This book was so surprising! I was expecting a cute rom com with a love triangle, boy was I wrong! While there was a love triangle, romance (Liam <3), and some spice.. this had some mystery/thrill, too!

I wish that I would have gotten a little more from the characters to better connect with them, but overall this was a great read! I’ve never been into mystery/thriller books, but now I’m feeling like I should try to step out of my comfort zone a little and find similar books!

I also may have picked up on a little hint of book 3? Will definitely be reading that one as well 😉

Normally, I am always down for a romance mixed with action. This book urgently requires a strong content warning regarding themes of stalking and attempted sexual assault. I did not enjoy either of the male characters because they felt pretty flat and like there was no personality to them outside this set relationship. The beginning of the plot felt normal but maybe a slow burn which drastically turned to solving the main mystery of the books, and continued feeling very rushed. Unfortantely, I did not like the pacing of this book, nor did I enjoy the end resolution.

Thank you Eliza Modiste and NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I was very intrigued by this one, and had high hopes for it. A feminist leading lady who winds up having not one but TWO men pining after her... sign me up.

Read if you love:
- Friends to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
- Small Towns
- Stalker/Thriller vibes
- Smut

***This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.***

I have to be honest, this was a bit of a miss for this reader. Some of the content is incredible unrealistic (situations, and responses) and it made it this hard to get into and finish. What I thought was going to be a full on romance... wound up having thriller like scenarios. Which I was all about! I am a reader who enjoys multiple genres. But... how certain scenarios played out is what turned my opinion on this one.

Just because it didn't quite work for me - doesn't mean you shouldn't give this a try for yourself. We all have difference in opinion, and if you really like the thriller aspect in a romance - go for it!

Oh to be Zoey.
I really loved Zoey, her attitude, her fears, and definitely her choices.
Loved both James and Liam, but of course I’m team Liam.

I really liked the writing. The only reason I took a star out is because I think the passage from James to Liam was a little rushed but that’s it. The more you read, the more you become attached to the book. It took me only 2 days to read it. i really enjoyed it! Hope you’ll enjoy it too!

“You're my home, Zoey. I'm a hell of a lot more than soft for you.”

4.6 stars ⭐️

✿ Thank you NetGalley,the publisher and author for the ARC
of the book in exchange for an honest review. ✿

💌⁀➷

This book was absolutely fantastic it had a bit of everything mixed & combined superbly to deliver a perfect read!

I found myself enjoying the story for it never bored and kept me returning to continue it.

Didn't expect to have a thriller vibe which was a cool plot twist.

Good execution, great characters, amazing plot and super well written. Quite loved it tbh!

+ the love triangle was done tastefully with no cheating or extra drama. Spice wasn't way over the top which I much prefer!

This author has now become someone whose books I'd most likely be interested in seeing. Definitely give it a read, will be enjoyable esp for romance-suspense lovers.

My fav read of the month! Well deserved 💚

Book Review 📚
Veiled in Brick by Eliza Modiste - 3.5/5 ⭐

Firstly, this is a sequel. I made a boo boo in not knowing that, BUT it can be read as a standalone! I didn't want to take that chance so obviously purchased the first and read it before heading in to this one.

I wasn't as impressed with Veiled in Brice as I was with Thinly veiled. I really, really enjoyed book 1 but not so much book 2. Zoey is our MC and the first, maybe, half of the book is basically set on her "relationships". I'm quote marking as I'm not really sure that's what I'd called it. When you read it you'll understand! But then the next part of the book is kinda thrown in the deep in with thriller vibes? That took me by surprise, but it was enjoyable. I'd definitely say it's a romance cross thriller/mystery. Don't let the cover fool you into thinking it's full blown romance.

Modiste has such a interesting way of writing and describing, I really can't fault her as an author as all. I'm a bit disappointed this one didn't live up to expectations after reading the first but it's still a good book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Buzz Net for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Decently gripping tale about Zoey & her love life, until someone gets a bit too invested in someone that isn’t there’s! Okay read, the twist was fairly predictable but I did enjoy the relationships between the characters!

It could be because I didn’t read the first one in this series but I really struggled to get into this book. I didn’t find Zoey to be particularly likable as a main character. Overall I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. Based on the description I thought I would enjoy it, but I just couldn’t engage with it.

In this second book of the series - and it helps to have read the first, although it's not strictly required - Zoey's not interested in a relationship, romance, any of that; however the quick hookup options have been scarce until suddenly there are two potential men in her life. And that's before things get really complicated.
The first half of this book covers the relationship part as Zoey deals with all sorts of unexpected feelings for both James and Liam, and then the thriller part kicks in for the rest, just to ensure the relationship she's chosen gets thoroughly tested. The whole book skips along with plentiful snappy dialogue and a sense of ratcheting tension, although I did find the group's way of dealing with events a touch histrionic - a few too many italics for ease of reading. Overall though, this is an excellent blend of action, humour, steam and emotions.

While the cover looks like a romance, you’ll be more prepared if you anticipate a mystery.

The first part of the book starts out as a cute romance and quickly devolves into a stalker mystery (check the content warnings).

The plot was interesting and continued to move along.

The writing may not have been for me as the author used more words than necessary to get her point across which caused the story to slow down for me.

If you’re interested in a romance/mystery and don’t mind long winded-ness, you’ll enjoy this book.

I would like to thank Netgally and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Overall, this book was a very enjoyable read! The story follows Claire's friend Zoey while navigating her increasingly complicated love life while an unknown person stalks her in the shadows. The pacing in this story is incredible! One of the strongest points to this story was that it was continually keeping my interest as I was genuinely interested to keep seeing where the story was going to go!

Something I would have liked to have seen, would be a bit more depth to the characters. Our protagonist Zoey is extremely adverse to anything resembling romance, but we never really get to dig into that with her and, for me at least, loose the opportunity to empathize or relate to her. At most, she just says she hasn't experienced certain things so it makes her uncomfortable, and to be honest, I would have liked more vulnerability with the reader. At times I felt my self not really care that something very dramatic was happening between the characters, because I didn't know them as well as I could have.

But overall, I still really enjoyed the book and can't wait to see if there will be a third!

“Comedic thriller romance novel” sums up this book pretty darn well! It’s darker than your typical love story and the humor is clever and a bit coarse. I liked Zoey’s strong, confident character and her friend group was amazing. Don’t go into this book expecting sunshine and rainbows but rather be prepared for thunder and lightning!

A thrilling romantic comedy that takes readers on a wild ride filled with wit, humor, and unexpected twists. Zoey, a strong-willed and independent woman, finds her world turned upside down when two charismatic men, James Turner and Liam Cohen, enter her life. What follows is a rollercoaster of emotions as Zoey struggles to maintain control over her reality while navigating the complexities of love and friendship. The author weaves an engaging tale that combines romance and suspense, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. With its profane humor and dark undertones, this book offers a refreshing take on the traditional romantic comedy genre.

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions in this snarky romantic comedy like no other! Zoey, a fierce and no-nonsense woman, finds her well-ordered life turned upside down by two intriguing men, James Turner and Liam Cohen. The witty banter, steamy encounters, and unpredictable twists make this book an absolute page-turner. Zoey's journey from fiercely avoiding romance to navigating the complexities of love and friendship is both heartwarming and suspenseful. The author's skillful storytelling keeps you engaged throughout, and the dark undertones add an element of excitement and intrigue.

Veiled in Brick
By Eliza Modiste


Veiled in Brick is my first book that I have read by Eliza Modiste - though it looks like she only has one other book published at this time! It was a quick read and I enjoyed the story and characters - for the most part! I was getting annoyed/fed up with the characters not calling the police. I know that the police seemed unhelpful when they first called them, but once it escalated, it just seemed stupid that they didn't.

Though I don't think I will go back and read the first book, this book does have me curious enough to read the next book in this series. With that said, I give this book 3 stars and would describe it as a fun story!

Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

#veiledinbrick #elizamodiste #fiction #adult #romance #contemporary #contemporaryromance #chicklit #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #idratherbereading #readingchallenge #book #bookrecommendations #bookreview #librarian #booklover #bookdragon #bookworm #reader #reading

Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters were so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I was a little thrown off while reading, I was not expecting the (trigger warning for stalking and attempted sexual assault). I thought it was goi g to be like a love triangle type of plot, but it wasn’t. The overall spice was nice just not what I was expecting based on the description.

TW: book has stalking, assault, and attempted sexual assault

Spice level was 5 stars, story line 3 so I averaged it at 4. I thought this was going to be a love triangle book, did not know the stalker-thriller saga was the plot of it. Wouldn't say this book is comedic, unless you think the group of friends acting like typical white people in a horror movie comedic. They were so incredibly stupid.

I loved the love story between Zoey and the male main character, that they didn't have the main character, Zoey, date them both or cheat or string anyone along.