Book review: EVERYTHING WE COULDN’T SAY, by Emma Scott

 

Castle Hill Academy #2

Orion & Harper

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A heartfelt, emotional romance that packs a powerful punch.  I actually read it twice in a row, to savor and enjoy all the nuances. It’s not just a love story — it’s about two young people carrying heavy expectations on their shoulders, trying to build a future that feels almost impossible. The writing is warm and emotional, and the journey is full of those quiet, tender moments that make you stop and sigh.

Harper’s strength moved me. She carries so much, yet she never stops fighting for her future, for her little brother, for the tiny pieces of hope she refuses to let go of. There’s a softness in her that made me ache — that mix of determination and vulnerability that feels so human and so brave.

And Orion… he’s the kind of hero who sneaks up on you. Gentle, gifted, hurting in ways he doesn’t know how to name. He presents to others in such a cocky way, hiding a broken boy inside. And the only one who truly sees him is Harper. There’s something so emotional about watching someone who has spent years believing he’s “less than” slowly realize he’s extraordinary. The way he looks at Harper, the way he listens, the way he tries — it’s the kind of quiet devotion that makes your chest feel warm.

Their connection is magnetic from the start, but what makes it beautiful is how they see each other, how they choose each other. Not in grand gestures, but in small, intimate moments — honesty, comfort, encouragement, the kind of love that says “I see you” when the world feels too heavy. It’s emotional and so swoony!

What stayed with me most was how the story honors resilience. It’s about surviving what should have broken you, about finding your voice, about refusing to let circumstances define your worth.

By the end, I was completely in love with these characters and the world they built together. It’s a romance that doesn’t just entertain — it touches something deep and leaves you glowing.  It’s a story about love, yes, but also about courage, healing, and becoming the person you were meant to be. A truly wonderful read.

Purchase links

https://books2read.com/EWCSes

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4uj1dVC

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. Visit www.emmascottwrites.com

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Book review: THINGS THAT BREAK US, by Michelle Heard

A beautifully devastating, tender, cathartic punch to the heart, Michelle Heard apparently wanted to give my tear ducts a strong workout.  She delivered a story that cracked me open in the best possible way. This book isn’t just emotional—it’s the kind of emotional that settles into your bones, squeezes your heart, and somehow still leaves you grateful for the ache.

Nova is the kind of heroine I always root for: bruised by life but still soft, still giving, still showing up for the people she loves even when she’s running on empty. Her loyalty to Rachel is the beating heart of this story, and watching her drop everything—literally everything—to be at her best friend’s side felt so raw and true. Their friendship is the kind of love story we don’t talk about enough.

And then there’s Easton. The best brother, all he ever did was work to give Rachel the best life. Grieving, and suddenly thrust into the kind of pain that strips a person down to their most vulnerable self. The way he leans on Nova, the way her presence steadies him, the way their connection shifts from long‑buried affection to something tender and inevitable… it’s slow-burn perfection. Not flashy. Not dramatic. Just two people finding solace in each other amidst the desolation.

Rachel’s storyline is heartbreaking, yes—but it’s also full of warmth, humor, and those tiny, luminous moments that make grief bearable. Her love for Nova and Easton and Lainie radiates through every page. Her “go out with a bang” funeral request? Somehow both devastating and delightfully her.

Lainie is a scene-stealer in the best way—a little girl crying for her mother, and me crying with her. Her bond with Nova is precious, and the cookie‑sale‑turned‑seizure scene absolutely gutted me. This book captures the way grief and joy can coexist in the same breath, the same day, the same family.

Nova and Easton’s romance is gentle, moves softly. It’s built on shared loss, shared history, and the quiet ways they take care of each other. The attraction simmers under every touch, every lingering look, every moment Easton reaches for her because she’s become his safe place. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional intimacy that makes this love story unforgettable.

By the time the proposal rolled around—cheesy, sweet, and exactly what these characters deserved—I was fully gone.

This book is for readers who want found family forged in grief, a heroine who loves with her whole heart, a hero who is not afraid to be soft, a romance that grows out of shared healing, and yes… a full box of tissues

Things That Break Us doesn’t just break you—it puts you back together with tenderness, hope, and a love story that feels like a warm hand held through the dark. Absolutely five stars!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/k5ova

About the author

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

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Book review: A THOUSAND PERFECT LIES, by Monica Murphy

A twisty, addictive dark‑academia ride, Monica Murphy absolutely surprised me with this one. I knew she could write great romance, but I didn’t expect her to deliver such a gripping, atmospheric mystery on top of it. This book hooked me from page one and never let go. It’s the kind of story where every character feels like a suspect, every conversation feels loaded, and you’re constantly second‑guessing yourself—in the best way.

Billie Vale is the beating heart of the book, and I adored her. She’s tough, vulnerable, and so deeply loyal to her baby sister that you can’t help rooting for her as she steps into a world that was never meant for her. The elite boarding school setting is deliciously tense—full of secrets, privilege, and the kind of toxic dynamics that make you want to scream warnings at the page. Murphy builds that environment so well that you feel the pressure closing in on Billie right alongside her.

And then there’s the slow‑burn connection that develops along the way… tender, aching, and exactly the emotional counterweight the story needed. It never overshadows the mystery—it enhances it.

What impressed me most is how layered the plot is. There are so many moving pieces, but they all click together in a way that feels logical. The reveals land. The tension builds. And by the end, I was fully invested not just in the truth, but in the characters’ healing.

If you love dark academia, messy secrets, complicated families, and a romance that sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely worth your time. A standout read.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4sLPBtj

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Purchase the deluxe limited edition hardcover today!

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About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

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Book review: MY BROTHER’S ENEMY, by Tijan

Tijan delivers another powerhouse of an angsty, emotionally charged romance that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go.

Rain, a sports psychologist with a complicated past, joins the Minnesota Grey Wolfs to help the team reach their full potential. Hockey isn’t just her profession—it’s her history, her heartbreak, and her hidden identity. Estranged from her brothers and father, Rain carries deep scars from a childhood where she was unseen, unloved, and ultimately cast out.

Enter Tyler Griffin—one of the top five hockey players in the league—who transfers to the Grey Wolfs to support his twin sister after a family crisis. Rain and Griff share a tangled past: she once crushed on him in high school, while his family’s tragedy intersected with hers in painful ways. Their reunion sparks immediate attraction, but also dredges up old wounds, rivalries, and secrets.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about invisible wounds. Rain’s journey is heartbreaking:

• Her father’s rejection and her brothers’ cruelty left her believing she was unworthy of love.

• Griff’s protective instincts toward his sister and niece mirror Rain’s own yearning for family.

• Mal’s revelation introduces the “invisible child syndrome,” a devastating reminder of how neglect can shape a life.

Rain’s vulnerability—her admission of contemplating ending her life—makes her eventual healing all the more powerful. With Griff’s love, Mal’s support, and the team’s loyalty, she begins to rewrite the narrative of her worth.

The hockey backdrop is more than sport—it’s the heartbeat of the novel. Rain’s strategies transform the Grey Wolfs into a cohesive unit, and her presence becomes the glue holding them together. The games against Boston and Montreal are not just battles on the ice but symbolic confrontations with her past. Facing her brothers—Dane with reconciliation, Daniel with defiance—cements Rain’s growth and her newfound strength.

Rain and Griff’s relationship is messy, passionate, and real. From almost-kisses on the rink to nights where she swears “just once” but opens the door again, their love story is threaded with vulnerability and fire. Griff’s declaration of forever—buying a house, choosing her despite his hatred of her brothers—feels like the ultimate triumph. Rain, once unseen, is finally loved, chosen, and cherished.

Tijan masterfully balances heartbreak and hope, weaving psychological depth with tender romance. The novel explores what it means to be invisible, the scars of family betrayal, and the courage it takes to believe in love again. Rain’s journey from gray hopelessness to vibrant belonging is unforgettable.

This is a story of second chances, found family, and the healing power of love—wrapped in the adrenaline of hockey and the raw intensity of Tijan’s signature angst.

Purchase links

Amazon: http://bit.ly/46veizZ

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/npXY05 

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited

Paperback

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Hardcover 

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4n6KDmX

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Audiobook: https://bit.ly/47zFYWj 

Narrated by @offmicandi & @tor_thom

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/46GYzPz

About the author

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable

novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of

sass on the side. Tijan began writing after college and once she started, she was hooked.

She's written multi-bestsellers including the Fallen Crest series, Ryan's Bed, Enemies

and others.

She is currently writing many new books and series with an English Cocker she

adores.

Connect with Tijan

Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4851199.Tijan

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