A Heart of Stone

by Harper A. Burge

Meeka, a refugee living in the harsh North, is born with the same cursed hair that got her Ma killed. When a handsome stranger comes to her hidden village, Meeka is kidnapped and taken back to her homeland, where her magic and memories return. A Heart of Stone is a YA romance fantasy novel.

312 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2026

Reviews

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice read, relaxing and magical!

Ideal for YA who like a slow burn story, with some chemistry and a beautiful storyline.

For me it was a page turner, the story stayed interesting and there were so many things happening!

Magical, character driven and the enemies to lovers is nicely worked out!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ᴄᴀᴛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆ | This book was enjoyable, pretty fast paced and I was quite invested from the start. I liked both the main characters, Meeka & Ajax, though I didn't completely love them.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I do feel like the book was a bit short, and that it could've been over 100 pages longer without it dragging on. I think there could be more world building and character development. The ending was nice, but I felt that maybe it was a little too nice, too perfect and that everything wrapped up way too easy maybe.
I also personally would've liked to see more magic in the book.
The world building we had was nice, but like I said, would've loved way more of it. But there was wonderful detail in everything that 𝘸𝘢𝘴 described.

Meeka did annoy me quite a few times, sneaking off and constantly sticking her tongue out at people, the behavior just reminded me of a little kid and not a young adult woman.


𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
While this was a nice, quick read, I don't think I'll find myself going back to it. It was enjoyable but not necessarily the most memorable book, could be a nice pallet cleanser if you're looking for a refresh though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 0🌶 - 3.5☆

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a surprise little YA fantasy gem 🩶✨

Meeka hooked me straight away, she’s our silver haired outcast with a messy past, soooo stubborn and just trying to survive in the North. And then suddenly she’s kidnapped, dragged back to the homeland she barely remembers and everything gets chaotic real fast.

Ajax is soft but also morally grey enough to make me raise an eyebrow. I loved the memories returning, the secrets, the family mess and the whole ✨lost princess finding her place again ✨ vibe felt classic but so good!

It’s YA, so it’s lighter than what I normally read, but I still loved it sm.

⛄️ winter setting
✨ hidden identity
🪨 cursed fmc x prince
🔥 kidn@pping
💫 found family
💞 lost memories
🏹 the chosen one
🌲 northern fantasy setting
🔥 slow burn

If you like fast YA fantasy with secrets, magic, and that slow thawing of a heart of stone this one is super fun.

Parts that weren’t for me: A few moments felt too easy or fast, like I wanted a little more struggle/growth before things clicked and I wanted more magic! The world is cool and I wished it went deeper BUT don’t let this deter you from reading it, it still was really good and my opinion is my own 💞

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even after 10 years of living in their northern village, Meeka and her family are considered outsiders from The Old Country. They're barely scraping by to put food in their bellies and her Pa's a mean drunk.

Meeka's life has been full of struggle and heartbreak until a handsome stranger comes into their midst. Who is this Johnny Pullver, and what are his intentions when he kidnaps Meeka? On her journey, she discovers family secrets that turn her whole world upside down, a little magic she never knew she had, and maybe even love.

This book has
✨magic,
✨adventure,
✨love,
✨deception, and an
✨underdog you root for.

It's a perfect standalone fantasy read for YA.🙌

[Viking Jam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: This was the biggest piece of YA garbage I have ever read. Then why did I like it so much? The only way is to break this novel down into component parts of what is good and what could have been better.

First off, this author has some crazy talent. I think they are either super lazy or new to writing and have not quite plumbed the depths.

The MC is pure fun. She notices the hunks around her while kicking them in the shins or head butting those that deserve it. Heck, she likes the woods and trapping. 10/10

For some reason, Meeka's constant thrills down her spine and the warmth of his hands and emerald eyes, does not impale you with romanticy vibes. She turns those inner thoughts quickly into other interests that involve a larger picture. In short, she is not dependent.

What could have made this novel one of the best in this genre is to transition from easy story line development into something that drives character development and movement. When Meeka falls in the river, that is the split. Hunky Prince finds her easily and down the easy writing path we go. What should have happened is that once her magic speaks to her, she survives on her own (as she has the skills) and develops her magic and memories, slowly growing into a badass. Every character needs some serious grindage to become believable and get the readers rooting for you. As it is, this was just too easy, all the time.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

4.4/5

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very gripping start. I loved the descriptions and I could easily imagine the setting where the story begins. So the book did a very good job igniting my initial interest and did pretty well keeping it up till the end as well.
I do wish we had gotten a bit more magic throughout the story though, especially from our lead.

So characters. Firstly... Meeka. I have to say I had a rocky relationship with Meeka. I have admit that there were times that I didn't really like her and then at times I was really rooting for her. It's fine to be an impulsive character but I hoped she would have learned a bit more caution as the story went on, especially given the situation she was in. But perhaps that's still to come in her journey. But even during those times that I wasn't a big fan of her, I could still empathize with her situation and the struggles she was facing.

Meeka and Ajax were quite cute but good god man. Communicate! There were a few moments where I wanted to reach into the book and shake him. Just tell her things, anything, I'm begging you! Especially that stunt he pulled with his engagement. But that aside l I was rooting for them! I wanted to get a bit more on Ajax actually, his past seemed very interesting.
I liked the bonds between Ajax's men and I enjoyed them as side characters.

Something I really also liked were the opeki. I thought they were such an interesting idea and I was so curious to learn more about them. Like where they come from and what their realm is like. Also the differences between the opeki and the magic they provide. Would have happily read even more about them.

The ending felt slightly rushed to me but it didn't bother me too much. Overall it was a good with a magic system I haven't really seen.


(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)

[Cassandra Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Okay so first of all… this book had NO business grabbing me the way it did 🩶✨ I picked it up expecting a cute, fast YA fantasy moment and suddenly I was emotionally attached to a silver-haired menace with trauma.

Meeka is that girl; stubborn, guarded, lowkey feral, and just trying to survive in the frozen North. She doesn’t want destiny, she doesn’t want a crown, she wants PEACE. Unfortunately for her, she gets kidnapped instead. Twice. Because fantasy.

Being dragged back to a homeland she barely remembers unlocks a whole mess of secrets, buried memories, family drama, and a classic “wait… I’m WHO??” reveal that I eat up every single time.

The winter setting? Elite. ⛄️
The found family moments? Had me soft. 💫
The slow return of her memories? Inject it directly into my veins.

Ajax is… complicated. Soft but morally grey enough to make me squint at him suspiciously 👀 which honestly made him way more interesting. The romance is YA slow burn, so don’t expect spice, but expect yearning, tension, and that slow emotional thaw that hurts just enough.

Is it lighter than my usual reads? Yes.
Did I still love it an unreasonable amount? Also yes.

If you want a fast-paced YA fantasy with magic, secrets, chosen-one chaos, and a heart that slowly cracks open, A Heart of Stone is a really fun time.

Tropes & chaos included:
⛄️ winter fantasy
✨ hidden identity
🪨 cursed FMC x prince
🔥 kidnapping (plural!!)
💫 found family
💞 lost memories
🏹 chosen one
🌲 northern setting
🔥 slow burn

[Brandice Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love emotionally charged romance with depth, longing, and characters that feel real, A Heart of Stone will absolutely wreck you in the best way. Harper A. Burge delivers a story that’s raw, tender, and beautifully painful. This isn’t just a romance; it’s a journey through guarded hearts, buried trauma, and the slow, agonizing process of learning how to trust again. The characters are layered and flawed, carrying wounds that shape every decision they make, and watching those walls crack is incredibly satisfying.

The writing is immersive and lyrical without feeling heavy, pulling you straight into the emotional core of the story. The slow burn is chef’s kiss—every glance, every almost-touch, every moment of vulnerability hits harder because it’s earned. When the emotions finally spill over? Be prepared. Your heart will not survive unscathed.

A Heart of Stone is perfect for readers who love:

Slow-burn romance with emotional depth

Broken characters finding healing through love

Angst, yearning, and beautifully written intimacy

This book doesn’t just tell a love story it makes you feel it. If you want a romance that lingers long after the final page, add this one to your TBR immediately.

[Lupin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a great premise. A girl whisked back to her home full of magic and lost memories. But the execution fell short of what I was hoping for.

I loved Meeka in the beginning, but as the story progressed, it seemed more and more like she was at the whim of the narrative over having any agency of her own. Waiting for other characters to reveal more about what's going on and watching Meeka rush into situations recklessly for answers was exhausting.

The love interest's personality does a 180 and creates conflict that feels incredibly artificial to the natural chemistry they had in the beginning. It felt awkward to believe this tension when the character motivations were so shallow. There was not enough reason to justify this development between the characters.

The pacing at the end felt incredibly rushed, including all the resolutions for our main characters' individual arcs. I would've loved more worldbuilding because the framework of what was there was incredibly enticing. I wanted more of the magic, more about our two main characters. But with most of the book being spent in the dark and trying to figure out a new setting, it left no room for the rest of the plot (or romance) to breathe.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidnapped and brought back to a country she fled, memories flooding back, what happens next?

Thank you Netgalley and Harper A. Burge for the ARC of this book for free. I am leaving a review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt it could have been made into a series, but I am also glad it isn't. We open the book with Meeka and John, and they seem to be kind flirty and cute. But then Meeka is kidnapped, and finds out John isn't who he said he was. She is brought back to her birth land, and as her memories come back she realizes her life isnt what she thought it was. Then we follow her as she navigates trying to get her footing and figure out what is happening.
I enjoyed the plot and subplot of this book. I also loved the love story unfolding, it was a bit of a slow burn which was great. I am excited to read more from this author.

What I liked:
-Ajax 🥵 his confession at the end!
-The plot of regaining memories to find out a massive secret.

What I didnt like:
-Meeka, to me, wasnt all that likable. She doesnt listen for her own safety, and that bothers me.
- Pa .. honestly, couldve killed him off way sooner 😂

[Chey A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book way faster than I expected. A Heart of Stone is such a fun, fast paced YA fantasy that pulls you in immediately and never drags. Every chapter kept things moving, and before I knew it I didn’t want it to end.

Meeka is a great main character to follow. She is easy to root for, relatable and strong without feeling unrealistic. Her journey unfolds quickly but never feels rushed, and watching her world expand as the story progresses is genuinely satisfying. Johnny Pulver adds the perfect balance of mystery and tension and his presence keeps the story engaging from start to finish.

What I loved most is how easy it is to sink into the story. The worldbuilding never feels heavy, the emotional moments land without slowing the pace and the mix of magic, romance and conflict keep you engaged the whole read.

This is the kind of book that reminds you why reading should be enjoyable. It is quick, immersive, and hard to put down. If you are looking for a YA fantasy with strong characters, great world building and an easy pace this one is absolutely worth the read.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book for my honest review.

I had high hopes for this book based on the description. I assumed that there would be some common YA fantasy/romance tropes mixed with fresher ideas.

This book was close to a DNF for me. I feel like the author has a lot of potential that just wasn't met. The writing was bland; descriptions that failed to evoke images or emotions and dialogue that seemed stiff. Many of the passages made me feel like the author was bored with writing the book. I think there is something worthwhile in this book, but it definitely needs more polishing.

I gave this book three stars because I do think there are unique points in this book that I haven't seen in YA in a bit. The FMC was enjoyable as a character - she wasn't whiny or annoying, properly independent for the setting, and her actions evoked humor and confidence in the abilities the reader is told she has. I also enjoyed that the romantic aspects of the book don't come across as sappy or unrealistic.

[Susan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compelling tale drops us into Meeka’s world at a moment of brutal loss—her mother’s execution and her father’s unraveling leave her hungry, alone, and determined to escape the bleak future her village promises. Rather than settling into misery, Meeka dreams of a life filled with adventure and freedom.

