by Joanna Barker
ASIN : B0B5WK5JS9
Publisher : Rose Petal Press
Publication date : October 18, 2022
Print length : 330 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : B0BHL9FDZ3
If you can’t join them, beat them.
Marigold Cartwell has only one goal: to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one rule: no men.
Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.
However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.
Tristan Gates and Marigold Cartwell have spent years knowing each other only as rivals on and off the field of archery. When an unexpected event throws them together will they become closer or destroy each other?
I have always heard about archery being a hobby during this time period, but I didn’t know about the societies and prize shoots. I grew up practicing archery and taking lessons, and I loved that this was a major theme of the book.
This book has the trope of enemies to lovers, but I appreciated how it was done. There was definitely the fighting and the tension, but it was never extreme or tiresome like I have seen happen with some books with this trope.
The scenes where it is just Tristan and Marigold were my favorite. They just feel like a legendary couple to me, and I want to hear more about their exploits together. I also loved the friendship with Marigold and Cora, and I need to know what happens with Cora and Oliver!
Timeless Novels 