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!

Maya’s Diary: the lost journal – Emnet Efrem

Indie spotlight: Maya’s Diary: the lost journal – Emnet Efrem Maya is a girl that goes to a boarding school in the 2100s, where the aftermath of CISPER and eugenics had shaped the world, but were now left in the history books. she meets a boy and loses friends, but the real problems are just…
Reading, writing and life check in – 3/4 of 2026

A slightly more positive check in this time! I’ve been able to slow down a bit, take care of my to do lists and take care of me. I’ve been reading more, writing a little and just generally enjoying my time more
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

The 30th book I read this year was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book was another booktok favourite that I bought at the time of the hype and left on a shelf until well after the conversation has ended!
A Race Against Shadows – J.A. Watson

Indie spotlight: A Race Against Shadows – J.A. Watson “In the end, a king without the support of his people was no more significant than the common person, disregarded by his kingdom and unblessed by the gods. Father feared that more than anything else. “
September reading wrap up

This month I managed 2 books, which I am happy with because I’ve knocked off a book that’s been sat on shelves for a bit now and started some others that have been hanging around a while. As I’m about to go on holiday, I’m hoping next month’s list will be a bit longer!
Lycans and Lattes – Maple Hollow book 3 – Ali.K.Mulford and K.Elle Morrison

The 29th book I read this year was Lycans and Lattes, the 3rd book in the Maple Hollow series by Ali.K.Mulford and K. Elle Morrison. I was lucky to receive an arc copy of this book and as a big fan of Ali K Mulford/ A.K.Mulford, I always warn that these reviews are a little…
Crown of Shadows – Ellie Curtis

Indie spotlight: Crown of Shadows – Ellie Curtis In a realm where victory means ultimate power—and losing means death—Lucina’s fight for survival has just begun.
Vampire romance books rec list

Since I’ve done almost every big trope list I can think of, I thought we could move on to rec lists that follow a theme. Since they’ve been making a bit of comeback, this time I’ve chosen: Vampires! Specifically vampire romances, because I am a romantasy girly through and through.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea – Tahereh Mafi

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi – the author of the Shatter Me fantasy series has been on my TBR a while, and yes, I did buy it based on the authors name alone, so what?
A Twist In Assassination – Blessing S. Mordi

Indie spotlight: A Twist In Assassination – Blessing S. Mordi One determined, witty Assassin, one ruthless Russian mafia boss, how complicated can it be?
Current TBR – September

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! I’ve been enjoying reading lately and so this is a fun list to work towards.
Butcher and Blackbird – Brynne Weaver

My 27th read of the year was Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne weaver, the first book in the Ruinous Love series. This is another booktok one that I never read back when there was hype for it… but oh well, that’s practically a trend for me at this point!
Uncomfortable – Laura ann

Indie spotlight: Uncomfortable – Laura ann Izzy Hazelhurst never thought loneliness, insecurity, or fear would play a part when she reconnected with Henry Carlisle, the boy she’s loved since she was twelve. But Henry’s now an A-list actor, and though he’s shown her a life she could never have imagined, Izzy finds the price of…
A little bit of extra time and the difference it’s made

This is mostly a bookish/ writing blog, but every now and then I’ll do something a little different, just a post reflecting on something that’s been on my mind. This time I want to talk about how we don’t all have the same 24 hours and how much difference a little extra time can make.
Matchmaking & Mixtapes – Marie Landry

Indie spotlight: Matchmaking & Mixtapes – Marie Landry Matchmaking & Mixtapes is a childhood-friends-to-lovers, best friend’s brother romantic comedy set in the fictional town of Bellevue, Ontario, Canada. Full of banter, crackling chemistry, and plenty of swoons, this is a kissing-only romance with mild language. It’s the first in the Best Friends & Birthdays Series.
August reading wrap up

This month’s read count was a modest 4 books, but 3 of them were physical books I actually made the time to sit down and read, rather than audios from my longgg commute.
The Perfect Find – Tia Williams

The Perfect Find by Tia Williams was my 27th read this year, this one was on my tbr because I read Seven Days in June by this author and really enjoyed it.
Waves of Undead – R. Cuthbertson

Indie spotlight: Waves of Undead – R. Cuthbertson When a tsunami and a zombie outbreak strike simultaneously, what lengths must one go to in order to survive? Twins Paul and Ana Zuessen fight for their lives when they encounter people who are violent and cannibalistic… The undead.
5 ways to get out of a reading slump

If you are a regular reader, you’ll know that I’ve been struggling with a bit of a reading slump this year. Recently, I’ve been getting back into reading, so I thought I’d share what I did to break out of it.
You made a fool of death with your beauty – Akwaeke Emezi

You made a fool of death with your beauty by Akwaeke Emezi was my 25th read of the year. This has been on my TBR a while and came from a rec list we did back when I was running a book podcast – but it’s been a while and can’t remember what list it…
Dracones Awakening – Sheri-Lynn Marean

Indie spotlight: Dracones Awakening – Sheri-Lynn Marean Don’t miss out on this scorching romance where time ticks away and emotions run high. Love will immerse you in a whirlwind of passion and peril that’ll leave you gasping for more. Grab your copy now and let your savage heart take flight. Discover why readers call this…
5 random recommendations from recent reads

Okay, so the parameters for this blog are a little random, I’m just going to give five of my favourite reads from this year and last. Not necessarily things that have been released that recently, just that I have read them that recently. These are in no particular order or genre, enjoy.
The Will of the Many – James Islington

My 24th read of the year was The Will of the Many, the first book in the Hierarchy series by James Islington. This was another recommendation by booktuber Lexi AKA Newlynova and she almost never leads me wrong.
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop – Dream Harbor book 6 – Laurie Gilmore

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, sixth book in the Dream Harbor book series by Laurie Gilmore, was my 23rd read of the year. I’ve really been craving easy reads lately and this book series was the perfect fit for that vibe.
July reading wrap up

I read 3 whole books this month! I don’t mind that it’s less than I maybe would’ve been reading this time last year because I read three books I enjoyed, and spent two separate days reading in my garden at the weekend whilst relaxing.
Caught Up – Into Darkness book 2 – Navessa Allen

My 27th read of the year was Caught Up by Navessa Allen, the second book in the Into Darkness series, I.E, the infamous Lights Out book that did the rounds on booktok.
The Baby Dragon Bookshop – A.T. Qureshi

The Baby Dragon Bookshop by A.T. Qureshi. the third book in The Baby Dragon series, was my 21st read of the year. I’ve been enjoying this series as a cute and cosy, easy read.
All the Ruins You Made – Alice Stokes

Indie spotlight: All the Ruins You Made – Alice Stokes All the Ruins You Made is an emotionally intense new adult romance about trauma, depression, self-worth, first love, and the desperate need to be understood by someone who sees more than you meant to show.
Diomedeid – Alexander Graham

Indie spotlight: Diomedeid – Alexander Graham What fate follows a man who has wounded gods and their offspring? Diomedeid charts the post-Iliadic exploits and agonies of Diomedes as he tries to outrun the bitterness of Venus
When the Moon Hatched – Sarah A. Parker

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker was my 20th read this year. This book went nuclear on Tiktok when it first came out and I am veryyyy late to the game but it was honestly a little long and that put me off. However, thanks to a lovely long commute, it was the…
The Wolf of Blood Roses – Ellie Tru

Indie spotlight: The Wolf of Blood Roses – Ellie Tru A healer with no magic. A princess with no mercy. A fate neither of them can escape.
June reading wrap up

Not a great total again but you know what? Sometimes life is just life-ing and I’m not going to beat myself up for not reading as much in a month where I’ve been really stressed and the UK has been hot as hell. Read for a peak into this month’s favourite and for reviews yet…
By the Gods – J.C.Fields

Indie spotlight: By the Gods – J.C.Fields “We don’t question why Gods do the things they do, only trust that they do it for a reason. You and I are here together, for a reason”.
Roman – The Fallen – Melanie Jade

Indie spotlight: Roman – Melanie Jade They fell from the heavens. Some fell into the depths of hell, And fought their way out… Roman has walked the earth for eternity, leading his fellow fallen angels in the never-ending war against Lucifer and the hordes of hell’s demons. When Roman snatches the one thing Lucifer needs…
Thoughts on AI – a not rant-rant

I know that AI is a controversial topic, but as someone who works in marketing, I think my approach is more nuanced than the black and white thinking some people have about it…
The Raven Scholar – Antonia Hodgson

My 19th read of the year was The Raven Scholar, the first book in the Eternal Path trilogy. This was recommended by my favourite booktuber Lexi Aka Newlynova repeatedly and I decided to give the audio a go as I’ve been a slow reader of book-books this year, but I could listen to this while…
Taking Flight – Kelly Scriven

Indie spotlight: Taking Flight – Kelly Scriven To become an airship pilot, Sira must survive her final exam—and the pirates determined to kill her. Pursued by mercenaries and low on supplies, Sira and her exam instructor flee to a hidden Fae village for refuge. There, she realizes this is no random act of piracy. Someone powerful…
Things publishers do that book lovers hate

So, some of these are not necessarily my opinion, but more things I see around as a lurker on Bootok and Bookstagram.
The Baby Dragon Bakery – A.T. Qureshi

The Baby Dragon Bakery by A.T. Qureshi, the second book in the Baby Dragon series, was my 18th read for this year. I enjoyed book 1 and went straight on to book 2 because light and fluffy was definitely what my brain needed last month.
Circus of sins – Natasha Wingfield

Indie spotlight: Circus of sins – Natasha Wingfield Step right up to the circus of sins-where pleasure and pain are two sides of the same coin. A gripping tale of horror, seduction, and the fine line between ruin and rapture, circus of sins will leave you questioning the very nature of desire… and the darkness that…
20 Chosen One book trope recs

It’s time for another trope rec list! And this is one I can be a bit of a sucker for when it’s done well: Chosen one trope!
Reading, writing and life check in – 1/2 of 2026

I feel like a broken record, but just busy, my life feels busy. I haven’t read as much as I would like, I haven’t written at all… but the other things I’ve got going on are worth their time and so I’m kind of okay with having different priorities for the time being. But anyway,…
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.