Who is the real enemy?

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 choice: return to his duty, or embrace a new future with Alivia by his side? 

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My review

Alivia is a Viking shieldmaiden, that raids Christian settlements with an unseen fury. That is because she is working with a vengeance, as the Christians took away who she loved the most. So when together with her brother and her people, she is on another raid, which includes raiding a monastery, Alivia doesn’t even hesitate to threaten priest – in – training Ryce. But what she doesn’t know is that Ryce used to be a Saxon warrior who would do anything to protect the young boy in his charge. With his life and the boy’s life on the line, Ryce agrees to go to Alivia’s settlement, as long as nobody will harm him or Aldfrith, nor sell them into slavery. But when there appears to be another enemy looming around the corner, Alivia and Ryce are joining forces and fight for their freedom. And then the pair of them realize that hatred isn’t the only feeling they are having for each other… But with both having had their hearts broken in the past, and the imminent departure of Ryce and Aldfrith, what good could ever come of getting closer?

Vikings and Saxons, a rivalry that for sure spiked a lot of imagination for authors and readers. So when this wonderful author gave me the opportunity to read this story, how could I possibly refuse?

Now, first I need to get something off my chest… I believe that the title of the book doesn’t give a good representation of the story itself, as it may let you think it will go a certain direction, to only realize while reading that the title doesn’t fit the story itself. It’ a great title, but perhaps not for this great story.

Because this is an amazing story, do not think otherwise!

What I liked about this story perhaps the most, was Alivia. Because she is a fierce, strong young woman. And yes, there are plenty of other stories with fierce young women, but in this book Alivia is in the midst of the action, using weapons and fighting against her enemy.

But on the other hand, my heart also broke for her, after learning about the losses she has to endure, and the way she had lost her loved ones. Nobody, past or present, should ever go trough what Alivia has been through. I could understand her anger and her thirst for revenge, yet I wanted her also to understand that you cannot tar everyone with the same brush. No matter what religion, there are always good people and bad people…

My heart ached for her aching, broken and fighting heart and I was very curious to see how a shift would be taking place and how she would be able to change.

And that all starts with Ryce, or rather Aldfrith. Because no matter how much poison in a way there may be in Alivia’s heart, she isn’t immune when children are involved. And her initial need to help Aldfrith, is the catalyst of her journey with Ryce.

What Alivia doesn’t understand and sees initially, is that there is a lot they have in common, as Ryce himself has lost his loved ones too. Differently, yet the pain and grief are just the same.

I found it a bit difficult to understand initially why Ryce has chosen to become a priest, but the better I got to know him, the more I understood it was more about the inner peace he found. And obviously it is also the perfect cover while looking after Aldfrith.

Getting to know Ryce better, getting to get to his core, was enlightening in a way. Because we learn about his pain, but we also see the care and love he still has in his heart, which is especially shown with Aldfrith. Even if he doesn’t speak out what he feels, it is obvious in his actions.

Obviously, Alivia and Ryce don’t get along at all. There is Alivia’s hate of Christians, and there is Ryce’s need to do anything to protect Aldfrith, even if that means getting captured by Vikings.

Things don’t change overnight between them, that would be too strange. So in a way it was great to read how even after a while, there is still animosity between them, and they are trying to get the upper hand in situations. And yes, those moments put a smile on my face! 😊

And then, slowly, things start to shift… And those moments warmed my heart… Because even if it starts as a physical thing, we see Alivia and Ryce bonding, getting to know each other and understand each other in a way no one did before.

Even if the threat of an enemy in common bring them even more closer, I knew that there had still a lot to be discussed between Alivia and Ryce. And with their background, I saw several difficulties with that. Yet I had the hope that somehow the both of them would have the courage to talk about what’s in their hearts and dare to speak out what their desires are.

And yes, I was at one point a bit disappointed as the story didn’t go how I wanted it to go at that moment, yet I never lost my faith and trust in Sarah Rodi, that there would be a way…

Sarah Rodi once again managed to take me away on an amazing journey in the past, where the most hurt and grieving people find someone that not only understand them, but are able to let them see that no matter how hurt you are, there can be a bright future ahead, filled with love and laughter again…