Title: The Viking She Loves to Hate
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: July 2023
Genre: Viking, Enemies-to-Lovers, Historical Romance, Mills & Boon Historical, Harlequin Historical

Blurb:

Sparks fly in this Viking enemies-to-lovers story

Her rival

Is her most dangerous temptation!

Astrid Viggosdottir’s father has ordered a competition between her and new arrival Viking Ulrik to prove who is the better boat builder! If she loses, Princess Astrid will be duty-bound to marry a jarl. If Ulrik loses, he will be banished, leaving his motherless daughter homeless. With the stakes so high, Astrid should hate this man, but during the long hot summer, their rivalry turns to a heated passion that neither can ignore!

My Review:

This enemies-to-lovers trope is literally what I expected when these two ship-builders took part in ship-building rivalry. I couldn’t tell how Astrid, a princess, cleverly builds a ship! When Astrid’s father, a king, returns from the raid, he brings a hero Viking whom saved his life, Ulrik. Ulrik needs a stable place for him and his daughter however it doesn’t turn out as he hoped because Astrid doesn’t want any ship-builders replace her thus the king proposes ship-building competition.

Despite her beauty and skill, Astrid is rather spoilt, childish and stubborn. It is so quite opposite from Ulrik with his determined intention for the sake of his daughter. I was so utterly captivated by this hairy massive thick feature. Ulrik is the definition of Viking hero I instantly feel in love with. When they began their ship-buildings, I was surprisingly transfixed by their talents and works with the lively banter in between that kept me turning the pages. Lucy Morris’s wonderful writing helped me build the imaginative figure of both ships. I, too, enjoyed the feast of the festival which Lucy Morris often traditionally associate with the superstition but Astrid and Ulrik’s forbidden desire which couldn’t be held back has drawn me more. The more I read the more I became determined that of all characters within this story, Astrid’s mother eventually won my side!

Oh dear, I so loved this story, the process of the ship-buildings and its intricate are so meticulously researched. The intense rivalry which characters grow at the beginning and finally surrender to their compelling desire at the end despite the status quo is so remarkably moving. The last pages might have made my heart ache but it’s all worth it to the happy ending! Thank you Lucy Morris, for the digital ARC, which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. She is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association. She was delighted to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted! Submission blitz for Viking, medieval and Highlander romances. Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books! Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author