Book Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

by The Book Pup on [Current Date]

Blurb for the book (on Goodreads):

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.

2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

My Summary:

Alessandra has a plan: seduce the Shadow King, marry him, kill him, and take his throne. She's ambitious, cunning, and completely unapologetic about what she wants.

But as she gets closer to the mysterious king, things get complicated. Someone else is trying to kill him first, and Alessandra finds herself in the strange position of protecting the man she plans to murder. And even stranger? She might actually be developing feelings for him.

With political intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a romance that defies all expectations, this standalone fantasy delivers exactly what it promises.

My Review

THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT... I'M OBSESSED! 🖤✨

This book gave me EVERYTHING I wanted and more. From the first page to the last, I was completely captivated. This is how you write a fantasy romance standalone, people! 📚💕

Let me start with what absolutely SHOCKED me in the best way: this book is completely CLEAN! 🌟 I went in expecting typical fantasy romance levels of spice, but save for some kissing scenes (which don't really count as spicy), this is remarkably clean content. And you know what? It works PERFECTLY. The romance is still swoony, still intense, still absolutely satisfying without needing explicit scenes. 💫

Minor spoiler for those seeking clean romance: For readers who prefer cleaner content, Kallias and Alessandra don't really kiss until AFTER the ring is on Alessandra's finger! 💍 The slow build, the tension, the anticipation, it's all there, but Levenseller keeps it tasteful and clean. If you've been looking for fantasy romance without the spice, THIS IS IT. ✨

Now let's talk about Alessandra because OH MY GOODNESS, what a QUEEN. 👑 This main character is STRONG, confident, and absolutely FULL OF HERSELF in the best possible way. She knows what she wants, she knows her worth, and she doesn't apologize for any of it. She doesn't need anyone to help her or save her, she's perfectly capable of handling everything herself, thank you very much! 💪

Alessandra's unapologetic ambition and self-assurance are SO refreshing! 😍 She walks into the palace planning to seduce and murder the king, and she's completely confident in her ability to pull it off. There's no self-doubt, no "oh I'm not pretty enough or smart enough" nonsense. She KNOWS she's gorgeous, she KNOWS she's clever, and she uses both to her advantage. We love a self-aware queen! 👑✨

Kallias himself is a fantastic love interest. He's mysterious, powerful, brooding in all the right ways, but also surprisingly vulnerable and real. He's not just a dark, brooding king, he's a fully developed character with his own trauma, motivations, and growth.

The plot moves at a great pace! There's political intrigue, murder attempts, mystery surrounding the Shadow King's powers, and Alessandra navigating court politics while trying to execute her plan. I was engaged from start to finish, and the twists kept me guessing. 🔍

The ending is PERFECT. 🎉 Every bad guy gets caught, justice is served in the most satisfying way! All the loose ends are tied up beautifully. There are no frustrating cliffhangers or unresolved plot threads. You finish this book feeling completely satisfied and fulfilled. This is how you end a standalone! ✨

What I absolutely loved is that this book respects its readers. It doesn't drag things out unnecessarily, doesn't add pointless drama, and doesn't rely on miscommunication or stupid decisions to create conflict. The plot is tight, the character motivations make sense, and everything resolves in a way that feels earned. 📚💫

The world-building is solid without being overwhelming. Levenseller gives you enough to understand the world and its magic without info-dumping or confusing you. The Shadow King's powers are intriguing and well-integrated into the plot. 🌑

This book also has excellent side characters who add depth and humor to the story. The friendships Alessandra develops feel genuine, and even the antagonists are well-developed. 🎭

For a standalone, this delivers EVERYTHING. You get a complete story with full character arcs, satisfying romance, resolved mysteries, and proper closure. No waiting for sequels, no cliffhangers—just a beautifully told story from beginning to end. 📖✨

If you're tired of fantasy romances that are all spice and no substance, THIS is the book for you. If you want a strong, unapologetic heroine who doesn't need saving, THIS is the book for you. If you want clean romance that's still swoony and intense, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! 💕

5/5 pawprints 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

You can find the book on Goodreads here!

Who I think this book is for: Readers seeking CLEAN fantasy romance, fans of morally gray ambitious heroines, anyone tired of weak female leads who need saving, people who love witty banter and slow-burn tension, readers who appreciate standalones, and anyone looking for a satisfying ending where all loose ends are tied!

Content notes: CLEAN! Kissing only, no spice, no graphic content. Perfect for younger readers or anyone who prefers cleaner romance! 💫

Standalone status: Complete story! No series commitment required! 🎉

Cheers, and happy reading!

The Book Pup

P.S. Alessandra is the ambitious, self-assured queen we all deserve to read about. Long live unapologetic female characters! 👑🖤✨