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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! 📚✨
The Midnight Book Club
Author: E. W. Andersen
Spoiler-free review
Aurelia always knew she would one day take over her Aunt Marigold’s bookshop — but she never expected it to happen before she was ready, while still grappling with her own internal struggles. Not long after she moves into the flat above the shop, strange voices begin to appear at night. At first, we don’t know if they’re real or imagined — or why Aurelia is hearing them. Then we discover that the voices belong to characters who could have stepped straight out of the pages of classic novels.
Aurelia is, for me, the perfect main female character for this type of story. Her development and growth are wonderful to experience. I found myself rooting for her from the beginning, hoping she’d find her way to making the shop her own — and rediscover her passion for writing. She’s always loved books and enjoyed helping her aunt, but life doesn’t always wait for us, does it? That’s exactly what happened to Aurelia.
When she inherits the bookshop, we see a young woman struggling to find joy, holding back tears as memories flood in. But as the story progresses — and as Aurelia interacts more and more with the fictional characters who appear at night — she begins to open herself up to a brighter future. Her grief slowly transforms into healing, and she starts to navigate life with a new sense of hope.
The magical premise of this book took me on a journey I didn’t expect at all. Not because there weren’t some familiar, comforting elements, but because Aurelia’s healing and rediscovery of herself felt so genuine and moving. There’s romance here too — beautifully tied to Aurelia’s inner journey in a seamless and heartfelt way that I absolutely loved.
As an aspiring author myself, I found Aurelia’s writing journey especially inspiring.
This is a book that I believe will stay with me for a long time.
⭐ 5/5 stars
🗓️ Release date: November 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and author E. W. Andersen for allowing me to read this wonderful story. I received an advance copy, and all comments are part of my honest review.
Genres: Fantasy | Romance | Women’s Fiction | Cozy Fiction | Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Spoiler-free review
Aurelia always knew she would one day take over her Aunt Marigold’s bookshop — but she never expected it to happen before she was ready, while still grappling with her own internal struggles. Not long after she moves into the flat above the shop, strange voices begin to appear at night. At first, we don’t know if they’re real or imagined — or why Aurelia is hearing them. Then we discover that the voices belong to characters who could have stepped straight out of the pages of classic novels.
Aurelia is, for me, the perfect main female character for this type of story. Her development and growth are wonderful to experience. I found myself rooting for her from the beginning, hoping she’d find her way to making the shop her own — and rediscover her passion for writing. She’s always loved books and enjoyed helping her aunt, but life doesn’t always wait for us, does it? That’s exactly what happened to Aurelia.
When she inherits the bookshop, we see a young woman struggling to find joy, holding back tears as memories flood in. But as the story progresses — and as Aurelia interacts more and more with the fictional characters who appear at night — she begins to open herself up to a brighter future. Her grief slowly transforms into healing, and she starts to navigate life with a new sense of hope.
The magical premise of this book took me on a journey I didn’t expect at all. Not because there weren’t some familiar, comforting elements, but because Aurelia’s healing and rediscovery of herself felt so genuine and moving. There’s romance here too — beautifully tied to Aurelia’s inner journey in a seamless and heartfelt way that I absolutely loved.
As an aspiring author myself, I found Aurelia’s writing journey especially inspiring.
This is a book that I believe will stay with me for a long time.
⭐ 5/5 stars
🗓️ Release date: November 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and author E. W. Andersen for allowing me to read this wonderful story. I received an advance copy, and all comments are part of my honest review.
Genres: Fantasy | Romance | Women’s Fiction | Cozy Fiction | Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Mind Reader
Author: Mimika Cooney
Release date: October 21st, 2025
Mind Reader is a love story with depth, character growth, and lasting messages. It’s a clean romance (no spice, just a few kisses) that follows two main characters, Clio and Dillon — both strong, complex individuals with troubled pasts — as they learn that happiness is possible and that needing someone doesn’t make you weak. On the contrary, it shows real strength, even when things get messy.
I really enjoyed their love story, and the character development is clear and wonderfully done. I also loved them together — their chemistry felt genuine, and their relationship grew in a way that felt both emotional and believable. That said, I didn’t always feel fully connected with them individually, especially Clio. There were also a few moments where the writing felt slightly repetitive to me as a reader. These small things are why Mind Reader is a 4 ⭐️ read for me, though I know that’s more about personal connection than the story itself. Both Clio and Dillon are beautifully written characters that many readers will likely connect with on a deeper level.
Tropes & Themes:
* Enemies to lovers
* Office romance
* Opposites attract
* Emotional walls
* Workplace tension
* Redemption through love
Mind Reader is the first book in the Sensibility Series, and I’m excited for the rest — especially Supernova (book three), where we get to know more about Tia (Clio’s sister)! Each book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading them in order for the best experience.
I received an ARC of this book as part of the author’s review team, and this is my honest opinion.
Release date: October 21st, 2025
Mind Reader is a love story with depth, character growth, and lasting messages. It’s a clean romance (no spice, just a few kisses) that follows two main characters, Clio and Dillon — both strong, complex individuals with troubled pasts — as they learn that happiness is possible and that needing someone doesn’t make you weak. On the contrary, it shows real strength, even when things get messy.
I really enjoyed their love story, and the character development is clear and wonderfully done. I also loved them together — their chemistry felt genuine, and their relationship grew in a way that felt both emotional and believable. That said, I didn’t always feel fully connected with them individually, especially Clio. There were also a few moments where the writing felt slightly repetitive to me as a reader. These small things are why Mind Reader is a 4 ⭐️ read for me, though I know that’s more about personal connection than the story itself. Both Clio and Dillon are beautifully written characters that many readers will likely connect with on a deeper level.
Tropes & Themes:
* Enemies to lovers
* Office romance
* Opposites attract
* Emotional walls
* Workplace tension
* Redemption through love
Mind Reader is the first book in the Sensibility Series, and I’m excited for the rest — especially Supernova (book three), where we get to know more about Tia (Clio’s sister)! Each book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading them in order for the best experience.
I received an ARC of this book as part of the author’s review team, and this is my honest opinion.
Stranded In Chianti: A Spicy Italian Romantic Comedy Novel
Author: Sierra Maxwell
Stranded in Chianti was such a fun and entertaining read, and absolutely a page-turner.
I was lucky enough to read the novella version over the summer, which I really enjoyed, so I was curious to see how the expanded version would build on it. I was delighted when Sierra Maxwell asked if I’d like an early copy. Having now read both, I can say with confidence that the character development and plot arcs are even stronger here. The added depth gives the story more room to breathe without losing any of its charm.
This novel strikes a great balance between romance, humor, and slow-burn tension, all set against the peaceful backdrop of Chianti, Italy. I loved how the setting wasn’t just background but part of the story’s mood: golden hills, rustic vineyards, and the quiet rhythm of small-town life. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the main characters, Evie and Luca. Evie’s energy and unpredictability might feel like “a lot” for some readers, but I found her hilarious—she’s the kind of person who lights up a room. Luca, on the other hand, values peace, quiet, and routine, yet comes to realize that grumpiness and predictability aren’t enough if he wants real happiness. Watching both of them grow into versions of themselves that made space for love felt very satisfying.
The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars is that in some instances, the “comfortable silences” between Evie and Luca—where neither says out loud what we all know they’re feeling—stretched a little long for me. I would have liked them to reach the “we like each other” stage just a touch sooner. That said, the way things unfolded still felt true to who they are as characters.
Overall, Stranded in Chianti is a witty, heartfelt romance full of humor, atmosphere, and just the right amount of steam. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to pack your bags for Italy, pour a glass of wine, and stay up late turning the pages. Highly recommended for readers who love slow-burn romance with charm and personality.
Note: While I initially received an advance copy, I ended up buying the released version and reading most of it that way. For this reason, I’m not marking this as an ARC review.
Stranded in Chianti was such a fun and entertaining read, and absolutely a page-turner.
I was lucky enough to read the novella version over the summer, which I really enjoyed, so I was curious to see how the expanded version would build on it. I was delighted when Sierra Maxwell asked if I’d like an early copy. Having now read both, I can say with confidence that the character development and plot arcs are even stronger here. The added depth gives the story more room to breathe without losing any of its charm.
This novel strikes a great balance between romance, humor, and slow-burn tension, all set against the peaceful backdrop of Chianti, Italy. I loved how the setting wasn’t just background but part of the story’s mood: golden hills, rustic vineyards, and the quiet rhythm of small-town life. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the main characters, Evie and Luca. Evie’s energy and unpredictability might feel like “a lot” for some readers, but I found her hilarious—she’s the kind of person who lights up a room. Luca, on the other hand, values peace, quiet, and routine, yet comes to realize that grumpiness and predictability aren’t enough if he wants real happiness. Watching both of them grow into versions of themselves that made space for love felt very satisfying.
The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars is that in some instances, the “comfortable silences” between Evie and Luca—where neither says out loud what we all know they’re feeling—stretched a little long for me. I would have liked them to reach the “we like each other” stage just a touch sooner. That said, the way things unfolded still felt true to who they are as characters.
Overall, Stranded in Chianti is a witty, heartfelt romance full of humor, atmosphere, and just the right amount of steam. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to pack your bags for Italy, pour a glass of wine, and stay up late turning the pages. Highly recommended for readers who love slow-burn romance with charm and personality.
Note: While I initially received an advance copy, I ended up buying the released version and reading most of it that way. For this reason, I’m not marking this as an ARC review.
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