A Thief to Die For

by Melissa Poett

An epic romantasy reimagining of Robin Hood, set in the same world and timeline as The Enemy's Daughter, perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals and Kristen Ciccarelli’s Heartless Hunter. This audio edition features dual narration!

In a desolate, lawless land, Marian carries a dangerous secret. By day, she’s a high-ranking guard serving her father, the ruthless Commander who rules the region with an iron fist. By night, she becomes a whip-wielding thief, robbing the cowards she works with, to help the miners they mistreat.

That is, until Ryland catches her mid-raid. As an elite soldier charged with saving his homeland, Ryland has everything to gain by turning Marian in. Exposing her identity could help secure the coal his people desperately need. Or, it could blow everything apart—if Marian has her way.

But Ryland holds his own secrets—untapped magic runs through his veins. A magic the Commander wants, along with invading Ryland’s distant settlement. So Marian has her win Ryland’s heart to betray him and his people.

And so begins a deadly dance of deception, stealing from the rich to give to the poor . . . and magic—the kind Ryland’s been waiting his whole life to wield.

Classic A retelling of Robin Hood, who robbed from the rich to give to the poor.Dystopian The world has been completely ravaged, leaving few surviving communities to fight over resources.Star-Crossed Ryland finds Marian’s kindness compelling, but Marian’s father, who dictates every aspect of her life, stands in their way.Magical Ryland possesses a unique magic that allows the person he marries to access his thoughts and memories.Altar Marian’s father wants to use Ryland’s magic to invade Ryland’s home community and is willing to use Marian to achieve his goal.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Dystopia, Romance, Romantasy, Enemies To Lovers

Audible Audio

Expected publication November 17, 2026

About the author

Melissa Poett majored in music composition, first telling stories with instruments before switching her medium to words. She now writes young adult novels in a variety of genres ranging from contemporary to romantasy. She lives in Alberta, Canada with her family, and is the author of The Enemy’s Daughter and A Thief to Die For.

https://melissapoett.com/linktree

Reviews

[viv (hiatus)]

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ pre-read ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐

i loved the enemy's daughter (which was a tristan and isolde retelling btw). i've read it 3 times already. so imagine my surprise when i found out that i got the arc for this book😝😝😝
it's a robin hood retelling with marian leading the rebellion.
the scream i scrumpt ahhhhhhhhh.
okay so icl i've def read my fair share of robin hood retellings but smth abt melissa's books js hits diff idkk. like, this book is going to be different ijki. ahh im so excited.
lesssfreakinggooo

(ps. is a tristan and isodora novella too much to ask for🙏😭)

[Ellen McGinty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful dystopian retelling by Melissa Poett! I really enjoyed these characters, the fast-paced adventure, and the clever plot twists. Robin Hood has always been one of my favorite stories, and this retelling didn't disappoint.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting mesh of light fantasy and dystopian with a romantic sub plot. A world post nuclear fall out that’s just getting by and a town controlled my a man they made me hate sooo soo much. Coal in the main commodity this town had that everyone wants and gives them power over their neighbors. Really a fascinating build and set up for some tyranny !! Did I mention I really did not like the bad guys , they did an oh so good job building the villains in this. Characters are modeled after Robin Hood and easily identifiable, Marian is the daughter of the Tyrant which makes for an interesting dynamic as she is stealing from her father and trying to right his wrongs. I will say the romantic plot got me really irritated at one point but props for getting me so involved in the read I wanted to throw things !! Enjoyed the read and its take on this Robin Hood retelling !!

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t have much to say about this. The cover is pretty but world building and romance were severely lacking. It simply didn’t do for me.

[megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf at 65%

unfortunately this book was not for me. i really tried to just keep it moving along and finish out the audio but i am just not a fan of the turn this book is taking. i get the shock factor of where i am but after reading some other reviews to decide if i wanted to stick it out or not i saw some eventual plot points that will inevitably just make me more annoyed and make the rating of this book lower than 2 stars.

this book was a really interesting concept but completely lacked in its execution, theres no world building, no how we ended up here and the pacing is very erratic. also while i know that this is YA so this may be just a me thing but the commander was outrageous honestly, he felt more like a cartoon character than evil villain, its hard to take the situation seriously with how over the top and weird he is.

[Sandrine]

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book around the 40% mark. The premise of this book sounded very interesting. However, the execution, for me was lacking. This is pitched as a Robin Hood retelling in a dystopian world. I don’t know where the dystopian is because there is almost no world building. Was I supposed to read the first book first ? I am a reader that needs context and a plausible world building and magic system to enjoy a fantasy story. In this, I was going blind. What is this magic that is supposedly lost ? What led to the supposed dystopian world? I wish I knew. Because of that, I felt like there were no stakes. How can the characters be nuanced if there’s no context? If I was supposed to read the first book to understand the world building, then it should’ve been marketed as a sequel or part of the same series. I couldn’t keep going as I didn’t even root for the Marian and Ryland. Also, it was a bit insta love as they are kissing after seeing each other maybe 3-4 times ? This book was not for me, but I’m sure readers who read the first book will appreciate :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.

[Cadence Boudreaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss+, HarperCollins Children’s Books | HarperCollins, and Melissa Poett for the advanced copy!

Who needs enemies when you have a sister like Agatha?

I really, really enjoyed the first bit of this book. All of the magic and romance. The yearning, even the betrayal of the competition! I loved when he didn’t feel the connection because he’d already promised himself to Marion. Then he bonded with Agatha anyway?

This is where the book lost me. As soon as her sister was happy and smug about the betrayal, I didn’t like her. I didn’t care when she died. In fact, at 70%, I wrote that I hoped she would. To see her sister feel that agony, to experience it herself? Incredibly awful.

I also didn’t get her annoyance about her father or about Marion wanting to teach her how to defend herself. Jesus Christ. Get over it. This is coming from a least-favorite child—you are genuinely just evil!

I hated Ryland’s need to be with Agatha and his immediate write-off of Marion. It annoyed me heavily. I understood the whole connection/vow situation, but he annoyed me.

I think this entire connection just gave me the ick. It would’ve been better to have them get married and have him reject her completely, with the connection never even forming. Or something different. It was just annoying, and it made me hate Agatha.

I’m happy they got their happy ending… and rest in peace? Not Agatha.

[Athena 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars!!

Both books in this series have my whole entire heart. Melissa Poett has done it yet again delivering a heart-stopping, YA romance that will leave you feeling every emotion. There are so many things I love about these books but what I love most of all is how Poett portrays marriage in her stories. It is this magical bond that tethers you to your spouse, mind, body and soul. I like how the author was able to use fantasy elements to show the parallels of a marriage in real life.

If you are someone who is a sucker for a sweet, loyal, MMC who YEARNS then you will love Ryland. He and Marian’s chemistry is just the sweetest and the villains in this book who try to come between them will have you yelling at the page.

Technically these books are considered stand alones but I would highly suggest reading The Enemy’s Daughter first so that you will have a better understanding of the world and the marriage bond.

These books are great for young readers who are ready to start getting into romance. The world building is minimal making these very easy to read. They are great for when you’re looking for something lighter in between your heavier reads.

A big thank you to Harper Audio Children’s, Harper Collins Children’s and Melissa Poett for an ARC and ALC of A Thief To Die For. All of my opinions are my own.

[A-lana]

DNF page 120

SPOILERS

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️




The flirting was starting to get good, but i had a weird feeling about the sister. So i looked ahead.... long story short the sister is a bitch and somehow concocts a plan where the mmc has to marry her therefore enacting a magical bond. She kisses him. Its very intimate. Think mating bond esque. I think he may admit he could grow to love her because she is part of him. (However the vibe is reluctant because he doesnt love or want the sister but wants the fmc)

It was pretty clear she was into him and i wish he had set harder boundaries with her.

Also im kind of icked out by the ages of the characters. If im not mistake the fmc is 18 and her sister is younger which i took to mean 17 or 16 but the mmc is 20.... thats gunna be a big no for me. When was YA a fmc in her late teens but an mmc being 20???


Just a note we could have got the same result (his settlement location) if our mmcs got married, and the commander tortured the fmc for the location but the mmc gives it up so they'll stop torturing her that way theres no gross bond with her sister and stuff ugh

Very annoyed

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.

⚔️The vibes:
- YA fantasy dystopian
- Robin Hood reimagining
- Closed door (kisses only)

⚔️ My thoughts:
Ok so I really liked the concept of this Robin Hood reimagining. The idea was a good one but I struggled with the execution. The romance, lack of world building, and usage of modern language pulled me out of the story.

⚔️ The connection between the two main characters felt lust-forward for me. The emphasis on physical attraction was fine, but I wanted more. Then we did start getting more (love), but it felt so unearned because of how rushed the execution was. The characters repeatedly acknowledge how they are rushing things, almost as if to excuse the rushed timeline to the readers.

⚔️ This is a small thing, but some of the language used felt more modern than what I expect in a fantasy. The language pulled me out of the story a handful of times. “Bad vibes”, mentioning if a character is “single”, and mentioning days of the week are a few examples of what I’m talking about.

⚔️ Lastly, every single moment with Agatha had me so frustrated and angry with her character. I don’t believe the reader is supposed to feel this way. I felt very much that the reader is supposed to be understanding of the entire storyline with her, but I’ll be honest- the speck of compassion I had for her in the beginning of the book fizzled to zero very quickly.

⚔️ Unfortunately this didn’t work for me, but I do think it will work for readers who want a fast-paced romance with a simple world set up, especially if you want a standalone fantasy with twists and turns in there.

Note / spice content : closed door (kisses only)
Release date: November 17, 2026.

Thank you so much to Melissa Poett, Harper Collins, and NetGalley.

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like gender swap retellings and bad a** heroines, a fast paced plot and characters to root for, you need this book! The target audience is YA and I will easily recommend it to readers of all ages who enjoy books like Soulmatch or The Hunger Games.
Marian is the dutiful daughter taking order from The Commander. She distances herself from everyone and toes the line. But occasionally, at night, she dons a disguise and raids her father's wagons to help the struggling Dresden with much needed items. Visitors are never welcome unless they can entice The Commander with anything that resembles old world advances like electricity or magic. Ryland has come in search of coal and is ready to bargain for anything reasonable. At the wrong place at the right time, he discovers Marian's secret and tensions loom ever higher.
It's what I like to call accessible fantasy. The magic system is detailed enough that you feel immersed in Melissa's world but simple enough to not feel like you don't think "what is happeningggg" every three pages. There are so many clever nods to Robin Hood. I think it can easily be read as a standalone but reading The Enemy's Daughter first gave me lots of fun Easter eggs and callbacks. I eagerly flipped pages and struggled to set it down until I finished. Would love to see another in this world!
Thank you to the author for sending a finished copy for a traveling arc. All thoughts are my own.

[Sorina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Thief to Die For" by Melissa Poett is an YA enemies-to-lovers dystopian fantasy.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, Children's for the advance reader copy of the book.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

This is a reimagining of Robin Hood, set in the same dystopian world woven with magic as The Enemy’s Daughter.

Marian is a guard serving her father, but also a thief that helps they ones that the other guards mistreat.
Ryland is from the Kingsland and Tristan's cousin. This is the connection to The Enemy’s Daughter.

Both Marian and Ryland both have secrets and after he saved her during one raid, they start developing feelings.
This was a fast read for me, it have action, magic, secrets and unexpected twists.
The marriage magic from Kingsland is very interesting and the story went differently from what I expected.

Overall I think that The Enemy’s Daughter was a bit better, but I also had a good time reading this book.

[Kam · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fantasy for ages 15-18 who are just getting into fantasy. If you are a more seasoned reader you’ll recognize lots of other plot points from other stories. I didn’t connect with the characters or setting.

[Mella aka Maron]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC / ALC.

DNF at 16%. This one was not for me at all. I dislike the extremely heavy war/violent tones in this book at the very beginning with very little world-building. I also find the world itself a little strange. They're mining coal because they want electricity again after the apocalypse. Did all of the world's technological advancements just disappear? What even happened? I really wish this had been marketed as a sequel if it was going to explain next to nothing about the world. I was way more interested in a Robin Hood retelling rather than a Tristan and Isolde retelling so I didn't even want to read the first book and thought this would be a "standalone in the same world" not a "sequel with different characters."

Also, the way her father (the captain? leader?) acts like a child... is really aggravating. He acts like Joffrey from GoT but he's a grown man. I didn't really like the FMC nor the MMC either. I hate sibling obsession in FMC's. Let your sister deal with her own problems if that's what she chooses to do. I hated the MMC's pov chapters a lot. I don't know if it was the narrator but the MMC just sounds... bored? His voice just got on my nerves.

So basically, I liked nothing. The writing style wasn't bad though. Just... everything else wasn't my taste.

I think people who read Poett's first book will like this one, but if you're coming into this blind, know that the world isn't really explained (at least not as far as I got.)

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.*


A Thief to Die For is a standalone set in the same world as The Enemy’s Daughter. It is a dystopian Robin Hood retelling.

The book is a dual POV and follows Marian, the daughter of an evil overlord, who fights back against her father’s rule in secret by stealing taxes to give back to the people, and Ryland, a soldier from a different settlement who has come looking for coal. But when Ryland discovers Marian’s secret and something more develops between them, the two will have to choose between love and duty.

This book was fine. It was almost enjoyable, and there were parts that I actually liked, but unfortunately, while I had high hopes going in, it just didn’t hit for me. The first half was very slow, and I just didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. The romance was better in the second half, but there just wasn’t enough tension at the beginning for me to really care. The plot was decent but underdeveloped and the twists were fairly obvious and there just wasn’t enough to keep me interested the whole time. It was such a good premise, but the book itself did not meet my expectations.

I really enjoyed The Enemy’s Daughter, but A Thief to Die for just didn’t capture me as much as it did. There were some good parts to the book, and if you like dystopian YA books, you might enjoy this more than I did.

[Samantha Kolhoff · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I always love a good dystopian book and this one didn’t disappoint!! It had high stakes, it had romance, it had plot twist that left my jaw on the floor! I loved this so much. This was my first book by Melissa and I absolutely will be checking out her other books.

This story is about Marian who is the is our ‘robin-hood’ in this retelling, in the middle of the night she’s a whip using thief robbing the people she works for to help the people that need it. During the day she’s a high ranking guard working for her father, the commander who rules with cruelty. One night Rhyland catches her mid-raid, she needs to secure a deal or her could ruin everything for her. The commander wants Rhylands magic, her gives Marian her orders. Make Rhyland fall in love with her, but not to fall for him cause he doesn’t like to share his things.

[Sierra L · Rating 4 out of 5]

*pre-read*

So Ryland is getting his story, okay I’m down. He didn’t have a whole lot of presence in the first book but I’m interested…

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Thank you to Harper Collin’s Children’s and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such an improvement from the first book in this world. And when I say world, this is a second book that takes place in this universe and world that the author has created. Although it’s technically a standalone, I do think you should read the first book to know what is going on.

I liked the first book but I felt that there was a lot left to be desired and I felt like the main couple fell super fast. In this book, I feel like she solved all those issues. The pacing is better, I thought the nod to the tale of Robin Hood works here, and the characters fall for each other in a believable timeline.

I really liked that Ryland got his story here and I enjoyed his moments with Marian a lot. Their relationship was believable and enjoyed their scenes together a lot! Agatha bugged me, but I think that was to be expected.

I really enjoyed this book until the 65% where a decision was made and it bugged me so bad! I was so annoyed for the last parts of the book until something happened and things were “resolved”. And I say that loosely because the choice was to remove certain characters for the plot to resolve and that bothered me too.

Overall though, I liked this. I really do hope she continues to write more in this universe because I’m enjoying. I would like to see more from Levi and Sam, especially their banter with one another. I thought maybe she might go that direction but it seems implied that Sam is enjoying someone else.

Thank you again for the ARC! I had fun!

[Andrea Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC!

Melissa Poett you have done it again. She might just be my new auto buy author. The Enemy’s Daughter was my favorite book of 2025 so this was one of my highly anticipated books of the year. I’m happy to say that it delivered! It was so well written. Melissa has such an effortless writing style that makes it impossible to put her books down. Even though there were a few aspects that didn't completely work for me, I was invested from beginning to end because the characters were so compelling and the plot was incredibly engaging. I’ve noticed that once you hit that 70% mark of her books you are in for a wild ride. It is so fast paced you just have to keep reading. The pacing skyrockets, the stakes keep escalating, and suddenly you're flying through the pages because you HAVE to know what happens next.

The romance was another highlight. It leaned a little more into insta-love than The Enemy's Daughter, where “the connection” made sense given the circumstances, but Melissa once again proves that she's exceptionally talented at writing chemistry. The yearning, the tension, the stolen moments, it all felt so tangible. She has a way of making you root for her couples from the very beginning.

I also really loved both main characters. I was happily surprised at Marian’s character since she was very different from Isadora who I felt like had such a quiet strength to her but Marian was really a warrior through and through. She was headstrong, sassy and passionate. She refuses to back down, and I loved watching her fight for what she believed in. Ryland completely stole my heart as well. (Although I still love Tristian more lol). He was selfless, compassionate, and endlessly kind, making him such a wonderful counterpart to Marian. Their dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the book.


I really hope Melissa keeps exploring this world and gives us more stories. The world building has so much potential to be further explored and expanded. While The Enemy's Daughter is still my favorite of the two, this was another fantastic read that reminded me exactly why Melissa Poett has become one of my favorite authors. Solid 4 stars!



Also I don’t care I have a soft spot for Agatha.

[Brittany Barry · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A Robin Hood retelling set in a dystopian fantasy world, complete with forbidden romance, political corruption, secret identities, and SO MUCH PINING?! Melissa Poett, you absolutely have my attention.

First of all, I LOVED The Enemy's Daughter, so I was beyond excited to return to this world with A Thief to Die For. One of the things I appreciated most about that first book was how Poett took a familiar story and completely reimagined it within this fascinating dystopian setting. And I was really curious to see how she would continue expanding the world through another fairy tale retelling. Honestly? I think this is such a clever direction for the series.

