Ross plops you into this lush, godly world that feels like a fever dream lovechild of Circe and a Pinterest board titled “Ethereal Cottagecore Fantasy.” It’s all misty forests, golden light filtering through ancient trees, and a pantheon of deities who are somehow both majestic and total hot messes. The story follows Matilda, a young goddess who’s basically the divine equivalent of that girl in your book club who’s always almost got her life together but keeps tripping over her own heart. She’s destined to connect with Vincent, a mortal who’s so charming I forgot how to blink for a solid three chapters.

The writing is where I lost all sense of chill. Ross’s prose is so gorgeous it should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous poetry recitations and an urge to run barefoot through a meadow.” Every sentence is a little gift, wrapping you up in this world where magic hums in the air and emotions hit like a tidal wave. Ross doesn’t just write; she casts a spell.

And the humor! Oh, the snappy banter had me cackling like a witch at a full moon party. Matilda’s quips are sharp enough to cut through divine egos, and Vincent’s cheeky retorts? I’m sorry, I need him to narrate my life.

But let’s talk about the emotional gut-punch. Ross doesn’t just want you to read; she wants you to feel. There’s this deeper undertone of love and fate that had me tearing up one minute and fist-pumping for Matilda’s quiet heroism the next. I was invested, y’all. Like, cancel-my-plans, ignore-my-emails, don’t-talk-to-me-unless-you’ve-read-this-book invested. I remember reading one chapter on my lunch break and accidentally getting cheese on my Kindle because I was too invested to notice my sandwich staging a revolt.

It’s a prequel to the Letters of Enchantment duology, set centuries before Divine Rivals, but you don’t need to read those to fall head over heels for Wild Reverence. (Because I haven't read those... Yet). It’s sweeping, it’s romantic, it’s got that slow-burn tension that makes you want to scream into a pillow.

Wild Reverence is a glittering, heart-wrenching gem that deserves all the stars and maybe a shrine. Go read this book. Like, yesterday.

(Also, this is my 100th book of the year! Yay me!)