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Reborn Villainess #2
Destiny Redeemed
The game has changed, but the stakes remain deadly...
Lady Ilyana D'Arcane thought she could outmaneuver fate, but the past refuses to stay buried. Newly divorced and determined to forge her own path, Ilyana builds her empire from the shadows, a new threat emerges – one that could unravel everything she's fought to protect.
Prince Anderic Voltaire, once her greatest adversary, has finally met his match in the sharp-tongued lady. As assassination plots and betrayal surround them, their dangerous attraction deepens into something neither can deny.
When enemies from within and beyond the borders converge, Ilyana must choose between revealing her darkest secrets or watching history repeat itself. In a final confrontation that will determine the fate of Aetheria, can a former villainess truly become a heroine?
The gripping conclusion to Villainess's Redemption by Vanessa Rhoswen delivers a heart-pounding finale where love and ambition collide, and the fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance.
Lady Ilyana D'Arcane thought she could outmaneuver fate, but the past refuses to stay buried. Newly divorced and determined to forge her own path, Ilyana builds her empire from the shadows, a new threat emerges – one that could unravel everything she's fought to protect.
Prince Anderic Voltaire, once her greatest adversary, has finally met his match in the sharp-tongued lady. As assassination plots and betrayal surround them, their dangerous attraction deepens into something neither can deny.
When enemies from within and beyond the borders converge, Ilyana must choose between revealing her darkest secrets or watching history repeat itself. In a final confrontation that will determine the fate of Aetheria, can a former villainess truly become a heroine?
The gripping conclusion to Villainess's Redemption by Vanessa Rhoswen delivers a heart-pounding finale where love and ambition collide, and the fate of a kingdom hangs in the balance.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
35 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Rhoswen
4 books25 followersVanessa Rhoswen writes fantasy, contemporary, and urban fantasy romance novels. An avid reader and fan of Korean dramas and Manhwas, her stories are inspired by the characters, worlds, and emotions she’s encountered in these mediums. She loves to explore the imaginary and magical worlds that transport her to realms beyond the ordinary, where myth and magic reign.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 19, 2025
Just like Villainess’s Redemption, this book is such a hidden gem and I honestly don’t know why more people aren’t talking about this series!
It has everything I love in a fantasy read—medieval vibes, clever scheming, slow-burn romance, found family, and a protagonist who actually thinks before she acts. Instead of going full epic fantasy with big sprawling battles, it’s more cozy, mysterious and character-driven, which I personally love.
Book 2 picks up right where book 1’s cliffhanger left us, and it wastes no time drawing us back into Ilyana’s world.
I loved seeing her continue to balance her knowledge of what should happen with her desire to actually live this new life differently. She starts off still focused on avoiding her tragic first ending, but as the story unfolds, you really feel her shift into wanting to build a life she can embrace fully. That subtle emotional growth was so satisfying.
A lot of this book is about her relationships, especially with Anderic. Their bond was such a slow burn in book 1, and here it finally blooms into something deeper.
Ilyana realizing that she truly loves him—and wrestling with whether she even deserves that love—was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.
But then there’s the lingering question: How could he ever love her fully if she can never show him her full truth? Watching her struggle with whether to reveal why she always seems to “know” things gave the romance an extra layer of tension I ate right up.
As much as I adored the continuation of their relationship, I do wish the story’s ending had more balance.
A massive war gets introduced but wrapped up within just a couple of chapters, which felt a bit rushed after all the slower, thoughtful pacing earlier.
And the epilogue gave us a spice scene instead of something a little more heartfelt like a goodbye or reflection to close out this duology — which I personally would have loved.
Don’t get me wrong, I get why the author chose to give us the romantic payoff, but I’ll always prefer the heart-fluttering first kiss or emotional moments over the “full spice.” So for readers who loved book 1’s purity and tension, just know book 2 does introduce more intimacy and spice.
That being said, the core of what makes this series shine is still here: Ilyana’s cleverness, her self-awareness, her redemption arc, the friendships she forges, and the way she tries to right her wrongs without losing her kindness. The supporting cast remains lovable and layered, and the scheming, political threads are just as fun as before.
Overall? This was a beautiful conclusion to a series that deserves way more attention.
If you’re looking for:
✔ A FMC who’s smart, self-aware, and grows from her mistakes
✔ Found family and friendships that actually feel real
✔ A slow-burn romance that develops naturally
✔ Political intrigue, scheming, and a redemption arc
…then please give this series a chance. It’s cozy fantasy done right, with just enough twists and tension to keep you hooked.
I’ll be recommending this duology to fellow fantasy readers who love clever heroines and a redemption story with heart. ✨
*I also just discovered a potential 3rd book/novella?? I'll definitely be checking that one out too!
It has everything I love in a fantasy read—medieval vibes, clever scheming, slow-burn romance, found family, and a protagonist who actually thinks before she acts. Instead of going full epic fantasy with big sprawling battles, it’s more cozy, mysterious and character-driven, which I personally love.
Book 2 picks up right where book 1’s cliffhanger left us, and it wastes no time drawing us back into Ilyana’s world.
I loved seeing her continue to balance her knowledge of what should happen with her desire to actually live this new life differently. She starts off still focused on avoiding her tragic first ending, but as the story unfolds, you really feel her shift into wanting to build a life she can embrace fully. That subtle emotional growth was so satisfying.
A lot of this book is about her relationships, especially with Anderic. Their bond was such a slow burn in book 1, and here it finally blooms into something deeper.
Ilyana realizing that she truly loves him—and wrestling with whether she even deserves that love—was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.
But then there’s the lingering question: How could he ever love her fully if she can never show him her full truth? Watching her struggle with whether to reveal why she always seems to “know” things gave the romance an extra layer of tension I ate right up.
As much as I adored the continuation of their relationship, I do wish the story’s ending had more balance.
A massive war gets introduced but wrapped up within just a couple of chapters, which felt a bit rushed after all the slower, thoughtful pacing earlier.
And the epilogue gave us a spice scene instead of something a little more heartfelt like a goodbye or reflection to close out this duology — which I personally would have loved.
Don’t get me wrong, I get why the author chose to give us the romantic payoff, but I’ll always prefer the heart-fluttering first kiss or emotional moments over the “full spice.” So for readers who loved book 1’s purity and tension, just know book 2 does introduce more intimacy and spice.
That being said, the core of what makes this series shine is still here: Ilyana’s cleverness, her self-awareness, her redemption arc, the friendships she forges, and the way she tries to right her wrongs without losing her kindness. The supporting cast remains lovable and layered, and the scheming, political threads are just as fun as before.
Overall? This was a beautiful conclusion to a series that deserves way more attention.
If you’re looking for:
✔ A FMC who’s smart, self-aware, and grows from her mistakes
✔ Found family and friendships that actually feel real
✔ A slow-burn romance that develops naturally
✔ Political intrigue, scheming, and a redemption arc
…then please give this series a chance. It’s cozy fantasy done right, with just enough twists and tension to keep you hooked.
I’ll be recommending this duology to fellow fantasy readers who love clever heroines and a redemption story with heart. ✨
*I also just discovered a potential 3rd book/novella?? I'll definitely be checking that one out too!
July 3, 2025
Not as strong as the first book
Plot didn’t feel super grounded especially when the FMC was just running around in battle with no fighting experience
Plot didn’t feel super grounded especially when the FMC was just running around in battle with no fighting experience
July 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this series, while this second book starts off slow after getting away from the initial battle scene and focuses on Ilyana and her business savvy nature it begins to pick up the pace and sparks fly between her and our Prince!
The second book continued from the where the first book left off and didn't have a time travel element but just the day to day struggles to make sure that history didn't repeat itself you continued to see Ilyana plotting and redirecting to reach her new goals of keeping her family safe and out of exile and I loved her relationship with her loyal maid Laurel at this point they were friends more than employer and employee.
Had to overlook some of the fight scenes due to the fact that she was not truly trained for battle but appeared to be able to handle herself against multiple enemies without any real difficulty, but I loved the story line and that our lady was truly trying to make changes to be a better person and right all of her past wrongs.
wrote more on my blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*historical romance *Time travel romance *slow burn *some spice *Medieval romance
*Independent fierce FMC *handsome prince MMC *Warrior MMC *banter *Indie author
*Happy ending
The second book continued from the where the first book left off and didn't have a time travel element but just the day to day struggles to make sure that history didn't repeat itself you continued to see Ilyana plotting and redirecting to reach her new goals of keeping her family safe and out of exile and I loved her relationship with her loyal maid Laurel at this point they were friends more than employer and employee.
Had to overlook some of the fight scenes due to the fact that she was not truly trained for battle but appeared to be able to handle herself against multiple enemies without any real difficulty, but I loved the story line and that our lady was truly trying to make changes to be a better person and right all of her past wrongs.
wrote more on my blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*historical romance *Time travel romance *slow burn *some spice *Medieval romance
*Independent fierce FMC *handsome prince MMC *Warrior MMC *banter *Indie author
*Happy ending
July 11, 2025
The twists continue. This is still an original take on what would have been a conventional medieval romance, focusing as it does on a reformed villainess falling in love with a not-so-parfait-gentil knight, but unlike the first book, the shock of the rebirth has faded a bit. This means that the difficulties which Ilyana falls into are the more usual dramas, rather than the antics provoking thought and silliness which made the first book so fun. Still a good read and it has a wonderously steamy HEA, and I love a good HEA!
November 5, 2025
3.5 Stars 🌟
I lovedddd Book One, and book two was just as fun and flirty! the only thing I didn't love it the ending. it felt a bit rushed and almost not final. I feel like a few more chapters could have been added during the battle and I would have loved an epilog that looked a bittt farther in the future of Ilyana and Anderic's lives!
I lovedddd Book One, and book two was just as fun and flirty! the only thing I didn't love it the ending. it felt a bit rushed and almost not final. I feel like a few more chapters could have been added during the battle and I would have loved an epilog that looked a bittt farther in the future of Ilyana and Anderic's lives!
October 20, 2025
Slow start but worth the wait!
This second part started slow, but I’m glad I pushed through it. The second half of this novel is funny and lovely. I really enjoyed Ilyana and Anderic! If you liked the first novel, then give this one a chance too!
This second part started slow, but I’m glad I pushed through it. The second half of this novel is funny and lovely. I really enjoyed Ilyana and Anderic! If you liked the first novel, then give this one a chance too!
December 7, 2025
love is series
This story is so amazing the characters grow develop and improve on themselves. The love story feels real and authentic, and I can’t put the book down. It’s just so amazing.
This story is so amazing the characters grow develop and improve on themselves. The love story feels real and authentic, and I can’t put the book down. It’s just so amazing.
June 27, 2025
To quick not enough tension.
August 20, 2025
So good ate this up
October 3, 2025
3,25 star
October 9, 2025
dnf because it's not as good as first one. very weak and i know the author has more potential than this
October 26, 2025
The end seemed a bit rushed. This sequel also contained some open door scenes which was surprising considering the first book contained none.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews