Did not finish… I honestly don’t understand where the story is going and it’s kind of confusing…maybe I will give it a try in future but definitely not now

I didn’t realize this book is the second in the series until I was 4 hours from the end. Although it’s a really compelling story, I think it would have been more impactful had I realized and read book 1 first. At this point, I don’t know that I will go back, but it did end on quite the cliffhanger, so I will be watching out for book 3! As for the audiobook, I loved the narrators and thought it was really well done.

Many thanks to NetGalley for my review audio edition! I loved the duo narrators of Mina and Oliver…the accents were so good, too!

This read was intriguing and fast-paced; it left me hooked! I didn’t realize it was a second in series; it felt very much okay to read out of order. Hoping there will be a follow-up!

#LoveandOtherCages #NetGalley

I read this as a standalone although it is part of a series. I think maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book and had developed a prior sense of the characters. I definitely would not recommend it to anyone as a standalone.

For me personally, the pacing was slow but again could be because I wasn’t vested in the characters. The FMC’s storyline was much more engaging than the MMC. When the story would switch to his POV, I found myself getting bored.

I would recommend anyone who is a fan of mafia storylines to go check out Love and Other Sins, which is book 1.

Mina leads a pretty intense life with some mystery in her past. Oliver, being a loving boyfriend is just trying to help Mina. This is a suspenseful love story that keeps the brain guessing what's going on.

this audiobook was the most amazing I have ever read thank you for this experiment enjoyed reading it so much

First, a thank you to Netgalley, Sera Press, and the author for providing an ALC for the book
I have to say that the narrators were amazing and I was really immersed with Mira and Oliver

I have to be honest, when this came on my radar I thought it was a standalone. Starting it, I was confused at the beginning and had to do a search to know that it was the 2nd book.
Add to that, it ends with a cliffhanger
So it is advised to read in order
I did read the ebook of book 1

⚜ rating: 3.25 🌟🌟🌟 🔅
⚜Genre: Romantic Thriller
⚜Theme: Dark Thriller
⚜Targeted audience: 17+ (the dark themes inside are not suitable for a younger audience)
⚜Characters: Mira, Oliver
⚜Representation: minor side POC
⚜ driven: Character/Plot-driven
⚜Pace: Slow
⚜TW: violence, abduction, sexual assault, kidnapping, child-trafficking
⚜ tropes: secret identity, WITSEC, undercover
⚜ POV: first person double POV
⚜ spice: 0.5 🌶 closed door
⚜standalone: No
⚜Ending: cliffhanger
⚜Book read: ARC as audio

Let me start with what I didn't like

1- the long chapters: It felt like once I started a chapter it would not end.
2- The overly details: There were a lot of them and descriptions and inner monologuing that sometimes I had to skim
3- The blurb of the book: was a bit misleading cause it is done as if Oliver and Mira would reconnect after they are separated.
"Can Oliver and Mina rewrite destiny's script? Is the radiant beacon of their blossoming connection bright enough to guide them through a world steeped in uncertainty? Or will they forever wander as seekers of the elusive symphony of joy?

but 95% of the book, each was alone fighting their own way

Other than that, once I let go of the anticipation of romance, I was engrossed in reading about their struggle.
The book addressed a serious issue: "the kidnapping and grooming of children and young adults"

Mira was taken by an organization associated with her father that breaks and trains minors as spies.
Meanwhile, Oliver is trying to find her using his questionable connections.

Though I did enjoy this read, I do not think I was interested enough to continue the series.

PS: I was intrigued by the presence of an Arab character.

STARLING
Azra Kader
Ethnicity: Arab
Religion: Sunni Islam
Status: Refugee

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The author has a way of making it so that you feel as though you are right there with the characters and have known them your whole life.

This is a heavy story though - about not being able to get rid of your past and having troubles escaping the things you did when you were younger. Even though this was a heavy read, I am no invested and didn't want the story to end.

I recommend this book to anyone and will be pre-ordering a physical copy so that I can lend it out to my friends and family.

First time reader of this author and the ride I went on in reading was thrilling. I didn’t realize that this is the second book in a series but can also be read as a stand alone. Mina and her mother are attacked in their home due to Mina’s father’s criminal connections. Mina is then taken prisoner and forced to make choices to save her injured mother. In the meantime, her boyfriend, Oliver, searches the streets of LA for her, having no clue that Mina is another country being turned into another person entirely. The capture of Mina whose father is Russia brings about images of sex trafficking and mobs as well as others. Ironically this is not the case but will not give away the story. This book isn’t a romance to me. It’s more of a contemporary thriller. I did not like the Cliff hanging ending but definitely ready for the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this audiobook.
I will say that I did enjoy the narrator’s (although Mina’s character was hard to get into because she sounded so pitiful, but that’s just the narrator doing her job) voices for the characters. I think they did the best they could with such insufferable characters.

The main issue many people have had with this book is that it’s so unrealistic it takes you out of the story and that was my issue as well. I actually thought Mina was a 10 year old girl in the opening scene, so not a high schooler. Imagine my surprise when I realize that wasn’t a flashback but something that just happened and I’m like.. why is this grown man talking to a child??

Wasn’t for me, but I think it could be for someone else.

I think it’s partially my fault that I didn’t realize this book was the second in a series, but it just didn’t grab me like I wanted it to. I did like the characters, and the overall story line was interesting, but there was a lot going on that was hard to keep track of, and the ending left me less than satisfied. I also listened to the audio book which isn’t my favorite way to read something, so maybe I would have liked it better otherwise!

I just started reading this book through the audiobook version, and I like it already. The narrator’s voice is so soothing and calming that it draws me to the rest of the audiobook!

I will do my full review when I finish this audiobook. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for my arc audiobook copy.

A fantastic book to listen to had me on edge from start to finish.
Would definitely recommend this to friends and family a must download.

Love and Other Cages by Emilia Ares is a thriller that blends young adult romance with a mafia drama, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. My understanding is that you can read this book as a standalone but maybe in my case I might benefit from readying book 1.


Thank you to NetGalley and SERA Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for this ARC.

This is the second book in this series, Love and Other Sins being the first book. I haven't read the first book and this was fine as a standalone, although I think reading book one would have given me the full experience.

I am lucky enough to have an ebook, audiobook and physical copy of the book. The audiobook is well narrated by the author and Will Collyer, each narrating alternative chapters as the book switches between Mina and Olivers POV. It is a nice listen. I thought the narrators brought the characters to life. 

The book jumps straight into the action with Mina trying to protect her mother. Soon Mina is abducted by some nefarious characters and Oliver wonders if he will ever see her again. The book switches between Oliver's relentless search for her and Mina's experience of captivity. I don't want to give too much away but the story was engaging. 

The book gets very dark in areas and has lots of twists and turns throughout. It is full of emotion and I think seeing each characters journey helped me to connect to them more. It is well written. The pacing fluctuates between action and a slower pace of the characters trying to figure things out.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Hmm, the ending had me wanting to read the next book right now. Overall, I enjoyed the listen. I believe the characters and felt their feelings toward each other. I felt the hopelessness of how people can't escape gangs and start doing the things the things they previously condemned. For a story with so much abuse in it, I felt invested and wanted to keep reading.

I want to say Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I can honestly say, I really enjoyed this book. I feel that it ended on a cliffhanger. I give it 4.5 stars. There's was great character building and letting you really get.to know the main characters. I can't wait to see what happens next. I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. Very intriguing!! Would recommend to My friends. I would love to read the next book I'm this series. I can't wait to hear more from this authors. I love the writing style.

Thank you SERA Press for providing me with an arc in exchange of an honest review.

I read this as a standalone and that really worked, I was not confused or felt like I was missing anything which I have to give credit for.

I thought this was a very interesting story with the Russian maffia and Red Sparrow vibes. After the first half of the book Oliver's POV really fell off and I almost wanted to skip them becuase it was Mina's POV that kept my interest. If it was just Mina to follow this would have been an easy 5 star read.

This is book two in the Love and Other Sins series but it can be read as a standalone.

There was some graphic content in the book, definitely suited for 18+

The narrator’s voice was so soothing and enjoyable to listen to.

The book is fast-paced, diving straight into the plot.

This is the kind of book I would love to see as a TV series.

If you are a fan of shows like Hanna, with girls taken and trained to be secret agents, you will love this book.

I can’t wait for book 3, this book ends on a little cliffhanger and I can’t stop thinking about it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars!)

You know that feeling when a book pulls you into its world so deeply, you forget where you are? That was Love and Other Cages for me—times two! I did an immersive read, devouring both the book and audiobook simultaneously, and wow, it was like stepping into Mina and Oliver's story in surround sound. Narrators Will Collyer and Emilia Ares brought the pages to life with so much intensity that I felt like I was right there in the chaos, heartbreak, and hope.

This story is a wild ride, starting with Mina’s abduction and throwing us headfirst into an underground criminal world. Meanwhile, Oliver’s battle with his past makes their love story feel fragile yet electric. The way these two navigate their connection amidst uncertainty and danger had me on the edge of my seat—and questioning my emotional stability more than once. 😅

Emilia Ares’s writing is raw and cinematic, painting every scene with vivid tension and a glimmer of hope. It’s not just a love story; it’s a gritty, heart-wrenching exploration of resilience and connection. And that ending? I’m still thinking about it.

Thank you, Emilia Ares, SERA Press, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to immerse myself in this thrilling, romantic journey. If you're looking for a book to make your pulse race and your heart ache (in the best way), this one's for you. 💔✨

🎧 Pro tip: The audiobook is chef’s kiss. Perfect for sinking fully into this emotional rollercoaster.