Review by Ronny
The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride is forbidden romance at its finest.
Favourite Quote:
‘You’re not going to go anywhere, Alivia,’ he whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her cheek, making her shiver, sending tingles down her spine.
Book Synopsis:
A dramatic, forced proximity Viking romance where forbidden love becomes hard to resist…
A forbidden desire…
…for his enemy captor!
Mourning his wife and unborn child, Saxon warrior Ryce has found solace behind the walls of a monastery and become a priest-in-training. Then Viking shieldmaiden Alivia, blazing with righteous fury, attacks and takes Ryce captive.
Ryce must resist the spark between him and his captor. For he’s vowed to devote his life to the priesthood, and to her, he represents the enemy who killed her family. Forced to work together to protect their people, impetuous and fierce Alivia reignites his warrior instincts. Now Ryce has a return to his duty, or embrace a new future with Alivia by his side?
Review:
I always do a little happy dance when Sarah sends me a copy of one of her books. She is a master at writing forbidden and enemies-to-lovers romances. This book was fabulous and hooks you in right from the start. The emotional stakes are so high, which makes for a more intense and addictive read. You are introduced to two main characters who are enemies and who have been through heart-wrenching tragedies that have shaped who they are at the beginning of this book. What I found interesting was that Sarah took that typical gender emotional reaction to a tragedy, i.e. the man seeks violent vengeance and the woman withdraws from society, and flipped it in this book. Alivia is the reckless and ruthless warrior seeking vengeance on those who hurt her. Ryce is the calm, steady character who has withdrawn from society to become a priest after the passing of his wife. I thought the switch was clever, and it creates an interesting dynamic between the two MCs. I really enjoyed their interactions. They have this perfect blend of sharp, angry banter with a sprinkling of quiet and lusty exchanges.
Like with most category romances, the pacing of this book is on the faster side of things, which I loved. Sometimes this bookworm just wants to read a quick historical romance and doesn’t need or want all that extra detail that often comes with historical romances that exist outside of the category world. Sarah’s books always have these big stakes or big events that are happening outside of the growing relationship between the two MCs. In this case, we have a few things going on. There is this uneasy and at times violent co-existence between the Catholics and Vikings. The interactions between these two groups often have had tragic results, and it’s these interactions that provide more action and fast-paced scenes. There is also this big secret that Ryce is keeping that plays an important part in how the story unfolds. The stakes just feel so damn high and important, you feel like you are getting an adrenaline rush at times.
I thoroughly liked the two MCs. They are polar opposites of each other. Alivia is quick-tempered, brash, and reckless. We learn from her brother that since the tragedy she had to endure, she has become someone he doesn’t recognize. We get to see that older version of herself through small moments when she interacts with children. Alivia’s journey in this book is learning to let go of the hate she is harbouring in her heart. Ryce presents himself as a steady and calm presence in this story. Despite Alivia’s best efforts, he never really lost his composure… well, that is, until the third-act breakup. Instead of embracing his feelings and acknowledging them, Ryce chooses to suppress them. And in the polar opposite, Alivia feels too much. I really enjoyed both characters’ journeys and watching as they help others find that happiness and peace that they thought they would never feel again.
The romance is swoony and lusty. I always find Sarah’s romances so delicious and addictive because she puts her two MCs in what I consider to be an impossible situation that leaves me feeling there is no logical way these two characters can be together. I need to read their story because I need to know how Sarah is going to bring these two characters together, and every single time she is able to deliver a HEA that is sweet, romantic, and makes sense.
The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride is another fabulous, addictive romance by the talented Sarah Rodi.
Thank you, Sarah Rodi, for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
