Reviewer: @adeela_books (Instagram)
3.5 stars ⭐️
💛💻
My favorite part of this book would have to be the growth we see from the fmc. Andie is a layered character who has built walls around her to keep herself safe, which I get. She starts off as this stubborn girl that can’t “move on” from her past & we don’t get much insight into said past until the story develops (primarily at the 75% mark) we are made aware with what transpired all those years ago,what made Andie the way she is & why she has bad blood with Jack. We dive into her layers on a deeper level & I went from not liking Andie much to harboring empathy for her “messy” parts.
A part of me can understand the character, I think it’s not so bad that the author wrote her with flaws. Andie does learn to heal & get closure. Watching that growth happen was good.The side characters also brought a purpose into the story that was cool.
Onto the mmc! So Jack was very supportive through it all. I admired how he kept trying his best & wanting to own up to his mistakes. He made a cute enough mmc whom believed in accountability!
Despite that tho Andie stole the show with her complexity & healing. She did have way more page time than Jack. The book is rather angsty “chicklit” vibes for it focused on the fmc’s grief. Definitely not a rom-com imo.
It was refreshing that the author went for something unique as a plot regarding the whole “what transpired in their past aspect” I despised Robbie! I’d have preferred if
we got a little snippet showing us that he got whatever bad he deserved so we could gain closure😂 he really infuriated me.
Overall, it was a decent enough read with grief depicted well. However it was slow paced. I will say I enjoyed the publishing/writer world it was set in & when Jack said he made the decision not to care what anyone thought about his books but himself, it made me grin coz it’s a powerful message (as long as we enjoy what we are doing, other people’s opinions shouldn’t matter that much.)
@bookish.baddie (Instagram)
Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Bolu Babalola has done it again….and she just keeps getting better. I’m not usually a second chance romance fan, but this one tugged at every single heartstring. It just worked. I feel romanced just from reading it.
What a tender, grown, beautiful love story. Kiki in her late twenties, fully formed and figuring things out, was so refreshing. Watching her and Malakai navigate love, life, and everything in between felt real in a way that made me pause and reflect on my own life. I actually liked them better as adults; honest and imperfect. But oh so perfect for each other.
The writing is lyrical and reflective. Every word carries weight. You can tell this book was written with intention and care – it’s layered and complex, but still easy to love. And that ending 🥰🥹
This felt like sipping good coffee or a beautifully aged wine. Rich, warm, full-bodied storytelling. The quality is undeniable. The chemistry jumps off the page. The plot is believable, the characters are alive, and the whole thing just works. It’s adult, it’s grown, it’s real.
I loved it. I savored it. 10/10. This one has a special place in my heart. ❤️
Reviewer: @tanith_justanotherchapter (Instagram)
The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon
Dystopian Fantasy
⭐️5/5
The Dark Mirror is the most powerful and emotionally charged entry in The Bone Season series so far. Picking up after the explosive events of The Mask Falling, the story begins with Paige waking up far from where we left her—free from Scion’s grip, yet missing six crucial months of her life. Stripped of her memories and surrounded by strangers, she’s thrust into a world that feels more uncertain than ever.
From the very first chapter, the tension is palpable. Paige must navigate not only a physical journey across unfamiliar terrain—Venice, Orvieto, and Rome—but an emotional one, as she uncovers the truth about what was done to her during her lost time. The stakes feel higher, the betrayals cut deeper, and the fight for freedom is more complex than ever.
What stood out most to me is Paige herself. She’s always been brave, but in The Dark Mirror, her strength is quieter and more internal—born out of pain, disorientation, and her desperate need to reclaim who she is. Her growth is immense. Even when everything is working against her, she fights to rise, and that determination makes her more compelling than ever.
And then… there’s Arcturus. Their bond is tested in ways neither of them expected. The emotional reunion is raw, full of uncertainty and longing. Paige is haunted by his final act in The Mask Falling, unsure if it was betrayal, sacrifice, or something else entirely. His absence fuels a storm of conflicting emotions—grief, anger, hope—and every interaction they share carries the weight of all that’s unsaid. Their connection remains one of the most moving parts of this series.
Samantha Shannon’s prose is razor-sharp and immersive. The European settings are rich and vividly rendered—Venice’s eerie canals, the history-laced corridors of Orvieto, and the imposing presence of Rome give the story a cinematic sense of place. The web of political tension stretches further as Scion tightens its grip on Italy and new rebel factions blur the lines between friend and foe.
This book wrecked me—It’s fierce, unflinching, and deeply emotional. By the final chapter, I was heartbroken, hopeful, and already desperate for what’s next.
And yes… the emotional damage is real. So many tears, so much tension—and I loved every single page.
I recommend this series to all Dystopian and Fantasy lovers, and although the wait will be long, I can’t wait for book 6.
Reviewer: @paperbacksandpurrs (Instagram)
✨💚 Book Thoughts – King of Envy by Ana Huang 💚✨
I’ve had SUCH a fun time with the Kings of Sin series so far. King of Wrath has always been my favourite in the series, but it might be sharing that spot with King of Envy now. 👀
Vuk has been such an intriguing character in Ana’s books. His reclusive, mysterious presence has always stood out to me and made me curious to learn more about him. Ana truly delivered and King of Envy was everything I could have hoped for and more. Vuk did not disappoint at all. 🫠 He is a little unhinged, but in the best possible way. He is the embodiment of an MMC who will burn the world down for his woman and I was completely here for it. 👀 His protective nature and the amount of respect and adoration he has for Ayana really stood out to me. 🥹
Both Ayana and Vuk are very captivating characters and each of them have so much depth, which is something I always value in a book. 🫶🏼 While I loved them together, I also adored them as individual characters and found myself rooting for them as they dealt with their personal challenges. The chemistry between them was incredible and their connection truly felt authentic. ✨ The slow burn had me on the edge of my seat and I nearly lost my mind when they started interacting more. 👀😅
Vuk and Ayana’s book is the most actio- packed one in the series so far and I absolutely loved it. This story was thrilling, romantic and gave me all the feels. If you enjoyed the books in this series so far, you are going to love this one. Vuk and Ayana are now one of my favourite couples and I wish I could read more about the two of them. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
marshallreads (Instagram)
4⭐️
A delightful exploration of love and connection, wrapped in a comedic adventure. The story follows a married couple on a wilderness expedition, highlighting their struggles and growth. The story centers around Sarah and Caleb Linwood, high school sweethearts who have been married since they were nineteen.
As they navigate the challenges of adulthood, Sarah begins to question her identity and purpose, feeling lost after the death of her mother. In an effort to reconnect, they embark on a couples’ hiking retreat, which serves as a backdrop for their journey of self-discovery and relationship repair.
Sarah is portrayed as a relatable and authentic character, grappling with her sense of self and the expectations placed upon her. Caleb, her devoted husband, embodies the ideal partner, showcasing patience and unwavering support throughout their struggles. The dynamic between the couple is both heartwarming and realistic, reflecting the ups and downs of a long-term relationship.
The novel explores themes of grief, self-growth, and the importance of communication in relationships.
Bonam-Young’s writing is both tender and insightful, capturing the emotional nuances of her characters’ experiences. The dual timeline structure, alternating between past and present, adds depth to their love story and highlights their evolution as individuals and as a couple.
Overall, it’s a charming tale that resonates with anyone navigating the complexities of relationships.
