To Stand Beside Her by Kristin McMichael

Title: TO STAND BESIDE HER
Author: Kristin McMichael
Genre: YA Fantasy & YA Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:
To be the best courier in the world, eighteen-year-old Benét Leila follows three simple rules: always work alone, never stay in one place too long, and never fall in love. Too bad she didn't follow her own advice.

Leila is a courier. To the people she takes from, she is seen as a common thief; to the people she helps, she is a savior.

Nalick is your typical king. He's rich, powerful, and always assumed to be right. When Leila crosses paths with King Nalick, she finds herself trapped. In a rush to save her best friend Kay from a prison sentence for a crime Leila committed, Leila trades her hand in marriage in exchange for Kay’s freedom.

Tomboy Leila does not want to grow up, but in three months’ time, she will be married to King Nalick, if Nalick can keep his end of the bargain. First, Nalick must make Leila fall in love with him, a hard task since Leila is not ready to love again after losing her first love to a greedy king. Second, Nalick must keep her safe. He is not the only king trying to hold onto her. Leila has made many enemies over the years, and even more admirers that want her as a prize.

Lastly, Nalick must convince Leila that ten years of love is better than a lifetime without. Unless Leila can trust her destiny, she might not reach her wedding day at all.

My take
My first reaction when I read the last page was "OMG! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??". So much that I even emailed my reaction to the Kristin McMichael. Surprisingly, she hasn't responded. Even now, a day later, I still can't believe how the story ended, though it was very realistic. It does make you wonder if we actually control our destinies or if fate does exist.

Without reading the synopsis prior to reading the book, I was drawn into the story by Leila's characters and wanting to know what happens to her as you're sitting on the edge of your seat! With the kidnapping threats, creepy kings, and Leila's urge to be free, I thought the story would have ended different.

It's a nice love story with a sad twist of fate.