I was excited that this book was going to build on the gods story from Divine Rivals and it was that and so much more! This story was so beautiful and really spent time on their entire lives. The relationships between the other gods was so built out and absolutely captivating. I loved this world and would love even more from different perspectives. The love story between Matilda and Vincent was incredible and heartbreaking and I wish we had so much more.


Thank you Netgalley and Rebecca Ross for the eARC. My thoughts and review are my own and have not been biased by the fact.

Wild Reverence is swoony. It's a world of gods, promises, and mortality below. I love the tropes of childhood sweethearts, mortal and immortal pairings, and fake marriages. And Wild Reverence does not disappoint. While Divine Rivals is swoony, this is a whole over level. There are emotional highs and lows, betrayals and confessions. Speaking of the swoons, I love how in childhood lovers or crushes, you can witness the distance between someone you used to know, someone who was our home, and who they are now.

Wild Reverence is an utterly breathtaking novel that proves once again why Rebecca Ross is a master of weaving romance, myth, and magic into something unforgettable. Set in the same divine world first introduced in Divine Rivals, this story expands the mythology in sweeping, cinematic fashion while still grounding itself in a deeply emotional, beautifully human love story.

Matilda, the youngest goddess of her clan, is such a compelling heroine—fierce yet vulnerable, burdened with secrets yet carrying the quiet hope of something better. Her bond with Vincent, the mortal boy who once dreamed of her, is equal parts aching and enchanting. From their fateful reunion to their charged, tender moments, Ross crafts a romance that feels destined yet fragile, timeless yet heartbreakingly real.

What makes this book shine is how it balances grandeur with intimacy: the ruthless rivalries of the gods, the blood-soaked battles, and the haunting secrets are matched by quiet scenes of trust, longing, and vulnerability. Every page feels alive with tension and beauty, and the prose itself is lyrical—each sentence begging to be underlined.

This is a story about love’s defiance in the face of cruelty, about daring to hope for a different future even when the world has been shaped by violence and betrayal. It’s immersive, romantic, and devastating in the best possible way.

Rebecca Ross has given us a divine tale that lingers long after the final page. Fans of Divine Rivals will be thrilled, but newcomers will be just as enchanted. A new favorite.

Rebecca Ross continues to be amazing. This was one of my favorite reads of this year. I enjoyed learning more about the gods and goddesses that were pivotal in Divine Rivals. Matilda and Vincent were perfect togeter, he was a YEARNING man. Her writing is lyrical and transports you. I will read anything she writes.

Rebecca Ross's writing continues to be lyrical, captivating and so special. She weaves magic in ways that are different from every other author on the market right now. I adored Divine Rivals, and to have a prequel-ish book set in the same universe was really enjoyable. Loved the gods and all the different players, my only negative was I wish there had been more of Vincent/Matilda's relationship building. We see it happen more on the periphery, and know that they are connected therefore they fall in love.

The plot line that ended up meaning the most to me was Bade, his relationship with Adria and then continuing to support Matilda.

I can't wait to see what Rebecca Ross writes next!

4.5 stars

with the same incredible writing as the divine rivals duology, rebecca ross delivers a whimsical story set in the same world but years prior. you get poetic writing, tales of gods and goddesses, and an epic love story that extends through realms. I absolutely loved this book and the story! Matilda and Vincent are so special to me, you can’t help but attach yourself to these characters. If you loved divine rivals, you will LOVE this one (even if you didn’t, still give this a chance you won’t regret it!)

thank you St. Martin’s Press for the arc ❤️

This book brought up back into the world that was introduced in the Divine Rivals duology, but as a view into the past. This was just a whimsical book and I absolutely loved it. Learning about the different gods and their powers was so interesting.
And then the love story between Matilda and Vincent was so beautiful. I loved reading about their life and I hope everyone gets the chance to experience reading this book.

I have adored almost all of Rebecca Ross's books, and I was really hyped for this one. Unfortunately, it felt sooo long. confused and chaotic. The lyrical writing was beautiful, but it felt that this was just written to be written. The plot was vague and mixed up and I couldn't really get attached to the characters.

Ahhh, what a delight to be back in this beautiful world Rebecca Ross created with the Letters of Enchantment duology. Wild Reverence is a prequel to Divine Rivals, taking us deeper into all three realms - human, Skyward, and Underling - telling the epic tale of the goddess Matilda, including her grand love story with a mortal lord called Vincent.

Buckle in for poetic writing, phenomenal storytelling, and what I think is her best book yet.

The dual audiobook narration was flawless. When I wasn’t listening to that, I was reading with the author’s perfectly curated playlist in the background (check it out <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rFH5fNI6mP06SnWuyDVJo?si=6TxqUSopRvOWe8hzPXfbdw&pi=VRAAloNYRjiTa">here</a>).

This was a gem. You should read it.
💎🌸 ✨

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the sneak peak ALC 🙏🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rebecca Ross has such a gift for storytelling, and this is proof of it. Her writing is gorgeous. Poetic without ever feeling heavy and it completely sweeps you into the world of gods, mortals, and fate.

Matilda is a heroine you can’t help but love - strong, secretive, and learning how to open her heart in a world that constantly tests her. Vincent, with all his rough edges and buried tenderness, is the perfect balance to her. Their connection which spans dreams and reality feels magical, fated, and deeply romantic.

The worldbuilding is lush, the tension is addictive, and the romance is one that lingers long after the last page. This book has quickly become one of my favorites!

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

Thank you to @StMartinspress and Netgalley for my gifted copy

Rebecca Ross has become one of those authors that writes books that I run to for beautiful story telling, strong characters, that sense of wonder and worry I’m seeking out. I fell so hard to these characters, they attach themselves to your heart!
This is a prequel to Divine Rivals about the gods and how things started! Matilda is a young goddess and we follow along her journey in the world of the gods. I’m so invested in the dreams and interactions with Vincent. Im excited to see how it all plays out and more of Matilda’s roll as a goddess! I couldn’t get over the beauty and the heartbreak of this book! It will go down as one of my favorites!

I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. The writing style, the world building - this was such a fantastic and satisfying fantasy read that it almost felt nostalgic (in the best way)

Ugh I loved this book with my whole heart. 500 pages of yearning??!! I was down bad for this book. Rebecca Ross has the most beautifully enchanting writing I think I have ever read and I'm honestly upset with myself for not reading her books sooner.
I was swallowed up in this world. The worldbuilding was so lush and vivid and just beautiful. The plot was incredibly captivating and I liked the jumps between time to give us the full picture. I was savoring this book it took me a while to finish it just because I didnt want it to end. I knew this book would take a piece of me when I finished it and nothing will hit the same now.

Wow! I absolutely love this prequel to Divine Rivals. Ross’s writing is so poetic – it flows beautifully and carries such emotional weight. The story pulled me in completely, making me feel the love, sorrow, and hope woven through every page. It was both tender and heartbreaking, and by the end I found myself even more connected to the Letters of Enchantment duology. The way it all tied together at the end was perfect, seamlessly leading into Divine Rivals.

Although this could be read before Divine Rivals, as it is a prequel, I would highly suggest reading DR and Ruthless Vows first to fully appreciate the story.

The prose and world building was magical. This was so heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved the magic system, the different gods and goddesses, following all the trials and journeys Matilda goes through. I especially loved the love between Matilda and Vincent.

Wild Reverence follows Matilda, a young goddess, and her journey of growth and discovery in a world where it is dangerous to get close to others in fear of losing what is most beloved to all gods: power. Rebecca Ross has a way with writing that drags you into a world you never want to leave, with her seamless world-building and imagery. I was hooked from the very beginning, I couldn't put it down! I cannot wait for her next work. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

Oh Rebecca I am so glad to be back I’ve missed you!!!!! This book enthralled me from the first page and never let me go. Meeting the Gods and learning their history to have an even more magical understanding of the Letters of Enchantment world has made me swoon. Matilda was such a stunning and breathtaking character. This book gave me goosebumps yall what else do you want me to say?!?! Read her right now. Please.

I couldn't get into this one, and I recognize that that's a result of my own reading slump and not the quality of the book. The writing was beautiful, but I felt it was so long and I just didn't care much about any of the characters.

I may pick this up again at a later date.

3.75 ✨

Thank you NetGalley and Saturday Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first 40% of this book was a slow start and I considered DNFing many times, but the last 60% really moves and is quite compelling. If it had been a bit shorter and tighter, I think I would have loved it.

The magic is quite complex which at times was confusing but at others worked as the FMC is learning alongside you.

The romance finally won me over at the end, but was quite the slow burn.

Overall this was an enjoyable fantasy adventure.

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Loved

I loved this book. I’ve read Divine Rivals and A River Enchanted series, and I loved this more. It’s a standalone prequel to the Divine Rivals world, focusing on the gods. I was sucked into the world immediately. Note: Reading Divine Rivals first is not required.

Quick recap: In a brutal realm where gods kill for power, Matilda must conceal her power until she grows strong enough to fight for herself. Fate leads her to discover her true destiny.

What I loved:
Matilda is fierce, powerful, and says what she thinks
Bade, the powerful father-like figure
The world-building

What I didn’t love:
Somehow, the relationship between Matilda and Vincent went from 0 to 100% love in a short amount of time that they actually talked to each other as adults

This was the first book I read in a while where I couldn’t wait to get back and finish it. Overall, loved!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!