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The Wild White Orchid Trilogy #1
Initiation
James:
My thirty-second birthday is in thirty days, and if I don’t have a wife by then, I’ll be murdered. It’s one of the rules of my secret society—if you don’t have a wife by age thirty-two, you’re dead. The problem is that there isn’t a single woman I want to marry. The only woman I want is Genevieve, and she’s already taken.
Genevieve:
My boyfriend of ten years has just dumped me after cheating on me, and I have nowhere to go. He gave me one week to move out of our apartment, and I need a place to stay. My coworker and friend James asked me to move in with him, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Unfortunately, staying with him is the only option I have.
My thirty-second birthday is in thirty days, and if I don’t have a wife by then, I’ll be murdered. It’s one of the rules of my secret society—if you don’t have a wife by age thirty-two, you’re dead. The problem is that there isn’t a single woman I want to marry. The only woman I want is Genevieve, and she’s already taken.
Genevieve:
My boyfriend of ten years has just dumped me after cheating on me, and I have nowhere to go. He gave me one week to move out of our apartment, and I need a place to stay. My coworker and friend James asked me to move in with him, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Unfortunately, staying with him is the only option I have.
- GenresDark RomanceDark
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
23 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
R. Collins
16 books62 followersR. Collins is a dark romance author with a passion for storytelling that began at a young age. A lifelong admirer of romance in all its forms, she is particularly drawn to the darker, more complex aspects of love—where desire, obsession, and vulnerability intertwine. Her writing journey started with poetry, where she honed her ability to capture raw emotions and complex feelings in every word. Now, she channels that same emotional depth into crafting interracial dark romance novels that explore intense, often forbidden connections between characters from different walks of life. Each story she tells delves into the depths of passion, the shadows of longing, and the unexpected twists that love can bring.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 11, 2024
A secret society with cult-like rules and regulations? What could go wrong?
Well for James, being a single man coming up on his 32nd birthday, it means he's staring down the barrel of a gun, or a funeral pyre as it is in this book. There's no walking away from it, it's literally find a wife or lose it all. He has one last hail mary chance when his friend and co-worker, Genevieve gets dumped by her boyfriend and has nowhere to go. So he offers her a deal, marry him and she can both live with him and save his life. Seems like the perfect plan.
The only thing is... this society he's been born into is much more involved and all consuming than James first makes it sound and as they both get pulled deeper, Genevieve realizes it's WAY more serious than she thought. But there's no divorce for this society, so what can she do?
So... I was interested in this book based on the blurb and the teases I've been seeing. But as you might have seen by my previous update I had a couple pretty big issues. This is only book 1 in a trilogy that will be about the same couple, so maybe it will improve, but I'm not sure I feel compelled to continue.
To be fair, let me give a few things I liked before the negatives.
I liked the premise and the fact that James is forced into this world. He is reluctant at every step but because of how entrenched he has been for his whole life, he has few choices. I liked that these two were co-workers to start with, they were both teachers and that was cool. Also, I actually liked that James didn't care for being a teacher. That was refreshing to see, haha! Teaching is HARD! I also liked the potential of how dark this society was...
Without dragging too much of the story, I want to give some thoughts about where this story lost me. Most of it all boils down to one thing for me: Pacing. The pacing was painfully uneven for me. We rushed through things I wanted to see more of. For example, date nights and times when we could have seen the relationship growing between the characters. There were at least 2 specific times when James and Gen are going to go on a date or an outing and then we skip it. I didn't get to see their romance grow the way I wanted. For a series that is as dark as this, I needed to believe the romance is deep to offset some of the truly horrible things in here.
I just felt like I couldn't connect with them enough and it left me indifferent when we got to the climactic moments. I wanted more time with them growing closer. SHOW some of the dates, don't just say that they happened.
After all that, I'll say, I would read another book by this author. I thought the premise was very clever and even if I didn't quite follow along with everything perfectly, I do see the potential.
3 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: the author has an extensive list included
Well for James, being a single man coming up on his 32nd birthday, it means he's staring down the barrel of a gun, or a funeral pyre as it is in this book. There's no walking away from it, it's literally find a wife or lose it all. He has one last hail mary chance when his friend and co-worker, Genevieve gets dumped by her boyfriend and has nowhere to go. So he offers her a deal, marry him and she can both live with him and save his life. Seems like the perfect plan.
The only thing is... this society he's been born into is much more involved and all consuming than James first makes it sound and as they both get pulled deeper, Genevieve realizes it's WAY more serious than she thought. But there's no divorce for this society, so what can she do?
So... I was interested in this book based on the blurb and the teases I've been seeing. But as you might have seen by my previous update I had a couple pretty big issues. This is only book 1 in a trilogy that will be about the same couple, so maybe it will improve, but I'm not sure I feel compelled to continue.
To be fair, let me give a few things I liked before the negatives.
I liked the premise and the fact that James is forced into this world. He is reluctant at every step but because of how entrenched he has been for his whole life, he has few choices. I liked that these two were co-workers to start with, they were both teachers and that was cool. Also, I actually liked that James didn't care for being a teacher. That was refreshing to see, haha! Teaching is HARD! I also liked the potential of how dark this society was...
Without dragging too much of the story, I want to give some thoughts about where this story lost me. Most of it all boils down to one thing for me: Pacing. The pacing was painfully uneven for me. We rushed through things I wanted to see more of. For example, date nights and times when we could have seen the relationship growing between the characters. There were at least 2 specific times when James and Gen are going to go on a date or an outing and then we skip it. I didn't get to see their romance grow the way I wanted. For a series that is as dark as this, I needed to believe the romance is deep to offset some of the truly horrible things in here.
I just felt like I couldn't connect with them enough and it left me indifferent when we got to the climactic moments. I wanted more time with them growing closer. SHOW some of the dates, don't just say that they happened.
After all that, I'll say, I would read another book by this author. I thought the premise was very clever and even if I didn't quite follow along with everything perfectly, I do see the potential.
3 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: the author has an extensive list included
January 30, 2024
I’m the author! 😆 I hope you enjoy! ☺️
March 4, 2025
⭐️4/5 🖤 I was so excited to be an ARC reader for R. Collins’ debut novel Initiation, and it did not disappoint! @rcollinsauthor
Things I liked:
-The story was so engaging! I usually read in the evenings before bed, but I kept feeling compelled to go back and find out what was happening all day long
-The characters were so vivid—either lovable or hateable (because you have to have some of both)
-I love a good "he fell first" story and this was definitely that!
-The latter part of the book took place over less of a span of time, and I preferred this pace.
-The book changed POVs between the two MCs and that really helped me feel like I understood the motivations of both characters
-There is a lot of political intrigue and drama that really keeps the reader engaged
-There’s a lot of great witty banter—which is a big win for me
-The author is great at writing descriptive detail. It is very easy to visualize everything
Things I didn’t like as much:
-I would have enjoyed there being some more backstory/world building before James jumps right into telling Gen the big details about his "living situation and what happens when he turns 32" (trying not to give spoilers lol)
-The way James springs his dilemma on Gen as an ultimatum makes me not like him for a while, but he does earn my affection back after a bit—especially when in the next chapter he admits that he didn’t handle things well
-There were some points it felt like the story was moving too fast/too much time was passing; but this might just be because I’m used to stories not having this much time pass in one installment of a series
-I wish there was some discussion about leaving/escaping their "situation" — even if they deemed it impossible — because I think this would be a believable thing for them to discuss
-There was one scene that definitely lived up to the "dark" in the genre, a death scene, and I realized that I might be a little too weak for some elements of "dark" books😂
Troupes Utilized:
-Forced Proximity
-Marriage of Convenience
-Slow Burn
-Dual Perspective
All in all, I really enjoyed this unique and engaging story, and I will eagerly be awaiting the next installment to find out where James’ and Gen’s story goes next!
Things I liked:
-The story was so engaging! I usually read in the evenings before bed, but I kept feeling compelled to go back and find out what was happening all day long
-The characters were so vivid—either lovable or hateable (because you have to have some of both)
-I love a good "he fell first" story and this was definitely that!
-The latter part of the book took place over less of a span of time, and I preferred this pace.
-The book changed POVs between the two MCs and that really helped me feel like I understood the motivations of both characters
-There is a lot of political intrigue and drama that really keeps the reader engaged
-There’s a lot of great witty banter—which is a big win for me
-The author is great at writing descriptive detail. It is very easy to visualize everything
Things I didn’t like as much:
-I would have enjoyed there being some more backstory/world building before James jumps right into telling Gen the big details about his "living situation and what happens when he turns 32" (trying not to give spoilers lol)
-The way James springs his dilemma on Gen as an ultimatum makes me not like him for a while, but he does earn my affection back after a bit—especially when in the next chapter he admits that he didn’t handle things well
-There were some points it felt like the story was moving too fast/too much time was passing; but this might just be because I’m used to stories not having this much time pass in one installment of a series
-I wish there was some discussion about leaving/escaping their "situation" — even if they deemed it impossible — because I think this would be a believable thing for them to discuss
-There was one scene that definitely lived up to the "dark" in the genre, a death scene, and I realized that I might be a little too weak for some elements of "dark" books😂
Troupes Utilized:
-Forced Proximity
-Marriage of Convenience
-Slow Burn
-Dual Perspective
All in all, I really enjoyed this unique and engaging story, and I will eagerly be awaiting the next installment to find out where James’ and Gen’s story goes next!
June 5, 2024
interesting
James needs a wife asap or he’ll die. It’s just his luck his best friend and coworker Gen was just dumped by her boyfriend. He offers her a place to stay then drops the bomb about needing to be married and being in a cult.
This has a really interesting premise but I don’t know if I loved the writing style. All of Gen’s feelings are completely normal but somehow I found myself super annoyed with her and the way she was fighting their relationship. Also I like James but he’s hard to figure out. I feel like he’s supposed to be a complex character, but it felt more like the author couldn’t decide between an alpha or beta personality.
There’s lots of secrets, betrayals, intrigue that makes this an interesting read. Even with my small issues with the MCs personalities, I’m more than likely going to keep reading as I’m curious on where the story goes.
James needs a wife asap or he’ll die. It’s just his luck his best friend and coworker Gen was just dumped by her boyfriend. He offers her a place to stay then drops the bomb about needing to be married and being in a cult.
This has a really interesting premise but I don’t know if I loved the writing style. All of Gen’s feelings are completely normal but somehow I found myself super annoyed with her and the way she was fighting their relationship. Also I like James but he’s hard to figure out. I feel like he’s supposed to be a complex character, but it felt more like the author couldn’t decide between an alpha or beta personality.
There’s lots of secrets, betrayals, intrigue that makes this an interesting read. Even with my small issues with the MCs personalities, I’m more than likely going to keep reading as I’m curious on where the story goes.
October 15, 2024
Initiation is the first book in R. Collins’ The Wild White Orchid Trilogy. The book has very dark overtones while having at its center two very decent and engaging main characters. Darkness surrounds them but does not consume them. James is a schoolteacher nursing a crush on the teacher across the hall, Genevieve. Genevieve is in a committed relationship and considers James to be one of her closet friends/work colleagues. However, James has a weighty secret, he is the member of a clandestine society that adheres to archaic and barbaric rituals. As James comes close to his 32nd birthday, he must marry or suffer a mortal consequence. Just as James is approaching his end date, Genevieve finds herself jilted, homeless and alone. Without telling her ALL of his reasons, James offers to allow Genevieve to move into his house as his WIFE. How will Genevieve react when she comes to understand the nature of the dystopian, dysfunctional and JUST wrong situation in which she has been placed? Will she return the love that James has been harboring for so long or will her husband’s enemies end their relationship and their lives? This book is my first foray into the twisted world of R. Collins. As I read this unique story my emotions were all over the place, I felt sorrow for young James and his mother (lovely Odette), I was amused by the author’s lighthearted narrative, and I was horrified by The Wild White Orchid’s rules. Acclimation is the next book in the series. I look forward to seeing what challenges James and Genevieve will face next!
https://theretiredreader.com/f/initia...
https://theretiredreader.com/f/initia...
January 18, 2024
James & Genevieve: Secret Love, Secret Societies for the Win! 5 Stars!
I love a book filled with suspense and intrigue. I rarely find a book that engages me from page one. That is until I read this book. O-M-G! This book had me from chapter one! I knew as soon as I read it that this was going to be a wonderful reading experience.
INITIATION is the debut novel from R. Collins and introduces us to James Barlow. James is a middle-aged Average Joe: he works a full-time job, enjoys certain hobbies, and leads a pretty mundane life. James has his fair share of relationships and infatuations, which includes crushing hard on his spoken-for colleague/friend, Genevieve. Other than fantasizing about a love affair with Genevieve that will never be, James pretty much keeps to himself.
From the outside looking in, you would think James blends in with millions of others in his demographic. Not the case. You see, James is hiding a secret... a secret society that is. What's worse is that he's a member who facing a grim reality as his next birthday approaches. He is to marry, or the day he was born will also be the day he dies. That is, unless he can convince a newly-single Genevieve to marry him. I'll stop right there... this should be enough to get you started without spoiling it!
The writing in this novel is brilliant. The dual POVs of the main characters each chapter slowly revealed layer after layer of their personalities. James was so unpredictable throughout the story. Just when you think you have him figured out... guess again! James will do something totally unexpected. Genevieve was the same. Just when you thought you could predict her reaction, you were pleasantly surprised when their story went in a different direction. The secondary characters will grab your attention, as the whole cast has an active role in this book. No one is as they seem! Don't worry! The additional characters won't serve to confuse you but make the storyline even more mesmerizing. I don't know how many times I said, "OK, just one more chapter." before I put this book down. I just had to know what happens next.
The scenes between James and Genevieve were spicy and gave off just the right amount of steam given everything happening around them. These two light up the page and complement each other as perfectly as if they really were an actual living, breathing couple. They are both totally believable as a couple and there was no point in this book where I wanted to skip ahead out of boredom. Every phrase, thought, and emotion passed between James and Genevieve had my full attention. I adored them.
The book ends in a satisfying HFN, so you won't pee your pants waiting for the next book to release. But I don't believe by a long shot that this is over. I hope we get to see this story continue. It's a very original plot and I'd love to see how everything plays out with these engaging cast of characters.
If you love suspense, intrigue, scandal, and have a strong stomach for the macabre this is the book for you! Excellent novel, R. Collins! Every star awarded was rightly deserved!
Happy reading!
I love a book filled with suspense and intrigue. I rarely find a book that engages me from page one. That is until I read this book. O-M-G! This book had me from chapter one! I knew as soon as I read it that this was going to be a wonderful reading experience.
INITIATION is the debut novel from R. Collins and introduces us to James Barlow. James is a middle-aged Average Joe: he works a full-time job, enjoys certain hobbies, and leads a pretty mundane life. James has his fair share of relationships and infatuations, which includes crushing hard on his spoken-for colleague/friend, Genevieve. Other than fantasizing about a love affair with Genevieve that will never be, James pretty much keeps to himself.
From the outside looking in, you would think James blends in with millions of others in his demographic. Not the case. You see, James is hiding a secret... a secret society that is. What's worse is that he's a member who facing a grim reality as his next birthday approaches. He is to marry, or the day he was born will also be the day he dies. That is, unless he can convince a newly-single Genevieve to marry him. I'll stop right there... this should be enough to get you started without spoiling it!
The writing in this novel is brilliant. The dual POVs of the main characters each chapter slowly revealed layer after layer of their personalities. James was so unpredictable throughout the story. Just when you think you have him figured out... guess again! James will do something totally unexpected. Genevieve was the same. Just when you thought you could predict her reaction, you were pleasantly surprised when their story went in a different direction. The secondary characters will grab your attention, as the whole cast has an active role in this book. No one is as they seem! Don't worry! The additional characters won't serve to confuse you but make the storyline even more mesmerizing. I don't know how many times I said, "OK, just one more chapter." before I put this book down. I just had to know what happens next.
The scenes between James and Genevieve were spicy and gave off just the right amount of steam given everything happening around them. These two light up the page and complement each other as perfectly as if they really were an actual living, breathing couple. They are both totally believable as a couple and there was no point in this book where I wanted to skip ahead out of boredom. Every phrase, thought, and emotion passed between James and Genevieve had my full attention. I adored them.
The book ends in a satisfying HFN, so you won't pee your pants waiting for the next book to release. But I don't believe by a long shot that this is over. I hope we get to see this story continue. It's a very original plot and I'd love to see how everything plays out with these engaging cast of characters.
If you love suspense, intrigue, scandal, and have a strong stomach for the macabre this is the book for you! Excellent novel, R. Collins! Every star awarded was rightly deserved!
Happy reading!
July 12, 2024
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Wow! What an amazing, unique, different take on marriage of convenience. It was sooooo good! I couldn’t put it down. After seeing this book around I knew I had to read it. And I’m so dang glad I finally did!
James needs to find a wife before his 32nd birthday (which is approaching fast) or else he’s gonna 💀. But luckily for James, Genevieve his friends, coworker, was just dumped by her boyfriend and has no where to live. Little does she know James known from the first day he met her that she was the one. Long story short, he tells Gen that he has an extra room that she’s more than welcome to have. But she’s hesitant because she doesn’t know James outside of work.. Will Genevieve say yes? Is she willing to become more that just his roommate?
This book was filled with mystery, and is rather dark (which I LOVE). But so good. It is more on the slow burn side but let me tell ya it gets hot and gets so good! I can’t wait to read book 2!
If you like:
•Secret society/Cult vibes
•Marriage of convenience
•Dark
•Secret Love
And so much more! This book is for you!!
Wow! What an amazing, unique, different take on marriage of convenience. It was sooooo good! I couldn’t put it down. After seeing this book around I knew I had to read it. And I’m so dang glad I finally did!
James needs to find a wife before his 32nd birthday (which is approaching fast) or else he’s gonna 💀. But luckily for James, Genevieve his friends, coworker, was just dumped by her boyfriend and has no where to live. Little does she know James known from the first day he met her that she was the one. Long story short, he tells Gen that he has an extra room that she’s more than welcome to have. But she’s hesitant because she doesn’t know James outside of work.. Will Genevieve say yes? Is she willing to become more that just his roommate?
This book was filled with mystery, and is rather dark (which I LOVE). But so good. It is more on the slow burn side but let me tell ya it gets hot and gets so good! I can’t wait to read book 2!
If you like:
•Secret society/Cult vibes
•Marriage of convenience
•Dark
•Secret Love
And so much more! This book is for you!!
February 6, 2024
I loved this take on marriage of convenience with the secret society cult-like vibes. This has some very dark themes, but Gen and James felt like the sunshine in the darkness. Gen is very strong but rightfully guarded, and James is absolutely obsessed with Gen from the start; the banter between them was perfect and had me giggling a lot. His kindness and care towards Gen had me goo-goo-eyed for him the whole time. The consent was consenting, and it was HOT! I thoroughly enjoyed watching James and Gen find their way through so many traumatic experiences, and the softening of their relationship has me excited for more. They are cutting out their own slice of heaven amongst the fire that surrounds them, and I love that so much. I look forward to book 2 and all the trails they will surely face together.
February 19, 2024
Truthfully, I was very impressed with the secret society with sex 🤣. I don’t think I’ve read a book like this before. James and Gen really got me out my book funk. Also idk why by Gen having blue eyes reminds me of Cydnee off of instagram. She’s dark sun with blue eyes. That’s who I imagined as Gen. This being R. Collins debut novel is crazy.. for the simple fact that it was BOMB AF! it’s not often authors do well with their debut novels. But she knocked it out the mf park. Well done. I don’t like spoilers so I hope this makes you want to read it ❤️
February 1, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2.5/🌶️
This book is so good. The pace starts out slowly but once it gets going it doesn’t stop. James is one of my new favorite MMC of the books I’ve read. He’s sexy, sweet and caring while also being dark and dangerous. Genevieve. Gen is my girl. I absolutely love her character and the growth she goes through.
Favorites from the book:
•Older main characters. I loved reading about characters in their 30s.
•Dual POV ❤️🔥
•Characters Personalities are very well written
•Spice is a slow build which I normally don’t care for but this story is so well written it was worth waiting on.
•The variety of character. Some make you love them and others make you hate them.
•The cliffhanger ending. 😮💨 I NEED the next book asap.
If you haven’t picked up this book already then I highly recommend adding it to your TBR. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series to be released in May. 📚🤍
Spice: 2.5/🌶️
This book is so good. The pace starts out slowly but once it gets going it doesn’t stop. James is one of my new favorite MMC of the books I’ve read. He’s sexy, sweet and caring while also being dark and dangerous. Genevieve. Gen is my girl. I absolutely love her character and the growth she goes through.
Favorites from the book:
•Older main characters. I loved reading about characters in their 30s.
•Dual POV ❤️🔥
•Characters Personalities are very well written
•Spice is a slow build which I normally don’t care for but this story is so well written it was worth waiting on.
•The variety of character. Some make you love them and others make you hate them.
•The cliffhanger ending. 😮💨 I NEED the next book asap.
If you haven’t picked up this book already then I highly recommend adding it to your TBR. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series to be released in May. 📚🤍
February 3, 2024
James is here by added to the list of book boyfriends I take no criticisms of. Did he trick Genevieve, yes. Was it for the greater good i.e. him not burning at the stake, yes.
You can tell he has always loved her and she him but you learn why he would initially choose death over bring her into his families secret society. Genevieve is steadfast and strong while trying to heal from a bad relationship and James is being patient yet impatient trying to make their relationship as natural as a marriage of convenience can be.
With the backdrop of a secret society and not knowing who you can trust they have each other’s backs. Even with some dark themes they have really cute and spicy moments together. Two of my favorite being the French bistro and when the heater broke. Add that to James’ love for her hair going from natural curls to box braids to a silk press and mini twists 😘 that’s her man and she’ll stick beside him.
You can tell he has always loved her and she him but you learn why he would initially choose death over bring her into his families secret society. Genevieve is steadfast and strong while trying to heal from a bad relationship and James is being patient yet impatient trying to make their relationship as natural as a marriage of convenience can be.
With the backdrop of a secret society and not knowing who you can trust they have each other’s backs. Even with some dark themes they have really cute and spicy moments together. Two of my favorite being the French bistro and when the heater broke. Add that to James’ love for her hair going from natural curls to box braids to a silk press and mini twists 😘 that’s her man and she’ll stick beside him.
January 29, 2024
Whew. 😍 There were bombs dropping by page 4 that kept me reading instantly. Bit of a slow burn here, while Genevieve tries to navigate & understand her crazy new life. Sooo worth the wait though.
James is funny, so sweet, with a FILTHY mouth & his devotion to Gen had me hooked right off the bat!
