Jody Hedlund’s newest YA book just released this week – and it’s a doozy! Here’s the summary:
A princess in need of a husband, a young Sage who cannot have her, and a web of deceit that threatens their love.
Having been raised by her childless aunt and uncle, the king and queen, Princess Elinor finds herself the only heir to the throne of Norvegia. As she comes of age, she must choose a husband to rule beside her, but she struggles to make her selection from among a dozen noblemen during a weeklong courtship.
With aspirations to become the wisest man in the land, Maxim is summoned home by his father Rasmus, a Royal Sage. Reunited with Elinor, once his closest friend, Maxim is quickly enamored with her even though he can never be considered a prospect for her husband.
Elinor’s feelings for Maxim are rekindled too . . . until she learns he has been unwillingly drawn into Rasmus’s scheme to take control of the throne. With the kingdom under attack both from within and without, can Elinor and Maxim overcome the deceit spinning around them? Or will it destroy their love once and for all?
Jody Hedlund’s Enamored is a Medieval rush for fans of legends! This tale is a new twist on the Arthurian legends surrounding the wizard Merlin, and I love the way that Hedlund has created this new world. I love the Medieval setting, and with a Germanic culture, a forested land, and a patriarchal culture that values wisdom more than women, there’s much to dig into.
Hedlund’s take on the sword in the stone legend are unique. I love the addition of codes and tricks and the detail that the romantic story adds to it. Even more, there are nuances and love interests that aren’t found in the original.
While being a princess in her own version of The Bachelorette may seem breezy, Elinor clearly takes her responsibilities seriously, and therein lies the difficulty of the story. Elinor quickly becomes someone you want to champion, and when other characters throw obstacles in her way, you’ll see how quickly you’ve become invested in this story.
Best of all, Hedlund keeps you guessing. Since the story is based on a legend, it seems logical that it could be somewhat predictable – but the unique story world and Hedlund’s creativity keeps the plot moving and the reader off-balance. I love when a story presents me with happy surprises – and Enamored does in the best kind of way.
If you’re a fan of Medieval legends, YA romances, or sweet coming-of-age stories, Enamored is the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
What are your thoughts?