i am in awe !!!!!

this books left me speechless. my FAVORITE rebecca ross to date !!!! the way she build everything up???? the way all the pieces came together??? she had me on the edge of my seat, stressed, crying and terrified. i had no idea what was going to happen but boy was i invested. I NEEDED TO KNOW. i could not put it down (or at least didn't want to) in the last 25%. not only did she write an amazing book with insane plot twists, but she wrote one of the sweetest most hopeful romances!!!!

i love matilda & vincent both so so so so much !!! matilda is an icon and i want to be her when i grow up. vincent is THE type of man everyone wants !!!! and the way they love each other ???? stop 😭

absolutely loved the insight we got into the magic & the gods of the divine rivals world !! it was fascinating! and rebecca did such an amazing job giving us something brand new in a world we love dearly. 100% of my favorite books of the year !!!!

thank you so much Saturday Books & Netgalley for the arc! this s my honest review.

Thank you to St Martin's Press, Saturday Books, and Netgalley for the eARC!

5 ⭐️'s

WOW. I am literally obsessed. This is one of those books I would love to be able to give infinity stars to!

The writing in true Rebecca Ross fashion, is absolutely stunning & lyrical. The entire storyline flowed so beautifully and was paced perfectly.

I loved learning about Matilda's story and also some of the other gods and goddesses. I was enchanted the whole time!

Now, let me take a moment to talk about the yearning and longing in this book?! it was truly EVERYTHING to me. Matilda & Vincent were so wholly devoted to one another and I adored their relationship.

I also loved Matilda and Bade's relationship too, literally was crying at the end over it!!

The epilogue was absolutely perfect, especially for fans of the Letters of Enchantment series!

I'll be recommending this book to everyone I know!

This is one of those books where I'll accept the message it's sharing, but I'm not going to be happy about it.

I really enjoyed Divine Rivals, so when I saw Wild Reverence on Netgalley, I knew I had to snag it. It's been about a year and a half since I read the Letters of Enchantment duology, and I decided not to refresh myself before diving into this book. Luckily, it's a standalone, and even though it takes place in the same world as Divine Rivals, I didn't think there were too many connections (I might have missed some more subtle parallels because it's been a while since I read the initial duology). Wild Reverence falls more on the new adult/adult side of romantasy, and I would almost consider it "cozy" in terms of vibes.

The plot is almost bildungsroman-esque as we follow Matilda, a young goddess, through her childhood and onward. It's dual POV, so we also get the story of a young lord named Vincent, but he occupies probably 35% of the page time compared to Matilda. I don't really know how to explain the plot because it doesn't really start until a third of the way into the novel, and even then, the pacing is incredibly slow. There's a bit of tension toward the end where the fates of some characters feel more uncertain, but for most of the story, there isn't much question about their survival. I will admit that I'm not the biggest fan of romantasy (I didn't mind the romance in Divine Rivals, which is why I picked this one up), so the fact that the romance plot overwhelmingly dominated the story might've been some of the reason I was bored at times. I also wasn't 100% happy with the ending, but I acknowledge its thematic relevance, and I like the message, if not the execution. The story itself is still enjoyable, and I liked the prose, but it was very long and drawn out.

For being a romantasy, I really didn't think the characters had much chemistry in this book. Matilda is a goddess and a herald at that. She delivers letters between the realms, meaning she gets exposure to the mortal realm. Her background was interesting, and I liked her personality (her compassion, especially). Vincent was fine; he didn't really have much of a personality beyond his love for Matilda and his lack of desire to rule. I think they had a lot of potential (childhood friends to lovers and all that), but they spend so much time apart that it's hard to see any chemistry between them. They're relationship is also a bit instalove-y, and despite the numerous tropes involved in their relationship, it just wasn't super appealing to me. I liked the complexity of the other gods, especially Matilda's father and Bade. I've seen many other reviews name Bade their favorite character, and I'm inclined to agree. His story was more unique (the god of war and his various forms of love), so I think that's why he's appealing.

I did enjoy Wild Reverence and I think my lower rating is definitely in the minority. I intend to reread it in the future when I have more patience for slow-moving romance plots, but I think fans of V.E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Andrea Stewart's The Gods Below, and the original Letters of Enchantment duology will love this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.75/5

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I think this one may be my favorite of the three. I really liked getting to know the god side of the story, and I found the complicated rules of the immortal realms compelling and intricate. Without giving away any details, everything related to perceptions of death in this book had me completely riveted. I loved the way the writer wove together popular mythology with a more creative take on the cruelty of gods and their meddling in mortal lives. I also appreciated getting the backstory on these magical typewriters!

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!

I sadly ended up not finishing this one at 52%. It had such a slow start and I honestly just didn't know where the story was heading. I was incredibly bored and I tried taking a break and returning to the book after a bit to get back into it and wasn't able to. I love other books by this author and I am really upset that I just did not enjoy this one.

4 stars (SPOILER FREE)
Wild Reverence was one of my most anticipated books of 2025. I’m a huge fan of Rebecca Ross’ books, particularly the Letters of Enchantment duology and I was excited to step back into this world. Set hundreds of years before Divine Rivals, Wild Reverence follows Matilda, a young goddess with messenger magic and Vincent, a mortal who dreams of Matilda despite never having met her.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I’m a huge fan of Rebecca’s lyrical writing style (as found in Divine Rivals and Elements of Cadence series). I enjoyed learning more about the worlds of the gods. However it did take a while to figure out who they all were, especially at the beginning (luckily a list is provided at the start!). There is a LOT of world building at the start which I struggled. At times the pacing was also a little slow and I found my attention drifting.

The story is mostly told from Matilda’s POV. She is a great FMC and I appreciated seeing her back story at the start of the book as it helped explain her character development throughout the book. We do get Vincent’s POV but I feel like I never really connected to his character - I think this then led me to think their romance could have been stronger. Matilda had stronger (non romantic) connections with other characters and although I could see the bond between Matilda and Vincent, their romance did not overwhelm me like Iris and Roman’s.

Finally, I wish we had seen a bit more of the world of the gods and their power dynamics, particularly between Enva and Dacre. Although we see both the Underling and Skyward realms, most of the book is set in the mortal world following Matilda and Vincent.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5!
🌶️/5

I genuinely cannot catch a full breath after reading this. I have never read a Rebecca Ross book before and this was one hell of a first. This book was beautiful and lyrical and touched parts of my soul many books have failed to. I have never read a love story so heartbreakingly fulfilling as this one.

As stated, i have never read Divine Rivals and can now confirm that it is not at all necessary to read before Wild Reverence. I however, will now be reading Divine Rivals. 🫶🏻 This is my favourite read of the year and may just be one of my favourite books ever.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy!

Rebecca Ross has created a rich world with a pantheon that feels like a fresh take inspired by the Greek pantheon. She has made her own hierarchy and Gods with their own powers and rules. Matilda's story is one that constantly kept me wondering what would happen next, following her through childhood to full godhood. I loved this story to the very end! I can't wait to see what Rebecca Ross writes next!

gave Wild Reverence 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you St Martin’s Publishing, Rebecca Ross and Net Galley for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I ended up really enjoying this book, but it took my 5 days to get through and that’s very unusual for me.

The first 1/3 of the book was all world building and was very slow and felt bogged down. Was it necessary? Yes. Covid it have been shortened a little? Also yes. It could have also had a little more action. I found my mind wandering too much and knew I was having to work for it to hold my attention.

The middle 1/3 of the book was more action, but still some world building, which made it cumbersome in spots.

The last 1/3 of the book was all action and was my favorite part. That was the part of the book where I got caught up in it and the got away from me. I loved how it was wrapped up and most (but not all) loose ends were dealt with.

I did enjoy the characters and felt like I knew them. The magic system was different than I’ve read before, but I didn’t like that there really wasn’t a whole lot of it. (You will have to read it to understand that part).

I didn’t think anything could live up to Divine Rivald and Ruthless Vows but I should not have doubted Rebecca Ross. Wild Reverence was the most beautiful story and I loved every second of reading it, even when my heart was breaking and I was holding my breath about what happened next. Matilda is a superstar and such a fun character. I loved her story, her allies and enemies, her heart. I was rooting for her and Vincent the whole time. I enjoyed how this book was organized and how the story played out. The writing was beautiful and brilliant. This was one of the best prequels I’ve ever read and I don’t think I’ll ever get over this book.

3.5 stars!

I was so excited to see this and return to the world of Divine Rivals! I loved the Divine Rivals duology and I really enjoyed The Fire Enchanted Duology. Wild Reverence has what you expect from Rebecca Ross:
-beautiful writing and prose
-rich scenery
-characters that you can't help rooting for

Wild Reverence is set centuries before the events in Divine Rivals and focuses on Matilda and Vincent. Matilda is a goddess - both an underling and a skyward and is the messenger of the gods. Vincent is a mortal. As children, Matilda and Vincent meet in Vincent's dreams and form a friendship, but events in both the godly realm and the mortal realm separate them for years. When Matilda and Vincent cross paths again, it is under very different circumstances.

What I liked:
-that Matilda, our FMC, was the immortal! (a nice reversal of the common trope)
-a marriage of convenience!
-seeing more of the gods and their interactions
-dual POV
-high stakes

What didn't work for me: This was very, very slow - the plot starts to pick up around the 30% mark, but it is still a very slow, long book. I generally like faster paced books and this just didn't captivate me the way other Rebecca Ross books have.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

“It was a sultry spring day, the sun at her zenith in the sky. Clouds were building, rumbling in the distance to the south, and I gave myself a moment to gain my bearings, my sight adjusting to the fierce light. I was surrounded by moorlands knee-deep in yellow gorse, and it almost felt as if I were the only one in the world, save for the sparrows that chirped from the bracken.”

The beautiful and detailed descriptions are one of the first things I noticed when I started reading this book.

Matilda: has spent her entire life in the Under realm with her mother. As the youngest goddess of her clan, she has been blessed with humble messenger magic. She lives in a realm where the gods kill each other to gain power, and everyone is ruthless.

When she meets a human boy through his dreams of her, she doesn’t understand why she feels such a connection to him, but she is drawn back to him over and over again.

Then she gets the chance to go on a mission to the Skyward realm and it’s like her life has finally begun.

Vincent: He writes to Matilda one night in a moment of desperation, asking for her help, but she is already gone. She never got his letter. Ten years pass, and much has changed. Vincent has hardened his heart, and become the lord of the river. But he never quite forgot the beautiful goddess from his dreams, and one day she falls right through his bedroom window with a message for him.

Matilda must learn how to sacrifice and become vulnerable, even though it may cost her everything.

There’s so much to this story, and I could go on and on, but I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll just leave it at that.


CW: some language, mention of couples making love in the past (vague, no details), one open door scene, two fade-to-black, someone is drowned, violence, war

•••

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC I received in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

What a beautiful addition to Letters of Enchantment! Rebecca Ross weaved such an important backstory with amazing world building. Following Matilda, a young Goddess of both the Underling and Skyward realms we see her grow in both these, the mortal realm, and beyond.

While it took a little while to read it was worth it. The writing just amazes me it was so beautiful. The fantasy, the characters, the setting. It was all just perfect.

“I would wait a thousand years for you,” Vincent said. “If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you, Red.”

The queen of tender romantasy is Rebecca Ross. This book? Absolutely divine. a story full of magic, secrets, and star crossed longing that had me screaming “just kiss already” more than once. Matilda and Vincent’s connection? Soulmate-level. The vibes? Immaculate. The angst? Delicious. you WILL devour this.

✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-dual pov
-realms & magic
-secret father
-gods & goddesses
-dreams & letters
-incandescent longing
-his nickname for her ❤️
-the ruse of a marriage
-“who did this to you”
-#IsThisAKissingBook open door

TY Saturday books for an advanced copy!

Rebecca Ross’s writing never fails to enchant me. Wild Reverence felt like stepping into a dream. After falling in love with Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, I knew her next story would be special, but this one, set centuries before those beloved pages, took my breath away.

This is the story of Matilda and Vincent, two souls drawn together in a world shaped by gods, war, and whispered legends. Ross has spun a mythological system that is wholly her own, rich, lyrical, and effortlessly immersive. I never once felt overwhelmed by the lore. Instead, I felt guided, as if the story itself were gently taking my hand and leading me deeper into the magic.

The world she’s created is vast and luminous. If I could offer one gentle critique, it’s that the pacing slows a little in the middle as the characters are given space to reflect and the world grows more intricate. But even those quieter moments felt intentional, like drawing a deep breath before the plunge.

Matilda and Vincent are extraordinary, tender, brave, and beautifully complicated. Their love story is the kind that lingers. I sighed, I swooned, I highlighted passages just to keep them close. And the gods, fierce, haunting, and divine, were everything I wanted and more. Their brutal power games, their desperate alliances, their quiet hungers, I was completely captivated.

The contrast between the Underworld and the Sky world was stunning. Though so different in design, both realms mirrored each other in ambition and cruelty. Watching their forces clash felt like watching storms meet in the sky, inevitable, breathtaking, and impossible to look away from.

While a few plot points were predictable, it didn’t matter. I wasn’t reading for the twists. I was reading for the beauty, the ache, the quiet revelations. And there were surprises too, moments that made me gasp or ache in the best way.

Wild Reverence is a love letter to myth and devotion, to power and sacrifice, to two people who find each other in the middle of it all. Rebecca Ross has once again written a story that will live in my heart for a long, long time.

I loved Divine Rivals and I think I like this one even more. This book has more insight into the gods mentioned in Divine Rivals and you get more of a view of their world. I loved this story so much and I loved all the characters. Such a good book that I will recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted arc!! I absolutely loved being back on the world of Divine Rivals, and I’ll forever be obsessed with Rebecca Ross’ writing. Although this takes place about 600 years before the letters of enchantment duology, there’s so many Easter eggs! While this story is a standalone and you don’t NEED to have read divine rivals, I think having that duology as background enhanced the reading experience.
This book had such an interesting take on gods and goddesses. I loved learning the divine lore in this world. I also like how gods and goddesses weren’t all-powerful and had limitations and weaknesses with their power. I loved the concept of constellations and how power moves between the divine.
I do wish the romance had been stronger in this. Because of their circumstances, they had met once in person as children and then in dreams that Matilda read after the fact. As adults, they barely got to spend any time together due to Matilda being pulled way for divine business. So I think I would’ve just liked more interactions between Matilda and Vincent in order to make me really FEEL their love.
Personally, the relationship between Matilda and Bade was the absolute highlight of this book. Their scenes throughout the book were my favorites

Thank you to Rebecca Ross, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I haven't read the Divine Rivals duology yet (I know I know, but I missed that part where this was the same world.) But this book was BEAUTIFUL. I wasn't sure if Rebecca Ross was overhyped but after Wild Reverence, I can tell you, she is worth ALL THE HYPE.

Oh, how I love this book.
This is a prequel (hundreds of years before) to the Divine Rivals/Ruthless Vows duology. Matlida is a goddess born unlike any they have seen before. She shows up in the dreams of a mortal, Vincent, and they become friends as children. This also shows us the beginnings of Drace and Enva.
Ross has beautiful, lyrical writing. Her worlds and characters are beautiful, flawed, and perfect. It was a slower start, but eventually I could not put this down. If you have loved Ross' stories she's written so far, this continues to be a must read. AND THAT EPILOGUE! LOVE!
Thank you Thank you Thank you to Rebecca Ross, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

An enchanting, unique prequel to divine rivals & ruthless vows! ✨
If you want to know more about the Gods and Godess that wreak havoc on Iris’ world, this book is for you!

⭐️“We had been waiting for that divine to make their presence known to us, to claim those stars.”⭐️

Matilda is a strong, beautiful, one of a kind herald godess, who brings together the underling, mortal and skyward worlds! 🔥
Vincent is our unexpected and uniquely handsome knight in shining armour, who is thrust into a role he did not want and has a dreamlike friend, who turns into a stars written lover 💗

“ I pray that my days will be long at your side. Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine”. 🥵

Matilda and Vincent’s lives unexpectedly cross over the span of 20 plus years in this unique world where the gods and goddesses fight for stars and power.

The weaving of the threads of their lives kept me on my toes, wanting to find out what was in store for the gods world and the mortal world.
Each relationship during this war, was real and one of a kind, full of love, heartbreak and betrayal.

“War only makes love flame brighter, defiant. It seems to bloom from the bloodshed you leave behind, unfurling from the most unlikely of places. From the broken seams of the world. From the graves and the anguish and the fear you inspire.”

The connection to divine rivals in the epilogue was everything we wanted 🥰

I’m curious to see if we will get a story of Dacre and Enva, so much to explore now that this world has been opened!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martins Press and Saturday Books for the eARC 💕