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A Beautiful Surrender #3
A Broken Resilience
Sixteen suitors. Three rounds. One Rite to prove Eli is worthy of standing by Grace's side.
Now that he's finally admitted his feelings for her, he won't let anyone stand between them, especially not the other suitors vying for her heart. He'll do whatever it takes—he'd even kill for her.
While celebrations surround the Rite, a rebellion grows in the shadows and threatens to derail the place that they call home. Driven by greed and the thirst for power, Grace's adversaries seek to overthrow her, saying she's too emotional to lead. But Berland was designed to be a sanctuary, a place for the broken to be healed, and Grace will always put her people's needs before her own. Her compassion is not a weakness.
As Grace faces unrest, she must rely on her newfound friends to keep her city safe. But in a world where so much is unknown, one thing is for certain—resilience will be the deciding factor between tragedy and triumph.
Now that he's finally admitted his feelings for her, he won't let anyone stand between them, especially not the other suitors vying for her heart. He'll do whatever it takes—he'd even kill for her.
While celebrations surround the Rite, a rebellion grows in the shadows and threatens to derail the place that they call home. Driven by greed and the thirst for power, Grace's adversaries seek to overthrow her, saying she's too emotional to lead. But Berland was designed to be a sanctuary, a place for the broken to be healed, and Grace will always put her people's needs before her own. Her compassion is not a weakness.
As Grace faces unrest, she must rely on her newfound friends to keep her city safe. But in a world where so much is unknown, one thing is for certain—resilience will be the deciding factor between tragedy and triumph.
Unknown Binding
Published March 28, 2025
7 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Mays
5 books334 followersRachel Mays is a daydreamer and a hopeless romantic. She'd rather spend her time immersed in a fictional world than the real one. Her fantasy romance novels are filled with vivid scenery, relatable characters and love stories that will have your heart melting. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves to play cozy games and hang out with her cat, Daryl.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 21, 2025
Almost didn’t start book 2 of this series. The insta-list seemed totally baseless. I understand this is fiction, but I saw no reason for the fmc to want to be with the mmc when the force he works with raided her village and killed her mother. It’s hard for me to want to read on when I can’t fully invest in the relationship I’m reading the book for. I almost put book 1 down when the mmc asked himself ‘what does he have that I don’t’ when seeing her relationship with her best friend/“old” flame that also got captured with her in the village raid. The entire premise for the books didn’t make sense. Then I decided there’s no harm in checking out book 2. So I skimmed, but I think her writing style just isn’t for me. Too much explaining of scenes that really don’t fit her or add to the story. I also hate the pov. I’d much prefer first person, especially the way it’s written. Lots of typos or ever forgetting things like in the end of book two she says over 20 suitors lined up…then in the next chapter says there’s 16 competing.
I have to say I hardly ever skim books, but I also have a ‘need to know’. So not too often is it I just decide to skip reading the rest of the series. Marion Blackwood is another author I just have a hard time continuing with. But for this series, I decided to skim hoping third book was better. It was, hence the 3 stars. Didn’t skim too much of the last one. I thought I’d like this better since i really enjoyed her latest book of the vines & venom series, but be forewarned. Have to wait until end of year for the next book. However, if you’ve read that and think you’re getting the same type of story in this series, it just doesn’t compare. Glad she grew as a writer and look forward to reading the next one out, but for me, this series didn’t do it.
I have to say I hardly ever skim books, but I also have a ‘need to know’. So not too often is it I just decide to skip reading the rest of the series. Marion Blackwood is another author I just have a hard time continuing with. But for this series, I decided to skim hoping third book was better. It was, hence the 3 stars. Didn’t skim too much of the last one. I thought I’d like this better since i really enjoyed her latest book of the vines & venom series, but be forewarned. Have to wait until end of year for the next book. However, if you’ve read that and think you’re getting the same type of story in this series, it just doesn’t compare. Glad she grew as a writer and look forward to reading the next one out, but for me, this series didn’t do it.
August 14, 2025
This was a solid conclusion to the story, and we got the HAEs that I think we all needed to see after the really rough journeys these characters went through.
For me, it’s a 3 star though because the pace of it and overall story was underwhelming.
*Lots of spoilers from this point on so don’t continue reading if you haven’t started and intend to*
What I LOVED: The exploration of Eli and Niks friendship. Nik overcoming his insecurities, Eli getting over his preconceived notions about Nik, it was wonderful. Eli’s overall emotional growth, absolutely incredible! Grace’s unwavering friendship and commitment to her values and pursuing what is right.
What I did NOT love: The lack of substance around “the rebellion” and any repercussions around Eamon and and Trevor’s deaths. Literally no research or explanation behind the fires?? Like what?! No social impact or societal concern?? Like I think that’s something that’s missing for me in general in these books, I want to know about the people of Berland… what do they think about all of this?! Mays foreshadowed them adopting the girls from the get go and then in the epilogue was like “btw, they were adopted”, no bro, you can’t give us half a book of post-miscarriage depression, and then give us like 2 pages of “yay they adopted these kids”.
I think the big takeaway is that SO MUCH TIME is spent in the metaphorical mud pit (see what I did there…) that the payoff, while it feels correct, doesn’t feel like enough for what we’ve been put through.
For me, it’s a 3 star though because the pace of it and overall story was underwhelming.
