"We're going to get through this, and I'm going to have my pineapple, and you're going to have your strawberry mead."
- Katrien

Overall: 4 stars
Perfect for fans of: Raleigh and Mako in Pacific Rim, Dragon Age: Awakening, and fruit-flavored beer
Follow up with: The Will of the Many by James Islington, The Element of Fire by Martha Wells

Emily Skrutskie’s first foray into romantic fantasy hits all the notes one would expect from the genre without dragging, and has the time and capability to challenge some of the tropes we’ve all become familiar with. Legionnaire’s is a very successful inversion of the classic fantasy story, and the romance is enjoyable enough (although not earth-shatteringly romantic) to keep the story powering through.

Legionnaire’s starts at the end of the classic fantasy story; the big bad is defeated by a hero with a never-before-seen amount of power, the continent is liberated from years of fear and terror, and everyone is suddenly free to live their lives without worrying about demons pouring out from the aptly-named Mouth Of Hell. When we first meet Kat and Emory, they’re army fodder about to march directly on this Mouth, and have taken advantage of this clearly deadly mission to break some rules. Specifically the rule about fraternization between soldiers. And in their commanding officer’s tent. Immediately, Skrutskie establishes the emotional lynchpin of this story. I was worried showing her hand so early would make it drag, removing the will-they won’t-they that almost every other romantasy author relies on, but Skrutskie introduces more conflict later that’s so much more interesting and revealing than “will they sleep together” that it actually works better than I could’ve anticipated.

I’m sure some people will argue that the middle third of the book drags. We see only a few actual battles (and most are over or almost over by the time our narrator Kat arrives) and instead get drawn into the logistics of what an army does when the threat they were formed to face has fallen. I loved this part. I loved seeing how the soldiers were forced to adapt and how this changed everyone’s relationships and priorities. I thought the emphasis on the administrative effort of managing a large military force was actually considered, and Skrutskie continues a pattern I’ve noticed before in her other books (especially The Salvation Gambit, which I read last year and adored). She refuses to handwave away some of the fundamental assumptions you have to make when reading genre fiction, and invites the reader to be a participant in the world building and understanding the true scope of her stories.

Legionnaire’s is, more than anything else, great fun. The story is engaging and the world building is unique, but the focus is primarily on the relationships between Kat and her fellow soldiers — obviously Emory, but the rest of the decade also plays an important role in the story. Sometimes the true reward really is the friends you’ve made along the way, and in Legionnaire’s, the friends are genuinely a reward for reading the book. I will be up front and say I am not really a romance fan, and while I didn’t really feel a push to engage with Kat and Emory, the bonds they both had with their decade made the book worthwhile for me.

Overall, this is a really impressive first effort in fantasy that, despite not nailing every aspect and every landing, had enough twists, turns, and subversions to keep me eagerly reading until the end.

This is one of those books that feels as though it’s written just for me. It’s character driven with a fun magic system where the main character learns just enough for what she needs to do (without ever a lecture or exposition in sight), with strong world building, a found family of all of her fellow soldiers, a dry sense of humor, strong writing and a lightning fast pace that had me finishing in one sitting.

Kat is a battle weary but not hardened infantry soldier who was drafted into service so that she — like so many young men and women — could fight an endless war against demons. And now that the demons are gone and the world saved, she’s stuck between wanting to leave the army and go home, because of course she wants to go home, and not wanting to leave Emory, her battle partner and lover. He, on the other hand, enlisted. He had always wanted to be a soldier, wanting a place to belong, a purpose to call his own, a family he could belong to. The idea of leaving the world he chose is … daunting.

Then there’s Prince Adrian who is spoiled, entitled, selfish, vain, thoughtless and earnest in the way only a Chosen One could be. And he’s picked Kat to be his friend, advisor, and devoted admirer … and she is so over him. Her scenes putting up with him were some of my favorites, because Kat is able to see the good in him as well as all of his many, many, many flaws and small, careless cruelties.

Kat doesn’t sass the prince, doesn’t snap back with modern wit and clever lines. She’s a soldier with limited education who knows that to mouth off to the prince could mean her head. Instead she’s clever, patient, and does her best to protect her infantry brothers and sisters. She’s compassionate, courageous, and an excellent heroine. She’s not the Chosen One, she’s just the one who’s there at the right time doing the right thing. Which is killing demons.

This book doesn’t have lengthy battle scenes, though in the few there are the author writes them well enough that I was able to get a feel for what was going on, and it helps that they were all filtered through Kat’s POV. The world building is skillfully inserted in conversations and observations with never an info dump to be seen. Honestly, I’d love more books in this world, and will be keeping an eye out for more work from this author.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

just terribly charming and entertaining. exactly what it purports itself to be, with characters who instantly pop

If a cozy romantasy can be set in wartime, this is the book. Well written, well paced, diverse and believable characters who grow over the course of the book. A unique and interesting magic system. Everything about this book flowed and despite the demons and politics, I still found myself kicking my feet with the light at the relationships, both romantic and otherwise. The demons and politics themselves were well written and believable and everything served to progress the plot. No wasted words here which made it an easy and very satisfying read. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends and anyone who enjoys a quality read with battles and political machinations but still enjoys a cozy fantasy romance.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a cozy, warm hug of a read, with a little spice thrown in! Kat and Emory are adorable. After fighting together for years through a brutal war, they're both trying to figure out what they want next. Emory is convinced he'll remain an enlisted soldier, while Kat can't wait to return to her father's forge. Emily Skrutskie does a great job of exploring the internal struggle that happens when people change and the dreams they wanted no longer fit who they are.

The plot was fast paced and even though it takes place in a fantasy world, I never felt like I was being hit over the head with world building or info dumping. The side characters were quirky and I was always happy to see them pop up on page. But of course, the real heart of this book is the relationship between Kat and Emory. Their devotion to one another was so endearing and I couldn't get enough of their food list. Their side quests to find certain food items that got them through the war were all well placed, cute, and didn't slow down the plot. I also really appreciated that there was still fighting, adventure, and magic throughout to keep things moving.

I highly recommend this book and loved it enough that I plan to buy a physical copy when it's published!

I went into this book thinking I was going to have a silly goofy good time but I ended up losing interest in the story about half way through. I think it was just too slow paced for me and I needed more.

I adored this book! While you probably can't call it a "cozy fantasy" since it is about war and fighting demons and technically has higher stakes, it gave me the same warm and fuzzy feelings as other cozy fantasies do. This book was a perfect standalone story for anyone who enjoys zany characters, discovering your own potential, and beautiful slow burn friends-to-lovers romance.

The romance was so well plotted and felt real and believable to me the entire time. It truly was able to grasp the delightful feeling of being in love with your best friend and them knowing you better than you may know yourself. Every single interaction Kat and Emory had made me swoon, and the last two chapters were practically perfect in giving me everything I hoped for them.

The world building was also excellently done, from the magic system that was wholly unique, to the nobility and different areas of the world, to the *brilliant* foreshadowing that- while I did call it when it was mentioned early on in the book- left me so satisfied with how everything played out.

Overall I am so pleased with this book. It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I would highly recommend it to any romantic fantasy lover who may be looking for a "lower stakes" book that still has a great kick of adventure and self discovery! Thank you so much Del Ray and NetGalley for sending me this e-ARC!

A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace
by Emily Skrutskie
Pub Date: Jun 24 2025

On the eve of the battle that will decide the realm of Telrus’s fate, Katrien takes a hard look at her prospects. A mere legionnaire, she and her spear will be at the fore in the morning, facing off against the Demon Lord and his wretched army, and it’s all but certain she’ll perish in the fight. But if the end of the world is mere hours away, there’s no reason not to hook up with her handsome, dedicated battle partner, Emory—despite any antifraternization policies their centurion may have in place.

Only the world doesn’t end the next day. Instead, an insufferable prince raised in hiding comes out of nowhere with a plucky band of heroes, defeats the Demon Lord, and seals the rift to the hellish plane. The realm is saved. The war is over. And Kat suddenly has a lot more future than she knows what to do with. It’s a future that could include Emory. . . . if only he weren’t so set on staying enlisted in the very army Kat was unwillingly drafted into.

And while the Demon Lord has been destroyed, peace is still a long march away. When Kat inadvertently catches the eye of the prince, she, Emory, and the rest of their motley unit are pulled to the fore of the formation—and the heart of the danger—as the army embarks on one last campaign. The mission: laying a road as a foundation for the prince’s future rule. The real mission: scouring the last of the Demon Lord’s servants from the material plane.

As Kat and Emory work to secure a lasting peace, they’ll have to decide what they want their futures to look like—and if there’s room for love at the end of the road.

"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.