I really enjoyed this! I loved the world and magic system that was built, and this book presented mostly as a locked room mystery. I really found the relationship of the silkwitch hair to the weavers power and the purposeful hindering and caging of the silkwitches to harvest their power. I liked the main characters and mostly enjoyed the way the romantic relationships were built. I definitely want to see what’s next from Gregovic and I really really hope e<spoiler>that one day Lovett and the rest of silkwitches take back their power from the men. </spoiler>

3.8
Kind of the Bachelor, slightly Hunger Games, a vague gothic regency vibe with a handmaid's tale level patriarchal structure...Oh! And there's magic hair.

Thank you NetGalley and Lydia Gregovic for this ARC!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Where do I start? This was such an entertaining read. The magic system was so unique and I really want to know how Lydia came up with it. I loved the mystery and the way it evolved was great. The longing! 🤤 The FMC (Lovett) and the MMC (Eliot) really just ooze romance/hatred. The enemies to lovers is real here. Don't even get me started on the side characters. I normally don't care about the side characters. But this time, I needed to know more . I WANTED to get to know everyone involved.

I was excited for the read now option on NetGalley and the beautiful cover is what drew me in. This was my first time reading the authors work and I really enjoyed her writing style. I plan on reading her debut book now that I’ve read her work. The weaver bride is a suspenseful murder mystery that kept me intrigued, but I stayed for the slow burn romance. The main character Lovett is asked by Eliot to enter a marriage competition. Winning the competition would benefit Lovett, but Eliot actually wants her there to help him solve the murder of a previous contestant, his sister. I loved the tension between these two and I liked that all the characters in this book are a little morally gray. I went in thinking this was a standalone, but the ending left on a cliffhanger so I’m hopeful for a book 2! Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the chance to read this book early in exchange for my honest review. This book is set to be released on September 30th, 2025.

First, the cover is gorgeous! The premise sounded eight up my ally, and this really sounded like it would be a fun read. It did not disappoint! I honestly enjoyed this more than I thought I would and I'm so glad I got approved for this one. I haven't read anything else by this author, but I'm definitely going to change that after this book. I can't wait to read the sequel. The characters were great and had excellent chemistry. I loved the setting, and it never dragged. Will gladly be anticipating the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Weaver Bride by Lydia is a unique and gripping story that had me hooked from the very beginning. I was addicted to the plot and couldn’t put it down! The world-building, especially the weaver system was fascinating, and the competition aspect kept things exciting throughout. I absolutely loved this book. I really hope there’s a second one because I need more especially after that ending! I’m dying to know who she ends up with.

Lovett is a silkwitch, she has magic running through her that must be harnessed through marriage to a weaver. Any unwed silkwitch is sentenced to a life in the clolisters. Lovett has an ability to open any door, she uses this talent to steal from wealthy families, but she soon steals from the wrong person. Eliot, who has been watching Lovett, offers her a proposition. Enter the Vanglory competition and solve his sister Ophelia's murder and he will ensure that Lovett has her pick of weaver suitors. Lovett soon finds herself going undercover in the dangerous competition.

The premise sounded interesting, and I like books that have a competition plotline. The competition itself was interesting, and I liked seeing Lovett working to solve Ophelias murder while keeping her true identity hidden. I enjoyed Lovetts interactions with Eliot.

Overall, I liked parts of this book, though there were times the pacing was a little slow for me. The ending leaves you on an interesting cliffhanger that leaves me intrigued enough to read the next book in the series.

This story had a very intriguing premise and all in all, it wasnt terrible. With that though, I have a few critiques with this:

A) there were a lot of possible antagonists posed in the first few chapters of this book by the MMC and basically all of them had little to no role other than random conversations here and there.

B) many mysteries were being investigated throughout this book and all of them had a very weak and non-satisfying conclusion. It felt like there wasnt an actual ending to this book. Almost as if the author didnt know how she wanted to wrap everything up and they didnt know how.


On a more positive note, I was very invested in the outcome of this story and it didnt start to truly disappoint me until the last 75ish pages. The main characters were slightly one-dimensional but interesting non the less. Im happy to have read it.

This book is a masterfully and beautifully crafted fantasy!! It was so addicting, I finished the witchy-ness of this novel. I loved the thriller-aspects. Everything about this book is what I love about (marriage) competition stories!!!

I really enjoyed reading this book! The author did a fabulous job with keeping the story interesting and flowing. I never really liked books that drag on but this book never did! The characters were very unique and I really enjoyed there journey. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

— 2.5 stars ★

I'm really not sure what to think about this book, to be honest. I feel like there was potential in this book with the plot and the magic system, but it felt like the magic system wasn't explained enough. I understood the basics of it, but I wish there was more to the world. It felt like something was missing and I'm not sure what.

There's romance in this, obviously - but it just... didn't hit! I don't really know where the feelings came from, as the FMC kept saying she hated the MMC. The two clashed so much that I was sure they wouldn't get together and that the FMC would end up with another character. I also just generally didn't like the characters. The FMC mentioned how smart of a thief she was and how she was always careful but she literally wasn't. Ever. She had no character growth and seemed very prideful. Not only did she not have chemistry with the MMC, she didn't have chemistry with anyone. I didn't feel like she was fleshed out enough to connect with others. However, no one else in the book felt fleshed out either.

I think with a stronger execution with more fleshed out characters and worldbuilding, this could be a really good book. The plot is good and sure, sometimes predictable, but it could be a favorite among readers if it was paired with good characters. By the end of this book, I just really didn't care what happened.

I must admit, though, the cover is gorgeous.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of The Weaver Bride in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic! If you like YA fantasy, you need to read this! The magic system is unique and the story drew me in. It was unputdownable! I cannot wait until it comes out so I can get it for my 14 year old daughter so we can discuss it. I did not see the ending coming. Please tell me there is a book two on the way!

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the e-arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC.

Rating: 3.5

Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch - blessed with magical hair and a Wit - a speciality gift unique to her. Her Wit, to open any door whether locked or not, allows her the freedom to come and go as she pleases. However, there is a deadline hovering over her: as a silkwitch, if she does not marry a Weaver (a male sorcerer) before she turns 21, she will be resigned to a life in the cloisters. A unique opportunity approaches her, promising safety from that terrible end if she agrees to assist him in investigating the details of his sister's death at last year's Vainglory competition.

I was intrigued by the plot initially, as the idea of a competition between young ladies with unique magical gifts vying for the hand of a powerful Weaver gave a fun spin on the bridal style competition trope. However, I feel as though the biggest focus on the plot was Lovett's relationships with the other major characters. The actual trials were quick affairs and a lot of the time, we follow Lovett as she thinks and investigates to resolve the reason why she is there - solving the murder of Ophelia Lear.

The ending (last 5%) of the book spits out information in quick succession to tie up all the loose plot points. I feel there was an opportunity to delve more into teasing these revelations out.

What I Enjoyed:
- a unique magical system in which each silkwitch has her own particular Wit
- the underlying mystery of Ophelia Lear's death
- the idea of the silkwitches' hair being spun into magesilk to produce Woven goods (magical artifacts)

What I Believed Could Be Better:
- the hot/cold romance Lovett has with another character
- the ending being more an explanation monologue, similar to an infodump
- the abrupt ending (is there a sequel?)
- the trials being more like small stumbling blocks than fledged out affairs for the ladies to pass or fail

Lovett es una joven bruja de seda que ha aprendido a sobrevivir sola en una sociedad que mercantiliza su existencia. Alejada de los círculos privilegiados, oculta su verdadera identidad con tinte para el cabello y vive al margen, ejecutando trabajos clandestinos para damas de la alta sociedad. Su carácter es fuerte, astuto y emocionalmente complejo. Su rebeldía ante el destino impuesto a las brujas de seda la convierte en una heroína fascinante: una mezcla de ladrona, espía y sobreviviente.

Eliot Lear es hijo del poderoso político Reginald Lear, y resulta ser un Tejedor con una historia familiar envuelta en tragedia, especialmente por la muerte de su hermana, Ophelia. Su carácter es igualmente inteligente, pero más reservado y estratégico. A diferencia de los fríos y abusivos hombres de poder que Lovett ha conocido, Eliot se muestra curioso, provocador y, en última instancia, genuinamente interesado en ella como persona, no solo como recurso mágico.

El encuentro entre Lovett y Eliot es un duelo de ingenios, lleno de tensión y atracción mutua. Ambos juegan roles: él, el aristócrata que esconde intenciones más profundas; ella, la bruja disfrazada de doncella ordinaria. Su relación comienza con desconfianza, pero rápidamente se torna en una alianza precaria, una que podría ofrecerle a Lovett algo que nunca ha tenido: una verdadera oportunidad.




Necesito el siguiente libro.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

Hmmm... what to write. 3.5 stars from me. If you like dark romantasy, you might want to give this one a try. This is the first in a series. That is made clear at the end. I'm always glad to know that before I begin a book. On the one hand, the book is fascinating. On the other hand, there isn't much chemistry between the characters. Is there really much romance? I'm not sure I believed in it. That plotline could be by design as that leaves possibilities for the future. I might have liked more character building. The work is interesting. I guessed correctly at one of the end reveals but one part was a total surprise to me.
I didn't close the book with a smile. At the same time, I am invested in knowing what is in store when the next book is published. So...I liked the book. I didn't love the book. I wanted something more from it. I will most likely read the next book. I was given an ARC through NetGalley so I could give a fair review. My thanks to the Random House as well.

I have mixed thoughts and feelings about The Weaver Bride. The plot was unique and interesting and the author, mostly, delivered well on this story though I didn't realize it would be the first in a series. I like series books so this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it felt as if the story was reaching a conclusion that didn't happen. The world building was okay, but the magic system was confusing. I'm still not sure that I understand it, so hopefully this is flushed out more in the sequel. The romance was subpar and wasn't believable, but I think it is because the MMC was so lackluster and dull despite being broody. It was a decent story.

Summary 📝

The Weaver Bride is a captivating romantasy that follows Lovett Tamerlane, a silkwitch with a rare magic and a dangerous secret—she can open any door. With no status, money, or prospects, she uses her gift to survive, until a risky theft brings her face to face with Eliot Lear, the mysterious son of a powerful Weaver family. Eliot offers her a chance to compete in the deadly Vainglory, a marriage competition whose previous winner—his sister—died under suspicious circumstances. As Lovett races to uncover the truth behind the murder, she must navigate a world of power, secrets, and desire, where love and betrayal go hand in hand.

Thoughts 💭

This book had a very intriguing concept, the plot was very enjoyable and I found myself to be pretty engaged with the story. I do think that the magic system could be made a little more clear overall, while I understood most of it, there were some points that had me confused. Lovett was truly the driving force of this book, Eliot was kind of dull to be honest. So much so I was wishing for an enemies to lovers plot to unfold with a different character in the novel.

That ending definitely has me wanting more though. It did start off a tad slow for me but soon picked up as I kept reading.

Overall Rating : 4⭐️

This book was given by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lovett is a silk witch who is running out of options. The closer she gets to her 21st birthday without a husband, the closer she gets to being shut away forever. When Eliot offers her a spot in a competition to gain a husband in exchange for helping him solve his sister’s murder, she accepts because she has no choice. This book was a romantasy who done it, and I thought that was a lot of fun.

Admittedly, I fell in love with the cover.

And after the first 2 chapters I was like… eh…

But then something clicked and I couldn’t put this story down…I had to know what would happen to Lovett, so I read until I finished it at 1:30 am on a school night. As I started to get near the end, I realized I wasn’t going to get the resolution I wanted because I’d blundered into an unfinished series. Now I’m going to have to wait. Rookie move, picking a book for the cover…

first off, this was not advertised as the beginning of a series, so that was unfair. i definitely was expecting a conclusion that never came and my anticipation of the book’s close was somewhat let down by this fact. additionally, i found the author’s excessive use of semi-colons where, in fact, periods and new sentences belonged, frustrating. her prose seemed intentionally difficult at times, like she wanted to trip me up. however, in other places where she wrote … not simply, because that’s not what i want or require, but maybe … more from the soul, i found it very beautiful.

the actual storyline, once it got underway, was addictive and devastating, even though lovett is not a very strong mfc (how many times will you stand there silently, darling dear??). i didn’t know who to trust, who to want lovett to be with. her chemistry with eliot seemed rushed after only a handful of encounters, but i enjoyed the loath-to-love thing they had going on.

i did find the end where all the secrets are conveniently spilled … well, convenient and a let down. if they were going to have a frank conversation, it did not require that final challenge win to do so, nor her discovery of his ties to ophelia, nor what was behind the moonless door. plus, the entire book didn’t need to happen if noé had simply admitted to eliot what went down between him and ophelia. the fact that there was no murder, no resolution, no coverup felt unsatisfying. final thought, i don’t understand how noé is getting away with his bride when clearly his father will know what she knows. it all seems too contrived, too opportune.

clearly, there was merit to the book, because i have these many thoughts! i just feel like there were some plot holes, some dramatic elements added for a simple red herring effect that angered more than intrigued (dorian’s entire character was a waste — so much potential there, squandered!). if i had a chance, i’d read the sequel, just to know how many more bad decisions everyone is going to make and if lovett ends up with someone she likes 😅

3 Stars
ARC review

Ahhhh I’m really not sure what to think of this book! The general idea of the book is really solid- I loved the idea of the magic system and I loved the plot, but the execution just wasn’t there. The magic itself was one of the most confusing parts of this book. Actually, I still don’t think I fully understand the magic system but I liked how unique the general idea of it was. And then there’s also the romance… which, unfortunately, also didn’t hit for me. The MMC seeks out the FMC to help him solve his sister’s death, but here’s the catch: she must join the competition to become the future king’s wife in order to solve the mystery. See, this is one of the parts that I actually really enjoyed. Normally, when there are competitions for becoming queen, like The Selection by Keira Cass, the FMC goes into it thinking that she “hates” him, but ends up falling for him. That’s not this book!!! In this book, she’s more attracted to the future king’s friend, the man who sought her out to help solve his sisters murder. The FMC… she’s painted to be this astute character who notices the unnoticed, and yet she’s so oblivious when it comes to this man!! It honestly drove me mad at times how she just couldn’t see it. And the MMC is very bland. I do love a morally grey MMC, but he wasn’t even morally grey, he was just kind of broody, and not a hot broody. The ending kind of blew my mind and it’s honestly what redeemed this book for me, so of course you can bet that I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for book 2.

Features -
- Reluctant allies to lovers
- Political plot
- Mystery
- Romance
- YA
- Competition for future queen
- First person
- Single POV