The Belle and The Bird

by Celaena Cuico

One trained to kill. One trained to dance. Neither is prepared for the fire between them.

Raven doesn’t do emotions—she does contracts, guns, and control. As the founder of The Nest, an elite mercenary group, she’s built a reputation for being ruthless and unbreakable. But when a powerful Senator—at the suggestion of her infuriating ex-husband—hires her to protect his daughter, Raven finds herself facing a new kind of threat.

Xyla is a ballerina with a sharp tongue and a body carved from discipline and desire. Fierce, untouchable, and preparing to perform the Black Swan, she's more than a spoiled politician’s daughter—she's a walking contradiction. And she seems to delight in making Raven's life a living hell.

But when a faceless terrorist organization sets its sights on Xyla, the danger becomes more than just bullets and blades. Kidnappings, torture, and assassination attempts blur into sleepless nights and breathless moments. And somewhere in the chaos, the tension between Raven and Xyla ignites—a slow burn turning into a raging inferno neither of them can control.

The line between protector and temptation has never been thinner.

With every brush of skin and every whispered threat, Raven and Xyla must fight not just for their lives—but for the tangled desire threatening to consume them both. Because in this deadly game of cat and mouse, surrender might be the most dangerous move of all.


For fans of Killing Eve, Lioness, and Butcher and Blackbird, this one is for you. Ruthlessness, strength, power, and control. A duet sure to fulfill all of your Dark Romance needs.

Genres: Amazon, Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Gio.reads.sapphic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was what I expected, I was still surprised!
I love how Xyla and Raven are complete opposites but at the same time complement each other and how tender Raven is with her little beauty.
I gave this book 4.5 ⭐ (don't get me wrong, I devoured it but I didn't feel the initial tension between the two MCs - there was definitely lust and desire) and 3🔥.

You will love this book if you like:
- Forced Proximity
- Opposites Attract
- Queer Awakening
- Toastr Oven
- Touch Her and Die
- Instant Attraction
- Dark Romance
- Found Family
- Possessive and Morally Gray MC
- Unique Nicknames
And a bit slow burn.

TW: Violence - blood - murder - physical abuse - weapons - discussion of child pornography - loss of a parent - kidnapping - abusive ex relation

PS: anxiety rep and cliffhanger

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Chelles · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about this book, I knew I was going to read it. Assassin + Ballerina - that's literally all it took.

From page one, it has been nonstop action and suspense! Exciting, intriguing, steamy, and a little jaw-dropping in the end 😱

[Celeste Raine]

I read this for work (content pull) so I’m not leaving any rating or review. 🖤 (but I do recommend it hehe)

[Heather Roue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the relationship that was built between the two FMCs. Celaena did a great job developing their personalities and the turmoil they have to go through in the story.

This was my first full length sapphic novel and I’m now obsessed with I highly recommend this book and Celaena’s other series, The Diadem. So stoked for book 2!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙙, 𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩, 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙬𝙚’𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮.”
This book wrecked me in the best way possible.
The second I see a sapphic book, my brain goes feral. FF stories deserve the same obsession that MM gets, and honestly? Celaena understood the assignment and came out with this beauty of a story. Her writing? Like emotional crack. I never know where the story is going, and then BAM you get to the ending. It hits you like a truck and now she owes me therapy.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙚. 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝙀𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢. 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧.”
If you haven’t picked up The Bell and the Bird, I have to ask: are you okay? Do you not want to read about sapphic romance, with slow burn, a gay awakening, “touch her and die” energy, and a possessive FMC who would absolutely fight anyone for her girl? Book is out now and free on KU. Go read it now!! Cannot wait to see what the second book comes up with!!
“𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚, 𝙓𝙮𝙡𝙖, 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬—” 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨. 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙨. “𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙.”

[Teahlyn Seeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, but what the fuck??

Celaena was MADE to write traumatic sapphic dark romance. Please, I need more!! I’m so obsessed with Raven and Xyla. Their chemistry and personalities are everything. These women are so down bad for each other and the angst just turned the heat up.

At no point in this book did I know what the plot twist would be. And they just kept coming. The political intrigue, the domestic terrorism, and there’s a mole?? I ate it up. Not only did I fall for the main characters but some side characters stole my heart (and I’m mad about their fate).

There is something about dual POV romance that just owns my soul. I love seeing inside both parties thoughts. There’s something about the reader knowing the reasons behind their actions while the other character doesn’t. It makes me giddy knowing about their angst and pining while the opposing character doesn’t.

Celaena Cuico is a new author to me and after this, she’s an instant read!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She is living, breathing, moving, art. And I know I am in trouble.”

“Emotions are dangerous. They are a weakness. And that is what having them makes me. Weak.”

What in the cliffhanger?!
Raven is an incredible FMC that’s been through it and somehow managed to pull herself together and be stronger in spite of her hardships. Leading a group of mercenaries and constantly living with danger, lies, and betrayal?- just another day for this girl.
I’ll be honest, I was not Xyla’s biggest fan at first. Thankfully I kept going because I totally came around to her as the book went on and her character grew.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌?
sᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ
sʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
ᴍᴇʀᴄᴇɴᴀʀʏ x ʙᴀʟʟᴇʀɪɴᴀ
ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ☠️
ǫᴜᴇᴇʀ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ

[Kathryn Wohlpart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on the idea of a sapphic Black Swan / mercenary love story — and it did not disappoint. The characters are the perfect blend of sweet and sassy, and their growth is so satisfying to watch. From a spoiled ballerina to a kickass, empowered woman, and from a stone-cold mercenary to a love-struck Bird, their growth makes it impossible not to want more. The tension is a little slow to develop but it fits Raven’s character in my opinion.

The emotional aspects left me throwing the book across the room and then crawling back to it because I can’t get enough.

Also, capybaras?!!!!? I think yes.

Of course the end immediately left me wanting the sequel. So now I’m just emotionally devastated.

[alaya ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛓️ ARC REVIEW ⛓️

I’m a little behind on reviews, but I finally got around to starting and finishing The Belle and The Bird and excuse me @celaenacuico WE NEED TO HAVE A CHAT.

My jaw is on the FLOOR. That ending? What the fresh heck was that. I demand book 2 right NOW! (Hehe respectfully).

But for real, this book was insane. It was hot, it was sweet, and I fell in love with everyone. There was a few twists that hurt, and I’ll probably be thinking of this book forever 😭

The Belle and The Bird is available now and inside you’ll find:

🖤sapphic romance
✨touch her and d!e
🖤political intrigue
✨slow burn
🖤morally grey
✨possessive FMC
🖤betrayals

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Belle and The Bird is my FIRST Celaena Cuico book, and I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

The characters are fully fleshed out - feeling like real people that I now know. The book is written across two POVs, which just makes everything better. Getting to read from each character how they’re falling for each other? AMAZING.

I loved this book so much. Literally my only complaint is that I have to wait for book two!!

I both didn’t want to finish this, and didn’t want to stop reading it.


I received an ARC of this book, and loved it so much I HAD to review!

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had all the trauma and gut-wrenching plot twists I would expect from Celaena. I absolutely ate up this intense sapphic romance. Raven and Xyla together were the perfect example of opposites attract. I loved their chemistry, and Raven's gay awakening was perfection.

The plot twists did not disappoint, and the last 20% keeps you on your toes. That cliffhanger ending had me tearing up, and I can not wait to find out what happens next!

[Merlinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an emotional ride—I was completely hooked and on the edge of my seat the entire time. The tension and pacing really kept me invested right up until the end. That cliffhanger though… I need to jump straight into book two.

My only hesitation is that I didn’t fully grasp how their relationship evolved into what it became. I just wish we had a bit more depth or buildup there to make it feel more complete.

[Pluto Lunaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty damn good but gods could she use an editor! I really enjoyed the characters and connections and storyline! I did find some issues with typos and continuity but overall it was a good read. By the end it really had me invested and I need the nest book asap. Truly not the ending I expected but a very fitting one for the book.

[Cathye Aka OrionReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this 6 ⭐ I would. I need more. Celaena did an amazing job building tension and developing the characters. I loved Xyla and Raven together. And the spice was on point. I wish there was more. I did not want it to end.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved and devoured this book even though it also destroyed parts of me, but that’s per usual right! Cant wait for more!! ✨

[Laurita Hoods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excuse me , whaaaat??? Onto the next one soon

[Emma Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇʟʟᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪʀᴅ

“You will survive this, Raven. You only have to hold on for a little longer. and then you can beat him.”

“Because it is. Raven is slipping away. She is taking my sanity with her. My innocence. Me. I am the Black Swan, she is. And she and I are one.”

🩰 ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ 💀
🖤 sᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
🩰 ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
🖤 sʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
🩰 ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ғɪx ʜᴇʀ
🖤 ᴍᴏʀᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴇʏ
🩰 ᴘᴏssᴇssɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴍᴄ

5✨✨✨✨
ahhh Celaena never disappoints. every book she writes is sooo freaking good. I loved The Belle and The Bird so much. the story kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. i NEVER saw the ending coming but that’s the best part of Celaena’s writing. expect the unexpected because truly anything is possible. i can’t wait for more….

“I am fighting myself. I am fighting who I have had become. Who I will become.”

“The stage goes black. The only sound left is the echo of my breath, ragged and raw in the dark. In the loneliness. I am not the Little Beauty. I am the Beast.”

[Kaneisha Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we talk about how I devoured this read at an ungodly rate?! I am a slow reader but the tension had meeeee sprinting. This is one of my top sapphic reads of the year, maybe even overall. This was my first time reading Celaena and I’m now disappointed and need to check out more of their works. Emotions? Played with. Plot? Chef’s kiss. Humor? Had me giggling. I couldn’t recommend this read enough.

[laurendanise]

2.5/5

[Vanessa Barbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a RIDE!

First off, I love a sapphic romance, so that already has us going in the right direction. Then, Celaena went and added a mercenary and jokes about capybaras to that sapphic romance, and here we are... 5 stars later.

The character evolution of both FMCs was absolutely spectacular, the story itself held me by the hair from start the finish, and the spice was absolutely delicious.

This book had all the makings of an easy 5 star read for me

[Bird · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

Ahhh I really wanted to like this book especially when the overall rating is so high both on Godreads and here. Just about 30 ratings but that made me excited to read this. The premise was so good and I actually paused another book to start this.

I would say the first 20% was very interesting. Everything happened so quickly which I enjoyed. Then the attacks on Xyla (a name I dislike lol) just kept happening. I was like, another one?? I don't think there's enough development regarding the plot and the romance. I don't even like Raven or Xyla that much. Their personalities didn't feel consistent to me. At one point Xyla said oh this is the first time she is opening up to me and trusts me. They had only known each other for 3 days!! Come on!

In the car when Xyla realised Raven was going to see him, meaning Kes. But then at a later time Xyla was surprised that Raven went to see him. Didn't you know that already?? What happened to some side characters didn't make sense to me.

There are a few typos but mainly I was bothered by the plot. There were pieces that were good but when they were all put together, the story wasn't coherent. A lot of the time I found myself saying oh so this is what's happening now?? It's a fast read and fun at times but lacked depth. I want to know what is going to happen in Book 2 because I just don't see how it can pan out lol But I don't actually think I will read it based on the experience of reading this first book in the duology.

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to stare into the dark abyss. Because, CELAENA WHY?!?!

I should know by now that if Cel writes it, I'm going to get upset and cry. But she writes it SO well that I get too engrossed to prepare myself for the destruction of my heart, and then I end up surprised every time

The Belle and the Bird is absolutely no exception. The writing is captivating, the chapters are short, the characters are so well written.

This book is action packed. The drama and betrayal are heavy. Our poor FMCs can't step out of the house without being attacked, and it's an adventure.

I'm going to be thinking about this ending for awhile ...word to the wise, don't throw your book until the VERY end. This is important information!

Now, I'm going to go pick up my book now and cry until Celaena writes another book.

overall: highly recommend
spice: open door