One Last Promise (The Elder World Series): A Steamy Enemies to Lovers Romantasy

by B.L. Wilde

Breaking my human binds was only the beginning, or should I say the middle of my story, but the one thing I learnt from all the fantasy books I’d read in Earth veil was that I had to have faith in myself and Darce. Taking hold of my destiny was my only option if I wanted to be with him.

Every love story has a beginning, and ours might be the greatest of all. Discovering the events that brought me here was crucial in understanding how Darce and I fell in love in the first place. A lone Noxlin foot soldier and a Dylin princess didn’t exactly run in the same circles. It made no sense.

My mind was going back to the start of it all. The first glimpse. The first words uttered between us. Our first kiss. The first time Darce deflowered me. I wanted to submerge myself in every tiny detail. With all that information, I’d finally have the answers I was so desperately seeking.

I held onto that. There had to be a way for us to be together somehow. Light and dark were infused, after all. Was that the same for Darce and me?

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

B.L. Wilde (Bee) writes many genres, including Contemporary, Rom Com and Fantasy. All have one thing in common… love!
Romance is always her go to, whether she is writing or reading.

Her love of words began at a very young age. Now, living in Worcestershire, UK, with her amazingly supportive husband, and two spotty dogs, she has finally started to write full time. A dream that finally became possible when she met the love of her life.

She adores nothing more than creating page turning reads, but beware, Bee will always make her characters work for their happy ending.

Let your imagination run ‘Wilde’ with one of her books today.

For more information and to join her Newsletter visit:- WWW.BLWILDE.COM

Reviews

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
📚 Book #2 in "The Elder World" Series; Should read in order
📕 One Last Wish
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F

I didnt absolutely love the first book, and I think had I read this book first, then I dont think I would have hated Alora as much because this book was all about her background and how her and Darce met and fell in love.

This is the background that I needed/wanted to know before reading book 1 because it gives her more depth and an understanding as to why her emotions are no longer present. Its an interesting plot to go back in time in a second book while still keeping the reader interested and invested in the characters in present day and I think B.L Wilde did just that.

Im super interested to see how book 3 will pan out, and if Darce & Alora can make their families see that love can concur all, even millennia's of bad blood.

Tropes:
🖤 Forbidden Love
🕯️ It's Always Been You
🖤 Touch Her And Die
🕯️ Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Protective Hero

[Cindy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more of a back story of the main characters and how they came to know each other, their worlds, magic system and so on.
The world building was great, I loved the different creatures within the book, the magic system was great too. I like spicy scenes but there is a particular but where I felt it was too much and ended up skimming that part ,so for that I have given it a 4 star . I am still looking forward to reading the last book though :)

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved this book! I had voraciously read One Last Wish, the first in the series and this book was no different. This book goes back in time and gives us the background of how Alora and Darce met and their love story. So good. The imagery, the words, the angst that each felt in having this forbidden love. Great background to both cultures and how Alora's (the light) doesn't hold a candle to Darce's (the dark). I am waiting with bated breath for book number 3 and am looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Dominique (The Diary of a Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Last Wish and One Last Promise should have been one book.

I'll die on this hill.
Book one ended with Alora and Darce going on the run—urgency, momentum, consequences waiting. I was there. Then book two opened, slammed the brakes, and dragged me 300+ pages backward into pure backstory. Not woven in. Not flashback style. The whole installment.

And listen, I know I needed the information. I wanted to understand Alora, understand how they got where they were, understand the world. But the placement broke three promises book one made me: narrative momentum (gone), info timing (force-fed instead of woven in), and thematic handling (we'll get there).

Because here's where it really got uncomfortable. The Daylin are framed as pure and superior, the Noxlin as less, dangerous, monstrous...inhuman. Repeatedly. Without resistance. When you're working that close to real-world hierarchies of purity vs. otherness, you need friction. Pushback. Something. For most of the book, it isn't there. And what should read as tension reads as prolonged normalization of a biased worldview instead.

And don't even get me started on the women of Dallethas. Weak. Docile. Falling into line. It made me so mad. Same hierarchy, different dress.

Alora almost questions it. And yanks back. Over and over. Why take everything at face value just because it's comfortable? That's a cop out.

THEN PAGE 92 HAPPENS

Alora finally starts to crack. Something challenges everything she's been taught, and she actually lets it. I nearly leapt out of my seat. The narrative finally opens up and shows you what this story has been capable of all along. Which somehow made everything before it harder to sit with.

But Darce.
He's doing the heavy lifting in this book, and I will not be accepting any other opinions. The connection doesn't reset when the timeline does; it deepens. (My one wish: GIVE ME THIS MAN'S POV!!!)

The worldbuilding is decadent. B.L.'s prose still shines. The pacing somehow clips even when the structure works against it.

I am absolutely frustrated with One Last Promise
But I will no doubt be continuing to One Last Kiss

Because I need to see Alora face her father, the general, the priest, and everything she's been taught to believe.

That collision is what I'm here for.
4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 chili peppers🌶️🌶️

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to say thank you too BL for giving me an ARC for the book.

The second book in the series here I found to be a solid 3.5 stars. Sadly, Goodreads does not allow partial stars, which is one of the reasons why I do like Fable better than Goodreads.

This book overall is more of a prequel than a continuation. The world building in it was actually very very well. Well done. I feel like the writing overall was much better. It felt a lot less juvenile. It was not overly exclamation marked like the first book was. You can actually feel a lot of character growth between the main characters. It is definitely a way better book than the first one and it does leave me wanting to know where BL plans to take it for the next book.

I did fine for me personally there’s a lot of cliché that happened throughout the book, including the villains coming in and over talking, spilling the plot of what they plan to do before before they try to actually do any of their plans which just makes me think of really bad movies and stories that are just very cheesy.

I do like that this book does go through our FMC and MMC‘s love story it does have a very good building that takes place over a large amount of time and it’s not the instant love trope that that most books have were after a month or two. The main characters are suddenly in love and can’t live without each other. I like that Laura was not just a whining, annoying character this entire book. She is very naïve, but that does come along with her upbringing, and that is explained out through the story in a very understanding way I love that she grows, and she does open up to Learning.

I know a lot of authors struggle with descriptive words for anatomy and any spicy scenes. One personal thing I’m not liking is when the main descriptive word for women’s genitalia is “my sex” and “bundle of nerves” especially if it’s used more then 2-3 times for a book. Sadly this books repeated those words (multiple times) in every spicy scene which honestly gives me the ick at this point. It would be far better to use multiple different words through the book instead of the same repetitive word that is sometimes used in multiple paragraphs in a row

I look forward to seeing where the third book takes the story to

[Joriepedery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. While many mentioned being confused by book 1, myself among them, everything makes so much more sense after reading book 2! I 100% am so happy I decided to stay for book 2. Book 2 takes you back to the beginning of Alora and Darce's story leading up to the events in book 1
.
My thoughts:
This love story is beautiful. You have two races at war for centuries. The banter between the two main characters Alora and Darce, had me actually chuckling out loud. They learn so much about each other, and themselves throughout the time they are together. They both make new friends, there is even cute fuzzy (giant fur friends). The story had a lot of spice! There is a lot of betrayal and so many secrets that get spilled. The relationship that builds between the characters is bumpy, you never know whether they will be strong enough to pull through or if the world and their people are just to much for them to fight. The writing was very smooth. There are moments where there are not breaks when the scenes changes or sometimes when the days change. But it did not effect my ability to read or enjoy the story. But my favorite parts were the story of how two people doomed to be together manage to start as acquaintances, become unlikely friends, and eventually fall in love.

My favorite parts of this story is the journey and learning about the world's they come from. The banter, the spice, and their fight against the way the world is and their want for change.

About the book: You have a Romeo and Juliet type of love story, two races, waring for centuries, both believe the other to be horrible. But one journey, death, and a new ally changed everything. Alora starts as exactly what you would expect of an entitled royal princess, snobby, believes everything her race has told her, and stubborn. Darce, is the complete opposite of everything she knows, he is fair, kind, understanding, and treats her as an equal. There friendship sets in motion a new prophecy to bring peace to their world and their people.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts where the first book in this series left. You don't have to read it, but it will help you understand this book. Alora has come into her powers and now she will remember her past and what brought her to the point in her life. This book took us back to the beginning. Readers will hopefully find out what is going on with Alora and why Darce is here. We are in the Elder World now. Alora is the princess of the Dylins. She wants to learn how to fight but female Dylins don't fight. Once they gain their power, they share it with their partner. Making their partner stronger. Strangely, Alora had not gained her powers yet. A little late for most Dylins. She was promised to the general of their army, Xavier. Thankfully, they could not bond until Alora gained her powers. She had no feelings for Xavier and did not know if she ever would. Alora's main goal was to be trained to fight. Alora requests to go on the pilgrimage most Dylins take once they get their powers. The trek to the Barren Lands is not for the faint of heart. The Dylins have always been afraid to come across their enemies, the Noxlins. The Daylin is to day and light as the Noxlin is to night and dark.

While in the Barren Lands, a Noxlin, Darce, saves Alora. He helps her get back home and promises to teach her how to fight for a fee. This is something that Alora has always wanted. She is willing to do whatever Darce asks of her to become the fighter she wants to be. No this book is not just about two race of people that have been fighting for centuries. Darce opened Alora's eyes. They way the Dylins thought about the Noxlins might not be completely right. Can a Noxlin and a Dylin be together? Through Darce, Alora realizes that the Noxlins are more open to a relationship with the Dylin. Now that Alora understands how the Noxlins see he Dylins, she must figure out what happened. Why are these two races were pitted against each other?

This book spans centuries. Now Alora must go into hiding until her powers manifest. Can the love Alora and Darce have sustain the test of time? I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. We are setting up for an epic battle.

[shadowarc13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.” One last promise. This installment draws readers back to the very beginning of Alora’s journey, offering long awaited insight into her past, her emerging abilities, and the mysteries surrounding Darce’s presence. Now in the Elder World, we see Alora step into her role as the princess of the Dylins a people whose women gain power not for themselves, but to strengthen their chosen partners. Yet Alora, unusually late in manifesting her abilities, finds herself unprepared for the life that has been planned for her, including her promised bond with Xavier, the army’s general. Her heart, however, remains uncertain, and her true desire is to learn to fight.
Determined to prove herself, Alora petitions to take the perilous pilgrimage to the Barren Lands, a rite typically undertaken only after a DyLin gains her powers. It is here, at her most vulnerable, that she encounters Darce a Noxlin, one of the very people the Dylins have long feared. Darce rescues Alora and offers her the very thing she has always craved: training. Through him, she begins to question everything she’s ever believed about the Noxlins and the centuries old conflict dividing their peoples.
As Alora learns to see the world through Darce’s eyes, she discovers that the Noxlins may be far more open and far more misunderstood than she ever imagined. Their growing connection forces her to confront not only her destiny, but also the deeper mystery of why their races were pitted against each other in the first place.
Spanning generations, the story sets the stage for Alora’s greatest challenge yet: going into hiding until her powers fully manifest. The tension, the forbidden connection between Alora and Darce, and the unraveling of ancient truths kept me completely engrossed.
I absolutely love this series, each book leaves me craving for more. This entry is no exception. It’s gripping, heartfelt, richly imagined, and an absolute must read for fans of epic fantasy, romance, and deeply layered world building.💛

[Ashy Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this series!
This was a much needed jump in the story to allow the lore to set in and get you pumped for present day story to unfold!

Going back to before the curse/sacrifice made was so great. You get to know Alora and Darce in such a different light. It is everything.
Not only is the background story great. But you also get a wonderful glimpse into this world that’s lasted for millennia. I was curious as to how they would somehow meet when both kingdoms are at odds. However the juxtaposition of each kingdom and their people was very interesting to see. I loved getting little glimpses of their stories and seeing how each differed in favor of the kingdom who told the story. Their families also have such different views that I was blown away by the contrast and what you have in your mind about each kingdom.
The whole story was really just showing more background for Alora, the difference in the kingdoms, and this amazing love story, and while that was amazing to read about you also get insight to both their group of friends, their families, and the overall lore of their background (and of course so much tension and banter that leads to secret spicy time!!!!).

I do have to mention the other characters this is all about Alora and Darce but their group of friends, family, and staff were great. I liked the little insights you get to the friends lives. And the dynamics of each ruler with others. Oh and Xavier is just a huge eye roll!!!

I love this series and everything about Alora and Darce. While they each have their own hardheaded moments and times they aggravate me, I could not ask for a better background to their story. I am definitely looking forward to jumping back into where we left off in the future/present day to see how all this will come together and if they truly can come to a resolution that doesn’t turn into another war.
Five stars!!

[Mayra Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you B.L. Wilde and Grey's Promotions for this arc of One Last Promise. I love the style of this series. I love when we the second book dives into the past of the characters. The last time I read a series like this was the Deception trilogy by Rina Kent and I devoured those books. The first book sets everything up and the second book gives you all the background information that you need and this book DELIVERED!

I love a good enemies to lovers/forbidden romance and this book delivered in both aspects. I love how we get to learn more about Alora and Darce and how they meet and we start to see how they start to deconstruct all the prejudice and stereotypes that they had for each other's cultures. I loved seeing how their love grew and how even when they butted heads, they still cared for each other.

I love how even though their communities despise each other, they still prevail in trying to be with each other and learning more about who they are and how they view each of their cultures. They tell each other bluntly what they think of each other's culture's and we can see how little by little, they start to understand each other and remove the stigma from what they were raised to think. I loved the world building and how Alora is fighting for what she wants and trying to break free from the shackles that are holding her back. I love how strong and dedicated she is to feeling the freedom that she has always craved. I love how charming, arrogant and completely head over heels in love with Alora Darce is.

This was my first book in the series so I cannot wait to dive into the first book and learn more about present day Darce and Alora. I also cannot wait for book three to see where the story takes them.

[Ferra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Grey's Promotions for giving me an ARC

5⭐ 3.5🌶️

Let me start by saying that I did not read the first book in this series, so I went into One Last Promise blind and I loved it!!! Now, I want to go back and read the first book, One Last Wish.

"What is light without dark?" -B.L. Wilde

This book gives me ACOTAR meets Plated Prisoner Series.

The FMC, Alora, Princess of the Dylin, reminds me of Feyre. All the things she's been made to believe her entire life about the Noxlin (her supposed enemies) are not true at all. Sound familiar?

Our FMC has not come into her magical powers yet so she begs her father, the King, to let her go on the pilgrimage to pay respects to the moonlight goddess, Nantu, in hopes that her magic will come into full power. On her quest, Alora, is given a message from Holy Ether. Let a Noxlin train you to be a warrior so that you can learn to harness and control your light powers.

In comes our shadow wielding, dirty talking MMC, Darce, a Noxlin. Darce gives me young Slade vibes. 😍

Alora quickly learns that all the things she thought she knew were not true. Darce agrees to train her. They start secretly meeting and Darce turns Alora into a warrior. They meet for years which turns into so much yearning and tension between them. Their friendship grows into something more but they still hide secrets from one another. 😳

But "what happens when darkness falls in love with light?"

This was an easy 5⭐ for me. I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Last Promise by B.L. Wilde

4.5/5 stars

One last promise is the second book in The Elder World Series following book 1 - One Last Wish, where we continue to follow Alora and Darce on their forbidden love journey.

There was so much background and questions we finally got answers for from this book because it focuses of relaying the past Drace and Alora had that was mentioned nearing the end of book 1. At first I was wondering how much we would get told and when it would stop because I really wanted to go back to when they were on Earth and she had finally started to remember things but half way in and I didn’t want it to end. I loved seeing the relationship between them start and flourish into so much more.

I wished I could jump into the book myself because Xavier tested me, he was giving off puppy dog vibes at first but then shit hit the fan and I wanted to slap the man. Not only him but Aloras father too… Wilde knew exactly what she was doing when she wrote these characters, she did so well to allow us as a reader to feel so many different emotions throughout this book.

I can’t wait for book 3 already because there was still things I want and need to know! Like Loki, Enyo and Boulder- this made me laugh over Darce naming her this and his reasoning behind it! Highly recommend reading!

[Vallenreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is epic! This story was completely enrapturing and had me captured in its pages from start to finish!
The story starts directly after the end of Book 1, but the perspective changes, and the viewpoint for the majority of the story is as a flashback. Reliving the moments where Darce and Alora meet, how their friendship develops, then how it turns to love. It’s just beautiful!
We start to see the ugly underbelly of the Dylin race, they do say “beauty is only skin deep”, and in this book that is so true. Alora’s struggles with her real father, with the decisions made for her and having no choice in her life. She starts to gain her powers and fights to make her own choices.
Then, Darce, is Darce… he is the same determined and devoted man we met in book 1, with some added charm, arrogance, and lewdness thrown in.
Like the first book, the story building is brilliant, I love the change in perspective, it keeps the story fresh and captivating, and makes a lot of things in book 1 make sense. Seeing how their relationship develops at its origins is wonderful, and again both the characters but mainly Alora’s growth is excellent.
The message underneath all that still is, love is timeless, the question now is, is their love worth forsaking everything for? Such a brilliant continuation to an epic love story across the ages!

[xXTomeRaiderXx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the prelude the stars themselves demanded.

Rather than marching forward from the book 1, this installment draws us backward through the fractured memories Alora unlocked in book one—each stolen glance, each whispered promise, each wound she couldn’t heal. And let me tell you, every page sharpens the ache of what was lost.

We are given their beginning at last!

The origin of two souls born beneath hostile crowns, bound by fate and divided by blood. Now, every choice they made in the first book carries new weight. Every silence becomes a sacrifice. Every cruel moment becomes heartbreak in disguise.

With a romance that can only be dubbed: deliciously doomed.

This story burns with tension, layered with clever plotting, dangerous desire, and courtly intrigue slithering through gilded halls with a dagger behind its back. These are not just lovers kept apart by duty, they are born to rival realms, raised to destroy everything the other represents.

What I especially loved was seeing Alora stripped of the harsher edges that clouded her before. Here, we meet the woman beneath the armor. Fierce, vulnerable, maddening, and far easier to understand. And when paired with an equally emotionally clad Darce? Oh I ate up without a crumb to spare.

Their banter was BANTERINGGG— sharp, playful, and charged with everything they shouldn’t say aloud. I was definitely kicking my little feeties on more than one occasion.

We also uncover far more of the bloodlines, betrayals, and buried truths shaping their cursed love. The world expands beautifully here, and the political tension only deepens with every revelation.

Most of all, I need answers about the so-called Kingdom of Light… because no realm so obsessed with radiance hides that many shadows by accident.

If book one gave us the wound, this prequel gives us the blade.

[Jennifer Arriaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨 EARLY ARC REVIEW 🚨

"What is light without dark? Both powers are bound for eternity. Hatred may grow, but the need for balance will prevail."
-Book of Elder World

The Dylins & Noxlins have been enemies and at war with eachother for eons. Alora is a Dylin who is on a pilgrimage to the sacred mountains to pay respect to the moon goddess . Alora has always wanted to be a warrior and be able to fight in the next war against the Noxlins to get revenge for her mother being killed. Alora's path crosses with Darce a Noxlin male who she finds all to repulsive with a filthy mouth. When Darce agrees to train Alora for battle, the lines between enemies and lovers gets blurred. What happens when you realize you have been lied to for centuries by your own King, who happens to be your father. Together Alora and Darce want to bring peace to Afterlight where both Noxlins and Dylins can coexist together. But who ever said peace dosent come at a price ?

Book 2 of The Elder World was nothing short of amazing. I LOVED getting the back story of how Darce and Alora met and how LONG it took them to get where they are at in present time. I cannot wait for book 3, im ready for it immediately!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets a good solid 4.5 stars from me. You have to have read the first book for this to make sense and there is connections that will make so much more sense in the first book after parts in this book.

This book starts off talking about how Alora wants to learn how to fight and how she takes a trip only to be saved by Darce (her enemy). She learns the truth about his kind and falls in love with him without knowing who he truly is. As the story progresses (it's slower and the reason for the 4.5 vs a 5 as the begging is super slow), you see their story unfold in the centuries that it takes to end up in the first book. This is definitely the MFC who has the enemies to lovers vibe where he falls first. I want to say more but I don't want to give much away. Just know that you find out the truth about the death of her mother (well not all of it, but the story behind it) and more about her father and his want for power.

Now that they have found each other again, what is going to happen next??? I cannot wait for the next book. I am highly enjoying this series and I'm thankful that the author provided me with a copy. Bring on book 3! I am ready for this ride.

[Michelle Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything I adore, forbidden love, rich world-building, and witty banter that made me smile more than once.

The slow-burn relationship between Darce and Alora was beautifully done, unfolding over hundreds of years. Both characters came from royal backgrounds, yet kept that part of themselves hidden from each other, a choice that made their love feel even more genuine and pure. Their back-and-forth banter was sharp and full of chemistry, and watching them fight their growing feelings until they simply couldn’t anymore was so satisfying.

What made their story even more compelling was the conflict between their two worlds. Despite coming from rival lands where love between their kinds was forbidden, Alora learned that it’s possible to live and love freely without control. The ending was intense, when both families discovered the truth, Alora’s father tried to bond her to his general. Darce’s connection to her saved her just in time, though it forced her into hiding for a century.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series, the cliffhanger has me desperate for the next book!

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Last Promise is a romantasy and forbidden love vibes with a lot of spice. This is Alora and Darce's story, an enemies-to-lovers with "It has always been you" vibes. I love their banter and the instant connection they have. Their paths have crossed with hidden secrets between both the Noxlin and Dylin people, but the Book of Elder World's has all the answers they may need. I love how they worked together to find the truth and hope of being together. I also love their friends who help and protect them when they need it. Their adventure in finding the answers built a stronger bond with themselves and they try to take care of the threat that is trying to keep them apart. OMG... That twist in the end... I need to know the rest of the story!! I need to know more!! I really enjoyed their story and can't wait to read the others.

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance reader copy.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY!!! I NEED MORE!

OMG – I absolutely love the Elder World and these two characters! So if you read the first book, then this book provides you the ENTIRE back story on how Alora and Dacre met and how they fell in love. Their story was so sweet and so heartbreaking at the same time.
Right after Alora and Dacre finally do the deed in the CURRENT timeline, she starts remembering everything from the beginning. How their two races hated each other, and how she took her journey to the mountain and was attacked by one of the worst beasts and saved by a mysterious man who helped her complete her journey and then home. Then how she continued to meet with him so she could secretly train to be a warrior.

Then how they fell in love… not knowing who each of them really were. Then the betrayal and the aftermath. OMG… I was crying through half of this book as it was so good. I am DYING to see how their love story continues. This book, and series, are 100% worth the read.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4 Stars — Emotional, Tender, and Full of Second Chances

One Last Promise by B.L. Wilde is a heartfelt blend of romance, longing, and the kind of emotional vulnerability that pulls you in from page one. This story shines in its exploration of forgiveness and healing, showing how love can still bloom even in the places we once thought were broken.

The connection between the characters feels incredibly genuine—filled with history, tension, and moments that hit you right in the chest. Wilde balances warmth and heartache beautifully, giving readers a romance that feels both emotional and deeply rewarding. While a few pacing moments felt slower, the overall journey more than made up for it with its impactful character growth and meaningful resolution.

If you enjoy emotional second-chance romances with heartfelt moments and tender intimacy, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Ladenia27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Last Promise, the second book of The Elder World Series was a very different read from the first book, One Last Wish and another amazing surprise.

The plot is superb, the fantasy world is amazing, the plot is really good and the spice was even better than on the first book!

The characters seem like two completely different people from the first book, and it’s amazingly written as it explains all the changes and reasons to justify the actions of the first book. Not your typical Romantasy at all!

I am now completely and utterly obsessed with both the FMC and the MMC and I cannot wait to read the next book and their story’s continuation.
The only thing I reeeeealy missed was the Bookends bookshop!...

I received an advance review copy for free, from the author B. L. Wilde, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

BOOK 2 WOW. WOW. WOW. THIS ONE WAS NEEDED TO FILL IN ALL THE MISSING GAPS. WE GET TO SEE ALORA'S JOURNEY WITH HER MAGIC, FROM THE FIRST TIME SHE FELT IT TO THE TROUBLES THAT CAME WITH IT. WE SEE HOW HER WORLD WAS BACK THEN. HOW COMPLICATED AND CLOSED IN SHE WAS. WE SEE HOW SHE MET DARCE AND ALL THEIR INTERACTIONS, HOW THEY FELL IN LOVE. AND OMG THE BANTER AND TENSION BETWEEN THEM WAS OFF THE CHARTS. WE SEE THE WAY THE WORLD IS SET UP. THE ISSUES BETWEEN THE DYLIN'S (DALLETHAS) AND THE NOXLIN'S (EALLARIM). THE POLITICS AND HSITORY. THIS WAS A PERFECT WAY TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN KNOWLEDGE AND SET UP BOOK 3.

THIS IS WHERE YOU GET THE BEST UNDERSTANDING OF ALORA! like you can’t fault her for being that way when she was suppressed for so long. confused and lost for reasons even she doesn’t know.

[Diamanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, people!
This book is part of The Elder World Series and should be read in order. This is the second book in the series and is literally a continuation of the first book, which is One Last Wish. Unfortunately, I had not read the first book and got lost in several places.
While I really liked the writing, the characters, and the worldbuilding, I felt like I was behind... that I didn't get to see the characters in depth.
If you want to read it, start from the beginning. I think this series can be 5 stars. If I had the first one, I might have given it that rating.
I will look to read the first book, go back to it, and continue with the sequel, which I hope will be released soon.

Thank you very much to the author and Grey's Promotions for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Eleanor Grazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alora is light, beautiful and royal but her people don’t believe in female warriors. Darce is darkness, shadows and secretive but from her enemy race. As she discovers he is destined to train her, they become star crossed lovers. Can their love survive the war building between their people?
A prequel to the first book, this enemies to lovers, forbidden romance tells the story of when Darce and Alora first meet. Join them as they balance protecting their people from the brink of war, while revealing their romance.
Romantasy ✨
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Star crossed lovers ⭐️
Fated mates 💔
War brewing 🗡️

I really enjoyed learning the meeting of Darce and Alora and this book answered a lot of questions I had from book 1. A real Romantasy Romeo and Juliet story.

[Janna Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Last Promise delivers a satisfying continuation of the story, deepening both the emotional and fantastical elements that made the first installment engaging. The exploration of fate, identity, and the bond between the protagonist and Darce adds a richer layer to their relationship, with their love feeling both intense and fated against impossible odds. The world-building expands nicely, giving more context to the divide between light and dark while keeping the romance at the heart of the narrative. At times, the pacing leans heavily into reflection, but it ultimately strengthens the emotional payoff. A strong sequel that will appeal to readers invested in epic romance and destiny-driven storytelling.

[Jessica Bookbestiejessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Essentially a prequel to the first book “One last wish” except for the last two chapters/epilogue. It basically showed how the characters got to where they ended up in the first book. I can’t believe I am saying this but I loved this even more than the first book! It was just so in depth with the background, and OMG the slow burn was CRAZY!!!! I wouldn’t say the first book was confusing, but this book just definitely helped to fill in all the holes that obviously we weren’t meant to know about yet so I definitely recommend reading this after reading the first one!!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished "One Last Promise: by B.L. Wilde in under 24 hours! This book immediately hooked me and didn't let go. It had everything: quests, rival races, top tier banter, forbidden love, prophecies, action and plenty of spice. The story revealed Alora's repressed memories from the previous book, and her and Darce's story was perfect. I love their story so much. They began as reluctant allies for survival and became so much more. Seeing the tension build from being enemies to lovers was exquisite. Highly recommend, couldn't put it down. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this forbidden love story. It spans across thousands of years because they are immortal. It's hard to fathom hundreds of years going by between some chapters, but it feels like a natural progression. The banter between Darce and Alora was great! Alora is a feisty female character. Dance somewhat fills that shadow daddy trope with his gift of shadows, but inside he's a golden retriever only for her. It's a wonderful story. I highly recommend giving it a read!

Thank you for the early copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Amanda Pinnington · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Romantasy this is for you!!
Storyline is great! The world building from book 1 to book 2 was spot on. Characters are really good. I love Darce (shadows👀thats all im saying) I hate Xavier with all I have. I think Alora, the FMC is a lot more realistic than other FMC's in fantasy. The writing is as always easy to read and very enjoyable. This writer writes spice perfectly in my opinion and I would 100% recommend this book.

[Stacy Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting Darce and Alora’s backgrounds in this book. It helped a lot with understanding the first book and made me like Alora a lot more. I enjoyed the concept of having the entire book set in the past so the reader can truly understand where they came from and set the stage for the last book.
I’m excited to see what happens in the last part now that Alora has her memories back and how the prophecy will play out.