What do you think?
Rate this book
En Garde: A Sweet YA Fencing Romance
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26374 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from author.
I almost cried so many times because I relate to Zahra so much. The feeling of not knowing what is wrong with you added to the fact that everyone is telling you that it is all in your head. And since you're a girl, it must just be your period, right? Obviously!!! The feeling of your concerns being dismissed by people who are supposed to be there to help you. Yet, they don't even believe you. Added to the fact that you are an athlete, so you can't even do what you love because nobody is willing to help you. I just felt the emotions. I understand the struggle of not being believed and being told it is all in your head. The author did such a good job conveying these struggles, the emotions behind it.
I loved this book so much. Trid and Zahra's dynamic worked so well. They both had secrets and struggles, but that is part of what made them work together. They weren't static characters. They felt like real people. I also loved the fact that this was a sports romance, but more specifically, a fencing romance. I have not seen many fencing romances before, so this was just so amazing.
Another thing I adored was the fact that it didn't feel like the romance was the whole plot. It was there definitely, but the book itself felt like it was more about Trid's and Zahra's struggles. One of which prevented them from truly allowing themselves to open up to the other, which allowed the romance to feel so natural and not at all forced.
I almost cried so many times because I relate to Zahra so much. The feeling of not knowing what is wrong with you added to the fact that everyone is telling you that it is all in your head. And since you're a girl, it must just be your period, right? Obviously!!! The feeling of your concerns being dismissed by people who are supposed to be there to help you. Yet, they don't even believe you. Added to the fact that you are an athlete, so you can't even do what you love because nobody is willing to help you. I just felt the emotions. I understand the struggle of not being believed and being told it is all in your head. The author did such a good job conveying these struggles, the emotions behind it.
I loved this book so much. Trid and Zahra's dynamic worked so well. They both had secrets and struggles, but that is part of what made them work together. They weren't static characters. They felt like real people. I also loved the fact that this was a sports romance, but more specifically, a fencing romance. I have not seen many fencing romances before, so this was just so amazing.
Another thing I adored was the fact that it didn't feel like the romance was the whole plot. It was there definitely, but the book itself felt like it was more about Trid's and Zahra's struggles. One of which prevented them from truly allowing themselves to open up to the other, which allowed the romance to feel so natural and not at all forced.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If I could give a book more than 5 stars, I would.
I absolutely adored everything about this book.
The characters were so well written I felt like they might step off the page at any moment. The found family vibes of the fencing team was one of my favorite aspects of this book. They were so fun, real, and lovable. The dynamic between the MMC and FMC was one of the sweetest ones I’ve read recently. Their banter alone is enough for this book to have 5 stars.
The plot line was amazing. I love the originality of fencing in a world where soccer or hockey are the main sports in books. I loved the fencing, the endometriosis rep, the family dynamics in both families and how the culture of the MMCs family was accurately depicted (something I don’t see often).
It was a perfect balance of romance and the sport that I was engaged from page one.
I honestly wish this book was longer or part of a series because I’m not ready to say goodbye to any of the characters.
If you’re interested, intrigued, or even mildly curious, do not hesitate to get hyper hands on this book. It is worth it.
I want to tank the amazing author, Keelin Schafer, for allowing me to be part of her ARC team. This book was everything I was hoping for and more! This book was such a great read!
I absolutely adored everything about this book.
The characters were so well written I felt like they might step off the page at any moment. The found family vibes of the fencing team was one of my favorite aspects of this book. They were so fun, real, and lovable. The dynamic between the MMC and FMC was one of the sweetest ones I’ve read recently. Their banter alone is enough for this book to have 5 stars.
The plot line was amazing. I love the originality of fencing in a world where soccer or hockey are the main sports in books. I loved the fencing, the endometriosis rep, the family dynamics in both families and how the culture of the MMCs family was accurately depicted (something I don’t see often).
It was a perfect balance of romance and the sport that I was engaged from page one.
I honestly wish this book was longer or part of a series because I’m not ready to say goodbye to any of the characters.
If you’re interested, intrigued, or even mildly curious, do not hesitate to get hyper hands on this book. It is worth it.
I want to tank the amazing author, Keelin Schafer, for allowing me to be part of her ARC team. This book was everything I was hoping for and more! This book was such a great read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Schafer for letting me receive an ARC. I had a really nice time reading this.
I have never read anything dealing with fencing. And it was such a refreshing change for sports themed novels. I pretty much loved everything about this book. From the characters, the rivals to lovers trope, the health representation, diversity, and plot. The book is written wonderfully. The plot does not have filler moments, and everything is important to the story. I genuinely had some tears for our FMC when she was dealing with her health struggles. And the rivals to lovers trope had a sweet twist, and it was so good.
This was such a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.
I have never read anything dealing with fencing. And it was such a refreshing change for sports themed novels. I pretty much loved everything about this book. From the characters, the rivals to lovers trope, the health representation, diversity, and plot. The book is written wonderfully. The plot does not have filler moments, and everything is important to the story. I genuinely had some tears for our FMC when she was dealing with her health struggles. And the rivals to lovers trope had a sweet twist, and it was so good.
This was such a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cried at the end...In a good way!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews