"A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace" by Emily Skrutskie is a character-driven romantasy that follows two legionnaires as they navigate both war and the peace that follows. Having read and loved her other book, The Salvation Gambit, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. More on that later.

The story opens with a battle against the Demon Lord and his minions - a confrontation that will decide the fate of the realm of Telrus. Katrien and her battle partner, Emory, don’t expect to survive it. But help comes from an unexpected source: an insufferable prince raised in hiding swoops in and saves the day. And yet, it’s not over. He has one final mission for Katrien and her decade, after which he’ll release from service those who wish to leave. Katrien must decide what she wants for her future, navigate her new responsibilities, and maybe - just maybe - find love along the way. Not an easy task, especially in an army with strict anti-fraternization policies.

Overall, it’s a solid fantasy filled with rich world-building, vivid and original characters, and a unique magical system. I loved that the legions were modeled after Roman military structure. The idea of tokens needing to be cultivated - and their intriguing source - was a fresh take I really enjoyed. The slow-burn romance was well-developed and built gradually, with some intimate scenes thrown in for good measure. I also enjoyed the interactions between the characters and their conflicts. Skrutskie's writing is good, but the plot itself didn’t always engage me. It lacked momentum and was too slow for my taste, which made it harder to stay invested.

That said, while the story had a lot of potential, it didn’t fully live up to its early promise. The premise is fantastic, but the execution fell a bit flat. The pacing is uneven - moments of high tension are followed by slower, less gripping passages. The beginning hooked me immediately, throwing us into the action and gradually revealing the world. But the middle lagged, with only occasional bursts of action.

For my taste, there simply wasn’t enough going on to keep my attention, and I wasn’t fully invested. It’s not a bad story, but it wasn’t the captivating read I had hoped for. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to readers who enjoy character-based narratives, slow-burn romance, and detailed world-building - albeit slow-paced ones.

*Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own

DNF at 37%

At first, I thought I was going to get into this story and like it a lot. I liked Kat and Emory and their decade. But the immersion-style storytelling stopped working for me, it was too slow-paced for me, and I honestly just lost interest in continuing. It's definitely one for the low-stakes cozy fantasy lovers, but I'm finding they're not my favorite.

A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace by Emily Skrutski is a captivating fantasy romance that explores the friends-to-lovers trope. The story introduces Katrien and Emory, a skilled fighting duo who have been partners on the battlefield for three years. Facing what they believe to be their final battle and the end of the world they share an intimate night together. Yet, against all odds, the battle is not lost, leaving them to navigate what comes next.

Skrutski builds a world that feels fresh and original, blending fantasy elements seamlessly with the romantic storyline. The unique setup keeps the narrative engaging and provides an intriguing exploration of the characters' evolving relationship. The chemistry between Katrien and Emory adds emotional depth, making their journey relatable and compelling.
With its creative world-building and well-balanced mix of action, romance, and character development, this book offers an enjoyable and memorable read.

Katrien and her shield, Emory have been a battle team for three years. They hook up, despite all the anti-fraternization policies the night before the last battle agains the Demon Lord and his wretched undead army, certain that its the end of the world... or at least their world. Only it turn out not to be, a magical prince pulled victory out the edge of defeat, and now both Katrien and Emory have a whole future in front of them.

Why I started this book: Great cover and nearing publication date...

Why I finished it: What an unique and fresh fantasy, that questions what happens to the foot soldiers after the Chosen one saves the day? I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, because a big portion of my joy was discovery and unwinding... so I can only recommend this to fans of T. Kingfisher and Sharon Shinn with vague reassurances that its great.

Very well done. Possibly a little light on the plot parts, but I had such a great time reading it I didn't mind. I loved seeing the perspective of a foot soldier. I also liked that the side characters didn't feel too interchangeable or bland.

I don’t know if words can adequately express just how delightful this book was to read. A low fantasy book built within a high fantasy world where we never have to fully consider any of implications or the true politics of the world in itself because we are in the infantry & that is the heart of the story. There is so much to this book but it is so approachable too and I loved that! I loved Katrien so much, her reactions would also be my reactions I think. And Emory??? He’s so cute & sweet. I loved the dynamic between the two of them, especially that it was so innocent despite the brutal war they were fighting & the conditions they existed in. It always seemed as if Katrien was the dominant force in the relationship and Emory was just along for the ride, ready to love her.

So well done, so approachable, & so satisfying!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

There’s just something about the friends two lovers, and forbidden love troops that I really enjoy. Don’t ask me why, they just are great. This book has both of those.

I will also admit to the fact that I read this book based on the title and cover alone. Did not regret it for an instance.

Emory and Kat are stuck fighting a war against a demon lord that they have no hope in winning. On the eve of an unwinnable battle, they give in to their desires. Turns out the battle was won, and now they have to figure out what happens next.

This was just a fun, enjoyable read, and I will definitely be throwing this at people to read.

Well written and well paced. It never felt rushed and the ending tie up was appreciated. The spice is like a 1 pepper and many people will apppreciate that as well. The romance is believable and I would read more about this world. 4 stars.

I have no notes. This was perfect. If I could give this six stars I would. Emory and Kat are just so stinking cute

4.5 stars

This book quite literally fell into my lap when it was recommended for someone with my reading tastes. I have never read any of Emily's books, but was surprised to notice this was her first foray into a romantic fantasy novel, as it was written so brilliantly and with such a unique concept.

Most books follow the heroes as they train or are thrust into a situation where they must defeat the big bad die, whether that is a demon king or a political overlord. Video games and tv shows all follow this main outline. But here Emily did something different and new that I personally have never seen before.

In this book we follow Kat as a mostly normal infantry soldier fighting on the front lines after she was drafted into the war against the High Demon King and his horde. She has been fighting with her battle partner and 'decade' for 3 years and on their final stand is witness to when the typical 'hero' comes flying in to save the day and destroy the demon king. Now she must navigate life as a woman, soldier, and potential leader in the aftermath, gaining a life she didn't know she would have.

I really loved Emily's writing style and all of the characters she made real. I loved how, even with very real challenges, Kat's biggest hurdle was imagining the life she truly wanted and going after it. And I also really enjoyed how this may be a love story between a hetero couple, but it shows several other couples very naturally (as it should be) and in a way that didn't feel performative.

This is a very uplifting, dare I say, cozy book and I am happy that I had the opportunity to read it.

I’ve been looking forward to A Legionnaire’s Guide to Love and Peace for so long, and I was beyond excited when my request was approved. Even better? It blew me away with how good it is, despite not having any real expectations going into it.

The setup for this book is so unique. Most fantasy stories end with the big, final battle, but this one starts there. Instead of the traditional happily ever after, we get to see what happens after the war is won. Where do soldiers go once their purpose is fulfilled and the war is over? How do you figure out what you want when survival is no longer your only goal? It’s such a fascinating concept, and Emily Skrutskie executes it perfectly. I really enjoyed this style of storytelling because I felt that much more engaged with its components.

I completely fell in love with Kat and Emory. Their journey, both individually and together, was filled with so much heart, humor, and emotional depth. There’s a lightheartedness to this book that keeps the heavier themes from feeling overwhelming, but make no mistake, it will hit you in the feelings. I honestly wasn’t expecting to get emotional, but I found myself tearing up more than once.

Katrien is such a badass. She’s tall, strong, and fierce and not at all the delicate, helpless FMC you often see in fantasy romances. I adored her resilience, her stubbornness, and the way she constantly challenges the world around her. Emory, on the other hand, is her perfect match; steady, loyal, and so deeply in love with her that it hurts. Their relationship isn’t just about tension or longing; it’s about choice. Watching them navigate their connection outside of the battlefield was both beautiful and devastating.

And can we talk about how fun this book is? Between the road trip style military campaign, the political intrigue, and the moments of pure, chaotic togetherness and friendship, there’s never a dull moment. Plus, the romance? It was so good. I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d love the dynamic between Kat and Emory, but their chemistry is everything.

I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, but whatever it was, it doesn’t even come close to what I actually got. It’s fresh, unique, emotional, and completely captivating from start to finish. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Skrutskie, and Del Rey for the eARC of this book.

It took me a bit to get into this book and for maybe the first 20-30 pages I wondered if I was really going to finish it. However, it really picked up and I ended up loving it. The characters drew me in and really made me care and worry about them.

i have been looking forward to this one for a long time — i was so excited when my request was approved! and i’m even more excited that it held up to all of my expectations. the set-up for this book is already something very unique — the story starts at what would typically be “the end”, the final epic battle against the forces of darkness. instead of sending our heroes off into their happily ever after beyond the end of the book, we as readers get to see how that happily ever after is really achieved. where do soldiers go once their war is won? what do you do when the simple priority of staying alive is relieved, and all that’s left is to figure out what you want beyond your own survival?

i loved watching kat & emory’s journey through these questions. there’s a lightheartedness to this work that gives the existential dread of facing your own future a bit of levity, but it doesn’t take away from the emotional weight of the two of them grappling with both their individual and joint desires. i am honestly shocked to report that i cried a couple of times over them (i really didn’t think it was that serious, but they crept up on me)! i absolutely loved this one, and i highly recommend it.

I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, but whatever it was, it pales in comparison to what I actually experienced. I was completely captivated by the story. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before—starting with the two main characters post hook-up, navigating life after the war has ended. It’s a fresh perspective that I hadn’t encountered before, and it made the journey all the more compelling.

I absolutely loved Katrien, the FMC—she's a total badass Legionnaire. Not your typical frail, helpless heroine, she’s tall, strong, and fierce. Alongside her partner (and lover) Emory, she served as the hinge of her decade, and their bond was both powerful and captivating. I found myself fully invested in their relationship, rooting for them every step of the way.

This book had me feeling everything; the intensity of war, the sweetness of longing, the ache of choices that don’t come easy. It’s romantic, heartfelt, and so wonderfully full of hope. I absolutely adored it.

I received a free copy from Del Rey via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date 24 June.

I've read a few books by Skrutskie, and this book's intriguing premise made it one of my anticipated new releases for 2025. In A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace, First Spear Katrien doesn't expect to survive the doomed last push to attack the Demon Lord's fortress--until the demon is unexpectedly defeated in a last minute attack by the prince of the realm. Now alive and with the option to leave the army, Katrina must process an eve of the battle hookup with her battle partner Emory, even as the prince takes an interest in her career and the Demon Lord might not be as defeated as they thought...

A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace was a gentle and leisurely paced novel exploring territory more often occupied by fanfiction, about what happens after the final battle with the forces of dark. The answer seems to be: lots of angst. Katrien and Emory have been partners in battle for three years, but only had sex the once, under highly emotional circumstances. Now, contemplating their future without the army, they're both uncertain about what they want. The central romantic conflict leans heavily on Katrien and Emory not having a conversation, or even an argument about their relationship, but perhaps that's understandable. They're only twenty-one, in an army that seems to be shockingly young--their commanding officer is only two years or so older, and their fellow soldiers mostly younger than them. However, I did enjoy how deftly Skrutskie avoids writing the same old tired gendered relationship tropes. Emory and Katrien might be m/f, but they're also both bi, and Katrien is over six feet tall, muscled like the blacksmith she was, and fully capable of picking Emory up and tossing him in the river, even though he's no lightweight himself.

The worldbuilding leans heavily on archetypal fantasyland concepts, and for the most part this works. It's about the concept of moving after your whole life has been defined by war, about rebuilding after disaster, about redefining relationships after you're no longer in the position that created them. When you squint a little harder at the worldbuilding, it doesn't quite hold up to the depth lent by the genre space it's inhabiting. There's a gesture at common people vs the out of touch nobles, but mostly on a shallow level. Similarly, worldbuilding about the ancient gold tokens that lend users the power of angels isn't deeply explored either magically or theologically, although a major plotline revolves around Katrien learning to use her token. Still, it's effectively enough written overall.

A thoughtful, slow romantic fantasy exploring the idea of after the battle in an archetypal fantasyland with a sweet bi4bi romance. Recommended for people who liked Legends and Lattes and How to Become The Dark One and Die Trying.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book: two soldiers fall in love against the rules (no fraternization) just before they think they’ll be marching to their deaths - and then they survive. I loved the FMC; we don’t often get to see tall, muscular female characters that can totally beat the MMC in a fight.

The magic system was unique, and the tone was somewhat cozy (think Assistant to the Villain, or more accurately, This Will Be Fun).