Reviews

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

julesbarthe10's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

2.0

I typically enjoy a historical adult romance, I've also previously read a Sierra Simone book and enjoyed it. I don't know even where to begin with how I feel about this book. I understand this was a short book so everything was going to be rushed, but the absolute jump of trying to protect Ivy's virtue and keep her innocent to literally allowing 13 people to finger, lick, and touch her while also never asking for her consent before hand or even asking what she was comfortable with strangers doing was just WILD to me. Absolutely no discussion of consent for what he allowed to happen during the blind mans bluff game, and also how do you say you want to keep some one innocent then invite a bunch of sex crazed fanatics over to the house in hopes they will somehow keep you from tarnishing her virtue. How does that make a lick of sense. The that CLIFF HANGER just an absolute abrupt ending I was flabbergasted. There was a good story in here if you took out the blind mans bluff game and maybe not such an abrupt ending, but this book had me astonished at how they tried to use historical society standards but modern day sexuality all at once and at the pace of the speed of light.

emfahastra's review against another edition

4.0

Marry me Sierra Simone!!!

kearstensbookadventures's review

4.0

Very good book. Definitely a spicy story and one I'd love to hear more of. I was very upset that it ended. I'd like to know what happens with the characters and the cousins death. 

mackbmack's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

4.25

jeehernandez87's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

4.0

Set in the Victorian Era, this fast paced romance will catch your attention and leave you blushing! This quick read is perfect for fans of Bridgerton - as long as you don’t mind a step up in the spice department. A grumpy powerful man welcomes his deceased wife’s young and naïve cousin into his home after her brother (her provider) passes away. Following his wife’s untimely death, there are rumors swirling and he seems to be at the center of it. A powerful, possessive and private man opening his home, is it out of the goodness of his heart, or does he have dark intentions? This book definitely ends on a cliff hanger, so it’s perfect for those looking for a romance series. 

I would like to thank Sierra Simon, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. The narrator also deserves mention as it really was narrated with the perfect accent, annunciation and emotion throughout.

pinkcowlandreads's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

megatza's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

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

3.5

 

I picked up Ivy Leavold as an ALC from NetGalley. I'd read it previously, so was curious to see how this erotic novella played out in my ears. Honestly, I don't prefer first person erotica. Ivy is a penniless virgin sent to live with her late cousin's husband, Julian Markham. She's immediately attracted to him despite the fact that he's now had two wives die within a month of marriage to him. It's an exploration of sexuality in the Victorian era for a poor country girl. It's 5🔥 but essentially the first in a serial, rather than something that can be read alone. There's instant-lust for sure and a bit of mystery. Because it's first person POV, we have Ivy's very naive perspective, but that gives the book an intriguing air, though, not my favorite stylistically.

The narration is solid - at first I wasn't sure how Zara Hampton-Brown's narrative style would work, but she gives Ivy the innocence of a young girl learning how to want.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an ALC for review. The audiobook for The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is out 2/29/24. The ebook and print are available now.

 

alana1987's review

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

eviemiller's review

3.0

Quick read. Writing is good. For me, I just didn’t connect with the characters enough to love the story. The initial physical interactions between the two leads was very abrupt and just left me asking “but why?”, which hung on for the remainder of the story. Just wasn’t for me. 

yeahorneighreviews's review

4.0

Another steamy sensation from Sierra!

I went into this one blind and couldn't stop once I started. I loved the historical feel, mystery element, and most of all the chemistry between Ivy and Julian was scorching.

The narrators were great and brought the heat right off the pages. This was a quick and steamy listen, and I'm looking forward continuing their story in the next Markham Hall book!