Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Think this one will be one of my best books of this year and have therefore put it pre-emptively in my top 10 list because wow did I have so much fun with this.
I went it to it knowing absolutely nothing, only that I must have liked the look of the NetGalley blurb enough to request it in the first place. I started the first chapter and fell in love with our mmc straight away (paladin ! of a dead saint ! who knits socks !). I'm a huge fan of religious plotlines and imagery so the dramatic opening hook had me SAT and ready for a fantasy adventure.
And then I started chapter 2 and was introduced to Grace, the fmc (cool name if i say so myself). I practically levitated off my bed with delight - not only do I get a fantasy story with fascinating characters but it's also a ROMANCE.
I know some people aren't into overdone romance tropes but that couldn't be me, so their first scene meeting an alley with "quick hide me" and then a FAINTING SCENE. Guys I felt spoilt honestly.
I couldn't tell if it was because I'd read so recently or not, but there was a similar fun bouncy tone to this romance like I felt in Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon. I also wondered a couple of times whether any parts of this world also had little DnD influences scattered throughout? Might have to check that. Either way I loved it.
Oh and then the creepy aspects?? 10/10 can't wait to see where that freaky ending goes - assuming it will become more central to the plot as the books go on. Excited to see!
I was surprised to see this on NetGalley since this came out in 2020 but not complaining because since then this series has gained three other books which I need so badly because this one was everything.
Also is this cover not stunningly beautiful? I need a physical copy immediately