This book was one of those books. You know, the kind you think about for days afterwards, the kind you sink into, the kind where you fall in love with reading all over again. (The kind that give you a book hangover for sure!)

I absolutely adored every word. It was engrossing to the max. The characters, the world building, the magical buildings and typewriters, the ROMANCE. It’s the good stuff y’all. I am majorly invested in Iris and Roman, and their love story is iconic and beautiful and sweet and endearing and timeless.

The writing is of course, stunning. Rebecca Ross is now an auto buy/read for me, and I cannot wait for the second book. Like seriously.

When I started this book I didn’t really know what I was signing up for. Like rivals that write letters to each other and fall in love? That is the basic story but this book is so much more. It made my laugh, cry, smile and broke my heart several times over. I freaking loved Iris and Roman and the other amazing characters as well like Mairsol and Attie. They, like characters from Rebecca Ross’ other books I have read, are all so likeable, reasonable and just characters I can easily root for. The romance was just so good and melted my heart and soul. It was a lovely rivals to lovers romance that I was swooning over.

I picture the setting like 1940s, WW II but with gods and monsters. This is definitely a war story. It doesn’t depict the victory and glory of the war but the people that fight in the war and ones that are just living the best they can. I love the letters, history of Enva and Dacre and the drops of fantasy elements.

Overall, loved this book so much I immediately checked when the next one would be released (unfortunately I have to wait until 2024). Rebecca Ross is definitely on my favorite authors list now. I have read 5 books of hers and she does not disappoint.

*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

An amazing novel of family, friendship and love with a slight hint of magic and gods. The story was made original by the introduction of setting and circumstance. The characters are relatable and multi-dimensional. I could not put it down and am eager to read the next installment in the series.

This one is a DNF for me, I got about half way through but I just can't anymore. I don't enjoy the characters, and I'm confused about the whole war aspect being told from a news paper. I think it would have been more interesting being told from the POV of one of the soldiers on the front lines. I also can't really place when this is set, it seems somewhat modern but not at the same time. The magic also doesn't really make sense and at this point, I'm forcing myself to read it to finish another book, so I'm stepping away. Others may enjoy this one but its not for me

This was my first Rebecca Ross novel and it certainly will not be my last. I really loved this book and even though it was just published, I'm already foaming at the mouth for the second book.

The story opens with a war between two gods, who have been asleep for centuries, as mortals have overthrown them. As the war rages on the FMC, Iris, is competing with Roman, the MMC for a position as a columnist at their city's most prestigious newspaper. This newspaper is ignoring the war while Iris' brother has gone off to fight. While dealing with personal trauma, Iris finds that her letters to her brother, if slipped under her wardrobe, are disappearing. Little does she know, they are making their way to her work enemy: Roman.

The concept of this novel is pretty unique. A blend of mythology, enemies to lovers, and 1920s meets Industrial Revolution, the story molds all of these ideas seamlessly, while still keeping me engaged as a reader. The author creates a world that is full of mystery, hope, grief, and love, all while creating a mythos without actually revealing too much, since we as readers are learning along with Iris and Roman. We, like the characters, truly are brought into a situation where the answers are not given easily and that is more complicated than anyone really knows. I loved that I was learning along with the characters. This may be something that drives other readers crazy, but I thought it was really clever and avoided the issues that plague other books that have world building, where they tell you what is happening rather than immerse you in the world.

The writing was beautiful. There were so many parts of this novel where I read a line and had to stop because the author's words made me think. And the relationship between Iris and Roman was believable and well done. I could feel their tension as they navigated their own issues while taking solace in one another.

Overall, if you love multiple POVs, enemies to lovers, magic systems, mythology, war stories, and beautiful, thoughtful writing this book is for you. And trust me, if you read it, you won't regret it. This book 100% lives up to the hype it's receiving online.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And thank you to Rebecca Ross for writing such a great novel!

This was a romance novel instead of fantasy and was absolutely nothing like Shadow and Bone, like the summary claims. The story was mainly told from Iris's point of view, but snippets from Roman were sprinkled here and there which I honestly did not care for. His viewpoint didn't add anything to the story expect his feelings for Iris. Only a small portion of the plot takes place at the Gazette like the summary talks about, but the rest of the book takes place near the battlefield. The historical romance and instant love through writing letters took up the majority of the book with little left for the plot between the warring gods which was a letdown.

All the stars! This is my favorite book of the year thus far and completely swept me away. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had the perfect accent and voice for the story.

Enemies to lovers, slow burn, and a peculiar magical element make this book a cocktail of fun. I loved getting dual POVs and being inside the head of a journalist. This felt like one of those stories that had a book within due to the writing correspondence you get to read that is written by the main characters.

It was whimsical and absolutely squeezed my heart. This is a part of a series, and it does leave on a cliffhanger but don’t wait for book 2…read this now!

LGBTQ+ rep: F/F side character relationship

Two rival journalists from two very different walks of life must compete for a single spot at the Oath Gazette. With her brother fighting the war at the front, her mother in the throws of alcoholism, and the stress of keeping the bulls paid Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe…where they vanish. By some divine magical connection right into the hands of Roman Kitt. Her rival. But when Iris goes to the front lines as a war correspondent the letters are her lifeline.

I mean, of course I’m obsessed. It’s Rebecca Ross. Her writing is so beautiful and the stories she weaves are magical and this is no exception. I think I say this in every review I leave for her but there is a rhythmic lyricism that is reflected in the cadence of her writing.

There are some heavy issues in this book with a war setting, alcoholic parent (and death thereof) so definitely mind the content warnings.

With Newsroom vibes and a 1920’s-esque setting it was familiar yet with a new mythology. I’m still not 100% sure I totally get the war of the gods, but I think that’s intentional as this is book 1.

And the love? And tension? Here for it! Rivals to lovers...yes please!

I highly recommend this one and am already looking forward to book 2.

Roman "Can I get me one?" Kitt

This was an interwoven tale with threads of banterrific romance, the many facets of grief, found family, and the devastation of war. I need to know how the rest of the story will unfold.

Two rival journalists, Iris and Roman, are fighting for the same position at their employer. Iris writes letters to her brother, Forest-off fighting in the war, and sticks them in her wardrobe, where they subsequently disappear. She doesn't know that Roman is the person who receives them. One day he decides to write back and their whole lives change.

This book was beautiful and atmospheric. The idea of living gods in a modern world is fascinating to me. The world-building gave a heavy dose of late 1800s-early 1900s atmosphere, all while creating the beginnings of a big brother dystopia. Iris and Roman were lovable characters, and while they were complete opposites, they faced struggles that they both could relate to. The supporting characters were all vibrant in their own ways and I hope to see what became of everyone in the next book!

This book is one of my most anticipated releases in 2023, I pulled an all nighter reading it, I couldn't stop reading, it was that gooooood! Ross prose is so beautiful it compliments the setting and situation perfectly. I could feel their grief, hesitation and fear. I even felt Iris's sadness towards certain side characters, those scenes were really heartbreaking. Iris and Kitt now became one of my favorite couples. I always looked forward to that moment when they exchanged letters. They motivated each other and became each other's strength. They’re each other’s comfort and safe place. I love them so much.

Just a small request please, I hope that in the next book Ross will explain more about the gods and the creatures, because until the end of the book I couldn't grasp how they look like, how long they have been in a war, why the human got divided between two gods when all the myths were quite clear who the bad god was. Even though I have so many questions, but those didn't stop me from devouring this book!

After that devastating chapter and twists I badly need the physical copy and I can't wait to read the second book. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all fantasy readers. Please read! HAHA

Please look up the trigger warning before hand!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

An absolute five star read.
I don’t usually go for books with war settings, but I’m glad I took a chance. This story was absolutely dazzling, and I have not doubt it’s one that will stay with me for a good long while.
The rivalry, and tension of The Hating Game, but in a world much like that of Violet Evergarden. It’s such a unique blend, and definitely unlike anything I’ve ever read.
Rebecca Ross has the power to pull you right into the story and connect you so deeply to the characters. I felt everything while reading. The tension, the heartbreak, the anger, the loss, and the small ray of sunshine on a dark cloudy day in the form of a few kind words from a stranger.
I look forward to having this book on my shelf, and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE REBECCA ROSS BOOK!!

Okay, anyways. I absolutely ADORED this book and read it in just one sitting. The You’ve Got Mail vibes had me hooked from the first minute! I loved the workplace enemies, snarky banter, independent FMC, passionate MMC, wartime vibes, lore of gods and goddesses, gorgeous writing style, fast paced plot, perfect side characters, sweet romance… I mean do I need to keep going?!

