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STEELBLOOD
Not yet published
Expected 6 Nov 26Airya Shah would rather spend the rest of her life in the prison she thought she was being sent to.
Anything would be better than attending the academy of the nation that conquered her homeland.
Unfortunately, no one asked for her opinion.
Now a political hostage at Arete Academy, she's surrounded by the future rulers of the Republic that destroyed everything she loved. To survive, Airya wants to stay invisible, avoid picking fights, and keep her origins as a possible descendant of the Chimeric Clan hidden, or risk execution.
But the Republic’s future leader, who is also her classmate, discovers her secret.
To escape a death sentence and keep her secret buried, Airya proposes one last desperate bargain: every morning, she rescues his signature dark blue hair from his own disastrous attempts to style it. Every morning, he keeps her secret.
It’s the most ridiculous deal she’s ever made.
It might also be her only chance of making it home alive.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
STEELBLOOD is a New Adult Romantasy for readers who love painfully slow burns, chaotic ensemble casts, political intrigue, dark academia, and characters who really should not be left unsupervised.
Anything would be better than attending the academy of the nation that conquered her homeland.
Unfortunately, no one asked for her opinion.
Now a political hostage at Arete Academy, she's surrounded by the future rulers of the Republic that destroyed everything she loved. To survive, Airya wants to stay invisible, avoid picking fights, and keep her origins as a possible descendant of the Chimeric Clan hidden, or risk execution.
But the Republic’s future leader, who is also her classmate, discovers her secret.
To escape a death sentence and keep her secret buried, Airya proposes one last desperate bargain: every morning, she rescues his signature dark blue hair from his own disastrous attempts to style it. Every morning, he keeps her secret.
It’s the most ridiculous deal she’s ever made.
It might also be her only chance of making it home alive.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
STEELBLOOD is a New Adult Romantasy for readers who love painfully slow burns, chaotic ensemble casts, political intrigue, dark academia, and characters who really should not be left unsupervised.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 6, 2026
About the author
Florence River
1 book10 followersFlorence River is a Latina author of character-driven Romantasy.
She writes fantasy that balances questions of power, belonging, and identity with characters who do not take themselves too seriously and who make questionable decisions.
Through her neurodivergent lens, she views the world with a constant “Wait, what?” expression and is drawn to messy characters, friendships full of banter, romance, and unusual stories.
When she isn't writing or obsessively rewriting the same chapter, she can usually be found surrounded by far too many animals. STEELBLOOD is her debut novel.
She writes fantasy that balances questions of power, belonging, and identity with characters who do not take themselves too seriously and who make questionable decisions.
Through her neurodivergent lens, she views the world with a constant “Wait, what?” expression and is drawn to messy characters, friendships full of banter, romance, and unusual stories.
When she isn't writing or obsessively rewriting the same chapter, she can usually be found surrounded by far too many animals. STEELBLOOD is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 9, 2026
4.7/5
Fun fantasy romance. Well developed world building. Slow burn enemies to lovers, great relationships/friendships (Airya and Lilix’s friendship! One of the best things about this book) between characters, lovable side characters, dual POV. Literally has a bit of everything and something for everyone.
Devoured this story in 2 days, once I started I found myself completely immersed in Airya’s world. The author does an amazing job at making this world so fluid and natural. And the tension and slow burn between her and Vanilott, perfect!
Really looking forward to the sequel and see where the story leads!! Highly recommend!
October 12, 2026
. ꒷ 👀. 𖦹˙— 1.75 stars ꒰🗡️꒱
⤷ fantasy/romance | 16+ | no spoilers !!
⤷ pre-read!༉‧₊˚.
heard so many good things about this one, thank you netgalley for the arc once again i can't wait !
⤷ my thoughts༉‧₊˚.
as much as i really loved the description for this story i fear i didn’t enjoy it as much as i was hoping to.. the authors writing style was easy to read but i just feel like i didn’t connect to the story or characters as much as i was hoping to🙁
⤷the plot ༉‧₊˚.
airya shah, a political hostage at arete academy, must survive among the future rulers of the nation that conquered her homeland. to avoid execution, she must keep her origins as a descendant of the chimeric clan a secret. when the republic's future leader discovers her secret, she strikes a desperate bargain: she will rescue him from his own disastrous attempts to style his signature dark blue hair every morning, and in exchange, he will keep her secret. it is a high-stakes game of survival where they must avoid killing each other first.
⤷characters ༉‧₊˚.
꒰airya꒱༉‧₊˚.
honestly her character was so cool and i loved the way her eyes changed due to her different emotions, i loved that about her a lot. her and lillix’s friendship was just so cute and the way lillix cares for airya is just ‘awe’ 🥹
꒰vanilott꒱༉‧₊˚.
i loved that he wasn’t a stereotypical love interest and his character was also really cool with shadow and stuff .. but i don’t think i really connected to his character a lot 🙁
⤷overall!! ༉‧₊˚.
overall, i think this book is a decent book for the authors debut novel and the concept of the book is amazing.. i just didn’t connect with it as i thought i would’ve which upset me a little. but i wouldn’t recommend it to others :’)
⤷ fantasy/romance | 16+ | no spoilers !!
⤷ pre-read!༉‧₊˚.
heard so many good things about this one, thank you netgalley for the arc once again i can't wait !
⤷ my thoughts༉‧₊˚.
as much as i really loved the description for this story i fear i didn’t enjoy it as much as i was hoping to.. the authors writing style was easy to read but i just feel like i didn’t connect to the story or characters as much as i was hoping to🙁
⤷the plot ༉‧₊˚.
airya shah, a political hostage at arete academy, must survive among the future rulers of the nation that conquered her homeland. to avoid execution, she must keep her origins as a descendant of the chimeric clan a secret. when the republic's future leader discovers her secret, she strikes a desperate bargain: she will rescue him from his own disastrous attempts to style his signature dark blue hair every morning, and in exchange, he will keep her secret. it is a high-stakes game of survival where they must avoid killing each other first.
⤷characters ༉‧₊˚.
꒰airya꒱༉‧₊˚.
honestly her character was so cool and i loved the way her eyes changed due to her different emotions, i loved that about her a lot. her and lillix’s friendship was just so cute and the way lillix cares for airya is just ‘awe’ 🥹
꒰vanilott꒱༉‧₊˚.
i loved that he wasn’t a stereotypical love interest and his character was also really cool with shadow and stuff .. but i don’t think i really connected to his character a lot 🙁
⤷overall!! ༉‧₊˚.
overall, i think this book is a decent book for the authors debut novel and the concept of the book is amazing.. i just didn’t connect with it as i thought i would’ve which upset me a little. but i wouldn’t recommend it to others :’)
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all, thank you so much to the author for providing me with an arc!
rating: 4 stars 🌟
aaaaaa they're so cute together! Airya + Vanilott. This is ACTUAL enemies to lovers. I'm a sucker for a romance like this. But I have to talk about all the friendships and relationships the author built between all the characters. I, for one, have the memory of a goldfish and cannot remember a character once they're off the page- but alas i succeeded. The author wrote the characters as memorable, unique people, with some flairs that really make them themselves.
The friendship between Airya and Lillix was something out of a fairytale. The way Lilix cares for Airya is beyond what a friend is normally expected to do, and it's amazing. Ok and the dynamics between the suggested couples and ofcourse, Vanilott and Cash was so good!
Probably my favourite thing in the book was that Vanilott was NOT a stereotypical male love interest :0 The author actually created a new character, that did not do all the typical things other love interests do. It's so cool in a new way. ( no hate to anyone else lol i love stereotypes too)
andd omg the things that the author made the characters do 😭 I had to put down my book (the laptop) for a few seconds on some pages because I really needed a second. Some parts will have you speechless. (be warned)
The author has quite a unique writing style, which is so amazing and the whole reason i enjoyed this book. But, I'm looking forward so much to the sequel (if there is one 👀 - that ending 😶) and seeing how much she's improved because if it comes out, I will be a guaranteed reader, no doubt.
I can literally feel the hard work put into this book. The writing, execution, dialogue and plot all absolutely blew me away! and it's a debut book! plus, the marketing for this book really hyped me up, and it did not fail to impress.
rating: 4 stars 🌟
aaaaaa they're so cute together! Airya + Vanilott. This is ACTUAL enemies to lovers. I'm a sucker for a romance like this. But I have to talk about all the friendships and relationships the author built between all the characters. I, for one, have the memory of a goldfish and cannot remember a character once they're off the page- but alas i succeeded. The author wrote the characters as memorable, unique people, with some flairs that really make them themselves.
The friendship between Airya and Lillix was something out of a fairytale. The way Lilix cares for Airya is beyond what a friend is normally expected to do, and it's amazing. Ok and the dynamics between the suggested couples and ofcourse, Vanilott and Cash was so good!
Probably my favourite thing in the book was that Vanilott was NOT a stereotypical male love interest :0 The author actually created a new character, that did not do all the typical things other love interests do. It's so cool in a new way. ( no hate to anyone else lol i love stereotypes too)
andd omg the things that the author made the characters do 😭 I had to put down my book (the laptop) for a few seconds on some pages because I really needed a second. Some parts will have you speechless. (be warned)
The author has quite a unique writing style, which is so amazing and the whole reason i enjoyed this book. But, I'm looking forward so much to the sequel (if there is one 👀 - that ending 😶) and seeing how much she's improved because if it comes out, I will be a guaranteed reader, no doubt.
I can literally feel the hard work put into this book. The writing, execution, dialogue and plot all absolutely blew me away! and it's a debut book! plus, the marketing for this book really hyped me up, and it did not fail to impress.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fresh, fun fantasy romance read, filled with political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and amazing character dynamics, all set in an academic setting. My favorite part was honestly the interactions between the characters - Airya, Lilix, Vanilott, and Cash. The friendships that were built were so much fun. The book was a slightly slow start for me, but only because the PDF formatting didn't work well on my Kindle (arc version) - that's a me issue because I'm old and my eyes aren't as good as they once were. I also had to get used to the younger maturity level of the characters' interactions in the beginning, but they're younger, so that was expected. Overall, this was a really great read, and I look forward to seeing what else Florence puts out there for us!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the opportunity to be a beta reader for Steelblood, and honestly, I have to say—what a masterpiece. Long story short, Airya’s world is falling apart. She’s forced to leave behind everything she once called home and ends up being held as a hostage (an elite hostage, so to speak, LOL) while trying to pick up the pieces of everything that’s been shattered.
And honestly, the social commentary, introduced in such subtle yet necessary ways, feels incredibly relevant to the reality of the world today.
There’s just no way not to get completely immersed in the story. The worldbuilding is so well-developed that, seriously, I felt like I was part of the Republic myself. And don’t even get me started on the characters—the emotional depth, their backstories, and of course, the one who’s definitely going to steal everyone’s heart: our blondie, Cash.
Florence managed to create an atmosphere with so many layers and nuances. The territories, the politics, the rules—all of it comes together in this power game centered around Airya, who honestly gave me major slightly-tsundere teenager vibes (the otakus will get it, lol). And somehow, she’s still caught up in this absolutely breathtaking slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance.
And honestly, the social commentary, introduced in such subtle yet necessary ways, feels incredibly relevant to the reality of the world today.
There’s just no way not to get completely immersed in the story. The worldbuilding is so well-developed that, seriously, I felt like I was part of the Republic myself. And don’t even get me started on the characters—the emotional depth, their backstories, and of course, the one who’s definitely going to steal everyone’s heart: our blondie, Cash.
Florence managed to create an atmosphere with so many layers and nuances. The territories, the politics, the rules—all of it comes together in this power game centered around Airya, who honestly gave me major slightly-tsundere teenager vibes (the otakus will get it, lol). And somehow, she’s still caught up in this absolutely breathtaking slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary electronic advanced reader's copy. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
This book held so, so much possibility. So much so, I was thrilled to get my eARC. And then, it not only failed to meet those possibilities, but to barely clear the low bar of readable. In fact, it was painful to read this book at times.
First, the writing or prose is amateurist, at best. This book feels like a college Writing 121 assignment that was fleshed out. Descriptions of the world, in the beginning, as overly long and overly done – as if someone was shooting for some deeply purple prose. There were multiple POV switches that were introduced, jarringly, with no explanation. Other times, there were page splits. For most of the book, there are two people who share the story telling responsibilities through third person limited narration. Other times, there seems to be a third person narrator and at others, random secondary and tertiary characters hijack the narration (again, through a third person limited style), for no particular reason that would require this.
At times, characters are not gendered until several paragraphs in. Case in point, Cash is introduced as a blonde with luxurious hair, and we go two pages without being told that he is a male.
Hopefully, there is an editor still cleaning up the text, as misspelled words pop up several times.
Also, there are a few, weirdly situated, drawings that are spread randomly through the book, and are either too many or not enough as there is no consistancy what they are depicting.
The plot, though, is fairly interesting, as are several of the characters and the world-building is good. The world is a mix of modern ideas and Georgian/Regency/Victorian morals. I would love to know more about the Carnivores and other species that are peppered through the story.
2 stars out of 5
This book held so, so much possibility. So much so, I was thrilled to get my eARC. And then, it not only failed to meet those possibilities, but to barely clear the low bar of readable. In fact, it was painful to read this book at times.
First, the writing or prose is amateurist, at best. This book feels like a college Writing 121 assignment that was fleshed out. Descriptions of the world, in the beginning, as overly long and overly done – as if someone was shooting for some deeply purple prose. There were multiple POV switches that were introduced, jarringly, with no explanation. Other times, there were page splits. For most of the book, there are two people who share the story telling responsibilities through third person limited narration. Other times, there seems to be a third person narrator and at others, random secondary and tertiary characters hijack the narration (again, through a third person limited style), for no particular reason that would require this.
At times, characters are not gendered until several paragraphs in. Case in point, Cash is introduced as a blonde with luxurious hair, and we go two pages without being told that he is a male.
Hopefully, there is an editor still cleaning up the text, as misspelled words pop up several times.
Also, there are a few, weirdly situated, drawings that are spread randomly through the book, and are either too many or not enough as there is no consistancy what they are depicting.
The plot, though, is fairly interesting, as are several of the characters and the world-building is good. The world is a mix of modern ideas and Georgian/Regency/Victorian morals. I would love to know more about the Carnivores and other species that are peppered through the story.
2 stars out of 5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
❦ARC Review❦
❀
My Rating: 3.5
❀
I enjoyed this read! This romantasy had a unique spin on the magic system, something I haven't encountered on a FMC before and I like how it’s showcased, as well as keeping some mystery for the next book.
❀
Bringing in political divide between the main protagonists adds another layer and high stakes onto the enemies to lovers trope that I enjoyed and am excited for that to be explored.
❀
The banter not only between the main characters but with the supporting characters was really entertaining and it really showed the dynamics between them.
❀
It did take me a bit to get hooked, some of the things that contributed to that were the POV switches. The jumps between characters within the same chapter without any indication there was change caught me off guard, it made me have to reread a sentence to realize in whose mind we were. On the topic of POV’s I felt some of the characters point of view didn’t need to be there since it only happened once and we didn’t continue with that character's pov further.
❀
Overall the second half of the book I really liked, for being a debut book it has good bones, I was entertained multiple times and to me it felt like a good introduction into this world and a good set up for Book 2, super excited for when the story continues. I will definitely be checking it out!
❀
Thank you to Florence River and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
❀
My Rating: 3.5
❀
I enjoyed this read! This romantasy had a unique spin on the magic system, something I haven't encountered on a FMC before and I like how it’s showcased, as well as keeping some mystery for the next book.
❀
Bringing in political divide between the main protagonists adds another layer and high stakes onto the enemies to lovers trope that I enjoyed and am excited for that to be explored.
❀
The banter not only between the main characters but with the supporting characters was really entertaining and it really showed the dynamics between them.
❀
It did take me a bit to get hooked, some of the things that contributed to that were the POV switches. The jumps between characters within the same chapter without any indication there was change caught me off guard, it made me have to reread a sentence to realize in whose mind we were. On the topic of POV’s I felt some of the characters point of view didn’t need to be there since it only happened once and we didn’t continue with that character's pov further.
❀
Overall the second half of the book I really liked, for being a debut book it has good bones, I was entertained multiple times and to me it felt like a good introduction into this world and a good set up for Book 2, super excited for when the story continues. I will definitely be checking it out!
❀
Thank you to Florence River and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Steelblood was such a fun surprise! Packed with political intrigue, complicated relationships, genuine friendships, and a delicious slow-burn romance, this fantasy pulled me in with its immersive world and engaging characters.
When Airya's life is turned upside down, she finds herself far from home and in the unfamiliar position of a high-value hostage. Suddenly caught in a much bigger game of power and politics, she must navigate a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. Florence creates a fascinating political landscape filled with competing territories, shifting alliances, and meaningful social themes that add depth to the story without feeling forced.
But the characters really stole the show! Airya, Lilix, Vanilott, and Cash each bring something special, and I loved watching their friendships and relationships unfold. Airya's stubborn, guarded, very-teenager personality made her feel refreshingly realistic. And Cash? Let's just say I have a feeling he'll be stealing plenty of readers' hearts!
The slow-burn romance was another highlight. The tension of two people on opposite sides slowly finding a connection made their interactions even more exciting. I loved watching their relationship develop naturally, with just enough tension to keep me wanting more!
When Airya's life is turned upside down, she finds herself far from home and in the unfamiliar position of a high-value hostage. Suddenly caught in a much bigger game of power and politics, she must navigate a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. Florence creates a fascinating political landscape filled with competing territories, shifting alliances, and meaningful social themes that add depth to the story without feeling forced.
But the characters really stole the show! Airya, Lilix, Vanilott, and Cash each bring something special, and I loved watching their friendships and relationships unfold. Airya's stubborn, guarded, very-teenager personality made her feel refreshingly realistic. And Cash? Let's just say I have a feeling he'll be stealing plenty of readers' hearts!
The slow-burn romance was another highlight. The tension of two people on opposite sides slowly finding a connection made their interactions even more exciting. I loved watching their relationship develop naturally, with just enough tension to keep me wanting more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The yearning is top notch. The self discovery journey of our FMC is one that held my attention. It was fascinating to see both Airya and Valinott mold themselves into someone of their own choosing rather than a product of their circumstances.
I loved the academy aspect, the professors, classes. It was a true Academia.
And Lillix and Heste are treasures. I appreciated the multiple POVs and getting to understand their motivation, whenever granted was crucial to seeing then as full fledged characters.
I was extremely surprised by the world building elements concerning the other members of the republic. It so cool to see more about the rich world and species and it would be cool to learn about then faster and even get a creature and magic and land index at the start of the book. Pretty please ;).
The MMC, and Cash and Shadow are amazing. They are fun and mischievous in the best way. Lotts reaction to her dancing with someone else was priceless!!! What took me out of the story a bit was the MMC nicknames. I understand it was probably him hiding his feelings and his initial connection of her eyes being like puppy dog's eyes, in a endearing way. I guess I'm still trying to understand the backstory and culture. If I had one wish it would be to reconsider that but that's personal I guess.
I loved the academy aspect, the professors, classes. It was a true Academia.
And Lillix and Heste are treasures. I appreciated the multiple POVs and getting to understand their motivation, whenever granted was crucial to seeing then as full fledged characters.
I was extremely surprised by the world building elements concerning the other members of the republic. It so cool to see more about the rich world and species and it would be cool to learn about then faster and even get a creature and magic and land index at the start of the book. Pretty please ;).
The MMC, and Cash and Shadow are amazing. They are fun and mischievous in the best way. Lotts reaction to her dancing with someone else was priceless!!! What took me out of the story a bit was the MMC nicknames. I understand it was probably him hiding his feelings and his initial connection of her eyes being like puppy dog's eyes, in a endearing way. I guess I'm still trying to understand the backstory and culture. If I had one wish it would be to reconsider that but that's personal I guess.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚
🏝️ All Airya Shah wanted was to live her life on her island… but the Republic had other plans. 👀
Taken as a prisoner of war, Airya assumes her future is nothing but captivity. Until, instead of a prison, she's dropped into Arete Academy—an elite school for the children of the Republic’s most powerful people. Talk about a plot twist! 😳
Now she's trapped in a world she never asked to be part of, trying to navigate academy life, while trying to figure out how to escape, and all while trying to keep her secret safe. Sounds complicated enough, right? WRONG. Because things get even more interesting when she catches the attention of Vanilott, the most popular guy at school. 👀🔥
✨ Secrets and intrigue
⚔️ Power struggles
🏰 Elite academia vibes
🔥 Tension and a slow burn
😏 Banter that keeps you wanting more
Give me a mysterious academy, a heroine who refuses to give up, political scheming, and a little romantic tension, and I'm ALL IN. 🙌📖
I'm so intrigued by where this story is headed, and I can't wait to see how Airya's journey unfolds! The secrets, the dynamics, the possibilities… I NEED MORE. 😭💜
If you love academy settings, slow-burn romance, and a heroine caught in a world full of secrets, this one deserves a spot on your TBR! 🖤
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! 💌✨
🏝️ All Airya Shah wanted was to live her life on her island… but the Republic had other plans. 👀
Taken as a prisoner of war, Airya assumes her future is nothing but captivity. Until, instead of a prison, she's dropped into Arete Academy—an elite school for the children of the Republic’s most powerful people. Talk about a plot twist! 😳
Now she's trapped in a world she never asked to be part of, trying to navigate academy life, while trying to figure out how to escape, and all while trying to keep her secret safe. Sounds complicated enough, right? WRONG. Because things get even more interesting when she catches the attention of Vanilott, the most popular guy at school. 👀🔥
✨ Secrets and intrigue
⚔️ Power struggles
🏰 Elite academia vibes
🔥 Tension and a slow burn
😏 Banter that keeps you wanting more
Give me a mysterious academy, a heroine who refuses to give up, political scheming, and a little romantic tension, and I'm ALL IN. 🙌📖
I'm so intrigued by where this story is headed, and I can't wait to see how Airya's journey unfolds! The secrets, the dynamics, the possibilities… I NEED MORE. 😭💜
If you love academy settings, slow-burn romance, and a heroine caught in a world full of secrets, this one deserves a spot on your TBR! 🖤
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! 💌✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, a heartfelt thanks to the author for sharing STEELBLOOD as an arc copy to me. I really enjoyed reading Airya and Vanilott’s story and falling in love with them, and the world created. From the start, the mystery behind Airya’s eyes is hinted from the get-go. And I love Airya's and the others’ internal monologues/thoughts in italics. They tell us a lot without the need of flashback paragraphs or scenes.
I love the dual POV and really like the way the characters have been introduced, Airya, Lillix, Vanilott, and Cash, etc. I really enjoyed that besides dual POV, we get some POVs from the other characters too, in certain specific places. It was fun reading about their perspective, and not being limited to only one POV. The fantasy part is pretty unique and different with color-changing eyes, a mysterious shadow entity living inside Vanilott, mixed races, human, human-like and totally strange ones, like walking reptiles, and humanoid sharks, etc.
Their deal is so lit too!. It helps them get closer and Shadow and Airya’s dynamic, so cute! And the way Lott can’t stand the injustice and bribes the Headmaster to get Airya all normal student privileges. I especially enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the friendships…Lillix and Airya staunch friendship, she stuck by her and didn't back off even when Airya tried to keep her at a distance to protect her. And Heste slowly warming up to both her roommates.
The scene where Vanilott finally accepts he’s in love with Airya was so much fun to read, and the Casino scene, OMG! It changed my opinion of Zavr, he really won me over when he told stood up for Heste. Plus, the part where Lott takes the exam in place of Airya, so heartwarming. I love the ending, where Vanilott realizes he needs to make Airya fall in love with the Republic itself.
I love the dual POV and really like the way the characters have been introduced, Airya, Lillix, Vanilott, and Cash, etc. I really enjoyed that besides dual POV, we get some POVs from the other characters too, in certain specific places. It was fun reading about their perspective, and not being limited to only one POV. The fantasy part is pretty unique and different with color-changing eyes, a mysterious shadow entity living inside Vanilott, mixed races, human, human-like and totally strange ones, like walking reptiles, and humanoid sharks, etc.
Their deal is so lit too!. It helps them get closer and Shadow and Airya’s dynamic, so cute! And the way Lott can’t stand the injustice and bribes the Headmaster to get Airya all normal student privileges. I especially enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the friendships…Lillix and Airya staunch friendship, she stuck by her and didn't back off even when Airya tried to keep her at a distance to protect her. And Heste slowly warming up to both her roommates.
The scene where Vanilott finally accepts he’s in love with Airya was so much fun to read, and the Casino scene, OMG! It changed my opinion of Zavr, he really won me over when he told stood up for Heste. Plus, the part where Lott takes the exam in place of Airya, so heartwarming. I love the ending, where Vanilott realizes he needs to make Airya fall in love with the Republic itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a fun story to read. The author has the absolute knack of writing vivid scenes. To me, this story read like a manga in that I could see the scenes in my mind's eye. This was helped along by the lovely drawings in the text, I must congratulate the artist Elizabeth Meireles.
The characters bounced off one another to great effect, often squabbling, but with love underneath. Naturally one becomes familiar with the main characters, but the secondary characters in the story make themselves quite at home on the page, especially Cash and Lillix.
I enjoyed the humor throughout and I laughed out loud where the reptilian creatures speak and the font is utterly incomprehensible. Very clever!
If I had to point out flaws I'd say the text needs another round of editing, but remember I read an ARC. The only other thing that bothered me was the drifting point of view; sometimes one would have three in one page.
But those are minor aspects. The worldbuilding is good, so good in fact that with the themes laid in in this story, I would make an effort to see where the author goes with it in the next story.
The characters bounced off one another to great effect, often squabbling, but with love underneath. Naturally one becomes familiar with the main characters, but the secondary characters in the story make themselves quite at home on the page, especially Cash and Lillix.
I enjoyed the humor throughout and I laughed out loud where the reptilian creatures speak and the font is utterly incomprehensible. Very clever!
If I had to point out flaws I'd say the text needs another round of editing, but remember I read an ARC. The only other thing that bothered me was the drifting point of view; sometimes one would have three in one page.
But those are minor aspects. The worldbuilding is good, so good in fact that with the themes laid in in this story, I would make an effort to see where the author goes with it in the next story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Some books make you wish you could actually step inside their world, and Steel Bloodwas one of them.
I genuinely cannot put into words how much I loved this story! Everything about it, from the atmosphere to the characters and the whimsical vibe, made it such a wonderful reading experience. The writing made the world feel so vivid, and the characters had personalities that made it impossible not to get attached to them.
Ariya and Vanillot's chemistry had my heart, and I loved seeing their dynamic unfold. But if there's one character who completely stole my heart, it's Shadow. Without a doubt, Shadow will forever be my favourite!
What I loved most was how immersed I felt in the story. I didn't just want to know what happened next; I wanted to be a part of that world myself. That's the kind of magic I look for when I pick up a book.
If you love dark academia, slow burns, whimsical storytelling, and character-driven stories with unforgettable personalities, I highly recommend adding Steel Blood to your TBR.
This was such a beautiful reading experience, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of this world, even if only through its pages.
Since it's a duology I can't wait to read the second part
⭐ Rating: 5/5
I genuinely cannot put into words how much I loved this story! Everything about it, from the atmosphere to the characters and the whimsical vibe, made it such a wonderful reading experience. The writing made the world feel so vivid, and the characters had personalities that made it impossible not to get attached to them.
Ariya and Vanillot's chemistry had my heart, and I loved seeing their dynamic unfold. But if there's one character who completely stole my heart, it's Shadow. Without a doubt, Shadow will forever be my favourite!
What I loved most was how immersed I felt in the story. I didn't just want to know what happened next; I wanted to be a part of that world myself. That's the kind of magic I look for when I pick up a book.
If you love dark academia, slow burns, whimsical storytelling, and character-driven stories with unforgettable personalities, I highly recommend adding Steel Blood to your TBR.
This was such a beautiful reading experience, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of this world, even if only through its pages.
Since it's a duology I can't wait to read the second part
⭐ Rating: 5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
There was a lot I enjoyed about Steel Blood. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was a real highlight for me, particularly because the animosity between the characters felt genuine. I loved watching their relationship develop, and the world-building, political undertones and supporting characters all added some really interesting layers to the story.
Where I struggled was with the POV changes. The perspective sometimes shifted partway through a chapter, and additional POVs appeared along the way, which could make the narrative difficult to follow. I also wanted more development around Shadow. Given how significant he was to the story, I found myself with questions about his purpose and how he worked within the world.
By around 70% of the way through, I’d become more accustomed to the writing style and was able to settle into the story more. I think there’s a fantastic concept here, with a world full of potential and plenty of elements I genuinely enjoyed. Unfortunately, some aspects didn’t quite come together for me, which affected my overall reading experience.
A promising debut with some great ideas, even if it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.
Where I struggled was with the POV changes. The perspective sometimes shifted partway through a chapter, and additional POVs appeared along the way, which could make the narrative difficult to follow. I also wanted more development around Shadow. Given how significant he was to the story, I found myself with questions about his purpose and how he worked within the world.
By around 70% of the way through, I’d become more accustomed to the writing style and was able to settle into the story more. I think there’s a fantastic concept here, with a world full of potential and plenty of elements I genuinely enjoyed. Unfortunately, some aspects didn’t quite come together for me, which affected my overall reading experience.
A promising debut with some great ideas, even if it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What can I say about this precious little book?
Well, how about this: WHAT A PERFECT BOOK!
Here we have Ayria, a young woman who is ripped away from her home and her kingdom by an empire that claims to be just and promises to free the land from the monarchy. Anyone else seen this story before? 👀 Yeah… exactly.
Not really knowing what to do with her, the army decides to send her to a boarding school. And that’s where the story really begins... but the rest? You’ll have to read it yourself.
What can I promise you about this book? A Victorian dark academia setting with a delightful steampunk vibe, characters bursting with personality, a strong and courageous female lead, and a male protagonist who is simply charming and adorable.
And last, but definitely not least: a smooth, fast-paced, and incredibly engaging narrative that gives you the wonderful feeling of watching a witty TV series, filled with lovable characters and, at the same time, packed with social criticism.
It was one of those reads that made me think: “I really needed something like this in my life!”
Well, how about this: WHAT A PERFECT BOOK!
Here we have Ayria, a young woman who is ripped away from her home and her kingdom by an empire that claims to be just and promises to free the land from the monarchy. Anyone else seen this story before? 👀 Yeah… exactly.
Not really knowing what to do with her, the army decides to send her to a boarding school. And that’s where the story really begins... but the rest? You’ll have to read it yourself.
What can I promise you about this book? A Victorian dark academia setting with a delightful steampunk vibe, characters bursting with personality, a strong and courageous female lead, and a male protagonist who is simply charming and adorable.
And last, but definitely not least: a smooth, fast-paced, and incredibly engaging narrative that gives you the wonderful feeling of watching a witty TV series, filled with lovable characters and, at the same time, packed with social criticism.
It was one of those reads that made me think: “I really needed something like this in my life!”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Airya Shah would rather rot in a prison than attend the academy of the nation that conquered her homeland, but as a political hostage at Arete Academy, she had no say. Surrounded by the Republic’s future rulers and hiding her possible Chimeric Clan descent, I felt every bit of her fear and quiet defiance, especially when the heir himself uncovered her secret. The ridiculous bargain, rescuing Vanilott’s disastrous midnight blue hair each morning in exchange for his silence, made me grin through all the tension. He wasn’t a stereotypical love interest, and their true enemies to lovers slow burn felt fresh. I adored Airya’s friendship with Lillix, along with the chaotic ensemble cast around them. The opening felt a little young and slow, but the political intrigue, the unforgettable character moments, and that ending left me eager for a sequel.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun romantasy that was actually enemies to lovers. Airya and Vanilott's relationship was really cute, although I feel like there was so much that wasn't elaborated on that I would have liked to see, especially more details on how the magic system works. The nature of Airya's magic, Vanilott's shadow, and the energy system in general could have been better described— hopefully they'll give us more in the sequel.
The overall plot was well-executed, although the pacing was sometimes odd, and I feel like the book just... ended. No dramatic climax, it was just done so suddenly that I double checked to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a few pages. The alternating perspectives were really well done and enjoyable, and I was happy with how distinct everyone's personality was. Overall, I would rate this a 3.8/5, and I would definitely recommend it to all lovers of not-too-spicy romantasy!
Thank you to netGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The overall plot was well-executed, although the pacing was sometimes odd, and I feel like the book just... ended. No dramatic climax, it was just done so suddenly that I double checked to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a few pages. The alternating perspectives were really well done and enjoyable, and I was happy with how distinct everyone's personality was. Overall, I would rate this a 3.8/5, and I would definitely recommend it to all lovers of not-too-spicy romantasy!
Thank you to netGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 2, 2026
📖 STEELBLOOD — ARC REVIEW
“To love is to see someone’s true colors… and think every single one of them beautiful.” ❤️
This academia-inspired story had me intrigued from the very beginning! I loved the combination of a captivating setting, fast-paced action, and found family. There was always something happening that kept me turning the pages, and I found myself getting more and more invested in the characters.
I’m especially curious to see what happens next with Lott, Airya, and the rest of the crew. I have SO many questions, and I need book two immediately!
If you’re a fan of academia settings, found family, and action-packed fantasy, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
✨ Steelblood releases November 7!
“To love is to see someone’s true colors… and think every single one of them beautiful.” ❤️
This academia-inspired story had me intrigued from the very beginning! I loved the combination of a captivating setting, fast-paced action, and found family. There was always something happening that kept me turning the pages, and I found myself getting more and more invested in the characters.
I’m especially curious to see what happens next with Lott, Airya, and the rest of the crew. I have SO many questions, and I need book two immediately!
If you’re a fan of academia settings, found family, and action-packed fantasy, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
✨ Steelblood releases November 7!
October 28, 2026
The outer shell of this book 'Steelblood', written by Florence River, shows you a boarding school in a slightly less populated area of a country, and we navigate the classes and the school life along with our main characters. There are several POVS, and they blend in pretty seamlessly.
Then you crack the coconut shell, and what do you find inside? Heavy politics, undisguised bias and racism, the death of journalism, bullying, misogyny and a whole lot of problems we still see to this day in 'big 2026', as per the internet catchphrase, but conveniently ignored, considering it's "just how it is'.
Then you crack the coconut shell, and what do you find inside? Heavy politics, undisguised bias and racism, the death of journalism, bullying, misogyny and a whole lot of problems we still see to this day in 'big 2026', as per the internet catchphrase, but conveniently ignored, considering it's "just how it is'.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a ARC 🫶🏼
Steelblood totally pulled me into the Arete Academy. Welcome to the Arete Academy really says it all this is dark academia, elite warriors, secrets and that delicious tension.
I love the character growth and the found family so much. Florence River writes such an atmospheric world and watching the main character grow into someone who belongs, surrounded by her found family, was everything. The banter and the slow burn had me kicking my feet and that blood, steel and ambition vibe kept me hooked the whole time.
I did not want to leave this world. I need the next book😍
Steelblood totally pulled me into the Arete Academy. Welcome to the Arete Academy really says it all this is dark academia, elite warriors, secrets and that delicious tension.
I love the character growth and the found family so much. Florence River writes such an atmospheric world and watching the main character grow into someone who belongs, surrounded by her found family, was everything. The banter and the slow burn had me kicking my feet and that blood, steel and ambition vibe kept me hooked the whole time.
I did not want to leave this world. I need the next book😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the whole setup with Airya being stuck at an academy surrounded by people she absolutely does not want to be around. And the deal over his HAIR?! That alone had me laughing.
The banter, the tension, and the secrets definitely make this one interesting. If you love academy settings, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a slow burn, add this one to your list!
The banter, the tension, and the secrets definitely make this one interesting. If you love academy settings, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a slow burn, add this one to your list!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A character driven, ambitious introduction to a world that serves as a character of its own. The arc of the characters was good and our main characters don't have to start out unlikable to do it. Sometimes I drew parallels to our own world and that's... uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to what happens next, stay sunny, Cash.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Great chemistry between the main characters and immersive world-building It just click for me I highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Author
I quite enjoyed reading Steelblood. The dynamics of the characters were well written and the plot is quite intriguing. I highly recommend!!
Advance copy read
Advance copy read
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Review as Steelblood Beta Reader
Okay, I need to talk about Airya and Lilix because their friendship hit me in a completely different way once I started thinking about what Airya is actually going through.
Airya isn’t just some girl who suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar academy. She was a princess. Her home was taken from her, her island was subjugated, and she was brought to Arcad against her will. She has basically been ripped away from everything she knows and expected to simply adapt to a world she never chose to be part of.
And then Lilix comes into the picture.
What I loved about their friendship is that Lilix doesn’t seem to treat Airya like she’s this fragile princess who needs to be constantly handled carefully. She gives her space to be a person.
That sounds like such a small thing, but I think it matters só much for Airya.
Everyone around her can see the title, the circumstances, the political situation, the fact that she’s from an island that was conquered. But with Lilix, there are moments where it feels like Airya can just be a girl at Arcad trying to figure out her life.
And I really loved that.
There’s also such an interesting contrast between them. Lilix already understands Arcad and seems much more comfortable navigating that environment, while Airya has been forced into it without ever asking for any of this. So whenever Lilix pulls her into conversations or little situations around the academy, it feels like she’s slowly giving Airya pieces of a life that was never supposed to be hers.
Not replacing her old life.
Not pretending everything is fine.
Just giving her moments where she can actually breathe.
And I think that’s why their friendship felt so much more meaningful to me than I initially expected.
I also really appreciated that Lilix doesn’t become Airya’s entire world. She has her own personality, her own relationships and her own place in Arcad. Their friendship exists alongside all of that, which makes it feel much more genuine.
Honestly, I think one of my favorite things about their relationship is the trope of the displaced princess finding an unexpected friend in the very place she never wanted to be.
Because there’s something almost bittersweet about it.
Airya never chose Arcad.
She never chose to leave her island.
But she still manages to find someone there who makes the place a little easier to survive.
And THAT got me
As a beta reader, I wasn't expecting to become this emotionally invested in their friendship, but the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated what Lilix represents for Airya. She isn't just a friend. She's one of the first people who helps Airya experience Arcad as something other than the place she was forcibly taken to.
That made every little moment between them feel more important to me.
I genuinely hope we get even more of them because now I’m attached and unfortunately that is Florence’s problem
Okay, I need to talk about Airya and Lilix because their friendship hit me in a completely different way once I started thinking about what Airya is actually going through.
Airya isn’t just some girl who suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar academy. She was a princess. Her home was taken from her, her island was subjugated, and she was brought to Arcad against her will. She has basically been ripped away from everything she knows and expected to simply adapt to a world she never chose to be part of.
And then Lilix comes into the picture.
What I loved about their friendship is that Lilix doesn’t seem to treat Airya like she’s this fragile princess who needs to be constantly handled carefully. She gives her space to be a person.
That sounds like such a small thing, but I think it matters só much for Airya.
Everyone around her can see the title, the circumstances, the political situation, the fact that she’s from an island that was conquered. But with Lilix, there are moments where it feels like Airya can just be a girl at Arcad trying to figure out her life.
And I really loved that.
There’s also such an interesting contrast between them. Lilix already understands Arcad and seems much more comfortable navigating that environment, while Airya has been forced into it without ever asking for any of this. So whenever Lilix pulls her into conversations or little situations around the academy, it feels like she’s slowly giving Airya pieces of a life that was never supposed to be hers.
Not replacing her old life.
Not pretending everything is fine.
Just giving her moments where she can actually breathe.
And I think that’s why their friendship felt so much more meaningful to me than I initially expected.
I also really appreciated that Lilix doesn’t become Airya’s entire world. She has her own personality, her own relationships and her own place in Arcad. Their friendship exists alongside all of that, which makes it feel much more genuine.
Honestly, I think one of my favorite things about their relationship is the trope of the displaced princess finding an unexpected friend in the very place she never wanted to be.
Because there’s something almost bittersweet about it.
Airya never chose Arcad.
She never chose to leave her island.
But she still manages to find someone there who makes the place a little easier to survive.
And THAT got me
As a beta reader, I wasn't expecting to become this emotionally invested in their friendship, but the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated what Lilix represents for Airya. She isn't just a friend. She's one of the first people who helps Airya experience Arcad as something other than the place she was forcibly taken to.
That made every little moment between them feel more important to me.
I genuinely hope we get even more of them because now I’m attached and unfortunately that is Florence’s problem
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the chance to beta read Steelblood
And honestly I wasn’t expecting to get this attached to it. Florence’s writing is so fluid and captivating that I genuinely finished the book in 2 DAYS. The chapters have this perfect flow where you can tell yourself “okay, I’ll stop here” and then suddenly you’re five chapters further because you NEED to know what happens next
As someone who had been struggling with a reading slump, this was exactly what I needed. I actually looked forward to picking it up again, and that says a lot because it had been a while since a book made me feel that way.
I also really loved the characters, especially Airya and Vanilott.
Watching Airya discover this completely new world while slowly finding her place in Arcad made the worldbuilding feel really natural.
And Vanilott??? Dude
This man is a PROBLEM!!!!!!!
Their dynamic had me invested from the beginning. The tension, the arguments, the little moments… and that slow-burn enemies-to-lovers energy??? Florence KNOWS what she’s doing. And Cash deserves a mention because he somehow manages to make every scene more chaotic and entertaining.
Honestly, if you’re looking for an academy fantasy with interesting characters, secrets, different cultures, complicated relationships and a story that actually makes you want to keep turning the pages, I’d definitely recommend Steelblood.
As a beta reader, the biggest compliment I can give is that by the time I reached the end, I was already missing these characters. And with everything left open, I’m genuinely wondering what happens to them next. I’m definitely not done thinking about this book yet
And honestly I wasn’t expecting to get this attached to it. Florence’s writing is so fluid and captivating that I genuinely finished the book in 2 DAYS. The chapters have this perfect flow where you can tell yourself “okay, I’ll stop here” and then suddenly you’re five chapters further because you NEED to know what happens next
As someone who had been struggling with a reading slump, this was exactly what I needed. I actually looked forward to picking it up again, and that says a lot because it had been a while since a book made me feel that way.
I also really loved the characters, especially Airya and Vanilott.
Watching Airya discover this completely new world while slowly finding her place in Arcad made the worldbuilding feel really natural.
And Vanilott??? Dude
This man is a PROBLEM!!!!!!!
Their dynamic had me invested from the beginning. The tension, the arguments, the little moments… and that slow-burn enemies-to-lovers energy??? Florence KNOWS what she’s doing. And Cash deserves a mention because he somehow manages to make every scene more chaotic and entertaining.
Honestly, if you’re looking for an academy fantasy with interesting characters, secrets, different cultures, complicated relationships and a story that actually makes you want to keep turning the pages, I’d definitely recommend Steelblood.
As a beta reader, the biggest compliment I can give is that by the time I reached the end, I was already missing these characters. And with everything left open, I’m genuinely wondering what happens to them next. I’m definitely not done thinking about this book yet
Review of advance copy received from Author
Being a beta read of Steelblood makes me need to talk about Cash because this man is genuinely one of the funniest characters. His friendship with Vanilott already had me laughing, but then we got to the casino scene and I was DONE.
Cash, Vanilott, alcohol, relationship drama and a whole-ass Reptilian somehow ended up being one of the most chaotic scenes I’ve read in a while.
The fact that Vanilott is having an actual emotional crisis while Cash is there making everything ten times worse??? I couldn’t take them seriously.
And the Reptilian conversation??? I’m sorry, but WHAT was happening there like I genuinely wasn’t expecting that scene when I started beta reading this book, and somehow it became one of the moments I remember the most.
I love that Florence can have these really emotional and intense moments and then throw Cash into a situation that has me laughing five minutes later. As a beta reader, those moments really made the characters feel alive to me. Cash is chaotic, ridiculous and somehow impossible not to like. I already miss this idiot
Cash, Vanilott, alcohol, relationship drama and a whole-ass Reptilian somehow ended up being one of the most chaotic scenes I’ve read in a while.
The fact that Vanilott is having an actual emotional crisis while Cash is there making everything ten times worse??? I couldn’t take them seriously.
And the Reptilian conversation??? I’m sorry, but WHAT was happening there like I genuinely wasn’t expecting that scene when I started beta reading this book, and somehow it became one of the moments I remember the most.
I love that Florence can have these really emotional and intense moments and then throw Cash into a situation that has me laughing five minutes later. As a beta reader, those moments really made the characters feel alive to me. Cash is chaotic, ridiculous and somehow impossible not to like. I already miss this idiot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of an advance copy received from the author
I was a beta reader for STEELBLOOD, and I can say it is a solid, entertaining, and captivating read from start to finish. The story manages to blend complex themes and a politically charged backdrop in a lighthearted way; it was a pleasant surprise to find myself enjoying it so much, given that I’m not usually a fan of political intrigue.
The characters are incredibly engaging, each with a unique voice—I could tell who was speaking just by the line itself. It is truly a character-driven fantasy; the entire story revolves around the characters' daily lives at the Academy. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times, as the author’s comic timing is excellent.
All in all, I highly recommend this story—it’s light, fun, and I’m already looking forward to a sequel! I really hope there is one!
I was a beta reader for STEELBLOOD, and I can say it is a solid, entertaining, and captivating read from start to finish. The story manages to blend complex themes and a politically charged backdrop in a lighthearted way; it was a pleasant surprise to find myself enjoying it so much, given that I’m not usually a fan of political intrigue.
The characters are incredibly engaging, each with a unique voice—I could tell who was speaking just by the line itself. It is truly a character-driven fantasy; the entire story revolves around the characters' daily lives at the Academy. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times, as the author’s comic timing is excellent.
All in all, I highly recommend this story—it’s light, fun, and I’m already looking forward to a sequel! I really hope there is one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all one of the friendships I really loved watching develop was Airya and Lilix’s. Lilix is one of the first people who actually makes Airya feel less like an outsider at Arcad, and I loved their little moments together. Their friendship feels natural, especially because Lilix is so much more comfortable with this world while Airya is still figuring everything out. I genuinely loved having them together in scenes
Not gonna lie I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy Lilix and Vanilott’s dynamic as much as I did while reading
They have such different energies, and there’s something really fun about seeing them interact. Lilix doesn’t just disappear into the background when Vanilott is around, which I really appreciated. She has her own personality and presence, thats great And I feel that Florence's its almost there
Congrats
Not gonna lie I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy Lilix and Vanilott’s dynamic as much as I did while reading
They have such different energies, and there’s something really fun about seeing them interact. Lilix doesn’t just disappear into the background when Vanilott is around, which I really appreciated. She has her own personality and presence, thats great And I feel that Florence's its almost there
Congrats
Review of advance copy
⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️
The anxiety attack scene genuinely caught me off guard. The way Florence wrote it felt so raw and visceral that I could actually understand what was happening without it feeling exaggerated or romanticized. There was something about the way the thoughts, fear and overwhelming feeling were described that really resonated with me. Poor Lott :(
I had to stop for a second because it felt WAY too real AND THEN CASH AT THE CASINO??? 😭😭😭 I’m sorry but WHAT was that entire scene??? This man really went there, got involved with a reptilian and somehow managed to make the whole thing absolutely unhinged 💀 I was NOT prepared.
The anxiety attack scene genuinely caught me off guard. The way Florence wrote it felt so raw and visceral that I could actually understand what was happening without it feeling exaggerated or romanticized. There was something about the way the thoughts, fear and overwhelming feeling were described that really resonated with me. Poor Lott :(
I had to stop for a second because it felt WAY too real AND THEN CASH AT THE CASINO??? 😭😭😭 I’m sorry but WHAT was that entire scene??? This man really went there, got involved with a reptilian and somehow managed to make the whole thing absolutely unhinged 💀 I was NOT prepared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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