Am I still obsessed? Absolutely.

I’m fully invested in this series, and I cannot wait for book three to drop later this year. If you want to check my review of the first book and get to know a bit more about the main characters tap here.

Book Pub Day:  January 7, 2025

Genres: Romance Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction

• It incorporates elements of mystery, thriller, and romance.

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Trying not to be on any blocked list, I am writing TW like that. I hope you don’t have an issue reading it.

• Viol€nce,
• Bl00d
• D*ath
• War scenes
• Minor S€xual Content
• Confin€mnt- T0rture

My Thoughts

The Aesthetic Appeal

This book is visually stunning, from the jacket and cover art to the gorgeous stenciled and sprayed edges. Just look at the pictures! It’s a masterpiece, right? 

You can check my review of the first book here.

The Story & Characters

Four Ruined Realms is the second book in The Broken Blades series, and these characters have completely won me over, especially Royo and Aeri. There’s just something about them that I absolutely adore.

The story picks up right where book one left off, throwing our misfit heroes into yet another high-stakes quest. If you’re familiar with the series, you know it follows three central couples:

• Royo & Aeri

• Mikail & Euyn

• Tiyung & Sora

In book two, Royo and Aeri’s chemistry finally starts evolving, and I love their romance. That said, I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope, and I really hope it gets resolved in book three—because Royo deserves the truth. Honestly, everyone in this series has suffered, but Royo’s been through hell, and he deserves better.

Aeri, though? She’s my girl. I was cheering for her the whole way through. She’s an absolute badass, but she needs to grow up, take charge, and trust Royo more.

And then there’s Sora… my heart broke for her. But at the same time, I wish she would pause for a moment and put herself first. Meanwhile, Euyn completely blindsided me again. At one point, I literally gasped, put my book down, and just stared at the wall for ten minutes. I can’t say more without spoiling anything, but trust me—it’s huge.

Mikail… oh, Mikail. Always with the secrets. And yet, somehow, he feels clueless? I honestly don’t know how I feel about him anymore.

As for Tiyung… I have no words. His story felt messy, and I’m hoping book three will untangle everything. But in this installment? He felt like the least useful character.

Audiobook Thoughts

I highly recommend the full-cast audiobook—the narrators did an incredible job bringing these characters to life. That said, Tiyung’s chapters felt off this time. His narrator seemed to struggle, and while I think he was trying to capture Tiyung’s situation, it just didn’t work for me. Hopefully, that improves in book three.

I really hope you give this series a chance! It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and completely gripping. The worldbuilding is richly inspired by Korean mythology and history, adding so much depth to the story.

If you’ve read it, let me know what you think—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Soundtrack for Four Ruined Realms

I listen to rock and metal, so that’s what you’re getting. These tracks capture the intensity, dark themes, and emotional weight of the book:

• “The Game Is Over” – Evanescence

• “No Masters” – Bad Omens

• “Hail to the King” – Avenged Sevenfold

• “The Catalyst” – Linkin Park

• “In the End” – Black Veil Brides

• “Snuff” – Slipknot

• “Fade to Black” – Metallica

Book Description

The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.

His sister’s ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants—even manipulating the five blades to steal it.

Bonded by a common enemy, then divided by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon’s pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.

A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another—despite their lives, their families, and the fate of the realms hanging in the balance.

They can all agree on one thing: the king can’t win. But can they beat him at his own game?

For the blades, this time it’s not just personal—it’s revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but vengeance will bring them together.

Reading Order:

Book #1: Five Broken Blades

Book #2: Four Ruined Realms

Book #3 Three Shattered Souls (pub date: July 22, 2025)

About The Author:

Happy Reading!

S A N N A

Book Pub Day:  1 February 2018

Genres: Sports Romance, Adult contemporary romance

Trigger & Content Warnings:

• Estranged father
• Abandonment
• Online/offline bullying
• Fatphobia/body shaming
• Misogyny
• Sexual harassment
• Stalking
• One explicit sexual scene

MY THOUGHTS

Anyone with five dogs, a pig, a bunny, and a cinnamon-roll personality is good in my book!

I know From Lukov with Love wasn’t published yesterday, and many readers have already fallen in love with it. But here’s my (mostly spoiler-free) take.

I absolutely adored Jasmine Santos and Ivan Lukov. They’re the quintessential “enemies to lovers” couple: bickering constantly but with a love that runs deep. Their dynamic was everything—funny, heartfelt, and so relatable.

I’ve always loved figure skating but have never dared to step onto the ice (probably because I’d embarrass myself instantly, haha). Joking aside, I appreciated how realistic Mariana Zapata made this story. Figure skating isn’t just glitz and glamour; it’s grueling, requiring endless dedication, hard work, tears, and sacrifice.

Zapata captured that beautifully by portraying Jasmine as both vulnerable and tough—a balance that felt genuine and human.

This book was a solid 4.5 stars for me. Why not 5? Because let’s be honest, I got old waiting for them to finally get together! But that’s just Zapata’s signature style—slow-burn perfection. Aside from that, it’s absolutely 5-star material, which I rounded up on Goodreads.

If you’re expecting a lot of steamy scenes, this isn’t that kind of book. There’s only one explicit scene (toward the end), and the rest is very PG. 

That being said, I loved how realistic the character interactions felt. Jasmine’s moments of negative self-talk might bother some readers, but they reflect the pressures of being in a physically demanding sport like figure skating. 

Just like models in the fashion industry, skaters face scrutiny about their bodies, which inevitably affects their self-image. It’s not sugarcoated here, but it feels authentic.

As for the family dynamics, I know some have issues with how fat her siblings went on teasing her. Listen, siblings, teasing each other is a reality for many of us, and Jasmine’s relationship with her family added depth to her character. If you have siblings, you’ll definitely relate.

Ivan and Jasmine’s love-hate relationship is the heart of the book. Their banter was a chef’s kiss—it made me laugh out loud at 2 a.m. while the rest of the world and my family slept. Here are a couple of gems:

“Dumbass,” I mouthed before I could stop myself.

“Meatball,” he mouthed back.

And:

“Actually, Satan,”—his nostrils flared, and I didn’t miss that—“all I want is to know if you’re coming to me because no one else wants to deal with you—because that doesn’t make sense, so don’t think I’m stupid and don’t know that—or if there’s some other ulterior motive I’m not getting.”

If you’re looking for a sports romance with a cinnamon-roll hero, witty banter, and a slow-burn love story, this book is for you!

What will you find:

• Family Dynamics
• Slow Burn Romance
• Sports Drama
• Enemies to Lovers/Frenemies
• Humor & Banter 
• Cinnamon Roll Hero
• Realistic Goals & Ambitions 
• Best Friend’s Brother
• Competition
• Years later Epilogue

I’m working my way through Mariana Zapata’s backlist, and I can’t wait to dive into Under Locke, Dear Aaron, When Gracie Met the Grump, and Wait for It in 2025. So far, I’ve read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Hands Down, Kulti, and All Rhodes Lead Here. I’ve loved them all, but Kulti might just be my favorite.

Main Characters:

Jasmine Santos: A 26-year-old figure skater who’s tough, determined, and sarcastic but hides her vulnerability behind a strong exterior. Her journey of self-discovery and perseverance is inspiring and deeply relatable.

Ivan Lukov: A 30-year-old champion skater, Jasmine’s long-time frenemy, and eventual partner. Beneath his cocky exterior lies a loyal, supportive, and kind-hearted hero who’s deeply invested in Jasmine’s success.

If you’ve read this one, let me know your thoughts! If not, what are you waiting for?

For From Lukov with Love, which has a slow-burn, emotional, yet quirky vibe, I’d recommend a mix of classic and modern Rock playlist (with one exception of a pop rock song) that balances upbeat tunes with some softer, more introspective tracks to reflect the book’s theme —  Here’s a short playlist I think would fit perfectly:

“Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac

• A perfect song for the tension and eventual growth between Jasmine and Ivan. It’s about independence and change.

“Dream On” – Aerosmith

• An anthem of perseverance and following dreams, much like Jasmine’s journey in the story.

“The Kill (Bury Me)” – Thirty Seconds to Mars

• A raw song about internal struggle and overcoming personal pain, which fits well with Jasmine’s emotional journey and battles with self-worth.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses

• This could represent the softer, more vulnerable moments of the relationship—full of passion but also care.

“Weightless” – All Time Low

• This song deals with the feeling of being overwhelmed by pressure, but also finding hope in letting go. It mirrors Jasmine’s emotional journey through the stress of her skating career and the weight of her personal struggles.

“I Hate Everything About You” – Three Days Grace

• An iconic song that captures the emotional push-pull of a love-hate relationship, much like the one between Jasmine and Ivan, where they can’t stand each other but their connection runs deeper.

“Faint” – Linkin Park

• A track that represents frustration and a feeling of being unheard. This could mirror Jasmine’s struggles with feeling overlooked and unappreciated, especially in the face of bullying and her strained relationship with her father.

“Warrior” – Demi Lovato (though more pop-rock)

• This one is an empowering anthem about rising above struggles and becoming stronger, mirroring Jasmine’s journey of overcoming bullying, family issues, and her internal battles with self-worth.

Description:

From Lukov with Love is told in the sole POV of Jasmine Santos. She is a figure skater and after seventeen years, she’s aware that it is almost time to hang up the skates. Until an offer to be the partner of Ivan Lukov, a fellow skater who she has spent almost as long hating, lands in her lap.

Quotes: 

“I wanted you to be my partner for years, dumbass. When Karina had told me you were thinking about switching to pairs, I had thought you would say something to me, even in passing as a joke. I thought you would say you were going to kick my ass, and I had planned on talking to you over it. But you never did. The next thing I knew, you had a partner. Some dipshit that wasn’t half as good as you.”

“I love you so much I spend all day with you, and it still isn’t enough for me,” he kept going. I stopped breathing. “I love you so much, if I can’t skate with you, I don’t want to skate with anyone else.” Holy. Fuck. “I love you so fucking much, Jasmine, that if I broke my ankle during a program, I would get up and finish it for you, to get you what you’ve always wanted.”

About The Author:

Mariana Zapata is a bestselling contemporary romance author known for her signature slow-burn love stories. Her books often feature strong, independent heroines, complex relationships, and plenty of witty banter. Zapata’s writing style focuses on character development and emotional connections, making her a favorite among romance readers. She currently lives in Texas with her partner and pets.

Authors Website:

www.marianazapata.com

Instagram: @marianazapata

Zapata’s other books:

Under Locke, Dear Aaron, When Gracie Met the Grump, Wait for It, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Hands Down, Kulti, All Rhodes Lead Here, etc.

Happy Reading!

Sann

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality

Latest Book Review: When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create the first “poster” image or featured image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of them, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes.