Another solid 4.5, with it becoming a 5 if there was a more mature story line- like after 3 months of marriage maybe some curiosity and sexy times??

It may not happen, but these books are not to be missed. Essie and Farrendel are developing a deeper relationship and they visit her family. And something big happens, which of course- cliffhanger. Argh.

The story and world is believable, its easy to fall in love with Essie and Farrendel and want the very best for them :) And I want to live in a tree after reading all this...

Wasn't really interesting until the end. The first 80% of the book was basically just descriptions of Essie and Farrandel walking around her home country, having fun trying weird human things, bonding with family, and getting the stink eye from the public. I mean, I loved the bonding scenes between Farrandel and Essie's family and the rest might have been entertaining if they were much shorter and dispersed between more exciting scenes. But nope, no action or excitement AT ALL until the very last chapters. Super bland and felt like a waste of my time. Also, very obvious plot twist. I was originally going to give it 2 stars and drop the series, but that ending--I can't drop quit now smh. The author knows what she's doing.

Wasn't really interesting until the end. The first 80% of the book was basically just descriptions of Essie and Farrandel walking around her home country, having fun trying weird human things, bonding with family, and getting the stink eye from the public. I mean, I loved the bonding scenes between Farrandel and Essie's family and the rest might have been entertaining if they were much shorter and dispersed between more exciting scenes. But nope, no action or excitement AT ALL until the very last chapters. Super bland and felt like a waste of my time. Also, very obvious plot twist. I was originally going to give it 2 stars and drop the series, but that ending--I can't drop quit now smh. The author knows what she's doing.

A light and fun read, and a lovely sequel. Most of this book is spent in Essie's former kingdom, surrounded by her family. Laesornysh is very much struggling for multiple reasons but he tries to make it work for Essie's sake. The end of this book completely caught me off guard but I am kind of happy that there will probably be some action in the next book

There are some stories you're meant to stay up all night reading. And War Bound, with its sweet romance and family bonding, is just one of those stories. The relationship between Essie and Farrendel is so wholesome and uncomplicated, despite the struggles going on around and inside them, that it makes your heart melt.

Unlike the first book, this one adds Farrendel's POV. While this concerned me at first, as I have never liked when authors suddenly added a second perspective to a series when previously there had only been one, this story convinced me within the first page of reading his scenes. This story needed Farrendel's perspective, needed to let us see inside his head. And he is so different from Essie, that it makes seeing his POV worth while.

I only have mild complaints about certain words here and there that I thought could have been cut. But that is more my being picky, as over all, I truly loved this story and am just as excited for the next one. Maybe even more so after this cliffhanger.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This was a good sequel to "Fierce Heart".

I liked that we got to see more interactions between humans and elves and got to learn more about Escarlish culture. The interactions between Farrendel and Essie's family were some of my favorites. The moments when Farrendel and Jalissa exprienced culture shock were also pretty fun and humorous as well.
The more time I learned about Escarlish culture and about the relationships between elves and humans, the more my perceptive of Essie and Farrendel grew and changed.

Speaking of Essie and Farrendel, I loved the progression there relationship went through in "War Bound,". Their romance is sweet and cute, but it is also realistic. They love each other deeply, but acknowledge that they have to put in effort to make their relationship work.

Another thing I enjoyed about this book was how exciting it was. There were some really mind blowing plot twists towards the end that I truly was not expecting. They made me excited to read the next book in the Elven Alliance series!

Though I did enjoy how exciting this book is, I will say the pacing was a little to fast sometimes. The end, especially, felt very rushed. I wish we had had just a little bit more time with Essie's family, before the crazy stuff started happening.

I adored the first book Fierce Heart, and had high expectations for the sequel. And I’m delighted that it exceeded my expectations.

After the troll attack on the elves with human weapons, Essie and Farrendel are sent to Essie’s homeland on a peaceful mission to find out why human weapons were obtained by trolls. This is also a chance for Essie to introduce Farrendel to her family.

One of my absolute favorite tropes is two cultures clashing. Essie made a place for herself in the elven society without compromising herself. This time Farrendel sees what Essie struggled with as he navigates human culture for the first time.


But when he glanced back at her, his gaze was soft, searching. “Is this what it was like for you in Estyra? Always...” he paused, as if unsure how to word what he was thinking and feeling, “...out of place?”
Essie joined him and threaded her fingers with his. “It was tough, at first. I was glad you were patient and helpful when I didn’t know what was going on or even what everyone was saying. I just muddled through it and tried not to care what anyone thought. That’s how I tackle most things in life, to be honest.”
“I knew it was difficult for you, but I did not understand what it was like. I am sorry.”


I wasn’t expecting Farrendel’s point of view since it wasn’t in the last book and it adds so much. He’s kind of an enigma to Essie and it’s so nice to get his perspective.

Farrendel’s interactions with Essie’s close family, especially her overprotective older brothers, were wonderful. I especially liked Edmund, who wasn’t in the previous book.


“How much should I hold back? Should I let him win?”
It was adorable—if a little heartbreakingly sad—how much Farrendel wanted her brothers to like him.
Essie patted his chest. “Don’t you dare let him win. They’ll respect you far more if you beat them fair and square than let them take a cheap victory.”


My only complaint is the wait until September for the next book. Just a warning -this book ends on a cliffhanger. If you despise cliffhangers - wait until book 3 comes out. This is too good of a story to miss.

If you’re looking for a slow burn romance between two different cultures - this fantasy about an arranged marriage is one you will want to read.

Free on kindle unlimited.

the amount of spice is complete unrealistic

These two folks who are hot and love each other..who have been married for three months and are sleeping in the same bed- the author expects us to buy into the idea that they are only kissing and have not yet done more? It’s rare that I even think about the love scenes in books but this novel’s complete lack of love scenes is such a plot hole and so out of character for the FMC that it’s hard to concentrate on the rest of the story.

I knew this book was going to be good and I didn’t disappoint. There were things that completely surprised me. It was very interesting to get to know Essie’s family more. But that ending ahhh!!!!! Tara I’m shaking my fist at you. I knew before I read it that it was going to be a cliffhanger I should’ve waited until the day before the next one comes out to read War Bound.

❤️ B O O K R E V I E W ❤️
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I finished this book the morning after I got it and HOLY HECK. My heart