Wild Reverence didn’t just weave a story like stars in the sky—it brought me souls I’ll never forget. Matilda and Vincent feel carved from starlight and scar tissue, flawed and aching in ways that made me want to protect them and watch them flourish. I didn’t just love them. I loved with them. Their pain was mine too, and I cannot explain the way my jaw dropped over the course of so many moments, Even though we got years, I wanted centuries because I love how much life I got to see unfold between these two. And when the last page came, I realized I’d left pieces of my heart in both their hands. There is me before reading Wild Reverence, and me after.

I’ll admit, I was a *little* nervous about reading this after Ruthless Vows. (It’s probably because I went in with sky high expectations after Divine Rivals and was ultimately let down a little.)

In reality, I probably would have loved The Letters of Enchantment duo even more if I read this first. This is the backstory we really needed. It now makes me more invested in the non-mortal worlds & how they are connected.

I was surprised how quickly this story roped me in and made me so smitten (and a few times teary eyed).

Very grateful for this ARC. I can’t wait to see what Ross creates next.

4.25/5

What is in the air this year, these 2025 books are IMPECCABLE! I never wanted this story to end, I could have spent thousands of pages more in this world, falling in love with these characters. I laughed & I cried. I can’t wait for this book to be released so I can relive it, yapping to all my friends about it.

Once again I have been swept away by Ross's beautiful storytelling. This had me completely engrossed from the very first chapter all the way through. I read the whole book in a matter of days, I did not want to put it down. It was lovely to be back in this world, to have such a wider look into the divines and their dwellings, politics and way of magic and life. I don't know how she does it, but every time I read one of Ross's stories, I find myself falling in love *with* falling in love. Her books are some of the best of romance fantasy out there. She does not forgo plot over romance - but also the romance is nothing cheap, shallow or fleeting. It holds weight. It has depth. It moves you. You may find yourself in "the feels" several times when reading this book.

I think I'd read whatever Ross writes. She has gained another faithful reader.

Oh, and Bade has my heart.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press through NetGalley for this digital arc for an honest review. I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical book.

I loved this book. It was so beautiful. Romantasy perfection - magic and whimsy, and melancholy. There were so many lovely descriptions I wanted to remember.

“As an immortal, time has always felt different to me. There is an abundance of it in our halls; I could have cupped the minutes, the fortnights, the seasons in my hands like water from a fountain and drank my fill whenever I thirsted. But I felt its fine-haired edge in this moment, as if I were mortal flesh and blood, doomed to die. How it seemed to lay across my skin like damp clothes. How it weighed me down, stirring an anxious flame in my breast. Hurry, I thought. Time is passing.”

I loved Matilda’s relationships. Especially with Vincent but also her father figure Bade. I read both Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows and really liked them but I feel like Wild Reverence was just perfect.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martins Press | Saturday Books for the ARC.

4.5⭐️

NOTE: I have not read the Letters of Enchantment duology before reading Wild Reverence

Rebecca Ross! You have a new number one fan! I am speechless..

Her writing was absolutely beautiful, poetic, magical.
I can’t believe I put off her books until now.
This world was magical and the love story was gut-wrenching and beautiful. I felt so connected to the main characters and their relationship, not only with each other, but with the side characters as well.

THE YEARNING. He would have done ANYTHING for her. I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Even though I have not read her duology, I think it was a great lead up to it with how the typewriters are created.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC!

http://www.goodreads.com/samsellner

I was so excited to read this and learn more about how the Divine Rivals realm was created. The premise had so much promise. A goddess born in the under realm, political games between gods, and a mortal boy tied to her through dreams sounded like the perfect setup for an epic and emotional story. Sadly, it fell short for me.

The pacing was inconsistent. Some scenes dragged while others raced past important developments, making it hard to stay fully invested. The writing had flashes of beautiful imagery but often felt disjointed, which pulled me out of the world. On top of that, there was so much going on at once—romance, politics, family drama, hidden magic, and dream connections—that the story began to feel overcrowded.

The characters were another sticking point. Matilda was presented as this strong, capable goddess with the potential to change the bloody ways of her world, but she never truly had her big moment. She spent much of the book reacting to events rather than driving them forward, which made her journey feel less powerful than I expected. Vincent had potential as well, but his development felt uneven and his connection to Matilda never reached the emotional depth I was hoping for.

This is not a bad book, and readers who are already fans of the world may still enjoy it. However, the lack of a truly defining moment for Matilda and the overcrowded plot left me wishing for a sharper, more focused story that would deliver on the premise’s potential.

4.75 Stars

Wow, this book was so incredibly beautiful... in true Rebecca Ross fashion, of course! I loved getting the opportunity for getting to return to the world of Divine Rivals, but learn more about the gods! I loved Matilda and Vince, the MCs, so much! Their story was so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I also LOVED the side character Bade! I would love to see him and Adria get a book for themselves. My only con for this book is I did find the beginning to be a bit slow.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc!!!

This book was so good I forgot I had to write a review on it. So here is my thought dump because my brain simply cannot function after reading such a gift:

I have been yearning for a 5 star read and this delivered. I have been yearning for a steady, gentle love as the subplot and this delivered.

The prose is magical. My eyes were glued to my Kobo. The world building was so intricately and thoughtfully planned. Every character and their traits were deliberate decisions. There were no loose ends, no plot holes, the story tied itself up so nicely with nothing overseen or forsaken.

I am just blown away by this artistry. What a privilege it was to read this arc.

This was one of my most anticipated books this year. I’m so happy it didn’t disappoint! This was a great addition to the Letters of Enchantment universe.

This one was all about the gods. I loved the world and mythology that Ross built. The love between Matilda and Vincent was so sweet. Despite spending so much time apart you could feel the love they had for one another. They felt like the definition of star-crossed lovers but I was rooting for them the entire time.

This was full of twists and turns. Bargains and betrayal. Filled to the brim with gods and magic. Villains that are actually villains. Fake marriage but real feelings. The epilogue tied in nicely with Iris and Roman’s story. This felt like the perfect prequel!

I’m so glad this lived up to expectations! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this early!

omg, I don’t even know how to start this review. Once again, Rebecca Ross managed to bring me to tears. This book was written so beautifully and had so much depth. One of favorite parts of the book was definitely the found family aspect. I absolutely adore Bade and Matilda’s father–daughter relationship.

I can’t even put into words how beautiful this story was. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite this good. I swear, I highlighted the entire book! The characters meant everything to me,they had so much growth, and you really got to watch them develop as individuals. That made me feel so connected to them. Both the main characters, Vincent and Matilda, were wonderful and I love to see how they acted in different periods of their lives.

The only thing I would change is the ending. (Spoilers) I felt Vincent and Matilda could have had a grander reunion. But other than that, this was probably my favorite book I’ve read this year. I just can’t get over the writing in this book!

smaller review:
i can’t begin to fathom
how beautifully this book
was written!! ever new page,
i was highlighting something
different! and that ending?!?
it was everything to me!!
this book made Divine
Rivals duology 100x better!

This has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year and before I dive in, I will say this was exactly as advertised and the perfect addition to the Divine Rivals universe.

This book is for those who love the Greek Pantheon. This is for the readers who love poetic prose that reads like mythology and a love story that builds over decades. This is for those who love aesthetic collages, earl grey tea on rainy days, and the joy of earthy/spice-rich scents. This is for the folklore/evermore girlies.

However, if you do not like books where the lovers are constantly separated, you will struggle with this. While reading I couldn’t help but wonder: “is this a tragedy?” The title of this book is perfect. Matilda is Wild. Vincent is Reverence. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

Matilda is Orpheus, Charon, and Hermes. And it’s so beautiful the way she finds herself even as a “God Child.”

I loved this book. And Rebecca Ross, I will easily call upon when asked for favorite authors.

💌 Wild Reverence 💌

Born beneath the surface to the Underling clan, Matilda is a goddess of only middling ability—a humble messenger, carrying words between realms. But in a land where gods kill to steal power, even her modest magic must be fiercely guarded, leaving Matilda never truly knowing which of her kin are friend or foe.

To make things more complicated, she is drawn to a mortal boy who dreams of her. As they grow, fate relentlessly pulls them together, entwining their paths in ways that will challenge everything they—and the gods themselves—believe about mortality, magic, and love. Matilda must decide if she’s willing to risk it all to rewrite the stars.

I’ve been a huge fan of Ross ever since discovering her Letters of Enchantment series. The story of Roman and Iris had me captivated and I was beyond excited to revisit that universe—especially knowing this new book would dive deep into the history of the gods.

What truly sets Ross apart is her unparalleled talent for crafting original, immersive mythologies. She doesn’t just tell stories; she builds entire worlds layered with culture, history, and magic that feel alive and endlessly fascinating. I also loved discovering the subtle Easter eggs woven throughout—moments that felt like heartfelt nods to Ancient Greek and Egyptian myths, making me smile each time.

As for the story itself, it was such a fun ride. Filled with twists and turns, betrayals, and moments that truly fill your heart, it’s a journey brought to life by brilliantly crafted characters. I loved Matilda—treated as fragile and helpless her whole life, it was incredibly rewarding to watch her grow into her own power and stand up against those who sought to victimize her.

And the love story? It was so, so sweet. Fans of star-crossed lovers and fated pairs will find this one exceptionally swoon-worthy.

Overall, I’m thrilled to say this prequel lived up to my expectations. The pacing was on point, the story was wonderful, and now I want to reread the series all over again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you for NetGalley for my gifted copy an exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: September 2, 2025

#wildreverence

Wild Reverence is a beautiful story. That’s the word I kept coming back to as I read. The use of constellations felt so original. I honestly wish I could go back and read this story for the first time again. Matilda and Vincent grow so much and towards each other even though they spend years apart.

Thank you for the early copy of this book. It was an honor to read it.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of Wild Reverence.

I absolutely adored this book! It was so interesting to get background knowledge of the Gods that appeared in Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. The mortal and Gods/divines trope was something I didn’t know I needed but I’m now obsessed with. It was so fascinating to see where the magic for the typewriters came from. I am really glad we got to see the moment the typewriters were crafted.

I adored Matilda and Vincent. They were so perfect as a couple. The words/letters they exchanged were so precious and swoon worthy.

I’m so excited to read what Rebecca writes next!

INFINITE STARS ⭐️

Honestly, I wish I had Rebecca Ross’ talent with words just to give this book justice but I’m no queen.

If you loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows get ready for Wild Reverence to completely crack you wide open and rearrange your soul.

I am absolutely HONORED to have received an ARC of this beautiful book. Not only is Rebecca Ross my favorite author but Divine Rivals is one of my top series of all time.

This book has irrevocably changed my heart, body and soul. Being back in this world felt like coming home.

Rebecca Ross has the most poetic, divine writing I have ever come across. Her words feel like magic pulsing through my veins and her stories make the word ‘romantic’ seem small and not grand enough of a word to describe the utter devotion and life these characters feel for one another

To say this book might have even touched me more than Divine Rivals is saying a lot because that duology has been close to my heart for years now.

But my heart belongs to Matilda, Vincent and Bade!

The bond Matilda and Vincent grew from their souls being linked in childhood was such an honor to watch unfold. I truly felt all the pain, devotion, respect, trust and love that was slowly built over the years between these two and their relationship will forever be molded in my heart and brain.

But on top of that the bond between Matilda and Bane was so healing for me and really brought an unexpected element to this story. Because for the first time I was crying for a relationship that was not romantic, but for a father and daughter who chose each other against all odds.

This book was phenomenal, magical and absolutely DIVINE.

Thank you to Rebecca Ross, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the arc of Wild Reverence.

I loved this book. The story was gripping from the start. Especially when it moved to 13 years later and the characters were reunited, I couldn't put it down. The tension and yearning was so well done, the relationship was compelling. I loved reading about the mythology and lore that wasn't as prominent in Divine Rivals. I also loved how the setting was clearly set in the past compared with Divine Rivals. The story was so beautiful and the ending was perfectly done. I really enjoyed the connection to Divine Rivals, though it was just a small moment and the book could be read on it's own. The writing, as always, was beautiful and lyrical.

As a huge fan of Divine Rivals I really wanted to like this more than I did. I found Matilda to be a hard character to connect to and the story fell flat for me not long into it.

As I big fan of the Divine Rivals Duology by Rebecca Ross, I was thrilled to learn there was a new standalone based in the same world. Wild Reverence was an enjoyable read, and I came to adore Matilda and Vincent. I found myself getting bored by the book, especially in the beginning; that said, it was worth sticking it out to experience the rest of the story.

With the rise of romantasy, I often find certain tropes, magic systems, worlds, and FMC/MMC dynamics to be largely overdone; however, I think Ross excels due to her ability to create a world and a story that is unlike any other.

I was so excited to get the opportunity to read Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross as an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

once again, a million thank yous to rebecca ross, her publishing team, and netgalley for the ARC!!

if yall know anything about me, it’s that i am a huge fan of the letters of enchantment duology (and just rebecca ross in general). because of this, i had extremely high expectations when wild reverence was announced, but trust, rebecca knows how to exceed every single one. the familiar characters and all the subtle references to DR & RV made my heart so happy, and also made me so excited to expand this world that i’ve come to adore. matilda is such an important, brave, and lovable character, especially once you learn about her connection to the duology. i would be remiss if i didn’t mention how swoonworthy and perfect a character vincent is, though roman still holds a special spot in my heart. if you’re as big of fan as me of the letters of enchantment duology, have your tissues prepared, especially for act five and the epilogue.

all in all, wild reverence is rebecca ross in her prime, and i will forever read every single word she writes. thank you for your books rebecca. you mean the world to me, and i will be eternally grateful for everything you’ve given me.