Avelynn longs for the day when she can take her father's place and oversee their lands, but she knows such a life will also come with a husband. Inspired by the passionate love between her father and late mother, Avelynn longs for something more than a contract of wealth and status; she wants a deep love. When her father orders her engagement to the conniving and cruel Demas, everything changes. Even more so when she unexpectedly falls in love with the Viking Alrik, an enemy of her people. In order to not only find happiness but also to survive, Avelynn must be careful with the path she walks and decisions she makes.

Historical fans will soak up every word of Marissa Campbell's richly detailed AVELYNN. The tension between the Saxons and Vikings brims with danger and destruction, and the nuances of Avelynn's struggle to maintain her independence as a woman is heartbreaking and powerful. The story is clearly well researched, from small mentions of the everyday lifestyles to wedding ceremonies to pagan versus Christian ideologies.

The romance between Avelynn and Alrik is an intense love affair. They fall quickly, even a bit harshly, yet they never lose sight of their own goals and honors. They take their passion into their own hands, and the reader gets several steamy scenes. As the odds rise against them, Avelynn proves to be a young woman quite capable of her own rescuing, and Alrik respectfully admires her even as he wishes for her safety.

Though I love the romance and the historical detail, the pacing can be inconsistent. Sometimes a steady build up is lacking, though there are great moments of action. Demas, one of the primary antagonists, is a bit flat as a character, but he is still quite disturbing and wrathful.

Overall, AVELYNN is a powerful read with a journey readers won't soon forget. Marissa Campbell demonstrates a strong voice and writes an intense romance, making her future works a must to look for.