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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ebook was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
It's two for two as Jewel E. Ann has once again taken my thoughts and emotions hostage with this wonderful story of two people idling their way through life and not necessarily searching for the love of a lifetime but finding it and fighting to keep it when trials and tribulations are thrown their way. I absolutely LOVED Idle Bloom, a standalone contemporary romance starring Vivian "Viv" Graham, a twenty-one-year-old young woman living her life as best she can, and Oliver "Oli" Konrad, a twenty-nine-year-old former lawyer wrapped in anger and sorrow after enduring an unthinkable loss. There were tears and there was laughter and I smiled and frowned and sighed along the way, because this is the sort of story that shows that love isn't a singular emotion, but that it is a myriad of feelings and ideas and isn't an effortless venture between two people. Jewel E. Ann made me feel and think, and she made me fall in love with Vivian, the hopeful girl now ready for a future, and Oliver, the aimless guy still tethered to the past.
Oliver's past is dark and filled with a great deal of heartache and pain, one that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. When his secrets are revealed, I must admit that I was dumbfounded, never expecting or even guessing any of them. The author did the same thing with her most recent release, Only Trick, a book which I absolutely couldn't get enough of, and I can't stress enough how much I appreciate authors who are able to catch me off-guard or throw me for a loop. The story also unraveled in a way that I didn't anticipate, taking me on a new path just when I thought the story had nowhere else to go, simply ending the story in typical HEA style, or reaching a point that would have meant a cliffhanger and me waiting for the sequel or simply ending had another author written this. But Jewel E. Ann isn't your run-of-the-mill author and she has yet to disappoint me, though I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Knock on wood! Would it really surprise you if I said this book sits right beside Only Trick on my list of favorites?
Aside from Vivian and Oliver, the cast of characters included supporting players who weren't merely there for decorative purposes, adding more dimension to the overall story and making me want to learn even more about them. Oliver's family, especially his younger brother Chance, and Vivian's parents and her closest friends, Alex, Sean, and Kai, helped make the story even better than it already was and brought interesting insights on and to Viv and Oli. In one full reading session, I was seduced by the lead and supporting characters and the story captured my attention and held on even after I had turned in for the night. Suffice it to say that a book hangover was inevitable and that I'm still trying to get over it as I write this review. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this amazing book and I hope you love it as much as I do. If you've already had the pleasure of reading it, feel free to shake your head and tell me it's sad that it took me nearly six months to discover it. Idle Bloom receives a much-deserved five-plus stars. ♥
Note: This ebook was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
It's two for two as Jewel E. Ann has once again taken my thoughts and emotions hostage with this wonderful story of two people idling their way through life and not necessarily searching for the love of a lifetime but finding it and fighting to keep it when trials and tribulations are thrown their way. I absolutely LOVED Idle Bloom, a standalone contemporary romance starring Vivian "Viv" Graham, a twenty-one-year-old young woman living her life as best she can, and Oliver "Oli" Konrad, a twenty-nine-year-old former lawyer wrapped in anger and sorrow after enduring an unthinkable loss. There were tears and there was laughter and I smiled and frowned and sighed along the way, because this is the sort of story that shows that love isn't a singular emotion, but that it is a myriad of feelings and ideas and isn't an effortless venture between two people. Jewel E. Ann made me feel and think, and she made me fall in love with Vivian, the hopeful girl now ready for a future, and Oliver, the aimless guy still tethered to the past.
Oliver's past is dark and filled with a great deal of heartache and pain, one that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. When his secrets are revealed, I must admit that I was dumbfounded, never expecting or even guessing any of them. The author did the same thing with her most recent release, Only Trick, a book which I absolutely couldn't get enough of, and I can't stress enough how much I appreciate authors who are able to catch me off-guard or throw me for a loop. The story also unraveled in a way that I didn't anticipate, taking me on a new path just when I thought the story had nowhere else to go, simply ending the story in typical HEA style, or reaching a point that would have meant a cliffhanger and me waiting for the sequel or simply ending had another author written this. But Jewel E. Ann isn't your run-of-the-mill author and she has yet to disappoint me, though I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Knock on wood! Would it really surprise you if I said this book sits right beside Only Trick on my list of favorites?
Aside from Vivian and Oliver, the cast of characters included supporting players who weren't merely there for decorative purposes, adding more dimension to the overall story and making me want to learn even more about them. Oliver's family, especially his younger brother Chance, and Vivian's parents and her closest friends, Alex, Sean, and Kai, helped make the story even better than it already was and brought interesting insights on and to Viv and Oli. In one full reading session, I was seduced by the lead and supporting characters and the story captured my attention and held on even after I had turned in for the night. Suffice it to say that a book hangover was inevitable and that I'm still trying to get over it as I write this review. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this amazing book and I hope you love it as much as I do. If you've already had the pleasure of reading it, feel free to shake your head and tell me it's sad that it took me nearly six months to discover it. Idle Bloom receives a much-deserved five-plus stars. ♥
may09's review against another edition
4.0
Flower is one of my favourite female heroines I've ever encountered ❤❤
rihoward's review against another edition
5.0
Sucker punched
Holy hell. I will never know why I read ugly cry type books. Do I hate myself!?!? This book was so good. I never wanted it to end. Vivian was a true warrior in this book. Makes me wish I had chosen that as my name of all my middle names that I had to choose from as my first name. Oliver. Oh my hell that guy is divine. My heart broke for him when I heard his secret. Together they were extraordinary. They bantered. They fought. They laughed. They even cried. His family was a treat. Kai even though I had a love hate relationship with him, I want him to have his own HEA. And her friend Alex. She continually cracked me up. Fantastic story. I don't think there is anything that this author can't write.
Holy hell. I will never know why I read ugly cry type books. Do I hate myself!?!? This book was so good. I never wanted it to end. Vivian was a true warrior in this book. Makes me wish I had chosen that as my name of all my middle names that I had to choose from as my first name. Oliver. Oh my hell that guy is divine. My heart broke for him when I heard his secret. Together they were extraordinary. They bantered. They fought. They laughed. They even cried. His family was a treat. Kai even though I had a love hate relationship with him, I want him to have his own HEA. And her friend Alex. She continually cracked me up. Fantastic story. I don't think there is anything that this author can't write.
nz_elle's review against another edition
5.0
The characters are strong, funny and endearing. The plot is well written so that we cry with the characters, but also enjoy the funny, happy moments and the book isn't too dark. The characters stay 'in character', reacting as we come to expect them to, and the twists and turns of the plots are believable.
I haven't read other reviews, but I can imagine that some might feel that Oliver was 'healed' too swiftly, but if you look back over the story, it is a slow healing that reveals itself in lots of little small advances and moments - I can't be too specific or I'd spoil it for others. I did find it to be believable though.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked from start to finish. The supporting characters were well written and added support, laughter and drama. Overall, a fantastic read.
I haven't read other reviews, but I can imagine that some might feel that Oliver was 'healed' too swiftly, but if you look back over the story, it is a slow healing that reveals itself in lots of little small advances and moments - I can't be too specific or I'd spoil it for others. I did find it to be believable though.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked from start to finish. The supporting characters were well written and added support, laughter and drama. Overall, a fantastic read.
shyanne_shilson's review against another edition
3.0
A good read. The main female character was a little childish. The main male character was a little overdramatic and slightly unstable. There were one too many pointless fights for me but overall it was a decent read.
pamgodwin's review against another edition
5.0
My gawd, this book is a warm, strong, heart-clenching fist that refuses to let go. You’ll surrender to it through the tears, the smiles, and the soul-nourishing sighs. Jewel E. Ann never disappoints.
reahbee's review against another edition
1.0
Listen. I absolutely love JEA. I look forward to all her new releases, and several of her books are all-time favorites…hence a dive into her extensive backlist of books - which, for the most part, has been great. I just can’t in good conscience NOT tell people to skip this one. I should have, but I paid real money for it so I read the whole damn thing so you don’t have to.
First of all, there is no way this book ever saw an editor. None. I get that edits are expensive, but really, even a cursory proofread would have been helpful for the many misspellings and run-on sentences. So that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Within a few chapters, I found myself checking the publication date and was surprised that it didn’t come out 20+ years ago, as there were many moments that made it seem “of a time.” And I’ll leave that…at that.
There were so many bizarre situations that made me feel like I was reading someone else’s weird dream, not least of which when Vivian and Oliver are shouting embarrassing, deeply personal things to one-up each other in front of his parents who are just like “lol so cute.” Oliver was way too comfortable having sex near his brother, and his brother was way too comfortable making his presence known when he caught them. Every time they were in a sexual situation (which was almost constantly), I braced myself for an interruption from a friend or family member. And the foot scene in the Dunkin Donuts? May have ruined Dunkin Donuts for me. And that’s saying something.
And now for the REAL reason I loathed this book: Oliver. He went through a horrible trauma, yes, but his wife carried an exponentially worse burden and all he could do was think about how much he hates her and wants her to die? I get needing to leave and heal but damn. I quickly got tired of him AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND GIRLFRIEND acting like he was the sole victim of this tragedy. Therefore, I gradually lost all sympathy for his character and did not want him to find happiness. Frankly, Vivian deserved better. He acted as if Caroline committed violence on her own volition rather than from postpartum psychosis? And it’s not like he wasn’t aware of that. His mom and Viv just said what he already knew, and he was like “oh yeah” and visited his wife, who was a shell of a human being at this point, because OF COURSE, and said he forgave her. Excuse me, for what?! He could have at least devoted some energy to promote healthcare reform or better support for new mothers. What was even the point of him being a lawyer? Do something useful with yourself for once, dude!
Maybe this book suffers from the misfortune of my reading it in 2023 in light of the Lindsay Clancy case, but I’m pretty sure I still would’ve hated it, and I genuinely think anyone who’s suffered from a postpartum disorder should steer clear of it.
Also, were they simply unaware that vasectomies can be reversed? I dunno. Anyway. I’m still going to continue making my way through her books, because I think this was a one-off, and when they’re good, they’re good.
First of all, there is no way this book ever saw an editor. None. I get that edits are expensive, but really, even a cursory proofread would have been helpful for the many misspellings and run-on sentences. So that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Within a few chapters, I found myself checking the publication date and was surprised that it didn’t come out 20+ years ago, as there were many moments that made it seem “of a time.” And I’ll leave that…at that.
There were so many bizarre situations that made me feel like I was reading someone else’s weird dream, not least of which when Vivian and Oliver are shouting embarrassing, deeply personal things to one-up each other in front of his parents who are just like “lol so cute.” Oliver was way too comfortable having sex near his brother, and his brother was way too comfortable making his presence known when he caught them. Every time they were in a sexual situation (which was almost constantly), I braced myself for an interruption from a friend or family member. And the foot scene in the Dunkin Donuts? May have ruined Dunkin Donuts for me. And that’s saying something.
And now for the REAL reason I loathed this book: Oliver. He went through a horrible trauma, yes, but his wife carried an exponentially worse burden and all he could do was think about how much he hates her and wants her to die? I get needing to leave and heal but damn. I quickly got tired of him AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND GIRLFRIEND acting like he was the sole victim of this tragedy. Therefore, I gradually lost all sympathy for his character and did not want him to find happiness. Frankly, Vivian deserved better. He acted as if Caroline committed violence on her own volition rather than from postpartum psychosis? And it’s not like he wasn’t aware of that. His mom and Viv just said what he already knew, and he was like “oh yeah” and visited his wife, who was a shell of a human being at this point, because OF COURSE, and said he forgave her. Excuse me, for what?! He could have at least devoted some energy to promote healthcare reform or better support for new mothers. What was even the point of him being a lawyer? Do something useful with yourself for once, dude!
Maybe this book suffers from the misfortune of my reading it in 2023 in light of the Lindsay Clancy case, but I’m pretty sure I still would’ve hated it, and I genuinely think anyone who’s suffered from a postpartum disorder should steer clear of it.
Also, were they simply unaware that vasectomies can be reversed? I dunno. Anyway. I’m still going to continue making my way through her books, because I think this was a one-off, and when they’re good, they’re good.
codewoo10's review
5.0
Idle Bloom
This book is good. I can’t get enough of jewel. I am binge reading all her books. Vivian’s and Oliver’s story has all the feels. I laughed, cried and felt every other emotion in between.
This book is good. I can’t get enough of jewel. I am binge reading all her books. Vivian’s and Oliver’s story has all the feels. I laughed, cried and felt every other emotion in between.
axa_ya's review
2.0
too much drama just too much ceritanya bertele tele, Jewel E. Ann is one of my auto-buy authors but Idle Bloom just not for me i think...
bbclark1's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Undeniably You, which I loved, I had high hopes for Idle Bloom. The reality is even better. I am so blown away I can't describe it properly. This quote says it all:
"Oliver is everything I never expected. Asking for more is slapping mercy in the face. I’ll take every look, every touch, and every whisper he’s willing to give me. The problem is the only place I have to keep them is my heart."
"Oliver is everything I never expected. Asking for more is slapping mercy in the face. I’ll take every look, every touch, and every whisper he’s willing to give me. The problem is the only place I have to keep them is my heart."