Much of the focus of this book is introducing us to this new world. The author does a good job of using the characters to do that but it also means the romance ends up being secondary which is unfortunate when it’s a Romance as that should be the focus. Interaction between the MCs is more about the new culture and less about them. There’s precious little relationship development until nearly the end. Around the 70% mark we finally get some vulnerability and growth and they feel less wooden. I was not feeling these two for most of the book but their chemistry did improve significantly the last 30% of the book. 

Truthfully, her books post Horde Kings of Dakkar have been more fantasy forward with a romance sub-plot and that’s disappointing. Because if this is the new direction, I’ll find myself reading less and less of her work.