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The Velvet Clover: A Christmas Romance
A magical, heart-wrenching holiday romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip, Evie Woods’ The Lost Bookshop, and The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Ava Hawthorne’s life is perfectly curated—career-driven, fiercely independent, and resolutely unromantic—until a breakup eight days before Christmas leaves her unexpectedly single and craving change. So, she does what any self-respecting woman books a ticket to New York, dodges her family’s pity, and chases a shiny new job at a centuries-old Irish atelier.
During her stay at the historic Fitzgerald Hotel, with its overdone Irish charm, a too-jolly mysterious bartender points her toward a velvet curtain. The catch? When Ava steps through, she finds herself in a speakeasy one hundred years in the past—in 1925, to be exact.
Ava swore never to give her power away to love, or let a man derail her ambitions again. But drawn back to the speakeasy night after night, she finds herself pulled into a connection with the enigmatic owner, Cillian, whose piercing eyes and infuriating calm make her want to both kiss him and throw a drink in his face. Their connection is as magnetic as it is Cillian belongs to 1925; she belongs to 2025.
As the Christmas lights of the city glow around her, Ava must face the fear she’s carried since childhood—that love only leads to loss. Because falling for Cillian means risking her career, her control, and her heart on a love that—by all logic—was never supposed to happen.
Will Ava uncover the truth lurking within The Velvet Clover? Can she resist the allure of a past that threatens to consume her? When the lines between her reality and this shadowy world begin to blur, will she find the courage to choose her own path—or be lost to the secrets that bind her?
The Velvet Clover is a witty, magical, and unforgettable holiday time-slip romance about fate, family, and the risks we take for love.
Ava Hawthorne’s life is perfectly curated—career-driven, fiercely independent, and resolutely unromantic—until a breakup eight days before Christmas leaves her unexpectedly single and craving change. So, she does what any self-respecting woman books a ticket to New York, dodges her family’s pity, and chases a shiny new job at a centuries-old Irish atelier.
During her stay at the historic Fitzgerald Hotel, with its overdone Irish charm, a too-jolly mysterious bartender points her toward a velvet curtain. The catch? When Ava steps through, she finds herself in a speakeasy one hundred years in the past—in 1925, to be exact.
Ava swore never to give her power away to love, or let a man derail her ambitions again. But drawn back to the speakeasy night after night, she finds herself pulled into a connection with the enigmatic owner, Cillian, whose piercing eyes and infuriating calm make her want to both kiss him and throw a drink in his face. Their connection is as magnetic as it is Cillian belongs to 1925; she belongs to 2025.
As the Christmas lights of the city glow around her, Ava must face the fear she’s carried since childhood—that love only leads to loss. Because falling for Cillian means risking her career, her control, and her heart on a love that—by all logic—was never supposed to happen.
Will Ava uncover the truth lurking within The Velvet Clover? Can she resist the allure of a past that threatens to consume her? When the lines between her reality and this shadowy world begin to blur, will she find the courage to choose her own path—or be lost to the secrets that bind her?
The Velvet Clover is a witty, magical, and unforgettable holiday time-slip romance about fate, family, and the risks we take for love.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Aria Devi
4 books37 followersAria Devi is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of The Other Woman, The Velvet Clover, and Wanter Dynamics & The Love We Are. She lives and writes in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 31, 2025
The Velvet Clover was such a great modern fantasy meets 1920s Christmas magic adventure! Why can't I find a portal to a 1925 speakeasy? Unfair.
I had a fun time following Ava’s journey (and her character growth!) and even the side characters had me hooked. This book is such a unique holiday story - it'll make you want to hop on the next flight to NYC and go hunting for your own Irish man.
I DO wish we got a little more of Soarise and Ronan stories at the end... but I'm crossing my fingers for a book two on them!
I had a fun time following Ava’s journey (and her character growth!) and even the side characters had me hooked. This book is such a unique holiday story - it'll make you want to hop on the next flight to NYC and go hunting for your own Irish man.
I DO wish we got a little more of Soarise and Ronan stories at the end... but I'm crossing my fingers for a book two on them!
October 9, 2025
WOW!! This was such a fun read. I was hooked almost immediately and struggled to put it down. I loved the premise, I loved the characters. It was a Christmas novel that was different to most and I really liked that. I found myself trying to figure out how they could work this out because you just want the two main characters to be together. You really fall in love with them and can’t help but root for them. There’s multiple twists throughout and I love that for a romance novel! Such a unique spin on a romance and the Irish banter and wit was an added bonus. There was one chapter with spice which I don’t personally love, but seriously only one chapter so you could easily skip over it if it’s not your cup of tea. The thing I loved the most is how the author really helped you understand why the character was as hard as she was and made it very believable when her walls started to come down. My favorite line was “There’s a difference between giving your power away and sharing your strength with someone.” So powerful.
I can’t recommend this book enough. Totally refreshing romance…..you won’t regret it!
I can’t recommend this book enough. Totally refreshing romance…..you won’t regret it!
November 4, 2025
I fell inlove with this book and fast. Even the side characters were amazing!
This modern meets 1920s Christmas book was cozy, had plot twists, and had me struggling to put down the book. Seriously can I just hop on a plane and go find an Irish man??!
I loved the character development, her learning she doesn’t have to give up her own independent power to have love, and that she can heal old wounds and be open to love, plus his witty banter was amazing.
I highly recommend you pick this book up but make sure you schedule it for a day you can bed rot because you’re not going to want to put this down!!
November 4, 2025
Ahhhh the minute i heard about the irishesque hotel, i ran to Google to see if it was REAL bc i needed and wanted to stay at the NYC locale IMMEDIATELY! The bonds formed in the characters, the excitement of the bar scenes (🤪), the way the character development not only builds as you quickly turn the pages but it definitely insists that you stay up too late to get to the next chapter. As a gal who doesn’t read quick, i was hooked y’all. As an ARC reader for the second time for Ari, i will always come back for more. It’s a must read and one to keep on your shelves. The holidays are arriving soon, get in the spirit of a good speakeasy!
September 19, 2025
I really don’t know what to rate this book. I was absolutely in love with it and loved the cozy vibes of it and absolutely fell in love with Cillian. I couldn’t put it down, until it came to the ending…
I’ve never hated an ending more in my life! Chapter 31 completely took me from loving Cillian to villainizing him!
Ava talks about how her dad abandoned her family on Christmas to go live with his new family and how it ruined Christmas for her and it was clearly something she carried with her all throughout her life and for Cillian to do the same exact thing to Saoirse pissed me off! The small part where he mentioned that she was okay with it since he gets to be in love again just doesn’t sit right with me, she was a teenager who never really had a mom and now was abandoned by her father. It’s also mentioned that women could basically do nothing in the 1920s and he’s just gonna leave her there as an orphan!?!! Like how are we okay with that?? How was Ava okay with that!?? Made me go from loving Ava and Cillian to wishing he actually did die in the car accident. Atleast if he died it wasn’t his choice to abandon his daughter and atleast then I could’ve been happy with their love and the time they got to spend together. All of it now feels tainted.
I would have loved to have a Soairse chapter of her explaining that she is in fact okay or something about who took care of her after he left or just some peace of mind…. Or if they were still able to visit her but only on Christmas literally anything then what we got! Cillian said losing his other child and wife was one of the hardest things he’s gone through so I don’t accept that he would leave her like that!
If the ending wasn’t Soairse being abandoned this would get 5 stars from me. But with the ending as is 3 stars.
I’ve never hated an ending more in my life! Chapter 31 completely took me from loving Cillian to villainizing him!
Ava talks about how her dad abandoned her family on Christmas to go live with his new family and how it ruined Christmas for her and it was clearly something she carried with her all throughout her life and for Cillian to do the same exact thing to Saoirse pissed me off! The small part where he mentioned that she was okay with it since he gets to be in love again just doesn’t sit right with me, she was a teenager who never really had a mom and now was abandoned by her father. It’s also mentioned that women could basically do nothing in the 1920s and he’s just gonna leave her there as an orphan!?!! Like how are we okay with that?? How was Ava okay with that!?? Made me go from loving Ava and Cillian to wishing he actually did die in the car accident. Atleast if he died it wasn’t his choice to abandon his daughter and atleast then I could’ve been happy with their love and the time they got to spend together. All of it now feels tainted.
I would have loved to have a Soairse chapter of her explaining that she is in fact okay or something about who took care of her after he left or just some peace of mind…. Or if they were still able to visit her but only on Christmas literally anything then what we got! Cillian said losing his other child and wife was one of the hardest things he’s gone through so I don’t accept that he would leave her like that!
If the ending wasn’t Soairse being abandoned this would get 5 stars from me. But with the ending as is 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
If I could have given this book 1,000 stars I would have! I have not enjoyed a book this much in quite some time. The way this book was written had me impressed the whole way through.
Have you been to a speakeasy during the prohibition?
No, me either
Have you met an Irish man from 1925?
No, me either
But if you read The Velvet Clover you will do both.
I fell into this book headfirst and learned so much about a time period I never knew I wanted to know about. I felt like it was me experiencing what Ava went through. I felt like I was time traveling and experiencing this speakeasy, I felt as though Cillian was my hunk of 1925. It also helped that I heard Girard Butler the entire time Cillian spoke (tehe)
It’s P.S I love you meets 2025.
The fact that this book happens during Christmas time brought the coziness that it needed. While also not making me feel like I was in a Hallmark movie. ( no hate)
I WANT this made into a motion picture !!! PLEASE!!
Highly recommend !!
Have you been to a speakeasy during the prohibition?
No, me either
Have you met an Irish man from 1925?
No, me either
But if you read The Velvet Clover you will do both.
I fell into this book headfirst and learned so much about a time period I never knew I wanted to know about. I felt like it was me experiencing what Ava went through. I felt like I was time traveling and experiencing this speakeasy, I felt as though Cillian was my hunk of 1925. It also helped that I heard Girard Butler the entire time Cillian spoke (tehe)
It’s P.S I love you meets 2025.
The fact that this book happens during Christmas time brought the coziness that it needed. While also not making me feel like I was in a Hallmark movie. ( no hate)
I WANT this made into a motion picture !!! PLEASE!!
Highly recommend !!
October 8, 2025
I received this book as an ARC directly from the author an exchange for an honest review.
Ava is an independent woman with a flourishing career and a personality made for New York. She knew how to succeed in the world on top of things and how to keep her walls up and white on point. After recently exiting a relationship right before the Christmas holiday she ends up convincing her sister to join her on a spontaneous trip to celebrate Christmas in New York with a secondary motive to potentially move to the city permanently.
This story weaves a beautiful description of a strong woman learning to find love with an equal doesn’t mean you have to give up any power. With the support of her sister she finally learns how to open up, heal old wounds, and realize she can have love while still being a fierce career woman.
I truly connected with Ava and found her story a breath of fresh air. She was able to find a balance that improved her life without sacrificing everything she had worked for. Overall a charming holiday story with a sprinkle of Irish charm.
Ava is an independent woman with a flourishing career and a personality made for New York. She knew how to succeed in the world on top of things and how to keep her walls up and white on point. After recently exiting a relationship right before the Christmas holiday she ends up convincing her sister to join her on a spontaneous trip to celebrate Christmas in New York with a secondary motive to potentially move to the city permanently.
This story weaves a beautiful description of a strong woman learning to find love with an equal doesn’t mean you have to give up any power. With the support of her sister she finally learns how to open up, heal old wounds, and realize she can have love while still being a fierce career woman.
I truly connected with Ava and found her story a breath of fresh air. She was able to find a balance that improved her life without sacrificing everything she had worked for. Overall a charming holiday story with a sprinkle of Irish charm.
October 11, 2025
I received this book as an ARC directly from the author an exchange for an honest review.
Ava is an independent woman with a flourishing career and a personality made for New York. She knew how to succeed in the world on top of things and how to keep her walls up and whit on point. After recently exiting a relationship right before the Christmas holiday she ends up convincing her sister to join her on a spontaneous trip to celebrate Christmas in New York with a secondary motive to potentially move to the city permanently.
This story weaves a beautiful description of a strong woman learning to find love with an equal doesn’t mean you have to give up any power. With the support of her sister she finally learns how to open up, heal old wounds, and realize she can have love while still being a fierce career woman.
I truly connected with Ava and found her story a breath of fresh air. She was able to find a balance that improved her life without sacrificing everything she had worked for. Overall a charming holiday story with a sprinkle of Irish charm.
Ava is an independent woman with a flourishing career and a personality made for New York. She knew how to succeed in the world on top of things and how to keep her walls up and whit on point. After recently exiting a relationship right before the Christmas holiday she ends up convincing her sister to join her on a spontaneous trip to celebrate Christmas in New York with a secondary motive to potentially move to the city permanently.
This story weaves a beautiful description of a strong woman learning to find love with an equal doesn’t mean you have to give up any power. With the support of her sister she finally learns how to open up, heal old wounds, and realize she can have love while still being a fierce career woman.
I truly connected with Ava and found her story a breath of fresh air. She was able to find a balance that improved her life without sacrificing everything she had worked for. Overall a charming holiday story with a sprinkle of Irish charm.
September 3, 2025
This is my first Romance novel. I was inspired to read it because of my wife, and the serendipitous parallels of that action to this book are magical. Maybe I'm biased because days before starting this I was free falling through miles of information regarding fate and soulmates, but I loved this book. I was skeptical in the beginning, not because of the story as much as my reading history.
This story is what love is. Its uncomfortable at times, and it's raw, and heart breaking, and warm, and thrilling, and breathtaking all at the same time. Sometimes its cheesy and cliche but isn't life?
I thought I was going to critique its amount of "spice" but that isn't what this book is about. It's more about true, real love.
I whole heartily recommend this book. Buy, curl up nice and cozy, maybe a glass of whiskey to pair with it, and enjoy.
This story is what love is. Its uncomfortable at times, and it's raw, and heart breaking, and warm, and thrilling, and breathtaking all at the same time. Sometimes its cheesy and cliche but isn't life?
I thought I was going to critique its amount of "spice" but that isn't what this book is about. It's more about true, real love.
I whole heartily recommend this book. Buy, curl up nice and cozy, maybe a glass of whiskey to pair with it, and enjoy.
November 4, 2025
The Velvet Clover is one of the best books I’ve ever read! It was more than I could have imagined! It’s full of life, love, family, mystery, time travel and Christmas magic! The main character, Ava Hawthorne, finds herself at a dead end PR job, in a city that didn’t feel like home and abruptly dumped by her boyfriend right before Christmas! She decides to hop on a plane to NYC to explore an exciting, new career opportunity and invites her sister Lila along! Nothing could have prepared them for the events that were about to unfold! Ava learned a lot about herself on this trip - some good, some bad, but all necessary! The story keeps you on your toes with its endless twists and turns! You won’t want to put it down! Plus, grab the tissues because there are some emotional moments!
I can’t wait to see what else the author, Aria Devi, has on the horizon, as she is clearly an exceptional storyteller!
I can’t wait to see what else the author, Aria Devi, has on the horizon, as she is clearly an exceptional storyteller!
September 29, 2025
I received this as an ARC. This was my first ARC and I am so happy that it was! First, I want to thank Aria for allowing me the privilege of reading this book early. This is such a great book! This book took me on a magical ride of a wonderful love story. I loved the characters and how their relationships worked with one another. While reading this I wanted to go straight to New York and find The Velvet Clover! I smiled, I gasped and I cried! This book can be read anytime, but it is set in Christmas time so it would be a great holiday read! I can’t wait to see all the success this book has when it releases.
October 31, 2025
Aria Davi has done it again—The Velvet Clover is tender, time-bending, and quietly magical, the kind of story that lingers long after the last page.
