The Silversmith - (The Selvaren) by Lj Claren (Paperback)

The YEARNING in this book! AHHH!! Not what I expected from a debut author and her first novel. And I mean that in the BEST way! The book opens with introduction to the FMC, Aryella, who suffers amnesia for most of her life related to a bad fall. After her family was found dead, Ary was told of a prophecy - one including her at the forefront - about a powerful princess with abilities capable of overthrowing a malicious sorcerer named Molochai. With her family gone, Ary is visited by a motley traveling crew who are meant to escort her to a safe area away from the nearing war called the Caves. Before that can happen, she is saved from a wolf attack by the grump of the group - Smyth. As it turns out, he was sent to act as her trainer during the journey. It becomes very clear that the rest of the group would prefer to leave him behind but he has an obligation to get Ary to the Caves safely. And so her adventure begins with this (mostly) cordial, close group. As one might guess, the proximity of travel has made it easier for Ary to develop some feelings, but has been betrothed to another who is awaiting her in the Caves. I’d love to share more but don’t want to spoil anything so just read it! The emotional rollercoaster this book had me on was rowdy but so much fun. The book is well written, interesting but the final 2.5 hours of the book really had me in a chokehold and I had to binge read to finish it. I’m so sad it’s over. So many little moments that still get me teary eyed. I’m never going to look at forget-me-nots the same. 😭 Smyth has to be one of my favorite MMCs of all time and the way he acts toward Ary deserves all the green flags. And the YEARNING. My oh my! Tropes you’ll find in here: found family, amnesia, forced proximity with one bed/saddle, slooooooow burn, reluctant allies to lovers to enemies?