Reviews

Finding Freedom by Valentina Burns

smutbookluvr's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

FMC: Ivy 

MMC: Sean 

Tropes: friends to lovers, past trauma, gym owner/trainer, neighbors 

Spice Rating: 2 

Series: Yes (Book Two of The Rose City Series - Interconnected Standalones) 

Cliffhanger: No 

 

This one pulls at the heartstrings. It’s a story of healing and learning to live with past trauma. Ivy’s story is unique to her but is similar to many women. This one definitely had me tearing up a bit and not just for her but for Sean’s story as well. I loved that they were able to heal together. It’s a beautiful story and I’m looking forward to seeing what this author has in store next for this series. 

shereadsmut's review

4.5

4.5 stars!!!! 

Valentina does it again - this book is so so so good!!

Please ensure you read the TW!!! 

What you can expect 
- friends to lovers 
- found family 
- healing from both parties 
- estranged family 

Would recommend this book!! 

happyeverabigail's review

5.0

I loved this!! It’s heart wrenching but still with very sweet and caring found family moments. Dealing with such heavy subject matter I thought the major TW of past SA was dealt with well. This also has open door intimacy that was not gratuitous at all, it really showed Ivy’s healing journey. I also loved how it was mentioned more than once that ivy pursuing a relationship on any level since her SA wasn’t going to be the sole thing to make her “all better.” This was very real in that it’s not a linear journey.

The story starts off simple, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s a compliment to the writing that we have our friends to lovers premise which I’m always happy with but as the plot goes on it opens to more complexities and threads. I was taken by surprise by some of the reveals which really added layers to the story.

This was a book I was thinking about when I wasn’t reading it. Ivy and Sean foreverrr. Thank you to Valentina Burns for this ARC!

majabaur's review

emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

sophs93's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jazzhands04's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thank you Valentina for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review. It is my very first ARC and I was so thrilled to read this book - and it did not disappoint. This is the second novel in the Rose City Series and I ended up enjoying this one more than Finding Home (which was also a wonderful book!). I’m not a writer but I’ll try my best to convey my feelings toward this book.

Firstly, I cried at least five times reading this (twice before the half-way point!). Keep in mind, I am a Cancer moon and therefore no stranger to tears when reading. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people can relate to some part of Ivy’s story and her battle overcoming sexual assault. Ivy is not a perfect character, and neither is Sean, but that’s what makes them so much more realistic. I love reading a story where characters have real flaws and struggles. It makes them relatable and gives them a humanity that would otherwise be lacking. That really is one of my favourite parts of Valentina’s writing - her ability to craft characters you feel you personally know and feel like people in the real world while still possessing that romance novel level of swoon appeal. Speaking of which, Sean’s romance hero swoon appeal is off the charts. His patience and understanding with Ivy is beyond sexy! Not to mention his other, more physical, attributes. He is really always there when Ivy needs him and never rushes her (as a Taurus this is a big YES to me). I was already intrigued to know more about Sean and Ivy when I first met them in Finding Home. Speaking of Finding Home, you do hear from Hope and Gabe in this story as well and they are also dealing with their own struggles but always make time to be there for the important people in their lives. It was fun to check in with them again. And Joel! We also see Joel a bit in Finding Freedom and his brotherly relationship with Ivy. Big shoutout to Ivy’s Grandma who was one of my favourite characters. If there is ever a backstory on her - I would totally read it! And she’s right - a cup of Earl Grey tea is always the answer!

Thank you Valentina for writing this book, telling important stories, and reminding everyone that they deserve a happy ever after. 

I’m going to end this review with some beautiful quotes from the book.

“I thought if I made myself strong and learned how to defend myself, then I wouldn’t be afraid, but what I didn’t count on were all the other things I would still be afraid of that have nothing to do with being attacked.”

“He could read her nuances flawlessly, knowing when to push her and when to let her retreat. He understood, without having to ask, when she needed to be held close and protected and when she needed to stand on her own and feel strong and capable.”

“Everything with Ivy happened so gradually, like a wave in the middle of an ocean starting as little more than a movement, but landing hours later on the shore with a crash.” 

“I don’t owe anyone more than I am willing to give.”