Incredibly imaginative, romantic, and sprinkled with tragedy. One that will receive a ton of hype and love, with an ending that will have readers begging for the next installment.

Love Loved this book! It has lived up to the hype! The writing, the world building was just so perfect! I can’t wait for the next book!!!! What a slow burn! Dual POV and I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers! That cliffhanger was just ugh!

Roman C. Kitt 🤝 Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
THIS BOOK. AMAZING! This book is for all of the girlies that have been looking for a series to fill the hole left by Hunger Games in 2012!

Do you love academic rivals to lovers? If so, READ THIS BOOK!

Did you grow up wishing that you were Kit Kitteredge (which I just had a theory may have been the reason for Roman’s last name?) and could spend your days typing on a typewriter? If so, READ THIS BOOK!

Are you a history buff? If so, READ THIS BOOK!

Do you like an adorable MMC who follows around his crush, basically begging for her to notice him? If so, READ THIS BOOK!

What I’m trying to get at is: READ THIS BOOK! That’s it.

DIVINE RIVALS is the first book in Rebecca Ross's Front series. It's an epic romance featuring two reporters vying for the same position at a newspaper. The editor turns it into a competition by challenging them to come up with the best war story with the winner getting the job. Iris and Roman come from two different worlds - one poor and one wealthy. Their rivalry sets the stage for an intense enemies-to-lovers story set in a fantasy land. War is brewing among the gods and people are choosing sides. Unfortunately, Iris's brother who's fighting in the war has disappeared. Iris eventually joins the war effort as a front-line reporter in order to search for her brother. At the same time, a romance blossoms between her and Roman through letters passed magically through the slots of their wardrobe doors . . . only Iris has no idea who her secret "pen pal" is which allows her to let down her walls and reveal her vulnerability. The story that unfolds is complex with a multi-layered plot line unfolding through unique characters.

Once I settled into this world, I became entranced with the story of rival lovers unknowingly connecting in the middle of a war over power between divine beings. The undertone is dark and bleak and yet these two characters provide a spark of hope in the midst of darkness. Themes of love, loss, enemies-to-lovers and found family are at the core of the twisted plot line enhanced by other-worldly characters and the devastation of war. The story is highly emotional and heartbreaking driving the intense plot forward at a pace that increases as one turns the pages heading to the shocking climax. DIVINE RIVALS is a beautiful love story all wrapped up in magical paper and delivered via an ethereal experience. Highly recommended to fans of romance and fantasy.

Oh this was good, this was really really good. I was invested in these characters and now I am anxiously awaiting the next book. So So good!!

Iris Winnow is a journalist trying her best to keep her family together even as her mom gets lost to addiction and her brother is missing on the frontlines of a war between gods. She keeps her sanity thanks to a magic that allows her to send letters to who she thinks is her brother but soon finds out is just a sympathetic reader, and a rivalry with fellow journalist, Roman Kitt. Things happen that have her deciding to take a post as a war correspondent on the frontlines and this is where things really start taking shape. Iris finds people who support her and whom she wants to protect and the war becomes much more real even as mythical beasts come into play.
It's a story of introspection and trying to figure out what's right. The different relationships that Iris develops play a big part in her own development and it makes for some very interesting interactions as the story progresses. Her relationship with Kitt in particular has a very interesting progression.
The fantasy element is very much in the background and almost non-existent for the majority of the book, but, wow, does it drop like a bomb at the end in a cliffhanger that guarantees I'll be picking up the next book.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the exciting read!

As much as I loved Ross' other stories this one fell far the bar that I had set for them. This alternative WWII novel was one that felt off. The tech they had vs what they used vs what was going on around them all seemed disconnected with each other. I do not know what book other people are reading and loving this one because for me it was just a mess. The romance was weird and the story just was not up to par. This one for me was one that I should have DNFed.

This story has taken up permanent, rent-free space in my head. It's one of my top 5's of all time. Violet Evergarden meets Wonder Woman I in this beautiful, heart-breaking tale of war, rivalries, and the love that supersedes them both.

I have *got* to know what happens next.

5/5

Two newspaper rivals attempt to make sense of their world during wartime as they shoulder various losses and discover a love that will transcend even the wars of the divine. Rebecca Ross’s newest duology resonates deeply like the decisive click of a typewriter key in the late hours. Divine Rivals struck right into the heart of me from the moment I turned the first page and it's no wonder why. Complete with a striking mythos and a compelling love story it's the kind of book that will leave you raging against the ruthless fates while yearning even more for its sequel. Iris and Roman's love story is timeless and one I will eagerly be awaiting more of in the days to come.

Thank you Net Galley and Magpie for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Divine Rivals is a tale following Iris Willow and her writing nemesis Roman Kitt. Rebecca Ross takes you through a enchanting world where an ordinary typewriter can turn out to be magical. Divine Rivals has turned into a favorite read of 2023, and I can not wait to see what the next part of the adventure holds.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Where to start with this book? I feel like it might have been hyped up a bit too much. But then the ending left me needing more immediately. So now I am full of contradictions.

I did love the world that was built and how it doesn't throw you in in a way that will confuse. It leaves enough to the imagination that you can focus on the characters, but it also has beautiful mythology to accompany the tragedies of the world.

I wish the romance and letter writing had been longer - I ended up not feeling the full impact of the romance the way I thought I would. I did love the characters but felt as though their relationship happened a bit suddenly, as one day she was simply writing some random man and the next she was in love with this man. I wanted more emotion and getting to know one another.

But I also loved the plot and the way that it catches you off guard so easily. I wasn't expecting almost anything that happened while at the front, and I still loved watching the found family pieces and the way that Iris really grew throughout the story. She was such a relatable character, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes her.

I was left a bit disappointed after all the hype, but this is definitely still a series worth following!

"Keep writing. You will find the words you need to share. They are always within you, even in the shadows, hiding like jewels."

------------------

Two young adults, Iris and Roman, are vying for a columnist position at a newspaper. They compete so hard with one another, each motivated by something different. And although intrigued with one another they are too busy competing to get to know one another. But when Iris writes to her brother off at war, Roman receives it and decides to write back. There begins an excavation of their souls, with only Roman aware of who he's speaking to. When Iris goes off to report on the war, he follows and they are forced to face one another for real.

Read this one for the writing. The plot is basically a WWII historical romance with magical typewriters and warring gods. But the sentences are like delicate truffles, each one carefully crafted to take you apart and make you ache from within. These two fall so deeply in love because through their writing they are just raw and honest in a way no one is in real life.

I wanted a little more about the mythology and more of an ending, but I know that's how these fantasy novels go these days. It wasn't so much a cliffhanger as someone rang the doorbell and the writer was like, 'yeah, I'll just stop there.' Luckily we don't have to wait too long for book 2, but I do wish I had waited til they were both out.

Thanks to St Martins Press and Wednesday Books for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

Omg this book was incredible. Every last word was beautifully written and the story was just crafted just so well. Can’t wait to continue the story!

What a delight this book is was. Magical, enchanting, and also heart-wrenching, brutal, and filled with the horrors of war. Throughout the entire story, there’s an absolutely beautiful and incredibly joyful enemies-to-lovers romance that starts with a shared passion of words and storytelling.

I’m not going to be able to write a cohesive review or to even formulate any paragraphs that convey how much I loved this book. It started from the very first pages when Iris meets her rival at the newspaper she’s working at. She and Kitt couldn’t be any more different, but there’s an undercurrent of pain and heartbreak that connects them. I adored the hidden identity aspect. Initially I thought for sure that it was going to throw a wrench in to Iris and Kitt’s relationship, but there wasn’t any deception or lying involved. Just a case of not connecting the dots and neglecting to read some letters. Speaking of letters, those were the best part of the story. I adored the Narnia feeling it gave me with the wardrobe, and I hope that continues (somehow) during the rest of the series.

All told, I loved this book to pieces. I meant to read it sooner but got sidetracked from life, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. Definitely a new favorite and I can’t wait to have book 2 in my hands, especially after that epically brutal ending.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

Divine Rivals: Letters of Enchantment Book 1 by Rebecca Ross

357 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books
Release Date: April 4, 2023

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Teens, Young Adult

Iris Winnow wants to be a writer at the Oath Gazette. She is in competition with her rival, Roman. She misses her brother Forest who went to war and writes letters to him. She puts them in her wardrobe, and they mysteriously disappear. Several days later, an answer appears. The sender is anonymous. Now she has to identify her mother’s body at the morgue and misses the deadline for the competition. The job of columnist goes to Roman. He wants it to be fair and asks if the deadline could be extended but is denied. With this missed opportunity, Iris decides to go to the frontlines of the war as a correspondent.

The book has a building pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. The book reminds me of a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and You’ve Got Mail. The mysterious letters in the wardrobe with a secret pen pal is a cute storyline. As the reader, we know who she is writing to and who is answering. If you like these movies, you will enjoy reading this book.

Huge thanks to one of my favorite publishers, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was waiting for this gorgeous copy of Owlcrate’s edition of this book before I wrote this review because I needed this beautiful book on my wall. This was my first time reading a Rebecca Ross book and I really think I just found one of my new favorite authors. This book was fantastic. The plot kept me locked in the whole time with the mix of historical fiction, mythology and science fiction. The main characters are writers, yes please. The characters were also written well and four dimensional. I was in love with them from the very beginning. The romance was spot on. The side characters were lovable and became quick favorites. I’m just in love with book. I remember everything vividly even though I read it awhile ago. (This never happens.)

This is easily five stars and I’ve been itching for a reread. I can’t wait for the next book. Please pick this up, you won’t be disappointed.

Rebecca Ross nevers fails to write a beautiful fantasy novels that have you fully immersed in the world she has created. Her storytelling is whimsical and reminds you why you love fantasy. This book was so much fun because it had so many elements to it. The romance, the worldbuilding, the mystery, and the feeling of being on the edge of your seat!! I am so invested in Iris and Romans story. They are two strong amazing main characters that you instantly fall in love with. Rebecca did an amazing job of creating these characters and making them stand so well on their own before bringing them together. I feel like they are two independent characters that come to be there for eachother in ways they didnt realize they ever could. And the way that the author is descriptive with their feelings and everything else going on in this book, just wow! I cannot wait for the next book!

I read Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca and loved it but this book I just don’t find any of the characters exceedingly interesting. I am definitely in the minority of not enjoying this book so definitely take a look at some others to get a better understanding.

First of all, it is so nerve wracking going into a new book written by one of your favorite authors, that everyone is raving about. I can’t explain why- but it is! I wanna love it just as much as everyone else and I want my favorite author to continue writing some of the best books on the planet.

Mission accomplished👏🏼

Holy wow. Rebecca Ross is just too good for words!! Her writing is so enchanting and spellbinding. I’ve never been so excited to be stuck in a plane (one of my least favorite things)! I had zero distractions and could just soak up every single syllable in this work of art.

Read this book!!

Oh my gosh…. I have never highlighted that much in a book. Rebecca Ross loves to rip my heart out and slowly piece it back together; except this time it was a repetition of rip, stitch, rip, stitch, rip all the way to that paralyzing cliffhanger at the end. Which by the way, I was NO WHERE near prepared for. Ruthless Vows cannot come quick enough!

Divine Rivals is a magical YA Fantasy about Iris and Roman who are competing for a promotion. While they start off as nemeses, they realize that they have a lot more in common than they think and they may need to put their differences aside if they want any chance at surviving the war between the gods.

I went from giggling and kicking my feet, to my jaw and stomach dropping so much while reading this book, that I had to take multiple mental processing breaks. This story is beautiful, hopeful, ethereal, tense, devastating, and mind blowing all in one. This book ruined me in the very best way. 5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Your practices have blessed me.