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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! 📚✨
Butcher & Blackbird
Author: Brynne Weaver - Spoiler-Free Review 🙂
⚠️ Please review content warnings before reading this book.
Where do I even start? This book was absolutely EVERYTHING and more. It has banter, witty interactions, steamy moments, and bloody parts — all balanced perfectly (in my opinion). Not only is the book incredible, but reading it alongside two of my book besties made the experience even better 🤗
Sloane — a serial killer known as The Orb Weaver — and Rowan — also a notorious serial killer — meet early in the story, and their connection is immediate. Throughout the book, we follow their relationship as it evolves: beginning with an annual high-stakes competition and slowly turning into something deeper. Along the way, we get bits of backstory sprinkled throughout, enough to deepen our understanding of both characters and what shaped them.
Sloane and Rowan’s interactions are hilarious, teasing, and at times… spicy 🌶️. There are explicit, steamy scenes — and I was completely here for it. They’re perfect together, with distinct voices and personalities that make it impossible not to root for them. We also meet Lark, Sloane’s best friend (an absolute standout!), and Rowan’s brothers, Lachlan and Fionn, who complement Rowan and add richness to the story.
📚 Tropes & Vibes:
🩸 Dark Romance / Dark Humor
🎯 Serial Killer Main Characters
😏 Banter + Witty Interactions
🌶️ Spicy / Explicit Scenes
🫀 Enemies-to-Lovers Vibes with a Twist
🤝 Slow-Build Connection
🌟 Fantastic Side Characters
I would give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and more!) if I could. This was my first dark romance book and I couldn’t be happier ❤️
⚠️ Please review content warnings before reading this book.
Where do I even start? This book was absolutely EVERYTHING and more. It has banter, witty interactions, steamy moments, and bloody parts — all balanced perfectly (in my opinion). Not only is the book incredible, but reading it alongside two of my book besties made the experience even better 🤗
Sloane — a serial killer known as The Orb Weaver — and Rowan — also a notorious serial killer — meet early in the story, and their connection is immediate. Throughout the book, we follow their relationship as it evolves: beginning with an annual high-stakes competition and slowly turning into something deeper. Along the way, we get bits of backstory sprinkled throughout, enough to deepen our understanding of both characters and what shaped them.
Sloane and Rowan’s interactions are hilarious, teasing, and at times… spicy 🌶️. There are explicit, steamy scenes — and I was completely here for it. They’re perfect together, with distinct voices and personalities that make it impossible not to root for them. We also meet Lark, Sloane’s best friend (an absolute standout!), and Rowan’s brothers, Lachlan and Fionn, who complement Rowan and add richness to the story.
📚 Tropes & Vibes:
🩸 Dark Romance / Dark Humor
🎯 Serial Killer Main Characters
😏 Banter + Witty Interactions
🌶️ Spicy / Explicit Scenes
🫀 Enemies-to-Lovers Vibes with a Twist
🤝 Slow-Build Connection
🌟 Fantastic Side Characters
I would give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and more!) if I could. This was my first dark romance book and I couldn’t be happier ❤️
Love & Gelato
Author: Jenna Evans Welch - ⚠️ Possible minor spoilers
This book was wholesome, fun, and full of everything I love about Italy. As of now, it’s my favorite book by far ❤️
Lina, a 16-year-old, has her life turned upside down when her mom passes away. Her mom’s dying wish is for Lina to move to Italy for the summer to live with her dad — a dad who had never once been mentioned in her life. Convinced by her grandmother, and determined to honor her mom’s wish, Lina heads to Tuscany to live with Howard.
While there, Lina meets Ren, and they instantly click. They both feel comfortable around each other and free to be themselves. Their summer quickly fills with adventure after Sonia, who once knew Lina’s mom, gives Lina her mother’s old journal that had been kept at the cemetery where Howard works. Following the journal’s entries, Lina and Ren visit the places her mom had explored years earlier. Along the way, Lina uncovers pieces of her mom’s past, her own story, and develops a deepening bond with Ren — and also begins forming a heartfelt, father-daughter connection with Howard.
Love & Gelato is a lovable and memorable story — exciting and fun, yet bittersweet at times as it explores Lina’s grief and her journey of self-discovery. The setting is beautiful, bringing Florence and Tuscany to life through words and imagination. Every character felt purposeful and well-written.
Each story I read impacts me as a reader, but Love & Gelato goes beyond that. It’s a book that will stay with me forever. I loved it so much! 🥹❤️
Recommended for fans of heartfelt teen stories, travel romances, and anyone who loves books set in Italy.
This book was wholesome, fun, and full of everything I love about Italy. As of now, it’s my favorite book by far ❤️
Lina, a 16-year-old, has her life turned upside down when her mom passes away. Her mom’s dying wish is for Lina to move to Italy for the summer to live with her dad — a dad who had never once been mentioned in her life. Convinced by her grandmother, and determined to honor her mom’s wish, Lina heads to Tuscany to live with Howard.
While there, Lina meets Ren, and they instantly click. They both feel comfortable around each other and free to be themselves. Their summer quickly fills with adventure after Sonia, who once knew Lina’s mom, gives Lina her mother’s old journal that had been kept at the cemetery where Howard works. Following the journal’s entries, Lina and Ren visit the places her mom had explored years earlier. Along the way, Lina uncovers pieces of her mom’s past, her own story, and develops a deepening bond with Ren — and also begins forming a heartfelt, father-daughter connection with Howard.
Love & Gelato is a lovable and memorable story — exciting and fun, yet bittersweet at times as it explores Lina’s grief and her journey of self-discovery. The setting is beautiful, bringing Florence and Tuscany to life through words and imagination. Every character felt purposeful and well-written.
Each story I read impacts me as a reader, but Love & Gelato goes beyond that. It’s a book that will stay with me forever. I loved it so much! 🥹❤️
Recommended for fans of heartfelt teen stories, travel romances, and anyone who loves books set in Italy.
When in Rome
Author: Sarah Adams
Amelia Rose — better known as pop star Rae Rose — finds herself at a low point and decides she needs a break. Inspired by her love of Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday, she heads to Rome … Kentucky. Fate intervenes when her car breaks down in front of Noah’s house. Despite his initial reluctance, Noah agrees to let Amelia stay while her car is being repaired. Both carry fears and traumas from their past, and their time together in the small, cozy town helps them discover an unexpected connection.
Of course, how could a small-town pie shop owner and a world-famous pop star possibly make a romantic relationship work? When in Rome does a wonderful job navigating Noah and Amelia’s journey — from strangers and reluctant housemates to friends to something more (no spoilers here!). Their interactions are fun, honest, and flirty, and they develop a unique bond where they can truly be vulnerable with each other.
I really liked both Noah and Amelia’s characters. Their growth felt authentic and noticeable, and I especially enjoyed their chemistry and evolving connection. The secondary characters also shine, playing key roles in helping Noah and Amelia imagine what they could be if they let themselves.
The story flows nicely and has a good pace overall, but I sometimes wished they’d “go for it” sooner — that’s the main reason I rated this four stars instead of five. While the plot is somewhat predictable, I didn’t mind that at all; the charm lies in how the story unfolds.
I definitely recommend When in Rome to anyone who enjoys small-town romance with heart and humor — and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series, Practice Makes Perfect.
Amelia Rose — better known as pop star Rae Rose — finds herself at a low point and decides she needs a break. Inspired by her love of Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday, she heads to Rome … Kentucky. Fate intervenes when her car breaks down in front of Noah’s house. Despite his initial reluctance, Noah agrees to let Amelia stay while her car is being repaired. Both carry fears and traumas from their past, and their time together in the small, cozy town helps them discover an unexpected connection.
Of course, how could a small-town pie shop owner and a world-famous pop star possibly make a romantic relationship work? When in Rome does a wonderful job navigating Noah and Amelia’s journey — from strangers and reluctant housemates to friends to something more (no spoilers here!). Their interactions are fun, honest, and flirty, and they develop a unique bond where they can truly be vulnerable with each other.
I really liked both Noah and Amelia’s characters. Their growth felt authentic and noticeable, and I especially enjoyed their chemistry and evolving connection. The secondary characters also shine, playing key roles in helping Noah and Amelia imagine what they could be if they let themselves.
The story flows nicely and has a good pace overall, but I sometimes wished they’d “go for it” sooner — that’s the main reason I rated this four stars instead of five. While the plot is somewhat predictable, I didn’t mind that at all; the charm lies in how the story unfolds.
I definitely recommend When in Rome to anyone who enjoys small-town romance with heart and humor — and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series, Practice Makes Perfect.
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