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A Desperate Path: The Senses Part Three
When love and loyalty clash, only the desperate dare to dream.
Haunted by ghosts of the past and burdened by duty, King Ryo never wanted the crown—and never believed he deserved it. Struggling to keep Silvanisi from collapse, he fights to recover from the brink of death, only to confront his own mortality and legacy. Even as every choice feels like defeat, still he against unrest, against betrayal, against the creeping certainty he will never be enough.
But when a captured spy—sharp-tongued, stunning, and utterly off-limits—is discovered, everything begins to shift. As tension flares and loyalties are tested, their fragile connection becomes both a weapon and a lifeline. With war on the horizon, enemies pressing from every side, and ancient powers stirring awake, trusting anyone could be Ryo’s greatest risk—or his only hope at happiness.
Book Three of Four of The Senses Series, A Desperate Path, is a sweeping romantic fantasy of forbidden love, dark political intrigue, and aching vulnerability, where the crown weighs heavy, but the heart weighs heavier still—perfect for fans of reluctant royals, slow-burn tension, and lovers caught on opposite sides of destiny.
A Desperate Path is the continuation from the end of A Clear Path - The Senses Part One. It follows the same timeline as A Hidden Path - The Senses Part Two. This is an Adult Romantic Fantasy intended for 18+ mature audiences. Blood, violence, slow burn, steam, angst, betrayal, and adult language exist.
Haunted by ghosts of the past and burdened by duty, King Ryo never wanted the crown—and never believed he deserved it. Struggling to keep Silvanisi from collapse, he fights to recover from the brink of death, only to confront his own mortality and legacy. Even as every choice feels like defeat, still he against unrest, against betrayal, against the creeping certainty he will never be enough.
But when a captured spy—sharp-tongued, stunning, and utterly off-limits—is discovered, everything begins to shift. As tension flares and loyalties are tested, their fragile connection becomes both a weapon and a lifeline. With war on the horizon, enemies pressing from every side, and ancient powers stirring awake, trusting anyone could be Ryo’s greatest risk—or his only hope at happiness.
Book Three of Four of The Senses Series, A Desperate Path, is a sweeping romantic fantasy of forbidden love, dark political intrigue, and aching vulnerability, where the crown weighs heavy, but the heart weighs heavier still—perfect for fans of reluctant royals, slow-burn tension, and lovers caught on opposite sides of destiny.
A Desperate Path is the continuation from the end of A Clear Path - The Senses Part One. It follows the same timeline as A Hidden Path - The Senses Part Two. This is an Adult Romantic Fantasy intended for 18+ mature audiences. Blood, violence, slow burn, steam, angst, betrayal, and adult language exist.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 / 5 Stars
This is the third book in the series and dare I say, I think the series keeps getting better and better. This book takes place at the same time as the second book so you get Ryo’s perspective while he tries to figure out what’s happening with Lydia (and you can read book 2 to see that Lydia can take care of herself).
If will probably like this book if you like:
👀 Royal court politics
✨ Magical powers based on the five senses
👀 Prince x Spy
✨ Forbidden love
👀 Forced proximity
✨ An ending with a twist and cliffhanger
Fiona is a badass – I kept reading it and thinking of her as one of Charlie’s Angels. And yet, she has a broken heart from her parents, her upbringing, and her brother, Tiernan (remember that guy from book 1? No spoilers but he is back in this book). And she is stuck in a complicated dynamic but if anyone will figure things out, it is our girl, Fiona.
Ryo grew a lot from book 1. He is dealing with a lot of grief and the pressure of the crown. There is substance abuse in this book so keep that in mind so you can take care of yourself. Deirdre wrote it so you can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each other. Do they make some impulsive choices? Of course. But I love them.
It was great to see Iris and Kira again as well. We, of course, end with a cliffhanger and I am so excited for the last book this summer.
Thank you Deirdre Lyons for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 6, 2026
This is the third book in the series and dare I say, I think the series keeps getting better and better. This book takes place at the same time as the second book so you get Ryo’s perspective while he tries to figure out what’s happening with Lydia (and you can read book 2 to see that Lydia can take care of herself).
If will probably like this book if you like:
👀 Royal court politics
✨ Magical powers based on the five senses
👀 Prince x Spy
✨ Forbidden love
👀 Forced proximity
✨ An ending with a twist and cliffhanger
Fiona is a badass – I kept reading it and thinking of her as one of Charlie’s Angels. And yet, she has a broken heart from her parents, her upbringing, and her brother, Tiernan (remember that guy from book 1? No spoilers but he is back in this book). And she is stuck in a complicated dynamic but if anyone will figure things out, it is our girl, Fiona.
Ryo grew a lot from book 1. He is dealing with a lot of grief and the pressure of the crown. There is substance abuse in this book so keep that in mind so you can take care of yourself. Deirdre wrote it so you can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each other. Do they make some impulsive choices? Of course. But I love them.
It was great to see Iris and Kira again as well. We, of course, end with a cliffhanger and I am so excited for the last book this summer.
Thank you Deirdre Lyons for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 6, 2026
February 7, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better.
Tropes:
Royal court politics
It Magical powers based on the five senses
Prince x Spy
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
An ending with a twist
Cliffhanger
Slow burn
This book takes place at the same time book 2 does but it is Rho’s version. I love the fact that we are getting his perspective. This book was wrote so we can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each.
Tropes:
Royal court politics
It Magical powers based on the five senses
Prince x Spy
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
An ending with a twist
Cliffhanger
Slow burn
This book takes place at the same time book 2 does but it is Rho’s version. I love the fact that we are getting his perspective. This book was wrote so we can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each.
February 6, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better! Part three time-wise runs consecutively with part two but from a different perspective and more insight into the twists and turns of the path, if you will. Fiona is dur à cuire and a new favorite character. This adventure is breathtaking and I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the final installment. Well deserving of a 5+ star rating!
February 21, 2026
what a series!
The senses series is CRIMINALLY underrated. Not that reviews are negative, but I need more people to discover these books because they are so good and deserve so much hype!
You’ll love them if you like flawed characters, lush world building, epic love and friendship, intense battles, and a series that will keep you guessing! Cannot wait for the next instalment.
The senses series is CRIMINALLY underrated. Not that reviews are negative, but I need more people to discover these books because they are so good and deserve so much hype!
You’ll love them if you like flawed characters, lush world building, epic love and friendship, intense battles, and a series that will keep you guessing! Cannot wait for the next instalment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where to start? I initially read as a critique partner but I don't like to review early copies as so much can change afterwards.
I reread it once published and wow, Deirdre knocked it out of the park. I loved Ryo from book one, and had initially hoped he would end up with Lydia but I'm so happy with both of their stories and how they progress. I can't wait for the fourth and final instalment.
I NEED Tiernan to meet a grisly demise!
And I'm really hoping for the lynx cubs to come back together. I need to see them sharing their stories and having their happily ever afters.
I reread it once published and wow, Deirdre knocked it out of the park. I loved Ryo from book one, and had initially hoped he would end up with Lydia but I'm so happy with both of their stories and how they progress. I can't wait for the fourth and final instalment.
I NEED Tiernan to meet a grisly demise!
And I'm really hoping for the lynx cubs to come back together. I need to see them sharing their stories and having their happily ever afters.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews