Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Aestas Book Database

Letter from Aestas

by · 92 Comments

After a decade of reading and reviewing books, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to take a step back from blogging. Running this book blog has been such a huge and wonderful part of my life. I’ve written over 600 book reviews and loved the experience of getting to share my love of reading with so many other readers from around the world.

Blogging was quite an unexpected journey for me though as I never set out to “start” a blog at all. Back in 2011, I simply began reading so much that I wanted a way to remember which books were my most favorites… and that’s when I started writing reviews. At first, my reviews were written more for my own sake than anyone else’s. They began as a way for me to keep track of the books I enjoyed and remember what I loved most about each one.

You see, I was quite picky about the types of books I wanted to read and had a hard time finding anywhere specifically recommending what I was looking for. I was drawn to romantic books that made my heart race, but I also strongly preferred no stupidity powering the storyline or eye-roll-enducing drama, and of course I needed a happy ending as I’ve always been quite allergic to cliffhangers. At that time, there weren’t many romance book review sites out there in general and none that focused on the particular type of books I personally wanted to read so my reviews were a way for me to catalogue the books I’d found that fit within the criteria I was looking for. At first, I really didn’t expect anyone else to read my reviews, but as I began to realize that my reviews were actually helping other readers find books they loved as well, I decided to officially begin blogging and started this website to hold all my reviews. Writing reviews was also quite cathartic for me because, after reading a truly wonderful book, I was often overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings so writing my thoughts down in reviews helped give me closure from a story and highlight/remember what I loved most about a book. I also found that I genuinely loved helping other readers find new books. So my blog began and I continued reading and reviewing books for it for almost a decade.

However, the truth is that in the last while, I found myself falling in love with fewer and fewer books — I don’t know if it’s because I started to feel like I’d basically read every plotline within the types of stories I loved so many times over, or maybe if the other parts out my life just became too busy and I began having less time to read, but, regardless of the reason, I was falling in love with fewer and fewer books. And here’s the thing – this blog has always been a passion project for me so if I genuinely wasn’t falling in love with as many books, I didn’t want to continue to review books just for the sake of reviewing them. That was never what this blog was about so I just felt myself naturally drifting away from reviewing and blogging. A few months ago, I decided to try taking a break from blogging and honestly I have really been enjoying the mental freedom that came from that decision. So, least for the immediate future, I’m going to officially step away from my blog. I may begin reviewing books again one day – and that might be in a month, a year, or never… I can’t say for sure, but that door will always remain open.

My blogging goal was always to put a spotlight on the wonderful books I loved and to share them with other readers. So even though I’m not reviewing new books at this time, I will leave this whole website up in the hope that it will continue to help new readers find new favorite books to fall in love with. I have 630 reviews and recommendations of books I’ve personally loved and would love for other readers to fall in love with too and I can see through my analytics that, even though I’m not actively blogging, readers continue to come to my blog every day and read my older reviews so it makes me happy to know that my reviews are still connecting readers with awesome books.

I also want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the thousands of amazing readers who’ve followed my blog over the years, and THANK YOU to the wonderfully talented authors who’ve written the beautiful stories that we’ve all fallen in love with. You’ve all given me so much joy and I’m so very grateful for all of it.

I may return to blogging one day, and I may randomly post a surprise review/recommendation every now and again, but for now I wanted to officially make a statement that explains why my blog hasn’t been updated in a while and why it won’t have new content for the foreseeable future.

If I ever start reviewing again, I will announce it by email, so please subscribe to my email list if you’d like to get a notification should that day come. I will not be sending emails out via that list until then though.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for my top recommendations, here’s a list of my standout favorite books:

  1. The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paullina Simons (My Review) – this will always and forever by my #1 fav!
  2. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (My Review) – one of the most powerful endings ever!
  3. The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel (My Review) – incredibly unique love story with all the feels!
  4. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (My Review) – this has possibly my favorite epilogue ever!
  5. Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan (My Review) – gorgeous, heart-warming romance!
  6. Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover (My Review) – one of my first reviews, and still a top fav!
  7. Devney Perry books: reading list – heart-warming, gorgeous romance perfection every single time!
  8. Kristen Ashley books: reading list – badass alpha romance – pure epic, great families, much variety!
  9. Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon: reading list – addictive paranormal romance, my fav PNR world!
  10. On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves (My Review) – just a truly beautiful story!
  11. The Starcrossed series by Leisa Rayven (My Review) – the best purely angsty romance I’ve read!
  12. A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole (My Review) – ugly cry romance perfection!
  13. Crossfire series by Sylvia Day (My Review) – hot sexy romance but deeply emotional and addictive!
  14. Addicted series by Krista & Becca Ritchie – great romances and one of the best family dynamics ever!
  15. Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind (Series Overview) – fantasy, fantastic morals and world building!
  16. Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost (Series Overview) – action-packed vampire romance fun!
  17. Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar (My Review) – an ugly cry favorite!
  18. Becoming Calder & Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan (My Review) – another ugly cry favorite!
  19. Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward: reading order – badass/epic paranormal vampire romance!
  20. The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves (My Review) – second half of the book hit me so hard!
  21. In The Stillness by Andrea Randall (My Review) – the feels… literally all the feels!
  22. Wallbanger by Alice Clayton (My Review) – most I’ve ever laughed reading any book!
  23. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (My Review) – stunning wartime story!

A full list of all my reviews can also always be found at this link.

Happy reading! ❤

~Aestas

Comments

  1. Thank you for the good times and the great reviews. I thought it was just me. I am rereading my favorites rather than reading new books. I’m right there with you sister.

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  2. Thank you for all the reviews and great lists you have posted, and thank you for leaving this website up. I always refer to this blog for books to read ♥️

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  4. Wow! Well, thank you for your time here on the blog, and the BookMojo family hopes to see you return! 🙂 Also, I love that Night Huntress made your list. LOVE that series! <3

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    • How funny that you mention that one specifically – I started re-reading that exact series late last night. It’s so much fun! ♥️

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  5. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews over the years! I actually started following you back then.

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  6. Thank you so much for your hard work and for sharing your love for books. I also feel like there has been less and less books I’ve loved. Anyway, thank you.

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  7. Thank you so much for so many great reviews, which steered me toward some amazing books. I alway love referencing your 2011, taking screenshots and diving in. I really love the Devney Perry books and tons of Kristen Ashley’s, just to name of few. Enjoy this time in your life. Hope to see you back some time.

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  8. I’ll miss your reviews because you introduced me to a lot of great reads. But I understand you needing to take a break. I’ve found the same thing that there aren’t many new books that excite me lately. Hope to hear from you sometime soon.

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  12. Thank you for your fabulous blog and amazing book list. I have found many of my favorite authors thru your blog and list, Devney Perry, Kristen Ashley and Tracy Garvis Graves, just to name a few. It’s been my experience that my opinions on books has most often aligned with yours and I always eagerly awaited your reviews. While I will miss new content on your blog, it is so awesome of you to leave the blog active. Wishing you much joy and success on this next ‘chapter’ in your story.

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  13. I shall miss you but understand where you are coming from! Being true to yourself is important and very brave of you to share your feelings. I was a late arriver to blogs and yours was the first one I stumbled upon. I was so happy and excited to read your reviews and recommendations and thanks to you I have so many books on my kindle to read but not enough time in my life to conquer them:)

    Take care and if you return I will be here waiting!

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  14. Thank you so much for all of your amazing reviews/recommendations!! I have gained many new favorite books because of you!!! ❤️❤️❤️

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  15. I agree with several of the comments already made….you introduced me to SO many new-to-me authors, and it’s been wonderful to find new favorites. Thank you so much for the work you have done, and I hope a break is good and refreshing for you. Gotta agree, with everything going on, I’m doing a lot of comfort rereading. I look forward to your next “chapter” whatever it is.

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  17. Good for you, and thank you for your thoughtful explanation. You’ve done so much for the writing and reading community… and I hope whatever you do next brings you great joy!

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  18. Thank you for your stellar reviews and hilarious GIFs on GR. Please take good care, take your time, and I hope to see you again on your blog and GR in the future. My want-to-read list is always getting longer and longer after I read your reviews or top favorite lists (haha)

    You made me read the bronze horseman trilogy and I’m forever grateful!

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  19. Thank you for sending this note out. I figured that was why you haven’t reviewed for so long. I have been following you from the beginning and will really miss your reviews, but totally understand. Thanks so much for all of past reviews and for your awesome web page. I will continue to use it! It still is hard to find good bloggers and reviewers. Good luck in your future endeavors!

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  20. Thank you for all the blood, sweat and tears you gave to create this blog. I don’t remember how I found you but your thoughts and feelings were so aligned with mine, I knew you would never steer my wrong. I concur with you about “book burn-0ut”. Sometimes I can read a book and the very next day I can’t remember the character’s names or the plot but those few books that stick with me I hold close to my heart like the memories of a past lover. I haven’t read The Bronze Horseman yet, but I’ve had it for years and I will read it one day, just because you said it was your all time favorite.

    Take care my friend and enjoy your life and all the wonderful things that fill it up. If I’ve learned anything in the past two years it is to enjoy life one day at a time.

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    • I totally hear you on that. I’ll be honest I’m a little envious that you still get to read TBH for the first time. If only we could one-click the option of re-reading a favorite again for the first time! Enjoy ❤

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  21. Thank you for all your hard work! I read many books after reading your reviews. I will continue to come back to this blog when I need a re-read of my oldies but goodies.

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  22. I will miss your book recommendations but Thank you for all your hard work. I really looked forward to your blogs. You must look after yourself & I wish you all the best. Take care. 😘😘😘

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  23. Thank you for taking the time to always find books that I have so enjoyed reading and for the amazing blog that carries your name. Take all the time you need to be happy and enjoy life but I hope one day you decide to return.

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  25. Total understand where you are coming from but have to so I will miss your reviews so much as they were so good & got me so excited for so many books.
    I have to thank you once more for it was you who introduce me to Devney Perry & I haven’t looked back ever since. I have read every single one of her books & wait with baited breathe for the next one to come out!!
    Plus our shared love for Kristen Ashley!! I could go on 🙂
    Enjoy life to the fullest but I do hope one day you come back to us even if it is every now & then as we will miss you xoxo

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  26. I’m going to miss your blog, but totally understand. I’m in re-read mode myself much of the time, as new authors I’ve tried just can’t compare to old favorites. Because of your blog, I got hooked on several series, and always check Aestas rather than anyone else’s. Thank you so much for all your time and efforts, and for your great reviews, and lists! You are much appreciated. Best wishes, and you’ll be missed.

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  27. Thank you for all your reviews. I totally agree with your number one choice “The Bronze Horseman” trilogy. I have read it several times. I was so excited to hear it was to be made into a movie/TV series and disappointed when it never materialized. Maybe one day! Good Luck in the future!

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    • Me too! A part of me wants it to come true, and then another part is scared that nobody will ever be able to do the story justice. Haha just reader problems 😉

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  28. Broken hearted but understand. You are my favorite book blogger.. we were always very much in sync… you will be missed.. good luck!

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  29. Thanks for your dedication throughout all these years. I fully understand how you feel. Sometimes you start a journey and for a while you feel excitement, until one day becomes a routine; then you realize that it’s time to change the direction. I feel sad reading your farewell, and I hope to see you back, but relaxed and invigorated. In the meantime enjoy life.

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  30. You are amazing! Thank you for giving us so much of your time, energy and building this wonderful brilliant site! Thank you for introducing me to so many authors over the years. Wishing you a much earned stress free creative future!

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  31. Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations. I found so many of my favorite books in your blog. I was hoping that you would start a youtube channel or something but I respect your decision as well. Hope to see your reviews sometime soon 🙂

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    • Ha! Honestly I just don’t have the energy for that. I might return to blogging one day though if I find some books that make me want to share them again ❤

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  32. Thank you for all the reviews and recommendations! Because of your blog I’ve added dozens of books and series to my to-read list. I was also so happy and surprised to find another romance book lover who hates ‘stupidity’ from the characters! I thought it was just me! I hope you eventually find more books that excite you. Personally, I think that Karen Marie Moning’s upcoming Watch Hill series seems promising. And also perhaps the big Lassiter BDB book to be released next year. Anyway, thank you so much again and, if you ever feel like writing a new post, I will be more than excited to read it!

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  33. Thank you so much for all your hard work and for letting us know what was going on…I was curious when I stopped receiving emails. Not enough people can figure out when they’re getting burned out and to take a step back.
    Thanks again and I wish you good luck with all your endeavors.

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  34. Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. It has been a wonderful guide to many hours of pleasurable reading. Wishing you the very best.

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  35. Completely understand your decision. Thanks for leaving this website up. I’ve read a good many on this ‘favorites’ list (they make my list too) but will be referring to it for more. I remember finding your blog years ago and reading your Slammed review. Still a top fav of mine too.

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  36. Aestas! We started blogging around the same time and I’m so happy and proud of you for being here all this time! I took a long, looong break from it though and now I wanted to come back because I missed reading and writing about books but everything feels different nowadays. Maybe we already read the best out there and it’s difficult to find books to rise to our standards or who can bring something different to the table lol

    Anyway. Take the time off, take care of yourself… and get back later. From my experience, I tell you you can’t stay away forever. It’s in our blood now. Xo
    Deea

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    • I totally feel that and have wondered the same. Maybe it’s a little bit of all those things you suggested. I do feel that the books are different now than they were back in the ‘golden indie days’ but at the same time I think that’s to be expected because back then everything was so new and now it’s harder for there to be “fresh” stories and I think for those of us who have read them all it’s possible for us to just feel burned out. Thank you for understanding! And I agree, it’s quite possible that I’ll come back to it… one day 🙂

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  37. I am so happy that you checked back in with us. I found myself actually worried about you and would check this blog often to see if you came back. I understand completely on the difference in reading the past few months. I haven’t found anything that pulled me away from reality and make me want to stay in the book world. I am also rereading lots of books. I will always be indebted to you forever for introducing me the bronze horseman series. There has never been another book that has been able to live up to those books. also, thanks so much for leaving this website up because I still use it alot of author/ book recommendations. Thank you for giving up so much of your time. And don’t give it a second thought about taking time for yourself, if we have learned anything in the past couple of years is that importance of things have changed. We will miss you but I promise you we also understand completely

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    • Aww you’re so sweet to have been worried. Thank you for caring and I appreciate your understanding. ❤

      Also yep, I honestly don’t think any books will ever live up to TBH. They’re just so above and beyond epic!

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  38. I have truly loved and appreciated your blog and book recommendations. I found several of my favorite books because of you. Best wishes

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  39. All the best!! Your page has been an open tab on my browser for over 7 years so you will definitely be missed, but I also understand the book slump and the need to try something else. Thanks for the years and will catch you whenever you post;)

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  40. You will be missed, I discovered so many amazing books thanks to you!
    And I will sorely miss your upcoming books list, it was just a handy way to find out when all my favorite authors were releasing new books!

    Do you have any recommendations of other book blogs to follow?
    I feel like you and I have similar tastes in books so I could always trust your recommendations, but I’m having a hard time finding a new blog to follow that leads me to books I actually end up liking.

    Take care of yourself <3

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    • Thank you! ❤ And no, sorry. I’ve actually never followed other ones as I’ve never found anyone who had my exact same taste in books so I’ve just sought out new books to read on my own.

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  41. Thanks for sending this letter, I had wondered what happened to you!
    I have so enjoyed your website and reviews over the years. I discovered many favorite authors through your site! I Loved that your reviews were so non-biased, I knew they were always genuine!
    Will be forever grateful, and wish you all the best!

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  42. Thank You so very much. I’m not reading quite as much anymore and I think I have similar feelings on the some of the plot lines. I liked to read your reviews but it was also my go to spot for your listing of upcoming releases that I know would interest me. It had to be so hard to keep everything current every week. So again, another thank you. Best wishes in all your future endeavors.

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  43. This blog is my go to site everyday. A big thank you for putting this up. You have been a part of my life for many years. I wish you all the happiness! 🤍

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  44. Thank you for introductions to so many wonderful authors and their books. I’ll keep an eye for surprise updates. Best of luck.

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  45. Thank you for sharing your love for books. I loved so many of your reccommendations and find myself reading them again when no new book or new Kdrama holds my interest. I was really curious why everytime I go to your blog site (I bookmarked it) it’s not updating for quite a while and the Devney book is still on the list of new releases. Anyways, I am glad that you explained your sudden disapperance and I don’t have to google “what happened to aestasbookblog” anymore.
    I agree that some of the new releases doesn’t inspire a review or a star rating. I mean it’s an ok read but I am not gushing about it and I can’t even remember the name of the characters after a while. I will always be grateful for helping me discover books when I was tired of reading YA books set on high school. Whatever happens if you’ll blog or not again I’ll always remember this blog with fondness. ☺
    Keep it real and God bless!!!❤❤❤

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    • Yep, I totally feel the same. Like some of them are not bad but they just don’t make me want to shout from the rooftops about them. Hopefully one day that will change and I’ll be back with new favorites to recommend 🙂

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  46. Thank you so much for all you’ve done through your blog. I knew from the minute I first saw your “books that stayed with me” list that we had similar tastes in reading. You’ve turned me on to so many great authors over the past few years that I might never have found on my own. I rarely disliked a book that you recognized as a favorite. I’ve worked my way thru most of your annual favorites but still have a few to go. I have found myself reading fewer and fewer “romance” novels and more mysteries and thrillers over the last year. I don’t know if I’m burning out on romance or if there just aren’t that many great ones out there in a pretty saturated market. I don’t know how authors can turn out five or six books a year and expect them to be great. Anyway, your audience will gladly welcome you back if that’s in your future. Take care of yourself.

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  47. I have always been an avid book lover but until I found your website, I was never immersed into the anticipation of finding that next new book. It was more or less, something will be recommended or I will stumble across the next new read. YOU opened my eyes to a new genre, new authors, and most of all a passion in me to read consistently. I have recommended books to so many people based on the books you recommended to me. I am still trying to get through all of your lists and make sure I try to read the majority of them. You will be sorely missed because honestly, I have never found another book blogger/reviewer that kept my interest but I am also happy for you that you allowed yourself to recognize what you need that is important for you. Thank you again for all of your reviews, your passion, your time.

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