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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Goodness, but how Adam and Addie's story put my emotions through the wringer! This book opens with the main characters' friendship in a state of limbo before Julia Wolf takes readers back to when said friendship actually started and how everything led to that opening salvo. My heart broke for Addie. Unrequited love can be devastating, and what made her decide to do what she did in the first chapter was something I could empathize with. The thing is, Adam so adored his Baddie that he would have done harm to himself rather than knowingly hurt her. As more details about Adam and his back story unfolded, it was easier to grasp and comprehend the man behind the fame. There was such depth to these two main characters, and Wolf's layered complexities when it come to them and the story itself had this book surpassing any and all expectations that I had. Faded in Bloom left me with a satisfied smile on my face, and I leave it five-plus stars.
stillhurtingolive's review against another edition
4.0
This book should probably be like 2 stars for all the toxic miscommunication, but I’m rating based on vibes. And the vibes are
sueread2030's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I did not like the story
I did not like the characters
I did not like the plotline
in fact I DNFed at 85%
I did not like the characters
I did not like the plotline
in fact I DNFed at 85%
lilywhite0789's review against another edition
2.0
Adam & Adelaide's dynamic and the back and forth throughout the entire book was aggravating and almost agonizing. It didn’t really feel like they had much chemistry or were really that close of friends to begin with. It was an entire year of just sexual tension and very little character growth and development. Their 'game' was a terrible idea from the start and they just refused to acknowledge it. Once they actually started having sex, they still refused to talk about their feelings, just further hurting each other. It was cringy.
From the first chapter, I disliked Adelaide, so it made it hard to feel for her and connect to her character. I get the format with time jumps at the beginning of books - Start with serious current situation that makes no sense to the readers and then in the next chapter go back *insert time frame here* and slowly explain everything that lead up to the opening scene that will now make complete sense. But Adelaide came across as a cold heartless cunt refusing to answer any of Adams questions.
So we get the backstory on what lead up to the opening scene and while Adelaide may not be a cold heartless cunt, she is still kind of a bitch. Adelaide fell for Adam first, but she doesn’t tell him. She lies to him, saying that everything is ok and they’re “still us” with their game of friends-who-mutually-masturbate-but-don't-touch, but she’s actually torn up inside. So she gets increasingly mad at him because she's in love with him and thinks it’s unrequited. I get she’s heartbroken and having a mix of different emotions about everything, but she dug her own grave when she lied about things being okay when they weren’t. If you tell him everything’s okay, you can’t be mad that he doesn’t know something is wrong. At no point did she clearly communicate how she felt. I kind of feel like she didn’t even give him the chance to break her heart - she just assumed he didn’t have feelings for her, technically breaking her own heart and then being pissed at him about it. Yeah, she flirted and had behaviors that very strongly implied her feelings, but never said anything.
But then there’s Adam. I’ve read books with dense characters before, but Adam here is special. None of Adelaide’s strong implications of her feelings for him would have made a dent. He’s so dense, he couldn’t even recognize his own feelings based in his actions and implications, so there was no way he would have seen hers. Adam is so stupid and blind that he didn’t realized Adelaide is in love with him, and him with her (but again, stupid and doesn't know he is). I don’t remember if he ever used the specific phrasing “She’s mine” (I might be confusing it with other books that I’ve read recently) but I’m pretty sure he said this or something along these lines at some point, there was still Alpha-male possessiveness - “I don't like when she takes the ring off” or “I can't see her with anyone else.” How could he NOT realize he was in love with her? It’s not normal to have those thoughts and feelings for just a friend.
The fake engagement felt both forced and just awkward. Like, I don’t recall him making any mention of a plan on how it would work. It felt like he was perfectly fine faking a marriage too. And the unprotected sex, so then they buy plan B, but he’s all “It's okay if you don't take it.” It just got kind of cringy and frustrating. Like how can you be okay with all of this if you're not in love with her? Like, what's your plan? Fuck her, marry her, impregnate her, but refuse to admit you love her? He basically had his friends/bandmates spelling it out for him that he was in love with her, but he was just ‘She’s my best friend’ and it took a painful amount of time for him to figure it out.
From the first chapter, I disliked Adelaide, so it made it hard to feel for her and connect to her character. I get the format with time jumps at the beginning of books - Start with serious current situation that makes no sense to the readers and then in the next chapter go back *insert time frame here* and slowly explain everything that lead up to the opening scene that will now make complete sense. But Adelaide came across as a cold heartless cunt refusing to answer any of Adams questions.
So we get the backstory on what lead up to the opening scene and while Adelaide may not be a cold heartless cunt, she is still kind of a bitch. Adelaide fell for Adam first, but she doesn’t tell him. She lies to him, saying that everything is ok and they’re “still us” with their game of friends-who-mutually-masturbate-but-don't-touch, but she’s actually torn up inside. So she gets increasingly mad at him because she's in love with him and thinks it’s unrequited. I get she’s heartbroken and having a mix of different emotions about everything, but she dug her own grave when she lied about things being okay when they weren’t. If you tell him everything’s okay, you can’t be mad that he doesn’t know something is wrong. At no point did she clearly communicate how she felt. I kind of feel like she didn’t even give him the chance to break her heart - she just assumed he didn’t have feelings for her, technically breaking her own heart and then being pissed at him about it. Yeah, she flirted and had behaviors that very strongly implied her feelings, but never said anything.
But then there’s Adam. I’ve read books with dense characters before, but Adam here is special. None of Adelaide’s strong implications of her feelings for him would have made a dent. He’s so dense, he couldn’t even recognize his own feelings based in his actions and implications, so there was no way he would have seen hers. Adam is so stupid and blind that he didn’t realized Adelaide is in love with him, and him with her (but again, stupid and doesn't know he is). I don’t remember if he ever used the specific phrasing “She’s mine” (I might be confusing it with other books that I’ve read recently) but I’m pretty sure he said this or something along these lines at some point, there was still Alpha-male possessiveness - “I don't like when she takes the ring off” or “I can't see her with anyone else.” How could he NOT realize he was in love with her? It’s not normal to have those thoughts and feelings for just a friend.
The fake engagement felt both forced and just awkward. Like, I don’t recall him making any mention of a plan on how it would work. It felt like he was perfectly fine faking a marriage too. And the unprotected sex, so then they buy plan B, but he’s all “It's okay if you don't take it.” It just got kind of cringy and frustrating. Like how can you be okay with all of this if you're not in love with her? Like, what's your plan? Fuck her, marry her, impregnate her, but refuse to admit you love her? He basically had his friends/bandmates spelling it out for him that he was in love with her, but he was just ‘She’s my best friend’ and it took a painful amount of time for him to figure it out.
tee_tee_lou_lou's review
4.0
A really well written friends to lovers story.
This is my 7th book from Julia Wolf but my first in this particular series. I read the blurbs of the previous books so I knew the previous characters names and partners but I have a thing for friends to lovers so I had to read this one first.
I really liked the characters, they where so frustrating and clueless when it came to their own feelings, but where really well written and real.
If i could have had anything my way I would have not read chapter 1 (more like a prologue) and instead read it in its place in the timeline as it happened, and probably more angst and confusion from Adam while he was away on tour, him being twisted up that Adelaide wasn't speaking to him... that would have been my only desire for any change.
I love Julia's writting, her characters are all really different and interesting.
This is my 7th book from Julia Wolf but my first in this particular series. I read the blurbs of the previous books so I knew the previous characters names and partners but I have a thing for friends to lovers so I had to read this one first.
I really liked the characters, they where so frustrating and clueless when it came to their own feelings, but where really well written and real.
If i could have had anything my way I would have not read chapter 1 (more like a prologue) and instead read it in its place in the timeline as it happened, and probably more angst and confusion from Adam while he was away on tour, him being twisted up that Adelaide wasn't speaking to him... that would have been my only desire for any change.
I love Julia's writting, her characters are all really different and interesting.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
4.0
Adelaide is the daughter of a famous Record Executive and a former model. She works for her father’s label and did some modeling of her own.
Adam is a musician signed to her Dad’s record label and he’s the definition of a “player.”
The two end up as next door neighbors and a unique friendship begins.
They become quite close and dependent on each other quickly.
Attraction, chemistry and some interesting HOT as fire kinks find their way into the friendship.
Adam has been steadfast and firm that they don’t cross certain lines. Relationships aren’t “his thing” and he loves their friendship so much he doesn’t want to ruin it.
I liked the characters and their close, unique friendship.
The characters sense of fun and affection was great. Their chemistry was super spicy. The kink was a really sexy and fun addition.
I did feel the lack of awareness of their feelings for each other was frustrating after awhile and I felt like the story dragged a bit in the middle for me personally. I wanted forward movement and the seemed stuck in a weird limbo for awhile.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing and characters interactions.
The steam and spice got very yummy later in the story and it was intense and enjoyable.
Adam is a musician signed to her Dad’s record label and he’s the definition of a “player.”
The two end up as next door neighbors and a unique friendship begins.
They become quite close and dependent on each other quickly.
Attraction, chemistry and some interesting HOT as fire kinks find their way into the friendship.
Adam has been steadfast and firm that they don’t cross certain lines. Relationships aren’t “his thing” and he loves their friendship so much he doesn’t want to ruin it.
I liked the characters and their close, unique friendship.
The characters sense of fun and affection was great. Their chemistry was super spicy. The kink was a really sexy and fun addition.
I did feel the lack of awareness of their feelings for each other was frustrating after awhile and I felt like the story dragged a bit in the middle for me personally. I wanted forward movement and the seemed stuck in a weird limbo for awhile.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing and characters interactions.
The steam and spice got very yummy later in the story and it was intense and enjoyable.
rogue_wallflower's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the character dynamic here, and so far how each book gave their characters different kinks, quirks and issues. The spice was okay; it wasn't over done but also wasn't lacking. It did not always go into every single detail of a scene but didn't skip over the important details. I love that the epilogue wrapped it up in a neat little bow.
Adam was a whirl wind of a Fuck boy turned loyal puppy without him even realizing and Adelaide I loved that she wanted out from under her fathers' hold though it did feel a little forced. I do wish there was a little more build up when they were neighbors, and a little more on the fall out because that part felt very lack luster. Not that I want the characters to suffer but seemed a bit too all over since they are adults and adults should be able to communicate better.
Adam was a whirl wind of a Fuck boy turned loyal puppy without him even realizing and Adelaide I loved that she wanted out from under her fathers' hold though it did feel a little forced. I do wish there was a little more build up when they were neighbors, and a little more on the fall out because that part felt very lack luster. Not that I want the characters to suffer but seemed a bit too all over since they are adults and adults should be able to communicate better.
sassyginger's review against another edition
The first chapter is the conflict and they were awful to each other. I could not keep going after that.
romancebookloverinseattle's review
5.0
I'm not sure how I've never read one of Julia Wolf's rock star romances before, but HOLY COW have I been missing out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Faded in Bloom, Adam and Adelaide's story. Adam, famous guitarist for The Seasons Change has crossed paths with Adelaide. Her father owns the company their band is signed to and then she moves in next door to him. They hit off as friends and start spending a lot of time together. Adam has been burned into the past so tends to get involved with women only to watch the relationships "fade away". Adelaide dates, but often finds herself dating men that just aren't the right fit for her. Adam and Adelaide have great chemistry, but don't want to risk their friendship, which as we know is a recipe to create a great story and lots of angst which we have plenty of here. I loved that we got to spend a lot of time with them as they were getting to know each other and growing their friendship. This book had everything I love in my romances- depth, steam, a protective and alpha hero and so much angst! The best yet is that there are now two other books in this story as well as three other series for me to dive into.