The Queen's Bodyguard

by Lauren Blackwood

In this sizzling romantic fantasy, a magicless queen intertwines her fate with a fierce warrior to ensure her safety during high-stakes peace negotiations—until their electrifying chemistry ignites an unexpected and perilous new alliance—from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood.

In a matriarchal society with nature-based powers, Queen Theora Umbra is the new, unexpected ruler of the thriving Aranean colony. Her predecessor was assassinated by a rival queen, igniting a year-long war. To finally bring peace, Theora must now grudgingly engage in diplomacy with an unscrupulous enemy.  

But peace talks mean no armor or weapons, and Theora has no intention of following her predecessor to the grave. To protect herself, she needs a weapon of a different sort—a bodyguard. But the only way to bring one along without suspicion is to marry one. She quickly selects Argos, a prickly and formidable Warrior with a fearsome reputation, to be her new husband. Once peace is secured, she can easily annul the marriage, and they can go their separate ways.

But like all Warriors, Argos’s ruthless tendencies can only be tempered by dominant will and powerful magic . . . magic that Theora lacks. With the help of a trusted advisor who knows her secret, Theora might just be able to assert her command over Argos and get through peace negotiations alive. But she doesn’t expect to feel so affected by Argos’s protective personality. Pretending to be married and in love is not nearly as difficult as pretending she doesn’t desperately want him—all of him.

The Queen’s Bodyguard unleashes a torrent of blazing romance, set against a vibrant fantasy world with webs of corruption and sexy scheming.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Lauren Blackwood is the NYT/Indie Bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls and Wildblood.

Reviews

[Lauren Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This goes out to all my women in their 30s & 40s (I'll probably write something more later, I'm just excited to see my girl up on Goodreads!)

[BookishKB]

✨👑 The Queen’s Bodyguard 👑✨

I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

💫 What to Expect
• Bodyguard x queen
• Magic-less queen
• Political tension
• Fake marriage
• Enemies to lovers
• Warrior rituals
• Forced proximity
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Ballantine | Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wild ride. The first half of the book was not great. For me, for any sort of fantasy book to be successful it needs solid world building which I felt this book was missing. I wish there was a more in depth explanation of the magic system. I also would have liked to know more about Aranea, and more about Warriors as a whole. Theora is also not super likeable. She gets better later in the book but in the beginning it’s really hard to root for her in any way. The second half of the book was much better. The dynamic between Theora and Argos became fun and a lot more interesting. And the plot twists at the end were great. The premise of this book is really good, I just don’t think it fully executed.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

[E.K. Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Queen’s Bodyguard
Author: Lauren Blackwood
Genre/Subgenre: Adult Fantasy Romance

Tropes:
- Bodyguard romance
- Arranged/temporary marriage
- Forced proximity
- (sort of) Enemies-to-lovers vibes
- Political intrigue
- Possessive warrior MMC
- Queen x protector

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Rounded up for Goodreads)
Spice Level: 3.5/5🌶️

Content Warnings: Political violence, war themes, manipulation, emotional tension, danger, possessive behavior, assassination threats

Synopsis
Queen Theora may rule Aranea, but peace comes with a dangerous price. Forced into negotiations with the enemy kingdom responsible for her predecessor’s death, she refuses to walk into political warfare undefended. Her solution? Argos, a ruthless Warrior with a terrifying reputation, so naturally Theora enlists Argos to pose as her bodyguard husband.

So, what’s the catch you might ask? Their marriage is “technically” real.

As tensions rise between kingdoms, their fake relationship becomes increasingly difficult to separate from real desire. Between sacred Warrior rituals, power struggles, and undeniable chemistry, Theora finds herself dangerously drawn to the one man she absolutely should not trust but does anyways.

The Review
“What if political fantasy was hot?”

Honestly? Mission was accomplished.

This book thrives on tension and intrigue with a slow chemical burn that it is amazing I don’t have 3rd degree burns after finishing this read. And I am not just talking romantic tension, though there is plenty of that, but the constant power struggle, the arguments had between Theora and Argos are packed with unease and burn. Neither of them wants to surrender control, which makes every interaction feel sharp, emotionally charged, and lowkey addictive.

Argos is very much in the “touch her and die” category of fantasy man, but what I appreciated most was that he wasn’t just protective for the sake of being the cliche dominant alphahole commonly experienced in within these standalones. I found his loyalty, rituals, and emotional restraint added a complex depth to the possessiveness trope instead of making it feel shallow or performative.

Meanwhile, Theora absolutely refuses to be overshadowed. She’s stubborn, politically intelligent, and constantly fighting to maintain her autonomy as a queen in impossible circumstances. I felt her character was written well and that she wasn’t emotionally distressed or overly dramatic or the cliche chaotic damsel in distress but she had a level headed maturity from the beginning that is not often displayed in this genre consistently.

And as mentioned prior…the chemistry between Argos and Theora? Absolutely tantalizing filth in the best slow-burn way. Although when I say slow-burn tension…I mean slow-burn spice scenes, etc. If you don’t want to wait, get a bit irritated and live in the packed tension, maybe skip this one.

The fake marriage setup worked well because the emotional unease between the two builds alongside the political danger and subterfuge. Every shared room, every protective gesture, every ritual between them felt packed. The yearning in this book that I felt while reading this book could honestly qualify as psychological warfare.

The fantasy world build itself felt immersive without becoming overwhelming nor confusing. Sometimes fantasy romances get buried under lore dumps or explanations, but this stayed readable and character focused while still giving enough political intrigue and worldbuilding to make the stakes matter. Suffice to say I was greatly appreciative of this because my neurospicy brain can get lost in too many details and lose the characters or story.

My real one complaint, it’s that I wanted more spice, arguing (which was foreplay with these two characters), more world, more books, not just a standalone. Give me more. More political scheming, more Warrior lore, more relationship scenes after the emotional walls started breaking down. I could have happily lived in this tension for another hundred pages. I think I’ve said the word “more” enough now that you get the picture.

What Worked for Me?
• Elite bodyguard romance tension
• Fake marriage + forced proximity = absolute madness of the best kind
• Strong, stubborn queen who refuses to be passive
• Possessive warrior MMC done right!!
• Emotional tension AND physical chemistry that was balanced
• Political fantasy that stayed easy to follow with enough details to make me want more books in
the world as it was easy enough to follow
• Sacred Warrior rituals added unique worldbuilding plus the concept is fairly unique

What Didn’t Work for Me?
• I wanted deeper exploration of the political conflicts or maybe a duology…
• Some side characters felt underutilized (but could definitely be a book 2 option *hint hint*)
• The ending wrapped up a little faster than I wanted because I was fully invested and as I have
mentioned before…I wanted more by the end.

Final Thoughts
If you love fantasy romance with dangerous protectors, fake marriages, power struggles, yearning that could physically kill a Victorian child from 2026, and a queen who refuses to surrender her power, The Queen’s Bodyguard absolutely delivers.

This felt to me like a perfect blend of political fantasy and spicy romantasy without losing emotional depth underneath all the tension. It had balance and that is difficult to achieve.

Neurospicy Rating: “RENT FREE IN MY HEAD, BUT…maybe only for the next year or so.”
My Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review with absolutely no sugarcoating, no holding back, questionable grammar and dialogue being all my own. This review is being left voluntarily.

[Olivia Host · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was sort of conflicting. I wanted to like it a lot more - the characters and chemistry were there - but the plotline just didn't do it for me. From the start, we're given a little too much confusing political info than I think readers will care about or remember (maybe it's just me). Then our FMC, during this exposition, is describing political practices/courtesies that just sounded like Disney made it up. "Pocahontas" had more realistic politics than this book. It just struck as too simplistic, yet overly complicated for no reason.

Then there's the weird wolf pack type language. Yet, no one is a shifter and no wolves were involved. Immediately at the start of the book, the language/command thing was confusing in a "wait, are they wolves and I missed something" way that didn't serve the story or the readers. It just made it weird. Eventually I realized no, these are humans, and no, there's no point to the wolf/animalistic stuff and I should just ignore it and move on.

The climax and ending felt rushed, especially involving Apollo. It felt glazed over and the final conflict resolved within seconds. It was over so quickly it almost felt pointless to include it. We didn't get to feel any high stakes or resolution, it was just there and done.

But despite these things, I was invested in the romance enough to see where it went. This could be because I'm a sucker for forced proximity enemies to lovers. But it works here & I felt the chemistry enough. I enjoyed that he could sense what she was feeling & it almost could have been played up more TBH. They had a fun dynamic and that is mostly what pushes the plot along imo.

Overall I think this is a 3.5. There were obviously some aspects I thought were lacking but easy to improve. The book has some of the most important parts down - tone, character development, magic system, and setup. It just needed better follow through, pacing, and structure. I was pulled through the story quickly and easily though thanks to the character dynamic and at that's more important to me!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Read this in a day, which is probably the nicest thing I can say about it, because the second I stopped to think about anything for longer than thirty seconds I had questions.

I THINK the romance is supposed to read as well-matched, but the FMC comes across as fucking insufferable and weirdly weak for someone we’re told has been a beloved queen for three years. The case for said belovedness boils down to: she gave the warriors more funding. Truly the stuff of legend. She’s established as one thing for the entire book, and then the first smut scene hits and she’s suddenly willing to jump into something with zero hesitation when a guy offers “it won’t count as anything” — which reads less like character development and more like the author needed an excuse to get them together. Jarring and out of place with everything that came before.

The Warriors as a concept are what broke me. Early on they’re framed as borderline-feral creatures who need handlers issuing commands like “cease” and “yield,” and you brace for some kind of mindless-beast-with-a-soul situation — and then the love interest just shows up and is. A guy. A completely normal guy. There’s a ton of buildup about how they hunt, how they view people as prey, how you have to project strength or they’ll snap…and none of it ever pays off. Nobody snaps. He hunts like once or twice. What are they hunting? Unclear. Why does it really matter? Also unclear.

There are also a couple of “reveals” that I think were supposed to land as Big Moments and then the book just… moves on. Never addressed again. Hello?

And the worldbuilding. There are phones. There are also trains… and carriages….apparently, but nobody uses them because the author never bothers explaining why, which just reads as sloppy. Fashion tape is a luxury item used by a queen in a magical world. I genuinely could not tell you what century or planet I was meant to be on, and the inconsistencies kept yanking me out every few chapters.

So. I read it. I finished it. And as someone who DNFs quite quickly, that’s got to count for something.

[Kali Favino Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of The Queen’s Bodyguard by Lauren Blackwood in exchange for an honest review, and overall I really enjoyed it. Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy.

The premise immediately hooked me: a politically arranged fake marriage between a queen and the warrior bodyguard who secretly believes she’s responsible for his wife’s death? This is the kind of tension-filled fantasy romance setup makes reading it enjoyable. The dynamic between Theora and Argos carried the story for me, especially with all the distrust, resentment, and undeniable attraction simmering underneath their forced proximity.

Argos was probably my favorite part of the book. He’s gruff, loyal, possessive, and emotionally guarded in a way that made the romance satisfying to watch unfold. The chemistry between him and Theora was definitely there, and while this isn’t an overly spicy book, the romantic scenes that are included felt well done and fit the story naturally.

Theora admittedly frustrated me at times, but honestly, I think that speaks to Lauren Blackwood’s writing. A character that can make you feel strongly, whether it’s irritation, sympathy, or investment, is usually a sign they’re written well. Watching her walls slowly come down with Argos kept me engaged, especially once the emotional tension really started building.

The pacing was a little slow in parts, and I would have loved even more development in the world and political intrigue because the fantasy setting had a lot of potential. Still, it was an enjoyable read with a strong romantic payoff, and I loved seeing the relationship evolve from reluctant alliance to something genuine and heartfelt.

If you enjoy:

fake marriage tropes
bodyguard romances
enemies-to-lovers tension
possessive warriors
political fantasy with romance at the center

then The Queen’s Bodyguard is definitely worth checking out.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this blind and it was surprisingly refreshing!
Borderline cosy fantasy. I thought this was a medieval setting but its more of a hybrid modern. I am still a tad confused on each kingdom being called colony. So the build of the world could be better but it seems these colony take on the traits of insects? Silk (spider), stingers (bees), multiple pathways (ants)? Again I am not too sure sure but that is my take on the magic.

Cannot explain the Warrior and Docile aspects.
But basically two different class of people - the Queen (Docile) and her fake marriage to a Warrior.
Two different people who do not get along eventually develop an endearing relationship on the journey to peace talks.

Argos the warrior is cunning and smart but primitive in that he follows the tradition of the Warrior class. He also is gentle and kind in a rough way. Someone who has a vast collection of watches which makes the modern piece so conflicting to the underdevelop world building. He cares for Theora way before she did for him. Its just her naïveté ego that made him distrust her at first but he softens when she shows she is the true queen that thinks of all her people.

Theora, I got annoyed when she was too trusting. Argos clearly knows how to be a warrior and it made me exasperated that she did not trust him. I am glad it did not end up her making dumb decisions but I almost threw my kindle because of it. What was surprising to me was how much of a submissive she is! Kinky queen you go! Spicy!

I do love their bantering and their romantic gestures once the misunderstanding was resolved. The ending was cute!

This story started out as a surprise but I am glad I pushes thru because this is definitely one I would recommend! Minus one star for vague world building and magic system.

[Victoria Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!!

I enjoyed this book! It is a quick read, and has a different vibe then a lot of the other books at the moment.

Queen Theora has been queen for a little over a year, and things are going... okay. The people love her, and her country is doing well, but the war is still not quite over yet. This is the same war that killed her predecessor, and crowned Theora queen.
Luckily, there is a meeting that will solve the war problem, but she needs a bodyguard. This is where the issue lies. Guards are not welcome in the meetings between nations. So she does what we all would do; she marries one. Argos is a well respected warrior of the Aranean people, who have the power to spin silk. Marring him means she opens herself up to a culture that she does follow, and a new life waiting for her.

Queen Theora- I enjoyed her character, though I have to say, she did not feel like she was in her thirties to me, maybe her early twenties. She is a loving person and does right by her people. She tends to be stubborn when it comes to the different rituals that Argos has, and his way of life.

Argos- His character was an interesting one. He is a warrior that must follow the commands of his queen, but tends to disobey at points. He marries Theora because he wa told to, but over time we learn more about his connection to her. I really enjoyed getting to look at the way of life for these warriors and how integrated marriage, rituals, and even voices are to their way of life.

This book might not be for everyone, there is a bit of dominance play, but not much.

Spice- 🌶️.5

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. Theora is a new queen. who arranges to marry one of her warriors, Argos. She makes this arrangement as she wants to have someone who can protect her/keep her safe during peace talks. Theora and Argos get off to a rocky start as they are both stubborn and full of pride. They have dramatically different takes on the marriage: Theora sees it as temporary arrangement/facade where as Argos takes his role/vow more seriously. As a result, it creates complications and takes a bit of time for either of them to let down any walls. Little by little they get to know each other and slowly blur the lines. While trying to get peace negotiations established, they start to see who to trust/not trust, and begin to realize how much they mean to one another. This was an engaging romantasy filled with political scheming and a slow burn romance. I think the pacing in the first 20-30% was slow as the author was finding her voice. However, once her voice was established, the story became fast paced and action packed, filled with twists and turns that kept me reading as I needed to know what happens next. I loved Theora and Argos' relationship as it was messy, complex, and tension ridden. Seeing the gradual switch from irritation/hate to yearning/slow burn romance made Argos and Theora's ending satisfying and perfect.

