Threads of Vines and Vanity

by Kate Dove

Told In Raven Rivers POV
They say time heals all wounds, but desire only makes them ache more.

Lucas and I hit pause—not because our love had faded, but because the battle three months ago almost tore us apart. Known as the kingdom's 'golden boy', the name doesn't fit the shadows he carries with him night and day.
Now, Jasper is sending me to retrieve a spell book from Arden Falls to break the Kymerian curse.
My companions?
Lucas—the man who still holds my soul in his hands.
Ajax—the stunningly dangerous warrior whose touch has left me breathless, a man who’s not afraid to stain his hands with blood for me.
And Aspen—the hidden serpent, waiting to strike.

But restraint has a deadline. Between light touches and whispered vulnerabilities, Lucas and I fall into the love we never lost, while Ajax remains my fiercest protector. The chemistry between the three of us crackles, simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment, and who knows whether it’s in lust or fury.
The scales need to balance out.
As deception from within our group unravels and danger draws near, the three of us move as one—bound by loyalty, betrayal, and something far more dangerous. Because love doesn’t fade. And neither does the hunger it stirs.

Series Reading Order:
Book One: Threads of Flames and Starlight
Book Two: Threads of Vines and Vanity
Book Three: Threads of Honey and Hyacinths
Book Four: Threads of Sin and Thrones

3/5 🌶️
Second Chance Romance
Forced Proximity
Stubborn, Fae FMC
Royal Deception

Paperback

First published March 12, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had the honor to receive an ARC for Threads of Vines and Vanity. If you loved the first book, you will definitely not be disappointed by the second. 🤭

Threads of Vines and Vanity is a must read for fans of magical, lush, character driven fantasy. The enchanting world, well developed characters and great plot will have you thinking about this book long after you've read it. 🌟 The tension and spice is also so good! 🥵

I can't wait to read more!

Special thanks to Katie Ubele for giving me the opportunity to receive my first ever ARC read. 🤍

[Inês Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Dove returns with the second installment of her series, Threads of Vines and Vanity, and proves once again how skilled she is at blending romance, fantasy, and emotional depth. Where the first book set the stage, this sequel dives even deeper into the complexities of love, war, and healing, leaving me completely enthralled from beginning to end.
At the heart of this story are Lucas and Raven—two characters whose bond feels both fragile and unbreakable. Their love is not painted in simplicity; it is shaped by loss, trauma, and the scars left behind by conflict. What makes their story so compelling is how real it feels, even within a fantastical world. Their relationship isn’t just about romance—it’s about two people choosing to see, understand, and support one another in every moment, no matter how difficult.
“We danced through crowds of strangers and made love under the moonlight. We were a constant dance of threading through the depths of who we were, lifting and dropping the veils of our reality. There was always something new—good, bad, or ugly.”
This quote captures the essence of their journey together. Their love is ever-changing, layered, and honest. It isn’t perfect, but that’s what makes it so powerful.
The imagery throughout the novel is striking, and Dove has a way of weaving metaphors that linger long after you close the book. One line in particular stood out to me:
“Her eyes were the sky, and my brown eyes were the Earth.”
It is such a simple yet profound way of describing connection—two forces tied together, grounding and infinite all at once. Lines like these elevate the narrative and make the romance feel timeless.
What struck me most in this installment is how Lucas and Raven’s journey demonstrates that true love deepens over time. Their devotion is not static; it expands, transforms, and adapts as they continue to face trials together.
Beyond the romance, Threads of Vines and Vanity also explores the importance of connection, community, and resilience. The supporting cast plays a meaningful role, reminding us how vital it is to have people who walk alongside us, encourage us, and push us to grow. Powers, shifting relationships, and the pursuit of peace all add richness to the narrative, but at its core, this book is about the endurance of love and the bonds that sustain us.
Overall, Threads of Vines and Vanity is a beautiful continuation of the series. It is emotional, captivating, and full of heart, leaving me eager to see where Dove will take these characters next. If the first book pulled you in, this one will not let you go.

[psych0_4books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoever said that sequels aren't as good as the original lied because Threads of Vines and Vanity was a hell of a read and just as good, if not better, than the first book in the series!

This time the FMC is Raven Rivers, the younger sister of the previous book's MMC. Raven is tasked with retrieving a spell book but with a twist; she goes with her guardian/FWB Ajax and her ex-boyfriend, Lucas. Cue a spicy love triangle that leaves you breathless.

I loved how detailed the setting was; you could picture the oceans and woods as the characters traveled. While the story is fast paced, the plot was well written and kept me invested. Raven is a feisty FMC with a vulnerable side that made me tear up. Lucas and Ajax were opposites but complemented her well. I predicted who she would choose in the end but with book 3 coming up, I can't wait to see how things turn out.

Threads of Vines and Vanity is a great romantasy read for those who love fae characters and spicy moments. Thank you to Katie for an early copy of the book!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Threads of Vine and Vanity was everything I hoped for and more. From the very first page, the fast-paced plot had me hooked. The story flows effortlessly, picking up seamlessly from the first book and making it nearly impossible to put down.
The evolving relationship between Raven, Ajax, and Lucas. 👏🏼*chefs kiss*
Watching the three of them grow individually and together was such a rewarding experience. Their dynamic is equal parts fun, complicated, and deeply emotional. Raven’s strength and vulnerability, Ajax’s quiet loyalty, and Lucas’s fierce protectiveness created a trio that felt real and raw. Every interaction between them carried weight, and by the end, I truly believed in the bond they’d built. Their growth isn’t just told it’s felt. I love where it ended but I wouldn’t of complain if the trio stayed together forever either 🤤👏🏼

This is a 5-star read without question, Threads of Vine and Vanity is not to be missed.

[Christi Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installation of the "Threads" series, and I enjoyed reading it quite a bit. I would recommend reading Threads of Flames and Starlight first, for context, and it's a good grounding in the world/people. But I also felt that this book improved on the first - the pacing was better, the plot made more sense to me, and the spicy scenes had a reason to be there. (Not that you NEED a reason for spice, but I personally tend to enjoy it better when it's plot-supporting.)

This was a good continuation of the series. The characters are mostly those we've already met, and this follows the events of the first book. However it's also a very different story being told, so it doesn't feel formulaic or repetitive. I'm looking forward to book 3, to see whose story is told there, and how.

I was gifted an ARC of this book; this is my honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Fae! Holy hotness. I am so glad I got to ARC read book 2.
Another fantastic FMC- Raven, I want to be her bff for sure! This book was the perfect blend of fast paced and slow sweet moments. I love the way Katie has blended 500 year old Fae and barely old enough to know better mortals into this story. I love Ajax and Lucas so much! They are the perfect blend of MMC traits and their constant non-toxic masculinity makes me want to move to Osiris.
So much happened in book 1 that I’m glad we got to slow down and take this journey- and boy was a lot packed into the travels. I cannot wait to read about Sylvie breaking into her bad B era and see all the fun she and Robin can have.

[Loredana Livadariu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Katie for allowing me to be a part of this story.

Lucas and Raven’s story is sweet and heartwarming. Having a second chance at love after the war, they both soon realise they need to heal from the trauma of the battle and the years before it.
Raven’s healing takes her throughout a journey of discovering her own sexuality and exploring her connection with Ajax.
Lucas’s healing journey takes him through the shadows in order to learn to accept all parts of himself.
The journey they have to take in order to retrieve the object Jasper needs is at times a bit slow and the description can be a bit confusing.
I would recommend the series.

[Dayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the series, ahh, it was such a good book! Just as good as the first! I absolutely loved it! The characters and the way their chemistry is written, so good! The plot is always plotting in Katie’s books and I love it so much! I wish the ending was different as far as who ends up with who (can’t believe she made our girl Raven do such a thing) but I also understand why it was written that way, so I’ll forgive Katie for this. Overall this book exceeded my expectations and was so good! If you are a fan of ACOTAR but not such a drawn out story, you’d like this book. Please read book one first, while it’s not about these characters it helps you to understand what’s going on in the world that the story takes place in. I cannot wait to see what Katie gives us with book three and four!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers in this review

I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC and these opinions are my own.

This is the second in the series and is a fitting sequel to the first.

This was a highly enjoyable read and definitely had some spice. I look forward to the next instalment
4.5 ⭐

[Emily Fallow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was a great book! Being new to the “threads” verse, I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I loved the characters, I loved the spice, I loved the plot.

This was overall a great read. Cant wait to continue the series!

[NovaKnows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed book 2 and flew through it. Fast-paced, easy to follow, and deliciously spicy. Loved the three main characters; Raven was so easy to connect with.

[DeAnna Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic follow up to book one!

[Jordan Corley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Threads of Vines and Vanity from Katie Ubele. What follows is my true and honest opinion.

Katie, how the hell are you gonna end the first book with Raven and Lucas so desperately in love with each other that they nearly died to get to one another in the middle of battle, and then start this one with an immediate spicy scene between Raven and Ajax that is flaunted in front of Lucas?

I’ll be honest, I almost DNFd this book after the first few chapters. I didn’t like the bait and switch with Lucas, and I wasn’t fond of Ajax at the beginning. However, this book got much better as it went on and I have to say I enjoyed it more than the first.

I wish there had been more adventure on the road to retrieving the spell book, and the betrayal from Aspen was easily predictable, but I did grow to care about the characters. I can appreciate Raven and Lucas wanting to fix themselves before being together, I just feel like it could’ve been handled a bit better.

Aspen’s switch up from Threads of Flame and Starlight does feel a bit out of left field, considering there didn’t seem to be any real warning signs or glimpses that he was an abuser. Maybe I just missed the subtext?

I am interested to see what’s next for the series.