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The Gardener #1
Wallflower
Left wealthy but alone after her famous mother's death, Tessa George is slowly beginning to rebuild her life when she is knocked off her feet - quite literally - by her neighbour's sexy gardener. Shy and inexperienced with men, Tessa is stunned when the devastatingly handsome Emilio kisses her, and the two are soon fully embroiled in a steamy affair, with Tessa’s sexuality blossoming under Emilio’s expert attention.
When Tessa receives the job offer of a lifetime, it seems like all the pieces of her life are finally falling together. But then Tessa finds her mother’s explicit journals, and they raise more questions than they answer about her mother’s secret life. Just what was Tessa’s mother involved in? Who was her mysterious lover? And does someone have unfinished business with Tessa? Tessa needs to weed out the truth – and fast.
Can Tessa bloom into the woman she was meant to become – or does she need to wake up and smell the roses?
Part Fifty Shades, part psychological thriller, "Wallflower" will keep you guessing until the very end.
When Tessa receives the job offer of a lifetime, it seems like all the pieces of her life are finally falling together. But then Tessa finds her mother’s explicit journals, and they raise more questions than they answer about her mother’s secret life. Just what was Tessa’s mother involved in? Who was her mysterious lover? And does someone have unfinished business with Tessa? Tessa needs to weed out the truth – and fast.
Can Tessa bloom into the woman she was meant to become – or does she need to wake up and smell the roses?
Part Fifty Shades, part psychological thriller, "Wallflower" will keep you guessing until the very end.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2018
47 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Krista Gold
2 books228 followersHi, I'm Krista! Writer of erotic suspense (think Fifty Shades crossed with your favourite psychological thriller), master of cheeseboards, quaffer of wine, and maker-upper of your next book boyfriend ;-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
January 3, 2023
3.5 Stars
Wallflower by Krista Gold is a very steamy erotic romance about a young woman's self-discovery after her mother's sudden death. Just like Shaft, my previous Krista Gold read, Wallflower is an insta-love romance. Tessa and Emilio fall head over heels for each other immediately and Tessa starts to come out of her shell instead of being a hermit hidden away in a beautiful mansion.
This story did have a suspenseful plot wrapped up in the romance. I hadn't expected the added suspense in Wallflower, since I went into this one blind, but I did enjoy it. I am pleased to say I was kept guessing until the truth was revealed at the very end. I do wish the suspense had been more of a focus throughout the story. There was a lot of focus on Tessa's sexual awakening and I felt at times the stalker/suspense was forgotten because of this.
Wallflower by Krista Gold is a very steamy erotic romance about a young woman's self-discovery after her mother's sudden death. Just like Shaft, my previous Krista Gold read, Wallflower is an insta-love romance. Tessa and Emilio fall head over heels for each other immediately and Tessa starts to come out of her shell instead of being a hermit hidden away in a beautiful mansion.
This story did have a suspenseful plot wrapped up in the romance. I hadn't expected the added suspense in Wallflower, since I went into this one blind, but I did enjoy it. I am pleased to say I was kept guessing until the truth was revealed at the very end. I do wish the suspense had been more of a focus throughout the story. There was a lot of focus on Tessa's sexual awakening and I felt at times the stalker/suspense was forgotten because of this.
January 12, 2019
an erotic Journey
Tessa George’s life changed dramatically with the death of her vibrant and beautiful mother, taken in a tragic accident too soon. It wasn’t fair her mother had realised all her dreams becoming a famous author virtually overnight she’d been living her dreams. Her books were known worldwide, erotic romance stories.
She’s been drifting in a fog of rinse and repeat every day. Her best friend James is her constant companion always there for along with her friend Alice.
It’s when she meets the sexy gardener Emilio that her life takes a turn. He brings out feelings and emotions that’s she’s never experienced before. The chemistry between these two is incredibly erotic.
But with this new passion between these two there is also darkness. Hate mail sent to Tessa leaves her reeling. Could someone really hate her that much? She knew her mother had received the same type, there were some people who did not like the stories her mother had written. Could these be the same?
It has you on the edge wondering where all of this is going to lead. A page turner that has you guessing till the end.
Tessa George’s life changed dramatically with the death of her vibrant and beautiful mother, taken in a tragic accident too soon. It wasn’t fair her mother had realised all her dreams becoming a famous author virtually overnight she’d been living her dreams. Her books were known worldwide, erotic romance stories.
She’s been drifting in a fog of rinse and repeat every day. Her best friend James is her constant companion always there for along with her friend Alice.
It’s when she meets the sexy gardener Emilio that her life takes a turn. He brings out feelings and emotions that’s she’s never experienced before. The chemistry between these two is incredibly erotic.
But with this new passion between these two there is also darkness. Hate mail sent to Tessa leaves her reeling. Could someone really hate her that much? She knew her mother had received the same type, there were some people who did not like the stories her mother had written. Could these be the same?
It has you on the edge wondering where all of this is going to lead. A page turner that has you guessing till the end.
February 24, 2019
A good mystery.
I’m not sure what drew me to this book but I think the blurb had me curious and this is where my review comes in.
I do however like the story but taking away that one star rating is reason enough for the lag of the length of the storyline.
Now, at first I wasn’t sure who the name of the main female lead was, lol guess I was following closely as I should. But, what I like about this story is the reason behind it. It’s a story based on Tessa’s mum and the mysterious M who I thought at one time was Emilio and then Marcus. It’s a good enough story full of s%x and mysterious and throw in some craziness into it. You’ll be thinking suspicious of every character.
I’m not sure what drew me to this book but I think the blurb had me curious and this is where my review comes in.
I do however like the story but taking away that one star rating is reason enough for the lag of the length of the storyline.
Now, at first I wasn’t sure who the name of the main female lead was, lol guess I was following closely as I should. But, what I like about this story is the reason behind it. It’s a story based on Tessa’s mum and the mysterious M who I thought at one time was Emilio and then Marcus. It’s a good enough story full of s%x and mysterious and throw in some craziness into it. You’ll be thinking suspicious of every character.
December 16, 2018
[3.5🌟]
Wallflower is the debut novel of indie author Krista Gold. Just as the synopsis says, it kept me guessing right up till the end.
A year after her mothers death, Tessa still feels the effects of it by preferring solitude over the company of others. After a run in with the sinfully handsome landscaper Emilio, she decides she's ready to shake off her grief. Very quickly shy and naive Tessa's life does a 180, and she's in a passionate relationship with Emilio and has a new job writing a book about her mothers racy life. As she dives into her mothers personal life she learns that there's a few things she didn't know about her. Now someone with a grudge against her mother now has a grudge against her.
I enjoyed Tessa's character, even though she was so naive sometimes I wanted to shake some sense into her. I adored her friends, James and Alice, and looked forward to their appearances in the book. James was charming and Alice the best kind of crazy. Emilio {sigh} I assume we are supposed to swoon over him but there was something that felt off about him from the begging and screamed sketchy to me.
The story line of Wallflower started of a bit slow but when it picks up it will keep you wanting to know more. Then the last few chapters is just hit after hit of 'WTF' revelations that will leave you speechless. There is also no shortage of hot steamy sex scenes, they just kept coming one after another, because once Tessa got a taste of Emilio she was insatiable. I only wish the descriptions of Tessa's orgasims weren't so fanciful and fluffy.
Overall, I enjoyed Wallflower by Krista Gold and plan to read her future release to watch how her writing grows.
Wallflower is the debut novel of indie author Krista Gold. Just as the synopsis says, it kept me guessing right up till the end.
A year after her mothers death, Tessa still feels the effects of it by preferring solitude over the company of others. After a run in with the sinfully handsome landscaper Emilio, she decides she's ready to shake off her grief. Very quickly shy and naive Tessa's life does a 180, and she's in a passionate relationship with Emilio and has a new job writing a book about her mothers racy life. As she dives into her mothers personal life she learns that there's a few things she didn't know about her. Now someone with a grudge against her mother now has a grudge against her.
I enjoyed Tessa's character, even though she was so naive sometimes I wanted to shake some sense into her. I adored her friends, James and Alice, and looked forward to their appearances in the book. James was charming and Alice the best kind of crazy. Emilio {sigh} I assume we are supposed to swoon over him but there was something that felt off about him from the begging and screamed sketchy to me.
The story line of Wallflower started of a bit slow but when it picks up it will keep you wanting to know more. Then the last few chapters is just hit after hit of 'WTF' revelations that will leave you speechless. There is also no shortage of hot steamy sex scenes, they just kept coming one after another, because once Tessa got a taste of Emilio she was insatiable. I only wish the descriptions of Tessa's orgasims weren't so fanciful and fluffy.
Overall, I enjoyed Wallflower by Krista Gold and plan to read her future release to watch how her writing grows.
"a crushing kiss that steals my breath and makes me feel like the world is spinning at a million miles an hour."
"I am feeling wild, and thrilled. I am also feeling deliciously and thoroughly used in way that is completely new to me, and I stretch out my body languidly as a cat on a sunny windowsill."
3.5/5🌟
December 10, 2018
it's a crazy ride!
Wow, if you like drama and suspense and sexy time, this is the book for you! Just when you think you know what is going on, BAM, there is a twist. It takes a few chapters to get going, but once it starts, the story doesn't stop until the last page.
Wow, if you like drama and suspense and sexy time, this is the book for you! Just when you think you know what is going on, BAM, there is a twist. It takes a few chapters to get going, but once it starts, the story doesn't stop until the last page.
February 3, 2020
Wallflower by Krista Gold is an erotic thriller that had me guessing until towards the very end. Given how much I love a good mystery, and combining eroticism of the kind that set my senses abuzz, Wallflower was one of the best reads for me in 2019.
Wallflower begins when 22 year old Tessa Calliope George is left reeling in the wake of the death of her mother, trying to piece her life back together. Tessa’s mother had found her fame late in life, and living off of it somehow is at odds with what Tessa wants in life, what she wants, something that she herself cannot grasp in its entirety.
Then enters Emilio into her life, devastatingly handsome and able to woo her into submission from day one. The deep and intense need that he invokes in Tessa is one that refuses to be denied and Tessa plunges headlong into what is the most erotic experience of her pretty much virginal life up till then.
When Tessa receives a job offer which allows her to delve into her mother’s life, she starts to piece together a side of her mother that she had not being privy to, bringing forth the story of a woman who had been lonely and looking for her other half, and had found it too, before she had met her untimely death.
As Tessa digs more extensively into her mother’s past, the revelations that emerge makes the reader take a step back, reevaluate, and reassess everything they have read before. The way your head reels trying to connect the dots together was one of the best bits about reading this book and why I enjoyed Wallflower so much.
Having read this full length novel in one day is telling, because I rarely have the patience or the time now to read an entire book in 24 hours time. But that was what happened with Wallflower because it was that intense and that much of a page-turner.
I would like to thank Krista Gold for requesting a review of this book, without which I may never have otherwise come across the title. It is hidden gems like Wallflower that makes it worthwhile to dig through stories from authors who you have never come across before.
This psychological erotic thriller has so many twists and turns and an ending that is impossible to discern which is pretty much why the story has amazed me on so my fronts. There is raw talent seeping through the words and it is almost as if you are watching a real life story unfold right in front of you.
From the emotional tumult of a newly founding relationship, to the sexy and carnal scenes of passion, followed through by the intriguing mystery woven together so intricately that everything fits seamlessly, I enjoyed every single aspect of the book!
Recommended for anyone who loves a good thriller with erotic scenes of passion that smolders.
Final Verdict: Wallflower is a novel that digs deep into the emotional ties that bind complemented with the erotic flair with which Krista Gold delivers so splendidly.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Wallflower begins when 22 year old Tessa Calliope George is left reeling in the wake of the death of her mother, trying to piece her life back together. Tessa’s mother had found her fame late in life, and living off of it somehow is at odds with what Tessa wants in life, what she wants, something that she herself cannot grasp in its entirety.
Then enters Emilio into her life, devastatingly handsome and able to woo her into submission from day one. The deep and intense need that he invokes in Tessa is one that refuses to be denied and Tessa plunges headlong into what is the most erotic experience of her pretty much virginal life up till then.
When Tessa receives a job offer which allows her to delve into her mother’s life, she starts to piece together a side of her mother that she had not being privy to, bringing forth the story of a woman who had been lonely and looking for her other half, and had found it too, before she had met her untimely death.
As Tessa digs more extensively into her mother’s past, the revelations that emerge makes the reader take a step back, reevaluate, and reassess everything they have read before. The way your head reels trying to connect the dots together was one of the best bits about reading this book and why I enjoyed Wallflower so much.
Having read this full length novel in one day is telling, because I rarely have the patience or the time now to read an entire book in 24 hours time. But that was what happened with Wallflower because it was that intense and that much of a page-turner.
I would like to thank Krista Gold for requesting a review of this book, without which I may never have otherwise come across the title. It is hidden gems like Wallflower that makes it worthwhile to dig through stories from authors who you have never come across before.
This psychological erotic thriller has so many twists and turns and an ending that is impossible to discern which is pretty much why the story has amazed me on so my fronts. There is raw talent seeping through the words and it is almost as if you are watching a real life story unfold right in front of you.
From the emotional tumult of a newly founding relationship, to the sexy and carnal scenes of passion, followed through by the intriguing mystery woven together so intricately that everything fits seamlessly, I enjoyed every single aspect of the book!
Recommended for anyone who loves a good thriller with erotic scenes of passion that smolders.
Final Verdict: Wallflower is a novel that digs deep into the emotional ties that bind complemented with the erotic flair with which Krista Gold delivers so splendidly.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
October 7, 2018
I love to read and have easily read over 10 000 books. Wallflower by Krista Gold is comfortably up there with the best for romantic novels. I feel like I know the main character Tessa, her beauty and naivety shine through the pages making this a riveting read that I currently can’t put down!! Here’s hoping that the next book in the Gardener series is available soon.
April 5, 2019
I just love to read books from new authors. I had found my unicorn authors this way 😁
Krista Gold was new to me, so I was excited to read her book and I'm glad I did 🤩
I would classify this book in the category of a very sexy thriller 🔥. It's a journey through grief and guilt in consequence of the sudden dead of Tessas mother that transforms into a very sexual awakening. This book starts very sweet and calm, with a very nice and quiet girl.
It all changes after a very attractive gardener appears in Tessas life. He is all what she can think about. Every time they get together, their dates/meets turns into a very hot scenes 🔥🔥🔥(and they are often together 😉).
Tessa gets an offer to write a book about her mother, with the help of her mothers diaries.
And from there the story starts to be mysterious and thrilling.
No one and nothing, that Tessa thought she knows, is as it seems to be. The events come thick and fast. The story takes a very unexpected and surprising turn and.....🤭🤐
No, as usual, the really exciting and mysterious part you have to discover for yourself.
So read this book and enjoy.
I definitely enjoyed it very much 🤗
Krista Gold was new to me, so I was excited to read her book and I'm glad I did 🤩
I would classify this book in the category of a very sexy thriller 🔥. It's a journey through grief and guilt in consequence of the sudden dead of Tessas mother that transforms into a very sexual awakening. This book starts very sweet and calm, with a very nice and quiet girl.
It all changes after a very attractive gardener appears in Tessas life. He is all what she can think about. Every time they get together, their dates/meets turns into a very hot scenes 🔥🔥🔥(and they are often together 😉).
Tessa gets an offer to write a book about her mother, with the help of her mothers diaries.
And from there the story starts to be mysterious and thrilling.
No one and nothing, that Tessa thought she knows, is as it seems to be. The events come thick and fast. The story takes a very unexpected and surprising turn and.....🤭🤐
No, as usual, the really exciting and mysterious part you have to discover for yourself.
So read this book and enjoy.
I definitely enjoyed it very much 🤗
May 26, 2019
So many twists and turns I feel like I have whiplash
I recently read shaft and thought that book was great. This book is sooooo much better. Reminds me a bit of Aleatha Roming with the twists and turns. I’m not even sure how to review this book because every morsel is crucial. I started this book almost a week ago and time has not been on my side. Every page read had my brain begging for just one more. I wish I could have burned through this book like most but it also stretched it out so it was even more enjoyable. This book is sexy, sweet, mind boggling and frustrating to say the least. You will never guess the end or forget it. Can’t wait for the next book.
I recently read shaft and thought that book was great. This book is sooooo much better. Reminds me a bit of Aleatha Roming with the twists and turns. I’m not even sure how to review this book because every morsel is crucial. I started this book almost a week ago and time has not been on my side. Every page read had my brain begging for just one more. I wish I could have burned through this book like most but it also stretched it out so it was even more enjoyable. This book is sexy, sweet, mind boggling and frustrating to say the least. You will never guess the end or forget it. Can’t wait for the next book.
January 21, 2019
Where do I even begin?
I have struggled to write this review because nothing I write will be substantial enough. No words can describe what I was feeling when reading this book because I couldn't even formulate words. They were sounds, gifs, incoherent cursing and stuttering because this novel was MINDBLOWING!!
I haven't read something this stimulating in a VERY long time and I don't think I will. To say I have a book hangover is an understatement. Her language is exquisite, her sex scenes are seductive, the mystery is addicting. Each chapter I was hungry for more, needing answers to the questions she lays out for us.
The ending SHOCKED the absolute crap out of me and I loved every single second of reading this. Hands down my favorite read of 2019 and I don't think anything else will even come close. (YES I am aware it is only January and I don't care..it's THAT good!)
I have struggled to write this review because nothing I write will be substantial enough. No words can describe what I was feeling when reading this book because I couldn't even formulate words. They were sounds, gifs, incoherent cursing and stuttering because this novel was MINDBLOWING!!
I haven't read something this stimulating in a VERY long time and I don't think I will. To say I have a book hangover is an understatement. Her language is exquisite, her sex scenes are seductive, the mystery is addicting. Each chapter I was hungry for more, needing answers to the questions she lays out for us.
The ending SHOCKED the absolute crap out of me and I loved every single second of reading this. Hands down my favorite read of 2019 and I don't think anything else will even come close. (YES I am aware it is only January and I don't care..it's THAT good!)
October 30, 2020
I thought that I couldn't be surprised anymore when it came to mystery/suspense. I could usually tell when a twist is coming and who the perpetrator is but I was pleasantly surprised with this book.
In Wallflower, we meet Tessa, a 22 year old blossoming writer who is mourning her mother's death. Her mother in turn was a very successful erotica writer who died is a car accident and left her fortune and home to Tessa. While swimming one day, she meets Emilio, the very sexy gardener who works for her next door neighbor. The two start a very passionate relationship. Although, Tessa's life seems to be on the up and up, something doesn't feel right since Tessa starts reading her mother's journals for a memoir she is commissioned to write about her. Who is this mysterious M she keeps mentioning in her writing? Did she ever really know her mother at all?
The main character in the novel is Tessa and told in her POV. I really liked Tessa. She's a very sensitive and empathetic person that makes her easily relatable. Once she begins her sexual affair with Emilio she becomes more self confident and owns her needs as a woman. She does at times comes off very naïve but I think it's more of a denial of the situations she gets into and a defense mechanism. I mean who hasn't been there?
Emilio, the hero in the book, is very charming and hard working. He's mischievous and driven. He goes for what he wants and has no qualms being honest about it. I felt like he's a good match for Tessa. Although, I will say there is more to Emilio and I as a reader was very suspicious of him from the beginning. Why all the questions of Tessa's moms journals? Why does he keep asking about the lovers she wrote about? Hmmm.
We also meet Tessa's best friends James and Alice. James I thought is a very supportive friend and you can feel that he truly cares for her on a platonic level. It's so refreshing to not get an unnecessary love triangle for the sake of more angst and drama. Alice reminded me of myself when she gets excited. Asking a million questions a minute with no pause to answer them. She also is a very supportive and loyal friend to Tessa. You could tell that they all are true friends.
What I also loved about this book is the writing style. The writing is what I prefer in my romance, especially erotica. It has a very dreamy and illustrative quality to it. Krista Gold really paints a picture on the page using words and you can't help and be immersed by it. I look forward to reading more of her work.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. A very quick read since you can't put it down and the mystery keeps you captivated with its twists that you won't see coming. The romance is everything I enjoy in erotica and I really, really hope that this is not the last time we see this universe.
In Wallflower, we meet Tessa, a 22 year old blossoming writer who is mourning her mother's death. Her mother in turn was a very successful erotica writer who died is a car accident and left her fortune and home to Tessa. While swimming one day, she meets Emilio, the very sexy gardener who works for her next door neighbor. The two start a very passionate relationship. Although, Tessa's life seems to be on the up and up, something doesn't feel right since Tessa starts reading her mother's journals for a memoir she is commissioned to write about her. Who is this mysterious M she keeps mentioning in her writing? Did she ever really know her mother at all?
The main character in the novel is Tessa and told in her POV. I really liked Tessa. She's a very sensitive and empathetic person that makes her easily relatable. Once she begins her sexual affair with Emilio she becomes more self confident and owns her needs as a woman. She does at times comes off very naïve but I think it's more of a denial of the situations she gets into and a defense mechanism. I mean who hasn't been there?
Emilio, the hero in the book, is very charming and hard working. He's mischievous and driven. He goes for what he wants and has no qualms being honest about it. I felt like he's a good match for Tessa. Although, I will say there is more to Emilio and I as a reader was very suspicious of him from the beginning. Why all the questions of Tessa's moms journals? Why does he keep asking about the lovers she wrote about? Hmmm.
We also meet Tessa's best friends James and Alice. James I thought is a very supportive friend and you can feel that he truly cares for her on a platonic level. It's so refreshing to not get an unnecessary love triangle for the sake of more angst and drama. Alice reminded me of myself when she gets excited. Asking a million questions a minute with no pause to answer them. She also is a very supportive and loyal friend to Tessa. You could tell that they all are true friends.
What I also loved about this book is the writing style. The writing is what I prefer in my romance, especially erotica. It has a very dreamy and illustrative quality to it. Krista Gold really paints a picture on the page using words and you can't help and be immersed by it. I look forward to reading more of her work.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. A very quick read since you can't put it down and the mystery keeps you captivated with its twists that you won't see coming. The romance is everything I enjoy in erotica and I really, really hope that this is not the last time we see this universe.
March 29, 2020
Wallflower is a steamy erotica-romance read with a twist of a psychological thriller. From beginning to end, Krista Gold's story plot kept my attention entertained from one page to the other. Until there weren't any more pages!
Tessa George became more of a recluse for the past year after her mother's death. Depression of the sudden lose kept her hidden away at her mother's estate from the prying eyes of the media and their gossips. She was content with keeping her shy self tucked away with only her books. Until her next door neighbor's handsome gardener stumbled into her space.
From their first kiss, Emilio and Tessa's insta chemistry connection was undeniable. In the short time they've known each other, Tessa's unexperienced innocence becomes entangled in a steamy hot sexual relationship with the gardener. Her feelings for him deepens each day, making him an addiction in a sense.
When Tessa is given an opportunity to write her mother's memoir, she dives into the hand written journals, not realizing that reading them will change the coarse of her life. There are hidden secrets, a mystery lover, and an incident that could be the reason for her mothers passing.
The twists and turns kept on coming throughout the book. I honestly thought I knew what was going to happen, I knew how the ending will be. The ending was completely different than I thought. It was a complete surprise! Great Job with tying the whole story together.
Tessa George became more of a recluse for the past year after her mother's death. Depression of the sudden lose kept her hidden away at her mother's estate from the prying eyes of the media and their gossips. She was content with keeping her shy self tucked away with only her books. Until her next door neighbor's handsome gardener stumbled into her space.
From their first kiss, Emilio and Tessa's insta chemistry connection was undeniable. In the short time they've known each other, Tessa's unexperienced innocence becomes entangled in a steamy hot sexual relationship with the gardener. Her feelings for him deepens each day, making him an addiction in a sense.
When Tessa is given an opportunity to write her mother's memoir, she dives into the hand written journals, not realizing that reading them will change the coarse of her life. There are hidden secrets, a mystery lover, and an incident that could be the reason for her mothers passing.
The twists and turns kept on coming throughout the book. I honestly thought I knew what was going to happen, I knew how the ending will be. The ending was completely different than I thought. It was a complete surprise! Great Job with tying the whole story together.
December 3, 2019
Full of intrigue, suspense and love, this book hooked me from the beginning.
4,5 stars
This is my first book by this author, and, as far as I know, it's her first published book.
But her story and her plot were so deep, so detailed and with so intensity that I would bet she's been doing this for years.
Tessa has lost her mother tragically for about a year, and since then she's grieving and refusing to connect with other people. But when mysterious Emilio comes barging into her house, quite literally, she feels things she never before, and then she starts reviving again, finally living and discovering so many wonderful things.
Their chemistry is undeniable, their feelings are growing exponentially and soon enough they are so enthralled in ano another that their love is not only all consuming, but, for reasons still unknown, is also dangerous.
There were so much mystery and unanswered questions, I kept wondering, speculating, thinking this and that. I might say there were things that I guessed right, and I'm totally gonna gloat about it.
But there were also things that I couldn't quite point my finger on.
I wanted to soak all in and absorb the characters. They were deep and flawed and the whole story was well built.
This is a new author to me, but I loved her work.
4,5 stars
This is my first book by this author, and, as far as I know, it's her first published book.
But her story and her plot were so deep, so detailed and with so intensity that I would bet she's been doing this for years.
Tessa has lost her mother tragically for about a year, and since then she's grieving and refusing to connect with other people. But when mysterious Emilio comes barging into her house, quite literally, she feels things she never before, and then she starts reviving again, finally living and discovering so many wonderful things.
Their chemistry is undeniable, their feelings are growing exponentially and soon enough they are so enthralled in ano another that their love is not only all consuming, but, for reasons still unknown, is also dangerous.
There were so much mystery and unanswered questions, I kept wondering, speculating, thinking this and that. I might say there were things that I guessed right, and I'm totally gonna gloat about it.
But there were also things that I couldn't quite point my finger on.
I wanted to soak all in and absorb the characters. They were deep and flawed and the whole story was well built.
This is a new author to me, but I loved her work.
February 10, 2019
New To Me Author & Book!
I have heart great things about Author Krista Gold therefore I was excited to read this book.
I am always honest in my review's no matter the ARC or I've purchased it. I am rating this book a 4.5 and would definitely recommend this book & most certainly this author.
The book is about a woman who is grieving her mother's loss and obtains a great amount of money. Tessa as a heroine is AMAZING. She is loyal, lovable and lives life to the fullest because to her it may be yanked away from her at any second. At least that's what she thinks.
When she meets Emilio it runs hot, then in the middle towards the 3rd quarter of the book the story kind of slows down & I had to decide to either run with it or take a break. Luckily I always run with it and the more I read the more it got mysterious.
To say it is a typical love story, scratch that. It has so many twists and turns, I wasn't sure who to trust anymore. Very well written & I enjoyed the story line.
H A P P Y - R E A D I N G
I have heart great things about Author Krista Gold therefore I was excited to read this book.
I am always honest in my review's no matter the ARC or I've purchased it. I am rating this book a 4.5 and would definitely recommend this book & most certainly this author.
The book is about a woman who is grieving her mother's loss and obtains a great amount of money. Tessa as a heroine is AMAZING. She is loyal, lovable and lives life to the fullest because to her it may be yanked away from her at any second. At least that's what she thinks.
When she meets Emilio it runs hot, then in the middle towards the 3rd quarter of the book the story kind of slows down & I had to decide to either run with it or take a break. Luckily I always run with it and the more I read the more it got mysterious.
To say it is a typical love story, scratch that. It has so many twists and turns, I wasn't sure who to trust anymore. Very well written & I enjoyed the story line.
H A P P Y - R E A D I N G
June 6, 2019
Well! I did not see this coming at all... let me tell you guys, my mouth was hanging open towards the end....it was insane! Let me begin by talking a little bit about the characters. So Tessa lost her mother about a year ago, she becomes a hermit. She goes into depression for an entire year which she spends at the home she inherits from her mother. Which by the way, she was very wealthy as she was an author who made a great living. She meets sexy Emilio a gardener that works for her next door neighbor. Their love story seems a little rushed, but at the same time their connection was there and sparks were flying so high, that I didn't see a problem with it. The sexy scenes were spicy, and let me say there was a lot of those... What really got me though, was the thrill of this book, Tessa going through her mother's journals and for a second I thought she might have gone a little insane. It's so worth the read. For those who love romance thrillers, or even psychological romance books, this one is the one to go to. Its available on amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
December 26, 2018
**3.5 BLUSHES**
I enjoy discovering new authors and don’t hesitate to read a debut novel given the opportunity. Wallflower by indie author Krista Gold will be one of my last reads for 2018.
Tessa George is left alone, in her mother’s beautiful mansion, with a huge inheritance after her famous author Mom dies in a car accident. Grief stricken, she spends her days swimming, reading and interacting with a very small circle of friends, as she comes to terms with her loss.
Until, Emilio (her neighbor’s landscaper), steps onto her property with his giants shears like a Freddy Kruger nightmare and literally scares her so badly that she faints. Explanations and apologies are exchanged. Tessa finds herself irresistibly drawn to this gorgeous man who seems to feel the same way about her.
Tessa gets an unbelievable offer from her mother’s publisher. The biography that she didn’t get to finish, using her journals, Tessa is the only one that can write it. Turns out her mother had a whole other life that no one knew about, but wait, there is MORE! An illicit affair. A married man. A scorned spouse? More discoveries lead Tessa to start wondering whether her mother’s death was an accident. Hmmmm. Can Tessa do this? Should she do this? Is she risking her life by looking into these events? It would seem so when Tessa starts getting menacing notes in her mailbox. Then things go sideways real fast and what I thought was going to be a steamy romance turns into a thriller with quite a few twists and turns.
My thoughts on Wallflower as a whole? I liked the protagonist and the supporting characters very much. Quiet, shy, Tessa the virgin, transforms into a sex siren consumed with her desire for Emilio. He pops her cherry on her living room floor and neither one of them mentions it? That left me a little….really?! The sex? There is lots and lots and lots of sex. Don’t get me wrong, I love sexy reads, in this case I felt it was just a tad too much. I really liked the twists in Wallflower but felt that a little more time should have been spent developing that aspect of the story.
I enjoyed Krista Gold’s writing and I look forward to watching her talents evolve and mature with her next book.
I enjoy discovering new authors and don’t hesitate to read a debut novel given the opportunity. Wallflower by indie author Krista Gold will be one of my last reads for 2018.
Tessa George is left alone, in her mother’s beautiful mansion, with a huge inheritance after her famous author Mom dies in a car accident. Grief stricken, she spends her days swimming, reading and interacting with a very small circle of friends, as she comes to terms with her loss.
Until, Emilio (her neighbor’s landscaper), steps onto her property with his giants shears like a Freddy Kruger nightmare and literally scares her so badly that she faints. Explanations and apologies are exchanged. Tessa finds herself irresistibly drawn to this gorgeous man who seems to feel the same way about her.
Tessa gets an unbelievable offer from her mother’s publisher. The biography that she didn’t get to finish, using her journals, Tessa is the only one that can write it. Turns out her mother had a whole other life that no one knew about, but wait, there is MORE! An illicit affair. A married man. A scorned spouse? More discoveries lead Tessa to start wondering whether her mother’s death was an accident. Hmmmm. Can Tessa do this? Should she do this? Is she risking her life by looking into these events? It would seem so when Tessa starts getting menacing notes in her mailbox. Then things go sideways real fast and what I thought was going to be a steamy romance turns into a thriller with quite a few twists and turns.
My thoughts on Wallflower as a whole? I liked the protagonist and the supporting characters very much. Quiet, shy, Tessa the virgin, transforms into a sex siren consumed with her desire for Emilio. He pops her cherry on her living room floor and neither one of them mentions it? That left me a little….really?! The sex? There is lots and lots and lots of sex. Don’t get me wrong, I love sexy reads, in this case I felt it was just a tad too much. I really liked the twists in Wallflower but felt that a little more time should have been spent developing that aspect of the story.
I enjoyed Krista Gold’s writing and I look forward to watching her talents evolve and mature with her next book.
January 8, 2019
I always love & leap at the opportunity to read a new author, so was beyond excited to find Krista!
Wallflower is more than a romance read, the suspense that Krista brings in her writing had me on edge till the very end. It takes a few chapters to get you going, but once the story grabs hold, there's no letting go!
I love Tessa! She starts out as this naïve, recluse... virgin, but ultimately turns out to be such a strong leading female character. The relationship she and Emilio have got hot & steamy quick. Though I have to admit, I had my doubts about him in the beginning.. and secretly wanted a fling with her and James. How could you not?!?
Wallflower takes you on so many twists and turns, that you will not see them coming. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in book 2. There's sex, of course, but there's so much more. There's a real story and one you can't quit reading because you HAVE. TO. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!
Wallflower is more than a romance read, the suspense that Krista brings in her writing had me on edge till the very end. It takes a few chapters to get you going, but once the story grabs hold, there's no letting go!
I love Tessa! She starts out as this naïve, recluse... virgin, but ultimately turns out to be such a strong leading female character. The relationship she and Emilio have got hot & steamy quick. Though I have to admit, I had my doubts about him in the beginning.. and secretly wanted a fling with her and James. How could you not?!?
Wallflower takes you on so many twists and turns, that you will not see them coming. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in book 2. There's sex, of course, but there's so much more. There's a real story and one you can't quit reading because you HAVE. TO. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!
December 31, 2018
3.5 stars
Wallflower is an erotic thriller with emphasis on the erotic. The story starts out a bit slow for my tastes, but once it picks up, things move quickly for our protagonist, Tessa. There were a couple of things that bothered me with the romance, most especially the fact that Tessa gets so close to Emilio but knows next to nothing about him, including his last name. Nevertheless, there is chemistry between them, and they are nothing short of scorching hot together. That side of the story did become a little too much at times with some scenes coming literally back to back. With so much of the steamy goodness, it's hard to get any real feelings between this pair. Lust is there in spades, but lust doesn't necessarily mean love, and I would've liked a few more real conversations between Emilio and Tessa to get the feel of a growing romance. My favorite part of this one is when the suspense kicks in. It's well-plotted and moves at a good pace with a steadily rising tension. There's also an awesome twist that I never saw coming. There are clues, but they're subtle - the kind that you look back on with a forehead slapping moment once all is revealed. On the technical side, there are a number of errors, mostly by way of extra words or simple words that are missing from a sentence. In the beginning, they are few and far between, but they do pick up in number as the book progresses. That aside, the story makes for a compelling read and I love that I didn't figure out the twist before it happened. I will be interested in seeing what's next for this series and watching this author's growth with future books.
Wallflower is an erotic thriller with emphasis on the erotic. The story starts out a bit slow for my tastes, but once it picks up, things move quickly for our protagonist, Tessa. There were a couple of things that bothered me with the romance, most especially the fact that Tessa gets so close to Emilio but knows next to nothing about him, including his last name. Nevertheless, there is chemistry between them, and they are nothing short of scorching hot together. That side of the story did become a little too much at times with some scenes coming literally back to back. With so much of the steamy goodness, it's hard to get any real feelings between this pair. Lust is there in spades, but lust doesn't necessarily mean love, and I would've liked a few more real conversations between Emilio and Tessa to get the feel of a growing romance. My favorite part of this one is when the suspense kicks in. It's well-plotted and moves at a good pace with a steadily rising tension. There's also an awesome twist that I never saw coming. There are clues, but they're subtle - the kind that you look back on with a forehead slapping moment once all is revealed. On the technical side, there are a number of errors, mostly by way of extra words or simple words that are missing from a sentence. In the beginning, they are few and far between, but they do pick up in number as the book progresses. That aside, the story makes for a compelling read and I love that I didn't figure out the twist before it happened. I will be interested in seeing what's next for this series and watching this author's growth with future books.
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January 5, 2019
I always love finding new authors and books to read. I truly had mixed feelings about story. It started out promising, a young woman grieving over the sudden passing of her mother, coming into a ton of money, meeting a sexy gardener. Then in the middle I found myself losing interest a little, it moved a little slow but I kept with it and I am glad I did because they story sure did pick up and the mystery started to unravel.
I felt suspicious about Emilio from the very beginning, like he was hiding something or involved in some shady things. It took A LOT of time to warm up to him. I loved Tessa though, she didn’t take anything for granted, she was almost afraid the other shoe was going to drop and her life for the past year was going to one big dream.
There is no denying the instant connection between Emilio and Tessa. There are definitely some kindle melting scenes throughout the story and not just from those two. You’ll understand once you’ve read the book.
While this story was a little slow at times, I still enjoyed it. It was hot, it had some drama and it was suspenseful.
I felt suspicious about Emilio from the very beginning, like he was hiding something or involved in some shady things. It took A LOT of time to warm up to him. I loved Tessa though, she didn’t take anything for granted, she was almost afraid the other shoe was going to drop and her life for the past year was going to one big dream.
There is no denying the instant connection between Emilio and Tessa. There are definitely some kindle melting scenes throughout the story and not just from those two. You’ll understand once you’ve read the book.
While this story was a little slow at times, I still enjoyed it. It was hot, it had some drama and it was suspenseful.
January 10, 2019
Wallflower by Krista Gold knocked the socks off my feet. This is the first book I’ve read by this author so going in I didn’t know what to expect. But I was delightfully surprised! Wallflower is hot and dramatic with a whole lot of sexy bits involved. It’s a good, solid, entertaining read and well-written might I add.
Recommended
4 Stars
Recommended
4 Stars
December 30, 2018
Makes your Heart Race for Multiple Reasons
This book is a classic romantic thriller with a young and slightly lost heroine recovering from her recently rich mother's death. Her friends, very fleshed out and interesting characters are the only ones she let's into her life during her self imposed isolation.
But just as she is willing to expand her horizons and shed mourning clothes, she stumbles upon the hero, a modern day mysterious Adonis who knows just how to woo a woman. The succeeding love affair is as scorching as the book description suggests and never do you feel like skippingthe explicit paragraphs which I often do when sex scenes get repetitive. A little more banter or sexual tension between the characters could have enhanced the experience though. The author also creates a wonderful landscape to picturise her story in, the perfectly manicured gardens of the upper class, the azure swimming pools and cosy wine cellars.
As a romance it is the dream come true of a bookworm, a wallflower. And as a mystery or a thriller it keeps you guessing till the very end, you will be suspicious of every single character but will be thoroughly surprised at the end. Definitely a series I will continue to follow.
This book is a classic romantic thriller with a young and slightly lost heroine recovering from her recently rich mother's death. Her friends, very fleshed out and interesting characters are the only ones she let's into her life during her self imposed isolation.
But just as she is willing to expand her horizons and shed mourning clothes, she stumbles upon the hero, a modern day mysterious Adonis who knows just how to woo a woman. The succeeding love affair is as scorching as the book description suggests and never do you feel like skippingthe explicit paragraphs which I often do when sex scenes get repetitive. A little more banter or sexual tension between the characters could have enhanced the experience though. The author also creates a wonderful landscape to picturise her story in, the perfectly manicured gardens of the upper class, the azure swimming pools and cosy wine cellars.
As a romance it is the dream come true of a bookworm, a wallflower. And as a mystery or a thriller it keeps you guessing till the very end, you will be suspicious of every single character but will be thoroughly surprised at the end. Definitely a series I will continue to follow.
January 6, 2019
This isn’t your typical romance story. Wallflower was a suspenseful story with twist and turns that just pull you in! I kept thinking one way how it was gonna turn out then Krista throws in another twist and gets you thinking something entirely different. But don’t get wrong, the romance in here is steamy!! I didn’t want Tessa and Emilio’s story to end!
January 23, 2019
Krista gold is a new author and this book has been my first read of the new year, this book is definitely worth a read and I'm looking forward to her progression and writting
January 3, 2019
Fantastic
I cannot believe this is Krista's first novel. What a fantastic entry into publication. This story kept me riveted the entire time. There was so many twist and turns that I was never really sure what to think. Fantastic...absolutely fantastic!
I can't wait for book #2.
I cannot believe this is Krista's first novel. What a fantastic entry into publication. This story kept me riveted the entire time. There was so many twist and turns that I was never really sure what to think. Fantastic...absolutely fantastic!
I can't wait for book #2.
January 11, 2019
Gosh...ok...writing a review for a book that really didn’t “do it” for you is so hard. You don’t want to hurt the authors feeling but you want to be completely honest. That said, I don’t want to hurt Kristas feelings but I do try to be honest.
This is the debut novel of indie writer Krista Gold. I hit a message from her the other day on Instagram asking if I would take a chance on her book(no she really wasn’t pumping her book, she’s like other authors and wants to reach the masses. It takes a lot of balls to do this) and leave a review. I in turn told her yes. I read the reviews on here and Amazon and they weren’t bad so I said why not and dove in.
Here are the things I didn’t like:
-I am a dialogue reader and there wasn’t enough dialogue in this book to keep my attention.
I got super bored in the beginning and almost dnf’d at 20%🙈
Things just drug on and on and I noticed that there was ton of repetition, this book was 60ish chapters and it could have been whittled down to 30ish if repetitive things had been cut out.
-I don’t mind the virgin thing in the 20’s but the fact that this chick had not done a single thing with a man was a little unbelievable to me.
-When there was dialogue it was almost like children speaking especially Tessa. It was quite immature.
-The sex scenes were a bit cringeworthy, the dialogue especially...too many “Please, Please God Emilio” and “Where do you want it Tessa” “Do you like it here Tessa”. It was a bit forced for me and didn’t flow very well, slightly awkward.
-the character arcs didn’t happen for me. Emilio was so closed off and you don’t find out a whole lot about him. He needed a bit more foundation. He needed more development other than his sexual skills. It was just off to me.
Things I did like:
This book has the potential to be a fantastic novel if it was reworked, imo. The plot was fabulous. It was a bit like a creepy thriller and the revelation towards the end was shocking!!! I totally didn’t see that coming!!!
The writing in some places was spot on. The descriptions were fab but too lengthy.
I loved Jocasta, James and Alice. Really good secondary characters.
So this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t the worst either. I appreciate Krista reaching out to me and asking me to read her work and if she sees this I feel so sorry if I hurt your feelings.
I truly do love reading new authors.
Angst⭐️⭐️
Cheating none
Sexy Time ⭐️
Epilogue ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the debut novel of indie writer Krista Gold. I hit a message from her the other day on Instagram asking if I would take a chance on her book(no she really wasn’t pumping her book, she’s like other authors and wants to reach the masses. It takes a lot of balls to do this) and leave a review. I in turn told her yes. I read the reviews on here and Amazon and they weren’t bad so I said why not and dove in.
Here are the things I didn’t like:
-I am a dialogue reader and there wasn’t enough dialogue in this book to keep my attention.
I got super bored in the beginning and almost dnf’d at 20%🙈
Things just drug on and on and I noticed that there was ton of repetition, this book was 60ish chapters and it could have been whittled down to 30ish if repetitive things had been cut out.
-I don’t mind the virgin thing in the 20’s but the fact that this chick had not done a single thing with a man was a little unbelievable to me.
-When there was dialogue it was almost like children speaking especially Tessa. It was quite immature.
-The sex scenes were a bit cringeworthy, the dialogue especially...too many “Please, Please God Emilio” and “Where do you want it Tessa” “Do you like it here Tessa”. It was a bit forced for me and didn’t flow very well, slightly awkward.
-the character arcs didn’t happen for me. Emilio was so closed off and you don’t find out a whole lot about him. He needed a bit more foundation. He needed more development other than his sexual skills. It was just off to me.
Things I did like:
This book has the potential to be a fantastic novel if it was reworked, imo. The plot was fabulous. It was a bit like a creepy thriller and the revelation towards the end was shocking!!! I totally didn’t see that coming!!!
The writing in some places was spot on. The descriptions were fab but too lengthy.
I loved Jocasta, James and Alice. Really good secondary characters.
So this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t the worst either. I appreciate Krista reaching out to me and asking me to read her work and if she sees this I feel so sorry if I hurt your feelings.
I truly do love reading new authors.
Angst⭐️⭐️
Cheating none
Sexy Time ⭐️
Epilogue ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 24, 2018
Very beautiful, well written, wonderful, erotic read! Look forward to reading more from this author.
February 3, 2021
I was approached by the author to read the book for an honest review.
It started out promisingly: articulate, and descriptive enough to paint a vivid picture without being over the top.
Now if I hadn’t read the blurb I wouldn’t have been suspicious of everyone from the get go but since I had read it, I was in fact scrutinising every little thing every character did. You might think this detracted from just enjoying the story but actually I like that it kept me thinking and guessing.
Tessa has inherited her mother’s house and estate after she died in a car crash having recently making it big as an author. Tessa is understandably distraught after her mother’s death and becomes somewhat of a recluse. Enter Emilio - a hot, rugged, landscape gardener who is working on her neighbour’s property.
After a false start, they hit it off and their chemistry is palpable. She gives him her virginity and he awakens an insatiable sexuality in her. There is a LOT of sex in this book. Some gratuitous, some plot based, mostly hot.
Tessa’s mother’s publisher approaches her asking her to write her mother’s biography. Her mother’s books are all based on her journals and love life, and since Tessa has access to the journals, the publisher feels she would be the best person to tell her mother’s story. Tessa therefore digs out the aforementioned journals and begins to read them (cringing at first because who wants to read about their parent’s sordid sex life?) it’s just worth mentioning here that her mum’s journals heavily mention M, some
one her mother was in a relationship with, a married someone with a son called Leo. Tessa also receives a threatening card in the post and not long after, someone pretends to be her at a charity gala but she never finds out who.
I could easily just rabbit on about the plot but that’s not really the point of a review so instead I’ll tell you where my head was at through this book.
I started out thinking Emilio was too perfect, too eager, too interested in her mother’s work. Is he really the one? Is he actually connected to her mother’s death? Is her friend James actually the one and it’s going to take some dramatic life or death situation for her to see it? Is Emilio M? Is Emilio M’s son, Leo? Is the card writer and fake Tessa from the gala M’s ex wife? Tessa sees Emilio talking to a woman at the bar at the gala - is that his girlfriend? Wife? Sister? So many questions, so much second guessing myself.
However......
When we finally find out who M is....and who the card writer and fake Tessa is....and Emilio’s link to it all....can I just say, there is NO WAY anyone would’ve guessed it all correctly because it was just so out of fucking left field that the only thought I had for a while was “HUH??!!!”
Major, giant, huge spoiler alert!!!
Do not read the rest if you genuinely don’t want to know because I’m about to give the whole thing away.
.
.
.
.
.
Emilio’s half sister??? We didn’t even know he had one. We met her as a “teenage guy” that worked for Emilio for five minutes. She’s pissed at Tessa’s mum because she was having an affair with Emilio’s mum (they share a dad but different mothers). And she never got to meet their dad because he was an alcoholic that drank himself into oblivion? It was just so out of the blue that it wasn’t even on my radar. Don’t get me wrong I did wonder if the girl at the bar was Emilio’s sister. And I did wonder if Emilio was M’s son. But the rest? Almost felt like it was a surprise for the sake of being able to say that no one ever would’ve guessed.
Overall I liked that it kept me in my toes, trying to figure out who, what, when, why, where, how. It’s the main reason I gave it even three stars.
The ending, a few small inconsistencies, and a few small things with the writing as it went on are what brought it down. So much potential to be better.
It started out promisingly: articulate, and descriptive enough to paint a vivid picture without being over the top.
Now if I hadn’t read the blurb I wouldn’t have been suspicious of everyone from the get go but since I had read it, I was in fact scrutinising every little thing every character did. You might think this detracted from just enjoying the story but actually I like that it kept me thinking and guessing.
Tessa has inherited her mother’s house and estate after she died in a car crash having recently making it big as an author. Tessa is understandably distraught after her mother’s death and becomes somewhat of a recluse. Enter Emilio - a hot, rugged, landscape gardener who is working on her neighbour’s property.
After a false start, they hit it off and their chemistry is palpable. She gives him her virginity and he awakens an insatiable sexuality in her. There is a LOT of sex in this book. Some gratuitous, some plot based, mostly hot.
Tessa’s mother’s publisher approaches her asking her to write her mother’s biography. Her mother’s books are all based on her journals and love life, and since Tessa has access to the journals, the publisher feels she would be the best person to tell her mother’s story. Tessa therefore digs out the aforementioned journals and begins to read them (cringing at first because who wants to read about their parent’s sordid sex life?) it’s just worth mentioning here that her mum’s journals heavily mention M, some
one her mother was in a relationship with, a married someone with a son called Leo. Tessa also receives a threatening card in the post and not long after, someone pretends to be her at a charity gala but she never finds out who.
I could easily just rabbit on about the plot but that’s not really the point of a review so instead I’ll tell you where my head was at through this book.
I started out thinking Emilio was too perfect, too eager, too interested in her mother’s work. Is he really the one? Is he actually connected to her mother’s death? Is her friend James actually the one and it’s going to take some dramatic life or death situation for her to see it? Is Emilio M? Is Emilio M’s son, Leo? Is the card writer and fake Tessa from the gala M’s ex wife? Tessa sees Emilio talking to a woman at the bar at the gala - is that his girlfriend? Wife? Sister? So many questions, so much second guessing myself.
However......
When we finally find out who M is....and who the card writer and fake Tessa is....and Emilio’s link to it all....can I just say, there is NO WAY anyone would’ve guessed it all correctly because it was just so out of fucking left field that the only thought I had for a while was “HUH??!!!”
Major, giant, huge spoiler alert!!!
Do not read the rest if you genuinely don’t want to know because I’m about to give the whole thing away.
.
.
.
.
.
Emilio’s half sister??? We didn’t even know he had one. We met her as a “teenage guy” that worked for Emilio for five minutes. She’s pissed at Tessa’s mum because she was having an affair with Emilio’s mum (they share a dad but different mothers). And she never got to meet their dad because he was an alcoholic that drank himself into oblivion? It was just so out of the blue that it wasn’t even on my radar. Don’t get me wrong I did wonder if the girl at the bar was Emilio’s sister. And I did wonder if Emilio was M’s son. But the rest? Almost felt like it was a surprise for the sake of being able to say that no one ever would’ve guessed.
Overall I liked that it kept me in my toes, trying to figure out who, what, when, why, where, how. It’s the main reason I gave it even three stars.
The ending, a few small inconsistencies, and a few small things with the writing as it went on are what brought it down. So much potential to be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2019
SEX
Alright, so now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about this book. Woah, holy mother of all things holy. If you aren’t comfortable with sex then please don’t continue to read this review. Also, definitely don’t read this book. It’s like a written porn. Like 50 Shades without trying so hard to be erotic. It’s like the best glass of red wine with dark chocolate and a plush blanket next to a roaring fire. It’s goooooood sex. Really good sex.
Apologies in advance to any of the humans reading this review that thought all I read were cheesy YA romance novels…lol JOKES. I like to read all sorts of things, and this is definitely one of them.
Moving on. Our author, Krista Gold, pulled out the big guns for this book. We get a little taste of everything; sex, money, murder…what more could you need for a really good story? Our main character, Tessa, struggles at the beginning of the book. She recently lost her mother and most of her friends through her grief (yikes, relatable!). She lives in her late mother’s massive mansion surrounded by old money folks who gossip and constantly make her feel inadequate. And then…DA DADA DUUUUM…enter our delicious knight and shining armor, Emilio. The gardener from next door.
AH. I mean, I’m over here drooling as our author describes him. Total perfection. He introduces our leading lady into the world of sex. And, when I say introduces, I’m not kidding. She doesn’t even know this guy and gives him her virginity before they’ve said a hundred words to each other. Brave girl. We, as the reader, get to skate through pages and pages of glorious sex scenes. In the living room, at the beach, in the car, ect. Raw and rich and wildly scandalous.
About halfway through the novel, the plot actually begins. We learn that Tessa’s mother was potentially murdered. We read about how Tessa is given the opportunity to write a biography on her mother (Tessa’s mother was a famous erotica novelist). BUT…we never learn anything about Emilio…until the very end. When shit really hits the fan.
ENTER: LGBTQ PLOT TWIST…heckin’ yeah!!! I’m all about introducing current issues into novels and this was SUCH a great way to bring this book current. AWESOME JOB, GOLD.
I won’t tell you who’s gay, you get to read that part for yourself 🙂 It’s worth it, I promise. This story is an easy read, great for a rainy afternoon or an evening on the couch. I won’t say it made me feel much of anything; that’s not always the point though. I do love tear-jerkers and nail-biters, but every once in a while it’s nice to have a simple read that leaves you with a smile on your face. That’s exactly what this was for me.
Alright, so now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about this book. Woah, holy mother of all things holy. If you aren’t comfortable with sex then please don’t continue to read this review. Also, definitely don’t read this book. It’s like a written porn. Like 50 Shades without trying so hard to be erotic. It’s like the best glass of red wine with dark chocolate and a plush blanket next to a roaring fire. It’s goooooood sex. Really good sex.
Apologies in advance to any of the humans reading this review that thought all I read were cheesy YA romance novels…lol JOKES. I like to read all sorts of things, and this is definitely one of them.
Moving on. Our author, Krista Gold, pulled out the big guns for this book. We get a little taste of everything; sex, money, murder…what more could you need for a really good story? Our main character, Tessa, struggles at the beginning of the book. She recently lost her mother and most of her friends through her grief (yikes, relatable!). She lives in her late mother’s massive mansion surrounded by old money folks who gossip and constantly make her feel inadequate. And then…DA DADA DUUUUM…enter our delicious knight and shining armor, Emilio. The gardener from next door.
AH. I mean, I’m over here drooling as our author describes him. Total perfection. He introduces our leading lady into the world of sex. And, when I say introduces, I’m not kidding. She doesn’t even know this guy and gives him her virginity before they’ve said a hundred words to each other. Brave girl. We, as the reader, get to skate through pages and pages of glorious sex scenes. In the living room, at the beach, in the car, ect. Raw and rich and wildly scandalous.
About halfway through the novel, the plot actually begins. We learn that Tessa’s mother was potentially murdered. We read about how Tessa is given the opportunity to write a biography on her mother (Tessa’s mother was a famous erotica novelist). BUT…we never learn anything about Emilio…until the very end. When shit really hits the fan.
ENTER: LGBTQ PLOT TWIST…heckin’ yeah!!! I’m all about introducing current issues into novels and this was SUCH a great way to bring this book current. AWESOME JOB, GOLD.
I won’t tell you who’s gay, you get to read that part for yourself 🙂 It’s worth it, I promise. This story is an easy read, great for a rainy afternoon or an evening on the couch. I won’t say it made me feel much of anything; that’s not always the point though. I do love tear-jerkers and nail-biters, but every once in a while it’s nice to have a simple read that leaves you with a smile on your face. That’s exactly what this was for me.
February 16, 2020
3 Stars
Wallflower had the mystery, romance, and definitely the smuuuuut. Absolutely loved the chemistry between Tessa & Emilio. Their scenes together were electric and definitely hawwwwwt!
Tessa is living in her deceased mother's house, which is located among the richest of the rich. Tessa is a quiet woman, and usually has her head in a book. She has a best girlfriend, Alice and guy friend, James. But, she prefers to stay inside her house because ever since her mom died a year prior, she has found it hard to be around anyone..
Tessa finds her world thrown on its axis when she meets Emilio (her neighbors gardener). Through their first meeting, which happens when Emilio surprises Tessa after she was doing her daily swim, she faints because she's holding her breath when she catches sight of this man.. since that, she can't stop thinking about him.
Emilio and Tessa come into contact again, where there is immediate chemistry, and sparks flying.
Tessa is a virgin but immediately wants to hand up her v-card to Emilioooo...
Then from there..
it's
sex, sex, sexxxxxxxx
This couple nearly sizzled off the page
While I loved this couple, there was the added factor that someone was messing with Tessa. It pulled into question what really happened the night Tessa's mom died.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, I really did.
But some parts seemed to drag on and on, which left me losing interest at times.
I was pleased with the outcome but got kinda sidetracked a time or two.
But what I really couldn't get behind was Tessa reading her mom's personal journals. Which wouldn't normally be a problem, but these are explicit, sexual diaries of her mom's sexual escapades.
This is how I feel the reality of the situation should have been..
I know she was reading the journals so they could be published, but it seemed too icky.. I think that kind of crossed a line and I couldn't get beyond it.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and loved this couple. This author has a way of bringing out real chemistry in couples, where in other books with other authors I have a hard time feeling if they even like each other.
Wallflower had the mystery, romance, and definitely the smuuuuut. Absolutely loved the chemistry between Tessa & Emilio. Their scenes together were electric and definitely hawwwwwt!
Tessa is living in her deceased mother's house, which is located among the richest of the rich. Tessa is a quiet woman, and usually has her head in a book. She has a best girlfriend, Alice and guy friend, James. But, she prefers to stay inside her house because ever since her mom died a year prior, she has found it hard to be around anyone..
Tessa finds her world thrown on its axis when she meets Emilio (her neighbors gardener). Through their first meeting, which happens when Emilio surprises Tessa after she was doing her daily swim, she faints because she's holding her breath when she catches sight of this man.. since that, she can't stop thinking about him.
Emilio and Tessa come into contact again, where there is immediate chemistry, and sparks flying.
Tessa is a virgin but immediately wants to hand up her v-card to Emilioooo...
Then from there..
it's
sex, sex, sexxxxxxxx
This couple nearly sizzled off the page
While I loved this couple, there was the added factor that someone was messing with Tessa. It pulled into question what really happened the night Tessa's mom died.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, I really did.
But some parts seemed to drag on and on, which left me losing interest at times.
I was pleased with the outcome but got kinda sidetracked a time or two.
But what I really couldn't get behind was Tessa reading her mom's personal journals. Which wouldn't normally be a problem, but these are explicit, sexual diaries of her mom's sexual escapades.
This is how I feel the reality of the situation should have been..
I know she was reading the journals so they could be published, but it seemed too icky.. I think that kind of crossed a line and I couldn't get beyond it.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and loved this couple. This author has a way of bringing out real chemistry in couples, where in other books with other authors I have a hard time feeling if they even like each other.
January 30, 2020
When grief threatens to smother you, like a rose buried in the sand, can the spark of a new romance draw you out and save your life? Tessa is drowning in grief over the loss of her mother. She barely leaves the house and her life has come to a complete stand still. When she meets a young landscaper named Emilio, she realizes that she is not ready to shrink away from the world. He coaxes her out and shows her a whole new passionate side of herself. Tessa and Emilio embark on an engrossing affair, that sweeps Tessa up entirely, and causes her to want to live again.
The story could stay there, going happily from one steamy scene to the next, and the reader might be perfectly happy. Except that Gold also adds a bit of intrigue into Tessa’s world, which adds a nice amount of spice to the book. Tessa starts reading her mother’s journals and delving into the secret side of a woman that Tessa realizes she really didn’t know. In fact, there was more to her mother than anyone knew. The woman had secrets, and Tessa wonders if she is brave enough to seek out the answers. When Tessa finds her world threatened by some unknown shadowy figure, she realizes that finding out the secrets of her mother’s life could very well save her own.
In Wallflower, Gold writes a steamy, sensual romance and adds the element of mystery which keeps the reader turning the page. I found myself constantly guessing who the culprit was and what the real answers were and while I did figure out some of the story, I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting twist at the end. Although I was a bit annoyed by Tessa during certain parts of the story, I understood why she acted the way she did and I did find that there was enough character development for me to like the character well enough. I found Emilio to be passionate, and enigmatic. He was a bit of a mystery throughout the book, which serves Gold’s theme well. If you are looking for a sexy read that keeps you on your toes, pick this book up.
The story could stay there, going happily from one steamy scene to the next, and the reader might be perfectly happy. Except that Gold also adds a bit of intrigue into Tessa’s world, which adds a nice amount of spice to the book. Tessa starts reading her mother’s journals and delving into the secret side of a woman that Tessa realizes she really didn’t know. In fact, there was more to her mother than anyone knew. The woman had secrets, and Tessa wonders if she is brave enough to seek out the answers. When Tessa finds her world threatened by some unknown shadowy figure, she realizes that finding out the secrets of her mother’s life could very well save her own.
In Wallflower, Gold writes a steamy, sensual romance and adds the element of mystery which keeps the reader turning the page. I found myself constantly guessing who the culprit was and what the real answers were and while I did figure out some of the story, I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting twist at the end. Although I was a bit annoyed by Tessa during certain parts of the story, I understood why she acted the way she did and I did find that there was enough character development for me to like the character well enough. I found Emilio to be passionate, and enigmatic. He was a bit of a mystery throughout the book, which serves Gold’s theme well. If you are looking for a sexy read that keeps you on your toes, pick this book up.
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