For anyone who loves enemies to lovers as much as I do, you'll love jumping into this book to read a new thrilling fantasy with the perfect amount of enemy as there is to lovers. I flew through this book and enjoyed every second of it as I was reading.

The beginning of it starts a little slow but the pacing get significantly better by 40% of the way through the book. This is a great first book into what I cannot wait for more books from this author and of this storyline. This was a fantastic slowburn type of enemies to lovers that had me gripping my seat to see what would happen next!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

What a solid romantasy debut from this author & I’m excited to read more from her!

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves a blend of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. Right from the start, this book pulls you in with its unique feminist magic system and high-stakes court politics. The protagonist, Vaasa, is sharp, cunning, and fully capable of holding her own in a world filled with witches, royalty, and ruthless enemies. And Reid, the supposed "ruthless ruler," is actually a protective cinnamon roll who makes the romance in this slow-burn relationship even more swoon-worthy.

One of the story’s strongest elements is its development of the matriarchal type magic system and the relationships within the coven. I loved the focus on healing, found family, sisterhood through Vaasa’s connection with her coven. Though the world-building isn’t overly intricate, the compelling magic and sisterhood dynamics give it depth. The themes of healing and recovery add emotional layers that make you root for the characters even more.

That said, the pacing dips a little in the middle as Vaasa tries to uncover more about her magic, but the ending is worth every second of build-up. There’s a twist you won’t see coming, and trust me, it will leave you desperate for the next book.

I’m undecided if this leans more to a 3.75✨ or is a solid 4✨but either way it’s rounded up for goodreads


Thank you to the publisher and author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vaasa has spent her entire life balancing on the edge of a blade - first under her father's rule and then with the magic that will kill her. When she is married to a neighboring kingdom, she flees her new husband only to be returned to him. Reid is kinder than his reputation and they bargain: if she can spend 3 years playing happy marriage, he will secure his territory and she will learn to control her magic; at the end of the term, they will part and Vaasa can be in control of her life. But she never expected to find a home in Mireh.

I loved this book. The pacing was excellent. Vaasa is wonderfully complicated. Reid was almost too good to be true. There's a nice balance of political intrigue and magical secrets. I can't wait to read the next one.

Arranged marriage
One horse
One bed
Who did this to you
Enemies to lovers

The beginning felt a little too rushed and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I felt the beginning lacked a bit of the tension I was anticipating.

This new romantasy series is definitely going to be big. World building, politics, and slow burn steam!

🐍enemies to lovers
🐍"my wife"
🐍deadly magic
🐍slow burn
🐍twists and politics
🐍arranged marriage/fake dating
🐍found family
🐍"who did this to you"

I loved the MMC and FMC - Reid is a cinnamon roll and Vaasa is so strong and stubborn. The side characters are just as interesting and Im interested to see if we get a Koen love story 🥹. World building and magic were awesome, and I was impressed with the political plot lines. I can't wait for this book to come out so I can talk about it with everyone!