Lightguard

Daughter of Sun Duology #1

by Hayley Turner

Stay the course. Be the Light.

After fifteen years of hard training, 25-year-old Corinne Anastos is ready to become a Lightguard and receive her assignment as a Sword of Helaera. Corinne is the most powerful light mage they’ve seen at the monastery in decades, and she’s fought harder than anyone in her training class to retain that reputation—and to prevent the others from discovering her closest-kept secret.

When the day of her Anointing arrives, Corinne’s hopes for a life of honor are dashed. Instead of a placement protecting the sacred Boundary, she’s to be the personal guard for Aryel Serra, Prince of Ashera and heir to the throne. Powerful dark mages have threatened the prince’s life, and it’s now Corinne’s sworn duty to keep him safe, even if he is the most insufferable man she’s ever met.

A Lightguard must not stray from their path, and Corinne must do whatever it takes to live up to those expectations. Because if that voice in her head speaks true, if she fails to protect the prince and guard her own heart, the life she’s fought for will crumble around her.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Adult, Found Family, Magic

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Hayley Turner is a writer and composer from North Carolina. Her favorite stories blend fantasy, magic, romance, and epic adventures for an overall “fairytale for adults” feel, and that’s exactly what she seeks to capture in her own books. When she isn’t writing books or music, she can be found playing videogames, eating good food with even better friends, or cuddling with her dog, Leia, or her void goblin cat, Nyx.

Reviews

[CristoC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very honest book. It doesn’t pretend to be anything that it isn’t, it doesn’t take the reader for a fool, it just asks to be enjoyed and I knew I would when I saw that the main character was a Bisexual Muscle Mommy©; and I was not wrong!
For the sake of being a perfectly honest ARC reader I have to say that the book is not without its faults, but it aligns perfectly with my taste, which is why I’m giving it four stars.


I’ll start with the book’s weak points just to get them out of the way: it’s very low on plot and it falls into some clumsy writing at times.
The plot is very simple but also very spaced out through the book so that it feels like not much happens (plotwise) until the last few chapters. It is also very predictable but the book was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind it at all. Also!! predictability can be useful tool if well used, and I’d say this is the case, because that ending puts ideas into your mind….anyway. As for the clumsy writing...this book fell into the rookie mistake of describing new characters in full (hair, eye colour, clothes etc.) as soon as they’re introduced instead of gradually describing them in a less info-dump manner.

With that being said...I freaking loved this. I loved the writing, I loved the characters, I loved the world-building. It’s just a really fun book, with bisexual main characters, a queer and diverse cast, OCD representation…a full package I’d say.
I had never read a book by this author before and I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. It’s clear she knows what she’s doing because I could fully immerse myself in the story without even noticing I was reading, which is, to me, one of the best indicators of a writer’s skill. And what I really loved about the writing is that it’s cinematic; it paints scenes in a way that feels dynamic even if there’s no movement whatsoever, it goes in and out of the main character’s mind so seamlessly that the transition is unnoticeable. Last but not least, there’s a perfect balance between the said and the unsaid, which really made me understand that the writer doesn’t underestimate readers’ intellect, and I appreciate that.
As I’ve said a million times before, I’m a sucker for well written characters, and this book does not disappoint. I would say it’s very character focused, especially on the main character’s growth. Corinne definitely found a place in my heart. Like any self-respecting fantasy main character at the start of their journey, she’s a mixture of traumatized, a little bit fanatical, extremely hot, a little dumb, and in desperate need of affection. She’s perfectly fleshed out, so that her actions and reactions feel natural – even if not logical or smart – and her growth extremely satisfying to witness, even if sad and anger inducing for...reasons, I don’t want to spoil. She’s honest, she’s sweet, she’s resilient, she’s kind, and she grows to be a better version of herself not just because the events change her, but because she chooses to, she wants to be better, she wants to do the right thing...all this while also battling conflicting emotions about her upbringing and her past, her faith and her own mind. She’s also a sword wielding muscular bisexual with short hair and OCD, so. Bonus points. Her developing relationships with the people she meets at the castle had me tearing up and kicking my feet honestly, both friendly and romantic. Speaking of other characters, I really liked the rest of the cast but I wish to see a little more in the second book, same goes for Aryel, because they were good, I loved Aryel’s sass (who has a Sardinian surname, which made me laugh because I’m sure it wasn’t intentional) and Illiana’s anger issues but I’m greedy and I want more.

The world-building is another strong point of the book for multiple reasons: it’s simple, the author took her time introducing it so that it felt natural, and there’s the perfect amount of mystery that leaves you curious for what’s to come without being confusing (with the exception of: how did she not find herself naked in chapter 37??? Scientists are still trying to find an answer!).
I honestly can’t wait to see what happens in the next book because that ending was juicy.



I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an arc review, all thoughts below are my own. Lightguard releases this March on the 24th!!

"If my entire life had to fall apart," he said, voice even lower, "I'm glad you're here to help me carry the pieces."

Okay, let me just say, this Lightguard is SUCH a five ⭐️ read! I was absolutely shocked at that ending!! I NEVER could’ve guessed that ending. It was a complete curveball. And you’re telling me I have to WAIT for the second book to find out what happens next when the first book isn’t even released yet?! I have to have the PATIENCE for that?! But I wanna know now! How am I supposed to wait?!

I love that in Lightguard, SHE is the guard (with magic!) and HE is the prince!! That is definitely what sold me to sign up for this arc. The role reversal was so refreshing and I so thoroughly enjoyed it.

The romance was there, the tension was there, even without the romance being a huge focus of the book! There were comfort scenes, training scenes, a dash of spice, nicknames, banter, A BALLROOM SCENE (!!) and everything else you love to see between the MC’s, all without it overpowering the book/plot! It’s a slow burn at its finest! And as for the spice, I’d rate it a 1.5! It was so short and you can easily skip it if you prefer not to read spice!

I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. You will be absolutely hooked, turning those pages like there’s no tomorrow! (I may have read over 250 pages of it in one day) I promise you, if you love fantasy/romantasy AT ALL, you won’t regret picking Lightguard up!!

"I'm going to kiss you again before I leave Helaera's earth, Corinne Anastos.”

