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Big Sur Love #1
Bohemian
Two souls, drawn together beneath a fierce sky…
Calvin Ellis’s neat and orderly life is shattered when his grandfather dies, leaving him ownership of a quirky bookstore in Big Sur, California. The Mad Ones: once a place famous for poetry readings and bohemian rebellion, it now teeters on the brink of financial ruin.
Lucia Bell’s glamorous life as a super model is put into stark perspective when she shows up for a photo shoot, at a bookstore, in the middle of nowhere. She finds herself oddly intrigued by the quiet, nerdy owner with the huge glasses reading behind the register.
One night they share a passionate and frenzied kiss against a bookshelf. Outside the store, lightning strikes. Trees topple. And the world shakes beneath their feet.
As the storm tears its way through Big Sur, Calvin and Lucia share and explore their most secret desires. Hopes and dreams they once thought lost are recaptured. But inevitably, as reality roars back, they find themselves stuck at a crossroads.
Two conflicting paths. And each must make their own decision.
Which life will they choose? And will it include the other?
Calvin Ellis’s neat and orderly life is shattered when his grandfather dies, leaving him ownership of a quirky bookstore in Big Sur, California. The Mad Ones: once a place famous for poetry readings and bohemian rebellion, it now teeters on the brink of financial ruin.
Lucia Bell’s glamorous life as a super model is put into stark perspective when she shows up for a photo shoot, at a bookstore, in the middle of nowhere. She finds herself oddly intrigued by the quiet, nerdy owner with the huge glasses reading behind the register.
One night they share a passionate and frenzied kiss against a bookshelf. Outside the store, lightning strikes. Trees topple. And the world shakes beneath their feet.
As the storm tears its way through Big Sur, Calvin and Lucia share and explore their most secret desires. Hopes and dreams they once thought lost are recaptured. But inevitably, as reality roars back, they find themselves stuck at a crossroads.
Two conflicting paths. And each must make their own decision.
Which life will they choose? And will it include the other?
370 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2017
1139 people are currently reading
8548 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Nolan
21 books1,568 followersKathryn Nolan (she/they) is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author. Her steamy romance novels are known for their slow-burn sexual tension, memorable characters, and big, hopeful feelings.
Kathryn is a bisexual bookworm and femme cutie with big Leo energy. They love to spend their free time hiking, camping and traveling. When not on the road, they live in their hometown of Philly with their cute husband and giant-eared rescue pup, Walter.
Sign up for Kathryn’s weekly newsletter to see what she’s writing, what she’s reading/watching and get all her travel stories (plus an abundance of Walter photos!).
Newsletter link: https://www.authorkathrynnolan.com/jo...
Kathryn is a bisexual bookworm and femme cutie with big Leo energy. They love to spend their free time hiking, camping and traveling. When not on the road, they live in their hometown of Philly with their cute husband and giant-eared rescue pup, Walter.
Sign up for Kathryn’s weekly newsletter to see what she’s writing, what she’s reading/watching and get all her travel stories (plus an abundance of Walter photos!).
Newsletter link: https://www.authorkathrynnolan.com/jo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 735 reviews
May 13, 2025
I absoluetely loved this book. The characters knew each other for such a short time but this author made it truly feel like they were MEANT for each other. Also this was spicy!!!! and the spice was chefs mf kiss.
Hot nerd X Famous Supermodel
Hot nerd X Famous Supermodel
June 7, 2023
3 Embrace Joy Stars ⭐
With the death of his greatest champion, Calvin Ellis is at a loss when his grandfather leaves him his biggest treasure 'The Mad Ones'. This infamous bookstore was the home and heart of legendary poets, book readings and bohemian love children. Although floundering financially it has always remained an institution.
Yet was does an engineer geek from Silicon Valley know about running a business let alone a bookstore amassed with memories and dreams? Knowing that selling is the obvious choice he will attempt to honor his grandfather's final legacy even just for a little while.
I owed him this. I owed this place to stay open until the bitter end, to close with some dignity and respect - not to bulldoze it tomorrow.
During a photo-shoot in Big Sur, supermodel Lucia Bell didn't expect the affect that the 'The Mad Ones' would have. Being a whirlwind of beauty, snark and instagram royalty, the lack of internet alone should have made her completely out of place in the wilderness. However the magic of poetry, as well as store owner Calvin is slowly reopening a part of herself now hidden and forcing her to reevaluate her choices thus far.
I breathed in the scent of dust and words. My Heart was still racing, my body keyed up. I suddenly longed for someone to press me against these shelves, skin-to-skin.
Both Calvin and Lucia are complex people yearning for something deeper that neither can identify. Calvin is unaware that he leads and 'uninspired life' life until he takes ownership of the bookstore. Whereas Lucia should be blissfully happy with her career and successes, yet it's becoming difficult to ignore that her current life isn't her dream. Two kindred spirits drawn together by circumstance that ignite in each other's company.
For me Bohemian could have been great, but occasionally I felt as if the story was bogged down with too much detail. I kept wishing the story would speed up so I could get to the best parts. But for you slow burn lovers, this is story is truly beautiful and romantic and definitely worth a go!
With the death of his greatest champion, Calvin Ellis is at a loss when his grandfather leaves him his biggest treasure 'The Mad Ones'. This infamous bookstore was the home and heart of legendary poets, book readings and bohemian love children. Although floundering financially it has always remained an institution.
Yet was does an engineer geek from Silicon Valley know about running a business let alone a bookstore amassed with memories and dreams? Knowing that selling is the obvious choice he will attempt to honor his grandfather's final legacy even just for a little while.
I owed him this. I owed this place to stay open until the bitter end, to close with some dignity and respect - not to bulldoze it tomorrow.
During a photo-shoot in Big Sur, supermodel Lucia Bell didn't expect the affect that the 'The Mad Ones' would have. Being a whirlwind of beauty, snark and instagram royalty, the lack of internet alone should have made her completely out of place in the wilderness. However the magic of poetry, as well as store owner Calvin is slowly reopening a part of herself now hidden and forcing her to reevaluate her choices thus far.
I breathed in the scent of dust and words. My Heart was still racing, my body keyed up. I suddenly longed for someone to press me against these shelves, skin-to-skin.
Both Calvin and Lucia are complex people yearning for something deeper that neither can identify. Calvin is unaware that he leads and 'uninspired life' life until he takes ownership of the bookstore. Whereas Lucia should be blissfully happy with her career and successes, yet it's becoming difficult to ignore that her current life isn't her dream. Two kindred spirits drawn together by circumstance that ignite in each other's company.
For me Bohemian could have been great, but occasionally I felt as if the story was bogged down with too much detail. I kept wishing the story would speed up so I could get to the best parts. But for you slow burn lovers, this is story is truly beautiful and romantic and definitely worth a go!
November 10, 2017
I want to talk to y'all about a book.
As many of you know, I'm very particular about the titles I recommend. I have to like the book all the way through to say "go read this book."
That brings me to BOHEMIAN by Kathryn Nolan.
Go read this book.
I've had it on my Kindle for I don't know how long, but that's the way with me. I believe books come to you and call to you at particular times, and I know I wasn't in the right place for BOHEMIAN when it released in September.
There are a handful of things that struck me hard with BOHEMIAN. I'm going to talk through each one in a neat list because my brain is a Walsh brain.
1 - The way Kathryn handles loss and grief is powerful and restrained all at the same time. The hero, Cal, is grieving the loss of his grandfather throughout this story, and there is real beauty in the restraint Kathryn uses to portray his experience. But that restraint means the moments you're given to see into Cal's grief will knock you down.
I do believe there's a difference between the type of ugly cry that marches you at gunpoint to an emotional crisis and the kind that washes over you gently. Humanely. This is the latter.
2 - The struggle against the normative. The Boy Assistant and I often talk about how many people exist in the realm of "shoulds" -- what people should do, should think, should need, and it isn't worth hammering away at the shoulds because people don't.
Tangent aside, this book offers a gorgeous peek into the minds of two characters, Lucia and Cal, who are struggling against the confines of the normative. They know what they should, but they also know they don't want to.
Not everyone wants to imagine exchanging the highway of their life for a winding country road, but that part of the novel stuck with me like a jumping cholla.
3 - This is an absolutely lovely slow burn. The most lovely I've read in a long time. Interestingly, Cal and Lucia fall for each other in a short period of time but the minute by minute escalation of their attraction is artfully crafted. It felt slow burn to me, and I loved it. You can actually wrap your hands around the anticipation and feel it tightening in your belly.
4 - If I had to select one word to describe the tone of this book it would be reverence. Cal and Lucia, in different and similar ways, come to find reverence for so many things. And they do it with authenticity. They admire nature, the ocean, books and poetry, each other. I feel like we often try to worship beautiful things in the natural world and art and literature but it comes out in a brassy, vapid way. And there's nothing brassy or vapid about Cal and Lucia, or anything they experience.
5 - The sexytimes are for real. You don't get them until that slow burns turns into an explosion but they are worth the wait.
6 - I admire these characters. Cal and Lucia come to us at points in time when they're quite deep in their own silos, and they aren't sure how to climb out. Or if they want to climb out. They experience a lot of growth but also a lot of fear, and those fears make them react in ways that make us want to crush our own glasses of whiskey.
I loved that Cal -- this nerdy, self-conscious dude -- grew into himself in the course of this story. There were a lot of things he didn't know (or embrace) about himself, and I found that so refreshing.
I loved that Lucia -- this precocious, self-confident model -- bared her vulnerabilities to Cal as this story progressed.
So.... read this book.
As many of you know, I'm very particular about the titles I recommend. I have to like the book all the way through to say "go read this book."
That brings me to BOHEMIAN by Kathryn Nolan.
Go read this book.
I've had it on my Kindle for I don't know how long, but that's the way with me. I believe books come to you and call to you at particular times, and I know I wasn't in the right place for BOHEMIAN when it released in September.
There are a handful of things that struck me hard with BOHEMIAN. I'm going to talk through each one in a neat list because my brain is a Walsh brain.
1 - The way Kathryn handles loss and grief is powerful and restrained all at the same time. The hero, Cal, is grieving the loss of his grandfather throughout this story, and there is real beauty in the restraint Kathryn uses to portray his experience. But that restraint means the moments you're given to see into Cal's grief will knock you down.
I do believe there's a difference between the type of ugly cry that marches you at gunpoint to an emotional crisis and the kind that washes over you gently. Humanely. This is the latter.
2 - The struggle against the normative. The Boy Assistant and I often talk about how many people exist in the realm of "shoulds" -- what people should do, should think, should need, and it isn't worth hammering away at the shoulds because people don't.
Tangent aside, this book offers a gorgeous peek into the minds of two characters, Lucia and Cal, who are struggling against the confines of the normative. They know what they should, but they also know they don't want to.
Not everyone wants to imagine exchanging the highway of their life for a winding country road, but that part of the novel stuck with me like a jumping cholla.
3 - This is an absolutely lovely slow burn. The most lovely I've read in a long time. Interestingly, Cal and Lucia fall for each other in a short period of time but the minute by minute escalation of their attraction is artfully crafted. It felt slow burn to me, and I loved it. You can actually wrap your hands around the anticipation and feel it tightening in your belly.
4 - If I had to select one word to describe the tone of this book it would be reverence. Cal and Lucia, in different and similar ways, come to find reverence for so many things. And they do it with authenticity. They admire nature, the ocean, books and poetry, each other. I feel like we often try to worship beautiful things in the natural world and art and literature but it comes out in a brassy, vapid way. And there's nothing brassy or vapid about Cal and Lucia, or anything they experience.
5 - The sexytimes are for real. You don't get them until that slow burns turns into an explosion but they are worth the wait.
6 - I admire these characters. Cal and Lucia come to us at points in time when they're quite deep in their own silos, and they aren't sure how to climb out. Or if they want to climb out. They experience a lot of growth but also a lot of fear, and those fears make them react in ways that make us want to crush our own glasses of whiskey.
I loved that Cal -- this nerdy, self-conscious dude -- grew into himself in the course of this story. There were a lot of things he didn't know (or embrace) about himself, and I found that so refreshing.
I loved that Lucia -- this precocious, self-confident model -- bared her vulnerabilities to Cal as this story progressed.
So.... read this book.
March 2, 2019
2,5 stars
Calvin Ellis’s grandfather leaves him the ownership of a bohemian bookstore in Big Sur, California: The Mad Ones.
The town was once a place famous for bohemian life and the bookstore famous for its poetry readings, but now it is a losing business with a lot of debt in this modern technological world, where people prefer to read e-books rather than go & buy a book from a bookstore.
Lucia Bell is a world-famous super model and she comes to Big Sur for a 3-day photo shoot. First, she is unhappy that there is no internet in this town and she cannot do updates for her followers but then, we see another side of this supermodel, who was once a little girl very much interested in literature, especially poetry. However, her parents insisted that she didn’t need school education because she was beautiful and they wanted her to be a famous top model.
In Big Sur, Lucia finds the inspiration to read and write poems again after 7 years and she is also incredibly attracted to the nerdy owner of the bookstore, Calvin.
Calvin is a shy man, hiding behind his glasses and his books. Most of the time, Calvin tries to ignore the world-famous super model but every now and then, he looks at her and sees that she is also watching her and he feels the powerful chemistry between them.
Lucia and Calvin start to get to know each other by talking about books and their favorite literary works.
They also talk about their life and dreams for future.
Calvin is on the verge of selling his grandfather’s book store and Lucia is on the verge of accepting a two-year job in Paris. They have really met each other when they are at a crossroads in their lives. They just need to decide what to do with their lives and with the growing feelings between them.
***********************************************
The book has a very slow pace and page by page, Lucia and Calvin get closer and closer.
The book has a great deal of reference to literary works of famous writers and poets, as well. That might be interesting for the lovers of poetry.
***********************************************
As I am not a fan of BDSM, the hot scenes between the couple who like it rough did not appeal to me at all but they may be hot for lovers of it.
Also, I couldn’t believe that the character of Calvin (the shy nerdy engineer who had very little experience with women before) could so easily transform into the dominant alpha male when he is with this world-famous supermodel! It didn't seem so convincing to me. A man who is so shy while talking to a beautiful woman suddenly turns into a man who talks in a confident and dirty way to this sexy and beautiful woman and owns her in a bold manner and in a rough way. Nope, I didn't buy it, sorry!
I think I would have enjoyed this book more with a different “male hero” – I just couldn’t connect to Calvin and didn’t find him convincing enough to be invested in his story.
As for Lucia, I liked her more than I liked Calvin but still her shallow side that was super worried about fame and followers made it difficult for me to connect to her, as well, to be invested in her story, either.
All in all, this has been a different read, and I am happy that I have read it because it made me think about many things in my life. It is surely inspiring in many ways. I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to for the reasons I've mentioned above.
Tell me: what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Calvin Ellis’s grandfather leaves him the ownership of a bohemian bookstore in Big Sur, California: The Mad Ones.
The town was once a place famous for bohemian life and the bookstore famous for its poetry readings, but now it is a losing business with a lot of debt in this modern technological world, where people prefer to read e-books rather than go & buy a book from a bookstore.
Lucia Bell is a world-famous super model and she comes to Big Sur for a 3-day photo shoot. First, she is unhappy that there is no internet in this town and she cannot do updates for her followers but then, we see another side of this supermodel, who was once a little girl very much interested in literature, especially poetry. However, her parents insisted that she didn’t need school education because she was beautiful and they wanted her to be a famous top model.
In Big Sur, Lucia finds the inspiration to read and write poems again after 7 years and she is also incredibly attracted to the nerdy owner of the bookstore, Calvin.
Calvin is a shy man, hiding behind his glasses and his books. Most of the time, Calvin tries to ignore the world-famous super model but every now and then, he looks at her and sees that she is also watching her and he feels the powerful chemistry between them.
Lucia and Calvin start to get to know each other by talking about books and their favorite literary works.
They also talk about their life and dreams for future.
Calvin is on the verge of selling his grandfather’s book store and Lucia is on the verge of accepting a two-year job in Paris. They have really met each other when they are at a crossroads in their lives. They just need to decide what to do with their lives and with the growing feelings between them.
***********************************************
The book has a very slow pace and page by page, Lucia and Calvin get closer and closer.
The book has a great deal of reference to literary works of famous writers and poets, as well. That might be interesting for the lovers of poetry.
***********************************************
As I am not a fan of BDSM, the hot scenes between the couple who like it rough did not appeal to me at all but they may be hot for lovers of it.
Also, I couldn’t believe that the character of Calvin (the shy nerdy engineer who had very little experience with women before) could so easily transform into the dominant alpha male when he is with this world-famous supermodel! It didn't seem so convincing to me. A man who is so shy while talking to a beautiful woman suddenly turns into a man who talks in a confident and dirty way to this sexy and beautiful woman and owns her in a bold manner and in a rough way. Nope, I didn't buy it, sorry!
I think I would have enjoyed this book more with a different “male hero” – I just couldn’t connect to Calvin and didn’t find him convincing enough to be invested in his story.
As for Lucia, I liked her more than I liked Calvin but still her shallow side that was super worried about fame and followers made it difficult for me to connect to her, as well, to be invested in her story, either.
All in all, this has been a different read, and I am happy that I have read it because it made me think about many things in my life. It is surely inspiring in many ways. I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to for the reasons I've mentioned above.
Tell me: what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
March 2, 2019
This was an absolutely stupid book. The heroine was a shallow, vain, instagram addict who got validated from having legions of followers. Her obsession about constantly checking her following and freaking when 22 people stopped following her was ridiculous.
I thought the book would be saved by the hero, but I was wrong. He was a nerdy guy and I love me some nerdy beta's on occasion, but they have to be done right. This one was not. He was shy, backward, and all around unsure of himself. I was on board.... and then he turned alpha in the bedroom straight out of the gate with a supermodel that he could barely string a sentence together for. Not only that, but he had the confidence... SUDDENLY... to pull out his Christian Gray moves.... moves he'd never had the nerve to use in the past, but did now that he was with a supermodel. MIND BLOWN
Bottom line. This story was far fetched and didn't work for me.
I thought the book would be saved by the hero, but I was wrong. He was a nerdy guy and I love me some nerdy beta's on occasion, but they have to be done right. This one was not. He was shy, backward, and all around unsure of himself. I was on board.... and then he turned alpha in the bedroom straight out of the gate with a supermodel that he could barely string a sentence together for. Not only that, but he had the confidence... SUDDENLY... to pull out his Christian Gray moves.... moves he'd never had the nerve to use in the past, but did now that he was with a supermodel. MIND BLOWN
Bottom line. This story was far fetched and didn't work for me.
September 20, 2017
If you're not reading Kathryn Nolan's books, I don't know what the hell you're reading. This woman has pure talent when it comes to writing this love stuff. Sometimes waiting for a couple to fall in love in a book feels tedious. Kathryn Nolan makes it feel effortless without necessarily being instant. Bohemian is a love story that feels like poetry. Set in Big Sur at an old bookstore called "The Mad Ones." It is a bookish girls dream come true. Falling in love, with an old bookstore as your setting. The BEAUTIFUL/peaceful/wondrous landscape of Big Sur as your backdrop. What is more bookish than that?
That being said... the hero... the hero. *sigh* if the setting is a dream, then Calvin is a bookish girls WET dream. Outwardly nerdy and awkward, but let's just say that dear Calvin has layers. Many many wonderful layers beneath the book loving computer programmer. He inherits "The Mad Ones," from his grandfather that just passed away. What at first may seem like a nice walk down memory lane before selling off the financial burden, turns into so much more when a photographer, his crew, and two top models show up for a preplanned Boho style photo shoot at his bookstore.
The heroine, Lucia, is a beautiful career model. With a big beautiful contract and her dream life waiting for her in Paris. All she's known for so long is modeling and she is so embedded in that world that's she's almost lost touch with what she loved before. Until a nerdy guy with glasses, a week without Internet, and a bookstore full of history and quirk brings her first love flooding back, and maybe a new one too.
This story is full of emotions. Full of feelings, and hell... its definitely not short on the hot and steamy. Two souls on separate paths that aren't quite right meet in the middle by chance. Will they take a new path together or stay on the okay path apart? Read Bohemian and find out.
https://instagram.com/p/BZR8K6Hgu8S/
^^check out a fan teaser I made on Instagram!
That being said... the hero... the hero. *sigh* if the setting is a dream, then Calvin is a bookish girls WET dream. Outwardly nerdy and awkward, but let's just say that dear Calvin has layers. Many many wonderful layers beneath the book loving computer programmer. He inherits "The Mad Ones," from his grandfather that just passed away. What at first may seem like a nice walk down memory lane before selling off the financial burden, turns into so much more when a photographer, his crew, and two top models show up for a preplanned Boho style photo shoot at his bookstore.
The heroine, Lucia, is a beautiful career model. With a big beautiful contract and her dream life waiting for her in Paris. All she's known for so long is modeling and she is so embedded in that world that's she's almost lost touch with what she loved before. Until a nerdy guy with glasses, a week without Internet, and a bookstore full of history and quirk brings her first love flooding back, and maybe a new one too.
This story is full of emotions. Full of feelings, and hell... its definitely not short on the hot and steamy. Two souls on separate paths that aren't quite right meet in the middle by chance. Will they take a new path together or stay on the okay path apart? Read Bohemian and find out.
https://instagram.com/p/BZR8K6Hgu8S/
^^check out a fan teaser I made on Instagram!
January 23, 2018
A perfectly written nerdy beta male turns sexy in this earthy, rich hippie-style love story. The story centers around the love of literature and poetry and how a deep connection with the written word can bring people together. My favorite so far this year and my first five star read of 2018!
December 3, 2021
Wow oh wow. Yall!!!! First, thank you to Ariana @ariana_mariexo on Twitter for recommending me this title. I'm so happy I decided to pick it up right away because it definitely brought me everything I wanted in a romance book.
Bohemian is perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Kate Canterbary! It has steam, dirty-talking heroes, fashionista heroines, and small towns. This story follows Calvin and Lucia; two people who at first glance have nothing in common. Lucia is a worldwide famous supermodel who loves posting things on her Instagram and craves the attention of her followers. Calvin, on the other hand, just inherited a bookstore from his grandfather and he doesn't know what to do with it. He's shy and quiet and easily blushes in front of people. Together? They're so powerful!
But when you get to know them more profoundly... you realize that they are actually perfect together. They flirt via poems because they adore poetry!!! They leave poems outside the doors and mark their favorite parts with Post-Its and it's so adorable. Lucia and Calvin have never felt this way about anyone before. It's truly the soulmates trope, you all. Like destiny!!!! DESTINY MADE THEM MEET.
I was constantly swooning when reading this book. Each chapter is short and leaves you with the excitement of starting the next one immediately. I couldn't stop reading and actually finished it at work! It gives you slow-burn and steamy like you don't even know. YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP! The way these two are so horny for each other, but Calvin still blushes and can't look at her in the eye? Chef kiss. The quiet ones are the filthiest, right? When he starts being dirty and whispers naughty things in her ear, you will be a goner as well as Lucia.
I'm definitely going to be reading more books by Kathryn Nolan, I'm excited. I adored her writings, it's s lyrical and luscious and pretty. She describes the settings so beautifully and I'm obsessed. I'm sure that if you give this a try, you're going to fall for this story as well.
Bohemian is perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Kate Canterbary! It has steam, dirty-talking heroes, fashionista heroines, and small towns. This story follows Calvin and Lucia; two people who at first glance have nothing in common. Lucia is a worldwide famous supermodel who loves posting things on her Instagram and craves the attention of her followers. Calvin, on the other hand, just inherited a bookstore from his grandfather and he doesn't know what to do with it. He's shy and quiet and easily blushes in front of people. Together? They're so powerful!
But when you get to know them more profoundly... you realize that they are actually perfect together. They flirt via poems because they adore poetry!!! They leave poems outside the doors and mark their favorite parts with Post-Its and it's so adorable. Lucia and Calvin have never felt this way about anyone before. It's truly the soulmates trope, you all. Like destiny!!!! DESTINY MADE THEM MEET.
I was constantly swooning when reading this book. Each chapter is short and leaves you with the excitement of starting the next one immediately. I couldn't stop reading and actually finished it at work! It gives you slow-burn and steamy like you don't even know. YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP! The way these two are so horny for each other, but Calvin still blushes and can't look at her in the eye? Chef kiss. The quiet ones are the filthiest, right? When he starts being dirty and whispers naughty things in her ear, you will be a goner as well as Lucia.
I'm definitely going to be reading more books by Kathryn Nolan, I'm excited. I adored her writings, it's s lyrical and luscious and pretty. She describes the settings so beautifully and I'm obsessed. I'm sure that if you give this a try, you're going to fall for this story as well.
July 29, 2025
To everyone who recommended this online: I’m hiring an Etsy witch to place a curse on u
April 24, 2018
I loved this! It was refreshingly different! None of the typical tropes! It is well written and I loved Calvin and Lucia! Also- now I really need a vacation to Big Sur! After all the descriptions in this book I am desperate to see it!
February 22, 2018
If you like BDSM Lite, very rough sex (I want to bruise/I love my bruises) and lots of expletives/dirty talk then this is for you. Great literary references and poetry galore, could have been a really interesting book. The setting of Big Sur was wonderful.
But it degenerated into a story about two people who wanted to dominate or be a sub, it was wall-to-wall sex and any tenderness or romance was pretty much destroyed by this stage.
Oh well- should read the reviews more carefully. I would have picked up that this CR was not of a genre I particularly enjoy.
But it degenerated into a story about two people who wanted to dominate or be a sub, it was wall-to-wall sex and any tenderness or romance was pretty much destroyed by this stage.
Oh well- should read the reviews more carefully. I would have picked up that this CR was not of a genre I particularly enjoy.
December 10, 2021
RTC when I am not being murdered by finals stress!!
But for the record, shy/nerdy men who are sweet AND have the best dirty talk?? 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 And I totally need to read the bonus epilogue!
Content warning: BDSM (emphasis on the D and S part), explicit sex scenes, death of a loved one (off page)
But for the record, shy/nerdy men who are sweet AND have the best dirty talk?? 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 And I totally need to read the bonus epilogue!
Content warning: BDSM (emphasis on the D and S part), explicit sex scenes, death of a loved one (off page)
June 9, 2023
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I breathed in the scent of dust and words. My heart was still racing, my body keyed up. I suddenly longed for someone to press me against these shelves, skin-to-skin.
In this hot and sweet romance worlds collide and sparks fly between a shy software engineer from Sillicon Valley and one of the hottest Supermodels of modern times.
29-year-old Calvin recently inherited his grandfather's beloved bookstore, and to pay off the debts he agreed to lend out the space for a filiming by a high-end fashion magazine and the star of the shooting is none other than the stunning Lucia Bell.
Despite the different worlds they come from but one thing brought their hearts closer... poetry.
Well, I did like this book but not enough to get a higher rating for me. It left me wanting more and while the premise and the dynamic of the main couple is entertaining but something just felt off.
It was so freaking adorable when they started to pass littles notes scribbled with poems between each other.
But I needed more.
I think readers in the mood for a light romance read might enjoy this one.
I breathed in the scent of dust and words. My heart was still racing, my body keyed up. I suddenly longed for someone to press me against these shelves, skin-to-skin.
In this hot and sweet romance worlds collide and sparks fly between a shy software engineer from Sillicon Valley and one of the hottest Supermodels of modern times.
29-year-old Calvin recently inherited his grandfather's beloved bookstore, and to pay off the debts he agreed to lend out the space for a filiming by a high-end fashion magazine and the star of the shooting is none other than the stunning Lucia Bell.
Despite the different worlds they come from but one thing brought their hearts closer... poetry.
Well, I did like this book but not enough to get a higher rating for me. It left me wanting more and while the premise and the dynamic of the main couple is entertaining but something just felt off.
It was so freaking adorable when they started to pass littles notes scribbled with poems between each other.
But I needed more.
I think readers in the mood for a light romance read might enjoy this one.
August 12, 2019
There is something about a story where books BECOME the story and that is what happens with this gem. Nerd, computer geek Calvin inherits his grandfather’s bookstore in Big Sur California. While he is trying to find a buyer so he can return to his neat and orderly life a group of Hollywood elite
arrive to do a photo shoot for a clothing line. Supermodel Lucia Bell a closet book lover and writer and Calvin develop a friendship which begins over their mutual love of books and develops into more. There is no internet or cell phone service so all there is to do is read and hang out in the store when they aren’t working and wow there is nothing hotter than two people connecting over books in my opinion. Together they are smoking hot and Calvin really breaks out of his shell. He is one of the most refreshing heroes I’ve met in awhile. It took me awhile to warm up to Lucia as she seemed pretty shallow at first. Calvin’s inner struggle is real should he sell? Should he stay?
The book references and stories that Calvin tells about his grandfather and the bookstore where in the 60s and 70s was a place for authors to gather to write and do readings and party was fascinating and I really felt like I was there. The bookstore was the real star of this and I can’t recommend this enough. 5 stars.
arrive to do a photo shoot for a clothing line. Supermodel Lucia Bell a closet book lover and writer and Calvin develop a friendship which begins over their mutual love of books and develops into more. There is no internet or cell phone service so all there is to do is read and hang out in the store when they aren’t working and wow there is nothing hotter than two people connecting over books in my opinion. Together they are smoking hot and Calvin really breaks out of his shell. He is one of the most refreshing heroes I’ve met in awhile. It took me awhile to warm up to Lucia as she seemed pretty shallow at first. Calvin’s inner struggle is real should he sell? Should he stay?
The book references and stories that Calvin tells about his grandfather and the bookstore where in the 60s and 70s was a place for authors to gather to write and do readings and party was fascinating and I really felt like I was there. The bookstore was the real star of this and I can’t recommend this enough. 5 stars.
January 3, 2018
OMG. Just literally OMG. Kathryn Nolan writes beautiful stories. No wait, scratch that, she paints stunning and sexy pictures in your head with her words. Bohemian is like one incredible movie playing out in my head as sexy, nerd Cal dominates the beautiful and smart Lucia. The conflict was incredible. The steam level burnt my eyebrows off. And the story is exquisite. Also, this book made me go out and buy a bunch of Mary Oliver poetry books. It's that good. One of my favorite reads of the year!
September 25, 2017
Perfection. This book is perfection. It truly is a "love letter to writing." I cried within the first few pages when Cal is eulogizing his grandfather and brings up Shel Silverstein and the peppermint wind. This story is fantastic. The romance is so believable despite it being kind of an unbelievable premise (supermodel and nerd in a bookstore in a forest) and I think that is a testament to how great of a writer Kathryn is. The sexy time is hot as fire. The writing is beautiful. The characters have depth. The ending is magical.
August 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this story, the sweet hero was awesome. I also thought the Big Sur setting was perfect, and the bookstore description... so dreamy.
Thankfully the book has the POV of the hero (Cal) and heroine (Lucia), their inner thoughts were crucial to understand the attraction between a supermodel and a nerdy bookstore owner. Lucia's vulnerability and obsession with social media was also intriguing. It's surprising to see how these platforms become so important to users **raising hand**. The wasted time on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. is bad enough, but the toll it takes on self worth is troubling. This wasn't a huge part of the story, but it was critical to see how technology has changed us, and in my opinion, not for the better.
This is my first book by Kathryn Nolan and I'm impressed. I loved the plot, and the writing was really beautiful. Overall it was a winner for me, I'm looking forward to reading more.
4.5 Stars.
Thankfully the book has the POV of the hero (Cal) and heroine (Lucia), their inner thoughts were crucial to understand the attraction between a supermodel and a nerdy bookstore owner. Lucia's vulnerability and obsession with social media was also intriguing. It's surprising to see how these platforms become so important to users **raising hand**. The wasted time on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. is bad enough, but the toll it takes on self worth is troubling. This wasn't a huge part of the story, but it was critical to see how technology has changed us, and in my opinion, not for the better.
This is my first book by Kathryn Nolan and I'm impressed. I loved the plot, and the writing was really beautiful. Overall it was a winner for me, I'm looking forward to reading more.
4.5 Stars.
September 25, 2017
This review is so difficult for me to write. I have been a fan of Kathryn's since her first novella. But this book- This. Book.- is so beyond that, that I'm not sure where to start. Ms. Nolan is brilliant, talented and this book is so finely crafted that I don't have the appropriate language to describe it. Bohemian is full of poetry, in both the literal and figurative sense. The story is, at its most basic, a love story, but there are layers upon layers, and I definitely think rereads would not go amiss here, in order to catch all of the nuances woven throughout.
Calvin Ellis has lost his grandfather, and gained a bookstore. The Mad Ones, located in Big Sur, is a throwback to the days of poetry readings and writers' retreats, a historical relic of the bohemian age. A self-proclaimed nerd, Cal is a programmer, from Silicon Valley, who typically spends his days among numbers, sci-fi shows, and other nerds. He's barely touched a book since the days, during his youth, that he spent, with his grandfather, at that very same bookstore. And now, by a twist of fate, he is tasked with running it, until he can sell it.
Lucia Bell is a supermodel. Her current shoot is taking place in the woods, and town, of Big Sur. A self-proclaimed social media addict, Lucia is not exactly sure how to handle the complete lack of internet access in the remote, albeit gorgeous, wilderness. But being surrounded by books, and poetry and the inspirational words of the amazing writers of decades long past ignites a spark inside Lucia. And she begins to remember the girl she was before a life of fame, lattes, wardrobe changes and Instagram followers. In that life, she loved reading and poetry and wanted nothing more than to be a writer one day.
These two are (seemingly) polar opposites. Lucia wants nothing more than to be adored, doesn't shy away from the spotlight, and appears to be an extrovert in every sense of the word. Calvin prefers the shadows, a wallflower in nature, he stumbles over his words when engaged in conversation. But, oh, when sparks fly between the two, those hidden personality traits, which lay just beneath the surface are exposed and roles are entirely reversed. The shy nerd becomes the demanding, and dominant alpha. And the coy, diva supermodel blushes - all over.
Big Sur provides the two with a bubble in which they can safely explore this otherwise completely unexpected and almost ridiculous relationship. Words of prose- love and desire- are exchanged, secretly and then overtly. Storms and tidal surges trap them in this almost alternate reality, prolonging their budding affair. Lucia encourages Cal to live life on the edge and Cal helps Lucia to focus her mind and return to her journals. Together, they tempt fates and play a game of what if? What if Cal could revive the bookstore and return it to its profitable and revered glory days? What if Lucia walked away from the world she belongs to and took the time to rediscover her passions?
But when the skies clear, the path for Lucia and Cal becomes blurred. Is it possible to love someone so completely in such a short amount of time? And is love enough to change the course of your life as you knew it?
OK, so don't get me wrong here- I know I'm making it sound like the book is this unbelievably epic love story full of depth and meaning. And it is. But, believe me, there are also some unspeakably hot sexy times, as well. And those scenes, are all the more animalistic and raw because of the emotion lurking behind them. You can just tell that Kathryn has literally poured heart and soul into this book. No scene, or conversation is unimportant. They are all an integral and well thought out part of the bigger picture. And the poetry, sigh, the poetry, it's just the icing on the cake...
Calvin Ellis has lost his grandfather, and gained a bookstore. The Mad Ones, located in Big Sur, is a throwback to the days of poetry readings and writers' retreats, a historical relic of the bohemian age. A self-proclaimed nerd, Cal is a programmer, from Silicon Valley, who typically spends his days among numbers, sci-fi shows, and other nerds. He's barely touched a book since the days, during his youth, that he spent, with his grandfather, at that very same bookstore. And now, by a twist of fate, he is tasked with running it, until he can sell it.
Lucia Bell is a supermodel. Her current shoot is taking place in the woods, and town, of Big Sur. A self-proclaimed social media addict, Lucia is not exactly sure how to handle the complete lack of internet access in the remote, albeit gorgeous, wilderness. But being surrounded by books, and poetry and the inspirational words of the amazing writers of decades long past ignites a spark inside Lucia. And she begins to remember the girl she was before a life of fame, lattes, wardrobe changes and Instagram followers. In that life, she loved reading and poetry and wanted nothing more than to be a writer one day.
These two are (seemingly) polar opposites. Lucia wants nothing more than to be adored, doesn't shy away from the spotlight, and appears to be an extrovert in every sense of the word. Calvin prefers the shadows, a wallflower in nature, he stumbles over his words when engaged in conversation. But, oh, when sparks fly between the two, those hidden personality traits, which lay just beneath the surface are exposed and roles are entirely reversed. The shy nerd becomes the demanding, and dominant alpha. And the coy, diva supermodel blushes - all over.
Big Sur provides the two with a bubble in which they can safely explore this otherwise completely unexpected and almost ridiculous relationship. Words of prose- love and desire- are exchanged, secretly and then overtly. Storms and tidal surges trap them in this almost alternate reality, prolonging their budding affair. Lucia encourages Cal to live life on the edge and Cal helps Lucia to focus her mind and return to her journals. Together, they tempt fates and play a game of what if? What if Cal could revive the bookstore and return it to its profitable and revered glory days? What if Lucia walked away from the world she belongs to and took the time to rediscover her passions?
But when the skies clear, the path for Lucia and Cal becomes blurred. Is it possible to love someone so completely in such a short amount of time? And is love enough to change the course of your life as you knew it?
OK, so don't get me wrong here- I know I'm making it sound like the book is this unbelievably epic love story full of depth and meaning. And it is. But, believe me, there are also some unspeakably hot sexy times, as well. And those scenes, are all the more animalistic and raw because of the emotion lurking behind them. You can just tell that Kathryn has literally poured heart and soul into this book. No scene, or conversation is unimportant. They are all an integral and well thought out part of the bigger picture. And the poetry, sigh, the poetry, it's just the icing on the cake...
September 1, 2024
I really, really f'king wanted to read this absolutely BEAUTIFUL book slooowly, savoring each and every one word at a time, and preferably taking over a month to finish it.... Instead what I actually did was devour all its precious 370 pages on a SINGLE sitting for a literal nonstop sleepless 12 hours+ of read since yesterday evening to this evening. Goddammit! I just couldn't help myself. Seriously, when was the last time I read a full length 400-page English novel cover to cover in one sitting? Probably Dean Koontz's Life Expectancy, waay back in 2008. I never am a superfast/one-sit reader type.
So yeah, this book was all kinds of compulsively readable mindblowing brilliance in a genuine unputdownable way. I'm going to read it at least 2-3 times more this year, immersing in that cozy dreamy timeless Bohemian romantic essence again and again.
অনেক, অনেকদিন পর অ্যাতো মন উদাস করে দেয়া ভালো লাগার একটা উপন্যাস পড়লাম। পঁচিশ বছর আগে পড়া আমার অতিপ্রিয় শীর্ষেন্দু'র 'যাও পাখি' মনে করিয়ে দিলো। যান্ত্রিকশহুরেবিমুখ বোহেমীয়তায় কোথায় যেন মিল আছে দুটোতেই।
12 out of 10.
So yeah, this book was all kinds of compulsively readable mindblowing brilliance in a genuine unputdownable way. I'm going to read it at least 2-3 times more this year, immersing in that cozy dreamy timeless Bohemian romantic essence again and again.
Somewhere in the world, a little girl wrote poems in her bedroom, pouring herself onto the page.
Somewhere in the world a little boy sat and marveled at the strange and wonderful universe he discovered through books.
অনেক, অনেকদিন পর অ্যাতো মন উদাস করে দেয়া ভালো লাগার একটা উপন্যাস পড়লাম। পঁচিশ বছর আগে পড়া আমার অতিপ্রিয় শীর্ষেন্দু'র 'যাও পাখি' মনে করিয়ে দিলো। যান্ত্রিকশহুরেবিমুখ বোহেমীয়তায় কোথায় যেন মিল আছে দুটোতেই।
Tell me: what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last,
and too soon?
Tell me: what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
--Mary Oliver, 'The Summer Day'
12 out of 10.
September 16, 2020
4 stars!
im always amazed by Kathryn Nolan's writing and this one didn't disappoint!
Calvin is this shy and slightly awkward nerd (a hot nerd actually) that later found out about his inheritance of a bookstore.
Lucia is that supermodel leading the ever-glamorous life with millions of followers on social media. though she appears to be kinda cocky initially, Lucia is actually a huge fan of poetry as well, just that she's hiding that side of herself.
This story follows Lucia & Calvin when Lucia is set to have a photoshoot in a bookstore, which happens to be Calvin's. After a few meetings, they begin to share their love for literature. Lucia even started writing her own for Calvin. Flirting with poems is definitely on another level..
Calvin knows Lucia is way out of his league and she will just carry on with her life after the photoshoot. But what happens when Lucia is also starting to develop feelings for Calvin? The slow-burn here is tolerable 😂but that's okay because the story gets REAL steamy afterwards. Shy and quiet Calvin turns out to be a wild and passionate lover 😌
4 stars! ending isn't as realistic but nevertheless, it's a sweet story of two unlikely souls falling in love.
im always amazed by Kathryn Nolan's writing and this one didn't disappoint!
Calvin is this shy and slightly awkward nerd (a hot nerd actually) that later found out about his inheritance of a bookstore.
Lucia is that supermodel leading the ever-glamorous life with millions of followers on social media. though she appears to be kinda cocky initially, Lucia is actually a huge fan of poetry as well, just that she's hiding that side of herself.
This story follows Lucia & Calvin when Lucia is set to have a photoshoot in a bookstore, which happens to be Calvin's. After a few meetings, they begin to share their love for literature. Lucia even started writing her own for Calvin. Flirting with poems is definitely on another level..
Calvin knows Lucia is way out of his league and she will just carry on with her life after the photoshoot. But what happens when Lucia is also starting to develop feelings for Calvin? The slow-burn here is tolerable 😂but that's okay because the story gets REAL steamy afterwards. Shy and quiet Calvin turns out to be a wild and passionate lover 😌
4 stars! ending isn't as realistic but nevertheless, it's a sweet story of two unlikely souls falling in love.
June 27, 2021
This was sweet and I liked the overall story, but I had a little bit of a hard time relating to the supermodel heroine.
February 25, 2020
5 stars ☀️ for a sweet combination of poetry and kink.
I'm not a fan of a new age pretentiousness and shallow boho shit. Those new pseudo philosophers annoy the hell out of me. So I didn't expect much from this book, especially with such a vanilla cover. But I needed something quiet and slow - and in I went.
Boy, did this book not disappoint! It was an absolute pleasure and such a joy to dive into!!
It wasn’t just a physical response I felt. It was words. They’d been hidden somewhere, tucked inside the ventricles of my heart, sleeping in my blood cells. Calvin had shaken them loose.
The love for words, for written sentences and books felt like a warm blanket. I usually take my time in bookstores and never leave empty-handed, so this story was just like getting into a sweet fantasy. And then the romantic story got a bit kinky and - boom! - I fell in love with it. Ha.
...
And a new pulse: thready, like a heart
That’s crashing.
It's a slow burn romance, a bit predictable and a bit angsty at times, but beautifully written, with some great characters and steamy chemistry.
Isn’t this what we’re alive for? Why else were we put on Earth if not to enjoy the written word?
Reading this story was like going on a vacation: with books, sex and beautiful nature. So yeah, I've ordered a paperback and will be rereading this one again.
I'm not a fan of a new age pretentiousness and shallow boho shit. Those new pseudo philosophers annoy the hell out of me. So I didn't expect much from this book, especially with such a vanilla cover. But I needed something quiet and slow - and in I went.
Boy, did this book not disappoint! It was an absolute pleasure and such a joy to dive into!!
It wasn’t just a physical response I felt. It was words. They’d been hidden somewhere, tucked inside the ventricles of my heart, sleeping in my blood cells. Calvin had shaken them loose.
The love for words, for written sentences and books felt like a warm blanket. I usually take my time in bookstores and never leave empty-handed, so this story was just like getting into a sweet fantasy. And then the romantic story got a bit kinky and - boom! - I fell in love with it. Ha.
...
And a new pulse: thready, like a heart
That’s crashing.
It's a slow burn romance, a bit predictable and a bit angsty at times, but beautifully written, with some great characters and steamy chemistry.
Isn’t this what we’re alive for? Why else were we put on Earth if not to enjoy the written word?
Reading this story was like going on a vacation: with books, sex and beautiful nature. So yeah, I've ordered a paperback and will be rereading this one again.
March 20, 2025
This was a love triangle with the MMC, FMC, and books, in a mediocre way. Maybe the issue was me--while I liked the flirting-through-poetry thing the characters had going on, the countless poem/poet/author references just didn't do it for me. Now that I think about it, the real romance might have been the author trying to flirt with the reader through literary name-dropping, for those into that.
I found the FMC to be a vapid Cool Girl--a supermodel that's secretly/not-so-secretly smart because she...reads poetry. At least she did, when she was a teenager, and she totally could have become the valedictorian if she didn't become a supermodel instead. Two wolves and all that. The MMC was a little flat, which was fine, but his complete character switch into daddy-dom territory didn't fit. Having those desires and finally getting to act on them? Awesome. Suddenly being a commanding presence when you can barely make eye contact with attractive women? Not convinced.
Also, the way characters were described as being white was weird. Maybe this was an attempt to normalize describing white people instead of only describing skin color when it's a non-white character, but this wasn't a description of pale skin or something similar--it was blunt, almost clinical, in a way that made it stick out each time it happened, and it was even more jarring because practically everyone was white anyway. On page 3, the grandfather's lawyer is described as "white with short red hair"--okay, not too odd, but then we get back-to-back impressions of Lucia and Cal, with the first descriptors being "She was white" and "Cal was white," and that's in addition to Ray, Taylor, and Gabe all getting introduced with "He was white," as if it's the first item on each person's character checklist. Unless I missed it, the only presumably non-white character, Josie, who speaks Spanish and is described as having been born in Mexico but raised in East LA, has nothing said about her skin tone. Since she doesn't get the "she was white" treatment do we presume she's not, even though plenty of Mexicans are? At that point, not describing Josie's coloring feels like avoidance.
I found the FMC to be a vapid Cool Girl--a supermodel that's secretly/not-so-secretly smart because she...reads poetry. At least she did, when she was a teenager, and she totally could have become the valedictorian if she didn't become a supermodel instead. Two wolves and all that. The MMC was a little flat, which was fine, but his complete character switch into daddy-dom territory didn't fit. Having those desires and finally getting to act on them? Awesome. Suddenly being a commanding presence when you can barely make eye contact with attractive women? Not convinced.
Also, the way characters were described as being white was weird. Maybe this was an attempt to normalize describing white people instead of only describing skin color when it's a non-white character, but this wasn't a description of pale skin or something similar--it was blunt, almost clinical, in a way that made it stick out each time it happened, and it was even more jarring because practically everyone was white anyway. On page 3, the grandfather's lawyer is described as "white with short red hair"--okay, not too odd, but then we get back-to-back impressions of Lucia and Cal, with the first descriptors being "She was white" and "Cal was white," and that's in addition to Ray, Taylor, and Gabe all getting introduced with "He was white," as if it's the first item on each person's character checklist. Unless I missed it, the only presumably non-white character, Josie, who speaks Spanish and is described as having been born in Mexico but raised in East LA, has nothing said about her skin tone. Since she doesn't get the "she was white" treatment do we presume she's not, even though plenty of Mexicans are? At that point, not describing Josie's coloring feels like avoidance.
September 14, 2017
Oh, Calvin.
How many times that refrain echoed in my brain as I read this book. As I laughed, sighed, ached, and finally rejoiced for Cal. Shy, introverted, a self described nerd; and oh yes, also a secret and unfulfilled Dominate. Oh, Calvin! He’s doing his familial duty, closing up his deceased Grandfather’s beloved bookstore before he goes back to his safe little life of computer programming. But then he sees her.
The lovely Lucia, stunning supermodel, who craves social media affirmations every minute of every day; she suddenly sees her forgotten soul through Calvin’s eyes. Under his gaze she becomes blushingly submissive, and delicate poetry flies from her fingers. In a beautiful role reversal these two find remembered pieces of their long ago selves against the backdrop of Big Sur, in a bohemian bookstore called The Mad Ones. It’s beautiful, romantic, and mystical.
With the whispered stanzas of heart rending poetry echoing through the redwoods, Cal and Lucia decide it’s time to go a little mad. It’s a beautiful and wild thing. She is inspired and content. He is confident and bold.
This is Kathryn Nolan’s love letter to writing, and it shows. I am unfamiliar with a lot of the poetry in this book, but it made me want to know more, do more, and be more. There have been many times I’ve been moved by a book, had tears spring to my eyes. But rarely have I ever full on cried while reading, not from angst or drama, but from the sheer beauty of all the words. I feel like I just took a master class in romantic poetry, and it’s life changing. This book is life changing.
How many times that refrain echoed in my brain as I read this book. As I laughed, sighed, ached, and finally rejoiced for Cal. Shy, introverted, a self described nerd; and oh yes, also a secret and unfulfilled Dominate. Oh, Calvin! He’s doing his familial duty, closing up his deceased Grandfather’s beloved bookstore before he goes back to his safe little life of computer programming. But then he sees her.
The lovely Lucia, stunning supermodel, who craves social media affirmations every minute of every day; she suddenly sees her forgotten soul through Calvin’s eyes. Under his gaze she becomes blushingly submissive, and delicate poetry flies from her fingers. In a beautiful role reversal these two find remembered pieces of their long ago selves against the backdrop of Big Sur, in a bohemian bookstore called The Mad Ones. It’s beautiful, romantic, and mystical.
With the whispered stanzas of heart rending poetry echoing through the redwoods, Cal and Lucia decide it’s time to go a little mad. It’s a beautiful and wild thing. She is inspired and content. He is confident and bold.
This is Kathryn Nolan’s love letter to writing, and it shows. I am unfamiliar with a lot of the poetry in this book, but it made me want to know more, do more, and be more. There have been many times I’ve been moved by a book, had tears spring to my eyes. But rarely have I ever full on cried while reading, not from angst or drama, but from the sheer beauty of all the words. I feel like I just took a master class in romantic poetry, and it’s life changing. This book is life changing.
December 25, 2022
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.75✨️
I really loved this book!😭 what stood out to me the most was the setting of it. I haven't heard of Big Sur, California before reading this and it definitely made me want to go there! I actually looked it up, and it was so beautiful! Definitely gonna add Big Sur to my dream destinations.
The book was amazing I loved the characters the heroine, Lucia our beautiful supermodel with the heart of a poet, and Calvin our nerdy, and sweet beta hero who loves to read books and is all alpha in bed.😭🤌 (Where can I get myself a Calvin?😫) They were perfect for each other you can feel the chemistry in each page with Calvin being so in awe of Lucia, and her finding Calvin cute, and just wanting his attention on her.😫 The part where they did a photoshoot was 🔥🥵.
The book had such a cozy feel to it! It was so adorable a perfect read for rainy days, or if you just want to read something light and sweet with little to no angst.
jam✧·˚ ༘
I really loved this book!😭 what stood out to me the most was the setting of it. I haven't heard of Big Sur, California before reading this and it definitely made me want to go there! I actually looked it up, and it was so beautiful! Definitely gonna add Big Sur to my dream destinations.
The book was amazing I loved the characters the heroine, Lucia our beautiful supermodel with the heart of a poet, and Calvin our nerdy, and sweet beta hero who loves to read books and is all alpha in bed.😭🤌 (Where can I get myself a Calvin?😫) They were perfect for each other you can feel the chemistry in each page with Calvin being so in awe of Lucia, and her finding Calvin cute, and just wanting his attention on her.😫 The part where they did a photoshoot was 🔥🥵.
The book had such a cozy feel to it! It was so adorable a perfect read for rainy days, or if you just want to read something light and sweet with little to no angst.
✎𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎:
𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚏𝚒𝚌 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚜 / 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚝, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔.
𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐!
jam✧·˚ ༘
February 8, 2022
five stars! *:･ﾟ✧ my first read of 2022 is a success and i am here for it! this was literally everything i wanted it to be and so much more. it honestly lowkey gave me ‘beach read’ vibes, but it is also definitely it’s own unique story. i adored simply everything about this book, very, very, very much and i want to buy a physical copy asap so that i can annotate my favorite moments! <3
June 19, 2023
terrible characters and no chemistry. FMC is a shallow, juvenile instagram addict whose big hurdle is overcoming the horror of losing 22 followers. MMC is apparently a nerd who has been rejected by women his whole life ... only to immediately turn into a dominant, insanely confident alphahole the first time he interacts with a world famous supermodel? just a dumb story overall.
February 1, 2018
4.25 stars. Review to follow. YAY! Love this author's writing. Loved the H&h <3
September 2, 2025
I saw several booktokkers, as well as people in the comments, recommend this book and since it was KU I decided to ease my curiosity.
I’ve been reading a lot of romances this year that are set in or around books and bookstores and that was what I was looking for. That was def in this book, but in an over the top, okay we get it, can we talk about something else now??? kind of way.
It was a bookstore for literary snobs who just want to name drop old ass writers in order to sound well read and smart. It was obnoxious. And it was BORING.
Seriously, this book’s “romance” doesn’t even start until 47 percent in and I was so over it by then. The first half of this book could have been cut in half and it might have been more tolerable but as it’s written I was just waiting to see how long this book would drag on before the couple decided to do something.
And when they did jump in with physical stuff it was the most cringy ass shit I have ever read.
I didn’t know it was going to be Fifty Shades of Gray fanfiction.
The MMC is giving fedora tipping, magic the gathering playing, “but I’m a nice guy” alpha energy. I was expecting him to start calling her Kitten at any moment. It was so icky.
And the self absorbed, fame obsessed internet addict of a super model? Of course she is perfect in every way, and of course she wants to be dominated by some random guy she met at a bookstore fashion shoot location. That makes total sense 🙄 and someone so obsessed with her appearance and her job would TOTALLY allow a recently acquired sexual partner to leave bruises all over her body even though she is a literal fashion model 🙄
So, yeah. I made it 53 percent in and only one sexual scene before saying “nope, there is nothing about this book life altering or amusing enough to force myself to read badly written BDSM scenes”
Thanks goodness for Kindle Unlimited
I’ve been reading a lot of romances this year that are set in or around books and bookstores and that was what I was looking for. That was def in this book, but in an over the top, okay we get it, can we talk about something else now??? kind of way.
It was a bookstore for literary snobs who just want to name drop old ass writers in order to sound well read and smart. It was obnoxious. And it was BORING.
Seriously, this book’s “romance” doesn’t even start until 47 percent in and I was so over it by then. The first half of this book could have been cut in half and it might have been more tolerable but as it’s written I was just waiting to see how long this book would drag on before the couple decided to do something.
And when they did jump in with physical stuff it was the most cringy ass shit I have ever read.
I didn’t know it was going to be Fifty Shades of Gray fanfiction.
The MMC is giving fedora tipping, magic the gathering playing, “but I’m a nice guy” alpha energy. I was expecting him to start calling her Kitten at any moment. It was so icky.
And the self absorbed, fame obsessed internet addict of a super model? Of course she is perfect in every way, and of course she wants to be dominated by some random guy she met at a bookstore fashion shoot location. That makes total sense 🙄 and someone so obsessed with her appearance and her job would TOTALLY allow a recently acquired sexual partner to leave bruises all over her body even though she is a literal fashion model 🙄
So, yeah. I made it 53 percent in and only one sexual scene before saying “nope, there is nothing about this book life altering or amusing enough to force myself to read badly written BDSM scenes”
Thanks goodness for Kindle Unlimited
April 21, 2022
Bohemian was a beautifully written story that had me emotional throughout, whether I was teary-eyed or nail biting over their indecisions or laughing or fanning myself. The full spectrum of reading experience was felt in this one. The story is written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, neither were virgins although the h in this one is the more experienced (but not dominant one), it had been a while for the H and more recently for the h, and bc was discussed/used.
While the story itself is pretty simple with a H who's inherited a failing bookstore and a h who's a supermodel visiting the location for a photo shoot, the characters and their connection unfolding felt much larger. There's a lot of uncertainty with each of them in what the future holds and how they want to go forward. Each is instantly attracted to the other but it takes a bit of time to navigate their interest given their differences. I ADORED how poetry and books were used for these characters to bond together and open up. Then when the steamy times start (and man don't let the beauty of the beginning fool you, these are smoking hot), their connection exploded off the page.
I loved the side characters we get and at least two of them have their own story that I need to read. There is a brief separation and then how they come back together was perfect. We get an epilogue a year out that gave me heart-eyes and while it's technically HFN, it's also clearly lasting. There was a link for a bonus epilogue as well. This was my first book by this author but I'm already eyeing her backlist.
While the story itself is pretty simple with a H who's inherited a failing bookstore and a h who's a supermodel visiting the location for a photo shoot, the characters and their connection unfolding felt much larger. There's a lot of uncertainty with each of them in what the future holds and how they want to go forward. Each is instantly attracted to the other but it takes a bit of time to navigate their interest given their differences. I ADORED how poetry and books were used for these characters to bond together and open up. Then when the steamy times start (and man don't let the beauty of the beginning fool you, these are smoking hot), their connection exploded off the page.
I loved the side characters we get and at least two of them have their own story that I need to read. There is a brief separation and then how they come back together was perfect. We get an epilogue a year out that gave me heart-eyes and while it's technically HFN, it's also clearly lasting. There was a link for a bonus epilogue as well. This was my first book by this author but I'm already eyeing her backlist.
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