A review by solaris_zip
Knight's Bride by Juliette Caruso

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

“I’m not speaking of flaws I’m speaking of joy. My happiest moments should not include wearing peasant clothes and bearing fake names… but they do… you are courtly, and wild, and odd all in one. You are dangerously easy to love”

Knight’s bride is a book set in the magical world of Enar. We are meet with a medieval setting, where Rachiele (FMC) is arranged to marry Telon (MMC) who’s a knight of the Yovren kingdom. 

The premise was very intriguing, a runaway bride who wants to avoid at all costs her destiny and a cinnamon roll MMC whom becomes overprotective of her, enough to make the “touch her and you die” trope come to life. 

I really wanted to like this book, from the stunning cover illustration, the premise of the story, to the way the writing flows easily.. it had all of the potential to be a great book. But unfortunately it lacked substance. The book felt flat for multiple reasons. One being the miscommunication trope. Too much, seriously. 99% of the plot dilemma could have been easily resolved if the two main characters actually *talked* to each other, rather than assuming, getting mad, being emotionally constipated and running away from their problems. Not to mention that the miscommunication ended 3 chapters before the end of the book, not only we had barely a glimpse of the two main characters romance (and the book is a standalone), the ending felt rather rushed and awkward in a way. 

There was no action point, as the fight scene between the little creatures of this magical world and the main characters was just flat and lacking of character. I enjoyed their banter, which is a strong point of the book, I enjoyed telon and his softness despite being a knight, something I really do not see much in fantasy books and male protagonists. He was truly a sweet. 

The chemistry was there, the yearning was there I just wished the author would have chose a minor approach to the miscommunication trope. And MORE character development. We saw *nothing* since 99% of the book was spend assuming and assuming, rather than acting. We do not see the grow of this characters shine through at all. Without it, or reducing it, the book would have been truly a solid 4 stars.