Time bends, hearts break, and somehow she makes it feel like hope itself is waiting under the mistletoe. It’s proof of her gift for turning emotion into art.
I devoured it in two days, not because it was fast-paced, but because her prose makes you want to stay in that world just a little longer. It lingers like a memory you can almost touch, woven with invisible strings that make her world feel beautifully connected.
*I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest reflections, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to experience it early.
Time bends, hearts break, and somehow she makes it feel like hope itself is waiting under the mistletoe. It’s proof of her gift for turning emotion into art.
I devoured it in two days, not because it was fast-paced, but because her prose makes you want to stay in that world just a little longer. It lingers like a memory you can almost touch, woven with invisible strings that make her world feel beautifully connected.
*I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest reflections, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to experience it early.
September 20, 2025
What to say I genuinely don’t know exactly how I feel so this rating might change but wow! I liked the book but I absolutely hated/loved the ending which makes me very conflicted! The MMC is absolutely amazing and to die for l absolutely adored the FMC sorta saw myself in her in a way ! I would definitely read another book by her; there’s definitely yearning and the quotes are absolutely perfect my favorite and probably a lot of peoples favorite since you can most definitely resonate with it is
"I don't think i'm as afraid of dying as I am of falling in love"
Definitely add to your TBR List!
"I don't think i'm as afraid of dying as I am of falling in love"
Definitely add to your TBR List!
October 17, 2025
I got this as an ARC, unfortunately Amazon wouldn’t allow me to leave a review. This book started off a little slow to me (700 something pages on my phone) and around page 300 or so it really picked up and piqued my interest. It was a beautiful love story and it made me both laugh and cry. Beautifully written and I can’t wait to read and review her other books! The FMC was admirable and strong! And the MMC was soooo amazing! The author said she based her MMC off her husband and let me say she is a very lucky lady!
October 28, 2025
If you’re looking for a feel good Christmas romance, this book is the one you should grab! I received a copy of this book as an ARC to read before the book has come out in return for an honest review. Time travel is usually a trope I stay away from because it makes my head hurt, but knowing Aria Devi’s writing style made me need to give this a try. I’m giving a 4 star simply because of the time travel aspect isn’t my jam. If that’s something you enjoy, this would be a 5 star read for you! Overall, I would suggest giving this a try if you enjoy Christmas romance and strong, powerful women!
September 4, 2025
I will be honest, I signed up to ARC this on a whim. I was looking to branch out of my normal reads and thought l would take a chance on this. I'm so glad that I did. This book and me laughing, crying and smiling all through out it. I would highly recommend this book.
October 6, 2025
My second ARC read of Aria’s and all I have to say is WOW! Such an incredibly beautiful story! Christmas time in NYC and a MMC named Cillian?! What else do you need to be convinced to read this book? Thank you Aria for sharing this story and for letting me follow along on your journey!
October 14, 2025
Fun, engaging right away. I feel this book is written casually, like you’re just there hanging out with some girlfriends in this adventure. Didn’t expect to cry with the little heartfelt growth and therapy session towards the end! Sweet, cozy, Christmas rom-com with a time traveling twist.
October 31, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. The historical fiction aspects of the 1925 scenes were beautiful. The authenticity of the Irish references were so clever. The reunion chapter between Cillian and Ava got a little wordy but other than that I absolutely loved this book. Perfect cutesy Christmas read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
Aria hasn’t let me down yet! A must read. Love love this beautiful story! The velvet clover was everything and more! And Irish tale, you’ll fall in love with Cillian immediately and Ava will drive you nuts!! But so worth it!
December 6, 2025
I had such a wonderful time reading this book!
It was such a unique story!
It was such a unique story!
October 20, 2025
This book was so much fun!! Magical realism, grumpy/grumpy romance. I loved every second of it!!
October 29, 2025
Amazing book! I was immediately hooked by the plot. I would highly recommend reading this story!
October 31, 2025
This was too cute!!!!! Irishesque hotel, the banter, character evolution. It was such a unique Christmas romance and i ate this up. I love seeing how she changed from so independent and almost cold to that whole exterior coming down
August 31, 2025
Such a wonderful book. Time travel with so much fun. I was surprised and happy with the ending, I wasn't expecting!
October 27, 2025
One of the better books I’ve read in a while — I went into it without knowing the precedence and was ultimately captivated by the love story that unfolded not only with Ava and Cillian and within Ava herself. Characters development was so well done, characters came to life before your eyes. There was even a sweet cross-over with Aria’s other book The Other Woman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
Excellent story line. It had me fully engaged from the beginning and I had to keep reading to find out how it ended. Although, it was slightly predictable I still found it great. It’s the perfect read for the holiday season.
October 28, 2025
Thank you Aria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Okay WOW!! I dont even know how to put into words how much I LOVED this read.. but I guess I'll tryyy. I absolutely loved how the book blended Christmas magic, time travel, and a charming period setting with a modern day twist. The romance was heartfelt and beautifully woven into the story, creating a warm, nostalgic, yet refreshing experience. It felt like stepping into a timeless holiday tale with just the right amount of whimsy and emotional depth.
✨️✨️QUICK NOTE✨️✨️
New book boyfriend alert his names Cillian and he's taken sorry ladies 💅🏽
This charming, soft hearted gangster with a heart of gold hidden beneath his pinstripes and swagger. The way he ran his speakeasy with grit and grace, yet would drop everything to follow the one he loves, even across time? Ugh I SWOON 😫. He’s the kind of character who makes you believe in forever, that no era, no distance, not even time itself can keep true love apart. He’s tough where it counts, tender where it matters 🖤
Ava Hawthorne the FMC is very independent, everything in her life has always been planned out from the moment she wakes to the time she shuts her eyes for the night. What she hadn't planned for in the future was going into the past.. 100 years to be exact. Throughout Ava's story she learns it's okay to let someone in, its okay to love, its not a weakness. There's nothing that's gonna stop her love story now. Or so she thought.
I loved the harry potter reference and the mention of THEEE Carrie Bradshaw and I loved watching Friends growing up.
While reading the book, I felt everything. I laughed out loud at the unexpected moments of joy and wit, and my heart ached during the quiet, painful parts; I cried more than once. There were moments that filled me with hope, and others that left me feeling completely hopeless, like the characters' struggles were my own. It was a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end. But maybe that’s just who I am; A hopeless romantic. I live for the intensity of love, the beauty of connection, and the heartbreak that sometimes comes with it. This book gave me all of that and more.
✨️QUOTES✨️
" I refuse to spend christmas mourning a man whose name and wardrobe could have him mistaken for a fashion designer on project runway" 🤣 period 💅🏽
" A thriving career was my passionate love and men would be no more than sprinkles on my sundae. Nice to have, but I'd still enjoy my ice cream without them" 🤭👀
" I don't think i'm as afraid of dying as I am of falling in love"
" It's tragic. Probably one of the most tragic tings dat can happen, which is why it's common fear. And why many of us avoid love altogether. But at some point, whether we're young or old, whether it's after finding love today or decades down da road, we all end up losing it all. It's inevitable. We all leave this life the same way we came into it alone..." 😪
To Aria,
Please NEVER stop writing 🫶🏽
XX Dom ❤️
Okay WOW!! I dont even know how to put into words how much I LOVED this read.. but I guess I'll tryyy. I absolutely loved how the book blended Christmas magic, time travel, and a charming period setting with a modern day twist. The romance was heartfelt and beautifully woven into the story, creating a warm, nostalgic, yet refreshing experience. It felt like stepping into a timeless holiday tale with just the right amount of whimsy and emotional depth.
✨️✨️QUICK NOTE✨️✨️
New book boyfriend alert his names Cillian and he's taken sorry ladies 💅🏽
This charming, soft hearted gangster with a heart of gold hidden beneath his pinstripes and swagger. The way he ran his speakeasy with grit and grace, yet would drop everything to follow the one he loves, even across time? Ugh I SWOON 😫. He’s the kind of character who makes you believe in forever, that no era, no distance, not even time itself can keep true love apart. He’s tough where it counts, tender where it matters 🖤
Ava Hawthorne the FMC is very independent, everything in her life has always been planned out from the moment she wakes to the time she shuts her eyes for the night. What she hadn't planned for in the future was going into the past.. 100 years to be exact. Throughout Ava's story she learns it's okay to let someone in, its okay to love, its not a weakness. There's nothing that's gonna stop her love story now. Or so she thought.
