Rebecca is an absolutely phenomenal writer…so unique! After this book, she’s officially an auto-buy author for me. Ahhh, it’s everything I dreamed it would be: amazing, beautiful, and all the things I hoped for.

This is a divine story about gods and mortals. Matilda is a young herald goddess when she first crosses paths with the mortal, Vincent. They don't see each other again until she tumbles through his window to deliver a message and here is where their story begins to unfurl.
Through their journeys, I fell in love with the main characters. I enjoyed reading along to see what was going to happen next.

Wild Reverence is a well-paced book that had me reading into the wee hours at night. It's a great companion piece to the Divine Rivals duology. I hope there'll be more to read about this world in the future.

Thank you, St. Martin's press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Where to even start with this book, it was so beautifully written and the story was so achingly sweet. I really enjoyed getting to know Matilda and Vincent and how they came together. I love that Ross did not try to humanize the gods because they aren't human and are not concerned with human morality, and I feel like if she humanized them it would have taken away from the story. The small easter eggs we get if you've read the Letters of Enchantment duology were so well done, but I do not think you need to read the duology first in order to get just as much out of this book. If I had to describe this book in one word it would be emotional, there was just so much raw emotion in this book it made me feel so deeply about this world and about these characters. I'm sad that it's over because I want to live in that world still.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Is love worth it even if it can’t last? A question I found myself pondering as a suffered through the myriad of emotions I felt while reading this book. I really loved this book. Matilda and Vincent had such a beautiful connection. Ross took her time weaving the story of Matilda’s life which made the payoff much sweeter. Each character was complex and added to the depth of the story. Bade and Nathaniel were two of my favourite more minor characters and I miss them already! The subtle links to Divine Rivals further enriched the story and I may just start a reread… Unlike the stories of some gods, this fantasy romance will not soon fade into obscurity for me.

Unfortunately I wanted to love this so much but I just couldn’t get into it. I’m hoping I’ll be able to pick it back up at a later date and try again but as of now I just do not find it enjoyable.

First off I love that this book is set in the same world as Divine Rivals! The writing style in this novel is so well done. It’s fantasy without being too overly complex which is a delicate balance! I very much enjoyed this novel. The epilogue was so fun!

I have a confession to make and it’s that I haven’t read Divine Rivals yet. I girlbossed too close to the sun and didn’t think I’d get approved for this ARC. But I can confidently say that you do not need to read the original duology to read this book!

I ADORED this book (and am even more excited to pick up the original series now). We follow Matilda, a god-child who’s trying to navigate the realms while not truly belonging to either of them and having to stay on the move and keep secrets to protect herself and those she cares about while figuring out exactly what her purpose is. The writing is beautiful and I was immediately intrigued by the magic in this book and how the hods interact with it and each other. The book does start a bit slow as Ross builds up characters and introduces us to the overlaying themes—starting with Matilda as a child–but I didn’t feel like it was dragging or unnecessary.

Truly this book was so intriguing and full of wonder. I adored the world and characters who all felt so well rounded and real. Not many fantasy books lately have hooked me as quickly and deeply as this one did and I am obsessed, truly. My only regret is finishing it on vacation so I can’t go back and read Divine Rivals right away.

Thank you so much to author Rebecca Ross and publisher St. Martin’s Press | Saturday Books for providing me with an ARC of Wild Reverence in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is September 2, 2025 and I can’t wait for everyone to experience this story!

4.5/5 ✨ (rounded up to 5!)

The beginning and middle had a few tiny slow spots, which is the only reason I took off half a star.

Oh, how Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows completely stole my heart earlier this year 💞 so when I saw there was a prequel, I knew I had to read it. One thing I love is that this can be read either as a prequel or as the third book. Personally, I’m so glad I read it after the first two because it gave me so much extra background and helped certain moments click but, either order works!

I don’t want to spoil too much before release day, but if you loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, I can almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with this one too. The magic, the gods and goddesses, the scenes between the different realms it’s all so beautifully crafted and just ✨magical✨

The backstory is captivating, and I enjoyed learning more about Enva and Dacre especially Enva’s music. The glimpses into other gods, goddesses, and realms added so much depth. And the way the story moves between present and past? ***Chef’s kiss*** 😙 I am such a sucker for that narrative style.

Our FMC, Matilda, is brave, strong, and full of heart. Our MMC, Vincent… I adored him in every single scene. The love he holds for the people in his life, and the sacrifices he’s willing to make 😭 don’t even get me started 💚

After the Matilda and Warin forest scene when Vincent shows up? SOBBING. Their love is unstoppable and powerful, and I couldn’t get enough.

The supporting characters like Bade, Nathaniel, Enva, and some other divine surprises all added so much more to the world.

And the epilogue??? Absolute perfection. It had me gasping, holding my breath, and grinning like an idiot as we learned more about the origins of some very special typewriters 😉

Read this one, my friends. And read the entire series. These books have a permanent place on my top reads of the year list, and I truly think they’re something special 💚💛🖤

Well. I absolutely loved Wild Reverence.

This book sunk into my soul. I adored the characters, the setting, the way it felt like coming home. I couldn’t put this down, and every time I had to return to real world responsibilities, all I could think of was getting back to reading this book. I’m not kidding when I say it completely took over my life for the three days it took me to finish. It felt like a dream, and having finished it I am not sure it wasn’t. Every page has been steeped in magic, and you can feel it in every word.

Wild Reverence somehow simultaneously fits perfectly into the world of Divine Rivals and feels like opening the door to a brand-new world. The way Ross expanded on her mythology while keeping the core we already knew is masterful. I adored getting more background and stories on the gods we only get a peak at during the Letters of Enchantment duology, and there were plenty of easter eggs that showed the connecting threads throughout.

There was a large cast of characters, but each one felt essential to the story and added depth to the world. Bade was by far my favorite of the gods. There is something about a grump with a heart of gold that always gets me. I adore found family, so the bond between Matilda and Bade was everything. I also loved Vincent! He was courageous but wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable and fight for what he wanted. The slow burn romance between Vincent and Matilda was beautiful and sweet. Their story was tender love, magic, heartbreak, and longing. I was fully invested in them, and every twist and turn had my heart racing. This book just kept going until the end- it felt like a roller-coaster the entire time (minus a small lag in the middle but honestly, I appreciated the chance to breathe).

Wild Reverence is a warm cup of tea and soft blanket by a fire. It had all the charm and magic I’ve come to expect from Rebecca Ross, and it surpassed my high expectations. If you want to be swept away by a Greek-tragedy-style romance with enchanting characters, then I highly recommend you pick this one up!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and SMP. All opinions are my own

FIVE STARS!! Absolutely loved this prequel! The lyrical prose, the magic system, the characters, the conflict and resolution - everything was written so beautifully. There were so much lore about the Letters of Enchantment universe and I love how the epilogue sets up for Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. This book has a satisfying ending and it feels like a full circle to see Matilda grow up to be the most amazing and powerful goddess!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC!

This book was my most anticipated read for 2025, and it did not disappoint! Wild Reverence is set in the world of the Letters of Enchantment duology and can be read as a prequel or a standalone. It explores when the gods of Skyward and Underling were prevalent and thriving, following the herald goddess Matilda, both coming into her powers and falling for a human, Vincent.

Rebecca Ross's writing is so beautiful and majestic, especially when describing the character's love and devotion for one another. I became fully immersed in their story, wanting to live in this world and savor every moment. I found the gods' powers and realm fascinating and loved all the nods to the original duology. I loved it so much, I immediately reread Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows the same day!

This book deserves the number of stars in Matilda's constellation! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this gifted arc. All opinions are my own.

Rebecca Ross can do no wrong. This one is lyrical, immersive, and so emotionally satisfying. Her prose makes me want to underline every other sentence.

Wow! I could not put this book down. I enjoyed the world and mythology of Divine Rivals, and loved how Wild Reverence added depth and context to the lives and histories of the divines. The love story between Matilda and Vincent was beautiful, and the mythology built around it felt both old and new. I hope Rebecca continues exploring this world because I’d love to hear more.

Thank you so much for the E-ARC! This was my most anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint!

Flawlessly written. Rebecca Ross delivers another stunning story, told in masterful prose. This is everything you want in a prequel and she doesn’t sacrifice an inch of beautiful storytelling from the Letters of Enchantment duology.

I’d like to extend a big thank you to St Martins Press, NetGalley and the author for providing an advanced electronic copy of this book- my thoughts are my own.

Another beautifully written, enchanting story, with writing so lyrically captivating that at times it left me in awe. I am a big fan of Divine Rivals, so I was beyond excited when I found out about this book. Overall, I loved the story but I will admit, it took me a bit to really get into it.

The first 30% or so was very heavy on the world building and backstory of the FMC. While most of this felt pivotal to the storyline and was undoubtedly unique, I still found myself struggling to connect or stay focused. After this, things started to pick up, my interest was piqued and I soon became invested in the story. I loved the emotional depth and how the author enchantingly blended myth, magic and the importance of following your heart and being vulnerable in an unforgiving world.

With what can only be described as a picturesque setting, intriguing characters and a brilliantly crafted plot, Wild Reverence is definitely a must read and one of my top books of 2025!

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for providing me this ARC. I unfortunately decided to DNF at 34%. This story is very slow moving and hard to get into. Once I put the book down, it was difficult to want to pick it up again. The pacing felt chaotic. The world building was hard to grasp. Vincent who is our mmc, has been no where near as involved (as to the 34% I got to). I’m very sad this did not work for me. Thank you again to the publisher for providing me this copy!

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

This book had a bit of a slow start, with a very fast finish. I really enjoyed the levels of intrigue and deception that the gods play. The views of the world that we just got a taste of in Divine Rivals, was super interesting, getting to see the world from the gods perspective. The extra world building was intricate and rich, seeing what the gods could do and how they could steal each other’s powers. There is still some that is left unanswered, and I like the idea that we can return to this world later. And the love story between Matilda and Vincent is beautiful. 3.75 for me rounded up. Just because it took so long to really grab me, but I have a feeling that was more of a me issue than an issue with the book. Thank you netgalley for the e arc.

Wild Reverence is a wonderful dive back into the world of Divine Rivals, focusing on the gods and goddesses that make up the pantheon in this world. This story follows Matilda, the herald of the gods, her journey and her love story. It comes together wonderfully at the end with the typewriters and set up for Divine Rivals.

I loved how this story felt like reading a Greek myth. The details of stars, warring gods, and personalities make it a lush world that's easy to lose yourself in. I appreciated learning more of the rules and background of the gods that hover over the story of Divine Rivals. I also loved how strong Matilda was as a character with all her flaws. The love story was adorable and absolutely worth the read. The pining and tension were real!

I highly recommend this book as a continuation of the Divine Rivals world for fans. If you've never read Divine Rivals, I still think this book would be entertaining as you don't need any knowledge of the previous books to enjoy it. I think it reads like a classic myth that will be enjoyable for all readers.

I just adore Rebecca Ross’s writing. I had such a good time being back in the Letters of Enchantment series. I really loved Matilda and Vincent together. I liked that I could relate to Matilda in the fact that she wanted to help people. This book just had such a romantic feel to it. I love the vibes and setting. I really enjoyed this book and I would really recommend.