I don't remember when I first came across Tavia Lark's work, but I've enjoyed every single book of hers I've read so far.
I really enjoyed The Necromancer's Light, and I read the other two books in this series so fast! (I kinda broke my "must-write-a-book-review-before-reading-another-book" rule but let's just pretend there's an exception for trilogies, alright? 😅)
The Lovers
Shae gained his necromancer powers after contracting with a demon at a very young age. He's shy and wary of people, a hardened exterior from years of being a social outcast, but fragile within.
Arthur is a paladin of the Radiant Order, striving to bring truth and light and justice into the world. After a "careless mistake" puts him on probation, he's struggling to find his way in life.
The Story
I feel like I always enjoy romances where the characters didn't quite care for each other in the beginning, but grow to understand and love one another.
Shae and Arthur are certainly quite different people - think goth boy x church boy (scandalous!). Arthur has a strong personal moral compass, while Shae is willing to do (almost) anything it takes to reach his goals.
But from the first hours they spend together, they have the hots for each other 🥵 though it's relatively slow-going romance-wise until they finally end up together (of course).
One thing I like is how each of them has a subplot within the novel, growing as individuals while growing together. They both have issues they need to work through before they can succeed as a couple. Both need to conquer their past, albeit in different ways, and through those challenges realize how much they need, care for, and are willing to sacrifice for each other.
Spoilers
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Shae's "Will you fuck me?" will forever be embedded in my brain ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ˆ