Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross Review: The Best Rivals to Lovers Fantasy?

If you are a fan of the rivals to lovers fantasy romance trope, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross has probably been pushed to the top of your TBR pile. Blending a magical war with a 1920s aesthetic and an epistolary (letter-writing) romance, it stands out in a genre usually dominated by dragons and medieval courts.

But does this historical romantasy actually deliver on its incredibly unique premise? After finishing Iris and Roman's story, here is my honest breakdown.

The Premise: Typewriters and Trench Warfare

Iris Winnow is an aspiring journalist trying to keep her family afloat after her brother leaves to fight in a war instigated by rival gods. Her biggest obstacle at the newspaper is Roman Kitt, her wealthy, infuriatingly perfect rival for the coveted columnist promotion.

To cope with her anxiety, Iris writes letters to her missing brother and slips them under her wardrobe door, where they magically vanish. What she doesn't know is that the letters are falling directly into the hands of Roman, who begins writing back anonymously.

The Rivals to Lovers Trope Explained

The romance in Divine Rivals is the absolute highlight of the book. Because Roman knows who Iris is, but Iris only knows Roman as her anonymous pen pal, the dramatic irony is delicious.

Unlike the brutal, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers dynamic we see in books like Fourth Wing, this is a genuine rivals to lovers story. It is softer, more deeply emotional, and relies heavily on intellectual connection and quiet longing. The transition from workplace competitors to soulmates feels incredibly earned.

The Critique: A Very Soft Magic System

So, why is this a 4-star read instead of a 5-star? It comes down to the world-building. The magic in Divine Rivals is very "soft." The war between the gods (Enva and Dacre) serves as the backdrop, but the mythology and the actual mechanics of the world are quite vague.

If you are an epic fantasy reader who loves hard magic systems and deep lore, you might find the world-building a bit too thin. The war feels more like a setting for the romance rather than a fully fleshed-out conflict.

Captivated by magical rivalries and emotional slow burns? If you loved the intellectual connection and magical letters in Divine Rivals, you will be spellbound by Amelia Cord's upcoming novel, Thorns (Book 1 of the Briar and Bone series). It's a must-read where every written word holds a secret power and every rivalry hides a deeper truth!

Spice Level and Content Warnings

Spice Level: 🌶️/5. This is a very sweet, deeply romantic slow burn. There is tension and kissing, but it is entirely closed-door/fade-to-black.

Is it a standalone? No. This is a duology, and Book 1 ends on a massive, emotional cliffhanger.

Content Warnings: Themes of war, grief, alcoholism (parental), and PTSD.

The Verdict

Divine Rivals is a beautifully written, atmospheric romance. While the fantasy elements take a backseat to the emotional connection between the main characters, the prose is so gorgeous that you likely won't mind. If you want a cozy but heartbreaking rivals to lovers fantasy, this is absolutely worth picking up.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