Rating: 4.5 stars

If I had to describe this book with just one word, it's betrayal, and trust me this is the kind that makes you turn the pages as if it is a Olympic sport.

The story starts off with elements that remind one of the Cinderella fairytale. Our protagonist, Brie, lives with her sister, Jas, in Madame V's cellar, indebted to life, working for her deceased uncle's wife and her two daughters. When word arrives that the prince of the Seelie Court hosts a ball in order to find himself a human bride, the village is uproar. But before Brie and Jas can visit the festivities, Madame V sells Jas off to the King of the Unseelie Court. Now, Brie still has to attend the ball, but her plans have changed. She has to pose as one of the brides in order to retrieve three relics in exchange for her sister's freedom. But once you're in Faerie, things just become more twisted than they seem to be.

First things first, I do have to admit there are similiarities between this book, and the [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|16096824|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406962l/16096824._SY75_.jpg|21905102] and [b:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574535986l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] books. While the worldbuilding reminded me to some way to the world of The Cruel Prince, I can excuse that as faerie stories tend to make us of the same tropes, so I can excuse that. However, the similiarities to the ACOTAR books were every now and then too alike, which made me immediately think of scenes from the other book, or led to predicting smaller twists. Despite the similiarities though, I was still able to enjoy the book, as These Hollow Vows still manages to be its very own tale that especially excels in the romance department, and you got two choices.

I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles, and it's not because the trope itself is my least favorite (I surely can name others that I dislike more), but because the execution tends to make me feel frustrated. However, it shows that Lexi Ryan is a romance author, as she has done a wonderful job developing both romantic interests that it just makes sense to watch Brie struggle between her feelings for one, and the attraction to the other.

I found myself easily warming up to Brie as a character right from the beginning. Her life is filled with struggles, and Brie is not one to give up the fight. She cares for her sister, and is determined to find her no matter what it could cost her. It would be a lie, though, to say she didn't make me frustrated every once in a while, yet her actions promise a very interesting development of her character in the sequel, and I'm very eager to see where this story will led her. Because Brie's only goal is saving her sister, she herself isn't too keen on getting distracted by the possibility of love. But I guess shit happens? Twice.

Watching her and Sebastian's relationship was more adorable than I expected. It's nice to see the friends-to-lovers trope done in a sweet way, where it doesn't feel like the feelings are forced. I enjoyed seeing them together interacting and fueling their bond as time progresses. But everything changed the moment Finn appeared on the page. Because of course, I would fall head over heels for the mysterious option. But how could I not? From the very beginning, the tension between Brie and Finn is spot-on, making me turn those pages impatiently waiting for the moment they meet again. Preferably alone. Those silver eyes haunting me in my sleep, so how could they not have the same effect on Brie? Every time those two shares a scene together, I was about to explode. While the one option is a sweet romance, the attraction to Finn will make you crazy, because you will feel it, too.

But as I said in the very beginning, this book is filled with betrayal, and I'm still trying to recover from the final twist that happened at the end of the book. Let me tell you I was on a rollercoaster, anticipating each twist, but the best betrayals are the ones that hit the hardest! Now I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel, because I need answers, and most importantly need more of Finn. So far I have checked the calendar way too often, and unfortunately I still have to wait ten months until I can hold the next book in my hands. How am I supposed to surive the wait is a whole other topic.

Overall, all I can say is if you're into greatly done romance, and love a story filled with tention, fae, and intrigue - READ THIS BOOK AND DIE WITH MEEEE!