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A Legacy of Duty and Deception
Secrets are the only way to stay safe.
Esha must keep her true identity a secret or risk the life of the most important person to her. She isn’t Feldor’s princess like the kingdom of Solven thinks she is. Her goal is broker a marriage between herself and Solven’s crown prince to fight a monster and save the kingdom of Feldor. She doesn’t have time for love or romance.
But the wrong prince has decided she’s the object of his desire.
Kasteel will never be king. He has never wanted the responsibilities or trappings of the crown–until her. Esha may have been meant for his younger brother, but he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Even if it means risking his life. Or revealing a secret he can’t afford to get out, a truth that could change everything.
Kasteel will pledge his hand and sword to Esha’s protect the kingdoms against the monstrous netvor.
Except monsters aren’t the only things hiding in the shadows. All secrets must come out. And falling for the wrong brother might be the thing that saves them all.
...
For Readers Who
He Falls FirstHidden IdentitySpicy FantasyMarriage of ConvenienceHe Falls HarderRoyalty
Esha must keep her true identity a secret or risk the life of the most important person to her. She isn’t Feldor’s princess like the kingdom of Solven thinks she is. Her goal is broker a marriage between herself and Solven’s crown prince to fight a monster and save the kingdom of Feldor. She doesn’t have time for love or romance.
But the wrong prince has decided she’s the object of his desire.
Kasteel will never be king. He has never wanted the responsibilities or trappings of the crown–until her. Esha may have been meant for his younger brother, but he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Even if it means risking his life. Or revealing a secret he can’t afford to get out, a truth that could change everything.
Kasteel will pledge his hand and sword to Esha’s protect the kingdoms against the monstrous netvor.
Except monsters aren’t the only things hiding in the shadows. All secrets must come out. And falling for the wrong brother might be the thing that saves them all.
...
For Readers Who
He Falls FirstHidden IdentitySpicy FantasyMarriage of ConvenienceHe Falls HarderRoyalty
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 23, 2026
A Legacy of Duty and Deception was a fantasy romance filled with secrets, political intrigue, hidden identities, and a romance that had me rooting for the wrong prince right alongside Esha.
After enjoying A Legacy of Magic and Monsters, I was excited to return to this world, and this book did not disappoint.
Esha is carrying the weight of an impossible mission. She must hide her true identity while attempting to broker a marriage alliance that could save her kingdom from a growing threat. If the truth comes out, she risks not only her mission but also the safety of the person she loves most.
What I appreciated most about Esha was her determination. Every decision she makes comes from a place of protecting those she cares about, even when it means sacrificing her own happiness. She is intelligent, capable, and willing to put herself in difficult situations for the sake of her kingdom and her family.
Then there is Kasteel.
From the moment he decides Esha belongs with him rather than his younger brother, the story takes off. Kasteel never expected to want the responsibilities that come with leadership, but Esha changes everything. His loyalty, protectiveness, and willingness to risk everything for her made him impossible not to love.
The romance was one of my favorite parts of the story. The tension between them builds naturally while secrets, political pressures, and dangerous threats continue to complicate their relationship. Knowing that Esha is supposed to marry someone else only made every interaction between them even more compelling.
The political intrigue also kept me invested throughout the book. Between hidden identities, marriage negotiations, dangerous enemies, and the looming threat of the monstrous Netvor, there was always something happening to move the story forward.
I especially enjoyed how the family motivations were woven into the plot. Esha’s determination to stop her sister from being forced into a dangerous marriage proposal added another emotional layer to the story and gave her mission even greater urgency.
Overall, this was an engaging fantasy romance filled with danger, secrets, strong characters, and a romance that kept me turning pages.
If you enjoy:
✨ Hidden Identity
👑 Royalty Romance
❤️ He Falls First
🔥 He Falls Harder
⚔️ Political Intrigue
💍 Marriage Alliance
🖤 Protective MMC
🐉 Fantasy Adventure
then this is definitely worth checking out.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Kristen Jennings for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
After enjoying A Legacy of Magic and Monsters, I was excited to return to this world, and this book did not disappoint.
Esha is carrying the weight of an impossible mission. She must hide her true identity while attempting to broker a marriage alliance that could save her kingdom from a growing threat. If the truth comes out, she risks not only her mission but also the safety of the person she loves most.
What I appreciated most about Esha was her determination. Every decision she makes comes from a place of protecting those she cares about, even when it means sacrificing her own happiness. She is intelligent, capable, and willing to put herself in difficult situations for the sake of her kingdom and her family.
Then there is Kasteel.
From the moment he decides Esha belongs with him rather than his younger brother, the story takes off. Kasteel never expected to want the responsibilities that come with leadership, but Esha changes everything. His loyalty, protectiveness, and willingness to risk everything for her made him impossible not to love.
The romance was one of my favorite parts of the story. The tension between them builds naturally while secrets, political pressures, and dangerous threats continue to complicate their relationship. Knowing that Esha is supposed to marry someone else only made every interaction between them even more compelling.
The political intrigue also kept me invested throughout the book. Between hidden identities, marriage negotiations, dangerous enemies, and the looming threat of the monstrous Netvor, there was always something happening to move the story forward.
I especially enjoyed how the family motivations were woven into the plot. Esha’s determination to stop her sister from being forced into a dangerous marriage proposal added another emotional layer to the story and gave her mission even greater urgency.
Overall, this was an engaging fantasy romance filled with danger, secrets, strong characters, and a romance that kept me turning pages.
If you enjoy:
✨ Hidden Identity
👑 Royalty Romance
❤️ He Falls First
🔥 He Falls Harder
⚔️ Political Intrigue
💍 Marriage Alliance
🖤 Protective MMC
🐉 Fantasy Adventure
then this is definitely worth checking out.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Kristen Jennings for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Esha’s sister Erandi received a marriage proposal from the Lord Tiago, nephew to the king of Kalmere, who is know as the Witch Hunter due to hunting mages, and Esha is determined to prevent this proposal.
Esha travels to Solven determined to marry their heir, Prince Graham. However, she doesn’t anticipate meeting his half brother Kasteel whom she connects with, but she has a mission and a secret and she cannot allow anything or anyone to sway her.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one mainly because we get to see Kasteel’s and Esha’s relationship from the start. We get to experience how their relationship grows and how sweet and cute they are together. We also get to learn a bit more about the Guard’s magic and how it works, which I did appreciate. I also enjoyed the deaf representation in here, I always love seeing different representations in books.
Slight spoilers below…
For the romance, I liked them together, they are cute, but I do struggle with the fact that Esha has a couple of BIG secrets and doesn’t tell Kasteel, when she should have because…well…they get married. I found that soooo not okay. The author seems to enjoy miscommunication, since that happened in the first book too, even though Kasteel does a better job of communicating than others, but that to me is not an okay thing to do. And then for Esha to turn around and tell Kasteel he’s also keeping things from her and I was like WHOA GIRL, not okay! You basically trapped him into a marriage with huge secrets and then you have the audacity to say he’s keeping secrets too, like that just makes it all okay???? I really liked their relationship until she married him before telling him her secrets.
The pacing again I struggled with, like the first book. The timeline is a bit better in here, but there is a lot of time spent again in certain scenes and areas with overly descriptive points that I think could be taken out that just seemed unnecessary.
I will say it’s knowing these two would be together since the first book spoiled that, and then this book also spoils events in the first book. So, neither of these I could say to read first. I do kind of think Esha and Kasteel’s book would make more sense to read first and then just don’t read the epilogue lol, but it’s hard to say since they both happen during the same timeline.
This series has potential, the pacing and miscommunication is just really hard for me to get past. I’m sure others will love this series, they’re just not for me.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Esha travels to Solven determined to marry their heir, Prince Graham. However, she doesn’t anticipate meeting his half brother Kasteel whom she connects with, but she has a mission and a secret and she cannot allow anything or anyone to sway her.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one mainly because we get to see Kasteel’s and Esha’s relationship from the start. We get to experience how their relationship grows and how sweet and cute they are together. We also get to learn a bit more about the Guard’s magic and how it works, which I did appreciate. I also enjoyed the deaf representation in here, I always love seeing different representations in books.
