⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (i wish i could give it a 6 stars) I dare say it’s been ages since I’ve read an enemies-to-lovers story this good! The tension starts in chapter one and never lets up. The characters are complex, messy, and driven by motives that make you want to scream at them and hug them all at once (ESTEVAN, I’M TALKING TO YOU). The plot was so perfectly paced that I didn’t feel bored for a single second — I literally couldn’t put it down. The author built not just an incredible world and magic system, but also a story full of emotion, twists, and character growth that kept me guessing the whole way through (most of the time i got misled). And don't get me started on the character development of Semras, my sweet little witch! I’m begging for more — it ended way too soon! Flawless. Absolutely flawless. Forever grateful to E.M. Riedl and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the NetGalley Arc for opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!

Rating: ⭐ 3.5/5 stars (rounded up) First off, I was completely captivated by the magic system and the fairy tale–inspired world where the fates of chosen individuals are controlled. Vina and Simran were both fascinating protagonists, and I loved how the story explored themes of destiny. I really enjoy when a book has something meaningful to say—and conveys it well. This one does that beautifully, seamlessly weaving symbolism and social commentary into the plot. At times, the prose was stunning, with vivid, immersive descriptions that made me feel like I was right there in the forest or ornate halls the author described. That said, the writing also felt overly repetitive in places and relied a bit too much on “telling” rather than “showing.” Often, a beautifully shown moment would be followed by an explicit explanation that dulled its impact. The dialogue, too, came across as quite formal and stiff. While I understand this suits the time period, it did make the conversations feel less natural. Speaking of time, I found it hard to pinpoint exactly what era Suri’s alternate England was based on. It seemed medieval at first, but occasional modern terms and details broke that illusion and left me a bit confused. I can confidently say I enjoyed the first part more—the fairytale atmosphere there felt stronger and more cohesive. The action in this second installment dragged a little, and I couldn’t help thinking it might have worked better split into two volumes. Still, it wasn’t a waste of time; the concept and worldbuilding truly kept me hooked, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Tasha Suri’s work. Thank you to Tasha Suri, NetGalley, and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing this ARC!

Such a fun and quick read, i love it

Review: Love Me Darkly by Victoria Vale ⭐ 3.75 (rounded to 4 stars)

Love Me Darkly is the first book in the Behind the Veil duology — a dark romance interwoven with psychological thriller elements. It’s definitely worth checking out the trigger warnings beforehand, as the story features murder, vivid descriptions of violence, blood, and gore right from the start. Grief is also a major theme, a motivating factor for the main character from the very beginning of the book.

I picked up this title because the premise sounded fascinating — something that might blend Criminal Minds with a dose of spice and danger. Was I disappointed? Not at all. The book turned out to be an enjoyable and engaging read, though the pacing felt a little slow at times.

I do wish we had at least one chapter from the killer’s perspective — it could’ve added an extra layer of tension and suspense. I also have some lingering questions about Melody, which I hope will be addressed in the sequel. As for Matteo, while he’s described as a devoted family man, his relationship with his daughter felt a bit underdeveloped. Still, given his motivation to protect her from her mother’s murderer, I can understand the distance.

Overall, Love Me Darkly delivers on its dark, thrilling premise, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series once the next installment is released.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Vale, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.