The Stolen Crown

The Ever Seas #4

by L.J. Andrews

Love and duty are thrown to the treacherous deep sea in the next Ever Seas book from bestselling author and TikTok sensation LJ Andrews.

She is the life of the party. He is the villain you never wish to meet alone.

Tait Heartwalker may be the cousin of the Ever King, but royally good company he is not. He’s ill-tempered and unapproachable, sharpened by the hard responsibilities of life and loyalty. But to the dismay of Mira Sekundär, princess of the glamour fae, he’s also intoxicating to look at.

Despite doing their best to avoid each other, fate has other plans when an otherworldly storm shipwrecks Tait and Mira far beyond the boundaries of the Ever Kingdom. They are forced to break through the thorny barriers between them and work together to find their way home. One wrong step and they’ll never return alive…

Yet as their feelings deepen, a new threat rises from the waters. And this enemy is so dangerous, even the history books tried to forget their existence.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Pirates, Fantasy Romance, Fae, Romance, Dark Romance

512 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

LJ Andrews is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy romance. She mystically brings to life worlds of dark Nordic and Viking myths bound by conflicts that bring together impassioned heroes and heroines.

In her non-author moments, she is courageously corralling her four children to the myriad of life activities that involves, along with spending time with her favorite hero, her husband. Add two high maintenance dogs and a sassy conure to the mix and that sums it up. LJ Andrews thrives spending time in the Rocky Mountains where she lives in Utah.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Sophie (lambsbooks)]

NEW RELEASE DATE!!🥳
October 6, 2026

Grumpy Hearttalker and Sunshine-y Mira?

Yes please

[TialyN]

The book is postponed two years after original date? That just doesn’t seem fair towards original fans who's been waiting and looking forward to this book.

[elsie ۵]

Really looking forward to Tait and Mira’s story! They set sail for the Ever and never arrived. It’s going to be so gooood!!!

[Liana Gold]

A storm & a shipwreck. She is the life of the party. He's the villain but also intoxicating to look at. Together, they must find their way home. But there is a threat in the water that is preventing their return.

Another one of my most anticipated books of 2026!


Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group/Ace and the author, L.J. Andrews for an early copy!

Publication date: October 6, 2026

[Matea ☽ [ia]]

update on my mental state
The cover is up and gorgeous, the tropes are exactly my weakness, and I’m not okay. I already know I’ll be crying tonight without this book in my hands.🥲

A few paragraphs in Ever Queen and I’m already addicted. I NEED them like oxygen 😭

[Demi Winters]

LJ Andrews never misses! The Stolen Crown contains a magical combination of forced proximity and danger-infused action scenes that drive an unlikely duo together in order to survive a shipwrecking. Mira and Tate's slowly unfolding romance had me kicking my feet--they were simultaneously sizzling hot and adorably sweet.

[ciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

“but the truth is i lied. i would fall to my knees in front of you and beg for a single touch if that is all you offered.”

—

okay hello this is officially my new favorite book in the ever seas series. i genuinely didn’t think anything was going to beat the mist thief (i still love u jonas), but this absolutely topped it. like WOW this was so insanely fun that i read it in a little over 24 hours.

i’ve been obsessed with both tait and mira ever since they were introduced. the push and pull between them and slow burn has been so good so i was beyond excited for their book, and it surpassed my expectations.

mira is such a fun and relatable fmc. her insecurities about wanting love, putting herself out there, and fearing rejection was way too real. at the same time, i love that she sticks up for herself and never lets people walk all over her. also, let my girl plan a party!!!

and tait… welcome to my book bf list. the way his touch aversion and past trauma were explored actually made me sob. he’s so incredibly protective of her and i love him so much. also you freak? spectacular give me 14 more spice scenes. (p.s. nearly died at the “show me” scene).

the grumpy/sunshine dynamic absolutely delivered. and one thing about me is forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, so the second i realized they were shipwrecked and stuck together?? i was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. the banter was so good, and the buildup from the last few books absolutely paid off.

i also love how we always get to see everyone reconnect at the end. the found family in this series is so good, and getting little glimpses of all the couples from the previous books is one of my favorite parts.

let me just say… i clocked who book five was going to be about so early on, and i’m so excited that i was right. i genuinely cannot wait for their story hehe.

this series is such a fun summer read. i still haven’t started the broken kingdoms series, but the more i learn about all the parents, the more i want to pick it up. i love interconnected stories, so this whole world is everything.

a huge thank you to berkeley/ace and netgalley for this e-arc! ♥︎

“𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

[Kate Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tait and Mira’s story will be worth every second of waiting. I’m glad that LJ has the extra time to make sure TSC is everything she wants it to be and more. Sometimes going trad means having to change some timelines around, but if that means the authors I love get to have some room to breathe and their current works get to reach a wider audience, then I’ll wait as long as I have to. We are not entitled to their art, and I think the book community as a whole needs to be reminded that these books are gifts.

[Dayna | daynas.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone hop aboard because THE EVER SEAS IS SOOO BACK 🏴‍☠️

if you’ve been here for any amount of time, you hopefully know that The Ever Seas is one of my favorite series of all time. the perfect mix of pirate adventure, fae magic, sweeping romance, and stunning fantasy worldbuilding all in one.

The Stolen Crown (book four) follows Tait and Mira, the epitome of grumpy and sunshine, who are forced to work together for survival when a shipwreck casts them away to the Far Seas. *insert insatiable pining and the most delicious push and pull i’ve ever read* As they explore the mysterious island and attempt to escape back to the Ever, they encounter secrets and enemies that may change the kingdom forever. *screams into pillow*

GUYS this might be my new favorite LJ Andrews book. i know i say that every time i read one BUT I MEAN IT THIS TIME☝🏼 tait and mira have such fun banter (rage baiting as flirting is my new favorite thing) and their romance was sooo swoon worthy 😭 when the grumpy violent self-isolating man finally gives in and confesses his love for the sunshine archer girl PLEASEEEEE i love them so much. they’re also the epitome of mutual “touch them and you’ll d*e and slow d*ath” while also being soft for each other and i love that for them.

how LJ Andrews manages to write 5 star after 5 star book i have no idea, but please queen never change 😭 these books ever everything to me and these characters feel like people i really know and love. PLEASE read The Ever Seas if you’ve ever taken a book rec from me & while you’re at it read The Broken Kingdoms too!!

[Aileen Codesal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever grateful to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for the ARC & to LJ Andrews for crafting this magnificent world of the Ever Seas.

I’m still reeling from the journey that Mira and Tait take in “The Stolen Crown” because holy smokes, I didn’t see it coming and that made it even better for me! We’ve all been wringing our hands in anticipation over Mira and Tait because that tension between them has been getting hotter and hotter and it finally hits the boiling point and I’ll let y’all know right now THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT. I’m a slow burn romance lover and this is one of the best I’ve ever read.

Mira is a sunshine girly with a love for parties and her family/friends but on the inside she feels like she can’t live up to her family’s legacy. Tait, on the other hand, is grumpy personified. He cannot stand touch and prefers to live in the shadow of the Ever King. Both Mira and Tait have been dancing along the fine line of flirting and killing each other for the past few books and when a deadly storm forces them to work together, more truths unwind and a reckoning is summoned.

The romance is all sorts of delicious and I ate it UP. But the darker themes and secrets unearthed also brought me to tears. LJ Andrews has always been incredible at handling hard topics with care but she was even more sensitive and caring with this book and I appreciated it even more.

If I could rate this book infinity stars, I would. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to read it before its release because I know we’ve all been waiting a long time for it! But I am now chomping at the bits for the next book because it features one of my fave characters and that’s all I’ll say about that.

[Kie]

patiently waiting for this since book 2… 🙈

[The Bookish Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to jump back into the Ever Seas! I know that LJ will do this baddie justice. LETS RAGE!

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect ending! Thank you Berkley and LJ for the ARC!

I absolutely adored Tait throughout the entire Ever Seas series so having his book finally just made me love him more. This man went through so much and seeing him work through to the other side was just so special and inspiring. Mira, so fierce and strong, I loved seeing her come along side Tait and never push. It was so beautiful. The yearning between Tait and Mira was the best. I guess getting caught in a storm and being marooned on an island will do that to ya. This definitely took forced proximity to a whole new level. Overall this was a fantastic read. As you can see I read it in a day 😇 if you love pirates, fae, ingesting magic, and forced proximity then I highly recommend this one!

[Simul Paul]

Anyone knows the tentative release date of this book?

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This entire series has been PERFECT and this book is no exception!!!!

I’ve been obsessed with Tait since book 1 and when I found out he was getting his own book, I was so giddy!!!! Tait Heartwalker may be a “surly ass”, but my god do I love him.

Reading about his past and the things he went through with his father as a child made my heart break into a million pieces for him. It made me want to cuddle him and protect him from the world (even if he’d hate that) there’s just something about a grumpy, stoic man that I love in my books and Tait may take the top spot after this book!!!! 😮‍💨

Mira is so funny and I love her!! The way she pokes at Tait and makes comments that get him flustered (he’ll never admit that they rile him up) is hilarious and I can’t even count the amount of times I was giggling at the things she said!!! She may enjoy a fancy ball, a pretty dress, and nice decorations, but make no mistake, she can be quite dangerous in the right circumstances 🙂‍↕️

Tait and Mira’s story was one that broke my heart and put it back together so gently, I couldn’t help but read it with tears in my eyes. The way they went from bickering frenemies to gentle lovers was so beautiful 😭

I can NOT wait for the next book in the series and I will be very impatiently waiting for it!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much to Ace for the ARC!!! ily bestie 🫶🏻

[Ashlyn Tickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ace for the gifted eARC through netgalley !! This does not affect my honest review.

After so many years I’m back with some of my favorite characters!! When I tell you I absolutely adores Mira and Tait, I mean I lovedddd them and their banter and “bleeding hells woman.” Mira is honestly too funny with her quick wit and always keeping Tait on his toes.

Their strengths and weaknesses complemented each other well and you can tell how much thought was put into building their characters and this story. The setting and stakes were certainly different than the first three books but I enjoyed that it opened up a new part of the world. I can’t wait to return for Sander

[read_by_mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ace Books and Netgalley for the early copy!!!

Grumpy fae pirate x sunshine princess

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍.”

Lived up to all of my expectations and then some!! Andrews does a fantastic job of crafting books and characters that stand apart from one another, while having all the elements of her writing and story telling that we know and love.

The Stolen Crown follows Tait and Mira. And let me just say they’ve both stolen my heart!! I knew I would fall for these two hard, and boy did I. Mira is a spitfire, Tait is so deliciously grumpy, and their banter was chefs kiss. I could go on and on about how incredibly complex and well-rounded these two are written.

A mysterious storm, a shipwreck, lost at sea, trapped on an island, the vibes of this book were so unexpected and had me hooked. LJ also gave us some spicy moments that had my jaw dropped!!!

I absolutely loved The Broken Kingdoms, Andrews series based before The Ever Seas, because of the band of characters featured across the books that we meet and grow to love. Getting to spend time in the POV’s of each of those characters sons and daughters, and the occasional cameo of TBK characters, is SO fun. This world and these books feel larger than life because of it.

LJ, you’re a genius and seem to knock it out of the park every time.

[Dominique Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have been around me long enough you know that the Ever Seas is my absolute god tier book series (introducing me to my pirate romantasy hyperfixation) and when the Stolen Crown hit my kindle.. it's what dreams are made of.

The Stolen Crown follows Tait & Mira and their constant push and pull. He's the grumpy cousin to the Ever King and she's the life of the party bringing people together. LJ has intricately interwoven their characters together since the Ever King and so seeing this all play out was everything that I could want in a book.

The world bulding remains lush and allows you to experience it on every single page, the development between characters is intentional - working through their own personal traumas to be able to best connect with eachother. The way that LJ writes men who yearn should be studied - Tait is an MMC who is not one dimensional, he is layered, he is complex, he is heartbreakingly honest. Mira is equally as complex, understanding and supportive and strong where it counts. I loved diving into this story and continued to feel enveloped throughout.

[Cherub]

Saw that this book will be released fall 2026 and I am not okay 😭😭😭. Maybe fall this year but next year???? 😭😭

[Ally Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 🌟 📕

In this continuation we get lost in the Far Seas with Mira and Tait, who I must say have quickly become my favorite Ever Seas couple!

The story in this book was addictive I could not put it down! The pacing was perfect, and the story took Tait and Mira to places I was not expecting (in a good way.) I felt constantly delighted and surprised by the twists and turns.

The dialogue in this book is SO good!! Andrews writes the best conversations between characters and truly captures each personality exquisitely. The banter in this is just delicious. It is clever, flirty and heartfelt, which is a hard balance to strike, but Andrews does it so beautifully. The way the characters speak and the vocabulary they use really adds to the pirate vibes and immerses the reader into the rich world of the Ever Seas kingdoms.

I also love that Mira is unapologetically herself. Her silliness and joy shines through in every scene and makes it a fun contrast to Tait’s grumpy side. We also dive deeper into the characters inner thoughts and emotional pasts. Tait’s heartbreaking backstory was handled so well by Andrews. The way in which he and Mira interact and work through his struggles is such a beautiful example of partnership. I love how Andrews captures the different aspects of a romantic partnership in her novels.

This is very niche but I also LOVE how she writes the main characters' parents. Mira’s parents' obsession with each other and cute flirting had me cackling the whole book! And I felt similarly with how she wrote Jonas’ parents in previous book as well. This is definitely becoming one of my favorite parts of the Ever Seas series and I love it!!

Another favorite moment from this book is when Tait and Erik have a heart to heart where Erik remembers how Tait distracted him after his mother's death; I honestly teared up a bit it was so sweet and heartfelt! You truly connect with and feel for these characters, and I love that LK Andrews can deliver this so well in her characters.

The ending was just perfect. I love how she wraps up everything, all while teasing the next set of characters she wants to focus on. It gives me immense joy to know there is more to come in the Ever Seas series!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!!

[Athena 💗 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you would have told me in the beginning that I would be giving this book 3⭐️ I would not have believed you. The Broken Crown has easily been one of my most anticipated books for almost 2 years now.

Some of my favorite things about LJ Andrew’s writing is how vivid of a picture she is able to create with just her words. The atmosphere is lush and filled with the most interesting creatures. The characters are so well developed that you almost forget they aren’t real and the banter is so lively you forget you’re reading. I feel like the book does start out with these qualities but then they slowly start to slip away as you move through the story.

The opening scene is very reminiscent to the beginning of the first book. I could see where some readers would think it’s recycled but for me I actually really loved that scene. Having the interaction between young Tait and Mira with their personalities towards one another shine through took their love story in a different direction than Erik and Livie’s. I was all in. 🙌🏼

Right off the bat Mira almost seemed like a completely different character. In the other books she is painted as this tough warrior that is constantly frazzling Tait but in this one she came off more like a needy doormat. Don’t get me wrong, I like when an MMC breaks the FMCs heart a little. The ballroom scene where he turns her down for a dance. Oh, I ate that shit up! But instead of finding the right balance that would offer us a window of her vulnerability, the author pushed a little too far in that direction making Mira go from a fearless flirt to… just kinda a pathetic simp. 😕

The writing also didn’t feel quite as magnetic as I remember the other books to be. The fact that it took me 4 days to get through speaks volumes as to how much my mind would wander out of boredom. It got to a point where I even considered rereading the first book to see if maybe I had just placed it on a pedestal or I simply aged out.

The island was fun. I liked how Tait still had pushback towards Mira and it wasn’t insta love the second they get there. Some of the storyline starts to become a little muddled but overall I was still very much enjoying the ride and making excuses for the rest.

When they finally make it back to the Ever Seas is around the time my interest started to fizzle out. By that point the storyline wasn’t making a whole lot of sense. The writing felt more and more generic. Mira’s reaction towards Erik helping Tait felt awkward and weird. Erik calling Livie “Songbird” started to get cringe AF. Ari’s theatrical personality felt over the top and Tait’s proclamations of love really started to give, man written by a woman if ya know what I mean. Sometimes (most times) LESS is more. Andrew’s portrayed this perfectly with the mute MMC from that one book, Souls and Bones or something. Tait went from top tier book boyfriend material to flowery real quick.

The ending was what officially lost me and when I finally had to come to terms with the fact that this book just was not as well written as some of her others. The storyline and setup for the next book was basically a copy and paste of the last book. 😑

Here’s the thing though, will I continue on with the series? Hell yes I will. It is my love for these characters that carried me through this book and made it enjoyable while it was. I still love Mira and Tait even though in no way did this story do them justice. And OF COURSE I am all in for book nerd Sander and his equally book nerd love interest. In my mind Sander has a pair of slutty little glasses and ain’t nobody convincing me otherwise. I think LJ’s exact words were, “expect Sander to be a geek in the streets but a freak in the sheets”. 🤓 Plus, I also remember seeing the writing start to slip in The Mist Thief but then her viking book came out and was pure 🔥🔥🔥🔥 so I am just going to believe that this was a one off and that the next book will come back hitting harder than ever.

As always, a great big thank you to the publishers at Berkley Publishing Group and to the incredibly talented, L.J. Andrews for gifting me an ARC of The Broken Crown. Overall I enjoyed the experience and look forward to continuing on with the Ever Seas series.

You can find this book on shelves October 6!

[Rene Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever obsessed with The Ever. This fictional world is easily an all-time favorite.

This book is all about Tait Heartwalker (cousin to the Ever King) and Mira Sekundär (princess of the glamor fae). They are definitely a grumpy x sunshine situation. Tait's been hardened by the responsibilities to royal life, but Mira is a bubbly, fun loving woman. These two together is something else!!!

These two are absolutely dreading going on a sea voyage together. When they get shipwrecked on a deserted island together, they need to work together to make it back home alive. The tension, banter, slow burn... so dang good.

And of course I loved all the glimpses we got of Erik, Livia, Jonas, and Skadi. And the little sneak peak of what's in store for the next book... bring it all on! I am so ready for more already!

🏴‍☠️ “How did you know I love it when men get on their knees and beg me, Hearttalker?”
🏴‍☠️ “I allowed the idea of losing you overtake every rational thought.”
🏴‍☠️ “You are the sunrise I seek in the storms of my soul.”

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely beautiful addition to the ever seas series! I was so excited to be back with the Sekundar clan and Tait 🥹

This started off a little bit slow for me, but once i was hooked- i was HOOKED and i devoured it in less than 24 hours.

I loved the mental health and trauma rep that this book so beautifully displayed. It was so sad to read taits back story and learn more about why he is the way he is 😭

Mira is such a love. I just adore her character. I adored her parents characters as well in The Broken Kingdoms. Ari will always be my fave 🥹

The found family through these two series is almost unmatched. I am obsessed with all the little bread crumbs that link the broken Kingdoms and the ever seas. LJ has such a magical gift for writing and I absolutely adore this world!

This was a heavy and emotionally packed adventure with all our favorite Ever Seas characters and I am so excited for the next book! These books bring out so many emotions in me, and the stolen crown was no different. Absolutely wonderful read 😭

[kelseys.inthelibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will have to come back in October to do a full review! I will say this Tait Heartwalker has changed the rhythm of my heart. 💙 The banter is everything. How sweet and slow and kind and caring Mira is with Tait was done perfectly.


The only con is that I'm now living every day of my life, knowing I'll never be stranded on an island with Tait, and that's depressing.

[Brandihreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE Tait and Mira’s story!! I lived for the banter and yearning in this. The Ever Seas series is one of my GOD TIER level reads, I can’t wait for more!!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the grumpy sunshine dynamic this read is for you! Tait and Mira will have you laughing, swooning and kicking your feet. This adventure delivers on all the LJ things you know and love- I love returning to this world and getting to revisit all my favorite characters.

[Klentz]

Yall are not ready for the person I will become once this book is released!!! Ari freakin Sekundar's cameo in this book is about to POP OFF. For reference I read the ever king series first, then jumped over to the broken kingdoms series. I just finished Reign of Stars and Fire. Let me tell you... Ari don't play about the people he loves, especially his wife and CHILD. And yes, I am foaming at the mouth for the love story between Tait and Mira (obviously), but the Ari scenes in this book are about to go so hard!!!
" I thought Ari would always boast about his prowess as a man for finding fatherhood so swiftly, but I think his daughter's birth added a new kind of darkness to the king... In the daylight, his girl only believed she was the sun of her father's world. She was, but I (calista) was simply of the belief she'd also snapped a new level of violence in his soul. He would not only fight for his wife, now he would slaughter for his child."
- Reign of Stars and Fire, pg. 391

... anyway, thanks for coming to my ted talk

[Myrtlereads _ Darkfantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to jump back into The Ever Seas series! The Ever King, The Ever Queen and The Mist Thief were all so good. You just know we are onto another winner here ✨❤️🔥

Update: to be released in 2026

[Jasmine Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this story as her others will do justice to the characters! I don’t care how long I need to wait! I will be ready when she and these characters are!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story I’ve been most waiting for. Tait and Mira. Mira and Tait. My most beloved. And I have loved The Ever Seas series so incredibly much. It’s hit after hit, beginning with Livia and Erik, followed by Skadi and Jonas, and now *them,* Mira and Tait. The Stolen Crown is everything I wished for and more. It’s a story that immediately sweeps you off your feet and takes you on the most romantic of adventures, a high stakes one at that!

Tait, cousin to Erik the Ever King, is meant to be accompanying Princess Mira of the glamour fae realms on a sea voyage. But the voyage turns disastrous as they are shipwrecked and washed upon an unknown land. They are forced to set aside their differences to work together, but perhaps all that forced proximity will see certain simmering feelings and longings finally come to blaze.

The romance is ughhh, arghhh, baaah, *chef’s kiss* perfection! Wheww! The romance is a rollercoaster in the best fashion. We get all the sizzle and sweetness, but also that dash of delicious angst. Mira believes Tait is repulsed by her and thus keeps her distance, not knowing how touch ails him. There are misunderstandings, hurt feelings, wrong things said…basically, there’s a big ol’ wall smack in the middle of these two. And yet, and yet!, even with their own placed hurdles, Mira and Tait are constantly on one another’s mind. They’re finely attuned to the other’s presence, they may banter and bite (or grunt, ha!) with their words but they constantly circle back for more. They’re incapable of not being in one another’s orbit. Do you understand how I eat that right up?! And then the narrative throws in forced proximity?! Helloooo! Yes! Give it all to meee!

Being shipwrecked and marooned on unfamiliar terrain leads Tait and Mira to learning to finally set aside their mutual bite and to give each other truths. I’m the type of reader that needs an emotional bond to truly elevate the rest of the romance, including any spice, and this work highlights this beautifully. Mira and Tait learn to trust one another with their truths, they go from always noticing one another to truly *seeing* one another. They become each other’s pillar of support that is utterly impenetrable. And it’s all developed magnificently. Like every forward progress of their relationship is so rightly earned.

The romance, the love story, is absolutely my favorite course of this delicious meal, but it’s a meal accompanied by many delectable courses. We have an excellent supporting cast, and if you’ve read the prior books their presence is all the more enriching. You feel the history and connection between these characters and that tangibility makes the narrative carry more weight. Leading to high stakes action in the final act. I also loved the world-building at play, specifically the bit of mystery weaved into the story as we came across unfamiliar folk. Are they friend or foe? It’s something that excited me to guess and find out, and see how it would impact the final act. A final act that packs a punch without ever feeling rushed. I genuinely believe every bit of this narrative is paced as it should be. When it comes to the romance, we sweetly slow down to allow time to breathe and have the love and bonding develop; and when it comes to the non-romantic plot, the narrative gets the wheels rolling, electrifying all the senses as we become consumed with an urgency to join the fray. There is terrific balance in this story and it all positively serves and moves the plot forward. That said, I wish the ending never came! Not because of anything negative, I absolutely looooved it, but because the ending meant an incoming goodbye! And I never want to say goodbye to Mira and Tait. It was such a pleasure to watch these two characters who I always hyperfocused on in the background of the other tales, whose crumbs I devoured time and time again, finally get their spotlight. And shine in a way that went beyond my hopes and dreams.

They’re just it for me, y’all. Mira and Tait are it for me!

The Stolen Crown is magic in all the best ways. It’s the most exhilarating adventure and the most swoony romance. Join the adventure the very second you can!

Thank you Ace and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.