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novelsandjava's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this one. I dont give it a 5 star but 4 for sure. The story started off kinda slow but got better as it progressed and by the end I loved it. I do think there was a little over use of Dunkin Donuts in this story haha and the sex scenes were a little too much in this one, I felt Vivian was like obsessed with it and could of been a little less! I also thought both characters fought a little bit too much! I am so happy we finally found out what was behind Oliver's past. I was very curious to know what had happened. But overall I thought this story was really good, the ending was great and ended on a good note.
inkledoo's review against another edition
I had to stop. The book could’ve been good, but the veiled homophobic shit was one thing; However, then using the word transvestite and using it in a derogatory way no less was gross and I had to stop! This is normally one of my favourite authors and I think the book came out in 2014 originally so I guess I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt but it looks like it was republished and I don’t know why something like that wasn’t taken out!
cindywilk's review against another edition
2.0
As my quest to read all of Jewel E. Ann's books continues, I knew I was bound to run into one I didn't like...
It finally happened.
Ann is very good at taking that instantaneous connection between two people and making it work.
Except for this story.
I wasn't a huge fan of Oliver or Vivian, and found their "struggles" to be underdeveloped. Vivian's struggle, while I understand her insecurity, didn't seem like that big of a deal. Oliver's struggle had potential to be fully flushed out, but ended up being wrapped up quickly.
Maybe their character arcs couldn't be fully developed BECAUSE ALL THEY DID WAS HAVE SEX!
I mean, gesh!
Clearly I don't mind smut, but I do mind when sex scenes seem pointless and redundant.
We all get it.
These two characters are physically attracted to one another...
It finally happened.
Ann is very good at taking that instantaneous connection between two people and making it work.
Except for this story.
I wasn't a huge fan of Oliver or Vivian, and found their "struggles" to be underdeveloped. Vivian's struggle, while I understand her insecurity, didn't seem like that big of a deal. Oliver's struggle had potential to be fully flushed out, but ended up being wrapped up quickly.
Maybe their character arcs couldn't be fully developed BECAUSE ALL THEY DID WAS HAVE SEX!
I mean, gesh!
Clearly I don't mind smut, but I do mind when sex scenes seem pointless and redundant.
We all get it.
These two characters are physically attracted to one another...
arushofemotions's review against another edition
4.0
A heart tugging read
This is one of those books where, after I'm done, I sit back and think, "Holy crap was that all in this one book?" There are TONS to unpack in these pages. Leave it to this author to leave me speechless yet again. It's jam-packed full of angst, lust, hesitation, frustration, desire, passion, and grief.
First off, the dynamic between Oliver and Vivian was super fun. Their initial attraction was hot. But their exquisitely written banter and how they grew to know each other's little quirks was what made me love them. They get each other in the most fundamental way, down to their marrow. I felt how "meant to be" these two were.
However, they're not without huge flaws. Oliver is fighting past demons that creep up sporadicaly and made me pause a couple times. Likewise Vivian's reaction to certain things seemed over-the-top at times, yet I had to remind myself that she's new to relationships, love, and carnal desire. I think she reacts exactly how I would expect a 21-year-old in her situation to react. There are secets upon secrets with these two and readers are made to wonder just how long we have to wait until we know the truth behind them. We find out Vivian's pretty early compared to Oliver's, but I would say they're equally tragic.
Their journey to HEA isn't easy and breezy, and at times I had my doubts of whether they would be able to survive what was laid ahead of them. But my God, this author can twist a story just right to make it all make sense. By the end of the story, I felt sated and sure that their HEA would last, and I love that in a book. Definitely recommend this to someone who wants a well-paced story with tons of twists and turns thrown in.
This is one of those books where, after I'm done, I sit back and think, "Holy crap was that all in this one book?" There are TONS to unpack in these pages. Leave it to this author to leave me speechless yet again. It's jam-packed full of angst, lust, hesitation, frustration, desire, passion, and grief.
First off, the dynamic between Oliver and Vivian was super fun. Their initial attraction was hot. But their exquisitely written banter and how they grew to know each other's little quirks was what made me love them. They get each other in the most fundamental way, down to their marrow. I felt how "meant to be" these two were.
However, they're not without huge flaws. Oliver is fighting past demons that creep up sporadicaly and made me pause a couple times. Likewise Vivian's reaction to certain things seemed over-the-top at times, yet I had to remind myself that she's new to relationships, love, and carnal desire. I think she reacts exactly how I would expect a 21-year-old in her situation to react. There are secets upon secrets with these two and readers are made to wonder just how long we have to wait until we know the truth behind them. We find out Vivian's pretty early compared to Oliver's, but I would say they're equally tragic.
Their journey to HEA isn't easy and breezy, and at times I had my doubts of whether they would be able to survive what was laid ahead of them. But my God, this author can twist a story just right to make it all make sense. By the end of the story, I felt sated and sure that their HEA would last, and I love that in a book. Definitely recommend this to someone who wants a well-paced story with tons of twists and turns thrown in.
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
5.0
This one started out slow but then wow I loved it. Vivian and Oliver's story was so deep and really really good. Oooo and this one was steamyyyyy!
novelsandjava's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this one. I dont give it a 5 star but 4 for sure. The story started off kinda slow but got better as it progressed and by the end I loved it. I do think there was a little over use of Dunkin Donuts in this story haha and the sex scenes were a little too much in this one, I felt Vivian was like obsessed with it and could of been a little less! I also thought both characters fought a little bit too much! I am so happy we finally found out what was behind Oliver's past. I was very curious to know what had happened. But overall I thought this story was really good, the ending was great and ended on a good note.
libraryinthecountry's review against another edition
4.0
It’s a wonderful feeling when you discover a new author and immediately want to read every book they’ve written. This is the 11th book I’ve read by Jewel E. Ann since March and while I certainly have favorites, each one gives me the same sense of fulfillment and giddiness of finding a book that calls to you.
Idle Bloom certainly left me with those feelings, something I’ve come to expect from Jewel’s books to the point that they’re like comfort food.
Reading a book that doesn’t hit the mark? Read something by Jewel.
Feeling down in life and need a pick-me-Up? Read something by Jewel.
Want a guaranteed book high? Read something by Jewel.
Basically, Jewel’s books are my happy place.
Idle Bloom certainly left me with those feelings, something I’ve come to expect from Jewel’s books to the point that they’re like comfort food.
Reading a book that doesn’t hit the mark? Read something by Jewel.
Feeling down in life and need a pick-me-Up? Read something by Jewel.
Want a guaranteed book high? Read something by Jewel.
Basically, Jewel’s books are my happy place.
fictioncourt's review against another edition
3.0
3 not amazon stars!
This book confused me like no other. It had all the ingredients of a 5 star but it went about it wrong to me. Let me start by saying I loved the cover, I loved it even though I know better than to judge a book by its cover. My major issues I guess were with the beginning of this book, it felt so rushed and the two MCs really had the insta thing going on (on all aspects!) which inevitably lead to other things as well, plus there were things that personally bother me in books (like when girls call each other bitches and this one did it a lot) but I overlooked it.
Despite those issues though, I really, really, liked it and I wish it was a bit better cause it deserved more stars.
From the beginning the two MCs had the secret as they both kept referring to in their heads from their respective pasts and one of the two really had a reason to be fucked up, the other one not so much. Trying to review without spoiling is just not really working but I'm trying here. I liked the writing but I both liked and disliked the characters an equal amount. There are things I don't like in my characters and both these guys had a few of them. Vivian was voluptuous in boy and spirit, she was supposed to be really smart (she wants to build the next amazon empire) when in fact she came off as extremely naive and her reasoning for things that kept happening was just not smart.
Oliver has a fucked up past, but he also had a fucked up way of dealing with those issues and not just from his perspective but the parents in this one were frustrating at times. Oliver is older and he should have gotten the right help so to say to deal with his issues. The general idea I got from them was rushed, rushed into everything and insta-ing every aspect of their lives, it could have been a great read if they'd just slow down.
I did like the ending though, I cried like a baby and I did not saw that coming at all. Definitely a book to read and be pleasantly surprised!
This book confused me like no other. It had all the ingredients of a 5 star but it went about it wrong to me. Let me start by saying I loved the cover, I loved it even though I know better than to judge a book by its cover. My major issues I guess were with the beginning of this book, it felt so rushed and the two MCs really had the insta thing going on (on all aspects!) which inevitably lead to other things as well, plus there were things that personally bother me in books (like when girls call each other bitches and this one did it a lot) but I overlooked it.
Despite those issues though, I really, really, liked it and I wish it was a bit better cause it deserved more stars.
From the beginning the two MCs had the secret as they both kept referring to in their heads from their respective pasts and one of the two really had a reason to be fucked up, the other one not so much. Trying to review without spoiling is just not really working but I'm trying here. I liked the writing but I both liked and disliked the characters an equal amount. There are things I don't like in my characters and both these guys had a few of them. Vivian was voluptuous in boy and spirit, she was supposed to be really smart (she wants to build the next amazon empire) when in fact she came off as extremely naive and her reasoning for things that kept happening was just not smart.
Oliver has a fucked up past, but he also had a fucked up way of dealing with those issues and not just from his perspective but the parents in this one were frustrating at times. Oliver is older and he should have gotten the right help so to say to deal with his issues. The general idea I got from them was rushed, rushed into everything and insta-ing every aspect of their lives, it could have been a great read if they'd just slow down.
I did like the ending though, I cried like a baby and I did not saw that coming at all. Definitely a book to read and be pleasantly surprised!
thewitchybibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
What an adorable book!!! I beyond loved the banter between Liv and Oli. Was so priceless. Then to watch their souls unfold to each other and bare it all out. So emotional. Very good book!! To see Liv go through the motions of opening up to Oli about her personal tragedy then her helping Oli get through his heartbreaking past, beyond powerful!