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BEYOND BETWEEN BENEATH : An adult contemporary romantasy novel
The day of my parents’ funeral, I learned I had the power to kill.
My grandfather was the only one who understood that I could control life and death. His one never reveal it. And I kept my promise to him for twelve years.
Until I fell in love, and I wanted him to know every part of me, never believing that I would be betrayed.
Taken by force, trapped in a city of magic concealed inside of New York, I found myself a pawn in a game I didn’t understand.
One man wanted to help me, but he had his own secrets, and I wondered if I would have to choose between the man who betrayed me and the one who might be using me for his own ends.
They wanted my magic. They wanted my heart. I had to decide who to trust or risk losing everything, maybe even my life.
BEYOND BETWEEN BENEATH is for fans of magic, secret societies, dark academia, betrayal and forbidden love; guaranteed HEA.
My grandfather was the only one who understood that I could control life and death. His one never reveal it. And I kept my promise to him for twelve years.
Until I fell in love, and I wanted him to know every part of me, never believing that I would be betrayed.
Taken by force, trapped in a city of magic concealed inside of New York, I found myself a pawn in a game I didn’t understand.
One man wanted to help me, but he had his own secrets, and I wondered if I would have to choose between the man who betrayed me and the one who might be using me for his own ends.
They wanted my magic. They wanted my heart. I had to decide who to trust or risk losing everything, maybe even my life.
BEYOND BETWEEN BENEATH is for fans of magic, secret societies, dark academia, betrayal and forbidden love; guaranteed HEA.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC of “Beyond Between Beneath” in exchange for an honest review.
I’m going to try to avoid spoilers as much as possible because the twists in this book are so good, you should absolutely have the pleasure of discovering them for yourself!
This book checked all the boxes for me: interesting magic, super engaging plot, believable characters, and great writing. I was completely drawn in to the world Arden created and still wanted more by the time I was done. The main character felt like a real person, and I absolutely loved that she had a brain and used it but also got help from other characters. She has to actually put in the work throughout the entire story as she should! It drives me crazy when the main character somehow knows and does everything instantaneously. In this book you actually get into the character’s head so you can discover and figure things out in real time, which adds so much to the reading experience and makes the book super easy to escape into.
The world building and plot development were also very strong in “Beyond Between Beneath.” It is rare for a fantasy plot to surprise me but this one definitely did in multiple ways. While it does follow the tropes we all know and love, they feel appropriate to the story and are included in interesting ways. I especially loved that the setting seemed both familiar and fantastical so it was easy to visualize and buy into the magical world, because it felt believable.
Overall, I felt that this was an awesome debut I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Paige Arden! “Beyond, Between, Beneath” was a worthwhile read for all Romantasy lovers and will keep you hooked from page one.
I’m going to try to avoid spoilers as much as possible because the twists in this book are so good, you should absolutely have the pleasure of discovering them for yourself!
This book checked all the boxes for me: interesting magic, super engaging plot, believable characters, and great writing. I was completely drawn in to the world Arden created and still wanted more by the time I was done. The main character felt like a real person, and I absolutely loved that she had a brain and used it but also got help from other characters. She has to actually put in the work throughout the entire story as she should! It drives me crazy when the main character somehow knows and does everything instantaneously. In this book you actually get into the character’s head so you can discover and figure things out in real time, which adds so much to the reading experience and makes the book super easy to escape into.
The world building and plot development were also very strong in “Beyond Between Beneath.” It is rare for a fantasy plot to surprise me but this one definitely did in multiple ways. While it does follow the tropes we all know and love, they feel appropriate to the story and are included in interesting ways. I especially loved that the setting seemed both familiar and fantastical so it was easy to visualize and buy into the magical world, because it felt believable.
Overall, I felt that this was an awesome debut I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Paige Arden! “Beyond, Between, Beneath” was a worthwhile read for all Romantasy lovers and will keep you hooked from page one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read Beyond, Between, and Beneath as a review of advance copy received from the author.
This book by Paige Arden was such a unique blend of romance, fantasy, Shakespeare, and science that I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect! And somehow, she made all of these elements work together beautifully.
The love triangle brought plenty of emotional chaos. Both romantic interests had qualities that made it easy to understand the main character's struggle, and the tension between them kept me guessing. There were moments when I was completely convinced I knew where the romance was headed, only for the story to make another move.
I also loved the way Shakespeare was incorporated into each chapter of the story. The references to his plays and themes added an unexpected literary depth, particularly when it came to the complicated nature of human relationships.
The world building immediately pulled me in, especially the way science and magic were eventually woven together. Rather than feeling like two completely separate concepts, they complemented each other and created a world that felt both intellectual and wonderfully magical. There was a constant sense that there was more to uncover, which kept me turning the pages.
So, if you enjoy romantasy with clever world building, complicated romance, intellectual puzzles, Shakespearean drama, and magical chaos, add this book to your list!
This book by Paige Arden was such a unique blend of romance, fantasy, Shakespeare, and science that I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect! And somehow, she made all of these elements work together beautifully.
The love triangle brought plenty of emotional chaos. Both romantic interests had qualities that made it easy to understand the main character's struggle, and the tension between them kept me guessing. There were moments when I was completely convinced I knew where the romance was headed, only for the story to make another move.
I also loved the way Shakespeare was incorporated into each chapter of the story. The references to his plays and themes added an unexpected literary depth, particularly when it came to the complicated nature of human relationships.
The world building immediately pulled me in, especially the way science and magic were eventually woven together. Rather than feeling like two completely separate concepts, they complemented each other and created a world that felt both intellectual and wonderfully magical. There was a constant sense that there was more to uncover, which kept me turning the pages.
So, if you enjoy romantasy with clever world building, complicated romance, intellectual puzzles, Shakespearean drama, and magical chaos, add this book to your list!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of “Beyond Between Beneath” in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book pretty much blind, so I didn’t really have any expectations. And honestly, that probably worked in its favor.
Let’s go in order.
The main character, Reece, lives in New York, studies acting, and has spent years hiding a strange gift she’s told almost no one about. Everything changes when she gets kidnapped in the middle of a performance and taken to Astraea—a hidden city that exists outside the ordinary world and is populated by people with all kinds of supernatural abilities. Once there, she learns that her own gift is far more important than she ever thought, and that she’s somehow connected to problems threatening not only Astraea, but another hidden city as well—Haven.
The setup is actually good. The deeper Reece digs, the more we learn about how these cities work, the old conflict between them, the instability of the space itself, and the price someone has to pay for the whole system to keep functioning. I liked this part.
The idea itself works. The problems start with the way it’s written.
The prose is very simple. Not so bad that you have to struggle through it—if anything, the book reads very quickly. But it adds almost nothing to the story itself. Most of the time, the author simply tells us what happened, what Reece felt, and what she thought about it. Emotions are handled pretty bluntly too: her heart clenches, her breath catches, someone’s voice shakes, a chill runs over her skin.
And the author also seems terrified of under-explaining anything.
First, a scene happens. Then Reece processes it. Then she spells out the conclusion. Then she discusses it with another character. And a few chapters later, someone explains the meaning of the whole thing to her all over again.
This becomes especially noticeable in the second half, once the major secrets start coming out. At some point, I’ve already gotten the information from one character, figured it out alongside Reece, heard it confirmed by someone else—and then I’m made to sit through yet another detailed explanation of the exact same thing. Psychologically, these conversations often make sense for Reece herself, but as a reader, I really wished the author would sometimes just let a scene do its job and move on.
I have mixed feelings about Reece herself too... I like that she isn’t completely passive, just being dragged back and forth between two attractive men. She asks questions, doesn’t trust the official version of events, tries to figure things out for herself, and at one point consciously decides to look for her own way out rather than wait for somebody else to save her.
But it really feels like the author has no idea when to stop making her special.
One rare gift isn’t enough. Then it turns out to be even rarer than we thought. Then there’s a special lineage. Then a prophecy. Then a special role. Then a unique magical bond. Then we’re specifically told that this bond is incredibly rare too. At some point I just wanted to say: yes, I get it. Reece is special.
As for the romance *sigh*... Lex is Reece’s ex-boyfriend from New York. He knew about her gift, then suddenly disappeared from her life, and later she finds out that he had been connected to Astraea all along and had made decisions that directly affected what happened to her.
I liked that the book doesn’t turn him into a convenient asshole just to clear the way for the new love interest. And overall, his character is left genuinely and uncomfortably ambiguous. God, please tell me that makes sense...
The main love interest, Gabriel, on the other hand, is built out of much more recognizable parts.
He shows up once Reece is already inside the magical world, and the author makes his intended role pretty obvious almost immediately. The first time Reece sees him, she literally compares him to an actor who would get cast as a superhero *sigh* Then she gets closer and discovers that somehow he’s even more handsome up close, even taller, smells amazing, and has an almost supernatural effect on her. Of course. Then we add high status, the need to protect Reece at any cost, a willingness to sacrifice himself for her, and eventually an admission that, if it came down to it, he would be willing to sacrifice almost anyone else to save her.
And I guess this is where the “morally gray” characters promised in the description could have become genuinely interesting? Because “I would sacrifice an innocent person if it meant saving you” is, well... a pretty serious statement. You know what I mean?
But the book almost never wants to let those things stay genuinely uncomfortable. I’m not even sure how to explain it... We keep circling back until this supposed moral grayness collapses into the very familiar romantasy version of “he’s dangerous to everyone except her.”
And it’s a little frustrating, because Gabriel is much more interesting in the scenes where the author stops trying to sell him as the perfect dangerous man. I liked his conversations with Reece about Shakespeare. One of the best moments, probably, revolves around a horrifying vision of the future; the two of them try to understand it through A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and something Gabriel says in that scene later turns out to be actual foreshadowing for what he was planning to do.
Those are the scenes where the two of them actually start to feel like them.
And then the sex starts, and all of that just disappears somewhere *sigh*
I have nothing against explicit scenes in general. But here, they’re exactly what pushes the book most firmly into generic spicy-romantasy territory. And I’m sure this will work perfectly well for some readers, but... it’s just not for me.
We get the entire cliché bingo card: the commanding tone. “Tell me what you want.” Growling. She’s breathless with desire. You get the idea...
And at some point I caught myself having one very simple thought: when Reece and Gabriel 6are talking, they at least feel like Reece and Gabriel. When they’re having sex, they turn into yet another interchangeable couple from the genre.
BUT! I do want to point out that one of the intimate scenes is actually necessary to the plot, because sex is tied to the mechanics of their magical bond. But that still didn’t require everything else to be described in that much detail. Most of those scenes could have been cut down dramatically or left off-page altogether, and I honestly think the romance would have been better for it.
This is also where I feel like the book could have really used a firmer editorial hand, though I could be wrong.
So... I guess that’s why I ended up feeling so conflicted about it. I don’t think the book is outright bad. The author does have good instincts when it comes to plotting. She knows how to set up a mystery, drop new information at the right moment, and make you open the next chapter. The world of Astraea and Haven is pretty interesting. The central problem—the price these cities have to pay in order to exist—is good too. And the whole thing reads very quickly.
But at the same time, it’s very obvious that this is a debut...
It feels like one strong story element is never quite enough, and the author always wants to add another one. Like I said with Reece’s gift: a rare gift isn’t enough—it has to be unique. A dangerous man isn’t enough—he also has to be impossibly handsome, powerful, high-status, and willing to destroy just about anyone for the heroine. Sigh. And so on.
2.5 stars
I went into this book pretty much blind, so I didn’t really have any expectations. And honestly, that probably worked in its favor.
Let’s go in order.
The main character, Reece, lives in New York, studies acting, and has spent years hiding a strange gift she’s told almost no one about. Everything changes when she gets kidnapped in the middle of a performance and taken to Astraea—a hidden city that exists outside the ordinary world and is populated by people with all kinds of supernatural abilities. Once there, she learns that her own gift is far more important than she ever thought, and that she’s somehow connected to problems threatening not only Astraea, but another hidden city as well—Haven.
The setup is actually good. The deeper Reece digs, the more we learn about how these cities work, the old conflict between them, the instability of the space itself, and the price someone has to pay for the whole system to keep functioning. I liked this part.
The idea itself works. The problems start with the way it’s written.
The prose is very simple. Not so bad that you have to struggle through it—if anything, the book reads very quickly. But it adds almost nothing to the story itself. Most of the time, the author simply tells us what happened, what Reece felt, and what she thought about it. Emotions are handled pretty bluntly too: her heart clenches, her breath catches, someone’s voice shakes, a chill runs over her skin.
And the author also seems terrified of under-explaining anything.
First, a scene happens. Then Reece processes it. Then she spells out the conclusion. Then she discusses it with another character. And a few chapters later, someone explains the meaning of the whole thing to her all over again.
This becomes especially noticeable in the second half, once the major secrets start coming out. At some point, I’ve already gotten the information from one character, figured it out alongside Reece, heard it confirmed by someone else—and then I’m made to sit through yet another detailed explanation of the exact same thing. Psychologically, these conversations often make sense for Reece herself, but as a reader, I really wished the author would sometimes just let a scene do its job and move on.
I have mixed feelings about Reece herself too... I like that she isn’t completely passive, just being dragged back and forth between two attractive men. She asks questions, doesn’t trust the official version of events, tries to figure things out for herself, and at one point consciously decides to look for her own way out rather than wait for somebody else to save her.
But it really feels like the author has no idea when to stop making her special.
One rare gift isn’t enough. Then it turns out to be even rarer than we thought. Then there’s a special lineage. Then a prophecy. Then a special role. Then a unique magical bond. Then we’re specifically told that this bond is incredibly rare too. At some point I just wanted to say: yes, I get it. Reece is special.
As for the romance *sigh*... Lex is Reece’s ex-boyfriend from New York. He knew about her gift, then suddenly disappeared from her life, and later she finds out that he had been connected to Astraea all along and had made decisions that directly affected what happened to her.
I liked that the book doesn’t turn him into a convenient asshole just to clear the way for the new love interest. And overall, his character is left genuinely and uncomfortably ambiguous. God, please tell me that makes sense...
The main love interest, Gabriel, on the other hand, is built out of much more recognizable parts.
He shows up once Reece is already inside the magical world, and the author makes his intended role pretty obvious almost immediately. The first time Reece sees him, she literally compares him to an actor who would get cast as a superhero *sigh* Then she gets closer and discovers that somehow he’s even more handsome up close, even taller, smells amazing, and has an almost supernatural effect on her. Of course. Then we add high status, the need to protect Reece at any cost, a willingness to sacrifice himself for her, and eventually an admission that, if it came down to it, he would be willing to sacrifice almost anyone else to save her.
And I guess this is where the “morally gray” characters promised in the description could have become genuinely interesting? Because “I would sacrifice an innocent person if it meant saving you” is, well... a pretty serious statement. You know what I mean?
But the book almost never wants to let those things stay genuinely uncomfortable. I’m not even sure how to explain it... We keep circling back until this supposed moral grayness collapses into the very familiar romantasy version of “he’s dangerous to everyone except her.”
And it’s a little frustrating, because Gabriel is much more interesting in the scenes where the author stops trying to sell him as the perfect dangerous man. I liked his conversations with Reece about Shakespeare. One of the best moments, probably, revolves around a horrifying vision of the future; the two of them try to understand it through A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and something Gabriel says in that scene later turns out to be actual foreshadowing for what he was planning to do.
Those are the scenes where the two of them actually start to feel like them.
And then the sex starts, and all of that just disappears somewhere *sigh*
I have nothing against explicit scenes in general. But here, they’re exactly what pushes the book most firmly into generic spicy-romantasy territory. And I’m sure this will work perfectly well for some readers, but... it’s just not for me.
We get the entire cliché bingo card: the commanding tone. “Tell me what you want.” Growling. She’s breathless with desire. You get the idea...
And at some point I caught myself having one very simple thought: when Reece and Gabriel 6are talking, they at least feel like Reece and Gabriel. When they’re having sex, they turn into yet another interchangeable couple from the genre.
BUT! I do want to point out that one of the intimate scenes is actually necessary to the plot, because sex is tied to the mechanics of their magical bond. But that still didn’t require everything else to be described in that much detail. Most of those scenes could have been cut down dramatically or left off-page altogether, and I honestly think the romance would have been better for it.
This is also where I feel like the book could have really used a firmer editorial hand, though I could be wrong.
So... I guess that’s why I ended up feeling so conflicted about it. I don’t think the book is outright bad. The author does have good instincts when it comes to plotting. She knows how to set up a mystery, drop new information at the right moment, and make you open the next chapter. The world of Astraea and Haven is pretty interesting. The central problem—the price these cities have to pay in order to exist—is good too. And the whole thing reads very quickly.
But at the same time, it’s very obvious that this is a debut...
It feels like one strong story element is never quite enough, and the author always wants to add another one. Like I said with Reece’s gift: a rare gift isn’t enough—it has to be unique. A dangerous man isn’t enough—he also has to be impossibly handsome, powerful, high-status, and willing to destroy just about anyone for the heroine. Sigh. And so on.
2.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Received an ARC copy from the author (from TikTok) for my honest review. This is my first official ARC read, and I could not be happier!
Arden's "Beyond Between Beneath" is exactly what I want from a contemporary romantasy. Seriously. The magic system feels a bit like some version of X-Men crashed into a magical love story. The romantic tension, that little bit of a love triangle, had me wrecked in parts. (The scene where Lex is on his knees with the bandages or when Reece tells Gabriel she's willing to be unmade-- IYKYK)
This is the perfect beach read, or if you really want the right vibes, maybe a dark, candlelit room instead. Arden writes with such a clear, controlled voice. The dialogue is genuinely witty and shows she is a pro. The prose is sharp and confident, and I find very few romance authors who have so much control of their writing. This isn't a true debut "fumbling to find its footing"; it's a writer who knows what she's doing.
Then the central love triangle is really what sold me. One love interest brings an aching, unresolved history that never lets you fully forgive or forget him, while the other brings total shadow-daddy energy, dangerous and magnetic in all the touch-her-and-💀 best ways. The tension between them doesn't feel manufactured; it feels natural.
Reece is a likeable character. She uses her acting skills to make it work in her "new life," and she has a real backbone, especially towards the end of the book.
As a Shakespeare nerd, I have to give a shout-out to the thread running through the book... and a second shout-out to one of my favorite short stories that plays a role as well (to name it would be a spoiler, so I won't). This author is obviously well-read, and she weaves her love of books (and music) throughout. There are so many small details that could easily be overlooked if a reader isn't paying attention.
As for the spice, yes, it's fairly hot (🌶️), and I didn't need her to reinvent the romance genre to enjoy it. Sometimes, trope-y is delicious and exactly the point of why I'm reading the book. And this book is filled with some of my favorite tropes.
This was an easy 5 stars. I hope Arden makes this into a series. I want Ryah's story... and Cat's... and Lex's.
This is definitely a book for those who don't mind a little morally gray MMC, darker academia vibes, and some spicy open-door scenes.
🌶️
Received an ARC copy from the author (from TikTok) for my honest review. This is my first official ARC read, and I could not be happier!
Arden's "Beyond Between Beneath" is exactly what I want from a contemporary romantasy. Seriously. The magic system feels a bit like some version of X-Men crashed into a magical love story. The romantic tension, that little bit of a love triangle, had me wrecked in parts. (The scene where Lex is on his knees with the bandages or when Reece tells Gabriel she's willing to be unmade-- IYKYK)
This is the perfect beach read, or if you really want the right vibes, maybe a dark, candlelit room instead. Arden writes with such a clear, controlled voice. The dialogue is genuinely witty and shows she is a pro. The prose is sharp and confident, and I find very few romance authors who have so much control of their writing. This isn't a true debut "fumbling to find its footing"; it's a writer who knows what she's doing.
Then the central love triangle is really what sold me. One love interest brings an aching, unresolved history that never lets you fully forgive or forget him, while the other brings total shadow-daddy energy, dangerous and magnetic in all the touch-her-and-💀 best ways. The tension between them doesn't feel manufactured; it feels natural.
Reece is a likeable character. She uses her acting skills to make it work in her "new life," and she has a real backbone, especially towards the end of the book.
As a Shakespeare nerd, I have to give a shout-out to the thread running through the book... and a second shout-out to one of my favorite short stories that plays a role as well (to name it would be a spoiler, so I won't). This author is obviously well-read, and she weaves her love of books (and music) throughout. There are so many small details that could easily be overlooked if a reader isn't paying attention.
As for the spice, yes, it's fairly hot (🌶️), and I didn't need her to reinvent the romance genre to enjoy it. Sometimes, trope-y is delicious and exactly the point of why I'm reading the book. And this book is filled with some of my favorite tropes.
This was an easy 5 stars. I hope Arden makes this into a series. I want Ryah's story... and Cat's... and Lex's.
This is definitely a book for those who don't mind a little morally gray MMC, darker academia vibes, and some spicy open-door scenes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has everything you could want in a contemporary romantasy. I loved the interesting magic system involved in this world, with this going hand in hand with the well built world building that Arden created. It was such a unique world that completely draws you in from the first page and keeps you completely engaged as the story progresses.
The main character Reece is a likeable character that really uses her brain to figure things out for herself. It was really enjoyable to read about a character that does not stand by and lets others ask the questions and wait for someone to save them.
The romance very much followed the tropes we know and love. However, they definitely worked in this book, with the love triangle and the tension between the love interest characters being very natural and enjoyable to read.
Overall, this is a book that romantasy lovers will definitely enjoy, especially if they love a morally grey MMC and spice.
The main character Reece is a likeable character that really uses her brain to figure things out for herself. It was really enjoyable to read about a character that does not stand by and lets others ask the questions and wait for someone to save them.
The romance very much followed the tropes we know and love. However, they definitely worked in this book, with the love triangle and the tension between the love interest characters being very natural and enjoyable to read.
Overall, this is a book that romantasy lovers will definitely enjoy, especially if they love a morally grey MMC and spice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 🌟 *NETGALLEY ARC*
I’m honestly torn on this one. I liked the overall story and the concept, but I really struggled with how it was delivered. The writing style just wasn’t for me, and unfortunately, I felt like the chemistry was missing. When they finally kissed, I felt… nothing. Their relationship felt more like a really good friendship for most of the build-up, so the romance just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to.
I did like how it ended, though. The ending worked for me, but it was the journey to get there that wasn’t quite up my alley.
The side characters, though, were great. They were well-written, distinct, and actually felt like they had their own personalities.
Despite all my complaints, I still felt compelled to keep turning the pages. I wanted to know what was going to happen, and I’m honestly curious enough about the world and characters that I might pick up the next one.
So… mixed feelings.
I’m honestly torn on this one. I liked the overall story and the concept, but I really struggled with how it was delivered. The writing style just wasn’t for me, and unfortunately, I felt like the chemistry was missing. When they finally kissed, I felt… nothing. Their relationship felt more like a really good friendship for most of the build-up, so the romance just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to.
I did like how it ended, though. The ending worked for me, but it was the journey to get there that wasn’t quite up my alley.
The side characters, though, were great. They were well-written, distinct, and actually felt like they had their own personalities.
Despite all my complaints, I still felt compelled to keep turning the pages. I wanted to know what was going to happen, and I’m honestly curious enough about the world and characters that I might pick up the next one.
So… mixed feelings.
November 1, 2026
* review for author and NetGalley*
Okay, just finished this book and I need a moment to comprehend what I just read. When I first started this book, i felt like something was lacking. But the more I read the more I got into it. Reece is such an amazing character. She is a strong, smart female. Lex, annoys me but I understand why he left and what he’s done to protect people. Gabriel, seemed like a lost person BUT then he falls for Reece and he becomes a strong man. It’s like the missing piece was found. HATE lexs father with a passion. He legit rubs my skin the wrong way.
There were a few spots in the book that felt like the transition from one scene to the next was like a bump road. No smooth sailing.
I honestly enjoyed this book and LOVED the way it ended.
If given the chance, you should read this. I think I’m gonna have to wait and see how book 2 goes. Seriously this book was great.
Okay, just finished this book and I need a moment to comprehend what I just read. When I first started this book, i felt like something was lacking. But the more I read the more I got into it. Reece is such an amazing character. She is a strong, smart female. Lex, annoys me but I understand why he left and what he’s done to protect people. Gabriel, seemed like a lost person BUT then he falls for Reece and he becomes a strong man. It’s like the missing piece was found. HATE lexs father with a passion. He legit rubs my skin the wrong way.
There were a few spots in the book that felt like the transition from one scene to the next was like a bump road. No smooth sailing.
I honestly enjoyed this book and LOVED the way it ended.
If given the chance, you should read this. I think I’m gonna have to wait and see how book 2 goes. Seriously this book was great.
October 21, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
2.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some very mixed feelings.... I wanted to dnf quite a few times, but then something would happen ans capture my attention again. I kept pushing through because I thought it'd get better and we'd push past the what felt like repetitive interactions of the characters.
But I just wasn't vibing with the writing style or connecting well with the characters. I was expecting some excitement, some chemistry....but it fell flat. It felt like our fmc, Reece, was just going through the motions half the time; same interactions with people, same turn of events, same routine.
Overall, I love the concept! But this story just wasn't for me.
2.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have some very mixed feelings.... I wanted to dnf quite a few times, but then something would happen ans capture my attention again. I kept pushing through because I thought it'd get better and we'd push past the what felt like repetitive interactions of the characters.
But I just wasn't vibing with the writing style or connecting well with the characters. I was expecting some excitement, some chemistry....but it fell flat. It felt like our fmc, Reece, was just going through the motions half the time; same interactions with people, same turn of events, same routine.
Overall, I love the concept! But this story just wasn't for me.
October 7, 2026
I really enjoyed being in this world. It had all of the elements of romantasy that I'm looking for, with a few fresh twists that I haven't seen. Love a morally gray MMC, and an FMC who steps into her power is my favorite. Shakespeare is woven throughout the story, which this lit girly appreciated. I'd definitely read another story from this author.
October 6, 2026
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Single POV
HEA; Book 1 of an interconnected series
Thank you Paige and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
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Single POV
HEA; Book 1 of an interconnected series
Thank you Paige and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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