This book feels hard to describe. For one, I didn't know that this was the second book in a series, so after a few chapters I went back to read book 1 before continuing to read this, which I recommend, because this book picks up literally within minutes of book 1 ending. The plot of this is pretty wild and you definitely have to suspend your disbelief. I think what I am struggling with the most is that this book does not feel like it could stand alone as a story. Things did happen, the plot progressed, but it again ended on an extreme cliffhanger. If you didn't read book 1, it would really be lacking, in my opinion, because so much of the set up and character explanation/backstory happens in book 1. At the same time, I feel like the writing style was good, and I genuinely really enjoyed the audio as the narrators were phenomenal. I think I would continue this series because I am curious what might happen next...but if I am just talking about this book on it's own, it was just okay.

Wow. I had to read "Love and Other Sin" first cause I didn't know it was a series.
It is a good story, but I sometimes felt like the pace was a bit slow, especially in this book with Mina's POV (and I get why). Also, I love the POV of Oliver, especially we get to know Oliver better, than in the first book (which I loved). And the fact that you gave onto a funny character (Xavi) who reduces the heaviness of the story, because damn you talk about heavy topics! A lot of trigger warnings.
I fell in love with the boys in this book and the Plot twist at the end!!!! It has me creating theories about everything, I think the last three or four chapters were my favorites.
I enjoy it,
I do recommend to proceed with caution.

While reading this, I was trying to decide what it reminded me of and then it came to me Red Sparrow. Yes we are back with Mina and Oliver and their budding relationship however they don't get a chance to enjoy this when their world imploded. This books was full of actions and twist & turns for the characters - which is depicted by the different storylines for Mina and Oliver. They both have different desires for the outcomes and do these outcomes align .... you will have to read to find this out. The ending had me on a cliff hanger and I need the next installment to see what happens.

I had initially requested both the audio and E version to do a tandem read but loved the Audio so much I set the ebook aside. However I read it by itself to see if it had the same experience as the audio book. It was still great! Although I do prefer the audio version as it added so much to the story.
Reading the book it still drew me in and I got some content I missed whilst listening to it which is always bound to happen with me. Below is my original review since I can only have one on the different platforms!

WOW! What a surprise read!!
First I am thankful to have gotten the audioARC and the eARC for free from Netgalley and the author so I can leave my voluntary review.

I was out of audio books and needed one to listen before bed so I looked at ones I could listen to immediately and came across this. It looked interesting enough so I got it. Afterwards I saw that it was available in print as well through NetGalley so I got that as well to be able to do a tandem read as those opportunities don’t come up often on NetGalley.

Anyway, within the first 10% of the experience I dropped e-galley as the audio version was so engrossing and well done. If you follow my reviews you know that I don’t enjoy dramatic versions of audiobooks. I want the narrators to read with enough feeling to be engaging but not go overboard where it completely shapes how I need to interpret the material.

Well this is a bit different. It was a bit more dramatic of a reading than I typically like but it was fantastic! It was as though the female narrator completely brought the FMC to life and was so in tune with her. It wasn’t until I was 90% done that I checked out who the narrators were and saw the female was the author 😝.

So it makes complete sense now! I feel because she knows the characters best that she was able to be a bit more dramatic with the reading and come across as completely authentic. The author Emilia Ares is an actress as well and honestly that doesn’t always equate to a good audio reader!

Anyway, on top of the the recitation of the book being fabulous, the book itself was outstanding too! While the FMC and the MMC are 17 and in high school which fits in with the YA genre it’s not at all. It is New Adult for sure and it’ll speak to general and women’s fiction lovers as well.

I ended up listening to it in one sitting as i completed a project at 1.5x speed rate as it put it at a perfect speed. I definitely liked Mira’s chapters so much that I wanted Oliver’s to hurry up but his were very much needed to pull the story together. It was just that Mira’s were full of the action and you want to know what happens!

I didn’t realize that this is the second book in a series but can also be read as a stand alone. By the 20% mark I made sure to put the first book in my kindle library.

This book comes out October 15th 2024 and I highly suggest you preorder it now! I am 100% getting my own copy through Audible come October and a print copy. Now I’m off to reread the eARC to see what else I can get from this story!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

This book was different to the type I normally go for. It was hard to get into at first, however I am glad I stuck by it. The characters were great. Olivier had an air of mystery about him which I enjoyed and Mina was the type of character that you just couldn't help cheer for. She was strong and persevered through tremendous difficulties and challenges throughout the story.

I loved the connection Mina and Olivier had.

The author did a fantastic job of entwining the characters love story with mystery, suspense and drama.

A very good read.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Ich habe mich über das Buch sehr gefreut. Es ist nicht nur fließend zum lesen sondern auch sehr spannend.

⭐️⭐️.75/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Before picking up this book don’t do what I did and jump straight into it, though you’d get on just fine, I do recommend reading the first book, ‘Love and Other Sins’. This book was hard to get into in the beginning, maybe it was because I was jumping head first into the middle of a series and the connection between the characters was already built. Though between the author’s incredible writing and the intriguing audiobook narration (and a little bit of stubbornness), I found myself enjoying aspects of it and in the end was invested in the characters and story. There is a cliffhanger at the end of this book, that really leaves you wanting more for the possible book 3. The plot was not predictable by any means and you were left questioning how all the little peaces fell together and connected. The characters were well fleshed out, some parts were annoying but that’s human and it built the depth. I loved the MFC, Mina, what she goes through and her storyline is very interesting and well thought out. The MMC, Oliver, I found annoying at time but you can tell how much he cares for Mina. I do believe I would’ve benefited more from knowing his background in the first book. I also listened to the audiobook and I loved it, OMG the author of the book voiced Mina’s chapters and I feel like she done an amazing job, Emilia Ares is a multitalented author by all means. The narrator choice for Oliver was also a good choice, the accents to the performance was incredible. The only thing that would’ve made it better would’ve been duet narration. However the narrators made the story work and worth investigating in. Overall story, characters and plot made this book, but my experience with going straight into book 2 and also my experience with YA books left me giving this book the rating I gave it. I do recommend this book though because even if my experience was lacklustre, maybe yours will be better.

"Love and Other Cages" written by Michelle Ares is a fascinating journey through the labyrinth of fate, love, and the shadows that lurk on the periphery of our lives. From the first chapter, Ares masterfully captures the reader.
I really liked the change of POV in each chapter!!

Oliver is definitely a literary boyfriend, a character who transcends the pages to become a true hero. The depth of his love for Mina, combined with his vulnerability, makes him not only endearing, but unforgettable. He is the kind of character that stays with you long after you turn the last page, whose actions and emotions feel palpably real.

A plot that grabs you from the beginning, this book is a read for anyone who believes in the power of love to conquer even the darkest circumstances.

I liked the writing style but found the book a little slow. Good character development and the romance was nice. Thank you for the arc on NetGalley!

Many odd choices were made throughout this book to such an extent that I didn't quite know what I was reading. The two main characters had little interaction and the reader had to rely on an implied relationship in the previous book and trust that there was some sort of connection between the two. The characters were interesting and complex, don't get me wrong, but the plot was bizarre and discombobulated. Maybe this book wasn't for me, but I still found the series of events that unfolded to be odd and not serve much of a purpose. Overall, I found that this book didn't mean much to me, though I'm sure it could for someone else. 2.5 stars

3.5 ⭐️ First of all I want to say that I loved the cover!! Now it's funny bc even knowing the description of the book I was still surprised. In this story we follow Mina and Oliver on an intense journey (more than I expected, I admit), I really liked the romance between them but overall it wasn't what caught my attention the most, tbh I think I liked the book as a whole. For me the only flaw was that it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book and I think it's a bit forgettable. Other than that, I really liked it.

"Love and Other Cages" by Emilia Ares skillfully intertwines romance and suspense in a captivating narrative. The harrowing tale of Mina's abduction and Oliver's desperate struggle to reunite with her is both heart-wrenching and mesmerizing. The characters are deeply developed, and their intense connection is vividly portrayed, making their journey feel incredibly real.

Ares explores themes of fate and love with remarkable depth, adding layers of complexity to the story. The novel’s blend of thrilling adventure and emotional drama keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Fans of paranormal romance and suspenseful storytelling will find "Love and Other Cages" an unforgettable read. It's a must-read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages.

Emilia Ares's book Love and Other Cages masterfully combines romance and suspense in a gripping narrative. The intense story of Mina's abduction and Oliver's battle with their separation is both emotional and absorbing. The characters are richly developed, and their profound bond is vividly portrayed. With its exploration of fate and love, the novel will keep you enthralled from start to finish. It's a must-read for enthusiasts of paranormal romance and thrilling adventures.