[Kayleene · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This is an ARC review*
*Potential spoilers in second paragraph*

if you wish to dive into a world of magic, hidden secrets, lots of yearning 👀 , banter, and fighting for what is right in a realm of twisted beliefs - I absolutely recommend Lightguard. I devoured this book in a day (less than 24 hours!) The Ballroom scene and after the dinner were my favorite parts of the book. The MMC is SO considerate and caring, and the way he makes her feel SEEN in ways she has never experienced absolutely warmed my heart to the core. I cannot wait for book 2!

5/5 ⭐️
3/5🌶
FMC 10/10 ⭐️
MMC 10/10⭐️

*This book has representations of OCD and inclusivity MATTERS*

Corinne, orphan turned Lightguard after a childhood tragedy, is raised in the Monastery and the top of her class. Her first assignment is unexpected, and will put her patience and devotion to the test. As the assigned guard to Aryel, heir to the crown, whom has had threats to his own life as well as attempted assassinations, she learns the reality about herself and the world she was raised in and led to believe as truth. Be the Light. Stay the course. The secrets will be uncovered and the truth revealed, and not in the way you would expect 👀

[Unnamednonsense · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, 4.5 stars.

I want to first talk about how this book pulled me out of a terrible reading slump. A month of 3 star books, a week of not reading more than 4 pages a day and then never picking that book back up, and then I opened this book and suddenly I desired to read again. And not only did I desire to read, but I thought about this book when I wasn’t reading.

Did I figure out a plot twist like 250 pages before it was revealed? Yes. But the way we got there was a wild ride that made me completely forget my theory until the reveal, so technically I didn’t figure it out.

Corinne is a very refreshing fmc. As someone who struggles with anxiety and OCD, I really liked Corinne. Her thoughts and actions felt very relatable and realistic to me. I’m definitely going to say one of her mantras when times get tough, because it really resonates with me. I also love how she’s this super powerful and tough warrior and still has struggles like the rest of us.

Ari my man, I really didn’t like you at the beginning of the book. I was like oh man I have to deal with this giant man baby as our love interest? And then I absolutely adored him by the end of the book. It was so nice to see him get his spark back and start really loving again after meeting Corinne. He transformed as he got to know her.

The plot of this book is also super unique, and I’m not just talking about how for once she’s the guard and he’s the one who needs protecting. I’m talking about Corinne trying to figure out what’s right, the idea of the light guards, the romance, and the incredible going family. This book had one of the best examples of found family I’ve ever seen. I loved the whole gang and how Ari just kind of was absorbed into them.

Okay, after that ending, I’m going to go eagerly await the next book.

Thank you so much to Hayley Turner for a gifted arc of this book.

[Monica (switching platforms) · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to the author for the ARC—I really appreciate the opportunity to read it. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.

Writing this review feels a bit strange considering how many people enjoyed this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me as much as I had hoped. I even tried pausing it and coming back to it a few days later, and while it was still interesting enough to keep me going (I did want to know how it ended), it never really made me feel invested... I think it was a mix of different things that just didn’t click for me, and in the end it kind of dragged, leaving me a bit unsatisfied. I don’t know… even on a better day, I don’t think I could’ve rated it higher than a 3.5.

The premise of Lightguard immediately caught my attention: a Lightguard who has just completed her training with excellence and is about to receive her first assignment outside the monastery. Unfortunately, her role turns out to be that of personal guard to a prince under threat. While this should be an honor, it actually unsettles Corinne, since—at least from what I understood—Lightguards are meant to serve the people, not the royal family, so her goals was to be a guard near a border, but this is an exception(?). From this premise, I was expecting a mix of action, tension, intrigue, and romance. And to be fair, the book does have some good elements: the world-building is interesting, the writing is easy to follow, and there’s a nice variety of side characters, and some action toward the end. I also appreciated the found-family aspect, which added some warmth to the story. However, the execution didn’t fully land for me.

One of my main issues was the lack of clear cause-and-effect in certain situations. For example, Corinne, the FMC, is sent to be the prince’s personal guard with little to no explanation and no real introduction at court. She basically arrives at the palace, says she’s the assigned Lightguard, and that’s it. There’s no verification, no formal presentation, nothing. It made me wonder: what guarantees that she is who she says she is? Why wasn’t she accompanied by someone from the monastery to formally introduce her and establish the relationship between the monastery and the royal court? Maybe it’s just me expecting that kind of interaction, but it would have been really interesting to see those first impressions and dynamics play out. Especially because later in the story, when the prince faces an issue with food distribution to his people, Corinne casually suggests asking the Lightguards for help—something that makes it seem like the relationship between the monastery and the crown is not as straightforward as it should be.

Another question that kept coming back to me while reading was: how are the Lightguards so revered if they mostly keep their powers to themselves or only use them in very specific situations? It felt strange that we never see any character who is openly distrustful of them or even jealous of their power: especially in a setting like the royal court, which is usually full of nobles eager to gain influence and control. Yes, we do see Corinne entering a world that is completely different from the one she grew up in, but… I wasn’t fully convinced. The overall impression I got was that many events and relationships felt a bit too convenient or predictable. For example, Corinne almost breaking a noblewoman’s hand should have created tension—something that would come back to haunt her—but it’s barely addressed until much later in the story. It happens in private and in the context of protecting the prince, but she is still a noblewoman who could seek revenge or cause problems for Corinne later on—something that isn’t really explored until near the end. The same goes for how quickly she gives in to the temptations of court life, without much internal conflict or reflection. It all felt a bit too easy, when it could have added so much more depth to her character and the story overall.

The pacing was another issue for me. The story somehow felt both rushed and slow at the same time. Rushed because everything happens quickly, without giving enough time to fully process the situations or the emotions Corinne experiences. At the same time, large portions of the book felt like a sequence of everyday scenes that didn’t really move the plot forward, which made the overall progression feel slow. Nothing particularly important happens for long stretches since Corinne’s role is mainly to act as a guard, but when the first hints of mystery do appear, they are handled quite slowly and often take a back seat to other events. I’m not saying Corinne needed to turn into a full detective on her first assignment, and what she does is fine, but I definitely didn’t get the sense that she was actively digging deeper into what was happening—especially considering she even had access to a librarian who could have helped her investigate.

