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thedaydreamreader's review against another edition
3.0
I got my copy from Netgalley.
Short review:
I honestly think I should change my username to The Jaded Reader. Anyway, Idle Bloom has a set of interesting characters that readers would have definitely loved to know more of, but wasn't able to because of the glaring amount of sex all throughout. The book is composed of 70% sex scenes and 30% of the actual story. Granted it's erotica, but by trimming down some of the pages dedicated to those detailed carnal impulses, readers might have had more time to know, appreciate and sympathize with the characters and the stories they have to tell.
Longer version of the review soon.
Short review:
I honestly think I should change my username to The Jaded Reader. Anyway, Idle Bloom has a set of interesting characters that readers would have definitely loved to know more of, but wasn't able to because of the glaring amount of sex all throughout. The book is composed of 70% sex scenes and 30% of the actual story. Granted it's erotica, but by trimming down some of the pages dedicated to those detailed carnal impulses, readers might have had more time to know, appreciate and sympathize with the characters and the stories they have to tell.
Longer version of the review soon.
randi_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this book blind, because it is a Jewel E. Ann backlist and I need to read all her books. It took a bit for this book to grow on me, to be honest. I liked both Vivian and Oliver and I liked them both together, but I dislike when I don't know something about one of the MC's past and then it drags out. Both of them have tragic pasts, but Vivian opens up pretty easily to Oliver about hers. Vivian was just waiting for him to do the same with her.
But, besides that, I enjoyed their fun banter and playfulness. It was cute. She was bringing him back to life more and more. From what...she didn't know. Also, Vivian thought she was doomed to be a virgin for the rest of her life due to her past. Oliver takes care of that...and often. LOL There are plenty of steamy times throughout this book.
Kai...I could have done without him, though. Not much of a best friend. I was glad when Vivian realized this and stood up for herself.
But, besides that, I enjoyed their fun banter and playfulness. It was cute. She was bringing him back to life more and more. From what...she didn't know. Also, Vivian thought she was doomed to be a virgin for the rest of her life due to her past. Oliver takes care of that...and often. LOL There are plenty of steamy times throughout this book.
Kai...I could have done without him, though. Not much of a best friend. I was glad when Vivian realized this and stood up for herself.
june1985's review against another edition
1.0
Usually like this authorѓ??s books but in this one I could not stand two very childish characters. They are not funny, they are just plain immature specially Vivian.
nononanette's review against another edition
4.0
She did an excellent job with some pretty heavy issues. I admired how she developed her characters—she really knows how to add layers, eg Vivian and Oliver’s developing sexuality— it grew naturally. Eg The scene where she spies on Chance not only adds dimension to his flirty character but underscores her growing kinkiness. I also liked how the ending didn’t tie everything up with a perfect bow, that the future was still being written. Her supporting characters were all excellent as well— alex, Chance, I even liked kai.
The only relationship i would have liked more development with was Oliver’s with Ms. it was more about his working and not being there and a few well written scene’s creating the bond between him and M would have been beautiful.
The only relationship i would have liked more development with was Oliver’s with Ms. it was more about his working and not being there and a few well written scene’s creating the bond between him and M would have been beautiful.
novelsandjava's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this one. I dont give it a 5 star but 4 for sure. The story started off kinda slow but got better as it progressed and by the end I loved it. I do think there was a little over use of Dunkin Donuts in this story haha and the sex scenes were a little too much in this one, I felt Vivian was like obsessed with it and could of been a little less! I also thought both characters fought a little bit too much! I am so happy we finally found out what was behind Oliver's past. I was very curious to know what had happened. But overall I thought this story was really good, the ending was great and ended on a good note.
inkledoo's review against another edition
I had to stop. The book could’ve been good, but the veiled homophobic shit was one thing; However, then using the word transvestite and using it in a derogatory way no less was gross and I had to stop! This is normally one of my favourite authors and I think the book came out in 2014 originally so I guess I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt but it looks like it was republished and I don’t know why something like that wasn’t taken out!
cindywilk's review against another edition
2.0
As my quest to read all of Jewel E. Ann's books continues, I knew I was bound to run into one I didn't like...
It finally happened.
Ann is very good at taking that instantaneous connection between two people and making it work.
Except for this story.
I wasn't a huge fan of Oliver or Vivian, and found their "struggles" to be underdeveloped. Vivian's struggle, while I understand her insecurity, didn't seem like that big of a deal. Oliver's struggle had potential to be fully flushed out, but ended up being wrapped up quickly.
