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Petrichor
A Contemporary Romance
Three firefighters. Three days. Three weeks.
He was her twin brother, he was their best friend.
Poppy’s world has blown up with the death of her twin brother, Perry. He left behind nothing but his half of the coffee shop they owned and his three best friends and roommates.
Her other half is gone. Her business partner, gone. Her best friend, gone. Her only family, gone.
When she locks herself into her apartment for three days, Perry’s friends come for her, pulling her out of there, and take her back to their house.
With them, she’s finally able to sleep.
They’re hurting as much as she is. Maybe together, they can begin to heal.
Maybe Perry left her the next best thing to him. His friends. Her new family.
It takes three of them. It takes three days for them to come for her. It takes three weeks to fall in love.
This is a standalone reverse harem.
Three firefighters. Three days. Three weeks.
He was her twin brother, he was their best friend.
Poppy’s world has blown up with the death of her twin brother, Perry. He left behind nothing but his half of the coffee shop they owned and his three best friends and roommates.
Her other half is gone. Her business partner, gone. Her best friend, gone. Her only family, gone.
When she locks herself into her apartment for three days, Perry’s friends come for her, pulling her out of there, and take her back to their house.
With them, she’s finally able to sleep.
They’re hurting as much as she is. Maybe together, they can begin to heal.
Maybe Perry left her the next best thing to him. His friends. Her new family.
It takes three of them. It takes three days for them to come for her. It takes three weeks to fall in love.
This is a standalone reverse harem.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
99 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Helene Gadot
39 books105 followersAn expert in parkour, Helene Gadot moonlights as a Nail Polish Namer and occasional ghostwriter. She lives with her husband and trio of rugrats in the South. Helene has a serious coffee mug and throw pillow addiction, and when she isn't reading or writing, she's probably shopping online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 24, 2019
I cried through most of the book
Theres one thing to note before starting this book, it deals heavily with grief. Its not action packed, there's no unnecessary drama. No jealously. This book is about dealing with grief and how to survive when everything seems like a big black hole.
The story starts with Poppy our fmc at Perry (her twin) funeral. We also have Gavin, Dean and Flynn Perry's best friends and roommates. They have all known each other for 20 years, growing up together. The 4 of them are struggling throughout the book, trying to cope and learn how to go on with life. The romance was sweet and the most realistic reverse harem i've read. The friendship was already established so we dont have to worry about any insta-love.
At any other point this year i would've dnf'ed this book, but i found it at the perfect point in my life. No i haven't personally dealt with loss within my immediate family so that portion i couldnt really relate to but with the way it was written i could empathize with Poppy. The way it was written, not one part i felt bored or annoyed with her. I could see myself in her. Its so strange that in all the books in the world all the genre's , this is the one that sticks out to me. Without getting to personal for me, i've learned from this book. I've learned that i need to handle my own shit once in a while and take some responsibility in my life. So yeah.
This book did all the right things for me, the guys were supportive and amazing, Poppy was stronger then she thought and i will be re-reading this again in the near future.
So if you are thinking of picking this up, please keep the trigger warnings in mind 💙💙💙
Theres one thing to note before starting this book, it deals heavily with grief. Its not action packed, there's no unnecessary drama. No jealously. This book is about dealing with grief and how to survive when everything seems like a big black hole.
The story starts with Poppy our fmc at Perry (her twin) funeral. We also have Gavin, Dean and Flynn Perry's best friends and roommates. They have all known each other for 20 years, growing up together. The 4 of them are struggling throughout the book, trying to cope and learn how to go on with life. The romance was sweet and the most realistic reverse harem i've read. The friendship was already established so we dont have to worry about any insta-love.
At any other point this year i would've dnf'ed this book, but i found it at the perfect point in my life. No i haven't personally dealt with loss within my immediate family so that portion i couldnt really relate to but with the way it was written i could empathize with Poppy. The way it was written, not one part i felt bored or annoyed with her. I could see myself in her. Its so strange that in all the books in the world all the genre's , this is the one that sticks out to me. Without getting to personal for me, i've learned from this book. I've learned that i need to handle my own shit once in a while and take some responsibility in my life. So yeah.
This book did all the right things for me, the guys were supportive and amazing, Poppy was stronger then she thought and i will be re-reading this again in the near future.
So if you are thinking of picking this up, please keep the trigger warnings in mind 💙💙💙
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October 1, 2019Unfortunately this was a dnf for me. I just couldn't get into it. I have tried to read this over the course of a week and it just didn't grab my attention. I will come back to it though. Maybe it was just the wrong book at the wrong time. The blurb certainly grabbed my attention.
December 3, 2018
An incredibly depressing but interesting story. I did notice a few editing issues.
February 21, 2019
2.5 stars. I've really liked some Helene Gadot books, but this was a miss for me. This book was almost entirely about grieving and being depressed, and I felt like nothing really happened. It also had a ton of writing issues.
I was a bit torn about this book's handling of grief and depression, which is a shame because that's pretty much all that the book was. Some moments and aspects rang true, and others just seemed like empty tropes, like when the MC was complaining that the sunny weather didn't match her mood. I'll be honest, when my depression gets bad like hers was, I barely even notice the weather, much less complain about the sunshine.
This book was a pretty good example of why I prefer noncontemporary romances: Their plots tend to have a lot more going on than those of some contemporary romances. This book didn't have a lot going on in terms of actual events. They went to a funeral, they went to a carnival and July 4 party, they had some slumber parties, she visited a lawyer, she interacted with some family, and the love interests got together. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was based in some action, like if the MC did some (intelligent) vigilante investigating into her brother's hit and run.
I also would have liked to have gotten more showing than telling about the brother, since he's such a central part of the plot. I just would have liked to see some of his character traits for myself.
As I said, the writing had a lot of issues, and some sentences just didn't make sense. The author also called the guys by the wrong name at times. I also saw problems with verb tense and tons of typos. I thought one of the pet names for the MC, muffin, was awkward, and I cringed whenever I saw it. That book also had some awkward exposition-filled dialogue: for example, "But at least we have the holiday weekend coming up soon that we already took off for.”
I'm not interested in reading a sequel to this.
I was a bit torn about this book's handling of grief and depression, which is a shame because that's pretty much all that the book was. Some moments and aspects rang true, and others just seemed like empty tropes, like when the MC was complaining that the sunny weather didn't match her mood. I'll be honest, when my depression gets bad like hers was, I barely even notice the weather, much less complain about the sunshine.
This book was a pretty good example of why I prefer noncontemporary romances: Their plots tend to have a lot more going on than those of some contemporary romances. This book didn't have a lot going on in terms of actual events. They went to a funeral, they went to a carnival and July 4 party, they had some slumber parties, she visited a lawyer, she interacted with some family, and the love interests got together. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was based in some action, like if the MC did some (intelligent) vigilante investigating into her brother's hit and run.
I also would have liked to have gotten more showing than telling about the brother, since he's such a central part of the plot. I just would have liked to see some of his character traits for myself.
As I said, the writing had a lot of issues, and some sentences just didn't make sense. The author also called the guys by the wrong name at times. I also saw problems with verb tense and tons of typos. I thought one of the pet names for the MC, muffin, was awkward, and I cringed whenever I saw it. That book also had some awkward exposition-filled dialogue: for example, "But at least we have the holiday weekend coming up soon that we already took off for.”
I'm not interested in reading a sequel to this.
January 1, 2019
An easy novel to read with likable characters
This was a sweet story line not fast pasted or lots of action but the characters were nice and you can't help feeling for poppy when dealing with her grief of the loss of her brother as anyone who has lost a loved one I think can relate to how she feels, I enjoyed the story and liked the characters just wished it didn't have all the mistakes in the spelling of words and even some of the sentences not making sense but after reading over it you kind of get to grips with what it should say thou it is sometimes a bit distracting x
This was a sweet story line not fast pasted or lots of action but the characters were nice and you can't help feeling for poppy when dealing with her grief of the loss of her brother as anyone who has lost a loved one I think can relate to how she feels, I enjoyed the story and liked the characters just wished it didn't have all the mistakes in the spelling of words and even some of the sentences not making sense but after reading over it you kind of get to grips with what it should say thou it is sometimes a bit distracting x
February 17, 2021
Perfect ugly cry material
I had to put this book off for a while because I knew it would have me sobbing and I was so right. This broke my heart multiple times over I felt like I was experiencing the loss right alongside Poppy. I loved this story, the typical childhood friends to lovers but with an emotional twist. I love all three of the guys and it was a great read watching them heal together. 10/10 recommend if you need a sob fest with a happy ending.
I had to put this book off for a while because I knew it would have me sobbing and I was so right. This broke my heart multiple times over I felt like I was experiencing the loss right alongside Poppy. I loved this story, the typical childhood friends to lovers but with an emotional twist. I love all three of the guys and it was a great read watching them heal together. 10/10 recommend if you need a sob fest with a happy ending.
April 24, 2020
Realistic
This story made me laugh, cry and my heart broke for Poppy as she struggled to overcome what happened. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This story made me laugh, cry and my heart broke for Poppy as she struggled to overcome what happened. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
November 27, 2018
What do you do when half of you is gone?
Poppy just lost her twin brother. A stupid decision and an accident took him from her life permanently. Their closest friends won't let her alone with her grief, though. They'd finally gotten Perry to agree to let this polyandrous relationship get started when he was suddenly gone from their lives. Now they've got to wait even longer because they refuse to start a long term relationship in grief. But sometimes the most beautiful things come from our darkest moments.
I liked this story. It isn't a bodice ripper. It isn't insta-love. It's the conclusion of years of friendship and bonding moments. It's a new love mixed with comfortable and familiar arms. The grief is woven in but not glossed over or "beat you over the head". It simply is. The little memories peppered throughout help bring a smile to the reader's face and make sure that the guys aren't just a background blur. I'd have liked a little more resolution on the sperm donor's new family and to see her relationship grow a bit more with the guys. But it is a good little short story. The 3 stars are for the errors and the fact that the book spent longer on the sad than the happy and moving forward.
Poppy just lost her twin brother. A stupid decision and an accident took him from her life permanently. Their closest friends won't let her alone with her grief, though. They'd finally gotten Perry to agree to let this polyandrous relationship get started when he was suddenly gone from their lives. Now they've got to wait even longer because they refuse to start a long term relationship in grief. But sometimes the most beautiful things come from our darkest moments.
I liked this story. It isn't a bodice ripper. It isn't insta-love. It's the conclusion of years of friendship and bonding moments. It's a new love mixed with comfortable and familiar arms. The grief is woven in but not glossed over or "beat you over the head". It simply is. The little memories peppered throughout help bring a smile to the reader's face and make sure that the guys aren't just a background blur. I'd have liked a little more resolution on the sperm donor's new family and to see her relationship grow a bit more with the guys. But it is a good little short story. The 3 stars are for the errors and the fact that the book spent longer on the sad than the happy and moving forward.
September 4, 2020
Steady.. then Rushed
I feel its a little unfair for me to rate a book based on the super quick ending that I just read. Emotions are still running through me. Yet, the book has been steady. All character development organized and laid out over the course of the book.. but that all came crashing down in the last 10 pages. The characters development went from like 40 to 100 in 10 pages. Those previous 40 were drawn out and explained. The book lost a star because of it.
But the book is good and interesting. I liked the interactions between the guys and Poppy. I liked how they went through 2-3 stages of grief (again, rushed ending). I like how Perry was a character even though he was dead. He was an important character.
I disliked how bland the harem guys were. Yes they were unique and had diverse backgrounds.. but they were almost always told, not shown. all interactions were told/shown. The interactions were missing the 5 senses, which made it lose quality. When they interacted together, they had similar or exact personalities. It lost a star because of it. 3 sex scenes - which are detailed and include the 5 senses.
I feel its a little unfair for me to rate a book based on the super quick ending that I just read. Emotions are still running through me. Yet, the book has been steady. All character development organized and laid out over the course of the book.. but that all came crashing down in the last 10 pages. The characters development went from like 40 to 100 in 10 pages. Those previous 40 were drawn out and explained. The book lost a star because of it.
But the book is good and interesting. I liked the interactions between the guys and Poppy. I liked how they went through 2-3 stages of grief (again, rushed ending). I like how Perry was a character even though he was dead. He was an important character.
I disliked how bland the harem guys were. Yes they were unique and had diverse backgrounds.. but they were almost always told, not shown. all interactions were told/shown. The interactions were missing the 5 senses, which made it lose quality. When they interacted together, they had similar or exact personalities. It lost a star because of it. 3 sex scenes - which are detailed and include the 5 senses.
October 4, 2019
Pretty interesting. It was kind of sad how much everyone missed her twin and yet at the same time it came around that
I love the title and how it worked into the overall theme of the story. I can't help but wonder if the author is a Dr. Who fan, though. I just can't think of the word petrichor without thinking of Eleven.
I love the title and how it worked into the overall theme of the story. I can't help but wonder if the author is a Dr. Who fan, though. I just can't think of the word petrichor without thinking of Eleven.
February 27, 2019
Bland
I had to give up around 60% through. It was just so bland and one dimensional. I understand grief, and i understand the concept of slow burn, but this book took things way too far. To be perfectly honest, I don't *want* to read a "romance" that's really about a dead guy and how sad we all are that he's dead. That's pretty much the opposite of romance, and completely ruined the story for me.
I had to give up around 60% through. It was just so bland and one dimensional. I understand grief, and i understand the concept of slow burn, but this book took things way too far. To be perfectly honest, I don't *want* to read a "romance" that's really about a dead guy and how sad we all are that he's dead. That's pretty much the opposite of romance, and completely ruined the story for me.
October 6, 2022
Petrichor pulled me out of the little reading slump I was in, and for that I am grateful. It’s a more solemn rh romance, but the grief and emotions were written so well. That balanced with the romance, which was also pretty great, created a beautiful story. Held my interest all the way through, and was easy to read quick. Definitely recommend picking up if you’re a fan of rh & are maybe looking for a little change of pace. Petrichor has an overhanging sadness, but it’s quite good!
November 23, 2018
Emotional read
I think I cried for most of this book. I felt Poppys pain. All the emotions she felt was so relatable. If you have lost someone this book will definitely touch on all the emotions you are going thru. I loved all the guys they were all broken in some way and it took Poppy and all of them together to be whole. I loved this book it was absolutely amazing .
I think I cried for most of this book. I felt Poppys pain. All the emotions she felt was so relatable. If you have lost someone this book will definitely touch on all the emotions you are going thru. I loved all the guys they were all broken in some way and it took Poppy and all of them together to be whole. I loved this book it was absolutely amazing .
December 6, 2019
Still crying!!!!!
I'm a bit broken after reading this. I've pretty much cried with all the characters for the loss they are all feeling. Just when you think you have a handle on things bam it goes right out the window. It truly is a beautiful book about loosing someone special, over coming the grief and forging a relationship that was in a way forbidden.
I'm a bit broken after reading this. I've pretty much cried with all the characters for the loss they are all feeling. Just when you think you have a handle on things bam it goes right out the window. It truly is a beautiful book about loosing someone special, over coming the grief and forging a relationship that was in a way forbidden.
October 15, 2022
Not my cup of tea, sorry. I just can't with the fast burns (which it's bound to be when you tell a whole story about building a harem in 225 pages if you ask me). Too much time spent talking about certain things, not enough time talking about the important things in my opinion. Sorry!
I do love the cover and the title. Very much.
I do love the cover and the title. Very much.
March 24, 2023
Wow
Wow so this has been in my TBR for a while and I finally bit the bullet and read it. Absolutely no regrets, wow the way you could just feel the grief pouring off these pages and seeing how poppy and the guys slowly worked thru it and their relationship. It was absolutely beautiful
Wow so this has been in my TBR for a while and I finally bit the bullet and read it. Absolutely no regrets, wow the way you could just feel the grief pouring off these pages and seeing how poppy and the guys slowly worked thru it and their relationship. It was absolutely beautiful
October 22, 2023
Just what the heart ordered
I’m usually an enemies to lovers reader but I was feeling a little sad today and thought a good ole friends to lovers would help. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the plot. Spice was very low key but the book moved at a decent pace so it wasn’t needed.
I’m usually an enemies to lovers reader but I was feeling a little sad today and thought a good ole friends to lovers would help. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the plot. Spice was very low key but the book moved at a decent pace so it wasn’t needed.
November 24, 2018
Hits right in the feels
If you are looking for a tear jerker of a romance this one will hit you right in the feels. I normally don’t like crying at a romance but this one was sweet.
If you are looking for a tear jerker of a romance this one will hit you right in the feels. I normally don’t like crying at a romance but this one was sweet.
January 25, 2019
Contemporary reverse harem
This book starts with a significant loss. The mc loses her twin brother. Through her grief she is trying to navigate her feelings for the three best friends he left behind. Great book with all the feels. This one made me laugh out loud a few times.
This book starts with a significant loss. The mc loses her twin brother. Through her grief she is trying to navigate her feelings for the three best friends he left behind. Great book with all the feels. This one made me laugh out loud a few times.
October 12, 2020
Lovely
A lovely story. Full of emotion and packed with hot men. I was left with A couple of questions. The significance of the man at the wake (why even mention it?) and the "strange behaviour" of the cop. But as a whole I really enjoyed the story.
A lovely story. Full of emotion and packed with hot men. I was left with A couple of questions. The significance of the man at the wake (why even mention it?) and the "strange behaviour" of the cop. But as a whole I really enjoyed the story.
February 5, 2021
Rh romance
A book that shows a romance as it develops over a grieving period. I wish some of the characters would have been developed more and I felt like some questions were left unanswered by the end of the story. It was a quick and easy read.
A book that shows a romance as it develops over a grieving period. I wish some of the characters would have been developed more and I felt like some questions were left unanswered by the end of the story. It was a quick and easy read.
June 6, 2021
It's depressing. But for me, I don't really like a notion of a good thing can happen only after somebody died. Well, although at some point, the dead twin knew about his best friends' feeling toward his sister. But, it still bothers me.
November 25, 2018
Nicely done
Sweet read! I really liked this book! The characters are so endearing and relatable. I hope to read more on the future
Sweet read! I really liked this book! The characters are so endearing and relatable. I hope to read more on the future
December 5, 2018
This book made me cry oh holy crap it was sooo damn good
April 22, 2019
Not exactly my cup of tea. The characters felt under-developed. There was so much more that the author could have done with this book!
August 12, 2019
I wanted to like this so much more, but the main character was annoying as heck. Such a baby.
September 16, 2020
Omg yes 👍
Oh my.. this book was beautifully done. So much heart break and characters development. I was into this story crab your kleenex you will need it. A must read highly recommended.
Oh my.. this book was beautifully done. So much heart break and characters development. I was into this story crab your kleenex you will need it. A must read highly recommended.
September 29, 2022
Enjoyed
This was a really good and emotional read. About grief and love and healing. I totally cried throughout the book. I’m so happy they get a hea. I really would’ve love more of an epilogue to see more of them and what’s going on with the step siblings. I also get it was a set up and that creepy cop and the creepy guys who appeared twice was a set up that never went anywhere.
This was a really good and emotional read. About grief and love and healing. I totally cried throughout the book. I’m so happy they get a hea. I really would’ve love more of an epilogue to see more of them and what’s going on with the step siblings. I also get it was a set up and that creepy cop and the creepy guys who appeared twice was a set up that never went anywhere.
March 24, 2021
It’s a good story. You’ll feel their grief, their love, and support. The ending was abrupt and lacking though, for some reason. It was a little random with the way things ended. It’s almost like the author didn’t want to continue with writing. The car thing where Poppy suspected the wrong person seems so random too, but overall it was a good read and I loved the characters and plot.
May 20, 2019
Have your tissues handy
This book had me in tears of sadness, frustration, and joy. I was pulled in from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Poppy, Dean, Flynn, and Gavin put me through the emotion wringer, but I loved every moment of it. This will be a book I come back to for another read.
This book had me in tears of sadness, frustration, and joy. I was pulled in from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Poppy, Dean, Flynn, and Gavin put me through the emotion wringer, but I loved every moment of it. This will be a book I come back to for another read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews