'A Love Predestined from Birth' is the first book in the Lebreya series by Katie Veil.

The story is an epic one which started at a slow pace but by halfway through it really took off and I couldn't read fast enough to see what would happen. It follows the lives of Ian who is part Lebreyan and Minaya who is human. They have known each other since they were children and were best friends. As the years pass their friendship turns to love. They are torn apart by circumstances and despite the years passing Ian is determined to make it back to Minaya and claim her as his wife.

Of course, it isn't that simple or the story wouldn't be as epic as it is. There are secrets to be learned, enemies to be fought, and an introduction to many new characters. Some live, some die but there is the perfect balance of light and shade so that you don't ever feel too gloomy reading the story.

The fantasy element of the story was fabulous, the imagination of the author knows no bounds. The love story was sweet, the perfect example of how a couple can be passionate with their emotions but without detailed bedroom scenes. Sometimes one kiss can say far more than a whole erotic scene.

I really enjoyed this story and definitely want to read the next one to find out what happens next. There wasn't a cliff hanger in this book but being so involved with the characters' stories I want to read more about them and how their story evolves. After all, they are only in their early 20s when this book comes to an end. They have years left for us to read about!

I’m going to be honest. I struggled to finish this book because it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. This book is long for a romance. Also, it’s not advertised that this reads more like a Fantasy Christian Romance novel. The characters wait until they are married before anything beyond kissing happens, which is fine, but again this was not advertised that way. While it was nice that it took some time to have everything heat up, it was too long for my taste, in general, for something that is advertised as a romance.

That said, yes, the author branches out into an adventure and adds some side details and some mystery which takes up a lot of the pages. While this is refreshing and gives the book more depth, it takes up too many pages, in my opinion. The author really goes into detail in places. Detail I sometimes viewed as unnecessary. I am not going to lie I invoked the speed read in numerous places in order to get to the next interesting bit that would move the plot forward.

Conclusion

All in all it is a well written book that would have benefited from some pruning to help even out the pacing. The synopsis is a bit of a trick as this book has some religious elements/beliefs buried in the plot and is not the quite romance you think it's going to be as a result. But that is just my humble opinion.

It took me three attempts to get into this book as i struggled a bit with the writing. I loved the characters and who they were, but they had some flaws and I feel needed to be a bit more determined. It possibly could have a been a bit shorter too, but it was a cute love story. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

I truly enjoyed this story. The characters made me feel so much! I did get butterflies from the romance. The world and story are incredible. Ultimately I decided I couldn't rate it five stars because the writing is just a little weak in my opinion. I also found it odd that perspectives will change midchapter. I would have loved to see the story broadened and more depth in the story telling and writing. So much happens that I ultimately felt it was rushed. Regardless the characters are phenomenal and I need to get my hands on the second book now!
Thank you to NetGalley for my free eARC.

It was a nice story, I thought however it felt a touch too longer and could have been shorter, a nice slow burn romance. I didn’t realise before requesting it leaned towards a Christian romance, which I don’t like, but this wasn’t too preachy for one. A nice read, but not the most memorable book I’ve read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion