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shyanne_shilson's review against another edition
3.0
A good read. The main female character was a little childish. The main male character was a little overdramatic and slightly unstable. There were one too many pointless fights for me but overall it was a decent read.
pamgodwin's review against another edition
5.0
My gawd, this book is a warm, strong, heart-clenching fist that refuses to let go. You’ll surrender to it through the tears, the smiles, and the soul-nourishing sighs. Jewel E. Ann never disappoints.
reahbee's review against another edition
1.0
Listen. I absolutely love JEA. I look forward to all her new releases, and several of her books are all-time favorites…hence a dive into her extensive backlist of books - which, for the most part, has been great. I just can’t in good conscience NOT tell people to skip this one. I should have, but I paid real money for it so I read the whole damn thing so you don’t have to.
First of all, there is no way this book ever saw an editor. None. I get that edits are expensive, but really, even a cursory proofread would have been helpful for the many misspellings and run-on sentences. So that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Within a few chapters, I found myself checking the publication date and was surprised that it didn’t come out 20+ years ago, as there were many moments that made it seem “of a time.” And I’ll leave that…at that.
There were so many bizarre situations that made me feel like I was reading someone else’s weird dream, not least of which when Vivian and Oliver are shouting embarrassing, deeply personal things to one-up each other in front of his parents who are just like “lol so cute.” Oliver was way too comfortable having sex near his brother, and his brother was way too comfortable making his presence known when he caught them. Every time they were in a sexual situation (which was almost constantly), I braced myself for an interruption from a friend or family member. And the foot scene in the Dunkin Donuts? May have ruined Dunkin Donuts for me. And that’s saying something.
And now for the REAL reason I loathed this book: Oliver. He went through a horrible trauma, yes, but his wife carried an exponentially worse burden and all he could do was think about how much he hates her and wants her to die? I get needing to leave and heal but damn. I quickly got tired of him AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND GIRLFRIEND acting like he was the sole victim of this tragedy. Therefore, I gradually lost all sympathy for his character and did not want him to find happiness. Frankly, Vivian deserved better. He acted as if Caroline committed violence on her own volition rather than from postpartum psychosis? And it’s not like he wasn’t aware of that. His mom and Viv just said what he already knew, and he was like “oh yeah” and visited his wife, who was a shell of a human being at this point, because OF COURSE, and said he forgave her. Excuse me, for what?! He could have at least devoted some energy to promote healthcare reform or better support for new mothers. What was even the point of him being a lawyer? Do something useful with yourself for once, dude!
Maybe this book suffers from the misfortune of my reading it in 2023 in light of the Lindsay Clancy case, but I’m pretty sure I still would’ve hated it, and I genuinely think anyone who’s suffered from a postpartum disorder should steer clear of it.
Also, were they simply unaware that vasectomies can be reversed? I dunno. Anyway. I’m still going to continue making my way through her books, because I think this was a one-off, and when they’re good, they’re good.
First of all, there is no way this book ever saw an editor. None. I get that edits are expensive, but really, even a cursory proofread would have been helpful for the many misspellings and run-on sentences. So that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Within a few chapters, I found myself checking the publication date and was surprised that it didn’t come out 20+ years ago, as there were many moments that made it seem “of a time.” And I’ll leave that…at that.
There were so many bizarre situations that made me feel like I was reading someone else’s weird dream, not least of which when Vivian and Oliver are shouting embarrassing, deeply personal things to one-up each other in front of his parents who are just like “lol so cute.” Oliver was way too comfortable having sex near his brother, and his brother was way too comfortable making his presence known when he caught them. Every time they were in a sexual situation (which was almost constantly), I braced myself for an interruption from a friend or family member. And the foot scene in the Dunkin Donuts? May have ruined Dunkin Donuts for me. And that’s saying something.
And now for the REAL reason I loathed this book: Oliver. He went through a horrible trauma, yes, but his wife carried an exponentially worse burden and all he could do was think about how much he hates her and wants her to die? I get needing to leave and heal but damn. I quickly got tired of him AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND GIRLFRIEND acting like he was the sole victim of this tragedy. Therefore, I gradually lost all sympathy for his character and did not want him to find happiness. Frankly, Vivian deserved better. He acted as if Caroline committed violence on her own volition rather than from postpartum psychosis? And it’s not like he wasn’t aware of that. His mom and Viv just said what he already knew, and he was like “oh yeah” and visited his wife, who was a shell of a human being at this point, because OF COURSE, and said he forgave her. Excuse me, for what?! He could have at least devoted some energy to promote healthcare reform or better support for new mothers. What was even the point of him being a lawyer? Do something useful with yourself for once, dude!
Maybe this book suffers from the misfortune of my reading it in 2023 in light of the Lindsay Clancy case, but I’m pretty sure I still would’ve hated it, and I genuinely think anyone who’s suffered from a postpartum disorder should steer clear of it.
Also, were they simply unaware that vasectomies can be reversed? I dunno. Anyway. I’m still going to continue making my way through her books, because I think this was a one-off, and when they’re good, they’re good.
codewoo10's review against another edition
5.0
Idle Bloom
This book is good. I can’t get enough of jewel. I am binge reading all her books. Vivian’s and Oliver’s story has all the feels. I laughed, cried and felt every other emotion in between.
This book is good. I can’t get enough of jewel. I am binge reading all her books. Vivian’s and Oliver’s story has all the feels. I laughed, cried and felt every other emotion in between.
axa_ya's review against another edition
2.0
too much drama just too much ceritanya bertele tele, Jewel E. Ann is one of my auto-buy authors but Idle Bloom just not for me i think...
bbclark1's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Undeniably You, which I loved, I had high hopes for Idle Bloom. The reality is even better. I am so blown away I can't describe it properly. This quote says it all:
"Oliver is everything I never expected. Asking for more is slapping mercy in the face. I’ll take every look, every touch, and every whisper he’s willing to give me. The problem is the only place I have to keep them is my heart."
"Oliver is everything I never expected. Asking for more is slapping mercy in the face. I’ll take every look, every touch, and every whisper he’s willing to give me. The problem is the only place I have to keep them is my heart."
thedaydreamreader's review
3.0
I got my copy from Netgalley.
Short review:
I honestly think I should change my username to The Jaded Reader. Anyway, Idle Bloom has a set of interesting characters that readers would have definitely loved to know more of, but wasn't able to because of the glaring amount of sex all throughout. The book is composed of 70% sex scenes and 30% of the actual story. Granted it's erotica, but by trimming down some of the pages dedicated to those detailed carnal impulses, readers might have had more time to know, appreciate and sympathize with the characters and the stories they have to tell.
Longer version of the review soon.
Short review:
I honestly think I should change my username to The Jaded Reader. Anyway, Idle Bloom has a set of interesting characters that readers would have definitely loved to know more of, but wasn't able to because of the glaring amount of sex all throughout. The book is composed of 70% sex scenes and 30% of the actual story. Granted it's erotica, but by trimming down some of the pages dedicated to those detailed carnal impulses, readers might have had more time to know, appreciate and sympathize with the characters and the stories they have to tell.
Longer version of the review soon.
randi_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this book blind, because it is a Jewel E. Ann backlist and I need to read all her books. It took a bit for this book to grow on me, to be honest. I liked both Vivian and Oliver and I liked them both together, but I dislike when I don't know something about one of the MC's past and then it drags out. Both of them have tragic pasts, but Vivian opens up pretty easily to Oliver about hers. Vivian was just waiting for him to do the same with her.
But, besides that, I enjoyed their fun banter and playfulness. It was cute. She was bringing him back to life more and more. From what...she didn't know. Also, Vivian thought she was doomed to be a virgin for the rest of her life due to her past. Oliver takes care of that...and often. LOL There are plenty of steamy times throughout this book.
Kai...I could have done without him, though. Not much of a best friend. I was glad when Vivian realized this and stood up for herself.
But, besides that, I enjoyed their fun banter and playfulness. It was cute. She was bringing him back to life more and more. From what...she didn't know. Also, Vivian thought she was doomed to be a virgin for the rest of her life due to her past. Oliver takes care of that...and often. LOL There are plenty of steamy times throughout this book.
Kai...I could have done without him, though. Not much of a best friend. I was glad when Vivian realized this and stood up for herself.
june1985's review
1.0
Usually like this authorѓ??s books but in this one I could not stand two very childish characters. They are not funny, they are just plain immature specially Vivian.
nononanette's review against another edition
4.0
She did an excellent job with some pretty heavy issues. I admired how she developed her characters—she really knows how to add layers, eg Vivian and Oliver’s developing sexuality— it grew naturally. Eg The scene where she spies on Chance not only adds dimension to his flirty character but underscores her growing kinkiness. I also liked how the ending didn’t tie everything up with a perfect bow, that the future was still being written. Her supporting characters were all excellent as well— alex, Chance, I even liked kai.
The only relationship i would have liked more development with was Oliver’s with Ms. it was more about his working and not being there and a few well written scene’s creating the bond between him and M would have been beautiful.
The only relationship i would have liked more development with was Oliver’s with Ms. it was more about his working and not being there and a few well written scene’s creating the bond between him and M would have been beautiful.