This book pleasantly surprised me. The writing style beautiful, the plot unique. I loved the whimsical elements to the story. A story of love, war, and found family this book has it all. Just prepare yourself for a jaw dropping cliff hanger. I can’t wait for the second book to be released and this one isn’t even out yet..

On the positive side the narrators of this book were great. On the negative side the book itself wasn’t very good. The writing feels very young and the magic system and world building just isn’t there. The whole book is really just about the relationship between the two characters and it wasn’t that interesting. Not a bad book but definitely not something that would make me want to keep reading the series.

Divine Rivals is a memorable and emotional feat of a novel. An utterly captivating story of courage, love, and perseverance. This is one reading experience I won't forget.

When I say I could not stop reading/listening to this book, I mean it. I didn't want to part with Iris or Roman or any of the other characters. This was my first book by Rebecca Ross and now I know I need to read her backlist. Ross created a unique and detailed world that I am eager to revisit in the sequel.

The worldbuilding is so interesting. Two gods fighting an eternal war, pitting mortals against each other??? What a concept! The mythology of this world is fascinating. I will say that it took me some time to "settle" into the world and I am admittedly still struggling with some aspects of the worldbuilding, but by the end, I was truly invested in this universe and cannot wait to see where the story is heading.

At the core of the story are the stories of Iris Winnow and Roman C Kitt. They are rival journalists at a prestige newspaper and don't get along as they are after the same journalist job, though through a little bit of magic, are able to form a connection through their typewriters. I don't want to say more here because it's best to experience all of that without knowing any more details, but I will say that I loved their stories, both individually and together, very much. Their letters to one another were perfect, showing exactly who they are at their core. Both characters are wonderfully complex and I am really rooting for them both.

Divine Rivals does at times get very dark in tone, and Ross shows all sides of the war and how it is devastating for all parties involved. Ross shows that there are people who pretend like it does not exist, people who have lost everyone they love to the war or because of the war, people who are doing everything they can to help end it, and also the people supporting those fighting in different ways. It is a harrowing look at the inner workings of war. I imagine the sequel will show all of this in further detail, as well, especially a further look into the gods and their motivations. I was very impressed with the writing in regard to the war and how the protagonists face it. All in all, I just devoured this story.

Also, I am still reeling from that ending. Just. Wow. I need the next book yesterday.

All in all, this was an impressive book all the way around. It was truly divine.

Absolutely loved this story!! It definitely feels in the “new adult” genre. The two povs are establishing themselves in their careers, which includes competing against each other to be the next columnist at their paper. The story leads them into the thick of war; corresponding from front lines. I loved the letters and the words tying them together. Roman is such a fantastic supportive male character. Iris is suspicious of his kindness and takes a while to warm up to his charm. The banter, the repetition of adorable moments, the eloquence of the writing, THAT ENDING… everything makes this an absolutely exceptional read!! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the audiobook!! Great narration there too! Please remember me for the sequel because I need it ASAP!!!

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
5/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••

Rebecca Ross has a talent for weaving her character's stories together in a way that will leave you simultaneously wanting to savor every word and desperate to find out what will happen next.

The gods are at war and Iris Winnow only wants to hold her family together. Through a series of letters sent with a magical typewriter, she begins to fall in love. A rivals to lovers story told through letters, heroic acts, and the grittiness of war, this historical romance provides just a touch of fantasy and will leave you thinking about it for days to come.

Read this if you like:
- rivals to lovers
- he falls first
- forced proximity
- romance as a focused plot point
- upper YA romantasy
- dual POV

Divine Rivals will be released on April 4th and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!
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Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

I almost DNF'd this book, but I'm glad I didn't.
We start with Iris saying goodbye to her brother as he goes off to war.

The main problem is, she doesn't move forward on her goals for the first half of the book. She is trying to compete for the columnist job while dealing with tragedy, but it isn't clear why it's important to her. What she really cares about is her brother, who hasn't sent her any letters since leaving for war. That's why her decision to be a war correspondent makes sense later in the book, but again, i found this section of the book to be quite boring. She was just living the daily life of a war correspondent, no longer even competing with Kit, which at least lent snarky dialog to the story.

Even when Kit joined her at the front, and the audience had the dramatic irony of knowing he was the mysterious Carver who Iris has been corresponding and falling in love with this whole time, I found it to be very boring, day to day life sort of stuff.

That all changed when Kit and Iris face real danger together on the front. Finally, the story picked up! Now we have the looming suspense of the opposing army getting closer and closer. Kit is revealed to be carver, and you would think that would take away some of the suspense of the story, but somehow it just made it more interesting.

Overall, the whole second 1/3 of the book was fantastic and the ending made me want to continue reading! I just wish the first half hadn't been so boring.

Definitely could not stop listening to this book! Divine Rivals pits two characters against one another who are highly competitive, but obviously meant to be together. They become connected in a way that is very unexpected and end up learning about each other and gaining new perspective. This brings up a lot of turmoil for them, living in an age of division amongst their race. The pressures of being young and beholden to family and navigating a desire to connect to people outside of our circle fill this book with energy that keeps the listener entertained and ready for what happens next. The voice acting is spot on as well!

The gods are warring after centuries of sleep. Iris just wants to hold her family together in face of her mothers addiction and her missing brother. She figures her best bet at this is winning the columnist promotion at her job – the Oath Gazette. Iris writes her brother letters and slips it beneath her wardrobe door, where they disappear. The letters find themselves in the hands of Roman, her cold and heartless rival at the Gazette. They continue anonymously writing each other back and forth and forge a connection that stays with Iris on her quest to save her family.

This book is the first YA book by the author of A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless, and she knocks it out of the park. The story is beautiful and artfully written. This was my first book by this author but it wont be the last. I’m not normally one for world building, but I found it easy to listen to on audio. The relationship between Iris and Roman was fantastic and the dual narrators nailed them, even in conversation. The book was a little hard to follow at times, so there were times I was thankful it was easy to go back and relisten to a certain section. I loved the two stories happening at the same time on the macro and the micro level. Overall, this was a fantastic audiobook.

Make sure you grab your copy April 4th.

Thank you to the publisher MacMillian Audio, @Macmillianaudio, St Martin’s Press, @stmartinspress, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca Ross writes fantasy that feels familiar and possible--a world so like ours that the step into the unfamiliar is a small one. I loved her adult duology and when I saw she had a new YA series coming out, I was so excited. Divine Rivals did not disappoint. I loved every second of it. It felt like f a fresh, fantastical version of a made-for-tv movie I loved as a kid where letters magically travelled through time between two strangers. I loved how Ross juxtaposed the workplace rivalry between Roman and Iris with the magical friendship that unfolds between Iris and her mysterious pen pal.

This book, while set in a fantasy world with warring gods, felt like it could have been set in the very real world of the early twentieth century--almost. Typewriters and wardrobes and gardens that need tending alongside trenches and devastation and loss--every element of the story contributes to its brilliance. I can't believe I have to wait and wait and wait for the second book.

The dual narrators for Roman and Iris were incredible. Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk both delivered moving performances. It was a delight to listen to them both bring the story to life.

I think this settles it. After reading the Elements of Cadence and now Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross is an auto-buy author for me from now on.

Thank you to the Rebecca Ross, NetGalley, and McMillan Audio for this audiobook ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so excited when I was approved for this ARC, especially when I recently read my first book of hers and loved it. I absolutely ADORED this book and Rebecca Ross is officially an automatic-buy author for me! As usual with a fantasy book, it takes a little bit to get a good feel for the story as we try to understand the world building, characters, and politics but once I had a grasp on it I was head over heels and I couldn’t stop.

While it’s a fantasy story, it has the feels of a WWI-esque war romance. This historical fantasy romance story features mythology where humans fight in a trench war on behalf of gods, with fantastical monsters. We follow two rival journalists vying for the same promotion for a columnist position with the newspaper.

Iris, our FMC, is a young woman trying to keep everything together while her brother is missing from the front lines and her mother suffering from addiction. She left school early to get a job and work to take care of herself and her mother after her brother joined the war, and with her brother missing she feels the pressure of taking care of everything.

As a way to cope with all her stresses she writes letters to her brother, slips them under her closet door, and they immediately disappear. There weren’t any responses, until one day a reply appears on her bedroom floor but it’s not from her brother. This starts back and forth letters between both writers.

I fell in love with the characters quickly and it didn’t take long before I couldn’t stop and I had to know everything. You get completely swept up in all the feels - hoping and believing that everything will be fine, and waiting for things to fall apart and your heart to break. The ending has my heart in grips and I need a sequel so that I can have more of these characters and their stories.

The feelings of pure happiness I felt while listening to this book! This is a deeply emotional and heartfelt read about two rivals brought together by magic and circumstance.

Iris and her rival Roman are both vying for the same spot as a credited writer on the paper they work for. The two couldn’t be more different. He is a wealthy and pampered young man and she is dealing with an alcoholic mother and missing her brother who has gone to fight in the war.

Iris, writing magical letters and leaving them in her closet only for them to disappear when she opens the door, longs for word of her brother… but he isn’t the one getting her letters. Instead, it’s another young man and the two begin a beautiful correspondence. Roman is the receiver of these letters, though he refuses to tell her the truth.

Set against the backdrop of war and devastation, this is the beautiful story of love and desperation in a terrible time. I cannot wait for more in this series! Roman and Iris kept me falling in love with their story from beginning to end!

Divine Rivals is about a young woman trying to find her place and purpose in the turbulence of life amidst a war between gods. She experiences loss and love.
This story is like floating on a wooden ship over a river filled with myths and legends. The world development is vivid and the writing is engaging as it ferries you through the plot.
As always, Macmillan audio produced a great audiobook. The narrators are extremely skillful and I appreciated that they chose to dual narrate this story.
I wouldn't change anything. There was nothing I disliked. I loved that the content felt fresh and would recommend all lovers of fantasy/romance give this book a listen/read.
This book will likely make my favourite books list this year.

<i>I received this book as an ARC (or advance listener copy?) and all opinions are my own </i>

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for early access to this audiobook.

I can’t believe this book isn’t even out yet and i’m already dying for the sequel. This book was so beautifully written and it’s such a good premise!!! I went into it not knowing much of what it was about and 30% in I was surprised to be so emotionally invested. The mythology in this book is so interesting and I am so excited to learn more about it and the war and Forest!!!! The relationship between Roman and Iris was so sweet and cute and I love them so much. Im such a sucker for a secret pen pal and enemies to lovers trope so I was invested in their relationship right away. Im so excited to see where this story goes and learn more about this world!!!!

Iris Winnow is a young journalist who writes stories on a typewriter given to her by her treasured grandmother. She also writes letters to her missing brother and slips them under the door of her wardrobe where they disappear. When return letters arrive Iris doesn’t realize they are written by her arch nemesis at the Oath Gazette, Roman Kitt.

As the two writers connect and learn about each other, Iris takes an assignment on the front lines of the war among the gods, hoping to further her career and find information about her missing brother.

This is the third novel I’ve read by Rebecca Ross and my favorite so far. The storyline kept me captivated. There was plenty of action and I loved the romance between the two rivals. Narration by Alex Wingfield & Rebecca Norfolk was wonderful. This is one of those books that you don’t want to end. I cannot wait to read or listen to the next novel in this series. 4.5/5 Stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

I loved this book.
I felt connected to Iris and Roman in a way that I have never felt connected to characters before, and the moment I finished I wanted book two.

Things I want more of:
I would love to learn more about the typewriters and how they work.
I would love to learn a little bit more about the gods and their war. I had a few questions which seem like they could play out in the second book.

Although this was a fantasy book It was such an honest and real reflection of trying to make your own in the world while people are trying to force you to do other things. And what it is life living in a state of grief. It was honest and real and my heart aches for Roman and Iris in ways I can't even describe.

This book is so good!

The rivals, Iris and Roman, who venture into an unknown war become an unlikely duo. Both writers who go to report back about the war find themselves leaning on each and their new group of friends turned family. Trying to report the truth, find lost family members, and stay alive these two go through so much. I cannot wait for the arrival of Book 2 already! Read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read and review this story!

I don't know what else to say besides that this is my new favorite book of all time. The narrators both did an amazing job, there were a few moments towards the end where I could tell that Iris' part hadn't been mixed properly (for two or three words in a sentence her voice would drop a bit lower) but I'm sure that will get worked out before it goes on sale.

The story though. The story is incredible, amazing, absolutely wonderful could not put down, and have read five times now since receiving the e-arc of the book last year. Getting to listen to the an advanced audio copy has been a dream come true - I hope everyone has the opportunity to let this gorgeous story into their lives as soon as it hits shelves in April!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)

Divine Rivals (Rebecca Ross, April 2023)

Goodreads synopsis:
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

I really enjoyed A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross, so when I saw her newest book available on NetGalley I requested a copy (gotta feel important somehow, am I right). I'll cut to the chase: I loved it!

I liked that there wasn't much world-building! I have found world-building can take me out of the plot and/or bog me down, so this minimalist approach was perfect for me -- it was basically....the world....with some god wars thrown in (I actually forgot about that element at a few different points).

I honestly just had a wonderful time reading Divine Rivals. At one point I checked and was only 46% in, which in [unnamed book I read right beforehand] made me think "Oh god how am I only halfway through, so much has happened and you're telling me I still have SEVEN HOURS left?" However in Divine Rivals I thought "Ooo, still so much to go!"

I also really enjoyed the romance, which is unsurprising because I adore first loves. This one had an air of You've Got Mail, but without the extreme manipulation -- always a plus!

The end-ish confused me a little...but it did its job because I am 100% in for the sequel.

My rating is a five out of five. I loved it!

Divine Rivals will be available on Tuesday April 4th of 2023. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced listener copy!

Potential content warnings: Mom with alcohol issues.

Rebecca Ross's A River Enchanted was a top read for me last year and as this was my first peak into her YA books, I was naturally excited and nervous to pick this one up. In exchange for my review, I was gifted both the ebook and audiobook by Wednesday Books via netgalley.

Specific to the audiobook, I was really happy I had the opportunity to listen to this book. The narrators were wonderful and engaging the entire time (to the extent that I was pacing my living room while listening to some of the final chapters because I was so engrossed). I think the letter-writing format of this book lent itself well to an audio format as we were able to hear Roman's letters in Roman's voice during Iris's POV chapters and vice versa and that really kept them clear and distinct.

Below is my review of the book's content:

DIVINE RIVALS has so many different hats. From RR's own posts about what to expect with rival journalists, celestials, magic, war, and secret pen pals. It is an ambitious book to bring all these little details together. The beginning of the book left me a bit confused about what precisely this world was supposed to be: it feels like historical WWII vibes: there are typewriters, candles, and Iris' brother had just enlisted in a war and was saying goodbye. There is talk about the gods but it is talked about in a way that we are dumped straight into the story. Thankfully, the pieces slowly come together throughout the first 30% of the book, but I wish the prologue made better use of setting that stage.

The worldbuilding takes a backseat, in the beginning, to get us straight into this rivalry between Iris and Roman. Roman is from a wealthy family and was placed at The Gazette with the assumption he would be a columnist. Then, when Iris's brother joins the war and she needs to start earning a paycheck she drops out of school and joins The Gazette as Roman's competitor for the columnist spot. Their dynamic feels natural (they both have pressure to get the job and don't necessarily understand the other's situation) but they also push each other to be better and with that have deep comradery. It reminds me a bit of The Atlas Six where they are two magnets just circling each other. It was incredibly fun to read. THEN we add this additional layer to their dynamic where Iris has been sending magical letters to her brother but they've ended up going to Roman and they begin this unlikely pen pal friendship. Now, I really truly deeply dislike this trope specifically WHEN only one person knows who the other is while a relationship is building in real life (yes, I realize this is a very specific situation, but it just ruins it for me) so I got a bit nervous but I think RR did this impeccably and really made this trope bring the best out of these two characters. I think some of my favorite parts of these letters are the vulnerability, especially around grief and insecurity, and that this is the medium used to give us more context on the god mythology (which I loved and hope we get even more more more in Book 2).

OK, so that is all a third of the book (yes, there is EVEN MORE PLOT). As the series suggests, Iris goes to the front to start writing about the war. At this point, the story becomes less about their rivalry (don't worry, Roman does not go anywhere) and more about the role of journalism and words to bring the world to life and give people hope and connection. It was very heartbreaking and beautiful. We are introduced to a lot of new characters but never felt that they were fleshed out enough as full people and I was disappointed by that because I could see a lot of potential there.

By the last 20% of the book, I was stressed because I knew this book wasn't going to end well. It was well balanced between teasing a stressful ending, actually having dangerous situations, and lots of sweet, heartwarming moments. Again, RR is balancing so many plates with this one and while I acknowledged it had a lot going on, it was done well and I loved every moment. The ending had me screaming and there were some tears. But mostly I am desperately excited to see what happens next from Iris and Roman.

Divine Rivals is an enemies-to-lovers romance set in a world with two gods at war. Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are young journalists competing for a columnist position at the Oath Gazette.

Iris’s brother has gone to war, and she writes him letters using a magic typewriter. Little does she know, her letters are actually being transported to Roman, who writes her back.

This novel reminded me of Undertaking Hart and Mercy, a fantasy-romance from last year that also involved magic letters and two young people who “hated” each other falling for each other through writing. So I may be judging Divine Rivals a but unfairly in comparison, because I loved that book *so* much.

Iris and Roman are interesting characters and I did believe their romance, though it didn’t completely suck me in. I’d have enjoyed a little more banter. The book really picked up once we actually visited the front lines of the war, and I was invested in Iris’s search for her brother.

Divine Rivals is much more of a romance than a fantasy. I was a bit frustrated that the world-building was so shallow: we’re told this is a war between gods, and there are a few myths about the gods shared in the novel, but otherwise there was very little mentioned about them until the end. The way the book ends makes me think there will be more focus on the fantasy aspect in book 2, which could be interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and am curious to see where Rebecca Ross takes the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my review copy of this audiobook.