Mirror, Mirror

Ashland #1

by Christina Nolte

After a life-shattering fight with his father and the end of a toxic relationship musical actor Arrick Filan has no more fight to give. Running to the other end of the world and returning to his roots as a small-town teacher seems like a good idea. A temporary solution. At least until his new boss’s enticing smiles threaten to draw him out of the comforts of his shell.

Evan Miller’s a vice principal, adores teaching, and his focus is on his friends, his dog and his job. Setting eyes on the new music teacher at Ashland High has Evan greeting a quest for love with open arms. His relentless attempts at friendship and romance force Arrick to examine his past. Could starting something new with Evan be worth the potential pain? Arrick has kept his heart and history close to his chest, but glimpses at his passion for music and teaching make it impossible for Evan to turn away.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, M M Romance, Queer, LGBT, Gay, Adult

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[trice (semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely a trust the process book for me 🙃

ngl my starting impression was not that good - unnecessary descriptions, evan came off as a bit of a jerk at first. he was like arrick would be more attractive if he smiled more, he should be more confident since he graduated from oxford etc etc

BUT hear me out it gets better!! the prose got less purply, and the characters get a more distinct personality. i'm still not a big fan of evan ✋ but i get the evan x arrick romance and it's definitely pretty sweet!! bonus points for the pets hehehh they are adorable 😭 oh and plz the side characters are so fun (not brian and ben they're asses) i mean anna and evan's dad and oliver (who btw deserves more screen time 🙏)

there's a long way to go and more room for the mc's to develop (the i-love-you's felt somewhat quick) both character-wise and relationship-wise. i'm definitely rooting for arrick (my fave prickly pear) to get back into musicals and acting 🤭 so i'll be waiting!! 😼😼

----------------------------------------------
got this arccc
ngl i'm not a big fan of small town romances but that cover got me bro 😔

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy little read that got me in my feelings more than expected. A wonderful debut from Christina Nolte.

I was expecting a cute little teacher romcom. I was not expecting to see pieces of myself reflected in both Evan and Arrick. The sunshine x grumpy, Principal/Music teacher duo. Nolte really did some magic on me with her characters and writing style. Evan and Arrick were relatable, had good dialogue and were able to go deep with their emotions. The spice was cute and light but not what the story revolved around. And if you are a fan of musicals, you will love all the references in this.

Notle made me laugh with her knowledge of teaching, as a teacher's spouse I have witnessed a lot of these conversations between these teachers! She also did such a good job with Arrick's relationships with ex his and father. I was feeling what he was feeling deeply.

This is a story of trust, found family, and new beginnings. So glad this book ended on a to be continued, I am hungry for more!

-

"He grinned when he heard it. That chuckle Arrick had wanted to hear. It was like a balm. Soothing. Cooling the burning in his cheeks and eyes."

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the hell out of this novel!
Christina Nolte's debut was a delight. It hooked me IMMEDIATELY, and I seriously could not stop reading: I had to force myself to stop because otherwise I'd have spent half of the night reading.
Anyway, I still managed to devour it in two sittings.

"Mirror, Mirror" is precisely what I look for in a contemporary romance: two fabulous, well-rounded leads, a cast of side characters that feel as real as the protagonists, a smidge of spice, a whole lot of heart and a whole lot of emotionally packed angst. I adored it!
The writing could have probably gone through an additional round of edits, but since this is a debut I'll gladly close an eye to it. It's still impressive, and it managed to keep me hooked from the very start.
I adored both protagonists to absolute bits. Yes okay, Arrick was my favourite (because I love prickly, wounded grumps who hide their heart and vulnerabilities behind an icy exterior: sue me), but Evan was a delight too. Their romance stole my heart: as usual, the build-up to their first, chemistry-fueled kiss was my favourite part of the novel, but I was squealing right until the end.

I also loved that there's a subplot going on too: the one thing that always makes become fed up with the contemporary genre is the lack of plot. I love romance and erotica for the sake of it, like any other romance fan, but I'll get tired of that kind of stuff quite quickly. "Mirror, Mirror" IS mostly romance build-up, but there's also an underlying plot connected to Arrick, his past and the school he starts working at, and I seriously cannot tell you how excited I am to read the next installment.
This book finishes with a decent HFN, but there's quite a lot of story left to tell, I think, and I cannot wait for Christina Nolte to deliver it to our greedy, grabby hands. ESPECIALLY after those last chapters. Ugh, my heart <3

Anyway, I wholly, wholly recommend.

TWs/CWs: physical, emotional abuse by a parent (past and on page), death of a parent (past), death of a close friend (on page), toxic relationship with an ex.

Many thanks to GRR for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[sunnoah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I’m glad I got this arc, I loved the blurb and the cover so I gave it a chance.

It did not disappointed. I loved Arrick and Evan’s relationship. Everything about them being together with Bee, Millie and the kittens was so sweet 🥹. I felt for Arrick and how even if he was over 30 he wasn’t able to escape his father.

I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next book 🤭💗💗💗💗

[Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honour of reading an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Get your tea and blanket ready for this book!

This reading year has had its ups and downs for me, and this book managed to pull me out of a slump. It brings everything one needs for a good cozy romantic book: an adorable couple, relatable characters, the right amount of humour mixed with drama. Funny dialogue mixed with deep talk. And of course cute animal companions. Those are the best addition!

In this novel you follow protagonist Arrick Filan in his attempt to leave his past behind him. Step by step you uncover the reason, why he had to leave London.
This story is about building friendships, relationships and trust, but also the importance of found family. You can watch chapter by chapter how Arrick starts to feel at home in his new job, flat, pet, and boyfriend.

I'm glad the book ended with a "to be continued", because I don't want to say goodbye to these characters yet. It's just a "see you later".

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arrick & Evan
Rating: 3.9⭐

- Former Actor
- HS Vice Principal
- Music Teacher/English Teacher
- Found Family
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Who Did This to You?
- Afraid to Commit
- Small Town

I enjoyed watching Arrick and Evan's relationship develop and how they "tried" not to commit to anything, but yeah, they were totally a couple once they gave into their attraction. Watching Arrick find his new sense of self, after moving across the world to get away from his father, was like watching a flower blossom. Evan was a great partner for Arrick to help him see himself as the strong and talented person he actually is.

I did not know this was a series going into it, so the ending threw me off being a HFN instead of a HEA. There are still so many unresolved things in their lives that are not in this book, so I guess we'll find out how they fare in Book 2.

Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Mention of parental abuse (on and off-page)
- Mention of parental homophobia
- Birth (cat giving birth)
- Death of a close friend
- SC hospitalization and death
- Mentions of fatal car crash (past; off-page)

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: Yes; Scenes are not detailed until the last scene
HEA: HFN
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: Arricks ex tries to get him back
Ages: Mid to Late 30's

[Rainbow_Reading_Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I first heard about this book from another author’s Instagram stories and it sounded so intriguing. It also contained my favourite pairing trope, so I was instantly sold.
This story follows Evan, the vice principal and P.E teacher of a much loved, but falling apart at the seems, high school, and also the school’s new music and physics teacher, Arrick. Arrick is new in town, and to the state in general, having just moved from London to America. He’s in desperate need of a fresh start after his dream job came crashing down around him. Preforming on stage is a little different from trying to teach teenagers though, and he’s feeling very out of his depth.
Luckily, he’s not without support, both from Evan, who immediately takes an interest in the newcomer, and from the cat who invites herself into his apartment one day and refuses to leave.
I really enjoyed getting to read both characters povs, both were so distinctive that it was easy to keep up with whose pov was who’s and it didn’t get confusing. The characters all felt very real and each was unique and very much their own person. I really enjoyed how much queer rep we got and was really happy to read about teachers who were so invested in making the school and their students lives both better and safer.
Evan and Arrick’s relationship doesn’t start out as smooth sailing, but I was very pleased with how low angst their relationship was and how much they were both there for each other. I would definitely recommend this book!
CW’s This book does contain an abusive parent, that parent is also homophobic. There is also a birth scene involving a cat and the death and following grief of a friend.

[Cinthya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? This was so much more than I could’ve ever imagined. When I started it, nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster it turned out to be. It’s hard to put into words, but there was so much heart in this story.

Evan’s approachable personality made him really easy to like from the beginning. Arrick, on the other hand, seemed like such a complex character. I could tell there was something dark there, something that was affecting and haunting him, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I loved getting to know him alongside Evan. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say if anyone does anything to him, I’m throwing hands. It’s crazy how protective I found myself becoming as the story progressed.

The writing, especially the way emotions were conveyed, was beautiful. It was a little confusing at first, because there was so much we didn’t know, but it was so worth the wait when Evan (and I) started learning more about why Arrick was the way he was.

I loved the slow burn. Definitely one-sided at first, but once it started to be mutual, I could feel their chemistry growing with every page.

This book was beautiful, and I can’t wait to start reading the second one ❤️

(The musical theater references made my heart so happy 🥹🩷)

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this book a lot!! It's sweet, it's funny, and it's so intelligently written. Also, the bad guys are the CEO of (what I assume is) a private equity firm and his subordinate? Bring it on!

Christina Nolte writes explosive yet tender chemistry between Arrick and Evan.
Sparks are flying from start to finish. They're both adults with careers (however much Arrick's may be in shambles) and lives that have shaped who they are and what they struggle with. I really appreciate MCs in their thirties and the characterization here is so rich it's a pleasure to read!

I've read this book in preparation for the sequel and now I can't wait to get into that one either.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I wish I could say this book started off great but it turned not so great in the middle. But unfortunately for me it was not great throughout. I started this as a buddy read and we read a chapter a day. I honestly think that’s the only reason I managed to get through this book. If I was reading on my own I would have DNFd pretty early on.

This book was quite confusing at times. The first few chapters either felt like they were missing things or we should have known already what was talked about (but this is the first book). So it wasn’t the easiest to follow along with. I also felt like the characters had no chemistry at all. I felt like their exchange of I love yous came out of no where.

If you’re looking for a debut book to read that has lots of side plots and questionable chemistry between the MCs then why not give it a try. I will not be reading the next book in this series even though this ended on a HFN.

[Toddles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC edition of this book from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review. The novel will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million, on February 11, 2025.
**NOTE: There are trigger warnings, however, they are not abdominal or overly traumatizing from what we would normally see in TV shows or movies.

This medium-paced 306-page  Grumpy-Sunshine, Work Place Romance, is full of promise and hope. Written in a school setting and duel POV, this Angsty Contemporary authentic novel shows that your life can be destroyed and you can still find purpose and love piece by piece.

Arrick (pronounced Eric with an A) moves to the States to have a clean start in life as far away from his father and ex as possible. His life is in pieces, and his career change is jarring, going from performing music to teaching music. On his first day of work, he meets Evan….his Vise Principle. With a full plate of stress dealing with financials and damage to the school, Evan offers guidance and support, with PE Teacher energy of a golden retriever that just won’t take the hint when Arrick grumpily pushes back. Along the way, as trust builds between them and the students, the brick wall Arrick has constructed starts to come down piece by piece and past secrets, abuse, and trauma come to light.

This debut novel was written mostly as a character development forward plot. Seeing Arrick grow as a person with the help of a stray cat named Millie, he learns to accept his new life and to feel proud of his past and current successes. His journey that we experience with him is hard at points because of the difficult relationships he's had, which has made him recluse into himself angrily. The realistic physical and emotional homophobic abuse he receives, even as an adult, made him question his purpose as a human. It made him feel unworthy and unaccepted for his career choices. Using the passion he has for his school and life, Evan, with his dog Bee, shows that small town life is welcoming, supportive, and protective of everyone.

This MM Romance is the perfect book for someone who wants to dip their toe into this genre for the first time. It’s simply written with real themes that clearly show how life can (still) be like for a gay man. It’s written abruptly to keep the plot moving quickly with time hops and chapter endings that make you want to keep reading. Because the author is from Europe, terms and phrases are presented a little differently than we normally undergo. It makes the novel more authentic from Arrick’s point of view and dry sense of humor. However, it did take me a hot second to get immersed in Arrick’s life and able to follow the detailed trajectory of the plot.

The spice was tame and perfect for a newbie. 1.5/5🌶. With scenes that have little to no detail in most of the book. They mostly cut to black until their relationship finally climaxes and they physically do too in one scene that was written beautifully with simple details and adoration and love. Perfect for an MM virgin.

Since this is the first book in the Ashland Series, it established a nice sized ensemble including all walks of life from  sexuality, financial class, and animal companionship. There are so many friends and found families that support and love each other in the face of villains. This also leads to many prospects of future couplings including other school workers, towns people, shop owners and maybe students, which in my opinion would be a nice Coming-of-Age plot that is needed in today’s society.

I really appreciated this book because it has a different fondness and notion than other novels that I normally read. Where others are not appropriate for all ages, I would be comfortable giving this to a 16 or 17 year old teenager. It gives great life lessons as well as warnings and shows how acceptance and support can come from anyone in life and how it can change your unknown path distinctively.

