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Between Blades and Vows: A Reverse Bodyguard Romantasy
The war might be over, but King Rian Dronias knows peace is fragile. He just didn’t expect his biggest problem to arrive in the form of his new bodyguard.
When the captain of the King’s Guard goes on his honeymoon, Rian reluctantly holds a competition to find a temporary replacement. The winner? Erualys Valora, a renowned warrior from a neighboring queendom with a reputation for being unstoppable…and insufferable. She’s the last person he wants guarding him—and the only one bold enough to call him out when she discovers the threats he’s been hiding.
But as danger closes in, the king and his temporary guard will have to face the truth: the deadliest risk might not be the assassins in the shadows, but the spark igniting between them.
When the captain of the King’s Guard goes on his honeymoon, Rian reluctantly holds a competition to find a temporary replacement. The winner? Erualys Valora, a renowned warrior from a neighboring queendom with a reputation for being unstoppable…and insufferable. She’s the last person he wants guarding him—and the only one bold enough to call him out when she discovers the threats he’s been hiding.
But as danger closes in, the king and his temporary guard will have to face the truth: the deadliest risk might not be the assassins in the shadows, but the spark igniting between them.
558 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2026
About the author
Neena Laskowski
11 books153 followersNeena Laskowski lives in Michigan with her husband and dog, Penny. She earned her master’s in Secondary Education and bachelor’s degree in English and Classical Languages and Literature from the University of Michigan. She is passionate about the written word and sharing stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 25, 2026
“A reluctant king. A temporary guard. A threat neither can outrun.”
For those who love:
🩷 reverse bodyguard romance 🌿 mental health rep ⚔️ training sequences (but SHE trains HIM) 🩷 forced proximity 🌿 touch HIM and ☠️ ⚔️ hidden motives 🩷 banter
Who doesn’t love a reverse bodyguard story? I was so excited to get back into the world of Vaneria. Thank you Neena for the ARC opportunity!
For those who love:
🩷 reverse bodyguard romance 🌿 mental health rep ⚔️ training sequences (but SHE trains HIM) 🩷 forced proximity 🌿 touch HIM and ☠️ ⚔️ hidden motives 🩷 banter
Who doesn’t love a reverse bodyguard story? I was so excited to get back into the world of Vaneria. Thank you Neena for the ARC opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Autor
This was my first book of the author. This one is based on a world that already has more books, which take place before this one, but it can be read as a standalone, as I did.
After the war, the kingdom is still recovering, and right now the king needs a temporary bodyguard since his own is leaving for a few months. Euralys Valora, a warrior from a near queendom, wins the competition and becomes his new bodyguard, one that he doesn't want.
The problem is that the king, Rian, has kept some secrets for himself, such as the fact that he receives threatening letters regularly, and Valora will have to deal with that; as well as with guards who regard her with suspicion because she is a foreigner; and in addition to a high... tension between her and the king.
I have to say that, at first, although interested, I found it difficult to get into the book. The first 25-30% was somewhat challenging, but it improved a lot afterward and so I ended up loving it.
Perhaps it's because I hadn't read the other books, which aren't necessary at all since I understood everything, but I probably would have had more context about what happened before, I would have already met some of the characters, etc, and maybe that way it would have been easier for me to enter this one.
As for the rest, it's very good. I think it shows a kingdom with much to see and learn, rich in history, where they are trying to recover after the war. In this case we are learning about Rian's kingdom, but they mention about others too.
I think my favourite would be Tetria, the queendom from where Euralys comes, with their queens, its queen's guard, mostly women, its customs, its magic, its witchcraft, its colours.
The relationship that forms between Rian and Euralys is hilarious and cute at the same time, they are both very stubborn and, combined with the fact that they spend all day teasing each other, you can imagine. Although that doesn't mean they don't support and care about each other, knowing when to go serious.
As for the mystery of who wants to kill the king, I didn't see it coming until almost the end, and even then, when I suspected it, I didn't want to believe it, I was in total denial.
I'm probably forgetting to mention something, but right now I don't recall anything else.
So to conclude, I think it's a book with romance and some mystery; but it's also a book about friendship, about facing your fears, about not getting stuck in the past, about learning to rely on others, and about learning to forgive, especially yourself. So if you got interested with this, go for it.
Thanks to the author, Neena Laskowski, for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
After the war, the kingdom is still recovering, and right now the king needs a temporary bodyguard since his own is leaving for a few months. Euralys Valora, a warrior from a near queendom, wins the competition and becomes his new bodyguard, one that he doesn't want.
The problem is that the king, Rian, has kept some secrets for himself, such as the fact that he receives threatening letters regularly, and Valora will have to deal with that; as well as with guards who regard her with suspicion because she is a foreigner; and in addition to a high... tension between her and the king.
I have to say that, at first, although interested, I found it difficult to get into the book. The first 25-30% was somewhat challenging, but it improved a lot afterward and so I ended up loving it.
Perhaps it's because I hadn't read the other books, which aren't necessary at all since I understood everything, but I probably would have had more context about what happened before, I would have already met some of the characters, etc, and maybe that way it would have been easier for me to enter this one.
As for the rest, it's very good. I think it shows a kingdom with much to see and learn, rich in history, where they are trying to recover after the war. In this case we are learning about Rian's kingdom, but they mention about others too.
I think my favourite would be Tetria, the queendom from where Euralys comes, with their queens, its queen's guard, mostly women, its customs, its magic, its witchcraft, its colours.
The relationship that forms between Rian and Euralys is hilarious and cute at the same time, they are both very stubborn and, combined with the fact that they spend all day teasing each other, you can imagine. Although that doesn't mean they don't support and care about each other, knowing when to go serious.
As for the mystery of who wants to kill the king, I didn't see it coming until almost the end, and even then, when I suspected it, I didn't want to believe it, I was in total denial.
I'm probably forgetting to mention something, but right now I don't recall anything else.
So to conclude, I think it's a book with romance and some mystery; but it's also a book about friendship, about facing your fears, about not getting stuck in the past, about learning to rely on others, and about learning to forgive, especially yourself. So if you got interested with this, go for it.
Thanks to the author, Neena Laskowski, for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will never pass on a Neena Laskowski book, and trust me, when you read the incredible descriptions she writes, you’ll never want to put this book down. Since entering Vaneria with The King's Weapon, I've never wanted to leave, and getting to be back in that world is such a privilege. If you thought the Heirs' Bargain was full of banter, you are in for a treat with Rian's and Ellie's book. Rian, Myra, and Laurince were my absolute favorite side characters, especially the king with his devastatingly funny one-liners, and just know he’s even better in his own book. But with each funny comment you see the crack beneath the facade. This broken king is weighed down by the expectations of his kingdom, the internal battle of not being good enough, and grief for all he’s lost. Rian is so thoughtful but holds everyone at an arm's length because all he’s trusted and the foundation he built his life on have crumbled, and he’s content to sit in the rubble while he builds up everyone else. Right there with him is Ellie, for the sharp wit of her tongue is her only defense from the never-ending fear that has gripped her. The flashbacks bring about such a visceral reaction and such bone-aching grief. The painfully accurate description of panic is so real as it wraps so tightly around your chest that the world blurs and you find yourself spiraling into the past. Neena makes you feel the wounds that are buried deep in these characters because the wounds we can’t see are the hardest to heal. These characters verbally joust, but they get to heal with each other. We are not broken by the traumas of our past, no matter how grave. It just takes a person with understanding to give you the strength to talk about it. I love that Neena doesn’t shy away from the description of the aftermath of war. So many books show the battle and fighting, but not often do we see the devastation and struggle to rebuild. Ellie and Rian struggle, but their banter leads to the most delicious slow burn. The spice is perfect, and the lead-up to an eff-it moment is everything you want in a romantasy book. This series is one of my favorites, and it fits perfectly into this incredible world. This book gives you a little suspense, a lot of fighting, and ALL the banter, and what more could you want?
4.5/5 stars 2/5 spice
Tropes
Reverse bodyguard
mental health rep
She trains him
forced proximity
touch him and die
tension and angst
4.5/5 stars 2/5 spice
Tropes
Reverse bodyguard
mental health rep
She trains him
forced proximity
touch him and die
tension and angst
July 4, 2026
What actually surprised me was the mental health thread running underneath all the spice and banter. Both Rian and Ellie are quietly falling apart in the aftermath of war, drowning themselves in vices, pushing away the people who love them, and insisting they're totally fine while everyone around them can clearly see they're not. That's a genuinely good setup and I liked watching them accidentally heal each other while refusing to admit that's what's happening. It gave the book more weight than I expected going in, even if it never digs as deep in other aspects as it could. The dynamic between them works because they're not strangers; they already have history, but there's still enough distance that they keep surprising each other.
Solid "trope forward, doesn't go too deep into world-building" kind of read, and honestly that's fine; sometimes I want vibes over substance too. As always with standalones built on a foundation of previous books, I understood everything but could tell that it would hit harder if I had the context of what came before. It's a tricky line to walk to give nods to previous readers while still welcoming new ones and this mostly pulls it off.
I will say that the conflict felt really contrived a lot of the time. Especially Rian just... not telling his own guards about credible threats to his life because he didn't want to ruin their happiness? Sir. You are the king. And everyone not trusting Ellie and thinking she might be guilty of things when she's an ally.
Some small quips are that everyone treats him like a buddy instead of their king. And Ellie's supposed to be a hardened, renowned warrior and instead she keeps needing rescuing. I don't mind a heroine who isn't strong 24/7. That's human, but when the story's premise is built on her being the best of the best, it undercuts it every time Rian has to swoop in.
Overall this is a fun, trope-heavy romantasy that's better than I expected on the emotional front but definitely stumble (for me) on internal logic and character consistency.
Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Solid "trope forward, doesn't go too deep into world-building" kind of read, and honestly that's fine; sometimes I want vibes over substance too. As always with standalones built on a foundation of previous books, I understood everything but could tell that it would hit harder if I had the context of what came before. It's a tricky line to walk to give nods to previous readers while still welcoming new ones and this mostly pulls it off.
I will say that the conflict felt really contrived a lot of the time. Especially Rian just... not telling his own guards about credible threats to his life because he didn't want to ruin their happiness? Sir. You are the king. And everyone not trusting Ellie and thinking she might be guilty of things when she's an ally.
Some small quips are that everyone treats him like a buddy instead of their king. And Ellie's supposed to be a hardened, renowned warrior and instead she keeps needing rescuing. I don't mind a heroine who isn't strong 24/7. That's human, but when the story's premise is built on her being the best of the best, it undercuts it every time Rian has to swoop in.
Overall this is a fun, trope-heavy romantasy that's better than I expected on the emotional front but definitely stumble (for me) on internal logic and character consistency.
Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
“I’d be honored if you made a fool of me, Euralys Valora.” 🫠💗
Between Blades and Vows was my introduction to Neena Laskowski and the world she created, and I’m so grateful to be introduced to her writing and the world she’s created! This was enjoyable from front to back and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. I will be reading everything she has written or writes in the future.
BBAV is fantastic for so many reasons. In short:
- Reverse bodyguard & she trains him
- Mental health representation
- Slow-burn with LOTS of banter
- Relatable and interesting characters
- Introduces you to the world and the main series, but also reads perfectly as a stand alone
In depth:
I could easily relate to the characters, who are so well written. They maintained their own personalities even as their relationship grew, and I don’t always see that in romance/romantasy. Their banter, pretending they aren’t into each other, the complications around a king x bodyguard romance, it was so easy to connect with them and their emotions. Their connection allows them both to heal from the traumas of the past war. The care and respect they have for one another is so heartwarming.
The world building, although a standalone, still gives you glimpse into the world at large and helps you understand the overall political tension. For someone new to the world, this is a great way to get us hooked and seek more information, leading us to read The Kings Weapon. It also reads perfectly as standalone, so you don’t really need to read the main series (but if it’s anything like this, I would highly encourage you to).
I really enjoyed the writing style, the descriptions are detailed but not over the top. Plus I always love a dual POV 🫶🏻
Overall, a fantastic read that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to order The Kings Weapon and the rest of the series.
I hope we get more Ellie and Rian in the future 🥹
“I’d be honored if you made a fool of me, Euralys Valora.” 🫠💗
Between Blades and Vows was my introduction to Neena Laskowski and the world she created, and I’m so grateful to be introduced to her writing and the world she’s created! This was enjoyable from front to back and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. I will be reading everything she has written or writes in the future.
BBAV is fantastic for so many reasons. In short:
- Reverse bodyguard & she trains him
- Mental health representation
- Slow-burn with LOTS of banter
- Relatable and interesting characters
- Introduces you to the world and the main series, but also reads perfectly as a stand alone
In depth:
I could easily relate to the characters, who are so well written. They maintained their own personalities even as their relationship grew, and I don’t always see that in romance/romantasy. Their banter, pretending they aren’t into each other, the complications around a king x bodyguard romance, it was so easy to connect with them and their emotions. Their connection allows them both to heal from the traumas of the past war. The care and respect they have for one another is so heartwarming.
The world building, although a standalone, still gives you glimpse into the world at large and helps you understand the overall political tension. For someone new to the world, this is a great way to get us hooked and seek more information, leading us to read The Kings Weapon. It also reads perfectly as standalone, so you don’t really need to read the main series (but if it’s anything like this, I would highly encourage you to).
I really enjoyed the writing style, the descriptions are detailed but not over the top. Plus I always love a dual POV 🫶🏻
Overall, a fantastic read that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to order The Kings Weapon and the rest of the series.
I hope we get more Ellie and Rian in the future 🥹
June 29, 2026
4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This was such an enjoyable standalone romantasy! It has reverse bodyguard, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, "touch him and die," found family, political intrigue, and PTSD/mental health representation.
After surviving a war where his brother tried to steal the throne, young King Rian is still carrying the scars of his past. When his royal guard leaves for his honeymoon, Ellie—a warrior from a neighboring kingdom—unexpectedly becomes his temporary bodyguard after winning a competition. The only complication? They shared a kiss the night before.
The banter between Rian and Ellie completely stole the show. Their chemistry is full of tension, teasing, and longing, and I loved watching them slowly go from reluctant allies to friends to something more. Rian's quiet attentiveness and the way he makes Ellie feel seen and valued was one of my favorite parts of the book. They both carry the emotional scars of war, and seeing them support and heal alongside each other felt genuine.
There is also political intrigue, assassination attempts, training scenes, and enough twists that had me shocked. Add in found family, and this was a really satisfying standalone that never felt rushed.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Romantasy Stanalone
➳❥ Reverse Bodyguard
➳❥ Forbidden
➳❥ Touch Him & Die
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ She Trains Him
➳❥ Mental Health Rep
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“Fuck it”
“You see, I'm not really the begging type.”
“We'll see about that, Valora.”
“I would gladly be Ellie's jester for the rest of my life if it meant I got to hear her laughter every day.”
“When I'm with you, everything else goes quiet.”
“The only thing that was inevitable was me falling for you.”
This was such an enjoyable standalone romantasy! It has reverse bodyguard, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, "touch him and die," found family, political intrigue, and PTSD/mental health representation.
After surviving a war where his brother tried to steal the throne, young King Rian is still carrying the scars of his past. When his royal guard leaves for his honeymoon, Ellie—a warrior from a neighboring kingdom—unexpectedly becomes his temporary bodyguard after winning a competition. The only complication? They shared a kiss the night before.
The banter between Rian and Ellie completely stole the show. Their chemistry is full of tension, teasing, and longing, and I loved watching them slowly go from reluctant allies to friends to something more. Rian's quiet attentiveness and the way he makes Ellie feel seen and valued was one of my favorite parts of the book. They both carry the emotional scars of war, and seeing them support and heal alongside each other felt genuine.
There is also political intrigue, assassination attempts, training scenes, and enough twists that had me shocked. Add in found family, and this was a really satisfying standalone that never felt rushed.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Romantasy Stanalone
➳❥ Reverse Bodyguard
➳❥ Forbidden
➳❥ Touch Him & Die
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ She Trains Him
➳❥ Mental Health Rep
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“Fuck it”
“You see, I'm not really the begging type.”
“We'll see about that, Valora.”
“I would gladly be Ellie's jester for the rest of my life if it meant I got to hear her laughter every day.”
“When I'm with you, everything else goes quiet.”
“The only thing that was inevitable was me falling for you.”
July 1, 2026
This is a standalone book that's coming after a series where there was a war and we get to see what happens after the war in the kingdom of Frenzia. Even if the book makes some references to the previous action, it can be read as a standalone, even though there are some spoilers for the previous series, but that's to be expected.
Here we meet Euralys, Ellie for short and Rian.
Ellie is a member of the Queen's Guard in the kingdom of Tetria, she's a skilled warrior and very good at what she does. She's such an amazing FMC, she's headstrong and never backs down from a challenge. When she wins the King's bodyguard position by making a bet with her princess and other guard/dear friend, she needs to consider if she wants the position or not. She accepts it as a need for change from her normal routine even if that means she needs to 'babysit' Rian, the king.
Rian is such a cutie, he's a blubbering mess around Ellie and you can see he likes her from the very first interactions we see between them in the book. He tries to keep Ellie away from himself because he knows he's in danger of falling for her if he does. But he doesn't really have a choice considering he's be unprotected without her (considering the other guards from the castle don't match Ellie's skill).
After some time spent together you can see them growing closer and you can feel the chemistry between the two of them, even if they both try to resist the pull they have for each other. Loved seeing both of them finally leaving their guard down and giving in to their attraction. ❤️
You can see how much they care for each other. 🥹🥹
Loved the ending! ❤️
Thank you for the e-arc Neena and R R Book tours ❤️
Here we meet Euralys, Ellie for short and Rian.
Ellie is a member of the Queen's Guard in the kingdom of Tetria, she's a skilled warrior and very good at what she does. She's such an amazing FMC, she's headstrong and never backs down from a challenge. When she wins the King's bodyguard position by making a bet with her princess and other guard/dear friend, she needs to consider if she wants the position or not. She accepts it as a need for change from her normal routine even if that means she needs to 'babysit' Rian, the king.
Rian is such a cutie, he's a blubbering mess around Ellie and you can see he likes her from the very first interactions we see between them in the book. He tries to keep Ellie away from himself because he knows he's in danger of falling for her if he does. But he doesn't really have a choice considering he's be unprotected without her (considering the other guards from the castle don't match Ellie's skill).
After some time spent together you can see them growing closer and you can feel the chemistry between the two of them, even if they both try to resist the pull they have for each other. Loved seeing both of them finally leaving their guard down and giving in to their attraction. ❤️
You can see how much they care for each other. 🥹🥹
Loved the ending! ❤️
Thank you for the e-arc Neena and R R Book tours ❤️
July 3, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! Even though it’s connected to a larger series, I had no problem jumping in without reading the others. It worked really well as a standalone while still making me curious enough to want to go back and read the rest.
One of my favorite parts was the female bodyguard dynamic. I loved seeing the FMC absolutely hold her own in a role that’s traditionally filled by men. She was confident, fearless, capable, and didn’t hesitate to speak her mind. She was exactly the kind of FMC I love reading about.
The slow burn between her and Rian was also really well done. Their banter, the forced proximity, and the gradual trust that developed between them made their relationship feel natural, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.
The world was another highlight. Even though this story focuses on its own plot, you can tell there’s a rich history behind it, and now I genuinely want to go back and read the rest of the series to learn more about the characters and everything that’s happened before this book.