Iris and Roman are absolutely perfect for each other and are the best romance that Rebecca Ross has ever written. It’s such a slow burn but is so worth it in the end. The World War I vibes mixed with sleeping gods and goddesses at war with each other was so unique, but worked really well in the world that Ross creates. The ending is a bit cliffhanger-y, but at the same time I also thought it wrapped up a lot of things from book 1 so I’m weirdly okay with anxiously awaiting book 2 in this duology. Gah I cannot recommend this book enough to everyone I know!

A slow burn enemies to lovers, historical fiction, a little bit of fantasy thrown in including magical typewriters? I think this book is going to be a big freaking deal when it releases. People are going to fall in madly in love with Iris and Roman. This is definitely not a fast paced story (until about 65% of the way through), but I appreciated the build up of the story and also the relationship between Iris and Roman. Both were such great characters with different family struggles and upbringings, but who ended up being perfect soulmates. I loved seeing them go from rivals as journalists to two people who could not live without each other. One thing I hope is done a bit more in the next book is more background on the gods and the actual reason for the war. I felt like that part of the story was a little vague. I think fans of WWII historical fiction will really enjoy the vibes of this one. I’m very excited to see everyone’s reactions to this book and also very excited about book two!
TW: death, descriptions of war and injuries

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced digital readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the Elements of Cadence I was expecting a little more fantasy and a little less traditional war epic. I really enjoyed the format of all the letters and it is a sweeping yet sad war story. Set in a fictional world it's a little timeless but gives a WWI/WWII feel. Honestly with the fantasy bits it felt very similar (in tone/not plot) to Wonder Woman. Dacre is definitely giving me Ares vibes. Overall, this was a little too sad (especially that ending!) for me but that is totally a me issue. I read to escape real life sadness, and while this is fantasy, the horrors of war in it are all too real.

Iris and Roman are rivals vying for the same columnist job at the Oath Gazette. There are magic letters, secret correspondence, and a war between gods.
This book grabbed my interest from the start and held it all the way through. At this point, my only complaint is that I have to wait to find out what happens! My heart can’t take it! I seriously cannot wait!
All the relationships that develop in this book are beautiful and pulled at my heartstrings. Ross really did a beautiful job weaving together the relationships and describing the settings and emotions so poignantly that you can feel them and see them.

Thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and St Martins Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had no idea how much I would end up loving this! Rebecca Ross has created such an enchanting and passionate story here. (And, the romance is just out of this world!)

Iris Winnow is vying for the role of columnist at the Gazette. She is trying to win this title over her rival, Roman Kitt. (Yes!! Enemies to lovers!! And it is amazing!)

At this time, there is a war being fought between a god and goddess. Men and women are being called to fight for either side, including Iris's brother, Forest. After 6 months of him missing, Iris makes it her goal to find him. After her mother's sudden death, she signs up to be a war correspondent and makes her way to the war zone.

This story has magical typewriters, stories on the lore of the god and goddess, and seamlessly throughout all of this, the most romantic couple I've read about in a while.

Out April 4, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Wednesday Books, for this Arc!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Rebecca Ross always delivers fantasy stories with concepts that stand out, and Divine Rivals is no different. The World War I-esque setting, with elements of trench warfare and the overall impacts of the loss through war, come through beautifully, especially as the characters take us into their lives as people working for a newspaper covering the war and competing for a promotion in this cutthroat environment. There’s an otherworldly quality, with the war being between gods, and there being a magical presence, but it’s generally more on the whimsical side in spite of the heavy themes.

Iris is an easy protagonist to root for, as she’s hoping to locate her missing brother during the war, leading her to write the letters that become a major plot driver. She’s on her own, and not expecting these letters to get a response, except slipping them in her wardrobe magically sends them to Roman Carver Kitt, her office rival, and they develop the sweetest pen-pal relationship, initially unbeknownst to either of them of who the other is.

Roman’s life is the opposite of Iris’; while she left school and is working to make her living to support her mother, he’s had a pretty privileged upbringing. However, he’s not without his own baggage, as his parents continue to guilt-trip him about something from his past, and is confined by his lack of options due to his status. It’s a classic example of two people who are seemingly opposites at first who ultimately have very similar outlooks on life at heart coming together in an unexpected way.

Because of the more insular story, with the major characters being observers of the action around them for the most part, this isn’t a super-fast-paced, high action fantasy. But it allows for a deeper look at the characters and the issues that impact them.

This is a solid first installment in a series, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys more character-focused fantasy.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It keeps me entertained and I didn’t want to stop reading! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

I’m once again swooning over Rebecca Ross’s writing! This historical fantasy was wonderfully written and I was left to anxiously await for the sequel!