Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette {Book Review}

Happy release day to Connilyn Cossette!!! It's the release of her phenomenal follow-up sequel and conclusion of The Covenant House duology! 

If you have not yet read To Dwell Among the Cedars, book one, do so! You will want to read that before diving head first into this beautiful story. 

Keeping reading for my thoughts and my reading vlog!

Title: Between the Wild Branches
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Series: The Covenant House #2
Age: Adult
Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Bethany House
Source: eARC & Paperback
Purchase: Paperback | Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Christian Book

Synopsis:

Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.

After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.

With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.

My Rating: 

Reading Vlog

Let me just say I adored this book! Lukio and Shoshanna were it for me. I enjoyed how the romance went. I loved the writing. Connilyn Cossette will forever be a favorite and auto-buy author for me honestly. I have enjoyed the Covenant House duology and this conclusion was perfection!

Lukio is a beast in the ring. A fighter since a child, he is back doing what Mataro trained him to do. He still harbors pain, hurt and anger towards his sister, Eliora aka Risi, after he walked away from her and the Hebrews. He is sick of the chains his cousin holds over him and so he seeks to be free. He ends becoming close to the seren but in doing so he is plunged into a harsh game of saving lives and seeing his first and only love again.

Lukio grew so much in this book! I loved seeing him become vulnerable enough to trust God in all things. He tried so hard to deny the power of God, but as he saw his own people act foolishly he began to realize he was not "normal" among his own. He began to miss his found family among the Hebrews.

His reconnection with Risi, Elazar and Yonah -- I was in awe! I just loved seeing him walk away from his old self to become Natan in fullness! Reminded me a bit of the prodigal son when he returned back to the Hebrews. Lukio is simply phenomenal!

Shoshana is on a mission despite the danger she faces. Her story was so heart-breaking. All that she suffered at the hands of the Philistines and still suffered was insane. She was a strong woman. She reminded me of Tirzah a bit from Like Flames in the Night. I loved seeing her go to great lengths for her people.

The romance was such a perfect second chance romance with the added twists and dangers. I loved seeing them meet again and try to fight their attraction to one another. The sweet, stolen moments together were everything. That end...I squealed for them!

Mataro, Lukio's cousin, is a dog! He is a sick and greedy man. The lengths that he goes to get what he wants is insane. Nicaro, the seren, is just as sick as Mataro. He is set on killing all Hebrews, taking their land and finding the Ark. He always annoyed me, but in those last few chapters I wanted to scream. Pure evil!

Mariada was just a gem in a pile of rocks and coal. I felt so terrible for her and the people she was around. She was such a pure girl. I loved her heart for Lukio and the friendship she had with Shoshana. I loved seeing her help them both in the end. Parts of me wished she'd had left with them, but I get that she had to stay and play her part. She is definitely a favorite character for me!

Zevi and Igo were so sweet! I adored them so much and I'm so glad that they were able to survive to the end and go back with Lukio. Azuvah's son was EVERYTHING!!! I did not see that coming or the connection between that guy and Azuvah. I loved seeing this come full circle.

Overall, this was everything! I adored the faith aspects so much. I would highly recommend this book for sure!

Blessings,