There’s just something so addictive about academic rivals-to-lovers and I just can’t get enough of Iris & Kit’s romance. The tension throughout this book kept me glued to the story. Not only was the romance addictive, but the fantasy setting and plot added so much atmosphere to the book. There were also moments where the description of grief was just so accurate and cutting that it made me cry. I liked that while Iris and Kit were rivals/enemies, they were not cruel to each other. I feel that oftentimes enemies-to-lovers are portrayed only as hating one another, but Ross was able to create a very convincing conflict between our two characters by focusing on the competitive and jealous nature that can often be seen between rivals. The end left me desperate for the next installment!

Divine Rivals immediately captivated me with the fantasy gods warring world building. I loved the enemy to lovers aspect of this book. I do feel that I would like to have known a little more of the lore but this book was definitely good enough to make we want to read the sequel.

I loved, loved, loved this story. The narrator's accents were not my *favorite*, as it was a little hard to understand them at times. I can see why everyone loved this so much though - it was such a sweet YA romance.

My biggest complaint about this one is that it's marketed as a fantasy novel, and outside of a magical typewriter, there were hardly any fantasy elements to this. I felt like I was reading a historical fiction novel set during WWII, minus the magic typewriter. I love historical fiction, don't get me wrong, but this book was magical realism at *best* - not a full out fantasy novel like I was led to believe. There were gods' names thrown around with little to no explanation, to the point where I started ignoring it because they did not have any impact on the overarching storyline.

The ending left me wanting more, though - and it also leads me to believe the fantasy side of things might get fleshed out more in book two. I will be reading the sequel ASAP!

Absolutely beautiful! I loved the connection of the two MCs through their grandmother’s typewriters. I am so excited to jump into book 2!

I enjoyed this audiobook and was very excited to receive and review it. The narration of this was beautiful and I am still thinking of it. The relationship between the two main characters was phenomenal and I was left with so many emotions. Loved this book!

This is one of the most beautifully written YA books I’ve ever read. If you like rivals to lovers, mythology, a splash of fantasy, and mystery, this book is for you! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!

I absolutely love Rebecca Ross and everything she does! This was one of my top 10 favorite books of the year! Everything about it was amazing! The plot was perfect, the world building was phenomenal, the character development was just exceptional! I honestly cannot say enough great things about this book! I don't even know what else I can say that isn't going to spoil it.

I cannot WAIT to read the next one, I already know it's going to be a 5 star read as well! Do yourself a favor and read this now!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved a lot about this book. It had some of the most beautiful character development I have ever seen, especially in a YA. The writing was engrossing and kept me intrigued by every sentence. However, I feel this book shouldn't have classified itself as a fantasy. The war and history elements overpowered any sense of fantasy this book had. However, it was still such a good book.

I loved this audiobook. I had an ARC from NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review) earlier this year. I was recovering from surgery and going back and forth to my follow-up appointments. I was enraptured with every part of the audiobook. It is, no lie, one of the best audiobook performances I've ever listened to. But also this is one of the best books I've read in the last few years (not the best, but one of the best). It's one of those books that I will read/listen to again each year.
One of the measures of a good book for me is whether I think about it months to years after I've read it. This is one of those books. I'm still thinking about it months later.

As a disclosure: I actually DNFd this at 98% because I was so immersed and invested in this story. I was so upset with the way I knew Rebecca was going to end the book--that I was going to hate (but also love because it's masterfully done) the cliffhanger. I finally finished it 11/27. It was less of a blow since I know the next book is coming out in December, and I wouldn't have to wait almost a year for the continuation of the story.

This books is worth every amount of time spent listening to or reading it.

I really loved this enemies-to-lover wartime YA fantasy. It was a fun, clever premise that was well-developed, and the characters were well fleshed-out and believable. The pacing was excellent, and I felt invested in the narrative and the characters. I'm looking forward to the next book!

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED. Sorry my review is so late. I think of this book every day. I cannot WAIT for the next one. 5 star loved.

This book took me to unexpected places and not necessarily due to the magical world it was set in.

Divine Rivals follows Iris, working her way up to reporter status in a 20s-30s world where a war between Gods makes the newsstands everyday. The only thing stopping Iris from making her coveted position is Roman, her upper class competition. Iris finds comfort from her hectic life by writing letters to her warfront brother and sliding them under the door where they magically disappear. However, the letters don't appear to be getting to her brother and instead fall into the hands of Roman himself.

To get it out of the way, the only major flaw in my eyes is the lack of world building. When you hear that there is literally a divine war going on, you expect it to be a huge part of the story but instead it's mostly merely a backdrop and therefore does not spend a lot of time explaining many things about it or creating a sense of time and place.

However, like I said this is background or establishing information for the future and the main focus of this story is instead a really beautiful love story that had me smiling while reading. The secret letter writing, the workplace competition, the hidden identity, oh my, it all worked wonderfully.

The tension ramps up in the back half of the book once stakes are laid and it becomes almost a completely different kind of novel from the first half. Ross's writing succeeds in taking you from light to heavy topics with the same amount of investment through the story and creating attachment to every character we meet.

Magic is almost entirely a side note in a story about two young reporters in a time of strife finding love and joy where they can. It's a great read and I look forward to the sequel where it seems like my few issues may be addressed and I can see what's next for these characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for a copy of this ARC. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk. I was not the biggest fan of the male narrator but thats a personal issue and I think with the Norfolk someone edited in different parts at some point and they sound dramatically different so a line will randomly be dropped in that sounds like it was made in a different studio. It was a little off putting.

I get it. I know why this book is all over TikTok. This book is fabulous and the fact that I must wait for book two is annoying. This book reads very much like an 80s historical romance novel. I mean that as a compliment. There are two competing journalists, who both want the same job. But war has come about, and they both end up on the front lines as war correspondents. Besides our historical setting, you have a fantastical element that this is a war of God’s, not a war of people. We also have a “You Got Mail” type of plot where they are communicating by letters, and only one person knows the real identity of the other one. This book was adventurous, had action, it was sweet, and it had heart. There were times that I thought... well this is the end, and then it wasn’t, but I’m glad it wasn’t. There are a few things that are a little odd in this world. First, the setting is 1892 yet it feels more like 1930s. However, there are certain things like IVs and medicines that help heal that seem really out of place for the time. Third, this is a love story that wants the reader to know both characters are virgins who get married at age 19. The sex scene was decently done but not needed. I think part of the problem with this book is it feels like an adult book but marketed as YA. I would not put it as a new adult because the stuff that makes new adult, new adult, isn’t in this. At its heart, this book is a sweet romance that leaves the reader desperately needing the next book. And the fact that there’s not even a year between the two books is a very good thing. And since I listen to this as an audiobook, I will have to say there are a few instances where the tone of the audiobook changes. Almost like they cut in a corrected section. While it takes nothing away from the story, it does pull the reader ouch of their language trance and snaps them back into reality.

I'm definitely late to the fan club with this one that's been getting rave reviews (and now I totally see why!). Set in a fantasy world that feels like a WWII historical fiction novel with magical realism, fantastical creatures and power hungry gods. At the heart of this story is a rivals to lovers romance that sees two strangers exchanging letters through linked magic typewriters only to find they knew each other all along. Full of action, adventure and romance and an EPIC cliffhanger ending. I cannot wait for the sequel!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Following two young rival journalist, Divine Rivals is by far more of an enemies to lovers romance story than anything else. While the plot dips into the historical fiction realm, and there is obviously the fantasy aspect with magic and gods etc, this is much more a love story. It is certainly a YA romance, with none of the spice you’d get in a S.J. Maas book, but every book I’ve read by Rebecca Ross has been a magical experience. I’ll just say that her writing makes you feel as if you’re in a song or dream.

The main reason I took a star away was for the lack of world building in terms of magic. I think this will be addressed in book two but while I could feel the magic in the writing, and there are things that could only happen with a bit of magic, the system isn’t flushed very well. Besides the myths we learn very little about how the magic of the gods work, and how the everyday magic works.

I also have a few qualms with pieces of the story that felt rather shallow. I’m a bit confused about the time-period and the fact that it’s classified as historical fiction. I felt as if it was supposed to be during World War II but wasn’t quite sure how it was supposed to fit into the greater scheme of the story. I also felt that while the ‘war’ plays a huge part in the storyline itself, I don’t feel as if I know the why of it all. I would have loved to get more information about the war itself, but like the world building, I’m sure we’ll see more of this in book 2.

This book was still highly enjoyable, and the audio narration is fabulous. I’m excited to read the second in the series when that comes out in December and will say this one does live up to the hype.

Divine Rivals is out now. Huge thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan audio my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.

𝙳𝙸𝚅𝙸𝙽𝙴 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙰𝙻𝚂 𝚋𝚢 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊 𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚜

𝑀𝓎 𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“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.”

𝑫𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒔 will be one of my favorite reads of the year. Each word reads as what any good slow burn should--with justification and purpose. Ross' whimsical, yet beautiful writing style highlights throughout her blooming love story of Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt.

The premise of communicating through fantastical typewriters was a welcomed take on the fantasy genre. The subplot of a war between gods--I say subplot because there is a much bigger picture here--gives a nice sprinkle of intrigue and higher stakes. The first novel in the Letters of Enchantment duology concludes in my desperate angst to learn the end of Iris and Roman's fates.

In case it wasn't overtly apparent, 𝑫𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒔 is worth every bit of the hype.

Thank you so much to the author, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this spectacular novel.

Iris's brother has answered the call of Enva- a musical goddess of light who is at war with Dacre- the god of the underworld who demands her affections. In this world inspired by WWI, Iris must now be the sole breadwinner for her family. Her mother is lost to alcoholism, and Iris's only solace is the letters she writes to her brother that disappear after she slips them under the door of her closet. Little does she know, Kitt- the up and coming star reporter she's competing against for an official position with the paper, and who's family wealth makes a job more of a hobby than a necessity- is the recipient of those letters. For the longest time, he doesn't write back, letting Iris think she's writing her brother. Until the day he does. "This isn't Forest." And that's only the first few chapters.

I'm seriously obsessed with this book. I love the build up,. the insane war, the way a fantasy world is shifting into a modern industrial one, and seeing that shift in the world building. There are obviously elements of high fantasy with the warring gods, fantastical creatures, magic, and overall vibe, But that is quickly shifting with typewriters, trams, and modern weapons of war. The WWI atmosphere of this book is the key selling point for me. Since first reading this book almost a year ago, the hype its received has seemed unearned by many. But for me, the hype has always been this world. Not enough books really look at WWI and the people. The everyday people in the villages and cities. That Divine Rivals shows their story at its heart is why it was a favorite read of 2022.

I absolutely love the WWI aspect of the story, it might be my favorite part. I've always been fascinated by that time period, the simplicity forever shattered by the machines of war. Technology was just beginning and so wonderful, and for the first time, we saw the destruction it could reap. The world was literally never the same again. There was no more pretending things were fine for anyone. Seeing that time period portrayed here, where some of the characters are already well aware of that reality- facing poverty and starvation, as well as the vices common among lower incomes like alcoholism with Iris's mother- while some characters want to pretend everything is just fine. Kitt pretends his actions are only as big as his family. That he, with his position of power and wealth, can only ever obey his father and make sacrifices for the good of the family name. He realizes quickly that he can do more, that there is more than his family, and his responsibilities are to more than them. Then there's the EIC at the paper who blatantly wants to pretend everything is fine and nothing is wrong and that the war that is knocking on their city steps has nothing to do with them. The way Ross really encapsulated the world at that time- while still making a very inclusive world. With non heteronormative characters and relationships, how she includes marked differences in the status and capability of women. It is more modern than the real nineteen teens.

The story takes a dramatic turn into different waters with Part 2. There is a marked difference in tone and content to separate the now revealed horrors of war. It could almost be two separate books, but I mean that in the best way.

Overall an amazing book that really stands out in quality and content among the ever similar releases happening in this genre. I think its refreshing world building and story telling are what really set the book apart from anything else, and why the hype is partially worth it. But only if you're into really specific niche aspects of the book, like WWI or the typewriter/mystery pen pals aesthetic.

Let me start by saying I get it, all the hype this book got, everyone saying you need to read it, and all of the amazing reviews, I get all of it now and I may have to change my rating scale after listening to this book.

Speaking of listening, let's talk about the narrators for just a moment, Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk brought this story to life, gave it depth, and made me feel like I was sitting on the front lines with Iris and Kitt.

In what I would describe as a beautiful blending of The Lake House meets The Darkest Hour with a pinch of Immortals thrown in we have a story that is spellbinding, that will have you glued to the pages (or in my case earbuds), and have you rooting for love when tomorrow is something that's dreamed of not expected.

As for the story itself, there's not much I can say that hasn't already been said, it's original and brilliant, and will have you questioning what you'd do if you had to live the life Iris lived.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audiobook, I have voluntarily listened to and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴, but I could see right away why this was a Bookstagram darling. The fantasy world felt like a mashup of WWII historical fiction mixed with enchanted buildings, a magical typewriter, and a war between two gods and mythical creatures.

In other words, I had never read anything like it before, and although it was a slow burn love story that took awhile to really start moving, I loved the lush writing and storytelling that Ross delivered.

The characters were so vivid and well developed, and I loved the dynamic between Iris and Roman. I’m still in shock over that ending that left on such a cliffhanger! I’m actually glad I waited to read this so I won’t have to wait quite as long for the sequel.

🎧I loved the alternating narrators which brought so much depth to the story and kept me fully entertained. I’m so glad I landed on this format, which added even more to the story.

📖𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀
✍️𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀
🗓️𝟰.𝟰.𝟮𝟯
🔮𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆
★★★★

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧
🪄 magical elements
📰 rival journalists
📝 love letters
💣 battle scenes
💘 slow burn romance

Thank you @wednesdaybooks @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy!

When I selected Divine Rivals to listen to, I was not expecting to be taken on a beautiful journey into a war-torn world.

Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt compete for a columnist position at the Oath Gazette. They are each tough competitors, both writing extremely well and having their own reasons for wanting the coveted position.

When tragedy strikes at Iris's home, she makes the decision to become a war correspondent. She leaves for the front, carrying her typewriter. Little does Iris know that she and Roman are connected by far more than a mere profession.

Rebecca Ross is amazing at creating simple, but complex fantasy worlds. The beauty of her writing is a real gem. She's an automatic buy for me. Divine Rivals holds so much more than an enemies to lovers fantasy story. It's the war between the divine gods and the mortals stuck between them. For such a packed fantasy novel, it was a light read that had me gripped from the first chapter.

I greatly look forward to reading Book 2 at the end of the year.