Corinne, the FMC, was probably my biggest struggle. Despite being in her POV, I didn’t feel like I truly got to know her. Her transition from the monastery to life in the castle felt too abrupt, and I expected much more internal conflict given how strict and controlled her upbringing was. Instead, she seems to stray from the path quite quickly, without enough reflection on what that means for her identity, her beliefs, or her future. It made her character arc feel less impactful than it could have been. That said, I did enjoy her interactions with the other soldiers in the castle, and it was nice seeing her build those relationships, even though I expected more correspondence with her friends back at the monastery, like letters or some form of communication. I don’t deny she is excellent with a sword, but as a character in terms of emotional depth and relationships, she didn’t fully stand out to me.

Prince Ariylan, on the other hand, was very much a 50/50 for me. There were moments where I liked him and found him mildly entertaining, but overall I felt quite indifferent toward him, even though we do get glimpses of different sides of his personality. I do feel for his situation, but he didn’t have a personality that really left a strong impression on me.

And this leads me to the romance. While there are moments meant to build their relationship, I didn’t feel a strong emotional connection between the characters. It felt more like I was told they were getting closer rather than actually feeling it. Especially since the turning point that should bring them together felt more like just another step in getting to know each other, rather than a moment of real emotional intimacy.

Around the 20% mark, the story does start to pick up a more structured pace, where events begin to connect more and we get additional information. However, it continues to be told at a very fast rhythm (which is not necessarily a flaw), but at that point it felt like I was just trying to keep up and rush through it.

That said, I do think the book handles themes of religious control, shame, and trauma in an impactful way. You can really see the intention behind Corinne’s journey and the critique of that system. However, for me, this aspect overshadowed the fantasy elements, which took a back seat compared to what I was expecting going in.

Overall, Lightguard has a solid foundation and interesting ideas, but the pacing, character depth, and emotional connection didn’t fully work for me. I can see its appeal—especially for readers more interested in the thematic elements—but as a fantasy romance, it didn’t quite deliver what I was looking for. I also don’t think I’ll be picking up the second book in this duology, but I would still recommend this story to readers who enjoy something fast-paced and less action-driven, more focused on the character’s daily life and experience.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Slower start, but I ended up loving and rooting for the found family (shocker, I’m always obsessed with that trope). I’m looking forward to the next one!

[Jen Schlim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

this was so fun.
very likable chars & super relatable (ocd/intrusive thoughts/panic attacks rep as well as lgbtqia+, love to see it)

so excited for the next!

anyone else picture ATLA bending-type fight scenes??
just me?? ok

[Bernie Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Oh this book is so good!! I honestly was awake until 3.30am this morning because I just had to keep reading to the end!

I will say the book was a slow burn for me, it took me a while to feel fully invested, which is why it’s 4.25 stars for me. But don’t let that put you off because it’s such an enjoyable book and it sets things up so well for book two.
There is a lovely found family element that is so heartwarming, there is training and there is ‘who did this to you’.
The plot builds slowly, I did guess at a couple of things but it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book, in fact it spurred me on as I was desperate to know if I was right.

Corinne is a great FMC, she has such a journey of self discovery throughout the book, learning to love herself and open her heart. I enjoyed the ocd representation, I have intrusive thoughts myself so I very much related to her in that way.
I think that Ari is one of my all time favourite MMC’s, his character is so interesting and has so many layers to it, with both strength and vulnerability.

I am officially hooked and am desperately wanting to read book two!!

[Zepora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Hayley Turner for the e-ARC in exchange for this honest review!

I give this start to a duology 3.5, 3.75 stars. I have been going back and forth in my head for a while, now, on what to say exactly in this review, because I did enjoy this novel! I got through it really fast as I was both interested and intrigued by the plot and kept wanting to know what would happen next.

I think overall, I felt like I wanted more depth and time for our characters and feelings to develop. Corinne has such a layered background and deserves more exploration. She is not a normal Lightguard candidate, coming later in life as an orphan, and being the daughter of a certain powerful mage (trying to avoid spoilers here!). Since coming to the Monestary, she has been surrounded by certain rules, beliefs, culture, and a way of thinking that is now being challenged as she steps away for the first time. This tension is explored, but I think not given enough space for us to fully feel the impact. Corinne slips in her Lightguard ways almost immediately, which is pointed out by her colleagues, but it feels a bit disingenuous to me for her to behave this way after trying to hard for years to become a Lightguard.

The biggest pull for me reading this book was the guard/prince dynamic, but we truly only get one instance, maybe two if you are being generous, where Corinne really acts like the guard that she is. Besides that, we spend time training, eating lunch, or standing outside the prince's door.

Lightguard has really good foundations, and is a great discussion on religious stifling and trauma, but it needs just a bit more substance for it to become what it deserves to be.

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows Corinne, a trainee focused on becoming a Lightguard. When she passes her last test and becomes a Lightguard, she hopes she’ll be near her friend. However, things take a twist when she’s assigned to be the personal guard of the crown prince whose life was recently threatened. Corinne willingly goes, albeit not happy about it, and begins to question a lot when she meets the prince and others at the castle, and wonders whether the life she’s been lead to believe is the right way may have all been a lie.

So, I admit, when I first started reading this, I wasn’t being sucked into the story. It was a bit boring for most of the book, I mean nothing happens until the last 20% of the book I would say.

Now, that being said, by the end, I enjoyed myself immensely. The book seems to focus more on Corinne, and her journey of learning who she is and who she could be and maybe even learn about love. Not a lot happened until the end, but the journey to that point at the end made sense once I finished. And I ended up adoring Corinne and all the characters were introduced to, and despising others.

Corinne and Ari are ADORABLE. This is a romance I didn’t realize I needed. It’s a slow burn despite their clear attraction, but Corinne REFUSES to acknowledge what she feels, determined to stay the course as a Lightguard. And so her slow realization of what she could be and who she could be with and that it’s okay made the romance just so much sweeter. And the CONSENT, omg the consent that Ari checked on just added even more sweetness and I just couldn’t get enough of either of them by the end.

Not to mention all the side characters that slowly developed and turned into a lovely found family that Corinne really needed. I just loved how all the relationships developed in this story and can’t help but love all the characters…well aside from the ones who don’t deserve Corinne!

That ending was predictable for me, or I expected it, but it’s no less intense and devastating and I very much want the next book!

Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

I had a hard time with this one, and I’m still attempting to work out why. I will say that any dislike is entirely due to me not being able to connect with the fmc.

The good: The magic was so interesting and different. I liked how it was turned into a very religious thing, as that added to how the fmc dealt with her thoughts. I got a lot of Tamora Pierce vibes, which I absolutely loved. The writing was lovely, and the story flowed well. I started to get a suspicion about how the book would end part way through, and I liked how it was done.

For me, however, I had a really hard time on texting with the fmc. This is more of a personal thing, I think due to my personality. The author notes that the fmc experiences “silent OCD”, which I had never heard could be a way that OCD manifests (very interesting to read about separately). Where I had an issue was that I am a very decisive person who has never suffered from this before, so it was very hard to put myself in her place. I found myself wanting to skip over the self-doubt and thoughts because in her situation I would not have had them, and I wanted to get to the meat of the problem.

I think this is a beautiful story for anyone who does experience the issues of OCD, as well as self-doubt or depression. Many people will be able to resonant with Corinne and her inner thoughts and struggles. It is unfortunate that I was unable to put myself in her place, but I still urge others to try this one out!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Hayley Turner for providing an eARC of Lightguard for me to read and review. I wasn’t paid to review this book, and any opinions expressed are my own.

Rating: 5 stars.

What a brilliant book to start the year off with, this was such an insightful and well written book that covers religious trauma in such a profound way. The romance was sweet and well done, it wasn’t rushed at all. The characters and world building were fantastic, I was so immersed in this world. I don’t know what Hayley puts in her books but I was struggling to put it down. The OCD rep is fantastically done, and doesn't feel like it was added in last minute.

We follow our main character, Corinne, and we’re thrown straight into her Lightguard ceremonial trial. Lightguards are protectors of the realm under the Goddess, Helaera, and they use sun magic to protect the people. The love interest, Prince Aryel, is a deeply flawed man, and doesn’t try to be anything else. I loved the developing relationship between these two, and that Corinne brings out the best in Ari, but Ari brings out the worst in her in a way that’s endearing and sweet.

If you’re planning to, definitely add this author to your to-read list. She’s got a way with words. This book releases on March 24 if you’re interested in reading it!

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightguard was such a solid way to kick off my 2026 reading. It’s a medium‑paced fantasy with plenty of deception and betrayal, but what really pulled me in was Corrine figuring out who she actually is — not who she was trained to be. Her inner thoughts feel so real and relatable, and I loved being in her head.

The worldbuilding is amazing. You’re just in it without even trying, and the whole light‑vs‑dark setup is exactly the kind of thing that always grabs me.

And the tropes? A female bodyguard and a he‑falls‑first dynamic? I didn’t stand a chance. Add in the found‑family vibes and I was fully invested.

Overall, it gave me everything I wanted: great world, great characters, and a story that has me excited to see where it goes next.

[becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a read this was!!! I’m such a sucker for a female guard protecting a male prince type of trope!

I was given a chance to arc this book and I’m thankful to the author for giving me that opportunity! Lightguard was so much more than what I thought it would be. I loved the OCD representation in the FMC, the chemistry between Corinne and Aryel, the found family friendships between the other castle guards, the enriched storyline, and the major plot twist! This read had me turning the pages in each fight scene needing more and to know how it would end. I adored this read so much and I look forward to reading everything else by this author and the continuation of this story in book two!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started out a bit slow for me. I felt like up until the 50% mark it felt like very little happened, but when it ramped up I flew through the book.

The OCD representation was great to see, and I did enjoy the diversity in all the main characters. It’s refreshing to read! The magic system was cool, but I do wish there was more background on where it came from, how it’s trained etc.

All in all it’s a fun fresh fantasy read. I did see the twist coming earlier on but still enjoyed how it turned out!

[Tory Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy of an eARC.

This book really took me by surprise. I saw the author marketing it on threads and knew it’d check a lot of boxes for me. I did feel like the slow burn was a slooooow burn but I also know that was necessary in order for the main character to face her religious trauma and abuse.

The side characters were truly the stars here. A found family is going to make me a sucker every time. They were perfectly done and I can’t wait to see that relationship continue to grow in book two.
4.5 stars rounded up.

[Brittney Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Lightguard by Hayley Turner


Wow! This book was an unexpected treat. On the surface it seems like another book about a 'magic special girl with light powers'. We've all been there, done that. The amount of depth that Hayley Turner gives these characters is truly excellent. She manages to keep the story engaging the whole way through while navigating tough issues like OCD, mental health, abuse and religious trauma and oppression. 


I did see some of the twists and turns coming but it didn't take away from the impact of when they happened. Corrine might be one of my favorite FMCs this year. 


This book came out on March 24th (I am a little behind in posting this!). I would absolutely add it to your TBR!

[Sarah Hoppes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up!! Lady knight with OCD managing religious trauma? Very cat nip for me 😂
While the plot was fairly predictable the story was fun and relatable and SO enjoyable!! All the characters felt like a warm hug.

[Haeli S · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 STARS because what do you mean?!

I read this book so fast and I already want to go back and reread it because I miss the world and characters so much.

Our girl, Corinne, is given the assignment of guarding the Crown Prince. After staying the course the majority of her life and proving herself to her colleagues, suddenly she’s thrown into a whole new world where everything she’s known is tested. The fact that I love and hate so many characters at the same time. I found myself screaming for both reasons.. Also, the way Turner represents OCD in this book is done so well.

If you love forbidden love, slow burn, who did this to you, found family, magic and religious trauma- this book is for you!!

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to advance read this book.

This at first appears to be romantic fantasy, but it is fantasy romance because the romance is central to the plot. You can’t remove the romance and still have the plot completely. Almost, but not quite.

The book is good. But it’s not really my cup of tea. It gets a four star just for structure, a tall FMC, and being absolutely advanced read ready. It’s not perfectly plotted, but it’s close. More about that later.

This review does have plot and content spoilers, so read any further at your own risk.

What works:

It was absolutely advanced ready. I didn’t see any typos or errors. I may have missed something, but it was fairly free of problems. I do not recall seeing any continuity issues.

The protagonist is a woman, and she is a warrior. With magic. She is the knight in shining armor.

She is tall, she is buff. Did I mention bonus points for the tall FMC?

Found family and friends group. The friend group sought her out and made her a friend. This required her to practice her social skills ha ha. I like that the MMC saw how they were good to her. There was little of the typical bullying mean girls stuff than normal in these type of books. Yes, there was a typical mean girl rival sort of, but she took up little time.

The parents of the friend groups and that most of the court people were decent people. It wasn’t all awful people.

It almost feels like a coming of age story.

What doesn’t work:

This is advertised as a somewhat enemies to lovers. It’s not.

The characters are extremely immature for their age. While the characters are in their mid to late 20s, this book reads very much like a book for teenagers. Other than the one scene where there is foreplay spice. These characters would fit better to be teenagers not mid to late 20s.

This FMC character has absolutely no actual fieldwork/battle experience, yet she kills easily.

The entire plot development requires a reticent, naïve main character.

Pacing. The first half of the book is plodding. It’s a little boring. I’m not sure why I’m supposed to care about the FMC. Yes it sets up the rest of the book, yes it seems necessary. But I can tell you I almost DNF many times. If this was not an advanced copy, I would have dropped it in the first few chapters simply because it did not catch my interest. The second half of the book moves at a better pace and I actually enjoyed some of the action scenes. In other words, it’s actually plotted well as it’s a fantasy and it’s setting up at least one more book. I don’t know how long this series is going to be.

More personal opinion:

It’s obvious how the plot is going to go for betrayal and treason because the newly minted graduate of religious warrior school is sent to be the personal guard of the prince. She has no actual battle training. She’s naïve, having grown up in the monastery with no real life experience. And is ill prepared to face court politics. She had been drinking the Kool-Aid at the monastery since she was eight years old and is now in her mid 20s. This is a positive if the reader like a plot that's comfortable. It's a negative if someone's looking for any shocking revelations.

I knew from the start who the big bad going to be. It was pretty obvious what was being done to the FMC also, there were no surprises at all in the book. But sometimes it’s comforting to know how the plot is going to work out. And I’m not talking about the romance.

The male character is supposed to be the bad boy charmer. He’s rather boring and submissive. Yes he’s the bad boy sleep around drinking too much guy, often cranky, but he’s extremely naïve and we learn why he’s kind of passive. It’s difficult to balance when you want to do this kind of main character in a romance reversal. She’s the knight in shining armor, but she’s also naïve and submissive in many ways. He’s the spoiled brat, prince and she trains him to learn how to fight better but he’s also submissive. It’s a really fine line to walk. I admire what the author did because I know how difficult that is. I'm not sure it quite works, it's a little awkward. But big props for trying to make it happen. You do see that they develop a bond.

The author did a very good job of balancing the FMC trying to be both a kick butt warrior and sometimes soft. For the MMC, the Author really did try to balance him, but it did not quite even out.

Something that altered my enjoyment of the book and is not a critique of the book itself. But rather giving my own review a take it as a grain of salt poke. I saw the character art of the two characters online and that visually pretty much put me off the male character. I tried to ignore that, but I couldn’t unsee it. I really tried to get by it and I was successful in doing so in that I completed the book.

The author explains in the end of the book the type of OCD that the FMC has, but it’s not evident in the book. I was pretty much thinking she was going to be possessed or under the influence of drugs that made her basically schizophrenic. But because I didn’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it just means that unless you understand that type of OCD and intrusive thoughts, you’re not going to understand what’s going on with the character. At all.

Yes, I complained quite a bit here and all of this seems a bit negative. However, ultimately, I gave it four stars and I don’t give out higher than three stars often. Again this is because it's structured well, the author has her own vision, it has a tall FMC, and it sticks to the fantasy genre. There's no real quest, but I considered roaming around all the halls over and over following the MMC around on his daily schedule land the descriptions of the labyrinth like streets in the city, good enough to consider it the requisite fantasy quest ha ha. I mean, I don't know if I would've made it through if there was a real quest and the daily routine thing.

If you like fantasy romance, character and plot driven books that is rather more teenage like rather than adult, this book might be for you. Frankly, I didn’t particularly enjoy this book but I didn't hate it either. I think it’s a good book structurally and for mild fantasy readers that enjoy teenage fantasy because I think it fits better there.

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hayley Turner's novel Lightguard, join the devoted and blessed with magic as they live their lives in honor of the one true Goddess Helaera and protect others in the realm. Remember, stay the course, be the light. You wouldn't want to stray too far away so that you end up in the darkness. Who knows what will happen if you do.

Corrine Anastos has lived most of her life at the monastery training and praying to one day become a Lightguard. Once she passes all of these rigorous tests, she will finally be anointed and will receive her assignment. She does everything she's supposed to do, even rising to the top of her class. Everything was going according to plan, until she got assigned to guard the crown Prince Aryel Serra of Ashera. Now, she must leave everything behind and head to a place that will test her resolve and mental fortitude while protecting the very people that live the exact opposite of what she believes and was raised to believe in.

While I was able to predict a majority of what was going to happen in the story, it was still an enjoyable read for me. At first, it started slow, but when you're world building, and setting up all the characters and plot, it makes sense. Towards the end, everything picks up. Her relationship with Aryel is cute. At first, they are complete opposites, and can barely stand each other, but slowly, they start to understand one another when no one else gets them. Even her friendships with the others at the castle are cute. At first she's standoffish, but they slowly grow on her.

What intrigued me as I was reading was Corrine's OCD. For many, one would assume a person with OCD likes to have things in a particular order; however, Corrine's was more about her intrusive thoughts, and if she didn't do it as she normally does, she must start over again, and make sure everything is right before proceeding on with her day. What also intrigued me as I was reading this story was how religion and cults are crucial to the story. Corrine has lived a majority of her life in an extremist religious sect away from society. Everything she does is in honor of the Goddess and her Lightguard creed. When she steps outside of her comfort zone, at first she is disgusted by the hedonistic ways everyone in the city and castle live. How is she to obey the Goddess and live in virtue when everyone around her is doing the opposite. At first, she may seem like everyone is testing her, but everyone is living their life as they always have. As her tenure guarding the princes continues, she starts questioning everything she's been taught, and slowly learns that everything doesn't exactly align with her new convictions.

With this being the first book in a duology, I can't wait to see how our characters come together and save their home. I'm sure there is to be a lot of eye opening reveals and truths learned. Can't wait to see what comes up next.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Hayley Turner for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.

[A.Z. Emery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from the author. Thank you for sharing your book with me!

No spoilers until the last few lines. Read at your own discretion. If you are sensitive to religious trauma, this may be a difficult book for you.

Spice Level: 🌶️ (one or two open door scenes)

TWs: Religious corruption, suppression, and punishment; kissing, one explicitly sexual scene, OCD, panic attacks, and descriptions of battle.

Ending: I don't know if you'd call it a cliffhanger, but you are left off in a moment you and the characters know nothing about.

This is a story of religious deconstruction - of finding the truths behind people in power and faith, and what they are truly willing to do to stay there. Corinne lives it firsthand, and just at the brink of the end, discovers she isn't who she believed she was...she is better.

Review below:

At first, I wasn't sure about the FMC. She seemed...whiny. Very entitled and prideful, and I actually put the book down for a few days because she rubbed me the wrong way. After about a week, I picked it back up and finished it within a day. I found myself speed-reading through the descriptions because I was so impatient about the plot, lol.

Corinne Anastos is a Lightguard - an orphan girl who grew up in the monastery, faithfully following the religion of their goddess Haelara. Lightguards are Mages and healers - protectors of the realm, doing the goddess's work within the world. She is the brightest of her class, the overachiever, and the one with a dark past that she had absolutely no control over. Upon graduation (anointing), she receives her assignment - protect Prince Aryel. The snobby, entitled piece-of-work MMC. She is NOT happy about this. She expected to protect the magical boundary surrounding Ashera from the Nightrenders (the shadow goddess's realm). Since, after all, she is the strongest Mage they've ever had.

The first few chapters of her in the palace portray her as a prideful guard; however, she begins to loosen up and eventually makes friends. With both other guards - and the Prince.

The monastery is NOT happy about her 'straying from the path', and Corinne pays the price of their disappointment, bearing the mark of punishment.

From that point on, she is an emotional mess, trying to understand her emotions and feelings. Aryel is not who he seems, and she is surprised to find her friends are actually her friends.

And just when she chooses herself for once, everything starts to fall apart.

I loved how the MMC turns out to be a sweet man who truly cares for Corinne... and plays the piano forte. It was so refreshing to read a man who reacted normally to what was going on around him, had normal motivations, and was able to express his feelings, desires, and goals.

The end of the book is a whirlwind, and it was awesome how Corinne stopped GAF about anything except him. He gave her, "Who did this to you?" - she gave him, "I'll burn the world down for hurting you."

[Anjolie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NerdFam and the author for the e-copy of this book. All thoughts here are my own.

This is a very, naive Maria leaves the abbey, to be Brianne of Tarth with light powers and protect Captain Von Trapp with a Prince Naveen attitude. Now steep those characters in a toxic tea of religious abuse and that’s the story. I had a hard time connecting with the FMC.

I did not enjoy this book at all and wanted to DNF but powered through to give this ARC a full read. Part of that is on me, because I underestimated the content warnings and expected that the plot would focus on the action/ adventure. This story is primarily about religious abuse and sexual repression and shame. The fantasy elements take a big back seat. Please check the trigger warnings I’m glad I did finish the book because I really appreciated all the bread crumbs the author had left throughout the story that help wrap up the plot. But gosh, was it a slog.

The pacing was so slow. By 10% she just met Prince Ari, her love interest. By 50% they were just starting to turn the corner on the relationship and by 70% we finally get acknowledged mutual interest. To me, this didn’t read like a slow burn, it read like we weren’t getting enough story.

To that end, I wanted everything about the book ramped up 20%. More action/adventure, higher stakes, more romance, more prince on the page, more world building, the magic. Instead, the story plodded along with seemingly inconsequential vignettes of her day - she trains with her friends, then grabs lunch, then meets with the king/queen, then goes to dinner. I felt like I kept waiting for the story to get going and for the stakes to ramp up.

But they never did. The threat to the Prince was always so vague. What we learn about the threat to him in the first chapter is never expanded on. Why is he in danger? What happens if he’s captured? Why aren’t the king and queen in danger? There was also never any concern Corinne wouldn’t prevail against an attack. the stakes felt flimsy.

The FMC experiences religious trauma/ active spiritual abuse coupled with OCD (to the point of panic attacks). While I can’t speak to the OCD representation, I deeply resonated with the representation of religious trauma and the shame spiraling on page. The FMC EVENTUALLY got to a place of empowerment and broke the cycle, but not until the last 10%. Personally, I would have liked to see this character acknowledge the harm much sooner and work against the powers that be for a larger part of the story.

Idk this book just didn’t work for me as a fantasy book. As a critique on religious abuse? I get it. Deeply. But i wouldn’t have picked it up if I understood where this was going.

[Christine Urch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I positively consumed the all-new, romantasy publication by Hayley Turner. I was lucky enough to be selected to read an advance copy of her title, Lightguard, and it did not disappoint.

Stay the Course. Be the Light.

This book was very well written. The writing style was smooth and nearly every plot hole was filled and wrapped up by the end. I supposed book 2 of the duology will answer any leftover wonders from its former.
The world building was refreshing, it was just enough to get the full picture without bore and so the reading was much faster paced. I appreciated the no extra bs approach with this medium length text.
The plot itself was only semi predictable by the end, and you really questioned every character and their motives all throughout the book. It was giving not “who dun’it” but “who’s gonna do it” vibes.
Corinne, our FMC, is an orphaned light-wielder raised in a monastery. She’s tough and honorable, but also has major past traumas, intrusive thoughts and the mental health representation is loud and proud. She fights the attraction to Ari due to her religious brainwashing and shame, but it slowly turns into a touch-him-and-die scenario!
Ari introduced as a spoiled, pompous prince with a rebel streak. His character growth is powerful and he transforms into a sweet and caring, respectable guy who would do anything to keep Corinne safe. Hayley also did a wonderful job at making consent sexy.
This is definitely a slow burn, and plot forward book. It’s extremely low spice but there is a fair amount of tension and the romance is still just as sweet. She saves his life, he saves her heart!
Many of the roles in this book were reversed or atypical of stereotypes. It was stimulating to say the least. There is a lot of inclusivity including feminine strength roles and positions of power, LGBTQ+ characters and OCD representation, as well as a non-cookie cutter picture of relationships. There are elements of found family, and amazing supporting characters. Blackmail, betrayal and secrets threaten to stir everything up!
Worthy mention: Judging a book by its cover, while it may be nearsighted- I could have been captured at first sight based on that beautiful cover alone! So, well done to whoever created the art for your book, it’s gorgeous and something I would love to see on my bookshelf.
In conclusion, I very much enjoyed Lightguard and would recommend to anyone who enjoys slow burn romance and fantasy, even YA category. I look forward to finishing this duology when book 2 is released! Thank you Hayley for allowing me the privilege of being an ARC reader!

[Josephine Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read time: 3hrs 42mins
Rating: 5 stars
Favorite quote: “He was beside himself at Iliana’s after you fainted. And he’s looked at you about five times since we started speaking.”

**Note this was an ARC read. I actually pre ordered it just based on how amazing it seemed and the author was kind enough to let me join her ARC team as well. I am simply over the moon!

Absolutely yes! this book oh my goodness. I dont know remember what life was like before I read this book but now that I have.. its completely worth it. Every single aspect of this book from the world building, to the magic system was so interesting. I loved seeing the power in monarchy, and the things that try to overthrow it. I would read this a million times over, and I cannot wait to get my copy in the mail for my booksheld, and a reread. The cover, the artwork, the author all of it was perfect. So lets talk about it!

Corinne: Her character was so strong and inspiring. I loved the Aspect of her being the knight who was protecting the prince. I feel like we definitely dont see enough of that dynamic in many books. I loved her personality and her batle between duty and feelings. I feel like her character was really powerful, in her mind and all the things she had endured. I absolutely need to see more of her. Oh! and the fact she had curly hair, I loved how it was described. The fact that she sometimes worried it would become a frizzy mess it literally my everyday so I adored those small details.

Aryel: His character was also really complex. We see a lot of his history later on and understanding what made him seem as cruel and cranky as he was. His relationship with his father is unfortunetly something seen a lot in real life and I think this depiction of it was so powerful. I would also say because he is a boy, where in many cases boys are put down for that sort of thing when they should be. His character development really came with him falling in love with Corinne, there were definitely many times I wanted to see into his head. I really loved how much he cared for her even when she never knew being loved was a possibility. I feel like they had such strong and deep understandings of eachother, I cannot wait to see more of him as well!!!

Overall i would definitely reccomend this the fantasy readers out there because this book was just amazing. I smiled so hard, I cried, I laughed all of it. I think thats what makes this book so amazing, I could truly feel what was being written and I adored it. Once again thank you so much Hayley Turner I adore you and cannot wait to see more!

[Gianna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for giving me an eARC! **I’ll try and keep this mostly spoiler free.

*Single POV, third person
*OCD, LGBTQ+ representation

“Stay the course. Be the Light.”

This book is advertised as “she’s the guard, he’s the prince” and while that’s true, this book is so much more. The representation of OCD in this book was really well done and gave readers very personal insight into Corinne’s innermost thoughts, doubts, and insecurities. Corinne is top of her class in a monastery of Lightguards with sunlight powers who are committed to their goddess. When Corinne is sent on an assignment to the castle to be the prince’s bodyguard, she ends up making friends along the way and comes to challenge everything she once knew.

The dynamic between Corinne and the Lightguards was probably the most intriguing aspect for me. The change in Corinne after she visited the monastery mid-book was really interesting, especially with how Corinne eventually leaned on her new friends to undo the years of shame engrained in her. There were a few things I saw coming, particularly regarding a certain scene involving flames with the Lightguards and a ritual with misleading purposes iykyk.

**Romance**
MMC Prince Aryel very quickly changes from being a drunk party boy to being in love with Corinne. Believe me, I love romance in a book, but even though it could be considered a slow burn by the time romance kicked in, his character change felt a bit abrupt. I do love how he calls her “Sunshine” and how words of affirmation is clearly his love language, which helps soothe her intrusive thoughts.

**Side characters**
My biggest gripe is probably the development (or lack thereof) of the other characters: Danai (they/them), Iliana (she/her), and Nik (he/him). I think having friends was important to Corinne’s character, but her friends seemed to lack any personal identity. It felt like they were just ~there~ at times, and when it came down to it at the end, I found myself not really caring if any of them died or were left behind. I liked the writing in this book for the most part, but the dialogue with these characters usually felt pretty bland to me.

**Overall**
There were a couple things that didn’t make sense to me other than being plot-convenient. That being said, I liked the main plot and the action-packed, betrayal-filled climax at the end. I’m intrigued to see what happens in the second book of the duology based on where this one left off.

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add it to your TBR if you love:
☀️SHE’S the guard and he’s the prince
💙Dislike to lovers
☀️Forbidden love
💙Found family
☀️Ballroom scene
💙Religious trauma
☀️“Who did this to you?” and “Tell me to stop”
💙Touch him and ☠️
☀️25+yo MCs

Corinne has spent years training to become one of the most powerful Lightguards of her generation, only to have her future rerouted at the last second when she’s assigned to protect a spoiled prince she absolutely cannot stand.

This is very much a character-driven story, and Corinne carries it so well. Her struggles feels real in a way that really resonated with me. I don’t share her exact experiences, but her anxiety, the constant second-guessing, the need to be perfect… booooy that all landed. Add in the religious trauma, and it digs even deeper. There’s a lot here about faith, control, and realizing that the system shaping you might not actually have your best interests at heart.

