I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!! THE CLIFFHANGER????????????

HEAR ME OUT HEAR ME OUT! BECAUSE THIS HAS SURPASSED MY EXPECTATION!

I do not want to spoil anything.
If you love historical romance, slow burn, suspense, mystery-thriller, a little gore, secret identity, brave strong woman (with daggers *wink wink*), "I'm yours and you're mine" type of guy, I advise you to put anything on your TBR aside on July 30th and get to this book ASAP

As the cliffhanger, I thought it’s going to be the other way. Like the cliche, usual stuff. But I love how Sophie turned it around and so readers can expect a great continuation in the next book!

I can’t wait for the second book!!

Pub date: 30 July 2024

Thank you NetGalley, BookBuzznet, and Sophie Barnes for kindly giving me an ARC in exchange for honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, but I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this historical mystery romance. Adrian is not your typical hero and running from his past isn't working anymore after his sister becomes the latest victim of a killer. I love his devotion to trying to find who killed his sister while not losing himself completely to the man his father tried to raise.

Samantha is such a good heroine. She's got the skills and the tactical brain to take on Adrian's empire, but she doesn't entirely disagree with his plan to find his sister's killer and take care of him himself. Samantha has been raised as a ward of a powerful lord, but she's also been training her whole life to be a spy and she gets her first chance when she is called to take down Adrian. Her attraction to him might get in her way though.

This book is clever and unique and interesting. The characters and complex and flawed while willing to accept all their consequences. The characters within this world are well done and I was hooked from the start of this book. I can't wait for book two!

Step into the world of A Vengeful King Rises and hold onto your hats, folks! This ain't your average romance—it's a rollercoaster of secrets, danger, and a vengeful hero you can't help but root for. Adrian Croft is all fire and brimstone, hell-bent on revenge, and Samantha Carmichael? She's a secret agent caught between duty and desire, trying to take down a powerful man while falling for the very guy she's supposed to bring down. It's like James Bond meets steamy romance, with twists that'll leave you breathless.🌟

I enjoyed this story so much! It’s enemies to lovers without the enemies/lovers even knowing which side they want to be on. I enjoyed the banter, the slow build, and the morally grey lead characters. It has mystery, espionage and crime with just a hint of police investigation.

There were definitely parts that could’ve used some editing or moments that felt slightly off, but overall I enjoyed the way this book was written.

I highly recommend this if you love historical mystery and characters with questionable, but understandable, morals. Yay for Samantha and Adrian!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this copy!