Audiobook review: HOTTT forbidden love. Once upon a time, Callum fell in love with a stranger on a train—only to find out she was his brother’s new girlfriend. Seven years later, Juniper is single again... but no closer to falling for Callum than she was back then. Yes, you can read this out of order (I did), and still fully enjoy the dynamic of this found family in the Scottish isles. I’ll definitely go back and read Mal and Alice’s story in “Whiskey Business.” I loved the animosity between them. Juniper has a vicious edge to her bickering, while Callum secretly loves every bit of attention he can steal from her. That tension builds until she has a full breakdown, and Callum can’t help but meddle his way into her life to try and save her. I was literally kicking my feet at the tension and chemistry between them. She calls him “Community Ken” because he’s the local golden boy (he’s a freaking veterinarian!), and he flip-flops between calling her “Harpy” and “Sweetheart.” Speaking of banter, the Scottish accents from the narrators were divine. Russ Bain was clear and confident, while Rebecca McClay has this gorgeous, tinkling voice that gave Juniper a delicate sound—despite her harsh words. I do wish the production had been a bit tighter. The pauses between chapters were unnecessarily long, while there were no breaks at all between scenes in the same chapter, which made things feel a little jarring. I love a sweet second-chance romance, but I adore a complicated mess with no easy solution. Their history is tangled, and I could feel it winding around my nerves. I loved the angst, and I loved the resolution even more.

I picked this up because I love sports romance and tiktok said that he was the inexperienced one in the relationship. They were best friends growing up, he clearly fell in love with her. But she backed out of their college plans. Now, he transferred back home to win her over. The tropes were cute but it was just too long and revisited the same arguments over and over again. A lot of melancholy.

I did it! I finally caught up on a series BEFORE the book dropped 😂 Meph was always destined to be my favorite Demon in this series — I mean, full-body tattoos and golden retriever energy? Come on, how could he not be?! But what really surprised me was the spark that lit up between him and Iris. 🔥 Iris is the first love interest who’s NOT chill about having demons all up in her personal life. After a decade of hiding herself and her twin from the Demon who killed their parents, she’s understandably suspicious. She’s trying to give these Demon rebels a chance, but Meph? He pushes all her buttons. Meph’s nonchalant, devil-may-care vibe had me cracking up. It makes him very straightforward and enthusiastic during the spice scenes (like bossy, but in a good way) 🥵 Yet beneath all the banter and heat, there’s real emotional depth. Neither of them want to really open up, but just feeling more “seen” by the other person is transformative. If you love a “save-the-bad-boy” arc, Meph’s tortured past with deliver the heart ache you crave. One of my favorite details? The way he treated their friend’s mom like his own because she encouraged his darker artistic side and made him feel seen. Sweet, sweet Meph 🥹 READ THESE IN ORDER because the demon political plot is thickening and I’m curious as to where it goes. It’s reminding me of “Good Omens” while incorporating incredible romantic relationships.