank you SK for buddy reading this with me!💗
pre read: this got me doing cartwheels i’m so happy MORTAL X GODDESS?? Im sat. give it to me NOW
The premise was everything!! Messenger magic, letters across realms, a forbidden love but the execution was so flat it could’ve been written on one of Matilda’s own letters 💌💔 The only reason this isn’t a 1 star? Vincent. He’s the one thing that actually kept me awake.
Thank you SK for buddy reading this with me!💗
pre read: this got me doing cartwheels i’m so happy MORTAL X GODDESS?? Im sat. give it to me NOW
September 17, 2025
6 STARS ⭐️ This is the best and most poetic writing I’ve read this year. Very similar to the likes of Wild Dark Shores (which was one of my top 10 reads for this year). I am blown away by the prose and how flawless this book was. It’s the best Gods and Goddesses story that I’ve read in many years. It had the best and most beautiful, romantic quotes full of yearning and longing. I didn’t want it to end!!! It was the most perfect tale of how two forbidden worlds collided and created something special.
It’s a story about an immortal goddess who fell in love with a mortal. But it’s not just a love story, it’s a story about unshakable devotion and the most poetic soul-speaking connection that unfolds through dreams.
It’s classic, it’s timeless. This should enter your TBR list.
“We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let’s fully embrace it”
FULL REVIEW TO COME. Ohhhh it will be a long one.
It’s a story about an immortal goddess who fell in love with a mortal. But it’s not just a love story, it’s a story about unshakable devotion and the most poetic soul-speaking connection that unfolds through dreams.
It’s classic, it’s timeless. This should enter your TBR list.
“We were doomed, she and I. One day, I would perish and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let’s fully embrace it”
FULL REVIEW TO COME. Ohhhh it will be a long one.
September 13, 2025
⁀ ⊹ ₊ This is the beginning of the end, I thought. If heartless gods can be made soft by such love, we are all doomed.
after reading through what felt like an endless desert of flops in 2025, it is safe to say that rebecca ross has swooped in like a divine intervention and given us a winner with wild reverence. i’m completely heartbroken, but in the most beautiful, cathartic way possible. i feel this profound sense of loneliness now that the story is over, an ache that settles deep inside. this book blew my expectations out of the water, then gently stitched my soul back together, only to tear it apart again with its beauty.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ But I think you know that the soul can be found in words, and words within the soul. The two reflect each other in the sky, do they not?
── ୭ the characters: my new obsessions
𖣠 matilda
i loved her so much in this book, it’s almost painful. being a goddess, means her life is anything but easy. it’s difficult with impossible choices, heavy burdens, and a destiny that often feels like a cage. yet, she navigates it all with such incredible strength and grace. what really struck me was how badass and resilient she was, especially when faced with such fucked up challenges. she fights, she loves, she sacrifices. an immortal goddess dedicating her entire, unending existence to a mortal man? shoot me now, because i need this type of fierce, unwavering, eternal devotion in my life. the depth of her commitment, the way she embraces her power while also allowing herself to be vulnerable for love─it’s just stunning.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ The secrets, the pain, the shadows, the words. The pieces of me that I was afraid to bare to any save for him. I wanted to set those fragments in his hands. The myth of who I had been, of who I could still become, my life woven with his.
𖣠 vincent
everything about this man was, from top to bottom, absolutely perfect. he is vulnerable in a way that just cracks your heart open, yet incredibly strong when it matters most. this man gets on his knees for his woman, not out of weakness, but out of pure, unadulterated reverence and love. his inner monologues were so raw, honest, poetic, revealing a soul so deeply entwined with matilda’s that it felt like reading a love letter written by destiny itself. the way he dedicated his entire mortal life, his every breath, his very purpose towards matilda was so emotional that i genuinely had tears streaming down my face. rebecca ross, you finally gave me a reason to not give up on fantasy. you gave me vincent, and for that, i am eternally grateful.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it, when the mists welcome me, when I am hopefully very old and gray and grouchy and have spent the seasons beside you when you are here and dreaming of you when you are gone.
I love you dearly, Red.
Come home to me. Return to me, when you can. I will be watching the skies and the river until then.
𖣠 matilda + vincent: a love for the ages
individually, matilda and vincent are powerhouses. but together they are an undeniable force, an epic love story woven into the very fabric of existence. both of these characters are severely layered, not just two dimensional figures, but complex souls with their own pasts, fears, and hopes. they face a relentless onslaught of hardship and separation, moments where it feels like the universe itself is conspiring to keep them apart. and yet, their connection endures. their journey through these trials, the way they fight for each other, against all odds, across timelines and dimensions, is truly a sight to witness. it became abundantly clear, with every page, every shared glance, every whispered promise, that these two are soulmates destined to be together in every single universe, every iteration of time. and that’s why i'm so mad, so genuinely frustrated, because i will never find this type of transcendent, all consuming love in real life. this was romantasy done so perfectly, so fucking right, that it sets a new gold standard for the genre.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ Time did not favor such quiet stories. Once, I had feared this, until I realized my story was not one to be devoured by strangers. No, this was for him and for me. And if we wanted to tell it, we would tell it in our own way.
── ୭ the writing and plot
this book is wonderfully heavy in the fantasy elements, building a rich, immersive world that feels ancient and magical. but what it truly excels at is reflecting that intricate fantasy through the lens of romance, which is undeniably the main, beating heart of this story. divine rivals has held the title of my favorite book of all time for a while now, and i knew, i just knew for sure that miss author would completely eat up with this one, and she did, in fact, absolutely devour it. the writing itself was so exquisitely simple to understand, never getting bogged down in overly complicated prose, yet it was simultaneously so magical, so lyrical, that it transported me completely. this book gave me a whole lotta whiplash. at one moment, i was giggling with pure delight, completely swept up in their playful banter or tender moments. The next moment, I was openly crying, a messy, ugly cry, my heart breaking alongside the characters. and i'll never, ever get over that ending. THIS BOOK IS PEAK ROMANTASY, so beautifully written, so emotionally resonant, and i will truly never get over it. thank you, rebecca ross, for this masterpiece.
⁀ ⊹ ₊ It made me feel as if there was some justice in this world—that cruel gods and men were not rewarded by paradise when their end came—that was a comfort to me.
i'll be sleeping on the highway tonight, *sobs* because how am i supposed to move on after experiencing something so uniquely perfect? go read this book. seriously.
October 22, 2025
2.5 stars
I liked this story in the beginning, but the further I got, the more contrived and forced it felt.
There was no natural progression anymore once Matilda went to Vincent and pretended to be his wife. And there also wasn’t enough build up between them. Just because she saw him in his dreams sometimes didn’t amount to any real connection between them that would have explained why they were so familiar with each other immediately.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed their little moments together, there was chemistry there. The author for sure knows how to create that. But little moments don’t make a real connection imo. They aren’t enough for me to believe their feelings for each other. Their relationship felt like it was still very much at the beginning, and so it felt out of place and rushed when they confessed their love.
I also felt somewhat indifferent about Matilda and Vincent. They were flat and uninteresting characters that I just didn’t care about.
The pacing felt off too. The first 30% or so are solely spend in the realm of the gods while she is a child. I found this part interesting, but it dragged on for too long, and then we suddenly jumped to her being an adult and proposing fake marriage to Vincent. This didn’t work for me; it felt like the author just strung together some ideas instead of working out a cohesive plot.
I do enjoy Rebecca Ross’ writing style, but with this book it just felt like too much. It was filled with unnecessary, repetitive and excessive descriptions, that totally bogged down the story and turned it into a 500+ page drag to read.
Looking at the other reviews, I’m obviously in the minority with my opinion on this book, so I’d recommend trying it for yourself and see where you land on it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
____
Words can’t describe how excited I am for this ✨💗 🤸♀️
I liked this story in the beginning, but the further I got, the more contrived and forced it felt.
There was no natural progression anymore once Matilda went to Vincent and pretended to be his wife. And there also wasn’t enough build up between them. Just because she saw him in his dreams sometimes didn’t amount to any real connection between them that would have explained why they were so familiar with each other immediately.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed their little moments together, there was chemistry there. The author for sure knows how to create that. But little moments don’t make a real connection imo. They aren’t enough for me to believe their feelings for each other. Their relationship felt like it was still very much at the beginning, and so it felt out of place and rushed when they confessed their love.
I also felt somewhat indifferent about Matilda and Vincent. They were flat and uninteresting characters that I just didn’t care about.
The pacing felt off too. The first 30% or so are solely spend in the realm of the gods while she is a child. I found this part interesting, but it dragged on for too long, and then we suddenly jumped to her being an adult and proposing fake marriage to Vincent. This didn’t work for me; it felt like the author just strung together some ideas instead of working out a cohesive plot.
I do enjoy Rebecca Ross’ writing style, but with this book it just felt like too much. It was filled with unnecessary, repetitive and excessive descriptions, that totally bogged down the story and turned it into a 500+ page drag to read.
Looking at the other reviews, I’m obviously in the minority with my opinion on this book, so I’d recommend trying it for yourself and see where you land on it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
____
Words can’t describe how excited I am for this ✨💗 🤸♀️
November 10, 2025
✩ 3.45 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Goddess x Mortal Man
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Childhood Friends-to-Lovers
➼ Yearning
➼ Fake Marriage
➼ Star-crossed Lovers
➼ Prequel to Divine Rivals
➼ Mythology
➼ Narrated by George Weightman & Hannah Van Der Westhuysen
➼ Dual First Person POV
I genuinely think this is probably this authors best book, and I do see objectively what others love about it, but it still wasn’t quite my cup of tea. Similar to Divine Rivals, I thought this was a very romantic story, and the world building was very clear and thorough, but the book itself was unnecessarily long. This took me a whole month to finish, partly because my library hold ran out, but even when my Spotify time topped up a week later and I could continue, I really didn’t want to jump back into this. I didn’t feel like the writing was overly pretentious, but it was what others describe as “beautiful,” which for me translates to relatively slow and boring. 🙃
I enjoyed the romance, but this was definitely a slow burn, and even after they got together, their circumstances repeatedly pulled them apart. The audio was fantastic which did help, but I wanted a little more romance and a little more editing on the rest of the details. I really wish I had loved this series as much as you guys do! I so wanted to be in the club. This was a good book with a lot going for it, but not a 5 star read for me. I’m definitely in the minority on this, so you’ll likely still love it. Maybe the rest of us outliers can start a little support group though. 😆
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’m an oddball apparently because Divine Rivals was a 3 star series for me… this has such a high rating, but so did the other two books 😬, so I’m keeping my expectations low. 🙃
Ugh… my hold time ran out. I feel like it’s going to take forever to get this one back.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
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What to Expect:
➼ Goddess x Mortal Man
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Childhood Friends-to-Lovers
➼ Yearning
➼ Fake Marriage
➼ Star-crossed Lovers
➼ Prequel to Divine Rivals
➼ Mythology
➼ Narrated by George Weightman & Hannah Van Der Westhuysen
➼ Dual First Person POV
I genuinely think this is probably this authors best book, and I do see objectively what others love about it, but it still wasn’t quite my cup of tea. Similar to Divine Rivals, I thought this was a very romantic story, and the world building was very clear and thorough, but the book itself was unnecessarily long. This took me a whole month to finish, partly because my library hold ran out, but even when my Spotify time topped up a week later and I could continue, I really didn’t want to jump back into this. I didn’t feel like the writing was overly pretentious, but it was what others describe as “beautiful,” which for me translates to relatively slow and boring. 🙃
I enjoyed the romance, but this was definitely a slow burn, and even after they got together, their circumstances repeatedly pulled them apart. The audio was fantastic which did help, but I wanted a little more romance and a little more editing on the rest of the details. I really wish I had loved this series as much as you guys do! I so wanted to be in the club. This was a good book with a lot going for it, but not a 5 star read for me. I’m definitely in the minority on this, so you’ll likely still love it. Maybe the rest of us outliers can start a little support group though. 😆
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’m an oddball apparently because Divine Rivals was a 3 star series for me… this has such a high rating, but so did the other two books 😬, so I’m keeping my expectations low. 🙃
Ugh… my hold time ran out. I feel like it’s going to take forever to get this one back.
