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A review by chelseathebookaddict
Wilted Orchid by Loxley Savage
3.0
So this one is different from the first 3 in this series. We do not open with a marriage or even get the wedding anywhere near the beginning of the book. We are first introduced to each character individually in their current lives (pre- wedding). I can see the thought process on trying to make this book unique to the other ones which seemed like similar plot lines, but this one fell short. This one was set up to be a series. There were multiple plot lines and a bit of a twist at the end. What this lacked was character and relationship development. For that reason alone - this is a 3 star book for me since I am here for the romance and stay for the plot.
My issues:
- Val doesn't even meet the guys until 32-34% of the way through the book. When I looked down and saw how far into the book I was when they meet, I was instantly disappointed and knew this book would end up having lack of character/relationship development/growth. There is just not enough time for 1 man, let alone 3 men! We need time to get to know each character: their back story, their personality, why they are the way they are, etc. Although we get some of these items, it just wasn't enough.
- This series having only reverse harems is getting ANNOYING. I am the biggest fan of reverse harems and almost only read them. I know we aren't going for realistic here, but what are the chances that every single mafia boss is willing to share with brothers/family members. Reverse harems are difficult to write to begin with, but then these authors are restricted to 1 book which is rarely enough time to really dive into each character (see my note above).
- Sal: I wanted so much more from/of him. He was the one that we were given the tortured past and reasons for why is was acting the way he was but we don't get ANY time to believe that they would actually fall in love with each other. It was insta-love and a complete let down. There was ONE scene where we see him attempt to redeem himself and we are supposed to believe they fell in love after this? Also Sal went through at least 2-3 major personality switches for seemingly no reason. At the end - he ends up just being a completely different person.
- Her virginity: I was expecting more angst surrounding which brother got to take it. It was completely anti-climactic. And not what I wanted to happen.
-Sex scenes: not enough - author ran out of time because they DIDN'T EVEN MEET until 34%!!!! Fausto was the only one who got a 1:1 full scene which is bullshit.
- The proposal: hella cheesy
What I liked:
- Armani and Fausto were great, mostly. I liked how protective they were almost from the beginning.
I am just so disappointed. I wouldn't say the story/writing is bad. I enjoyed the general plot line and respected the hell out of it being different from the others so far, but in general - I was hoping for better from this Mafia Wars series. I think some content editors would have really helped this book. I am probably being a little more critical than I should be having just finished the book and not letting it sit with me overnight first, but I just had to get these thoughts down. I am not turned off from trying something from this author in the future. I am hoping the last 2 books will help make me feel better about this series.
My issues:
- Val doesn't even meet the guys until 32-34% of the way through the book. When I looked down and saw how far into the book I was when they meet, I was instantly disappointed and knew this book would end up having lack of character/relationship development/growth. There is just not enough time for 1 man, let alone 3 men! We need time to get to know each character: their back story, their personality, why they are the way they are, etc. Although we get some of these items, it just wasn't enough.
- This series having only reverse harems is getting ANNOYING. I am the biggest fan of reverse harems and almost only read them. I know we aren't going for realistic here, but what are the chances that every single mafia boss is willing to share with brothers/family members. Reverse harems are difficult to write to begin with, but then these authors are restricted to 1 book which is rarely enough time to really dive into each character (see my note above).
- Sal: I wanted so much more from/of him. He was the one that we were given the tortured past and reasons for why is was acting the way he was but we don't get ANY time to believe that they would actually fall in love with each other. It was insta-love and a complete let down. There was ONE scene where we see him attempt to redeem himself and we are supposed to believe they fell in love after this? Also Sal went through at least 2-3 major personality switches for seemingly no reason. At the end - he ends up just being a completely different person.
- Her virginity: I was expecting more angst surrounding which brother got to take it. It was completely anti-climactic. And not what I wanted to happen.
-Sex scenes: not enough - author ran out of time because they DIDN'T EVEN MEET until 34%!!!! Fausto was the only one who got a 1:1 full scene which is bullshit.
- The proposal: hella cheesy
What I liked:
- Armani and Fausto were great, mostly. I liked how protective they were almost from the beginning.
I am just so disappointed. I wouldn't say the story/writing is bad. I enjoyed the general plot line and respected the hell out of it being different from the others so far, but in general - I was hoping for better from this Mafia Wars series. I think some content editors would have really helped this book. I am probably being a little more critical than I should be having just finished the book and not letting it sit with me overnight first, but I just had to get these thoughts down. I am not turned off from trying something from this author in the future. I am hoping the last 2 books will help make me feel better about this series.