BIRTHDAY REREAD: Also it literally fits my Under and Over The Seas Theme for March

Because Lara is badass even though she was brainwashed plus it's International Women's Day and my B-day and what better way to relax post-barbecue than with a book where a woman is so skilled she went snooping around naked through the bathing springs on her first day in enemy territory. I wish I was that committed to ... stuff.

It's a five this time around and it might just be the mass hit off dopamine and serotonin from having the best day ever but it's espionage, blue water, a hidden bridge, a sexy king and so much lush jungle I bloody loved it.
*******************************************************************************
You always look like you want to kill someone,” he remarked. “Possibly me.” - and we're off! This book shut down my Romantasy fatigue fast.

Espionage and Spy games full of intrigue. My wanderlust demands that I book travel to  Ithiicana (for the bridge not the humidity), Harendell, Maridrina, Amarid and Valcotta.  Hold on, wait a minute... is it visa-free travel or what? Either way, find me a carriage please. Roadtrip!

Romance: Misconceptions and  a slow burn frothing with tension.🌶🌶  I have enjoyed this.

Lara on her first impressions of Aren: As delightful as gutting her husband would be, it wouldn’t solve Maridrina’s problems.
Aren on his first impressions on Lara via Ahnna: Most precious daughter, my ass. I’d bet he has boots that are more precious to him than that girl.

Plot/Storyline: Great worldbuilding and playing both sides up to the reader. I can't hate the Ithicanians even though they're in a position of power but the cracks are there and no one knows this because massive masked soldiers make one hell of a PR statement: "Dont Fuck With Us, we're could be demons."  I can't trust the Maridrinian Royals fully- even Lara. And then, there are the surrounding kingdoms all ready to pounce on either nation.

Dialogue - 1. Honestly, the initial language and prose used in the dialogue between the characters was really time-period appropriate.  At some point it shifted, and I can't explain it but sometimes it would yank me out of the immersion. Captain Jor is hilarious though.

Poker was a lazy game to add to this world. I would have loved to see a game that is as unique as the first description of the bridge.

Characters:
■Vitex is the best cat ever. I wonder if he is a Maine Coon.
■I've given up trying to be weary of Aren.  He's just a good man who'd ratherplay soldier but has to be king - I find him endearing.
■ Lara came out swinging in the act and I'm not entirely convinced that she is not the ultimate snake on a jungle full of snakes. Crawling through the castle naked to find Ithicana's secrets after drugging two key characters has cemented her to my FMC Badass Hall of Fame talk about a committed spy.

Favorite scene/quote:

♡♡ Their steel helmets were sculpted like raging beasts with mouths full of snarling teeth and brows bearing curved horns. She could see nothing of the men beneath except their eyes, which seemed to glitter with malice as they watched her pass, hands on swords and pikes. No one spoke; the only sounds were the whistle of the wind between the two towers of rock and the call of the storm beyond  what a wedding.

♤♧A game of cards with King Aren.

◇●Lara's badass sneaky skills during the first Amarid Raiders attack on the bride. She is next level.

♡♡♡Her terror was a wild beast of a thing bent on consuming her. Her chest clenched, her lungs paralyzed, and stars danced across her vision. - that boat scene