✨Big big thank you to Lydia Gregovic, Random House (Delacorte), and NetGalley for the privilege of being able to read The Weaver Bride in digital format. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble upon release.

✨The Weaver Bride is a YA suspenseful romantasy - perfect for those who like a slow-burn romance and a murder mystery all in one. The characters are morally grey, and the backdrop is a marriage competition. The cover immediately hooked me, because, well, it's absolutely gorgeous and amazing. The sprayed edges also look sooo pretty. I know the final edition will be beautiful and I can't wait to see how it turns out in person!

✨Heavy vibes - worldbuilding is lovely, and the unique magic system brings something new and interesting to the table. The whole atmosphere was very looming and gothic. The imaginative nature of the magic, tied to the hair of women called silkwitches, kept me interested throughout the story. I always appreciate a critique of gender dynamics and this one had a nice little dollop of it, along with a juicy plot and characters that kept me guessing. The similes in descriptions could've been adjusted a little bit to not seem quite so repetitive, but I like the author's rhythmic writing style. I would've liked more description of the competition, for sure. But the murder mystery did seem to be thrust into the plot, and I would've liked for more development there. But overall, I thought this one was a really high-stakes witchy fantasy tale that surprised me in more ways than one. The ending was definitely unexpected - looking forward to reading more from Gregovic in the future!

✨Lovett is such a fun main character, and her fierce, practical nature was a good counterbalance for Eliot's more mysterious and brooding visage. Their romance was sweet and simmering, and I would be interested to see if their romance goes anywhere further in a second installment (if there will be one!) I think this book would make for a great start to a dark academia duology. If you like unique magic systems, worldbuilding, and strong, resilient female main characters, you'll enjoy this one. It gave me The Shadows Between Us (Tricia Levenseller) vibes. If you liked The Rose Bargain or Heartless Hunter, you'll probably like this one as well.

Major Tropes & Themes:

🔮 Magic & Witchcraft
👰 Marriage Competition
🕵️ Murder Mystery
🖤 Morally Gray Characters
🌹 Forbidden Love
🕯️ Dark Academia Vibes
👑 Wealth & Power Struggle
💔 Suspense & Betrayal

4/5 stars!

This was quite the read! Fans of The Rose Bargain and the marriage competition trope, this is definitely for you.🌹

The world building, the characters, the little details that contribute to the twists and turns? This book can stand on its own. It had me on the edge of my seat and was amazing!😍

The characters themselves were next to none other. Conniving and ruthless and backstabbing in the best of ways.🖤 If you want a love hate relationship with the people on the pages this is the book to read.

The romance felt a bit rushed, somewhat lacking. Slower burn would've been a great fit here but there was enough intrigue to keep me hooked.

It was fast paced, dark, dangerous, and just overall *chefs kiss*. Will definitely have my eyes out for the next!👀👀

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

first, thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book! i really liked the concept of this book and found the first half super entertaining. the description of everything was so detailed and easy to picture. however, the second half was kind of far fetched and hard to follow a bit. the characters and concept of the story was really clever and hooked me from the start! look out for this on september 30th! perfect spooky season read 🫶

Witches, thrilling, fantastical, and suspenseful. What more can you ask for in a story? The characters where my favorite. Ruthless and conniving. I love to hate them. I need the next book asap. I hope there's a next book, I don't fell like there was a cliffhanger, but it had me craving for more.

If you love thrilling and magical adventures, then this book is up your alley. It's engaging, thrilling, yet cozy. I loved it.

Look for some reason I love the idea of a marriage competition. I have no idea why, it honestly makes no sense, but suffice to say I was hooked on this concept first thing. Then adding in some mystery and forbidden love? And a satisfying ending with many twists and turns to get there? Honestly I loved this book.

The description had me hooked, marriage competition? Sign me up.

I didn't pay enough attention and I realized after starting the book that this is YA and not my usual adult fantasy romance.

That being said this book was still very cute and lovely. I enjoyed the fantasy world created and I know my teenage self would have absolutely devoured this book and been obsessed. My tastes have evolved a bit, and that was completely my fault/mistake.

I did find this book to be original and the magic system unique, but there was a lull in the book towards the end that I had to get myself through. I also, wasn't convinced by the romance at all. The cliffhanger was a surprise as I thought it was a standalone, but it did want me to read book 2 immediately though.

Oh. My. Stars. 🌙✨ This book swept me into its lush, magical world and did not let go! I was hooked by the murder mystery, the deadly marriage competition, and the incredible tension between Lovett and Eliot. The gothic vibes? Immaculate. The twists and turns? Deliciously shocking! I adored Lovett’s fierce spirit, her wit, and her power — and the chemistry between her and Eliot had me on edge the entire time.

This is the perfect blend of mystery, romance, magic, and suspense, with beautifully layered characters and a plot that had me gasping more than once. Lydia Gregovic has crafted a fantasy that’s impossible to put down — I’m OBSESSED! 💀🕯️✨

soooo this started out with an amazing premise and a world and magic system that seemed so unique. Still slightly confused by the end, but I’m also dumb so.

The romance was…unsatisfying? All that lead up for nothing? Plot can be a plot but if you’re going to introduce a romance only to steal it right out from under us, don’t come by my town🫠💔

This book is just as stunning as its beautiful cover! It delivers all the witchy, magical, suspenseful, and fantasy-thriller vibes you could hope for. I’ve never read a fantasy quite like this one—it truly stands out. The female main character is incredibly compelling, and the mystery woven throughout the story kept me hooked.

There's also a forbidden romance that adds another intriguing layer. The main character is a witch with rare magic, but her power can only be fully unlocked by finding a "weaver" husband—making her role in guiding a marriage competition all the more intense. How will it all unfold? The story takes some unexpected turns, and the ending is both surprising and satisfying.

The writing is beautiful, with a strong narrative voice and a clear focus. A lot happens in this book, but it all comes together seamlessly. It’s a unique and magical read that fits perfectly within the young adult genre.

✨“I have always lacked a certain gentleman’s restraint, especially in regard to those things I love. And I can no longer pretend that I do not love you.”
“If I took you as my wife, would you lie down beside me in peace, or slit my throat while I slept?”
“I feel my power over them like a sword in my hand, just as my fiancé promised, yet the satisfaction it brings me is shallow. I am full, too full, for anything but my rage.”✨

Listen when I tell you I have had the hardest time with romantic fantasy’s lately, I am not joking! This book is was literally everything I wanted and maybe some aspects I didn’t know I wanted. It was the perfect blend of romance, yearning, mystery, suspense, and magic. If you think the romance was barely there, then I fear we are becoming to used to blatant in your face romance in books, because you could feel the subtle tension and chemistry that the FMC had with one of the MMC’s from the beginning! This is such a unique premise that I have not seen attempted before and the author literally knocked it out of the ballpark! The magic seemed neat at first, if not a little surface level, but the bombshell she drops at the end makes it 10x more dynamic 🤭 and God I love a feminine rage revenge story….’

This story touches on how men will always try to diminish women, even when the women are the powerful ones and the timing of the story was so perfect! Giving me quite a bit of the twist but just enough where I was hooked and need the next book like yesterday 😩

This series is my new obsession and I will definitely be buying a copy of this for my shelves!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Lydia Gregovic, and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC!

Um wow.....I was absolutely entranced by this book. It was everything I love, thriller-y, witchy, suspenseful. I loved it, it kept me on my toes, it was one of those book that I sacrificed sleep to finish.

I'm keeping this one short and sweet because I know this work will speak for itself. Just read it and thank me later.

Holly Collins

Part mystery, part fantasy, part romance and so so so good. This book built and built with twists and turns leading to a jaw dropping ending. The pacing was perfection. The female main character was actually likable. The romance took somewhat of a backseat to the mystery and fantasy aspects of the book (which is normally a downside for me) but I was completely ok with it because the story was that engrossing. Will be highly anticipating book two.

This book was like a more mellow and YA version of the heartless hunter duology, with romance as a more minor subplot with a story just as beautiful as the cover ! Lorett is definitely a very interesting FMC, and her mystery solving skills are top notch ! Ophelia and Sybil totally creeped me out throughout the book. Elliot is so amazing, helping Lorett with the coin, the candle and the doors but he's not morally grey, he's more...broody.
The book is about a young silkwitch Lorett, who is recruited by elliot to solve his sister's murder. However, she has to enter a set of trials to become the son of the Weaver King's bride in order to solve the murder. I do wish the romance had more of an effect in the book, but the ending blew my mind and overall this book was really good !

This book is not at all what I expected and I think the description will inevitably put off readers because I think it is very misleading. It is absolutely not a sweeping fantasy or thrilling romance. It most definitely is not a romantasy and to call it a twisting mystery is also a stretch. I hate when the descriptions do not match the book as it will only alienate readers. You will pick this up and be disappointed and it won’t have the chance to be picked up by the readers who will enjoy it. I love books that fit all the descriptions above which is of course why I wanted to read this. The marriage competition had me thinking of The Trial of the Sun Queen and The Rose Bargain and wondering if marriage competition plots were becoming their own category but that very much would not be an accurate representation. The competition is a plot device to be sure but there is very little tension and competition here. I love mysteries and when an author dangles one it does a very good job of keeping me hooked but once again I am sorry to say that is not the case here. I wanted something like This Monster of Mine where the mystery and the pacing kept me invested but instead I really could not care less and even worse was the so called resolution of the matter.

Perhaps all of those criticisms could have been tempered if this had any romance or frankly anything else to recommend it but it really does not. The so called romance is frankly insulting. I absolutely love enemies to lovers or even a misunderstanding of each other but this is just ridiculous. There is anger and insults and perhaps the threat of violence but nothing remotely worthy of a love story. Our protagonist feels like a narrator leading us adequately through the story but with very little substance aside from rash or annoying decisions. This book is almost bizarrely even keeled with absolutely no change in tempo or anything to grab any reaction from either the character or the readers. Characters can profess their love or be in grave danger and nothing really affects anyone. That neutral description could have worked if it felt like anything was of interest but nothing much really seems to be happening.

I find it almost hard to describe what I mean by the tone but the author is just completely monotone with everything. The story is not boring, and actually has a unique if bizarre magical concept here, but it’s just almost dull. This is definitely a story for a certain kind of reader that wants almost an old fashioned take on a closed door mystery I think. Sadly the description of such a vivid and a sweeping plot is not at all accurate. I have no interest in seeing where this series is going and I found the ending abrupt and ridiculous. Definitely not for readers who despise cliffhangers.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

✨Thoughts ✨
I felt very "meh" about this book. While I think the premise is interesting and it had potential for me, I ultimately did not find myself caring for the book and I predicted a lot of things. I will say that I really liked the writing style, for there were some really great quotes in here that were very swoony and thought provoking.

So while this did not become an absolute favorite of mine, I will definitely read other things that the author comes out with!

This was a book *full* of similes. Everything was like everything else and it made a kind of poetry throughout the book. The relationship between Lovett and Elliot was beautiful and heartbreaking and it was a fascinating world. Having silkwitches have magical hair that's used in magical devices was amazing. Having to be controlled by a husband, less so. It gave off dystopian vibes in the sense that women couldn't hold their own power, that it was held above them. Either get married or get sent to the cloisters where they're even more used. Lovett was a feisty-think on her feet sort of girl, as evident in her answers in the Vainglory trials. The book was beautifully done and set up exactly for a sequel-- you want to know more of what's going to happen to Lovett and Noe and Elliot. It read as very dark at times, but still a good read. Would recommend.

What a lovely read! I thoughly enjoyed and flew through the pages. the concept of Silkwitch was really creative and interesting.and the mystery was nice.

The Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic delivers an irresistible blend of intrigue, romance, and magic, set in a world that feels as lush as it is treacherous. Lovett Tamerlane, a silkwitch surviving on wit and the gift of opening doors (both literal and metaphorical), makes for a compelling and fiercely likable protagonist. Her journey, from a streetwise thief to a reluctant competitor in a deadly marriage tournament, had me hooked from the first page.
The Vainglory competition is a brilliant narrative device, layered with high-stakes tension, subtle social commentary, and just enough danger to keep the pages turning. Gregovic skillfully weaves in mystery with the death of Eliot Lear’s sister, adding depth and purpose to what could have been just another romance-focused competition. The romance itself simmers slowly, with enough angst and betrayal to satisfy any romantasy lover without overwhelming the plot.
The worldbuilding is rich, and while I occasionally wanted more clarity around the rules of silkwitch magic and Weaver politics, the atmosphere was immersive and beautifully described. Some pacing hiccups in the middle slowed the momentum slightly, but the twists (especially in the final act) more than made up for it.
With its clever plot, morally gray characters, and haunting questions about trust and power, The Weaver Bride stands out as a smart, emotionally resonant addition to the romantasy genre. I’ll definitely be watching for whatever Lydia Gregovic writes next.

Title: THE WEAVER BRIDE
Author: Lydia Gregovic
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Re-readability: Yes, I will reread prior to reading the sequel.
Binge-Read Score: Read in 3 days!

Overall Thoughts:
Magic, betrayal, and mystery are all interwoven in THE WEAVER BRIDE (pun intended 😉)! Envision a murder mystery meets Rapunzel with magical abilities. The book in general was hard to put down and this was a really well written fantasy with elements of mystery and suspense. There were moments where I honestly could not predict the ending, who our murderer was, or other elements of the story which was refreshing. I also enjoyed the back and forth between the morally grey main characters. This book is a page turner and I recommend!

Thank you to the author, Lydia Gregovic, and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC.