Welp, she did it again. This book is beautifully written, and I could not put it down. It takes you through a roller coaster 🎢 of emotions and adventures.

It is set on the same world as Divine Rivals, before Iris’ time. You can see the interconnection between stories, and it gives you a glimpse into what happened before Divine Rivals.

This story follows Matilda as a godchild starting in her childhood, then moving to adulthood. And provided an insight into Vincent, a human whose life will be changed by Matilda and the connection they built since they were kids.

I enjoy every aspect of the book, and there were times that I was clutching my reader so hard because I did not want something bad to happen. What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic. ♥️ There are many components to this book. I loved the character’s backstory and the inside view of other characters. The evolution of many of the characters and the feelings that they are unable to share or describe.

Matilda’s story is full of challenges, and how, one by one, she worked her way out of them. Not every time succeeding, but every time taking something away to try again. It has that component of writing, so yeah, it has letters, after all, Matilda is a herald of the gods. But the one to take away is the letter Vincent sends to Matilda. So full of love and longing.

The book felt like drinking rich flavors because of the way Rebecca writes. 💌

**eArc provided by the Publisher St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Thank you in advance.

This book pulled me in from the very first page. The atmosphere was thick with tension and secrets, and I loved how the romantic and fantastical elements were so tightly woven together. Rebecca Ross has a gift for creating settings you can almost feel — every scene felt cinematic. The romance had real intensity without overshadowing the mystery, and the way everything came together at the end was deeply satisfying. Easily one of my favourites this year.

This book pulled me in from the very first page. I haven’t read Divine Rivals yet, but after finishing this, I know I need to. The writing is beautiful, the world-building rich, and every character layered with depth and backstory that made them feel alive. Rebecca Ross made me feel like I was in the story, betrayal, loyalty, and pain as if I were living it myself.

I especially loved the fresh take on Death, Fate, and the Gods—familiar in the sense of mortal-versus-divine struggles, yet unique in its execution.

Matilda begins her journey young and naive, unsure who to trust in the cruel realm of the Gods. When she starts reading mortal dreams, she meets Vincent—a young mortal who has dreamed of her long before they meet. Their paths cross in unexpected ways, drawn together again and again, only to be torn apart by forces beyond their control. Their story is one of yearning, protection, and unshakable connection.

What struck me most was how much emotion filled the pages, even in moments when the characters themselves couldn’t name what they were feeling. This is a story that sinks deep into your soul, making you think about your own life, your memories, and the tales you’ll one day carry when it’s your turn to be judged.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This bumped as one of my anticipated reads for this year ever since I read the Letters of Enchantment duology earlier this month. So, when I got approved for an ARC, you best believe I downloaded it right away and gobbled it up!! tbh my kindle hasn’t left my side since I got the copy, I was IN👏VES👏TED in this story.

When I read Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows it has always left me wanting more details on what the realms looked like as well as the underling/mortal/skyward dynamics are. Wild Reverence pretty much answered that for me!

“We were doomed. She and I. One day, I would perish, and she would live on. Endless as the stars.”

I went into this nervous, it’s my first Mortal x Goddess trope and I didn’t know what to expect but this was handled beautifully & it was heart wrenching in the best way.

Obvs, I can’t say a lot without spoiling anything especially since the book is about to come out in less than a month but I adored this book, I loved how it all came together at the end - I think I’ve reread the epilogue a dozen times already!

"I would wait a thousand years for you. If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my remained upon an altar."

This story is set in the world of Divine Rivals, focusing instead on the gods that rule the world. Matilda is born to the goddess of winter, an Underling, and an unnamed father of the Skywards. Born to two realms and having power of little note, she was raised to protect herself as she grew into her role as the herald of the gods. She grew shrewd and walked in dreams that connected her to the mortal world. But her mother's actions set her life upon a new course that would force her to grow into a fierce goddess.

This story was blissfully and tragically beautiful, something Rebecca Ross has truly perfected. It had a slower start but quickly picked up the pace and had a shifting point which truly catapulted the tale into one full of action and intrigue. The characters' love for one another was displayed in such beautiful ways, showcasing familial love, found family, and romantic love each in their own light. Reading this book felt like riding a fairly gentle river downstream with occasional parts more rapid. The words flowed beautifully and easily, immersing me in this wonderful world once more. I think the epilogue was my favorite part after my initial read but I have a feeling it may change with time. When the book comes out, I'll have to think about doing a reread because I don't think one time through was enough for me to appreciate the beauty of this story!

Rebecca Ross is one author that I will never underestimate. I am completely and utterly in love with this book. Wild Reverence incompetence is the idea of a romantic fantasy novel so many whimsical touches and so many moments that are going to pull at your heart string. This is such an amazing read that made me realize why I love this genre and why I love reading.

I just shut this book and I’m already nostalgic for that feeling to have read it over again for the first time.

This book has everything I’ve been wanting lately. A unique magic system, just as Divine Rivals, that takes you by surprise with the mortals vs divine.

Matilda is everything I wanted in a heroine. Vincent is the ever so supportive and protective husband he can be. I love them together and I hurt when they were apart. I loved their love.

The epilogue took me by surprise but rounds out the story perfectly. I think I need to go back and read Divine Rivals.

This review is pretty tame considering I wanted to scream at some points (both out of happiness and anger) but I think I’m hungover from this story. I loved it so much. A reread is in my future for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing me with the opportunity to review the ARC of Wild Reverence! I have not read Divine Rivals or Ruthless Vows yet, but now I'm absolutely adding them to my TBR!
This was my first Rebecca Ross book and I was floored with how good it is and with her enchanting writing style. This book was exactly what I was wanting but didn't know I needed in my life. Rebecca's writing and transitions are so smooth and the words flow beautifully from one page to another. I felt like I was in the life of Matilda and Vincent. "There is nothing more devastating to a god than to lose their power and immortality, for their name forgotten and blotted out in disgrace." "I willed those stars to always burn because I could note bear to imagine them every going dark." I wish I could list all my favorite quotes, but then this review would be way too long!
I love that this was dual POV! It is always nice to see what each character is thinking and experiencing. I think this writing style allows the reader to develop a strong connection to each character. This was certainly true for me. I love their story so much and I was sad when I finished the book because it was so well written.
This book is a slow burn romance that contains mythical beings/gods with magical elements.
"I can not pretend with you any longer. I love you. I have loved you for a long time." When this line was said, I literally squealed. My heart was so full by this point that I could not contain myself. I just love them so much! I swear anytime I read something so well written my husband ends up thinking something is wrong with me because I get so immersed into the story.
I would highly recommend this book! I did not feel like I was missing out on any content from not reading the other two books first. I hope everyone falls in love with this story just as much as I did!!!

Good Gods, I know it’s only August but Wild Reverence is without a doubt a concrete top 3 books of the year for me. It was absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching.

Rebecca Ross is a phenomenal writer, melodic with her words, and it’s equally present with this novel. While it takes place in the same world as Divine Rivals and we witness some of the Gods mentioned in DR, they are not the focus of Wild Reverence.

Matilda, a young goddess, falls in love with a mortal boy and though their future feels constantly doomed as Matilda navigates the perils and treachery of the Underlings and Skywards while Vincent continues to uphold his own virtues through a family member’s deception, their threads continue to intertwine.

Ross writes the Gods as being both vicious and ethereal which makes nearly every page high stakes. I could not put this book down.

Thank you Saturday Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book ♥️ It was devoured and loved.

I love Rebecca's beautifully descriptive writing. Wild Reverence kept me engaged from the first page. The love in this was top tier, and I know that this is a story that will stick with me for a long, long time. (and I really liked the tie-ins and epilogue after previously reading The Letters of Enchantment duology).

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this eARC.

This was a lyrically beautiful story. Your heart ached for Matilda and Vincent. If you have read "Divine Rivals" and "Ruthless Vows", you will definitely enjoy this in depth story of how a god came to be.
This story felt similar to DR/RV, but had its own unique twist. I did feel like the beginning dragged for a little bit, and I wasn't fully invested in the story until about 70%, but it was really well written and full of the lore of gods.
You get insight into certain gods and the gruesome world they live in. You grow up with Matilda and ache for her journey.

This is a standalone prequel to DR/RV, but you do not need to have read it to enjoy "Wild Reverence."

This left me wanting more of this world and more of Matilda and Vincent. This has a unique magic and gods system that does take some time to gut used to, but once you get there, the story is truly wonderful.

Posted on Goodreads on 8/14/25- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7544508725

I loved this book! I was a fan of Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, and dare I say…this one may be my new favorite?! Emotional and full of suspense—a fantasy read of a goddess who falls for a mortal. It is as breathtaking as it is heart-pounding. Beautiful prose, high stakes, and a love story to be envious of. This should definitely be on your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Wild Reverence is the mythology-inspired prequel to the wildly popular Divine Rivals duology.

Just as with Divine Rivals and its sequel, Ruthless Vows, this upcoming release is beautifully crafted. The author's lyrical writing creates an immersive world for readers, and her characters demonstrate emotional depth and vulnerability. The story is gorgeously romantic, but also adventurous and mysterious.

To top it all off, there is a stunningly perfect epilogue that shows how this book directly ties into the Divine Rivals series.

This is the fifth book I’ve read by Rebecca Ross, and I love the way that her stories feel at once whimsical and significant. The characters and lore are well thought out and interesting, with more depth than you expect given that the book isn’t a whole length saga. Whereas I didn’t fully take to the romance, I did take to the character of Matilda. She was strong and soft and managed to carve a path in the world that tried to crush her and make her small. I was drawn to her persistence and resilience, as well as her ability to find and build a family of her own.

4.5⭐️ (posted on The StoryGraph, rounded up on NetGalley)

Damnit Rebecca Ross you did it again 😭 just take my heart and rip it into pieces.

It felt like pulling on a favorite hoodie being dropped back into this world. Rebecca’s writing instantly transports you this world of gods/divines. There were so many things I wanted to know in Divine Rivals/Ruthless Vows that just weren’t explained. Wild Reverence fills all those gaps. It was a beautiful tie in.

You do not need to read the Letters of Enchantment duology to understand what’s going on (but would still strongly recommend, they’re awesome). This book stood strongly on its own with its own story. It does start off a bit slowly, but Rebecca is truly a master of beautiful endings.

Beautiful story, fantastic writing - loved it!

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/1e148040-ef6b-4cd1-b425-ec626895c3d9

I absolutely adored this book! Wild Reverence is magical, heartfelt, and immersive, making it the perfect prequel to Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows.

Rebecca Ross balances sweeping plotlines with deeply personal emotion. The relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or adversarial, are layered and compelling. I was just as invested in the quiet moments of connection as in the high stakes turning points.

Matilda and Vincent completely stole my heart. Matilda, a young goddess, exudes quiet strength and determination, while Vincent, a mortal, captivates with sharp wit and guarded charm. Their paths intertwine with tension and tenderness that leave your heart aching for every unspoken moment between them.

Thank you Rebecca Ross, St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is September 2, 2025!

4.75/5🌟
1.5🌶️
Release date: Sept 2🎉

I adore this book! I cannot wait for everyone to read it.

I had worried for a long time that I've simply fallen out of love with romantasy as a genre but Ross has reminded me why it will always have a special place in my heart .

(This is a standalone prequel to the Divine Rivals duology but you do not need to have read it to enjoy Wild Reverence.)

➕
- The story follows Matilda, a goddess born from a union of rival divine clans, the Skywards and the Underlings. She is blessed with humble magic but Fate and Death has much planned for her.
- Rebecca Ross's writing is effortlessly immersive and lyrical. The magical world she weaves feels real and enchanting.
- Vincent and Matilda 🥺. I love them so much. The longing. The yearning. The care. The letters! That ending is perfection.
- Bade left such a stunning impression on me. I love his whole arc. That scene with Matilda near the end killed me.
- It was so fun to see Easter eggs for the Letters of Enchantment duology.

➖
- I'm greedy! I wanted more of Vincent and Matilda, specifically I wanted to experience first hand one of their happier dreams when they were young.

Another beautiful book! I love Rebecca Ross from Divine Rivals and A River Enchanted so this one was no different! I adored the characters and the new layer of detail to the world Ross has added to her world. The writing amazing and I found the elements of the world-building fairly easy to follow despite the intricacies.

Reading *Wild Reverence* by Rebecca Ross felt like stepping into a myth wrapped in starlight, lush, dangerous, and achingly romantic. From the first pages, Matilda’s world of treacherous gods and fragile alliances bursts to life, filled with both grandeur and menace. As the youngest goddess in a realm where survival often means betrayal, her story is threaded with vulnerability beneath the surface of her quiet strength. I was captivated not just by the richness of the under realm, but by the tenderness of her secret connection to Vincent, a mortal whose dreams once reached her when he needed hope most.
What made the book unforgettable was the collision of their two paths, dream and reality entwining into a bond that felt destined yet fragile. Vincent’s hardened exterior, built from heartbreak and loss, plays beautifully against Matilda’s cautious bravery, and watching them slowly learn to trust one another was as poignant as it was thrilling. Ross weaves together high-stakes divine politics, hauntingly beautiful magic, and a romance that feels both timeless and urgent. *Wild Reverence* is a story about love’s power to challenge even the most ruthless of gods, and about the courage it takes to be seen completely. It left me spellbound, carrying the kind of reverence that lingers long after the last page.

3 stars

Thank you @NetGalley for this ARC!

Firstly, I adored Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows—Rebecca Ross completely swept me away with those stories. So when I heard she was writing Wild Reverence, I was thrilled to dive back into this world. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t land for me.

The plot felt forced, and I struggled to connect with the characters or the stakes in the same way as before. While the writing was still beautiful (Ross’s prose is always a highlight), the magic just wasn’t there for me this time.

I know many readers will still love returning to this universe, but personally, it fell short of the magic I was hoping for.