I loved the harry potter reference and the mention of THEEE Carrie Bradshaw and I loved watching Friends growing up.
While reading the book, I felt everything. I laughed out loud at the unexpected moments of joy and wit, and my heart ached during the quiet, painful parts; I cried more than once. There were moments that filled me with hope, and others that left me feeling completely hopeless, like the characters' struggles were my own. It was a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end. But maybe that’s just who I am; A hopeless romantic. I live for the intensity of love, the beauty of connection, and the heartbreak that sometimes comes with it. This book gave me all of that and more.
✨️QUOTES✨️
" I refuse to spend christmas mourning a man whose name and wardrobe could have him mistaken for a fashion designer on project runway" 🤣 period 💅🏽
" A thriving career was my passionate love and men would be no more than sprinkles on my sundae. Nice to have, but I'd still enjoy my ice cream without them" 🤭👀
" I don't think i'm as afraid of dying as I am of falling in love"
" It's tragic. Probably one of the most tragic tings dat can happen, which is why it's common fear. And why many of us avoid love altogether. But at some point, whether we're young or old, whether it's after finding love today or decades down da road, we all end up losing it all. It's inevitable. We all leave this life the same way we came into it alone..." 😪
To Aria,
Please NEVER stop writing 🫶🏽
XX Dom ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
I’ve been trying to find the right words, but honestly, nothing I say can compare to how much I enjoyed this book.
Sister goals and relationship goals all in one. The conversations between the sisters felt so real—raw, honest, and so supportive. I really appreciated Lila’s honesty about mom guilt—the whole struggle of leaving your kids and still needing to do things for yourself.
Ava and Cillian’s relationship was such a sweet love story. Watching them grow both as individuals and as a couple, supporting each other but also challenging each other, was just so relatable and heartwarming.
I wish I could read this book for the first time again.
Sister goals and relationship goals all in one. The conversations between the sisters felt so real—raw, honest, and so supportive. I really appreciated Lila’s honesty about mom guilt—the whole struggle of leaving your kids and still needing to do things for yourself.
Ava and Cillian’s relationship was such a sweet love story. Watching them grow both as individuals and as a couple, supporting each other but also challenging each other, was just so relatable and heartwarming.
I wish I could read this book for the first time again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
The Velvet Clover had me in a chock hold from the first chapter! Who doesn’t love Christmas in NYC?!?! This book is SO much more than just a Christmas themed-time travel, love story.
The sibling relationship between Ava and Lila is raw, real, and beautiful. I connected with Lila’s conflicting feelings about motherhood and her career and writing. Cillian may just be my new favorite book boyfriend!!!!! Ava grows so much from the beginning to the end, that I wanted to hate her so many times throughout the book, but I just couldn’t! I felt so many emotions while reading this book!
Aria Devi has crafted a beautiful love story, not just between lovers, but sisters and family members, as well as figuring out how to love oneself. Weaving in time travel and Christmas time in NYC….it is absolute perfection! You’ll see yourself and those you love in her characters! You won’t be disappointed!
The sibling relationship between Ava and Lila is raw, real, and beautiful. I connected with Lila’s conflicting feelings about motherhood and her career and writing. Cillian may just be my new favorite book boyfriend!!!!! Ava grows so much from the beginning to the end, that I wanted to hate her so many times throughout the book, but I just couldn’t! I felt so many emotions while reading this book!
Aria Devi has crafted a beautiful love story, not just between lovers, but sisters and family members, as well as figuring out how to love oneself. Weaving in time travel and Christmas time in NYC….it is absolute perfection! You’ll see yourself and those you love in her characters! You won’t be disappointed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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