Thank you to Net Galley and gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Anyone who read the 1st book knows how amazing and captivating this series is so there’s no secret on why I needed to get my hands on an early copy. I’m not only obsessed with the main characters and the tension between them but also the plot and political intrigue. When I say enemies to lover, it’s exactly that and I love how their relationship builds gradually where it’s a enemies to lovers, Allie’s to lovers, friends to lovers, etc. The ending did have me stumped for a second, I did think book would be a duology, and even though it’s not I think Thea did an amazing job at continuing this series! Excited for the next book and hope I’m able to read it as an ARC!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!


THAT CLIFF HANGER! UGH I need to know what happened now, wdym I have to wait?

I really loved the larger inclusion of the dragons in this book and the deeper exploration of light magic. The world felt more flushed out in this one, and I really appreciate the flashbacks.

I also loved the progression of Alaric and Talasyn's relationship. I was kicking my feet and giggling at points. They were annoying at the start, but they became so cute. 10/10 book couple.

The last chapters and the darkening moon chapters had me SOBBING.

I thought that this was a great sequel. I was worried that it would try and rush through many of the loose ends. However, I think it was paced perfectly and balanced the romantic growth and plot progression really well. And that cliffhanger! I loved it and my patience is going to be tested trying to wait for the next book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this ARC.

A huge thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an ARC of Monsoon Rising—and wow, what a ride this book turned out to be!

Picking up right where The Hurricane Wars left off, Monsoon Rising dives headfirst into the whirlwind of Alaric and Talasyn’s political marriage. But while the political stakes are high, it’s the sizzling romance that takes center stage and absolutely steals the show.

If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and the marriage of convenience trope, this book delivers on all fronts. The slow burn romance between Alaric and Talasyn is nothing short of chef's kiss perfection, with enough mutual pining and one-bed tropes to keep you hooked from beginning to end. The slow-build sexual tension? Off the charts. And the chemistry between them? ELECTRIC. Seriously, I was living for every moment they shared.

For those who enjoyed the first book but felt the romance could have used more depth, this one definitely satisfies that craving. It's everything you wanted and more, with the slow-burn relationship at the heart of the story. But, oh boy, that cliffhanger at the end—if there isn’t a third book, I swear I’ll riot. Don’t leave me hanging like that!

While the romance takes center stage, the plot does take a bit of a backseat. There’s still plenty of political intrigue, dragons, and twists, but the focus is squarely on the evolving relationship dynamics between Alaric and Talasyn (which, honestly, I’m not complaining about). I did hope for a little more plot development, but Talasyn’s character growth more than made up for it. She’s a completely transformed character in this book, and watching her evolve was a joy. As for Alaric—he’s gone from brooding, mysterious guy to full-on swoon-worthy hero, and it’s honestly hard to resist.

The world-building in Monsoon Rising definitely steps up its game, with more political drama and complex alliances. The stakes feel higher, and the layers of intrigue keep things interesting. But in the end, it’s the romance and chemistry that really kept me turning the pages. It’s like watching an action-packed blockbuster movie unfold in your mind, and I was here for it.

Bottom line: This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves romantasy. Sure, I was hoping for a bit more plot, but the romance was absolutely worth the journey. And now… about that ending. What even was that?! I can’t wait for book three!

A solid 5 stars—this one was better than the first, and I’m all in for what’s to come.

I loved how so much of what was set up in The Hurricane Wars comes together in this book. The slow-burn will they/won’t they relationship between the enemies that were forced to marry, Talasyn and Alaric, is so much better and less frustrating in this sequel. There’s a lot better communication, though still not fully, and both characters grow a lot throughout A Monsoon Rising.

Thea Guanzon was able to pull off a great twist at the end that I am glad I did not see coming because it hit so much better because of that. You will be left devastated by the end of this, but not for the reasons you may think.

Such a fantastic Romantasy read and a series that you definitely need to be picking up!

Thank you to @harpervoyagerus and @netgalley for my eARC. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Heavier on the romance development than the plot development. That being said, I did enjoy the banter and chemistry between Alaric and Talasyn!

Alaric & Talasyn!! Love them.
You want banter, political tension and world building that’ll make you dream of it at night? This is the BEST sequel
I have read in a long time.
I tell people to read this series constantly and I only tell them to just trust me on this one and go into this blind. Don’t look into the synopsis too much or read reviews. Just go into the world blind and experience the world has it is happening to you. You will NOT regret it.

The sequel is what dreams are made of. The banter is top tier. I love the chemistry between the characters. I can’t wait for book 3 after that cliffhanger!!

Loved the banter between Alaric & Talasyn. But overall it felt like something was missing throughout the whole book, almost like ready a lot about nothing. The grandmother and father of Tala are suspicious and did not enjoy their characters at all. Alarics dad is still awful, but hasn’t made super big moves. This felt like a filler book for sure, but I still enjoyed it!

I loved this book, it was the perfect sequel! It was full of action, political intrigue, amazing world building and some undeniable chemistry! After that ending, I can't wait for book 3!

YES! This is exactly what I wanted from book 2. Now I need book 3. Curse Guanzon for being the queen of cliff hangers. I am but a simple girl, and they 100% work on me.

To be honest, I was on the fence going into this book. Hurricane wars didn’t capture my heart but I wanted to give book 2 a try and I am so glad I did. I loved the development of the chemistry between Alaric and Talasyn. I loved watching them grow individually and together. I loved the battle scenes- both the physical and mental ones. And that ending had me on the edge of my seat, then upset there’s not a 3rd book to read right now.

I was gifted an ARC of this book by NetGalley but all opinions expressed are my own.

The unreal heartbreak this book gave me just makes me more anxious for book 3!
Thea Guanzon can write anything at this point and I would read it without any explanations. I loved the still breathtaking world-building, fierce Talasyn and the cinnamon bun Alaric who is trying so hard. The electrifying mix of rebellion, romance, and stormy magic kept me hooked from start to finish and the plot just kept getting better and better.

This was everything I wanted in a sequel and more. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. The stakes were high and I was genuinely surprised at the little twist we had at the time of the Moonless Dark and it was really cool and unexpected. I was on pins and needles when we got through that section, because I knew some other conflict was still in store and now I am just dying for book 3! Talasyn and Alaric's relationship through this story was still complicated as ever, and it is fun to be able to parse through their feelings for each other as we go, since they both don't know what to think of what they are feeling. I like that there is still that tension and enemy-like feeling between them and the payoff is fire. Alaric is down bad, and I am nervous for if (when) they both betray each other. I cannot wait for the next book!

I thought I was obsessed with book one... but then I read book two and it quickly took the lead obsession spot and with excellent reason!! Alaric and Talasyn remain one of my favorite couples to read - their personalities both make me laugh, the banter between the two of them, and the SLOW BURN?! I will continue to EAT. IT. UP.

This book focuses more on our favorite couple, both in their relationship and in their own upbringing/personalities as well as their own inner monologues with their struggles to do the 'right' thing for their own people.. if they even know what that is anymore. This book was something that I did not put down until I finished, and the way I yelled out loud at that ending will probably scar my cats for life lol.

As usual, a HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to never shut up about this book and this series. (:

I am blown away! A Monsoon Rising was everything I was hoping for in a sequel and more! This story really dives into Alaric and Talasyn's characters, as well as their romance arc. Although there are still secrets between these two characters, I was happily satisfied with how the storyline flowed. I'm still amazed by the creativeness and epic world-building that Guanzon has written, I love her writing and attention to detail. I was absolutely stunned at the end, but that just makes me more excited to read the next in the series! Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This picks up where book 1 leaves off, so I wouldn't recommend reading this as a standalone. You will need the backstory from the first book for this second book to make sense. Talasyn and Alaric are still married and they are still dancing around their physical attraction to one another and what it might mean if they give in and potentially develop feelings for each other. Their political alliance has outwardly put on a good show for both of their kingdoms, and they have tirelessly been working to stop the threat of the Moonless Dark when they aren't running their respective kingdoms. Behind the scenes they are both scheming and plotting to overthrow the other, but those pesky feelings keep getting in the way especially as they spend more and more time together practicing their magic.

This installment is much more focused on Talasyn and Alaric's relationship and the development of the romance between them. It is significantly more spicy than the first book, but they are more of the fade to black scenes than full on smut. As other reviewers have mentioned the plot does take a backseat as we are more focused on the characters in this book. I'm hoping that the third book is a bit more plot focused or at least more balanced. There are still a lot of political movements at play and unanswered questions that need to be resolved. I'm very much looking forward to the next book after that ending.

This book is a total vibe. It’s so well written. That ending just about killed me. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one.

Reading sequels to books you love can be a little daunting. A Monsoon Rising blew that feeling away almost instantly. The writing once again created a gorgeous world I so wish I could visit. The relationship growth between Talasyn and Alaric was a treat to read about. I am so thankful for the chance to receive an advanced readers copy of this 5 star book

This is an absolute masterpiece in enemies to lovers filled with political intrigue, yearning for forbidden love, and the battle of the life that is versus the life that could be. I loved Hurricane Wars and continue to be impressed by Thea’s storytelling. Talasyn and Alaric are characters you can’t help but root for and hope everything will work out. As this is the second of three books in the series, I expected a cliff hanger, but it went in a completely different direction than I guessed! I will remain on the edge of my seat until the next release and likely won’t stop thinking about everything that happened up to this point!