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.

This is one of my favorite Netgalley reads so far! I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. I found everything about this story excellent, the characters, setting, pacing and I can’t wait to read more by Rebecca Ross.

Rebecca Ross has always been a favourite author of mine, and this was no exception. I was addicted to Iris’s story from the start. From her struggles, to her triumphs and every thing in between I have never been happier to root for a character. And the slow burn romance was perfection. Not to mention the tragedies of war that were shown through all the characters stories and backgrounds. Absolutely amazing.

Okay okay okay, immaculate vibes, BUT... I'm struggling to like this one as much as everyone else for a few key reasons:

1. The rivals turned to lovers too quickly - I want ANGST and there was little of that here. I know things had to move a bit quickly to set up for the end and the issues of the second book, but I think the author could have included more leading up to the characters falling in love

2. This is going to sound stupid, but they say each other's names too often and I couldn't deal. This is something Ross does in her other books (I picked up and put down one of her other books earlier this year). It sounds clunky and unnatural and I hated it.

3. There wasn't enough worldbuilding and lore. I would say this is low fantasy for sure and it is YA but I still need more backstory in my fantasy. I need to know how the gods come into play and magic as well. How did the typewriters become magic?? Why are the gods fighting?? I just felt like I didn't get much information for real.

All that said, the atmosphere of this story is done so beautifully. The world feels full of magic and wonder even though I don't know much about it. The prose is lyrical and deep and the friendships are lovely.

The ending did also grab me for the next book. I did find myself thinking about this book a while after I put it down. That's why I'm giving it four stars and why I will be picking up the sequel as soon as it's out. I want the angst that is promised, and I want to know how things play out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!! I would recommend this to anyone who loves romantic fantasy.

I initially struggled to feel pulled into the plot of the story, despite loving the characters and world the author created (which I’ll get into more in just a minute). This may have been due to the time jump between the first and second chapters, which was a bit disorienting. However, within the first couple of chapters, we are introduced to Roman and the plot quickly takes off from there. Some of the twists were expected but others took me by complete surprise, which made for a fun read.

The perspective of the novel alternates between Iris and Roman, which is a dynamic I either love or hate for enemies-to-lovers stories. And despite the pitfalls of split perspective stories, it works really well in this story to give the reader a full view of what’s going on. Additionally, it provides some depth to both characters, which makes both main characters more enjoyable. I enjoyed both characters even more when they were in scenes together, as they have excellent chemistry.

The book takes place in a unique setting, mixing elements of high-fantasy and Victorian-esque technology. I enjoyed this steam-punk like setting and found it a surprise after reading the description of the story when the book was sent to me. The author also does a great job of setting the scenes as well and I quickly felt immersed in Iris’s city as well as the front lines of the war.

Divine Rivals is the first book in veteran author Rebecca Ross’s new series Letters of Enchantment. The book features a vibrant and immersive world with living gods, enchantments and steam-punk elements. There is also great chemistry between the two protagonists, Iris and Roman, who share point of views throughout the story. While the plot does start out slow, fans of magical enemies-to-lovers plots will fall head over heals for this beautifully written novel.

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? This book had me by the throat from page one. I adore Iris as a main character, and Roman is such a sweet love interest. I adored their banter and their chemistry, and while my favorite parts were at the beginning when they were working at the paper together, I loved the direction the story took. But then - that ending. I actually cried at the end of the book, these characters have my whole heart. Seriously, if you haven't yet read this book, what are you waiting for? One of my favorite reads of the year.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The rare, transcendent reading experience where you feel that you have lived the characters' journeys just as much as they have.

A YA that I actually liked--except for the YA part. Maybe it's useless at this point? I don't know. 

So this was a book club pick and I was actually really eager to read it given all the hype surrounding it. It's one of those that I don't think I've heard a negative word about. 

So this story completely sucked me in from the first page. I'll admit right off the bat, I'm a HUGE Rebecca Ross fangirl. I haven't read all of her books, to be honest. But the ones I have, I feel like she can do no wrong. 

With Divine Rivals, I really loved Iris and Roman's whole romance. It's so sweet and just the kind that I love to read about progressing. Also the female friendships that develop--oh my, goodness. It's that whole found-family vibe. 

The magical realism was just the cherry on top. It was what made the story for me. Magical realism is one of my favorite genres. And it was tied in perfectly with the concept of gods/goddesses/magical typewriters. 

As I previously said, it was just the YA aspect that was difficult for me. There were times the characters would act in a way that just SCREAMED youthful--and then I remembered that they are, indeed, quite young. 

I can't wait to read Ruthless Vows. Going to start it any day now!

A perfectly enjoyable read!
18yo Iris works at a newspaper to help support her mother after her brother Forest was sent to war. She dropped out of college to work and she’s hoping for a promotion to columnist. 19yo Roman, Iris’ competitor for the columnist promotion, is rich and discovers that he’s been betrothed to a daughter of his father’s business acquaintance completely against Roman’s will. Iris and Roman have an unusual connection that he soon discovers but Iris is oblivious to. The mythological war soon takes over their lives and they have to fight to stay alive and get closer to the battle than they ever expected.

Likes/dislikes: I adore the slow burn romance. The fact that this book has very few swears is refreshing. I love Roman and Iris and enjoyed getting to know them and I also enjoyed the mystery of the letters.
Mature content: PG for kissing and implied sex, on page.
Language: PG for 5 swears and no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for grenade explosion in battle; bleeding from chemical weapons.
Ethnicity: Falls to white and the Bed and Breakfast owner has light brown skin.

This book was so unbelievably amazing I cannot wait for the next book. The writing is incredible and the characters had my heart right from the start!!

Iris Winnow didn’t have much except for her ability to use words and her pride. Her words often flowed like honey, but she wore her pride like armor. Iris wrote for the Oath Gazette where she was in hot competition for the columnist position with a slick young man named Roman C. Kitt. She had quite a few unflattering possibilities for the middle initial, but Kitt came from money and it was always easier for him to get to work on time. They had an almost light-hearted rivalry and for some reason everyone in the office seemed to think they were an item, which was odd since Kitt was in an arranged marriage.

Iris had been writing from home in the evenings because since her brother Forest went to fight for Enva her mother had started drinking and eventually lost her job at the diner. Iris hoped to write about the war or something of inter about where Forest was to help her get the columnist job. She remembered a story about a magic wardrobe, and having no other way to write to Forest, she wrote him a letter and slipped it under the door of what was once their mutual wardrobe. She got an almost instantaneous reply, but it wasn’t from Forest. It was from a mysterious friend somewhere in Oath named Carter. They got to know each other and he helped her through some of her most difficult days, and then her mother never came home. When writing up the obituaries she found a Jane Doe that fit her mother’s description, left the office without explanation to identify the body. It was Kitt that came to her house with her coat the next day when she didn’t show up for work.

Iris quit her job at the Oath and went to The Inkridden Tribune to go to the front as a War Correspondent. She said goodbye to Carter and didn’t write to him again until she was far away from Oath and him.

This is where our story started to get very emotional, because war always is, even fantasy war if it’s written well. Rebecca Ross is either personally familiar with the ugliness of war or she did her due diligence, because she brought the sidelines and the frontlines into stark relief. Among the darkness and pain, she wove in a romance which she left hanging off a frightful cliff. This is a book you will definitely want to follow into the sequel.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since I was approved to read the Divine Rivals I just felt different. At first glance of the book, I was excited to dive into these pages and fall in love with whatever I was going to read. I honestly wasn't picky and just needed a world I could fall into when real life got chaotic and messy.

It's safe to say, watching Iris and Roman dance around one another was quite entertaining. Even though they were rivals going for the same job, I always thought they had a special kind of connection. Or, maybe, they were bound to form one later on. Again, it's pretty safe to assume that I absolutely fell in love with them. It's also probably easy to spot on how horrible my heart feels after reading the very last word.

In a perfect world, I would already have the next book lined up for me to read. Unfortunately, I don't but that doesn't mean I soon won't. After watching these two create a bond with magical typewriters, while also learning who they truly were with or without one another and their family members... well, it was an emotional roller coaster ride. One I would gladly take over and over again just to see these two find their person and happiness.

As for the ending, well, I 'm still torn up about what happened. I'm secretly craving, hoping, and wanting these two to be reunited and for everything to make sense again. I just want Roman and Iris to be together - that's it. Gods be damned, I will riot if this doesn't happen.

Beautiful story! I so adored how the FMC and MMC got to know each other so deeply through letters. So well done!