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Bella Heartwood Book Reviews
š 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! šāØ
Hot for Slayer
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Rating: 3.75/5 stars āļø
Narrators: Nina Yndis and Maxim Reston
Audiobook spoiler-free review š§
Iām a fan of Ali Hazelwoodās writing, and so far every book Iāve read by her has been a five-star experience for me. Because of that, I went into this novellaās audiobook expecting something similarābut unfortunately, it didnāt quite land for me.
Hot For Slayer follows a centuries-old vampire named Ethel (short for Aethelthryth) and her sworn enemy, vampire slayer Lazlo Enyedi. When Lazlo suddenly loses all memory of who he is and what his mission has been, he ends up relying on Ethelāopening the door to unexpected humor, forced proximity, and the possibility of something more between them (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241192694-hot-for-slayer)
There were definitely funny moments, and I enjoyed parts of the storyline as well as the two main characters, Ethel and Lazlo. However, I didnāt fully connect with their romance, if Iām being honest. I think my main issue is that while the novella is short, fun, and easy to get through, it might actually be too short. The length didnāt give the love story enough room to breathe, which made it hard for me to truly root for the relationship.
The premise itself is great and had a lot of potential. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope (itās actually my favorite), and paranormal romance is a big yes for me. That said, I didnāt particularly care for the ālosing memoryā aspect of the storyākey to the plotāeven though it adds to the setup.
I also have to mention that the main male characterās narration wasnāt my favorite. Iām not sure if it was the accentāwhich I understand makes sense within the context of the storyāor something else I canāt quite pinpoint, but it didnāt fully work for me.
Overall, I think this is a fun and enjoyable novella, especially for listeners who are looking for a quick paranormal romance audiobook.
While it didnāt fully resonate with me, Hot For Slayer may still be a great pick for romance fans who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, amnesia tropes, and paranormal audio reads that are light, quick, and entertaining.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars āļø
Narrators: Nina Yndis and Maxim Reston
Audiobook spoiler-free review š§
Iām a fan of Ali Hazelwoodās writing, and so far every book Iāve read by her has been a five-star experience for me. Because of that, I went into this novellaās audiobook expecting something similarābut unfortunately, it didnāt quite land for me.
Hot For Slayer follows a centuries-old vampire named Ethel (short for Aethelthryth) and her sworn enemy, vampire slayer Lazlo Enyedi. When Lazlo suddenly loses all memory of who he is and what his mission has been, he ends up relying on Ethelāopening the door to unexpected humor, forced proximity, and the possibility of something more between them (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241192694-hot-for-slayer)
There were definitely funny moments, and I enjoyed parts of the storyline as well as the two main characters, Ethel and Lazlo. However, I didnāt fully connect with their romance, if Iām being honest. I think my main issue is that while the novella is short, fun, and easy to get through, it might actually be too short. The length didnāt give the love story enough room to breathe, which made it hard for me to truly root for the relationship.
The premise itself is great and had a lot of potential. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope (itās actually my favorite), and paranormal romance is a big yes for me. That said, I didnāt particularly care for the ālosing memoryā aspect of the storyākey to the plotāeven though it adds to the setup.
I also have to mention that the main male characterās narration wasnāt my favorite. Iām not sure if it was the accentāwhich I understand makes sense within the context of the storyāor something else I canāt quite pinpoint, but it didnāt fully work for me.
Overall, I think this is a fun and enjoyable novella, especially for listeners who are looking for a quick paranormal romance audiobook.
While it didnāt fully resonate with me, Hot For Slayer may still be a great pick for romance fans who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, amnesia tropes, and paranormal audio reads that are light, quick, and entertaining.
The Swan's Daughter
ā 5/5 stars
The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
Release date: January 6, 2026
Genre: RomanceĀ |Ā Sci Fi & FantasyĀ |Ā Teens & YA
Wow! What a fantastic journey this book was ā one that will linger with me for a long time.
The Swanās Daughter is a whimsical, magical, and richly imaginative YA fantasy that brings its world to life with vivid detail. From buildings that seem to breathe to characters shaped by powerful ancestral legacies, I was blown away by how much depth and wonder there was on the page.
I thoroughly enjoyed Demelza as the main character. Sheās a veritas swan and the daughter of a powerful and arguably evil sorcerer. Life has put her on a different path than her sisters, leading her to believe she has a ālesser purposeā because of how she was born. Sheās incredibly intelligent and capable, but thereās something key she feels she is missing ā until the story proves otherwise.
Demelza is forced to escape the only home sheās ever known, Hush Manor, and seek protection in Rathe Castle, the one place where her father cannot reach her. There, we meet Prince Arris, a sweet and earnest character dealing with a fate that feels predetermined and heartbreaking. He longs for true, lasting love, unlike what history has carved out for him.
The tournament to determine the princeās bride introduces a cast of secondary characters with unique personalities and motivations. Through this, Demelza and Arris enter a mutual agreement that takes them both on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and quiet courage. The romance between them is gentle and slow to build, but it works beautifully within the story. For me, it wasnāt the central focus ā their internal journeys and the way they shape each other are what truly shine.
I have to admit, when I first started reading, I was a bit confused. I blame this partly on beginning the book while juggling several others, and partly on adjusting to Chokshiās writing style, which is different from what I typically read. Once I returned to it with more focus, I became absolutely hooked. The lyrical, almost poetic prose and the immersive worldbuilding became highlights, and the book turned into a true page-turner for me.
Beyond the fantasy elements, I found the exploration of themes incredibly wholesome and meaningful: parenthood, love, adulthood, uncertainty, vulnerability, choice, and understanding oneself and others. These are handled with nuance and care, and they stay with you long after reading.
Overall, Iām giving this book 5 stars because I think it is an exquisite, imaginative work that deserves to be experienced with attention and presence. I donāt think itās a book for everyone ā especially if you prefer fast pacing or straightforward prose ā but I highly recommend giving it a try, particularly if you enjoy lyrical YA fantasy with emotional depth and a gentle romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books), and Roshani Chokshi for the advance copy. I received an eARC, and all opinions are my own.
The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
Release date: January 6, 2026
Genre: RomanceĀ |Ā Sci Fi & FantasyĀ |Ā Teens & YA
Wow! What a fantastic journey this book was ā one that will linger with me for a long time.
The Swanās Daughter is a whimsical, magical, and richly imaginative YA fantasy that brings its world to life with vivid detail. From buildings that seem to breathe to characters shaped by powerful ancestral legacies, I was blown away by how much depth and wonder there was on the page.
I thoroughly enjoyed Demelza as the main character. Sheās a veritas swan and the daughter of a powerful and arguably evil sorcerer. Life has put her on a different path than her sisters, leading her to believe she has a ālesser purposeā because of how she was born. Sheās incredibly intelligent and capable, but thereās something key she feels she is missing ā until the story proves otherwise.
Demelza is forced to escape the only home sheās ever known, Hush Manor, and seek protection in Rathe Castle, the one place where her father cannot reach her. There, we meet Prince Arris, a sweet and earnest character dealing with a fate that feels predetermined and heartbreaking. He longs for true, lasting love, unlike what history has carved out for him.
The tournament to determine the princeās bride introduces a cast of secondary characters with unique personalities and motivations. Through this, Demelza and Arris enter a mutual agreement that takes them both on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and quiet courage. The romance between them is gentle and slow to build, but it works beautifully within the story. For me, it wasnāt the central focus ā their internal journeys and the way they shape each other are what truly shine.
I have to admit, when I first started reading, I was a bit confused. I blame this partly on beginning the book while juggling several others, and partly on adjusting to Chokshiās writing style, which is different from what I typically read. Once I returned to it with more focus, I became absolutely hooked. The lyrical, almost poetic prose and the immersive worldbuilding became highlights, and the book turned into a true page-turner for me.
Beyond the fantasy elements, I found the exploration of themes incredibly wholesome and meaningful: parenthood, love, adulthood, uncertainty, vulnerability, choice, and understanding oneself and others. These are handled with nuance and care, and they stay with you long after reading.
Overall, Iām giving this book 5 stars because I think it is an exquisite, imaginative work that deserves to be experienced with attention and presence. I donāt think itās a book for everyone ā especially if you prefer fast pacing or straightforward prose ā but I highly recommend giving it a try, particularly if you enjoy lyrical YA fantasy with emotional depth and a gentle romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books), and Roshani Chokshi for the advance copy. I received an eARC, and all opinions are my own.
Assistant to the Villain
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Narrator: Em Eldridge
Rating: 5/5 āļø
Audiobook spoiler-free review š§
When I decided to listen to Assistant to the Villain, I had seen this book everywhere online, but honestly didnāt know much about it beyond the hype. Oh boy, am I glad I finally gave it a chanceāand even happier that I chose the audiobook format. This ended up being the first audiobook Iāve completed in a long time, if not ever, and it absolutely reignited my love for listening to stories.
Evie Sage had just lost her job after an undesirable situation that she, thank goodness, got out of, but she couldnāt afford not to have a job. Her father and sister needed her. After certain sad and tragic situations happened in the past, Evie found herself as the main provider for her family. So, naturally, when she happened to cross paths with Rennedawnās most infamous Villain and he offered her a job as his assistant, she had to accept. Even if the job itself was questionable and there was risk embedded with associating herself with the Villain.
As months go by with Evie working as the Villainās assistant, something sketchy starts happening at her job where someone is clearly trying to sabotage her boss and everything heās built, and people at the castle can feel the tension. So Evie and the Villain work together to find out who the culprit is. All of this while Evie develops a possibly inconvenient and unexpected crush on her boss ā yes, the same man who is mean and evil and supposedly without a heart?
The story itself is wonderful, suspenseful, fun, chaotic in the best way possible, sad, and so much more, and the beautifully done narration by Em Eldridge adds another layer of excellence to the story.
There is blood and murder and questionable job assignments, but nothing too graphic or gruesome, incredible character growth, brilliantly written secondary characters, fun and joy and feelings developed but secret, and the best part? Plot twists that you donāt see coming (at least I didnāt) and they work wonderfully.
I loved this audiobook so much that Iām planning to get my hands on a physical copy for my shelves, and Iāll definitely be reading the other books in the series. I canāt wait to dive back into Evieās world and see what comes next.
Genres: Fantasy | Romance | Romantasy | Fiction | Magic
Narrator: Em Eldridge
Rating: 5/5 āļø
Audiobook spoiler-free review š§
When I decided to listen to Assistant to the Villain, I had seen this book everywhere online, but honestly didnāt know much about it beyond the hype. Oh boy, am I glad I finally gave it a chanceāand even happier that I chose the audiobook format. This ended up being the first audiobook Iāve completed in a long time, if not ever, and it absolutely reignited my love for listening to stories.
Evie Sage had just lost her job after an undesirable situation that she, thank goodness, got out of, but she couldnāt afford not to have a job. Her father and sister needed her. After certain sad and tragic situations happened in the past, Evie found herself as the main provider for her family. So, naturally, when she happened to cross paths with Rennedawnās most infamous Villain and he offered her a job as his assistant, she had to accept. Even if the job itself was questionable and there was risk embedded with associating herself with the Villain.
As months go by with Evie working as the Villainās assistant, something sketchy starts happening at her job where someone is clearly trying to sabotage her boss and everything heās built, and people at the castle can feel the tension. So Evie and the Villain work together to find out who the culprit is. All of this while Evie develops a possibly inconvenient and unexpected crush on her boss ā yes, the same man who is mean and evil and supposedly without a heart?
The story itself is wonderful, suspenseful, fun, chaotic in the best way possible, sad, and so much more, and the beautifully done narration by Em Eldridge adds another layer of excellence to the story.
There is blood and murder and questionable job assignments, but nothing too graphic or gruesome, incredible character growth, brilliantly written secondary characters, fun and joy and feelings developed but secret, and the best part? Plot twists that you donāt see coming (at least I didnāt) and they work wonderfully.
I loved this audiobook so much that Iām planning to get my hands on a physical copy for my shelves, and Iāll definitely be reading the other books in the series. I canāt wait to dive back into Evieās world and see what comes next.
Genres: Fantasy | Romance | Romantasy | Fiction | Magic
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