I picked up this book with zero expectations, and at first, it was decent, the writing wasn’t terrible. But then the author started describing the female main character as a small, fragile, childlike figure, and it immediately made me uneasy. It’s an arranged marriage story with a princess, so I braced myself for some angst, but not this. The male lead shows up to “claim” what he was promised, a wife, who clearly had no clue about the deal. The breaking point came on their wedding night when he comes into the room, declaring she had to fulfill her “wifely duties” and sleep with him, no discussion, no consent, just an expectation. I don’t care if it’s fantasy; these are the main characters I’m supposed to cheer for, and I absolutely can’t. For me, that was it—I had no desire to keep going with the story, and to my disappointment, I just set the book aside.

OVERALL📚
This is a third person POV told through the eyes of enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, forced proximity romantasy filled with brave and handsome knights, terrifying monsters, painful secrets, shattering betrayals and of course a swoon worthy love story. This has all the makings of a high fantasy novel, right down extensive and detailed world building, politics, and magic that makes occasional appearances. I cannot even begin to imagine the amount of planning and research that went into a book of this caliber and I’m so grateful to have been able to read this debut story.

MMC 👨
Remin "Grimjaw" a 24 year old “traitor’s” son turned battle hardened war hero and knight has finally accomplished the impossible, won the long fought war Valleth, over the Andelin Valley the task set upon him by the very emperor who killed his family, nearly ending his line. He asked only 3 things in return, “The Andelin for my duchy, the Brede for my own. And your daughter for my wife.” Knowing his parents were innocent, at 17 he began his conquest.
Immediately after his victory, now 24 we find him at the estate of Aldeburke to claim his new wife, The story had been told over and over to swooning women and blushing girls but the Duke of Andelin wanted only to marry the emperor’s daughter for heirs, for his family name to live on forever protected.

FMC 👩
Ophele Agnephus, bastard daughter to the emperor, princess, exiled to live far away from any family, love or kindness. She has never seen outside the walls of her gilded prison and struggles with her shy nature as men clad in armor and dark fabric inform her she is to be married. Their first meeting goes awry with talk of insults. Ophele is torn from a terrible yet familiar home and set upon the road for the first time at a breakneck pace that often has her squeezed against the Duke on horseback. While she not miss many at Aldeburke she missed the comforts of the library and the tea and patriots she would take as she gazed longingly out windows. She finds it hard to communicate with the Duke having never had to before, and frequently drew within her own mind.

STORY (NO SPOILERS) 🔮
Their marriage and wedding night did little to ease tension as undeniable feelings and chemistry seem to flow between them only to be shattered by an assassination attempt Remin can’t seem to decide if small, quiet Ophele had a role in. Years of distrust, paranoia, and attempts like before ultimately lead to him pushing her away and emotional turmoil between the two as they try to rebuild all he lost.
You’ll find a loving and wholesome found family that seems to equally support not only the main characters but everyone woven into the tale. It’s touching to see growth, communication and help from this wide cast of characters who just want to see their friends and loved ones happy and safe, even a certain violent cook seems to have a soft spot for the new Duchess eventually.
I found lots of tiny details in the book that I’m still reeling from the utter genius of this author. From the map, owl chapter headers, pronunciation guide in the back, the glass bear, and so many heart achingly beautiful descriptions without feeling like you’re just reading a long string of words over and over for the sake of making the book longer. I truly felt like every word, punctuation and sentence had significant meaning in this gorgeous story and it has clung to me long after finishing the last page. Melissa has such a unique way of wiring something epic and love laden without making it drawn out and cheesy. The character growth, and certain people getting to know each other was incredibly satisfying for my heart and soul, this was such a healing journey.
While there isn’t a ton of comedic relief, I would say there is just the right amount and masterfully planted so you appreciate the humor even more. Most jokes are so sudden, nearly every one of them took me off guard and had me smiling or laughing aloud at the creativity and hilarious descriptors.
Whenever I realized this was a trilogy I could have jumped to the moon. I am so happy this story is continuing and we get to see more of all those characters we fell in love with. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to read and immerse myself in a novel, Melissa makes it way to easy to lose yourself in her nearly poetic words. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next book.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Melissa Cave, and Victory Editing!

All opinions and thoughts are my own. 🖤

I'd never heard of this series, so I was excited to get to read it and the sequal around each other. I think there's a lot of good here, but the interactions between the female and male leads were uncomfy, esp. the intimate scenes.

I'm loving this series so much! I can't stop thinking about the characters and the whole story of it. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic and the story is immaculate.

That one knight the emperor hoped would die in battle and the timid, neglected princess trauma bond through political marriage while building civilization in a barren territory. In other words, Under the Oak Tree meets Greatest Estate Developer, featuring the supportive and lovely Knights of Brede, monster attacks, town planning and land development, an adorably earnest princess who wins over everyone's hearts, and not as many miscommunications as there could've been, thanks to the best advisor/wingman ever, Miche of Harnost.

Miche is my hero. Charming, observant, not afraid to tell it how it is, especially to prevent the Duke from unwittingly sabotaging his own wedding. Bane of maidens, digger of ditches. We stan Miche.

Not knowing a ton about the book beforehand, I wasn't expecting it to go so hard on the romance aspect. Marriage, intimacy, uwu...the extended scenes just aren't my thing. Also Rem, I know you really like her "large eyes" but let's chill on the possessive thoughts a little.

That aside, there's so much that I did love. Knight bros and infrastructure development (in survival mode!), it doesn't get better than that. Monsters! Mindful masons! A friendly donkey and labor rate calculations and new pantry shelves! My copy is full of highlights of beautiful or clever turns of phrase (and notes on Miche, who is always a highlight). Also, the dual POV effectively illustrates Ophele and Rem's insecurities, whereas missing either perspective might have them come across as aloof or unfeeling. (This avoids something I didn't love in the UOT light novel, where Riftan existing only as a looming giant to Maxi contributes to him coming across much less favorably than in the manhua).

This first book feels complete in its own way, but there's plenty of hooks for the rest of the six book series.