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
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September 27, 2025
Finally back in this world 🥰
August 15, 2025
Thank you so much to author Rebecca Ross and publisher St. Martin’s Press | Saturday Books for providing me with an ARC of Wild Reverence in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is September 2, 2025 and I can’t wait for everyone to experience this story!
4.5/5 ✨ (rounded up to 5!)
The beginning and middle had a few tiny slow spots, which is the only reason I took off half a star.
Oh, how Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows completely stole my heart earlier this year 💞 so when I saw there was a prequel, I knew I had to read it. One thing I love is that this can be read either as a prequel or as the third book. Personally, I’m so glad I read it after the first two because it gave me so much extra background and helped certain moments click but, either order works!
I don’t want to spoil too much before release day, but if you loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, I can almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with this one too. The magic, the gods and goddesses, the scenes between the different realms it’s all so beautifully crafted and just ✨magical✨
The backstory is captivating, and I enjoyed learning more about Enva and Dacre especially Enva’s music. The glimpses into other gods, goddesses, and realms added so much depth. And the way the story moves between present and past? ***Chef’s kiss*** 😙 I am such a sucker for that narrative style.
Our FMC, Matilda, is brave, strong, and full of heart. Our MMC, Vincent… I adored him in every single scene. The love he holds for the people in his life, and the sacrifices he’s willing to make 😭 don’t even get me started 💚
After the Matilda and Warin forest scene when Vincent shows up? SOBBING. Their love is unstoppable and powerful, and I couldn’t get enough.
The supporting characters like Bade, Nathaniel, Enva, and some other divine surprises all added so much more to the world.
And the epilogue??? Absolute perfection. It had me gasping, holding my breath, and grinning like an idiot as we learned more about the origins of some very special typewriters 😉
Read this one, my friends. And read the entire series. These books have a permanent place on my top reads of the year list, and I truly think they’re something special 💚💛🖤
4.5/5 ✨ (rounded up to 5!)
The beginning and middle had a few tiny slow spots, which is the only reason I took off half a star.
Oh, how Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows completely stole my heart earlier this year 💞 so when I saw there was a prequel, I knew I had to read it. One thing I love is that this can be read either as a prequel or as the third book. Personally, I’m so glad I read it after the first two because it gave me so much extra background and helped certain moments click but, either order works!
I don’t want to spoil too much before release day, but if you loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, I can almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with this one too. The magic, the gods and goddesses, the scenes between the different realms it’s all so beautifully crafted and just ✨magical✨
The backstory is captivating, and I enjoyed learning more about Enva and Dacre especially Enva’s music. The glimpses into other gods, goddesses, and realms added so much depth. And the way the story moves between present and past? ***Chef’s kiss*** 😙 I am such a sucker for that narrative style.
Our FMC, Matilda, is brave, strong, and full of heart. Our MMC, Vincent… I adored him in every single scene. The love he holds for the people in his life, and the sacrifices he’s willing to make 😭 don’t even get me started 💚
After the Matilda and Warin forest scene when Vincent shows up? SOBBING. Their love is unstoppable and powerful, and I couldn’t get enough.
The supporting characters like Bade, Nathaniel, Enva, and some other divine surprises all added so much more to the world.
And the epilogue??? Absolute perfection. It had me gasping, holding my breath, and grinning like an idiot as we learned more about the origins of some very special typewriters 😉
Read this one, my friends. And read the entire series. These books have a permanent place on my top reads of the year list, and I truly think they’re something special 💚💛🖤
October 18, 2025
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“He dreamt of me before I knew of him. His soul found mine before I even knew how to look for his.”
I'm writing this review with an aching heart for a story that has irrevocably claimed a piece of it, which words alone won't suffice in conveying how utterly enchanted and devastated it left me but I must let my feelings seep through this review.
Rebecca Ross wove such an exquisite story with stunning mastery in Wild Reverence.
She elevated her storytelling to levels which took my breath away—it almost felt like an ode to masterful writers the likes of Juliet Marillier and Patricia A. McKillip, who are beloved in the genre, and I'm well aware Ross is a passionate fan of both authors (like me) and I can feel it in her writing.
A love story between a mortal and an immortal is always destined to be a tragic one, as mortals are beholden to time and seasons while gods are immortal and eternal as the stars.
Often than not, mortals are mere pawns and entertainment for the gods even as they consume their prayers and wishes. There are times when mortals can become a god's weakness as they can be a distraction and gods can become vulnerable when distracted.
But this tale isn't one where a conniving god attempts to lure and trick a mortal, it's a tale of an innocent friendship founded in a dreamscape that turns into a breathtaking story of star-crossed lovers.
How would the love of an immortal goddess known as the herald of the gods who is prone to wander across all realms like the swift wind remain rooted beside her beloved man whose life will fade to dust after a number of seasons and years? How could such love persevere through war and imminent death?
There is much more to this story that I prefer readers to experience for themselves as this story is enriched with impressive lore and stunning world-building across three realms and it's narrated through two POVs (mortal x immortal).
Even long after the trail of my tears dried, my heart still aches as the echoes of this story continues to linger within me.
“He dreamt of me before I knew of him. His soul found mine before I even knew how to look for his.”
I'm writing this review with an aching heart for a story that has irrevocably claimed a piece of it, which words alone won't suffice in conveying how utterly enchanted and devastated it left me but I must let my feelings seep through this review.
Rebecca Ross wove such an exquisite story with stunning mastery in Wild Reverence.
She elevated her storytelling to levels which took my breath away—it almost felt like an ode to masterful writers the likes of Juliet Marillier and Patricia A. McKillip, who are beloved in the genre, and I'm well aware Ross is a passionate fan of both authors (like me) and I can feel it in her writing.
A love story between a mortal and an immortal is always destined to be a tragic one, as mortals are beholden to time and seasons while gods are immortal and eternal as the stars.
Often than not, mortals are mere pawns and entertainment for the gods even as they consume their prayers and wishes. There are times when mortals can become a god's weakness as they can be a distraction and gods can become vulnerable when distracted.
But this tale isn't one where a conniving god attempts to lure and trick a mortal, it's a tale of an innocent friendship founded in a dreamscape that turns into a breathtaking story of star-crossed lovers.
How would the love of an immortal goddess known as the herald of the gods who is prone to wander across all realms like the swift wind remain rooted beside her beloved man whose life will fade to dust after a number of seasons and years? How could such love persevere through war and imminent death?
There is much more to this story that I prefer readers to experience for themselves as this story is enriched with impressive lore and stunning world-building across three realms and it's narrated through two POVs (mortal x immortal).
Even long after the trail of my tears dried, my heart still aches as the echoes of this story continues to linger within me.
Want to read
January 21, 2025 romantasy standalone
SET IN THE SAME WORLD AS DIVINE RIVALS??
a MORTAL x GODDESS ??
ROMANTASY???
GIVE ME THIS RNN.
SET IN THE SAME WORLD AS DIVINE RIVALS??
a MORTAL x GODDESS ??
ROMANTASY???
GIVE ME THIS RNN.
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