Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I inhaled this book and had such a fun time, feeling very grateful to be getting approved for NetGalley books that I had already added to my TBR!
The only thing I knew going into this was 'enemies-to-lovers ancient Rome inspired'. I was curious to see how the ancient Rome setting would play out, but actually it ended up influencing more of the legal/political set up of the story than the day-to-day of the characters. I also saw the expression 'spicy romantasy' floating around: personally I would call this a Fantasy Romance, and there is a one page spicy scene - nothing too scandalous imo. 
The build up of the plot throughout this novel was delicious truly. The hook on the first page was STRONG and the twist part way through had my jaw on the floor - I hadn't even slightly guessed at what the reveal was going to be. 
I noticed that the author used to work in the law field and this really comes through in the book's showdown. Despite violence playing a large role in this book, some of the major conflicts here are fought with words and politics and the wording of the law which I loved. 
If I was still regularly rating books I think this would be a 4.5 for me, because I was all-in and captivated but then at the last second a little disappointed with the set up for book 2 (which I am already determined to get an ARC for when it comes out next ye