*Lots of spoilers from this point on so don’t continue reading if you haven’t started and intend to*
What I LOVED: The exploration of Eli and Niks friendship. Nik overcoming his insecurities, Eli getting over his preconceived notions about Nik, it was wonderful. Eli’s overall emotional growth, absolutely incredible! Grace’s unwavering friendship and commitment to her values and pursuing what is right.
What I did NOT love: The lack of substance around “the rebellion” and any repercussions around Eamon and and Trevor’s deaths. Literally no research or explanation behind the fires?? Like what?! No social impact or societal concern?? Like I think that’s something that’s missing for me in general in these books, I want to know about the people of Berland… what do they think about all of this?! Mays foreshadowed them adopting the girls from the get go and then in the epilogue was like “btw, they were adopted”, no bro, you can’t give us half a book of post-miscarriage depression, and then give us like 2 pages of “yay they adopted these kids”.
I think the big takeaway is that SO MUCH TIME is spent in the metaphorical mud pit (see what I did there…) that the payoff, while it feels correct, doesn’t feel like enough for what we’ve been put through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
The epic conclusion to the A Beautiful Surrender trilogy is here—and what a finale it was!
This book is packed with challenges, surprises, trials of love and loss, and it had me hooked from the very first page. The spotlight is on Grace, a central figure in Berland, as she faces The Rite—a series of intense trials designed to determine who will stand by her side.
Among the sixteen suitors? None other than Eli, whose connection with Grace has been building throughout the series. Watching him fight not only for victory, but for love, was emotional and gripping. I especially loved the camaraderie that blossomed between Eli and Nik during training—such a fun and unexpected dynamic!
And while Grace and Eli’s journey takes center stage, the rebellion threatening Berland keeps the stakes sky-high. There’s no shortage of tension or heart, and yes—Ali and Nik fans, you’ll still get your dose of them too!
All in all, A Broken Resilience delivered a powerful, emotional, and satisfying ending to a series I’ve come to love. Huge congratulations to @authorrachelmays on completing her first trilogy!
If you’re a fan of dystopian romance, found family, and fierce love in the face of adversity, this series is a must-read.
#ABrokenResilience #ABeautifulSurrenderSeries #RachelMaysAuthor #DystopianRomance #SeriesFinale #BookReview #BookstagramRecs #IndieAuthorLove
March 1, 2025
The final leg of our journey with Ali, Nik, Eli, and Grace! It was bittersweet but still a great adventure!
Trigger warning: there are depictions of depression and miscarriage!
We pick up with Eli formally joining the Rite to win Grace, according to her community’s archaic rules, and Ali and Nik settling into town. I was so excited to get some closure with these couples, but in the end, it felt rushed. I was left with some unanswered questions. Some scenes were confusing and mixed up. I really wanted more Azaleas! And there wasn’t much closure with Sam and Theo ☹️ That being said, I still really enjoyed the story and the scenes that Rachel paints. As always, she brings you straight into the mountain and their dystopia! The smut felt a little more tame than the other stories in the series, but tasteful and still yummy!
Storyline: ❤️❤️❤️❤️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Thank you for choosing me to receive a free advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review!
Trigger warning: there are depictions of depression and miscarriage!
We pick up with Eli formally joining the Rite to win Grace, according to her community’s archaic rules, and Ali and Nik settling into town. I was so excited to get some closure with these couples, but in the end, it felt rushed. I was left with some unanswered questions. Some scenes were confusing and mixed up. I really wanted more Azaleas! And there wasn’t much closure with Sam and Theo ☹️ That being said, I still really enjoyed the story and the scenes that Rachel paints. As always, she brings you straight into the mountain and their dystopia! The smut felt a little more tame than the other stories in the series, but tasteful and still yummy!
Storyline: ❤️❤️❤️❤️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Thank you for choosing me to receive a free advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review!
March 27, 2025
Final book in a dystopian dark romance trilogy
Multiple POV, two romances! (and a little bit of a third), forbidden romance, marriage trials, evil rebellion, a little 🏳️🌈 rep, budding bromance, found family, mental health rep, loss and grief (please read the trigger warnings!)
Eli has finally admitted he has feelings for Grace. Which means he must enter the marriage rite to win her hand. As outdated as the practice is, the last time it was challenged there was unrest and with there already being so much fighting with the leadership Grace's parents will not go against the tradition. While the rite is happening over several months the crew must also get to the bottom of the rebellion stirring that has already turned deadly.
This was a nice wrap up to our crew's story, though it was not without much stress and heartache!
Multiple POV, two romances! (and a little bit of a third), forbidden romance, marriage trials, evil rebellion, a little 🏳️🌈 rep, budding bromance, found family, mental health rep, loss and grief (please read the trigger warnings!)
Eli has finally admitted he has feelings for Grace. Which means he must enter the marriage rite to win her hand. As outdated as the practice is, the last time it was challenged there was unrest and with there already being so much fighting with the leadership Grace's parents will not go against the tradition. While the rite is happening over several months the crew must also get to the bottom of the rebellion stirring that has already turned deadly.
This was a nice wrap up to our crew's story, though it was not without much stress and heartache!
May 27, 2025
This was a good conclusion to this trilogy! I liked it better than the 2nd book. It picked up right where the last one ended and kept me engaged the entire time. I was in tears at one point (you'll know when you get there) and almost again at the very end. Overall, good read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews