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Bella Heartwood Book Reviews
💌 Bookish thoughts, cozy vibes, and honest feelings — all in one place. I mostly review romance and romantasy books, from sweet to steamy (and all the messy feelings in between!), but I also like to explore other genres. I hope my reviews help you discover your next favorite read! 📚✨
Most Ardently Yours
⭐ 5/5 stars
Author: Freya Sampson
Release date: July 7, 2026
Spoiler-free review
Most Ardently Yours is the first book I’ve read by Freya Sampson, and I think she might become one of my go-to authors. I loved the story, the characters, the setting, and the writing style—everything about it!
The story is about Zoe Knight, a romance writer who feels let down by her own love life. After reading a magical book in a bookstore she stumbles into, she accidentally brings Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice into her world in London. With Darcy now living in her apartment and trying to adjust to modern life, Zoe has to decide if her dream man is really as perfect in real life as he is in fiction. She also teams up with Nick, the grumpy but charming bookshop owner, and has to figure out what kind of happy ending she really wants.
I really enjoyed the magical parts of the story, which fit well with Zoe’s personal journey as she learns about self-love and accepting love from others. I also liked how the book included modern ideas about women who read romance, the stereotype that romance novels aren’t real literature, and the idea of the “book boyfriend” and what that means for romance readers.
I really liked Zoe as a character, and even though the secondary characters had smaller roles, they were important to the story. I also loved how Darcy was written and how he helped Zoe grow.
I was pleasantly surprised that, while the romance was a big part of the book, it wasn’t the only focus. There was so much more happening alongside the love story, and I really enjoyed that.
Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson is a great pick for anyone who likes magical realism and contemporary romance with a bit of fantasy, especially if you’re a Jane Austen fan.
I received a free advance review copy and am sharing this review voluntarily. Thank you to Landmark, the author, and NetGalley for the book and the chance to read it early.
Author: Freya Sampson
Release date: July 7, 2026
Spoiler-free review
Most Ardently Yours is the first book I’ve read by Freya Sampson, and I think she might become one of my go-to authors. I loved the story, the characters, the setting, and the writing style—everything about it!
The story is about Zoe Knight, a romance writer who feels let down by her own love life. After reading a magical book in a bookstore she stumbles into, she accidentally brings Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice into her world in London. With Darcy now living in her apartment and trying to adjust to modern life, Zoe has to decide if her dream man is really as perfect in real life as he is in fiction. She also teams up with Nick, the grumpy but charming bookshop owner, and has to figure out what kind of happy ending she really wants.
I really enjoyed the magical parts of the story, which fit well with Zoe’s personal journey as she learns about self-love and accepting love from others. I also liked how the book included modern ideas about women who read romance, the stereotype that romance novels aren’t real literature, and the idea of the “book boyfriend” and what that means for romance readers.
I really liked Zoe as a character, and even though the secondary characters had smaller roles, they were important to the story. I also loved how Darcy was written and how he helped Zoe grow.
I was pleasantly surprised that, while the romance was a big part of the book, it wasn’t the only focus. There was so much more happening alongside the love story, and I really enjoyed that.
Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson is a great pick for anyone who likes magical realism and contemporary romance with a bit of fantasy, especially if you’re a Jane Austen fan.
I received a free advance review copy and am sharing this review voluntarily. Thank you to Landmark, the author, and NetGalley for the book and the chance to read it early.
The Seven Year Slip
⭐ 5/5 stars
Author: Ashley Poston
Genres: Romance | Magical Realism | Contemporary | Fantasy | Time Travel
Spoiler-free review
Reading The Seven Year Slip was deeply emotional for me; I was moved to tears several times throughout the story.
"The Seven Year Slip" follows Clementine, a book publicist grieving the loss of her beloved aunt. When she moves into her aunt's magical Manhattan apartment, she discovers it can slip back seven years. There, she meets Iwan, a charming chef with dreams of his own. While the story has elements of magical realism, it leans more toward romance, with the time-slip serving as a backdrop for Clementine and Iwan's connection. As their lives intersect across time, they’re forced to confront the bittersweet magic of timing, love, and letting go.
The novel blends love, happiness, growth, and sadness, capturing the emotions Clementine, my favorite character, experiences on her journey. The apartment’s seven-year slip creates a layered story about timing, personal growth, and love. As Clementine meets Iwan and their lives become intertwined across time, I was struck by how the story explores falling in love not just once, but over and over as people change and grow.
One quote that really resonated with me was: “That was love, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just a quick drop—it was falling, over and over again, for your person. It was falling as they became new people.”
Author: Ashley Poston
Genres: Romance | Magical Realism | Contemporary | Fantasy | Time Travel
Spoiler-free review
Reading The Seven Year Slip was deeply emotional for me; I was moved to tears several times throughout the story.
"The Seven Year Slip" follows Clementine, a book publicist grieving the loss of her beloved aunt. When she moves into her aunt's magical Manhattan apartment, she discovers it can slip back seven years. There, she meets Iwan, a charming chef with dreams of his own. While the story has elements of magical realism, it leans more toward romance, with the time-slip serving as a backdrop for Clementine and Iwan's connection. As their lives intersect across time, they’re forced to confront the bittersweet magic of timing, love, and letting go.
The novel blends love, happiness, growth, and sadness, capturing the emotions Clementine, my favorite character, experiences on her journey. The apartment’s seven-year slip creates a layered story about timing, personal growth, and love. As Clementine meets Iwan and their lives become intertwined across time, I was struck by how the story explores falling in love not just once, but over and over as people change and grow.
One quote that really resonated with me was: “That was love, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just a quick drop—it was falling, over and over again, for your person. It was falling as they became new people.”
The Bodyguard
⭐ 5/5 stars
Author: Katherine Center
Genres & tropes: Romance | Contemporary | Fake Dating | Chick Lit | Rom Com | Forced Proximity
Spoiler-free review
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is my first book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it—so much so that I believe I have found a new favorite to read regularly ☺️
The story follows Hannah Brooks, a professional bodyguard hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton after he receives a stalker threat. To keep his family from worrying, Jack asks Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend while staying at his family’s ranch, leading to a delightful mix of fake dating, forced proximity, and genuine emotional connection as the two navigate their growing feelings and personal challenges.
I appreciated the author’s engaging writing style and the well-developed characters, including the secondary ones, who stand out and enrich the story.
I went through a range of emotions—feeling touched at times and upset at others (Robby!!!! 😂). I especially appreciated the humor, which made the reading experience even more delightful and left me feeling happy throughout 🤗
Author: Katherine Center
Genres & tropes: Romance | Contemporary | Fake Dating | Chick Lit | Rom Com | Forced Proximity
Spoiler-free review
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center is my first book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it—so much so that I believe I have found a new favorite to read regularly ☺️
The story follows Hannah Brooks, a professional bodyguard hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton after he receives a stalker threat. To keep his family from worrying, Jack asks Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend while staying at his family’s ranch, leading to a delightful mix of fake dating, forced proximity, and genuine emotional connection as the two navigate their growing feelings and personal challenges.
I appreciated the author’s engaging writing style and the well-developed characters, including the secondary ones, who stand out and enrich the story.
I went through a range of emotions—feeling touched at times and upset at others (Robby!!!! 😂). I especially appreciated the humor, which made the reading experience even more delightful and left me feeling happy throughout 🤗
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