Book Review: The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino
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The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino
Published: September 23, 2025
Series: The Hand and the Heart #1
Genres: Adult // Romance, Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door, not too detailed)
Quick Thoughts: The Second Death of Locke delivered the tension, vulnerability, and yearning that I'm always looking for in a romance. Though I thought the pacing and action flat-lined in the second half of the book, this might be one of my favorite romances of the year. Even if you typically avoid friends-to-lovers like I do, this one's worth making an exception for.
Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
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War
Death/Violence
Grief/Trauma
Death of Parent/Sibling
Vomit (Minor)
Kidnapping (Minor)
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Friends-to-Lovers
Forbidden Love
Hidden Royalty
Found Family
Bonded Pairs
Lady Knights
What is The Second Death of Locke About?
Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.
Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier.
She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier's to use. Grey would do anything for Kier - be anything for him - if he would only ask.
When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into the dangerous heart of their nation's war, Grey and Kier will need to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect their secret.
For Grey is no ordinary magical well, but heir to the lost island of Locke - the root of all power. If she dies, all magic dies with her.
The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy and about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of The Knight and the Moth and The Six Deaths of the Saint.
The Second Death of Locke Review
To be honest, I usually skip friends-to-lovers books because they tend to be too sickly sweet for my taste. The Second Death of Locke might have made me a new friends-to-lovers fan. I laughed, teared up, and fought the urge to throw my Kindle every time one of them almost confessed their feelings then didn’t. It was friends-to-lovers done right and it might be one of my favorite romances of 2025.
Romance
Our main characters, Grey and her best friend Kier, have the kind of romance and tension that made my chest ache. Hidden behind the playful quips and eye rolls is all the reticence and fear of crossing the safe boundary between friends and more, which the author captures so well. Grey is a well that holds the power that Kier, a mage, can draw power from. Though this co-dependent relationship is how the magic system works for all mages and wells in this world, it feels particularly intimate between them. The book does a good job displaying how deep their love and trust goes through how well they work together. Perhaps what I loved most about their dynamic is how it flipped typical romantasy gender roles. Grey is Kier's protector and we saw all the yearning through her eyes, which is usually a role reserved for male characters. It was refreshing to read.
World-building & Setting
The world-building deserves a shout-out too. The author trusts readers to pick up what she's putting down without spoon-feeding us anything or info-dumping. Details about the world are revealed naturally through letters, quotes pulled from texts, and Grey’s childhood memories. I only wished that the political motivations of the different nation states were clearer. The entire book takes place with the backdrop of a war and I struggled to understand the broader stakes sometimes. The setting itself is also queer-normative with a range of different identities woven throughout naturally. I enjoy books that feature quietly inclusive settings so I really appreciated this aspect of the story.
Pacing
My one critique is that although the ending is satisfying, I felt the major plot points and romantic tension resolved way too early. I found myself just waiting for the book to end because everything flatlined so far from the finish. I later learned that this book is the first in a series of interconnected standalones featuring different characters and a new plot. This explains the early resolution but it felt like a drag while reading.
So, should you read The Second Death of Locke?
Absolutely, especially if you love friends-to-lovers stories. This book delivered the tension, vulnerability, and yearning that I'm always looking for in a romance. Even if you typically avoid friends-to-lovers like I do, this one's worth making an exception for.
Check out this review on Goodreads or Storygraph.
Happy reading!
Kim
The Second Death of Locke FAQs
Some of the answers may be spoilers if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution!
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Yes, but it's not what I'd call explicit. There is one open door scene and a few fade to black scenes, but they're more emotionally driven than graphic. If you're looking for detailed smut, this might not scratch that itch. This delivers if you want romantic scenes that feel intimate and earned. The spice level is moderate—think more tender connection than heat.
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It's the first book in The Hand and the Heart series, but it works as a standalone. The romantic arc and main plot resolve satisfyingly by the end, so you won't be left on a cliffhanger. That said, the author has announced the second book will be set in the same world but follow different characters we haven't met yet. So if you're looking for a complete story without the commitment of a long series, you're in luck.
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Though the main relationship is between a man and a woman, the world is queer-normative, meaning different identities and orientations are just part of the fabric of the story without it being a big deal. There's a range of diverse characters naturally woven throughout, and it all feels organic rather than performative. If you appreciate quietly inclusive fantasy worlds, you'll feel right at home here.
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It's adult fantasy romance. The themes, tone, and content are definitely geared toward adult readers. There's nothing particularly explicit that would make it inappropriate for older teens, but the emotional complexity and the way the romance is handled feels very adult.
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If you loved this, try The Knight and the Moth or anything else by Rachel Gillig. She is known for her gothic vibes, romance and fantasy blended stories, and unique magic systems.
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Without spoiling anything: yes, the ending is satisfying. Grey and Kier's arc resolves in a way that feels complete and earned. My only critique is that the major plot points and romantic tension wrap up way before the end of the book, which made the last portion feel like it was just coasting to the finish line. But you won't be left heartbroken or on a cliffhanger, if that's what you're worried about.