Oath of Fire - Jennifer Smith

I loved Dante and Isabella, but Alessandra and Elena are just as incredible. Alessandro may have chosen Elena as part of an alliance, but watching him completely unravel for her was beautiful. Every vulnerable part of him slowly comes to the surface, and his protectiveness toward Elena is undeniable long before he even understands his own feelings.

Elena has been conditioned from a young age to obey, to stay quiet, and to accept her role without question. Alessandro sees straight through that. He doesn’t just want her obedience, he wants the mask to fall. He wants her free. He gives her choices, space, and support, allowing her to grow into a woman she was never taught she could be. Watching Elena find her voice and stand her ground, and knowing Alessandro loved every second of it, was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.

Elena’s growth truly shines. Her time with Gia was fun and heartfelt, and I loved the bond they formed. Her relationship with Rocco was just as precious, and the fact that he’s every bit as protective of her as Alessandro says so much about the kind of person Elena is. Seeing her become comfortable in her own skin, confident in who she is and what she wants, was incredibly satisfying.

Beyond the character growth, the events of the story kept things exciting. Every moment added something meaningful, whether it pushed the plot forward or deepened the relationships. It made the story impossible to put down and incredibly satisfying by the end. I received this as an ARC and all this reflects my honest opinion.

You go where I go.