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Sound of Silence #3
Hothouse Flower
I loved Jace Faraday with all my heart. I loved everything about him, from his huge smile to his fabulous laugh. Another man never caught my eye. It was always Jace and Shay, together forever.
Until it wasn’t.
He devastated me, he ruined me. I’ve never gotten over it.
But, I’m a survivor. I’m not a precious flower that can only thrive if kept safe from the perils of the outside world.
Except now Jace has returned home. He’s just across the street from me, so close I swear I can actually feel his presence.
I can’t avoid him forever. At some point I have to face him. And when I do, I know sparks will fly.
To redeem himself for his past actions, I need major remorse. I need a profuse apology and maybe even a little begging for forgiveness. I won’t settle for anything less.
However, when the truth behind our break-up is revealed, I’m stunned. It leaves me reeling—and yearning for the six years that have been lost to us.
The thing is, once the truth is known, there’s nothing to keep us apart.
Absolutely nothing.
(Dear Reader: This book deals with a sensitive issue.)
Until it wasn’t.
He devastated me, he ruined me. I’ve never gotten over it.
But, I’m a survivor. I’m not a precious flower that can only thrive if kept safe from the perils of the outside world.
Except now Jace has returned home. He’s just across the street from me, so close I swear I can actually feel his presence.
I can’t avoid him forever. At some point I have to face him. And when I do, I know sparks will fly.
To redeem himself for his past actions, I need major remorse. I need a profuse apology and maybe even a little begging for forgiveness. I won’t settle for anything less.
However, when the truth behind our break-up is revealed, I’m stunned. It leaves me reeling—and yearning for the six years that have been lost to us.
The thing is, once the truth is known, there’s nothing to keep us apart.
Absolutely nothing.
(Dear Reader: This book deals with a sensitive issue.)
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
About the author
Taylor Dean
20 books749 followersTaylor Dean/Lee Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up. Taylor has also jumped into the magical world of children’s books as Lee Taylor Dean, making one more dream into a reality.
Connect with Taylor on her website: www.taylordeanbooks.com
Connect with Taylor on her website: www.taylordeanbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 25, 2018
4.5 Stars
If you read my review for book two in this series, Jailbird, then you'll know that this is a series you must read in order. All the same characters appear throughout all three books and get their own stories. I've come to love these characters. Their struggles and heartaches and redemption and growth and change and everything are very well written.
I will start by saying that the bottom of the synopsis for this book says, (Dear Reader: This book deals with a sensitive issue.) And it does. I feel like telling you what that is will ruin the build up that was started with book one. This is Shay and Jace's story. From book one you know that these two were inseparable. You know that they are meant to be together. Yet for some unknown reason things didn't end well. Nobody knows why. Shay left for school somewhere else than going as planned with Jace. She married and divorced and has a little daughter. 6 years has come and gone from when they broke up. Shay moved home with her mother and runs a bakery. She has waited for years for Jace and an explanation. The moment arrives when Jace finally comes home to help care for his mother who is fighting cancer.
Let me tell you from the get go of these two first seeing each other again, it is all sparks. They definitely belong together but there is a big ol' major hesitation on Shay's life. She and Jace were childhood friends and high school sweethearts and have been in love with each other for forever. They know each other very well and each other's lives very well. So to say that some of her reservations have come from her life, would be very accurate. She was married and that didn't end well. She isn't going to go blindly into a relationship with Jace. She isn't going to let her emotions and this constant pull and need to be with him blind her to what she knows. If there is to be any hope he must come forward and explain. Otherwise it's over.
Talk about perceptions not always being what you think. Lots of little things become revealed through conversations between Jace and Shay and bit by bit the truth of everything is revealed. Shay's broken marriage, Jace's life in New York. Why the break up, why the silence. Everything is not as it seemed but the truth can bring its own set of hurt and regret. Are Jace and Shay willing to work through the past and understand each other? If they can, the love they never lost is still there building and ready to burst.
But there's a big thing between them. If you want to know I'm going to put it very vague into a spoiler tag in the content section. If you don't want to know don't open the spoiler tag. I will say that it is a sensitive issue but the way the author handled it was very well done. I think most readers will be fine reading this, especially as I said with how the author handled it. I loved Jace and Shay and how they both reacted to the revelations they shared. It showed that love and redemption is real and possible no matter what happens. That love helps heal wounds. I loved the ending and how everything was wrapped up with all the different characters and the sensitive issue. Great series (or I should probably call it a trilogy) and characters that I absolutely fell in love with.
Content: Clean
I received a review copy from ebooksforreview. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
If you read my review for book two in this series, Jailbird, then you'll know that this is a series you must read in order. All the same characters appear throughout all three books and get their own stories. I've come to love these characters. Their struggles and heartaches and redemption and growth and change and everything are very well written.
I will start by saying that the bottom of the synopsis for this book says, (Dear Reader: This book deals with a sensitive issue.) And it does. I feel like telling you what that is will ruin the build up that was started with book one. This is Shay and Jace's story. From book one you know that these two were inseparable. You know that they are meant to be together. Yet for some unknown reason things didn't end well. Nobody knows why. Shay left for school somewhere else than going as planned with Jace. She married and divorced and has a little daughter. 6 years has come and gone from when they broke up. Shay moved home with her mother and runs a bakery. She has waited for years for Jace and an explanation. The moment arrives when Jace finally comes home to help care for his mother who is fighting cancer.
Let me tell you from the get go of these two first seeing each other again, it is all sparks. They definitely belong together but there is a big ol' major hesitation on Shay's life. She and Jace were childhood friends and high school sweethearts and have been in love with each other for forever. They know each other very well and each other's lives very well. So to say that some of her reservations have come from her life, would be very accurate. She was married and that didn't end well. She isn't going to go blindly into a relationship with Jace. She isn't going to let her emotions and this constant pull and need to be with him blind her to what she knows. If there is to be any hope he must come forward and explain. Otherwise it's over.
Talk about perceptions not always being what you think. Lots of little things become revealed through conversations between Jace and Shay and bit by bit the truth of everything is revealed. Shay's broken marriage, Jace's life in New York. Why the break up, why the silence. Everything is not as it seemed but the truth can bring its own set of hurt and regret. Are Jace and Shay willing to work through the past and understand each other? If they can, the love they never lost is still there building and ready to burst.
But there's a big thing between them. If you want to know I'm going to put it very vague into a spoiler tag in the content section. If you don't want to know don't open the spoiler tag. I will say that it is a sensitive issue but the way the author handled it was very well done. I think most readers will be fine reading this, especially as I said with how the author handled it. I loved Jace and Shay and how they both reacted to the revelations they shared. It showed that love and redemption is real and possible no matter what happens. That love helps heal wounds. I loved the ending and how everything was wrapped up with all the different characters and the sensitive issue. Great series (or I should probably call it a trilogy) and characters that I absolutely fell in love with.
Content: Clean
I received a review copy from ebooksforreview. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
October 14, 2019
This is third in a series, but relatively independent. You don't need to have read the others for the full impact of the main story. But there is lots of family cruft built up around them both and I highly recommend reading in order, anyway.
This isn't really a romance. They're already in love at the start of the story, they just have a huge misunderstanding in their way. Which really sucks because the entire first half is a case of "have the conversation, already!" Shay dithers and prevaricates because she has some notion that if the conversation isn't started by him, it won't be sincere. This is the kind of stupid nonsense that urges women to approach relationship issues obliquely in order to prove that her man "gets" her or is paying attention. Like, if he can't bring it up on his own, that means he doesn't really mean it and is just trying to appease her. It's sexist crap is what I'm saying and I hated that we spend half the freaking story wallowing in it.
And then another 15% waiting for Jace to get to the details after a stupid interruption that breaks up "the conversation" once it happens. I don't know if someone gave the fantastically bad advice that the scene was getting long on exposition and story-telling (they were rehashing their past, after all) so she should break it up or if it was her own idea to prolong the idiocy, but it draws out way past my patience.
I hate to admit that I kept reading that first half because I wanted to mark how long it takes Dean to get to the crucial conversation and I had full plans to dnf at that point. But the eventual reveal was an interesting take on a critical issue and I became engrossed in that issue after that point. It's very seldom that you hear about . I wish I could say that Dean does a stellar job with the fallout of what we learn, but that's just not the case. I'd say she does adequately. I think both protagonists are a little too quick to get over their emotional/mental damage and a little too ideal in their responses during some key moments. Shay, in particular, goes from immature idiot who can't have a conversation, to too-mature stability and careful nurturer in no time at all.
Also, Dean wraps up both emotionally heavy issues in this story awfully ideally for my taste. Irene's pancreatic cancer, which has a miserable survival rate (under 10%) is miraculously the survivable kind and this outcome just didn't feel organic at all. A note in the forward makes it clear that this is absolutely authorial wish-fulfillment and I really wish I hadn't known that. The epilogue with the final closure on the emotional reveal above was less-obviously authorial fiat, but still felt a bit pat to me.
Anyway, I'm rounding my 2½ stars up for the issue and for doing adequately with it. And yes, this is a generous rounding because that first half was paaaaainfulll.
A note about Missing Faith: Yeah, this one has a problem with missing faith. There's literally no reason for them to be hesitating with physical intimacy but it's only really relevant for a single scene (because of a time-jump by the author). I had hope after the second book handled it seamlessly, but apparently that was premature.
A note about Chaste: There's a morning scene post-wedding but there's no direct mention of sex or of anything more intimate than their enjoyment of being close. I call it very chaste, still, but some may quibble.
This isn't really a romance. They're already in love at the start of the story, they just have a huge misunderstanding in their way. Which really sucks because the entire first half is a case of "have the conversation, already!" Shay dithers and prevaricates because she has some notion that if the conversation isn't started by him, it won't be sincere. This is the kind of stupid nonsense that urges women to approach relationship issues obliquely in order to prove that her man "gets" her or is paying attention. Like, if he can't bring it up on his own, that means he doesn't really mean it and is just trying to appease her. It's sexist crap is what I'm saying and I hated that we spend half the freaking story wallowing in it.
And then another 15% waiting for Jace to get to the details after a stupid interruption that breaks up "the conversation" once it happens. I don't know if someone gave the fantastically bad advice that the scene was getting long on exposition and story-telling (they were rehashing their past, after all) so she should break it up or if it was her own idea to prolong the idiocy, but it draws out way past my patience.
I hate to admit that I kept reading that first half because I wanted to mark how long it takes Dean to get to the crucial conversation and I had full plans to dnf at that point. But the eventual reveal was an interesting take on a critical issue and I became engrossed in that issue after that point. It's very seldom that you hear about . I wish I could say that Dean does a stellar job with the fallout of what we learn, but that's just not the case. I'd say she does adequately. I think both protagonists are a little too quick to get over their emotional/mental damage and a little too ideal in their responses during some key moments. Shay, in particular, goes from immature idiot who can't have a conversation, to too-mature stability and careful nurturer in no time at all.
Also, Dean wraps up both emotionally heavy issues in this story awfully ideally for my taste. Irene's pancreatic cancer, which has a miserable survival rate (under 10%) is miraculously the survivable kind and this outcome just didn't feel organic at all. A note in the forward makes it clear that this is absolutely authorial wish-fulfillment and I really wish I hadn't known that. The epilogue with the final closure on the emotional reveal above was less-obviously authorial fiat, but still felt a bit pat to me.
Anyway, I'm rounding my 2½ stars up for the issue and for doing adequately with it. And yes, this is a generous rounding because that first half was paaaaainfulll.
A note about Missing Faith: Yeah, this one has a problem with missing faith. There's literally no reason for them to be hesitating with physical intimacy but it's only really relevant for a single scene (because of a time-jump by the author). I had hope after the second book handled it seamlessly, but apparently that was premature.
A note about Chaste: There's a morning scene post-wedding but there's no direct mention of sex or of anything more intimate than their enjoyment of being close. I call it very chaste, still, but some may quibble.
January 20, 2019
January 2019:
It says a lot about an author when they can suck me in over and over and over again each time I reread one of their books. I devoured this series in a couple of days and I still LOVE it! I'm looking forward to rereading it again... probably next year... ;)
March 2018:
*dreamy sigh* I can't express how much I LOVE this series! It is SO good! Shay and Jace's story is the perfect ending to an AMAZING series! I can already tell you that I will definitely be reading these books over and over and over again!
January 2018:
Shay and Jace, Jace and Shay. They have loved each other all their lives. They had their whole life together planned out. They had their hopes and dreams. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that they would live happily ever after.
But sometimes life has a way of knocking you off your perfectly planned out path. No one ever saw it coming. Devastated and broken, they do their best to live their lives apart and try to move on.
Six years. It has been six years since the last time they saw each other. Six years since Jace broke her. And now he's moving back home to help out his Mom. He'll be right across the street from her and there's no way she'll be able to avoid him. One look at him and she knows she's in trouble. She still desperately loves him and probably always will. If only he'd apologize for his actions, beg for her forgiveness, confess that he still loves her too. Maybe, just maybe they'd still have a chance.
But beware, things aren't always what they seem. Life may have knocked them off their path, but fate has a way of bringing them back together. Time. They have lost so much time. It has been stolen from them and they are never going to be able to get it back. But that just means they will have to treasure all of their time together.
They have a long road ahead of them and it's not going to be easy. But as long as they are together, they can weather any storm. They have been ripped apart once, but their love has brought them back together.
Shay and Jace, Jace and Shay. Together Forever. There is nothing in this world that can tear them apart again. Their love for each other grows stronger every day. And they will live happily ever after.
*dreamy sigh*
All I can say is wow! Just WOW! Once I started this book, I could not put it down! I devoured it in one sitting! I have been dying to read Shay and Jace's story since Stone Silence and I am happy to announce that it was worth the wait!
Oh how I love these two! They are perfect for each other! I fell in love with Jace from their first meeting after 6 years! And the way he took to little Brit melted my heart and had me rooting for their HEA! SO adorable!
I do have to admit that I was a little hesitant to read this book because of the sensitive issue warning. But I should have known I had nothing to worry about. This IS a Taylor Dean book after all. She does an amazing job of touching on sensitive subjects and bringing awareness to it without it taking away from the rest of the story.
I'm not going to lie.. I'm kind of sad that this series is over! It is such an amazing series and one that I encourage everyone to read! I know for a fact that I will be reading these books over and over and over again!
Ms. Dean is an amazing author! She has been on my favorite authors list from the first book of hers I ever read. If you haven't read any of her books then you are definitely missing out! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!
And of course I cannot forget my casting! I absolutely LOVE these two! What do you think?!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*
Nominated for a 2018 Swoony Award, vote here http://bit.ly/2CWYB9U
It says a lot about an author when they can suck me in over and over and over again each time I reread one of their books. I devoured this series in a couple of days and I still LOVE it! I'm looking forward to rereading it again... probably next year... ;)
March 2018:
*dreamy sigh* I can't express how much I LOVE this series! It is SO good! Shay and Jace's story is the perfect ending to an AMAZING series! I can already tell you that I will definitely be reading these books over and over and over again!
January 2018:
Shay and Jace, Jace and Shay. They have loved each other all their lives. They had their whole life together planned out. They had their hopes and dreams. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that they would live happily ever after.
But sometimes life has a way of knocking you off your perfectly planned out path. No one ever saw it coming. Devastated and broken, they do their best to live their lives apart and try to move on.
Six years. It has been six years since the last time they saw each other. Six years since Jace broke her. And now he's moving back home to help out his Mom. He'll be right across the street from her and there's no way she'll be able to avoid him. One look at him and she knows she's in trouble. She still desperately loves him and probably always will. If only he'd apologize for his actions, beg for her forgiveness, confess that he still loves her too. Maybe, just maybe they'd still have a chance.
But beware, things aren't always what they seem. Life may have knocked them off their path, but fate has a way of bringing them back together. Time. They have lost so much time. It has been stolen from them and they are never going to be able to get it back. But that just means they will have to treasure all of their time together.
They have a long road ahead of them and it's not going to be easy. But as long as they are together, they can weather any storm. They have been ripped apart once, but their love has brought them back together.
Shay and Jace, Jace and Shay. Together Forever. There is nothing in this world that can tear them apart again. Their love for each other grows stronger every day. And they will live happily ever after.
*dreamy sigh*
All I can say is wow! Just WOW! Once I started this book, I could not put it down! I devoured it in one sitting! I have been dying to read Shay and Jace's story since Stone Silence and I am happy to announce that it was worth the wait!
Oh how I love these two! They are perfect for each other! I fell in love with Jace from their first meeting after 6 years! And the way he took to little Brit melted my heart and had me rooting for their HEA! SO adorable!
I do have to admit that I was a little hesitant to read this book because of the sensitive issue warning. But I should have known I had nothing to worry about. This IS a Taylor Dean book after all. She does an amazing job of touching on sensitive subjects and bringing awareness to it without it taking away from the rest of the story.
I'm not going to lie.. I'm kind of sad that this series is over! It is such an amazing series and one that I encourage everyone to read! I know for a fact that I will be reading these books over and over and over again!
Ms. Dean is an amazing author! She has been on my favorite authors list from the first book of hers I ever read. If you haven't read any of her books then you are definitely missing out! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!
And of course I cannot forget my casting! I absolutely LOVE these two! What do you think?!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*
Nominated for a 2018 Swoony Award, vote here http://bit.ly/2CWYB9U
February 5, 2018
Read this series in order!
Jace and Shay. They were made for each other but a mistake in the past drove the apart. I've been wondering about this relationship from the time it was first mentioned in Book 1, because that right there literally broke my heart in two. Lucky for me, Taylor Dean believes in second chances and I knew this was going to be a great story from the very first page. And boy, oh, boy--I wasn't wrong!
I'm just going to say it right here--there is a very sensitive issue that presents itself in this book, but it's handled in a very real and tasteful way. I loved that Jace and Shay handled it together, especially once they worked out their major misunderstanding.
The emotions are overflowing in this story, in many different ways, and I was completely invested from start to finish. One thing that really amazes me about this author is her ability to write about realistic and difficult situations, character reactions and ways they deal with things, and content with the potential to be depressing, but the feel isn't a downer at all--everything about the story brings hope and inspiration and doesn't drag me down to the dumps. That right there is sincere talent. Taylor Dean--you have a new die-hard fan!
Content: mild+ romance (swoony, hard, modern issue content with no graphic details), which ties into mild+ violence (same--no graphic details).
Jace and Shay. They were made for each other but a mistake in the past drove the apart. I've been wondering about this relationship from the time it was first mentioned in Book 1, because that right there literally broke my heart in two. Lucky for me, Taylor Dean believes in second chances and I knew this was going to be a great story from the very first page. And boy, oh, boy--I wasn't wrong!
I'm just going to say it right here--there is a very sensitive issue that presents itself in this book, but it's handled in a very real and tasteful way. I loved that Jace and Shay handled it together, especially once they worked out their major misunderstanding.
The emotions are overflowing in this story, in many different ways, and I was completely invested from start to finish. One thing that really amazes me about this author is her ability to write about realistic and difficult situations, character reactions and ways they deal with things, and content with the potential to be depressing, but the feel isn't a downer at all--everything about the story brings hope and inspiration and doesn't drag me down to the dumps. That right there is sincere talent. Taylor Dean--you have a new die-hard fan!
Content: mild+ romance (swoony, hard, modern issue content with no graphic details), which ties into mild+ violence (same--no graphic details).
January 1, 2018
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this series. Getting to this last book in the series is bitter sweet. Bitter to think I'm at the end but ever so sweet to read Shay's story. The people in these books have become familiar to me. I feel that I'm a part of them and that is exactly what I look for as a reader- a real connection to the characters, real emotion. You cannot have a heart and not feel something reading these books.
Jace and Shay have a history. A very powerful, love-filled history. Then things changed and life moved on. But now? Jace is back home and Shay is filled with mixed emotions while Jace seems to be on the pursuit.
I found this whole book terribly romantic. I love second chance at first love stories and this one just might be one of my favorites. My heart was so filled with emotions! I was confused, frustrated, hopeful and my tummy was filled with butterflies as Jace and Shay reconnect and reconcile. Yup, it's love from me for this book. Lots and lots of love.
If you haven't started this series yet, now is a good time. The first book, Stone Silence is FREE on Amazon starting today. It was my favorite of the whole series, even though I loved all three. AND if you haven't ever read anything by Taylor Dean, you REALLY need to. I promise you won't regret it.
Content: This book deals with a very sensitive issue and there are some details explained, after the fact, regarding it that may be tough for some readers. Kissing.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jace and Shay have a history. A very powerful, love-filled history. Then things changed and life moved on. But now? Jace is back home and Shay is filled with mixed emotions while Jace seems to be on the pursuit.
I found this whole book terribly romantic. I love second chance at first love stories and this one just might be one of my favorites. My heart was so filled with emotions! I was confused, frustrated, hopeful and my tummy was filled with butterflies as Jace and Shay reconnect and reconcile. Yup, it's love from me for this book. Lots and lots of love.
If you haven't started this series yet, now is a good time. The first book, Stone Silence is FREE on Amazon starting today. It was my favorite of the whole series, even though I loved all three. AND if you haven't ever read anything by Taylor Dean, you REALLY need to. I promise you won't regret it.
Content: This book deals with a very sensitive issue and there are some details explained, after the fact, regarding it that may be tough for some readers. Kissing.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 24, 2023
May 2023 - I just re-read this series. I loved seeing the characters from all 3 books interact with each other. I kinda want Blake to get his own story so this series can continue...
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I have loved the first two books in this series and could not wait to read this book! I feel like I've been waiting a long time for Jace and Shay's story (but it's really only been two months)! I love second chance stories and this was a really well written one! Jace and Shay are both lovable right away. When you find out what has separated them all these years, your heart breaks for the years that were stolen from them - but then it made the HEA that much sweeter!
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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I have loved the first two books in this series and could not wait to read this book! I feel like I've been waiting a long time for Jace and Shay's story (but it's really only been two months)! I love second chance stories and this was a really well written one! Jace and Shay are both lovable right away. When you find out what has separated them all these years, your heart breaks for the years that were stolen from them - but then it made the HEA that much sweeter!
Source: Kindle Unlimited
March 18, 2020
This series has ALL THE FEELS! I love the emotion and passion the characters feel and how the author draws me into their world. As soon as I finished Hothouse Flower I went back and re-read the first book in the series, Stone Silence. I gave each book in the series 5 stars and I recommend reading them in order.
I thought I knew what this book would be about, but the author managed to surprise me and incorporated a twist that was completely unexpected and brought a sense of vulnerability and determination. Shay has a difficult past that has given her trust issues, and having Jace back in her life since they are now connected by siblings' marriages has her repressed and unresolved emotions in upheaval. Jace has his own secrets, but I admired how upfront he is with Shay about his feelings for her. There is plenty of tension and angst as they learn to communicate again and the difficult past and secrets come to light, and the chemistry between them is both sweet and strong. It was wonderful to see them come together like puzzle pieces once there is nothing more coming between them, and the way they supported and fought for each other.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I thought I knew what this book would be about, but the author managed to surprise me and incorporated a twist that was completely unexpected and brought a sense of vulnerability and determination. Shay has a difficult past that has given her trust issues, and having Jace back in her life since they are now connected by siblings' marriages has her repressed and unresolved emotions in upheaval. Jace has his own secrets, but I admired how upfront he is with Shay about his feelings for her. There is plenty of tension and angst as they learn to communicate again and the difficult past and secrets come to light, and the chemistry between them is both sweet and strong. It was wonderful to see them come together like puzzle pieces once there is nothing more coming between them, and the way they supported and fought for each other.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
December 15, 2017
5 Hot burning bright STARS!!! This is Shay’s story. She’s been the quiet girl in the background in the other two books, but now it’s her turn. Her former love and childhood sweetheart, Jace, left six years ago and has never spoken to her in all that time. But he’s back in Sweetwater to help take care of his sick mother. Since they live right across the street from each other, she’s going to run into him. That’s a fact. The question is, what will she do when she sees him again since she’s never stopped loving him?
This book kept me in suspense for a deliciously long time as Shay and Jace reunited and tried to pick up the pieces of their shattered hearts. Six years have changed both of them, but they have to come to a closure and see if they can make their relationship work again. But what keeps them apart is a secret Jace has that Shay believes she knows. Until he can be honest with her about it, she refuses to give him her heart again. But the secret isn’t what she expects.
This story has quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming, but it made for a unique love story with a sensitive, hardly-talked about theme that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love how Dean throws in bizarre circumstances in her stories to make the reader think outside the box. I love the vicarious experiences she allows me to live through her characters. This was an amazing conclusion to an awesome series. I can’t say enough good about these books!!!!
This book kept me in suspense for a deliciously long time as Shay and Jace reunited and tried to pick up the pieces of their shattered hearts. Six years have changed both of them, but they have to come to a closure and see if they can make their relationship work again. But what keeps them apart is a secret Jace has that Shay believes she knows. Until he can be honest with her about it, she refuses to give him her heart again. But the secret isn’t what she expects.
This story has quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming, but it made for a unique love story with a sensitive, hardly-talked about theme that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love how Dean throws in bizarre circumstances in her stories to make the reader think outside the box. I love the vicarious experiences she allows me to live through her characters. This was an amazing conclusion to an awesome series. I can’t say enough good about these books!!!!
February 6, 2018
In Hothouse Flower, you definitely feel the love Jace & Shay has for each other. Six years apart has not lessened that love and has been hard on both of them. When they are brought together again their same pattern of loving banter returns easily.
But the years apart and something else keeps getting in the way. Neither is willing to bring up what happened six years ago. When they do finally start to talk about what happened, I had an idea but my idea wasn't it. It kind of threw me for a loop. Wasn't expecting that!
I love their huge family and all the drama, love, humor and quirkiness, laughter, perfections, imperfections in this story!
If you like weddings, kicking cancer, children, gluten free, sugar free food, trauma, forgiving, loving and living then this might be for you.
But the years apart and something else keeps getting in the way. Neither is willing to bring up what happened six years ago. When they do finally start to talk about what happened, I had an idea but my idea wasn't it. It kind of threw me for a loop. Wasn't expecting that!
I love their huge family and all the drama, love, humor and quirkiness, laughter, perfections, imperfections in this story!
If you like weddings, kicking cancer, children, gluten free, sugar free food, trauma, forgiving, loving and living then this might be for you.
January 25, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this sweet romance. It was more bittersweet than most. Second chance romances are like that sometimes. That’s why they aren’t my favorite romance genre. There’s always some miscommunication that didn’t need to happen, that stole years from them. The characters acknowledge that but also are just extremely happy to finally be together. I was 100% convinced they would be blissfully happy.
The misunderstanding was entirely plausible. The only thing that was a stretch was that the FMC never confronted him about it after all they had been through and how close they had been. As for the MMC, I think he would have had more resentment and feelings of betrayal at the way she left things, but he didn’t seem to harbor any of those natural emotions when they saw each other again. So in that way it was sort of contrived.
And although the separation and resulting heart ache was in the past by the time this book started, it still made me kinda sad.
Thankfully, they came clean with each other relatively soon in the book, so the stringing out of the misunderstanding wasn’t too torturous to read.
I loved the healthy and loving extended family dynamics, the focus on family life, the celebration of fatherhood and motherhood. It was all very tender, romantic, loving, and heart warming.
The way everyone was related was a lot to grasp since I never read Book 2, so referring to this occasionally helped me:
Shay (Jace) & Stony (Spencer) are sis/bro
Spencer (Stony) & Grayson (Mia) are sis/bro
Mia (Grayson) & Jace (Shay) are sis/bro
Content-
Language- no swearing
Spice- no spice or sex scenes. Some sweet kisses.
POV- the FMC, Shay
Cover- I actually don’t like it
I read this on KU
How I rated the series-
Stone Silence - 5 stars
Jailbird- decided not to read this one
Hothouse Flower - 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this sweet romance. It was more bittersweet than most. Second chance romances are like that sometimes. That’s why they aren’t my favorite romance genre. There’s always some miscommunication that didn’t need to happen, that stole years from them. The characters acknowledge that but also are just extremely happy to finally be together. I was 100% convinced they would be blissfully happy.
The misunderstanding was entirely plausible. The only thing that was a stretch was that the FMC never confronted him about it after all they had been through and how close they had been. As for the MMC, I think he would have had more resentment and feelings of betrayal at the way she left things, but he didn’t seem to harbor any of those natural emotions when they saw each other again. So in that way it was sort of contrived.
And although the separation and resulting heart ache was in the past by the time this book started, it still made me kinda sad.
Thankfully, they came clean with each other relatively soon in the book, so the stringing out of the misunderstanding wasn’t too torturous to read.
I loved the healthy and loving extended family dynamics, the focus on family life, the celebration of fatherhood and motherhood. It was all very tender, romantic, loving, and heart warming.
The way everyone was related was a lot to grasp since I never read Book 2, so referring to this occasionally helped me:
Shay (Jace) & Stony (Spencer) are sis/bro
Spencer (Stony) & Grayson (Mia) are sis/bro
Mia (Grayson) & Jace (Shay) are sis/bro
Content-
Language- no swearing
Spice- no spice or sex scenes. Some sweet kisses.
POV- the FMC, Shay
Cover- I actually don’t like it
I read this on KU
How I rated the series-
Stone Silence - 5 stars
Jailbird- decided not to read this one
Hothouse Flower - 3.5 stars
June 22, 2019
Okay, so my first experience with this writer was my previous read. I liked the style well enough to chance another of her books - with a less positive result, unfortunately.
The heroine here - and by virtue, in my opinion, the writer - comes off as judgy and holier-than-thou. She's also pushy and disrespectful of personal boundaries. I noticed a little of this in the first book but dismissed it as particular to the character. Apparently not.
When it comes to certain choices people make - including what they eat, or if they drink or smoke - romantic fiction writers in particular need to remain neutral and not use their books as a forum to express their disapproval of someone's 'lifestyle.' It alienates readers and some even find it offensive. Because of this attitude and the 'no sex outside marriage' thing in both stories I've read, I have a suspicion that this writer is Christian without specifically identifying as such. As an agnostic with no interest or RIGHT to judge a person's 'lifestyle,' choices, I take offense to the attitudes espoused by the heroine in this book.
And also, the heroine was thick as a stump. We have a 'Mary Sue' type hero, Jace, who is utterly devoted to Shay, who he is going to marry. He has never shown ANY interest in another woman. He also never, ever drinks alcohol, because apparently, alcohol is the root of all evil, don't you know 🙄.
Anyway...
Shay decides to surprise Jace one weekend at uni, and finds a sketchy woman in his room. She also finds Jace passed out naked on his bed, apparently drunk. She loses her mind that this guy has a secret lifestyle and now believes he has drunk hookups on the regular, and somehow decides he's actually an alchie, as well, because his dad was and blah, blah.
She leaves him!
Someone merely passed out drunk can be roused. But when they won't wake and have vomited, are ashen and sweating and their breaths are laboured, you CALL the bloody EMT's! You don't LEAVE them!
Not only did she leave him, she never checked on his welfare before she ran halfway across the country and - get this - married someone else...and had his kid.
If nothing else, Jace had acute alcohol poisoning and could have died, and she would have never known because she was all butt-hurt without questioning ONE TIME what she was seeing!
Untrusting, much?
And then, after all her epic fails as a decent, sane person, she had the balls to wonder why HE never came after HER?
As if.
Aye, a real cow, that Shay.
The truth was way worse for Jace, because he was innocent of everything, even being drunk. But the chance to tell a unique, moving story was ruined by the bland, too-perfect hero and the unlikability of a stubborn and stupid woman - who got off far too easily for being such a gobshite.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I'm not giving this writer a third chance to prove to me she's not for me.
It's written well, so 1.5 stars.
The heroine here - and by virtue, in my opinion, the writer - comes off as judgy and holier-than-thou. She's also pushy and disrespectful of personal boundaries. I noticed a little of this in the first book but dismissed it as particular to the character. Apparently not.
When it comes to certain choices people make - including what they eat, or if they drink or smoke - romantic fiction writers in particular need to remain neutral and not use their books as a forum to express their disapproval of someone's 'lifestyle.' It alienates readers and some even find it offensive. Because of this attitude and the 'no sex outside marriage' thing in both stories I've read, I have a suspicion that this writer is Christian without specifically identifying as such. As an agnostic with no interest or RIGHT to judge a person's 'lifestyle,' choices, I take offense to the attitudes espoused by the heroine in this book.
And also, the heroine was thick as a stump. We have a 'Mary Sue' type hero, Jace, who is utterly devoted to Shay, who he is going to marry. He has never shown ANY interest in another woman. He also never, ever drinks alcohol, because apparently, alcohol is the root of all evil, don't you know 🙄.
Anyway...
Shay decides to surprise Jace one weekend at uni, and finds a sketchy woman in his room. She also finds Jace passed out naked on his bed, apparently drunk. She loses her mind that this guy has a secret lifestyle and now believes he has drunk hookups on the regular, and somehow decides he's actually an alchie, as well, because his dad was and blah, blah.
She leaves him!
Someone merely passed out drunk can be roused. But when they won't wake and have vomited, are ashen and sweating and their breaths are laboured, you CALL the bloody EMT's! You don't LEAVE them!
Not only did she leave him, she never checked on his welfare before she ran halfway across the country and - get this - married someone else...and had his kid.
If nothing else, Jace had acute alcohol poisoning and could have died, and she would have never known because she was all butt-hurt without questioning ONE TIME what she was seeing!
Untrusting, much?
And then, after all her epic fails as a decent, sane person, she had the balls to wonder why HE never came after HER?
As if.
Aye, a real cow, that Shay.
The truth was way worse for Jace, because he was innocent of everything, even being drunk. But the chance to tell a unique, moving story was ruined by the bland, too-perfect hero and the unlikability of a stubborn and stupid woman - who got off far too easily for being such a gobshite.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I'm not giving this writer a third chance to prove to me she's not for me.
It's written well, so 1.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2018
This book was quite different to what I was expecting. You basically run the whole gamut of emotion with this one. There is a lead up to this novel with both of the previous ones so you really should make sure you read the first two books of this series first (which you won’t be disappointed with) especially since you get to catch up with all of the characters from the previous books & see how life has turned out for them.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there is one area of caution I feel should be made known:
The content of this book is clean but there is reference to drug-facilitated sexual assault which may be disturbing for any one who has had experiences relating to this. Personally, I think the author made it non-confronting & dealt with it tactfully & gently. Having said this I have never had any personal experience dealing with this kind of assault. It was gratifying to see the outcomes both legally & emotionally for the characters involved in this story.
Overall, this is a “love conquers all” with a feel good ending/new beginnings kind of story. I have truly enjoyed the books in this series & I can happily recommend each of them. I would actually love to read more - perhaps Blake can now have his own story... he’s a quiet one but I can imagine his story will be worth the read.
I received my copy free in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there is one area of caution I feel should be made known:
The content of this book is clean but there is reference to drug-facilitated sexual assault which may be disturbing for any one who has had experiences relating to this. Personally, I think the author made it non-confronting & dealt with it tactfully & gently. Having said this I have never had any personal experience dealing with this kind of assault. It was gratifying to see the outcomes both legally & emotionally for the characters involved in this story.
Overall, this is a “love conquers all” with a feel good ending/new beginnings kind of story. I have truly enjoyed the books in this series & I can happily recommend each of them. I would actually love to read more - perhaps Blake can now have his own story... he’s a quiet one but I can imagine his story will be worth the read.
I received my copy free in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
I have read this book a couple of times, and each time lost myself in the pages of this compelling read. Dean has a way of drawing me in, and making me not want to put this book down.
I think this one is probably my favorite one out of the series, because I have been intrigued by Shay and what happened to her and Jace since we got a glimpse in the previous books.
This book does an excellent job of unfolding the full tale layer upon layer, and keeping the reader hooked to find out where all of this will go. It’s apparent that they are still fully attracted, and want to get back together, but can they get past the past and the deep hurt that lies there?
This book warmed my heart although it dealt with a very hard issue. Once again Dean does so in a tasteful way, leaving the reader thinking about the issue at hand long after putting the book down and saying goodbye to this amazing cast.
I have loved getting to know these great people, that to me felt like real friends rather than characters in a book series. Now the long waits starts for Deans next book(s) – BOOO!
I think this one is probably my favorite one out of the series, because I have been intrigued by Shay and what happened to her and Jace since we got a glimpse in the previous books.
This book does an excellent job of unfolding the full tale layer upon layer, and keeping the reader hooked to find out where all of this will go. It’s apparent that they are still fully attracted, and want to get back together, but can they get past the past and the deep hurt that lies there?
This book warmed my heart although it dealt with a very hard issue. Once again Dean does so in a tasteful way, leaving the reader thinking about the issue at hand long after putting the book down and saying goodbye to this amazing cast.
I have loved getting to know these great people, that to me felt like real friends rather than characters in a book series. Now the long waits starts for Deans next book(s) – BOOO!
March 24, 2018
I read stone silence and I jumped at the chance to read the rest in the series and that was a wonderful idea. I just fell in love with this series and this amazing author.
a must read for sure....
The emotions are overflowing in this story, in many different ways, and I was completely invested from start to finish. One thing that really amazes me about this author is her ability to write about realistic and difficult situations, character reactions and ways they deal with things, and content with the potential to be depressing, but the feel isn't a downer at all--everything about the story brings hope and inspiration and doesn't drag me down to the dumps. That right there is sincere talent. Taylor Dean--you have a new die-hard fan!
This book kept me in suspense for a deliciously long time as Shay and Jace reunited and tried to pick up the pieces of their shattered hearts. Six years have changed both of them, but they have to come to a closure and see if they can make their relationship work again. But what keeps them apart is a secret Jace has that Shay believes she knows. Until he can be honest with her about it, she refuses to give him her heart again. But the secret isn’t what she expects.
This story has quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming, but it made for a unique love story with a sensitive, hardly-talked about theme that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love how Dean throws in bizarre circumstances in her stories to make the reader think outside the box. I love the vicarious experiences she allows me to live through her characters. This was an amazing conclusion to an awesome series. I can’t say enough good about these books!!!!
5 stars
January 20, 2018
-“By the way, right now, in this very moment, with all that tender emotion on your face, you look the most beautiful I’ve ever seen you look. When I think back on this day, this moment is what I’ll remember. Just me and you having a moment of peace amongst the chaos...”-
Heavy-duty. Just like the previous books in the series, this one deals with a heavy issue: date rape. I have to give kuddos to the author for the twist in the situation. She approached the topic in a sensitive way and I feel she did a great job. 👍🏻
The “Murphy’s Law” of everything going wrong at a wedding made me laugh as I recall everything that went wrong at our own wedding. It helped lighten the mood of the heavy topics in the story.
This story concludes the series in a very satisfactory way. Be sure to read all the books in order as the story builds and the characters finding their significant others, as well as all of the difficulties they live through, must be read chronologically. If too much time elapses between stories, it becomes a little difficult to remember who’s who so its best to read them all back-to-back. My favourite in the series was the first book “Stone Silence”, followed by this one, and then “Jailbird”. But, I did really enjoy them all and they are worth reading. All are available on Kindle Unlimited.
Heavy-duty. Just like the previous books in the series, this one deals with a heavy issue: date rape. I have to give kuddos to the author for the twist in the situation. She approached the topic in a sensitive way and I feel she did a great job. 👍🏻
The “Murphy’s Law” of everything going wrong at a wedding made me laugh as I recall everything that went wrong at our own wedding. It helped lighten the mood of the heavy topics in the story.
This story concludes the series in a very satisfactory way. Be sure to read all the books in order as the story builds and the characters finding their significant others, as well as all of the difficulties they live through, must be read chronologically. If too much time elapses between stories, it becomes a little difficult to remember who’s who so its best to read them all back-to-back. My favourite in the series was the first book “Stone Silence”, followed by this one, and then “Jailbird”. But, I did really enjoy them all and they are worth reading. All are available on Kindle Unlimited.
January 3, 2018
This series kept getting better and better! With each story you become more and more invested in the characters and each story builds in love and emotion. I adored Stone Silence and LOVED Jailbird, I didn’t know how Taylor would top the second book. But she did!
Hothouse Flower was the perfect ending to this trilogy. Jace and Shay’s story was by far my favorite. Taylor Dean has a gift as an author to write so much emotion into her stories and yet leave you wondering how the conflict is going to be resolved. A well written story (as usual) and very much worth the money and time to read.
Hothouse Flower was the perfect ending to this trilogy. Jace and Shay’s story was by far my favorite. Taylor Dean has a gift as an author to write so much emotion into her stories and yet leave you wondering how the conflict is going to be resolved. A well written story (as usual) and very much worth the money and time to read.
February 5, 2018
This is the third and final book in the Sounds of Silence series. Read them in order! Shay and Jace were high school sweethearts in Texas. They planned to marry after both getting their degrees in NYC. When Shay pays a surprise visit to Jace for his birthday, all their plans get derailed. Now it’s six years later and Jace returns to his childhood home to help his mom while she battles cancer. Shay is living across the street with her mom and young daughter. When they meet up, sparks of attraction ignite but reconciliation seems impossible! This story was well written. I loved Jaces’ sense of humor. I loved the characters and watching them grow.
January 30, 2018
Taylor is truly talented in writing novels that grip you. Your heart is touched and tears clog your eyes. This one tackled a tough topic amidst Shay and Jace's romance and did so tactfully. The three books in the series, which I highly recommend you read and in order, come to a delightful ending in this last beautiful story
March 30, 2018
I received this book free with the intention to review, this didn't effect my opinion of the book.
This author continues to amaze me with her ability to create characters that feel like they could step out of the book and have a heart to heart with the reader. Everyone needs to read this series! If you enjoyed Stony Silence, and Jailbird you simply must read this book. Everyone should read this book!
January 15, 2018
Tore through this entire series over the weekend.
Shay has loved Jace for years. They had plans and dreams until she surprised him one weekend and found a situation she could neither handle or understand. When Jace didn't come after her, she made a major course alteration and didn't look back. Now divorced, she and her young daughter are living in her childhood home with her mother. She's opened a bakery and moving forward; until Jace comes home from NYC to take care of his mother who is battling cancer. Did I mention their houses are right across the street?
They still love each other, but there is a major miscommunication going on here threatening to keep them apart.
Interesting twit here; Jace (a male) is the victim of sexual assault & it's an interesting perspective to consider. As he says - a victim is a victim. As usual, Ms. Dean does a great job weaving in a weightier subject to the clean romance and life lessons learned plot.
Shay has loved Jace for years. They had plans and dreams until she surprised him one weekend and found a situation she could neither handle or understand. When Jace didn't come after her, she made a major course alteration and didn't look back. Now divorced, she and her young daughter are living in her childhood home with her mother. She's opened a bakery and moving forward; until Jace comes home from NYC to take care of his mother who is battling cancer. Did I mention their houses are right across the street?
They still love each other, but there is a major miscommunication going on here threatening to keep them apart.
Interesting twit here; Jace (a male) is the victim of sexual assault & it's an interesting perspective to consider. As he says - a victim is a victim. As usual, Ms. Dean does a great job weaving in a weightier subject to the clean romance and life lessons learned plot.
January 18, 2018
This book is a wonderful read! It is culmination of three books and brings a final conclusion to the events in the lives of the characters from those three books. I loved the ending and found this book to be a wonderful read! It was so good that I couldn't put it down and read it all in almost one sitting! Taylor Dean is one awesome author!
March 5, 2018
I received a free complimentary book and voluntarily reviewed it.
This is the third and last book in Taylor Dean’s “Sounds of Silence” trilogy. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the other two books in this series, Hothouse Flower is my favorite.
This book is the story of Shay, the sister of Stony (Stone Silence) and Grayson (Jailbird). Because she is a major part of the first two books, the author recommends that you read all three books in order.
Shay and her family grew up across the street from Jace Faraday and his family. Shay and Jace have always loved each other and planned to get married when they grew up.
Since Jace was three years older than Shay, he went to college in New York firs. Shay was supposed to meet him there after she graduated. Instead Shay went to college in California, and Jace and Shay were no longer together. Jace never returned to the town, while Shay got married, had a girl and divorced. Nobody except Shay’s mother have any idea of what happened, and even Shay’s mother doesn’t know it all.
The book opens when Jace comes back to move in with his ill mother who lives across the street from Shay and her mother. Shay is bitter and angry and doesn’t want to have anything to do with Jace. On the other hand, Jace treats her as if they had never broken up.
I cannot say much more about this book without ruining the story. All I can say is there a mystery that is very compelling. I was shocked at the uniqueness of the topic.
This is the third and last book in Taylor Dean’s “Sounds of Silence” trilogy. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the other two books in this series, Hothouse Flower is my favorite.
This book is the story of Shay, the sister of Stony (Stone Silence) and Grayson (Jailbird). Because she is a major part of the first two books, the author recommends that you read all three books in order.
Shay and her family grew up across the street from Jace Faraday and his family. Shay and Jace have always loved each other and planned to get married when they grew up.
Since Jace was three years older than Shay, he went to college in New York firs. Shay was supposed to meet him there after she graduated. Instead Shay went to college in California, and Jace and Shay were no longer together. Jace never returned to the town, while Shay got married, had a girl and divorced. Nobody except Shay’s mother have any idea of what happened, and even Shay’s mother doesn’t know it all.
The book opens when Jace comes back to move in with his ill mother who lives across the street from Shay and her mother. Shay is bitter and angry and doesn’t want to have anything to do with Jace. On the other hand, Jace treats her as if they had never broken up.
I cannot say much more about this book without ruining the story. All I can say is there a mystery that is very compelling. I was shocked at the uniqueness of the topic.
December 31, 2017
*I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest feedback!*
While this was not my favorite of the Sound of Silence trilogy, I really enjoyed this book and the character development. Taylor Dean tackles very sensitive subjects head on and does not beat around the bush. She thoughtfully crafts characters who win your heart and you wind up rooting for them. For me, I wanted more from these characters-- I wanted to know them better so I could love them more and I felt that the ending was more abrupt than many of the other books. However, I really loved this story.
While this was not my favorite of the Sound of Silence trilogy, I really enjoyed this book and the character development. Taylor Dean tackles very sensitive subjects head on and does not beat around the bush. She thoughtfully crafts characters who win your heart and you wind up rooting for them. For me, I wanted more from these characters-- I wanted to know them better so I could love them more and I felt that the ending was more abrupt than many of the other books. However, I really loved this story.
October 22, 2023
Another reread, but here's my prior review.
This book really touched my heart. I always prepare myself to go through an emotional ringer when reading Taylor Dean's books, but that's what makes them so good. You go through every emotion and experience and then somehow emerge with a better understanding, a renewed hope, or a better outlook on the other side.
Shay had been through some really rough times after leaving Jace six years earlier. She has her daughter Brit and some great skills with specialty baking but she hasn't moved on. She's fragile where Jace is concerned, like the hothouse flower from the title. He hurt her.
What we learn alongside Shay is that Jace has been through horrible times too, and not just because he lost Shay, but because of something he doesn't even remember.
Can this be forgiven and forgotten? Is Jace a hothouse flower too? Can we see a happily ever after?
I love this book and how tough topics can be covered in a clean contemporary romance and still portray all the hurt and feelings as if we were there.
I highly recommend reading this book, it does touch on a sensitive topic related to date rape and probably not for younger readers.
On rereading, thinking this book went a lot faster than the other two, but that's because I felt I already knew the family. Beautiful ending to the series and worth reading every page.
This book really touched my heart. I always prepare myself to go through an emotional ringer when reading Taylor Dean's books, but that's what makes them so good. You go through every emotion and experience and then somehow emerge with a better understanding, a renewed hope, or a better outlook on the other side.
Shay had been through some really rough times after leaving Jace six years earlier. She has her daughter Brit and some great skills with specialty baking but she hasn't moved on. She's fragile where Jace is concerned, like the hothouse flower from the title. He hurt her.
What we learn alongside Shay is that Jace has been through horrible times too, and not just because he lost Shay, but because of something he doesn't even remember.
Can this be forgiven and forgotten? Is Jace a hothouse flower too? Can we see a happily ever after?
I love this book and how tough topics can be covered in a clean contemporary romance and still portray all the hurt and feelings as if we were there.
I highly recommend reading this book, it does touch on a sensitive topic related to date rape and probably not for younger readers.
On rereading, thinking this book went a lot faster than the other two, but that's because I felt I already knew the family. Beautiful ending to the series and worth reading every page.
February 23, 2018
A great finish
I went back and read my reviews of the previous 2 books in the series and I was surprised once again about how much I admire Taylor Dean's writing every time I finish another one of her books. Every time I am surprised as if it were the first time.
In 3 books she has managed to bring to life 3 very different women with different life stories. Each one had her own unique struggles and complications in life, and with each one Dean has manged to weave different kinds of important social commentary into the stories without ruining the dream or fantasy like feeling that you get while reading.
As with the other books you I couldn't read Hothouse Flower and not feel hopeful and optimistic for the future. Even when the social issues were the hardest amongst the three stories (in my opinion), you couldn't leave Shay and Jace's world without a smile on your face and positive thoughts regarding the future.
I loved that the issue that was addressed here was from a rare point of view- one that is almost never talked about. It is especially important in our time today and I am so glad people are not shying away from it.
I loved reading this series I hope many more will get to enjoy it as well!
I went back and read my reviews of the previous 2 books in the series and I was surprised once again about how much I admire Taylor Dean's writing every time I finish another one of her books. Every time I am surprised as if it were the first time.
In 3 books she has managed to bring to life 3 very different women with different life stories. Each one had her own unique struggles and complications in life, and with each one Dean has manged to weave different kinds of important social commentary into the stories without ruining the dream or fantasy like feeling that you get while reading.
As with the other books you I couldn't read Hothouse Flower and not feel hopeful and optimistic for the future. Even when the social issues were the hardest amongst the three stories (in my opinion), you couldn't leave Shay and Jace's world without a smile on your face and positive thoughts regarding the future.
I loved that the issue that was addressed here was from a rare point of view- one that is almost never talked about. It is especially important in our time today and I am so glad people are not shying away from it.
I loved reading this series I hope many more will get to enjoy it as well!
January 22, 2018
A well written conclusion of a three book series. I loved that all three stories are happily ever afters. I also loved that all three are clean. Lots of kissing and a nongraphic scene of post date rape. I loved the poetic sense given by the title and definition at the beginning of the book and drawing parallels with the characters lives. I really liked this book, but it was my least favorite of the three in the series. I think because the mc's were back to making out pretty quickly after being away from each other for six years. It was pretty predictable. The epilogue wasn't my favorite, but it wrapped all three books up in a nice package with a shiny bow. Handled a very sensitive topic of male date rape and emtional abuse in a marriage very tastefully. But there were also some humorous lines that lightened the dark moods. I probably wouldn't read this one again. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2018
Fast read. I liked that the back of the book had some of the recipes talked about (the main character has a specialty bakery).
Sometimes I felt like things dragged a bit, but overall it was enjoyable. I like the families involved in this series and it was fun to have a different couple highlighted in each book.
I really felt for Shay, and then for Jace once his story was revealed.
This book deals with some tough issues, and as such it wouldn’t fall into the squeaky clean category. What is described isn’t graphic. There are some make out sessions.
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sometimes I felt like things dragged a bit, but overall it was enjoyable. I like the families involved in this series and it was fun to have a different couple highlighted in each book.
I really felt for Shay, and then for Jace once his story was revealed.
This book deals with some tough issues, and as such it wouldn’t fall into the squeaky clean category. What is described isn’t graphic. There are some make out sessions.
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 26, 2018
Isn't that cover gorgeous? Love the note about it too. Though Stone Silence is still my favorite, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the past couples all together in this book. I even really liked Mia! This book brings Shay and Jace's story back around full circle and I loved Jace. I liked how I didn't have to suffer though the entire book to see some happy and Shay was a great character (super excited about trying the recipes too). I thought the sensitive subject matter was handled well. To best enjoy, read this series in order.
February 22, 2018
Hothouse Flower (Sound of Silence #3) - PG13
Violence: alluded to
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: alluded to, no details. Some kissing.
I love the second chance at love. There was a whole lot of reconnecting with the characters from the first two books that I found superfluous. I would rather have read more about the main characters than get into all the rest of the books I've already read.
Violence: alluded to
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: alluded to, no details. Some kissing.
I love the second chance at love. There was a whole lot of reconnecting with the characters from the first two books that I found superfluous. I would rather have read more about the main characters than get into all the rest of the books I've already read.
June 8, 2025
A lot more serious than I thought it would be. Heartbreaking. But I love that Taylor always gives an HEA and justice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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