This time, we're getting a reimagining of Robin Hood, with Marian taking on a much more active role in the rebellion against an oppressive ruler. By day, she's the dutiful daughter of a powerful commander, carefully maintaining appearances and following the expectations placed upon her. But behind the scenes? She's secretly stealing supplies to help the very people suffering under her father's rule.

I LOVE THIS PREMISE, especially what Poett does with Marian's character.

She's strong, determined, and willing to put herself in danger for the people who need her help. But she's also vulnerable, emotionally complicated, and far from perfect. She's spent so much of her life navigating her father's control that she doesn't always know how to reconcile what she's been taught with what she knows is right. Watching her gradually become more confident in her own decisions was easily one of my favorite parts of the story, and the way her vulnerabilities become part of her strength?! SO GOOD.

I also really enjoyed the retelling itself. There are plenty of recognizable Robin Hood elements woven throughout the story, but they never feel like they're simply being copied and pasted into a different setting. Poett adapts them to fit the politics, magic, and social structures of this world, which makes the story feel familiar without becoming predictable.

And can we talk about the worldbuilding?! One of the things I find most interesting about these books is how gradually Poett reveals the larger history of this dystopian society. We're still discovering how the world became what it is, how magic fits into everything, and how the different communities are connected. It's definitely a slower approach to worldbuilding, but I appreciate that we're learning more with each installment rather than being overwhelmed with information all at once.

There were some particularly interesting revelations in this book that made me even more curious about the bigger picture. And I REALLY hope Poett continues writing retellings in this setting because there is so much potential here.

Now, let's talk about Ryland and Marian. THE YEARNING. OH MY GOSH, THE YEARNING. I love a romance where the characters have history, complicated feelings, and plenty of reasons why being together isn't going to be easy. And the tension between these two was one of the biggest reasons I became invested in the story so quickly. There's betrayal, longing, and that delicious combination of wanting someone desperately while also having very good reasons to keep your distance. Ryland's devotion to Marian was particularly compelling in the beginning, and I loved how their relationship was intertwined with the larger political conflict.

BUT.

I do have some complaints about where the romance eventually goes because I am NOT a big fan of love triangles, especially when they involve misunderstandings, questionable decisions, and people refusing to have conversations that could resolve half their problems, and this one definitely tested my patience.

Without getting into spoilers, the situation involving Marian, Ryland, and Agatha becomes increasingly complicated, and there were moments when I was seriously frustrated with how certain characters handled it. I understood the magical circumstances influencing their relationships, but understanding why something happens doesn't necessarily make it any less irritating to read.

Agatha was A VERY complicated character for me.r On one hand, I appreciated that Poett explored the relationship between the sisters and how their different experiences shaped their personalities. There's a lot to unpack when it comes to feeling overlooked, wanting to be loved, and struggling with resentment. But on the other hand? Some of Agatha's behavior was incredibly difficult to sympathize with. I wanted to understand her, and there were moments when I did, but there were also moments when I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into her.

The sister dynamic adds an interesting emotional layer to the story, but it also made the romantic conflict much more uncomfortable than I would've preferred. While I enjoyed the overall direction of the plot, I wasn't entirely satisfied with how that particular conflict was resolved. I would've liked to see the characters forced to confront some of their decisions more directly rather than having the situation resolved in a way that avoided some of the harder emotional conversationsB ecause those conversations MATTER, especially when the relationships involved are this complicated.

I also thought Atlas could've used a little more nuance. He's certainly effective as an antagonist, and his cruelty fits the oppressive world Poett has created, but compared with some of the other characters, he occasionally felt a little too one-dimensional.

That said, the actual plot kept me entertained. There's plenty of action, political intrigue, rebellion, and unexpected developments, and I enjoyed seeing how Marian's personal journey connected to the larger struggle for justice. The story has some fantastic moments of tension, and I loved watching Marian step further into the role she was always capable of filling.

Ultimately, A Thief to Die For is another imaginative addition to this dystopian fairy tale world. I loved the Robin Hood inspiration, the accessible fantasy elements, and especially Marian's character development. The romance had some fantastic moments of longing and tension, even if the love triangle eventually became one of my biggest frustrations. While I don't think every aspect of the story worked equally well, I was still invested in the world and curious about where Poett might take it next.

If you enjoy fairy tale retellings that do something different with familiar characters, morally complicated relationships, rebellion against corrupt rulers, and fantasy worlds that reveal their secrets gradually, this is definitely one to check out. While you could probably read this as a standalone, I'd personally recommend starting with The Enemy's Daughter. Not only did I absolutely love that book, but I think having that additional context makes the worldbuilding and little connections between the stories even more enjoyable.

Now, Melissa Poett, PLEASE tell me we're getting more books set in this world because I am nowhere near ready to leave it behind.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the publisher in preparation for an upcoming interview. It has not affected my opinions.

A THIEF TO DIE FOR is a fast-paced romantasy inspired by Robin Hood, but was overshadowed by world building issues.

Like with THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER, this is a very, very loose retelling of Robin Hood. It is, however, so much more recognisably Robin Hood than that book was Tristan and Iseult (I would argue THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER is not Tristan and Iseult beyond the names). We have a Marian who here is taking on the role of Robin Hood as she is stealing from the Commander of Notting to give to the poor people. There is an archery contest in which Ryland takes part. I did appreciate that this felt more of a retelling, with more recognisable elements. It felt like it lived up to the promise of a Robin Hood retelling in a way the author's debut didn't.

This is a very action packed book. There are Marian's raids, the archery contest, plus the conflict with her tyrannical father. The chapters are quite short, so that helps give the book a sense of momentum, pulling you along.

I also bought into this romance more. The characters are not ideologically opposed - goal-opposed, sure, but that just gives a bit of tension to the romance as they need to find a way to make their goals align, but there isn't a fundamental ideological opposition to get past. This means that their bonding can take place fast while being believable - and the tension is done well through events like the staring contest.

The book is linked to THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER. It's set in the same world and Ryland is from Kingsland. However, it's not a direct sequel. It does contain spoilers of that book in that it tells you Tristan and Isadora got together (though given it's a YA romantasy, I think that's a given!) and there are a few character overlaps. However, it can also be read on its own.

Frustratingly, this book was overshadowed for me by the world building - and the inaccurate nuclear physics in it. It was so distracting that there were all these throw away lines that were so wrong. Some of it wasn't even a lack of understanding of nuclear physics but a lack of understanding about how power stations work. Also, they say fission is bad but don't condemn coal - the entire plot is predicated on starting a coal powered station (to replace hydropower!) So enough information survived the apocalypse to know about fission but not climate change?

Yes, the average reader is not a nuclear physicist who specialises in nuclear power monitoring and so it won't distract them out of their mind that this layer of the world building is wrong. However, I am and it did. (There is also a discussion to be had about how things like this just add to misinformation. This is "pop-culture science" world building, and I mean that in the worst possible way - stuff that's usually wrong but so pervasive as it's in everything that you spend so much time arguing with people who get their science from fiction who believe because it's everywhere it must be right.)

Marian's father was a pretty one dimensional villain. He was tyrannical to the point of it being clear he knew he was being awful to everyone else. There was no sense that he thought he was the hero of his own story - who was his ideological enemy that had led to his regime being the way it is? I need that to buy into a villain in a book, otherwise they feel a bit cartoonish. I don't have to agree with their logic but I need to believe that they think they're doing the right thing (even if it's only the right thing for them) and understand how they gained power.

I think what would have helped would have been fleshing out the world a bit more. We didn't spend enough time with the people who benefit from his reign and thus prop it up to make the "why does he not get overthrown" explained, let alone a backstory for the settlement (it's just "protection against the wider world" with no evidence of the wider world being dangerous beyond characters saying it is.) Instead, the time is spent on everyone who is suffering with only "he has some guards" given as his reason for staying in control and they didn't give the impression of a large force.

Overall, I think this book would be very enjoyable if you're not a nuclear physicist!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Children's | Quill Tree Books, and Melissa Poett for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

A Thief to Die For is a YA dystopian romantasy that reimagines the Robin Hood legend with Marian as Robin Hood herself, stealing from her tyrannical father to help the people suffering under his rule.

The premise immediately hooked me. Marian lives a dangerous double life, balancing her role as the daughter of Notting's powerful ruler while secretly working against everything he stands for. Add in rebellion, magic, political intrigue, impossible choices, and forbidden romance, and I was all in.

The audiobook narration by Sydney Miede and Nick Page was excellent. Both narrators brought emotional depth to their characters, and the dual narration helped capture the growing tension, conflicting loyalties, and high stakes throughout the story.

What kept me invested most, though, wasn't the romance.

It was Marian.

She spends the entire book trying to do the right thing while trapped between loyalty, family, duty, and her own conscience. Watching her slowly realize that some people don't deserve the loyalty she's been taught to give them was one of the strongest parts of the story.

And then there are the sisters.

Honestly, Marian and Agatha broke my heart.

Their relationship never really stood a chance because their father spent years creating division between them. Instead of encouraging trust, he weaponized insecurity, favoritism, and competition. Every interaction felt like another example of how thoroughly he had manipulated both girls. The tragedy isn't that they disagree. The tragedy is that they were deliberately conditioned to see each other as rivals instead of allies.

Marian consistently tries to protect Agatha, even when Agatha doesn't always extend the same grace in return. You can see how badly Marian wants to hold onto that sisterly bond, while Agatha's resentment and need for approval leave her vulnerable to manipulation.

And then there's the betrayal.

Without spoilers, Agatha's actions felt like the ultimate knife in the back.

Not because she suddenly turns into a villain, but because Marian spends so much of the story carrying the weight of everyone else's expectations while trying to protect the people she loves. Watching those efforts thrown back in her face was frustrating in the best possible way. I was angry, heartbroken, and fully invested all at once.

The complicated dynamic between Marian, Agatha, and Ryland also created some of my biggest frustrations with the story. There were times when the romantic drama felt more forced than organic, and I struggled with aspects of the love triangle. Instead of deepening the romance, it often left me questioning the decisions being made and feeling even more protective of Marian.

By the end, I was honestly less concerned with who ended up with whom and more concerned with whether Marian could free herself from the people who kept trying to control her life.

Despite those frustrations, I couldn't stop listening.

The worldbuilding is engaging, the narration is strong, the stakes are high, and Marian is a protagonist worth rooting for. Most of all, the story explores how power, manipulation, and toxic family dynamics can shape people for better or worse.

Overall, A Thief to Die For is an entertaining Robin Hood retelling filled with magic, rebellion, political intrigue, family betrayal, and a heroine who deserved far better than most of the people surrounding her.

And honestly?

The biggest villain in this book wasn't the romance, the rebellion, or even the kingdom.

It was a father who spent years turning two sisters against each other and the damage that followed.

[Erin Arkin · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Melissa Poett returns with A Thief to Die For, a YA fantasy that puts a brilliant spin on traditional folklore. Functioning as a dark, magical reimagining of the Robin Hood legend set in a lawless landscape, this novel balances political intrigue with a classic enemies-to-lovers romance. While I personally found myself leaning just a fraction more toward the magic and pacing of Poett's other book set in this world, this one delivers plenty of fresh tension, twists, and turns to keep readers hooked.

The narrative takes place in a harsh world ruled by power-hungry figures. By day, Marian is a high-ranking guard serving her father—the ruthless Commander who governs with an iron fist. By night, however, she transforms into a whip-wielding vigilante, stealing from him to support the oppressed. Her secret double life hits a major roadblock when Ryland, an elite soldier attempting to secure resources to save his own homeland, catches her mid-raid.

What follows is a game of cat-and-mouse complicated by heavy political maneuvering. Ryland harbors rare, untapped magic in his veins that the Commander desperately wants to exploit to expand his territory. Tasked by her father to infiltrate Ryland's trust, Marian must win his heart to ultimately betray him and his people. Packed with unexpected betrayals, shifting allegiances, and constant danger, the plot moves at a brisk pace, keeping readers guessing at every turn.

Marian starts the story caught between fierce loyalty and deep moral outrage. Her arc focuses heavily on breaking free from the shadow of her tyrannical father. As she balances her dual identity as a dutiful guard and a rebel thief, her motivations shift from quiet defiance to active rebellion. Interacting with Ryland forces her to confront her own complicity, pushing her to choose where her true loyalties lie—even if it means risking everything she has ever known.

Ryland carries the immense burden of protecting his starving, desperate settlement. Initially, he views Marian as a leverage piece—someone whose exposure could secure the coal and security his people desperately require. His arc expands dramatically as his latent magic begins to surface, introducing a unique magical bond that allows a spouse to access his thoughts and memories. As his forced proximity to Marian deepens, his hardened exterior gives way to vulnerability, transforming a dynamic built on mistrust into a high-stakes emotional connection.

For those considering formats, listening to this on audio is a fantastic option. The narration is executed exceptionally well, capturing the tension of the stealth raids, the weight of the political stakes, and the simmering chemistry between the leads. The voice acting brings an extra layer of urgency to the narrative's countless twists and turns.

While book one may hold a slight edge in terms of initial world-building magic, A Thief to Die For is an entertaining read that expands the lore in satisfying ways. If you enjoy young adult fantasy packed with dangerous power struggles, elaborate deception, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, this Robin Hood-inspired romantasy is well worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Reed White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperCollins and Quill Tree Books for access to the DRC and ALC via NetGalley; all thoughts are my own.

A Thief to Die For is a companion standalone set in the same world as The Enemy’s Daughter. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first book. It was entertaining enough, and I flew through it in a couple of days, but a few glaring issues limited my enjoyment, particularly in the final third.

I want to start by saying that I listened to the audiobook during my read and, setting aside the story itself, I had no notes. I love dual narration for dual-POV stories, and both narrators did a wonderful job in their respective roles. Because of the narrator choice, I found myself picturing Ryland as a Black character, despite the cover art and text descriptions suggesting otherwise. This wasn’t a problem for me; it was simply interesting to see how the audiobook shaped my mental image of him.

What I did appreciate was the book’s exploration of “good” and “evil” and how those labels are rarely as black and white as we’re led to believe, especially for impoverished and persecuted people. It’s a critical message, particularly in today’s political climate. The story is only loosely based on Robin Hood, but it retains the heart of the legend and presents it in an approachable way for a young audience.

Like The Enemy’s Daughter, A Thief to Die For suffers from a lack of world-building, though arguably to a greater degree. It relies heavily on readers coming in with prior knowledge and adds no new details beyond introducing a new settlement to explore, which is an odd choice for a companion novel rather than a direct sequel. I suspect new readers would be missing vital context.

I was able to overlook the minimal world-building in The Enemy’s Daughter because I was so wrapped up in the romance, but the romance here didn’t work as well for me. The characters’ impulsiveness was realistic for their age, but the relationship felt rushed, which made it hard to root for them after the “twist” at the midway point. In The Enemy’s Daughter, the “connection” was used to heighten tension and deepen the relationship; here, it served mainly as a plot device to keep the couple apart. By the end, I found myself wishing the characters would step back and take a moment before jumping into a romantic relationship.

My biggest qualm was Atlas (Marian’s father and the main antagonist), whose personality was so unhinged that he felt like a caricature of a villain. His ludicrous antics were the single device driving the plot forward, which felt like lazy writing.

Finally, without giving too much away, a sacrifice near the end of the story was brushed off far too easily, which left a bad taste in my mouth. I understand that the remaining page count was limited and that the “happy ending” was prioritized, but it felt not only unrealistic but even a little insensitive.

Overall, A Thief to Die For has an important message and a strong audiobook production, but it’s held back by thin world-building, a rushed romance, and an overly-exaggerated villain. Fans of The Enemy’s Daughter may still find it an enjoyable, quick read, especially young readers who better fit the true demographic. However, it didn’t quite live up to its predecessor for me.

[Kass Cooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m coming to A Thief to Die For as someone who knows next to nothing about Robin Hood lore, so I can’t speak to this as a reimagining of that story. But I loved The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett so I was excited to read more of her writing.

That’s why it was so nice returning to the world of her debut novel for this same universe installment. There are Easter eggs here and there from The Enemy’s Daughter but this book is written in such a way where you can still fully enjoy it without having read the other. The world building is well done and makes their gritty lives in Notting feel like a reality. Atlas’ dictatorship makes the already difficult living conditions even more oppressive.

This is a dual POV story but it takes six chapters for Ryland to have his first turn. However, the chapters are short and snappy. Only once or twice did an event get glossed over by the passage of time between chapters. But I really didn’t need to witness a character getting whipped, for example, so it wasn’t a bad decision.

Marian is a tough as nails heroine who’s trying to think of every creative way she can to subvert her father’s effects on their settlement. But all her subtle machinations aren’t enough.

Ryland’s deep loyalty to those he cares for and sense of justice are his driving force throughout the story. Meeting Ryland and learning to trust him helps Marian realize that she’s not trapped and that fighting her father in the open could be possible.

Their romance starts with enemies-to-lovers vibes especially since they end up at each other's throats in a fight more than once and she’s so concerned he’ll reveal her secrets to her father. Although it’s not long before they reach an understanding and their romance settles into a star-crossed lovers situation. Their attraction is undeniable and that was the steamiest staring contest ever conceived. The trajectory of their relationship may come off as fast paced, but it doesn’t feel forced to me.

Between Ryland, Agatha, Marian, and Atlas there are so many deceptions and plots layered on top of each other to keep track of but it was never confusing. Just assume that everyone is scheming. There’s tension to every situation and the stakes are pretty high as you worry for the characters but it didn’t end up stressing me out which is a fine line that I appreciated.

I can honestly say I did not predict the twist regarding Ryland’s past. But that wasn’t the only surprise this story had in store. That revelation was just a catalyst for one shock after another. The twist that led us into the dark night of the soul was a doozy and I struggled to picture how the characters would come back from that.

But through all the blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifices there was still a happy ending.

The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars is because a book has to make the whole world fall away until I finish every last page or make me obsessive to receive that rating. Otherwise, I really enjoyed my time with A Thief to Die For and I thought it was very good.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing an eARC of this book for review. All opinions stated here are my own.

