Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha HartwoodMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5 Spice
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.
There are honestly no words that fully cover how much I gobbled this book up, and it’s not a small book either. From pretty much the first page, I was hooked. The writing is clean, clear, and flows so easily that it felt like I was gliding from word to word rather than actively reading.
The first few chapters do such a good job introducing the world and characters that I was pulled in almost instantly. Getting to know Taera and the other characters gave me a real sense of who they were, and what really stood out to me was how relatable they felt. The family dynamics, the worries, the responsibility of wanting to do your best for the people you love it made me think, yeah… I get this.
As the story progressed and I got a better understanding of the world and its layers, I was genuinely impressed. The worldbuilding is strong without being overwhelming. It never felt overworked or confusing, and I never needed a mental map just to keep up. Everything was explained clearly and naturally, which made me feel like part of the world rather than an outsider looking in and that’s something I really value as a reader.
The book switches between POVs, which adds so much depth and makes the story even more engaging. When we first meet Nikolai, he comes across as a risk-taker, smug, self-assured, and very much someone whose wardrobe must be massive just to hide all his secrets.
Because this is a bigger book, I fully expected filler or draggy sections, but shockingly, there weren’t any. Everything felt intentional, like building blocks stacking together to create something truly special. What surprised me most was that the story always stayed front and center. There is spice, but it never overshadows the plot or characters.
There were moments that completely blindsided me, moments where I wanted to scream, rage, cry, and physically step away to catch my breath. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every second of it from start to finish.
There are two things I personally would have loved to see more of, but that’s very much a me thing rather than an actual flaw. By the time I reached the end, I was genuinely sitting there thinking, but… but I need more… please? Which is wild considering the size of the book.
Without a doubt, this is my first 5-star read of 2026.
What I Liked:
Well-developed, interesting characters
A layered story that always stayed the main focus
Spice that enhanced the book without overpowering it
What Didn’t Work for Me:
I wanted more Omi toward the end.
Forgiveness felt a bit too quick.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Absolutely, it’s a fantastic read.
Would I Reread?
Easy yes.
How I’d Sum It Up.
An impressive, beautifully written book with a strong story, rich worldbuilding, romance, and just the right amount of spice layered with pain, secrets, and heart.
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