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Till Blood Do Us Part
She fled an arranged marriage. He offered her sanctuary. Neither expected to fall in love.When Amara escapes her wedding and seeks refuge in the city of Sol'Azar, the last person she expects to trust is Duke Ezran Ashkar. A powerful old blood Velarii noble with too many secrets and a dangerous reputation. Hidden beneath a false identity, she is drawn into a world of masquerade balls, ancient traditions, and political intrigue, where every stolen dance brings them closer to a love that could change both their futures.Perfect for fans of court intrigue, slow-burn romance, and vampire nobility.
A sweeping fantasy romance filled with moonlit balls, political intrigue, and unforgettable love.
A sweeping fantasy romance filled with moonlit balls, political intrigue, and unforgettable love.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2026
About the author
Anais Coker
7 books32 followersA self-published romantasy author and photographer based in North Brisbane, Anais spends her days capturing real-life emotion through her camera, and her nights crafting fantastical tales slow-burn romance and wild-hearted heroines.
Her debut novel Unwritten, the first in The Hollow Gods series, explores what it means to carry secrets, find strength in vulnerability, and walk beside someone even when the path is uncertain.
When she’s not writing or behind the camera, Anais is chasing after her two little ones, building fairy houses in the garden, or plotting her next story over a cup of tea. She believes in soft power, second chances, and the kind of magic that grows in the quiet places.
Her debut novel Unwritten, the first in The Hollow Gods series, explores what it means to carry secrets, find strength in vulnerability, and walk beside someone even when the path is uncertain.
When she’s not writing or behind the camera, Anais is chasing after her two little ones, building fairy houses in the garden, or plotting her next story over a cup of tea. She believes in soft power, second chances, and the kind of magic that grows in the quiet places.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 10, 2026
ARC review ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I really liked the concept, but the execution just didn’t quite mesh for me.
The first 70% was a struggle. 😭 It felt like very little was happening, and I found the dialogue quite bland, short and sometimes jarring to read. I also struggled to connect with the FMC and MMC or understand their relationship, as I felt we didn’t get enough backstory or moments that showed why they were drawn to each other. The FMC also gave damsel in distress energy, which made it harder to connect with her.
I think that slower part of the book could have been used really well for more flashbacks, character development and world-building. The concept is genuinely interesting, and I wanted more of the vampire/fantasy elements and more depth to the characters to help everything come together.
Thankfully, things did start picking up towards the end and that final 10% was easily my favourite part. The pace finally felt much better and I was actually into it… only for it to then be over 😭😅. I found the ending a little anti-climactic after finally getting invested.
I really wanted to love it, but it just didn’t quite click for me. 💔
I really liked the concept, but the execution just didn’t quite mesh for me.
The first 70% was a struggle. 😭 It felt like very little was happening, and I found the dialogue quite bland, short and sometimes jarring to read. I also struggled to connect with the FMC and MMC or understand their relationship, as I felt we didn’t get enough backstory or moments that showed why they were drawn to each other. The FMC also gave damsel in distress energy, which made it harder to connect with her.
I think that slower part of the book could have been used really well for more flashbacks, character development and world-building. The concept is genuinely interesting, and I wanted more of the vampire/fantasy elements and more depth to the characters to help everything come together.
Thankfully, things did start picking up towards the end and that final 10% was easily my favourite part. The pace finally felt much better and I was actually into it… only for it to then be over 😭😅. I found the ending a little anti-climactic after finally getting invested.
I really wanted to love it, but it just didn’t quite click for me. 💔
September 13, 2026
Before anything else, Till Blood Do Us Part has clearly already found an appreciative audience, and it’s easy to understand why. There is a lot here to appeal to lovers of slow-burn fantasy romance: an intriguing premise, vampire nobility, old bloodlines, political intrigue, masquerade balls and a richly imagined world. Unfortunately, my own experience was rather more lacklustre, and this may simply be one of those books where the things that worked beautifully for other readers didn’t come together in quite the same way for me.
There were certainly elements that kept me curious, particularly the mystery surrounding the blood sickness, the Velari, and the gradual uncovering of what was really happening beneath the surface. Unfortunately, the ideas behind the story proved more compelling to me than their execution.
The pacing remained quite slow for much of the book, occasionally breaking into moments of genuine urgency or danger. Yet these moments rarely seemed to carry their weight forward. Something significant would happen, the pace would suddenly pick up, only for the tension and gravity of the moment to fade surprisingly quickly afterwards.
The relationships and dialogue were another area that left me wanting more. There was a lot of smiling, laughing, familiar exchanges and affectionate back-and-forth, but not enough substance beneath those interactions to make the relationships feel as though they were truly developing. At times, the closeness, humour or emotional intimacy between characters felt more stated than experienced, without the deeper conversations or meaningful moments needed to give those connections their weight.
This extended into the writing more generally. Certain words, phrases and sentence structures appeared noticeably often, as did similar ways of describing characters’ reactions. The imagery also became repetitive, particularly the celestial comparisons. Stars and constellations appeared across everything from clothing and beadwork to artwork and other descriptions, and what could have been a beautiful recurring motif gradually lost some of its impact through repetition.
At the same time, the narration felt surprisingly over-explanatory. Thoughts, emotions and meanings were often spelled out so completely that there wasn’t always much room left for the reader to interpret a moment or make a connection independently. Part of the pleasure of reading is being trusted to read between the lines, and more space to do that would have made the experience much more immersive.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question, though, was the blood sickness itself. The eventual revelation surrounding the vampires, their place within the upper levels of Velari society, and the way blood and power have been woven through the old families was interesting. Yet it never became entirely clear what actually caused the blood sickness, why particular people were affected, or precisely how the sickness related to what the vampires were doing. Considering how central that mystery was to the story, the eventual reveal needed to bring those pieces together more clearly.
There are some genuinely interesting ideas at the heart of Till Blood Do Us Part, and it’s easy to see this working much better for readers who enjoy slower, more descriptive fantasy. For me, though, the repetition, lack of depth within the character interactions, uneven sense of consequence and unanswered aspects of the central mystery kept me at a distance from a story I really wanted to become lost in.
A sincere thank you to Anais Coker for trusting me with an early copy of Till Blood Do Us Part. It is always a privilege to be invited into a story before it makes its way into the world, and I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on something that has clearly had so much care and imagination poured into its creation. I wish Anais every success as this story finds its readers.
There were certainly elements that kept me curious, particularly the mystery surrounding the blood sickness, the Velari, and the gradual uncovering of what was really happening beneath the surface. Unfortunately, the ideas behind the story proved more compelling to me than their execution.
The pacing remained quite slow for much of the book, occasionally breaking into moments of genuine urgency or danger. Yet these moments rarely seemed to carry their weight forward. Something significant would happen, the pace would suddenly pick up, only for the tension and gravity of the moment to fade surprisingly quickly afterwards.
The relationships and dialogue were another area that left me wanting more. There was a lot of smiling, laughing, familiar exchanges and affectionate back-and-forth, but not enough substance beneath those interactions to make the relationships feel as though they were truly developing. At times, the closeness, humour or emotional intimacy between characters felt more stated than experienced, without the deeper conversations or meaningful moments needed to give those connections their weight.
This extended into the writing more generally. Certain words, phrases and sentence structures appeared noticeably often, as did similar ways of describing characters’ reactions. The imagery also became repetitive, particularly the celestial comparisons. Stars and constellations appeared across everything from clothing and beadwork to artwork and other descriptions, and what could have been a beautiful recurring motif gradually lost some of its impact through repetition.
At the same time, the narration felt surprisingly over-explanatory. Thoughts, emotions and meanings were often spelled out so completely that there wasn’t always much room left for the reader to interpret a moment or make a connection independently. Part of the pleasure of reading is being trusted to read between the lines, and more space to do that would have made the experience much more immersive.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question, though, was the blood sickness itself. The eventual revelation surrounding the vampires, their place within the upper levels of Velari society, and the way blood and power have been woven through the old families was interesting. Yet it never became entirely clear what actually caused the blood sickness, why particular people were affected, or precisely how the sickness related to what the vampires were doing. Considering how central that mystery was to the story, the eventual reveal needed to bring those pieces together more clearly.
There are some genuinely interesting ideas at the heart of Till Blood Do Us Part, and it’s easy to see this working much better for readers who enjoy slower, more descriptive fantasy. For me, though, the repetition, lack of depth within the character interactions, uneven sense of consequence and unanswered aspects of the central mystery kept me at a distance from a story I really wanted to become lost in.
A sincere thank you to Anais Coker for trusting me with an early copy of Till Blood Do Us Part. It is always a privilege to be invited into a story before it makes its way into the world, and I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on something that has clearly had so much care and imagination poured into its creation. I wish Anais every success as this story finds its readers.
August 31, 2026
ARC Review
DISCLOSURE: This is my first time as an advance copy reader and receiving a book for review, so I don’t know if the following is standard procedure. I received an e-book instead of a physical copy which only reviewers with great numbers of followers received. The e-book (PDF) received was literally just the text with copyright infringement disclosures and instructions. No decorations, maps or any embellishments I’m used to in books.
THE BAD: This book is meant to be a standalone. In my case, this is my first time reading the author so I’m not familiar with the world she has already created. You are thrown directly in the story and are expected to know what a Velarii is and be familiar with Sol’Azar, the different houses, the role of the Duke. I would’ve preferred some type of summary to let me know what I’m dealing with or at least a map to understand the kingdom.
Regarding the narration in the book, it’s hard to tell sometimes who is doing the talking when they banter or from whose POV the chapter is being narrated. Again, I don’t know if this is because I received the ARC copy if not, the author will need to make corrections since there are a lot of grammatical and syntax errors throughout the book.
THE GOOD: The story is beautiful. Once you get over the grammatical errors and figure out who is talking, the story is worth it. I was able to feel ALL the feels. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, I got mad, I got scared, I fell in love. Not going to lie, in the beginning I got the Twilight vibe you know, Ezran is Edward, Amara is Bella and Zarah is Alice. But then I noticed an hour had passed and I was already 100 pages in. I got VERY invested in the story and the characters. The story wasn’t so easy for me to predict, which was very surprising.
Normally, I’m not a big fan of slow burn, but in this case, it was done beautifully. I love how love grew from respect and boundaries. I liked that Amara was able to be herself without having to change, there was no pressure, no expectations; she was just able to flourish and was completely accepted. On the other hand, we have Ezran, through his compassion and empathy, he was willing to learn how things really are for women and he was able to understand and let both Amara and Isabella flourish, he showed them both respect and let them both make their own choices despite what he or society thought.
There’s so much more that can be discussed but I don’t want to make this review endless.
RECOMMENDATION: READ THE BOOK !!!
TO THE AUTHOR: After that epilogue, I demand a sequel and respectfully request a trilogy. I look forward to reading your previous works.
DISCLOSURE: This is my first time as an advance copy reader and receiving a book for review, so I don’t know if the following is standard procedure. I received an e-book instead of a physical copy which only reviewers with great numbers of followers received. The e-book (PDF) received was literally just the text with copyright infringement disclosures and instructions. No decorations, maps or any embellishments I’m used to in books.
THE BAD: This book is meant to be a standalone. In my case, this is my first time reading the author so I’m not familiar with the world she has already created. You are thrown directly in the story and are expected to know what a Velarii is and be familiar with Sol’Azar, the different houses, the role of the Duke. I would’ve preferred some type of summary to let me know what I’m dealing with or at least a map to understand the kingdom.
Regarding the narration in the book, it’s hard to tell sometimes who is doing the talking when they banter or from whose POV the chapter is being narrated. Again, I don’t know if this is because I received the ARC copy if not, the author will need to make corrections since there are a lot of grammatical and syntax errors throughout the book.
THE GOOD: The story is beautiful. Once you get over the grammatical errors and figure out who is talking, the story is worth it. I was able to feel ALL the feels. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, I got mad, I got scared, I fell in love. Not going to lie, in the beginning I got the Twilight vibe you know, Ezran is Edward, Amara is Bella and Zarah is Alice. But then I noticed an hour had passed and I was already 100 pages in. I got VERY invested in the story and the characters. The story wasn’t so easy for me to predict, which was very surprising.
Normally, I’m not a big fan of slow burn, but in this case, it was done beautifully. I love how love grew from respect and boundaries. I liked that Amara was able to be herself without having to change, there was no pressure, no expectations; she was just able to flourish and was completely accepted. On the other hand, we have Ezran, through his compassion and empathy, he was willing to learn how things really are for women and he was able to understand and let both Amara and Isabella flourish, he showed them both respect and let them both make their own choices despite what he or society thought.
There’s so much more that can be discussed but I don’t want to make this review endless.
RECOMMENDATION: READ THE BOOK !!!
TO THE AUTHOR: After that epilogue, I demand a sequel and respectfully request a trilogy. I look forward to reading your previous works.
August 29, 2026
This story starts at a running pace, literally. We are introduced to Amara, our FMC as she is running through the streets of a foreign city to evade her betrothed. We are introduced to Erzan, the MMC, as she trespasses through his estate’s garden. Ezran, we learn, is a duke and is instantly intrigued by Amara, so agrees to help her to evade her betrothed's guards by escorting her on his arm to the ball that night. She is thrust into his world and despite the fake story he and his meddling cousin concoct to shield her, and coming for different worlds, they fall hard for each other.
This story is more character driven than plot, exploring the blossoming feelings between the two lead characters as they are inexplicably drawn to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed an MMC who isn’t so broody, but rather is a dreamer, a thinker, and a creative wanderer and his soul calls to that in Amara. There is beautifully written prose that is tender, just like our characters and their love. The plot moves slowly, then quickly with long passages exploring their relationship between plot driven scenes. One thing this reader found difficult to adjust to were the short sentences, and they were often. Useful for building suspense, less useful during scenes developing the characters and their relationship. It felt a little fragmented at times. Also, there was some back tracking whilst reading to work out who was saying what as the style of writing did not include speech/dialogue tags. The ending is satisfactory, and whilst marketed as a stand alone, it does allow for the author to return to Ezran and Amara’s story. I’d like to see where they end up and if they decide to save their kingdom with the help of Ezran’s sassy cousin. Out on Amazon 15th September.
This story is more character driven than plot, exploring the blossoming feelings between the two lead characters as they are inexplicably drawn to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed an MMC who isn’t so broody, but rather is a dreamer, a thinker, and a creative wanderer and his soul calls to that in Amara. There is beautifully written prose that is tender, just like our characters and their love. The plot moves slowly, then quickly with long passages exploring their relationship between plot driven scenes. One thing this reader found difficult to adjust to were the short sentences, and they were often. Useful for building suspense, less useful during scenes developing the characters and their relationship. It felt a little fragmented at times. Also, there was some back tracking whilst reading to work out who was saying what as the style of writing did not include speech/dialogue tags. The ending is satisfactory, and whilst marketed as a stand alone, it does allow for the author to return to Ezran and Amara’s story. I’d like to see where they end up and if they decide to save their kingdom with the help of Ezran’s sassy cousin. Out on Amazon 15th September.
August 23, 2026
A little disclaimer, I did receive this as an ARC for review. I have also not read any other works by Anais Coker so I was unable to pick up on any references to their series.
I absolutely adored the first few chapters. The pacing was good, the writing hit a poetic sweet spot and I was genuinely intrigued about where the story was going to go. Not long into it I did stumble across some spelling/grammatical mistakes and unfortunately they did continue throughout the book (along with a couple lines that contradicted the line before).
As I got further into the book I started to lose track of what the plot of the story was. Whether it was purely a forbidden romance, if the ‘runaway bride’ aspect would be the main focus or whether they would band together to solve the mystery occurring in town. And in all honesty I think this is where the book did not live up to its potential. The parts that were most interesting about the characters’ situation felt more like a plot device rather than the actual plot. Instead the entire novel felt more like it consisted entirely of interactions between the MMC and FMC. Even with the story being 85% interactions between the two characters, I struggled to find moments that explained why they were drawn to each other as people/developing their relationship. It was largely just flirtation. The writing also started to almost get too poetic, to the point where it felt a little too stage play romance.
The plot I was missing showed back up at the last 20% and although it felt a little rushed and very predictable, it was satisfying enough to end the book on a good note.
Things that could purely just be a me issue:
- some things happened and I swear they had either already happened/been said/been described the same way/contradicted something earlier in the book
- Had no idea what the characters actually looked like other than the FMC had green eyes
- MMC started off as this mysterious, no nonsense, scary protector ruler and then immediately became this anxious, soppy, doting man who couldn’t control his emotions or reactions.
- Got confused about who was saying/feeling what because of a mixture of the POV and the writing structure
I absolutely adored the first few chapters. The pacing was good, the writing hit a poetic sweet spot and I was genuinely intrigued about where the story was going to go. Not long into it I did stumble across some spelling/grammatical mistakes and unfortunately they did continue throughout the book (along with a couple lines that contradicted the line before).
As I got further into the book I started to lose track of what the plot of the story was. Whether it was purely a forbidden romance, if the ‘runaway bride’ aspect would be the main focus or whether they would band together to solve the mystery occurring in town. And in all honesty I think this is where the book did not live up to its potential. The parts that were most interesting about the characters’ situation felt more like a plot device rather than the actual plot. Instead the entire novel felt more like it consisted entirely of interactions between the MMC and FMC. Even with the story being 85% interactions between the two characters, I struggled to find moments that explained why they were drawn to each other as people/developing their relationship. It was largely just flirtation. The writing also started to almost get too poetic, to the point where it felt a little too stage play romance.
The plot I was missing showed back up at the last 20% and although it felt a little rushed and very predictable, it was satisfying enough to end the book on a good note.
Things that could purely just be a me issue:
- some things happened and I swear they had either already happened/been said/been described the same way/contradicted something earlier in the book
- Had no idea what the characters actually looked like other than the FMC had green eyes
- MMC started off as this mysterious, no nonsense, scary protector ruler and then immediately became this anxious, soppy, doting man who couldn’t control his emotions or reactions.
- Got confused about who was saying/feeling what because of a mixture of the POV and the writing structure
September 5, 2026
I want to thank the author for gifting me this ARC.
Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amara fleeing through foreign streets to escape an unwanted betrothal immediately pulls you into the story, setting a fast pace from page one. When she crosses paths with Duke Ezran Ashkar, his offer to help in exchange for her accompanying him to a masquerade ball kicks off a delightful, slow-burn dynamic that carries the rest of the book.
- Character-Driven Focus: The character development takes center stage over a complex plot. Watching Amara navigate Sol'Azar under a false identity while resisting (and eventually giving in to) her chemistry with Ezran makes for a compelling read.
- Rich Vibe & Aesthetic: Filled with moonlit balls, ancient traditions, and classic vampire nobility tropes, the setting delivers fantastic atmosphere for fans of court intrigue. Ezran hits all the right notes as a powerful, secretive Old Blood noble with a dangerous reputation.
- Pacing: Because it leans heavily on character dynamics, the mid-section slows down to focus on stolen dances and quiet moments rather than high-stakes action.
While marketed as a standalone, the world-building leaves just enough open that I would love to see Anais Coker revisit these characters in a future release. If you enjoy runaway bride tropes, slow-burn romance, and political maneuvering among vampiric elite, this is a wonderfully cozy, atmospheric fantasy read.
Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amara fleeing through foreign streets to escape an unwanted betrothal immediately pulls you into the story, setting a fast pace from page one. When she crosses paths with Duke Ezran Ashkar, his offer to help in exchange for her accompanying him to a masquerade ball kicks off a delightful, slow-burn dynamic that carries the rest of the book.
- Character-Driven Focus: The character development takes center stage over a complex plot. Watching Amara navigate Sol'Azar under a false identity while resisting (and eventually giving in to) her chemistry with Ezran makes for a compelling read.
- Rich Vibe & Aesthetic: Filled with moonlit balls, ancient traditions, and classic vampire nobility tropes, the setting delivers fantastic atmosphere for fans of court intrigue. Ezran hits all the right notes as a powerful, secretive Old Blood noble with a dangerous reputation.
- Pacing: Because it leans heavily on character dynamics, the mid-section slows down to focus on stolen dances and quiet moments rather than high-stakes action.
While marketed as a standalone, the world-building leaves just enough open that I would love to see Anais Coker revisit these characters in a future release. If you enjoy runaway bride tropes, slow-burn romance, and political maneuvering among vampiric elite, this is a wonderfully cozy, atmospheric fantasy read.
September 10, 2026
Till Blood Do Us Part
"Do not wake what was buried."
We once again return to Eldros but this time we venture to Valor and the city of Sol'Azar where we meet our FMC, Amara, as she is running away from the man she is betrothed to. Whilst fleeing, she runs into our MMC, Ezran, The Duke of house Ashkar.
This is the start of an amazing story. One filled with romance, mystery and creatures. Anais has gifted us with wonderful characters and a magnificent world. It definately has the feel of a period drama with a predominate romance vibe for the majority if the first half of the book. We get hints of the mystery woven throughout but that really kicks up for the back half of the book.
The mystery is about an illness that seems to only infect and affect the human population of Sol'Azar. An illness that is mainly ignored by the old houses, who want to sweep it under the rug. These old houses are Velarii, a race who was created by the god Elyra, a race who consume blood but not as sustenance for life. It is meant to be sacred, an exchange of trust between the two participants, a sharing of devotion and souls. But something else is happening.
Can these two, along with Ezran's cousin Zarah and Lady Isabelle find out what is happening?
I loved this book and I highly recommend it. It is a standalone but I'm hoping that we will return to this story someday soon. 5 stars.
"Do not wake what was buried."
We once again return to Eldros but this time we venture to Valor and the city of Sol'Azar where we meet our FMC, Amara, as she is running away from the man she is betrothed to. Whilst fleeing, she runs into our MMC, Ezran, The Duke of house Ashkar.
This is the start of an amazing story. One filled with romance, mystery and creatures. Anais has gifted us with wonderful characters and a magnificent world. It definately has the feel of a period drama with a predominate romance vibe for the majority if the first half of the book. We get hints of the mystery woven throughout but that really kicks up for the back half of the book.
The mystery is about an illness that seems to only infect and affect the human population of Sol'Azar. An illness that is mainly ignored by the old houses, who want to sweep it under the rug. These old houses are Velarii, a race who was created by the god Elyra, a race who consume blood but not as sustenance for life. It is meant to be sacred, an exchange of trust between the two participants, a sharing of devotion and souls. But something else is happening.
Can these two, along with Ezran's cousin Zarah and Lady Isabelle find out what is happening?
I loved this book and I highly recommend it. It is a standalone but I'm hoping that we will return to this story someday soon. 5 stars.
August 14, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC to read of this book!
I will note that I have previously read the authors other works too which I fell is relevant.
This book is a stand alone so was a different pace to the pre iota books I’ve read from Anais, however I still loved the fast paced journey and the characters within, I do believe that there is options to continue the story later but also works well as a stand alone. I loved the Easter eggs and connects to Anais‘ other books especially since, even though this is a stand alone, they are the same world. So exploring another part of the world that I’ve spent so much time with was so fun.
Now specifically this book, without any spoilers, I loved the concept of a fantasy with the vibes of Bridgerton, the Velarii and their creation was a welcomed change to the typical species we find in most romantasy books. The forbidden romance was drawing and being a part of the secrets that’s they were hiding kept the Intrige of where we were going next.
Overall I truely loved this book and can’t wait for Anais‘ next book ♥️♥️♥️
I will note that I have previously read the authors other works too which I fell is relevant.
This book is a stand alone so was a different pace to the pre iota books I’ve read from Anais, however I still loved the fast paced journey and the characters within, I do believe that there is options to continue the story later but also works well as a stand alone. I loved the Easter eggs and connects to Anais‘ other books especially since, even though this is a stand alone, they are the same world. So exploring another part of the world that I’ve spent so much time with was so fun.
Now specifically this book, without any spoilers, I loved the concept of a fantasy with the vibes of Bridgerton, the Velarii and their creation was a welcomed change to the typical species we find in most romantasy books. The forbidden romance was drawing and being a part of the secrets that’s they were hiding kept the Intrige of where we were going next.
Overall I truely loved this book and can’t wait for Anais‘ next book ♥️♥️♥️
September 12, 2026
I was really looking forward to reading this book. The idea drew me in initially, but I don't feel that it quite lived up to what it could be. The story reminds me of a Bridgeton book, with dukes and forbidden love, but with vampires mixed in. In the first half of the book, we meet Amara, who is running away from the man she is to marry. She meets Duke Ezran Ashkar and their romance slowly develops. In the second half of the story, they work together to solve the mystery of why children have been dying. I felt that the first half took quite some time to get into, and it rushed the second half through. It would have been better if there was more time put into the mystery solving, and the characters working through the option that it might be. There were definitely some endearing parts of the romance, as the Duke tried to court Amara, but overall I didn't feel that it built the romance strong enough between them.
August 17, 2026
This was an ARC of a different spin on fae and vampires! We have fated mates and forbidden love, but it was more slow burn than insta-love. Amara is a noblewoman on the run from a disastrous marriage that would end in her death, and Ezran in a Duke with a marriage contract of his own. Honestly it's a fantastic premise. Kind of like if Bridgerton had vampires.
As much as I enjoyed it, the ending felt a bit rushed to me. And the dialogue felt short and choppy, which I think was supposed to feel like banter, but I sometimes lost track of who was saying what. For much of the actual prose, it's a series of incomplete, disjointed sentences. I think they can be effective when used sparingly, but after a while I was just wishing for more commas. That's personal preference though.
Overall though, it was a fun, cozy read and I truly enjoyed the building romance between Ezran and Amara.
As much as I enjoyed it, the ending felt a bit rushed to me. And the dialogue felt short and choppy, which I think was supposed to feel like banter, but I sometimes lost track of who was saying what. For much of the actual prose, it's a series of incomplete, disjointed sentences. I think they can be effective when used sparingly, but after a while I was just wishing for more commas. That's personal preference though.
Overall though, it was a fun, cozy read and I truly enjoyed the building romance between Ezran and Amara.
August 25, 2026
~~ARC REVIEW INCOMING~~
When I say I devoured this book, I read over 50% within the first night and finished it on the second. I completely ate this book up.
I usually find romance forward books a little hard to digest but I adored this book. From Amara and Ezran finding love despite that they shouldn't, to Zarah's funny one liners and completely endearing characteristics. This book was well written, I felt what the characters felt and could envision the world.
Its amazing the way Anais was able to convey yearning within a standalone. From the first meeting, to the bite..to the art room. Just utter perfection. A lot of my notes while reading were YEARNING 😂
Absolutely adored this read, not a long read and definitely feels like this world can be explored more...which I welcome wholeheartedly!!
When I say I devoured this book, I read over 50% within the first night and finished it on the second. I completely ate this book up.
I usually find romance forward books a little hard to digest but I adored this book. From Amara and Ezran finding love despite that they shouldn't, to Zarah's funny one liners and completely endearing characteristics. This book was well written, I felt what the characters felt and could envision the world.
Its amazing the way Anais was able to convey yearning within a standalone. From the first meeting, to the bite..to the art room. Just utter perfection. A lot of my notes while reading were YEARNING 😂
Absolutely adored this read, not a long read and definitely feels like this world can be explored more...which I welcome wholeheartedly!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
EARC provided by Author. Opinions are my own.
A good story with good characters, full of promise, let down by inconsistent pacing and weak dialogue.
Banter often starts fantastically but more often than not veers into cliché or a battle to have the last word. I found the "trade deals are important" discussions repetitive, disjointed and irrelevant to the plot (I'm sure there's other "duke work" that could be referenced).
The fantasy elements are fairly limited, with mostly glints and indirect references for the first half. The story feels like part of a much larger existing world, but we don't get to see much of it, and I would have liked more fantasy, lore and magic.
The first quarter is packed with action, the middle third feeling like little happens, and the final third finds a much better balance.
Overall, it was nice enough, but nothing was much of a surprise.
A good story with good characters, full of promise, let down by inconsistent pacing and weak dialogue.
Banter often starts fantastically but more often than not veers into cliché or a battle to have the last word. I found the "trade deals are important" discussions repetitive, disjointed and irrelevant to the plot (I'm sure there's other "duke work" that could be referenced).
The fantasy elements are fairly limited, with mostly glints and indirect references for the first half. The story feels like part of a much larger existing world, but we don't get to see much of it, and I would have liked more fantasy, lore and magic.
The first quarter is packed with action, the middle third feeling like little happens, and the final third finds a much better balance.
Overall, it was nice enough, but nothing was much of a surprise.
September 10, 2026
I was really excited to read this after finishing the Hollow Gods series, which I LOVED. This book is basically what would happen if Bridgerton was a supernatural romance!
I enjoyed reading this. I liked that it’s a standalone, so I can get my romantasy fix without a huge commitment. There was enough plot here without there being too much and having that moment of thinking, “Hang on, we’re running out of book and we haven’t come to a conclusion yet.”
It was easy to read, easy to get invested in, and wrapped up nicely without feeling like there was a piece of the story missing. I loved getting swept up into the world of Sol'Azar, with the romance, political intrigue and plot twist here and there.
Thanks so much to the author for sharing a physical ARC with me and letting me adventure into the Kingdom of Sol'Azar! All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading this. I liked that it’s a standalone, so I can get my romantasy fix without a huge commitment. There was enough plot here without there being too much and having that moment of thinking, “Hang on, we’re running out of book and we haven’t come to a conclusion yet.”
It was easy to read, easy to get invested in, and wrapped up nicely without feeling like there was a piece of the story missing. I loved getting swept up into the world of Sol'Azar, with the romance, political intrigue and plot twist here and there.
Thanks so much to the author for sharing a physical ARC with me and letting me adventure into the Kingdom of Sol'Azar! All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2026
This was a beautifully written fantasy romance stand alone! My eyes were glued to the page and I flew through this book.
From the first page Anais's writing drew me in, it feels poetic and her descriptions are so vivid. The story flowed comfortably and at a great pace, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. The banter between our two main characters was funny, witty, and full of life. I loved this book and if you're looking for a quick, beautiful, Romantasy, stand alone read, this is an amazing choice.
I can't wait to read more from Anais Coker! Thank you so much for sending me a copy of this ARC!
* This is my own honest review and is not influenced by any outside factors *
From the first page Anais's writing drew me in, it feels poetic and her descriptions are so vivid. The story flowed comfortably and at a great pace, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. The banter between our two main characters was funny, witty, and full of life. I loved this book and if you're looking for a quick, beautiful, Romantasy, stand alone read, this is an amazing choice.
I can't wait to read more from Anais Coker! Thank you so much for sending me a copy of this ARC!
* This is my own honest review and is not influenced by any outside factors *
September 8, 2026
I was given the opportunity to read this as an ARC,
while I loved the story and found the ending totally gripping, the characters are each unique, the personality and fun banter from cousin Zarah. The budding romance of Amara and Ezran, but there wasn’t alot of character building.
I found the beginning of the story dragged out and a little repeated at times, I feel there was too much time spent attending balls and talking about the dresses they wore, which took away from
The plot of the story and I feel the ending was a little rushed.
All in all I found the story enjoyable and give this 3.5 ⭐️ with a little bit of spice 🌶️🌶️ , I do look forward to reading what else Anais will release
while I loved the story and found the ending totally gripping, the characters are each unique, the personality and fun banter from cousin Zarah. The budding romance of Amara and Ezran, but there wasn’t alot of character building.
I found the beginning of the story dragged out and a little repeated at times, I feel there was too much time spent attending balls and talking about the dresses they wore, which took away from
The plot of the story and I feel the ending was a little rushed.
All in all I found the story enjoyable and give this 3.5 ⭐️ with a little bit of spice 🌶️🌶️ , I do look forward to reading what else Anais will release
October 5, 2026
A fast‑paced, character‑driven standalone Romantasy
Amara escapes an arranged marriage and finds refuge with Duke Ezran Ashkar. A temporary hideout that becomes a delicate, hidden life under a new identity. Their connection grows through shared interests, quiet conversations, shy glances, book talk (my favourite thread!), and those tension‑filled moments that make slow burn so satisfying.
Ezran is the definition of a green‑flag MMC: compassionate, empathetic, respectful, and endlessly supportive. He encourages Amara to be unapologetically herself, never asking her to shrink or change. Their romance grows from boundaries, trust, and genuine understanding.
If you love slow burn, low spice, character‑first storytelling, and a golden‑retriever MMC, this one is absolutely worth reading.
Amara escapes an arranged marriage and finds refuge with Duke Ezran Ashkar. A temporary hideout that becomes a delicate, hidden life under a new identity. Their connection grows through shared interests, quiet conversations, shy glances, book talk (my favourite thread!), and those tension‑filled moments that make slow burn so satisfying.
Ezran is the definition of a green‑flag MMC: compassionate, empathetic, respectful, and endlessly supportive. He encourages Amara to be unapologetically herself, never asking her to shrink or change. Their romance grows from boundaries, trust, and genuine understanding.
If you love slow burn, low spice, character‑first storytelling, and a golden‑retriever MMC, this one is absolutely worth reading.
September 1, 2026
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from the author.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book. It was a fast, romance heavy read. I sometimes found the magic/fantasy aspects under explained. I also found the chapters followed a predictable format of being quite dialogue heavy with essentially a chapter summary the end that told us all the action. I enjoyed the book as a light read but sometimes found myself wishing a little more was left to my imagination. At times I could have benefitted from more subtext and world building.
Overall, a quick read but probably not one I will be running back to.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book. It was a fast, romance heavy read. I sometimes found the magic/fantasy aspects under explained. I also found the chapters followed a predictable format of being quite dialogue heavy with essentially a chapter summary the end that told us all the action. I enjoyed the book as a light read but sometimes found myself wishing a little more was left to my imagination. At times I could have benefitted from more subtext and world building.
Overall, a quick read but probably not one I will be running back to.
September 12, 2026
The start of this book straight off the bat was amazing!
This book is very much about the romance plot. The yearning, the falling, the acceptance. The other subplots felt a little glossed over or forgotten at times, but I was here for the romance anyway. There was a long while i forgot that vampires were even a part of the story, but when it was brought up, it was very well done and never took me away from the story. It was more a gentle reminder and kept the story moving on.
What I love about the ending was that was a definitive ending, being it a standalone novel, but i can see the possibility of expansion. a spin off.
A very good fantasy Bridgerton-esque romance novel.
This book is very much about the romance plot. The yearning, the falling, the acceptance. The other subplots felt a little glossed over or forgotten at times, but I was here for the romance anyway. There was a long while i forgot that vampires were even a part of the story, but when it was brought up, it was very well done and never took me away from the story. It was more a gentle reminder and kept the story moving on.
What I love about the ending was that was a definitive ending, being it a standalone novel, but i can see the possibility of expansion. a spin off.
A very good fantasy Bridgerton-esque romance novel.
September 28, 2026
There are reasons why Anais Coker is one of my favourite authors.
Till Blood Do Us Part is one of those reasons.
I was enthralled by this story and this world. It drew me in from page 1.
I am in love with these characters and in love with the romance that she wrote. There were a few emotional intimacies interwoven throughout that pulled at my heartstrings, some even making me cry. If only real life could be this way, but I suppose that's why we read.
I absolutely loved the Easter eggs in the story. A nod to her debut series, The Hollow Gods (one of my favourite series).
I will forever read anything Anais writes.
Till Blood Do Us Part is one of those reasons.
I was enthralled by this story and this world. It drew me in from page 1.
I am in love with these characters and in love with the romance that she wrote. There were a few emotional intimacies interwoven throughout that pulled at my heartstrings, some even making me cry. If only real life could be this way, but I suppose that's why we read.
I absolutely loved the Easter eggs in the story. A nod to her debut series, The Hollow Gods (one of my favourite series).
I will forever read anything Anais writes.
August 31, 2026
Arc review-
This book had me hooked from the start like the aspect of this fantasy book not being quite vampires but also being fae like yes thats so amazing I loved it. AND forbidden romance plus murder mystery 2 of my favorite things combined. I love having duel perspectives like getting Amara then ezran's POV'S that was amazing!
I absolutely loved this book and cant wait to read more by the author!
This book had me hooked from the start like the aspect of this fantasy book not being quite vampires but also being fae like yes thats so amazing I loved it. AND forbidden romance plus murder mystery 2 of my favorite things combined. I love having duel perspectives like getting Amara then ezran's POV'S that was amazing!
I absolutely loved this book and cant wait to read more by the author!
September 14, 2026
I did like the overall vibe and the premise/concept of this book but the execution was not at par to my expectations. It's more of a personal taste issue rather than writing/storytelling problem.
This could still be absolutely loved by many and the potential of the storyline's there but currently and sadly, it was just 'okay' for me.
This could still be absolutely loved by many and the potential of the storyline's there but currently and sadly, it was just 'okay' for me.
September 25, 2026
This is a beautiful story; an ethereal landscape filled with romance, mystery and myths. There are soft ties to the authors original series but nothing that needs to be read to enjoy this read.
It has been an amazing journey ready Anais’ stories, I have adored her writing journey.
It has been an amazing journey ready Anais’ stories, I have adored her writing journey.
September 14, 2026
It’s all the cliche tropes and yet they play out in unexpected ways. It’s almost disgustingly romantic, but who doesn’t love a good romance.
I hope one day we might see the rest of the story.
I hope one day we might see the rest of the story.
August 28, 2026
I’m not exaggerating when I say this book absolutely captivated me and I could not put it down. Beneath the stars of a desert kingdom, Till Blood Do Us Part draws on centuries-old fae and vampire folklore with a few unexpected twists and traditions.
Anais’ writing instantly immerses you in the story of a runaway bride, a long suffering Duke, and a meddlesome cousin. Filled with lots of yearning, Ezran strongly channels Bridgertons Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset’s ‘I burn for you’ energy 🔥. Not one to shy away from danger, Amara fights for her survival and freedom, finding an unexpected family along the way. You get to enjoy glittering balls and long standing court traditions dictating the lives of the main characters whilst unravelling the mystery of an illness afflicting some of the humans of the court.
Anais’ writing instantly immerses you in the story of a runaway bride, a long suffering Duke, and a meddlesome cousin. Filled with lots of yearning, Ezran strongly channels Bridgertons Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset’s ‘I burn for you’ energy 🔥. Not one to shy away from danger, Amara fights for her survival and freedom, finding an unexpected family along the way. You get to enjoy glittering balls and long standing court traditions dictating the lives of the main characters whilst unravelling the mystery of an illness afflicting some of the humans of the court.
August 15, 2026
I received this arc directly from the author for an honest review.
Thank you to Anais for the opportunity to read this standalone arc.
This is a bridgeton meets vampires fantasy romance that takes place in the desert inspired city of Sol’azar. Amara the FMC seeks refuge within Duke Ezran Ashkar’s walls.
Whilst this story was pitched as a romantasy, it reads as predomindantly a romance with a small fantasy subplot element. There is certainly potential for this story as the beginning was very alluring but then it plateaued with the romance. I enjoyed the fantasy plot twist at the end, my only wish was that this was dragged out longer throughout the book.
This was a 3⭐️ read for me.
Thank you to Anais for the opportunity to read this standalone arc.
This is a bridgeton meets vampires fantasy romance that takes place in the desert inspired city of Sol’azar. Amara the FMC seeks refuge within Duke Ezran Ashkar’s walls.
Whilst this story was pitched as a romantasy, it reads as predomindantly a romance with a small fantasy subplot element. There is certainly potential for this story as the beginning was very alluring but then it plateaued with the romance. I enjoyed the fantasy plot twist at the end, my only wish was that this was dragged out longer throughout the book.
This was a 3⭐️ read for me.
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