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Books, Poets & Regrets
Cassie Rose Diaz is a college student trying to navigate her life several years after her father’s passing. As a child, her father would enchant her with magical stories, but their relationship grew estranged over the years. Just when she believes she’s ready to face the reality of her loss, a seemingly ordinary poetry night takes an unexpected turn. A childhood friend presents her with a riddle - one that threatens to unravel the very foundation of her memories of her father.
Axel Cortez is the son of the late Mason Cortez, who owned one of the oldest bookstores in Baguio. After taking over Lectiophiles & Labyrinth, Axel’s passion and love for music and life in general slowly faded, leaving him detached from everything around him. That is, until he stumbles upon an old photo - one that raises more questions than it answers about someone he thought he knew so well.
Ethan Cortez, a film major from Manila and the youngest son of the late Mason Cortez, has been living a cautionary life since their parents’ divorce. Deciding to rekindle his relationship with his older brother, a simple summer visit turns into something much more complicated than he expected.
Will the mysteries of the past solve the predicaments of the present? Will they discover love and companionship as their paths intertwine? Or will their interactions lead to unresolved conflicts and messier relationships?
Axel Cortez is the son of the late Mason Cortez, who owned one of the oldest bookstores in Baguio. After taking over Lectiophiles & Labyrinth, Axel’s passion and love for music and life in general slowly faded, leaving him detached from everything around him. That is, until he stumbles upon an old photo - one that raises more questions than it answers about someone he thought he knew so well.
Ethan Cortez, a film major from Manila and the youngest son of the late Mason Cortez, has been living a cautionary life since their parents’ divorce. Deciding to rekindle his relationship with his older brother, a simple summer visit turns into something much more complicated than he expected.
Will the mysteries of the past solve the predicaments of the present? Will they discover love and companionship as their paths intertwine? Or will their interactions lead to unresolved conflicts and messier relationships?
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2025
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2026
Rating: 4.75/5
Almost perfect!!!
My first read this January and what a great way to start the year. This is only the second book I’ve read in this genre, and I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it this much.
I loved the dynamics between the characters: the friendship, the silly banters, the sarcasm, and the way their personalities complement each other. I kept reminding myself that this is fiction because they felt so real. The romance was my favorite part — no over-the-top moments, no childish drama, and no one overpowering the other. Just a gentle, steady kind of love.
The mystery aspect felt a little short, and there are repeating lines that could be missed during the editing phase of the book. Still, the ending still wrapped things up well. I enjoyed the mix of romance, drama, friendship, and mystery. I also loved the unpopular opinions at the start of each chapter — such a fun touch. This book reminded me that some heroes fight quietly, not with a sword, but with a pen. By the end, the title makes perfect sense. It also left me hopeful that the next generation will continue to seek the truth and understand our country’s real history.
Almost perfect!!!
My first read this January and what a great way to start the year. This is only the second book I’ve read in this genre, and I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it this much.
I loved the dynamics between the characters: the friendship, the silly banters, the sarcasm, and the way their personalities complement each other. I kept reminding myself that this is fiction because they felt so real. The romance was my favorite part — no over-the-top moments, no childish drama, and no one overpowering the other. Just a gentle, steady kind of love.
The mystery aspect felt a little short, and there are repeating lines that could be missed during the editing phase of the book. Still, the ending still wrapped things up well. I enjoyed the mix of romance, drama, friendship, and mystery. I also loved the unpopular opinions at the start of each chapter — such a fun touch. This book reminded me that some heroes fight quietly, not with a sword, but with a pen. By the end, the title makes perfect sense. It also left me hopeful that the next generation will continue to seek the truth and understand our country’s real history.
August 20, 2025
Books, Poets, & Regrets is a reflective and emotionally nuanced exploration of grief, memory, and the connections between people bound by the past. The characters dive into the heartache of estranged relationships, personal discovery, and the truths hidden within family histories.
Carrie’s journey - from cherishing magical childhood memories to questioning her reality, is both heartfelt and deeply relatable. The diverse perspectives of the other characters add depth and complexity, showing how each one navigates grief, adulthood, and blooming relationships during a tumultuous time.
This novel stands out for its quiet intensity and its mature, layered handling of loss, making it a compelling read for anyone drawn to emotionally nuanced, character-driven stories. It clearly shows that processing grief is never linear and it manifests differently for different people.
If you’re expecting a straightforward romance between Carrie and the mysterious (and yes, hot) Ethan, THINK AGAIN. Books, Poets, & Regrets takes you on a journey full of high-stakes secrets, emotional twists, and revelations that will leave your head spinning (it definitely did mine).
And Baguio. Oh, how I’ve missed you. Thank you, Katrine, for making me reminisce about my visits to the city: the artistic villages, the comforting hot cocoa, and the peaceful energy that place has always given me.
This book doesn’t just tell a story - it captures a feeling that will make you hung over and excited for the next book (if there's anyyyyyyy. ahem ahem).
Carrie’s journey - from cherishing magical childhood memories to questioning her reality, is both heartfelt and deeply relatable. The diverse perspectives of the other characters add depth and complexity, showing how each one navigates grief, adulthood, and blooming relationships during a tumultuous time.
This novel stands out for its quiet intensity and its mature, layered handling of loss, making it a compelling read for anyone drawn to emotionally nuanced, character-driven stories. It clearly shows that processing grief is never linear and it manifests differently for different people.
If you’re expecting a straightforward romance between Carrie and the mysterious (and yes, hot) Ethan, THINK AGAIN. Books, Poets, & Regrets takes you on a journey full of high-stakes secrets, emotional twists, and revelations that will leave your head spinning (it definitely did mine).
And Baguio. Oh, how I’ve missed you. Thank you, Katrine, for making me reminisce about my visits to the city: the artistic villages, the comforting hot cocoa, and the peaceful energy that place has always given me.
This book doesn’t just tell a story - it captures a feeling that will make you hung over and excited for the next book (if there's anyyyyyyy. ahem ahem).
September 28, 2025
Books, Poets & Regrets by Katrine Madayag
5.0 ⭐️
"If parallel universes are real, then I'll believe in the saying that everyone will eventually get their happy ending. If not in this lifetime, at least in the other lives we all get to live."
I need to put up a taglish review for this. I want to express my feelings better and to speak in my native language will justify it, I guess.
All in one. Sa totoo lang. Ngumiti ako sa kilig, natawa ako sa endless asaran nina Ax, Cass at Ethan, naiyak ako sa pag-handle ng mga characters sa grief, namangha ako sa possibilities ng happy endings sa libro na to.
It tackled family (very mahina ako sa bagay na ito), relationships, career, freedom and more. As what I've said, all in one. You'll feel different kind of emotions as you swipe to next pages without even knowing what's waiting for you in the end. I just liked the fact that I literally stop once in a while because I needed to absorb and react muna sa kung ano ang mga nababasa ko.
At first, I was really questioning the timeline of how each character's relationship with another evolve pero eventually nabawi naman on the last few chapters of the book kaya I still ended rating it a 5.
Paglalaruan din talaga feelings mo. Super na-annoy ako sa isang character dito as in. Like, nakakainis mga trip mo sa life pero buti nalang.... buti nalang talaga. Kaya basahin nyo na din, hindi masasayang ang oras ninyo.
Kanina ko pa iniisip to pero after finishing the book, Team Axel ako.
5.0 ⭐️
"If parallel universes are real, then I'll believe in the saying that everyone will eventually get their happy ending. If not in this lifetime, at least in the other lives we all get to live."
I need to put up a taglish review for this. I want to express my feelings better and to speak in my native language will justify it, I guess.
All in one. Sa totoo lang. Ngumiti ako sa kilig, natawa ako sa endless asaran nina Ax, Cass at Ethan, naiyak ako sa pag-handle ng mga characters sa grief, namangha ako sa possibilities ng happy endings sa libro na to.
It tackled family (very mahina ako sa bagay na ito), relationships, career, freedom and more. As what I've said, all in one. You'll feel different kind of emotions as you swipe to next pages without even knowing what's waiting for you in the end. I just liked the fact that I literally stop once in a while because I needed to absorb and react muna sa kung ano ang mga nababasa ko.
At first, I was really questioning the timeline of how each character's relationship with another evolve pero eventually nabawi naman on the last few chapters of the book kaya I still ended rating it a 5.
Paglalaruan din talaga feelings mo. Super na-annoy ako sa isang character dito as in. Like, nakakainis mga trip mo sa life pero buti nalang.... buti nalang talaga. Kaya basahin nyo na din, hindi masasayang ang oras ninyo.
Kanina ko pa iniisip to pero after finishing the book, Team Axel ako.
February 5, 2026
I’ve always been a fan of stories with great narration, and this book did not disappoint. I can clearly imagine how Labyrinth looks, the poetry night, Cassie’s father’s room’s ambiance, and her every moment with Ethan! Like OH MY GOSH! Even Axel’s sarcasm and frustration. It also allowed me to reimagine Baguio City; like, reading this novel made me want to go and visit there again. It gives you the feels, the vibes.
I honestly enjoy the exchange of lines, especially Alex and Cassie’s banter. Though it was full of sarcasm most of the time, I find it really cute and sweet, especially when Axel calls Cassie by her last name. That guy finds comfort through teasing while keeping her that close.
Ethan, on the other hand, is the total opposite of Axel. He is warm, soft, sweet, and playful, I guess. The way he expresses himself here is so smooth… effortlessly charming and maybe, hard to resist.
While digging into the past adds intensity to the story, it also highlights different aspects. Relationships, principles, values, and decision-making. And maybe, if I were Cassie, I would also do the same, even if it means going against my mom. Because being a truth seeker will set you free. Yes, it might hurt, but it will let you live. Freely.
I’ve also spotted plenty of quotable quotes and lines here that really resonate with me. Some are personal, and some are random facts the author just drops casually.
Happy that it ended well and fair. So yeah, from Team Axel here, thank you for the feels!
p.s. There was this girl… who really got on my nerves while reading this. Kagigil. Haha! Book 2, please. Story naman nung panganay. 👉👈
I honestly enjoy the exchange of lines, especially Alex and Cassie’s banter. Though it was full of sarcasm most of the time, I find it really cute and sweet, especially when Axel calls Cassie by her last name. That guy finds comfort through teasing while keeping her that close.
Ethan, on the other hand, is the total opposite of Axel. He is warm, soft, sweet, and playful, I guess. The way he expresses himself here is so smooth… effortlessly charming and maybe, hard to resist.
While digging into the past adds intensity to the story, it also highlights different aspects. Relationships, principles, values, and decision-making. And maybe, if I were Cassie, I would also do the same, even if it means going against my mom. Because being a truth seeker will set you free. Yes, it might hurt, but it will let you live. Freely.
I’ve also spotted plenty of quotable quotes and lines here that really resonate with me. Some are personal, and some are random facts the author just drops casually.
Happy that it ended well and fair. So yeah, from Team Axel here, thank you for the feels!
p.s. There was this girl… who really got on my nerves while reading this. Kagigil. Haha! Book 2, please. Story naman nung panganay. 👉👈
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews