Female Fantasy by Iman Hariri-Kia (Oct 14, 2025) This is one of those books that hooked me at the cover and then the description made me want to read it immediately. I grabbed the print and audio copies on Hoopla!
This is very much two books in one: Joonie, a romance lover goes on a chaotic roadtrip with her brother’s best friend, Nico, to try to meet the real-life friend of her favorite author who inspired the male main character, Ryke, in her romantasy book series (think ACOTAR but mer – underwater). The story jumps back and forth between the everything-that-can-go-wrong-goes-wrong roadtrip and excerpts from the romatasy book in which Ryke appears. Both stories are equally engrossing in totally different ways as Joonie begins to wonder if the fictional perfect man or the man with her on this chaotic journey is truly what she wants.
Is it a hardcore fated-mates romantasy set in the sea with the fate of the people at stake? YES. Is it a chaotic madcap road-trip romance with over-the-top shenanigans? YES. Is it an ode to romance novels in every form? ABSOLUTELY. Once I picked this one up, I simply could not put it down. It is a self-aware, unapologetic romp, an addictive love story at every turn, and a critique of those who deem themselves “too good” to read romance. I loved every word. What a treat.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: (9 hrs and 42 mins) The incomparable Samantha Brentmoor narrates and it is just simply SO, SO GREAT.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 