Book Review: Open
April 15, 2026
This autobiography dragged me in from the first page – a tennis star who deeply hates tennis & always has? Sign me up!
Isabelle’s English Lit degree and Masters in Creative Writing has led her to read widely, taking an interest in an eclectic mix of genres: queer books of every flavour, Young Adult Horror, short story collections, Adult Romantasy, and the occasional biography, contemporary romance, chick-lit and historical fiction.
This autobiography dragged me in from the first page – a tennis star who deeply hates tennis & always has? Sign me up!
Read this if you enjoy the marriage of convenience trope, confident characters with larger than life careers, and light spice.
The slow, exploratory narrative follows a strange young woman who seeks freedom from her restrictive society, even if she must uncover fae secrets.
In Brontë’s world, unfiltered and extravagant behaviour fuelled by high emotions has brothers and sisters constantly crossing each other.
Would recommend to anyone who feels lost financially and wants a road map – and a few laughs along the way.
A sweet, slow, contemporary romance. A must read if you enjoy strong, sensitive MMCs and bubbly FMCs who struggle to open up.
The only cookbook I’ve read cover to cover! Corry’s fun, conversational writing makes this cookbook a delight to read.
The plot was engaging, the romance had me super invested, and the world-building was great! I’ll definitely be reading the sequel.
A must-read if you enjoy historical fiction that explores social issues with lush prose and charming, realistic characters.
this is a slow burn between two rivals who are forced to work together after they become each other’s alibis for a murder.
This book is so much fun! If you like Romantasy, Enemies To Lovers, fae MMCs and sizzling sexual tension, you’ll love Filthy Rich Fae.
I read this several years ago and I still think about it to this day – they should teach this collection in short story writing courses!
A sweet taste-test that had me reaching for the first full-length book in this series as soon as I finished it.
Sometimes you just want to read a romance where a human princess tries to murder her vampire husband on their wedding night, you know?
Magical secret societies are fun, but the driving force of this book is the relationship that takes place between the three main characters.
I was charmed as hell by this vampiric Romantasy which manages to pack so much intrigue, romance and magic into such a tiny book.
These two were an A+ power couple. A truly satisfying end to this bloody, dramatic duology.
The main characters are interesting narrative parallels, both of them powerless and willing to do anything to change that.
I loved diving back into this rich fantasy world. Torj and Wren are my favourite fantasy romance couple, whether they’re together or apart.
I love the slow-burn quality of Broadbent’s romances, they’re so full of yearning, understanding and eventual respect