The House of Malachite by Rachel Blaufeld

Posted December 8, 2025 in review Tags: 4 stars, dysfunctional family, forced proximity, opposites attract

The House of Malachite by Rachel Blaufeld

Series: Island of Rubia #1
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Source: ARC
Also by this author: Absolution Road

Goodreads

A Brand New Series. Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, and an Alpha Hero, all set on a magical island.

With the ability to take away heartbreak, Tulya Vegga learned early how to mend shattered souls. One touch from her palm could make someone whole again. On the magical island of Rubia, it was her gift…and her curse. Bound to her mother’s will, Tulya was never meant for happiness—only service.

Donovan Malachite was the he could inflict pain without lifting a finger. One look could send a zing up anyone’s spine. Feared and revered as a ruthless businessman, Donovan was groomed to inherit his father’s empire and carry out his mother’s calculated plans. He’d never admit his quiet fascination with his innocent neighbor, Tulya.

But when his brother, Magnum, falls in love with a forbidden human, Donovan is forced to accompany Tulya on a mission to “fix” the situation.
They set out to right someone else’s wrong.

Instead, they break all the rules.
And maybe…each other.

The House of Malachite is book 1 in the Island of Rubia series. Donovan and Tulya come from prestigious families and they have special abilities. Tulya can mend broken hearts and Donovan can cause pain without even touching you.

Both of them come from high expectation families, and while they have known and crushed on each other, they simply cannot be together. But, circumstances force them to work together. When I say slow burn, its darn near glacial. They are struggling with their loyalties and their relationship could challenge everything they know. Honestly, I’m not sure why they are loyal to their parents because they are just kind of awful people. Seriously, they just want to use their kids’ powers for personal gain. What Donovan and Tulya go through is certainly a trial (or a bunch of them) and you are rooting for them. There are some really interesting side characters as well.

Overall, this was kind of slow for me. Its not a bad book at all and I think people who love that SLOW burn will really enjoy this. I just don’t really love slow burns.