Beautiful photo by @myfriendsarefiction!
Hello, hello!
Happy Monday and welcome to day 1 of our readalong of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you all love it!
Before we start, how are you all doing? I hope you had a wonderful weekend and got some reading and relaxing done.
Since today is day 1, we’ll be reading from the beginning to the end of Chapter 8. Get comfy and let’s get started!
When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross from the beginning to Chapter 8. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
–!SPOILERS!-
We meet our MC, Iris, at a difficult moment in her life. She’s seeing her brother Forest off, he’s away to fight in the war. She makes him promise to write to her, and he does… then, he’s gone, leaving her with nothing but his coat and a note that she’s the best sister he’s ever had. Rebecca Ross out here making me sob within the first four pages. That might be a new record.
A whole five months later, Iris is running through the rain, hoping she won’t be late. She is though. Greeted at the door by MC number two, Roman Kitt. There is some tense back and forth between these two! We may have just witnessed our first encounter between the ✨divine rivals✨.
Well, I’m not sure why Roman doesn’t like Iris, but Iris gives some intel into why she doesn’t like Roman… she overheard him telling an editor when she first started that she would give him no competition. Damn, pompous indeed!
Zeb, Iris’s boss, invited her into his office, it sounds kind of like he wants Iris to have another shot. He seems to have a sense that something is going on at home.
We get a little backstory into Enva and Dacre, the gods that are feuding. Iris is writing about how she thinks the war began. Zeb catches her, cutting her writing short and telling her the people of Oath don’t care, the war will never reach them here.
When Iris returns home, her mother has been pawning more things to buy alcohol. It’s a cruel illness. Iris goes to her room, and pulls out her grandmother’s typewriter from its hiding place. She knows she needs to write something that will blow Zeb’s socks off, instead, she writes to Forest. She’s angry at him, for leaving her and also for leaving her responsible for their mother. Her mother drank so much she lost her job and Iris was forced into dropping out of school to find work. All the while, Forest hasn’t written to her.
The wardrobe, though, is interesting, when Iris puts the letter to forest inside, it disappears. Iris doesn’t know where it goes, but can only assume it’s finding the right person and reaching Forest?
UNTIL… ???
She gets a letter back ‘This isn’t Forest’ holy plot twist Batman, who is it? She doesn’t write them back, she does however, almost get hit by a tram the next morning, and would have if it were not for Roman Kitt.
Roman is the one on the receiving end of Iris’s letters. How could he read them and not tell her? This is a veeeery interesting development.
Okkk, he doesn’t want to embarrass her by admitting they’ve reached him because of the depth of feeling she’s gone into in the letters. This is getting very interesting indeed. Roman has all of the letters bar the first, but tells Iris he can’t return them. He tells her he thinks they should keep their identities secret (rich coming from him when he knows who she is) and that he’ll read anything she writes. Does Roman, like her?
Oh Roman. I can’t work out if he’s just that desperate for the win, or if he’s jealous of Iris, but saying Autry pities her is a very low blow.
When Iris gets home, she has a rare nice moment with her mum. She curls her hair, Iris tells her about her opposition and the chat about Forest. Her mum promises to be better.
On Roman’s side of things… he’s being forced into an engagement he doesn’t want. In the morning, Roman’s father is having his engagement notice printed in the paper. Something clicks inside Iris, and she tells Roman she has a brother missing at war AND invites him out for lunch… and he agrees. He even apologises for what he said when she joined the paper. Growth! We love to see it.
They sit and chat, Iris telling Roman about her brother, helping him, even though it might be detrimental to her.
What an interesting start!
What do you think of Iris and Roman so far?
Do you think Roman should have told her his identity?
What do you think will happen next? Who do you think will get the promotion?
Love,
Shannon
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I’m loving this so far! Roman and Iris are both very interesting characters from two very different backgrounds.
If Roman told Iris that he was her secret pen pal, I don’t think she would have kept writing (and we wouldn’t have such an intriguing storyline!). She’d see it as him trying to undermine her for the columnist position and shut up, so their relationship wouldn’t get as good of a chance to grow.
As for what happens next, I’m not too sure. We’re still in the introductory phases and I’m just looking forward to learning more about the world and the characters. I’m kind of waiting for Iris (or maybe even both of them) to leave the Gazette and take up the war reporter role at the other newspaper. I’m surprised Iris hasn’t spent much more time considering it since 1) it would get her closer to her brother and 2) it pays better than her position at the Gazette.
I’m thinking along the same lines with the war correspondent position but I also just can’t see Iris leaving her mother!
The premise of the book is so interesting!! It reminded me of ‘the undertaking of Hart and Mercy’!
I thought the same thing ! With a mix of the hating game ❤️
Oh my goodness I never made that connection but I totally agree!! I loved that book ??
It took me a bit to get into the vibe of this book. I kinda needed to know if this is fantasy or history, but now I’m totally okay that miraculously it’s both.
I love it so far. It’s so well-written! When Iris described how she feels with her brother disappearance, I had chills. This book is like a mix between The undertaking of Hart and Mercy and The Hating game. I love their banter. I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to tell her the truth yet, but I hope he’s not going to wait a lot before telling her.
Iris seems like a such a gentle, yet determined character, making decisions that I’m sure in her place, many of us would make. She’s had such a tough lot thrown at her and she’s sacrificed so much, I just want her to catch a break! She’s really a character I’m feeling connected to and rooting for!
Roman on the other-hand, seems like a character with more layers. We’re starting to see his story but his motives are still a mystery. I’m loving the little bits of banter between him and Iris though and this gives me high hopes for the story!
Absolutely Roman should have told Iris his identity- his reasoning of not wanting to embarrass her is silly because by letting this continue she’s embarrassing herself more. However, this secret is exciting as I can see it helping the rivals to lovers plot line develop (and cause potential angst).
What happens next: I think that Roman’s piece (that Iris helped him with) will be amazing, and he’ll get the promotion. Maybe this will leave him in her debt somehow or he will feel responsible for her? There’s also the possibility of that war correspondent role, which she may take if she believes something has happened to her brother. Only problem with this is that I can’t see her leaving her Mother.
I’m excited to see how everything unfolds!
Firstly, I am loving the dual perspective in this book; it is so interesting to see how both characters think and react to the world around them. They have such different backgrounds but seem to have similar feelings towards the gods and the war.
I think for now it is better that he remains anonymous but I just know they will probably have a fight about it later when it is revealed that he was the one getting the letters… Mayyyybe it could bring them closer but I feel like there might be an argument.
I am not really sure where the story goes from here but I think there is definitely a chance one of them takes on the role with the other paper. I am really bad at predicting where books go though so I’m just excited to see where it leads. 🙂
I adore Iris and Roman – they already have my heart ❤️
Although Roman should have told Iris his identity, that wouldn’t make for a very interesting story, would it? ? Yes, it’ll bite him in the butt later ?
I sobbed reading Iris’s letters to Forest, so I know Roman will soften and fall for her as he reads her words ❤️
I think circumstances will have Iris and Roman going to the frontlines to report on the war. Or they will be physically separated but stay connected through the magical letters ✨ I really hope Iris finds her brother Forest alive and well.
I am absolutely loving this book so far its started off so strong and has me hooked I love the letter writing its so cute and the way that iris has jo clue that roman is writing the letters back I love too watch there relationship slowly grow and how completely different there lives are Romans family are rich and can buy whatever they want and iris is poor and really struggling too pay bills and keep food on the table but who’s worse off because roman has too agree too an arranged marriage too keep his family happy looking forward too tomorrows pages
Very interesting start. Iris and Roman are giving “The Hating Game” vibes. I think Roman secretly likes her, but for some reason he doesn’t want to acknowledge it or show it. Maybe because they are both competing for the same job.
It’s very sad the situation Iris is in. She is so lonely and facing so many problems on her own, that I’m glad she is able to reach out and pour her heart to someone, who happens to be Roman.
I understand why he is choosing not to tell her that it’s him at the moment, but I also think it will cause more complications when the truth comes out in the future.
Oh my gosh, I love this book! The writing, the story, the banter it all drew me right in, I read way to much of it in one go! The war and the gods are very intriguing, I hope we find out more about what is going on there, and I wonder how this war will play out. I hope her brother is alive, but I am not optimistic.
The two of them growing a bit closer together both through the letters and over Romans article is exciting, I feel like he is deeply in love with her and just can’t sort out how to share that information. Feels like he is a cinnamon roll in disguise.
Super excited for where we are going with this story and loving how hard it is to put down!
I enjoy how likable the main characters are. There are qualities in both of the characters that I really admire. I especially connected with Iris and her struggle with her family.
I do think Roman has a point in not telling Iris right away who he was because she does not like him and would view it as him distracting her from the columnist position. It also creates more build-up of the story, knowing that the truth must come out eventually.
I think that the war correspondent position at the other newspaper is going to be important to the story since Iris hinted at how well it pays and how unlikely it is that she would join, meaning something must happen to make her want to leave her current job for the new one.
This was such a good start!!! I already love Iris and Kit!
I read this book as soon as it came in the mail, so I obviously won’t answer the last questions so I don’t spoil it for people lol.
I love our introductions to Iris and Roman though because we get that they can match wits with each other, which we know makes for some great banter in books, but also they are genuine workplace rivals and have real reasons for not liking each other and like it’s not just because of a miscommunication or something. So watching them start to mend fences towards the end of this section feels earned and really nice to see, but also makes us wonder what happens when one of them gets a promotion that both of them really need.
I also love that I’ve received two books from Fairyloot that have a You’ve Got Mail element to them haha, it’s my favorite romcom! Can’t wait to discuss this book throughout the week!
I agree with Ari it does feel like Undertaking if Hart and Mercy mixed with the Hating Game.
What do you think of Iris and Roman so far?
I think if they were not competing for the same position they may have started off meeting each other on better terms. The competitive nature of their relationship and the differences in upbringings makes for a tricky relationship. I do enjoy both characters and I like that we get to read from both of their pov’s.
Do you think Roman should have told her his identity?
I can see pros and cons. I think he should tell her before they become too close and then it feels like a betrayal.
What do you think will happen next?
Who do you think will get the promotion?
Snap I hit enter! Okay so continuing my thoughts here. Haha
Happens next: I think they both will end up going to the front lines monster hunting together.
I think they both will in a way. Maybe one goes to the competitor or they both find different positions at the same paper.
I absolutely adore this books balance of wartime blues and magic. There’s something about it that feels both comforting and intriguing.
I think that Iris and Roman are the other parts of each other. Roman is neat while Iris is scatterbrained. And the descriptions of their writing seem opposite too (hint hint hint from Mrs Ross I think). We have to see more of these two working together!
I think Roman is going to let something slip and he’s going to get Iris’ wrath. Which is his own fault, but we can all see by now that Iris is forgiving and caring.
We’re definitely going to hear more about sneaky Mr Zeb and whatever the chancellor is up to ?
(P.S. curse *whoever* has been ripping pages from those old books!)
I really like Iris and Roman so far, and I love the dual POVs!
I’m glad Roman didn’t reveal his identity, I think Iris has enough worries right now without knowing her rival has all the details of her private life.
I suspect that Roman will get the promotion and Iris will go for the war reporter job, but I’m not sure how she’ll be able to leave her mum
The shop that shames you for how little money you have in your purse…. ATTACKED ??
Loving this so far, Roman I’m warming to but Iris had me with all the ‘what the C stands for’ guesses! She’s having none of his nonsense ?
I will say, I got through these first few chapters, and the book already hit me exactly where I wanted. It has that rivals to friends to romance feel, sure, which I already like as a trope. But it’s also epistolary, too, and I am absolute trash for historical letter writing exchanges. And I just got done talking about dual POVs and how they sometimes work and sometimes don’t, but IMO, in this case, I think it does!
1. I like Iris and Roman, and I’m an absolute sucker for their banter. Those first few pages of them just bickering also had me snickering like their coworkers. I love how expressive Iris is, but also love that there’s a lot of internal conflict in Roman’s POV. They’re both interesting me so far so I can’t wait to continue reading.
2. I think at the point in the story, Roman keeping his identity from Iris was probably the lesser of the two evils, as it were. His reasoning seemed sound, though I don’t doubt this decision is going to come back and explode in his face at some point. Cue my bag of popcorn for this grand dramatic fight between them. ?
3. I honestly feel like Roman and Iris are going to defect to the rival newspaper and both become war correspondents. Eff the columnist promotion! Just run off to the west, get paid more, and find Iris’ brother. It would also solve Roman’s problem with his arranged marriage, just saying, lol.
So far, I think the only thing for me that still needs a bit more work with expanding on the story is the worldbuilding and the war. It does read very Hades and Persephone to me, and I’m not sure where this plot is going, or whether there will be parallels to the two characters.
I’m really enjoying the book so far! I love the build up and world building so far and feel very invested in both Roman and Iris.
But given all pointers are towards an enemies to lovers with good writing and some mythology themes, it was always going to be a winner for me!
I read “Roman” but I can only see Logan Huntzberger! I don’t know if it’s the office setting or the glimpse we got on his personal life. Iris and her brother on the other hand made me think about Hilary Duff’s character in Raise your voice and truly hope the outcome for the two of them will be different.
I didn’t think this would be a very interesting start until that letters revelation. It finally made me curious about the magic system and raised so so so many questions. Since I’m bad at reading the books synopsis I didn’t see that coming. I’m sooo ready for all the drama when she’ll find out the truth and I hope it will break my heart – I’m ready for the pain!
I was expecting to find the Gods from the Greek mythology – not sure yet about how pleased I am with the Gods that are being introduced. I haven’t made my mind yet if I’d prefer them to be Gods from some existing myths or new ones that Ross has invented.
I am intrigued. I have never read the author before and I was pleasantly surprised by her writing. I’m really looking forward to Enva and Dacre’s story.
I have been itching for this readalong to start!
I love enemies to lovers and what can be a more perfect setup than class separation! Both Iris and Roman have family problems which they deal with similarly, writing. I am loving both of them so far. Their banter is top tier, both messing with each other just to get a rise out of the other, A++ behavior what I am here for! Iris just slightly shifting all of the items on Roman’s desk! I am excited to see their relationship grow after the olive branch lunch.
Its wrong of Roman to not have told Iris from the start that her letters were not going to her brother. I can see that he waited too long and doesn’t know how to tell her its him. They both need someone to talk to without the fear of being judged. These letters have been therapeutic to Iris and if Roman told her it was him she would undoubtedly stop which I think would hurt her more in the long run. So ethically its the wrong move for him not to say who he is, emotionally its decently kind as long as he does not use this as an upper hand to get the columnist position. She will be hurt regardless at this point whenever it comes out who she has been writing to.
I think Roman will get the promotion simply because Iris will leave to go find her brother. The Inkridden Tribune is looking for war correspondents: its too good an opportunity to pass up. It would double her pay and possibly allow her to figure out what is happening with Forest. If he is still alive, which I sincerely hope he is for Iris and her Mom’s sake.
Fun start to this book so far!!
Wow, this book has blown me away so far. I love the vibe of the city they are in, i see it as like an ancient city but with a little bit of modern technology here and there.
I love Iris and i feel like she is definitely having a hard time but at least she kind of now knows why forest hasnt been replying to her, he never even got the letters!!
Roman so far is mysterious although we do know he isnt happy in his current postion of like :(. Fathers are so annoying.
O deffo want to find out more and cant wait to read it again.
The writing completely sucked me in from the start. And I love the glimpses into Roman’s POV.
I like Iris and even though Roman isn’t painted as very likeble yet, I think that will change as Iris gets to know him.
They are both writing about the war, which The Gazette hasn’t really done. I think the stories will sell so much that Zeb will change he’s mind and offers to send them to report from the front lines.
If I was Iris then yes I think he should have told her who the messages went to, but as a reader I’m quite happy he didn’t.
I absolutely love this book so far!!!
I really like both Iris and Roman so far. I like how they both wear trench coats. It’s a detail that isn’t usually thought about.
Personally, I don’t think Roman should tell her his identity just yet. There’s a lot of dislike on her side. Not so much his. But definitely hers.
I think Roman will get the promotion. I think Iris will become a war correspondent and take on a search for her brother. Maybe Roman will join?
1) I love Iris and Roman so far! The haughty rich boy and the scrappy poor girl, we’ve loved this tale since Pride & Prejudice haha. I’ve also found Rebecca Ross’s other books that I’ve read really promising, so all of this combined with the letter writing trope that I love…I’m really hooked already!
2) Should have? Probably. We know his reasons why he says he didn’t, but what interests me is that by remaining anonymous he’s allowing Iris to have a friend/outlet that she really needs right now, something she would have lost if he’d told her the truth with her current perceptions of him.
3) I feel like Zeb really wants to give Iris the promotion, hence calling her into his office multiple times because she’s ONE article behind Roman and then offering her this special assignment. Either that or her knows that Roman’s dad could bribe/force him into giving the promotion to Roman, and Zeb is a greedy jerk who wants to get as much from Iris as he can before he has to admit he won’t actually be promoting her. Jury’s still out on him.
It would be cool if they would write articles *together*. They would be an amazing duo and I feel like then Zeb would be forced to promote both of them.
I am really loving this book so far! I love the setting of the book, and how Rebecca Ross’s writing puts me directly into the scene. Her writing is lyrical in a way that is beautiful and vivid and not too confusing like some other more lyrical writing styles I have read. It is just so vivid, like how she pays specific attention to the way light is cast, how paper rustles, or the room smells. I lost myself in the first 8 chapters! I’m really intrigued in the character dynamics. It is interesting how they both put up a front for each other and everyone around them. It seems as we get more into the story we will see them break down their own walls, and hopefully confide in each other too. I think Roman was right to not share his identity because she most definitely would have not replied… or it would make things extremely awkward between them at work. I think she will feel betrayed once she finds out, or maybe she will be relieved to know her secret pen pal was someone close to her all along?
Not even 100 pages in and this is shaping up to be a favourite book! Everything about it just makes me want more. The worldbuilding in particular is great: the Gods’ war, the way it affects our protagonists, the remnants of magic like the enchanted buildings.
Both Iris and Roman are great characters, but they’re more compelling when together. The banter, their conflicting backgrounds, the competition to see who gets the columnist promotion. I love how they both have an unsaid level of admiration for each other’s writing skills. Iris’s story in particular broke my heart, and it’s sad to see the difference between Prologue Iris and Chapter 1 Iris. It’s also interesting the way the author handles Roman’s character: at first he’s shaping up to be the shallow rich boy he’s described as, but then we find out in his POV he’s a much more complex character than that.
I believe Roman did the next best thing by not revealing his identity to Iris. The best thing he could do was just not answer to het letters at all, but revealing his identity would have just embarassed Iris, who had poured her feelings out in those letters. I can’t wait to see how the relationship between them as penpals evolves.
As for the columnist promotion, it’s hard to say who will obtain it. I loved seeing both of them help each other with their respective articles (Roman telling Iris about the myth of Enva and Dacre and Iris sharing her feeligns about her brother with Roman) and I fully believe they’d be a powerhouse if they wrote articles together. The more realistic outcome, I believe, would be Roman getting the promotion, as Zeb clearly showed his distaste for stories involving the Gods (AKA what Iris is writing). Iris would leave to become a war reporter and Roman would probably follow, to escape the perfect life his parents are forcing him into.
At this point it’s hard to make proper guesses so I can’t wait to read the next section to see what happens!
So, so happy this readalong is FINALLY here! I’ve been forcing myself to wait to read this one until the readalong started [and then forgot to post here after Day 1, just now starting Day 2]!
I’m already loving them, and I can kinda see where they’re [possibly] going to go from here, and I’m SO HERE FOR IT!
I think it’s definitely going to cause issues/a possible falling out later, but of course it’s going to! [lol]
I think one of them will take the war field position [or maybe both will] and the other will get the position. Given Roman’s father, my guess is Roman will get the promotion and Iris will take the war position, both for the money and to try to see/find her brother.
1. I really like Iris so far and Roman is growing on me quickly. Even though Iris doesn’t seem to be a fan, it feels like their competition is one-sided and that he’d be fun to be friends with.
2. I mean, probably? But I likely wouldn’t have if I were in his position. She’s already written so much vulnerable stuff and it’s been way too long. I think it wouldn’t have gone down well if he had revealed his identity.
3. At some point Iris will learn that it is Roman responding to her, but I think we’ll have to wait a while. I think Roman will get the position, his dad seems really fixated on making it happen. Maybe Iris will join the war correspondents after she doesn’t get the job?
How very Narnia to have a magical wardrobe. Lol. Of course it was Roman receiving her magical wardrobe letters. So, arranged marriage was the 1st thing my mind jumped to when someone & their daughter were revealed to be his guests. What else could it be now that his mind is filled with Iris? I guess Del was his younger brother who died by something Roman feels he should’ve been able to prevent. Awe, she’s sharing with him (knowing it’s him this time).
Daily Q&A:
Q:
1.) What do you think of Iris and Roman so far?
2.) Do you think Roman should have told her his identity?
3.) What do you think will happen next? Who do you think will get the promotion?
A:
1.) I think they have room for plenty of character growth, but are still enjoyable as they are. I’ve always loved banter & rivalry.
2.) It’s sometimes easier to open up to a stranger, & their relationship was so complicated at that point, I understand why he chose not to. That said, in fairness, he should’ve come clean since he knew her identity already.
3.) I’m not sure, but I feel like Roman will get the promotion between the unspoken restrictions on her open assignment essay & Roman’s father. Plus, it could mean her taking up the Inkridden Tribune on their War Correspondents position (money for bills while simultaneously searching for what happened to her brother).
I’ve read a few “You’ve got mail” retelling before and it’s a trope I enjoy… Also both You’ve got mail and the 1940 James Stewart film “The shop around the corner” are actually both adaptions of the play “Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo. Lettersto the lost by Brigid Kemmerer, Alex, approximately by Jenn Bennett, The Undertaking of Mercy and Hart by Megan Bannen and Geekerella by Ashley Poston are all worth a read.
I’ve read all but one of Rebecca Ross’s books (Just need to read the one about the sisters) & I’ve enjoyed them all.
The world of Divine rivals gives me strong World War one era London with bonus waring gods and magically delivered letters.
I love the banter and rivary between Iris and Roman.
I think Roman will get the promotion and Iris will go off to Be a war correspondent while searching for her brother.
I hope Roman will get out of his unwanted engagement sooner rather than later and that it doesn’t drag on throughout the book.
I’m hoping for lots of letters between Iris and Roman. Also more face to face banter.
I love this book so far, I can’t put it down! The story’s just so easy to digest!
I really like Roman and Iris so far. I like that they’re complete opposites and come from two very different backgrounds but they have their love of writing, literature and mythology in common!
I think it’s probably best that he didn’t. I don’t think she would have kept writing to him if he’d told her his identity. It’s interesting that she’s clueless and he knows that it’s her though! I originally thought neither of them would know who the other writer was.
I don’t know who will get the promotion! They’re both talented writers but in different ways and both of them could easily fit the role! Roman needs it to please his father but would rather go off to university to study literature, and Iris really wants it as it’s her passion and she needs the money to support her and her mother. It won’t be an easy decision either way!
I’m really enjoying the book so far, especially the magical world building.
Iris and Roman are an interesting pair with lots of similarities despite their different upbringings. They both have little control over their home life, Iris’ mother is an alcoholic and Roman’s father is overly controlling; they were both prevented from pursuing their education, finishing high school for Iris and attending university for Roman; and they’ve both lost siblings, Forest is missing and Del is dead. I like their ambition and how they’re learning from each other — Roman teaching Iris the old myths and her showing him how to put more emotion into his article. It’s a promising start to a friendship (and then a romantic relationship of course ?).
I think Roman was right to not tell Iris who her mystery correspondent was at that time. She would’ve reacted badly, even worse than she no doubt will when his identity is revealed, because she doesn’t really know him yet.
I wouldn’t rule out Iris for the promotion, and I’m curious to see what she comes up with for her open assignment. Though I do suspect she’ll end up taking the job at the Tribune and Roman will get the columnist position at the Gazette.
In all honesty, it seems like things are going a little too well for Iris and I’m worried she won’t get the promotion! Or something might happen in order to sabotage her chances.
As for Roman, I adore his POV and am so glad that Ross included his! It’s already adding so much depth of character for him that I feel that we wouldn’t get it if it were all Iris.
Iris and Roman are typical work rivals, although it seems as though Roman has feelings for her. Iris might too if she weren’t always in her survival state. If Roman told Iris, who he was there honestly would have been no story because Iris pushes away Any and everyone. Roman is a bound to get the promotion, because Iris is so disconnected from what the newspaper publishes. She feels as though there is more to the whore than what they are allowed to write about.
I really like the book so far, with a setting similar to World War I with gods (and possibly dragons?) I’m glad we get both Iris and Roman’s POV, both characters intrigue me. Roman’s dilemma and reminds me of You’ve Got Mail, with Roman knowing Iris is behind the letters, yet Iris has no idea it’s him. I’m eager to see where it goes, I have a feeling Iris will become a war correspondent for the rival newspaper.
Your summary is hilarious!! It really lightens up what is quite a somber book.
From the first page the prose was so lovely and I already never wanted the book to end. By chapter 3, I was obsessed with Iris and Roman. The tension is so good. And oh my the angst after Roman got engaged and Iris’ mom had a nice night with her for the first time since Forest left. I love epistolary romances, I found this out thanks to Fairyloot because of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. I’ve been noticing more communication between love interests with letters in books recently, I’m so happy!
What do you think of Iris and Roman so far?
—so far, they’re both very interesting to me! i’m glad we get to see both of their povs because that really helps me get to know both of them better
Do you think Roman should have told her his identity?
—hmm. ethically i think that would’ve been the right thing to do, but i totally get why he didn’t. iris would’ve shut off that communication so quickly lol
What do you think will happen next? Who do you think will get the promotion?
—that last sentence of chapter 8 made me think that it’s going to be roman, but i’m not completely sure
So far I’m honestly loving this book. The author does such a good job with descriptions and immersing you into the world. I feel like I know Iris and I feel connected with her. Also loving the dynamic between Iris and Roman. Plus when he described her writing as exquisite? Plz and swoon. He’s in such denial.
I understand why Roman kept his identity hidden; I probably would too. It’s hard to tell the truth sometimes.
I think that something big is gonna happen next. Something that will make it so that Roman and Iris both reject continued work at the Gazette. Or maybe Roman will continue there and work on his soldiers at war piece, while Iris takes up the offer from the competitor press. Or vice versa. Either way, they will both have to go to the front lines. And I cannot wait!
I definitely sense a slow burn between Roman and Iris but Roman kind of comes off as an ass at times. It’s hard to say who will get the promotion, I think Iris has helped Roman a great deal but I think Iris will end up using the stories about the gods that Roman is giving her for her essay. I hope Iris wins the promotion. I can also imagine Roman might slip up eventually and reveal a rod but about Iris or her brother that she didn’t share with him but to her secret pen pal.
This is a very interesting read so far!?? I feel sad for Iris though, with her mum not being able to stay away from the alcohol and provide for them. But something tells me Iris is a tough one and I hope things will be better!
Yes, Roman should have come clean about receiving her letters! Excited to see what will happen next.