I want the sequel now! This was amazing, the chemistry the love story! I loved every part of it. Also I loved that Diana and Liam’s had a slow burn.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. So first off, this is a 4 star read for me. The plot is interesting and I’m immediately hooked with the romance. I really can’t put this book down. I feel like it could have been a 5 star read if it was edited better. Our FMC, Dianna is a female villain or more accurately imo an anti-hero meanwhile the MMC, Liam is such a sweet cinnamon. The romance is pretty slow-burn which makes sense since our leads are tortured souls learning to heal together. I mean they basically started out as strangers and enemies. All in all, I really like this book and I can’t wait for the next one especially with that cliffhanger at the end.

✰✰✰/✰✰✰✰✰

This was a pretty solid debut.

I really liked the world, it was an interesting blend of technology and fantasy. The plot took some time to set itself up, but it was compelling enough to keep me hooked. I enjoyed some of the quips and the interactions between Dianna and Gabby were really sweet. However, there were a few things that kept me from being fully immersed.

The writing
It was a bit clunky, and it really felt like it needed a few more rounds of editing. There were a lot of repeated phrases and questionable word choices that made some of the dialogue and narration jarring and awkward.

500 pages??
This felt way longer than it actually was. Some of the fluff could have been cut to make the story feel more cohesive, and less like the characters were jumping from plot point to plot point. It felt more like a sequence of fun action scenes, oh-yes-now-plot-things, and fluff senes than a whole story.

Characters
There was something that just kept me from completely connecting with the characters. Dianna made a strong impression when she was first introduced, but nothing was ever actually done with her character. She's just a strong woman who gets into bad deals with powerful men AND NOW- oh wait that's not important anymore the male lead is here. Liam's chapters were hard to read because the constant flashbacks just felt like info-dumping and distracted from the main timeline.

Not a bad book overall, it was really just all the minor details that added up and kept it from reaching its full potential.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with the eARC for this book!

This seriously needed editing and more streamlining. I tried to keep going but I wasn’t impressed with the writing at all. Very disappointing and waaaay too long!!

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* If there is any indicator of how much I loved this book, I have an ebook, paperback, and ordered a signed hardcover of this. Access to an ARC of this book was also provided. I really loved this book. I have been following Amber has an author for some time and her constant descriptions of the characters had me that much more excited to finally meeting them. The world building is integrated so naturally where it doesn't feel overwhelming.

The FMC, Dianna, will protect her sister at whatever cost. Although this is marketed as the female villain, I don't know what it says about me, but I don't see the FMC as the villain at all. She has been given extreme extenuating circumstances that I believe many in her position might make the same choices Dianna has done and does do in this book that everything seems completely justified, not villainous at all.

The MMC, Liam, he has a rage, is a protector, and has the weight and responsibility of the world(s) on his shoulders. He might come off as grumpy, but he has so much to carry. That poor broken man. We're only seeing the beginning of him as his world once again he sees falls apart in front of him.

Was I expecting to cry? No. But did I? You bet. The spice is beautiful. I was flushed. It was crafted in such a way that felt appropriate and natural for the book and the way the characters' relationship was going.

So many beloved tropes are here. One Bed. Enemies to lovers. Slow burn romance.

But don't be fooled. This is definitely a plot with romance book, not romance with plot. Even though you are rooting and wanting to the romance, you're still curious about the plot and everything that is being uncovered. Car trips, journeys and adventures you don't want to miss.

Definitely try to pace yourself. I basically finished it in 2-3 days, but I wish I savored it more. When I do my reread, I will definitely be doing that.

Please note this book was also discussed on a future podcast episode with my co-host and will be updating the review here with the appropriate link when that becomes available.