They've warned me in hushed tones that my new boss is a "profoundly complex man." It takes me approximately twenty minutes to establish that billionaire Ethan Kingsley is as straightforward as they come.
He's a walking, talking textbook on dysregulation. Its title? How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
In the space of a year, he's burnt through one marriage and three executive assistants, and he's well on the road to messing up the only real thing in his his relationship with his teenage son.
He works too hard, and he numbs himself harder. His anaesthetics of choice? Workouts. Alcohol. Sex. The more hardcore the better. You get the idea?
This is where I come in. I work for Seraph, an elite agency that places the most accomplished, beautiful women in the world with men who require a "full service" solution from their executive assistants and are willing to pay through the nose for it.
I can numb men with the best of them. I set about milking this guy until he's human jerky. With the way he looks, it's no hardship at all.
Handling him in Hot Asshole mode is a piece of cake. But as I work my fixer-upper magic and the true Ethan emerges from the ashes of his Dysfunctional Era, it becomes clear my Vulnerable Era is only just beginning...
Vivacity is a billionaire, single dad, grumpy sunshine, workplace romance with a big HEA. It can be listened to as a standalone or enjoyed as part of the Seraph series.
Vivacity brings exactly what its name promises-bright, bold energy wrapped in heat and heart. 💞
Sophia is confident, self-aware, and refuses to play small. When her boss retires, she's ready for her next challenge-and then comes Ethan. Guarded, controlled, and carrying the weight of a painful past, he seems cold at first, but Sophia sees right through him and isn't afraid to call him out.
Their chemistry? Off. The. Charts. That interview-to-audition scene is pure gold, Sophia’s inner dialogue had me snorting with laughter more than once, and every slow-burn moment between them crackles with tension. Watching Ethan unravel-emotionally and otherwise-while Sophia pushes and supports him was perfection. And yes, the spice? Spicing. 🥵
What really makes this book shine is its heart. Ethan’s healing journey isn’t just a subplot—it’s the heart of the story. Watching him confront his past, break down the walls he’s built, and let himself be vulnerable was beautiful. His relationship with his son, Jamie, is full of care and nuance—awkward at first, then cautiously hopeful, and finally deeply loving. Their trip together marks a turning point, showing Ethan he can rewrite the narrative of his childhood. With Sophia encouraging him to show up for Jamie, even when it’s hard, their bond becomes all the more powerful.
I came for the spice, stayed for the soul-crushing feels, and left with my heart put back together in the most beautiful way.
~~~~
Many thanks to Elodie Hart and Team for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨
I DNF'd this book at 47%. Yes it's spicy, but I cannot with all the psychoanalyst stuff. I hope to finish this one day, but not now. For the first time ever, I can honestly say I never read such a spicy but completely boring book before. Sad because I really did love this authors' last series. I don't know why she changed her approach to how she writes books.
The first third of the book was a struggle to get through because Sophia was so fucking obnoxious. I had to hear her overly psychoanalyze people based on snap judgments and assumptions way too many times for way too many pages. Not only was it wordy, boring, and pretentious, but it also took away any emotion in the scenes.
The whole concept of this book is that Ethan is an atrocious asshole who makes every EA he's had cry and quit. So I went into this book expecting some angst and pain. Instead we get him acting kind of dickish while she sits there thinking "It's okay. That's just his trauma and inner child lashing out" (not a direct quote) and waxing on about Enneagrams. These books are already weighed down by the amount of corporate business speak, so it didn't need this on top of it.
While the book picked up a bit and wasn't as much of a chore to get into around 35%, the psychoanalysis and therapy content got even more prevalent. For context, the book mentions: ◼ Eight (in reference to the Enneagram type) 31 times ◼ Enneagram 31 times ◼ IFS (Internal Family Systems therapy) 28 times
In the afterward, the author talked about how this therapy has been very beneficial for her. While I'm happy that is the case, it feels like she used this book to process her understanding and epiphanies from her therapy, and then proselytize about it. As a result, this does not feel like a romance book. It feels like a self-help book disguised as a novel. At best, it's a second chance novel about a divorced father healing his relationship with his son.
Sophia did not exist in this book to be a love interest. She was there as the catalyst to get Ethan into therapy and to be the magical girl who understood and accepted all of his flaws, even when he was cruel to her, so his entire character growth arc could focus on his son. I honestly don't even know when Ethan and Sophia suddenly fell in love? They were getting along, having sex, and he was more open about listening to her talk about psychology stuff. There was no dialogue or internal thoughts about developing feelings or wanting to move beyond their contractual relationship. Then suddenly they were in an actual relationship and talking about being together forever?
Audacity was a decent book. I loved Duplicity. Sadly Vivacity ended the series on a low note.
The QUEEN 👸 has done it again!!! Never have I ever been disappointed with an Elodie Hart novel, and Vivacity is no exception. This 3rd book in the Seraph series was so viseral and had so much personal growth from the FMC; and the MMC, in particular. Sophia and Ethan were SO.MANY.THINGS!!! I absolutely loved the growth that Ethan showed and his willingness to do the work, not only for himself but for his son 🥹. The amount of in-depth information that Elodie provided in the Psychology of everything was nothing short of amazing. I have always found Elodie's writing to be next-level-genius, but this book took it to another level.
Now, back to the story...the fact that so many previous Elodie/Sara book characters (not from the Seraph universe) made an appearance was so fun! 😃Obviously, you don't have to have read her previous books to "get it" (although, I highly recommend you read EVERYTHING Elodie writes😉), it was so refreshing and such a fun walk down memory lane to see Miles, Theo, Aide, and their wonderful FMC's gracing the pages! And of course, we also got glimpses of our other Seraph bros in Gabe and Bren! 😙 And I cannot submit an Elodie Hart review without mentioning the hilarious British humor. I mean, it's probably not all meant to be funny, but the British iterations and slang just KILL me every time!! 😂 🇬🇧
Now, on to the spice 🌶...there is no other way to describe it other than, "of course the spice was spicin'!" 🌶🌶🌶 Elodie NEVER disapppoints when it comes to giving us what we want in the spicy details department! 🥵🥵🥵
Whew 🤤, just do yourself a favor and read it! Love, Love, Loved it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to Elodie Hart and her team for allowing me to join the ARC team and read Sophia and Ethan’s book in exchange for my review (releases October 16th)
I adore the way that Elodie mixes spice with substance, and Vivacity is no exception.
Sophia is such a confident baddie, knows exactly what she wants, knows her worth, and is self-aware to a degree that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen in a character before. As her current boss is retiring, Sophia is ready for her next challenge with Seraph.
Enter Ethan. In almost a complete contrast to Sophia, Ethan is guarded, a self-proclaimed control freak, and at first glance, cold and closed off. He’s a ruthless business man, recently divorced, and for all intents and purposes, estranged from his son. He’s also traumatized from the way he was treated as a child.
Where everyone else seems to run from Ethan, Sophia is not so deterred (and will call him on his sh*t).
There were so many things that I loved about this book: Sophia’s inner dialogue had me cackling; Sophia’s patience with Ethan Will holding him accountable for his actions when he lashes out; the way Ethan decides it’s time to face his challengers head on, and how Sophia supports him through it all.
And really, Ethan’s relationship with his son and the way it progresses really made my heart skip a beat.
I really appreciate the way Elodie addressed therapy and its importance. Mental health representation is so important, and the resources provided at the end of the book were also much appreciated.
And as always, the spice was immaculate.
I can’t wait for everyone to read this book when it releases in October.
DNF at 20%. Unfortunately, I wasn’t vibing with the MMC. He’s a controlling, angry workaholic who’s demanding an EA, and the FMC is part of the Seraph Agency where they’re hired out to dominant businessmen to act as an EA and essentially a stress outlet for spicy activities. The way he questioned his son and treated his staff really put me off. I’m usually all for this type of character, but the arrogance was intense right from the start, and it just wasn’t working for me. No issues with the audiobook, though the narrators are brilliant.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+ APK: Audiobook ALC Audiobook Length: 13hrs 48mins Narrators: Shane East and Zara Hampton Brown - Duet Series or Standalone: Book Three In The Seraph Series Tropes or Themes: NOT COMPLETE AS DNF, Billionaire, Workplace, MMC Controlling, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Dom, Office Scene Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
This was an ARC from Elodie Hart and damn am I grateful for it.
Vivacity is the 3rd book in Elodie's Seraph series and this time we follow Sophia and her employment with Ethan Kingsley, yes cold and switched off Ethan who we met in Duplicity. Now I was dying to see how Elodie would be able to sell him as an interesting , likable leading man but she really delivered. I loved the psychology in the book and found it really fascinating and as someone who found cbt completely useless this IFS intrigued me. It was so refreshing to have a romance book that actually had our MMC's main focus being his desire to be a better father and break years of abuse and not repeat what his father did to him. Seeing him through Sophia's eyes and with her knowledge of why he did things ( from a place of fear of losing people and not being wanted , I can relate my husband was the same when I met him ) we got such a deep insight into Ethan. Watching him and Sophia fall for each other was so sweet and it felt very real. The amount of times I cried reading this especially during the scenes between Ethan and Jamie , they were so heartbreaking at the start. Yes the spice was there but Vivacity was a lot lot more than just a spicy romance, it has real heart and just a wonderful story about father's and sons and finding yourself. If I could give this 10 stars I would
The chemistry? Off. The. Charts. 🔥 From page one, Sophia had me obsessed—easily one of my new fave FMCs. She’s fierce, bold, and I could read a whole series with just her.
Then there’s Ethan. Control freak? Yes. Annoying? Absolutely not. He somehow makes bossy the sexiest trait ever. The tension, the power plays, the slow-burn edging—it’s all delicious chaos and I devoured every second.
There are books that entertain, books that titillate, and then, there’s Vivacity. It hits you squarely in the chest and stirs up feelings you didn’t even know were waiting to be felt. I went in expecting heat (and oh, did it deliver), but I came out with my soul humming.
Ethan is a masterclass in restraint and intensity. He’s the kind of character who doesn’t just walk into a room—he alters its gravitational pull. Controlled to the point of torment, seductive without trying, and emotionally layered in ways that sneak up on you, he’s the kind of man who doesn’t just touch skin—he touches psyche.
And Sophia? She’s incandescent. A whirlwind of laughter, sass, and vulnerability, she’s the kind of heroine who makes you want to live louder. Her inner monologue is pure gold—sharp, hilarious, and achingly real. That interview scene? I snorted. Loudly. In public. No regrets.
But what elevates Vivacity beyond the steam and sass is its emotional architecture. The way Hart weaves in themes of self-discovery, trauma, and healing through the lens of IFS (Internal Family Systems) is nothing short of brilliant. It’s therapy wrapped in silk sheets and witty banter. You feel seen. You feel understood. You feel changed.
This book didn’t ask for my heart - it just took it, filled it, and handed it back fuller than before. If you love romance that’s equal parts heartfelt, humorous and spicy, you need to read Vivacity. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel everything - love, joy, grief, hope - and leaves you better than it found you. So clear your schedule and dive in - you won’t regret it!
The entire concept of this book is actually mind blowing. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Sophia & Ethan’s story ever since finished reading Duplicity, & holy hell did it rock my world.
Ethan is one of the most traumatised MMC’s I’ve ever read, but the character arc Elodie puts him through is nothing short of stunning. He starts off an entitled nepo baby, handed the keys to daddy’s kingdom & calling dibs on Sophia. But our vivacious Sophia has got his number, literally - he’s an 8. With all the work she’s done on herself to overcome her own tumultuous childhood, she’s a 7 on the Enneagram scale & she completely understands the “parts” of herself. When she first connects with Ethan, he practically waves a massive red flag in her face - but it does absolutely nothing to deter her, in fact it spurs her on. By the end, Ethan is literally a changed man & I was so proud of him.
Ethan is a man of control, whether it be in his work, family or in the bedroom. He spends the majority of this book edging Sophia - & us! - & she laps it up. She can see who he is under his “parts” & she’s there for it. But when he finally let himself loose with Sophia, OHMIGOD!!! I did have to step away for a few moments to cool myself down! In Sophia’s words, she’s a ho for his alpha hole 😂
When Ethan has his “fuck it” moment, it’s absolutely spectacular- & I was cheering him along.
The cameos from Elodie’s other series were amazing, & I loved seeing how they all tied in together in this book.
There aren’t enough stars in the world to give this stunning piece of writing.
First of all, Elodie Hart, how could you? How did you? Writing these characters had to be the most challenging, yet rewarding, experience in your author history!
Ethan, who will forever be remembered as Eight, is the deepest character you have written so far. His trauma of being raised by the worst human being made him utterly impossible. A complete control freak. An impossible to please boss. And yet the sexiest man in any room.
Along comes Sophia. An absolutely gorgeous goddess with more brains than most people can handle. Add to that her insatiable sexual energy, and you have the perfect full-service EA for Eight. I love the choice she gives him, exclusivity and going bare in exchange for therapy with her choice of therapists! A hard bargain driven by Sophia, and I am so here for that!!
Reading the transformation of Eight from a tightly wound CEO to a loving and caring father and partner, absolutely stole my heart. My tears kept stopping me from reading the words, the world became blurry, until you tied it all together and the world became more beautiful than I could imagine.
Now I have to delve deeper into the world of Enneagram and IFS Parts. You have offered me no other choice!!! Thanks for providing the resources at the end.
Ethan and Sophia deserve 4* but the force fed psych lessons lost it some stars for me. So 2.5* overall. I would have loved the central relationship without all the psych lessons. You know when your best mate gets a new obsession and they can’t stop talking about it - ad nauseam? Yep, that was the feeling I got here. Felt like I was being force fed the author’s latest therapy obsessions. Not really the right vehicle for that.
I was looking forward to this one so much and I had all the expectations and I thought I knew how it would sort of play out, but boy was I wrong and you know what I was damn happy to be as well!
I laughed, I cried, I was mad, I was impressed, I squealed and I even self reflected. Elodie has such a unique ability to weave so much into her story that I am always so captivated.
We meet Sophia who is an absolute bombshell of a woman, so sleek, stunning and self assured tackling her new boss who is basically a grumpy man who knows how to throw a tantrum or two.
These two clash in all the ways you can imagine but Sophia is the one that won’t put up with anything less than she deserves and holding a mirror up to Ethan, gives him the insight that maybe things shouldn’t be the way they are.
I loved their blossoming relationship and the work it took to get there!
The mental health representation in this was phenomenal and I applaud Elodie for the work that went into creating this book
🩶Workplace Romance 🩶Billionaire 🩶Single Dad 🩶Mental health representation
4.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Bonus points are for Sophia, she was a beautifully written FMC and she was so deserving of her happy after!
Thankyou so much to Elodie for allowing me this arc opportunity 🫶🏻
The way I squealed when I realised I was going to have this ARC earlier than expected is one for the records. I was really eager to dig into the Seraph world again and meet Ethan Kingsley properly.
How he needs to pass from the professional interview to the audition in a heartbeat shows more of his character than he thinks, and Sophia reads him perfectly. She is an absolute icon. The audition scene is INTENSE 🥵🥵 and I loved every minute of it.
The spice is spicing all through the book and it does not disappoint. I truly enjoyed the scene at Alchemy and the first time Ethan uses sex to co-regulate with Soph instead of numbing himself. They are perfect for each other and it shows.
The healing journey Ethan goes through and how Sophia understands him every step of the way rewired my brain. I'm sure I will dig for more info on parts and ennegrams because that's who I am.
I really loved the cameos from the author's previous books (if you haven't read them, DO SO ASAP).
And I don't have words to describe Ethan as a father. The trip he takes with Jamie to heal their relationship touched my mummy soul. The app IS FUCKING EVERYTHING (IKYK).
This has been one of my top reads this year and I can't wait for Elodie's next book, since I am sure it will be another gem.
🪽 Workplace Romance 🪽 Billionaire 🪽 Single Dad 🪽 Grumpy x Sunshine 🪽 Mental Health Representation
Vivacity is basically Ethan’s emotional awakening, and Sophia is the patient, hilarious, steady queen who drags him there. Watching this icy, control-freak man finally melt? Iconic
Sophia is everything—she’s steady, sharp, and wonderfully self-assured. She brings this quiet humor to everything and honestly, I just adore her. She’s the kind of woman who could probably fix both your Wi-Fi and your trust issues in one afternoon.
And Ethan. Oh, Ethan. He starts off sealed tighter than a jar of pasta sauce but slowly, beautifully he lets the walls crumble. Their chemistry is ridiculous, their slow-burn push-and-pull had me eating the pages up.
And yes, the spice is spicing. (It’s Elodie Hart, she knows what she’s doing) But the true masterpiece here is Ethan’s growth: his healing, his tentative bond with his son and his realization that vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the bravest thing he can do. All while Sophia is his anchor, his mirror, his safe place.
Vivacity gave me everything: the chemistry, the humor, and the heart. 10/10
You know, when you read a @elodiehart book, you are not going to human. Dinner was not made, and problems were ignored, but damn my heart is full.
I have loved the alchemy series for longer then I can say, and then being introduced to the seraph series I was like no one will ever ever and I mean EVER beat Gabe & Athena i mean Athena was one of the most incredible fmc I've ever read, still is, however this pesky controlling 8 also known as Ethan just blew my damn mind.
This book is phenomenal, Ethan is controlled, hot AF and basically spends most of the book edging us all 🥵, and Sophia was the vivacious, insanely gorgeous free spirit, who truly could not have given me more fomo while getting railed by Ethan, that man plays her body to perfection.
She is hysterical and her inner monologue in one of my favorite parts about her, when during her first interview, she was like listen Bruh, 🤣🤣
This book is such a journey of, yes, incredible sexy times, but emotional relationships and healing all the parts of yourself I find the whole IFS so interesting.
I was so happy to be given the chance to read this ARC from the talented Elodie Hart, whom I thank so much. She’s one of my must-read authors and with Vivacity, she didn’t disappoint! AT ALL!
I loved this book from start to finish.
Sophia is one of my favorite FMC. She’s very self-centered, very sure of herself and isn’t afraid of speaking up, but at the same time she’s also time very empathetic!
And Ethan…. Dear Ethan! His journey was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read. The healing, both his and of his relationship with Jamie…. Absolutely amazing and close to my heart. And it was such a refreshing idea to put his journey as the heart of the story!
The writing is as always absolute perfection! And the spice….. dear lord the spice!!!! The interview scene was 🥵🔥!!! But this book is SO MUCH MORE!!!
At the end it’s one of my favorite book of the whole Alchemy/Seraph world! You shouldn’t miss it for the world!
I was absolutely thrilled to be part of the ARC team for this book—I've been counting down the days since I finished Duplicity. And let me tell you, this one did not disappoint.
The story was so good. Ethan, the tortured billionaire with a childhood full of trauma, and Sophia, the intelligent, beautiful, and deeply empathetic FMC, made for a compelling duo. I love a strong female lead, and Sophia delivered. Her unwavering support for Ethan—seeing past his temperamental (and sometimes downright mean) behavior without judgment, because she knew who he was underneath—was genuinely heartwarming.
One of the standout aspects for me was the book’s integration of therapy, psychological insights, and behavioural theory. I found those references fascinating and incredibly well done.
It was the perfect mix of funny (Sophia: “I'm sweating like the last cucumber in a women's prison, to be honest”), emotional, and hot as hell. Another absolute winner from Elodie!
Ethan does not disappoint In being a cold controlling jerk at the beginning. I absolutely loved Sophia, she is strong, knows her worth, doesn’t take any 💩 but at the same time is so calm and loving and smart. She is so smart. I liked the mental health aspect since it is such an issue for all of us. Ethan does make a turn around and I loved the relationship with his son and even his ex-wife. The side characters are great too and I love seeing the return of some of our past loved people like Bren, Marlowe and Athena. And of course the spice is 🔥! So happy to be on Elodie/Sara’s ARC team.
I was lucky enough to receive and ARC of this wonderful book by Elodie Hart.
This book is so beautifully written, as all of Elodie's books are. The emotional vulnerability of the characters was unmatched and I don't know if I have ever felt more seen in a book through the relationship of Ethan and his father.
As always the spice was spicy, but in the perfect way and hit at the perfect time to release the tension and emotion which in some parts became quite heavy.
Overall another knock out of the park from one of my favourites, it was beautiful, it was raw, it made my cry on the stairmaster - 100% recommend this emotionally charged and beautifully steamy romance 🩷🩷
never in my life have I wanted to attend someone else's therapy session and this book is an evangelical love letter to a type of therapy I have less than zero interest in. I only wish I could have realized that there was nothing in this book for me before I spent the time to read it.
I felt so privileged to get an ARC of this ahead of it's release. Going into it as a massive fan of Elodie's back catalogue I knew I was in for a good time, and boy did she deliver!
Ethan's story arc is beautifully done and opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about personality types and how we work/communicate based on our past experiences. The disclaimer at the start about the timeline for Ethan's journey was important to remember as I imagine his journey of self discovery and healing does take time in real life.
Soph was a fabulous character and I loved her warmth and energy, but for me this was Ethan's story and I devoured his chapters.
It wouldn't be an Elodie book without chefs kiss spicy scenes. Whilst not the kinkiest book she's done, I felt that these were some of the hottest spice scenes I had read in ages and had to have a breather after each one.
This book is a masterclass in storytelling. Full stop.
Well, not full stop but you get my intention with that statement — it’s pretty incredible. 😉
Yes, this book brings all the spice one would expect from an Elodie Hart book. And yes, the plot, surrounding FMC Sophie becoming a “full service” EA to MMC Ethan is as salacious and delicious as that short description eludes to. You’ll never want for heat from Elodie.
But what’s special and beautiful about this story is how immensely grounded it is in the healing journey Ethan goes on — doing the hard things to make himself a better dad, a better partner…a better man. Elodie expertly talks at length, through the narrative of the story and the vivid voices of her characters, about the psychology behind this healing, as well as about Enneagrams, something my friend Shanna introduced me to this year (hi, I’m a raging 3; thanks for asking). It’s FASCINATING and in the context of this story, wildly compelling.
As for the love story, these two begin as a business arrangement — but it’s clear how much deeper things go in short order. And once they agree there’s something more there, we get to witness a truly soul-deep connection form. All the while, Sophie doesn’t try to “fix” Ethan — he does that all on his own, largely motivated by the desire to repair his relationship with his teen son, Jamie. Sophie simply supports the work he’s doing for himself in the most gracious and beautiful way.
I could wax on about this book all day so I’ll just end with this — this story, like the rest the books I’ve read by this amazing author, will fascinate you and impact you emotionally as much as it will turn you on. It will stay with you long after you read it. And I just can’t wait for what’s to come.
Thank you, Elodie, for having me on your team and for this arc!
I think I need to step away from Elodie books for a while. I was obsessed with most of the books in the Alchemy series, which lead to reading this series, but I really didn’t love this series. This book dives so deep into business and therapy, and while that’s all very healthy, I just was so bored a lot of the time. It’s an Elodie Hart book though, so the spice is very spicy and abundant when not talking about business deals and daddy issues. There’s no third act breakup, which is amazing, but overall this book wasn’t for me. If this wasn’t the last book in the series and I wasn’t a completionist, I would have DNF’d it. Since this is the last book in the series, I don’t recommend reading it as a stand alone as all of the previous characters are involved. There is also a lot of involvement of characters from her other books (not Alchemy) in this one as well.
Wow! Thats the state I have been in since the start of reading this book. Just WOW. Firstly. I fully expected to see something happen in the book that would push one of the characters away from each other. Either Sophia would find she couldn’t handle something with Ethan any longer or Ethan would find that he was tired of Sophia pushing him into dealing with things he didn’t want to etc. Then they would realize they were meant for each other and end up back together, the end right?
INSTEAD, what we got was a beautifully confident, vivacious, intelligent (both emotionally/academically/socially just frickin smart ok!) FMC in Sophia. She took no shit, she didn’t belittle Ethan but instead found a way in to meet Ethan where he was and build upon that. She was powerful in all the right ways and I have to say I loved everything about her. She protected her own mental health while making sure to call Ethan out on his BS without being demeaning or hateful. The Seraph are not to be messed with in any way shape or form.
Ethan… oh Ethan. My heart broke for him in so, so many ways. I don’t think I have ever wanted to hug a MMC more so than Ethan. From the first interaction with his Dad I could almost start to feel the agony lingering beneath the surface for him. His character development was outstanding. The moments of brokenness from him, especially in a certain chapter that I wont spoil here, killed me. I mean TKO for real! Had to take a break ( not a long one though, I couldn’t stay away). I swear I could almost feel the pain radiating out of my iPad from not only Ethan but Jamie as well. I am so proud of the work Ethan did regarding his mental health.
While Elodi has given us a love story ( a very steamy and hot love story ) between Sophia and Ethan, she has also given us a story of parental and self redemption that is both realistic and heart breaking at the same time. I love that Ethan was able to grow in the ways that he did and grasp the true area he needed to focus on and put not only Jamie first but himself as well. I also love that Sophia is confident and secure enough in herself and their relationship to allow him the space to do it with no hesitation. She sees what he needs before he does and she only wants to help him be a better man and father. There is no pettiness or conditions with their love story, just truth, pain, growth and love…. And some really hot moments….
So here it is, plain and simple. I came for the spice, because hello it’s Elodi Heart… need I say more? But, I stayed for the beautiful redemption arc and story she weaved. 10 stars. I can’t wait to buy an official copy to put on my bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Elodie has outdone herself. This book is everything I didn’t know a spicy book needed. Full of heart and heat.
Philip is honestly the therapist we all need — calm, wise, and the kind of voice you wish you had in your corner. The whole book feels like so many worlds colliding.. between the Montagues and the Kingsleys, between Adult Ethan and his younger self.. and I adored all the easter eggs and crossover moments (Alchemy Cross cameo = perfection).
The character arcs here are so powerful. As someone who’s been through a lot of therapy, Sophia’s words of compassion and understanding hit me hard. Some passages didn’t just read like fiction — they felt like reassurance I needed in real life.
My heart completely broke for Jamie, and then even more for Ethan. Ethan is beyond the idea of a “book boyfriend” — he feels real, layered, messy, and achingly human. Charles Montague deserves a special mention too; his scene in Chipping Norton with Ethan and Miles had me with a lump in my throat and actual tears in my eyes.
Vivacity doesn’t shy away from showing raw trauma, but it does so with honesty and compassion. It’s messy, it’s painful, but it’s also healing and seriously hot. This book reminded me why I love stories that go deeper than romance and spice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was gifted this ARC from Ms. Elodie Hart. Vivacity is book 3 in the Seraph series and is set to release on Oct 16, 2025. This book was definitely a bit different from past Elodie novels. I will say it was quite business merger and mental health revelation heavy, which I found lasted longer at times than I liked. But, and this is a big BUT the spice was fucking hot. Elodie NEVER disappoints. Sophia is an EA for Seraph and Ethan is burning through EA’s faster than a virgin in a whore house. Until Sophia waltzes into the room. She’s his prize and he’s determined to have her. She soon finds he is emotionally stunted with a ginormous pipe. So she sticks around, his steel rod out weighs the emotional constipation. He soon finds she is the perfect insight into his childhood trauma and she helps him through it. The father/son relationship Ethan has with his son really takes a beautiful turn & you just can’t help falling in love with him.