A review by megatza
The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 

I picked up Ivy Leavold as an ALC from NetGalley. I'd read it previously, so was curious to see how this erotic novella played out in my ears. Honestly, I don't prefer first person erotica. Ivy is a penniless virgin sent to live with her late cousin's husband, Julian Markham. She's immediately attracted to him despite the fact that he's now had two wives die within a month of marriage to him. It's an exploration of sexuality in the Victorian era for a poor country girl. It's 5🔥 but essentially the first in a serial, rather than something that can be read alone. There's instant-lust for sure and a bit of mystery. Because it's first person POV, we have Ivy's very naive perspective, but that gives the book an intriguing air, though, not my favorite stylistically.

The narration is solid - at first I wasn't sure how Zara Hampton-Brown's narrative style would work, but she gives Ivy the innocence of a young girl learning how to want.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an ALC for review. The audiobook for The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is out 2/29/24. The ebook and print are available now.