This is exactly what I wanted in a medieval romance book! The main male character was very well written and I loved the romance!

This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I found it to be a very enjoyable read!! The extreme medieval vibes were exactly what I was craving and the plot kept me entertained. I loved the intense relationships and complicated characters. And the romance?! Oh so deliciously addictive.

Very entertaining. I read a ton of these types of stories, and sometimes they start to feel too similar. This one didn't feel that way I was very entertained. This story has everything. Delightful characters that carry the reader along. Trials are abundant, both physical and mental, and couple of bad guys get their comuppin’s. Great read!

An Irish Medieval Historical Romano at its best. Astrid is on a mission to help her brother. He is stuck marrying a woman that the powerful king has chosen for him. Cormac O'Connor is a true warrior, along with responsibilities that he must follow and carry out. It’s his job to make sure the wedding happens. What he didn't count on was Astrid and her interfering ways.
Throw in a tournament to with her hand and you are in for a
fun story with all kinds of twists and unexpected turns.
Sophia Nye writes with great storytelling skill, as always. The characters are so detailed, lovable and positively unforgettable. Her story captures you and you don't want it to let you go. Absolutely packed with courage, wit, pride and stunning romance. You'll want to enjoy every moment of this heartfelt and exciting adventure.

This book was a bit uneven in its pacing. The setting is intriguing but the storyline was a little too garbled and the romance lukewarm.

Not for me.

The Princess of Elm by Sophia Nye is another Warriors of Fianna story featuring a Fianna warrior, Cormac, who has gone through difficult trials to gain his membership. He now lives by seven rules, the last of which is to marry for love. This rule appears to have met its match in Astrid, whose brother wants her to marry for advantage. She isn’t entirely sure she wants to marry outside her own culture, which throws a monkey-wrench into Sitric’s plans. It becomes very complicated when her brother arranges a contest with the prize for the winner being Astrid’s hand. Cormac and Astric meet and share their concerns, agreeing to a plan to keep them both unmarried, the venture forth. Complications arise, especially when Cormac’s estranged father and his brother show up, uninvited; his brother wanting to compete.

Good read. Very medieval. Complicated as all relationships between men and woman become. The characters of Cormac and Astrid are well-written and intense. Cormac’s father, who had fostered him and his two younger brothers to Brian Boru, and then abandoned them there, adds an interesting complication as does the advent of his brother, seemingly after Astrid’s hand. It is a serious book with fun moments. Complicated relationships. Good plot and pacing. Their romance made my heart jump with joy. Good read.

I was invited to read The Princess of Elm by Dragonblade. Al; thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SophiaNye #ThePrincesessOfElm

Although this novel only has some action and suspense, there is nevertheless turmoil in the hearts of the main characters as they are forced to abide by the rulings of their King, which do not always align with their loyalty to their brethren. Astrid is particularly incensed when her brother is ordered to choose between two brides, neither of them from their own Norsemen. Plotting is second nature to Astrid, and in order to gain the right result, she sides with the King's messenger and persuades him to enter the tournament for her hand. Astrid does not take into account that by spending time with Cormac O'Conor, he is not the ogre she had depicted him as. Cormac is surprised by her change of heart, and once he allows his guard to drop, he discovers a beautiful, albeit feisty, woman beneath the exasperating attitude. It is only when an old enemy enters the fray that Astrid realizes how much she has to lose, and then her true colors show as she devises a solution to their problems. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed the book. The love interest was so slow. It was nearly on the last chapter I felt before Cormac and Astrid’s touched one another. I felt as though I was reading a book for dating back in the 1950’s. I was happy that some sparks flared here and there for Cormac and Astrid’s.
The story or the plot was mostly around politics, political moves and sacrifices of Kings daughters for marriage. I was looking for the romance as well as looking for some war action considering it’s a Vikings story. I didn’t get that. I was looking for a love story that speaks to your soul mixed in with war action, betrayal, deceit, destruction, remorse loyalty, honor, morals, revenge, honor. Just to name a few.
I want a love story to remember. In certain areas this book was good. Until next time my fellow readers. This is your love to read them/review them - gal. Read on!

I liked Astrid and Cormac and thought they were both strong characters. I've also read the other three books in the series, so I'm not starting from scratch on this world. The plot was a little hard to understand and complicated. Kind of like- could I explain the plot to someone else? Not easily.
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

This is a great series and while it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the entire series. A group of men was formed as the great warriors of Fianna. In order to be one of these warriors, they must exhibit seven strengths and live by a code. Comac is one of these warriors. He's been in each of the stories and now has his own truth. The banter, struggles between Astrid and Comac is interesting, intense and beautifully written. A challenge is established, agreements made and an engaging plot realized. Lots of historical relavance woven into the plot plus plenty of romance.

The Princess of Elm was a story of a love that was not true to begin with. It evolved into one when King Brian Boru of Mumhain, gave Cormac a decision to give Sitric two chances to pick a woman to marry as an oath when the one he should marry is his daughter. This is a journey that will take four days to travel to Sitric. Only his sister Astrid related to Sitric is quite mean to Cormac and is always yelling at him so he evades her. But when they say that she to get married to a man and they have a tournament for a month to decide, she proposes to help Cormac to get the one that he agreed to marry to Sitric and that he should be part of the tournament and win but with the oath not to marry a woman that he does not love he'll give her to the next man. It goes where you expect it to go. it comes out in the end with everything quite beautifully.

I am going to honest and say that I didn't have super high expectations for this book but ended up finding a delightful surprise! Despite being book four in the series, The Princess of Elm works beautifully as a standalone. I jumped right in without feeling lost, which was my main concern. Nye has crafted a solid enemies-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes for Viking historical fiction fans

I particularly enjoyed how Nye doesn't rush the romance. I would say it's a medium burn that lets the relationship develop naturally. The Viking setting feels authentic without being overwhelming, and the chosen family elements add lovely depth to the story. It could be a little spicier for my tastes but when it's there, its done well.

I'm giving this one 4 stars. It sounds like exactly what it promises to be; a solid, enjoyable Viking romance with strong characters and satisfying development. Sometimes that's precisely what you need on your nightstand.

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

Princess by Sophia Nye had an intriguing setup with royal drama, personal growth, and a heroine trying to find her place in a world full of expectations. I liked the concept and appreciated the moments that explored identity, duty, and strength.

That said, the execution didn’t fully hook me. The pacing dragged in places, and while there were glimmers of strong character work, I didn’t feel fully connected to the main cast or the romance. I kept hoping for deeper emotional moments or more surprising twists to elevate the story.

It’s a decent read with a solid foundation, and fans of modern royal romances or coming-of-age arcs might enjoy it more than I did. It just didn’t quite reach its full potential for me.

For a romantic historical fiction reader, this book hits the spot. Deliciously executed enemies to lovers, subtle chosen family trope, medium burn with just enough spice. Immediately adding to my favorites pile. Princess of Elm is perfect for anyone who loves Outlander, or is looking for a Viking love story. I rooted for Astrid and Cormac from the first chapter and Sophia Nye did not make me regret it!

Enemies to Lover Adventure Romance
My first time reading this authors books.
Any Viking story intrigues me and I was not lost reading book 4 of the series
A simple story of two strong willed intelligent characters that took into the world of tournaments, family, friends, disputes, decisions and discovering that your enemy can become your forever love.
A short enjoyable story that was easy to read but I didn't find it very spicy.
Rating 3.5 round up to 4 stars

A good quick read :)

It was read in a single day, and even though it is a sequel, I was able to read it as a stand-alone and follow it without reading the previous books.
If you like vikings, you will love this book!!

Our story follows cormac and astrid, who are true enemies to lovers. On his arrival, she was on a mission to do anything to stop him from fulfilling what he came for. The story goes on to involve a tournament he has to win to be able to marry Astrid.

I would recommend this book.

Princess of Elm is a perfect book for a historical romance lover.

Cormac
✅ Fianna
✅ on a mission (to bring a bride for another king)
✅ highly value his oath (to marry for love)

Astrid
✅ sister to the king
✅ oppose to her brother marriage alliance
✅ doesn’t want to marry

✅ slow burn ( very slow but burn hotter)
✅ arrangement contract (the contract turn to a very sweet deal) Cormac is a very green flag guy
✅ angst
✅ plot twist
✅ heart vs duty
✅ rich with culture
✅ sweet romance ( jealousy and the staring competition)
✅ plenty of spicy scenes : intense and explicit 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Absolutely gonna read again from Sophia Nye. I really loved the storyline.

This book had an interesting premise and some really fun moments, but overall it fell a bit flat for me. The world-building was creative, and I liked the Norse royalty. However, the pacing felt uneven—some parts dragged while others felt rushed. The romance had potential but didn’t quite deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for.

It’s not a bad read at all, given how quick it was, just not one that completely hooked me.

This book is a shorter single-day read, but is still a complete story with NO cliffhangers. The book is a sequel, but I was able to read it as a stand-alone without confusion even though I had not read the previous releases. The romance was believable and avoided insta-love pitfalls. I was a little concerned that the concept of competing in a tournament for marriage would turn her into a "prize to be won" as Jasmine from Aladdin would say. However, luckily, the concept was executed in such a way as to avoid turning her into a mere object of desire. I liked the book's theme of loyalty.

At this point, I have come to terms that everything Dragonblade Publishing touches turns to gold. Once again, a new favorite book from my comfort publisher.