I absolutely adored this spinoff duology! Although Abriella got her happy ending in the first series, I felt there were so many loose ends, and I’m thrilled Ryan was willing to craft a whole new story to address them.

I loved Ryan’s portrayal of Jasalyn’s trauma and subsequent depression. It showed someone desperate for her pain to end, and yet so fierce and determined to find the will to fight and live. I thought the symbolism of the phoenix - a creature who literally burns to ash only to rise again - was incredibly brilliant and the perfect reflection of her journey.

Felicity was a great addition to the series and I emphasized with her complicated familial relationships and journey to love her own skin. I loved her banter with Misha and was so happy to see him get a happy ending.

The ending to this series was everything I could have hoped for, and brings the story full circle to the events that started in These Hollow Vows. Highly recommend to romantasy lovers everywhere!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5! This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and I loved how the story turned out.

This book really hits hard showing how someone can grow and see hope through intense trauma and depression. There is also a lot that goes down in this book. It keeps you turning pages wondering what else could possibly happen but it just keeps coming in the best ways.

The ending really wraps everything up perfectly and while I’d love to see stories continue in this world… I don’t think anyone will feel like they are missing anything at the end. It didn’t quite hit for me as much as the first book did but I still absolutely loved reading this one!

I really enjoyed this read! I’ve been eagerly anticipating Between These Broken Hearts ever since I marathon-read (and completely fell in love with) the rest of the These Hollow Vows series. It’s *so* good—please read it!

Selfishly, I’m hoping Lexi Ryan decides to write more books set in this universe. However, if she doesn’t, I think Between These Broken Hearts is a beautiful and satisfying way to wrap it all up.

Ryan mentioned that she wanted to write a book about depression, and she did that exceptionally well, while still capturing the magic and beauty of a fantasy romance that any book lover can appreciate.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read Between These Broken Hearts early. It’s a novel that I was incredibly excited about, and being able to dive into it ahead of the release was such a special experience. Huge thanks to the team for providing me with an advance copy—I truly appreciate it! It’s always a privilege to read a book that’s both impactful and beautifully written, and this one did not disappoint. I can’t wait for others to experience it too!