The only thing that kept this from being a full 5 stars for me was Rian’s character. I liked him, but I found myself wishing he came across as a little stronger and more commanding. As a king, I wanted him to have a bit more presence and confidence. I think if he’d been written as a more intimidating, battle-tested leader, it would have made the contrast between him and Erualys even more fun and made her badass moments hit even harder.
That being said, I still had a great time with this book. It was fun, romantic, full of great character moments, and gave me one of my favorite tropes with a fierce female protector. I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of this world because it left me wanting more.
One of my favorite parts was the female bodyguard dynamic. I loved seeing the FMC absolutely hold her own in a role that’s traditionally filled by men. She was confident, fearless, capable, and didn’t hesitate to speak her mind. She was exactly the kind of FMC I love reading about.
The slow burn between her and Rian was also really well done. Their banter, the forced proximity, and the gradual trust that developed between them made their relationship feel natural, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.
The world was another highlight. Even though this story focuses on its own plot, you can tell there’s a rich history behind it, and now I genuinely want to go back and read the rest of the series to learn more about the characters and everything that’s happened before this book.
The only thing that kept this from being a full 5 stars for me was Rian’s character. I liked him, but I found myself wishing he came across as a little stronger and more commanding. As a king, I wanted him to have a bit more presence and confidence. I think if he’d been written as a more intimidating, battle-tested leader, it would have made the contrast between him and Erualys even more fun and made her badass moments hit even harder.
That being said, I still had a great time with this book. It was fun, romantic, full of great character moments, and gave me one of my favorite tropes with a fierce female protector. I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of this world because it left me wanting more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Themes:
Touch HIM and die 🖤🔥
Reverse Bodyguard 🙎♀️☀️
Mental Health 🌿❤️🩹
Training Sequence ⚔️💪🏻
Summary:
A reluctant king. A temporary guard. A threat neither can outrun.
The war might be over, but King Rian Dronias knows peace is fragile. He just didn’t expect his biggest problem to arrive in the form of his new bodyguard. When the captain of the King’s Guard goes on his honeymoon, Rian reluctantly holds a competition to find a temporary replacement. The winner? Erualys Valora, a renowned warrior from a neighboring queendom with a reputation for being unstoppable…and insufferable. She’s the last person he wants guarding him—and the only one bold enough to call him out when she discovers the threats he’s been hiding. But as danger closes in, the king and his temporary guard will have to face the truth: the deadliest risk might not be the assassins in the shadows, but the spark igniting between them.
Review:
I enjoyed this book so much, the world building was fabulous and the storyline itself was beautifully written. Our FMC (Erualys) is a badass woman who won’t take shit from anyone, but is struggling since the war ended. She end up accidentally entering the competition to be the temporary guard for our MMC (Rain) and WINNING. As more and more threats find the king, Erualys must learn to overcome her mental stuggles to ensure the safety of her charge. But, when tensions run high, emotions run higher.
Favorite Quote:
“I’d be honored if you made a food of me, Erualys Valora.”
Thank you to Neena Laskowski for the gifted eARC #BetweenBladesAndVows #Booktok
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Themes:
Touch HIM and die 🖤🔥
Reverse Bodyguard 🙎♀️☀️
Mental Health 🌿❤️🩹
Training Sequence ⚔️💪🏻
Summary:
A reluctant king. A temporary guard. A threat neither can outrun.
The war might be over, but King Rian Dronias knows peace is fragile. He just didn’t expect his biggest problem to arrive in the form of his new bodyguard. When the captain of the King’s Guard goes on his honeymoon, Rian reluctantly holds a competition to find a temporary replacement. The winner? Erualys Valora, a renowned warrior from a neighboring queendom with a reputation for being unstoppable…and insufferable. She’s the last person he wants guarding him—and the only one bold enough to call him out when she discovers the threats he’s been hiding. But as danger closes in, the king and his temporary guard will have to face the truth: the deadliest risk might not be the assassins in the shadows, but the spark igniting between them.
Review:
I enjoyed this book so much, the world building was fabulous and the storyline itself was beautifully written. Our FMC (Erualys) is a badass woman who won’t take shit from anyone, but is struggling since the war ended. She end up accidentally entering the competition to be the temporary guard for our MMC (Rain) and WINNING. As more and more threats find the king, Erualys must learn to overcome her mental stuggles to ensure the safety of her charge. But, when tensions run high, emotions run higher.
Favorite Quote:
“I’d be honored if you made a food of me, Erualys Valora.”
Thank you to Neena Laskowski for the gifted eARC #BetweenBladesAndVows #Booktok
June 7, 2026
I always really enjoy a guard x royal romance and this one where she’s the guard and he’s the royal was so well done!
You follow the FMC Ellie, who’s a sworn guard of the princess of an ally queendom, who’s visiting the Kings castle for a wedding for his personal guard and captain. This guard is headed on a 4 month break and must find a temporary replacement to fill his role and holds a competition between the current guards to fill it, unfortunately Ellie ends up in the competition because of a bet with her princess, and ends up winning, not knowing what she’s signing up for. After some back and forth, she reluctantly agrees to the post, with some pushing from her friends to get her out of this post war funk she’s been in, and spends those months trying to unravel plots for the kings life and keep him at arms length after a passionate but drunken kiss on the wedding night before she took the role.
This book was full of plenty of political intrigue, training and plots to foil assassinations, along with lots of tension between her and the MMC the king. I loved how much banter they have and how their relationship slowly evolves from reluctant allies to friends to lovers. I also enjoyed the little found family she’s building at the castle and all the friends she’s making as she slowly builds trust. It was a fun way to see how this world is doing two years post war while also getting another new story and pairing! Overall my rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow the FMC Ellie, who’s a sworn guard of the princess of an ally queendom, who’s visiting the Kings castle for a wedding for his personal guard and captain. This guard is headed on a 4 month break and must find a temporary replacement to fill his role and holds a competition between the current guards to fill it, unfortunately Ellie ends up in the competition because of a bet with her princess, and ends up winning, not knowing what she’s signing up for. After some back and forth, she reluctantly agrees to the post, with some pushing from her friends to get her out of this post war funk she’s been in, and spends those months trying to unravel plots for the kings life and keep him at arms length after a passionate but drunken kiss on the wedding night before she took the role.
This book was full of plenty of political intrigue, training and plots to foil assassinations, along with lots of tension between her and the MMC the king. I loved how much banter they have and how their relationship slowly evolves from reluctant allies to friends to lovers. I also enjoyed the little found family she’s building at the castle and all the friends she’s making as she slowly builds trust. It was a fun way to see how this world is doing two years post war while also getting another new story and pairing! Overall my rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
June 22, 2026
4.25✨
After reading the Heir's Bargain - I was easily hooked onto Neena's writing and adored the main series which Between Blades & Vows is a spin off from - however this still reads as a standalone if you haven't read the Of Flesh & Fire series.
This story takes you on a journey two years after the previous series, where the main characters both Ellie and Rian are still grappling with the aftermath of what they endured. Together they find their way to learn to navigate their new responsibilities in ensuring a "better world" and learn to forgive themselves at the same time. The themes of depression, PTSD and anxiety were covered well along with some popular tropes such "she trains him", forced proximity and a personal fave - tension and angst🤭.
Rian was one of my FAVE cinnamon rolls in the main series (hehehe) and what transpired with him and the betrayals he went through was hard to see from a outsiders POV, but in this book seeing how it affected him was emotional!
Same with Ellie - we always saw her as the grumpy and blunt warrior she is and seeing her in this reverse bodyguard trope was a delight as we got to discover a new light in her - the entire scene in the jewellery shop had my entire heart. 🥰 we love a warrior who loves her extravagance haha
The plot twist at the end was most surprising as I did NOT see it coming by a mile... many other characters were very well set up as potentials which was done very well.
All in all - if you love a dual POV, with two main characters who both are strong individuals who are unafraid of what others think of them and embrace their past shortcomings to move forward is an incredible message for any reader.
Thank you Neena for an eARC and the honour of being a part of your ARC team!
After reading the Heir's Bargain - I was easily hooked onto Neena's writing and adored the main series which Between Blades & Vows is a spin off from - however this still reads as a standalone if you haven't read the Of Flesh & Fire series.
This story takes you on a journey two years after the previous series, where the main characters both Ellie and Rian are still grappling with the aftermath of what they endured. Together they find their way to learn to navigate their new responsibilities in ensuring a "better world" and learn to forgive themselves at the same time. The themes of depression, PTSD and anxiety were covered well along with some popular tropes such "she trains him", forced proximity and a personal fave - tension and angst🤭.
Rian was one of my FAVE cinnamon rolls in the main series (hehehe) and what transpired with him and the betrayals he went through was hard to see from a outsiders POV, but in this book seeing how it affected him was emotional!
Same with Ellie - we always saw her as the grumpy and blunt warrior she is and seeing her in this reverse bodyguard trope was a delight as we got to discover a new light in her - the entire scene in the jewellery shop had my entire heart. 🥰 we love a warrior who loves her extravagance haha
The plot twist at the end was most surprising as I did NOT see it coming by a mile... many other characters were very well set up as potentials which was done very well.
All in all - if you love a dual POV, with two main characters who both are strong individuals who are unafraid of what others think of them and embrace their past shortcomings to move forward is an incredible message for any reader.
Thank you Neena for an eARC and the honour of being a part of your ARC team!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read this arc. Here is my honest review.
This is the first work ive read from Ms. Neena Laskowski, and WOW, let me just say I WILL be adding her to my favorites list. The story that she wove for us is so intricate and beautiful.
I absolutely loved that we got to see a female guard who protects the King. Our FMC is strong, knows what she wants, determined, and a bit (or a lot) stubborn. She is written with such depth that youre able to understand and sympathize with why she is the way she is. My heart broke for her at some points, while others I rejoiced when she was happy.
Now usually I tend to prefer the red flag kind of guys (yikes I know) but our MMC?? Swoooooon. I may have to rethink my usual preference. He is so sweet, understanding, and determined to put others above himself. And the way he gets flustered around our FMC 😍 He knows exactly what to say and do to connect to our FMC (when hes not tripping over his words and getting flustered).
I wish i could've been told more about the war and dived into that a bit more because I still have SO many questions, but the glimpses that we did get to see are so gut wrenching and pulled on my heart strings.
Im rating this 5 ⭐️. I cannot wait to dive into more of this authors work!
This is the first work ive read from Ms. Neena Laskowski, and WOW, let me just say I WILL be adding her to my favorites list. The story that she wove for us is so intricate and beautiful.
I absolutely loved that we got to see a female guard who protects the King. Our FMC is strong, knows what she wants, determined, and a bit (or a lot) stubborn. She is written with such depth that youre able to understand and sympathize with why she is the way she is. My heart broke for her at some points, while others I rejoiced when she was happy.
Now usually I tend to prefer the red flag kind of guys (yikes I know) but our MMC?? Swoooooon. I may have to rethink my usual preference. He is so sweet, understanding, and determined to put others above himself. And the way he gets flustered around our FMC 😍 He knows exactly what to say and do to connect to our FMC (when hes not tripping over his words and getting flustered).
I wish i could've been told more about the war and dived into that a bit more because I still have SO many questions, but the glimpses that we did get to see are so gut wrenching and pulled on my heart strings.
Im rating this 5 ⭐️. I cannot wait to dive into more of this authors work!
June 24, 2026
✨ 4.5/5 Stars ✨
Between Blades and Vows completely pulled me into Neena Laskowski’s world, and now I understand why so many readers rave about her writing. The world-building is immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, making it easy to fall into the story whether you’ve read the previous books or not.
Rian and Ellie absolutely stole my heart. Their dynamic is packed with witty banter, slow-burn tension, and so much emotional depth. I loved that beneath all of the teasing and sharp comebacks were two characters carrying the weight of their pasts, learning how to trust, heal, and lean on each other. Their relationship felt genuine and earned, making every small moment between them that much sweeter.
One of my favorite parts was the reverse bodyguard trope and watching Ellie take on the protective role. The mental health representation was handled with care, and the way the story explored the lasting effects of war and trauma added so much depth to both the characters and the world around them.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, the action keeps the pace moving, and the humor balances the heavier moments perfectly. If you love romantasy with incredible banter, emotional healing, political intrigue, and a satisfying slow burn, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you to the author and ARC team for the opportunity to read this wonderful story! 💜
Between Blades and Vows completely pulled me into Neena Laskowski’s world, and now I understand why so many readers rave about her writing. The world-building is immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, making it easy to fall into the story whether you’ve read the previous books or not.
Rian and Ellie absolutely stole my heart. Their dynamic is packed with witty banter, slow-burn tension, and so much emotional depth. I loved that beneath all of the teasing and sharp comebacks were two characters carrying the weight of their pasts, learning how to trust, heal, and lean on each other. Their relationship felt genuine and earned, making every small moment between them that much sweeter.
One of my favorite parts was the reverse bodyguard trope and watching Ellie take on the protective role. The mental health representation was handled with care, and the way the story explored the lasting effects of war and trauma added so much depth to both the characters and the world around them.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, the action keeps the pace moving, and the humor balances the heavier moments perfectly. If you love romantasy with incredible banter, emotional healing, political intrigue, and a satisfying slow burn, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you to the author and ARC team for the opportunity to read this wonderful story! 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was initially drawn in to trying this book by a new (to me) author because it was advertised as reverse bodyguard! I ended up finding so many other things I loved about this book though!
She is a guard for the matriarch of the land where she’s from, and he is a king of his own land. They are both unsettled and traumatized by a war that ended 2 years ago and left them with a lot of unresolved mental health issues that impacted their day to day lives.
They quickly become friends and.. honestly trauma bond over their shared problem they keep hidden from the people around them. They find solace and peace in each others company and I think that’s just so beautiful.
There is very much a black cat x golden retriever trope feel. But don’t think he’s just a simpering, shy man. He goes for what he wants, is very confident, and independent in his own right.
I think what I loved most about this book was the strong individuality the author gave the characters. They were who they were and didn’t apologize for it. The only thing they could do was strive to be better each day, and that’s honestly so beautiful.
She is a guard for the matriarch of the land where she’s from, and he is a king of his own land. They are both unsettled and traumatized by a war that ended 2 years ago and left them with a lot of unresolved mental health issues that impacted their day to day lives.
They quickly become friends and.. honestly trauma bond over their shared problem they keep hidden from the people around them. They find solace and peace in each others company and I think that’s just so beautiful.
There is very much a black cat x golden retriever trope feel. But don’t think he’s just a simpering, shy man. He goes for what he wants, is very confident, and independent in his own right.
I think what I loved most about this book was the strong individuality the author gave the characters. They were who they were and didn’t apologize for it. The only thing they could do was strive to be better each day, and that’s honestly so beautiful.
June 26, 2026
This was such a great standalone! I haven’t read the interconnected series, but this held up by itself so well. I enjoyed the reverse body guard dynamic, I have only read one other book with this trope and it is such a fun one.
Ellie is a warrior and is such a bad ass. I love her. She is healing from the war a couple of years prior and dealing with trauma, and I love how she finds the space with Rian to be herself and feel safe.
Rian is a king who holds a lot of guilt for said previous war, and with the help of Ellie, he too finds the space to find peace. I love their relationship and their banter. I really enjoyed how he was persistent in his pursuit of her, but was also respectful of her boundaries.
I also loved the political intrigue and the mystery element of the threatening letters and trying to figure out who was behind the assassination attempt. I was surprised when the truth came to light, and I really enjoyed the twist.
Thank you RR Booktours and Neena for the arc copy of this book, I look forward to reading more of your stories 💕
Ellie is a warrior and is such a bad ass. I love her. She is healing from the war a couple of years prior and dealing with trauma, and I love how she finds the space with Rian to be herself and feel safe.
Rian is a king who holds a lot of guilt for said previous war, and with the help of Ellie, he too finds the space to find peace. I love their relationship and their banter. I really enjoyed how he was persistent in his pursuit of her, but was also respectful of her boundaries.
I also loved the political intrigue and the mystery element of the threatening letters and trying to figure out who was behind the assassination attempt. I was surprised when the truth came to light, and I really enjoyed the twist.
Thank you RR Booktours and Neena for the arc copy of this book, I look forward to reading more of your stories 💕
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to R and R Book Tours for allowing me to read this as an ARC. Between Blades and Vows releases on 6/24/26.
Rian and Ellie’s story is a spin off from Neena’s original series Of Fire and Lies, however if you have not read that first like me, there is no confusion to be had!
King Rian finds himself in need of a bodyguard when his gets married and leaves for his honeymoon. Enter Ellie, a warrior from a neighboring queendom, and a reluctant relationship ensues. Rian and Ellie find that perhaps they have more in common then they first thought. Betrayal, mystery, shennanigans, sass, friendship and love ensue throughout the story, where we (and Rian) are reminded that “who you are is more than enough.” The epilogue had me wanting to beg Neena to continue their story.
If you love romantasy and all that entails, please give this a read when it comes out.
Oh….and did I mention it had dragons?
Rian and Ellie’s story is a spin off from Neena’s original series Of Fire and Lies, however if you have not read that first like me, there is no confusion to be had!
King Rian finds himself in need of a bodyguard when his gets married and leaves for his honeymoon. Enter Ellie, a warrior from a neighboring queendom, and a reluctant relationship ensues. Rian and Ellie find that perhaps they have more in common then they first thought. Betrayal, mystery, shennanigans, sass, friendship and love ensue throughout the story, where we (and Rian) are reminded that “who you are is more than enough.” The epilogue had me wanting to beg Neena to continue their story.
If you love romantasy and all that entails, please give this a read when it comes out.
Oh….and did I mention it had dragons?
June 19, 2026
I was graciously given the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
Let me just say, I loved this book. I was so excited for the reverse bodyguard trope and it delivered. I know this series is a standalone, but if you haven’t already read the connected series WHAT ARE YOU DOING??
I can’t lie though, this book was a bit frustrating to read sometimes. I only say this because it truly demonstrates that the very REAL emotions that the characters were feeling, were also felt by myself (amazing writing). I believe the FML was the most frustrating for me because I was able to resonate with her thinking which I loved and hated LOL. In a lot of reverse tropes, female leads are often portrayed in "bitchy" ways, which is something I feared for this book. However, I did enjoy this book a lot and you really get to mature with the characters as they navigate their emotions (LOVED THAT).
Overall, this was a great read and I’ll probably read anything this author releases!!
Let me just say, I loved this book. I was so excited for the reverse bodyguard trope and it delivered. I know this series is a standalone, but if you haven’t already read the connected series WHAT ARE YOU DOING??
I can’t lie though, this book was a bit frustrating to read sometimes. I only say this because it truly demonstrates that the very REAL emotions that the characters were feeling, were also felt by myself (amazing writing). I believe the FML was the most frustrating for me because I was able to resonate with her thinking which I loved and hated LOL. In a lot of reverse tropes, female leads are often portrayed in "bitchy" ways, which is something I feared for this book. However, I did enjoy this book a lot and you really get to mature with the characters as they navigate their emotions (LOVED THAT).
Overall, this was a great read and I’ll probably read anything this author releases!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌟 ARC Review 🌟
I was lucky enough to be part of the ARC team to read this book before its release, and below are my honest thoughts!.
If you like:
⚔️ reverse Bodyguard
🌿 touch HIM and ☠️
🤍 mental health rep (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
⚔️ forced proximity
🌿 wound tending
🤍 SHE trains HIM
Review: It is recommended to read the Fire & Lies series first.
Where do I start? This book was awesome. Rian is a king who needs to work through his own holdups and gets paired with Ellie, who’s a top-tier bad🍑 war hero from a neighboring kingdom as his temporary guard. Ellie is struggling hard with PTSD from the war and is told by her Queendom to stay and get her head right. While being the bodyguard, she finds herself, love, and peace. The plot is awesome, has SO many twists, oh 💩 moments, and when the slow burn 🔥 finally hits? 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Dislikes: Bax. I know, I know, but he just irked me 🙅🏼♀️
I was lucky enough to be part of the ARC team to read this book before its release, and below are my honest thoughts!.
If you like:
⚔️ reverse Bodyguard
🌿 touch HIM and ☠️
🤍 mental health rep (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
⚔️ forced proximity
🌿 wound tending
🤍 SHE trains HIM
Review: It is recommended to read the Fire & Lies series first.
Where do I start? This book was awesome. Rian is a king who needs to work through his own holdups and gets paired with Ellie, who’s a top-tier bad🍑 war hero from a neighboring kingdom as his temporary guard. Ellie is struggling hard with PTSD from the war and is told by her Queendom to stay and get her head right. While being the bodyguard, she finds herself, love, and peace. The plot is awesome, has SO many twists, oh 💩 moments, and when the slow burn 🔥 finally hits? 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Dislikes: Bax. I know, I know, but he just irked me 🙅🏼♀️
July 6, 2026
I had the joy of receiving this book as an eARC—- my mom and I read a lot of the same books and she told me how much she enjoys Neena’s writing. This was my first full introductions into her worlds. This book is a standalone but has character connections to her series. That being said, I enjoyed the whole story without having done so, but look forward to reading the series and revisiting this book.
I LOVE a strong FMC and we get that with Ellie. I also love how much vulnerability we get with both Ellie and Rian. I feel the topic of mental health was handled very well and found myself connecting with that part of the story as well. I enjoyed the way the spice was written and you could feel the connection between the FMC & MMC. I also loved how much of the story was focused on friendship as well.
Ellie is a great role model of strength, perseverance, and she’s just genuinely a BA! Rian is hot and he listens to her and acts on that? Loved that.
I LOVE a strong FMC and we get that with Ellie. I also love how much vulnerability we get with both Ellie and Rian. I feel the topic of mental health was handled very well and found myself connecting with that part of the story as well. I enjoyed the way the spice was written and you could feel the connection between the FMC & MMC. I also loved how much of the story was focused on friendship as well.
Ellie is a great role model of strength, perseverance, and she’s just genuinely a BA! Rian is hot and he listens to her and acts on that? Loved that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to the author for giving me an ARC to review.
Wow. I'm really happy that we got to see more of this world especially after the Of Fire and Lies series. I enjoyed the little cameos from Kallie and Graeson and the recaps, those were fun. Truly nobody could be trusted in this book, I was so curious thoughout even making my own theories and I loved how it played out.
Seeing more of Rian and being in his head, I felt for him. He really grew on me throughout the book, and truly showed his worth. There were moments when he made some not great decisions, but I'll forgive him! And Ellie. I loved her, she was fierce and wouldn't let her trauma hold her down. Both were on different healing journeys and the relationship was beautiful.
Overall, I feel this was a fantastic book and if there are more books from this universe I can't wait to read them
Wow. I'm really happy that we got to see more of this world especially after the Of Fire and Lies series. I enjoyed the little cameos from Kallie and Graeson and the recaps, those were fun. Truly nobody could be trusted in this book, I was so curious thoughout even making my own theories and I loved how it played out.
Seeing more of Rian and being in his head, I felt for him. He really grew on me throughout the book, and truly showed his worth. There were moments when he made some not great decisions, but I'll forgive him! And Ellie. I loved her, she was fierce and wouldn't let her trauma hold her down. Both were on different healing journeys and the relationship was beautiful.
Overall, I feel this was a fantastic book and if there are more books from this universe I can't wait to read them
Review of advance copy received from Author
I started this book on my way to Imaginarium and got swept up into. Met Neena in person. Then finished on the way home. I was so wrapped up into it, that I sat in the parking lot to finish the book before I got home and had to get back to my responsibilities. Worth it.
The reverse bodyguard trope!!! Ellie is a dream. I loved her so much. And her [redacted] moment, I screamed! Loved that it came from the FMC. I won't spoil it for you, but it was totally my favorite thing!
Loved Rian's playfulness and calmness. swooooooon.
I have not read the Of Fire and Lies series yet, but after reading BBAV and I jumping into it, to learn more about the characters and events. You can totally read this without reading the other series first. I had so much fun with it.
Highly recommend!!!
The reverse bodyguard trope!!! Ellie is a dream. I loved her so much. And her [redacted] moment, I screamed! Loved that it came from the FMC. I won't spoil it for you, but it was totally my favorite thing!
Loved Rian's playfulness and calmness. swooooooon.
I have not read the Of Fire and Lies series yet, but after reading BBAV and I jumping into it, to learn more about the characters and events. You can totally read this without reading the other series first. I had so much fun with it.
Highly recommend!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Neena for the ARC!
The pacing of this book is steady, with some parts really amping up and hooking me in! I loved sitting down to read this book and being transported into the magical world that Neena has built.
My favorite parts are the intriguing plotline that starts with the threatening notes, the grumpy x sunshine (Rian is soooo 😍), and of course the reverse bodyguard trope! I loved unpacking the mystery of who is against Rian while the relationship between him and Ellie blossomed.
I also really love the mental health representation in this book! So many fantasy books have battles, war, etc and don't ever touch upon how traumatizing those events are, but here we could see some of the non-physical scars that linger afterwards.
The pacing of this book is steady, with some parts really amping up and hooking me in! I loved sitting down to read this book and being transported into the magical world that Neena has built.
My favorite parts are the intriguing plotline that starts with the threatening notes, the grumpy x sunshine (Rian is soooo 😍), and of course the reverse bodyguard trope! I loved unpacking the mystery of who is against Rian while the relationship between him and Ellie blossomed.
I also really love the mental health representation in this book! So many fantasy books have battles, war, etc and don't ever touch upon how traumatizing those events are, but here we could see some of the non-physical scars that linger afterwards.
Review of advance copy received from Author
While I read the Of Fire and Lies series before reading this book, it's nice that you don't have to read that series before starting this one (although it provides much more understanding, especially at the beginning of the book). I'll admit that it was hard to get into the book in the beginning, but it picked up about 30% of the way through. Once you get into it, it gets so much better!
I was so excited to see Rian's POV and for him to get his story! Especially after everything he has gone through.
I would recommend this book for fans of:
-slow burn
-closed door romance
-reverse bodyguard
-forced proximity
Thank you to the author for providing me with a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to see Rian's POV and for him to get his story! Especially after everything he has gone through.
I would recommend this book for fans of:
-slow burn
-closed door romance
-reverse bodyguard
-forced proximity
Thank you to the author for providing me with a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2026
Neena always knocks it out with these books and I absolutely love that she writes standalones like these set in her Of Fire and Lies universe, but also making them accessible to readers that may not have read any of her previous books. This focuses on King Rian and female warrior Erualys (Ellie) and the unexpected relationship that develops when Ellie becomes the temporary body of Rian. This takes place two years after the end of the main series, and I love seeing returning characters as well as seeing how the world they are in has been affected after the war.
I recommend this both to old and new readers of this series, especially if you are into a reverse guard romantasy with lots of banter and some spice.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader!
I recommend this both to old and new readers of this series, especially if you are into a reverse guard romantasy with lots of banter and some spice.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I mean, a spin-off of one of my favorite romantasy series? Sign me UP!!!!!
First off, the pacing of this book was fantastic. I’ve been in the worst reading slump the past few months, and this was SUCH a breath of fresh air to pick up 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I looooooved the mystery/conspiracy that we followed throughout the book, and how it felt like such a natural continuation of the regular series.
Neena always does an excellent job of building characters with actual DEPTH and 2 complete individuals that exist outside of just the romance aspect of the book 🩷🩷🩷
Oh, and lemme just say. I LOVE a standalone done well 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
First off, the pacing of this book was fantastic. I’ve been in the worst reading slump the past few months, and this was SUCH a breath of fresh air to pick up 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I looooooved the mystery/conspiracy that we followed throughout the book, and how it felt like such a natural continuation of the regular series.
Neena always does an excellent job of building characters with actual DEPTH and 2 complete individuals that exist outside of just the romance aspect of the book 🩷🩷🩷
Oh, and lemme just say. I LOVE a standalone done well 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
June 11, 2026
arc review 💕
first arc and impression of neena laskowski and i’m not disappointed! the fantasy books i’ve read have either been too focused on the romance or too focused on the politics and this was a happy balance. i was interested in the world, the people, and the politics of it all. rian and ellie really helped each other grow and you don’t always see that in romantasy 🥹🥹
spice is hit or miss for me, but i enjoyed that it was a slow burn and they weren’t like love bombing within the first half of the book. i love that rian was gone for her and ellie was equally gone for him though it took her a bit to realize it 🤧🤧
first arc and impression of neena laskowski and i’m not disappointed! the fantasy books i’ve read have either been too focused on the romance or too focused on the politics and this was a happy balance. i was interested in the world, the people, and the politics of it all. rian and ellie really helped each other grow and you don’t always see that in romantasy 🥹🥹
spice is hit or miss for me, but i enjoyed that it was a slow burn and they weren’t like love bombing within the first half of the book. i love that rian was gone for her and ellie was equally gone for him though it took her a bit to realize it 🤧🤧
June 29, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from the author
I truly enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. It has the perfect balance of romance and action with a bit of mystery thrown in.
I really loved how the characters were built up throughout the book and their development.
I was also impressed with the writing and how it draws you in and really makes you feel för the characters.
What really made me want to read it, in the first place, was the concept of the female lead being the bodyguard - I love a strong female lead - and it did not disappoint.
Can’t wait to get my hands on more of Neena’s books.
I truly enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. It has the perfect balance of romance and action with a bit of mystery thrown in.
I really loved how the characters were built up throughout the book and their development.
I was also impressed with the writing and how it draws you in and really makes you feel för the characters.
What really made me want to read it, in the first place, was the concept of the female lead being the bodyguard - I love a strong female lead - and it did not disappoint.
Can’t wait to get my hands on more of Neena’s books.
July 11, 2026
Between Blades and Vows
A fun bodyguard romance! I really loved the dynamic between the characters in this one with the woman being the fierce bodyguard! And fierce she was!
Ellie was a firecracker and I loved her personality and her strength! She had no problem challenging Rian!
Rian was a golden retriever! I loved how he did everything he could for his people. His dedication and loyalty were unmatched!
The two of them together clashed! I loved the banter and the tension between them. The chemistry was steamy and fun!
A fantastic romantasy for anyone who enjoys bodyguard romances, fierce FMC, past trauma, hurt/comfort, she saves him, he falls first, and more!
A fun bodyguard romance! I really loved the dynamic between the characters in this one with the woman being the fierce bodyguard! And fierce she was!
Ellie was a firecracker and I loved her personality and her strength! She had no problem challenging Rian!
Rian was a golden retriever! I loved how he did everything he could for his people. His dedication and loyalty were unmatched!
The two of them together clashed! I loved the banter and the tension between them. The chemistry was steamy and fun!
A fantastic romantasy for anyone who enjoys bodyguard romances, fierce FMC, past trauma, hurt/comfort, she saves him, he falls first, and more!
June 29, 2026
𝖒𝖊 🤝 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖔𝖉𝖞𝖌𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖉 𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊...
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Here me out: bodyguard romance but SHE is the bodyguard and HE is the king needinf her protection!!!!
More of this, please and thank you. ☺️
The beginning of this book had me grinning ear to ear and from there, it only got better.
If you love...
🤍 Reverse bodyguard
🌿 Mental health rep
⚔️ Training sequences (but SHE trains HIM)
🤍 Forcêd proximity
🌿 Touch HIM and ☠️
⚔️ Tension/Angst
Then congratulations, you're like me which means you're going to want to add this to your endless TBR of romantasy books. ♡
-
-
Here me out: bodyguard romance but SHE is the bodyguard and HE is the king needinf her protection!!!!
More of this, please and thank you. ☺️
The beginning of this book had me grinning ear to ear and from there, it only got better.
If you love...
🤍 Reverse bodyguard
🌿 Mental health rep
⚔️ Training sequences (but SHE trains HIM)
🤍 Forcêd proximity
🌿 Touch HIM and ☠️
⚔️ Tension/Angst
Then congratulations, you're like me which means you're going to want to add this to your endless TBR of romantasy books. ♡
Review of advance copy received from Author
I did not read Of Fire and Lies series before reading this and you don’t have to, to understand everything happening. This book is a spin off/continuation (2 years in the future) of that series but in king Rian’s land. The banter between the two was so good. This is a closed door romantasy but you get to see how the two slowly start to fall for each other only to find out he has had eyes for her since the beginning. Will definitely be gong back to see how the beginning of this world started
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