[Tabi Cat Enchanted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of The Queen’s Bodyguard from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I genuinely loved this story. It introduced a fresh world filled with political tension, emotional wounds, and characters trying to survive situations far bigger than themselves.
The queen has only known war since being unexpectedly pushed into power after the assassination of her closest friend. During that attack, she was injured herself, leaving her deeply traumatized and terrified of the enemy she is now expected to meet for peace negotiations. The problem? She is forbidden from bringing weapons or even a bodyguard to the talks. Naturally, the solution becomes a “marriage” to a warrior whose role is clearly much more than ceremonial.
Watching her slowly realize that not everything she believed was true—and that she might actually deserve more than fear and survival—was one of my favorite parts of the book. Her emotional growth felt believable and rewarding.
The pacing was excellent, the story stayed engaging throughout, and the writing made it very easy to become invested in both the world and the characters.
Final verdict: four stars. A gripping and emotional fantasy with strong character growth, political intrigue, and a relationship that develops beautifully over the course of the story. Definitely worth reading.

[Riniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own and are given freely.

Star Rating: 4.5

This is the first book I have read by Lauren Blackwood and I have to say I am already such a fan! This book was a breath of fresh air compared to some that I have been reading lately. I thought it was very well paced if a little on the fast side but not necessarily in a negative way. The world building was solid and was easy enough to follow that I didn't feel confused or scratching my head. I do hope that this will be part of a series because the world/setting has so much potential and I can't wait to see what the author does when she has time to expand on it. The pages are filled with loyalty, banter, tension and high stakes that have you on the edge of your seat.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between our queen and her would be husband/bodyguard. If I had any sort of complaint, I thought the Queen was a bit entitled and stuck up. I understand that she was raised from birth with the knowledge that she MAY be queen one day, she had no one to tell her no in her life, but her attitude left a bit to be desired at the start of the book. Of course, her warrior husband had no qualms in challenging her every step of the way and I found myself rooting for him from the start, solely because of this.

Overall, this was a satisfying read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a forbidden romance and court politics.

[Comebookwithme · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Queen’s Bodyguard is a fast moving, tension filled romantasy that hooked me right away. The blend of political maneuvering, forbidden attraction, and a world built on the divide between Warriors and Dociles makes for a fresh, addictive setup. The pacing leans quick, but in a way that kept me turning pages rather than feeling lost, and the setting has so much potential that I genuinely hope this becomes a series.

Theora and Argos carry the story with their clashing personalities and constant push and pull. She’s sharp edged, proud, and occasionally infuriating, which makes her growth all the more satisfying. Argos, on the other hand, steals scenes effortlessly with his loyalty, defiance, and the way he challenges her at every turn. Their dynamic is full of banter, heat, and that slow burn tension that makes fake marriage romances so fun.

If I had one critique, it’s that some emotional beats and worldbuilding elements could have used a bit more depth, especially toward the end where things wrap up quickly. Still, the story delivers on chemistry, court intrigue, and high stakes drama. A great pick for readers who love dominant meets defiant dynamics, political tension, and a romance that simmers until it finally snaps.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Lauren Blackwood that hit the mark for me!

This was a very interesting romantasy that had a slow spice buildup. I loved both of our main characters, and their chemistry was so organic and passionate. For a fantasy stand alone, this was well written and nothing felt rushed or incomplete.

I loved the concept of the Warriors and the rituals they had when it came to marriage. The way Argos took care of Theora even though he wanted to hate her was so moving.

I loved the banter between these two and how they kept going back and forth. And when they started to fall in love I was giggling and kicking my feet! Absolutely loved being in this world with these characters.

The plot wasn't anything over the top or particularly exciting, but it was solid enough to keep me reading. Honestly the tension and chemistry between our two main characters was the focal point of this book. and it really shone.

I recommend this if you are looking for a lighter romantasy read with some steam, and if you are more of a character driven reader over plot.

Excited to see what else Lauren Blackwood has in store!

(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. )

[Shayyyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this through Netgalley

To start: the bones of this book are concrete, I like the idea of it.
Everything I felt immersed something would jerk me out, like the word smut. Immediately killed it for me.
The fmc has special eyes and it was explained so many times initially. Tell me once and move on, trust that I didn’t forget the meaning.
Second, we’ve been training for a long time, why are we still so insecure and immature. Thirty and still nervous as fuck? I get anxiety and all, it just doesn’t fit with what is being built.
Also I think I hate dual POV and that’s a me thing. But first glance at the mmc thoughts and it’s immediately lust. I yearn for male intelligence and not just gruff and grunts. This book is nervous and horny 🧐
I would like more tensions and growth, not male centric development.
The book needs a bit more editing, the following is all one sentence. “She folded the letter a few times and put it in the pocket of her dress, before removing her glasses to clean them and settling back in her seat to look out the window for the remainder of the ride home.”
I really like the idea of the book, it just needs adjustment from my pov.

[Peek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one because the premise had so much potential—and to be fair, the tension was definitely there. The dynamic between the characters had that underlying push and pull that I usually eat up, and you could feel the slow build simmering beneath the surface.

But overall, something just didn’t fully click for me.

I think it came down to the storyline. While it was interesting in concept, I found myself not as invested as I wanted to be. The plot sometimes pulled focus away from the relationship, and as someone who prefers more romance-forward stories, I kept wishing for more depth and development between the characters.

That said, the writing itself was solid, and the tension was well done—it just wasn’t enough to carry the story for me.

If you enjoy more plot-driven fantasy with a touch of romance, this might work really well for you. But if you’re like me and lean toward books where the romance really takes center stage, this one might leave you wanting a bit more.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a 3.5 star read for me. And that’s being generous.
The plot itself I loved, the story and plot twists were incredible. The queen? Dreadful. The MMC carried this book.

The FMC is absolutely insufferable, miserable, zero redeeming qualities. Just a brat who so strongly disrespects the MMC it’s miserable. I also hate how she goes from being so awkward and not knowing how to relationship to being obsessed in like the last 2 chapters the 180 was very fast. I didn’t like how fast the peace talks wrapped up either felt rushed.

I don’t know why this book felt SO long when it’s really so short. I would only recommend this book for the plot and the MMC. If you get annoyed with bratty rude FMC who literally won’t listen to anyone don’t bother you’ll be extremely frustrated 90% of the book like I was.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this novel ✨

[SarahQ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballantine/netgalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the way the marriage of convenience trope played out. The circumstances were believable, the will-they won't-they of it all kept me turning pages, and the overall pacing of the romance didn't drag or burn too fast.

Objectively, the magic is quite unique, kind of wolf coded? Feral vs docile, honor-bound wolf-paladin vs magicless queen but can use command charms, a little dom/sub? Honestly, it was not very clear to me but there was lots of growling. Like a chip with dip, the magic is a mediocre delivery system for some hot romance salsa.

Despite the plot kind of falling apart at the end, resolving too clean and REAL fast, I had a good time reading this.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a very very slow start. I almost gave up near the beginning but I am glad I stuck with it. It picked up at about a third of the way through and it locked me in. This is not your typical romance. The FMC is actually not very likeable for a lot of the book because of how rigid she is and how poorly she treats the MMC but she develops as a character very well by the end. The MMC is what kept me locked into the story and his POV chapters are what kept me going during the slow pace. The political intrigue of this one kept me guessing and the plot twist definitely shocked me. This was a solid 3 star read (3.5 with the half star ratings in place).

