Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review

I usually write these reviews in more visual way, quotes etc, but I feel like this one should be more of an essay. And considering this is the last book we get for Kiera Cass for who knows how long, I think I should indeed write it.

"How to make up for your mistakes, given you've already spinned the tales you wanted to tell"

I adored 'The Selection', its sequels I find enjoyable and considering my own attitude I did like Eadlyn there. 'The Siren' was just okay. I know people who were much more touched by it, but I guess knowing selection first my heart was already stolen by the usual by then castle setting for Kiera's books. Betrothed duology? It was disaster. In two installments. All I could take from them, is that the author is not good at focusing her books on politics. She's a romance writer, not a strategist. And as much as I love all the other of her stories, I was still too wounded to not come to this book full of scepticism. And what a surprise, in my opinion this is Kiera's redemption for Betrothed series, on how it should've been written. Of course story's not exactly the same, characters differ, BUT the tropes are very much the same, so I'll stick to my statement as it's opinion of my own which I'm allowed to have. Your's different? That's great, I'm just stating mine.

I don't want this 'review' to be spoilery, so you can read it when you're deciding whether to read this book, as you might've had same concerns as me coming from Betrothed. And my solution for you is yes, you should. Because even with author's idea of plotting a story based on politics is still quite poor, the romance was there, and it didn't hurt to read it.

Annika, the female lead is a fierce princess, you could see America through her acts of kindness, and devotion to what she holds dear. Thou she wasn't exactly the same which I do appreciate, because if I'd want to read another book of America's I'd pray for another Selection novella (which I hope we do get after netflix adaptation, and people noticing they can still earn some money from Selection universe stories), I did find her much more enjoyable than Hollis. I loved her connection to her older brother Escalus, the relationship she had with her maid Noemi (I think I remember Kiera some years ago doing surveys on twitter for all their names or something 😂👍 that's why they all sound so extraordinary (thou I do have a distant cousin called Noemi myself 😎)) — very America like, right? Good. First attempt for redemption — making a main lead we do care about, and one we want to pat on ones shoulder rather than shut behind a windowless room determined to finish story without her. On the other hand we have Lennox, male lead, devoted to his fox friend and people he's leading because a new lover of her mom said they deserve a kingdom to take. Although it doesn't exist on the cards of the history books (see? My only problem again is basing another book around politics when it's still not your good side. And it ultimately breaks my heart, as I LOVED the rebellion act in the selection series 🥲 see how fast the night changes). Anyway, Lennox has his group of friends (I know the author squeezed two books of length into one, but I think it could be better if she kept introducing new characters with time, not throwing a ton of them (with very unique names) at us at once right from the very beginning 🙈) and they run errands, preparing to take back assumingly their kingdom. That's their story. Wow.

They cross paths at pretty random moment, and since then (or way earlier 😏) their fates are forever intertwined. As I've mentioned I don't want to spoil you the story, as my intention is to get you to read this book anyway. My point is, if you've read betrothed — be prepared to see a lot of recurring motives. Some executed better, some without improvement, but definitely they won't make your eyes burn out of cringe.

Yes the romance was nice, it's just as much as you'd like to dissolve in the beauty of it, you can almost feel an urge to get characters attention and remind them they should currently get their focus back on politics, not being lovey dovey. So IF ONLY the main focus of the story wouldn't be on merging the world together from a battle between clans building it you'd be enjoying their love much more. But there are a lot of beautiful quotes to save, if that's what you're there for 😌

This part is a teeeeny tiny bit spoilerish, so if you want to avoid any please skip to the last part ahead with my final thoughts. To avoid anyone accidently glancing anyway, I'll just give you hints on what to expect: Prince Hans of Disney Frozen, Romeo&Juliet but they love their people more, you might think the traitor is obvious but actually they aren't (so now I want to reread just to see where the hell were the hints thrown all along xD), Audrey from Descendants plotting her whole life with a guy that ain't even considering her a competitor to his heart, no mass murd*r wedding copy pasted from Betrothed thank God, although, when it comes to politics, for the author wedding is the solution to every problem once again. AHH, I was expecting something more innovative 🥲 I did say this is a betrothed remake, so I don't find it a spoiler if you did read that series too 🙆🏻‍♀️

FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm still not over the fact we might be getting no more novels from Kiera, but this at least acts like a redemption for the eyerolls and head pain I got from her last series. Yes, it still stands nowhere near selection, but I can't expect anything to beat something so full of nostalgia and princess romance for me so easily, so I'm just glad Kiera did write more novels after it — because if you don't want to, you don't need to read them. But if we did want to read more from her, we got a chance to see to that. I did had fun with Annika and Lennox, but I'd had more if someone else took care of politics, and I could just follow along how they talk about stars and granola bars. 4⭐ from me, one day I'll tell my kids betrothed never existed and this was the real story of Hollis's alter ego.

Kiera Cass does it again!

If you're a fan of The Selection then this book is for you, fairly slow burn to begin but it definitely picks up speed towards the middle. Looking forward to the next instalment.

I was so excited to get an eARC of Kiera Cass’ new YA book as I am a big fan of her previous work. I enjoyed the sentiment of the title of this book, but although there was an alluring love story (or two), the book sadly fell a bit flat for me. The book had a very slow start but once the main characters met it definitely picked up the pace. Still some gaps to the story that could’ve made things better if they were filled. Overall, still an enjoyable read!

I noticed once again that I am just not a fan of fantasy books. Even though I enjoyed the characters and the enemies to lovers trope. I'm sure a lot of people will love this book.

Full review to come on my Instagram soon - but for now let me say this: I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this book grabbed me, and how quickly I came to care about the characters & their relationship. I'm looking forward to more from Kiera Cass!

A well written bok with a captivating storyline and well developed characters. I was gripped right from the start, it was fast paced and engaging with a good level of action and drama/ A great read

Annika is the young Princess of a kingdom that Lennox's people believe belongs to them. As the two of them collide in a struggle for the country, the begin to go from enemies to lovers and want to find peace for their peoples...

This was a pretty good book, with a fast paced plot and plenty of action. The characters were well written and fleshed out - my only complaint is that at times the romance was a bit nauseating. The heartfelt declarations of love were definitely being laid on a bit thick!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Much more feedback and full review to come. Huge fan of Kiera Cass and her majestic novels. Extremely popular at our location. Thrilled to acquire and share this with readers. Cover is absolutely gorgeous btw it just draws you in.

1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series Kiera Cass is back with her most epic novel yet – a sweeping enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.

‘Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.’

Annika has lived a life of comfort and luxury as the Princess of Kadier—but now, after the death of her mother, she’s weighted under the looming threat of a loveless marriage arranged by her cold father.

Far outside the palace walls, on the outskirts of the land Annika’s family has long ruled over, Lennox is waiting for his moment. His people displaced, his father gone, Lennox knows that it’s up to him to lead his people into a battle to overthrow the Kadierian monarchy.

After Annika and Lennox’s worlds collide, they can’t stop thinking of each other. Annika has waited her whole life to find out what love truly feels like—but could it be that she’s found love with someone she can never have?