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Constrained Bouquet #1
Blossoming Dahlia
My name is Dahlia Porter.
Before, I was a professor, a friend, and a girlfriend.
Now, I was a face on a missing person's report, the latest victim of a twisted serial killer. Just when I'd finally given up all hope, rescue appeared in the form of a behavioral analyst working with the FBI. I’d never thought I would feel safe again, but the mysterious and enigmatic Asher proved that there was not only evil left in the world. Sadly, the danger was far from over. The Doll Maker will not rest until he retrieves me.
His last Doll.
It was rare that I actually got to meet the people whose faces appeared in the case files I studied. Dahlia Porter was a breath of fresh air, a survivor of horrific trauma who captured my attention in a way that was entirely unprofessional. I knew I should keep my distance, but I needed to stay close in order to keep her safe. It was more than just my job, I would do anything to protect her.
My little flower.
Before, I was a professor, a friend, and a girlfriend.
Now, I was a face on a missing person's report, the latest victim of a twisted serial killer. Just when I'd finally given up all hope, rescue appeared in the form of a behavioral analyst working with the FBI. I’d never thought I would feel safe again, but the mysterious and enigmatic Asher proved that there was not only evil left in the world. Sadly, the danger was far from over. The Doll Maker will not rest until he retrieves me.
His last Doll.
It was rare that I actually got to meet the people whose faces appeared in the case files I studied. Dahlia Porter was a breath of fresh air, a survivor of horrific trauma who captured my attention in a way that was entirely unprofessional. I knew I should keep my distance, but I needed to stay close in order to keep her safe. It was more than just my job, I would do anything to protect her.
My little flower.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2024
3 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 14, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟽𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐! ⊹
╰ ✦ •
If a Criminal Minds episode was a book and the fmc victim fell in love with Spencer Reid, this would be it!
Blossoming Dahlia is a thrilling slow-burn romance. We follow Dahlia Porter who is a recently kidnapped victim of the serial killer Steve Curring, known as "The Doll Maker." Fortunately, She was found by FBI agents Hunter & Asher just in time. If not for them, she would have been left mutilated and naked, discarded in a dumpster like all his other victims. How long will she remain free of this serial killer before he finds her again?
While I enjoyed the premise and it makes me want to rewatch all of Criminal Minds again, I do have mixed feelings about it, leaning more on the 'loved it' but I'm not going to lie, it was slightly underwhelming. The 210 pages felt so short that I was just speeding through it. I think it needed more action involving the serial killer, higher-stakes situations, or just something more to give it that extra edge.
I did really love Dahlia and Asher! I loved their chemistry but their slow-burn romance felt like it was also missing something—more intimate/wholesome moments between the characters maybe. I also loved Amanda and Hunter; they were fantastic side characters. Honestly, they were both such good wingmen for our MCs.
Overall, despite its shortcomings this was such a fun read, and I absolutely loved the vibes. I had this giddy feeling the entire time I was reading! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other stories Bella Reves has in store for this series.
Note : if you're looking for something smutty you'll be left disappointed, as there is really only sexual tension with smut in the last 20 pages
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥FBI MMC
❥Forced Proximity
❥Kidnapped FMC
❥Forbidden love
❥Only one Bed
❥Slow-burn
❥Touch her and ☠️
Thank you for the ARC, Bella!
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟽𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚐! ⊹
╰ ✦ •
If a Criminal Minds episode was a book and the fmc victim fell in love with Spencer Reid, this would be it!
Blossoming Dahlia is a thrilling slow-burn romance. We follow Dahlia Porter who is a recently kidnapped victim of the serial killer Steve Curring, known as "The Doll Maker." Fortunately, She was found by FBI agents Hunter & Asher just in time. If not for them, she would have been left mutilated and naked, discarded in a dumpster like all his other victims. How long will she remain free of this serial killer before he finds her again?
While I enjoyed the premise and it makes me want to rewatch all of Criminal Minds again, I do have mixed feelings about it, leaning more on the 'loved it' but I'm not going to lie, it was slightly underwhelming. The 210 pages felt so short that I was just speeding through it. I think it needed more action involving the serial killer, higher-stakes situations, or just something more to give it that extra edge.
I did really love Dahlia and Asher! I loved their chemistry but their slow-burn romance felt like it was also missing something—more intimate/wholesome moments between the characters maybe. I also loved Amanda and Hunter; they were fantastic side characters. Honestly, they were both such good wingmen for our MCs.
Overall, despite its shortcomings this was such a fun read, and I absolutely loved the vibes. I had this giddy feeling the entire time I was reading! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other stories Bella Reves has in store for this series.
Note : if you're looking for something smutty you'll be left disappointed, as there is really only sexual tension with smut in the last 20 pages
────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥FBI MMC
❥Forced Proximity
❥Kidnapped FMC
❥Forbidden love
❥Only one Bed
❥Slow-burn
❥Touch her and ☠️
Thank you for the ARC, Bella!
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
August 11, 2024
Another great book!
If you love a slow burn with a nerdy FBI (agent) doctor and the bad ass survivor he helps then I highly recommend this
I hurt so much for Dahlia and what she had been through but knowing she had her best friend and Asher to help along the way was awesome
If you love a slow burn with a nerdy FBI (agent) doctor and the bad ass survivor he helps then I highly recommend this
I hurt so much for Dahlia and what she had been through but knowing she had her best friend and Asher to help along the way was awesome
August 29, 2024
Blossoming Dahlia by Bella Reeves is book one in the Constrained Bouquet series and it was so good!! If you like criminal minds, forced proximity, only one bed, romantic suspense, and a slow burn then you will love this book.
Dahlia Porter is a professor who was kidnapped by serial killer Steve Curring, aka "The Doll Maker." He would torture her and dress her up like a doll. She has trauma to last her a lifetime. FBI agents Hunter & Dr. Asher find her just in time, none of his previous victims have been found alive.
Bella did such a great job with the story and plot, I read it in one sitting. My only complaint is it’s only 210 pages and I wish it were longer I wanted more Asher and Dahlia. I thought the MC’s were written so well and I really liked the side characters Hunter and Amanda. I really loved how fiercely protective Amanda was. The chemistry between Dahlia and Asher was amazing. I don’t want to give too much away because I think this is an amazing book you should read. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!! Thank you Bella for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. This is definitely a MUST read!!
Dahlia Porter is a professor who was kidnapped by serial killer Steve Curring, aka "The Doll Maker." He would torture her and dress her up like a doll. She has trauma to last her a lifetime. FBI agents Hunter & Dr. Asher find her just in time, none of his previous victims have been found alive.
Bella did such a great job with the story and plot, I read it in one sitting. My only complaint is it’s only 210 pages and I wish it were longer I wanted more Asher and Dahlia. I thought the MC’s were written so well and I really liked the side characters Hunter and Amanda. I really loved how fiercely protective Amanda was. The chemistry between Dahlia and Asher was amazing. I don’t want to give too much away because I think this is an amazing book you should read. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!! Thank you Bella for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. This is definitely a MUST read!!
August 27, 2024
Sweet Couple, Difficult meeting
It's a slow-burn romance with a difficult and unusual meeting. He's tracking a serial killer and she's the killer's only living victim. They really shouldn't become emotionally entangled. While they don't get romantic quickly, the overall timeline happens within just a few weeks. It's well-written. The story is shortish in that it's only a couple hundred pages. I think it would have benefited from being slightly longer.
The epilogue was hot and fun!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book.
It's a slow-burn romance with a difficult and unusual meeting. He's tracking a serial killer and she's the killer's only living victim. They really shouldn't become emotionally entangled. While they don't get romantic quickly, the overall timeline happens within just a few weeks. It's well-written. The story is shortish in that it's only a couple hundred pages. I think it would have benefited from being slightly longer.
The epilogue was hot and fun!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book.
September 14, 2024
Yet another amazing read from this author. I was hooked from the beginning and got annoyed when I had to stop reading for some reason.
This book had everything. From tension to emotional rollercoaster.
This book had everything. From tension to emotional rollercoaster.
August 13, 2024
Thank you, Bella, for allowing me to read Blossoming Dahlia.
Now, let me start by saying, Asher reminds me of my ex. I promise not to judge the book by the memories.
Asher is equal parts endearing and hot. Who doesn't love an incredibly smart man with the McDreamy hair and a badge. Excuse me, a doctorate? Sign me right up.
Dahlia is a resilient woman, who's quite literally gone to hell and back and came through to the other side, a little bit bent, a little bit broken, and entirely strong.
Blossoming Dahlia navigates the aftermath of a rescue, where a victim and a saviour connect, attract, and... MUST KEEP AWAY from each other.
Suspense, innocence, nasty nightmares (living and sleeping), the art of allowing someone to find their strength from the ashes of a previous live, everything and more is encompassed in the pages of this book.
Bella delivers her HEA in her typical sense, "we've gone through the worst life could bring us and ended up joining hands---and other more intimate body parts---nothing else life throws at us can make us part."
What was surprising for me (and a pleasant surprise at that) is the arrogant show of story telling from an author that leaves me with weak knees when it comes to smut. She went loud and bold and proved romance can fizzle and burn and sustain without any explicit scenes until at the end, where Asher does indeed prove the brilliant use of his P.H.D.
I'm so excited to see what comes next in the Constrained Bouquet. I really freaking hope it's Hunter, because... dayum. (Ps: He's nothing like my ex.)
Slow burn, but fast paced. Sweet, but suspenseful.
Did I mention the P.H.D.?
Now, let me start by saying, Asher reminds me of my ex. I promise not to judge the book by the memories.
Asher is equal parts endearing and hot. Who doesn't love an incredibly smart man with the McDreamy hair and a badge. Excuse me, a doctorate? Sign me right up.
Dahlia is a resilient woman, who's quite literally gone to hell and back and came through to the other side, a little bit bent, a little bit broken, and entirely strong.
Blossoming Dahlia navigates the aftermath of a rescue, where a victim and a saviour connect, attract, and... MUST KEEP AWAY from each other.
Suspense, innocence, nasty nightmares (living and sleeping), the art of allowing someone to find their strength from the ashes of a previous live, everything and more is encompassed in the pages of this book.
Bella delivers her HEA in her typical sense, "we've gone through the worst life could bring us and ended up joining hands---and other more intimate body parts---nothing else life throws at us can make us part."
What was surprising for me (and a pleasant surprise at that) is the arrogant show of story telling from an author that leaves me with weak knees when it comes to smut. She went loud and bold and proved romance can fizzle and burn and sustain without any explicit scenes until at the end, where Asher does indeed prove the brilliant use of his P.H.D.
I'm so excited to see what comes next in the Constrained Bouquet. I really freaking hope it's Hunter, because... dayum. (Ps: He's nothing like my ex.)
Slow burn, but fast paced. Sweet, but suspenseful.
Did I mention the P.H.D.?
August 29, 2024
Where do I even begin? Blossoming Dahlia is like an episode straight out of Criminal Minds. Dr Asher Cross is a behavioural analyst contracted to the FBI and Dahlia Porter is the latest kidnap victim of a deranged serial killer.
Asher refuses to let another woman be a victim. He pours his heart and soul into the investigation and doesn’t rest until he finds Dahlia and when he does, she’s not in a good way. But his restlessness doesn’t stop when he finds her. He spends every waking minute at the hospital to make sure she’s safe. Over time, the chemistry builds, but he refuses to give in because that’s crossing the line.
Even after everything she’s been through at the hands of a monster, she can’t bear Asher to leave her when it’s time for her to go home. He is someone safe, her rescuer.
From the first page to the last, I was hooked, needing to know what happened next and if the killer was brought to justice. This book gave me goosebumps, I was reading between my fingers, waiting for the next thing to happen.
Asher is sweet, kind and protective and Dahlia is strong and refuses to let what she’s been through control her. Together they are a match made up in a very twisted, messed-up situation. I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the rest of the series if this is just the beginning.
Bella, I am in awe of your mind and the way you weave your words into a masterpiece every damn time.
Asher refuses to let another woman be a victim. He pours his heart and soul into the investigation and doesn’t rest until he finds Dahlia and when he does, she’s not in a good way. But his restlessness doesn’t stop when he finds her. He spends every waking minute at the hospital to make sure she’s safe. Over time, the chemistry builds, but he refuses to give in because that’s crossing the line.
Even after everything she’s been through at the hands of a monster, she can’t bear Asher to leave her when it’s time for her to go home. He is someone safe, her rescuer.
From the first page to the last, I was hooked, needing to know what happened next and if the killer was brought to justice. This book gave me goosebumps, I was reading between my fingers, waiting for the next thing to happen.
Asher is sweet, kind and protective and Dahlia is strong and refuses to let what she’s been through control her. Together they are a match made up in a very twisted, messed-up situation. I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the rest of the series if this is just the beginning.
Bella, I am in awe of your mind and the way you weave your words into a masterpiece every damn time.
February 24, 2025
This book was so good! I was mad when life got in the way and I couldn’t finish it in one sitting. When I wasn’t reading the book- I was thinking about the book! My ONLY complaint is how short it was. I wasn’t ready to leave the world of Dahlia and Asher yet! This book was a bit darker than I am used to but I was able to easily skim past a couple of the graphic scenes (to protect my peace: not because they weren’t well written!) and still feel like I wasn’t missing out on the full story!
Dahlia is a survivor. She is fierce. She is hilarious. She didn’t lose who she was even with so much taken from her. Even in her “weaker” moments, her strength shined through. This character was written so beautifully.
Asher is quite the book boyfriend. I love a good nerdy, socially awkward, but fiercely protective MMC!
Small shout to Amanda- the bff! I absolutely adored this character! She is the friend we all need and wish we had. Absolutely hilarious, fierce, protective, would burn the world down for her bff! I’m hereeee for this energy!!
I rate this book 5/5 ⭐️’s
Dahlia is a survivor. She is fierce. She is hilarious. She didn’t lose who she was even with so much taken from her. Even in her “weaker” moments, her strength shined through. This character was written so beautifully.
Asher is quite the book boyfriend. I love a good nerdy, socially awkward, but fiercely protective MMC!
Small shout to Amanda- the bff! I absolutely adored this character! She is the friend we all need and wish we had. Absolutely hilarious, fierce, protective, would burn the world down for her bff! I’m hereeee for this energy!!
I rate this book 5/5 ⭐️’s
September 12, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
Unfortunately, Dahlia Porter finds herself as The Doll Maker’s newest toy and the life she once knew is long gone. But just when she finally has given up hope she’s rescued by someone she least expected - the behavioral analyst that’s working with the FBI. Will she be able to live her life again or will he come back to haunt her?
If you like:
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
FBI MMC
Kidnapped FMC
Forbidden Love
One Bed
You should definitely check it out!
Unfortunately, Dahlia Porter finds herself as The Doll Maker’s newest toy and the life she once knew is long gone. But just when she finally has given up hope she’s rescued by someone she least expected - the behavioral analyst that’s working with the FBI. Will she be able to live her life again or will he come back to haunt her?
If you like:
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
FBI MMC
Kidnapped FMC
Forbidden Love
One Bed
You should definitely check it out!
September 24, 2024
Perfection!
I was in as soon as the Criminal Minds reference was dropped. And I especially loved picturing our beloved Spencer Reid as Dr. Cross.
Dahlia and Alex's bond was great instantly. I did feel like there were some gaps to certain places but that's also because I love a never-ending book so 🤷♀️
If you are a Romance girlie AND a Criminal Minds fan definitely check this out!
I was in as soon as the Criminal Minds reference was dropped. And I especially loved picturing our beloved Spencer Reid as Dr. Cross.
Dahlia and Alex's bond was great instantly. I did feel like there were some gaps to certain places but that's also because I love a never-ending book so 🤷♀️
If you are a Romance girlie AND a Criminal Minds fan definitely check this out!
September 18, 2024
This was such a good book. I loved the mystery and suspense that this book had. It also had a great love story. I was stunned when certain things happened, and I was sitting at the edge of my seat in other sections of this book. It has a little bit of everything wrapped into this book. I highly recommend it.
August 6, 2025
hands down my top read of the year. 🌹🔪 It may be a shorter story, but I devoured it in one sitting. The plot is beyond amazing, full of suspense and tension, and gave me all the Criminal Minds vibes (aka my weakness 🖤).
Asher is absolutely to die for (seriously, obsessed), and Dahlia… my poor sweet baby. I love her so much it hurts. This book had me hooked from the first page.
Asher is absolutely to die for (seriously, obsessed), and Dahlia… my poor sweet baby. I love her so much it hurts. This book had me hooked from the first page.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews