She would kill for a hug.. literally.

The second I started this book I knew I would be obsessed. I enjoyed the Italian setting it took place in. I loved how sarcastic and witty Alessa was. I felt like this book had everything I love: slow burn romance, magic, strong main characters, political interest, found family, ect. This was such a stunning, exciting and thrilling debut novel. Dante and Alessa are everything. The banter is incredible and the chemistry is off the charts. I love how we got to see them become friends before anything else. There were so many fun moments between them, like getting drunk and playing truth or dare… which I’ve never seen in a fantasy book, I thought it was a cute fun element. The ending was little overwhelming, but again I have to remember this is a debut novel. Very excited to see where the author takes the story in the sequel!

I loved the narrators, felt like they brought the book even more to life!

Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!

Oh my god, this book! I RAN to preorder this after listening to the audio book. The audio book is incredible and the narrators are perfect in every way. The banter between Dante and Alessa is my favorite and reminds me a lot of FBAA, but a little more YA than NA. Alessa is the chosen Finestra tasked with saving her home, and Dante becomes her bodyguard after a few people attempt to kill Alessa and she’s no longer sure who she can trust. I am so excited to see how this story and the characters develop in the next book!

This is a fantastic Italian infused fantasy. I love the characters and how they grow through their struggles. The unique setting and cliff hanger ending will appeal to readers who will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

4.5 stars, really enjoyed it!

Strong main characters, solid and interesting plot. But the romance had me swooning. Italian influences (it’s set on an Italian island that our main character needs to protect from the coming apocalypse). She’s given powers by the gods, only those powers kill anyone she touches, and she needs to touch her magical partner in order to save anyone, uh oh. Oh yeah, bodyguard trope. Any fantasy lover will enjoy this book! I know I did.

enjoyed this audiobook. the story is unique and i like the magic system. a YA fantasy full of fun and heart. i received this arc and this is my voluntary review.

This was a fun story with characters that I enjoyed. I liked the magic system for the MC, and the romance was good. I do wish that the story hadn't required her to be dependent on men. It would have been great if she could have been strong on her own, that would have made this book that much better. Good story though!

Story: 4 ⭐️
Steam: 3 🔥 light smut (one scene with mild description)
Audio: 5 🎧

I really enjoyed this book. The story was unique and enjoyable but the star of the show was truly the romance and then characters. I found myself very invested in the characters and not as much in the plot. It was a great experience and the end definitely left me wanting more!

I think those who are here for the romance and friendships grown through this story will be very pleased. As a romance reader this definitely was the best part for me!

3.5 stars

This is both a debut novel and the first in a fantasy series, and while I struggled with some aspects of it, I enjoyed the listen (props to the narrator of this audiobook) overall.

Alessa, the titular "Last Finestra," is supposed to be able to magnify her partner's power, but instead, she's been on an inadvertent killing spree. For obvious reasons, she thinks it's a good idea to hire some protection, and while she doesn't think it's possible (because of her fatal touch), the likelihood of a Houston/Costner style bodyguard relationship suddenly increases.

In hindsight, the notion that Alessa's greatness comes from her power to enhance her partner should have tipped me off to a problem I kept having throughout the novel: this sort of woman-as-rib motif. Alessa has really amazing power on her own, but you know what she seems most proud of? Her ability to provoke a pleasant physical response in a man. Based on her particular situation, it's clear why this SHOULD be impressive to her, but between the romantic storyline, which for me felt overbearing when I wanted a butt-kicking feminine fantasy hero's narrative to dominate, and her generally growing dependence on dudes, I just...didn't love the messaging.

Despite the concerns, I was engaged with the plot throughout and enjoyed Alessa's character overall. Interestingly, I think I'm MORE curious about future installments in the series because of the shortcomings I found here. Future books will be on my to-read list, but I'm rooting for Alessa to go a little more Athena and way less damsel in distress.

I've had my eye on this book for forever and it was un-put-down-able.

Alessa is probably the worst Finestra in history. She's meant to choose and train with a Fonte so she can amplify their magic and stop Divorando, the regular return of monsters to the island. Problem is, she keeps killing her Fontes by mistake. Three down, and not many left brave enough to put themselves forward. No one can withstand her touch, and she's running out of time. Worse, her people are losing faith in her. Priests denounce her in the streets and assassination attempts wait around every corner. When she's unsure if she can even trust her mentors, Alessa resorts to desperate measures and hires a man from the docks as her bodyguard. What follows is a tale of magic, banter, and swooniness that was so worth the wait!

What makes this book leap off the page is the incredible character voice. Alessa is a force to be reckoned with when written by Thiede. The poor girl is really just doing her best, damn it. And by that, I mean trying her hardest not to kill people with a brush of her finger while also being in desperate need of a hug. Man, I loved Alessa so much. She has such a unique situation and yet she is so incredibly relatable. She's lonely, unable to touch a soul and her family kept at arms-length, but has the most morbid sense of humour about it all. I snorted so many times over her little zingers as she falls into despair and angst.

I must applaud Thiede for her writing. She took a rather complex world and fed it to me in the most manageable bites. Between the magic, the lore, the concept of Finestra and Fonte, the Italian scattered throughout--what could have been incredibly convoluted was explained really well and kept clear all the way through. Every time a new Finestra rises, she has five years to prepare for the coming of monsters. To be Finestra is to be next to a goddess, and she is separated from the plebs and treated as divinity, even if she is an 18-year-old girl and doesn't want that. In those five years, she must select a Fonte to partner with. A Finestra's magic doesn't do anything on its own, but when paired with a Fonte, she can take their magic and amplify it. Wind, fire, water, changing matter--she'll pick whichever will give her the best chance to defeat her wave of monsters and protect the entire island.

Dante may very well be one of my favourite YA love interests. I mean, how could you not love him? The boy puts Alessa first in every way and I could not get enough of the two of them together. Plus their relationship arc was beautifully developed. From begrudging employer and employee to tentative friends, then onwards to magical partners and pining lovers. His chemistry with Alessa was incredible. And did I mention the banter? The pair of them have the best humour, and so. Much. INNUENDO. Drunk Alessa and Dante are truly everything, and I want that scene immortalized by every piece of fan art.

It's early days but I have a feeling this is going to be one of my absolute favourite reads of the year and I cannot wait for the sequel!

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I loved the storyline and the characters, and it hooked me from the very first chapter.