Book: Pilgrimess by Kara Reynolds
Reviewed by Micca
Rating: 5/5
This book really made my religious trauma felt seen. Make sure you read the trigger warnings, because protecting your mental health is important.
Robbie is a 40 year old woman that lives on the outskirts of town in the woods. There are flashbacks to different times in her life, to tell her story and the story of others. Like any woman that dares to question a man or even just want to know why the rules are the rules, she is punished for it from a young age. The patriarchy will NOT tolerate being questioned. She has lived a life with the priest plotting and waiting to take her down. Even though she cares for the women of her town, she does grow weary. She misses those gone before her, and tired of always having to be looking over her shoulder
Thane, a dukes’s son, has stepped in and advocated for her over the years as his sister-in-law. However, he travels and cannot always be there. Which is perfect for the leaders in the church. The memory of her mentor’s fate is never far from her mind, and watching Robbie walk the line between being fearless and white, hot fear is a reminder of all of this.
More trouble is brewing besides the church leaders going after women and children that do not follow the list of rules. Now, a war threatens their town, but they do have the option to go the safety of another town, but is that what a woman that loves the land she lives on wants to do? In the mix of it all, an old flame is making eyes, and a new mysterious man is watching her and asking questions. Robbie also must worry about those that she cares for. Is she the only one that can protect them? How will she draw on her beliefs and strengths to fight against all of the obstacles facing her?
This book was good! Kara Reynolds really does a fantastic job of weaving the story together. The found family Robbie builds just fills me with so much happiness, and the banter is spot on. There is some low spice and a slow burn yearning that leads to full spicy scenes. The LGBTQIA+ rep and the danger from towns with one religion but others know love is love really hit home. The ending an authors note hit my heart so hard. I highly recommend this book. Pre-order now, and the Pilgrimess releases on April 26, 2026.