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kayla_llbr's review against another edition
5.0
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Allure by Nina Lane is the second installment of the Spiral of Bliss Series and it is by far, one of the most romantic books I have ever read.
If you have not read Arouse then please do not go any further because there will be a few spoilers.
This book picks up where Arouse left off and things between Dean and Olivia are in a slightly better place, but things are not the same. They are still fighting for their marriage but are now in a place where family, lies, and tragedy await to tear them apart.
What I love the most about this series is the shift in dynamic. For so long Dean has been protecting Olivia from everything. Certain events in her past have left her closed off, vulnerable, and extremely skittish. But Olivia is not that weak girl she once was. Now she is trying to find herself as well as trying to be an equal in their marriage.
I know Dean is far from perfect but he is the most romantic, passionate, kind man I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. Dean so desperately wants to be Olivia's white knight but despite his best intentions, his actions create further strain on the couple.
Overall, Allure was everything I wanted and more. It was sexy, intense, and so realistic. For me, one of the most refreshing things about this series is that shows a marriage that two people so desperately work at. Many books now a days center around falling in love for the first time, but Olivia and Dean continue to fall in love with each other over and over again.
5 stars*
Allure by Nina Lane is the second installment of the Spiral of Bliss Series and it is by far, one of the most romantic books I have ever read.
He is imprinted in my bones, my soul. He has marked me in ways more permanent than time."
If you have not read Arouse then please do not go any further because there will be a few spoilers.
This book picks up where Arouse left off and things between Dean and Olivia are in a slightly better place, but things are not the same. They are still fighting for their marriage but are now in a place where family, lies, and tragedy await to tear them apart.
We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense. We want our marriage to be a haven of warmth and pleasure again. We want our pure lustiness back, untainted by fear and mistrust. We want the unending spirals of bliss we can create only with each other. We want to shut the rest of the world out while locking ourselves in together.
What I love the most about this series is the shift in dynamic. For so long Dean has been protecting Olivia from everything. Certain events in her past have left her closed off, vulnerable, and extremely skittish. But Olivia is not that weak girl she once was. Now she is trying to find herself as well as trying to be an equal in their marriage.
You just always wanted to give me the safety I never had," I tell him. "But life isn't safe, no matter how hard you try to make it that way.”
I know Dean is far from perfect but he is the most romantic, passionate, kind man I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. Dean so desperately wants to be Olivia's white knight but despite his best intentions, his actions create further strain on the couple.
You have to let me fail, Dean, and you have to believe I can get back up on my own."
"I know you can."
My heart constricts. "But you have to let me prove it. You have to accept that I'm going to get hurt, but also that I can be self-reliant. You can't always save me."
Overall, Allure was everything I wanted and more. It was sexy, intense, and so realistic. For me, one of the most refreshing things about this series is that shows a marriage that two people so desperately work at. Many books now a days center around falling in love for the first time, but Olivia and Dean continue to fall in love with each other over and over again.
5 stars*
rlp78's review against another edition
5.0
I really don't think this book could have been any more perfect. Dean and Liv truly love each other but never worked out their own issues before they fell in love. I adore Liv. She is just trying to figure out who she is in this world separate from her husband. She loves Dean with all her heart but needs to figure out what she brings to their relationship. This is so healthy.
And I can't forget about Dean. Dean desparately wants to be a knight in shining armor, but that's not possible. In a marriage BOTH partners have to strong. He is learning to rely on Liv, letting her be the strong one when he is dealing with situations out of his control.
I can't say enough wonderful things about this series. It's so gut-wrenchingly realistic and couldn't have been written any better. I can't WAIT for book 3!!!!
And I can't forget about Dean. Dean desparately wants to be a knight in shining armor, but that's not possible. In a marriage BOTH partners have to strong. He is learning to rely on Liv, letting her be the strong one when he is dealing with situations out of his control.
Spoiler
My only complaint is that I was SO UPSET when she lost the baby. Why?!?! That was too heartbreaking. I understand that is was for the best, but it was almost too much to read. I hope this gets fixed in book 3, hint, hint!!!I can't say enough wonderful things about this series. It's so gut-wrenchingly realistic and couldn't have been written any better. I can't WAIT for book 3!!!!
tarazagata's review against another edition
4.0
Now that I have a grip on the story I've been sucked in... What ups and downs these 2 have, I can't wait for awaken
deamer26's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it :) Yet another picture of reality is shown in the story line.
In my words ...." Another pristine(new) emotionally sweet & painfully salty romance"
In my words ...." Another pristine(new) emotionally sweet & painfully salty romance"
jbquinn's review against another edition
5.0
OMG I'm devouring this series! I'm kicking myself in the butt for waiting this long to read it!
lit_editions's review against another edition
5.0
So much to say about this novel... but I think I'm going to wait to the end. Please read though - the realness of these novel is like nothing I've ever experienced.
anabelsbrother's review against another edition
4.0
First read: Jan 2015
Reread: Feb 2018
I realized the other day that I've never reread this series so here I am.
Ugh I'm so invested in Dean and Liv, as well as their marriage. I love how realistic their marriage is; they are crazy in love with each other, but life happens and more than often they tend to hurt each other the most.
I especially love Liv's character development. I love seeing her grow and realize her self-worth and her own strength. I love seeing her standing her ground against Dean and his overprotective tendencies, and I love seeing her prove to Dean that she's not as fragile as she seems.
Dean can be one-minded in his need to protect Liv, which is understandable because Liv has been through so much and he wants to give only good things after they married. As much as his constant need for control drives me nuts, I love that he's willing to admit and own up to his mistakes in their marriage, and that he's willing to change.
Also, we got the first introduction to Archer West *hearteyes* Dean's past with his brother was tumultuous, but I love the glimpse of the goodness between them too (Dean remembering Archer's weird fav sandwich, their castles and knights games). I'm rereading Break the Sky after this.
On to the next Liv and Dean book!
Reread: Feb 2018
I realized the other day that I've never reread this series so here I am.
Ugh I'm so invested in Dean and Liv, as well as their marriage. I love how realistic their marriage is; they are crazy in love with each other, but life happens and more than often they tend to hurt each other the most.
I especially love Liv's character development. I love seeing her grow and realize her self-worth and her own strength. I love seeing her standing her ground against Dean and his overprotective tendencies, and I love seeing her prove to Dean that she's not as fragile as she seems.
Dean can be one-minded in his need to protect Liv, which is understandable because Liv has been through so much and he wants to give only good things after they married. As much as his constant need for control drives me nuts, I love that he's willing to admit and own up to his mistakes in their marriage, and that he's willing to change.
Also, we got the first introduction to Archer West *hearteyes* Dean's past with his brother was tumultuous, but I love the glimpse of the goodness between them too (Dean remembering Archer's weird fav sandwich, their castles and knights games). I'm rereading Break the Sky after this.
On to the next Liv and Dean book!
melodicfate's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book. After finishing Arouse, I had to see what happened next with Liv and Dean. Apart from Dean's overprotectiveness and way too many sex scenes, I wasn't disappointed.
I loved Liv in this novel. She grew so much. I love how she's starting to not want to be protected from everything. She was so strong, and I really like what she did at the end.
Dean was swoon-worthy as ever. He was great for Liv, and he started to learn from his mistakes. With all that said though, Dean really annoyed me. His need to protect Liv caused him to be angry at the wrong people. It also made him not tell Liv something, and I hated that.
The plot was pretty well-executed. There was family and career drama. Liv's pregnancy also played a big part. I really liked it, but the flashbacks did take me out of the story sometimes.
Overall, this was a worthy sequel to Arouse. There was a lot of character growth on Liv's part which I loved. I thought the events in the story were refreshingly realistic, as well. Also, we got to meet an interesting new character, and I was surprised to actually find that I might like her. My only complaints are about Dean's overprotectiveness, the flashbacks occasionally interrupting the flow of the story, and lastly, all the sex. I was relieved to know there was a reason for it though. Therefore, if you liked Arouse, definitely read Allure. With great characters and an intriguing plot, it's a good installment in the series. Also, the title has a meaning.
I loved Liv in this novel. She grew so much. I love how she's starting to not want to be protected from everything. She was so strong, and I really like what she did at the end.
Dean was swoon-worthy as ever. He was great for Liv, and he started to learn from his mistakes. With all that said though, Dean really annoyed me. His need to protect Liv caused him to be angry at the wrong people. It also made him not tell Liv something, and I hated that.
The plot was pretty well-executed. There was family and career drama. Liv's pregnancy also played a big part. I really liked it, but the flashbacks did take me out of the story sometimes.
Overall, this was a worthy sequel to Arouse. There was a lot of character growth on Liv's part which I loved. I thought the events in the story were refreshingly realistic, as well. Also, we got to meet an interesting new character, and I was surprised to actually find that I might like her. My only complaints are about Dean's overprotectiveness, the flashbacks occasionally interrupting the flow of the story, and lastly, all the sex. I was relieved to know there was a reason for it though. Therefore, if you liked Arouse, definitely read Allure. With great characters and an intriguing plot, it's a good installment in the series. Also, the title has a meaning.