Desert Beloved
Gin Coleman
Black Rose Publishing (2027)
ISBN: 978-1685138431
Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views (09/2026)
Princess Adara al-Az’im is determined to be the sheikh of her desert kingdom. She can ride horses and wield a scimitar as well as any of the men. But daughters of sheikhs don’t get to rule. Her parents believe Adara should wed her childhood friend, Jabari, the son of their family’s biggest ally. But Adara loves Jabari only as a brother. She is vehemently against marrying. Then Casey Bender walks into her world. The American pilot, bomber, and horse rancher is simultaneously irritating and intriguing.
Beyond Adara’s struggle for power, another storm is brewing when a British major general has nefarious plans to use her kingdom for oil and profit. The headstrong princess finds herself in a dangerous and impossible situation, and the only person who can help her is Casey.
Will Adara open her heart to love? Can she and Casey save her kingdom from a bloodbath and decimation?
Desert Beloved is the third installment in the gripping Desert Born series by Gin Coleman. Like the previous novels, Coleman intersperses adrenaline-pumping action and romance, leaving readers devouring every page. The character-driven novel follows Adara in the Arabian desert as she struggles to prove her competence, and Casey, who will protect the fiery princess by any means necessary. Themes of love, adventure, and revenge pepper the pages of this propulsive book.
While the novel boasts many excellent qualities, my favorite is Adara’s character. In a world where women are relegated to instrumental tasks like child-rearing and homemaking, and often dismissed for longing for something more, Coleman has gifted readers a sheikha unmoored from men and fiercely independent. As brave as she is beautiful, Adara will capture readers’ hearts with her riding prowess, quick tongue, and unrelenting dedication in keeping her people safe. More, I loved the heated banter between her and Casey, which steadily built the lusty tension between them. I am definitely a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers trope because the result is often swoon-worthy and explosive, and Coleman definitely didn’t disappoint!
Readers who seek adventure novels set in exotic locations will be drawn to Desert Beloved. Between opulent kingdoms, majestic golden horses, and the intrigue of the Arabian desert, this novel is a sweep-you-off-your-feet type of escape. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable series that will inspire you and pull on your heartstrings!
At a Glance: A historical desert romance blends royal intrigue and high-stakes adventure as a determined princess fights for the right to lead while falling for an American outsider. Enemies-to-lovers tension, political danger, and steamy chemistry drive the story.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy: historical romance, desert adventures, enemies-to-lovers romance, strong female leads, royal intrigue, forbidden love, action-packed romance, horseback adventures, political conspiracies