Slight spoilers below…
For the romance, I liked them together, they are cute, but I do struggle with the fact that Esha has a couple of BIG secrets and doesn’t tell Kasteel, when she should have because…well…they get married. I found that soooo not okay. The author seems to enjoy miscommunication, since that happened in the first book too, even though Kasteel does a better job of communicating than others, but that to me is not an okay thing to do. And then for Esha to turn around and tell Kasteel he’s also keeping things from her and I was like WHOA GIRL, not okay! You basically trapped him into a marriage with huge secrets and then you have the audacity to say he’s keeping secrets too, like that just makes it all okay???? I really liked their relationship until she married him before telling him her secrets.
The pacing again I struggled with, like the first book. The timeline is a bit better in here, but there is a lot of time spent again in certain scenes and areas with overly descriptive points that I think could be taken out that just seemed unnecessary.
I will say it’s knowing these two would be together since the first book spoiled that, and then this book also spoils events in the first book. So, neither of these I could say to read first. I do kind of think Esha and Kasteel’s book would make more sense to read first and then just don’t read the epilogue lol, but it’s hard to say since they both happen during the same timeline.
This series has potential, the pacing and miscommunication is just really hard for me to get past. I’m sure others will love this series, they’re just not for me.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I binged this book in one sitting – WOW! I absolutely love Esha and Kasteel together – an epic love story that shows how perfect they are for each other. I usually don’t read Romantasy, but this one is amazing. The author writes incredibly well and the plot and pacing are on point. I loved the world building and the inclusivity of marginalized groups in the cast of characters. The story is complex and yet easy to understand. The suspense is ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ dramatic; I held my breath toward the end of the book due to the dramatic finish!
Esha is trying to save the person she loves most, her sister Erandi. She pretends to be Feldor’s princess and travels to the Kingdom of Solven for help. She finds Kasteel, a strong warrior Guard and one of the Princes of Solven. He has special powers used to kill evil monsters called netvor. They end up in a marriage of convenience but have an instant physical attraction for one another.
As the story unfolds, both Esha and Kasteel reveal the secrets they are hiding from the world, and they start to trust each other. Faced with two evil netvors along the way, the two bond over mutual battles and goals. He falls first, but she grows to love Kasteel as well.
The romance is swoony and the spice is hot! My favorite quotes, “With Kasteel, everything she was, her dreams and aspirations, were amplified.” “Your soul is the match for mine and I would recognize it anywhere, in any form.” This book is standalone but book two in the series. I can’t wait to read the first book, “A Legacy of Magic and Monsters” and I hope more books are planned for the series.
Esha is trying to save the person she loves most, her sister Erandi. She pretends to be Feldor’s princess and travels to the Kingdom of Solven for help. She finds Kasteel, a strong warrior Guard and one of the Princes of Solven. He has special powers used to kill evil monsters called netvor. They end up in a marriage of convenience but have an instant physical attraction for one another.
As the story unfolds, both Esha and Kasteel reveal the secrets they are hiding from the world, and they start to trust each other. Faced with two evil netvors along the way, the two bond over mutual battles and goals. He falls first, but she grows to love Kasteel as well.
The romance is swoony and the spice is hot! My favorite quotes, “With Kasteel, everything she was, her dreams and aspirations, were amplified.” “Your soul is the match for mine and I would recognize it anywhere, in any form.” This book is standalone but book two in the series. I can’t wait to read the first book, “A Legacy of Magic and Monsters” and I hope more books are planned for the series.
May 22, 2026
A Legacy of Duty & Deception is a slow‑burn romantic fantasy where secrets are the only thing keeping people alive—and the only thing threatening to tear them apart. Esha isn’t who the kingdom of Solven thinks she is, and her entire mission hinges on a false identity: broker a political marriage to Solven’s crown prince, save her homeland of Feldor, and fight a monstrous threat. Romance is the last thing she can afford.
But Kasteel, the older prince who’s never wanted the crown, decides she’s the one worth risking everything for. Even though she was meant for his younger brother, he commits his hand and sword to protect her—and the two kingdoms—from monsters and deception. The tension between duty and desire crackles throughout, and the slow‑burn relationship between Esha and Kasteel is the heart of the book, full of quiet yearning and the weight of impossible choices.
At 3 stars, it’s a solid, emotionally grounded read with a strong romantic core and engaging premise. The pacing leans toward the slower side, and some of the kingdom politics and side characters feel underdeveloped, but the central relationship and the “falling for the wrong brother” dilemma carry the story
But Kasteel, the older prince who’s never wanted the crown, decides she’s the one worth risking everything for. Even though she was meant for his younger brother, he commits his hand and sword to protect her—and the two kingdoms—from monsters and deception. The tension between duty and desire crackles throughout, and the slow‑burn relationship between Esha and Kasteel is the heart of the book, full of quiet yearning and the weight of impossible choices.
At 3 stars, it’s a solid, emotionally grounded read with a strong romantic core and engaging premise. The pacing leans toward the slower side, and some of the kingdom politics and side characters feel underdeveloped, but the central relationship and the “falling for the wrong brother” dilemma carry the story
May 22, 2026
4.25/5...A compelling fantasy romance with high stakes, hidden identities, and plenty of tension, this story delivers exactly what fans of “he falls first” and forbidden royal romance are looking for. Esha is easy to root for as a heroine carrying the weight of duty, secrecy, and survival, while Kasteel’s relentless devotion adds emotional intensity and chemistry from the start. The main weakness is the timeline. Because events overlap with the first book, the pacing and chronology can occasionally feel unclear, and it may leave some readers trying to place exactly when certain scenes are happening. It could definitely be read in tandem with the first installment if the timelines were better defined.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 21, 2026
*Thank you to The Author Agency and Kristen Jennings for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest and authentic review - All opinions are my own.*
I really enjoyed this family vs duty vs love Romantasy!! The plot pacing was perfect, the love story felt organic, and I love me an epilogue of beautiful conclusions.
But what stood out for me in this book was a male main character and royal characters from the male line actually be decent and nice people. So often in this genre they portray the villain and it was so nice to see a family unit love and support each other!!
Kudos to Kristen on a well rounded and really enjoyable story! Can’t wait for more!
I really enjoyed this family vs duty vs love Romantasy!! The plot pacing was perfect, the love story felt organic, and I love me an epilogue of beautiful conclusions.
But what stood out for me in this book was a male main character and royal characters from the male line actually be decent and nice people. So often in this genre they portray the villain and it was so nice to see a family unit love and support each other!!
Kudos to Kristen on a well rounded and really enjoyable story! Can’t wait for more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun read! I enjoyed book 1, but loved this one more. I loved Kasteel & Esha in book 1. I was happy to get to know them more in this one.
Esha is a strong, smart and determined FMC. She has impossible decisions to make, and has to lie to everyone about it. I loved seeing her come into her own. She has so many insurcurties due to her upbringing. It was nice to see her overcome them.
And Kasteel...I love him! Kasteel has alot of the same insurcurties as Esha. It was nice to see them connect and help each other overcome them together. As soon as he saw Esha, he knew she was it. And the banter they have is sooo good!
I can't wait to see what we have in the next book!
Esha is a strong, smart and determined FMC. She has impossible decisions to make, and has to lie to everyone about it. I loved seeing her come into her own. She has so many insurcurties due to her upbringing. It was nice to see her overcome them.
And Kasteel...I love him! Kasteel has alot of the same insurcurties as Esha. It was nice to see them connect and help each other overcome them together. As soon as he saw Esha, he knew she was it. And the banter they have is sooo good!
I can't wait to see what we have in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book as much as Magic and Monsters! I received an Advanced Reader Copy. The way the characters developed and the emotions the book draws from you are intense. It was a page turner and I hope more is written in this universe. I love the world building and the ending had me on the edge of my couch!
Review of advance copy
This book was so, so good. I loved the first one and then this one just as much. The character development and world building was incredible. The narrative was a masterpiece. And the plot was on point. Absolutely recommend reading this. Thank you to the author agency and the author for a copy of this. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe how good this book was. I was pulled from the very chapter was hooked until the end. The twists and turns were magnificent. Such a beautifully weaved tale. I’m loving these books and the characters.
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March 24, 2026Sensitivity Read - can't wait for everyone to read Esha and Kasteel soon!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews