"Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me."— Stephenie Meyer
A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance) Date Published: June 1, 2010 Publisher: HarperTeen
#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series Kiera Cass is back with her most epic novel yet—a sweeping enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.
“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.”
Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain.
Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people.
But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.
Kiera Cass brings her signature sparkling romance to this beautiful story of star-crossed lovers and long-held secrets.
A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass is an enemies to lovers stand alone novel. We get both Annika and Lennox's point of views, and I love that the dual perspectives give us the mindset of both main characters. You can really watch how their relationship changes. Both characters were interesting and came with baggage. They both have legitimate reasons to hate the other, so this wasn't a quick jump to romance. There were a lot of conflicting feelings on their emotional journey, not to mention they each have duties and obligations to their people. I enjoyed this one. There's something to be said for picking up a good ole stand alone story over a series every once in a while.
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I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in the LA area with my family. Said family consists of a Seminary Student Hubby, a Video Game Wizard Son, a Experimental Artist Daughter, a Sun-Loving Dog, and a Family Assistant Turned Friend/Roommate! I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm super into boybands, gluten free cake, and my collection of tiaras. In my free time, I like making my readers cry. Such fun.
The Betrayed (The Betrothed #2) by Kiera Cass Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy Romance/ Dystopian) Expected publication: June 29, 2021 Publisher: HarperTeen
Kiera Cass brings another sparkling romance to a stunning conclusion in this sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller The Betrothed.
Can you follow your heart when it’s already broken?
After fleeing Coroa and leaving the memory of her beloved Silas behind, Hollis is unsteadily adjusting to life in Isolte. The Eastoffe family’s affection is a balm on her weary spirit, though Etan, a surly cousin with a deep distaste for Coroans, threatens to upset the uneasy peace she’s found.
While tensions at home ratchet up, disquiet in the kingdom of Isolte is reaching a fever pitch. The Eastoffes may have the power to unseat a tyrannical king—but only with Hollis’s help.
Can a girl who’s lost it all put the fate of her adopted homeland over the secret longings of her heart?
The Betrayed is the second book in this duology by Kiera Cass. After that ending in The Betrothed, I knew things would be rough for Hollis, and oh my goodness, were they! What I loved though, was how accepting Silas's family was of her. With the exception of Etan, of course. He was a hard one to win over. For a two book run, this was a pretty intense and unexpected storyline. Also... Holy plot twists, Batman!! That ending? Not entirely what I expected. I'm sad that there were only two books, but at the same time, I can't imagine it any other way. I loved it just as it is!
The ARC of The Betrayed by Kiera Cass was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.
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I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in the LA area with my family. Said family consists of a Seminary Student Hubby, a Video Game Wizard Son, a Experimental Artist Daughter, a Sun-Loving Dog, and a Family Assistant Turned Friend/Roommate! I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm super into boybands, gluten free cake, and my collection of tiaras. In my free time, I like making my readers cry. Such fun.
The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1) by Kiera Cass Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance/ Dystopian) Expected publication: May 5, 2020 Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked—and thrilled. After all, she’s grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king’s attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true.
But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be. And when she meets a commoner with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she finds that the future she really wants is one that she never thought to imagine.
The Betrothed is the first book in The Betrothed duology by Kiera Cass. I was soooo excited to see Kiera Cass has a new series! I was worried through the first half, as it had a bit of a slow start, but once things got going, I couldn't stop reading. Hollis was quite naeve, but her character matured quite a bit as the story progressed. I grew to really like her. Jameson truly seemed to love her... Well maybe not true love, but the closest thing he's capable of at this point. Honestly, I'm not sure what to think of him. I kept expecting him to turn evil. I don't really trust Silas was a cutie. He was an innocent soul. I just wanted to hug him. I love how he saw Hollis and understood her. There is a third guy who really grabbed by attention from the first moments he appeared... And this may be just me, so don't go into this thinking it is a love triangle. It definitely isn't. In fact, this story isn't completely about the romance. There is a lot more going on... a crazy king, unexpected friendships, evil knights, bloodshed. I feel like there is a lot to be found and figured out in these details, plus the twist kept it interesting. I'm excited to see where things go from here. I need the next book. The wait will be impossible... especially since it hasn't even released yet.
The ARC of The Betrothed by Kiera Cass was kindly provided to me by the .publisher through Edelweiss for review. The opinions are my own.
CHAPTER 1
It was the time of year when the sunrise still had frost on it. But winter was fading, and the flowers were starting to bloom, and the promise of a new season filled me with anticipation.
“I’ve been dreaming of spring,” I sighed, staring out the window at the birds sailing boldly across a backdrop of blue sky. Delia Grace tied the last of the laces of my gown in place and moved me over to the vanity.
“Me, too,” she replied. “Tournaments. Bonfires. Crowning Day is on the horizon.”
Her tone implied I should be more excited than the average girl, but I still had my reservations. “I suppose.”
I could feel her exasperation in the movement of her hands. “Hollis, you will undoubtedly be His Majesty’s partner and escort for the festivities! I don’t know how you can be so calm.”
“Thank the stars we have the king’s attention this year,” I said, keeping my tone light as she braided back the front pieces of my hair, “or it would be as dull as a tomb here.”
“You say that as if your courtship were a game,” she commented, sounding surprised.
“It is a game,” I insisted. “He’ll move along soon enough, so we need to enjoy this while we can.”
I watched Delia Grace chewing her lips in the mirror, not looking up from her task.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
She quickly perked up, lifting her lips into a smile. “Not a thing. Just perplexed by your casual attitude toward the king. I think there’s more to his attentions than you’re seeing.”
I looked down, thrumming my fingers across the table of the vanity. I liked Jameson. I’d be mad not to. He was handsome and wealthy and, for goodness’ sake, the king. He was also a fair dancer and most entertaining to be around, as long as he was in good spirits. But I was no fool. I’d watched him flit from girl to girl over the last several months. There had been at least seven, including me—and that was just counting the ones everyone at court knew about. I’d enjoy this for as long as I could and then accept whatever lump of a person my parents chose for me. At least I’d have these days to look back upon when I was a bored old lady.
“He’s still young,” I finally replied. “I don’t see him settling down with anyone until he gets through a few more years on the throne. Besides, I’m sure he’s expected to marry for political advantage. I can’t offer much there.”
There was a knock at the door, and Delia Grace went to answer it, disappointment on her face. I could tell she really thought I stood a chance, and I instantly felt guilty for being so difficult. In our decade of friendship, we’d always supported one another, but it was different these days.
As ladies at court, our families had maids. But the highest-ranking noblewomen and royalty? They had ladies-in-waiting. More than servants, your ladies were your confidantes, your attendants, your escorts . . . they were everything. Delia Grace was stepping into a role that didn’t exist for me yet, convinced that, at any moment, it would.
It meant more than I knew how to say, more than I knew how to handle. What is a friend but someone who thinks you’re capable of more than you do?
She returned with a letter in her hand and a glint in her eye. “There’s a royal seal on this,” she teased, flipping the paper over in her hand. “But, since we don’t care how the king feels about you, I suppose there’s no urgency to open it.”
“Let me see.” I stood and held a hand out, but she quickly retracted the letter, a smirk on her face. “Delia Grace, you wicked girl, give it to me!” She took a step back, and in a split second I was in pursuit, chasing her around my apartments, squealing with laughter. I managed to corner her twice, but she was always faster than I was, and wriggled out of the spaces before I could get ahold of her. I was nearly breathless from running and laughing when I finally caught her around the waist. She held the letter out as far as she could. I might have managed to wrestle it back from her, but as I was stretching upward, my mother burst in through the doors that attached my rooms to hers.
“Hollis Brite, have you lost your senses?!” she scolded.
Delia Grace and I pulled apart, placing our hands behind our backs and curtsying quickly.
“I could hear you girls shouting like animals through the walls. How can we hope to have a suitor matched with you if you insist on behaving like this?”
“Sorry, Mother,” I murmured contritely.
I dared to peek up at her. She was standing there with the same exasperated expression plastered to her face she usually wore when speaking with me.
“The Copeland girl got engaged only last week, and the Devauxes are in talks now as well. Yet you’re still acting like a child.”
I swallowed, but Delia Grace had never been one to stay silent. “Don’t you think it’s a little premature to pair Hollis with someone else? She has as good a chance as anyone at winning the king’s heart.”
My mother did her best to suppress her condescending smile. “We all know that the king’s eye is prone to wander. And Hollis isn’t quite queen material, wouldn’t you agree?” she asked with a sharply raised eyebrow, daring us to think otherwise. “Besides,” she added, “are you really in a position to talk about anyone’s potential?”
Delia Grace swallowed hard, her expression stone-like. I’d seen her don that mask a million times.
“And there you have it,” Mother concluded. Having made her disappointment with us clear, she turned on her heel and left.
I sighed, turning to Delia Grace. “Sorry about her.”
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before,” she admitted, finally handing over the letter. “And I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.”
I took it from her and cracked the seal. “No matter. If it wasn’t this, it’d be something else.” She made a face that said I was right, and I went to reading the note. “Oh dear,” I said, patting at my loose hair. “I might need your help pulling this back again.”
“Why?”
I smiled over at her, waving the letter like a flag in the breeze. “Because His Majesty requires our presence on the river today.”
“How many people do you think will be there?” I asked.
“Who knows? He does enjoy having a crowd around him.”
I pursed my lips. “True. I’d like to have him to myself just once.”
“Says the girl who insists this is all just a game.”
I looked over at her, sharing a smile. That Delia Grace, she always seemed to know more than I ever wanted to admit to.
We rounded the hallway and saw that the doors were already open, welcoming the new spring sun. My heartbeat picked up when I saw the red robe trimmed in ermine draped across the back of a slim but sturdy figure at the end of the walkway. Though he wasn’t facing me, his mere presence was enough to fill the air with a warm tickling feeling.
I fell into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty.”
And I watched as a pair of glossy black shoes turned to face me.
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Being married. Cake. The smell of Autumn. Motherhood. Books. Elephants. Back rubs. On demand movies. Actually going out to movies. Faith. Cinnamon rolls. My family. Butterflies. When my kitchen is clean. Crayons. Pink. Tote bags. Dancing. Organizing via color coordination. That my wedding dress was tea length, not floor. Baking. My house. Writing utensils. Paper. India. The sound of water. Making videos. Buttons. The word Episcopalian. Making people laugh. Layering clothes. British accents. Pinterest. Animation. Fireworks. The smell of the Ocean. My wedding rings. Aprons. Reasons to get dressed up. Sex. Pop music. Stars. Taking walks. Daydreaming. Stickers. School Spirit. My friends. Living in a small town. Japan. Singing. Painting my toenails. Pranks/ practical jokes. Painting. Stretch canvas. Costumes. Dipping my fingers in melted wax. Style. Soda. Spending an hour typing at a coffee shop. Musicals. Back to school season. Mopeds. Good hair days. Naps. Not walking up but looking at a beautiful staircase. Driving alone. My ankles. Playlists. Spending entire days in pajamas. Holidays. Telling stories. Spontaneity. Theme parks. Bookshelves. The word copacetic. Boxes. Empty journals. Surprises. Doing things in groups. Doing things alone. Getting real mail. Decorating. Small forks. A good hug. Gift cards. New Years Goals. Going out to dinner. When someone else remembers some great story about me/us that I’ve forgotten. Toy stores. Fireplaces. Breakfast foods. Journaling. Crying for a good reason. Doorbells. Pointless adventures. Voting. My birthday. Reasons to make wishes. Recycling.
