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hertrubookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first book by the author though I have heard great things about the other books in this series. The FMC (a main point of the story for me) was so unrelatable, self-obsessed and such a whiner. I respect her choices sometimes but other times, I just wanted to tell her to get over it. The MMC was so eerily similar to Christian Grey - that is really all I need to say... The book was hard to get into, particularly because I did not like the FMC from the first few pages, however, the spice was good and there were some dialogues and scenes that were written extremely well.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
donasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Full review on my blog!
Thank you to the author Helen Hardt, publishers Entangle: Amara Press, and TLC Book Tours, for an advance paperback copy of BLOOM. Thank you also to NetGalley for an accompanying widget. All views are mine.
Thank you to the author Helen Hardt, publishers Entangle: Amara Press, and TLC Book Tours, for an advance paperback copy of BLOOM. Thank you also to NetGalley for an accompanying widget. All views are mine.
kostunkaela's review against another edition
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Helen Hardt has always written such fast paced, spicy romance books that I instantly love and Bloom was no different.
The BDSM scene was newer for me to read about but I love the educational side of it and learning alongside the FMC, Frankie. I love that how Helen is able to make you relate with her character and feel their struggles as you read their journey while diving into taboo topics.
Her side characters always play such small but significant roles in each book and it has you excited to read the next book in the series and continue to see where the stories further develop.
Thank you to the author, Helen Hardt, and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC.
Helen Hardt has always written such fast paced, spicy romance books that I instantly love and Bloom was no different.
The BDSM scene was newer for me to read about but I love the educational side of it and learning alongside the FMC, Frankie. I love that how Helen is able to make you relate with her character and feel their struggles as you read their journey while diving into taboo topics.
Her side characters always play such small but significant roles in each book and it has you excited to read the next book in the series and continue to see where the stories further develop.
Thank you to the author, Helen Hardt, and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC.
allisonderose's review against another edition
1.0
This book sucked. But it was also insane. I present... the most insane quotes from this book that I specifically marked for this purpose.
HELP? THIS WAS SO RANDOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY LIKE??
This next one is her interviewing one of her best friends about D/s lifestyle:
genuinely... what the fuck... there's so much bad about this but like... bisexuality being kinky?? what?? for a book that's literally like about sex clubs and kink this book is so fucking dumb and NOT sex positive
So this whole book has this weird phantom of the opera role play thing they do because he wears a mask when they first meet...
She's talking about her fiance cheating on her:
Ah yes... what a sex positive kinky book you've written here Ms. Hardt... (not to mention she knows the woman is from the kink club THAT SHE'S ALSO FREQUENTING)
THAT'S HER BEST FRIEND LIKE? WHAT???
something about explicitly mentioning that ur new girl is hotter than ur ex girl who DIED TRAGICALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT, feels wrong to me... idk...
oh speaking of comparing to his DEAD EX GIRLFRIEND HE LOVED... im so sorry for this next one but its insane and i have to end this on an insane note:
... this man rlly just said... that... holy shit.
I call for an Uber, and I have him drop me in Chintatown ... I stop in front of a shop.
Golden Dragon Costumes.
Perfect.
I walk into the store, and I'm transplanted to a fantasy world.
I've always loved Chinatown. I adore Chinese culture and fashion and food.
HELP? THIS WAS SO RANDOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY LIKE??
This next one is her interviewing one of her best friends about D/s lifestyle:
"I like giving my pleasure over to someone else. Letting him or her—"
I stop typing, my jaw dropped. "Wait a minute. Or her?"
"Wow. I had no idea."
"Come on, Frank. We all experiment in college."
"I didn't."
"Really?"
"Not with women." I narrow my eyes. "Are you saying you did?"
"I did. And I know Gigi did."
"Wow." I exhale slowly. "How did I not know this about my two besties? Maybe I am vanilla"
genuinely... what the fuck... there's so much bad about this but like... bisexuality being kinky?? what?? for a book that's literally like about sex clubs and kink this book is so fucking dumb and NOT sex positive
So this whole book has this weird phantom of the opera role play thing they do because he wears a mask when they first meet...
"That's it," he says. "Keep coming, Angel. Come for me. Come for your Phantom."
And then, like Christine Daae herself, I scream out at high pitch, almost in song.
"Yes, sing for me, my angel of music."
She's talking about her fiance cheating on her:
"Don't you want to know?"
"Not really. I mean sure, I'm curious. But it's probably some skank."
Ah yes... what a sex positive kinky book you've written here Ms. Hardt... (not to mention she knows the woman is from the kink club THAT SHE'S ALSO FREQUENTING)
Isabella rises, and she looks good in her skinny jeans and tight T-shirt. She's so long and lean. No boobs, though, which Mandy and I both have in abundance
THAT'S HER BEST FRIEND LIKE? WHAT???
Frankie is more beautiful than either Allison or Teresa, who were both warm and smart.
something about explicitly mentioning that ur new girl is hotter than ur ex girl who DIED TRAGICALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT, feels wrong to me... idk...
oh speaking of comparing to his DEAD EX GIRLFRIEND HE LOVED... im so sorry for this next one but its insane and i have to end this on an insane note:
And I swear Frankie smells sweeter than anyone.
God, even Allison.
... this man rlly just said... that... holy shit.
taylorbishop's review against another edition
1.0
Quite literally the worst book i’ve ever read. I’m not sure who kidnapped Helen Hardt and held her hostage to produce this atrocity of a book, but please let her go.
The first book, Blush, was insanely good. Detailed, developed, I loved every bit of it. Bloom, however? It’s as if words were dumped onto a page and published without any editing. So many unnecessary conversations, too much detail about small events, and no character development.
The couple talked as if they were acquaintances the entire book. There was very little chemistry, and that is coming from someone who has found every romance novel she’s ever read to be “kicking my feet and giggling” worthy.
The first book, Blush, was insanely good. Detailed, developed, I loved every bit of it. Bloom, however? It’s as if words were dumped onto a page and published without any editing. So many unnecessary conversations, too much detail about small events, and no character development.
The couple talked as if they were acquaintances the entire book. There was very little chemistry, and that is coming from someone who has found every romance novel she’s ever read to be “kicking my feet and giggling” worthy.
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
This is a scintillating romance that skillfully weaves themes of trust and self-exploration. Stepping into the alluring realm of the Black Rose Underground Club, the story revolves around Francesca (Frankie) Thomas and her enigmatic encounter with Phantom. Starting from a broken engagement, Frankie crossed paths with the mysterious and captivating Phantom. What began as a casual fling blossoms into a journey of mutual vulnerability and growth. Frankie's transformation through a BDSM assignment for work was interesting. Phantom's insistence on anonymity adds a mystique to their bond, while trust becomes a core theme as they navigate their intimate desires alongside personal challenges. Hardt crafts an irresistible narrative, delving into the intricate facets of love, identity, and the intoxicating blend of secrecy and passion.
minseigle's review against another edition
3.0
(Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
This is the second book in the Blush series, and while I enjoyed the first book, this one was "just ok" for me. I know this author's books are considered erotica, and most times I enjoy the main storyline over the erotica, but this book didn't have much of a storyline. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, end of story. I wanted there to be more conflict (or something!) happening. Also, the erotica just seemed to be a repeat of everything I've already read in the Steele Brothers Saga or even what was written in book #1. This is a solid 2.5-3 stars.
This is the second book in the Blush series, and while I enjoyed the first book, this one was "just ok" for me. I know this author's books are considered erotica, and most times I enjoy the main storyline over the erotica, but this book didn't have much of a storyline. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, end of story. I wanted there to be more conflict (or something!) happening. Also, the erotica just seemed to be a repeat of everything I've already read in the Steele Brothers Saga or even what was written in book #1. This is a solid 2.5-3 stars.
bookwyrms_shelf's review against another edition
4.0
The continuation of a story with a new character in the spotlight is definitely a favorite of mine. This time, we follow Frankie's introduction to the lifestyle, and the air of mystery that surrounds the Phantom she meets at a bar. Little does she know, her life is about to completely change.
Phantom realizes that his life is about to completely change as well, when he starts to want more from Frankie than simple submission. I feel like this one did a better job of addressing some of the messy situations people can find themselves in with any relationship, not just BDSM ones.
Phantom realizes that his life is about to completely change as well, when he starts to want more from Frankie than simple submission. I feel like this one did a better job of addressing some of the messy situations people can find themselves in with any relationship, not just BDSM ones.
alexandriavwilliams's review against another edition
5.0
When Phantom says “what I really want isn’t on the menu”
alyssa0706's review against another edition
5.0
I am a fan. I don’t have much to say, but this was good.