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The Viking She Shouldn't Crave: A Forbidden Historical Romance
A spicy, forbidden love Viking romance
Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 27, 2026
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 26, 2026
If I see Sarah Rodi's name on a Viking romance, I know I'm pretty much guaranteed to have a good time. She writes consistently solid books, and The Viking She Shouldn't Crave was no exception.
Helena has been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to be the perfect bride for the Byzantine crown prince, Marianos. Her mother groomed her from childhood for this single task, so when she is chosen by the prince and his mother, the empress regent, as his bride, it's the culmination of everything Helena has ever been conditioned to want. But Marianos treats Helena with nothing but cruelty and disrespect in the week leading up to their wedding, leading her to believe she has done something wrong. So she turns to the commander of the Varangian Guard and Marianos's personal bodyguard, Viggo, for help.
Viggo has been working in the Varangian Guard for years, rising through the ranks to commander, and he is on the verge of making enough money to leave Constantinople. His younger sister is pregnant but won't reveal the name of the baby's father, and due to the harsh treatment unwed mothers face in society, they need to start over somewhere new so she can raise the baby in peace. If Viggo can get the prince safely to his wedding day, he will earn a bonus that will set them up far from Constantinople. But as Viggo gets to know Helena, he realizes just how special she is and sees how miserable this wedding is making her. If he makes a move, it could mean not only losing the money he and his sister need to start over, but potentially death for both him and Helena.
I love a forbidden medieval romance. The stakes are usually so high, and the consequences for the main characters are existential. In this case, we have a lose-lose situation for Viggo, where he's watching the woman he's grown to love be forced into marrying another man, but he can't do anything about it without potentially hurting his sister. He's also got scars on one side of his face and a tragic past—meaning he checked pretty much all of my boxes for a Viking romance hero.
Helena's story was really interesting because she has no idea who she actually is at the beginning of the novel. Her father ignored her all her life because she was born a girl, and her mother's only goal for her daughter was to become the prince's wife. Helena literally was not allowed to try foods the prince was known to dislike so she could share all the same preferences as him. It was a wild situation to read. I loved watching her develop her own personality and goals over the course of the novel, as she realizes the marriage she's wanted her whole life is not actually a good idea.
The only thing I really wanted was some kind of actual confrontation between Viggo and Marianos about his behavior. He was completely out of pocket—even if he was miserable—and someone needed to call him out for it. It seems only right that it would be Viggo, considering he ends up with Helena.
Sarah Rodi writes a great book. If you want a high-conflict, quick read, she's a sure bet. 4 stars.
Helena has been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to be the perfect bride for the Byzantine crown prince, Marianos. Her mother groomed her from childhood for this single task, so when she is chosen by the prince and his mother, the empress regent, as his bride, it's the culmination of everything Helena has ever been conditioned to want. But Marianos treats Helena with nothing but cruelty and disrespect in the week leading up to their wedding, leading her to believe she has done something wrong. So she turns to the commander of the Varangian Guard and Marianos's personal bodyguard, Viggo, for help.
Viggo has been working in the Varangian Guard for years, rising through the ranks to commander, and he is on the verge of making enough money to leave Constantinople. His younger sister is pregnant but won't reveal the name of the baby's father, and due to the harsh treatment unwed mothers face in society, they need to start over somewhere new so she can raise the baby in peace. If Viggo can get the prince safely to his wedding day, he will earn a bonus that will set them up far from Constantinople. But as Viggo gets to know Helena, he realizes just how special she is and sees how miserable this wedding is making her. If he makes a move, it could mean not only losing the money he and his sister need to start over, but potentially death for both him and Helena.
I love a forbidden medieval romance. The stakes are usually so high, and the consequences for the main characters are existential. In this case, we have a lose-lose situation for Viggo, where he's watching the woman he's grown to love be forced into marrying another man, but he can't do anything about it without potentially hurting his sister. He's also got scars on one side of his face and a tragic past—meaning he checked pretty much all of my boxes for a Viking romance hero.
Helena's story was really interesting because she has no idea who she actually is at the beginning of the novel. Her father ignored her all her life because she was born a girl, and her mother's only goal for her daughter was to become the prince's wife. Helena literally was not allowed to try foods the prince was known to dislike so she could share all the same preferences as him. It was a wild situation to read. I loved watching her develop her own personality and goals over the course of the novel, as she realizes the marriage she's wanted her whole life is not actually a good idea.
The only thing I really wanted was some kind of actual confrontation between Viggo and Marianos about his behavior. He was completely out of pocket—even if he was miserable—and someone needed to call him out for it. It seems only right that it would be Viggo, considering he ends up with Helena.
Sarah Rodi writes a great book. If you want a high-conflict, quick read, she's a sure bet. 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well, this was a book that captured my attention with a gorgeous romance and a story that kept me invested. It was so easy to like Helena and Viggo even though they were in what seemed to be an impossible situation. The romance was heartfelt and I thought the author did a lovely job of building their connection with little sparks of chemistry building to something much more. The story itself moved at a lovely pace and the characters made me care for them. I really enjoyed their interactions as they built up trust and friendship.
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave was everything I look for in a historical romance. There was a setting that provided a wonderful backdrop. A place that I hadn’t read about, so this made a lovely change. The characters had me rooting for them and it really was a chemistry filled romance at its heart. The journey for the main characters wasn’t straightforward but it brought to life a wonderful story. A big five stars from me!
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave was everything I look for in a historical romance. There was a setting that provided a wonderful backdrop. A place that I hadn’t read about, so this made a lovely change. The characters had me rooting for them and it really was a chemistry filled romance at its heart. The journey for the main characters wasn’t straightforward but it brought to life a wonderful story. A big five stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
To me this is a very different romance
With the Byzantine Prince about to take a chance
He's choosing just who will be his bride
And Helena's determined that she won't hide!
When she's chosen, she's shocked to discover
The Prince doesn't really want her, he loves another.
Can she win his heart with the help of his personal guard?
Surely with her upbringing that shouldn't be too hard?
But what happens when her feeling for the guard start to grow
That's something the Prince and others cannot know.
For to act upon their feeling would be treason
But will their hearts listen to reason?
A story with great characters that takes the reader in
Empathising with the dilemmas and dangers they are in.
A great read with twists and lots more to discover
About their situations and each other.
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
With the Byzantine Prince about to take a chance
He's choosing just who will be his bride
And Helena's determined that she won't hide!
When she's chosen, she's shocked to discover
The Prince doesn't really want her, he loves another.
Can she win his heart with the help of his personal guard?
Surely with her upbringing that shouldn't be too hard?
But what happens when her feeling for the guard start to grow
That's something the Prince and others cannot know.
For to act upon their feeling would be treason
But will their hearts listen to reason?
A story with great characters that takes the reader in
Empathising with the dilemmas and dangers they are in.
A great read with twists and lots more to discover
About their situations and each other.
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am a sucker for historical fiction especially those around Vikings, there is something about a protective male that just does it for me in books. Helena held an innocence and vulnerability that instantly made me want to keep her safe, the kindness that she emanated was really lovely to read and I wanted nothing but goodness for her. Viggo oozed protector from the beginning and I loved him for it, firstly for the Prince then for Helena
Review of advance copy
🩷 Blurb-
spicy, forbidden love Viking romance
Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
🩵 Review -
This was such a brilliantly written novel. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was easy to follow and there was a great cast of characters. I also loved the main characters chemistry and I wanted them to have the happy ending that they deserved. I also loved the historical time period that the story took place in. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, the author Sarah Rodi and the publisher for my arc copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
spicy, forbidden love Viking romance
Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
🩵 Review -
This was such a brilliantly written novel. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was easy to follow and there was a great cast of characters. I also loved the main characters chemistry and I wanted them to have the happy ending that they deserved. I also loved the historical time period that the story took place in. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, the author Sarah Rodi and the publisher for my arc copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2026
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave by Sarah Rodi is a historical romance set in the Byzantine capital of Constantinople about a forbidden love that could be considered treason.
Helena has been raised with one purpose, to marry the prince in order to settle her father’s debts and advance the family’s social standing. Having spent her entire childhood learning everything about the prince with his likes and dislikes, she is puzzled when he is rude and dismissive of her as soon as he has chosen her to be his bride.
When she asks his Viking bodyguard Viggo to help her, she did not anticipate finding herself drawn to the thoughtful Viking. Both Helena and Viggo were compassionate towards others. I found it particularly moving when Helena began to help starving people without any consideration for herself.
Although the Prince appeared to be mean and thoughtless towards his people, not everything is quite what it seems.
I loved this story and I was fully invested in the romance. The setting was a new one for me and I was captivated by the description of the Hagia Sophia back when it was a church. This was such an escapist read, that was so enthralling as I became completely immersed in this Byzantine world.
Helena has been raised with one purpose, to marry the prince in order to settle her father’s debts and advance the family’s social standing. Having spent her entire childhood learning everything about the prince with his likes and dislikes, she is puzzled when he is rude and dismissive of her as soon as he has chosen her to be his bride.
When she asks his Viking bodyguard Viggo to help her, she did not anticipate finding herself drawn to the thoughtful Viking. Both Helena and Viggo were compassionate towards others. I found it particularly moving when Helena began to help starving people without any consideration for herself.
Although the Prince appeared to be mean and thoughtless towards his people, not everything is quite what it seems.
I loved this story and I was fully invested in the romance. The setting was a new one for me and I was captivated by the description of the Hagia Sophia back when it was a church. This was such an escapist read, that was so enthralling as I became completely immersed in this Byzantine world.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews