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Review
5 stars
I love this book! An enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage romance chock-full of chemistry, with mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing, violence, action, humour and excitement, all set within a well-developed world. It’s a little bit dark, wickedly steamy and wonderfully entertaining, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.
Firstly, I have to say that it’s very refreshing to pick up a romantasy book that is a true standalone. Knowing that there won’t be a cliffhanger, and that you won’t have to remember so many little details while waiting for the next book. And that is exactly why I picked this book to read out of my never-ending TBR, and it’s such a well-written, addictive story.
In a world where people are blessed with gifts from the Divine, Harlow’s ‘gift’ is poison. Everybody she kisses dies, and she has used that ability as an assassin for her parents, who rule their isolated city, and as a secret vigilante to protect abused women. But her latest target survives, and worse, he’s her newly betrothed.
Henry is the son of the leaders of a nearby village thought decimated by mindless vampires. It’s been ten years since the attack that almost wiped out his city and his people, and Henry and his family have been plotting revenge on those they believe responsible for the attack – Harlow’s parents.
Harlow and Henry’s marriage is arranged by their parents. Neither of them wants it, but they are resigned to their fates, and they go into their marriage brimming with secrets, with the ultimate goal of taking the other out and uncovering their family’s secrets.
The chemistry between these two is insane! They legitimately hate each other, but neither of them denies the mad lust that constantly zings between them. For the most part, they’re both trying to figure out what the other is up to while carrying out their own secret missions. And with moments of realisation and every small reveal so meaningful, it’s both intriguing and wonderfully entertaining.
There is nothing more insulting than Henry sleeping heavily beside me. How dare he be so certain he’ll wake up – so blissfully unaware that I’ve spent every moment since waking watching the sunlight creep across the planes of his peaceful face, imagining creative ways to kill him.
Their dynamic is so good – genuine hatred, anger and irritation, mixed with chemistry, banter, teasing and humour, and a begrudging acceptance that even though they are keeping secrets and plotting against each other, there’s something between them.
“We must return to this room and appear to be doing what newlyweds do.”
“Plan creative ways to murder their spouse?” I suggest.
His lips twitch. “Look how comfortable you are threatening me. I think they call this intimacy.”
There’s a lot of back and forth between these two. Trust is built, only to be broken and rebuilt. And just when they start to open up and you think they’re going to ally, they start bickering all over again. But through it all, their connection is undeniable, and the sexual tension is sensational! Their marriage requires a public consummation, and just… damn!
I have never met a man who liked this monstrous side of me. This is what I’ve wanted the whole time. Not the soft, delicate things. I want this raw, unbridled need.
And, of course, the romance. It’s a slow burn, full of longing – mostly mine, but also Henry’s as we watch him very reluctantly fall for his wife. It’s a battle, with lots of ups and downs, and the hints of their growing emotional connection kept me desperate for more. And OMG it’s worth it to see these two finally come together.
He leans his forehead against mine. “I am so wretchedly in love with you. Put me out of my misery. I don’t want to pretend anymore. I want you.”
There’s a great cast of characters – some you will love, some you will love to hate – and all play an important part in shaping the story, and I loved all of the different dynamics at play.
The story twists and turns, with big reveals that bring so much depth to both the characters and the world. I gasped, and my heart was pounding through so many of the big moments in this book. I was completely invested, desperate to know what was going to happen next, and I absolutely loved it!
5 stars!