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

3.5

This short and spicy novella from Sierra Simone kicks off the Markham Hall series. It's 1879, and Ivy Leavold's brother has just passed. With nowhere else to go, she finds herself at Markham Hall under the care of her cousin's widower, Julian Markham. Ivy is young and inexperienced. Julian is dark and drawn to her. Things quickly become physical between them, but the unsolved mysteries surrounding the deaths of Julian's two wives hang over the house like a shroud. Was he responsible for their deaths? Is Ivy safe in his arms? 

 

Sierra Simone always delivers the spice, and you can find plenty of heat in this one. Julian is rather torn about whether he should give into his attraction to Ivy, so expect lots of back and forth behavior on his part. And there are some—ahem—unconventional party games when his guests come to visit. 

 

This one is high on the heat factor but not as invested in the character and plot development. 

 

Zara Hampton-Brown's narration brings Ivy's apprehension, curiosity, youth, and naïveté to life. I enjoyed her vocal choices for Ivy and many of the other characters but was not as enamored with her voice for Julian. 

 

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Select and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.