But adventure comes in a form she never expects. Kidnapped and dragged back to a homeland she barely remembers, Meeka soon realizes her story is rooted deeper than she ever imagined. Her forgotten past, her stolen heritage, and a mysterious magic simmering under her skin set the stage for a journey of identity, danger, and awakening.

As Meeka struggles to reclaim her memories and understand the power she carries, she’s forced to confront the truth about who she is—and who she is meant to become.

A gripping fantasy filled with hardship, courage, and emerging magic, this story promises a rich world and a heroine worth following. Perfect for readers who love transformation arcs, hidden histories, and a character whose strength rises from the ashes of her past.

[Rachel Lowrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my full review.

First, I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Heart of Stone follows a main character (Meeka) who knows nothing except how to survive in the cold and that she doesn’t belong in her village because of her hair. Her mom has died and her dad regularly beats her. But everything is turned upside down when she meets the new stable boy. But when she’s taken from her family and brought back to her homeland, everything changes. Or, we are lead to believe everything changes.

I was highly invested in this novel but I don’t really know why. I think the novel needed 100-200 more pages (or maybe a second novel) to allow Burge to flush out more of the story and develop the plot line more. The novel needed more world building and character development as Meeka never really learned anything. I also found the ending frustrating and a little too perfect.

I think it was a fun read, but I am left with more questions than answers (but I don’t think I care enough to ask them.)

[Skipabbeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC and providing my honest feedback. While this story started off at a slower pace for me, I think it was needed for where it needed to go. Meeka, our FMC, was an enjoyable character POV to read in. She had me laughing at her interactions with the MMC throughout, and their love story was belieavable. I also love that she finds her place and also grows into her own by the end of the story. There was a touch of magic explored in this and it fits into the story setting well.

While it is a book that had wrapped up nicely from start to finish... I found, for me, personally, I was only invested in the main characters and wanted more glimpses into the side characters to feel for them a lot more by end. This book didn't do that for me and so I rated it 3.5 stars for that reason.

Still give this book a chance as you may come to love it in a way that I haven't.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heart of Stone by Harper A. Burge was an interesting and emotional read. It tells the story of Meeka, a poor girl forced to hide her true identity, marked by her hair that reveals who she really is. From being kidnapped twice to rising above her circumstances, this story feels like a rags-to-riches journey with a magical twist.What stood out most to me was Meeka’s resilience and the way her memories slowly return after she finds her way back to her homeland. The mystery and world-building kept me hooked, and the pacing was just right.However, I wasn’t a fan of the relationship between Meeka and the prince. His character came off as juvenile and distracting from Meeka’s powerful arc. Honestly, if the romance subplot were removed, this would’ve been a 5-star read for me.Overall, A Heart of Stone is a beautifully written and intriguing novel with a strong heroine at its core, definitely worth reading, even if the prince made me roll my eyes a few times.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA fantasy ended up being a really enjoyable and surprisingly engaging read. It follows Meeka, a stubborn outcast who is kidnapped and taken back to the homeland she barely remembers, where lost memories, hidden magic, and family secrets start to surface. I was hooked early on and really liked the winter setting, the hidden-identity storyline, and the slow-burn romance with the morally grey Prince Ajax. Meeka could be frustrating at times, but she was easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching her find her place. I do wish the book had been longer, with more worldbuilding, character growth, and especially more magic, since some parts felt rushed and wrapped up too easily. Overall, it’s a fun, fast-paced YA fantasy that isn’t perfect but is definitely worth reading if you want something light and immersive.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good YA book for those that like fantasy, adventure, love, and HEA. A young girl who must learn to navigate life and how to survive without the love of a parent after her mother is hung after slapping a young boy, the mayor’s son, for making fun of her silver hair. Her Father resents that she reminds him of her mother, beating her, the town ostracizing her and her family. Finding out after she is handed over by her Father and kidnapped by the stable boy, who turns out to the Prince Ajax of Skirsgard, that she is a Princess and a lot are depending on her.
The journey to the Old Country brings challenges and dangers while fighting her attraction and feelings of betrayal by Prince Ajax and learning of her rightful place. Attempted murder, a bogus marriage which turns real, several death attempts, war, and thawing heart of stone.

[S.T. Dire · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of going through a reading slump, A Heart of Stone has completely revitalized my love for picking up a new book and getting lost in an adventure.
At times I wanted to manifest in the story and shake the main character, Meeka! But I only needed to backtrack a moment to remind myself of the intense and believable character development she was going through in such a short time. To my shock, the last scene on the battlefield brought me to tears. It was truly a moment that moved me and one that I could picture vividly.
As an adult who loves ACOTAR and Twilight, I can attest that A Heart of Stone can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys fantasy, romance, and adventure. Thank you, Ms. Burge, for vitalizing my desire to read. I pray you write many, many more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nichelle Langford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very good, but had the potential to be so much more. The beginning was built on strong bones with excellent world and character building. As the story progressed, it started to feel rushed like the author was running out of usable space to write. Multiple chapters were used to describe Meeka's kidnapping from the north, but as soon as we reach the south the story is sped up to hyper speed. It felt like we went from I lust you but hate you to your my soul mate I the blink of an eye. The big battle for the crown was rushed and crammed into 1 chapter. It feels like this story should have spanned 2-3 books to make it feel complete and not rushed. Overall a good read, but could have been so much better if it wasnt so rushed in the middle and end parts.

[Maria Sidira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

A Heart of Stone is a young adult fantasy romance that, despite a rocky start, delivers a compelling slow-burn romance (regarding the length of the book) and a heroine with a satisfying arc. The book follows Meeka, a refugee living in the harsh North with a cursed lineage and family secrets, whose life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped by a handsome stranger, who turns out to be Prince Ajax, soon to be king, and taken back to the homeland she barely remembers. As her memories and magic return, she's thrust into a world of hidden identity and political turmoil.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the novel is the relationship between Meeka and Prince Ajax. The slow, gradual development of their dynamic and their backstory is compelling and genuine, providing an anchor for the rest of the story. The book finds its footing once Meeka is brought to the new country, and the plot shifts from being a survival narrative to an engaging political and magical journey, followed by decent world-building. Meeka herself undergoes a strong character development arc, rising above her trauma and circumstances.

Now, on the negative aspects. The beginning of the book was a struggle and was nearly a DNF experience. The problem lies with the writing in the first 10-15 that felt much younger than typical Young Adult fiction. The overall tone and style felt so different from the latter half, giving the impression that the work was unpolished or perhaps that the writing style improved dramatically mid-way through the drafting process. After the initial hurdle, the narrative flows much better. The author’s writing noticeably shifted to a more confident and decent voice around the 100-page mark, making the rest of the book a much more engaging read.

However, the story started to feel rushed, like the author was running out of usable space to write, especially closer to the ending, where the major conflict resulted too easily in a happy ending. Overall, a longer version of it would have worked much better.

Many thanks to H+H Publishing House LLC and NetGalley for providing me with an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

[Els - Books & Tears · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a read I really enjoyed.

What I loved the most was definitely the male main character. I found him very well written and developed. He’s easy to fall for because of the way he acts and the things he says. He’s protective, sweet and sensitive, but also intriguing and sexy, with lots of little remarks and playful banter that make their interactions really enjoyable to read.

The story itself is cute and original, with a simple and smooth writing style that makes the book fast and pleasant to read. I flew through it without effort and with genuine enjoyment.

If I had to point out one small downside, it would be the ending: it felt a bit too rushed compared to the first part of the book, which was more developed. I would have liked a slightly more expanded conclusion.

Overall, though, it’s definitely a recommended read.

[Whits Bookish Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of Stone is a YA romantasy about a young girl Meeka who feels like an outsider in her own home and town. She is forced to hide her hair because its color shows she is an outsider. After a tragedy in her family she is left to take care of herself as her father has become a drunk and abusive. Meeka is out for a walk when she comes upon a dangerous beast and is saved or distracted by a man. While their is something about him that she can feel but can’t understand yet she does not trust him. After meeting him her life is thrown in chaos and changed forever.

This was a cute YA book and the romance was cute and the fmc is a strong character in this book. I did love the banter and what I would call aggressive flirting between the mmc and fmc.

[Latisha Jahoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a short, enjoyable YA fantasy read. It follows Meeka and her journey to a new world and the revelations she learns along the way.

The description of the book really drew me in and the beginning of the novel was done so well, but I think somewhere around third quarter, things started to feel a bit too rushed to me. There was more opportunity for world building and adding more substance to the characters. I didn't really connect to the characters as much as I hoped I would. There were some elements that felt as though it was just rushed through and not fully fleshed out.

The book was really fun and interesting aside from those aspects and did have such an interesting premise that drew you in. Thank you to the author for granting me an ARC copy of the novel.

[Candee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. The main female character Meeka has been dealt a very bad hand in life. She has so much death and trauma around her life that she has had to protect herself and has trust issues. She’s such a strong young lady and such a smart ass which I love so sassy. I loved the concept about magic in this story was such an interesting take on magic. Was very fast paced which I loved. The friends she makes on her adventure that takes her back to her homeland was fun to read. And her love interest is absolutely amazing. I loved him and would get mad at her for being so sassy with him but at the same time understood why she was so sassy.

[BookishBee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Harper A. Burge, for this ARC!
I was really hopeful for this book, as it has many of the tropes in it that I really like to read, but I struggled to finish the book, and almost DNF a few times.
The premise of the book is really good, and with some more editing, I believe this could be a 5-star read. Going from event to event throughout the book felt very choppy and disjointed to me, lacking a fluid flow from one scene to the next. The pacing I found was also very quick and did not give much time to process what happened before the next major revelation.
Our main character Meeka, is very enjoyable; however, I found her very frustrating at times. Her bickering and fighting back with Ajax was enjoyable, but I found it odd that she was constantly mentioning her attraction to every male that she crossed paths with, and I found it a bit unnecessary. The tone also felt really young to me, which may just be a me problem, as it is a YA, I just thought with our main character being 18, the writing would feel a bit more mature. There are lines throughout the book that felt very juvenile.
The ending felt very rushed and could have been fleshed out over another couple of hundred pages to be more climactic. More world-building and a more in-depth character arc would have also made this book that much better.

[Vianna Kolene Pangelinan · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨ I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed and how hooked I was into this YA Fantasy read. And while I was preparing myself for the shock of Ajax being a traitor, I kept thinking this is it the ultimate betrayal, but boyyyyyy was I wrong and I’m glad I was wrong. I’m such a romantic and sucker for love and I love their story, while raised in different social rankings they were both tortured and dealt with much of the same growing up. A short read but packed with so much plot twists, it was hard to pause on reading!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Going into this book with the expectation of a YA novel, I am pleasantly surprised, the writing is clear, concise, if not a bit simplistic, but engaging. The language is effective at building the world and characters are well thought out with relatable emotions and motivations. The plot has a steady pace and there is enough mystery and intrigue to keep the reader interested. The last 100 pages do a nice job of bringing the story together and tying up any loose ends leaving the reader with a level of completion. Overall well written and enjoyable novel.

[Kendra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really liked this book and enjoyed it, it wasn’t quite a love. The early story sucked me in so very quickly. It flowed so very well, but then it started to race. I felt like it needed to slow down between Ajax and Meeka. I wanted more development, more time of her regaining her memories and building some feelings with Ajax. Because it went so quick, the betrayal didn’t sting as much to me. I wanted bigger feelings from myself. For YA book, it was really good and would still recommend it. There is so much going on that it definitely keeps your interest.

[IdRatherBeReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the cutest most innocent book I’ve read in a long time 🙈! Very YA vibes. I loved the evolution of Meeka, coming into herself, finding out who she is and where she comes from.

Ends with a HEA ❤️; no spice; mild violence; alluding to physical abuse and torture; some magic; all self-discovery and finding true love in an unlikely ally.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.