I requested this novel based off the Author. I didnt read what it would be about. And i was surprised! I LOVED this novel, it was set up amazingly. Rebecca obviously put a lot of thought into the story! The letters tug at my heartstrings. The lore and setting (war) is very unique and interesting too.

This book absolutely swept me away. Ross' writing is beautiful. This book may have landed itself on my all-time favorites list. 5/5 stars

Divine Rivals is a wonderfully unique book. I feel like this premise of two reporters in the midst of a divine war was a concept I have not read before. It was a great mix of realistic and fantastic and I found myself devouring it in large chunks at a time. I really enjoyed Iris and Roman's dynamic. I loved the development of their relationship and the exploration of each of the characters as individuals. I am really looking forward to book 2. This one ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, but in a way that I enjoyed. It didn't just feel like it stopped mid-scene like some books I have read. It felt like it was building up to the next chapter, and I can't wait to get there. I will definitely be looking for more from Rebecca Ross in the future.

There sure is a lot of hype about this book. I listened to the audio of this book.

I get the hype, but there was something missing for me. Don’t get me wrong. This is a great book. It just was not a five stars for me. I really wanted more perspective of the God Deaker (sp). Honestly until the last few chapters this could have been a standalone, with a random side story of the God’s and why the war was happening.

Audiobook had a male and female narrator, which I really loved.

This was such a good romance book. I loved the characters, the setting and their letters! I'm in love with both of them !

A fun enemies to lovers YA start to a duology. It's kind of historical fiction in that it's in the past, but with the addition of magic and gods being the cause of the war. It's an interesting mix of the two genres. I look forward to continuing Iris and Roman's story in the next book.

A fantasy book that adults will enjoy. The story and characters are riveting. This book is hard to put down. Even if you aren't a big fantasy fan, you will find something to love about this book.

It may partly have been because I was doing a reading race with a friend, but I felt like I really devoured this book! It was such a joy to read and really lived up to the hype for me. I didn't expect that ending and I need to read book 2 immediately (I'm glad I waited to read this until after the 2nd book was already out). I will definitely be reading more books by Rebecca Ross in the future!

I don't know why I kept putting off reading this. I do regret that greatly now because once I picked it up, I had a really hard time putting it down to do other things. From the very first page with Forest saying goodbye to Iris and heading off to fight in a war of gods (very intriguing but awful with Dacre trying to get to Enva and both using humans for their own ends) and then Iris trying to hold things together as her mother spirals and Forest goes missing. That heartbreak mixed with the mysterious letters that Iris and Roman send each other, thanks to certain special typewriters. This was an interesting world where there are dead or slumbering gods, magical items and buildings and good people trying to survive the gods. I think Iris is so strong the way that after she loses everything, she makes the choice to go to the front lines as a war correspondent to tell the truth and find her brother. And Roman is perfect in going after her. They are such a cute and witty couple and by the end I was cheering for them and then crying because that ending! I need the next book stat!

So, really really good and a smooth read that begs to be read in one sitting if at all possible. I hope the next one delves deeper into the gods and their powers and I really hope that humans will survive them!

Rebecca Ross can do no wrong. I love her writing style, her heartbreaking plots, and her characters that feel like they're real. I cannot WAIT to read the next book!

“The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold onto it. You don’t waste time worrying about things that won’t even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for the light.”

I loved Iris right from the start and found both Iris and Kitt to be interesting and relatable. I tend not to enjoy romantic books set against a backdrop of war but the balance was really well done here.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

One of my lifetime auto-buy authors back again!

This is maybe Ross’ swooniest romances yet?! Iris and Roman are imprinted on my brain forever.

The time this story is set and the incision of warring gods and magic in a somewhat more modern (think early 20th century) setting was interesting and threw me off kilter a few times (in a good way).

There is so much to feast on in this story - rivals to lovers, a lot of tragedy, and so much hope and tender feelings.

A must read fantasy!

Thank you Netgalley for an early review copy. I ADORED this book and I am happy to see it's become a bestseller and (is it too soon to say) a classic. The writing is beautiful and I loved Roman and Kit so much and the theme of found family was so beautifully explored.

The world building was simple to digest and the ending of the book made me gasp, I can't wait for Ruthless Vows!

Divine Rivals is a spellbinding tale that seamlessly weaves together romance, mythology, and adventure. The unexpected connection between Iris and Roman, rival journalists turned soulmates, adds a layer of enchantment to this gripping narrative. As the gods wage war and the stakes reach unprecedented heights, the story takes on a thrilling pace that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The character development is impeccable, with Iris's determination and Roman's icy demeanor complementing each other in unexpected ways. The story effortlessly transports readers into a world where gods clash, and family bonds are tested. What truly sets this book apart is its ability to blend the fantastical with the emotional, creating an experience that lingers long after the final page.

As the first installment concludes with a heart-pounding climax, I find myself eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. I am left pleasantly surprised and hungry for more.

This book is being voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and Rebecca Ross.

This is my 2024 book of the year- my new Roman empire. I originally got this book as an ARC, but put off reading it for so long because I felt myself drifting away from YA; what a MISTAKE.

1. POV
The story is told in 3rd person with a dual perspective of the FMC and MMC who write letters to each other and deal with each other on a regular basis.
2. Character vs Plot Driven
I personally find the book to be more character-driven than plot-driven. Iris and Roman spend so much time in their heads and sending letters between one and other that the plot is more of a narrative device to provide them with more things to discuss and force them into situations together rather than something that is the main focus of the story. You read this book for Iris and Roman, not for the plot about the gods at war in my opinion.
3. Character Development
Iris and Roman feel like real people to me. Ross is a master at making her characters relatable to all ages through their introspection. Because of the war surrounding them and some of the sadder events that take place throughout the story, Iris and Roman are forced to grow individually and as a pair.
4. Tropes & Atmosphere
-Rivals to Lovers
-Academic in the sense that they're both journalists with a love of writing
-War time
-Fantastical gods
5. Smut
This book is very much YA in the sense that the smut is very tame. Not much is described, but you are taken through a brief, yet emotional sex scene near the end of the story. I'd classify the book as almost completely closed door.
6. Similar Books
-A Study in Drowning for the rivals to lovers, academic vibes, and the relatively shallow god-related lore

You know that saying- Simple is the sweetest, that's what Divine Rivals is. A simple tale of a girl writing to a boy and a boy writing girl but with the small but explosive twist of a magical artifact that links their lives together.

I laughed, I cried and my heart was full of words, characters, and emotions. I adored the relationship between Kit and Iris and the fact that he fell first. Nothing gets my motors running like a "true love conquers all" tale, especially when fate intervenes and gives them the ride of their lives.

The only thing that could be more perfect would be if I could live alongside these bright, vivacious yet jarringly human characters. They face hunger, war, and death and still manage to cling to the little good that shines bright.

An instant 5-star read for me!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. You can follow me on IG @JessicaReadsIt.

Favorite book of the year. Rebecca Ross' writing is in a league of its own. Her characters, world, and the way she is able to make you ache with her words is unparalleled. I read this one twice.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers story, and that's what this delivers with two competitive war correspondents in a war for the ages -- between the supporters of one god and the supporters of his ancient wife goddess. I was less interested in the politics of the war itself but enjoyed the banter and back-and-forth letters between the main characters as their relationship developed.

One of my favorite books of last year. I just loved the world, the character's, the love story was awesome.