Honestly this one started out a bit slow, but once it picked up I was HOOKED. And that ENDING!! What?! I cannot wait for the second book and had a great time reading this with my book club!

Love. Love. Love. Love this book!!!! The only thing that sucks is that we have to wait for the second book. Brace yourself, if you don’t love cliffhangers—wait for the second to be released. But you should preorder your copy now. I KNOW it’ll be amazing because this book was absolutely fantastic.

AHHHHHHHH!!! Screaming, crying, throwing up! So many emotions. I am shook and heartbroken and hopeful. This was such a great mix of romance and historical fiction and fantasy that I can not even fathom picking up another book right now. I need to sit with this for some time and take it all in and absolutely pine for Ruthless Vows (pre-ordered and can not wait). I'm not sure what did it for me besides just truly the whole way this book played out. It was a great mix of letting you get to know and feel something for the characters but also tearing you apart when something grows wrong to any of those characters. The world building I will say could use a little bit more work as I am a bit confused about the whole Gods and war and what time period this is in but in reality it did not take a whole lot away from the story for me. I can definitely see why this is a Booktok fave. 5 stars and nothing less.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is the first book in a romance fantasy series that follows two young journalists, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt, in a world where two gods are warring for supremacy. They begin the novel as rival writers vying for a column at a prestigious newspaper, but begin to fall in love through anonymous letters, shared grief and the secret origins of the gods' war. As the war escalates, Iris and Roman must face the horrors of the battlefield, the secrets of the gods, and the truth of their hearts. This is also the first book in the Letters of Enchantment series with the second book being released in December of this year.

This book explores themes such as family, loyalty, faith, and the power of stories. Iris and Roman both have complicated relationships with their families and the gods at war, and they struggle to find their place in a world that is falling apart. The book is full of myths and legends that add depth and richness to the world building. While the magic of the world is not the main focus I do feel that the world building enhances the character motivations and creates conflict that puts characters in interesting situations.

I have been excited to read this book because I find that romance books that have an epistolary element have a really enticing yearning aspect. I was right to be excited. I am actively in love with the characters in this novel and the emphasis on this series' myths and stories in the story is a really intriguing element to me. The romance between Iris and Roman is slow burn and swoon-worthy. I loved how they communicated through letters that magically appeared under Iris's wardrobe door and the reveals about how their correspondence works as the story goes one. They shared their hopes, fears, and grief, and they attempt supported each other through their hardships despite attempting to not reveal their identities. One of my favorite scenes was when Iris and Roman exchange short letters longing for a future where the war is over so they could meet and the dramatic irony the reader experiences knowing they already have!

Also, since I’m listening to the audio book I couldn’t possibly ignore how well Rebecca Norfolk and Alex Winfield were as narrators. I really liked that they were able to give both Iris and Roman distinct voices in their individual sections and how that extended into their conversations in their letters or dialogue in their counterparts' sections.

I guess that my one disappointment or rather an aspect I might have misinterpreted in the marketing of the series was the characters' connection as rivals in the same newspaper and the nature of what they are writing. I would say that a lot of the time the main characters, especially Iris's, articles/essays take on a form closer to prose poetry than a war correspondent for a newspaper in my personal opinion. This didn’t really bother me because I do love poetic writing but I don’t know if that would be what the reader was expecting.

Overall, Divine Rivals is a captivating and emotional read that will make you fall in love with Iris and Roman and their star-crossed romance. It is also a thrilling and imaginative adventure that will take you to a world where gods and mortals clash, and where stories have the power to change everything. I can't wait for the next book in the series to find out what happens next.

GOODNESS! This book reminded me why I love to read. Iris and Roman's love story was so endearing to read about and I cannot wait for the next book.

Love and found family written so beautifully by the author. It will leave you hooked, start to finish but make sure you have a box of tissues handy.

Oh Wow! Divine Rivals definitely finished saving me from the reading slump I was in.

We follow Iris and Roman as they are determined to win out against one another for the coveted columnist position at the paper they both work. Soon life throws curveballs causing our two MCs to look at their lives as they live in a world torn by Gods at war and live in a city where the battle is the furthest from the peoples' minds—love blossoms on two sides of a typewriter in this beautifully written enemies to lovers romance. If you enjoy stories of Gods, War, Friendship, and Love then I highly recommend checking this book out!

Now I really am going to need the second and final book sooner rather than later cause that ending has me dangling on a cliff...quite literally!

Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After Iris's brother enlisted in the war between Enva and Dacre, old gods that had mysteriously reawakened, Iris had to drop out of school and is competing to win a prestigious position as columnist at the most read newspaper in town. Her mother is now an alcoholic and she has not heard from her brother once since enlisting. She frequently writes him letters on her typewriter that her grandmother gifted her when she was young and finds that her letters disappear after she places them in her wardrobe. She hopes that he is getting her letters until one day she receives a return letter for the first time detailing it is not her brother.

I freaking loved this book so much!! It has been such a long time since I have read something so unique, so romantic and swoon worthy, and so beautiful. I loved how romantic this was without being spicy for once. I loved how their relationship developed and how the emotions, struggles, and thoughts were so real to the time, as well as to real life, rather than being this hyped up and romanticized version of human beings. The magic elements were so discreet, I loved that it wasn't this huge thing that took up most of the world building but just something that happened to be there, and played this huge but unassuming part of the story. It was so beautifully written and really brought you into that 30's/40's type of era. Ugh I just loved it!! I loved Roman, I loved Iris, I loved the cliffhanger at the end (even though I wanted to throw the book at the wall). I cannot wait for the second book!!! 5/5 Stars, this is definitely one of my new favorite books

I’m not loving this trend of emotionally heart-wrenching cliff-hangers lol.

More romance than fantasy. Deals with heavy ideas of PTSD and survivors guilt. Rivals-to-lovers. YA-NA cusp.

I loved all of the characters and I just wanted to curl up in this war-torn battlefield.

I put off reading this for so long because of the cover. I understand the choice but it's just not appealing.

I need the next book right this minute! I loved this one so much! The magic in the book was so cool. Iris was such an awesome character. I love a good enemies to lovers. The banter between her and Roman was so great and funny. I loved the World War I feel of the book. It just made the story so interesting. I cannot wait to read the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was wonderful! I do not typically go for audiobooks, but I honestly could not stop listening to this story. The author did an amazing job at immersing the reader into the world. I instantly loved the complex relationship between Iris and her work rival Roman. The characters felt well fleshed out and I enjoyed getting a sense of their background and their personalities while seeing their relationship slowly change throughout the book. The stories of the gods in this world were well thought out and interesting. Throw in the magically connected typewriters and the mysterious writer responding to Iris’ letters, and I was hooked. The cliffhanger and plot twist at the end of the book has me at the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel. I can’t wait to see what is coming next for Iris and Roman.

What a fantastic book!

The WWII feeling mixed with fantasy was so perfect for this read. I also loved the characterization, world building, subtle magic system, and romance. Ross's writing is stunning and was a truly magical experience to follow these characters through their journey.

I cannot wait for the next book and found myself thinking: This book is so good I hurts to read it!

If you enjoy YA fantasy you're going to LOVE this book!

My rating: 5*
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Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy via audiobook. All opinions are my own.

The author is on the audiobook did so amazing. The story itself was so touching. I wanted to the spoken with little to no expectation, and was overwhelmed with how this story developed. There’s so many topics that I touched on as far as war and the family member left behind that I resident really expecting, but loved the love story between the characters I felt wasn’t rushed at all, and was a nice touch. I cannot wait until the next book.

My heart is in pieces. Ross's writing is so beautiful. I can always picture the scenes she describes with such stunning clarity. She knows how to bring emotion to life on the page and I am always ready and willing to read whatever she writes. It helps that this audio production is extremely well done and both narrators did an incredible job.
Iris and Roman are rivals competing for the coveted position of columnist at a newspaper. When a war of the gods comes closer to home, they will each make choices that completely change the course of their lives.
The snappy banter, quick wit, and tension between Iris and Roman is delicious. With found family, epistolary elements, and magic, I found that I could not put this down. Divine Rivals has consumed my thoughts and will be a book I look forward to rereading many times.

Thank you to Netgalley for my complimentary alc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

I am a sucker for the mundane set in a fantastical world. I'm all In.

This gorgeous book was so magical yet mundane. It was romantic and slightly tragic. A combination of the fantastical and every day. I did not want to put it down, I wanted more. The gods are back, and they have fighting over old wounds and grudges, and they are out certainly taking down the humans along with them (but just as an afterthought, not actually like the humans matter much at all). I loved the MC, her spirit! She goes for what she wants, and doesn't settle for mundanity. Her counter part has always had money, privilegde, and yet he'd throw it all away for a taste of freedom and real life. He might not be going to the war front for the right reasons (he is most certainly chasing after a girl) but he does it anyways and puts his whole heart into it. The ending was painfully exquisite, and I cannot wait for the sequel.

PS; Read as an audio book, and the narrator did a fantastic job of portraying the characters and keeping me engaged. The voice was perfect for the text, definitely recommend giving it a listen.

I received the audiobook for this for an honest review.

I am speechless. When I first received this arc, I couldn't get into the audiobook. It was nothing to do with the story or the narrators - I just wasn't in a good mental space for a story that was set in a war setting.

I've been wanting to pick it back up for the longest time but finally felt I was able to do it this weekend. I have barely slept because this story consumed me. In the best way ever.

First off, Rebecca's writing is beautiful. Enchanting, haunting, devastating, and wonderful. I felt like I was reading straight from the souls of these characters and I was fully invested in them. I questioned if Rebecca somehow stitched my heart right into the pages of this book to the point I couldn't let go even if I tried. I was too attached, too invested, and too in love with their story.

The world-building, gods, magic, and war are so incredibly unique but also something so relatable that you could compare this to our own histories. I absolutely love the idea of a mystery pen pal, typewriters and all the magic behind that closet door.

Iris is an absolutely wonderful FMC and I never drifted from her. Our leading man is so honest and so precious. The love story is top-notch. The idea of rivals to lovers is something I think people always think means enemies. But this wasn't the case - it was very clear and I devoured it.

The narrators are great and fit the roles wonderfully. I think listening to or reading this book is a must. This is part one of a duology and it does leave on a cliffhanger. One that I did not see coming. This has been a top read for me this year. I felt bad that I didn't read the story sooner to give my review, but I am happy I waited because you will want to give your entire heart to this story because it will def take a part of yours once it's done.

This was an interesting book, a bit of fantasy, a dash of romance, and a war. I love the idea of the typewriters and their ability to send letters to each other. The ending of the book definitely makes you look forwrd to reading the second book. I can't wait to see what happens with Iris, Kit, and their friends.

Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk did a great job narrating this novel. I appreciated the alternating POVs, it made it easier to figure out who was speaking.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced listening copy of divine rivals. this was much better over audiobook since it switches between povs.

What I loved:
✨Blended Genre: YA Fantasy + Historical Fiction + Romance, but I do agree with @thats.one.for.the.books that the book feels more New Adult rather than Young Adult.
✨World Building: not overly complex but wholly imaginative with the war among the Gods. Hopefully, we see more of these warring Gods in book 2.
✨Characters: I love both Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. Their rivals-to-lovers relationship fills me with both heartache and hope. Both characters search for their own path in life, while destiny forces their paths to keep crossing. Pure swoon-worthy!
✨Terrific Narration: This is my first time hearing Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk, and I think they brilliantly perform both characters, filling the story with magic. I hope these two narrate the rest of the series.
✨The ending: the cliffhanger is both a chef’s kiss and an “ugh - why do I have to wait” moment. I rarely enjoy a cliffhanger in a series, but I think this ending is perfectly written.

Regardless if you read fantasy or not, I highly recommend this addictive lyrical book.

Full review to come. I adore Ross' writing. What I loved most about the story was the lore. She had me searching whether or not the history of the world was real or made up. Her world-building has always been so unique and Divine Rivals is no different. The story starts off slow but picks up and keeps you hooked. I'm very curious to know where this story will lead especially with that cliffhanger of an ending!