About
Hi, I'm Amy. Bella is my little sidekick.
My love of reading started when I was a child. Every night, my parents read me a bedtime story. It settled me because I was terrified of sleeping on my own. Those voices, pages turning, and the worlds inside those books became the safest place I knew.
The little dog in the logo is Bella — my real-life reading companion. She still sits with me through every bookathon to this day, usually tucked in beside a pile of books, a cup of tea, and one more chapter than I meant to read.
Bella Bugs Books is where I keep those stories alive: honest reviews, the books that broke me, and the ones I never stop recommending.
Honest
Every review is read end-to-end. No sponsored stars. No hot takes for clicks.
Slow
Two books at a time, max. Reading is supposed to feel like Sunday morning.
A little fuzzy
Bella supervises every reading session. Sometimes she contributes. Mostly she naps.
Got a book you think I'd love?
I take recommendations seriously — especially ones from independent presses and translators.
Get in touchFrequently asked questions
- Who is Amy?
- Amy Byrne is the reader behind Bella Bugs Books. She's based in Wexford, Ireland, has been reading since bedtime stories as a child, and now reviews books and packs bookish parcels by hand.
- Who is Bella?
- Bella is Amy's border collie and the little dog in the logo. She's the real-life reading sidekick who sits beside every bookathon, tea and one-more-chapter.
- Are the reviews sponsored or gifted?
- No. Nothing on Bella Bugs Books is sponsored and no book is reviewed in exchange for payment. Some links to bookshops may be affiliate links, which never changes the rating or the words.
- How do you rate books?
- Out of five stars, in half-star steps, based on how the book actually made Amy feel — pacing, characters, and whether she'd hand it to a friend.
- Can I work with Bella Bugs Books?
- Yes — for author interviews, bookshop collaborations or gifting a package, get in touch through the contact page.