Thank you NetGalley for the gifted eARC!

[Bksm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it had a bit of a rough start. The FMC acts very young early on, so much so that I had to check if it was a YA book (it's not)! And, she was pretty insufferable for a good portion of the story.
However, the book completely turned around for me about half way through. I loved the marriage of convenience trope, and the MMC was fantastic in how he dealt with her. Once the story shifted to Lasius for the peace talks, I really enjoyed the plot and couldn't put it down.
Overall, it's well worth pushing through the rocky beginning!


Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

[Ju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to love this book so much, but it fell short for me. The FMC felt inconsistent and her growth throughout the story felt limited. The descriptions of the world building felt clunky like pieces of a puzzle forced to fit into the wrong one. The plot felt rushed and didn’t feel cohesively intertwined with the romance. Ultimately felt like this story wasn’t for me, but I do think others would still enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine/Delacorte Press for a chance to read and give a honest review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Manuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so intriguing and unique! I love the FMC Queen Theora, who is surprisingly a FMC with no magic. The plot leads her into a fake marriage with warrior Argos, and I really liked their relationship develop as they navigate the politics together. I enjoyed the fake-marriage trope, so if you are looking for a good story with that element, this is the one! So if you are looking for political intrigue, forced proximity, a marriage of convenience, and a slow-burn romance, you need to read this.

[Morgan Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You to NetGalley and Ballantine for the chance to review this early!

This book was a great read with magical tie ins and world building in a way I hadn’t seen before. Some of the rituals, and how warriors are regarded felt like a new take to me!

The FMC can be difficult to read at first but I think it only adds to her depth and complicated past, and I love an imperfect character. Can’t wait for everyone to read this one!

[Ashley Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. This one is 4.5 stars from me. The only thing that was a little confusing was the magic system in the beginning, otherwise no critiques. I really enjoyed Theora’s growth as a character, and Argos is just a top tier book BF! Adding him to the list. This has political intrigue, plot twists, fake marriage, and some spicy scenes which are always a plus. Really enjoyed this one. If this sounds up your street, pick it up on August 18th, 2026 :)

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a reader, I felt a little plopped into a magical realm with no real concept for how things worked here, but like any good heroine I went headfirst into the adventure anyways. Theora and Argos gave me everything I could possibly want with a conveniently arranged marriage - all the tropes and tension! There were some suprisingly serious themes interspersed throughout this tale, which added a layer of relevance to this easy read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen’s Bodyguard by Lauren Blackwood is such an intriguing story. I really enjoyed the pacing because it kept me engaged from start to finish without ever feeling slow. The dynamic between Theora and Argos was one of my favorite parts, and their relationship added so much depth and tension to the story. Overall, this was a captivating read that held my attention and made me want to keep turning the pages.

[Angie Beutler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The banter! The touching! It took me a minute to get into it but after the first couple of chapters I couldn’t put it down and finished it in less than 2 days. I was like come on girl when she was being stubborn I would have “ceased” to Argos after their first argument lol. Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House publishing Group for letting me read this early.

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romantasy with political intrigue and deception. While this book is a fantasy the magic portion isn't heavy the book focuses mostly on the relationship and some political twists. It is a lighter book i do wish there was more depth into the magic and political system. There is some smut but not overly done.

[Gretal · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I think mostly this was just Not For Me, but it didn't help that I found the worldbuilding confusing/not very fleshed out and that it felt much longer than it actually was. I should probably stop picking up romantasy (or adjacent) novels centering monarchy.

[Holly Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Theora has only been Queen for a year but she has seen her country through a war and is well loved by her people. Upcoming peace talks to end the war have her on edge because she doesn’t believe she will survive it. Her only option is to marry her bodyguard so he will be able to join her to the peace talks.

I could not put this book down. If you like fake relationships, he falls first, best friend triangle, dominance struggles, secret relationship, hate to love, revenge for a lost love, and FMC in her 30’s. This is the book for you.