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.

I'm the self-proclaimed biggest fan of Rebecca Ross and I absolutely loved Wild Reverence. Set in the same world as Divine Rivals, I think Ross improved upon common critiques of the Letters of Enchantment duology series by expanding on the world she developed and introduced in the original series. Rebecca is additionally the queen of yearning and slow burn romance — I absolutely adored the romance between Matilda and Vincent. I just want to re-read these books again, thanks Rebecca for once again ruling the fantasy romance genre.

I have never wanted to immediately to turn back to page one and start rereading a book- until Wild Reverence.

Wild Reverence is set in the same world as Divine Rivals (which is one of my all time favorites.) Although Matilda & Vincent's love story happens 600 years earlier- we wouldn't have Iris & Roman without them.

Matilda is the herald to the gods- an underestimated, and often overlooked, middle court god. She was born of a skyward father and an underling mother- making her the only god capable of traveling between all 3 realms, including the mortal realm. But her mother never revealed the identity of her father- so Matilda's childhood was spent in the under realm.

When Matilda was a god-child, the goddess of dreams snuck her dream scrolls- often including the dreams of a raven haired mortal boy, Vincent, who has perpetual nightmares of drowning. Not long after she begins reading these scrolls- she starts appearing in this boy's dreams and rescuing him from the watery death he has always dreamt of.

Around that same time, Matilda finds herself tangled in the dangerous web of black market dealings that her mother partakes in, including the sale of eithral scales- the only material that can kill the gods. After one of these scales ends up in the wrong hands, Dacre comes looking for the ones who stole scales from his precious pets without his knowledge. And Dacre knows exactly where to look because Matilda revealed the culprits during a dream walk with Vincent. The goddess of dreams shared this information with her brother and this tragic chain of events led to her mother's death and Matilda fled to her father in the skyward realm in order to avoid the same fate as her mother.

13 years below. 13 years above. Matilda is no longer a god-child, but a goddess who has grown into her power as herald of the gods. She has sent to deliver Enva to Dacre as his bride and the tangled threads of fate lead her back to Vincent- who needs her aid.

In the midst of this fast paced, adventure filled, and politically scheming world- Rebecca Ross managed to fit a lifetime of tension, yearning, pining, and love that transcends realms. I never thought that anything would be able to top The Letters of Enchantment series. But I was wrong. Wild Reverence was a reckoning that I never knew I was waiting for. This book left me both speechless and a blubbering, sobbing mess at the same time. Be prepared for emotional damage and make sure you have tissues on hand.. especially when you get to the epilogue.

Rebecca Ross is the queen of yearning & tension. And with this book, she proved that you can have both pining and spice in equal parts without sacrificing the plot. From the romantic tension, the impending war, the love that transcends all realms, the political intrigue, the tragic stories, and the easter eggs to divine rivals- Wild Reverence is truly a literary masterpiece that I would read 100 times over.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary:
Matilda, a young goddess with messenger magic, guards a dangerous secret in a realm where gods kill for power. Her world collides with Vincent's, a mortal river lord who once dreamed of her, when she delivers a letter to his bedroom. As their destinies intertwine, Matilda must choose between godly traditions and the vulnerability of love, risking her magic and more.

Review:
Rebecca Ross has crafted a spellbinding tale in "Wild Reverence" that captivated me from start to finish. Set in her Letters of Enchantment universe, this book offers a fresh take on the romantasy genre.

What I loved:
- Matilda and Vincent: Their characters are beautifully developed, growing and evolving throughout the story.
- Nathaniel and Bade: Supporting characters who add depth, heart, and richness to the narrative.
- Magic system: The unique approach to divine powers and their interaction with the mortal world is fascinating.
- World-building: Ross creates an immersive and captivating realm that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
- Pacing: The story moves at an engaging pace, making it difficult to put down.

Common tropes you'll find:
- Coming of age
- Slow-burn romance
- Found family
- Gods and mortals

"Wild Reverence" is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. It offers a unique magical experience that stands out in the genre. If you're looking for a book that combines divine intrigue, personal growth, and the power of love, this is the perfect choice.

Thank you to Rebecca Ross, St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well, it’s safe to say I’ve found my favorite book of the year!

MY.GOODNESS. Rebecca Ross really just has a way with words. Her stories sweep you in and become a part of you while you’re reading. Wild Reverence is an achingly beautiful story, filled with grief, longing, unfair truths, and deep-rooted love. I felt every emotion reading this book - all the way down to my soul.

Am I sobbing as I write this? Yes. I’m going to have to use a second hand to count the books that have made me cry now. Do I already want to start it all over again even though I just finished the last page? Absolutely yes.

The ending of this one weaves perfectly into Divine Rivals - so if you haven’t read that one yet, this is a perfect place to start - and if you have read it, you’ll appreciate this story even more! I cannot recommend this one enough!!

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - May 27, 2025
Publication Date - September 2, 2025

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @beccajross, @stmartinspress, @saturdaybooks and @netgalley!

Rebecca Ross did it again folks! I was so excited to read this prequel after loving Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows! I got so immersed in the story that it was a shock to leave the world when I had to put the book down. I love that the importance of words is a running theme! Wild Reverence has a touch of letter writing that made me want a pen pal desperately. What does a girl need to do to get a man to write her letters and fall in love with her? Asking for a friend... I also loved the relationship between Matilda and Bade, something about their connection really got me in my feels! I was so sad when I finished reading because I didn’t want it to be over. I need to do a re-read of the whole series soon because I miss the world and characters already!

If you like romantasy books with the Gds and stars, you have to try Wild Reverence and the rest of the Letters of Enchantment Series!

Get excited to read Wild Reverence, available September 2! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

This book was everything I wanted and more. I deeply missed the world of Divine Rivals. And my goodness, does Rebecca always knock it out of the park with a slow burn romance. She also blessed us with a dual POV, this story is just perfection.

Vincent and Matilda meet in childhood through Vincent's dreams - how do you not want to read more from just that? Every time he called her, "Red", I just squealed. I love the relationship between Bade and Matilda, the softening of his heart over the years and being the father she always needed. Learning more about the Gods and Goddesses of Underling and Skyward was so exciting. The biggest treat of all was learning about how the TYPEWRITERS came into existence, I screamed.

Reading this book, you experience a wide range of emotions and deeply. Anytime I want to feel something, I reread a Rebecca Ross book and this book is absolutely included now.

Rebecca creates these magical worlds that sweep you away, and as you read, time is forgotten. You want to keep reading as you get towards the end of the book, but you also don't want to finish it because you don't want it to end. This was book of the year for me, hands down. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the e-arc.

Loved this book SO MUCH, if I didn't have to sleep and other responsibilities I would have read it straight through! Before reading this book I had read Divine Rivals but not the sequel, Ruthless Vows, yet. You do not have to read either to read Wild Reverence.
Rebecca Ross . . . writes so well that I easily get lost in the worlds and stories she creates. This story is filled with great characters and relationships and made me feel happy, angry, suspenseful, sad at times.
Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Star-Crossed Lovers
Slow-Burn Romance
Gods & Mortals
Meddling Gods
Spice level I would rate 2 out of 5, pretty low but would not recommend for younger readers. Loved, loved this book and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys romance/fantasy genre!

This book blew me away. I couldn’t put it down. Matilda’s journey from humble, naive goddess to powerful, adult warrior was riveting. I loved how she grew into herself and her power. Her character growth was perfect.

I enjoyed Vincent’s journey as well, albeit heartbreaking. He was kind and strong, nurturing but fierce. Their relationship was very believable.

I like stories that have a good balance of fantasy elements and romance and this one hit the mark. The fighting between the gods and goddesses kept me captivated, but I was also invested in what happened between Matilda and Vincent. Their love story enhanced the plot instead of taking me out of the action which I think is a difficult thing to do.

The plotting and the pacing was excellent. There was a lot of tension and with 20% left in the book, I had no idea where it was going. The conclusion was satisfying. This book takes place in the same universe as Ross’s Devine Rivals duology. It was fun to see references and familiar characters pop up.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it absolutely did not disappoint. Thank you @netgalley, @beccajross and @saturdaybooks for an advanced reader copy of this book. It will be released on September 2, 2025 (4.5)

This is one of the best things I’ve read this year. Ross does an excellent job with staying a shade in the Letters of Enchantment world, while crafting something completely different. The world, the gods, and the yearning built as the book progressed, and I could not put it down. Matilda is perfectly balanced between the emotionally detached gods and having more developed feelings, and it never felt like she lost herself. An absolute treat.

This was my introduction to Rebecca Ross and I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't sure if this could be read if you hadn't already read Divine Rivals; however, while it is set in the same world you do not need to read her other books first.

This was so beautifully written I couldn't put it down (no really, I read it in 2 days). It was heart breaking, and hopeful, and just everything I wanted out of a story. I loved how we got so much backstory to our FMC before jumping in to the main plot, that really helped me get immersed and begin to connect with the characters in a way I probably wouldn't have if we had just jumped right in.

Divine/mortal love story, slow burn, fake marriage, betrayal, found family - this book had it all. Dual POV between the FMC and MMC which was done so well and I just loved Vincent. The twists and turns that came multiple times within the story - I never saw them coming. The ending was beautiful and I think, perfect.

Expected Release: 9/2/2025

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like coming home. Rebecca Ross writes to enamor and immerse us into whatever world she has weaved and I would give anything to live in the world of Divine Rivals.

This prequel provides us more lore and insight into the gods that were revered by Roman and Iris. It gives us more of the romance and yearning and pain that Ross writes so, so well, but in a completely different light.

I loved every bit of Matilda and Vincent, but even more than them, I loved Bade. Bade who is supposed to be hard, but made soft by the unexpected caring he found in his life. I would absolutely love love love to see more of him and Adria. I would love a novel surrounding him. I’ll even take a novella!!

And the way the epilogue is what perfectly sets the world up for Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows… the way we come to know of how the typewriters were created… poetic!!

I loved this book so much and now I cannot wait to reread the duology.