Babel's Updates en-US Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:42:46 -0700 60 Babel's Updates 144 41 https://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review8941842435 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:42:46 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel added 'Fifth Avenue Flirt']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8941842435 Fifth Avenue Flirt by Louise Bay Babel has read Fifth Avenue Flirt (The Manhattan Billionaires Book 2) by Louise Bay
bookshelves: steamy, romance, new-york, plot-twist, family, friendship, cool-jobs, hotel, character-evolution
Hot start, this one. This couple-to-be share an explosive chemistry from night one. And so flirty!

There is this fun pull between Avril and Ben. He's supposed to be a charming master of the masses yet he encounters the most challenging woman who breaks all his expectations. The plot from there is delightfully lively, unexpected and surprisingly intimate.

Once I picked up this book, I devoured it. The story is so easy to read because the narrative feels natural and engaging.

The characters are great. They're very different from me but I wanted to know them. Their issues and longings are relatable, the way they face them and evolve is what makes them human and also interesting.

The romance is hot and fun, yet the relationship also has meaningful depth. I liked the fact that they question things. For example, how Ben is living his life and in terms of connection, or how Avril needs to prove something to herself. I also find it very interesting when the characters are at work, I think it's because they're driven and their jobs are cool ;-)

Ben's arc is thorough and fulfilling. I loved the chats with his brother. However, I thought that Avril's resolution of her conflict wasn't as pronounced and it was resolved in an underwhelming way. I understood her choice but it didn't resonate as much with me.

As a whole, it's highly engaging, hot, meaningful and a pleasure to hang out with all the characters.
]]> Review8883868930 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:22:02 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel added 'Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8883868930 Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours by Enola M. Douglas Babel has read Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours (Mystic Misfits Book 1) by Enola M. Douglas
bookshelves: fantasy, romance, cosy-fantasy, cosy-paranormal, found-family, strong-heroine, demons, social-status, class-gap, sacrifice, ghost, paranormal, food, bakery, sweet-romance, good-characters, good-plot, good-writing-style
I couldn't resist the temptation of the cover. Naturally, I had to know what this book was about. A pining demon? A magical baker? Sweet treats and a cat and a fantasy town with hidden agendas? Excuse me while I devour it all at once :-D

Then I started actually reading it. I melted like a marshmallow.

The narrative is beautifully sensitive and insightful. You won't believe how delicate yet emotional the relationship between the main characters feels. It's also about things I absolutely love. Tea time, food, magically written messages, a hierarchied society with demons and witches and balls and haunted houses and plotting aristocrats. Paradise.

My inner self was there while all the characters were fleshed out for my pleasure. I immediately fell in love with the band of friends and their unique personalities. I really want to read their own stories, they are bound to be so special. The worldbuilding is exciting and better yet it's part of the scenes where characters act and things happen. It feels the more real for that.

It's curious to see the way magic and technology weave themselves into this society of casts, power and bloodlines.

A pact is sealed to bring this unparalleled couple together in a tiered plot of secrets, magic, delicious food and lovely romance. It is full of warmth and enchanting imagination. Utterly romantic, too, and written in an enamoured prose.

I truly enjoyed the writing. It is obvious the author knows her words and has a gift to put them in the loveliest ways. Has an eye for detail too. I could smell and hear and feel the atmosphere. Not only that, but the feelings and reactions from the characters as well. Very vivid. One little thing though. Couldn't the teachers have a name? Everyone else did :-D Oh, the cat is one of my favourite characters too.

It's like Ghostbusters befriended a gothic romance infused with tea, found family, mystery and comforting magic. I approve. I am all in for the next story.
]]> Review8923020767 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 03:34:54 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel added 'Motion to Dismiss']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8923020767 Motion to Dismiss by Whitney G. Babel gave 5 stars to Motion to Dismiss (Verdict Trilogy #3) by Whitney G.
bookshelves: trilogy, novella, legal-matters, crime, mystery, romance, erotic, secrets
What a fantastic plot. This final installment in the Verdict trilogy is intense, romantic and gripping. Miss Whitney at her best!

I loved the tension that cuts through the whole story. The stakes are high and dangerous. The secret behind the legal cases and how it's narrated feel like the best kind of thriller. And the evil that permeates the events and the characters is matched by Scarlett and Jameson's evolution in terms of the decisions they make and the way those impact their relationship.

I really loved how they couldn't forget each other. What Scarlett did to help Jameson was superb, and his redemption arc is magnificent.

Great trilogy and finale. 5 stars. ]]> Rating1014840134 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 03:26:36 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel Td liked a review]]> https://www.goodreads.com/
Babel liked Amarie Fernández's review of Una dama independiente (Los desamparados de Devon, #2):
Una dama independiente by Mimi Matthews
"Precioso viaje de Inglaterra a la India ❤️ Lo he disfrutado muchísimo por lo bien documentado que está TODO el trayecto!! Pero es que el viaje no ha sido solo el desplazamiento de los personajes a través de los países y continentes, el ROMANCE es otro viaje increíble a fuego lento, dulce, cálido, muy sensible y delicado. Me ha parecido precioso.

