This was overall a good book. I think it is more of a 3.5 but I rounded up! By the 50%/60% mark is when I personally became more invested in the story. Before this it was starting to drag a bit and the plot wasn’t moving forward for a while. Even at that point, the plot wasn’t moving too much but there was more interesting things happening. I finished this majorly on audio which I highly recommend!!! I think the voice actors really brought mina and oliver to life and I connected more with them because of this.

This is a strange one for me. For some reason i thought it would be a love story. Boy was i wrong. However i did read the entire book so the sory was fascinatie. But as much as i did not know this was not a love story, i also did not realise this was the start of a series.
Th storystarts with a love story about a boy and a girl wich is what i thought it would be. But then there is abduction, mobsters, torture, blackmaile and training as some kind of KGB spy and all the while this boy keeps on looking for his girl. So this booj has everything depending on what you like it is in there except an ending. Thats houw i found out this is a series because we are talking kliffhanger! The narater of the audiobook did a good job setting the sene how miserabele this girly was the entire time yet keeping her head high. Hope you enjoy this book!

This one wasn’t for me.

I was interested in the plot about the Russian mob and their training but the parallel story had so many holes and story line timing issues. It was very frustrating and distracting to me.

I am sincerely thankful to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 20%

Unfortunately, the first issue I encountered was that it wasn’t made clear that this was a book two until I wrote this review. When the book started off, it felt like I was dropped in the middle of a movie that’s been playing for an hour, I had no idea what anything was, what was happening, and why this was as dramatic as it was being made out to be. I also didn’t like the writing style, it came across as writing out conversations rather than telling a story - I usually don’t enjoy books that are written in this style, so based on that, I won’t be picking up book one to try to catch up to this book. It wasn’t for me.

Thank you SERA Press for providing an ARC via NetGalley.

3.75 Stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc. In this story we have third person dual pov following Oliver and Mina, I didn’t realize this was part of a series either but I loved this audiobook it’s so well done. I will say that the action in this is so far fetched but it was engaging ever since the beginning. There’s a mix of romance and criminal action throughout this and it’s pretty interesting. I love the characters too, they are pretty in depth and the story is very beautifully written but hard to focus completely all through the book. Lots of secrets unraveling by the end and secret identities.. this didn’t have to be as long as it was to make the impact it was wanting to but overall great.

Okay, so this was different. I was unaware at the time of receiving this ARC that it was book 2 of a series (I may need to go back to the first book), though many have said that it can be read as a stand-alone.

It feels like there are holes though, I would suggest reading Love and Other Sins first and then coming to this book.

With that being said, this was a very intense, moody read. “I will fight for you and my fate”, what!? ACTION IN THE FIRST FEW PARAGRAPHS OF THE STORY...breathless! The voice acting in this audiobook was strong and relayed the emotion of each scene perfectly! I am always pleasantly surprised when I read/listen to, a book with dual POV's that are executed well. I feel like this gives more depth to the story and allows the reader to connect more with the character.

It was a great move to have Emilia Ares voice Mina, and Will Collyer voice Oliver. They have perfect chemistry, and completely pull us into this twisty dark world!

Mina was an absolute beast in this! With her grit and bravery, she is a character you can get behind and cheer for. I wished for more of Ollie ( going back to book 1 to see if his story begins there.), he is so attentive to Mina, their chemistry lept from the book. And as far as friends go...everyone needs a Javi!

Thank you Netgalley, SERA Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, and Emilia Ares for this ALC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review in exchange for your kindness.

3⭐️- thank you netgalley for the audio arc !

I lost the plot tbh and wasn’t very engaged. I’m not sure if it was me or the narrators or the length of it but I wish I could have enjoyed this more. It wasn’t a bad book but it also wasn’t memorable.

I really enjoyed these characters, and the narrators in this audiobook. I did NOT know this was a series, so I do feel at times I was very confused. This book also i feel was extremely long-- and some parts I think could have been left out. I would be interested to come back to this book, after I have read the pervious books. The beginning really did pull me in, but I would say about halfway -- I was exhausted by this story.

3.5-3.75 Stars

*Can be read as a standalone, but probably best if read after Love and Other Sins*

Follow Mina, a senior high school student, and her boyfriend, Oliver, on a gripping journey. Mina was abducted from her home by henchmen due to her father's ties to an underground crime organization. She faces torment and an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Oliver tirelessly searches for any leads on Mina's location. The burning question is: Will Mina escape her captors, and will Oliver find her in time?

This was an entertaining read. I can easily see it being adapted for television. However, I believe the pacing and depth in certain areas could have been better. Despite these points, I found it to be a good read and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment to see what unfolds for Mina and Oliver. For anyone considering picking up this novel, I highly recommend the audiobook version as the narrators did an exceptional job.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Emilia Ares, and SERA Press for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

Love and Other Cages" is a perfect for teens who want a thriller with a side of romance. I wasn't aware this was book two in a series until after I'd finished reading it, but it did perfectly well as a standalone novel.

I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters in this book: the beautiful relationship between Oliver and Mina, the early action and the idea put forth that love can help you through the darkest/most painful times. However, it quickly went downhill from here.

Though I loved the dual POV to begin with, this quickly felt like two different books with completely different atmospheres. Furthermore, the shifts in the story were extremely jarring, leading to this book feeling like multiple forced together with no flow from one to another. The story progressively felt more and more bizarre and became less and less believable.

There were long sections where it felt like absolutely nothing was happening

This was an incredibly disappointing read as I had such high hopes from the synopsis and opening chapters.

I will say, however, that the narrators for this audiobook were fantastic, pouring emotion into the words.

The story was absolutely gripping and I didn't want to stop listening. The narrators really helped bring things to life and did a great job at covering the emotions of Mina and Oliver.

I did not know this was the second book in a series, so it may be why I did not enjoy it as I thought I would. I had a hard time keeping up at times. It seemed like there was much more detail than was needed and it took away from the storyline. I may go back and read parts of it again and of I change my opinion, I will update my review.


Thank you net Galley for the ARC of this book

Since finishing the book, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I keep replaying the story and characters in my head, dying to know what happens next. I’m really glad I read the first book again before diving into this ARC because it gave me some great context for Love and Other Cages but I don't think its necessary per say, like you can totally enjoy Love and Other Cages without reading Love and Other Sins. The book can be intense but it stands out. The writing was solid, it really picked up speed towards the second half. I loved Mina’s relationship with her mom; it’s rare to see such a close bond between teens and their parents in books. Their conversations and certain phrases they use were specific and brought out emotion. The narrators were topnotch, she nailed the Russian, the Brittish accents, everything. The male narrator was pleasant to listen to as well. Cant wait for the story to continue I'll be thinking about this one for a long while I can already tell, it wont leave me anytime soon.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the book (and audiobook) in exchange for my honest review.

Love and Other Cages is an emotional rollercoaster that pulls you into its dark and twisty world right from the start. The story of Mina, a high school senior, and Oliver, who is desperately clinging to hope after a life of abandonment, is gripping and intense. Mina’s sudden abduction by a criminal organization thrusts her, and the reader, into a world filled with uncertainty and danger.

What really stands out to me is the palpable tension between love and survival that drives the story forward. Mina and Oliver’s connection is portrayed as a shining beacon in a world full of shadows. The juxtaposition of their tender bond against the darker, often violent backdrop makes for a heart-wrenching read. The stakes feel incredibly high — not only for their relationship but for their lives as well.

Emilia Area's writing is both lyrical and sharp. The prose is beautiful yet unrelenting, with a vividness that immerses you into the emotional depth of the characters. At times, the story feels like a thriller, with constant twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, and at other times, it's deeply reflective about the strength of human connections in the most harrowing of circumstances.

There are definitely dark themes here, and it’s not always an easy read. However, for those who enjoy stories where love defies the odds and faces real-world dangers, Love and Other Cages delivers. It’s unpredictable, filled with emotional highs and lows, and leaves you wondering whether destiny can be rewritten or if some paths are set in stone. A powerful, thought-provoking novel that keeps you hooked until the very end.

If you're looking for a read that blends romance with tension, grit, and suspense, this is a book I’d recommend — just be prepared for some twists that will tug at your heartstrings.

Mina and Oliver start their world wind romance when Mena’s mother gets brutally attacked and ends up in the hospital . Oliver(dealing with his own demons from his childhood) makes it his mission to comfort her.

As Mena is visiting her mother in the hospital, a lawyer comes and says the attack has to do with her dad and his connections to some mob organization. The lawyer suggests for no more attacks to happen, Mena should instead allow the mob to kidnap her so her mother can be safe.Mena gets abducted by the mob and Oliver is beside himself losing her love of his life. Oliver makes it his mission to find Mena no matter what it takes.

Will Mena survive the abduction? Will Oliver be successful in finding Mena? Will these young loves be able to reunite and continue their world wind romance?

Thank you NetGalley for the arc audiobook!

4⭐️s. Coming October 15th! I didn’t realize it was the second book. I’d recommend reading Love and Other Sins first. Overall, I really enjoyed Mina’s story. She is incredibly strong despite being forced into a horrible situation. I like Oliver okay. Again, feel like the first book would help me understand him a bit better. LOVED the narration by the author. I knew I was loving Mina, and it makes sense with her creator narrating her parts. @thewillcollyer was excellent too. Can’t wait for the next book.

Mina and Oliver are on cloud nine. Until, Mina’s mother is almost killed and their past comes back to haunt them. Mina must make a very difficult decision to protect her mom. It will break her in a lot of ways, but her strength despite it shines through. Her sudden disappearance causes Oliver to search for two month trying to find her. What will happen when he does? Will they be able to save each other?

Thank you to @netgalley @emiliaares and Sera Press for the advanced listener copy. #netgalley #loveandothercages #loveandothersins #emiliaares #mystrythriller #audiobook #advancelistenerscopy #listeningisreadingtoo

Way too much detail into things that were not necessary. The details of the abduction and how she was kept could have been cut down so much as I didn't feel that they added to the story/plot. There were so many words and not much occurring. This one wasn't for me, but that doesn't mean it isn't for you.

I didn’t realize this was the second of a series when I chose this ARC and that’s on me but I belive it could be an ok standalone book as well!

I received an audiobook arc from NetGalley.

Great production and voice acting. Seriously some of the best work done in an audiobook.
The story itself is a long game of cat and mouse. There are some cool action scenes that make it fun for any action lover to read. It’s a bit light on the love aspect but read it and understand why.