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Mayhem in Antwerp #1
Cat Got Your Tongue
Imagine having to turn to your enemy for help…
I pride myself on being the 3 C’s—cool, calm, and collected.
Enter Armin Delic.
Ruthless. Cunning. Unyielding.
And CEO of his own software company.
He makes my skin itch every time we cross paths.
Sure, he’s successful and looks like he just stepped off the cover of a GQ magazine.
Though I know better.
Beneath that smooth exterior lies the same arrogant man who’s been driving me crazy since we were kids.
I never imagined I’d need him for anything.
But one night during a trip to Istanbul changes everything.
Now, with my past threatening to unravel, I have no choice.
I need his help.
My name is Elma Halilovic, and I’m about to dance with the devil.
I pride myself on being the 3 C’s—cool, calm, and collected.
Enter Armin Delic.
Ruthless. Cunning. Unyielding.
And CEO of his own software company.
He makes my skin itch every time we cross paths.
Sure, he’s successful and looks like he just stepped off the cover of a GQ magazine.
Though I know better.
Beneath that smooth exterior lies the same arrogant man who’s been driving me crazy since we were kids.
I never imagined I’d need him for anything.
But one night during a trip to Istanbul changes everything.
Now, with my past threatening to unravel, I have no choice.
I need his help.
My name is Elma Halilovic, and I’m about to dance with the devil.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2024
125 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 10, 2025
જ⁀➴ 3.5/5
“I didn’t need sugar in my life. I need flavour, and that’s what elma is.”
꒰ ❤️🔥꒱ - this book follows elma and armin, enemies since childhood. this book has best friend’s brother, enemies to lovers, age gap (7 years), secret relationship, and mental health/trauma rep. there are trigger warnings for this book, so please check before reading. there is smut in this book.
────୨ৎ────
꒰ 💋 ꒱ - 𝐄𝐋𝐌𝐀: she works in HR, has amazing bsfs, and an adorable dog. i liked her character and reading her perspective was enjoyable. some things she did early on were pretty petty, but i could understand where she was coming from. she had a lot of doubt and insecurities in their relationship because of her past, the letters omg.
“i would have no one, only me and my thoughts”
꒰ 💵 ꒱ - 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍: did i mention he was a billionaire? yeah.he was attracted to elma from the beginning (more obviously than her), and i think he actually developed feelings first. he was pretty sweet in their relationship and the way he was there for her and cared for her was charming. he helped elma a lot. the white roses omdd
“not saying anything and freezing up was his way of protecting himself”
꒰ 🫂 ꒱ - her friends were the most supportive people ever!! Ifran and alina are so cute!! best friends to lovers and second chance?? also arsen and lejla - second chance since she moved back.
────୨ৎ────
꒰ 💌 ꒱ - 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒:
“she’s not only beautiful, she’s downright lethal”
“don’t forgive them for them, forgive them for yourself”
“i could say you took my heart, but you made the heart inside me beat and grow.”
“i’ll be your anchor and tell you how worthy you are of everything.”
xx
joni
ೃ⁀➷pre-review
2024.12.12
fun, easy read
ೃ⁀➷pre-read
2024.12.10
got the arc- super excited for this!!
➷ mental health rep + enemies to lovers
super excited
thank you to sunny babes pr & the author for an arc
“I didn’t need sugar in my life. I need flavour, and that’s what elma is.”
꒰ ❤️🔥꒱ - this book follows elma and armin, enemies since childhood. this book has best friend’s brother, enemies to lovers, age gap (7 years), secret relationship, and mental health/trauma rep. there are trigger warnings for this book, so please check before reading. there is smut in this book.
────୨ৎ────
꒰ 💋 ꒱ - 𝐄𝐋𝐌𝐀: she works in HR, has amazing bsfs, and an adorable dog. i liked her character and reading her perspective was enjoyable. some things she did early on were pretty petty, but i could understand where she was coming from. she had a lot of doubt and insecurities in their relationship because of her past, the letters omg.
“i would have no one, only me and my thoughts”
꒰ 💵 ꒱ - 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍: did i mention he was a billionaire? yeah.he was attracted to elma from the beginning (more obviously than her), and i think he actually developed feelings first. he was pretty sweet in their relationship and the way he was there for her and cared for her was charming. he helped elma a lot. the white roses omdd
“not saying anything and freezing up was his way of protecting himself”
꒰ 🫂 ꒱ - her friends were the most supportive people ever!! Ifran and alina are so cute!! best friends to lovers and second chance?? also arsen and lejla - second chance since she moved back.
────୨ৎ────
꒰ 💌 ꒱ - 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒:
“she’s not only beautiful, she’s downright lethal”
“don’t forgive them for them, forgive them for yourself”
“i could say you took my heart, but you made the heart inside me beat and grow.”
“i’ll be your anchor and tell you how worthy you are of everything.”
xx
joni
ೃ⁀➷pre-review
2024.12.12
fun, easy read
ೃ⁀➷pre-read
2024.12.10
got the arc- super excited for this!!
➷ mental health rep + enemies to lovers
super excited
thank you to sunny babes pr & the author for an arc
December 22, 2024
An enjoyable little read and my first by the author.
Cat Got Your Tongue is the story of Elma and Armin, arch enemies since their youth. Here the two find themselves face to face as adults and in a professional way.
Despite the cute name and cartoon cover, this is quite an open door romance involving enemies to lovers, mental health concerns and age gaps.
I really enjoyed the devilish banter between these two and how in depth their story really runs. I also love the Bosnian representation here!
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR and the author for a chance to read and review in exchange for the honest opinion.
Cat Got Your Tongue is the story of Elma and Armin, arch enemies since their youth. Here the two find themselves face to face as adults and in a professional way.
Despite the cute name and cartoon cover, this is quite an open door romance involving enemies to lovers, mental health concerns and age gaps.
I really enjoyed the devilish banter between these two and how in depth their story really runs. I also love the Bosnian representation here!
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR and the author for a chance to read and review in exchange for the honest opinion.
December 16, 2024
3 stars because the main trope of enemies to lovers was actualyl pretty nice.
I don't know what to say about this book. I mean, the plot was okay, I actually really liked the connection between the two protagonists, and I really interested in continuing the story in the next books. All the secondary characters were really nice and I like the friendship they all shared
What I feel is a bit off is first of all the blurb. This book is nothing like I had imagined after reading the blurb. Some sentences and conversation were a bit cringe. Some characters came out of nowhere. Read the TW please, even though I feel like some plot twist were unnecessary. It would have been fine with just the enemies to lovers trope. It would have been great without that added layer. The blurb says Elma needs Armin's help and that she going to dance with the devil. I don't feel like this is true at all.
Thank you Sunny babe PR for the opportunity to read an ARC for Cat got your tongue
I don't know what to say about this book. I mean, the plot was okay, I actually really liked the connection between the two protagonists, and I really interested in continuing the story in the next books. All the secondary characters were really nice and I like the friendship they all shared
What I feel is a bit off is first of all the blurb. This book is nothing like I had imagined after reading the blurb. Some sentences and conversation were a bit cringe. Some characters came out of nowhere. Read the TW please, even though I feel like some plot twist were unnecessary. It would have been fine with just the enemies to lovers trope. It would have been great without that added layer. The blurb says Elma needs Armin's help and that she going to dance with the devil. I don't feel like this is true at all.
Thank you Sunny babe PR for the opportunity to read an ARC for Cat got your tongue
December 13, 2024
"Cat got your tongue?" is a contemporary romance with a brilliant portrayal of emotions and a swoon-worthy chemistry that definitely gives you a lot of lol moments. This is a true enemies to lovers because OH MY GOD! They do hate each other. 😂 This is the first book in the "Mayhem in Antwerp" series.
The story follows Elma who hates her best friend's brother, Armin. They bring out the devil in each other which could ultimately make the angels weep. However, she loves her best friend despite her despise for the handsome, smooth talker of her brother.
There is an attraction, a sort of pull towards each other but their denial seems to get the best of them. With quick, witty and hilarious banter-filled conversations and a secret relationship, this book will definitely keep you engaged in its narration through and through.
This book has it all.
Engaging plotline, loveable characters, appropriate nicknames, romance that will sweep you off your feet and so much more. The representation of mental health is well recognised and acknowledged in the storyline. The story also contains some heavy, emotionally charged elements that were well written. I was absolutely intrigued by the blurb and as I began reading it, I was immediately fascinated by the protagonists. Elma's response to one of the comments of Armin during the initial pages of the story made her my favourite FMC of the year. She is not the one to bow down. The dynamics between two protagonists is incredible and unique. And their passion was sizzling hot and spicy. Their relationship was one filled with understanding, comfort and pleasure. Armin is surely going to become many readers book boyfriend. I cannot wait to read the next book which focuses on my second favourite and best couple of this book.
I'd definitely recommend this book to the contemporary romance enthusiasts.
The story follows Elma who hates her best friend's brother, Armin. They bring out the devil in each other which could ultimately make the angels weep. However, she loves her best friend despite her despise for the handsome, smooth talker of her brother.
There is an attraction, a sort of pull towards each other but their denial seems to get the best of them. With quick, witty and hilarious banter-filled conversations and a secret relationship, this book will definitely keep you engaged in its narration through and through.
This book has it all.
Engaging plotline, loveable characters, appropriate nicknames, romance that will sweep you off your feet and so much more. The representation of mental health is well recognised and acknowledged in the storyline. The story also contains some heavy, emotionally charged elements that were well written. I was absolutely intrigued by the blurb and as I began reading it, I was immediately fascinated by the protagonists. Elma's response to one of the comments of Armin during the initial pages of the story made her my favourite FMC of the year. She is not the one to bow down. The dynamics between two protagonists is incredible and unique. And their passion was sizzling hot and spicy. Their relationship was one filled with understanding, comfort and pleasure. Armin is surely going to become many readers book boyfriend. I cannot wait to read the next book which focuses on my second favourite and best couple of this book.
I'd definitely recommend this book to the contemporary romance enthusiasts.
December 25, 2024
I have never read a book where the characters were the same ethnicity as me & where my culture was highlighted, so this was a very special reading experience for me🥹 This felt fast paced & short so I devoured it quite quickly.
Elma is sassy & feisty when it comes to going head to head with Armin, but she’s a damaged sweetheart underneath all that bravado, however I loved her growth & watching her take her power back. Armin may come across as a grumpy asshole who cannot stand the thought of Elma but he has always cared about her deeply, & watching him becoming this soft, gentle, loving man for her was really sweet. Their bickering was intense & the animosity was evident between them, but so was the tension & the sparks, as there was no denying that these two had feelings for one another under all hatred🤭
Thank you to AH monroe for the arc🧡
Elma is sassy & feisty when it comes to going head to head with Armin, but she’s a damaged sweetheart underneath all that bravado, however I loved her growth & watching her take her power back. Armin may come across as a grumpy asshole who cannot stand the thought of Elma but he has always cared about her deeply, & watching him becoming this soft, gentle, loving man for her was really sweet. Their bickering was intense & the animosity was evident between them, but so was the tension & the sparks, as there was no denying that these two had feelings for one another under all hatred🤭
Thank you to AH monroe for the arc🧡
December 26, 2024
Ahhhh so proud of AH Monroe and her debut novel 🫶🏼 I’ve loved following along on your journey the past couple months seeing all the teasers made me even more excited for this book than I already was!
I love a romance with good enemies to lovers banter! This book is filled with great friendships, emotional backstories, and some juicy spice!
Despite their constant arguing Armin & Elma were meant to be and everyone in their life seemed to know that but them! I loved seeing the story of where they came from to where they ended up together.
Can’t wait to see which characters get a story next 🤍
I love a romance with good enemies to lovers banter! This book is filled with great friendships, emotional backstories, and some juicy spice!
Despite their constant arguing Armin & Elma were meant to be and everyone in their life seemed to know that but them! I loved seeing the story of where they came from to where they ended up together.
Can’t wait to see which characters get a story next 🤍
February 2, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
❤️ I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance —the tension and chemistry between the main characters were well done! The side characters also added a lot of charm to the story. The spice was well-written, though at times it felt a little overdone.
❤️However, one major plot point felt unnecessary. It didn’t add much to the overall story, and I think the book could have carried itself just fine with just the enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
❤️That said, the mental health representation was handled well, and I really appreciated the inclusion of diverse characters—it was refreshing to see such thoughtful representation.
✨Overall, it was an enjoyable read with great representation and a compelling romance, even if some aspects didn’t fully work for me.
4 🌶️
❤️ I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance —the tension and chemistry between the main characters were well done! The side characters also added a lot of charm to the story. The spice was well-written, though at times it felt a little overdone.
❤️However, one major plot point felt unnecessary. It didn’t add much to the overall story, and I think the book could have carried itself just fine with just the enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
❤️That said, the mental health representation was handled well, and I really appreciated the inclusion of diverse characters—it was refreshing to see such thoughtful representation.
✨Overall, it was an enjoyable read with great representation and a compelling romance, even if some aspects didn’t fully work for me.
December 21, 2024
I’m so happy I finally finished this book! It was truly a roller coaster of emotions for me. Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous cover! 😂
I had a blast enjoying the witty banter between Elma and Armin at the beginning. Elma’s personality really jumped off the page for me! But then, learning about everything she went through just broke my heart. The revenge chapter was a tough read, and I definitely didn’t see that twist coming! The mood shifted dramatically, and I found it hard to adjust. But I’m really glad that Elma ultimately found the closure she needed.
Just a heads up—the smut level in this book is pretty intense, so take your time with it! 😅
All in all, this is a fantastic debut novel, and I have a feeling this story will stick with me for a while.
Make sure to check out the trigger warnings before diving in!
I received an ARC, and as always, all opinions are my own.
I had a blast enjoying the witty banter between Elma and Armin at the beginning. Elma’s personality really jumped off the page for me! But then, learning about everything she went through just broke my heart. The revenge chapter was a tough read, and I definitely didn’t see that twist coming! The mood shifted dramatically, and I found it hard to adjust. But I’m really glad that Elma ultimately found the closure she needed.
Just a heads up—the smut level in this book is pretty intense, so take your time with it! 😅
All in all, this is a fantastic debut novel, and I have a feeling this story will stick with me for a while.
Make sure to check out the trigger warnings before diving in!
I received an ARC, and as always, all opinions are my own.
January 18, 2025
I will be honest and say I didn’t know if I was going to like the book in the beginning, but I always want to give any book a chance and by 25% in I was hooked. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorites so it was easy to love the characters! As one of my favorite tropes I will say that Elma & Armin embodied the full on loathing and the banter was so fun! I will say I’m might curious to know if we will get to meet M in a future book because now his character sounds like my type of morally black MCM. I’m excited to read more by this author!
Read
January 15, 2025DNF
Had to DNF this one after the first chapter. The writing style just wasn’t my vibe, and I didn’t want to force myself to keep reading something I knew I wouldn’t enjoy. Figured it was better to quit early than end up hating it and having nothing nice to say.
That said, big props for the playlist! Loved seeing Dino Merlin in there—he deserves all the attention. Super cool touch, even if the book itself wasn’t for me.
If the writing clicks with you, you might love this, but yeah, not my thing.
Had to DNF this one after the first chapter. The writing style just wasn’t my vibe, and I didn’t want to force myself to keep reading something I knew I wouldn’t enjoy. Figured it was better to quit early than end up hating it and having nothing nice to say.
That said, big props for the playlist! Loved seeing Dino Merlin in there—he deserves all the attention. Super cool touch, even if the book itself wasn’t for me.
If the writing clicks with you, you might love this, but yeah, not my thing.
January 13, 2025
Wow wow wow! I did not expect everything in this book to happen. I am truly stunned by how impressed I am with this book. What an emotional rollercoaster !
I loved so many things in this book, not only does it have my favourite tropes… enemies to lovers, best friends brother, it also has of smutty dominance scenes.
I love the cultural representation , it is something new for me. It was nice to read about different cultures and learn something new.
The characters were all around amazing! I loved the banter / hate comments between Elma and Armin some of it made me laugh. The friendships and the family relationships through this book were so good too. I love Alina how she is so loyal to both Elma and Armin and not afraid to put him in his place. Elma is such a badass, strong and independent woman. I love how she doesn’t let anyone stand in her way and is feisty! Armin is a smart and sexy businessman that knows how to take care and make you feel sexy and cared for.
Not only is this book about romance it has many life struggles and emotions throughout. I think that is what touched me the most. It is about trauma, going through struggles , finding yourself and overcoming your fears, closure and of course finding that one who will be there every step of the way. Elma’s past is soooooo traumatic. As someone who doesn’t get easily triggered.. that one scene was tense and hard to read… so just a warning there. I loved the letter… and sobbed while reading it and the epilogue as well.
Overall I think this was an amazing debut book and I think if you love these tropes, dark romance and strength and growth then I think you will enjoy this one
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for the ARC
I loved so many things in this book, not only does it have my favourite tropes… enemies to lovers, best friends brother, it also has of smutty dominance scenes.
I love the cultural representation , it is something new for me. It was nice to read about different cultures and learn something new.
The characters were all around amazing! I loved the banter / hate comments between Elma and Armin some of it made me laugh. The friendships and the family relationships through this book were so good too. I love Alina how she is so loyal to both Elma and Armin and not afraid to put him in his place. Elma is such a badass, strong and independent woman. I love how she doesn’t let anyone stand in her way and is feisty! Armin is a smart and sexy businessman that knows how to take care and make you feel sexy and cared for.
Not only is this book about romance it has many life struggles and emotions throughout. I think that is what touched me the most. It is about trauma, going through struggles , finding yourself and overcoming your fears, closure and of course finding that one who will be there every step of the way. Elma’s past is soooooo traumatic. As someone who doesn’t get easily triggered.. that one scene was tense and hard to read… so just a warning there. I loved the letter… and sobbed while reading it and the epilogue as well.
Overall I think this was an amazing debut book and I think if you love these tropes, dark romance and strength and growth then I think you will enjoy this one
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for the ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2025
⚠️TW - talk of parental loss, bullying, panic attacks, sexual assault, rape, sexually explicit content, profanity, revenge, violence, grooming ⚠️
🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 45
Chapter 47
Chapter 49
Chapter 57
My initial thoughts were that this book reads immature and didn't flow very well. As I read further into it I realized it's because the author isn't a native English speaker. I do wish that there were an author's note in the front or back of the book that gave a little insight into the authors location so the fact that the story felt like broken English at times made sense. With that in mind I tried to put aside the way the story was written and just focus on the story itself.
I'm not one who can DNF a book, so even though I found the story to be boring, I read the whole thing. I found the characters annoying and egotistical, which made it hard for me to root for them and want to care about their story.
I found the characters unlikeable. Their feud seemed childish. I understand not liking someone, but the pranks they pulled on each other was juvenile and doesn't seem realistic as something people in their late-20s/early-30s would do. The book also felt very repetitive in thoughts and actions between the characters.
There were inconsistencies about the ages of Alina, Irfan and Elma. Elma said they have known each other since they were five, but they were celebrating Alina turning 27, and Irfan said he was 30 and Elma said she was 29? I know that's a small thing, but for some reason it stuck out at me. If Elma has known Alina and her family since she was five, wouldn't she have known that Armin was bullied as a child?
M's character came out of nowhere, and the storyline of Armin having a torture chamber in his basement seemed out of left field. I just didn't understand his characters purpose..
Overall I struggled to complete this book and didn't enjoy the storyline and found the characters hard to root for. 2.5/5⭐
🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 45
Chapter 47
Chapter 49
Chapter 57
My initial thoughts were that this book reads immature and didn't flow very well. As I read further into it I realized it's because the author isn't a native English speaker. I do wish that there were an author's note in the front or back of the book that gave a little insight into the authors location so the fact that the story felt like broken English at times made sense. With that in mind I tried to put aside the way the story was written and just focus on the story itself.
I'm not one who can DNF a book, so even though I found the story to be boring, I read the whole thing. I found the characters annoying and egotistical, which made it hard for me to root for them and want to care about their story.
I found the characters unlikeable. Their feud seemed childish. I understand not liking someone, but the pranks they pulled on each other was juvenile and doesn't seem realistic as something people in their late-20s/early-30s would do. The book also felt very repetitive in thoughts and actions between the characters.
There were inconsistencies about the ages of Alina, Irfan and Elma. Elma said they have known each other since they were five, but they were celebrating Alina turning 27, and Irfan said he was 30 and Elma said she was 29? I know that's a small thing, but for some reason it stuck out at me. If Elma has known Alina and her family since she was five, wouldn't she have known that Armin was bullied as a child?
M's character came out of nowhere, and the storyline of Armin having a torture chamber in his basement seemed out of left field. I just didn't understand his characters purpose..
Overall I struggled to complete this book and didn't enjoy the storyline and found the characters hard to root for. 2.5/5⭐
December 16, 2024
Let me start by saying this book made me laugh and cry and I loved every single moment of reading it.
I love Elma and Armin so much and they have my heart. Incase you missed it, this book has the Enemies to lovers trope so best believe, we are in for some 🔥.
The tension or should I say chemistry between them was Top tier. Their banter and little snides at each other was so funny and cute to see/read.
I love that certain nental health topics were spoken on and the fact that is was rightly depicted was also so amazing (so kudos to our author even though you made me cry).Our fmc Elma went through some stuffs and we get to see her struggles and how Armin helped her get through them was so beautiful and emotional. The growth and overall development was great and I loved the fact that we got to see that 💜.
And let's not forget the spice. The spice was good and sizzling 🤭, when we got there it was 👌🏽. This is such an amazing book for a debut💜.
Huge thank you to author A.H Monroe and @sunnybabepr for choosing me to read this wonderful arc.
I love Elma and Armin so much and they have my heart. Incase you missed it, this book has the Enemies to lovers trope so best believe, we are in for some 🔥.
The tension or should I say chemistry between them was Top tier. Their banter and little snides at each other was so funny and cute to see/read.
I love that certain nental health topics were spoken on and the fact that is was rightly depicted was also so amazing (so kudos to our author even though you made me cry).Our fmc Elma went through some stuffs and we get to see her struggles and how Armin helped her get through them was so beautiful and emotional. The growth and overall development was great and I loved the fact that we got to see that 💜.
And let's not forget the spice. The spice was good and sizzling 🤭, when we got there it was 👌🏽. This is such an amazing book for a debut💜.
Huge thank you to author A.H Monroe and @sunnybabepr for choosing me to read this wonderful arc.
December 15, 2024
I'M IN LOVE WITH MY LIFE AGAIN 🤍
Where to start?? First of all the title is so apt to the story. I've never laughed this much in just few chapters of book. This is so hilarious. But after some chapters the story got intense but definitely in a good way. Banter omgg so so fun. And there we are I just thought this book will be a hilarious one. But it got another side which is emotional. I cried, I cried, and cried. What Elma gone through is heart breaking. I loved how Armin stands with her and take care of what she fears the most. And spice is spicier. When I was reading the book I felt like why don't I have someone like Armin?? You know when there is that one person no matter what we did to them or doing to them they never give up on us right?? I find Armin like that and Elma she is such a loveable person who will do anything for her friends and Of course for her Armin. God why this story ends? Why? I just don't want this story to end.
My rating: 4.75⭐️
Got it as an ARC and I'm so glad that I read this. Thank you author and sunnybabpr 🤍
Where to start?? First of all the title is so apt to the story. I've never laughed this much in just few chapters of book. This is so hilarious. But after some chapters the story got intense but definitely in a good way. Banter omgg so so fun. And there we are I just thought this book will be a hilarious one. But it got another side which is emotional. I cried, I cried, and cried. What Elma gone through is heart breaking. I loved how Armin stands with her and take care of what she fears the most. And spice is spicier. When I was reading the book I felt like why don't I have someone like Armin?? You know when there is that one person no matter what we did to them or doing to them they never give up on us right?? I find Armin like that and Elma she is such a loveable person who will do anything for her friends and Of course for her Armin. God why this story ends? Why? I just don't want this story to end.
My rating: 4.75⭐️
Got it as an ARC and I'm so glad that I read this. Thank you author and sunnybabpr 🤍
January 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow. Ok. I will be honest and say I didn’t know if I was going to like the book in the beginning, but I always want to give any book a chance and by 30% in I was hooked. This book discusses heavy topics and read the triggers, but the enemies to lovers in this was great. As one of my favorite tropes I will say that Elma & Armin embodied the full on loathing and the banter was so fun! I will say I’m might curious to know if we will get to meet M in a future book because now his character sounds like my type of morally black MCM.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow. Ok. I will be honest and say I didn’t know if I was going to like the book in the beginning, but I always want to give any book a chance and by 30% in I was hooked. This book discusses heavy topics and read the triggers, but the enemies to lovers in this was great. As one of my favorite tropes I will say that Elma & Armin embodied the full on loathing and the banter was so fun! I will say I’m might curious to know if we will get to meet M in a future book because now his character sounds like my type of morally black MCM.
January 7, 2025
The enemies-to-lovers trope shone in this book! Elma has always had a distaste for her best friend’s brother, Armin…until she didn’t as he was able to show her his true colors. A secret relationship developed, which included plenty of spice. Not only was there awesome banter/flirting between the main characters, I thought the author handled mental health representation well (please check content warnings). I appreciated the first person, dual PoV and the addition of Southeastern Europe references throughout the book. The ending was clever as now I really want to know more about the side characters that were introduced. Shoutout to the fantastic cartoon cover-I’m really drawn to this style and this coupled with the title drew me in! Thanks to the author and SunnyBabePR for an advanced copy to
Read and give my honest thoughts.
Read and give my honest thoughts.
January 11, 2025
I loved this book, I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and boy did this book deliver. I am always a fan of banter in books and this book takes the cake for banter between the two lead characters. The emotions through the book was just amazing you felt like you were right there with these characters. The plot was engaging and really kept you in it through the whole book.
February 23, 2025
i love the devilish banter that is between Elma and Armin... I love the cover as that what drew in... I cant wait till i read more A.H Monroe's books
December 20, 2024
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to A.H. Monroe for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 2.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Cat Got Your Tongue;
-Brothers Bestfriend
-Secret Relationship
-Enemies x Lovers
-Mental Health Rep
-Billionaire
This was an intense Enemies to lovers and I’m here for it! Elma and Armin didn’t hold back throughout this entire book. Then end had me on a chock hold especially because he found it (won’t tell you what it is because no spoilers) but talk about teary eyed! Loved the roses! I enjoyed how everyone one in this friend group loved and cared about each other.
Fav Quote: “you will never be a good girl in this bedroom , understood?”
Make sure you get the book when it releases Dec. 15th🩷
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to A.H. Monroe for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 2.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Cat Got Your Tongue;
-Brothers Bestfriend
-Secret Relationship
-Enemies x Lovers
-Mental Health Rep
-Billionaire
This was an intense Enemies to lovers and I’m here for it! Elma and Armin didn’t hold back throughout this entire book. Then end had me on a chock hold especially because he found it (won’t tell you what it is because no spoilers) but talk about teary eyed! Loved the roses! I enjoyed how everyone one in this friend group loved and cared about each other.
Fav Quote: “you will never be a good girl in this bedroom , understood?”
Make sure you get the book when it releases Dec. 15th🩷
#bookstagram #romance #review
dnf
May 21, 2025DNF @66%
While I did look over the trigger warnings and nothing stood out to me, it's not mentioned that the SA/rape is done to a child. I'm not bothered by mentions of it happening but this was a little more in-depth than I wanted to read.
While I did look over the trigger warnings and nothing stood out to me, it's not mentioned that the SA/rape is done to a child. I'm not bothered by mentions of it happening but this was a little more in-depth than I wanted to read.
January 18, 2025
Kudos to AH Monroe on an impressive debut novel! Cat Got Your Tongue introduces us to Elma and Armin, childhood enemies who share a connection through their mutual love for Alina—Armin's sister and Elma's best friend.
Set in Antwerp, Belgium, this slow-burn romance stands out with its rich cultural backdrop, featuring Bosnian characters that add depth to the story. The secrecy surrounding Elma and Armin's relationship was both hilarious and engaging—especially the scene where Elma ends up on a date with one of Armin's associates, only for Armin and Alina to crash the date.
And for fans of smut? You'll definitely find a few steamy moments in this book.
Overall, Cat Got Your Tongue is an enjoyable mix of humor, culture, and romance that makes for a memorable debut.
Thank you Sunny Babe PR for sending me a copy!
Set in Antwerp, Belgium, this slow-burn romance stands out with its rich cultural backdrop, featuring Bosnian characters that add depth to the story. The secrecy surrounding Elma and Armin's relationship was both hilarious and engaging—especially the scene where Elma ends up on a date with one of Armin's associates, only for Armin and Alina to crash the date.
And for fans of smut? You'll definitely find a few steamy moments in this book.
Overall, Cat Got Your Tongue is an enjoyable mix of humor, culture, and romance that makes for a memorable debut.
Thank you Sunny Babe PR for sending me a copy!
March 6, 2025
This book has very interesting characters and has a focus on enemies to lovers and best friends brother. Both tropes are amazing when done right. I felt the enemies part of this was not explained well and a bit childish at times. It had a great story and potential it just wasn’t the right book for myself.. I wasn’t a fan of the way it was written, but for others it might be a better choice! Great characters, tropes and storyline!
December 27, 2024
What an incredible book!
This story line had me hooked from the very start.
The chemistry between. The characters was amazing and truly for this being a debut novel it was fantastic.
The book keeps you in your toes with plot twists, heartfelt moments and much more!
I HIGHLY recommend you guys give this book a read! You won’t regret it ❤️
This story line had me hooked from the very start.
The chemistry between. The characters was amazing and truly for this being a debut novel it was fantastic.
The book keeps you in your toes with plot twists, heartfelt moments and much more!
I HIGHLY recommend you guys give this book a read! You won’t regret it ❤️
June 14, 2025
A.H. Monroe created a wonderful slow-burn romance story here, starring Elma & Armin, our two Bosnian main characters. The pacing was perfect — not too fast, not too slow, but just right. This was the perfect way to make the reader feel like their relationship evolved naturally & authentically, as they slowly, but surely, try to overcome their personal differences & learn to see the best in one another.
The secrecy of their relationship makes for some of the most hilarious & memorable moments. One scene that stood out to me was the restaurant where Elma is on a date with one of Armin’s associates, only for Armin & Alina to be there too. The jealousy practically jumps off the page & I couldn’t get enough of it. There’s just something so attractive about a man staking his claim on a woman, or am I wrong?
Instead of the typical surroundings of New York, Seattle, or some other cliché American city, Monroe chose Antwerp, a city in Belgium, as the setting for this book. Honestly, such a breath of fresh air! Belgium, known as a cultural melting pot, seems like the perfect place for all of this to unfold, including the immersion of the numerous Bosnian, Belgian & Turkish cultural elements.
Kudoes to Monroe’s advanced writing style! Her use of an extensive vocabulary feels intentional & refined, but stays accessible at the same time. It’s easy to read, easy to connect with. One of the more memorable spicy scenes — the infamous restaurant scene — made me SCREAM (no spoilers here, just read it & thank me later!). The most emotional moment, however, has to be Elma’s confrontation with Camilla in Armin’s basement. It’s so raw & emotional I could feel it in my very core. I even found myself shivering & tearing up, it just hit me that hard..
Mental health representation is a very touchy subject, but was handled with the utmost care & cautiousness here. I wasn’t sure how it would be introduced, but it turns out to be thorougly woven into the story line, adding an extra layer of mystery. A very important element that elevates the story line to a whole new level.
Last, but not least - let’s talk about thé star of the show — M. Call me crazy, but I’m a big fan of his sadistic, cold-hearted persona, especially in combination with his dark sense of humor. He’s the kind of character you can’t help but be intrigued by & I’m secretly hoping he returns at some point.
Brilliant character development, humor-induced secrecy, cultural richness & emotional depth? If this seems up your ally, you shouldn’t think twice! I’m already counting down the days until we can return to the cosy, chaotic streets of Antwerp for the next book!
The secrecy of their relationship makes for some of the most hilarious & memorable moments. One scene that stood out to me was the restaurant where Elma is on a date with one of Armin’s associates, only for Armin & Alina to be there too. The jealousy practically jumps off the page & I couldn’t get enough of it. There’s just something so attractive about a man staking his claim on a woman, or am I wrong?
Instead of the typical surroundings of New York, Seattle, or some other cliché American city, Monroe chose Antwerp, a city in Belgium, as the setting for this book. Honestly, such a breath of fresh air! Belgium, known as a cultural melting pot, seems like the perfect place for all of this to unfold, including the immersion of the numerous Bosnian, Belgian & Turkish cultural elements.
Kudoes to Monroe’s advanced writing style! Her use of an extensive vocabulary feels intentional & refined, but stays accessible at the same time. It’s easy to read, easy to connect with. One of the more memorable spicy scenes — the infamous restaurant scene — made me SCREAM (no spoilers here, just read it & thank me later!). The most emotional moment, however, has to be Elma’s confrontation with Camilla in Armin’s basement. It’s so raw & emotional I could feel it in my very core. I even found myself shivering & tearing up, it just hit me that hard..
Mental health representation is a very touchy subject, but was handled with the utmost care & cautiousness here. I wasn’t sure how it would be introduced, but it turns out to be thorougly woven into the story line, adding an extra layer of mystery. A very important element that elevates the story line to a whole new level.
Last, but not least - let’s talk about thé star of the show — M. Call me crazy, but I’m a big fan of his sadistic, cold-hearted persona, especially in combination with his dark sense of humor. He’s the kind of character you can’t help but be intrigued by & I’m secretly hoping he returns at some point.
Brilliant character development, humor-induced secrecy, cultural richness & emotional depth? If this seems up your ally, you shouldn’t think twice! I’m already counting down the days until we can return to the cosy, chaotic streets of Antwerp for the next book!
March 26, 2025
TL;DR: book read like a middle school girl’s self-insert fan fiction and desperately needs an editor
This book was not ready to be published. I have a theory that this book did not see an editor before being published, and if it did, that person needs to have some serious self-reflection about whether or not they have the skill and knowledge to be an editor. There are many issues with this book, so I will try to group them into categories.
Plot
If you look at just the bare bones plot, it’s mediocre at best. Nothing original or groundbreaking-despite its obvious desire to be. At times, I could tell the author wanted to cram as many tropes in as possible regardless of whether or not they make sense in the overall plot. The enemies-to-lovers portion was solved about 20% into the book and the rest of the “plot” is a weirdly written revenge/healing? subplot that didn’t have a great or satisfying resolution.
Characters
The characters themselves are one-dimensional and boring- not to mention straight up irritating and self-absorbed. They felt more like caricatures of traits instead of real people. Their backstories were cliché and weak with no real evidence of growth. At times, their actions were very over the top and dramatic. Elma especially annoyed me with this. She would get angry at the smallest things, and every character would treat her like she was super fragile while saying how strong he was. It felt very much like Elma was a Mary Sue. Armin wasn’t much better and felt like a male version of Elma. None of the other characters were likable either.
Writing Style
The author has a tendency to tell only and never show. The writing is clunky, the dialogue weak and awkward, the characters all had the same voice, and the author seems to have an obsession with HR. While I understand the author’s first language may not be English, the book was published in English and should at the very least be grammatically correct. However, there were a lot of grammatical errors, misused words and phrases, and metaphors that did not make sense in English. This is where I feel the book would have benefited from an editor the most.
Relationship
This was not an enemies to lovers. This was a “I hate you until I f#ck you” and a badly written one at that. There was zero chemistry and the relationship itself felt very forced. The spice scenes were terrible and few, so the book can’t claim spice not story as the focus.
Misc
There were so many random references to real songs and brands that felt so tacky. The “banter” was terrible and I’ve heard better from 5th graders at the lunch table. The random revenge subplot was weird and tacky and none of the sensitive topics were covered in a great or meaningful way.
Overall
I commend the author for putting in the work and being brave enough to publish a book. However, they weren’t ready and could benefit from more practice showing not telling, writing more natural dialogue, and finding an editor whose native language is the language the book is originally written in. I see potential for growth, but not without effort.
This book was not ready to be published. I have a theory that this book did not see an editor before being published, and if it did, that person needs to have some serious self-reflection about whether or not they have the skill and knowledge to be an editor. There are many issues with this book, so I will try to group them into categories.
Plot
If you look at just the bare bones plot, it’s mediocre at best. Nothing original or groundbreaking-despite its obvious desire to be. At times, I could tell the author wanted to cram as many tropes in as possible regardless of whether or not they make sense in the overall plot. The enemies-to-lovers portion was solved about 20% into the book and the rest of the “plot” is a weirdly written revenge/healing? subplot that didn’t have a great or satisfying resolution.
Characters
The characters themselves are one-dimensional and boring- not to mention straight up irritating and self-absorbed. They felt more like caricatures of traits instead of real people. Their backstories were cliché and weak with no real evidence of growth. At times, their actions were very over the top and dramatic. Elma especially annoyed me with this. She would get angry at the smallest things, and every character would treat her like she was super fragile while saying how strong he was. It felt very much like Elma was a Mary Sue. Armin wasn’t much better and felt like a male version of Elma. None of the other characters were likable either.
Writing Style
The author has a tendency to tell only and never show. The writing is clunky, the dialogue weak and awkward, the characters all had the same voice, and the author seems to have an obsession with HR. While I understand the author’s first language may not be English, the book was published in English and should at the very least be grammatically correct. However, there were a lot of grammatical errors, misused words and phrases, and metaphors that did not make sense in English. This is where I feel the book would have benefited from an editor the most.
Relationship
This was not an enemies to lovers. This was a “I hate you until I f#ck you” and a badly written one at that. There was zero chemistry and the relationship itself felt very forced. The spice scenes were terrible and few, so the book can’t claim spice not story as the focus.
Misc
There were so many random references to real songs and brands that felt so tacky. The “banter” was terrible and I’ve heard better from 5th graders at the lunch table. The random revenge subplot was weird and tacky and none of the sensitive topics were covered in a great or meaningful way.
Overall
I commend the author for putting in the work and being brave enough to publish a book. However, they weren’t ready and could benefit from more practice showing not telling, writing more natural dialogue, and finding an editor whose native language is the language the book is originally written in. I see potential for growth, but not without effort.
February 13, 2025
Thank you to @sunnybabepr for sending me this book for the opportunity to review it!
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it had moments that were gripping and spicy, but on the other, it struggled to fully hook me from the start.
First off, the dialogue felt clunky and choppy at times, almost as if it had been directly and literally translated from another language into English. Since the story is set in Belgium, maybe that’s the case? Either way, it took a while to get used to. Speaking of taking time to adjust, there were a lot of characters introduced early on, making it tricky to keep track of who was who.
The dynamic between the two main characters was... intense, to say the least. I get childhood rivalry, but their mutual hatred felt so over-the-top it bordered on nonsensical. The way they talked to (and about) each other was extreme, like they’d done irreparable harm to one another in the past. But then, suddenly, the tables would turn, and they’d be ready to jump each other’s bones! The constant back-and-forth gave me whiplash, though I’ll admit the spicy scenes were a definite highlight—well-written, if a little cringey when it came to their dialogue during those moments.
As the story progressed, I started to settle into the writing style, but it didn’t fully win me over. Just as I’d get used to it, something cheesy would pull me out of the moment. That said, I loved the unexpected dash of thriller/dark romance elements that came through toward the end. It added a layer of intrigue that made me eager to see where the series goes.
All in all, this book wasn’t bad; it just took some effort to get into. While it’s not a favourite, the characters’ lives have me curious enough that I’ll definitely pick up book two when it’s released. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers romances with a spicy edge and a hint of suspense, Cat Got Your Tongue might be worth a try.
Trigger warnings: parental loss (not on page, it is talked about on page), bullying (not between mc’s, not on page, but it is talked about), panic attacks (on page), sexual assault (not between mc’s, it is talked about on page), rape (not between mc’s it is talked about and described in detail on page), racism (not on page, brief mentions), sexually explicit content, profanity, revenge (on page), violence (on page), grooming (not between mc’s, it is talked about on page)
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it had moments that were gripping and spicy, but on the other, it struggled to fully hook me from the start.
First off, the dialogue felt clunky and choppy at times, almost as if it had been directly and literally translated from another language into English. Since the story is set in Belgium, maybe that’s the case? Either way, it took a while to get used to. Speaking of taking time to adjust, there were a lot of characters introduced early on, making it tricky to keep track of who was who.
The dynamic between the two main characters was... intense, to say the least. I get childhood rivalry, but their mutual hatred felt so over-the-top it bordered on nonsensical. The way they talked to (and about) each other was extreme, like they’d done irreparable harm to one another in the past. But then, suddenly, the tables would turn, and they’d be ready to jump each other’s bones! The constant back-and-forth gave me whiplash, though I’ll admit the spicy scenes were a definite highlight—well-written, if a little cringey when it came to their dialogue during those moments.
As the story progressed, I started to settle into the writing style, but it didn’t fully win me over. Just as I’d get used to it, something cheesy would pull me out of the moment. That said, I loved the unexpected dash of thriller/dark romance elements that came through toward the end. It added a layer of intrigue that made me eager to see where the series goes.
All in all, this book wasn’t bad; it just took some effort to get into. While it’s not a favourite, the characters’ lives have me curious enough that I’ll definitely pick up book two when it’s released. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers romances with a spicy edge and a hint of suspense, Cat Got Your Tongue might be worth a try.
Trigger warnings: parental loss (not on page, it is talked about on page), bullying (not between mc’s, not on page, but it is talked about), panic attacks (on page), sexual assault (not between mc’s, it is talked about on page), rape (not between mc’s it is talked about and described in detail on page), racism (not on page, brief mentions), sexually explicit content, profanity, revenge (on page), violence (on page), grooming (not between mc’s, it is talked about on page)
January 15, 2025
Cat Got Your Tongue by A.H Monroe is a spicy, enemies-to-lovers romance that pulls you in from the first chapter! This book is the perfect blend of romance, banter and friendship.
Elma is my absolute favourite! She’s smart, witty, fiercely independent, and exactly the kind of person you’d want as your bestie. Then there’s Armin, a grumpy billionaire who’s ruthlessly charming. But dig deeper, and you’ll discover his protective, loyal, and surprisingly soft side.
The banter between Elma and Armin? Absolute gold. Their snarky remarks and fiery exchanges had me wanting to grab popcorn like I was front-row at a verbal showdown. And with their shared history adding layers of tension, Armin’s ability to push Elma’s buttons kept me grinning the entire time.
The author skillfully reveals the vulnerabilities and motivations of Elma and Armin, making them relatable despite their fiery exchanges. Their complex emotional challenges and growth are portrayed with respect and nuance.
The side characters also deserve a standing ovation. They aren’t just filler, they bring so much heart and depth to the story. From loyal friendships to unexpected comic relief, they make the world feel full and lived-in.
Now let’s talk about the SPICE. It’s not just off the charts, it’s thermometer-breaking. Let’s just say Monroe knows how to write scenes that leave you blushing, fanning yourself, and rereading for good measure. The chemistry between these two isn’t just believable; it’s explosive.
Huge thanks to the author and Sunny Babe PR for the gifted copy, this one is definitely going on my favorites shelf!
If you’re looking for a romance that balances sizzling chemistry with emotional depth, this is the one for you. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.
🥊 Enemies to lovers
✨ Childhood rivals
🧠 Mental health rep
🩵 Strong side characters
💬 Snarky banter
🌶️ spicy/ open door
Elma is my absolute favourite! She’s smart, witty, fiercely independent, and exactly the kind of person you’d want as your bestie. Then there’s Armin, a grumpy billionaire who’s ruthlessly charming. But dig deeper, and you’ll discover his protective, loyal, and surprisingly soft side.
The banter between Elma and Armin? Absolute gold. Their snarky remarks and fiery exchanges had me wanting to grab popcorn like I was front-row at a verbal showdown. And with their shared history adding layers of tension, Armin’s ability to push Elma’s buttons kept me grinning the entire time.
The author skillfully reveals the vulnerabilities and motivations of Elma and Armin, making them relatable despite their fiery exchanges. Their complex emotional challenges and growth are portrayed with respect and nuance.
The side characters also deserve a standing ovation. They aren’t just filler, they bring so much heart and depth to the story. From loyal friendships to unexpected comic relief, they make the world feel full and lived-in.
Now let’s talk about the SPICE. It’s not just off the charts, it’s thermometer-breaking. Let’s just say Monroe knows how to write scenes that leave you blushing, fanning yourself, and rereading for good measure. The chemistry between these two isn’t just believable; it’s explosive.
Huge thanks to the author and Sunny Babe PR for the gifted copy, this one is definitely going on my favorites shelf!
If you’re looking for a romance that balances sizzling chemistry with emotional depth, this is the one for you. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.
🥊 Enemies to lovers
✨ Childhood rivals
🧠 Mental health rep
🩵 Strong side characters
💬 Snarky banter
🌶️ spicy/ open door
January 20, 2025
thank you to sunnybabepr and the author for the opportunity to read this book!!
the tension throughout the book was written so well. it was truly an enemies to lovers book! the author did an amazing job at making the characters feel real.
it was so nice to read about another culture as well.
there are trigger warnings before the first chapter, so please keep that in mind.
Elma 🧚♀️
she had a traumatic past that she doesn't seem to tell anyone about, and you, the reader, don't really have intell on what happened to her until further into the book. It was really sad what happened to her, and I really wish she had someone who was there for her and that what happened was taken a lot more seriously by law enforcement.
she has a lot of anxiety and sometimes struggles with it. I can definitely relate when it comes to panic attacks and anxiety. it was so refreshing to read about an FMC having realistic situations.
Elma soon learns to trust people and starts to slowly become more confident in herself. she discovers things about herself that she never really knew or realized.
Armin 📃
he's a hard worker and absolutely loathes Elma. he doesn't like thinking about her, talking about her, or even looking at her. but the more time they spend together, the more he keeps thinking about her. he doesn't like that, but then again, does he?
he soon helps Elma gain her confidence and their connection with one another.
there's so much chemistry and banter between the two that it will have you kicking your feet in the air. their moments together are written so well and are intense, raw, and even emotional at some points. they had history together, and as you read more about them, more things unfolded. their connection between one another grows stronger as well.
you will find:
🍬diverse characters
💭mental health rep
💕best friends brother
🗡enemies to lovers
🌶spicy
💸billionaire
I hope to see a book 2💓
the tension throughout the book was written so well. it was truly an enemies to lovers book! the author did an amazing job at making the characters feel real.
it was so nice to read about another culture as well.
there are trigger warnings before the first chapter, so please keep that in mind.
Elma 🧚♀️
she had a traumatic past that she doesn't seem to tell anyone about, and you, the reader, don't really have intell on what happened to her until further into the book. It was really sad what happened to her, and I really wish she had someone who was there for her and that what happened was taken a lot more seriously by law enforcement.
she has a lot of anxiety and sometimes struggles with it. I can definitely relate when it comes to panic attacks and anxiety. it was so refreshing to read about an FMC having realistic situations.
Elma soon learns to trust people and starts to slowly become more confident in herself. she discovers things about herself that she never really knew or realized.
Armin 📃
he's a hard worker and absolutely loathes Elma. he doesn't like thinking about her, talking about her, or even looking at her. but the more time they spend together, the more he keeps thinking about her. he doesn't like that, but then again, does he?
he soon helps Elma gain her confidence and their connection with one another.
there's so much chemistry and banter between the two that it will have you kicking your feet in the air. their moments together are written so well and are intense, raw, and even emotional at some points. they had history together, and as you read more about them, more things unfolded. their connection between one another grows stronger as well.
you will find:
🍬diverse characters
💭mental health rep
💕best friends brother
🗡enemies to lovers
🌶spicy
💸billionaire
I hope to see a book 2💓
January 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book!! I was not prepared for the twist this book provided. What started out as a romantic story about two people going from dislike to more, turned into so much more. The trauma that is written into this storyline and overcoming said trauma is beyond wonderful. Monroe did a beautiful job capturing the pain, hurt, and healing journey that one feels when experiencing SA. When the past catches up to the present, our MCs remind us what protecting those we love can look like.
Elma is everything I love in an FMC. She is confident, smart, loyal, and sassy. She gets along with pretty much everyone, except her best friend’s older brother. He is the one dark spot in her life and she never backs down from him. She tolerates him whenever he is around, but somehow he keeps showing up in her life, even outside of her best friend being around. As the story progresses, it become obvious that something happened to her, definitely triggering, and when it is revealed, Armin shows her a softer side to himself.
Armin is business savvy, ruthless, and obviously attracted to his sister’s best friend. Their interactions come across as spiteful and mean, but it is pretty apparent to the reader there is something deeper going one. There’s a thin line between hate and love right? As he gets to know her, he realizes how special she is and when she needs help, he is happy to be there for her.
Monroe writes a powerful story with themes of found family, grief, and trauma healing. Although a romance novel, there are threads of darkness running through it, including SA and healing from SA at a young age. However, it is well balanced with the love story between Armin and Elma. This debut novel is nothing short of amazing and worth the time to read.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
😈Best Friend’s Brother
🖤Age Gap
😈Enemies to Lovers
🖤Who Hurt You?
😈Trauma Healing
🖤Found Family
This book!! I was not prepared for the twist this book provided. What started out as a romantic story about two people going from dislike to more, turned into so much more. The trauma that is written into this storyline and overcoming said trauma is beyond wonderful. Monroe did a beautiful job capturing the pain, hurt, and healing journey that one feels when experiencing SA. When the past catches up to the present, our MCs remind us what protecting those we love can look like.
Elma is everything I love in an FMC. She is confident, smart, loyal, and sassy. She gets along with pretty much everyone, except her best friend’s older brother. He is the one dark spot in her life and she never backs down from him. She tolerates him whenever he is around, but somehow he keeps showing up in her life, even outside of her best friend being around. As the story progresses, it become obvious that something happened to her, definitely triggering, and when it is revealed, Armin shows her a softer side to himself.
Armin is business savvy, ruthless, and obviously attracted to his sister’s best friend. Their interactions come across as spiteful and mean, but it is pretty apparent to the reader there is something deeper going one. There’s a thin line between hate and love right? As he gets to know her, he realizes how special she is and when she needs help, he is happy to be there for her.
Monroe writes a powerful story with themes of found family, grief, and trauma healing. Although a romance novel, there are threads of darkness running through it, including SA and healing from SA at a young age. However, it is well balanced with the love story between Armin and Elma. This debut novel is nothing short of amazing and worth the time to read.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
😈Best Friend’s Brother
🖤Age Gap
😈Enemies to Lovers
🖤Who Hurt You?
😈Trauma Healing
🖤Found Family
December 19, 2024
Cat Got Your Tongue ARC Review
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Cat Got Your Tongue by A.H. Monroe from SunnyBabePR, thank you so much!! 🧡
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
content warning: parental loss (not on page; it is talked about on page), bullying (not between MCs; not on page), panic attacks (on page), sexual assault (not between MCs; it is talked about on page), rape (not between MCs; it is talked about and described in detail on page), sexually explicit content, profanity, revenge (on page), violence (on page), grooming (not between MCs; it is talked about on page)
“i could say that you took my heart, but you made the heart inside me beat and grow. you have no idea what i would do for you. if you asked me to make the waves in the sea larger, i’d bring the moon closer.”
this book has it all!!! i had the best time reading this book, i never wanted it to end. this book was such a roller coaster of emotions, and i loved every part of it! the way the author wrote both main characters makes it so easy to fall in love with them! also, the mental health rep in this book was so beautifully written. i think the author did an amazing job of writing it with so much love and care!
elma and armin are an accurate representation of enemies to lovers!!! they truly started off hating each other and getting to see them fall in love with each other was everything. and also the chemistry between them was scorching!! it was also nice seeing elma’s growth throughout the story and seeing her regain her confidence back was everything. it was also super refreshing seeing armin be so vulnerable and self doubting. both faced their pasts and demons by supporting each other in a way that was both inspiring and heartwarming.
for a debut novel, a.h. monroe did such an amazing job. everything from the main characters to the side characters and everything else in between was so beautifully written! i’m so excited to see what she does next!! once again thank you so much to sunnybabepr and a.h. monroe for providing me with this arc 🧡
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Cat Got Your Tongue by A.H. Monroe from SunnyBabePR, thank you so much!! 🧡
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
content warning: parental loss (not on page; it is talked about on page), bullying (not between MCs; not on page), panic attacks (on page), sexual assault (not between MCs; it is talked about on page), rape (not between MCs; it is talked about and described in detail on page), sexually explicit content, profanity, revenge (on page), violence (on page), grooming (not between MCs; it is talked about on page)
“i could say that you took my heart, but you made the heart inside me beat and grow. you have no idea what i would do for you. if you asked me to make the waves in the sea larger, i’d bring the moon closer.”
this book has it all!!! i had the best time reading this book, i never wanted it to end. this book was such a roller coaster of emotions, and i loved every part of it! the way the author wrote both main characters makes it so easy to fall in love with them! also, the mental health rep in this book was so beautifully written. i think the author did an amazing job of writing it with so much love and care!
elma and armin are an accurate representation of enemies to lovers!!! they truly started off hating each other and getting to see them fall in love with each other was everything. and also the chemistry between them was scorching!! it was also nice seeing elma’s growth throughout the story and seeing her regain her confidence back was everything. it was also super refreshing seeing armin be so vulnerable and self doubting. both faced their pasts and demons by supporting each other in a way that was both inspiring and heartwarming.
for a debut novel, a.h. monroe did such an amazing job. everything from the main characters to the side characters and everything else in between was so beautifully written! i’m so excited to see what she does next!! once again thank you so much to sunnybabepr and a.h. monroe for providing me with this arc 🧡
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