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kfriend 's review for:
Surviving Amber Springs
by Siobhan Davis, Siobhan Davis
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discover, but Blaire is still suffering from her time in Amber Springs- and as such, she’s distrustful, lost, and withdrawn, but she has a hard time resisting a charming trio of friends, Axel, Skeet, and Heath (how hot are those names?!)).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.