Tengo comprobado que cuando un Clean Romance está bien llevado se lleva de calle cualquier libro de Romance Spicy, que al final las escenas son excusas y pretextos para acabar narrado las 3 o 4 escenas picantonas que tenía pensada el autor/a.

Aquí otro claro ejemplo de que menos es más. Más romance, más emoción, pasión... en definitiva... más amor."
]]> UserChallenge67101633 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:05:17 -0700 <![CDATA[ Babel has challenged herself to read 60 books in 2026. ]]> https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4993628-babel 11680
She has read 52 books toward her goal of 60 books.
 
52 of 60 (87%)
Create your own 2026 Reading Challenge » ]]> Review8145636719 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:44:37 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel added 'Ember and Ash']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8145636719 Ember and Ash by Lisa Renee Jones Babel gave 4 stars to Ember and Ash (Thorne Saga, #1) by Lisa Renee Jones
bookshelves: to-read, paranormal, thriller, fantasy, action, mystery, worldbuilding
I usually read romance books by this author. However, I do love fantasy books and considering her powerful narrative style I thought it would take a chance on a book of her in this genre.

Wow. I'm so glad I did.

It's a thrilling cocktail of suspense, horror and paranormal. I instantly recognised her usual strong female character deep in law and ambition, yet here she's challenged with dangers and beings that trespass into the mystical. Nephilims, those angelic creatures too tempted by human experience to remain pure, abound here in the best and worst ways. It's a battle between light and darkness in a modern context filled with secret compounds, distrust, magical forces and an impending sense of doom.

It's in the quiet moments when we learn about the lore, the dangers and what's at stake, which are also filled with hot tension between the main characters. Sometimes it seemed to me that it dragged a bit because it went over the same things several times. However, it mirrors the labyrinth that Ember treads in her mind while taking charge of her new life and its epic dimension. Imagine a world populated with demons and angels in pursuit of an edge over each other. And magic. Lots of personal magic to wield and manipulate. That's enticing. Much like the Garden of Eden.

So the plot becomes biblical and magical and takes a bit of training to extremes or the world is over. Despite some repetitive parts, I enjoyed the bookish importance of learning, the mysterious prophecy and the time when Ember comes into her powers and takes action. I really want to know what happens after the final scene and how the demons are going to be defeated.
]]> Rating1010466229 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 02:47:24 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel Td liked a review]]> https://www.goodreads.com/
Babel liked Enola Douglas's review of Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours (Mystic Misfits Book 1):
Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours by Enola M. Douglas
"Hello everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have been reading Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours and leaving such thoughtful reviews and messages. It truly means a lot!

A few of you have asked about the series plans, so I thought I’d share a quick overview here:
Mystic Misfits is currently planned as a six-book series. The first two books will focus on Cassia and Ark, while Book 3 onward will center on the other major supporting characters. The lore around the different species will continue to expand as the series progresses, with its world and mythology growing with each installment.

I share snippets, character art, and publishing updates on Instagram (my main platform). If you’d like to follow along, you can find me at @enolamdouglas_author.

Thank you again for reading, reviewing, and supporting this story!"
]]> ReadStatus11299771088 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 02:46:23 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel is currently reading 'Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8883868930 Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours by Enola M. Douglas Babel is currently reading Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours by Enola M. Douglas
]]> AuthorFollowing117823737 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 02:45:58 -0700 <![CDATA[<AuthorFollowing id=117823737 user_id=4993628 author_id=46705015>]]> Review8861678267 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:46:19 -0700 <![CDATA[Babel added 'Meet Cute the Virgin']]> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8861678267 Meet Cute the Virgin by Lucy Darling Babel gave 5 stars to Meet Cute the Virgin (Meet Cute #2) by Lucy Darling
bookshelves: romance, dark-hero, stalking, hilarious, virgin-couple, cute, good-dialogues, crazy-plot
Hilarious and highly entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Stalker romance meets obsession, conspiracy and cuteness in an adorable bundle. Lily and Tristan are combustible together. He hides his feelings behind a wall of professional aloofness and she fights back with challenge and brattiness.

Until an epic escape that derails everything into a rollercoaster of secrets, highly trained stalking, clash of psycopaths in love, two girls addicted to tiaras and mischief, and lots of wonderfully funny scenes.

To be honest, I laughed out loud quite a few times. I absolutely adored Teddy and Lily together making plans and their lovers crazy. Their dialogues and machinations are pure gold. Dark humour turning sweet, action out of a film and outlandish plots are the perfect foundation for a show not to be missed. Loved it all.

Now, there's a King waiting for his bride in the next story in this series. Will we be seeing these two couples too? I hope so! ]]>