Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

I had high hopes for "Ruthless Vows," the second installment in Rebecca Ross's Letters of Enchantment series, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed "Divine Rivals," the first book, which may have set the bar too high for its sequel. Ross's poetic imagery and elegant prose continue to shine, and the main protagonists, Iris and Roman, return—though one begins the story with amnesia.

The novel starts strong, picking up seamlessly from where the first book left off. However, the pacing falters in the middle, causing the plot to drag. The secondary characters, particularly the ancient gods, lack depth and feel one-dimensional. This makes it difficult to care about their fates or understand their significance to the story. When some of these characters die, their deaths fail to evoke an emotional response because they weren't developed enough for readers to form connections with them.

The characters we do care about, such as Iris and Roman, are those we became emotionally invested in during the first book. Their love story is compelling, and readers are eager to see how it unfolds.

Despite its flaws, "Ruthless Vows" provides a satisfying conclusion to the series. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessor and some parts feel rushed, it successfully wraps up Iris and Roman's story, delivering on its promise of a fulfilling romantic fantasy.