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The Bridge Kingdom #3.5
The Calm Before the Storm
Set in the world of The Bridge Kingdom series, The Calm Before the Storm is six chapters of extra content that take place after the events of The Traitor Queen and The Inadequate Heir.
Ithicana has been liberated from the Maridrinians, but not everyone holds peace in their hearts. Revered by some as a savior and despised by others as a curse upon the kingdom, Lara must navigate treacherous waters as she resumes rule alongside her husband, Aren. Her only certainty is the bond between them, but long overdue conversations will put the strength of their marriage to the test. They must decide what their future will hold, all while dark clouds gather in the south. A storm that no nation, not even the Bridge Kingdom, will escape unscathed.
These bonus chapters are now included in the back of the U.S. & Canada ebook & paperback editions of The Inadequate Heir, and will soon be included in the UK & international language editions.
Ithicana has been liberated from the Maridrinians, but not everyone holds peace in their hearts. Revered by some as a savior and despised by others as a curse upon the kingdom, Lara must navigate treacherous waters as she resumes rule alongside her husband, Aren. Her only certainty is the bond between them, but long overdue conversations will put the strength of their marriage to the test. They must decide what their future will hold, all while dark clouds gather in the south. A storm that no nation, not even the Bridge Kingdom, will escape unscathed.
These bonus chapters are now included in the back of the U.S. & Canada ebook & paperback editions of The Inadequate Heir, and will soon be included in the UK & international language editions.
80 pages, ebook
First published May 31, 2022
101 people are currently reading
28819 people want to read
About the author
Danielle L. Jensen
27 books21.5k followersJoin Danielle's mailing list for exclusive content, giveaways, and new release alerts: https://danielleljensen.com/newslette...
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
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May 1, 2024Edited May 1, 2024
These bonus chapters will be temporarily unavailable while distribution of the Bridge Kingdom series transfers to its new publisher in the US and Canada. They will be republished in the NEW paperback edition of The Inadequate Heir (December 2024/Del Rey Books) and will also be included in the updated US/Canada ebook version. Individuals who already own the ebook edition on US/Canada Kindle will be able to request an updated version of their ebook from Amazon on the release date (December 2024).
These bonus chapters will be temporarily unavailable while distribution of the Bridge Kingdom series transfers to its new publisher in the US and Canada. They will be republished in the NEW paperback edition of The Inadequate Heir (December 2024/Del Rey Books) and will also be included in the updated US/Canada ebook version. Individuals who already own the ebook edition on US/Canada Kindle will be able to request an updated version of their ebook from Amazon on the release date (December 2024).
September 26, 2024
I strongly advise reading this book after The Inadequate Heir, because there are some spoilers in this short story.
This is a sweet short story that shows us how Lara is slowly healing from the battle against Maridrina, while also trying to show Ithicana's people that she can be worthy of them.
It does not add any new pieces to the plot of the 3 previous books, but it was nice to see a little more of Aren and Lara (and also more spice), and I am already excited for the 4th book to be released!
1. The Bridge Kingdom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Traitor Queen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Inadequate Heir ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This is a sweet short story that shows us how Lara is slowly healing from the battle against Maridrina, while also trying to show Ithicana's people that she can be worthy of them.
It does not add any new pieces to the plot of the 3 previous books, but it was nice to see a little more of Aren and Lara (and also more spice), and I am already excited for the 4th book to be released!
1. The Bridge Kingdom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Traitor Queen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Inadequate Heir ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
June 12, 2022
"Are you going to untie me?"
"Are you going to behave?"
"Never." She smirked 😏
I. NEED. More. Of. These. Two.
And I certainly hope this means we WILL get more!?!
"Are you going to behave?"
"Never." She smirked 😏
I. NEED. More. Of. These. Two.
And I certainly hope this means we WILL get more!?!
June 3, 2022
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you wish for me to remain Ithicana’s king, then Lara will be my queen. If you demand she leave, then I will go with her.”
If you wish for me to remain Ithicana’s king, then Lara will be my queen. If you demand she leave, then I will go with her.”
May 28, 2022
my parents. they raised me fed me clothed me. held me in their arms. paid for my college tuition.
August 16, 2022
Sets up the premise of the next books nicely, plus we got some top tier Laren content 😌🔥 I swear this series gets better and better…
February 22, 2024
This was a nice refresher before going into book 4. Hopefully, The Endless War is a good conclusion for Keris/Zarrah 💙
November 25, 2023
"The queen was chosen by Ithicana’s guardians. Thrice, death has tried to claim her, and thrice was he denied. He will not test her mettle again.”
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️
I keep saying this again and again, but I love bonus content. I love learning what my characters are doing after all the shit they go through. In this particular bonus content, Lara and Aren are dealing with the aftermath of The Traitor Queen. While they aren't out of the woods yet, things have somewhat improved. Lara is once again accepted by the Ithicanians, most of them at least. Also, her injuries, while severe, are slowly healing. Although, there might be some lasting damage. Besides, Ithicana is still recovering from the invasion but things are looking up.
Nevertheless, not everything is as good as it could be. Lara seems to hate her brother as much as he hates her. There's a lot of hurt between them and it's all their father's fault, but there's clearly lingering affection, too. Hopefully, their relationship will improve in the next book. The most tragic thing that could ever happen, however, is that Aren has a bald spot and it seems to be growing larger by the day. My sweet angel is losing his hair and I am as devasted as he is. He is still so young! Danielle Jensen is so cruel for doing that. I don't think I can ever forgive her, no matter how wonderful her books are.
Thankfully, there's a healthy amount of smut to distract me from all the devastation. Lara and Aren can't get enough of each other, especially after being so close to losing one another. There's a lot of sexual tension and hormones around them. All they want to do is tear their clothes off, and that's the true magic of the bonus content. They are an absolute treat and I love them even more than before. They are finally together, and they are happy.
Lastly, I still can't find it in me to like Nana. I didn't believe it was possible for her to get even ruder and grosser, but alas I was wrong. She is clearly trying to help both Aren and Lara, and the things she says are actually valid. Regardless, none of that helps me like her. If anything, she only annoys me more because of how much of a cockblocker she is. Can't she just let her grandson get some already?
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️
I keep saying this again and again, but I love bonus content. I love learning what my characters are doing after all the shit they go through. In this particular bonus content, Lara and Aren are dealing with the aftermath of The Traitor Queen. While they aren't out of the woods yet, things have somewhat improved. Lara is once again accepted by the Ithicanians, most of them at least. Also, her injuries, while severe, are slowly healing. Although, there might be some lasting damage. Besides, Ithicana is still recovering from the invasion but things are looking up.
Nevertheless, not everything is as good as it could be. Lara seems to hate her brother as much as he hates her. There's a lot of hurt between them and it's all their father's fault, but there's clearly lingering affection, too. Hopefully, their relationship will improve in the next book. The most tragic thing that could ever happen, however, is that Aren has a bald spot and it seems to be growing larger by the day. My sweet angel is losing his hair and I am as devasted as he is. He is still so young! Danielle Jensen is so cruel for doing that. I don't think I can ever forgive her, no matter how wonderful her books are.
Thankfully, there's a healthy amount of smut to distract me from all the devastation. Lara and Aren can't get enough of each other, especially after being so close to losing one another. There's a lot of sexual tension and hormones around them. All they want to do is tear their clothes off, and that's the true magic of the bonus content. They are an absolute treat and I love them even more than before. They are finally together, and they are happy.
Lastly, I still can't find it in me to like Nana. I didn't believe it was possible for her to get even ruder and grosser, but alas I was wrong. She is clearly trying to help both Aren and Lara, and the things she says are actually valid. Regardless, none of that helps me like her. If anything, she only annoys me more because of how much of a cockblocker she is. Can't she just let her grandson get some already?
January 8, 2023
Lara: *breathes*
Aren: *screaming* LARA IS MY WIFE AND THE QUEEN OF ITHICANA, YOU WILL RESPECT HER OR DIE.
We love a protective husband.🙌🏻💙
——————
My OTP are thriving, I love to see it. 🥺🧡
Aren: *screaming* LARA IS MY WIFE AND THE QUEEN OF ITHICANA, YOU WILL RESPECT HER OR DIE.
We love a protective husband.🙌🏻💙
——————
My OTP are thriving, I love to see it. 🥺🧡
January 15, 2023
4 ⭐️ A novella with the smut we were missing from the first two books of The Bridge Kingdom
The story happens right after the events of Traitor Queen and leads into the next book.
Quick Thoughts:
- Love all the moments between Aren and Lara - especially the sexy scenes!
- I’m sad Ahnna is at odds with them.
- Love that Lara wants to keep trying to earn her place amongst the Ithicanans as their queen. I know it'll take time, but she's already winning their hearts.
War is coming, and I can’t wait for the next book!
The story happens right after the events of Traitor Queen and leads into the next book.
Quick Thoughts:
- Love all the moments between Aren and Lara - especially the sexy scenes!
- I’m sad Ahnna is at odds with them.
- Love that Lara wants to keep trying to earn her place amongst the Ithicanans as their queen. I know it'll take time, but she's already winning their hearts.
War is coming, and I can’t wait for the next book!
December 31, 2024
wow i missed lara. this soothed my anger after the inadequate heir i’ll say
July 17, 2022
bardzo fajnie ze wydawnictwo dało tą nowelkę do Niechcianego następcy! co tu dużo mówić kocham Arena było go mnóstwo 👀 bardzo się cieszę również, że przeczytałam Niechcianego następcę bo zobaczyłam Larę oraz to co zrobiła z innej perspektywy
August 19, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
January 26, 2023
"I love you, Lara. Nothing in this world short of death will ever take me from your side, and even then, it would only be until I could find you in whatever comes after. I will never leave you."
July 11, 2025
“I love you, Lara. Nothing in this world short of death will ever take me from your side, and even then, it would only be until I could find you in whatever comes after. I will never leave you.”
November 30, 2023
This was short and cheerful. Much more 🌶️ than any of the previous two books which was a positive for me.
It’s one of those seasons when ya gal is just looking for some lighthearted romance to read, and this series juuuuuust about qualifies as a fantasy, so I can at least claim I’m reading ‘romantasy’ hehe
4 ⭐️
It’s one of those seasons when ya gal is just looking for some lighthearted romance to read, and this series juuuuuust about qualifies as a fantasy, so I can at least claim I’m reading ‘romantasy’ hehe
4 ⭐️
June 29, 2022
when she said this was gonna have more explicit sexual content than the first 2 books, i had such high hopes. i thought it was gonna be 6 chapters of fluff and smut, so i’m definitely disappointed. but i missed arenlara a ton and i’m glad to have them back, even if this is the last time they’ll be mcs😭 overall, these chapters were interesting and very well-written, i just wish there was more of the explicit sexual content that’s stated in the content warning.
October 9, 2022
Give me an entire book of ArenLara living their best life in Ithicana and I'll be a happy girl.
April 25, 2023
Lara looked up at him. "Are you going to untie me?"
"Are you going to behave?"
"Never."
I missed Lara and Aren so much it's not even funny. I'm truly sad that they won't be the main characters anymore. This book was great because during their duology we never got the spicy scenes we deserved. After all, their chemistry is off the charts. So why a four-star rating?
Well because even though we were long overdue for Lara and Aren's spicy scenes, this whole novella was just soft porn. They are just hot and bothered and trying to have sex at every waking moment possible. Lara is badly, VERY badly injured and she's just starting to heal so she is in excruciating pain but always ready to jump Aren's bones? Like explain to me how can she not be able to walk one moment but wrap her legs around Aren or jump to his lap on the next? I know Aren is handsome but come on girl. Get a grip.
In the end, it's short, spicy and it's Lara and Aren so go ahead and read this.
"Are you going to behave?"
"Never."
I missed Lara and Aren so much it's not even funny. I'm truly sad that they won't be the main characters anymore. This book was great because during their duology we never got the spicy scenes we deserved. After all, their chemistry is off the charts. So why a four-star rating?
Well because even though we were long overdue for Lara and Aren's spicy scenes, this whole novella was just soft porn. They are just hot and bothered and trying to have sex at every waking moment possible. Lara is badly, VERY badly injured and she's just starting to heal so she is in excruciating pain but always ready to jump Aren's bones? Like explain to me how can she not be able to walk one moment but wrap her legs around Aren or jump to his lap on the next? I know Aren is handsome but come on girl. Get a grip.
In the end, it's short, spicy and it's Lara and Aren so go ahead and read this.
March 19, 2024
A quick novella that reminded me how much I freaking love Lara and Aren. 💗
I am so excited to move on to The Endless War. This series is just SO GOOD.
The Calm Before the Storm had some spicy scenes that we didn't get in The Bridge Kingdom and I LOVE IT.
"Behave. Or I'll rip this pretty dress of yours apart and use the pieces to tie you to this table."
🫠🫠🫠🫠 OHHH OK AREN.
I am so excited to move on to The Endless War. This series is just SO GOOD.
The Calm Before the Storm had some spicy scenes that we didn't get in The Bridge Kingdom and I LOVE IT.
"Behave. Or I'll rip this pretty dress of yours apart and use the pieces to tie you to this table."
🫠🫠🫠🫠 OHHH OK AREN.
July 2, 2022
Voler finire The Inadequate Heir solo per poter leggere questo extra🥲
Quando l’autrice ha detto che aveva scritto dei capitoli extra per ArenLara sono volata. Mi mancavano.
Mi hanno fatto super piacere e, soprattutto, super contenta che sono proprio subito dopo la fine dì The Traitor Queen.
Per quanto ci siano delle scene fluff Danielle non ce la fa e deve sempre mettere LA GUERRA LA POLITICA E QUI SI SOFFRE in ogni cosa😂
Però leggeteli perché per quanto ci siano ancora un sacco dì problemi in questo regno mi ha riscaldato il cuore rileggere i pov di Aren (è proprio un Golden retriver) e Lara Queen suprema chi come te!🥲🥺
Quando l’autrice ha detto che aveva scritto dei capitoli extra per ArenLara sono volata. Mi mancavano.
Mi hanno fatto super piacere e, soprattutto, super contenta che sono proprio subito dopo la fine dì The Traitor Queen.
Per quanto ci siano delle scene fluff Danielle non ce la fa e deve sempre mettere LA GUERRA LA POLITICA E QUI SI SOFFRE in ogni cosa😂
Però leggeteli perché per quanto ci siano ancora un sacco dì problemi in questo regno mi ha riscaldato il cuore rileggere i pov di Aren (è proprio un Golden retriver) e Lara Queen suprema chi come te!🥲🥺
July 7, 2022
That’s more like it!
July 29, 2022
I loved getting to have one last look from their perspective! Loved it!!
July 25, 2022
I missed Lara and Aren, so I really enjoyed these 6 chapters 🥰
September 6, 2023
Per-fect-ion
April 10, 2025
Títo dvaja ♥️
August 6, 2022
3 stars! This was a super sweet closure to the previous book, one I desperately needed. While I would have preferred a full novel about these two characters connecting and resolving all their external and internal issues, I was still satisfied with this one. I would have liked to see more domestic bliss though, and am hoping we get that in The Inadequate Heir
Content/ Trigger Warnings- Sexual content, Sharks, Pressure to 'produce an heir', Ableism
Note- I have tried to include all the content warnings that I noticed, but there is no guarantee that I haven’t missed something.
Review written on 6th August, 2022.
Storygraph. Spotify. Youtube. Pinterest. Twitter. Instagram. Linktree.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
Content/ Trigger Warnings- Sexual content, Sharks, Pressure to 'produce an heir', Ableism
Note- I have tried to include all the content warnings that I noticed, but there is no guarantee that I haven’t missed something.
Review written on 6th August, 2022.
Storygraph. Spotify. Youtube. Pinterest. Twitter. Instagram. Linktree.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
September 11, 2023
Rating: 3/5 My only real issue with the end of The Traitor Queen was that it ended too abruptly. Lara and Aren only had one real spicy scene and it was passionate but bittersweet. I wanted badly for the last book to be a little longer and include a true HEA romantic scene after Lara and Aren realize they can have a future together. There was so much buildup and it culminates in her waking up and being given back her necklace?? Thankfully, this book exists and it primarily exists (in my opinion) to sate the fans who like me felt a little short changed on that aspect.
Book Details:
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Narration Type: Dual POV (Lara, Aren)
Steam: 3/5
Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Second Chances
Reading Age: 18+
The author states she doesn't write sex unless it moves the plot forward. Agree to disagree on that. I will live and die on the hill that book 2 should have had something very spicy to send off Lara and Aren. This book should technically be read after The Inadequate Heir. However, I wasn't able to wait. There are spoilers for that book so I don't recommend reading this before book 3 unless you're okay with that.
Prior Reviews in Series:
The Bridge Kingdom - Review (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The Traitor Queen - Review (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book Details:
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Narration Type: Dual POV (Lara, Aren)
Steam: 3/5
Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Second Chances
Reading Age: 18+
The author states she doesn't write sex unless it moves the plot forward. Agree to disagree on that. I will live and die on the hill that book 2 should have had something very spicy to send off Lara and Aren. This book should technically be read after The Inadequate Heir. However, I wasn't able to wait. There are spoilers for that book so I don't recommend reading this before book 3 unless you're okay with that.
Prior Reviews in Series:
The Bridge Kingdom - Review (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The Traitor Queen - Review (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
August 28, 2024
This novella was very enjoyable and exactly what I needed after the long war chapters in the previous book! I reco everyone reading this one straight after book 2
August 11, 2022
Definitely didn't remember anything about the shark in the last book about this couple.
But hey, always glad to see these people again.
But hey, always glad to see these people again.
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