I could not put this story down. It’s focus on peace and joy and love is intoxicating. It calls to mind the scent of white roses, warm and citrusy. It compared two lives that were meant to be together. They succeeded in being together by kindness and honesty. It displayed self perceptions compared to how others see you. I would recommend it for middle school students in its purity and everyone because it’s GOOD.

Kiera Cass is such a delight. I know the teens at my library will love this new story that glitters with romance and intrigue! The next big thing!

No one writes a feel good romance book like Kiera Cass, and A Thousand Heartbeats definitely has all the feels. I really enjoyed to two main characters in this story. Annika is a princess who is navigating her way in a world without her mother, and Lennox is the enemy of Annika, pushed out of his homeland by her ancestors. Wrapped up in seeking their leader’s approval, Lennox would do just about anything to serve his people and reclaim the land that is rightfully his, including stealing the princess from a neighboring land. Cue lots of action and adventure scenes here.

Overall the characters were lovely and relatable, but timing felt off in this book. The premise was great and an overall very enjoyable story to read. My only negative would be pacing. Some things happened quicker than I expected, making me question the authenticity of some of the emotions, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment while reading.

I have read all of Kiera Cass' books, so I was curious about this book when it was announced.
I enjoyed the Selection series, but her other work has been hit or miss for me. So I went into this one with low expectations.

I really Liked this book. I think having the book split into three sections was a good idea opposed to the author writing a trilogy. I think it helps to keep the storyline and plot points together. Now there were a lot of tropes and a couple things that were easily resolved, but the way they were done was pretty good because the book took its time revealing the various plot twists. Since the book took its time it felt more like there was more build up.

Speaking of building up the romance was a slow burn and I really enjoyed that I liked both of the main characters also, the book was told from each character's perspective and the story also took its time fleshing out each character and learning about their motivations. I really like how Annika was capable and the story shows how capable she is.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked it as much as I liked the selection and I'd be hard pressed to pick between the two as to which one is my favorite.

Many thanks to netgalley for a review copy.

I will be incredibly honest and state that most of Kiera Cass' writing has not been for me in the past but I went into this story with a fresh mind and fresh eyes. I enjoyed the book, it was fun and magical and one thing I do adore about Cass' writing is the unapologetic use of beautiful gowns!

Kiera Cass is such a unique author when it comes to not overtrivializing love stories. Ill-fated lovers separated by distance, social class, and personal desires kept the story interesting. There's always a complexity in parents, so it's nice to see Cass explore motives, hurt, and misguided intentions through the adults throughout.

Like The Selection series, it's fun to read about fancy gowns, big parties, and royal life. Unlike The Selection series, not as much humor and far fewer characters. I wasn't sure if Cass would wrap everything up in one book, but she was able to put a bow on it. It was an easy, one day read that I think many of my students will enjoy.

I'll need to tell my students about: language, violence/gore, parental death,

**Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the free ARC prior to publication. All opinions
expressed are my own.**

I didn't actual finish it. I found it hard to wrap my head around the geography and there were some logical leaps I just had trouble with. Both main characters were likeable but it just wasn't doing it for me

KIERA CASS IS BACK BESTIES!

so excited I got to read an advance copy of this!! I loved The Selection as a teenager and never picked up the Betrothed, but I'm a sucker for this cover. Lol.

This was fun from beginning to end - lots of court drama, pretty dresses, and swoonworthy moments between the two love interests.

Aside from that there were some shockingly deep revelations and emotional discussions! My only complaint is that the two protagonists read almost TOO mature and wise for their teenage age, but ya know what? I liked it.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this - it even wrapped up wonderfully at the end!!

There are only 999 heartbeats now, because mine has stopped. Actually maybe less, because Kiera once again broke my heart and restarted it over and over again with this book. I loved The Selection series!! I have been a champion of Kiera's from the very beginning. But this book just blew that one out of the water! Hands down! Give me Lennox and Annika, all day every day! I cannot wait for my book club to read this book in December! (Can I use any more excla!ma!tion! marks!! in this review?!?!!!)

Kiera Cass has definitely grown as a writer since the Selection series.. The world building and the character development went hand in hand. The pacing felt a little rushed and a bit awkward at times as we switched between two different perspectives but it was still a good read

A lot of our patrons love YA but Annika wasn’t mature enough to translate well for our mostly-adult readership. She’s not political and doesn’t play the game. I’d give this to young high schoolers.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

Annika and Lennox were so easy to like. Annika especially. She was a princess and strong, but also kind. Lennox was a killer. He took lives that changed everything. But his family was forgotten. Annika's family took it and erased them from history. Lennox wanted that life. His father died after going after the king. His mom ended up with a man who started to rule their people. He was abusive to Lennox and his mom did nothing to stop it. Annika was going to be forced to marry Nickolas to merge bloodlines and bring people together. Nickolas was horrible though and Annika hated him. But she loved her country enough to go through with it. Her brother was meant to be king, but he didn't want it. He thought Annika would be better.

Nickolas is sent on a mission and he decides he wants to take back his home. He captures the princess, but she later escapes. When they are both trapped on an island during a hurricane, both of them open up to each other. They realize that they've met before and they've had this love since they were children. But they also know that they both won't be able to live. Nickolas's people plan on attacking and taking over. Annika is put in a tough position that she wasn't prepared for, but she also excelled at. But she can't stop thinking about Lennox while planning her wedding to Nickolas. Lennox can't stop thinking about Annika and is willing to betray his people to keep her safe.

This was a great enemies to lovers story. Lennox ended up being incredibly sweet. Annika had so much strength and love for everyone. I also loved Annika's brother and her maid. Lennox finally opened himself up and made some friends that I liked too. I enjoyed the histories for both of their families and there was enough action to keep things interesting.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an earc through netgalley.

I keep coming back to Kiera Cass books because of my love for the Selection Series, and every time I enjoy the time spent reading, but am still left wanting. This book, along with the betrothed series, feel as if they come together too neatly and too quickly. There's no suspense. I still enjoy the characters and the time I spend with them in their world, but I'm always left wanting more to happen, more to be at stake, more reason to care what happens.

Content warnings: abuse, imprisonment, war, violence, murder

Princess Annika Vedette of Kadier is a romantic. She spends her free time in the library, reading about a love she can never have. For the good of Kadier, Annika must marry Nickolas, a distant cousin with a claim to the throne. Their marriage will merge the bloodlines and keep Annika's family safe.

Lennox lives in a rundown castle with other Dahrainians. Their oral histories state that Kadier is actually Dahrain and that the land was stolen from them. In an effort to cripple Kadier, Lennox kidnaps Annika. But he underestimates the princess, who can fight with a sword, pick locks, and is much more resourceful than a sheltered noblewoman.

After Annika escapes, the two peoples must figure out a solution before all-out war begins in Annika's kingdom. The growing love between Lennox and Annika is their greatest secret, motivating them to find the best solution for each country.

Recommended for fans of YA romance, especially those who enjoy star-crossed lovers stories. Fans of YA historicals or fantasy (without the magic) will also find something to enjoy here.

I received a free digital ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. A Thousand Heartbeats is another great read from Kiera Cass. Princess Annika was taught her family is protecting the kingdom. Lennox has devoted his life to reclaim his people’s throne. For Lennox, love is a distraction, while Princess Annika is being forced into a loveless marriage for political gain. But when the two of them are driven together, a thousand heartbeats will make it impossible for them stay apart. If you like enemies to lovers and love being chosen against all odds, this book is for you. A fan of The Selection series, then you’ll love this one. I was thrilled and delighted to read this ARC and grateful for the opportunity to review this title.

I can guarantee that my students will enjoy this book as much, if not more, than The Selection series! I blew through this book. The two main characters, Annika and Lennox, are well developed and intriguing - lots of secrets are revealed throughout the book, making it a story that you just want to keep reading. Readers will love how strong Annika is and they will root for her along the way. There is plenty of action and romance, and I think that a lot of teens will really find this to be an entertaining book; I plan on ordering multiple copies of this for my library. Thank you to NetGalley and to Harper Teen for the e-galley.