💜HAPPY READING!🫶

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arrick has come to be a teacher in a small town after his father’s influence on the theatre world drove him out of his passion as an actor on the stage.

Evan is the vice principal, and tries to help Arrick acclimate, though he’s extremely quiet and doesn’t try to get to know his colleagues.

The more Evan sees, the more he understands Arrick’s pain in losing his career and trying to hide as a music teacher. The kids he teaches try to get him to direct a musical, but it’s too much.

Arrick slowly shares his story with Evan, who fills his need for affection, understanding, and eventually, love. They work to make the school better, do fundraising, and start spending time with other teachers, Evan’s friends, together.

Meanwhile, the small town is being looked at by an investment firm, run by Arrick’s ex, where his Dad works.
Arrick faces his father, and Evan is there to encourage him, and they manage to make it clear Arrick’s Dad has no more control of him. When Evan loses his friend and boss, Arrick takes a turn being there for him as well.

I like this book, where a heartbroken man gets more than he expects from a sweet, caring colleague. The story can be a bit confusing, but sorts itself out, and I like Arrick’s Dad losing his influence over Arrick at the end.

I received this ARC for free and am pleased to give it my honest review with thanks.

[Sussu {Romance Obsessed} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you GRR for the arc!
I was so excited to get accepted to read this, the cover was really cute. I'm happy to say that it lived up to hype and it was pretty much everything I wanted it to be.
The start is a bit slow, but it gets better if you stick with it!

I really enjoyed this book, what made it even more impressive was that it's a debut novel?!
Definitely give it a shot if you want a cosy, insta-comfort style romance/relationship.

The characters were great, and not just the main ones. It felt like the author really put in a lot of time with developing the side characters as well.
That's what gave it the feeling of being a small town romance, at a school with teachers and kids that was actually populated.

I also have to thank the author for giving every character distinctly different names, it can get so confusing if you have a million different names in a book and there are names like "Ethan" and "Evan".

I loved the inclusion of animals in this too!! I'm hoping that Bee will be on the next cover, and maybe the kittens? 🥺

[TeeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

For starters, as a debut novel, this was very good! The story is sweet and intriguing, the characters are loveable and interesting, and the writing is pretty good. Both our MCs, Arrick and Evan, worked very well together, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship progression and their individual character development. I will say, at times, Arrick's secretive history felt a little convoluted at times, and it took a while before we got the whole story. So, it made some points a little confusing. I'm all for a mystery reveal and getting little clues along the way, but I think it could have been executed more effectively than it was. That said, this was still a super enjoyable story, and that ending really has me looking forward to the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC but I am leaving this review voluntarily:)

This book completely pulled me in from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down. The story was fast-paced, which I usually don’t go for, but it was so perfectly done that it didn’t feel rushed at all. Every scene felt meaningful, and the pacing only added to the excitement and depth of the plot.

What really stood out for me was the relationship between Arrick and Evan. Watching Arrick’s grumpy, closed-off nature slowly soften because of Evan was so heartwarming. It wasn’t just one-sided, though—they both grew so much together, and the way they added to each other’s characters felt incredibly real. It’s rare to find a story where two characters support each other so strongly, and it made their connection feel deep and authentic.

The moments where they were each other’s rocks really moved me. They leaned on each other through tough times, and it showed how beautifully written their dynamic was. You could feel the love and trust they built over time, which made their journey together so powerful.

I also loved the reading about Arrick’s past job, and I’m hoping we get to see him return to it in some capacity in a future book. It would be such a great way to explore even more of his character and add another layer to the story.

All in all, this book was such an enjoyable read. The characters, the pacing, and the emotional depth all came together perfectly. It’s an easy 5 out of 5 for me, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Nawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very comfy read that got me out of a reading slump. As a teacher myself I really enjoyed the work setting a lot (Loved them working together on the sofa.) and the protagonists’ struggles at school were very relatable. I usually tend to loose interest once the characters are in a relationship. But here the plot kept me going and the characters did the rest! The pets bring the right amount of cuteness (Might even name my next dog Bee now.), the protagonists are very well written and I loved how the supporting characters had a lot more depth than expected and held some surprises. I‘m already waiting for the sequel!

[VicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

↓↓
this took me a bit to get into in the beginning but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Arrick needing a fresh start moves to the states and has a massive career change, First day on the job, he meets Evan and from there things slowly blossom between them.

There was a lot of growth and development from the two.

This does end as a HFN and left with several questions.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️



Sweet and emotional with hint of heat and a great cast of characters including so super sweet fur babies ❤️. This is the type of story that has a sub plot going on that has you reeling as well. I'm curious to se what's next because there's so much more to this story and I was so here for it. I would recommend.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully binged Mirror, Mirror today, and I’m absolutely obsessed!!! The whole story and character development + background was amazing and Millie and her kittens were so precious🥰 I did in fact cry twice lol but I love emotional books! I can’t wait to see where Arrick and Evan’s story goes next!

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

as cute as the cover suggests

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Mirror, Mirror is the first book in the Ashland series and it ends with several unresolved issues. I wouldn’t quite call it a cliffhanger, as the MCs are settled in their relationship. But there are several other things up in the air. This book, for me, is a bit of a mixed bag. There are parts I really enjoyed, and other things that didn’t work as well for me.

All in all, it was a decent start to the series. Arrick endeared himself to me as he started opening up. Evan came off as pushy in the beginning, but really showed his soft side and made it clear he was just trying to help. The secondary characters were well drawn and added to the tale. This book had its issues, but overall told an interesting story. Hopefully, more will be revealed as the series continues.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-balanced read from a new author. Both Arrick & Evan have distinctive personalities , so you are easily able to tell whose view you are in even though it's not on chapter headers (as a lot of authors do). A good introduction to a new small town school struggling to strive in a struggling town. The characters show a strong foundation where you want to see more from their story.
The writing style is unique, which is always a bonus to see with so many books out there. Appreciated the flow of the storyling that mixes tenderness with real-life issues. This does end on an HFN vs. a HEA that works and has you curious to try more from this author in the future.

[James Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirror

This book for me is a 3.75. But since that is not an option, I will give it a four out of five. I feel that there were some unresolved questions and situations. Arrick moves to a small town to become a music and physics teacher. He was an actor in London but his father did not approve, so Arrick left. Evan is the assistant principal at the school. He is immediately interested in Arrick but Arrick is wary. The two men eventually become friends and Arrick opens to the possibility of intimacy and the two men begin dating. Things go well until Arrick’s father shows up for a business deal. He wants Arrick to change his life. Now Arrick must make some decisions about what he wants for his future.

[Cameron Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Mirror, Mirror' was overall a cute book! I really enjoyed the relationship and dynamic of both Arrick and Evan a lot. They're super sweet together :)

Their relationship alongside their barnyard of pets is truly my favorite part of this book! Any man that can cherish a cat, pregnant or not(!), is a man with a beautiful heart. And I'm so glad Evan and Arrick found each other.

Like I said, the book was cute, and I am looking forward to where the next book takes Arrick and Evan, and I know the author is going to make it a smash hit!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is thick with characters, many of which have some rather circuitous relationships that deepen the impact of their interactions. Thankfully, there’s a page in the front of the book that has each character listed.

Some referential descriptions would help avoid some flipping back and forth, and would contribute to the ‘in the moment’ sense of scene and interactions.

What Christina Nolte has done is weaving this complex set of relationships to build a love story between two unlikely characters who navigate it.

The backstory is intense, a bit troubling and emotional at times. Our main characters, including former musical actor Arrick Filan, is the leader in the back story, having fled London’s West End as a result of what is described as a toxic relationship. His relationship with his father is even worse and there’s a sense of doom that is unsettling while Arrick – that’s Arrick with an “A” we are told several times – tries to make in this new position in America.

The crumbling school where he goes to teach, and the crumbling town in which it is located, is part of the darkness of this place. What is bright are the teachers and some of the students in this school. The faculty is self-supportive behind a cherished principal and attentive vice-principal.

There is physical violence portrayed on page, for one of the main characters and one of the students. It is a tale with gritty overtones of fear, but which also has the hope of love and companionship in a new place. Ms. Nolte has done well with this story, but in addition to the inline referential hints about complex relationships, some on-page clues to sudden flashbacks and character references about past events, would be helpful.

It does leave you hanging, and there’s hope a successor book would include some updates on those left unresolved, including an offer for a donation that had been hinted would come with significant strings.

[Winnie Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirror, Mirror is my introduction to this author, and I definitely enjoyed it. From the onset, I was rooting for Arrick to overcome his parental / relationship struggles from his past and build a happy life in his new surroundings. Then Evan popped up and I was like “ooh yes!” I love Evan, but I relate to Arrick so strongly.

It’s difficult to make friends as an adult, particularly when everyone already knows each other, and I appreciate the realism of that depiction. Having a pet (or two or three lol) can go a long way to bridging that gap. Arrick got to experience the cat distribution system in the absolute best way!

There is levity mixed in with the tougher themes and I’m thankful for that. I’m a big baby, but the humor kept me from crying over anything. There are good lessons about letting people in and listening to people when they beg you to take a break.

Oh, the students were adorable too! I’m also a sucker for kiddos. They made the small town vibe feel real, along with how close the teachers are. I love a small town bookstore and Ashland had a great one run by a cool guy. Also, this book is listed as book one but somehow I was still surprised by the “to be continued” lol. Ridiculous of me.

Anyway, I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review. It was good but didn’t quite enthrall me. I do want everyone to capitalize the B in Black the way it’s supposed to be, but that’s a cultural thing that some people still don’t seem to be aware of. 4.25 stars.

[c_reads_books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ Rating: 3.75/5
🌶️ Rating: 6 on RCRS scale (open door scenes with mostly tame language)

Ah this was a really sweet love story! I haven’t read a contemporary romance in a long while and as a result I think I kept waiting for the stake to get higher & something dramatic to happen. But this isn’t that kind of book. It’s character-driven with Arrick & Evan gently uncovering each others’ history. The way Evan held Arrick’s trauma and anxieties was soft and caring and I really felt for everything that had happened to Arrick.

The duel POV was well done, and switching in the same scene was something I initially didn’t think I’d enjoy, but it was cool to get a feeling of the way one interpreted the others’ actions vs. what that person was trying to convey.

All in all I had fun with this foray into contemporary romance. The book did have a few irregularities (sentence structure, a character having their hands in their pockets and their arms crossed etc.) but they were really occasional and didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

Thank you to Nolte for the opportunity to read and review Mirror, Mirror prior to its release.

[Showarst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirror, Mirror is author Christina Nolte’s debut novel. I was intrigued by the blurb and was instantly drawn into the story of Evan Miller, vice principal, and Arrick Filan, former actor/singer turned teacher. Arrick was so cold and private at the very beginning, but as we learned about his past it was so easy to see why he acted the way he did. His cold aloofness was hiding pain and he was trying to protect himself from further pain. Evan was such a golden retriever who instantly was attracted to Arrick and wanted to know everything about him. There were times that I felt like Evan was pushing Arrick to go beyond his boundaries. Especially once Evan started learning that Arrick had been abused. I loved all of the side characters and how they supported the two mcs (excepted Ben and Arrick’s dad- they can rot). I was a little disappointed that this was not clearly marked as the first part of Evan and Arrick’s story. I was nearing the end and I was like ‘how is everything going to be wrapped up in 5%?’ Spoiler: it wasn’t. It doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the story, but I was so disappointed by the ‘to be continued’ at the end. I think the ILYs were a little rushed as well to fit into this part of the story. Hopefully, we will get to see these two get their HEA very soon.

I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review

[Ruby ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5
Finished in 3 days

This book was very smooth and easy to read. It is a cosy, cosy book that combines joy, deeper emotions, and character development to create a well-rounded story. There were a few spelling and grammatical errors, but they didn't stick out, so the text was easy to read. The well-written descriptions of emotions and characters helped the reader understand what people were going through.

The main character and his newfound fur family have me weak, they are so cute and their scenes are my favourite to read in the book. The relationship in this story has many aspects which are common in real life which I think makes the relationship more likable. This story stopped at a good point but the writing of it could have been better in my opinion I will be reading the next book, seeing as I am already hooked on this new world and characters.

I received this as an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[annas.bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet workplace MM romance between boss/employee with sunshine/grumpy, low conflict and medium angst/tension, dual POV and found family. I loved watching how determined Evan was to help Arrick come out of his shell and the love that blossoms between these two characters was so beautiful.
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Arrick is looking to get as far away from his problems as he can which is how he lands himself in small town America working as a physics/music teacher. After his dreams back in London crumbled, he’s looking for a fresh start but is struggling with the adjustment. In steps fellow teacher/vice principal Evan who is immediately taken by him, even as reluctant as Arrick seems to let anyone get close to him. What follows is a story of rediscovering forgotten talents and passions, a sweet if not persistent love interest and a cat that just refuses to leave.