All Antonia Bernardin Blog posts

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If you don’t care about the categories and just want to scroll through my posts newest to oldest, this is the place!

May reading wrap up

May was a little busy so my read count is a bit low again but I really enjoyed both things I read, I don’t mind a lower read count if reading has been enjoyable and not a chore like it was for a while. Here’s a summary of everything I read in May. Take a…
10 No thoughts just vibes reading rec list

You could maybe refer to this type of read as like a ‘beach read’ or holiday read but I am talking a very specific vibe – books that just are what they are, they embrace their genre/ trope, they don’t try to be fancy about it and we don’t need to pretend as readers that…
Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus

The 17th book I read this year was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. I kept seeing clips of the TV series based on this book on Tiktok and liked them so much, I decided to read the book before finding somewhere to watch it properly.
Stripped Back – Georgia Valentine

Indie spotlight: Stripped Back – Georgia Valentine A sizzling friends-to-lovers romance featuring a wealthy businessman whose expectations of love are so high, he’d rather engage in meaningless one-night stands than believe something better exists for him, and a down on her luck heroine who is running from past traumas and current life of misery. A…
April reading wrap up

The slump is over! I read 6 books in April and I am really enjoying reading again. It took a lot of conscious effort to put down my phone and making sure I get a bit of balance in my days so there’s time for reading but whatever was blocking me has definitely gone away.…
The Baby Dragon Cafe – A.T. Qureshi

The Baby Dragon Cafe by A.T. Qureshi, the first book in the Baby Dragon series of books, was my 16th read of this year. As I attempt to climb out of my reading slump, I just wanted another fun, short, cute read and this seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
When we were almost – Nico Featherwick

Indie spotlight: When we were almost – Nico Featherwick A tender second-chance romance about love, silence, and what it means to try again.
The Gingerbread bakery – Dream Harbour series book 5 – Laurie Gilmore

My 15th read of this year was The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore, the 5th book in the Dream Harbour series.
Gild – Raven Kennedy

The 14th book I read this year was Gild by Raven Kennedy, the first book in the Plated Prisoner series. I’ve heard lots of people talk about this series on Tiktok and since the first book was in the Audible included library, I decided to give it a go.
Swept Away – Mimi Flood

Indie spotlight: Swept Away – Mimi Flood She needs a job. He needs a muzzle. Neither of them needs this kind of temptation. A sizzling small-town romance full of banter, forbidden heat, and one very inconvenient attraction, Swept Away is perfect for readers who love Melanie Harlow, Devney Perry, K.A. Tucker and Elsie Silver.
Current TBR – April

Interested in my upcoming reads? Here’s a little glimpse into what I plan to read soon and what you can expect to see on the blog shortly after! If you’ve read my recent posts, you’ll know I’ve been struggling to read lately, so I thought doing this might help give me something to aim for.
I run a book blog and I’ve been struggling to read

So, compared to previous years, I am doing absolutely terrible on my reading goals, some of this is down to life and some of this is down to me just really not feeling like reading… which is odd. I literally run a blog about books and reading, in my spare time, for free. So let’s…
Carbon Dating – Jen Smith

Indie spotlight: Carbon Dating – Jen Smith Carbon Dating nails it – humour, heart, and just enough dirt to keep things real. If Bridget Jones swapped her diary for a trowel and studied with Indiana Jones, this would be her story’ Natasha Billson, Award-winning Archaeologist, Filmmaker & Presenter
Reading, writing and life check in – 1/4 of 2026

Well, the first 3 months of 2026 are over and done with and it’s been pretty rubbish, I won’t lie to you! But here’s a wrap-up about life, what I’ve read and writing
March reading wrap up

Well, it seems I am officially in a reading slump, a combination of trying to read longer books, having a longer commute and trying to do my other hobbies, exercise, see family and friends has meant I really have not been reading much. I am trying to set aside time for it, but even when…
Get Waffle Jones – Daniel Skinner

Indie spotlight: Get Waffle Jones – Daniel Skinner Waffle Jones has a problem: his girlfriend has left him and he’s not sure why. It could be because he can’t hold down a job, is totally unreliable, and fritters all their money away
20 memes for book lovers – part 2

It has been AGES since we had a book memes post, and since I’m not currently hyperfocused on a series, today I’ve got some generic bookish memes for you! Get ready to be mildly amused.
Dragonsown – Erika Leigh Agnew

Indie spotlight: Dragonsown – Erika Leigh Agnew Erika is a Canadian Author of 2 YA/MG Fantasy books, with the 3rd on the way
20 ‘forced proximity’ book trope recs

Once again, I’m bringing you a trope that can be a little… dodgy, but when it’s not done in a icky way, forced proximity can be great for creating tension and angsty longing or fun banter.
10 romance recs based on recent reads

I haven’t done one of these since 2024, so here’s an updated list of romance book or series I would recommend, based on books I have read over the last year or so! These aren’t necessarily recent publications, this is just based on books I have read.
The Silent Forest – A. E. Ford

Indie spotlight: The Silent Forest – A. E. Ford Step into The Silent Forest – if you dare… The Silent Forest is a place of whispers, where shadows move when no one’s looking and silence seems to hold its breath. Few who enter leave unchanged, and some never leave at all…
Gallant – V.E. Schwab

The 6th book I read this year was Gallant by V.E. Schwab, her books are a mixed bag for me because I enjoy them… but there are often a little odd. This was a short audio and a standalone book, so it was perfect for my commute and I decided to give it a go.
The Broken Parts Along the Way- Samantha Waverly

Indie spotlight: The Broken Parts Along the Way- Samantha Waverly Love. Motherhood. Chaos. Healing. A soft-hearted, slow-burn second chance romance — where finding your way back is only half the story.
Mate – Ali Hazelwood

Mate by Ali Hazelwood was the 5th book I read this year (yes, I am doing pretty tragic with my reading goals…). This is set in the same world as her debut romantasy novel Bride, but follows the mc’s adopted sister.
Attention Seeker – Darcy Michael

The 4th book I read this year was Attention Seeker by Darcy Michael. Posed as a guide to thriving with ADHD, Darcy is a tiktoker and comedian who I’ve followed since 2020. He shares funny stories about his life with his husband, daughter and Yuma dog, as well anecdotes about his life with ADHD.
February reading wrap up

Unfortunately January’s plague continued to haunt me for most of February, that plus some busy weekends and being just so exhausted means I’ve only read 2 books… which is genuinely shocking to be honest. Here’s a summary of everything I read in February. Take a look to find what I’ve either already reviewed or reviews…
Blood And Silver – JD Goland

Indie spotlight: Blood And Silver – JD Goland JD is an indie author following his dreams. Finally publishing books that he has thought about for over a decade. From unusual magical abilities to lies in the kingdom, this series follows a dream quest that becomes a nightmare, and all the consequences that happen afterwards
Bonds of Beauty and Blood – Mikayla Everitt

Indie spotlight: Bonds of Beauty and Blood by Mikayla Everitt This book is a spicy love letter to unmasking and unleashing feminine rage.
Five Survive – Holly Jackson

My third read of the year was Five Survive by Holly Jackson, I bought this from a WHsmith before a holiday… two years ago and it has been staring at me from my shelf since then.
City of Gods and Monsters – Kayla Edwards

My second read of the year was City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards, the first book in the House of Devils series. I’ve seen this series around for years and needed something that was in the Audible plus library because I was out of credits, so I thought I’d give this a go.
Brewing Destiny – Alanis Winters

Indie spotlight: Brewing Destiny – Alanis Winters Amaya Singh is a struggling writer, facing grief, doubt, and a stalled career. When she inherits an antique teapot with a secret from her eccentric grandmother. Amaya is left to navigate the tangled threads of her career, her heart, and the teapot’s strange visions, She learns that some…
Exercising without a weightless goal part 5

This blog series started to celebrate how much more enjoyable I found exercise without weight loss as the primary goal. I didn’t expect it to become a series and I really thought I was done with the topic… until skinny came back in fashion with a vengance.
January reading wrap up

I got super sick this month so it’s not been a great for reading! I’ve only read 3 books so my reading goals for the year are not off to a great start. Here’s a summary of everything I read in January. Take a look to find what I’ve either already reviewed or reviews to…
Wishing for a star – Ana Balen

Indie spotlight: Wishing for a star – Ana Balen It’s supposed to go like this. Boy meets girl, they fall madly in love with each other, but, not one fairytale, or love story tells you that after that ride, life happens…
A review of all the books by Carissa Broadbent

Now that I’ve read a fair few books by this author and because some of the worlds of the different books are starting to cross into one another, I thought it’d be useful to compile them in one place.
Hold your Horses – Prickle Island Zoo series – Ali K Mulford

The first book I read this year was Hold your Horses, book 5 in the Prickle Island Zoo series by Ali K Mulford.
Changes – Elizabeth Jeffery

Indie spotlight: Changes – Elizabeth Jeffery A quiet town in the sticks is being ravaged by animal attacks. The newly graduated, Hanna doesn’t know this when she moves there, but it doesn’t take long for her to find out.
Trauma Bonding – Lauren Kozlowski

The final book I read in 2025 was Trauma Bonding: Understanding and Overcoming the Trauma Bond in a Narcissistic Relationship.
First Time Caller – B. K. Borison

First Time Caller by B.K.Borison was the 69th book I read last year, this book was recommended by Lexi AKA newlynova in one of her reading wrap-ups.
The Wings of the Spectrum – Sarah Marriott

Indie spotlight: The Wings of the Spectrum – Sarah Marriott The fate of the realms rests in the hands of the fairy and her human friend, and they will need all of their courage, intelligence and strength to defeat a terrifying enemy and restore peace to the world of the Fae.
The Mountain is You – Brianna Wiest

My 67th read of last year was The Mountain is You – Brianna Wiest, I have heard a lot of people say good things about this book and I wanted to hit my non-fiction goal for the year so I decided to give it a go.
Year Goals for 2026 and a reflection on 2025

It’s the final 2025 wrap-up post and this bit’s all about me, the person behind the blogs, no bookish goals in sight!
The Colour Of Revenge – Olivia Jane

Indie spotlight: The Colour Of Revenge – Olivia Jane “I’m not a serial killer. I prefer the term artist.” This book is the 1st in the Murderously romantic series, A dark, twisted, and dangerously seductive world where love is built on obsession, and revenge is served bloodstained.
2026 reading goals

It’s a new year so it’s time to set some goals for my 2026 reads! Now, I do these as something to aim towards/ as motivation but they are fairly loosey goosey.
2025 reading wrap-up

I didn’t quite hit my fairly lofty reading goals but since a lot of cool things happened in my personal life this year, i’m pretty happy with my total for the year Read the post to see everything I read!
Dawn of Ragnarok – Celine Damsgaard

Indie spotlight: Dawn of Ragnarok – Celine Damsgaard Vikings meets Iron Widow in this post-apocalyptic YA tale of godly mechas with a Norse Mythology twist
The Tempest Blade – Danielle L Jensen

My 64th read of the year was The Tempest Blade by Danielle L Jensen, the latest and final book in The Bridge Kingdom series.
Scared Sexy Novella series

Over October to November I read the Scared Sexy Novella series, which featured a series of short stories by notable romance and romantasy authors: Ali Hazelwood, Christina Lauren, Katee Robert, Ruby Dixon, J.T. Geissinger and Kimberley Lemming.
November reading wrap up

So this month was a terrible month for reading, I couldn’t tell you why but it felt super busy and I really had no brain space for reading. I only read four books, three of which were short novellas from the Scared Sexy series.
House of Scarabs – Hazel Longuet

Indie spotlight: House of Scarabs – Hazel Longuet House of Scarabs is a supernatural suspense series steeped in the mythology of ancient Egypt: Where Gods, Betrayal, and Resurrection Collide.