⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars!)

You know that feeling when a book pulls you into its world so deeply, you forget where you are? That was Love and Other Cages for me—times two! I did an immersive read, devouring both the book and audiobook simultaneously, and wow, it was like stepping into Mina and Oliver's story in surround sound. Narrators Will Collyer and Emilia Ares brought the pages to life with so much intensity that I felt like I was right there in the chaos, heartbreak, and hope.

This story is a wild ride, starting with Mina’s abduction and throwing us headfirst into an underground criminal world. Meanwhile, Oliver’s battle with his past makes their love story feel fragile yet electric. The way these two navigate their connection amidst uncertainty and danger had me on the edge of my seat—and questioning my emotional stability more than once. 😅

Emilia Ares’s writing is raw and cinematic, painting every scene with vivid tension and a glimmer of hope. It’s not just a love story; it’s a gritty, heart-wrenching exploration of resilience and connection. And that ending? I’m still thinking about it.

Thank you, Emilia Ares, SERA Press, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to immerse myself in this thrilling, romantic journey. If you're looking for a book to make your pulse race and your heart ache (in the best way), this one's for you. 💔✨

🎧 Pro tip: The audiobook is chef’s kiss. Perfect for sinking fully into this emotional rollercoaster.

Writing a three-star review is always a challenge for me, and *Love and Other Cages* left me particularly conflicted. There were moments I was captivated, and then there were times I felt like I was reading a completely different book—one that I struggled to connect with. The experience was a bit of a rollercoaster, with highs and lows that made it difficult to pin down my overall feelings.

Let’s start with the first half, which honestly almost made me quit. The dialogue, especially, was a huge turnoff for me. It felt incredibly forced, with too much repetition and a style that just didn’t seem natural for the characters. The way the teens spoke was overly dramatic and exaggerated, which made it hard to believe in the authenticity of their relationships. I found myself cringing at some of the interactions between the two main characters, and the chemistry between them. Almost nonexistent. Instead of a slow-burn romance, it felt like I was being told how they felt without being shown. The villains were another weak point, coming off as one-dimensional and cheesy, like they’d been pulled straight out of a bad cartoon.

But then, right around the middle, things took a surprising turn. I was genuinely shocked by how much the book improved. The writing became tighter, and the plot began to gain some momentum. The focus shifted to the main character’s training, which took on a much darker, more intriguing tone. The whole underground spy network vibe was fascinating, and it added a layer of suspense that was missing earlier. I actually found myself getting invested in the story during this section, and even the villains started to feel more credible.

One thing that stayed consistent throughout was the dual narration. Will Collyer and Emilia Ares both did a solid job, but I really appreciated Ares voicing the main character herself. It added an extra level of immersion, though I do wish the narration had been able to compensate for some of the earlier dialogue issues.

Despite the middle section picking up, I still struggled with some of the immature dynamics between the main characters toward the end, which ultimately undermined the growth I’d seen. The romance continued to fall flat for me, and the forced tension felt repetitive.

This is the second book in the series, though it can be read as a standalone, and it ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that. There are dark themes throughout, so it might not be suitable for younger readers. While I enjoyed parts of the novel, especially the latter half, I never quite connected with it as a whole. It’s a mixed bag, with some strong moments and some that left me wishing for more depth and authenticity.

In the intricate dance of fate, Mina, a diligent high school senior, is abruptly torn from her ordinary life by an underground criminal organization, thrusting her into an unfamiliar and challenging world. Oliver, a man who has recently emerged from the shadows of abandonment, grapples with the harsh reality of Mina's abduction. The unexpected loss of their intense love jeopardizes Oliver's newfound hope for a better life, even as their extraordinary connection ignites amid peril and enigma.

Can Oliver and Mina rewrite destiny's script? Is the radiant beacon of their blossoming connection bright enough to guide them through a world steeped in uncertainty? Or will they forever wander as seekers of the elusive symphony of joy?
Loved the style of writing. I could relate to the characters. Plot was easy to understand.

I was not ready for the emotional turmoil I felt when reading this story. This book throws you headfirst into a whirlwind of romance, suspense, and just the right amount of "how did we get here?" chaos. Emilia Ares’ Love and Other Cages will have you hooked faster than you can say “underground criminal organisation.

Let’s begin with our FMC Mina, she is a quintessential high school senior, studious, driven, and dreaming of a world beyond her classroom walls. Except, fate (and a rather nasty bunch of villains) had other plans. One moment she’s living her normal life, and the next, she’s swept into a world so sinister and complex it feels like Netflix’s next breakout crime drama. She goes through loss, shock and so many changes. Meanwhile, Oliver, broody, broken, and absolutely swoon-worthy, finds his already precarious grasp on happiness threatened when Mina is ripped from his life.

Now here’s the kicker: this isn’t just a love story. It’s a high-octane thriller wearing romance’s comfy sweater. Ares does a phenomenal job layering tension on top of emotion, creating characters you care about deeply (and probably want to wrap in bubble wrap). Mina’s strength is magnetic, and Oliver’s devotion? Heart-melting, even when it makes you want to scream, “Stop sulking and DO something, man!” I actually screamed this a couple of times.

The real charm, though, is the book’s refusal to spoon-feed answers. It tosses you into a world where hope flickers like a candle in a hurricane, and love feels as fragile as a whispered promise. I flipped the pages like a madman, desperate to see if Mina and Oliver could outsmart the forces tearing them apart or if their love was destined to remain a bittersweet memory.

This is the kind of book that leaves you bleary-eyed at 2 a.m., clutching your pillow because you cannot stop thinking about what’s next.

It’s for anyone who loves their romance sprinkled with danger, their heroes a little damaged, and their endings… well, I won’t spoil that for you. Just know this: Ares doesn’t disappoint.

Highly recommend, especially if you like to yell at fictional characters in the privacy of your own home. Or, you know, in public. No judgment.

So I just finished Love and Other Cages and honestly? It's been one of my better reads this year. If you're into dark, gritty YA mystery/thrillers, this one's a total winner.

Mina is such a great main character - Ares really took the time to flesh her out. She felt super real and relatable, which made the whole story hit different.

In Love and Other Cages we follow Mina who is this high school senior living her best life when bam - she gets caught up with some sketchy criminal organisation. Then there's Oliver, who's finally getting his life together after some rough stuff in his past, only to have Mina's kidnapping throw his world into chaos. These two have this crazy intense connection, even with all the dangerous stuff going down around them.

The story keeps you guessing - will Oliver and Mina beat the odds? Can their connection survive all this drama? It's wild watching it all unfold.

The dual POV absolutely works brilliantly in this story - you get to be in both their heads, which just pulls you deeper into the story. And those plot twists? *chef's kiss* Did not see them coming.

Fun fact I discovered after finishing this book that this is actually part of a series! There's a book before this called "Love and Other Sins." But don't stress if you haven't read it - this one totally works as a standalone. I jumped right in and wasn't lost at all.

Okay, hold up. 😤 I really wanted to love this one. After scoring the ARC with both the audiobook AND the digital copy (huge shoutout to NetGalley and SERA Press, btw), I was hyped. But... yeah, this was a straight-up disaster. I pushed myself to 43% in the audiobook and 11% in the ebook before I had to throw in the towel. How on earth does a book about crime families, abductions, and forbidden love end up being SO unrealistic and boring?! I am shook. 🤯

Let’s talk about the romance—or lack thereof. Mina and Oliver? Yeah, no. I couldn’t care less
about them. The chemistry was non-existent, and their connection felt as forced as two wet socks rubbing together. 👎 I honestly didn’t buy for a second that these two were in love. The entire time, I was waiting for something, anything, to make me care. Spoiler alert: nothing ever did. 😒

Now, the pacing… oh boy. It was like the book was trying to be a slow burn, but forgot to actually, you know, burn anything. 🔥 I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, but it was like watching paint dry—nothing interesting happened, and when it did, it felt like a cheap knockoff of something I’d already read before. The dialogue? Cringe 😬. These are supposed to be teens, but they talked like they were written by a 30-year-old who hasn’t spoken to a teenager in years. “But Fairuz,” you might say, “it’s a YA thriller!” Yeah, well, that’s no excuse for dialogue this awkward. 🧐

And, speaking of unrealistic, can we just talk about the major plot holes? A minor with a sick mom just leaves to check into a hotel alone? A teen volunteers to be used as bait?! 🤯 I mean, c’mon, that’s not even remotely believable. I felt like my suspension of disbelief was shattered into a million pieces. 🙄 It was not the fun, immersive experience I was hoping for.

But honestly, the story had potential. I could see where it could’ve been cool, especially with the crime family angle and the abduction drama. But noooo, it just got weighed down by filler and unnecessary “dark” vibes that didn’t land. What a waste of a good idea. 😩

And the narration? Well, Will Collyer was fine, but Emilia Ares? Oh no. Her performance did NOT match the vibe of the story, and I found myself cringing at some of her choices. 🙅‍♀️ So props to Will for saving the day a little, but the overall narration still couldn’t salvage this hot mess.

So yeah, I cannot recommend this book. If you’re into romance thrillers, there are WAY better options out there. This one was a total miss for me, and honestly, I’m not even sorry about it. 🤷‍♀️

This book was extremely painful to be personally, Oliver and Mina are one of the most biggest love stories I've read.. It wasn't excessive which was one of the things I truly appreciated, I loved seeing both sides of the situation that they were facing and the realism.
This book was surprisingly good and I know that after that end I need more

This book has left me on the hook just dangling there! I need to know what happens next! I need to!

This book had my heart racing, and I flew right through it in one sitting. Mina and her mother have a good thing going for them, and Mina is doing great in school.

Mina’s boyfriend (she loves him and he loves her), Oliver, is trying to straighten out his life. He has been trying to do everything by the code and by the law, but for some reason both Oliver and Mina are ripped from their lives and thrown into completely 100% different lives.

Mina is just trying to survive and keep Oliver away from her for his sake, and Oliver is just trying to save Mina and survive. That’s when I started sitting on the edge of my seat!

This book isn’t a romance to me. It’s more of a contemporary thriller. Just enough romance that will not make me sick. I cannot stand it, but this book has the perfect amount. I need to know what happens next!

Very appreciative for being approved for this ARC! I did do the audiobook alongside the e-book and did really like the audiobook since it is dual narration and thought it was executed perfectly! I did feel like I was missing some back story but that was definitely on me since I didn't realize this is technically book 2 but can be read as a standalone. There were some part though that I felt really invested in and others were I realized my attention wasn't on it 100%. Overall, I think this book just wasn't for me but I can see how it can be for others!

This title was free to read on NetGalley.
I did not realise Love and Other Cages was book 2 in a series and read it as a stand-alone.

The writing is esy to read, well edited and despite some plot choices that didnt work for me, this was well executed YA fiction.

I can appreciate the author’s passion for the characters, and the subject matter is well delivered. It was an interesting take on organaised crime, human trafficking and the choices we make. I was struck by the tone that really paid hommage to the loves who don’t stop loving us or fighting for us even when we are not visible.

The tension ratcheted up quickly with a couple of twists that create their own plot blocks.

Oliver is a beautifully written character. Full of vulnerability, and a heart as big as a whale. I suspect Book One would provide more context for Oliver and his motivations to find and rescue Mina.

Special note to Nyah as a pivotal support character for both Oliver and Mina.

With thanks to NetGalley and the author for the eARC to read ahead of publication. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first book of the author and as i finished it I’ve felt the need to instantly read the previous one! This story is full of twist and turns and had me hooked from the firs Page!

Arc Review

Love and other cages by Emilia Ares

My Ratings- ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

326 pages

Will release on 15th October 2024

Love and other sins series book 2

My review

My god this book blew my mind and I took days to literally process through everything that Mina and Oliver was going through and I felt I was with them through the entire journey. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I received the Arc for the book 2 but if I didn't get it, it would have been a total loss.

The book picks up how our book 1 ended and after that it was a total shit show from there that I finished it within one sitting. My heart couldn't take it, how our Mina was going through all of the horrible things that she was forcibly put through and she kept going thinking about her mom, Oliver and her bestfriend and i could totally understand Mina in this book and how her character development through this book was exceptional and she is a total badass and needless to say selfless! I don't have words to describe her ❤️.

Our Oliver will literally move the heavens and the earth to find his Mina😭 and the last two chapters, aahhh my god my heart exploded, I don't want to spoil too much because this is an arc but please if anyone is reading my review, please go and pick both the books and i suggest you read them in order for better understanding and depth of the characters and their background. I'm telling you that you will not be disappointed.

Thank you @emilia ares and @netgalley for this ARC and I'm so honoured that I got to review this beautiful book. Can't wait for book 3😘. Please release it soon ❤️.

Much Love
Suzaan ✍🏻

This book can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone—I read it that way myself, unaware it was a sequel. Now that I know, I can’t wait to go back and read the earlier one! I loved every twist and turn this story took! I can't wait to read the first book and see what happened in that one because I need to know! Mina and Oliver are my favorite and I need more of them! Lets just say I hope I am on the list for the next book because the cliffhanger this book ended on I cannot wait!!

"Love and Other Cages" by Emilia Ares is a poignant and gripping young adult fiction book; sprinkled with the dark and often hidden world of human trafficking. The book masterfully intertwines themes of captivity and manipulation to demonstrate how easy it is to unwillingly become trapped in this world. I would like to think that the enduring bonds of love between Mina and Oliver save the day, but I cannot exactly say that without spoiling the end.

“Love and Other Cages” is the second book in the series by Emilia Ares. The first book is “Love and Other Sins”, I have not read but plan to. The book read fine as a stand-alone. I never felt lost or like I did not know what was going on.

In "Love and Other Cages," Emilia Ares skillfully weaves together the friendship of Mina, Oliver, and Nyah.

Mina is the resilient protagonist, whose strength and determination drive much of the plot; her journey from literal captivity is the novel's emotional core. Her sad new reality is a compelling exploration of survival against overwhelming odds, as she, through no fault of her own, becomes entwined in the disturbing world of human trafficking.

Despite the oppressive circumstances she faces, Mina's worst fear has come true, she must keep her mother alive. She is led to believe great harm will come to her if she does not comply. Thus, we have the beginning of all human trafficking at its finest, a way to bribe and exploit young people.

Oliver's character in "Love and Other Cages" is a testament to the complexity of human emotion and the transformative power of love. Initially, Oliver appears as a reserved and contemplative figure, grappling with his own past traumas and insecurities. This vulnerability makes him relatable and endearing character, allowing readers to empathize with his struggles. Maybe, even too empathetic for his own good, in fact leaving himself vulnerable to nefarious activities and
operatives that are way out of his league including law enforcement authorities.

I worry about Oliver's emotional and financial well-being, because he seems to tell everyone exactly what he has and wears his emotions on his sleeve, thus opening himself for another kind of trafficking, money laundering and owing favors. But hopefully this will never happen.

Through Nyah, however young and innocent she might be, serves as the central coordinator. She may not realize it yet, but she may sometime in the future serve as a rescuer or be in service helping innocent people. She really has a talent for bringing people together.

Who Should or Should Not Read the Book?

Who Should Read It:
• Young adults looking for a riveting and emotionally engaging story.
• Readers interested in social issues, particularly human trafficking.
• Those who appreciate character-driven narratives with strong emotions.

Who Should Not Read It:
• Readers who may find the themes of human trafficking too distressing. Serious trigger warning to those sensitive to physical and emotional violence.
• Those looking for a light-hearted or purely romantic read. This is not a book about Mina and Oliver living happily ever after. Maybe in the next book?

My Opinion

"Love and Other Cages" is a powerful and eye-opening novel that reveals the harsh realities of human trafficking. A subject that I have studied throughout the years. Emilia Ares does an exceptional job of blending the brutality of captivity with the human elements of love and resilience. I now understand how easy it is, to be abducted by human traffickers in plain sight, a sobering realization that underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance. The young love element adds a layer of emotional depth, making the characters' experiences even more poignant.

In conclusion, "Love and Other Cages" is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and impactful story. Its portrayal of the unbreakable bonds of love amidst adversity will stay with you long after you turn the last page. The story leaves you hanging on the cliff, so I expect more books in the series. I am eagerly awaiting each book.

Thank you to Netgalley and SERA Press for providing me with a free e-reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own because as a United States citizen I have freedom of speech. I suspect the human traffickers would not appreciate these rights.

This was overall a good book. I think it is more of a 3.5 but I rounded up! By the 50%/60% mark is when I personally became more invested in the story. Before this it was starting to drag a bit and the plot wasn’t moving forward for a while. Even at that point, the plot wasn’t moving too much but there was more interesting things happening. I finished this majorly on audio which I highly recommend!!! I think the voice actors really brought mina and oliver to life and I connected more with them because of this.

This is my first time reading the author and this book surprised me in a good way. I was on my book slump era since I couldn’t find any book that make me totally hooked until now. I really enjoy the author’s writing style. I absolutely got mesmerised on the story. It was well done. I really enjoyed the characters. Now I need to know what happened them after that ending. 👀

Since finishing the book, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I keep replaying the story and characters in my head, dying to know what happens next. I’m really glad I read the first book again before diving into this ARC because it gave me some great context for Love and Other Cages but I don't think its necessary per say, like you can totally enjoy Love and Other Cages without reading Love and Other Sins. The book can be intense but it stands out. The writing was solid, it really picked up speed towards the second half. I loved Mina’s relationship with her mom; it’s rare to see such a close bond between teens and their parents in books. Their conversations and certain phrases they use were specific and brought out emotion. The narrators were topnotch, she nailed the Russian, the Brittish accents, everything. The male narrator was pleasant to listen to as well. Cant wait for the story to continue I'll be thinking about this one for a long while I can already tell, it wont leave me anytime soon.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the book (and audiobook) in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Emilia Ares, and SERA Press for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I think that I was missing a bit as I didn't realize at first that this was the second book in the series, so I was missing bits that probably would have helped things make more sense. I think that overall, a lot is probably standalone, especially from other reviews that I read. Maybe I would give it a four if I read the first one and had more context. I would still read another any day by Emilia Ares.

ARC through NetGalley
Overall it was pretty engaging - a lot happened right away and throughout the whole book, but I feel like so much tragedy happening from beginning to end that no solution or end result really happened in the end.

I started with the audiobook but had issues with a few chapters and then eventually switched to e-book and then return to audio - not sure if it was connection issues or NetGalley, but this isn't the first time Ive had issues with chapters not playing through audio on NetGalley

Another great book in the Love and Other Sins series!
Book two picks up where book one leaves off and jumps right into an action packed storyline that is sure to leave you gripping the edge of your seat.

I found Love and Other Cages to have a different vibe from the first book. Book 2 has a lot more action within the storyline with plenty of twists and turns. The first book, Love and Other Sins was focused more on Mina and Oliver’s romance with a slow burn. Romance tends to be my go to genre but I really enjoyed this book despite the fact it wasn’t romance centered this time around. The author did a really great job entwining the two genres together into one series and I am loving her writing style.