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thief to Die For was one of those books where I started out thinking I'd have a fun little fantasy adventure. Then suddenly I was suspicious of everyone, emotionally invested, and questioning every single decision these characters made.
Basically, exactly the kind of mess I enjoy.
One of my favorite things about this book was the constant feeling that I couldn't completely trust what was happening. There are secrets, hidden motivations, and characters who definitely aren't putting all their cards on the table. Every time I started feeling comfortable with someone, my brain immediately went, “Yeahhhh… but what if they're lying?”
And that made this ridiculously easy to keep reading.
I also really enjoyed the balance between the fantasy side of the story and the relationships between the characters. Plenty was happening around them, but I never felt like the characters got lost underneath all the action. I wanted to know what would happen next, but I was just as invested in what was happening between everyone.
Especially when it came to the chemistry.
Because OH MY GOD.
Give me two characters who challenge each other, frustrate each other, don't know if they should trust each other, and still have enough tension between them that I'm sitting there waiting for somebody to DO SOMETHING finally.
Apparently, I enjoy suffering.
The romance didn't feel like it was thrown into the story just because it needed a romantic subplot. I liked watching the relationship develop alongside everything else that was happening. When you already have secrets and questionable loyalties floating around, developing feelings for someone becomes significantly more complicated.
Which, naturally, makes it significantly more entertaining for me.
I also appreciated that the story kept moving. There weren't huge stretches where I felt like I was waiting for something interesting to happen. There was always another problem, another revelation, another suspicious interaction, or another reason for me to say, “Well THAT doesn't seem like a good idea.”
Did that stop anyone from doing it?
Of course not.
Would this book have been significantly shorter if everyone made sensible decisions and communicated properly?
Probably.
Would I have wanted that?
Absolutely not.
And underneath all the action and chaos, there were enough emotional moments to make me genuinely care about what happened to these characters. That's what really hooked me. It's one thing to give me an exciting fantasy story, but another to make me emotionally attached to the people making terrible decisions. I'm doomed.
By the time everything started coming together, I was completely invested and very much in the “just one more chapter” stage—which we all know is a lie because there is NEVER just one more chapter.
A Thief to Die For gave me danger, secrets, tension, romance, betrayals, questionable choices, and characters I couldn't stop rooting for even when I wanted to shake them.
So thank you, Melissa Poett.
My TBR was already an uncontrollable disaster, and now you've given me another fictional world and another group of characters I need more from.
Exactly what I needed.
Obviously.

[Daniela M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Robin Hood retelling in the back drop of a post-apocalyptic world that gave me Bones by K.L. Speer vibes, but make it YA.

A Thief to Die for follows a girl named Marian who is living in an encampment run by her father. Witnessing the misuse of supplies among the lower class of people, Marian decides to take it upon herself to steal from her father, and blame the missing supplies on raiders from a warring faction. However, when a member of said warring faction witnesses Marian stealing these supplies, he uses this information to bribe her into an alliance. Ryland will provide this camp with technologies and information they have gathered in exchange for coal from Marian’s mines. From here, they form a reluctant allyship.

The characters in this novel are fine, but I did find them lacking in their roles and their place in the retelling. Other than names, this really didn’t feel like a Robin Hood retelling. Even Marian’s role as the thief was really toned down and didn’t carry a lot of weight in the narrative. No side characters really stood out to me, and even the main two didn’t seem to have much of a personality. The father being this villain also fell flat for me because he didn’t really have much weight to his character. He kind of just moved about and monologued when he was needed. He never felt menacing.

The world building in this was also very lacking. This is an interconnected standalone of The Enemy’s Daughter, and having had enjoyed that one, this one doesn’t really do much to add to the world we are in, and doesn’t put in the effort to stand on its own, should someone not read The Enemy’s Daughter. We only know that we are in a post-apocalyptic world because we have lines like “the old world” being thrown out as an explanation. But we aren’t really fed a good enough picture of what that means.

The marriage magic continues in this book, and we don’t get any further information than we did in the previous book. We don’t even get a “I don’t know” line when explaining the magic like we did in book one. Instead, the audience is supposed to accept that people can be bonded via marriage and heal each other because of something to do with the radiation or bombs from the old world. But that is all that we are given. For this being the only use of magic inside this world, it should be more fleshed out by this point, especially since this is an addition in the same world.

The plot is fine, but it didn’t feel like a page turner for me as much as The Enemy’s Daughter was. It felt like there was less of a tangible plot in this one, and it was more “vibes” with the storyline. I thought it was fine, and a solid YA dystopian romance. If someone is looking for something light in that genre, this is a fine option. But the use of healing magic with no explanation, as well as not fully describing the world that we are in is starting to get frustrating as we enter 2 books in this world and I’m still confused about that.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Melissa Poett for the ARC!

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I should admit that I'm not a romantasy reader, and therefore not the exact target audience for A Thief to Die For. However, I'd heard quite a bit about Poett's debut, The Enemy's Daughter, so when THIEF had auto-approved requests for a day, I figured I'd check it out.

*WORLDBUILDING
The worldbuilding left me a little confused, to be perfectly honest. While some brief explanations are given for how the world ended up being a dystopia and Kingsland was founded, they left me wanting. Maybe more explanation is given in The Enemy's Daughter, but THIEF and DAUGHTER are marketed more as companion novels than a series, so reading one shouldn't be required for the other. Also, the dystopian leaned more toward medieval vibes than typical dystopian vibes, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It just made it harder for me to establish that it was dystopian in my head.

This might also be something that's explained more in The Enemy's Daughter, but the magic system of the connection felt a little... unconnected. There aren't any other fantasy elements, and I missed an exact explanation of how it originated with the Kingsland people. Of course, the connection did create some plot elements, but I think a little more fantastical pieces in the world could have helped it feel a bit more grounded.

*CHARACTERS
The dynamics between Marian, Agatha, and Atlas reminded me of the Dragna sisters and their father in Caraval. But I never really understood why Atlas manipulated his daughters, while also being overly possessive of them.

The romance is very insta-love. Like, five days after meeting, they want to get married insta-love. I did appreciate, though, that Marian and Ryland sort of acknowledged that it was insta-love at least.

Some of the side characters had very clear, strong character voices, and I would have loved for them to get a little more page time. But I also won't be surprised if they reappear as main characters if Poett keeps writing in this world.

*PLOT
A Thief to Die For felt more like it had Robin Hood motifs than being a direct retelling. Though, my Robin Hood knowledge is only through movies, not the actual book. But I do wish that there had been a bit more action and less romance.

*OVERALL THOUGHTS
Like I noted at the beginning, I'm not really the target audience for A Thief to Die For. I also don't know if reading The Enemy's Daughter first would clear up some of the questions I had. But if you like romantasy with "Will they /really/ end up together?" elements, you might enjoy this one.

Cautions: brief swearing and coarse language; non-graphic violence; heavy romance (kissing and lots of emotions only)

(I received an eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.)

[Jessica Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melissa Poett's A Thief to Die For is a Robin Hood sci-fi fantasy retelling--and I say sci-fi fantasy because it takes place after a nuclear (?) war, electricity has become something of a lost relic, and one small settlement has magic. This setting painted a fascinating (albeit sometimes a bit confusing) world that builds the intrigue and political tension between Ryland as he seeks to secure coal for his settlement and Marian's settlement, led by her abusive and cruel father, as he seeks out electricity and magic.
One thing I wish I had known going to into this story was the fact that Marian's father was so abusive. Not only is he a cruel dictator who rules with an iron grip, but he also takes delight in making his daughters suffer, and this unexpected cruelty made me set down A Thief to Die For for a bit so I could readjust expectations.
That being said, Marian and Ryland's relationship and growth was so sweet (though at about 70% through, something happened that made me go *ack!* and weirded me out--I'm not saying anything else because of /spoilers/) and I loved the Robin Hood dynamics and how Poett twisted those dynamics to create an engaging romance. Little John cracked me up, and Marian's courage and heart made her an incredibly enjoyable main character. However, I struggled to connect with Agatha, her sister, especially in the latter half of the story, and found myself wishing that we had been able to see both Marian and Agatha make strides to heal against the abuse perpetuated by their father. Instead, while Marian fights back, she doesn't seem to have a ton of lasting scars from the abuse, but I wanted to see that she'd made progress in healing from it. I wanted to see her hesitate more with Ryland because she was raised by a cruel, untrustworthy man that made her skeptical of others' goodness even as she knew and trusted a few select people.
Ryland's arc was also interesting as it dealt with his heritage, his desire to be honorable, and how his definition of honor shifted from purely following the laws to doing what was right even if it went against the law.
While this is a fun Robin Hood retelling and I enjoyed the way Poett blended genres and the legends, ultimately, I wish the abuse and the after affects of abuse had been handled differently and that Agatha hadn't become quite as prominent as she did, especially as I struggled to connect with her character and how she so clearly was ignoring boundaries that were set and blaming her sister for everything. That being said, if you love Robin Hood retellings, blended genres, and fast, action-packed stories, you may enjoy this story!

[Amber LaQuay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy received by NetGalley ✨

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The world was intriguing, the characters interesting, and the plot was pretty unique compared to other recent dystopian/fantasy romances (idk which this one falls under lol). Marian is a badass yet caring fmc, and Ryland mysterious and hard-headed. Even the side characters were fun to read about and have around.

However, I think this would have worked better as a duet rather than a standalone. It felt like there were a lot of things the author wanted to happen, but was running out of paper and rushed it all to fit it into one story. There was enough world-building to know what was going on, but I personally would have liked to see more of the history of this world covered. I was confused as to why the Dresden are considered so different from everyone else—is it their race? Class? Another societal disadvantage? Etc.
Also, everything happened so fast, I was damn near getting whiplash. The romance’s development was too quick for there to be any type of chemistry or tension between the characters, making the “betrayal” a tad bit annoying bc like, you barely know the guy?? The major plot points happened back to back to back so fast that it was almost overwhelming. The entire premise of the book took place is less than a week (or so it felt/seemed like), but the major plot hits that happened were things you would typically see take multiple days, if not weeks, to build to/have the characters deal with/resolve. I think it would have been much more substantially paced split between two books—with book one being the events from the beginning to what happens with Ryland and Agatha after that archery contest, then book two being what came after that. It would have given more room to let relationships grow, given more time for world building/history, and it could have fleshed out the characters and major plot points even more. I mostly would have liked to see more of the fraying relationship between Marian and Agatha, had the connection with Agatha and Ryland explored more. I think expanding those two things would have made Agatha’s actions make a lot more sense, and feel more organic rather than impulsive.

All in all, three stars from me. It was fun and interesting and I did enjoy the story, I just think it could have been much longer and some things could have been expanded on more.

[V · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star is for a bad book. 2 stars is for a 'not for me' book. I was about to give this book 1.5 stars because my feelings about it were somewhere in between. But alas, I CHANGED my mind.

Look, even if this book is set at the same world as the author's previous book The Enemy's Daughter, you still have to explain and explore the world building again, okay!?

A major turn-off for me: The world building completely lost me in the first chapter. As I kept reading, I felt like someone who was lost while everyone around me was talking at the same time. There were so many characters introduced with names being thrown around here and there without enough explanation. Besides Marian and Ryland, I didn't even know who anyone else was or what they looked like. IDK, maybe I missed something, or maybe it was just that badly explained.

Now, the lack of world building and the overwhelming number of characters were the main things that got on my nerves and made me roll my eyes. But there was something else that annoyed me so much. And yeah, it was the romance. (It's always the romance in these damn books ....)

Because, what do you mean??? I felt absolutely no chemistry or appeal between Marian and Ryland. The romance happened way too fast. They kissed before the book even reached the 50% mark. And don't even get me started on the trope or the so-called 'deadly dance of deception'. They literally went from, "I'm going to tell your father that you're the thief!" to kissing and basically falling in love right after. So yes, you can see why I'm disappointed. Was the tension ever actually there?

I don't want to spoil too much, but the story, plot, and characters became even more annoying after I reached the half of the book because there was a whole 'you won the game, so you get to marry one of my daughters' type of nonsense. (Yes, this is where the 'star-crossed lovers' trope comes into play.) It was so cringe. That was THE biggest turn-off for me because it actually happened. After that point, I stopped caring about anything and just skimmed the rest until the end.

I fear that if I keep going, this review will turn into me just ranting about how bad this book is. So I'll end it here. This book gets 1 star from me, and I won't be changing my mind about it. Ever.