This romance isn't just about falling for someone; it’s about what that relationship represents. Prince Aryel challenges EVERYTHING Corinne has been taught to accept without question, and watching her slowly start to push back against that with his support was one of my favorite parts. The love story itself is soft, supportive, and so swoony. The found family aspect is beautiful. Corinne is surrounded by people who genuinely care about her, and that sense of found family adds so much to the story.

That said, if you’re going in expecting a fast-moving, plot-heavy fantasy, this isn’t that. The story takes its time. A lot of it is focused on relationships, internal growth, and quiet moments rather than big action sequences. The plot does pick up toward the end, and when it does, it’s intense and genuinely gripping... it just takes a while to get there. I was invested in Corinne and her love story long before the action kicked in, so when things finally escalated, my heart was in my throat.

Overall, this is one of those romantasies that leans heavily into the romance and the emotional journey. If you like character-driven stories with soft but meaningful relationships, internal conflict, and a main character you can really fall for, this one is absolutely worth your time.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ari Meghlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Corinne, a Lightguard - a person with light magic (very cool) and also part of a religious-style collective that definitely leans heavily towards the cult-like sense.

This added an interesting flavour to the FMC as she is very cloistered and forced into a strict set of rules. So, when she finally takes a task protecting the Crown Prince, she is immersed in a world that is very different from what she's grown up with.

I think the author did an excellent job of showing her naivety and her struggle with being around people who didn't have the same rigid upbringing.

The MMC was a little less fleshed out for me. He was the bratty prince who disliked being guarded, but he seemed a little one-dimensional at the start. This could have been because the story was a little slower to build. I'm okay with that, as I like slow-burning stories. But he seemed a little underdeveloped.

The world-building was good; I love the magical system, the Lightguard concept, and even the creepiness of those who run the Lightguards.

The plot was simple enough, though the threat around the prince seemed unclear. There wasn't much explanation why he was the target over the king and queen.

Pacing and action kick up around the last quarter of the book, though I would have liked a little more in the middle.

The middle slowed a lot for me as it seemed to repeat the routine (which can help to show the monotony of Corrine's life in this role), but at some points, it did feel like I'd read parts before.

I did like it when Corinne was connecting and developing friendships with side characters. I would have liked these characters to have been a bit more fleshed out, too - though I suspect this will happen more in book 2 - but overall, their style and personalities had enough to make me like them.

The ending is strong enough to make me interested in seeing where this is going, and I will be looking out for book 2 of this duology.

Overall, I did like this book, and it did keep me reading.

Thank you to Hayley Turner for the copy of this story.
All thoughts are my own.

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stay the course. Be the Light.”

—4.5 stars—

A guard x royal fantasy romance with the most endearing cast of characters, Lightguard was utterly fantastic and easily one of my favourite reads in february! I was so immersed in the world and storyline that i barely put it down, and finished the book in under three hours.

Lightguard’s worldbuilding had the perfect blend of new interesting ideas, yet naturally introduced and easy to understand, with just enough twists to keep theories forming. How Hayley Turner explored religious trauma and oppression was so well written, and i really liked the emphasis on how belief can be twisted to follow an single individual’s ideas.

Corinne, the fmc, was such a multi-faceted and amazing character, and i loved the journey she took regarding the lightguards and her faith. The mental health rep regarding her OCD and panic attacks/anxiety were beautifully written, and as someone who struggles with intrusive thoughts, Aryel’s reassurance of “they’re just thoughts” is something that will stay with me for a very long time.
The change in Ari’s character from the drunken prince he first appears as to the gentle (yet dirty minded) person he truly is was so good to read, and i LOVED how sweet and considerate he was with Corinne! Their romance was by far my favourite part—it was so adorable, and how they cared for and protected each other completely melted my heart. The build up and slow burn worked so well, with the tension and blushes giving me life long before anything actually happened between them.

I also can’t go without mentioning the impeccable cast of side characters, who were so vibrant and truly completed the story! In particular, Iliana’s fierceness, Nik’s collectedness, and Danai’s care and meddling completed their little found family and i loved the little things they did to make Corinne feel more included.

Needless to say, i can’t wait for the next book in the duology, and will definitely be picking up the author’s other series in the meantime!


(many thanks to Hayley Turner for this digital arc! all thoughts and opinions are my own.)

[Marwa Hussain]

In a market that is saturated with ideas trying to innovate, subversion of tropes and genre rules has become one of the easiest and compelling ways to refresh readers’ expectations.

The notion is especially true in the fantasy, romance, and romantasy genres, where readers have fought back against formulaic releases indistinguishable from one another by parodying their titling methods and comparing the similarities in their covers.

Lightguard, author Hayley Turner’s third release and the first instalment in a romantasy duology sets itself apart by turning the ‘royal x guard’ trope on its head and asking, ‘what if she was the guard, and he was the prince?’

The story follows the beginnings of a promising career for Corinne Anastos, orphan, acolyte, and sword of the goddess Helaera. Her protector and servant, primed for the noblest post given her outstanding potential. Instead, she gets sacked with babysitting the royal brat.

Corinne’s journey is a tale paved with contention. It is a Pride and Prejudice love story unfurling alongside every woman in her twenties’ rite of passage: being wrong about everything you knew and believed about the world.

And she deals with all of it whilst living with OCD and kicking ass.

On the flip side of this story is Aryel Serra, heir apparent to the throne of Ashara. Tattooed with moons, and just as moody and broody as the celestial body. Although we do not experience the novel from his perspective, his presence is anything but ignorable, especially when Turner forces him to confront and evolve from the traumas plaguing his life.

The themes of this novel range in their emotional complexity. From the importance of leaning on another to the violent reasons why someone might need support in the first place. It grapples with systemic powers, religious trauma, mental health—especially in its centring of a protagonist with OCD—and parental abuse.

Turner’s emotive and propulsive prose creates a substantive romp of a time filled with toe-curling giggles, author-driven frustration, and gape-worthy plot twists that will leave you helpless until the sequel’s release.