Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

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Read: May 18, 2026 - May 22, 2026

Oh. My. Goodness.

Okay, so it took me a long time to actually read it. I got a few chapters in, 3 separate times, before I finally really started reading it. I think it just needed more time to "simmer" because once I actually started, started it, I LOVED it and couldn't put it down.

I love the fact that Roman and Iris began their relationship by hating each other and being rivals. Or so we thought, because Roman truly loved her right from the beginning.

The whole concept of magical typewriters is so incredible. I love that they began their relationship not knowing they were writing to each other until they did. Roman was giving her only his middle initial to call him, not wanting to give himself away.

Roman becoming so worried about Iris when she stopped writing to him because she went to the front as a correspondent is so sweet. I love him so much. And how he, himself, then went to the front as a correspondent just so that he could make sure she was safe.

The whole moment when Iris ran at Roman in the field when he first arrived really just showed how much she cared about him, before she even knew it. Their relationship became so much more special, from their morning runs, Roman making sure they went to the front lines together and surviving the bombing together, to Iris finding out Roman was Carver and falling so much more in love with him (after getting mad at him first of course).

A cute moment between them that I just LOVE is when Iris is gardening, and Roman is sitting in the window. The way he smiles down at her, tosses her a letter, and teases her is just so cute.

I screamed and was kicking my feet when they got engaged and married before the whole attack. BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU MEAN??

Forest tricking Iris was so... oh my god. You see, I was excited for her to finally see her brother again, but I was so mad with the way it happened. Roman was running, trying to get to her, whilst Forrest was pretending to be Roman and pulling her away from the fight. Iris tried to get back to Roman, but was too late. Dacre took him, and I'm surprised Iris didn't blame Forest for everything. It was his fault, I blame him 100%. I know that he did what he thought was best for her, but what was best for her was to be with her husband. To be with the person who makes her feel the safest, and he didn't even give her that opportunity, especially after having been under Dacre's control himself.

I love all of the side characters, too, like Marisol and Attie.

I love this book. It's so magical and whimsical.

5 stars.