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The Weaver Bride #2
The False Vow
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26Love will be tested in this high-stakes, spellbinding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Weaver Bride—the perfect read for fans of The Rose Bargain and Thorn Season.
The gorgeous first edition of The False Vow will feature stunning, stenciled edges and printed endpapers!
Lovett Tamerlane is engaged.
A silkwitch whose magic can only be harnessed through marriage to a Weaver, Lovett was facing life in the cloisters when Eliot Lear offered the deal of a an invitation to the Vainglory to compete for wealthy Weaver heir Noé Allaire’s hand in marriage, in exchange for her solving his sister’s murder.
While they both got what they wanted, the competition was full of surprises. Lovett never expected to fall in love . . . and Eliot never anticipated that she’d betray him.
Now Lovett has one to take down Bastian Alaire and end his corrupt Weaver reign at any cost. But though the Vainglory may be over, danger still lurks at Fortblanche. And when Bastian presents Lovett with one last challenge—solve a murder that occurred within his walls, before the day of her wedding—she realizes the tests aren’t over. To pass this one, she’ll have to partner with the only person she hates more than her father-in-law his son, Noé.
But as Lovett will learn . . . sometimes love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
The gorgeous first edition of The False Vow will feature stunning, stenciled edges and printed endpapers!
Lovett Tamerlane is engaged.
A silkwitch whose magic can only be harnessed through marriage to a Weaver, Lovett was facing life in the cloisters when Eliot Lear offered the deal of a an invitation to the Vainglory to compete for wealthy Weaver heir Noé Allaire’s hand in marriage, in exchange for her solving his sister’s murder.
While they both got what they wanted, the competition was full of surprises. Lovett never expected to fall in love . . . and Eliot never anticipated that she’d betray him.
Now Lovett has one to take down Bastian Alaire and end his corrupt Weaver reign at any cost. But though the Vainglory may be over, danger still lurks at Fortblanche. And when Bastian presents Lovett with one last challenge—solve a murder that occurred within his walls, before the day of her wedding—she realizes the tests aren’t over. To pass this one, she’ll have to partner with the only person she hates more than her father-in-law his son, Noé.
But as Lovett will learn . . . sometimes love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Lydia Gregovic
3 books224 followersLydia Gregovic is a Brooklyn-based author and editor, whose identity is rooted in the Texas gulf and along the coastline of Montenegro. She currently lives in New York with her complete collection of the works of Jane Austen and several half-dead plants. The Monstrous Kind is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well this was a nice suprise
April 21, 2026
Oh my god! I have no notes. I absolutely loved The False Vow and transparently, am annoyed it's over! This was a perfect conclusion to the duology, and I already want to go back and do a reread of the series. I enjoyed The Weaver Bride, but The False Vow totally captured me (and made Gregovic a must read author for me).
Without spoiling, the romance in this was next level. I don't think I've ever seen such palpable yearning, and I was giddy seeing the romance develop between our FMC and MMC. The protectiveness they had for each other, the trust that grew between them, and all the banter, it was just perfectly written. Also - dramatic love confessions in the rain?! I love. There are so many quotes I already want to go back and find. I don't think I've felt this way about two characters since reading The Folk of the Air series, and seeing Cardan and Jude's romance.
Outside of the romance, I also really enjoyed the plot. I found the pacing to be just right, the mystery unique and unpredictable, and the dynamics--both good and bad--between the other silkwitches fun. With all the twists, secrets, and alliances, I never knew where the story was going. But within that, I loved seeing Lovett, our strong, morally grey heroine, navigate it all, and learn to let down her walls and trust others along the way.
All in all, I loved this. It reminded me why I love YA romantasy, and was just overall a fantastic read. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes YA romance, fantasy, and/or romantasy, especially those who enjoyed The Rose Bargain, Thorn Season, or Heir of Storms. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 9/29/2026.
Without spoiling, the romance in this was next level. I don't think I've ever seen such palpable yearning, and I was giddy seeing the romance develop between our FMC and MMC. The protectiveness they had for each other, the trust that grew between them, and all the banter, it was just perfectly written. Also - dramatic love confessions in the rain?! I love. There are so many quotes I already want to go back and find. I don't think I've felt this way about two characters since reading The Folk of the Air series, and seeing Cardan and Jude's romance.
Outside of the romance, I also really enjoyed the plot. I found the pacing to be just right, the mystery unique and unpredictable, and the dynamics--both good and bad--between the other silkwitches fun. With all the twists, secrets, and alliances, I never knew where the story was going. But within that, I loved seeing Lovett, our strong, morally grey heroine, navigate it all, and learn to let down her walls and trust others along the way.
All in all, I loved this. It reminded me why I love YA romantasy, and was just overall a fantastic read. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes YA romance, fantasy, and/or romantasy, especially those who enjoyed The Rose Bargain, Thorn Season, or Heir of Storms. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 9/29/2026.
Want to Read
April 19, 2026| pre-read: LOVETT AND ELIOT COME BACK TO MEEEE
June 24, 2026
I would give this 6 stars if I could, I enjoyed it that much. And with that ending, I would be more than happy to read a third installment if she chose to expand the series.
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of The Weaver Bride, and though I enjoyed it, I had a few minor issues with the pacing. The False Vow had no such issues, and honestly, I can’t think of a single complaint for the time being. If anything, I’m ready to get my hands on the physical copy just to reread it at a slower pace. I’m sure I missed several little details along the way this first go around as I was reading as fast as my little eyes would allow.
The False Vow picked up right where The Weaver Bride left off, and I felt that the stories merged wonderfully. The murder mystery, tension, found family, and yes- even the love triangle, had me by the throat and never let go. I won’t spoil anything for anyone, but I was so pleased with how this story wrapped up. 😇 Gregovic is officially on my radar and an auto-buy author from here on out.
Huge thanks to Lydia, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy. 🦊
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of The Weaver Bride, and though I enjoyed it, I had a few minor issues with the pacing. The False Vow had no such issues, and honestly, I can’t think of a single complaint for the time being. If anything, I’m ready to get my hands on the physical copy just to reread it at a slower pace. I’m sure I missed several little details along the way this first go around as I was reading as fast as my little eyes would allow.
The False Vow picked up right where The Weaver Bride left off, and I felt that the stories merged wonderfully. The murder mystery, tension, found family, and yes- even the love triangle, had me by the throat and never let go. I won’t spoil anything for anyone, but I was so pleased with how this story wrapped up. 😇 Gregovic is officially on my radar and an auto-buy author from here on out.
Huge thanks to Lydia, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy. 🦊
Read
July 5, 2026💟 The False Vow 💟
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Romantasy
• Murder Mystery
• Marriage Competition
• Enemies to Lovers
• Political Intrigue
• Magical Society
• Silk Magic
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Random House Children's Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Romantasy
• Murder Mystery
• Marriage Competition
• Enemies to Lovers
• Political Intrigue
• Magical Society
• Silk Magic
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Random House Children's Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Want to Read
April 5, 2026Why am I getting love-triangle vibes from that synopsis? PLS NO.
Read
February 4, 2026OH MY GOD IT'S COMING COME BACK TO ME LOVETT AND ELIOT I MISSED YOU!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lydia and her publishing team for sending me an ARC copy of this book!
Wow wow wow. I was so excited to receive this arc, and it lived up to my expectations—exceeded them, actually. This book was a rollercoaster. I felt every emotion. You name it, I felt it. Anger, sadness, annoyance, excitement, giddiness, and many more.
The direction Lydia went with in this book was so different and unexpected. I respect her for it, and it paid off incredibly.
Honestly it’s so hard for me to say almost anything about this book because I would spoil it, so I’ll keep this review short. But there are many thoughts I want to write out, but alas, I can’t 😭 (if you have read this PLEASE message me and we can discuss).
First of all. Lovett. My baby. She is now one of my all time favorite FMCs. Her strength, her cunning and rage. The way she learned to be vulnerable and love in this book was incredible. I felt so seen by her in many ways (I may or may not have sobbed over a certain part because I felt it so deeply…)
Speaking of her learning to love: I absolutely adored her relationships with the silkwitches in this. I thought they were so intriguing in book 1, and each one of them was really expanded upon in book 2. They all had such distinct personalities and their wits were so fascinating. I loved Anais, Marie-Louise, Manon, and Nathalie so much!
Ok, let’s talk about Noé. At the start I was so annoyed by him. But he grew on me gradually. I love him so so much omg. His character is so complex and lovable. The banter between him and Lovett, mmm chefs kiss.
Also the plot was so intriguing and kept me hooked. I could not put this book down. When I wasn’t reading I wanted to read it. I spent the whole work day wanting to come home and read 😭
Overall this duology is absolutely incredible. New Roman Empire. I’m sad it’s over but it ended in a great way. Although… I wouldn’t be opposed to a third book with more adventures 🤭
Spice: none
Language: moderate
Wow wow wow. I was so excited to receive this arc, and it lived up to my expectations—exceeded them, actually. This book was a rollercoaster. I felt every emotion. You name it, I felt it. Anger, sadness, annoyance, excitement, giddiness, and many more.
The direction Lydia went with in this book was so different and unexpected. I respect her for it, and it paid off incredibly.
Honestly it’s so hard for me to say almost anything about this book because I would spoil it, so I’ll keep this review short. But there are many thoughts I want to write out, but alas, I can’t 😭 (if you have read this PLEASE message me and we can discuss).
First of all. Lovett. My baby. She is now one of my all time favorite FMCs. Her strength, her cunning and rage. The way she learned to be vulnerable and love in this book was incredible. I felt so seen by her in many ways (I may or may not have sobbed over a certain part because I felt it so deeply…)
Speaking of her learning to love: I absolutely adored her relationships with the silkwitches in this. I thought they were so intriguing in book 1, and each one of them was really expanded upon in book 2. They all had such distinct personalities and their wits were so fascinating. I loved Anais, Marie-Louise, Manon, and Nathalie so much!
Ok, let’s talk about Noé. At the start I was so annoyed by him. But he grew on me gradually. I love him so so much omg. His character is so complex and lovable. The banter between him and Lovett, mmm chefs kiss.
Also the plot was so intriguing and kept me hooked. I could not put this book down. When I wasn’t reading I wanted to read it. I spent the whole work day wanting to come home and read 😭
Overall this duology is absolutely incredible. New Roman Empire. I’m sad it’s over but it ended in a great way. Although… I wouldn’t be opposed to a third book with more adventures 🤭
Spice: none
Language: moderate
Review of advance copy received from Author
a book that makes me feel sick to think about (complimentary) (deeply personal) (deeply violent) (deeply unfair) (deeply upsetting)
April 23, 2026
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL INCREDIBLE FABULOUS PEOPLE AT NET GALLEY, DELACORTE, AND RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR ALLOWING ME RO READ AN ADVANCED COPY!! (okay sorry had to shout my gratitude from the rooftops)
i don’t even know where to begin. anyone who has ever had a conversation about books with me in the last year knows that i adore the weaver bride. it was my most recommended book of 2025 and i cannot fathom ever keeping my mouth shut about it. to say that the false vow is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 feels like an understatement. reading this book felt like the most wild fever dream in all the best ways. at every turn i was terrified of what would come next, what fate would befall my beloved characters. this sequel is in NO WAY what i expected or even hoped for, and for that i am grateful, because this was better than anything i could’ve planned. lydia took this book in a bold direction, and i think it paid off brilliantly. the character dynamics are shifting constantly, the banter is on another level, and THE YEARNING!!!!!! my jaw lived on the floor and honestly it might still be there. it kills me that i have to wait months to squeal over the details with everyone, but i will use that time to force more people to read the weaver bride. truly a gorgeous gothic atmospheric masterpiece that i will be thinking about likely forever.
i don’t even know where to begin. anyone who has ever had a conversation about books with me in the last year knows that i adore the weaver bride. it was my most recommended book of 2025 and i cannot fathom ever keeping my mouth shut about it. to say that the false vow is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 feels like an understatement. reading this book felt like the most wild fever dream in all the best ways. at every turn i was terrified of what would come next, what fate would befall my beloved characters. this sequel is in NO WAY what i expected or even hoped for, and for that i am grateful, because this was better than anything i could’ve planned. lydia took this book in a bold direction, and i think it paid off brilliantly. the character dynamics are shifting constantly, the banter is on another level, and THE YEARNING!!!!!! my jaw lived on the floor and honestly it might still be there. it kills me that i have to wait months to squeal over the details with everyone, but i will use that time to force more people to read the weaver bride. truly a gorgeous gothic atmospheric masterpiece that i will be thinking about likely forever.
April 15, 2026
4.5/5 stars for me!
I was ecstatic to see a sequel come out and obsessively check for an e-arc. This one took a comfortable ~24 hours to finish, and I read it obsessively.
Familiar characters, familiar tension, familiar places. Without giving away much, the love triangle? Loved it, as much as it pained me to concede my favor to another!
I could shut my brain off for this read and go along for the ride. Every twist was exciting and kept me just enough under water to feel every reveal as something new.
All this being said, the ending is familiar, as it was likely to be. It starts to get a bit predictable in the last eighth of the book, but in a way that doesn’t feel like everything is hastily wrapped up.
It’s a great follow-up to “The Weaver Bride” and explores relationships at a complex age beautifully.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I was ecstatic to see a sequel come out and obsessively check for an e-arc. This one took a comfortable ~24 hours to finish, and I read it obsessively.
Familiar characters, familiar tension, familiar places. Without giving away much, the love triangle? Loved it, as much as it pained me to concede my favor to another!
I could shut my brain off for this read and go along for the ride. Every twist was exciting and kept me just enough under water to feel every reveal as something new.
All this being said, the ending is familiar, as it was likely to be. It starts to get a bit predictable in the last eighth of the book, but in a way that doesn’t feel like everything is hastily wrapped up.
It’s a great follow-up to “The Weaver Bride” and explores relationships at a complex age beautifully.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
April 19, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book prior to its release date!
Oh my goodness 5 amazing stars!
This is one of those series where the first book is good, but then the second one blows it out of the water! I adored the whole thing.
I always loved our morally grey FMC Lovette, but I feel like the secondary characters really shined in this one as well! I loved the scenes with them just as much as the ones between the FMC and MMC (I’m trying to avoid spoilers 🙈).
Seriously, I adored this book, and - with the way it ended - if there is still more to come, I’ll definitely be continuing on!
Also - I can’t say too much on the romance - but just know I was OBSESSED.
Dare I say I plan on rereading the first book after knowing what happens in the end of this book? I think I will! It’s just a wonderful series I enjoyed immensely, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.
Oh my goodness 5 amazing stars!
This is one of those series where the first book is good, but then the second one blows it out of the water! I adored the whole thing.
I always loved our morally grey FMC Lovette, but I feel like the secondary characters really shined in this one as well! I loved the scenes with them just as much as the ones between the FMC and MMC (I’m trying to avoid spoilers 🙈).
Seriously, I adored this book, and - with the way it ended - if there is still more to come, I’ll definitely be continuing on!
Also - I can’t say too much on the romance - but just know I was OBSESSED.
Dare I say I plan on rereading the first book after knowing what happens in the end of this book? I think I will! It’s just a wonderful series I enjoyed immensely, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I finished reading The Weaver Bride last November, I was absolutely devastated to find out that the second book wasn't releasing until September 2026!!! I have never bought a pre-sale book faster....
And so, I was so happy and grateful to have received an ARC of this book!!!! Just like TWB, I devoured The False Vow in two days, and I already want to go back and re-read both books again!!!!
Without spoiling the book, the best way to describe how I feel after reading this is that...... I AM UNWELL!!!!! There are so many emotions I went through throughout the whole book - frustration, heartbreak, giddiness, suspense - Gregovic does SUCH A GOOD JOB at just making the reader feel SO TORN in this book! I have such mixed emotions about the outcome of everything, and it all feels so bittersweet and a little melancholic, and my heart is breaking but so happy at the same time.
What I really enjoyed in this book was how Gregovic incorporated more of the other silkwitches into the storyline, and I felt like we really got to know and appreciate the other girls a lot more than in TWB, and seeing Lovett being able to develop real friendships with those girls was refreshing. I love a good sisterhood/girlhood moment!! I also loved seeing this new, more gentle side of Noe that we didn't get to see in the first book.
One thing that does leave me wondering is.........will there be a third book?!!!
All in all, I cannot shut up about this story - seriously, my husband said he does NOT want to hear me talking about this anymore, so here I am, ranting about it online. I'm so excited to receive my pre-order hardcover copy when it releases to add to my shelf. SIGH.....how can a story make you feel so happy, yet sad at the same time???? I already know that I'm never going to get over this......
And so, I was so happy and grateful to have received an ARC of this book!!!! Just like TWB, I devoured The False Vow in two days, and I already want to go back and re-read both books again!!!!
Without spoiling the book, the best way to describe how I feel after reading this is that...... I AM UNWELL!!!!! There are so many emotions I went through throughout the whole book - frustration, heartbreak, giddiness, suspense - Gregovic does SUCH A GOOD JOB at just making the reader feel SO TORN in this book! I have such mixed emotions about the outcome of everything, and it all feels so bittersweet and a little melancholic, and my heart is breaking but so happy at the same time.
What I really enjoyed in this book was how Gregovic incorporated more of the other silkwitches into the storyline, and I felt like we really got to know and appreciate the other girls a lot more than in TWB, and seeing Lovett being able to develop real friendships with those girls was refreshing. I love a good sisterhood/girlhood moment!! I also loved seeing this new, more gentle side of Noe that we didn't get to see in the first book.
One thing that does leave me wondering is.........will there be a third book?!!!
All in all, I cannot shut up about this story - seriously, my husband said he does NOT want to hear me talking about this anymore, so here I am, ranting about it online. I'm so excited to receive my pre-order hardcover copy when it releases to add to my shelf. SIGH.....how can a story make you feel so happy, yet sad at the same time???? I already know that I'm never going to get over this......
Want to Read
February 11, 2026Need an ARC of this ASAP
July 7, 2026
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
I am gobsmacked, flabbergasted and utterly bamboozled
This book was absolutely NOTHING like I expected,
like at all but somehow even better then my wildest dreams could’ve made up!!
How Lydia writes in such a fascinating and beautiful way about love and power and
The story was so captivating and at every single twist and turn my jaw was on the floor, it was just that good.
Lovett, my queen never stop being iconic and devious and overall wicked because it suits you!! Her finding out how female friendship can truly be so important was EVERYTHING to me, I love girlhood!!
I want to be SHOCKED while reading a fantasy book and Lydia delivered because of course she did, she’s a mastermind, I would read her to do list.
*spoilers ahead*
Eliot when I catch you we are going to have so many words because I was rooting for you!!! The entire first book I loved you, I was so wrong. I have never been this far out of bounds in a love triangle and I am appalled at myself.
But anyways Noè had even better yearning than Eliot in the first book which was delightful!!! He perfectly complimented Lovett in every way and I just think he’s imperfectly perfect for her!
Their relationship truly has to be one of my favorites I’ve ever read, they were so enemies to lovers I didn’t even like him and didn’t think they were going to get together at the beginning and that’s how it should be!!!
Thank you so so so much to Random House Children’s Books and Netgalley for this arc!!!
I am gobsmacked, flabbergasted and utterly bamboozled
This book was absolutely NOTHING like I expected,
like at all but somehow even better then my wildest dreams could’ve made up!!
How Lydia writes in such a fascinating and beautiful way about love and power and
The story was so captivating and at every single twist and turn my jaw was on the floor, it was just that good.
Lovett, my queen never stop being iconic and devious and overall wicked because it suits you!! Her finding out how female friendship can truly be so important was EVERYTHING to me, I love girlhood!!
I want to be SHOCKED while reading a fantasy book and Lydia delivered because of course she did, she’s a mastermind, I would read her to do list.
*spoilers ahead*
Eliot when I catch you we are going to have so many words because I was rooting for you!!! The entire first book I loved you, I was so wrong. I have never been this far out of bounds in a love triangle and I am appalled at myself.
But anyways Noè had even better yearning than Eliot in the first book which was delightful!!! He perfectly complimented Lovett in every way and I just think he’s imperfectly perfect for her!
Their relationship truly has to be one of my favorites I’ve ever read, they were so enemies to lovers I didn’t even like him and didn’t think they were going to get together at the beginning and that’s how it should be!!!
Thank you so so so much to Random House Children’s Books and Netgalley for this arc!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the sequel to The Weaver Bride, Lovett has won the Vainglory and is engaged to Noé, but because she did not give the Alaire family a properly-sized dower of her hair, Bastian presents her with an additional challenge before she is allowed to marry his son: solve the murder of Sybil Dabos. Lovett must find out who the culprit is, or will be sent to the cloisters, and Eliot is not as reliable an ally as he seemed to be during the Vainglory.
I was very excited to read this book, but it didn’t quite measure up to my expectations. The romance and the love triangle is expertly done, but for a 528-page book I was expecting more plot than just the romance. It doesn’t touch enough on the corrupt political/institutional situation with the silkwitches being banished to the cloisters if they’re unmarried at 21, which was dissatisfying for me because so much of the plot rested on whether Lovett would be sent to the cloisters. Perhaps for some readers, the abstract danger of the cloisters would make them more terrifying, but I felt that the worldbuilding was incomplete and that the beginning of the book promised a political intrigue sub-plot that was not satisfactorily wrapped up. It would be wonderful if a third book was ordered for this series, but it’s looking like that’s not going to happen because this is a duology.
The romance, however (a fade-to-black YA-appropriate romance), was excellently done. It gave me significant Pride and Prejudice vibes, which might be because the author is a big fan of Jane Austen. It certainly wasn’t negatively similar to the story, you could just tell that there was inspiration. The writing of the book itself was also beautifully lyrical. It was a joy to read, it was just frustrating that it felt like there wasn’t enough of the political intrigue involved in the story.
I did also find it a relief that the characters of the other silkwitches who had competed in the Vainglory in The Weaver Bride were more developed in this sequel. It passes the Bechdel test much better than The Weaver Bride did, and I found myself liking Anais quite a bit even though she was an unlikable character initially. Readers who are particularly sensitive to sexual assault may not like this book, as there is a scene where Anais uses her magical power to use a kiss to compel the target to tell the truth on a woman who did not consent to the kiss. Other than that, there’s a nice B-plot romance involving Anais and Manon, which is some good representation for sapphics in an otherwise very heterosexual novel. Manon also has two fathers as background characters, and they seem to be in a happy relationship with each other. Clio was also well-developed as an antagonist, and although she was the kind of antagonist you love to hate, she still didn’t feel two-dimensional.
The False Vow releases September 29 from Delacorte Press. Thank you to NetGalley, Lydia Gregovic and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Pre-review thoughts:
So excited be reading this one after getting an ARC. Review to come. I love it when main characters have to team up with someone they hate 👀 And I love the worldbuilding in this duology.
I was very excited to read this book, but it didn’t quite measure up to my expectations. The romance and the love triangle is expertly done, but for a 528-page book I was expecting more plot than just the romance. It doesn’t touch enough on the corrupt political/institutional situation with the silkwitches being banished to the cloisters if they’re unmarried at 21, which was dissatisfying for me because so much of the plot rested on whether Lovett would be sent to the cloisters. Perhaps for some readers, the abstract danger of the cloisters would make them more terrifying, but I felt that the worldbuilding was incomplete and that the beginning of the book promised a political intrigue sub-plot that was not satisfactorily wrapped up. It would be wonderful if a third book was ordered for this series, but it’s looking like that’s not going to happen because this is a duology.
The romance, however (a fade-to-black YA-appropriate romance), was excellently done. It gave me significant Pride and Prejudice vibes, which might be because the author is a big fan of Jane Austen. It certainly wasn’t negatively similar to the story, you could just tell that there was inspiration. The writing of the book itself was also beautifully lyrical. It was a joy to read, it was just frustrating that it felt like there wasn’t enough of the political intrigue involved in the story.
I did also find it a relief that the characters of the other silkwitches who had competed in the Vainglory in The Weaver Bride were more developed in this sequel. It passes the Bechdel test much better than The Weaver Bride did, and I found myself liking Anais quite a bit even though she was an unlikable character initially. Readers who are particularly sensitive to sexual assault may not like this book, as there is a scene where Anais uses her magical power to use a kiss to compel the target to tell the truth on a woman who did not consent to the kiss. Other than that, there’s a nice B-plot romance involving Anais and Manon, which is some good representation for sapphics in an otherwise very heterosexual novel. Manon also has two fathers as background characters, and they seem to be in a happy relationship with each other. Clio was also well-developed as an antagonist, and although she was the kind of antagonist you love to hate, she still didn’t feel two-dimensional.
The False Vow releases September 29 from Delacorte Press. Thank you to NetGalley, Lydia Gregovic and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Pre-review thoughts:
So excited be reading this one after getting an ARC. Review to come. I love it when main characters have to team up with someone they hate 👀 And I love the worldbuilding in this duology.
April 24, 2026
4.75 stars
rep: sapphic side characters
okay so that was insane. I remember liking the first book but I was honestly blown away by this one…the twists in the romance contributed to that a lot. no spoilers obviously (I feel like you can predict it from the summary tho) but their whole dynamic was just too good…
the pacing was a bit off just bc we spend so much time on the mystery part, then there was still a decent chunk of the book left and I was like what’s going to happen, and then I spent the last 15% convinced it was going to end on a cliffhanger and this was going to end up being a trilogy (and I was going to be devastated having to wait). there might still be a third book, who knows, but I’m very happy with the ending 🙂↕️
full rtc !
rep: sapphic side characters
okay so that was insane. I remember liking the first book but I was honestly blown away by this one…the twists in the romance contributed to that a lot. no spoilers obviously (I feel like you can predict it from the summary tho) but their whole dynamic was just too good…
the pacing was a bit off just bc we spend so much time on the mystery part, then there was still a decent chunk of the book left and I was like what’s going to happen, and then I spent the last 15% convinced it was going to end on a cliffhanger and this was going to end up being a trilogy (and I was going to be devastated having to wait). there might still be a third book, who knows, but I’m very happy with the ending 🙂↕️
full rtc !
April 24, 2026
The yearning levels of Noé Alaire have maybe NEVER BEEN REACHED BEFORE.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The False Vow Book Review:
️️️️5.5/6 Stars
(CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Favorite Quote: “You are the only cause I have ever had. Be my moral compass. Tell me right from wrong, and I will obey your teachings. Good, bad — whatever you name yourself, I will be also.”
– The False Vow
Before diving into The False Vow, I think it’s important to briefly talk about The Weaver Bride first because so much of the emotional impact of this sequel comes from everything that happened in book one.
The Weaver Bride introduced us to Lovett Tamerlane, a deeply complex heroine navigating dangerous magic, betrayal, power, and love in a world that constantly demanded pieces of her. At the center of the first book was her relationship with Elliot — a romance built on first love, devotion, and sacrifice, while darker political tensions and hidden motives slowly unraveled around them.
Then The False Vow takes everything established in the first book and twists it into something much darker, more emotional, and honestly far more compelling. Lovett is tasked with uncovering who murdered Sybil, and the mystery element woven throughout the story added such an exciting layer to the plot while the relationships between the characters completely shifted in unexpected ways.
I loved the playful banter between Noé and Lovett because it absolutely carried this book for me! They were not enemies-to-lovers and they were not exactly friends-to-lovers either, but they existed in this perfect in-between space filled with tension, understanding, loyalty, and quiet yearning.
Noé’s devotion to Lovett genuinely made my heart ache. The revelation that he had been quietly pining for her long before the reader even realized it, even back in the first book when there were barely hints of it, completely changed the way I looked at so many moments retroactively.
What made their relationship so beautiful to me was that Noé loved every part of Lovett, even the parts she considered ugly within herself. While Elliot slowly pulled away from her ruthlessness, Noe admired it, understood it, and even said that his favorite thing about her was her cruelty — the very thing she felt ashamed of. That dynamic between them was so fascinating because he saw the reasons behind her actions instead of condemning her for them.
And the slow burn??? Absolutely immaculate! The quiet longing, the emotional tension, the way he fell first — all of it was done so well!
I also really loved the new direction of the plot with the murder mystery surrounding Sybil. It made the story feel constantly active and suspenseful while still giving space for the emotional arcs to develop.
Another thing I unexpectedly loved was the friendship between Lovett and “The Owl”. Watching Lovett slowly soften and begin letting people into her life in this book felt like such important character growth compared to who she was in The Weaver Bride.
And that ending??? Noé and Lovett choosing each other after everything they endured together was genuinely satisfying and emotional.
On the flipside, Elliot absolutely broke my heart in this book and not in a good way.
Watching him completely disrespect, abandon, and essentially disown Lovett after everything they had been to each other felt devastating, especially because they were each other’s first loves and because of how devoted he once claimed to be to her.
What hurt the most was how quickly he began viewing her as a villain instead of trying to understand her. Which again made Noé stand out even more because he loved the parts of Lovett that Elliot feared.
Cleo also made me so angry in this book. Her cruelty, manipulation, cunningness, and ruthlessness honestly made her difficult for me to tolerate at times. Ironically, she became the truly cruel one while Lovett continued to be painted as the villain.
And Elliot and Cleo completely taking sides against Lovett and Noé was genuinely painful to read because it felt like Elliot disregarded the entire love story he once shared with Lovett. Their relationship did not just end but rather withered away slowly and painfully.
Which is why Elliot coming back afterward begging for another chance honestly frustrated me. After the level of betrayal and emotional damage he caused, it was hard for me to move past it.
Overall, The False Vow gave me a romance that emotionally destroyed me in the best way possible while also giving me one of my favorite quiet-pining love interests I have read in a long time. Noé completely stole this book for me.
*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!*
️️️️5.5/6 Stars
(CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Favorite Quote: “You are the only cause I have ever had. Be my moral compass. Tell me right from wrong, and I will obey your teachings. Good, bad — whatever you name yourself, I will be also.”
– The False Vow
Before diving into The False Vow, I think it’s important to briefly talk about The Weaver Bride first because so much of the emotional impact of this sequel comes from everything that happened in book one.
The Weaver Bride introduced us to Lovett Tamerlane, a deeply complex heroine navigating dangerous magic, betrayal, power, and love in a world that constantly demanded pieces of her. At the center of the first book was her relationship with Elliot — a romance built on first love, devotion, and sacrifice, while darker political tensions and hidden motives slowly unraveled around them.
Then The False Vow takes everything established in the first book and twists it into something much darker, more emotional, and honestly far more compelling. Lovett is tasked with uncovering who murdered Sybil, and the mystery element woven throughout the story added such an exciting layer to the plot while the relationships between the characters completely shifted in unexpected ways.
I loved the playful banter between Noé and Lovett because it absolutely carried this book for me! They were not enemies-to-lovers and they were not exactly friends-to-lovers either, but they existed in this perfect in-between space filled with tension, understanding, loyalty, and quiet yearning.
Noé’s devotion to Lovett genuinely made my heart ache. The revelation that he had been quietly pining for her long before the reader even realized it, even back in the first book when there were barely hints of it, completely changed the way I looked at so many moments retroactively.
What made their relationship so beautiful to me was that Noé loved every part of Lovett, even the parts she considered ugly within herself. While Elliot slowly pulled away from her ruthlessness, Noe admired it, understood it, and even said that his favorite thing about her was her cruelty — the very thing she felt ashamed of. That dynamic between them was so fascinating because he saw the reasons behind her actions instead of condemning her for them.
And the slow burn??? Absolutely immaculate! The quiet longing, the emotional tension, the way he fell first — all of it was done so well!
I also really loved the new direction of the plot with the murder mystery surrounding Sybil. It made the story feel constantly active and suspenseful while still giving space for the emotional arcs to develop.
Another thing I unexpectedly loved was the friendship between Lovett and “The Owl”. Watching Lovett slowly soften and begin letting people into her life in this book felt like such important character growth compared to who she was in The Weaver Bride.
And that ending??? Noé and Lovett choosing each other after everything they endured together was genuinely satisfying and emotional.
On the flipside, Elliot absolutely broke my heart in this book and not in a good way.
Watching him completely disrespect, abandon, and essentially disown Lovett after everything they had been to each other felt devastating, especially because they were each other’s first loves and because of how devoted he once claimed to be to her.
What hurt the most was how quickly he began viewing her as a villain instead of trying to understand her. Which again made Noé stand out even more because he loved the parts of Lovett that Elliot feared.
Cleo also made me so angry in this book. Her cruelty, manipulation, cunningness, and ruthlessness honestly made her difficult for me to tolerate at times. Ironically, she became the truly cruel one while Lovett continued to be painted as the villain.
And Elliot and Cleo completely taking sides against Lovett and Noé was genuinely painful to read because it felt like Elliot disregarded the entire love story he once shared with Lovett. Their relationship did not just end but rather withered away slowly and painfully.
Which is why Elliot coming back afterward begging for another chance honestly frustrated me. After the level of betrayal and emotional damage he caused, it was hard for me to move past it.
Overall, The False Vow gave me a romance that emotionally destroyed me in the best way possible while also giving me one of my favorite quiet-pining love interests I have read in a long time. Noé completely stole this book for me.
*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love was the sacrifice, survival is the game.
Rating: 3.75 ★! (Rounded up!)
Synopsis:
Lovett Tamerlane has made her choice, and in doing so, she has broken her own heart. In a bargain that costs her everything, she turns her back on Eliot Lear, the one man she has ever loved, and agrees to marry his best friend, Noé Allaire. But this is no love match. It is a calculated move, a dangerous alliance forged in vengeance, for Noé has promised her more than a ring, he has promised her the chance to help bring down his father, the Weaver King himself.
But in a castle built on secrets, no schemes goes unseen for long. Now bound as Noé fiancee, Lovett is drawn deeper into Fortblanche, and into deeper webs set up by Bastian, the Weaver King himself. He plays a more intricate game than she anticipated, and suddenly, the predator has become the prey. His terms are simple: solve the murder of Sybil before the wedding or have her real identity exposed and be casted to the cloisters. Forced into a bitter alliance with the man she is meant to marry, Lovett must keep her wits sharp as she navigates a court of shifting loyalties, while the fragile dangerous thread that ties her to Eliot refuses to break cleanly.
As the walls close in, Lovett finds herself torn between heart and strategy, where love and hatred blur into something far more dangerous. In a world where vows are weapons and every promise carries a cost, she must decide which ones she is willing to break, and which ones will break her.
My Review:
To say this sequel broke my heart is an understatement! If you had told me after book one that this was the direction the story would take, I literally wouldn't have have believed you- but Lydia carries the story with so much care and intention that it feels both surprising and inevitable. The story evolves in ways I didn't expect, while still staying true to the characters and their motivations. The dark, haunting atmosphere of Fortblanche lingers, layered with another murder mystery, all set against the contrast of a vibrant, almost celebratory wedding season. It was so fun to get lost in this world again!
I'll keep things vague until the book is released, but the romance evolves in a way I found reluctantly tender! It holds onto that same feelings as book one, but deepens into something more reflective, where love can both wound and heal. There's this beautiful tension between love and betrayal, where one often bleeds into the other, and I really appreciated how the story explores that complexity. While I still ache for what I thought this story might be, I can't deny how beautiful it was to see it unfold the way it did.
Lovett continues to be such a compelling character and I'll root for her always! At her core, she is just a girl trying to do the right thing while staying true to herself and keeping that balance is never easy. She wants to be good, but she has to learn how to define that on her own terms, or risk losing herself to expectations that were never hers to begin with. One of my favorite parts of her journey was the exploration of female friendships. After a life of pushing people away, fearing vulnerability as weakness, she slowly learns to trust, and in doing so, finds people who stand by her without expecting anything in return. There's something really powerful in that, especially in a setting as dangerous and cutthroat as this one and I loved the girls she's let in her circle.
There were a few plot points that felt a bit underdeveloped or could have been explored more. Some moments/plots felt a little brushed over so when they concluded, it felt a little too convenient or an afterthought. But overall, I had such a fun time with this read! It kept me on my toes, and if you loved the first book, I think you'll really enjoy this sequel (even if it wrecks your heart in the process!) The ending does set up the story for a possible 3rd book so only time will tell how our journey continues next!
“I’ll leave you be.”...
“But you’ll return later,” I said. “Yes?” *I still think about this moment omfg T-T*
Rating: 3.75 ★! (Rounded up!)
Synopsis:
Lovett Tamerlane has made her choice, and in doing so, she has broken her own heart. In a bargain that costs her everything, she turns her back on Eliot Lear, the one man she has ever loved, and agrees to marry his best friend, Noé Allaire. But this is no love match. It is a calculated move, a dangerous alliance forged in vengeance, for Noé has promised her more than a ring, he has promised her the chance to help bring down his father, the Weaver King himself.
But in a castle built on secrets, no schemes goes unseen for long. Now bound as Noé fiancee, Lovett is drawn deeper into Fortblanche, and into deeper webs set up by Bastian, the Weaver King himself. He plays a more intricate game than she anticipated, and suddenly, the predator has become the prey. His terms are simple: solve the murder of Sybil before the wedding or have her real identity exposed and be casted to the cloisters. Forced into a bitter alliance with the man she is meant to marry, Lovett must keep her wits sharp as she navigates a court of shifting loyalties, while the fragile dangerous thread that ties her to Eliot refuses to break cleanly.
As the walls close in, Lovett finds herself torn between heart and strategy, where love and hatred blur into something far more dangerous. In a world where vows are weapons and every promise carries a cost, she must decide which ones she is willing to break, and which ones will break her.
My Review:
To say this sequel broke my heart is an understatement! If you had told me after book one that this was the direction the story would take, I literally wouldn't have have believed you- but Lydia carries the story with so much care and intention that it feels both surprising and inevitable. The story evolves in ways I didn't expect, while still staying true to the characters and their motivations. The dark, haunting atmosphere of Fortblanche lingers, layered with another murder mystery, all set against the contrast of a vibrant, almost celebratory wedding season. It was so fun to get lost in this world again!
I'll keep things vague until the book is released, but the romance evolves in a way I found reluctantly tender! It holds onto that same feelings as book one, but deepens into something more reflective, where love can both wound and heal. There's this beautiful tension between love and betrayal, where one often bleeds into the other, and I really appreciated how the story explores that complexity. While I still ache for what I thought this story might be, I can't deny how beautiful it was to see it unfold the way it did.
Lovett continues to be such a compelling character and I'll root for her always! At her core, she is just a girl trying to do the right thing while staying true to herself and keeping that balance is never easy. She wants to be good, but she has to learn how to define that on her own terms, or risk losing herself to expectations that were never hers to begin with. One of my favorite parts of her journey was the exploration of female friendships. After a life of pushing people away, fearing vulnerability as weakness, she slowly learns to trust, and in doing so, finds people who stand by her without expecting anything in return. There's something really powerful in that, especially in a setting as dangerous and cutthroat as this one and I loved the girls she's let in her circle.
There were a few plot points that felt a bit underdeveloped or could have been explored more. Some moments/plots felt a little brushed over so when they concluded, it felt a little too convenient or an afterthought. But overall, I had such a fun time with this read! It kept me on my toes, and if you loved the first book, I think you'll really enjoy this sequel (even if it wrecks your heart in the process!) The ending does set up the story for a possible 3rd book so only time will tell how our journey continues next!
“I’ll leave you be.”...
“But you’ll return later,” I said. “Yes?” *I still think about this moment omfg T-T*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"A girl like you, I would get my hands bloody to keep."
3.5 stars. I ate this one up despite some of the flaws I found with it. And honestly...I wouldn't mind having both of these beauties on my shelf to read again.
In the beginning, the author stated she always wanted to write a sequel and wasn't sure she'd be able to get to. Unfortunately, it shows since this novel isn't nearly as cohesive as the prior. It has a lot of the same elements: a mystery, a romance, and competition among other silkwitches.
Whereas The Weaver Bride's focus was its mystery, The False Vow's focus is its romance. And let me tell you...not being a fan of the Eliot and Tamerlane pairing in the first one, I was here for it. Eliot is such a...goody two shoes? And while most people feel his character was bastardized, I actually feel most of it was fairly on the nose with the hints of the first. I never understood Tamerlane's fascination with him (and personally felt it lasted too long) but it made more sense the more we were drawn to Noé.
"You shy away from your best qualities because you are frightened that Eliot will hate you for them."
"And what are my best qualities?"
"You are duplicitous, and prying, and downright vindictive."
Throughout the novel, more comparisons are drawn between the two of them: Eliot's stifling expectations, Tamerlane trying and failing to make herself smaller to fit those expectations, and Noé seeing her and appreciating her for herself.
Speaking of Noé...he has so much more depth than in the first novel. He never pushes her, he allows her the freedom to make her own choices, he supports her, he does not try to white knight for her like Elias does...he loves her openly with no expectations. While I had to ~just go with it~ for when he fell in love (as I had to do with Eliot because honestly...they only had a few interactions and you're telling me they're in love? Please), I looked forward to all of their interactions.
"You need someone who will let you break things."
Outside of the romance, I really liked the friendships that were developed. I loved Tamerlane's character growth in realizing she can't do everything alone. I loved Anais, and Manon, and The Owl. I loved Good Sister. I even loved how much I loved to hate Clio.
There was a lot to love. But there were flaws that kept it from being rated as highly as I wanted.
Namely, the entire tension is to expose the Weaver Secret to society - the goal they were working to accomplish. And it didn't even happen. Nope. Just an open ending where they frolic off into the sunset to take everyone in power down. I hate it when authors do this. It's literally exactly where we ended book one. So why on earth would we even bother with a book two?
The angst over Eliot lasted way too long. Very Tamlin vs Rhysand vibes honestly. He was clearly smothering you. It was toxic. Know your worth.
The "mystery" (such as it were) was wrapped up super quickly and anticlimactically.
The cloisters are still an off-page nightmare story and Anais is still engaged to the Cloister Master. FIX THIS, GREGOVIC.
All-in-all, if you liked the first you'll likely like this one also.
"Because you are Lovett Tamerlane. And they are mere mortals."
Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
July 4, 2026Genre: YA Romantasy
Format(s): eBook
Rating: 1.5/5 ⭐🗝️
Spice:🫑
Long Story Short : Too similar to the first, another murder mystery with less trials and an out of the blue massive character pivot .
Short Story Long :
I loved The Weaver Bride. Raved about it, rated it 5 stars, and watched like a hawk for the NetGalley ARC of The False Vow. So to say I am devastated to be DNFing this book at 43% is an understatement. However, I just can't push through it anymore. Every time I try to pick this story up I read 1-3 pages before I get bored or frustrated and put it away. As someone who reads on average eight 300-500 page books a month, the fact it has taken me 7 weeks to even get this far is fairly telling of my struggles. Up to the 43% mark in this story Lovett has little to no character growth, the romance has died (in my opinion), and the story just feels like a poorer version of the first (another murder mystery with worse trials aka bridal shower events). Even worse, after the exciting end and reveal of the first book there has been no further progression towards resolving the oppression of the silk witches. Instead now we're spending all our time sulking, watching Lovett think about how she's so much smarter than everyone, and a bunch of silk witches who SHOULD be working together to fight their oppression try to kill one another for a marriage? Maybe it gets there eventually, but taking almost half the book if not longer is just too slow for me and I can't be bothered anymore. I was under the assumption that this was a duology, but other reviews seem to imply this book doesn't quite resolve everything leading to a potential third book? If that's the case, depending on reviews of the third book I may come back and try to finish this but for now it's a DNF.
Thank You! : Thank you NetGalley, Lydia Gregovic, and Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed, either eloquently or prattling, are my own.
Format(s): eBook
Rating: 1.5/5 ⭐🗝️
Spice:🫑
Long Story Short : Too similar to the first, another murder mystery with less trials and an out of the blue massive character pivot .
Short Story Long :
I loved The Weaver Bride. Raved about it, rated it 5 stars, and watched like a hawk for the NetGalley ARC of The False Vow. So to say I am devastated to be DNFing this book at 43% is an understatement. However, I just can't push through it anymore. Every time I try to pick this story up I read 1-3 pages before I get bored or frustrated and put it away. As someone who reads on average eight 300-500 page books a month, the fact it has taken me 7 weeks to even get this far is fairly telling of my struggles. Up to the 43% mark in this story Lovett has little to no character growth, the romance has died (in my opinion), and the story just feels like a poorer version of the first (another murder mystery with worse trials aka bridal shower events). Even worse, after the exciting end and reveal of the first book there has been no further progression towards resolving the oppression of the silk witches. Instead now we're spending all our time sulking, watching Lovett think about how she's so much smarter than everyone, and a bunch of silk witches who SHOULD be working together to fight their oppression try to kill one another for a marriage? Maybe it gets there eventually, but taking almost half the book if not longer is just too slow for me and I can't be bothered anymore. I was under the assumption that this was a duology, but other reviews seem to imply this book doesn't quite resolve everything leading to a potential third book? If that's the case, depending on reviews of the third book I may come back and try to finish this but for now it's a DNF.
Thank You! : Thank you NetGalley, Lydia Gregovic, and Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed, either eloquently or prattling, are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After the way The Weaver Bride ended, I knew I needed The False Vow immediately—and thankfully, it did not disappoint.
I'm going to be completely honest: for the first half of this book, I was mad at pretty much everyone. Especially Lovett. And Eliot. I spent most of book one rooting so hard for Eliot, only for him to make certain choices that had me staring at the page thinking, wait a minute... he's kind of a jerk. From that point on, I was firmly off the Eliot train. 😂
What I absolutely loved was that I genuinely couldn't tell where the romance was headed. So many romantasy books make the endgame obvious from the start, but Lydia Gregovic kept me guessing right until the very end. There were moments when I was genuinely nervous about who Lovett would choose, and I loved that uncertainty because it made every interaction feel more meaningful and raised the emotional stakes considerably.
And then there's Noé.
I adored Noé. Absolutely adored him.
The progression of his relationship with Lovett felt so much stronger, sweeter, and more believable than what she had with Eliot. Their banter, their growing trust, the way they slowly learned to understand each other—it all felt natural and earned. They had chemistry in every scene they shared, and I found myself rooting for them harder and harder as the story progressed.
Beyond the romance, I loved the mystery element surrounding Sybil's murder. It added another layer to the story and kept me constantly theorizing about what really happened. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another secret surfaced and sent me in a completely different direction.
One of my favorite things about this series is how unpredictable it is. Lovett spends much of the book fighting for her life while navigating enemies on all sides, political schemes, family drama, betrayals, and shifting alliances. It often felt like everyone wanted her dead, and honestly? The stress was immaculate.
I also continue to love Lovett as a protagonist. She's messy, selfish, clever, determined, and constantly forced to confront the consequences of her choices. She's far from perfect, and that's exactly what makes her so compelling.
And that ending?!
I had about thirty pages left and was internally panicking, wondering how everything could possibly be wrapped up in so little time. Somehow the ending felt both incredibly fast and agonizingly slow because I needed answers immediately. While many major storylines were resolved, I still feel like there are mysteries left unexplored and threads that could easily support another book—or at the very least a novella focused on Lovett and Noé's future.
Honestly, I may have enjoyed this even more than book one, which is saying a lot because I loved the first installment. The romance was stronger, the stakes were higher, the mystery kept me hooked, and the character growth felt incredibly satisfying.
If you enjoy:
✨ Enemies-to-lovers romance
✨ Love triangles where you truly don't know the endgame
✨ Murder mysteries woven into fantasy plots
✨ Political intrigue and family secrets
✨ Complex, morally gray characters
✨ Magical competitions and high-stakes drama
Then this series absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Overall, The False Vow cemented this as one of my favorite fantasy romance series, and I'll happily read anything Lydia Gregovic writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for providing an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm going to be completely honest: for the first half of this book, I was mad at pretty much everyone. Especially Lovett. And Eliot. I spent most of book one rooting so hard for Eliot, only for him to make certain choices that had me staring at the page thinking, wait a minute... he's kind of a jerk. From that point on, I was firmly off the Eliot train. 😂
What I absolutely loved was that I genuinely couldn't tell where the romance was headed. So many romantasy books make the endgame obvious from the start, but Lydia Gregovic kept me guessing right until the very end. There were moments when I was genuinely nervous about who Lovett would choose, and I loved that uncertainty because it made every interaction feel more meaningful and raised the emotional stakes considerably.
And then there's Noé.
I adored Noé. Absolutely adored him.
The progression of his relationship with Lovett felt so much stronger, sweeter, and more believable than what she had with Eliot. Their banter, their growing trust, the way they slowly learned to understand each other—it all felt natural and earned. They had chemistry in every scene they shared, and I found myself rooting for them harder and harder as the story progressed.
Beyond the romance, I loved the mystery element surrounding Sybil's murder. It added another layer to the story and kept me constantly theorizing about what really happened. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another secret surfaced and sent me in a completely different direction.
One of my favorite things about this series is how unpredictable it is. Lovett spends much of the book fighting for her life while navigating enemies on all sides, political schemes, family drama, betrayals, and shifting alliances. It often felt like everyone wanted her dead, and honestly? The stress was immaculate.
I also continue to love Lovett as a protagonist. She's messy, selfish, clever, determined, and constantly forced to confront the consequences of her choices. She's far from perfect, and that's exactly what makes her so compelling.
And that ending?!
I had about thirty pages left and was internally panicking, wondering how everything could possibly be wrapped up in so little time. Somehow the ending felt both incredibly fast and agonizingly slow because I needed answers immediately. While many major storylines were resolved, I still feel like there are mysteries left unexplored and threads that could easily support another book—or at the very least a novella focused on Lovett and Noé's future.
Honestly, I may have enjoyed this even more than book one, which is saying a lot because I loved the first installment. The romance was stronger, the stakes were higher, the mystery kept me hooked, and the character growth felt incredibly satisfying.
If you enjoy:
✨ Enemies-to-lovers romance
✨ Love triangles where you truly don't know the endgame
✨ Murder mysteries woven into fantasy plots
✨ Political intrigue and family secrets
✨ Complex, morally gray characters
✨ Magical competitions and high-stakes drama
Then this series absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Overall, The False Vow cemented this as one of my favorite fantasy romance series, and I'll happily read anything Lydia Gregovic writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for providing an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Now Playing: Comptine ďun autre été, ľaprés-midi by Yann Tiersen
Favorite Quote: “Let it serve as a reminder that your fate is your own to administer. No one else can claim it - not my father, not me.” His fingers flexed atop mine, his voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “You are your own creature, Lovette.”
My Thoughts:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this book more than The Weaver King, but I still struggled to connect with Lovett. At the beginning, it felt like we were going through the same motions again—she constantly insists that she hates Noe, yet never clearly explains why. This was an issue in the first book with Eliot as well, and I found it just as frustrating here.
Lovett repeatedly describes Noe as terrible, but we’re rarely shown evidence of that beyond his vices, like smoking and drinking. Otherwise, he comes across as a fairly decent person, which makes her strong dislike feel underdeveloped. I wanted more context to understand that initial hatred. Is it really about Noe, or is it misplaced resentment toward herself for choosing him over Eliot? Or did something happen that we, as readers, haven’t been told?
While I had issues with Lovett at the beginning of the book, I found myself warming to her by the end. I think this shift comes from her finally letting go of who others expect her to be. Rather than the cruel person the narrative sometimes paints her as, she comes across as someone doing what she needs to do to survive. As she begins to acknowledge her selfish tendencies, while also recognizing that she isn’t as terrible as others have made her out to be, we start to see her grow into her true self. I only wish this development had happened earlier in the story, as I likely would have connected with her character much more.
There is something of a love triangle in this book, and I had already predicted the outcome in my previous review. Without going into spoilers, I think the resolution will be divisive—some readers will be very satisfied, while others will likely be disappointed depending on which male character they preferred.
The mystery, once again, is where Gregovic truly shines. She has a talent for pulling readers in with a compelling puzzle and scattering clues in a way that’s easy to overlook, mirroring Lovett’s own perspective. This installment centers on the mystery of Sybil’s death from the first book. Lovett is given three weeks to solve it, all while managing the stress of an upcoming wedding and being drawn into another deadly game orchestrated by the Weaver King. It’s an engaging setup that not only expands on previous contestants, people Lovett never had the chance to fully know, but also keeps you questioning who can be trusted and who might be part of the game.
Overall, I do think this sequel is a noticeable improvement over the first book. I was satisfied with how the central relationships were resolved, and by the end, I found myself warming up to Lovett in a way I hadn’t before.
Now Playing: Comptine ďun autre été, ľaprés-midi by Yann Tiersen
Favorite Quote: “Let it serve as a reminder that your fate is your own to administer. No one else can claim it - not my father, not me.” His fingers flexed atop mine, his voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “You are your own creature, Lovette.”
My Thoughts:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this book more than The Weaver King, but I still struggled to connect with Lovett. At the beginning, it felt like we were going through the same motions again—she constantly insists that she hates Noe, yet never clearly explains why. This was an issue in the first book with Eliot as well, and I found it just as frustrating here.
Lovett repeatedly describes Noe as terrible, but we’re rarely shown evidence of that beyond his vices, like smoking and drinking. Otherwise, he comes across as a fairly decent person, which makes her strong dislike feel underdeveloped. I wanted more context to understand that initial hatred. Is it really about Noe, or is it misplaced resentment toward herself for choosing him over Eliot? Or did something happen that we, as readers, haven’t been told?
While I had issues with Lovett at the beginning of the book, I found myself warming to her by the end. I think this shift comes from her finally letting go of who others expect her to be. Rather than the cruel person the narrative sometimes paints her as, she comes across as someone doing what she needs to do to survive. As she begins to acknowledge her selfish tendencies, while also recognizing that she isn’t as terrible as others have made her out to be, we start to see her grow into her true self. I only wish this development had happened earlier in the story, as I likely would have connected with her character much more.
There is something of a love triangle in this book, and I had already predicted the outcome in my previous review. Without going into spoilers, I think the resolution will be divisive—some readers will be very satisfied, while others will likely be disappointed depending on which male character they preferred.
The mystery, once again, is where Gregovic truly shines. She has a talent for pulling readers in with a compelling puzzle and scattering clues in a way that’s easy to overlook, mirroring Lovett’s own perspective. This installment centers on the mystery of Sybil’s death from the first book. Lovett is given three weeks to solve it, all while managing the stress of an upcoming wedding and being drawn into another deadly game orchestrated by the Weaver King. It’s an engaging setup that not only expands on previous contestants, people Lovett never had the chance to fully know, but also keeps you questioning who can be trusted and who might be part of the game.
Overall, I do think this sequel is a noticeable improvement over the first book. I was satisfied with how the central relationships were resolved, and by the end, I found myself warming up to Lovett in a way I hadn’t before.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow I’m so blown away by how much I loved this second installment it really took everything in The Weaver Bride and amped it up in such a good way! One of the best sequels I’ve read it truly shown how talented the author is she had me hooked from the first page of this book until the end it was so very well done! If you loved The Rose Bargain or Bridgerton it’s definitely got those vibes but in such a unique way that I haven’t come across before this series.
The women are of value based on their hair giving them each individual gifts and they must either marry and share their magic with a husband or be sent to a place that harvests their magic to distribute to the upper class society by age 21 and the first and second books have different competitions that pit the girls against eachother to win the hand of the most eligible bachelor the son of the Weaver King. I don’t want to spoil things for the first book if people haven’t read it but this book has a sort of love triangle and I was so surprised with how things evolved basically from the first chapter of this book in comparison to the last. One of our characters seemed to be the shoe in for Lovettes heart after what they went through together in the first book but his strict sense of direction in life ends up directing him away from her during this book and finding her cunning and intelligent ways to be more troublesome than she’s worth and I was so disappointed in how he treats her and the choices he makes throughout the book. Our other character surprised me in the best way he was pining so hard for her and so devoted from the sidelines and it felt so authentic watching their trust and love for each other grow they had some of the most incredible moments together and it was so sweet my heart was literally aching at times I wanted to quote so many lines to share.
Beyond the romance of the story there is so much action and the book is filled with betrayal and deceit and mystery and poor Lovett is just trying so hard not to meet her end at the hands of most around her. She really is such a great FMC and grew such a lot from the first book until this one it was perfect. The story felt much faster paced in a good way from the first book as well which I appreciated there really wasn’t a dull moment but not to say there wasn’t quiet moments of relationship growth both romantic and platonic. The other silk witches were also very interesting to get to know better through this story so many I grew to love and some to hate.
Overall I really loved this book and would definitely recommend the duology! I believe the story is concluded but I wouldn’t complain if she decided to add another either! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Childrens Books for a great YA series!
The women are of value based on their hair giving them each individual gifts and they must either marry and share their magic with a husband or be sent to a place that harvests their magic to distribute to the upper class society by age 21 and the first and second books have different competitions that pit the girls against eachother to win the hand of the most eligible bachelor the son of the Weaver King. I don’t want to spoil things for the first book if people haven’t read it but this book has a sort of love triangle and I was so surprised with how things evolved basically from the first chapter of this book in comparison to the last. One of our characters seemed to be the shoe in for Lovettes heart after what they went through together in the first book but his strict sense of direction in life ends up directing him away from her during this book and finding her cunning and intelligent ways to be more troublesome than she’s worth and I was so disappointed in how he treats her and the choices he makes throughout the book. Our other character surprised me in the best way he was pining so hard for her and so devoted from the sidelines and it felt so authentic watching their trust and love for each other grow they had some of the most incredible moments together and it was so sweet my heart was literally aching at times I wanted to quote so many lines to share.
Beyond the romance of the story there is so much action and the book is filled with betrayal and deceit and mystery and poor Lovett is just trying so hard not to meet her end at the hands of most around her. She really is such a great FMC and grew such a lot from the first book until this one it was perfect. The story felt much faster paced in a good way from the first book as well which I appreciated there really wasn’t a dull moment but not to say there wasn’t quiet moments of relationship growth both romantic and platonic. The other silk witches were also very interesting to get to know better through this story so many I grew to love and some to hate.
Overall I really loved this book and would definitely recommend the duology! I believe the story is concluded but I wouldn’t complain if she decided to add another either! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Childrens Books for a great YA series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: morally gray characters, schemes, mysteries
Big thanks to Delacorte Press, NetGalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Weaver Bride is a book I knew needed a sequel as soon as I finished it. I was super excited to be approved for this ARC and it definitely lived up to it!
One of the things I thought when reading the first book was that Lovett and Eliot made for a poor match, while Lovett and Noé made for an interesting one. There’s definitely a bit of a villain4villain vibe going on with them that I absolutely love, even though either of them are really villains. I will say that I thought Lovett was a little more hostile toward Noé than I was expecting, though the more time the two spend together the more she retracts her claws.
At the start of the book, Lovett is nearing her wedding and trying to find a way to spread the word about what the Weavers are doing to silkwitches. She’s allied with Noé to bring his father down, though without an expansion of her magic, there’s little movement on that front. Eliot has a little more luck getting an ally who would help bust the Weaver secret open, but there’s already clear tension between him and Lovett from their first scene.
Lovett remains the same morally gray heroine from book 1 and finds herself entangled in a new murder mystery. She’s cutthroat and mean and I love it. I particularly liked getting to see her flex those skills against (and with) similar characters. She and Anais make a surprising duo, but I think they work for the same reason I think Lovett and Noé work: they’re the same at heart. In a world determined to crush you, why not be ambitious and morally flexible and a little mean.
Most of the characters from book 1 make a reappearance in this one, Bastian has the bright idea to make the Vainglory competitors Lovett’s bridesmaids, and I enjoyed seeing how alliances shifted and merged. As mentioned, Lovett and Anais end up on the same side of things, and I loved their prickly friendship. Manon, Nathalie, the Owl, and Clio are all also fairly prominent side characters.
I do wish this book was a bit longer or that it was a trilogy. There is a fairly closed ending, I think all the character development threads are tied up by the end, but I do feel that end came somewhat quick. I would also like to see more of how Lovett and co. deal with a rather public reveal that occurs a couple chapters before the end, and particularly how that ties into announcing what the Weavers have been doing. It’s not necessary for the story to be complete, but I’m definitely curious.
Recommended if you like: morally gray characters, schemes, mysteries
Big thanks to Delacorte Press, NetGalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Weaver Bride is a book I knew needed a sequel as soon as I finished it. I was super excited to be approved for this ARC and it definitely lived up to it!
One of the things I thought when reading the first book was that Lovett and Eliot made for a poor match, while Lovett and Noé made for an interesting one. There’s definitely a bit of a villain4villain vibe going on with them that I absolutely love, even though either of them are really villains. I will say that I thought Lovett was a little more hostile toward Noé than I was expecting, though the more time the two spend together the more she retracts her claws.
At the start of the book, Lovett is nearing her wedding and trying to find a way to spread the word about what the Weavers are doing to silkwitches. She’s allied with Noé to bring his father down, though without an expansion of her magic, there’s little movement on that front. Eliot has a little more luck getting an ally who would help bust the Weaver secret open, but there’s already clear tension between him and Lovett from their first scene.
Lovett remains the same morally gray heroine from book 1 and finds herself entangled in a new murder mystery. She’s cutthroat and mean and I love it. I particularly liked getting to see her flex those skills against (and with) similar characters. She and Anais make a surprising duo, but I think they work for the same reason I think Lovett and Noé work: they’re the same at heart. In a world determined to crush you, why not be ambitious and morally flexible and a little mean.
Most of the characters from book 1 make a reappearance in this one, Bastian has the bright idea to make the Vainglory competitors Lovett’s bridesmaids, and I enjoyed seeing how alliances shifted and merged. As mentioned, Lovett and Anais end up on the same side of things, and I loved their prickly friendship. Manon, Nathalie, the Owl, and Clio are all also fairly prominent side characters.
I do wish this book was a bit longer or that it was a trilogy. There is a fairly closed ending, I think all the character development threads are tied up by the end, but I do feel that end came somewhat quick. I would also like to see more of how Lovett and co. deal with a rather public reveal that occurs a couple chapters before the end, and particularly how that ties into announcing what the Weavers have been doing. It’s not necessary for the story to be complete, but I’m definitely curious.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*beats fist on table 1000 times* NOW THIS IS ROMANCEEEE
I enjoyed this very much. It got me through 30 mins of stair master daily—the stair master, yes, you read that correctly. Now I have no idea how I’ll endure my cardio.
I read mainly for Tamerlane and whichever one of the boys was endgame (you’ll know who it is pretty early on), and I was not disappointed. The tension, the yearning, the banter, impeccable. The romance alone is worth 5 stars, full stop, despite some overwrought lines here and there. I will alwaysssss take intimate sidebars after dinner, quiet reading before fireplaces, and begrudgingly shared beds over full-on makeout sessions and towers of steel, any day.
The atmosphere, as with the first book, was commendable. The author has such talent for description, and the prose flows very well in this one.
As for symbolism and themes: Little details like that make the story feel intentional.
Now, as for the cons: But if you go into this sequel knowing it’s all about the fluttery feelings, you’ll love this.
I was really bummed about .
Anyway, whatever. This novel had me, a 31-year-old woman, giggling and kicking my feet. It made me happy, and I needed that after The Poet Empress. If you liked the first book even a little bit, I would highly recommend this sequel.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Lydia Gregovic for the ARC.
I enjoyed this very much. It got me through 30 mins of stair master daily—the stair master, yes, you read that correctly. Now I have no idea how I’ll endure my cardio.
I read mainly for Tamerlane and whichever one of the boys was endgame (you’ll know who it is pretty early on), and I was not disappointed. The tension, the yearning, the banter, impeccable. The romance alone is worth 5 stars, full stop, despite some overwrought lines here and there. I will alwaysssss take intimate sidebars after dinner, quiet reading before fireplaces, and begrudgingly shared beds over full-on makeout sessions and towers of steel, any day.
The atmosphere, as with the first book, was commendable. The author has such talent for description, and the prose flows very well in this one.
As for symbolism and themes: Little details like that make the story feel intentional.
Now, as for the cons: But if you go into this sequel knowing it’s all about the fluttery feelings, you’ll love this.
I was really bummed about .
Anyway, whatever. This novel had me, a 31-year-old woman, giggling and kicking my feet. It made me happy, and I needed that after The Poet Empress. If you liked the first book even a little bit, I would highly recommend this sequel.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Lydia Gregovic for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a world where silk witches have to find a weaver husband or be subjected to the abuse of the cloisters, Lovett thought she finally clawed her way to safety. She was not content and her mission wasn’t finished, but through trials, tricks, and murder- she was supposed to be left standing with at least the safety as a husband.
She was wrong.
The False Vow continues the fight for silkwitches, women who are bound by the shackles of their hair. Lovett and Noè conspired to come together to take down his father and break the oppressive system. The only issue, well not the only but perhaps the biggest, Noè’s father isn’t out of tricks yet.
Lovett describes herself as a lone wolf, a solitary person that neither trusts people nor bonds with them. She quickly learns that this just means there are more knives available to go in her back. After going at life alone, she finds herself in a love triangle, surrounded by enemies, potential friends, some that are a little of both? The biggest lesson is she can’t go at it alone, and she doesn’t want to be alone anymore.
Mystery aplenty, confusion galore, the problem of the silkwitches confinement and how to break it continues to plague our characters. New problems come into play and a whole set of new trials are set between Lovett and the ability to free her people.
In this book, love blooms. Affection warms. But with who?
Dislikes/ spoilers:
-
-
I don’t fully understand the love triangle and I actually feel it would’ve been best if the time was spent developing Lovett’s connection to Noè rather than forcing a love triangle.
In order for the love triangle to work, Elliot had to change as a person overnight basically and start despising Lovett. The whole thing was that Lovett was dangerous, cruel… when has she ever been? That narrative was pushed more in this book but Lovetts character does not have a morally grey edge that would make Elliot’s disdain warranted. The other girls in the book were far more savage than her half the time.
The chemistry between Noè and Lovett was far better than it ever was between Elliot and Lovett, but it was still a little lacking. It almost felt like Lovett was intended to be with Elliot, but the direction of the story changed so things were shifted around so she could be with Noè. Elliot would never marry at first, but he loved Lovett, and then hated her for seemingly no reason and agreed to marry a much more violent and hateful woman? And he wouldn’t change his mind even after seeing the violence?
She was wrong.
The False Vow continues the fight for silkwitches, women who are bound by the shackles of their hair. Lovett and Noè conspired to come together to take down his father and break the oppressive system. The only issue, well not the only but perhaps the biggest, Noè’s father isn’t out of tricks yet.
Lovett describes herself as a lone wolf, a solitary person that neither trusts people nor bonds with them. She quickly learns that this just means there are more knives available to go in her back. After going at life alone, she finds herself in a love triangle, surrounded by enemies, potential friends, some that are a little of both? The biggest lesson is she can’t go at it alone, and she doesn’t want to be alone anymore.
Mystery aplenty, confusion galore, the problem of the silkwitches confinement and how to break it continues to plague our characters. New problems come into play and a whole set of new trials are set between Lovett and the ability to free her people.
In this book, love blooms. Affection warms. But with who?
Dislikes/ spoilers:
-
-
I don’t fully understand the love triangle and I actually feel it would’ve been best if the time was spent developing Lovett’s connection to Noè rather than forcing a love triangle.
In order for the love triangle to work, Elliot had to change as a person overnight basically and start despising Lovett. The whole thing was that Lovett was dangerous, cruel… when has she ever been? That narrative was pushed more in this book but Lovetts character does not have a morally grey edge that would make Elliot’s disdain warranted. The other girls in the book were far more savage than her half the time.
The chemistry between Noè and Lovett was far better than it ever was between Elliot and Lovett, but it was still a little lacking. It almost felt like Lovett was intended to be with Elliot, but the direction of the story changed so things were shifted around so she could be with Noè. Elliot would never marry at first, but he loved Lovett, and then hated her for seemingly no reason and agreed to marry a much more violent and hateful woman? And he wouldn’t change his mind even after seeing the violence?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of The False Vow. Honestly, I'm a bit conflicted by this one. The False Vow alleges to be the conclusion to the duology that started with The Weaver Bride. However, The False Vow has the same issue that The Weaver Bride did in that it ends so open without a resolution to one of the main plot threads that it's inconceivable that this is the end of the series. That isn't to say that every series has to has out every detail, but when the main conflict revolves around the secret of silkwitches and weavers and it STILL has not reached a resolution by the end of the duology...it is a tad disappointing.
Anyway, The False Vow picks up right where The Weaver Bride left off. Lovett has won the Vainglory and will (unfortunately) be marrying Noe per the terms of their agreement at the end of the prior novel. However, Noe's father has determined that the tests are over when he says they are over. Since Lovett does not have a dower, Bastian insists that Lovett solve the murder of Sybil Dabos (the silkwitch who was found dead in the tunnels at the end of book one). To do this, Lovett will have to undergo a different sort of trial...attempting to make friends and alliances.
Of course, there is also the matter of Eliot and Lovett's partnership. Which has regressed back to where it was at the start of book one. While The Weaver Bride initially made me love Eliot from a surface level, The False Vow actually expanded on his motivations and his plan to reveal the truth of weavers and witches to society. There is a love triangle and alliances shift from chapter to chapter just as they did in the first novel. However, the result of who wins Lovett's heart feels deserved and like the correct choice. Lovett grows tremendously as a character. Eliot...well...read for yourself.
Other notable characters that are back in action are Anias, Manon, and Marie (the Owl). I adored this little trio of unlikely friends. I absolutely adored every scene with these three (both together and separate). They are my absolute favorites.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first one, definitely pick this up. It's enjoyable enough. However, if you are expecting a bow tied conclusion...maybe wait a few more months to see if a third book is announced.
Anyway, The False Vow picks up right where The Weaver Bride left off. Lovett has won the Vainglory and will (unfortunately) be marrying Noe per the terms of their agreement at the end of the prior novel. However, Noe's father has determined that the tests are over when he says they are over. Since Lovett does not have a dower, Bastian insists that Lovett solve the murder of Sybil Dabos (the silkwitch who was found dead in the tunnels at the end of book one). To do this, Lovett will have to undergo a different sort of trial...attempting to make friends and alliances.
Of course, there is also the matter of Eliot and Lovett's partnership. Which has regressed back to where it was at the start of book one. While The Weaver Bride initially made me love Eliot from a surface level, The False Vow actually expanded on his motivations and his plan to reveal the truth of weavers and witches to society. There is a love triangle and alliances shift from chapter to chapter just as they did in the first novel. However, the result of who wins Lovett's heart feels deserved and like the correct choice. Lovett grows tremendously as a character. Eliot...well...read for yourself.
Other notable characters that are back in action are Anias, Manon, and Marie (the Owl). I adored this little trio of unlikely friends. I absolutely adored every scene with these three (both together and separate). They are my absolute favorites.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first one, definitely pick this up. It's enjoyable enough. However, if you are expecting a bow tied conclusion...maybe wait a few more months to see if a third book is announced.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was very skeptical going into this one. I really enjoyed the first book and when I heard that there was another love interest introduced I was not thrilled. I'm not a fan of love triangles, but this one surprised me.
The False Vow begins where The Weaver Bride left off: another challenge and another murder to solve. Except this time its the murder of Sybil Dubois, another competitor who mysteriously died during the Vainglory. Lovett has to solve her murder before her wedding or her father in law to be will call it off. Because of the 3 weeks time limit and rocky standings with Elliot Lear she is forced to turn to her hated Fiancé Noe for help. As they grow closer and the plot grows thicker, she will have to face off against her old competition in order to get to the bottom of the Weavers secrets.
Overall I really enjoyed the execution of this book. Even though there is a love triangle, I could understand both Eliot and Lovetts perspectives on their relationship. Their ups and downs were not contrived or one sided but genuine issues that needed to be addressed, which gave it depth. Her relationship with Noe was also facetted in the same way. I wont spoil who comes out on top in their personal game, but I can say they were well suited.
The plot was a bit harder for me to follow than the first one, mainly because there was so much going on. There were almost too many subplots to the point where I think I might need to re-read it to get the full picture of what was happening in this story. This was in part to the fact that there were so many very well developed side characters who had their ow dramas happening concurrently to the main plot. I personally enjoy books with subplots, and it was very refreshing to see well developed supporting characters so this didn't really bother me too much.
The only character that didn't remain quite as I knew them in the first book was Eliot. I was a bit caught off guard by his behavior, but I couldn't tell if this was because of unreliable narration or because he actually was behaving differently. I respected that Lovett and all the other girls remained the same even after they had dispersed from the competition.
It remained atmospheric. I remained hooked.
Overall a very captivating and enjoyable read. 4.5 Stars!
I was very skeptical going into this one. I really enjoyed the first book and when I heard that there was another love interest introduced I was not thrilled. I'm not a fan of love triangles, but this one surprised me.
The False Vow begins where The Weaver Bride left off: another challenge and another murder to solve. Except this time its the murder of Sybil Dubois, another competitor who mysteriously died during the Vainglory. Lovett has to solve her murder before her wedding or her father in law to be will call it off. Because of the 3 weeks time limit and rocky standings with Elliot Lear she is forced to turn to her hated Fiancé Noe for help. As they grow closer and the plot grows thicker, she will have to face off against her old competition in order to get to the bottom of the Weavers secrets.
Overall I really enjoyed the execution of this book. Even though there is a love triangle, I could understand both Eliot and Lovetts perspectives on their relationship. Their ups and downs were not contrived or one sided but genuine issues that needed to be addressed, which gave it depth. Her relationship with Noe was also facetted in the same way. I wont spoil who comes out on top in their personal game, but I can say they were well suited.
The plot was a bit harder for me to follow than the first one, mainly because there was so much going on. There were almost too many subplots to the point where I think I might need to re-read it to get the full picture of what was happening in this story. This was in part to the fact that there were so many very well developed side characters who had their ow dramas happening concurrently to the main plot. I personally enjoy books with subplots, and it was very refreshing to see well developed supporting characters so this didn't really bother me too much.
The only character that didn't remain quite as I knew them in the first book was Eliot. I was a bit caught off guard by his behavior, but I couldn't tell if this was because of unreliable narration or because he actually was behaving differently. I respected that Lovett and all the other girls remained the same even after they had dispersed from the competition.
It remained atmospheric. I remained hooked.
Overall a very captivating and enjoyable read. 4.5 Stars!
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