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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s scorching, it’s MESSY, it’s gothic, it’s twisty (read the author’s content warnings) and OMG!! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and I’m thrilled I got an arc from NetGalley!! I was so excited that I couldn’t read it for a few days, but once I started it I devoured it! Finley, and Nicola, and Eileen, and Adam!!! I’m!!! This book feels like S.T. Gibson fully took off the breaks and it’s so fun!! Her prose is lush and I can’t wait for more! I’m also accidentally concurrently reading some books that inspired this one, and some books around Arthurian legend, so it hit at the perfect time for me.
This is a gothic erotic delight! It’s a character driven novel, with an engrossing overarching plot arc. We’re left on quite a cliffhanger with this one, so I can’t wait to see what this messy developing polycule gets up to!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this book like I loved the her other books but I just couldn't get into it as easily; there were too many inconsistencies and it felt a little rushed. I'm disappointed I couldn't get past them as this is a book up my alley: polyamory, gothic settings, and spooky fairies?
The biggest issue I had was the setting; I really wish it wasn't set in modern day. This feels like it would have been better if it was a period piece set maybe in the 1900s mostly because I kept being taken out of the story with all the modern slang and the mentions of creepypasta or weed gummys; small things that add up to just detract from the story for me. I'm not against a modern setting, I loved Evocation, but the modernity was inherent to that book that it flowed much more smoothly than it did with this one.
Also I have a small problem with the beginning and the insta lust. I've learned that this is a trilogy and it feels that everything has such a flimsy basis for this to be long enough for that many books; the beginning didn't feel strong enough to carry and be believable, there needed to be more depth. And I'll forgive the insta lust as this is mostly a romance novel but when Eileen says "I feel like I've known you a very long time, and I suspect you feel the same," I just got completely taken out of it. This is barely 70 pages in and there has been no indication of these feelings before she says this. There was no build up, introspection, or even any communication about having these underlying feelings with each other? Again I forgive the insta lust because I, too, would kiss Finley immediately but when I'm missing out on a good chunk of emotional growth and the exploration of those feelings before admitting them I am felt feeling a little disappointed.
Overall I do want to like this book so I feel like I will still try again once it's published but for now I'm not sure if it met my expectations.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for lending me this ARC!
The biggest issue I had was the setting; I really wish it wasn't set in modern day. This feels like it would have been better if it was a period piece set maybe in the 1900s mostly because I kept being taken out of the story with all the modern slang and the mentions of creepypasta or weed gummys; small things that add up to just detract from the story for me. I'm not against a modern setting, I loved Evocation, but the modernity was inherent to that book that it flowed much more smoothly than it did with this one.
Also I have a small problem with the beginning and the insta lust. I've learned that this is a trilogy and it feels that everything has such a flimsy basis for this to be long enough for that many books; the beginning didn't feel strong enough to carry and be believable, there needed to be more depth. And I'll forgive the insta lust as this is mostly a romance novel but when Eileen says "I feel like I've known you a very long time, and I suspect you feel the same," I just got completely taken out of it. This is barely 70 pages in and there has been no indication of these feelings before she says this. There was no build up, introspection, or even any communication about having these underlying feelings with each other? Again I forgive the insta lust because I, too, would kiss Finley immediately but when I'm missing out on a good chunk of emotional growth and the exploration of those feelings before admitting them I am felt feeling a little disappointed.
Overall I do want to like this book so I feel like I will still try again once it's published but for now I'm not sure if it met my expectations.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for lending me this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
tense
fast-paced
Savage Blooms by S.T. Gibson had a really intriguing premise that initially drew me in. The blend of romantasy with themes like found family, hidden legacies, and a magical old manor set in the atmospheric Scottish countryside had so much potential, and those elements were definitely the highlights for me. I especially appreciated the way the story wove in mystical elements tied to the land itself, which gave the setting a haunting, almost timeless quality.
While the third-person narrative style isn't my personal favorite, I tend to connect more deeply with first-person perspectives, I can see how others might enjoy the broader scope it offers. The characters, Adam, Nicola, Eileen, and Finley, each had unique roles in the story, and I found Finley to be particularly interesting and grounded amidst the rest.
Though I struggled to fully connect with the other characters and felt the storylines sometimes ran in different directions, I think this book could be a great fit for readers who love themes like unspoken love, secret family histories, and a strong sense of place. It’s a story that might especially appeal to fans of slow-burn magic, layered mystery, and gothic vibes.
While the third-person narrative style isn't my personal favorite, I tend to connect more deeply with first-person perspectives, I can see how others might enjoy the broader scope it offers. The characters, Adam, Nicola, Eileen, and Finley, each had unique roles in the story, and I found Finley to be particularly interesting and grounded amidst the rest.
Though I struggled to fully connect with the other characters and felt the storylines sometimes ran in different directions, I think this book could be a great fit for readers who love themes like unspoken love, secret family histories, and a strong sense of place. It’s a story that might especially appeal to fans of slow-burn magic, layered mystery, and gothic vibes.
Thank you to Netgalley & Orbit for this eARC! The best way I can describe S.T. Gibson’s writing is smooth. Her words flow so easily & she has this incredible way of pulling you right into the world she’s created. This book gave me Mexican Gothic vibes with its haunting atmosphere & family tangled in secrets. I was kind of hoping there would be more about whether the house itself was magic but overall I really enjoyed this book.
Also, idk if the “you aren’t in Kansas anymore”, “I’m from Michigan” line was a deliberate Mean Girls reference but I really loved it.
Also, idk if the “you aren’t in Kansas anymore”, “I’m from Michigan” line was a deliberate Mean Girls reference but I really loved it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
TL;DR: More smut than plot, it definitely leaves you wanting more.
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Plot: We get about 40% plot, with a dark crumbling Scottish estate and 60% smut.
Characters: They were stood on their own, but it’s hard to tell if that’s due to a lack of other characters or strength in the ones we had.
Setting: Considering the story was about the estate and land this was the weakest part overall for me.
Fantasy: Very light with only the touch of Fae magic and mystery.
Characters: They were stood on their own, but it’s hard to tell if that’s due to a lack of other characters or strength in the ones we had.
Setting: Considering the story was about the estate and land this was the weakest part overall for me.
Fantasy: Very light with only the touch of Fae magic and mystery.
Thoughts:
I heard S.T. Gibson and Fae and picked this up so fast it made my own head spin. Which could possibly be why I was a bit disappointed here. We have Adam and Nicola seeking more about Adam’s family history in Scotland. They meet Finley and Eileen who have some information that could help them but then we then watch them meet in a very biblical sense a lot… with a little bit of some threats of the Fae.
The best comparison I can give this is Katee Robert. If you like the amount of smut/plot ratio that a Katee Robert book has this is going to be right in your sweet spot. There is a 60/40 split here. This is not a bad thing if that’s what you’re looking for, I absolutely understand that’s something folks love. Yet for me I was hoping for more. I’ve been chasing the high of A Dowry of Blood from this author since it’s release and while I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read (including this), we just keep getting farther and farther from it.
The actual plot here moves very, very little. We learn quickly that there is a Scottish estate that’s crumbling with the Fae waiting to jump in as soon as it does and Adam can save it. We don’t know how till the last 10% and then we are left with a great big cliffhanger. Until that point there is a lot of dancing around topics, lots of sex, and a lot of angst. This leaves me very curious as to how the second book is going to go. The cliffhanger is an intense one and it could make for a plot heavy follow up, yet we could also see a book of primarily smut. I’ll definitely read it, but I’m don’t have any expectations.
Go in knowing you’re getting a lot of smut and a smattering of plot and I think you’ll have a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh Saint, how I adore your beautifully poetic gothic writing! From the very first page, I was fully transported to the windswept Scottish moors and the mysterious allure of Craigmar. These characters were so richly developed, and while every single one of them is completely unhinged, I adored them all so very dearly. Not only are they unhinged, but wow are they horny! They give themselves full permission to explore every wild desire and fantasy, and I was absolutely sat for all of it!!
I also really loved the magical, fairytale-like elements woven throughout—the history of the land, the presence of the Fae, the eerie enchantment layered into every page. And that ending… OMG. Please bring me the next book immediately.
I also really loved the magical, fairytale-like elements woven throughout—the history of the land, the presence of the Fae, the eerie enchantment layered into every page. And that ending… OMG. Please bring me the next book immediately.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A little bit of magic and a lot of spice!
In this tale Gibson introduces us to Adam and his bestie Nicola, both whom seem to have some sort of past trauma and a very open relationship with sex. The story takes place in Scotland and gifts us with an amazing (imaginary) scenery. The story had a lot of potential, but when by 70% things were still "gearing up".. it became a tedious read. The intimacy was greatly described, but I continued to wonder what this had to do (if anything) with the narrative. Overall, enticing and imaginative scenes... but the plot fell flat. If you are looking for spice with a touch of faery, this is for you.
Thank you to S.T. Gibson, Orbit Books and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy!
In this tale Gibson introduces us to Adam and his bestie Nicola, both whom seem to have some sort of past trauma and a very open relationship with sex. The story takes place in Scotland and gifts us with an amazing (imaginary) scenery. The story had a lot of potential, but when by 70% things were still "gearing up".. it became a tedious read. The intimacy was greatly described, but I continued to wonder what this had to do (if anything) with the narrative. Overall, enticing and imaginative scenes... but the plot fell flat. If you are looking for spice with a touch of faery, this is for you.
Thank you to S.T. Gibson, Orbit Books and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy!
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated