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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
fast-paced
Surviving Amber Springs was my first Reverse Harem adventure. TO be honest, I wasn’t sure about the genre- could it still be romantic? Is is just about more sexy times? Would the emotional connection be there-....how does it even work? But, so many people recommended this as a great “intro” to RH reading, and they were DEAD ON. This book is amazing- all the things that you find in “traditional” M-F romance but amplified- both because we have a harem and because of Siobhan’s amazing ability to craft deeply emotional and nuanced characters with such care and tenderness. And this story was just that- tender, emotional, bittersweet, and moving. I loved this book, and it has kicked off long term love of RH stories as well as a deep commitment to this author.
Blaire, our heroine, has recently relocated from Amber Springs after the loss of her twin. THere is a bunch of baggage associated with this that we slowly discover, but Blaire is still suffering from her time in Amber Springs- and as such, she’s distrustful, lost, and withdrawn, but she has a hard time resisting a charming trio of friends, Axel, Skeet, and Heath (how hot are those names?!)). Each has their own charm and connection to her- each somehow fills the cracks of her hurting heart in a uniquely important way, and Blaire finds herself not only being attracted to each but needing each. The polyamorous relationship thing is new to her, but our guys help her ease into a tentative romantic relationship, supporting her even though they aren’t fully sure what has left her so broken and raw...but as our story progresses, we learn more and more, and the impact this has on each of our characters creates obstacles and hurt and challenge as well as unity, connection, and emotional catharsis for each of our characters.
Blaire is a really compelling heroine- she’s broken and unsure but strong and resilient. She’s weathered some hard times and has stayed true to her heart, and despite all that has hurt her, she’s still willing to open her heart (bit by bit) to our men. You understand their desire to protect and support her. For me, her connection to the boys wasn’t always even- but I appreciated that, I imagine that is what a real RH situation is like- you don’t move at the same pace with each individual, and here that is talked about openly and welcomed, understood, and supported. I loved Axel- he’s your typical badboy with soul and a beautiful heart- his connection the Blaire seems the most intense and immediate, their chemistry is urgent and soulful. Skeet is the heart and soul of the crew- the glue that holds them together. He’s funny and sensitive, patient and kind- forming a more tender, sweet connection with Blaire. And then we have Heath- to be honest, I felt less for him, but he made the most mistakes of the guys- and he’s just trying to exist in this (to him) unconventional romance. He’s the jock and does some jocky things, but he’s also protective and stoic- which is needed when emotions fly.
I also loved how openly the characters talked about their arrangement- like it wasn’t just assumed this is a way of life that is understood and mainstream, which is so much more realistic- they are all knew to a RH relationship, and the fact that they communicate so openly about it and establish boundaries and relational roles made it feel genuine and real. Siobhan also creates a great balance of physical and emotional chemistry here- we get delicious steamy time, but we also have real, nuanced, and developed emotional ties that make the steamy times feel so much more soulful and tender. These characters become so deeply and intimately interwoven, you see how the RH is the only way- you BELIEVE her love and need for each, and them for her.
There are some surprises along the way, and the story takes a direction you don’t expect several times, plot of which includes some triggers and some very disturbing things. This is done tastefully, honestly, and with care (ie not sensationalizing or doing it for shock value), and with a lens that I didn’t think I would understand but appreciate (don’t want to give much away). I wouldn’t sall this YA- this is more adult, even though the characters are high schoolers.
Whether you are into RH or not, this romance is touching and emotional and deeply rewarding. And, if you are on the fence about RH, give this a go- it’s a standalone and contemporary, a smaller harem, and a very communicative one- it really sold me on RH. It has gone on my re-read list, and I’ve revisited it multiple times. Lovely read.
Blaire, our heroine, has recently relocated from Amber Springs after the loss of her twin. THere is a bunch of baggage associated with this that we slowly discover, but Blaire is still suffering from her time in Amber Springs- and as such, she’s distrustful, lost, and withdrawn, but she has a hard time resisting a charming trio of friends, Axel, Skeet, and Heath (how hot are those names?!)). Each has their own charm and connection to her- each somehow fills the cracks of her hurting heart in a uniquely important way, and Blaire finds herself not only being attracted to each but needing each. The polyamorous relationship thing is new to her, but our guys help her ease into a tentative romantic relationship, supporting her even though they aren’t fully sure what has left her so broken and raw...but as our story progresses, we learn more and more, and the impact this has on each of our characters creates obstacles and hurt and challenge as well as unity, connection, and emotional catharsis for each of our characters.
Blaire is a really compelling heroine- she’s broken and unsure but strong and resilient. She’s weathered some hard times and has stayed true to her heart, and despite all that has hurt her, she’s still willing to open her heart (bit by bit) to our men. You understand their desire to protect and support her. For me, her connection to the boys wasn’t always even- but I appreciated that, I imagine that is what a real RH situation is like- you don’t move at the same pace with each individual, and here that is talked about openly and welcomed, understood, and supported. I loved Axel- he’s your typical badboy with soul and a beautiful heart- his connection the Blaire seems the most intense and immediate, their chemistry is urgent and soulful. Skeet is the heart and soul of the crew- the glue that holds them together. He’s funny and sensitive, patient and kind- forming a more tender, sweet connection with Blaire. And then we have Heath- to be honest, I felt less for him, but he made the most mistakes of the guys- and he’s just trying to exist in this (to him) unconventional romance. He’s the jock and does some jocky things, but he’s also protective and stoic- which is needed when emotions fly.
I also loved how openly the characters talked about their arrangement- like it wasn’t just assumed this is a way of life that is understood and mainstream, which is so much more realistic- they are all knew to a RH relationship, and the fact that they communicate so openly about it and establish boundaries and relational roles made it feel genuine and real. Siobhan also creates a great balance of physical and emotional chemistry here- we get delicious steamy time, but we also have real, nuanced, and developed emotional ties that make the steamy times feel so much more soulful and tender. These characters become so deeply and intimately interwoven, you see how the RH is the only way- you BELIEVE her love and need for each, and them for her.
There are some surprises along the way, and the story takes a direction you don’t expect several times, plot of which includes some triggers and some very disturbing things. This is done tastefully, honestly, and with care (ie not sensationalizing or doing it for shock value), and with a lens that I didn’t think I would understand but appreciate (don’t want to give much away). I wouldn’t sall this YA- this is more adult, even though the characters are high schoolers.
Whether you are into RH or not, this romance is touching and emotional and deeply rewarding. And, if you are on the fence about RH, give this a go- it’s a standalone and contemporary, a smaller harem, and a very communicative one- it really sold me on RH. It has gone on my re-read list, and I’ve revisited it multiple times. Lovely read.
Blaire, Axel, Skeet, and Heath
Why choose
Insta love
Tragic past
Loss of twin brother
Okay, this review is difficult to write.
The book covers some VERY sensitive topics, but I feel like Siobhan writes this well, although it isn't something I'm close to so I don't actually know this. I don't want to give any spoilers.
I did really enjoy this book! I went in blind and didn't know it was why choose so this was a nice surprise!
I enjoyed the audio book, I did struggle a couple of times as it was single narrator and I don't feel like the "male" voice she did was very different to her normal voice, so at times i had to pause and rewind to work out who was speaking!
Why choose
Insta love
Tragic past
Loss of twin brother
Okay, this review is difficult to write.
The book covers some VERY sensitive topics, but I feel like Siobhan writes this well, although it isn't something I'm close to so I don't actually know this. I don't want to give any spoilers.
I did really enjoy this book! I went in blind and didn't know it was why choose so this was a nice surprise!
I enjoyed the audio book, I did struggle a couple of times as it was single narrator and I don't feel like the "male" voice she did was very different to her normal voice, so at times i had to pause and rewind to work out who was speaking!
5 heartbreakingly beautiful stars for Surviving Amber Springs by Siobhan Davis. I am a big fan to Siobhan Davis’s writing; she is absolutely amazing. This is another great book from her. This is a reverse harem young adult romance. Blaire has suffered so much at her young age. Blaire’s twin brother does something extremely bad that turns everyone against her and their family. Everyone things he is a monster, but they don’t know the truth about why he did what he did. Blaire and her mom and dad have to move across the United States. Blaire was being tortured and suffering more than anyone knows. One night in the new place she meets Skeet, Axel and Heath. She didn’t know what to think of them at first but soon the relationship between her and them become a lot more. This book is about so much more than just being in love. This is about learning how to cope with everything in your life and trying to find your place. Learning how to come out on top and how to be strong. I loved how everything comes out in the end. How everyone learns about why Ethan did what he did. I love how strong Blaire becomes. I will say to have a box of tissues ready you are going to need them. Also, the epilogue is simply amazing. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
They say your twin is like your other half. But when your other half does the unimaginable, it’s near impossible to move on and leave the past behind you. For Blaire, her past and her brother’s actions have followed her everywhere she went. In the town of Amber Springs, there’s no escaping what her brother did and hatred isn’t strong enough to describe how the town feels about her brother or her family. In a desperate attempt to start over, Blaire and her family move across the country to begin anew in a town where they long for some semblance of normalcy away from the turmoil and guilt.
Blaire longs to just fly under the radar at her new school but soon catches the eye of three popular boys who make her feel like she belongs and show her the meaning of friendship and love. Still, her fear of them finding out her family’s secret holds her back and when it is exposed, Blaire’s breakdown threatens to tear them apart for good.
This story was an emotional rollercoaster full of heartbreak, turmoil, and strife that still somehow manages to come through with an uplifting and satisfying ending. The premise of the story and catalyst of the novel are probably one of the more devastating that I have read in a long while as it relates to *trigger warning* gun violence in school and S.A.
At the heart of the novel, even before the polyamorous love story, is the question of familial love and grief. Can you still love someone and grieve for someone who has committed an atrocious and unthinkable act of violence? This is a thread that runs tight throughout the entire novel as Blaire comes to terms with the actions of her brother and tries to make new connections to the people in her life.
And then…there are the boys who make her feel seen. Axel, Skeet, and Heath, three boys at her new school with whom she embarks on an exciting and wholly unfamiliar polyamorous relationship with. At the beginning of their relationship, it’s almost like a distraction, but as the story progresses, they unlock new emotions in her and hep her find out who she needs to be for herself.
Siobhan Davis has written a truly emotional novel about heartbreak and love that I recommend to readers who can handle tough subjects about survivors and grief, passion and love, guilt and heartbreak, and above all else, finding out who you are.
Blaire longs to just fly under the radar at her new school but soon catches the eye of three popular boys who make her feel like she belongs and show her the meaning of friendship and love. Still, her fear of them finding out her family’s secret holds her back and when it is exposed, Blaire’s breakdown threatens to tear them apart for good.
This story was an emotional rollercoaster full of heartbreak, turmoil, and strife that still somehow manages to come through with an uplifting and satisfying ending. The premise of the story and catalyst of the novel are probably one of the more devastating that I have read in a long while as it relates to *trigger warning* gun violence in school and S.A.
At the heart of the novel, even before the polyamorous love story, is the question of familial love and grief. Can you still love someone and grieve for someone who has committed an atrocious and unthinkable act of violence? This is a thread that runs tight throughout the entire novel as Blaire comes to terms with the actions of her brother and tries to make new connections to the people in her life.
And then…there are the boys who make her feel seen. Axel, Skeet, and Heath, three boys at her new school with whom she embarks on an exciting and wholly unfamiliar polyamorous relationship with. At the beginning of their relationship, it’s almost like a distraction, but as the story progresses, they unlock new emotions in her and hep her find out who she needs to be for herself.
Siobhan Davis has written a truly emotional novel about heartbreak and love that I recommend to readers who can handle tough subjects about survivors and grief, passion and love, guilt and heartbreak, and above all else, finding out who you are.
Oh man, is this a hard book to listen to. Such heartbreak and pain that I felt overwhelmed with emotion at parts and yet I couldn’t stop until I could finally find a happy ending in the end. I think this may be the best book I’ve read this year as far as making me feel everything. The narration was perfect.
Where do I start. This book has everything you could ask for. It also hits very close to home what life experiences Siobhan knocked this one out of the park this is probably one of my favorite books. This will have you in all the feels.