Maybe their character arcs couldn't be fully developed BECAUSE ALL THEY DID WAS HAVE SEX!
I mean, gesh!
Clearly I don't mind smut, but I do mind when sex scenes seem pointless and redundant.
We all get it.
These two characters are physically attracted to one another...
It finally happened.
Ann is very good at taking that instantaneous connection between two people and making it work.
Except for this story.
I wasn't a huge fan of Oliver or Vivian, and found their "struggles" to be underdeveloped. Vivian's struggle, while I understand her insecurity, didn't seem like that big of a deal. Oliver's struggle had potential to be fully flushed out, but ended up being wrapped up quickly.
Maybe their character arcs couldn't be fully developed BECAUSE ALL THEY DID WAS HAVE SEX!
I mean, gesh!
Clearly I don't mind smut, but I do mind when sex scenes seem pointless and redundant.
We all get it.
These two characters are physically attracted to one another...
arushofemotions's review against another edition
4.0
A heart tugging read
This is one of those books where, after I'm done, I sit back and think, "Holy crap was that all in this one book?" There are TONS to unpack in these pages. Leave it to this author to leave me speechless yet again. It's jam-packed full of angst, lust, hesitation, frustration, desire, passion, and grief.
First off, the dynamic between Oliver and Vivian was super fun. Their initial attraction was hot. But their exquisitely written banter and how they grew to know each other's little quirks was what made me love them. They get each other in the most fundamental way, down to their marrow. I felt how "meant to be" these two were.
However, they're not without huge flaws. Oliver is fighting past demons that creep up sporadicaly and made me pause a couple times. Likewise Vivian's reaction to certain things seemed over-the-top at times, yet I had to remind myself that she's new to relationships, love, and carnal desire. I think she reacts exactly how I would expect a 21-year-old in her situation to react. There are secets upon secrets with these two and readers are made to wonder just how long we have to wait until we know the truth behind them. We find out Vivian's pretty early compared to Oliver's, but I would say they're equally tragic.
Their journey to HEA isn't easy and breezy, and at times I had my doubts of whether they would be able to survive what was laid ahead of them. But my God, this author can twist a story just right to make it all make sense. By the end of the story, I felt sated and sure that their HEA would last, and I love that in a book. Definitely recommend this to someone who wants a well-paced story with tons of twists and turns thrown in.
This is one of those books where, after I'm done, I sit back and think, "Holy crap was that all in this one book?" There are TONS to unpack in these pages. Leave it to this author to leave me speechless yet again. It's jam-packed full of angst, lust, hesitation, frustration, desire, passion, and grief.
First off, the dynamic between Oliver and Vivian was super fun. Their initial attraction was hot. But their exquisitely written banter and how they grew to know each other's little quirks was what made me love them. They get each other in the most fundamental way, down to their marrow. I felt how "meant to be" these two were.
However, they're not without huge flaws. Oliver is fighting past demons that creep up sporadicaly and made me pause a couple times. Likewise Vivian's reaction to certain things seemed over-the-top at times, yet I had to remind myself that she's new to relationships, love, and carnal desire. I think she reacts exactly how I would expect a 21-year-old in her situation to react. There are secets upon secrets with these two and readers are made to wonder just how long we have to wait until we know the truth behind them. We find out Vivian's pretty early compared to Oliver's, but I would say they're equally tragic.
Their journey to HEA isn't easy and breezy, and at times I had my doubts of whether they would be able to survive what was laid ahead of them. But my God, this author can twist a story just right to make it all make sense. By the end of the story, I felt sated and sure that their HEA would last, and I love that in a book. Definitely recommend this to someone who wants a well-paced story with tons of twists and turns thrown in.
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
5.0
This one started out slow but then wow I loved it. Vivian and Oliver's story was so deep and really really good. Oooo and this one was steamyyyyy!
novelsandjava's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this one. I dont give it a 5 star but 4 for sure. The story started off kinda slow but got better as it progressed and by the end I loved it. I do think there was a little over use of Dunkin Donuts in this story haha and the sex scenes were a little too much in this one, I felt Vivian was like obsessed with it and could of been a little less! I also thought both characters fought a little bit too much! I am so happy we finally found out what was behind Oliver's past. I was very curious to know what had happened. But overall I thought this story was really good, the ending was great and ended on a good note.