After the first 20% of this listen I wasn't sure if Emilia was going to be able to pull me in. However, I got drawn in and listened to the back half in one go.

Mina is such a strong female lead. In other books with similar plots, I typically find the main characters to be a bit rash and frustrating with their choices. Emilia Ares wrote an amazing female lead that I was able to emphasize within an impossible situation.

The plot kept me on my toes the entire time, and as the book went forward so did the pacing. The dual POV was well done, I felt like neither POV was more or less entertaining than the other.

I will be looking forward to reading Emilia Ares's next book!

First, I didn't realize this was the second book in the series so I'll absolutely go back to read the first. I didn't feel too lost though reading this. The author gave just enough of a synopsis so you'd eventually pick up what's going on.

Love and Other Cages starts extremely chaotic. Mina, a high school senior, is abducted after a break-in at her home, which left her mother hospitalized. After her abduction, her boyfriend, Oliver, works with his best friend, Xavi, and Mina's best friend, Nyah, to help uncover what happened and find Mina. I hope there is going to be a third book because I'm dying to know what happens after being left on a cliffhanger!!

This gave me Natasha Romanov origin story vibes and I enjoyed it!

Seems well written and entertaining enough, just not my cup of tea. sorry. If the author ever writes anything more fantastical I will be sure to give it a try.

I really enjoyed the voice actors in this book. I thought they were chosen well. I loved both POVs and even the side characters I felt like I knew them. Would definitely read the next installment.

The title is quite a frightening one and the book follows the same lines. After a bloody start the book moves into adulthood for Lila who is struggling in her life, torn between the cage of her mariage and the duty that is expected of her, and that she expects of herself and her desires more more and for different. The voice of the book is very introspective, an almost inner monologue of Lila and where she is and how the world is containing her and constraining her. Daniel and Maria are the other main characters and both are depicted in a very internal way with a detailed exploration of guilt and its impact on daily decisions and lives. All three characters are relatable, the way that they are depicted helps, and their flaws are given a lot of air time and this makes them real. They are not always likeable but they do come alive.
The audio book is well read and moves along between the voices well.

wow. this is my first audiobook and i couldn’t stop listening. the characters are so well developed and the story so intriguing it’s impossible to not get drawn into the world of Mina, the main character. there was so many twists & turns to the story and it left my mind reeling with theories and different possibilities. i cannot wait to see how this series ends.

Mina‘s mother has been brutally attacked in their own home. To ensure her mom’s safety moving forward, she agrees to hand herself over to the guys who did this and gather information. Oliver, her boyfriend, is left in the dark and would do anything to find her.

I had not appreciated that this was the second book in the series, but nonetheless, it was really gripping. It reminded me a lot of the black widow and I enjoyed watching Mina work for her survival.

I think you can enjoy this book without having read the previous book, but I do think it would’ve added some needed context to fully enjoy the story.

This series is made for fans of mafia, survival, and he will do anything for her vibes.

The narrators - Will Collyer and Emilia Ares - are really amazing!

The writing is good but it is too slow for me. So yes expect a slow burn kind of second chance romance from the book.

I love the cover so much!

Thank you, SERA Press, for the advance reading audiobook.