Books, Poets & Regrets

by Katrine Madayag

Carrie 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?

377 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2025

Reviews

[Clar | readsbyclar · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Paula M]

“some people come into our lives like poetry…”

and honestly, isn’t that the truth.

Books, Poets & Regrets by Katrine Madayag is a soft, introspective romance that follows cassie as she navigates grief, memory, and the quiet possibility of love again. it’s a story that leans into feelings, reflection, and the small moments that shape how we move forward after loss.

one of the first things that really caught my attention is that the book is set in my hometown, Baguio. 🌲 reading this made me unexpectedly nostalgic and honestly just made me want to go back. and of course, that pretty cover pulled me in too. you can say a lot about baguio, but for me, whenever i see sunflowers, my mind goes straight there.

i especially appreciated being inside cassie’s head. her personal reflections and the way she carries her grief for someone she deeply loved felt tender and restrained, especially in how she tries not to let it spill over onto the people around her. there is a quietness to her emotional journey that many readers will likely connect with.

i was reading an uncorrected proof of this book, and while i did enjoy the characters and their dynamics, i found myself wishing the mystery elements were more fully fleshed out alongside cassie’s grief arc. there is a lot of emotional potential here that i personally wanted to see pushed just a bit further.

that said, i would still recommend this to romance readers who love soft, feelings driven stories. there are two very swoon worthy characters here that are easy to root for, and if you enjoy gentle, introspective romances, this might be one to add to your list. 💐

—-

many thanks to the author, The Filipino Shelf, and 8lettersbooks for letting me read this book🌻

[Anjel Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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).

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[MGVR (◍•ᴗ•◍) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. 👉👈

[Lenn ♡ | anatomyofabooknerd (IG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book not really knowing how much it would hit a very tender part of me.

Grief has always been something I struggle with—even just the idea of it. My greatest fear in life is losing the people most important to me. I don’t talk about that often, but when I was younger, I used to have such a hard time sleeping because I’d dream about it happening. I’d wake up terrified. It sounds dramatic, but that fear felt so real to me.

It’s honestly one of the reasons I became such a huge horror fan. I’d rather be scared of monsters and ghosts. I’d rather dream about something fictional and terrifying than face the possibility of losing the people I love. 🥺

And this book talks a lot about grief.

There were moments in this story that made my chest feel heavy. The emotions were there. The premise was there. The way it explores love, regret, and the lingering ache of loss made me pause more than once. It made me feel things I don’t always want to sit with.

Another thing I genuinely loved about this book is how much it talks about books. Stories about stories will always have a soft spot in my heart. There’s something comforting about characters finding meaning, escape, and connection through literature—it felt familiar and personal in the best way. 🙂‍↕️

That said, this is a 3-star read for me.

The story and overall plot were genuinely nice—I cared about where it was going. But the flow and writing could use some polishing. Some transitions felt abrupt, and there were parts where the pacing pulled me out of the emotional depth the book was trying to build.

I also have the uncorrected copy, so there were a few repeated paragraphs and some mixed-up names, which confused me at times. I’m hoping those were fixed in the final version because it did affect my reading experience.

Still, this one made me sit with grief in a way that felt uncomfortable but necessary. Not perfect, but heartfelt. And despite its flaws, I would still recommend it—especially to readers who don’t mind a little roughness in the writing if the story itself carries emotional weight. ❤️‍🩹

Thank you so much to the author, 8lettersbooks, and the filipino shelf for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Highnyzbibliofiles]

It is the journey of Cassie as she uncovers the secrets of her father’s story while being caught in an unexpected developing feeling toward the brother of her best friend.

This book has different layers in terms of plot and genre. It includes poetry and a mix of mystery and romance. I like the poems in this book, especially the one that I used in the reels. It shows symbolism that will leave the reader to interpret. There were scenes that immerse you into watching a live poetry reading — hugot and mapagdamdamin.

I like how the story is set in Baguio and how the novel randomly mentions book titles and songs. A very subtle way of giving out lists to read and to listen.

In line with my post this week that focuses on the Martial Law era, this book has a promising element of how poets use words to fight oppression during those dark times. It gives a glimpse of how dangerous life can be when someone is vocal about their ideals. It makes readers wonder how the government would interpret a poem as subversive or not.

However, this is only 25–30% of the book. Given the chance, if this book were rewritten, I would love to read more about it, especially since the characters’ lives are intertwined with their parents’ past. There are areas that need to be revisited, which I have already shared with Katrine for her to look into.

[Chloe Giani · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I wasn’t sure about how I felt about Cassie, Axel, Ethan, and the whole ordeal. Only later in the book did I realize, how attached l’ve become to the characters.

Axel reminded me of the guy best friends always treading close along the line (with that said, I need his PoV in all of this pls), Ethan being that good-looking, mysterious, eccentric dude who never settles down, and Cassie is the girl who just has this je ne sais quoi that draws people in by being herself.

I see in them, the people I’ve met and befriended back in those days when I frequent spaces of poetry nights, indie artists, and young creatives. Like the characters, I have known them to have a certain charm and unique character but like anybody else, with flaws. They’re not trying to be perfect, but they’re real and passionate.

How they navigated relationships might be frustrating at times but you know what, in that age we were probably worse or the same. They are, after all, young people still finding their way and themselves.

I hoped to see more raw out-of-breath moments of grief but I still loved how the author portrayed Cassie’s longing for her father’s memory – quiet but lingering. I think the mystery helped her navigate grief as his father’s memories felt alive; as if his work is a piece of himself he left that is still breathing with life.

That said, this feels like a story of a friend and one I loved to witness.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wish grief came with a warning, like the way parents get one before a baby is born. Something to brace yourself. But no. The cycle of life is cruel. You can do everything right—eat well, live carefully, love deeply—and still, death waits around the corner without warning."

I first encountered the word grief when I was around 5 years old. But I never truly understood what it meant. It's through Cassie, Axel and Ethan that it hit me: grief comes in waves, but it's how you surf them to find yourself again. Grief may never really sit right with anyone, just as how the characters showed in the book. But this novel strengthened my belief that it's through past experiences a person learns important lessons in life to keep them afloat.

Books, Poets & Regrets is a romance-mystery novel that explores self-discovery and love through experiences from the past, that in turn, provide a stepping stone for the future.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books, Poets, & Regrets — ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first time I’ve ever rooted so hard for the second lead >< I really wanted Cass and Ax to be endgame, but oh well.

The romance was still cute, and the mystery plot was okay to keep things interesting~ What really stood out to me was how beautifully written the book is. I read an uncorrected proof, so there were some noticeable errors and redundancies, but overall, I still genuinely enjoyed the reading experience <3