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Untempered
Can an untempered love heal the pain of their pasts?
Men are scoundrels and women vipers. Neither Faela, the esteemed daughter of an earl, nor Lyfing, a roguish lord, can put their trust in love after scorn and dejection at the hands of those who held their hearts.
When looking for a wife who might mend and tend and warm his bed come winter, Lyfing stumbles upon the fair lady Faela. With his blunt tongue, he claims outright love is not to be between them, and she almost too willingly agrees to his terms, preferring his honesty to the honeyed lies of all others who would woo her.
The deal struck, she returns with him to his manor as Lady of Wulfengard. However, secrets, deceit, and dishonor swirl like a winter gale about them, unraveling mysteries and pasts they would have much rather left untouched. Faced with old wounds and shattered oaths, they are brought yet again to their lowest, where they may just succumb to one another.
This medieval romance displays wit and banter, strong characters, and a marriage of convenience that descends into one of passion. Some promises simply were meant to be broken.
Read now on Kindle Unlimited or One Click your way into a land of lords and ladies, castles and fortresses, and spellbinding love.
Men are scoundrels and women vipers. Neither Faela, the esteemed daughter of an earl, nor Lyfing, a roguish lord, can put their trust in love after scorn and dejection at the hands of those who held their hearts.
When looking for a wife who might mend and tend and warm his bed come winter, Lyfing stumbles upon the fair lady Faela. With his blunt tongue, he claims outright love is not to be between them, and she almost too willingly agrees to his terms, preferring his honesty to the honeyed lies of all others who would woo her.
The deal struck, she returns with him to his manor as Lady of Wulfengard. However, secrets, deceit, and dishonor swirl like a winter gale about them, unraveling mysteries and pasts they would have much rather left untouched. Faced with old wounds and shattered oaths, they are brought yet again to their lowest, where they may just succumb to one another.
This medieval romance displays wit and banter, strong characters, and a marriage of convenience that descends into one of passion. Some promises simply were meant to be broken.
Read now on Kindle Unlimited or One Click your way into a land of lords and ladies, castles and fortresses, and spellbinding love.
- GenresHistorical Romance
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2021
About the author
Camilla Evergreen
38 books370 followersCamilla Evergreen is an alias of USA Today bestselling author Anne Stryker. Originally intended as a dumping ground for all things lacking fantasy, Camilla/Anne came to the shocking discovery that writing sarcastic, chaotic romcoms full of quippy heroines and adoring heroes has a kick to it.
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 10, 2025
This review is going to be about the work itself and not about the author, whom I often enjoy. I’d rather be honest with my opinion rather than stroke an ego or sugarcoat a story I truly did not find appealing, but let me tell you why….
It’s not that it is such a departure from the author’s main target range- I’ve enjoyed some medieval/historical fiction and romance over the years, so that isn’t the issue. My issues are mostly ones that could have been easily dealt with in editing… we have typos and silly mistakes like chose instead of choose and snipping instead of sniping. It’s why using a computer program as your editor isn’t the best way to go because you are using a properly spelled word… just not the proper one.
And I will be honest- such easily spotted mistakes are what having alpha and beta readers for if you cannot or choose not to pay for a professional editor. I understand after reading your own work through various drafts can make you word blind, but this is exactly why other eyes are helpful. Such mistakes detract from enjoyment for the reader, especially when it’s not just once or twice (we’re all human, right?) but instead well over a dozen times is inexcusable if you want me to take you seriously as caring for your art.
Proofreading/editing would have also gone a long way for cleaning up this confusing storyline. Honestly, characters keep randomly popping up and some drop right off the page and others just wander aimlessly with no true purpose other than to beef up the pages. Our “villains” are rather ineffectual (mostly they just say mean hurtful things and throw their own tantrums).
As do our leads- marriage of convenience are fine as a trope, but every time our leads decide, “oh, this is what is happening between us” comes up they forget it all and fall back into despair mere pages later.
Our female lead is severely depressed for a huge chunk of the story, with the rest of her time being the most opinionated and loud woman around- in fact some seem to find it proof of love blooming that she and her male lead are either screeching in argument where the entire castle and grounds can hear? Since when has disrespect been considered an admirable and attractive quality? Back in medieval times her husband would have been shutting her up ASAP no matter how the rage sex could be.
Oh, wait, but they are mostly tender with coupling itself- apparently if they aren’t screaming their fights they are roaring with how delightful sex is so it seems they are rudely keeping everyone up one way or the other.
There is far too much coincidence going around, and our gal is supposed to be feisty but instead runs away more than once because she’s stupidly thinking she can ride her horse in winter for multiple weeks without provisions or protection? All because they had an argument and her feelings got hurt she’s running back how to daddy, when any other time she’s more likely to just hit her husband rather than go hide herself away?
The story is packed with so many stupid situations where if someone would just open their mouths and clear the air- and the majority were there to just pad the plot as they mostly fall by the wayside without much fuss. And just how many times will people show up uninvited and then decide they want to sway one or the other from their spouse because of greedy want? Off the top of my head at least four guys can’t wait to get into her panties- one after the other after the other. Or the fact that (even if it’s behind closed doors) we hear her screaming about how often her husband is raping her?
I am not bothered because the scenarios given are unrealistic- dark romance is hardly where one goes to find deeper meaning and carefully plotted storylines, but given the repeated drama storyline (literally same scenario, new person with villainous motives inserted) the ending doesn’t wrap up into a remotely sort of HEA ending until the last 6 percent of the book? And no, this was not a long story to start with. That is a lot to try to wrap up in a few crowded “winding down” paragraphs.
If you want spice, don’t bother- the author occasionally mentions boobs and hardening body parts, but it’s mostly just arguments that suddenly talk about if one was tender or rough in the aftermath with no true details. I don’t think even the author knew how detailed they wanted to get because it swings back and forth. If it’s for pretty ye olde language, you won’t find it here… well, the author trots out a lot of flowery debates, but I was stuck rereading so much of it to figure out what exactly was being said- and a lot of it, no matter how I reread it- comes off as not being what the author was going for, which makes it all the more confusing in spots.
If you want to follow a realistic timeline- not even that seems to follow properly, but I think that’s more than enough con’s… and really no pro’s to even try to balance this out.
So why did I finish? Well, that is simply because this has lots of good reviews from fans of the author. I figured at some point it would hit its stride- nope. It was also the last of the currently published works this author had for me to read and I had made myself the goal of reading everything in the catalog. Yeah, I’ve already kicked myself over that one, because the argument has been proven by myself numerous times here that liking many of an author’s works does not mean I will find everything pleasing. It’s this author’s talent to take untypical characters and make them relatable that drew me in originally, but this author (and many others- not saying this to point fingers) also writes of some very dark topics and I have learned dark romance involving kidnappings, human trafficking, cruelty to others, etc is just not my thing. At all. So no, I am stupidly reminded here in my mid-fifties, that I am never obligated to finish anything I am not enjoying just because I feel I should be supportive.
Maybe you’ll love this story, and maybe you won’t. You don’t have to listen to my opinions to form your own, nor does my “failure to connect” here mean I disagree with your tastes. Feel free to comment on this if you’d like, but I refuse to respond if you just want to argue. I am not throwing stones or slinging mud at the author, nor do I insist on climbing a soapbox to debate the worth of a story whose character names I had already forgotten after I closed the final page and then came here immediately to write my review.
Like everything I wind up reading, I review solely for myself as I won’t remember details at all in the morning. These are here to remind me why I am not to pick it up again and wondering. “Did I somehow miss this title? Should I give it a try?” Nope, just a quick pop here to GoodReads and I will have sufficiently warned myself to give this one a wide berth in order to not waste time and can move on to something else I hope to find far more pleasurable.
It’s not that it is such a departure from the author’s main target range- I’ve enjoyed some medieval/historical fiction and romance over the years, so that isn’t the issue. My issues are mostly ones that could have been easily dealt with in editing… we have typos and silly mistakes like chose instead of choose and snipping instead of sniping. It’s why using a computer program as your editor isn’t the best way to go because you are using a properly spelled word… just not the proper one.
And I will be honest- such easily spotted mistakes are what having alpha and beta readers for if you cannot or choose not to pay for a professional editor. I understand after reading your own work through various drafts can make you word blind, but this is exactly why other eyes are helpful. Such mistakes detract from enjoyment for the reader, especially when it’s not just once or twice (we’re all human, right?) but instead well over a dozen times is inexcusable if you want me to take you seriously as caring for your art.
Proofreading/editing would have also gone a long way for cleaning up this confusing storyline. Honestly, characters keep randomly popping up and some drop right off the page and others just wander aimlessly with no true purpose other than to beef up the pages. Our “villains” are rather ineffectual (mostly they just say mean hurtful things and throw their own tantrums).
As do our leads- marriage of convenience are fine as a trope, but every time our leads decide, “oh, this is what is happening between us” comes up they forget it all and fall back into despair mere pages later.
Our female lead is severely depressed for a huge chunk of the story, with the rest of her time being the most opinionated and loud woman around- in fact some seem to find it proof of love blooming that she and her male lead are either screeching in argument where the entire castle and grounds can hear? Since when has disrespect been considered an admirable and attractive quality? Back in medieval times her husband would have been shutting her up ASAP no matter how the rage sex could be.
Oh, wait, but they are mostly tender with coupling itself- apparently if they aren’t screaming their fights they are roaring with how delightful sex is so it seems they are rudely keeping everyone up one way or the other.
There is far too much coincidence going around, and our gal is supposed to be feisty but instead runs away more than once because she’s stupidly thinking she can ride her horse in winter for multiple weeks without provisions or protection? All because they had an argument and her feelings got hurt she’s running back how to daddy, when any other time she’s more likely to just hit her husband rather than go hide herself away?
The story is packed with so many stupid situations where if someone would just open their mouths and clear the air- and the majority were there to just pad the plot as they mostly fall by the wayside without much fuss. And just how many times will people show up uninvited and then decide they want to sway one or the other from their spouse because of greedy want? Off the top of my head at least four guys can’t wait to get into her panties- one after the other after the other. Or the fact that (even if it’s behind closed doors) we hear her screaming about how often her husband is raping her?
I am not bothered because the scenarios given are unrealistic- dark romance is hardly where one goes to find deeper meaning and carefully plotted storylines, but given the repeated drama storyline (literally same scenario, new person with villainous motives inserted) the ending doesn’t wrap up into a remotely sort of HEA ending until the last 6 percent of the book? And no, this was not a long story to start with. That is a lot to try to wrap up in a few crowded “winding down” paragraphs.
If you want spice, don’t bother- the author occasionally mentions boobs and hardening body parts, but it’s mostly just arguments that suddenly talk about if one was tender or rough in the aftermath with no true details. I don’t think even the author knew how detailed they wanted to get because it swings back and forth. If it’s for pretty ye olde language, you won’t find it here… well, the author trots out a lot of flowery debates, but I was stuck rereading so much of it to figure out what exactly was being said- and a lot of it, no matter how I reread it- comes off as not being what the author was going for, which makes it all the more confusing in spots.
If you want to follow a realistic timeline- not even that seems to follow properly, but I think that’s more than enough con’s… and really no pro’s to even try to balance this out.
So why did I finish? Well, that is simply because this has lots of good reviews from fans of the author. I figured at some point it would hit its stride- nope. It was also the last of the currently published works this author had for me to read and I had made myself the goal of reading everything in the catalog. Yeah, I’ve already kicked myself over that one, because the argument has been proven by myself numerous times here that liking many of an author’s works does not mean I will find everything pleasing. It’s this author’s talent to take untypical characters and make them relatable that drew me in originally, but this author (and many others- not saying this to point fingers) also writes of some very dark topics and I have learned dark romance involving kidnappings, human trafficking, cruelty to others, etc is just not my thing. At all. So no, I am stupidly reminded here in my mid-fifties, that I am never obligated to finish anything I am not enjoying just because I feel I should be supportive.
Maybe you’ll love this story, and maybe you won’t. You don’t have to listen to my opinions to form your own, nor does my “failure to connect” here mean I disagree with your tastes. Feel free to comment on this if you’d like, but I refuse to respond if you just want to argue. I am not throwing stones or slinging mud at the author, nor do I insist on climbing a soapbox to debate the worth of a story whose character names I had already forgotten after I closed the final page and then came here immediately to write my review.
Like everything I wind up reading, I review solely for myself as I won’t remember details at all in the morning. These are here to remind me why I am not to pick it up again and wondering. “Did I somehow miss this title? Should I give it a try?” Nope, just a quick pop here to GoodReads and I will have sufficiently warned myself to give this one a wide berth in order to not waste time and can move on to something else I hope to find far more pleasurable.
February 5, 2022
This book was different from most I’ve read but I think many would like it! I’d recommend it for at least YA, as it does contain some sexual scenes (not graphic), as well as triggers for rape/ rape attempt. It is not overly graphic, or descriptive, but may not be as suited for younger readers.
This book contains a trope I’m not quite sure how to describe, but is very entertaining! It’s sort of like enemies to lovers, fake marriage-ish, forbidden love? Let me give ya the basic: the people agree to get married, romance being on the table, loyalty and honesty, but no history given and LOVE not involved. It gets messy. The two have quite vivid tempers, hence the enemies to lovers. The forbidden part comes into play when one develops feelings… and the game is on!
I loved the characters and how you can’t judge them based on their outward appearances. Your opinions on these characters will be STRONG. Either hate or love.
The medieval type era provides hilarious language and insults. 😂😂 Your brain will start thinking in this way of speaking.
It did start a little slow for me, but the last half/ end was amazing!
Overall Rating:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
This book contains a trope I’m not quite sure how to describe, but is very entertaining! It’s sort of like enemies to lovers, fake marriage-ish, forbidden love? Let me give ya the basic: the people agree to get married, romance being on the table, loyalty and honesty, but no history given and LOVE not involved. It gets messy. The two have quite vivid tempers, hence the enemies to lovers. The forbidden part comes into play when one develops feelings… and the game is on!
I loved the characters and how you can’t judge them based on their outward appearances. Your opinions on these characters will be STRONG. Either hate or love.
The medieval type era provides hilarious language and insults. 😂😂 Your brain will start thinking in this way of speaking.
It did start a little slow for me, but the last half/ end was amazing!
Overall Rating:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
February 16, 2026
I was pleasantly surprised by the focus of this story. Most romances are obsessed with seeking out love and defining it, but this story takes a very different approach, and comes to such a beautifully satisfying conclusion. What is marriage? Lyfing and Faela agree to a loveless marriage, arranging the specifics between themselves, and set out with mutual respect and an equal footing as the basis for their marriage. Things grow from there in wonderfully unexpected ways and the ending really brings it all together.
While I loved both characters and absolutely adore the premise, the execution could have been better. Because of the historical setting, the author attempted an antiquated form of the prose, but it felt forced and didn’t quite ring true, which sadly affected the flow of the prose. 3.5 stars.
While I loved both characters and absolutely adore the premise, the execution could have been better. Because of the historical setting, the author attempted an antiquated form of the prose, but it felt forced and didn’t quite ring true, which sadly affected the flow of the prose. 3.5 stars.
June 13, 2023
I loved the love story in this. Lots of angst! Lots of awesome fights! I have never been one for fighting between couples it takes a talented author to convey the right feelings and she did well in this. I liked the whole story line and I loved the end! So well done. I felt it did drag a little. I was having feelings of ok already that's enough. The bad guys treatment of his wife was way too descriptive for me. This is a book with a lot of talk of sex and make out scenes but no sex scenes, all the sudden the bad guy comes in and he is raping his wife with too much detail for me. Either leave the sex it in or leave it out.
I will be reading more by this author. I like the style.
I will be reading more by this author. I like the style.
September 13, 2023
2.5 stars
This wasn't totally bad. Although it started slow the plot eventually did pick up so that I was engaged by the end. My major gripe is the writing style. Ms. Evergreen's quirkiness is still apparent in the writing, but the "period" tone is overdone. I'm fine with period dialogue and word choice but this entire book was written in medieval speak which left me - at times - trying to figure out if I misunderstood what was being said or if it was a typo or misused word on the author's part.
This wasn't totally bad. Although it started slow the plot eventually did pick up so that I was engaged by the end. My major gripe is the writing style. Ms. Evergreen's quirkiness is still apparent in the writing, but the "period" tone is overdone. I'm fine with period dialogue and word choice but this entire book was written in medieval speak which left me - at times - trying to figure out if I misunderstood what was being said or if it was a typo or misused word on the author's part.
June 14, 2024
What a beautiful story of growing love between a woman and her husband.
September 11, 2025
A Different Time, A Rare Pair
Though the world was different, people are people and some can not help but shine. A fearless woman will wed an honest man because she values truth. Blunt and undisguised in essentials they will learn about the fiery person they chose.
Though the world was different, people are people and some can not help but shine. A fearless woman will wed an honest man because she values truth. Blunt and undisguised in essentials they will learn about the fiery person they chose.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews