I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing this book as a 'free' read.

This is the second time I tried this author and suprisingly, I stuck the book out until the end and walked away enjoying it - immensely.

If you like gothic mysteries with a twinge of fantasy, this is your book. So fantasy of manners? Yes. That's what we can all this.

The chemistry between the two leads was one of those 'they both liked one another but were afraid of admit it for sake of duty / mission'. She was the means to figure out how his sister died. She was trying to bide time until she hit 21. Trapped in this gothic mansion with the looming death of his sister the year prior, and someone in the mansion who was there then as the killer made it a good read. I liked that I had no idea where the story was going.

The reason I am bringing it down a star is that the world building was rather surface level and some characters felt like red herrings than actual characters with meaning. I'd name one or two but then it would confirm who didn't kill the sister.

I am excited for book two - and finding out that it was going to get a sequel. I hope for more world building and that we get out of the mansion and into the world / politics of society. With the reveal of a certain plot element it makes you wonder what the author has in store.

This is definitely the most unique fantasy book I’ve read in a while. The world, the witch system, all of it is entirely different from anything else I’ve read.

I went into this thinking it would be somewhat similar to The Princess Trials or Trial of the Sun Queen, but it was totally its own thing. The only similarity is the sort of trial aspect that exist in all three of these books.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Thank you very much to Random House Chilren’s Books, Delacorte Press, Lydia Gregovic, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which I received this book.

4.75 stars rounded up. Bachelor style romantasy with high stakes and twists you (or at least I didn't) see coming!

Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch: her hair can be spun by Weavers to craft enchantments and is one of the most precious commodities around. However, the magic of silkwitch hair can ONLY be harnessed by a Weaver; typically, marriage between the two is the answer at least in high society. Silkwitches who are not married by the age of 21 - when their magic starts to wane - are sent to the cloisters and never leave. Lovett is determined to have neither be her fate, choosing to instead make her living stealing from the rich using her Wit, which is being able to open any door, locked or not. When she chooses a mark that's waiting for her, Eliot convinces her to work with him and enter the Vainglory, a competition for silkwitches to win the hand of Noe, son of the Weaver King. The Vainglory is also the competition that stole his sister's life the year prior, and Eliot needs Lovett and her unique Wit to help him solve what really happened. However, as the trials begin, Lovett finds herself part of a much bigger mystery and she quickly learns: trust absolutely no one.

I'm a fan of anything that is bachelor style fantasy, I love them and eat them up! I think the magic and the way it's woven into this world is incredibly unique and I really enjoyed it. Even the silkwitches were all different from each other in terms of power and that was part of why it was so easy to pit them against each other during the trials. The descriptiveness made it so easy to imagine this world in my mind and paint a picture of each scene vividly.

I have said it once and I will say it again, no one yearns like in YA! The romance of it all had me clutching my chest, desperate for more moments between Lovett and the men who want her. The relationships built in this story were not fickle or frivolous and are so essential to the bigger plot that I literally cannot wait to see what happens in book 2.

I did think this was a little long, with some scenes feeling more like filler than necessary. Also I don't trust that Lovett referred to someone as "the most beautiful man I had ever seen" when he's not a love interest. That makes me nervous for book 2. And I'm gonna snap that up as soon as it's released too!

Thank you to Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this expecting a standalone, so the cliffhanger ending was disappointing. Beyond that, several aspects of the book didn’t work for me. The beginning was weighed down by heavy info-dumping, making it hard to get immersed. The prose also felt overwrought, with an excessive number of comparisons—once I noticed them, I couldn’t unsee how frequently they appeared. They stuck in my head like a bad song someone hums nearby, impossible to shake. As for the characters, they lacked depth, which made it hard to connect with them. When they exchanged I love you’s, I was genuinely surprised because I never felt a spark between them. While the mystery element was somewhat engaging, the fantasy and romance didn’t hook me enough to continue following Lovett, Eliot, and Noé’s story.

Review: The Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

Lydia Gregovic’s The Weaver Bride is a beautifully woven tale of resilience, tradition, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of 19th-century Montenegro. The novel follows Ana, a young weaver whose skill with the loom is both her gift and her burden. As she faces an arranged marriage and the rigid expectations of her community, Ana must decide whether to accept her fate or fight for a future of her own making.

Gregovic’s prose is rich and immersive, bringing to life the textures of Montenegrin society—from the intricate weaving techniques that serve as a powerful metaphor for Ana’s journey to the cultural customs that shape her destiny. The novel excels in its historical detail, offering readers a vivid glimpse into a time and place rarely explored in fiction.

Ana is a compelling protagonist, her inner turmoil and quiet strength making her easy to root for. The relationships in the book, particularly those between women, add depth to the narrative, highlighting both the bonds and limitations imposed by tradition. While the story’s pacing slows at times, particularly in its focus on daily life, these moments also enhance the authenticity of the setting.

Overall, The Weaver Bride is a poignant and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of historical fiction that delves into themes of duty, love, and personal freedom. Gregovic’s storytelling is as intricate and carefully crafted as the weavings at the heart of her novel.

Would I recommend it?
Yes! If you enjoy richly detailed historical fiction with strong female protagonists and a deep sense of place, The Weaver Bride is worth reading.

I loved the premise of the book, it had things that I enjoy - romance, magic, mystery, and a marriage competition. The world building and character development was well done. I loved the chemistry between Lovett and Eliot. There were points where the plot felt predictable, but was still enjoyable to read. The cover and edges on this book is also absolutely stunning. Excited to see where the story goes in the second book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House | Delacorte Press for an arc.

I have to say, the cover of The Weaver Bride is absolutely stunning. The premise had me hooked—I really liked the magic system, especially the idea of some girls having magical hair. It definitely gave off Rumpelstiltskin vibes, which was fun.

That being said, I did run into one big issue with the book. There was just too much explanation. Lovett tends to over-explain everything she sees, and while I understand it was meant to build the world, it kind of bogged things down. It made parts of the story feel a little slow and harder to get through.

Even with that, though, the marriage competition and the mystery kept me interested, and honestly, I kept reading even when I was getting frustrated with all the details. The book did end on a cliffhanger, and now I’m really curious to see what happens next, especially with Lovett and Eliot's relationship in the second book!

I had a hard time getting through this. The bloated, boring prose and lack of any depth to the characters prevented me from being invested in anything that happened to them.

first off… this cover is so gorgeous. My eyes immediately went to this book because of it. The book itself was really unique but with common tropes people love. Arranged marriage, witchy FMC, royalty, marriage competition, forbidden romance. It’s super engaging but also the plot makes sense and has some twists and turns. I loved the FMC Lovett and Elliott (also love those names) even the side characters had pretty well developed complex and strong personalities.

I loved this book can’t wait to purchase it too because it’s just so beautiful

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Press, and Lydia Gregovic for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It was such a fun and suspenseful read!
I loved the magic system in this book, it's unique and creative. The twists and turns were well written, some of them surprised me so much that I was staring at my screen, looking like a Loading Cat meme. The storyline kept me engaged and entertained all the way through.

I liked that almost all the characters were morally gray, no one was perfect. Even though I found Lovett to be too stubborn for my taste, I still liked her. She's smart and strong, and she knows how to stand up for herself, which I respect. I wanted to see more of Eliot, though, he wasn't as fleshed out as Lovett was. I'm not sure how I feel about Eliot-Lovett-Noé situation. It's kinda a love triangle but kinda not?

I did not expect this kind of ending at all. I thought this book was a standalone, but the ending sets it up for a sequel, which disappointed me a little, but I’ll read the sequel if one comes out.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read filled with suspense, intrigue, and beautiful twists.

I felt this book a bit confusing. If I had not read the synopsis I would have been totally lost however I also dnf’d it because I felt it was just a bit too weird for me.

This book is just as amazing as the beautiful cover is! It has all the witchy, thriller, fantasy, suspenseful and magical vibes in it! I have never read a fantasy book quite like this one. I love the female main character and the mystery of this book! There is also a forbidden romance in the book. The main character is a witch who has to guide a marriage competition. She is a witch that has rare magic and it can only be used by finding a weaver husband. So, how will this twisty story end? The ending is both unpredictable and satisfying. I found this book to be beautifully written and had a clear thesis! There is a lot that goes on in this book! This is in the young adult genre. Overall, I rate this a high 4 out of 5 stars!

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.

This book is set to be published on September 30, 2025!

The Weaver Bride snares your attention from the first page and holds you captive until the very last. This gripping first installment is filled with an impeccable magic system, mystery woven in all the best places, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance between our two love interests that match each other wit for wit.

Lovett, the female main character, presents such an intriguing front that leaves you cheering her on and I adored following her story. I’m rooting for her and fully support any/all decisions she makes. I love a character that isn’t afraid to stand up for themselves and their morals— AND sticks with it throughout the entire story. Her character arc is unmatched and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Everything written was balanced out very well, and I never felt overwhelmed with info dumps throughout the story. I'd absolutely recommend all my fantasy, romance-loving friends to check this one out!


Thank you to the publisher; Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press, the author; Lydia Gregovic, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will.

Lovett Tamerlane is a ruthless pickpocket and brilliant thief, she also is what is known as a silk witch. A rare magic in her hair that can be harnessed only through marriage to a Weaver. But finding a Weaver husband requires status, refinement, and money, all of which Lovett does not have. If silk witches are not married before the age of 21 they are carted off to what is called the cloisters, an imminent doom for the rest of their lives. Faced with the cloisters or marrying a weaver which seems impossible, Lovett takes fate into her own hands and survives during what she does best ....being a thief. This is because all silk witches are given one gift that seems to represent their innermost selves and Lovett's gift is being able to open any door she choices regardless of it being locked.

When Lovett steals from the wrong person, she finds herself trapped with Eliot Lear, the son of a prominent Weaver. Eliot has been watching Lovett, and he offers her a life-altering opportunity: entrance to the Vainglory, a competition with the winner marrying the weaver kings son. All Lovett needs to do is solve the mystery of Eliot sisters death and unmask her killer and Eliiot will ensure she has her pick of Weaver suitors, regardless of who wins the competition.
Lovett quickly finds out all is not what it seems behind the kingdom walls and it will take all her skills to keep herself out from trouble.
Love is not fair in love in war or so we will find out!

4 out of 5 stars, a brilliant read!

I absolutely ate this one up. Admittedly, I chose it for its very pretty cover at first but the summary promised many things I love: romance, fantasy, mystery and intrigue, a marriage competition, underdog heroine. Think Stephanie Garber meets Kiera Cass. And let me tell you, it delivered. The world building and magic system are both well done and the heroine imperfectly lovable. I knocked one star done for the rushed conclusion and letdown in the mystery reveal but I’m also hoping it’ll lead to a second book if only to get some more satisfying answers. If this is the only book, I’ll riot.

4.5 ⭐️

I LOVED this. This is the second book I’ve read recently that’s about a competition for a prince/someone of high rank, where another guy helps her but they end up falling in love instead! This reminds me of The Rose Bargain, another arc I received and really enjoyed. I was hooked from the very start, and can’t wait for the second book. I don’t think anything’s been officially announced, but the way this ended sets up for a sequel perfectly! Anyway, this book is pretty much exactly what you’d expect from the synopsis, with a few other twists. All of the characters and different plot lines felt very well developed, and the chemistry between Elliott and Lovett was adorable. I think all of the side characters were well fleshed out, and even though there were so many of them, they were clearly and easily distinguishable. Overall, this was a great read and I would definitely recommend checking this out!!