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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to S.T. Gibson and Little, Brown Book Group UK for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Went into this one with zero expectations. Just vibes.
And what in the Lady Chatterley’s Lover-meets-gothic fever dream was this?! I’m honestly not sure whether to love it or loathe it. Savage Blooms definitely had moments that drew me in. Lush prose, raw sensuality, and a certain decadence that felt almost dangerous.
But overall? I’m not sure it’s something I’d reach for again. It’s one of those reads that leaves you blinking at the wall like… do I need a cigarette, a nap, or to touch grass?
Still, if you like your romance shadowy, intense, and soaked in literary sensuality. It just might be your thing.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Complicated feelings about this bad boy.
As a certified Gothic Fiction hater, I was actually loving the gothic elements in this, I love the big spooky house in the countryside and how the supernatural interlinks with it and the whole backstory to it. And lord knows I foam at the mouth to read literally anything S.T. Gibson writes, there's beautifully chaotic characters and messy dynamics which was also clear in this.
I think the biggest issue is that this isn't as fleshed out as her other novels. Summoners Circle went straight into it, characters were 3D and the plot was there, where as this just didn't follow the same pattern. I think the biggest downfall is how good her other books are that this just doesn't quite hit the mark.
HOWEVER, I could also fully and entirely see that this is an introductory with this being a trilogy so I'm not going to pass too much of a judgement. It was enjoyable, I read it in a couple of hours and it was fun. Going off vibes, this was good. Going off my lit degree, I couldn't have written it but maybe it could take a little tweaking.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown for this eARC!
As a certified Gothic Fiction hater, I was actually loving the gothic elements in this, I love the big spooky house in the countryside and how the supernatural interlinks with it and the whole backstory to it. And lord knows I foam at the mouth to read literally anything S.T. Gibson writes, there's beautifully chaotic characters and messy dynamics which was also clear in this.
I think the biggest issue is that this isn't as fleshed out as her other novels. Summoners Circle went straight into it, characters were 3D and the plot was there, where as this just didn't follow the same pattern. I think the biggest downfall is how good her other books are that this just doesn't quite hit the mark.
HOWEVER, I could also fully and entirely see that this is an introductory with this being a trilogy so I'm not going to pass too much of a judgement. It was enjoyable, I read it in a couple of hours and it was fun. Going off vibes, this was good. Going off my lit degree, I couldn't have written it but maybe it could take a little tweaking.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown for this eARC!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well I don't really know what to think about this
- Friendship
- Poly Romance (not healthy)
- Spice
- Fae
- Mysteries
- non blood family sexual acts
Firstly I'll address the obvious yes two people who are technically family but not blood related do have sex. Was it weird yes. Was it as weird as I thought with the warning of it beforehand, no.
I found this books atmosphere interesting and unfortunately the part I enjoyed the most of this book was the epilogue. Uncertain if I want to read the next book, maybe if it features more of the fae.
The Romance between the characters in this book did feel like a natural draw to each other and I do like the Poly aspect to this book that was a nice refreshing change to the books I've read recently.
For me it was an easy book to read but I did not love any of the characters whether this was intentional as they are all problematic in their own way or not I cannot be sure. But if at the end it say and they all died, I would have just said ok and moved on.
As this is my first S.T. Gibson book I have read it is too soon for me to say if this is me having an issue with the way they write characters or just this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
- Friendship
- Poly Romance (not healthy)
- Spice
- Fae
- Mysteries
- non blood family sexual acts
Firstly I'll address the obvious yes two people who are technically family but not blood related do have sex. Was it weird yes. Was it as weird as I thought with the warning of it beforehand, no.
I found this books atmosphere interesting and unfortunately the part I enjoyed the most of this book was the epilogue. Uncertain if I want to read the next book, maybe if it features more of the fae.
The Romance between the characters in this book did feel like a natural draw to each other and I do like the Poly aspect to this book that was a nice refreshing change to the books I've read recently.
For me it was an easy book to read but I did not love any of the characters whether this was intentional as they are all problematic in their own way or not I cannot be sure. But if at the end it say and they all died, I would have just said ok and moved on.
As this is my first S.T. Gibson book I have read it is too soon for me to say if this is me having an issue with the way they write characters or just this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have one word for this book and it's "horny". This book is lusty and atmospheric and if I'm being honest, was a little boring for me. I'm not sure how you can take a gothic mansion in the remote Scottish countryside and make it boring, but here we are. I love a fantasy book with plentiful spice but I have to feel the chemistry and I didn't feel any here. I was also expecting a bit more fantasy and I was left wanting.
Sadly this book was a bit of a miss for me. I thought "Dowry" was so great and I was expecting another hit but I'll hope for better with future books from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books | Redhook for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly this book was a bit of a miss for me. I thought "Dowry" was so great and I was expecting another hit but I'll hope for better with future books from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books | Redhook for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Friends from college Adam and Nicola set out on their latest adventure together - searching for a manor in Scottish Highlands mentioned in Adam's grandfathers bedtime stories. After stumbling upon Finley, the manor's groundskeeper in the local pub, he brings the duo to the mystery location owned by Eileen. A sudden storm strikes, leaving Adam and Nicola stranded with Eileen and Finley and the foursome embark on uncovering past together. Along the way, unconventional and forbidden desires arise and lines are blurred. Will the magical spell over Adam and Nicola ensnare them for good?
Savage Blooms is one of the more unique books I have read this year as it combines gothic fantasy, fae magic and folklore, with a heavy emphasis of sexual encounters. I thought the plot was interesting and I enjoyed the sudden time jumps to learn more about Adam's grandfather's past while still remaining in the present. I am very curious how this will all play out as it ended on a significant cliffhanger.
The romance in this book was adventurous as there was remarkable sexual exploration between the foursome - please check your triggers before reading if this is something you are comfortable with! At one point in the book, I could not keep track of who hadn't been with who because there was considerable amount of sharing and group entanglements. The spice was a significant amount of the book, but done in a way that the plot still advanced with it.
I'm not certain I felt emotionally drawn to any of the characters in this book, so I didn't fully feel invested in their story or what the outcome would be with the foursome. The twist at the end that Eileen had strategically lured Adam to Scotland wasn't a surprise with how she operates as an individual. I did not feel betrayed in the slightest when the reveal occurred. Despite that, I do want to know if and how they can get Adam back.
This book will be for you if you enjoy:
✨ gothic fantasy set in Scotland
✨ LGBTQ+ romance
✨ faeries
✨ forbidden desires
✨ sexual exploration
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Savage Blooms is one of the more unique books I have read this year as it combines gothic fantasy, fae magic and folklore, with a heavy emphasis of sexual encounters. I thought the plot was interesting and I enjoyed the sudden time jumps to learn more about Adam's grandfather's past while still remaining in the present. I am very curious how this will all play out as it ended on a significant cliffhanger.
The romance in this book was adventurous as there was remarkable sexual exploration between the foursome - please check your triggers before reading if this is something you are comfortable with! At one point in the book, I could not keep track of who hadn't been with who because there was considerable amount of sharing and group entanglements. The spice was a significant amount of the book, but done in a way that the plot still advanced with it.
I'm not certain I felt emotionally drawn to any of the characters in this book, so I didn't fully feel invested in their story or what the outcome would be with the foursome. The twist at the end that Eileen had strategically lured Adam to Scotland wasn't a surprise with how she operates as an individual. I did not feel betrayed in the slightest when the reveal occurred. Despite that, I do want to know if and how they can get Adam back.
This book will be for you if you enjoy:
✨ gothic fantasy set in Scotland
✨ LGBTQ+ romance
✨ faeries
✨ forbidden desires
✨ sexual exploration
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Little Bown Book Group/Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC!
What a fun little romp! Gibson is one of my favourite authors and I have been eagerly anticipating this book since 2022 and it did not let me down. First, this is a very character forward book, while plot and worldbuilding takes a bit more of a back seat. However, the worldbuilding that is there is interesting and I already need book 2 for more of it because the ending?!
The characters are queer, messy, and very complicated. This is not a slowburn book, it's more instalust, but Saint makes it work! It's atmospheric, erotic, and fun. The ending had me gasping and I've got so many theories about this book that I ALMOST decided to reread the book.
I also love that I can tell Saint did her research here. I'm Scottish. I've lived in Scotland all my life. My biggest pet peeve is when authors decide to write books set in Scotland but it's painfully obvious they did zero research on Scotland. But in this book, it genuinely feels like home. Saint did her research and I'm so grateful for that.
The fae bargain/magic in this was excellent. I won't go into too much detail here because of spoilers but it was interesting and it kept me hooked on the story, although I really, really hope we get more of this in book 2.
The only part that I feel maybe knocked a star off was how rushed the ending (before the epilogue) was. However, I still wholeheartedly love this book and now I need the second one.
Overall, highly recommend this book, but check the warnings and be aware this is character forward, instalust erotica. It's great.
What a fun little romp! Gibson is one of my favourite authors and I have been eagerly anticipating this book since 2022 and it did not let me down. First, this is a very character forward book, while plot and worldbuilding takes a bit more of a back seat. However, the worldbuilding that is there is interesting and I already need book 2 for more of it because the ending?!
The characters are queer, messy, and very complicated. This is not a slowburn book, it's more instalust, but Saint makes it work! It's atmospheric, erotic, and fun. The ending had me gasping and I've got so many theories about this book that I ALMOST decided to reread the book.
I also love that I can tell Saint did her research here. I'm Scottish. I've lived in Scotland all my life. My biggest pet peeve is when authors decide to write books set in Scotland but it's painfully obvious they did zero research on Scotland. But in this book, it genuinely feels like home. Saint did her research and I'm so grateful for that.
The fae bargain/magic in this was excellent. I won't go into too much detail here because of spoilers but it was interesting and it kept me hooked on the story, although I really, really hope we get more of this in book 2.
The only part that I feel maybe knocked a star off was how rushed the ending (before the epilogue) was. However, I still wholeheartedly love this book and now I need the second one.
Overall, highly recommend this book, but check the warnings and be aware this is character forward, instalust erotica. It's great.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No