A review by azieyosabor
The Cerise by Bailey Black

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

“blood was the key to it all. it cursed, and it cured, but not without cost.”

OML, bailey black, that cliffhanger?! 😨 seriously criminal! gonna be stressing about my babies till november. but, like, i can't wait! 🤭

and, guys, EVERYONE needs to read this book RN! it's seriously awesome, loved it so much. just a tiny issue, but it's almost close to perfection. the world-building, the plot, and OML, THE CHARACTERS 🥹. such a ride, and getting that ARC approval made my week. bailey, you rocked my world with this book, even though you also shattered it with that cliffhanger! 😵‍💫

➛ tropes:
⤷ a witch in a world where magic is illegal
⤷ a rescue mission
⤷ a touch of enemies to lovers
⤷ a revenge mission
⤷ he falls first she falls harder
⤷ 2 love interests (not a reverse harem nor a love triangle)
— genre’s: fantasy, romance

➛ plot summary:
so, there's this girl khiara, right? she's on a mission to save her friend, ezra, who's stuck in the kingdom dungeons fighting for his life. she can't just let him die, but walking into the castle? risky move 😬. but, guess what? with some unexpected allies, she dives into the culling - this one-time shot at becoming queen. khiara's not into winning the prince heart or the crown; she just wants to storm the castle, find her friend, and bounce before they figure out she's a cerise.

sounds cool on paper, huh? but when the welcome ball on the first night turns into a messed-up dance of death, everyone's eyes are on khiara. and as if that's not wild enough, the soldier who killed her whole family back then is also there. yeah, khiara's in for a crazy ride 😭

➛ the writing:
okay, so that little issue i mentioned? yeah, the start of this book was a bit of a drag 🥱. seriously, it felt like forever to get into it, and i almost gave up, but thank the stars i didn't because i would've missed out on this masterpiece. for me, things started getting good around 37%, and from there, it was just up, up, up 😍. loved every second, it became a total page-turner. i was hooked, couldn't do anything else but read to find out what happens.

around 60%, i was loving this book so much that i didn't want it to end 😣. had to force myself to drop it for like 8 hours before i was back to clinging desperately to it. yeah, i'm seriously attached. the writing is cool – it's a fantasy, but not all fancy and complicated. easy to read, kinda contemporary vibe, and i'm all about it. plus, the second half's pacing was spot-on, had me on edge till the end. super awesome! 😋

꒰🕸️ ⌗ khiara:
⤷ little bird / princess
SPITFIRE! 🔥 i'm telling you, i'm lowkey obsessed with this girl 😫. i'm all about those strong, badass female main characters, and khiara is owning that title. her no-nonsense attitude is off the charts, seriously remarkable. even with her whole family death, she's standing strong, doing her thing. she's independent as heck, fights her battles solo, but hey, if someone decent comes along, she won’t say no 🫣

and her sass? legendary. khiara's comebacks to the mean girls in the culling? priceless 😂. she demands respect, and you better believe she gets it. overall, she's on a mission for revenge and justice for her family and all the cerise’s. if you're into fierce female leads, khiara's your girl. i'm legit in love with her, and bonus, she kinda reminds me of alizeh from this woven kingdom. anyway, did i mention i love her? like, a lot 🤭💘

꒰👑 ⌗ bash:
he's legit charming, like giving off major jacks vibes from once upon a broken heart. so witty, it's hilarious, feisty, and sweet all rolled into one. i'm loving how he instantly clicked with khiara and has been glued to her side ever since 🥹. she's got him wrapped around her finger, and it's just adorable how into her he is. he's like a super welcome highlight to the story, seriously awesome, no lie. can't wait to see what he's up to in the next book, especially after that ending 👀

꒰🗡️ ⌗ riot:
OML, let's finally talk about riot because HOLY MOLY, #teamriot all the way! 😍 this guy is a whole mood. he's like hazan from this woven kingdom, but cranked up to a hundred in the sexiness department. riot is the bomb, seriously. he's this perfect mix of sweet and hot, protective, witty, and sassy – just like khiara. and get this, he COOKS for her. like, cook for me, and i'm head over heels! 😫 plus, he'd probably kill anyone who even glances at khiara. total gentleman move – he gives her his coat so she won't freeze, like, all the time! i'm just in love, major swoon vibes! 🥹

oh, and did i mention jealous riot? hell yeah! he's like a sulking baby when he's jealous, and it's freaking adorable. like, let me kiss that frown off your face! 🤭 and his mouth? unreal. wink wink 🤪. when he talks, i'm on the floor every time. the things he says about khiara, to her – it's all too much. i just NEED riot to be endgame, you feel me? 😣

꒰🕊️ ⌗ khiara and bash:
so, these two haven't hit the relationship gas pedal like khiara and riot, but they're chill and comfy together. their interactions? super cute. right now, though (early days, you know?), they seem more like tight pals than anything romantic. but hey, who knows? things might spice up in the next book. for now, it's all cozy and platonic vibes. 🤷🏾‍♀️

꒰❤️‍🔥 ⌗ khiara and riot:
if these two ain't endgame, i swear i’m gonna riot, 'cause OML, they're just perfect for each other, and i'm dying to see more of them 😭. the chemistry is off the charts, and the tension? i can't even! and that spicy scene? hold up, i did not see that coming – jaw on the floor moment, for real 😳. these two might just be the death of me, but i want them together, crazy in love, forever and ever 😋. they're adorable, perfect, match made in heaven – i'm all heart eyes for them. yeah, my review might be a bit biased, but can you blame me? these two are the real deal, and i can't help but gush about it. 😍🔥

➛ overall.
"the cerise" is a magical, mind-blowing adventure. the twists, the characters, the plot – it grabs you and won't let go 🤭. it's out everywhere, so seriously, grab it. if you loved “the selection” and “from blood and ash,” this is your jam. also, if you vibed with “once upon a broken heart” and “this woven kingdom,” trust me, you'll be screaming about this one too! 

P.S. november 5th, come faster! 😫

”thank you netgalley, booksgosocial, and the author for sending me a copy of this e-arc. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”