Genevieve is kind, headstrong & passionate. Oh she’s a bit bratty too which was EVERYTHING. 😜
I absolutely loved the relationship between these two! The banter, the support, the love ❤️
I enjoyed the secret society aspect & learning about The Wild White Orchids was really interesting (and sometimes shocking). Some parts were definitely heavy but I never felt like it was too much.
Lots of secrets, cult like traditions and I’m still not 100% sure who can be trusted yet.
This book wrapped up so beautifully & left me wanting MORE! I can’t wait for the future of Gen & James
James is funny, so sweet, with a FILTHY mouth & his devotion to Gen had me hooked right off the bat!
Genevieve is kind, headstrong & passionate. Oh she’s a bit bratty too which was EVERYTHING. 😜
I absolutely loved the relationship between these two! The banter, the support, the love ❤️
I enjoyed the secret society aspect & learning about The Wild White Orchids was really interesting (and sometimes shocking). Some parts were definitely heavy but I never felt like it was too much.
Lots of secrets, cult like traditions and I’m still not 100% sure who can be trusted yet.
This book wrapped up so beautifully & left me wanting MORE! I can’t wait for the future of Gen & James
August 22, 2024
Hot D@MN!! This book is SO. GOOD! So good in fact, that i recently finished my first re-read of it! Initiation is the first book in The Wild White Orchid Trilogy. Think secret society, friends to lovers, interracial relationship, marriage of convenience, he falls first. I wouldn’t say that this is your usual dark romance because James & Gen’s relationship isn’t dark. The world that they live in, however, is very dark (Enter secret society) And they come up against some dark situations and obstacles that they must deal with. James & Genevieve Barlow are EVERYTHING, and i cannot get enough of them! (Good thing there’s 2 books left in the trilogy! 😉) I admire Gen so much. She’s a hard shell to crack, but when it finally does, she is the most loving, caring, loyal, ride-or-d!e woman! James is obsessed with Gen! He is a simp for his woman. (but let me tell you, Daddy James is no simp in the bedroom! 🥵) He recognnizes that she needs to come to terms with some things in her own timing. He is a leader, a provider, a fierce protector, and a PHENOMENAL lover! James has to come to terms with his role & what is expected of him within The Wild White Orchid Society. The tenets of this secret society are strict and harsh and they definitely play a big part in the plot of the book and the cliffhanger we’re left with at the end of the book. And when I tell you there is a cliffhanger at the end, I MEAN IT! It’s a DOOZY y’all! Lucky for us, the second book Acclimation picks up right where Initiation left off! Be on the lookout for my review of that book coming soon! All in all, I 1,000% recommend this book! It’s for sure in my top reads of the year so far!
January 17, 2024
Great Read
This book was fantastic. A little slow in the beginning but I totally didn’t mind because it got GOOD!!
I absolutely love James. He has such a huge heart and has been in love with Gen for so long. James is strong, sexy, beyond caring, protective and absolutely obsessed with Gen. He throws a crazy idea out there for Gen and she takes it to save his life. Gen is a strong woman who has had a lot happen her past to make her extremely guarded. Gen is beautiful, bossy, strong, creative and becomes just as obsessed with James! I was a little mad at Gen to be honest because it took her so long to voice her true feelings for James when he was upfront from the beginning.
James has known his whole life the group he was born into and the role he would inevitably have to play. He doesn’t like it but it’s that our death. He chooses to live for Gen and their love. Obstacles come up and they handle them the best they can while uncovering so many secrets that could change their lives. This ends happily but I am excited to see what book 2 holds.
Overall it was a great book and I was captivated by the world and story. The spicy was there too! Loved how James was able to show Gen his true nature in the bedroom and was able to bring out her freaky side too.
This book was fantastic. A little slow in the beginning but I totally didn’t mind because it got GOOD!!
I absolutely love James. He has such a huge heart and has been in love with Gen for so long. James is strong, sexy, beyond caring, protective and absolutely obsessed with Gen. He throws a crazy idea out there for Gen and she takes it to save his life. Gen is a strong woman who has had a lot happen her past to make her extremely guarded. Gen is beautiful, bossy, strong, creative and becomes just as obsessed with James! I was a little mad at Gen to be honest because it took her so long to voice her true feelings for James when he was upfront from the beginning.
James has known his whole life the group he was born into and the role he would inevitably have to play. He doesn’t like it but it’s that our death. He chooses to live for Gen and their love. Obstacles come up and they handle them the best they can while uncovering so many secrets that could change their lives. This ends happily but I am excited to see what book 2 holds.
Overall it was a great book and I was captivated by the world and story. The spicy was there too! Loved how James was able to show Gen his true nature in the bedroom and was able to bring out her freaky side too.
February 6, 2024
Ooo, I was looking forward to reading this after seeing posts from the author and I couldn’t wait; I have to say I’m not disappointed.
I was hooked from page 1, I got a bit confused (more my tired brain) but then I got it and the plot just got even better: it’s full of suspense and I wasn’t expecting a few things to happen. I hope there is a book 2 because although there is a HFN (in my opinion ), there’s so much more I need 😂
James is this average guy: works as a teacher, has hobbies and pines over Genevieve. He also has a blooming filthy mouth and I was lapping it up at 2am (pros of feeding a baby). Genevieve is also crush, and I really liked her fiesty and strong character- she has been through some things.
Oh and I’m all for being darling by sexy James 😂😂
I was hooked from page 1, I got a bit confused (more my tired brain) but then I got it and the plot just got even better: it’s full of suspense and I wasn’t expecting a few things to happen. I hope there is a book 2 because although there is a HFN (in my opinion ), there’s so much more I need 😂
James is this average guy: works as a teacher, has hobbies and pines over Genevieve. He also has a blooming filthy mouth and I was lapping it up at 2am (pros of feeding a baby). Genevieve is also crush, and I really liked her fiesty and strong character- she has been through some things.
Oh and I’m all for being darling by sexy James 😂😂
January 14, 2024
Having been born into a secret society, James is required to marry before his 32nd birthday. He has already come to terms with what will happen if he doesn't find a woman willing to marry him.
As Genevieve, the woman who works across the hall from him is kicked out by her boyfriend of ten years, a sudden opportunity presents itself.
James has had a crush on her forever and offers her to move in with him. But will Genevieve be willing to become so much more than just a roommate for him?
This is a really different, rather dark, story about two people trying to navigate everything that's expected from them by the secret society they are a part of. Book one ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to know what will happen next, so... I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of James's and Genevieve's story.
As Genevieve, the woman who works across the hall from him is kicked out by her boyfriend of ten years, a sudden opportunity presents itself.
James has had a crush on her forever and offers her to move in with him. But will Genevieve be willing to become so much more than just a roommate for him?
This is a really different, rather dark, story about two people trying to navigate everything that's expected from them by the secret society they are a part of. Book one ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to know what will happen next, so... I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of James's and Genevieve's story.
January 15, 2024
Start of a great series!
I really enjoyed the story of the beginning of James and genevive in the Initiation. First I want to say with this being the debut novel by this author she did great with the story flow, world building and erotica in this book. I was able to finish this book and be excited about the next book for James and Genevive and see the possibilities of people she could do spinoffs for in the world of this powerful secret society. Hope we don't have long to wait for the next book to see what will happen next for daddy and darling 😉.
I really enjoyed the story of the beginning of James and genevive in the Initiation. First I want to say with this being the debut novel by this author she did great with the story flow, world building and erotica in this book. I was able to finish this book and be excited about the next book for James and Genevive and see the possibilities of people she could do spinoffs for in the world of this powerful secret society. Hope we don't have long to wait for the next book to see what will happen next for daddy and darling 😉.
January 16, 2024
Thrilling Debut
What a thrilling debut! I love Genevieve and James and can't wait for more in this dark and twisted series.
What a thrilling debut! I love Genevieve and James and can't wait for more in this dark and twisted series.
January 12, 2024
I got this book as an ARC and I'm so incredibly happy!!
To start, I really liked this book! It was pretty engaging the whole time, I found myself not wanting to put it down!
I LOVED the development of their relationship, seeing them go from friends to lovers in the most unconventional way is so fun! Obviously its a dark romance, so their are going to be heavier topics, and for Gen, she is SO not used to any of this stuff that comes with the society. So seeing the way James is truly their for her to help her thru it however he can so she is okay and understands is incredible. I loved how he was such a golden retriever type man and really wanted to do the right thing
I'm so excited to get book 2 since it follows the two main characters, especially with the ending it left me wanting more!!! Thank you again for sending me a copy!
To start, I really liked this book! It was pretty engaging the whole time, I found myself not wanting to put it down!
I LOVED the development of their relationship, seeing them go from friends to lovers in the most unconventional way is so fun! Obviously its a dark romance, so their are going to be heavier topics, and for Gen, she is SO not used to any of this stuff that comes with the society. So seeing the way James is truly their for her to help her thru it however he can so she is okay and understands is incredible. I loved how he was such a golden retriever type man and really wanted to do the right thing
I'm so excited to get book 2 since it follows the two main characters, especially with the ending it left me wanting more!!! Thank you again for sending me a copy!
October 2, 2023
I loved this book!! I had a hard time putting it down once I started it! I loved Geneveive and James' story, How they slowly fell for eachother and how his mom takes her under her wing had me like ugh so sweet!!
I can't wait for the next book the way this one ended made me even more excited to see how their story continues!
I can't wait for the next book the way this one ended made me even more excited to see how their story continues!
November 12, 2023
Full review to come!!!
April 9, 2025
Got to 80% and couldn’t go on. The concept was great the execution was lacking.
December 15, 2024
This book is an absolute gem, captivating from the first page to the last. It's one of those rare finds that you stumble upon and can't believe your luck. The story is rich with layers, offering a deep dive into well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you hooked. The writing is so compelling that it's hard to put the book down.
The fact that it's part of a series only adds to my excitement. The story is so compelling that it has left me emotionally shattered in the best possible way.
The plot revolves around James, who faces a life-or-death situation as his thirty-second birthday approaches. According to the rules of his secret society, he must be married by then or face dire consequences. The catch is that the only woman he truly desires, Genevieve, is already taken.
Genevieve, on the other hand, is reeling from a devastating breakup after her boyfriend of ten years cheats on her and gives her a mere week to move out. With no other options, she reluctantly agrees to move in with James, her coworker and friend.
The chemistry between James and Genevieve is electric, and their interactions are filled with tension and emotion. The author has crafted a story that is both intricate and engaging, with well-developed characters that feel real and relatable. The book also excels in character development and chemistry, making the interactions between James and Genevieve both believable and engaging. The author's storytelling is masterful, weaving a complex narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
I’ll like to commend on how the author skillfully portrays the gradual evolution of the relationship between James and Genevieve. I appreciated how she avoided creating an instant love connection, instead opting to illustrate the slow and realistic development of their bond over time. This gradual buildup added depth to their story, making it feel authentic and relatable. Additionally, the spicy scenes were crafted with sincerity, enhancing the overall intimacy of their relationship. I am truly impressed by the way this book captures the nuances of love and connection.
The book is rich with layers, offering a deep dive into complex characters and their evolving relationships. The writing is superb, bringing the story to life in a way that is both vivid and captivating. The story is also filled with layers of secrets and lies that add incredible depth.
The author's ability to weave such a compelling narrative is truly impressive. I was completely immersed in the world of these characters and found myself eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next.
I highly, highly recommend this book. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story with rich character development and intense emotional depth. I can't wait to dive into the other books in this series and continue this incredible journey.
The fact that it's part of a series only adds to my excitement. The story is so compelling that it has left me emotionally shattered in the best possible way.
The plot revolves around James, who faces a life-or-death situation as his thirty-second birthday approaches. According to the rules of his secret society, he must be married by then or face dire consequences. The catch is that the only woman he truly desires, Genevieve, is already taken.
Genevieve, on the other hand, is reeling from a devastating breakup after her boyfriend of ten years cheats on her and gives her a mere week to move out. With no other options, she reluctantly agrees to move in with James, her coworker and friend.
The chemistry between James and Genevieve is electric, and their interactions are filled with tension and emotion. The author has crafted a story that is both intricate and engaging, with well-developed characters that feel real and relatable. The book also excels in character development and chemistry, making the interactions between James and Genevieve both believable and engaging. The author's storytelling is masterful, weaving a complex narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
I’ll like to commend on how the author skillfully portrays the gradual evolution of the relationship between James and Genevieve. I appreciated how she avoided creating an instant love connection, instead opting to illustrate the slow and realistic development of their bond over time. This gradual buildup added depth to their story, making it feel authentic and relatable. Additionally, the spicy scenes were crafted with sincerity, enhancing the overall intimacy of their relationship. I am truly impressed by the way this book captures the nuances of love and connection.
The book is rich with layers, offering a deep dive into complex characters and their evolving relationships. The writing is superb, bringing the story to life in a way that is both vivid and captivating. The story is also filled with layers of secrets and lies that add incredible depth.
The author's ability to weave such a compelling narrative is truly impressive. I was completely immersed in the world of these characters and found myself eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next.
I highly, highly recommend this book. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story with rich character development and intense emotional depth. I can't wait to dive into the other books in this series and continue this incredible journey.
January 5, 2024
Meets the MCs:
🌯 Genevieve (FMC): Smart and brave, and in need of a reminder of her worth. James' workplace BFF.
🌯 James (MMC): Ladies-man leading a double life and forever in love with Genevieve.
General Thoughts:
Compelling plot! 🫶
What I loved:
💙James! Deeply devoted, thoughtful, and just the right amount of morally grey. He gives me kind of Bruce Wain vibes.
💙They met because they were regular teachers.
💙The diary entry-like style of the chapters. It read like that to me, anyway, and for this type of book, I thought it was effective.
💙The way we see James through the people around him. That was well done!
💙The sexy times were YUM and both characters had an equal push and pull in the tension.
My not faves:
🍅 Sometimes, I got curious about how Gen seemed to be as ready to accept her new life as she appeared, AND, that also didn't take away from the story for me. We do see her adjusting and grieving, too, and I think the idea that she was with her person gives us that sense that love conquers all.
🍅I was genuinely surprised when the ending happened! Didn't see it coming! BUT future books will be picking up after this cliffhanger, so I will be sitting on my hands until then! 😅
Spice: 🌶🌶 🌶 .5 HOT, explicit, and LOTS of it. The scene on the island! YUM!
⚠️Trigger warnings are well laid out for this book, and I felt that the way they were well handled in the story. I think that particularly with some of the darker themes, the fact that the characters were upset by what they saw helped me to further appreciate them and their ARC for this book and future books.
Thanks for having me ARC read for you @rcollinsauthor ! I thoroughly enjoyed it. 🫶
🌯 Genevieve (FMC): Smart and brave, and in need of a reminder of her worth. James' workplace BFF.
🌯 James (MMC): Ladies-man leading a double life and forever in love with Genevieve.
General Thoughts:
Compelling plot! 🫶
What I loved:
💙James! Deeply devoted, thoughtful, and just the right amount of morally grey. He gives me kind of Bruce Wain vibes.
💙They met because they were regular teachers.
💙The diary entry-like style of the chapters. It read like that to me, anyway, and for this type of book, I thought it was effective.
💙The way we see James through the people around him. That was well done!
💙The sexy times were YUM and both characters had an equal push and pull in the tension.
My not faves:
🍅 Sometimes, I got curious about how Gen seemed to be as ready to accept her new life as she appeared, AND, that also didn't take away from the story for me. We do see her adjusting and grieving, too, and I think the idea that she was with her person gives us that sense that love conquers all.
🍅I was genuinely surprised when the ending happened! Didn't see it coming! BUT future books will be picking up after this cliffhanger, so I will be sitting on my hands until then! 😅
Spice: 🌶🌶 🌶 .5 HOT, explicit, and LOTS of it. The scene on the island! YUM!
⚠️Trigger warnings are well laid out for this book, and I felt that the way they were well handled in the story. I think that particularly with some of the darker themes, the fact that the characters were upset by what they saw helped me to further appreciate them and their ARC for this book and future books.
Thanks for having me ARC read for you @rcollinsauthor ! I thoroughly enjoyed it. 🫶
June 15, 2024
ARC BOOK REVIEW – Initiation by @rcollinsauthor
Initiation is the debut novel/first book in the Wild White Orchid Trilogy and it did not disappoint. Prepare to immerse yourself into a world of secret societies, scandal, political scheming and a touch of macabre.
“I dreamed of this day. The day when she would kiss me because she wanted to. I’m so glad it’s no longer a dream.”
This is a slow burn marriage of convenience between James and Genevieve that has just the right amount of spice to leave you wanting more. The characters are full of witty banter and deliver a very compelling storyline as they navigate all the trials of a cult-like secret society that has very strict demands…and no is not an option.
I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this book and how wonderfully it grabbed my attention until the very last page. I love a book with a dual POV and character growth, this has it in spades. Gen is 100% the woman we all want to be and James is the man we hope to get.
There is an extensive list of trigger warnings provided by the author, and I suggest you read through them prior to giving this quick book a go.
*ARC courtesy of the author and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to the valued author and publisher for providing a copy.*
Initiation is the debut novel/first book in the Wild White Orchid Trilogy and it did not disappoint. Prepare to immerse yourself into a world of secret societies, scandal, political scheming and a touch of macabre.
“I dreamed of this day. The day when she would kiss me because she wanted to. I’m so glad it’s no longer a dream.”
This is a slow burn marriage of convenience between James and Genevieve that has just the right amount of spice to leave you wanting more. The characters are full of witty banter and deliver a very compelling storyline as they navigate all the trials of a cult-like secret society that has very strict demands…and no is not an option.
I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this book and how wonderfully it grabbed my attention until the very last page. I love a book with a dual POV and character growth, this has it in spades. Gen is 100% the woman we all want to be and James is the man we hope to get.
There is an extensive list of trigger warnings provided by the author, and I suggest you read through them prior to giving this quick book a go.
*ARC courtesy of the author and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to the valued author and publisher for providing a copy.*
October 2, 2023
My favorite things about the book:
* The characters personalities were actually pretty well written. I didn’t get bored and they actually weren’t too obvious.
* It’s a dual perspective so I can get both of the characters feelings and worries.
* I liked the emotions! In a book such as this I definitely expected everyone to feel multiple ways rather than one.
* The spice :) it didn’t make me cringe or wanna roll my eyes! Which is a big thing for me since some books tend to get weird after a while with scenes that are way too long.
Things that I necessarily didn’t like a lot:
* The details. I do think at some points it was overly too much. It wasn’t bad but if it was lessened I think it wouldn’t be deemed an “too much” or “unnecessary.”
* The dark part. I think the dark part was ok. I wanted more violence and twisted thinking for sure. But I was also expecting the romance to be dark as well and not just the plot of that makes sense.
* I wanted a little more resistance or something more with the explanation in the beginning (trying not to give spoilers)
I definitely recommend the read! I think it’s a great book especially if you’re starting off with dark romance like me. It doesn’t throw you off the roof of a burning building of spice and darkness.
* The characters personalities were actually pretty well written. I didn’t get bored and they actually weren’t too obvious.
* It’s a dual perspective so I can get both of the characters feelings and worries.
* I liked the emotions! In a book such as this I definitely expected everyone to feel multiple ways rather than one.
* The spice :) it didn’t make me cringe or wanna roll my eyes! Which is a big thing for me since some books tend to get weird after a while with scenes that are way too long.
Things that I necessarily didn’t like a lot:
* The details. I do think at some points it was overly too much. It wasn’t bad but if it was lessened I think it wouldn’t be deemed an “too much” or “unnecessary.”
* The dark part. I think the dark part was ok. I wanted more violence and twisted thinking for sure. But I was also expecting the romance to be dark as well and not just the plot of that makes sense.
* I wanted a little more resistance or something more with the explanation in the beginning (trying not to give spoilers)
I definitely recommend the read! I think it’s a great book especially if you’re starting off with dark romance like me. It doesn’t throw you off the roof of a burning building of spice and darkness.
September 22, 2023
Thank you to R.Collins for the ARC of Initiation in exchange for the honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
There are a lot of things I liked about this book. Despite it being a dark romance that REALLY lived up to the name, the MMC was always kind and respectful to the FMC. There were no consent violations between the MCs and the friendship between the characters made for really great chemistry and slow burn. The book passed the bechdel test and the way the women supported each other was nice to see. Also, it was nice to see a realistic woman with specific tastes and hair care methods.
I did wish the characters were less passive. The MMC talks a lot about going to take care of things but he never seems to have a concrete plan or do a lot of things to change his circumstances. The FMC doesn’t ask enough questions or have a very active role in things either. And because the characters are so passive, the plot moves pretty slowly.
The book does set up the next in the trilogy really well. I think lovers of friends-to-lovers, pining, dark romance, and marriage of convenience may like this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
There are a lot of things I liked about this book. Despite it being a dark romance that REALLY lived up to the name, the MMC was always kind and respectful to the FMC. There were no consent violations between the MCs and the friendship between the characters made for really great chemistry and slow burn. The book passed the bechdel test and the way the women supported each other was nice to see. Also, it was nice to see a realistic woman with specific tastes and hair care methods.
I did wish the characters were less passive. The MMC talks a lot about going to take care of things but he never seems to have a concrete plan or do a lot of things to change his circumstances. The FMC doesn’t ask enough questions or have a very active role in things either. And because the characters are so passive, the plot moves pretty slowly.
The book does set up the next in the trilogy really well. I think lovers of friends-to-lovers, pining, dark romance, and marriage of convenience may like this book.
October 7, 2023
I enjoyed this book! The characters were good but the FC was too compliant. She didn’t make more difficult for James. I liked how all the women were supportive and took care of each other. Loved it was dual point of view.
I didn’t like that there was to much details in some scenes. For example: every time they took a shower every details would be described by the end of the book I knew it without reading it. Also the time laps were passing a bit too fast. Didn’t expect the ending to be so abruptly.
Definitely will be waiting for book #2
I didn’t like that there was to much details in some scenes. For example: every time they took a shower every details would be described by the end of the book I knew it without reading it. Also the time laps were passing a bit too fast. Didn’t expect the ending to be so abruptly.
Definitely will be waiting for book #2
August 11, 2024
Super engaging book that kept me hooked from the beginning all the way to the end! It’s a slow burn romance but when it finally heats up the spice is *chefs kiss*. The drama behind the secret society surrounding their relationship is super interesting. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book after the cliffhanger in this one!
September 29, 2024
I finished this book, but I might have to DNF this series. Genevieve is just so poorly written, and I hate that for us because James is the opposite. It is a VERY weird book, but interesting.
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