I am a huge fan of Rebecca Ross' voice and writing style. All of her works have delivery unique lore, and Divine Royals is no different. This gave me wonderful 20's era vibes set in a magical world during a war, and I absolutely inhaled it!

Divine Rivals is a Romeo and Juliet with a bit of a period historical war and bit of fantasy mixed into it. It was a bit of a slow start, but I expected a little of that with this being this first in a multi book series. There was a lot of world building, and revealing of the magical systems.

Normally period pieces don't work well for me, but Ross wrote in a way that just had that hook. It could have been the magically in the time piece or possibly the journalism and writer aspect of things. Etiher way it just worked and I absolutely can't wait until the next one.

Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness. I am writing this review 2 days after finishing this ALC and I'm still just as enamored with this story as I was the entire time I was listening to it. Often, I'll think I love a story but once I marinate with my thoughts, I realize it didn't stand the test of time.

But I should have known better. How could I have doubted Rebecca Ross? Her writing is so impeccable, her melding of music and magic was enchanting, and the characters and relationships (both romantic and platonic) are *chef's kiss* And let's not forget about the plot. The whole front line setting added so much angst and tension to an already riveting story.

Long story short, I need everyone to read this book AS SOON as it releases (or listen to it. The narration was gorgeous 😍) now I'll just be stalking Rebecca Ross' instagram for news on the next book in the series because that ending had me SHOOKETH.

Thank you to netgalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. I absolutely loved the voices of both characters! But I wish we could hear them dependent on the male and female dialogue as opposed to the chapter.

Loved it, like all of her work -- the romance was tender and realistic, and I loved the journalism setting; very unique for a fantasy work!

🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Now that is a cliffhanger ending. I was drawn to this book by the title, and loved this story of gods at war, and two human rivals connected by a magical typewriter. That in itself sounds weird, but it’s really good. The characters are great and I’m really excited to read the next installment.

Themes: 🗣️🗣️☢️⌨️🖤💍

My feelings: 😀🥹😶‍🌫️🫢🫡🤗

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Hopeful and heartfelt, Rebecca Ross has created a world that is reminiscent of our own. Filled with sorrow and the intense desire to find joy amidst the chaos.

Divine Rivals follows two rival journalists through their early careers, spanning from newsroom to war trenches. The world is one of warring god and weary soldiers,of magic typewriters and fated love.

I have fallen deeply for this authors writing style. It has an old world story tellers feel that is often threaded with otherworldly lore. If Ross is a modern day troubadour ( I suspect she is!) she is one who excels in quiet intimate moments.Fans of rivals to lovers who crave a bit more in the world building will easily fall for this particular tale.

The audio-book version of Divine Rivals is spectacular and only feeds into that storyteller feel. It's easy to play this and imagine being bellied up to a large fireplace in an old tavern with a tankard listening to an old tales being spun.
I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review

This novel blew me away! The romance between Iris and Roman was so masterfully written that someone with a coal for a heart like me couldn't help but to melt and root for them all the way through to the end. The letters that they wrote to each other were so sweet and heartfelt, and I loved how they became more and more intimate. The whole enemies to lovers trope worked out so well in this novel and it was pretty believable. Sometimes enemies to lovers can feel really forced, but this flowed so naturally.

I received the audio arc and I have to say that both narrators, Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk, made the whole thing come alive. They were both so wonderful to listen to! The narrators really made me believe that Iris and Roman were destined for each other (even though they were both 18-19 and tbh reading about young love isn't my thing).

I can't wait for the second book to come out. I hope that the author delves more into the gods responsible for the war, their history, their mythology, and the population's beliefs. It wasn't clearly explained imo other than through oral history, so I pictured it as a war of religious ideologies. Without being too specific and spoilery, the epilogue suggests that we might see the war from a different viewpoint that's more omniscient. I'd love for the author to bring more of that type of fantasy into this series.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this audio arc.

This story is amazing. It’s about two journalists in a war torn time that find a magical connection, despite their initial dislike for each other.

The audio for this book was spot on. I will only listen to audiobooks with well done narration, and their narration was perfect for this book!

This book is 2 POV, has mild language, and brief vague open door

A thousand thank yous to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC audiobook copy of Divine Rivals!

If Rebecca Ross writes it, I will read it. She is by far my favorite author. Her stories always gets me so investing from page one. And there is something so lyrical and atmospheric about her writing. From the start, I knew this was going to be my new favorite book. I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment. I see myself rereading this book and it's follow up over and over. The ending had me floored and sobbing. And I cannot wait for the sequel.

This book is really good. The romance in the book is a rivals to lovers. It is a little different however as there is a surprise element that I don't want to spoil. I love how this book is written and there are moments where I just couldn't do anything because I needed to process what had happened. I loved all the characters and their relationships to eachother. I love that this war is fought due to God's. I loved getting to learn bits about them and why it started. This book has war, betrayal, writers, love, death and romance. The ending has left me hanging and I need to know what happened next.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook of Divine Rivals. This book was beautiful, tragic, and gut wrenching. While the academic rivals aspect of the book was enjoyable to read about, I found the aspects of war to be the most compelling. Ross captures the complexities and devastation of war in such a compelling way. It is the soldiers and civilians who lose the most in this war, not the two gods who are waging it. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series and I will certainly be reading Ross’ other books.

"I think we all wear armor. I think those who don't are fools, risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. But if I've learned anything from those fools, it is that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are. Sometimes, I feel the same as you: I can't risk having people behold me as I truly am. But there's also a small voice in the back of my mind, a voice that tells me, 'You will miss so much by being so guarded.'"

I absolutely adored this book! Set as a historical fantasy with fighting gods, Iris Winnow decides to go to the front as a corresponder to report on the war. Throw in her rival, Roman Kitt, and we're set for fun banter and the most adorable rivals to lovers! Meanwhile, Iris is writing letters to another mysterious man & able to bare her soul in away she's never been able to with anyone else.

Historical mythological fantasy meets You've Got Mail "esque" love letters and rivalry.

I read it in less than 24 hours & I already cannot wait for the next one! Great audio with dual narrators for the dual narratives. I listened to this while cleaning & even though I may have been scrubbing the bathrooms, I found myself grieving with Iris, laughing at her witty jibes & overall performance of the story!

"He thought about who he had been before he had met her. Before she had stepped into the Gazette. Before her letter had crossed his wardrobe door. He thought about who he wanted to be now that her hand was in his. He would always be grateful for that decision that night, not so long ago. That night when he decided to write her back."

This book was so interesting and unique! It took me a little while to get into it but it really kept my interest after I got into it.
We start with 2 rivals at a newspaper. They are competing for the same promotion and when Iris's mom dies, she decides to leave and go to the front lines of the war against the gods. Meanwhile, she has been writing letters to her brother who is fighting in the war and who she hasn't heard from in months. She puts them underneath her wardrobe door and they vanish. She can only hope he gets them. But it's really Roman, her rival who is receiving them. He writes back and they start an anonymous pen pal relationship.
I liked both Iris and Roman. Each had a different audio narrator and I think they were both fantastic. We got a little bit of found family once Iris goes to the front lines of the war which is my favorite trope. They make the cutest little found family.
This book really tries not to sugar coat war. Bombs go off, towns get overtaken and people are lost. It's very real. I have read many books that involve war and battles, but this one does it differently. Iris is not a soldier. She is reporting from the front lines, seeing the war first hand, but not fighting. It was such a different perspective on war and I really enjoyed it.
There was an ending to this book, and then there was an *ending.* I saw both of them coming, but not until right before they happened. They were both such a hook for the next book and I really can't wait for it!

There are several aspects of the book that I loved and some aspects that I disliked, but the good far outweighed the bad.

Firstly, I simply LOVED the romance. I loved the two main characters together and I loved their journey to each other. I especially loved that he pursued her and that it was partially an epistolary tale. I love the secret pen pal trope.

Regarding the rest of the plot, I think it really took a back seat to the romance and if not for the fantastic romance I would have had more problems with the plot and setting. First of all, this read more like historical fiction the fantasy and I felt that the world building was pretty lazy. The entire war between the gods (which was too similar to this author's recent adult duology), was told through the stories that the main character was telling to the love interest. I didn't really care about the stories. They seemed superfluous, but they weren't. They just didn't hold my attention. I also think there are some parts that didn't feel necessary, like her mother's death. Overall, I really loved it but I do wish it was stand-alone and that the story was tied up at the end. I also wish it had leaned more towards historical fantasy, like set during WWI, , but with magic. I think this author would write wonderful historical fiction and the world building would be better.

Color me obsessed! I need book two NOW! I had no clue what this book was about or what it was going to be like, but I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the whole premise of the book and that ending had me actually screeching because I was so distraught. I cannot wait for book two and this one isn’t even officially out yet!!! I just need to know what happens to Iris and Roman because I am wholly and fully invested in them as characters.

I really applaud the author for how they handled the topics of grief from both Iris and Romans perspectives. It made my heart crack and made me just want to befriend both of them. I did feel that the romance between the two of them felt a little forced and maybe a bit unnecessary, but on the other side of the coin I am obsessed that Roman literally walked into a warzone for Iris and proved to her how much he wanted to be with her. I could not handle it!

I also definitely got some strong The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy vibes with the whole magic closet that would deliver letters to Roman and Iris from one another. The way that he fell in love with her through the honesty of her writing in the letters made me actually swoon. I do hate the mild “hidden identity” concept as Roman did kind of lie to Iris and lead her on by using his middle name as his correspondent name. JUST USE YOUR REAL NAME AND THIS ALL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED!

Overall, I really loved this book. I would definitely recommend it and also would recommend the audio version of this because it did give more depth to the emotions that the characters were feeling at certain moments of the book!

⚠️TW: war, addiction, death, death of parent, alcoholism, violence, domestic abuse

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review! All of the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book wasn’t at all what I expected and I absolutely loved it. The character development, rich plot, slow steady pace was all that I’ve come to love with a Rebecca Ross book. Some books grab your attention right away with fast action, but this story immerses you into these characters’ lives. The connection between characters is where this book shines. It’s in the small moments that you really get to know these two war correspondents reporting on a war ragging between gods.

This book was all about the romance and I wasn’t mad about it. I loved the rival relationship between Iris and Roman. This has the sweetest romance with plenty of heartbreaking moments that you’d expect in a war story.

This is historical fantasy. I loved the details of the frontline and the tense moments of war. At fist I was unsure of the time setting. It’s not clearly defined, but I started to get WW2 vibes and just went with it in my head. The world building was slow, unveiling piece by piece as the story progressed. The fantasy elements stay light in the beginning. At some points you could even forget you’re reading a fantasy. Then the ending hits you hard in the face that this isn’t a regular war. I’ve got a feeling that book two will dive much deeper into the world building and fantasy elements.

Usually when I’m reading a series, I have a idea of where I think the story is going. This time I’m truly clueless. The ending left me gasping and angry that I have to wait so long for book two.

I was gifted the ebook and audio by the publishers. I choose to listen to the audio and highly recommend it. I enjoyed the dual POV narrators.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.

I've read all of Becca's books and she never fails to amaze me with her beautiful, enchanting writing. I knew about 10% into this one that it was going to be my fav of hers which says a lot because I really loved Dreams Lie Beneath. But I was immediately captivated by these characters, the world, time setting and the slow burn romance!! The chemistry and banter between Kitt and Iris was just sooooo good. I loved all their interactions. They're EVERYTHING! This felt like one of her most romantic books which made me so happy!

I want to rave so much more about certain aspects of the book but yet I think you should go into this one blind so you can appreciate how amazing it is! Just know the magic that connects them was FANTASTIC! This made me so freaking giddy. I had a big ol' grin on my face for most of this book. I cried happy tears because it was absolutely PERFECT and just made my heart so freaking happy!

It gave me The Lovely War vibes! The audiobook is SO GOOD! I can't recommend it enough! I loved the voices and how they connected. I never wanted this to end! I am so anxious for the next one. I neeeeeeed it now!

I know it's still early in the year but this is already one of my favorites of the year! I can't wait to own it and annotate it!

This. Book. Right. Here.
Let me attempt to collect the tiny pieces of my heart to put this in a legible review.

I received an audiobook arc from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio and this is my honest review.

Rebecca Ross is a phenomenal author who writes romance in such a beautiful way; there are grand romantic gestures and tiny little subtle moments that make your heart skip a beat. And they are given equal weight in her books. Her prose is as beautiful as always and her characters are all given time and respect to shine. Even the ones that we only know for a few pages (or minutes); each feels like a real character with their own motivations and ambitions. As for the main characters, she always lets them be wholly human. They are allowed to be vulnerable and open with one another. The fact that their relationship evolves with the help of letters from magic typewriters makes it all the more compelling. Thoroughly enchanting. And the BANTER. Such an amazing back-and-forth between these two rivals.

The setting is enchanting and not one that is particularly common in the fantasy genre. The fact that magic is mingled with technology and the looming war between gods is fascinating and unlike anything I've read before. There are some heavy topics here, but they're treated with respect. There is grief, addiction, complicated family dynamics, classism, war, and PTSD. And despite all that, there is the feeling of hope and wanting to do the right thing that pervades throughout.

This is a typical Rebecca Ross book - an absolute joy to read (and listen to!! such talented narrators!), hurts your heart SO GOOD, and leaves you screaming for the next book. The ending was so stressful (in the best way) and I had actual chills. So many feelings! Add it to your TBR shelf immediately. And I hope the next one is coming soon because I need to know what happens immediately.

Winnow writes for a local paper. She's competing for a promotion while simultaneously trying to keep her mother from succumbing completely to her addiction and also worrying endlessly about her brother off at war. A war started by the gods who were until recently slumbering. Window starts writing letters and slips them under her wardrobe door where they vanish. And soon she is receiving letters back from a man, who she doesn't know is her handsome rival at work, Roman Kitt. As Winnow develops feelings for this stranger, she embarks on a journey to find her brother and document a war.

I love this. It's a story of grief and war and finding love. An epistolary, magical sweet enemies to lovers. I loved the magic of the how the letters are sent! I liked both characters and I loved their compatibility and where the story goes. The mythology brought to life around the war was present without being overbearing and even though I wanted to know a little more, it was fine not knowing more. The story isn't complete at the end of this book, so we have to wait for the neighbors to find out what happens next. I really liked the choice to have the war correspondents' perspectives on this war - about war without it being about soldiers or politicians.

Pub Date: April 4th

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy of this book!