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Neighpalm Industries Collective #1
Abandoned Girl
Her entire life, Harlow has been the cuckoo in another bird's nest. With an unreliable junkie for a mother and an unknown father, her foster family, the kind, successful, and generous Bostons, are the brightest spot in her life.
But even with a foster family like Harlow's, there are some things money can't buy- like the ability to fit in with the shallow socialites who act like her lack of pedigree is contagious.
Now that she's finished college and her veterinary degree, Harlow's life was supposed to take off. She was supposed to get a job and create a life away from the petty drama of the wealthy elite.
But when her mother dies and a life-changing secret is revealed, Harlow finds herself flying across the country to face an uncertain future that Kai, Holden, Jaxon, Thomas, Jacinta, Declan, and Oliver are going to make sure she won't accept.
But even with a foster family like Harlow's, there are some things money can't buy- like the ability to fit in with the shallow socialites who act like her lack of pedigree is contagious.
Now that she's finished college and her veterinary degree, Harlow's life was supposed to take off. She was supposed to get a job and create a life away from the petty drama of the wealthy elite.
But when her mother dies and a life-changing secret is revealed, Harlow finds herself flying across the country to face an uncertain future that Kai, Holden, Jaxon, Thomas, Jacinta, Declan, and Oliver are going to make sure she won't accept.
410 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
January 14, 2021
I struggled to pick between 4 and 5 stars but there a few things I can’t overlook.
Call it 4.5
It had a few wee pet peeves but the overall enjoyment and addictiveness of this far outweighs any negatives.
The best way I can describe it is... a grown up, RH version of Brayshaw high .
Now the Brayshaw read-a-likes are pretty common - every high school adopted daughter by rich family and bullied by the men of the house - feels like Brawshaw to me now. What this has going for it is it’s not high school . The FMC is a grown ass woman with a mature (and likeable) personality, career and is pretty sure in her own skin.
Apart from the abandonment issues of course - psssttt the clue is in the title.
Praise Be for a female not in her teenage years and NOT abused by her foster family! She WASN’T held captive in a basement her whole life, imagine that!
Unfortunately the same kind of bullying and catty behaviour found in the high school books, is also present here. It’s just done by grown ups... so that’s a little disappointing.
Frankly the attitude of the adopted children is childish and really doesn’t add up. Would a 30ish woman really think the best way to get rid of the new daughter is to bully her? Would she not think it’s counterproductive to staying in her fathers good books???
Don’t even get me started on the men.
The “traitorous body” trope is one of my biggest pet peeves and it’s present here with ALL the guys. She hates em but can’t help but let them do whatever they want with her ... ughhh! Have a bit more self respect woman you’re supposed to be mature not a hormonal teenager.
The high school element is replaced by the work place, which is relatable (to me at least!) and different.
It’s pretty slow paced and very descriptive in an S.Oliver kind of way. Lots of expo and backstory. The main characters didn’t even meet until half way into it. I enjoyed the build up and getting the background scene though, it really helped with liking Harlows character.
Now if I could just find out what age these people are supposed to be that would help even more. Honestly please comment below if you found her age mentioned anywhere because I don’t remember reading anyone’s ages at all. (YouTube moment there - please comment below and remember to subscribe to my channel *insert eyeroll*)
Big bummer the sequel isn’t out until Jan 2021 and even though I knew that before I started ... I still went ahead and did it anyway.
I will never learn
Annndddd if you made it all the way to the end of this rant ... pat yourself on the back.
Call it 4.5
It had a few wee pet peeves but the overall enjoyment and addictiveness of this far outweighs any negatives.
The best way I can describe it is... a grown up, RH version of Brayshaw high .
Now the Brayshaw read-a-likes are pretty common - every high school adopted daughter by rich family and bullied by the men of the house - feels like Brawshaw to me now. What this has going for it is it’s not high school . The FMC is a grown ass woman with a mature (and likeable) personality, career and is pretty sure in her own skin.
Apart from the abandonment issues of course - psssttt the clue is in the title.
Praise Be for a female not in her teenage years and NOT abused by her foster family! She WASN’T held captive in a basement her whole life, imagine that!
Unfortunately the same kind of bullying and catty behaviour found in the high school books, is also present here. It’s just done by grown ups... so that’s a little disappointing.
Frankly the attitude of the adopted children is childish and really doesn’t add up. Would a 30ish woman really think the best way to get rid of the new daughter is to bully her? Would she not think it’s counterproductive to staying in her fathers good books???
Don’t even get me started on the men.
The “traitorous body” trope is one of my biggest pet peeves and it’s present here with ALL the guys. She hates em but can’t help but let them do whatever they want with her ... ughhh! Have a bit more self respect woman you’re supposed to be mature not a hormonal teenager.
The high school element is replaced by the work place, which is relatable (to me at least!) and different.
It’s pretty slow paced and very descriptive in an S.Oliver kind of way. Lots of expo and backstory. The main characters didn’t even meet until half way into it. I enjoyed the build up and getting the background scene though, it really helped with liking Harlows character.
Now if I could just find out what age these people are supposed to be that would help even more. Honestly please comment below if you found her age mentioned anywhere because I don’t remember reading anyone’s ages at all. (YouTube moment there - please comment below and remember to subscribe to my channel *insert eyeroll*)
Big bummer the sequel isn’t out until Jan 2021 and even though I knew that before I started ... I still went ahead and did it anyway.
I will never learn
Annndddd if you made it all the way to the end of this rant ... pat yourself on the back.
March 27, 2021
Pages: 272
My rating: 5
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
MC: Harlow, Oliver, Kai, Thomas, Declan, Jaxsen, Holden
other Characters: Brad, Poppy, Nana, Jacinta, Shane, Alex, Maxine, Melinda, Chuck
Update because of a reread: I totally love this book and upgrade the rating to 5 stars (former 4), because I keep going back and reread it and don't get bored of it just sad, that I have finished the reread again. Still 3.5 month to go until sequel broken girl comes out. And the blurb makes this to my most anticipated January 2021 book!
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Abandoned Girl is a very intense book. I had to read it in one go and it was so enthralling that I read the whole night to finish it. Man I was tired the next morning. It’s a new adult bully romance. The Heroine is around 25 years old.
Harlow’s birth mom is a drug addict and an abusive mother. But luckily her mother worked vor Melinda and Chuck when she was born and they had a daughter the same age like Harlow, called Maxine. Both girls became best friends. And somehow Melinda and Chuck became her Foster parents, who could give her the world. But Harlow did only wanted their love and not so much their money. Harlow is a vet and worked in Chuck and Melinda’s family business, training and treating horses.
But when her mother dies, the secret who is her Dad is revealed and she is thrown into another journey, the journey to get to know her Dad and his adopted seven Kid, who are around her age. And this turns out to be very complicated.
This is the first book I read from this author. But she can write good emotions and you really feel them. There were so many sweet characters, but there were the bad step siblings too. I am looking forward to read the next book in this series. It ends dramatic and the drama leads to a (okay) cliffhanger, but at the same time the first time of the story is finished with this first book.
My rating: 5
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
MC: Harlow, Oliver, Kai, Thomas, Declan, Jaxsen, Holden
other Characters: Brad, Poppy, Nana, Jacinta, Shane, Alex, Maxine, Melinda, Chuck
Update because of a reread: I totally love this book and upgrade the rating to 5 stars (former 4), because I keep going back and reread it and don't get bored of it just sad, that I have finished the reread again. Still 3.5 month to go until sequel broken girl comes out. And the blurb makes this to my most anticipated January 2021 book!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Abandoned Girl is a very intense book. I had to read it in one go and it was so enthralling that I read the whole night to finish it. Man I was tired the next morning. It’s a new adult bully romance. The Heroine is around 25 years old.
Harlow’s birth mom is a drug addict and an abusive mother. But luckily her mother worked vor Melinda and Chuck when she was born and they had a daughter the same age like Harlow, called Maxine. Both girls became best friends. And somehow Melinda and Chuck became her Foster parents, who could give her the world. But Harlow did only wanted their love and not so much their money. Harlow is a vet and worked in Chuck and Melinda’s family business, training and treating horses.
But when her mother dies, the secret who is her Dad is revealed and she is thrown into another journey, the journey to get to know her Dad and his adopted seven Kid, who are around her age. And this turns out to be very complicated.
This is the first book I read from this author. But she can write good emotions and you really feel them. There were so many sweet characters, but there were the bad step siblings too. I am looking forward to read the next book in this series. It ends dramatic and the drama leads to a (okay) cliffhanger, but at the same time the first time of the story is finished with this first book.
March 3, 2021
Harlow, have some f*in self respect.
After everything she has survived, Harlow should have known better than to stick with such obviously abusive people. And if her dad and grandparents cared, they wouldn't have pushed the issue.
It doesn't matter WHY someone abuses. People are responsible for their own actions. And the worst one was Jacinta, who got out of her own abusive house at 4 and could barely remember it. I'm freaking sick of books making abuse okay because 'reasons.' Purposefully destroying someone's life like that is never okay. Also, how old are these a**holes? Personally, I would have flipped them the bird and met them in court. No modelling contract means they couldn't use her image at all, much less in that way.
After everything she has survived, Harlow should have known better than to stick with such obviously abusive people. And if her dad and grandparents cared, they wouldn't have pushed the issue.
It doesn't matter WHY someone abuses. People are responsible for their own actions. And the worst one was Jacinta, who got out of her own abusive house at 4 and could barely remember it. I'm freaking sick of books making abuse okay because 'reasons.' Purposefully destroying someone's life like that is never okay. Also, how old are these a**holes? Personally, I would have flipped them the bird and met them in court. No modelling contract means they couldn't use her image at all, much less in that way.
November 27, 2020
I liked this book even though it has a trope I have began to increasingly dislike, the He's an ass but my traitorous body weeps with the need to be held by him shtick.
I liked that the heroine was independent and knew what she wanted. Even though they were being asses she had made up her mind on what she was going to do if things went awry.
Can't wait to read the next book.
I liked that the heroine was independent and knew what she wanted. Even though they were being asses she had made up her mind on what she was going to do if things went awry.
Can't wait to read the next book.
January 7, 2024
I'm a Fantasy Girl and don't venture out into contemporary very often but when I saw book 1 of this series was available with my audible subscription I decided to give it a try and big round applause for this Drama-Filled addicting Friends to Family to Enemies to (hopefully) Lovers Why Choose Romance.
Not only was the audiobook well done, with just two narrators, but the storyline was nail-biting, sitting on the edge of your seat enthralling. This could be a TV show, in fact, it reminds me a bit of the CW show Dynasty.
The story centers around the FMC a girl who grew up with a drug addict negligent mother. Thankfully friends of her mother took her in and gave her a wonderful home to grow up in. At the start of Book One, the negligent mother dies and the FMC finds her birth certificate while cleaning out her mother's trailer, a birth certificate that had the name of her father that she never knew about. The good news is her adopted family knows her real father and he has always wanted kids of his own but couldn't conceive after contracting mumps, and he's so excited to get to know the daughter he never knew.
However, since Daddy Dearsts couldn't conceive kids he adopted 7 of them. He's a very rich man and head of Neighpalm Industries which seems to have a hand in every investment cookie jar. So far we learned about Airplane lines, Clothing, Film Production, and even a Tattoo parlor just to name a few. All the kids seem to work in different areas of the family business and love thier adopted father. However, they all came from less-than-ideal circumstances before being adopted, and after grew up very rich. This caused them to have less-than-ideal interactions with people who wanted to use them for thier money or status. It seems they've had too many bad experiences in relationships of any kind. This has made them a close-knit family who don't trust outsiders easily.
All the kids in the family immediately decide that thier adopted father's real daughter must be a gold digger user of some kind and make no secret of what they think of her time and time again. They bully and demean her in private. The FMC however is not easily cowed and her Father and grandparents are thrilled to have her come out to the family estate so she can get closer with the family. She decides to give it a try but she has prospects, went to school and became a Veterinarian, helps take care of the horses at her adopted family's ranch. She's willing to try and make a relationship with this new family work, but can always go back to the only place she's ever truly called home.
She puts up with more than I would have and gives back a good bit not letting them walk all over her. But that doesn't mean she isn't affected by thier cruelty, she's not made of stone and breaks down at times when things go too far, as they did at the end of book one. I won't give you any spoilers but those spoiled step-siblings of hers are in for a reckoning.
I hope those brats will pull thier heads out of the sand soon, actually, a few of them have already started but still didn't stop the others from unveiling thier cruel prank. So they all need to start apologizing starting with the only step-sister, all the other step-siblings are boys. Sadly the evil step-sister needs more time to come around, and I think she will because she doesn't seem to be evil just delusional.
I enjoyed this, it was a good balance of drama and storytelling with interesting characters that I'm looking forward to learning more about. I'm only sad that Audible only has book one available with the subscription and now I want to listen to them all. I'll probably switch to reading at some point but for now, I'll be spending some of those credits I've saved up.
Not only was the audiobook well done, with just two narrators, but the storyline was nail-biting, sitting on the edge of your seat enthralling. This could be a TV show, in fact, it reminds me a bit of the CW show Dynasty.
The story centers around the FMC a girl who grew up with a drug addict negligent mother. Thankfully friends of her mother took her in and gave her a wonderful home to grow up in. At the start of Book One, the negligent mother dies and the FMC finds her birth certificate while cleaning out her mother's trailer, a birth certificate that had the name of her father that she never knew about. The good news is her adopted family knows her real father and he has always wanted kids of his own but couldn't conceive after contracting mumps, and he's so excited to get to know the daughter he never knew.
However, since Daddy Dearsts couldn't conceive kids he adopted 7 of them. He's a very rich man and head of Neighpalm Industries which seems to have a hand in every investment cookie jar. So far we learned about Airplane lines, Clothing, Film Production, and even a Tattoo parlor just to name a few. All the kids seem to work in different areas of the family business and love thier adopted father. However, they all came from less-than-ideal circumstances before being adopted, and after grew up very rich. This caused them to have less-than-ideal interactions with people who wanted to use them for thier money or status. It seems they've had too many bad experiences in relationships of any kind. This has made them a close-knit family who don't trust outsiders easily.
All the kids in the family immediately decide that thier adopted father's real daughter must be a gold digger user of some kind and make no secret of what they think of her time and time again. They bully and demean her in private. The FMC however is not easily cowed and her Father and grandparents are thrilled to have her come out to the family estate so she can get closer with the family. She decides to give it a try but she has prospects, went to school and became a Veterinarian, helps take care of the horses at her adopted family's ranch. She's willing to try and make a relationship with this new family work, but can always go back to the only place she's ever truly called home.
She puts up with more than I would have and gives back a good bit not letting them walk all over her. But that doesn't mean she isn't affected by thier cruelty, she's not made of stone and breaks down at times when things go too far, as they did at the end of book one. I won't give you any spoilers but those spoiled step-siblings of hers are in for a reckoning.
I hope those brats will pull thier heads out of the sand soon, actually, a few of them have already started but still didn't stop the others from unveiling thier cruel prank. So they all need to start apologizing starting with the only step-sister, all the other step-siblings are boys. Sadly the evil step-sister needs more time to come around, and I think she will because she doesn't seem to be evil just delusional.
I enjoyed this, it was a good balance of drama and storytelling with interesting characters that I'm looking forward to learning more about. I'm only sad that Audible only has book one available with the subscription and now I want to listen to them all. I'll probably switch to reading at some point but for now, I'll be spending some of those credits I've saved up.
October 13, 2021
I didn’t like this book and skimmed most of it, but damnit, I need to read the next one.
August 11, 2020
Ohmygod. My heart hurts right now. I don't read bully romance. I'm not the biggest fan of contemporary. After finishing up the Guardian books and wanting more from the author and having to wait for book 3, I figured I'd give Abandoned Girl a shot.
I admit it, I was hooked. Maybe it's the fact that she's a stunt horse trainer for the movies... or that she wants to be an exotic animal vet... or that she's been so damaged by her mother and yet manages rises above all of that. Or the insane chemistry snuck in there. Whatever it was, I was rooting hard for Harlow from the beginning.
Having no idea how bully romance was going to play out, I was wary to see how she was going to meet the "siblings". It was as much of a slap in the face as I was expecting. But Harlow not only manages to hold her own in the face of adversity, but manages to see their humanity and genuine goodness despite their flaws and stabs at her. She wants so much to be loved. My heart about cracked with hers by the conclusion of the first arc.
A delicate plucking of the heartstrings. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I admit it, I was hooked. Maybe it's the fact that she's a stunt horse trainer for the movies... or that she wants to be an exotic animal vet... or that she's been so damaged by her mother and yet manages rises above all of that. Or the insane chemistry snuck in there. Whatever it was, I was rooting hard for Harlow from the beginning.
Having no idea how bully romance was going to play out, I was wary to see how she was going to meet the "siblings". It was as much of a slap in the face as I was expecting. But Harlow not only manages to hold her own in the face of adversity, but manages to see their humanity and genuine goodness despite their flaws and stabs at her. She wants so much to be loved. My heart about cracked with hers by the conclusion of the first arc.
A delicate plucking of the heartstrings. I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 13, 2021
got through about 30% of book 2
*spoilers ahead but I think you're going to want the heads up before you dive into this 4 book long series*
*Edit* After I posted this, I went to go read other reviews and ratings and I'm just shocked and surprised at how highly rated this thing is. Cannot believe that at all!
The writing was decent probably a 3/5 max and the plot was fairly good. I liked the whole adopted family vs blood family dynamic that was going, especially Jacinta. She added a nice complexity to the situation because she isn't just some girlfriend but rather a permanent fixture in the story. While I admire Harlow's strength, I wish she wasn't so nice to Jacinta and was a little more spiteful. Maybe it's petty of me, but I would have liked Jacinta to be gone or at least their family relationship with her somewhat permanently damaged after what she did. Maybe it ends up that way in the later books but I honestly could not continue reading after finding out that Holden and Oliver had a thing for each other.
The whole future relationship between Harlow and the brothers was something I could get behind after a little convincing. The fact that they would have grown up together as siblings is what made it a little awkward for me but since they weren't blood and didn't grow up together made it okay. However I think I have to draw the line at Holden and Oliver. They were raised as brothers and have a thing for each other?? Regardless of blood, that'd be completely weird. Imagine if Jacinta secretly felt the same way about one of her adopted brothers. I'm not really a fan of m/m in reverse harems because I feel like it detracts from the whole 'head over heels for the mc' idea but this is something else.
Lastly, I'd generously given the writing a 3/5 but the way the book randomly kept selling the poly relationship didn't flow together at all. Why on Earth would their pilot randomly bring that up? So awkward and such a forced situation. Usually I stick to paranormal RH's just because they're usually better at explaining how it would function in normal society. For example, the whole mates to shifters thing works because they're bonded pack brothers. Contemporary rh's have a harder time selling it, but usually do it better than this. Overall, don't waste your time on this series, I'm not even convinced some editing would fix all the issues.
Just as a side note about Harlow as well, she's not that interesting of a main character. Pretty boring even with all the drama happening around her. She likes big animals, complaining about her best friend's friends, and being passive. This might be a personal thing but on top of the other issues I couldn't help but notice that. The brothers are pretty lame too, outside of their respective businesses.
*spoilers ahead but I think you're going to want the heads up before you dive into this 4 book long series*
*Edit* After I posted this, I went to go read other reviews and ratings and I'm just shocked and surprised at how highly rated this thing is. Cannot believe that at all!
The writing was decent probably a 3/5 max and the plot was fairly good. I liked the whole adopted family vs blood family dynamic that was going, especially Jacinta. She added a nice complexity to the situation because she isn't just some girlfriend but rather a permanent fixture in the story. While I admire Harlow's strength, I wish she wasn't so nice to Jacinta and was a little more spiteful. Maybe it's petty of me, but I would have liked Jacinta to be gone or at least their family relationship with her somewhat permanently damaged after what she did. Maybe it ends up that way in the later books but I honestly could not continue reading after finding out that Holden and Oliver had a thing for each other.
The whole future relationship between Harlow and the brothers was something I could get behind after a little convincing. The fact that they would have grown up together as siblings is what made it a little awkward for me but since they weren't blood and didn't grow up together made it okay. However I think I have to draw the line at Holden and Oliver. They were raised as brothers and have a thing for each other?? Regardless of blood, that'd be completely weird. Imagine if Jacinta secretly felt the same way about one of her adopted brothers. I'm not really a fan of m/m in reverse harems because I feel like it detracts from the whole 'head over heels for the mc' idea but this is something else.
Lastly, I'd generously given the writing a 3/5 but the way the book randomly kept selling the poly relationship didn't flow together at all. Why on Earth would their pilot randomly bring that up? So awkward and such a forced situation. Usually I stick to paranormal RH's just because they're usually better at explaining how it would function in normal society. For example, the whole mates to shifters thing works because they're bonded pack brothers. Contemporary rh's have a harder time selling it, but usually do it better than this. Overall, don't waste your time on this series, I'm not even convinced some editing would fix all the issues.
Just as a side note about Harlow as well, she's not that interesting of a main character. Pretty boring even with all the drama happening around her. She likes big animals, complaining about her best friend's friends, and being passive. This might be a personal thing but on top of the other issues I couldn't help but notice that. The brothers are pretty lame too, outside of their respective businesses.
February 13, 2023
Heroine Harlow goes from wishing for a real family of her own to learning she is not only part of the Summers family but has 7 siblings. Her father runs Neighpalm Industries which is basically a conglomerate in charge of numerous companies and worth billions. Having grown up poor Harlow is not in it for the money and couldn't be happier than meeting her birth father and creating a relationship with him even if she is in her mid twenties and a fully fledged veterinarian. Coming from nothing Harlow has no expectations but her new siblings don't know that. They come out swinging and do NOT trust Harlow at all even though she's literally a blood heir. They make many assumptions and honestly are really cruel to her and Harlow has her work cut out for her if she wants to be fully accepted. A whole lot of catty bullying and petty behaviors ensue but Harlow is not about to let anything or anyone stand in the way of getting to know her father.
May 30, 2022
This turned out to not be at all what I thought it was at all. It is a pretty slow slog with some clunky writing but if you look past that we end up with very immature adult characters with meh motives and a lot of inconsistency over all this just didn't work for me.
July 13, 2020
Abandoned Girl is a bully RH romance. Harlow has had a misfortunate life. Despite the fact she was raised by a wonderful foster family, her drug addicted and manipulative mother always made her feel small and ashamed. It’s only when her mother dies that Harlow discovers a horrible secret. Her mother knew who her father was all along and hid it from her. Discovering his identity and realizing she has seven adopted siblings is overwhelming. What’s worse is that her new found step-siblings want nothing to do with her and will do anything to make her go away. However, Harlow is not the kind of woman to give in and takes challenges head on.
Even though I mostly abhor bully romances, I felt that this one bordered on the okay for me. Sometimes, I can’t stand the petulant behavior. Here, I felt that although most of the siblings were petulant and immature, there were some gleaming moments where I could see where the series was heading. The siblings are intimidated and afraid what Harlow’s presence will mean to their position in the family. It makes sense, but definitely doesn’t justify their behavior... at all. Nevertheless, there were some cute moments. Harlow is starting to walk her own path and find new friends and follow old ambitions. Not to mention, the awesome Nana and Poppy fucking trying to get them all together. Coming in clutch.
Side note I decided to ignore throughout the book but... they are all step-siblings. So.... yeah, I’m just gonna leave that there.
I hope that some of the siblings mature in the next book because Jesus.... I can’t even deal. I love that Harlow is mature and wants to develop that connection she never had with a biological parent, and won’t let the siblings block that path for her. I really like her character and honesty. Although she has her vulnerable moments, she doesn’t let them tear her down and is a strong woman. She isn’t blinded by status or money and just wants to be happy. It would be nice if she gained some more female friends. Even though she has Max (who she kind of described as a weird resentment/sister love relationship kind of deal *though they seemed closer after her mother died*), it would be good to see that in the coming books.
Anyway, I’ll be on the lookout for the next book. I would recommend this to someone who likes adult bully RH romances with family drama.
Even though I mostly abhor bully romances, I felt that this one bordered on the okay for me. Sometimes, I can’t stand the petulant behavior. Here, I felt that although most of the siblings were petulant and immature, there were some gleaming moments where I could see where the series was heading. The siblings are intimidated and afraid what Harlow’s presence will mean to their position in the family. It makes sense, but definitely doesn’t justify their behavior... at all. Nevertheless, there were some cute moments. Harlow is starting to walk her own path and find new friends and follow old ambitions. Not to mention, the awesome Nana and Poppy fucking trying to get them all together. Coming in clutch.
Side note I decided to ignore throughout the book but... they are all step-siblings. So.... yeah, I’m just gonna leave that there.
I hope that some of the siblings mature in the next book because Jesus.... I can’t even deal. I love that Harlow is mature and wants to develop that connection she never had with a biological parent, and won’t let the siblings block that path for her. I really like her character and honesty. Although she has her vulnerable moments, she doesn’t let them tear her down and is a strong woman. She isn’t blinded by status or money and just wants to be happy. It would be nice if she gained some more female friends. Even though she has Max (who she kind of described as a weird resentment/sister love relationship kind of deal *though they seemed closer after her mother died*), it would be good to see that in the coming books.
Anyway, I’ll be on the lookout for the next book. I would recommend this to someone who likes adult bully RH romances with family drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2020
Good but bad
Could have been way better if the author wouldn't have made 90 percent of the women horrible people. I hope the author fixes this for the other books. I could overlook the other things that bugged me in this book and not felt anger after it was over if she hadn't made 90 percent of the women the same.
Could have been way better if the author wouldn't have made 90 percent of the women horrible people. I hope the author fixes this for the other books. I could overlook the other things that bugged me in this book and not felt anger after it was over if she hadn't made 90 percent of the women the same.
September 20, 2025
IT WAS GOOOD. family drama and all. it was really entertaining af.
August 11, 2021
3.5 Stars
The book could definitely benefit from some more editing. There is a character that started out as Serena and then turned into Selena. Some repetitious phrases as well that could be cleaned up.
The book starts off very slowly. It took a while for me to get into it but once it got going it got going.
It annoys me that the siblings (but I don’t view them at Harlows’s siblings) are treating Harlow the way they are especially as adults. The behavior is definitely spoiled rich brats who don’t know how to behave like adults. I find the excuses of their trust being broken repeatedly flimsy at best. Did they not get therapy to help deal with their issues like Harlow did? Why do they get a pass to treat her that way? I also don’t get Jacinta’s viewpoint on how it’s Harlow’s fault she got demoted, like you did something crappy and now you have a consequence like grow up.
I am invested though. I hope this enemies thing doesn’t take ages to resolve. I don’t think I can deal with multiple books like that but overall I did enjoy the book and totally feel for Harlow.
The book could definitely benefit from some more editing. There is a character that started out as Serena and then turned into Selena. Some repetitious phrases as well that could be cleaned up.
The book starts off very slowly. It took a while for me to get into it but once it got going it got going.
It annoys me that the siblings (but I don’t view them at Harlows’s siblings) are treating Harlow the way they are especially as adults. The behavior is definitely spoiled rich brats who don’t know how to behave like adults. I find the excuses of their trust being broken repeatedly flimsy at best. Did they not get therapy to help deal with their issues like Harlow did? Why do they get a pass to treat her that way? I also don’t get Jacinta’s viewpoint on how it’s Harlow’s fault she got demoted, like you did something crappy and now you have a consequence like grow up.
I am invested though. I hope this enemies thing doesn’t take ages to resolve. I don’t think I can deal with multiple books like that but overall I did enjoy the book and totally feel for Harlow.
August 4, 2020
I’ve given this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. It was a great but but I had quite a couple of problems with it. First of all it was very slow paced. I found the start very boring as nothing really happened at the start. Personally I think the description makes it seem as though the book will be more fast paced, but she doesn’t even meet her father until about 35% of the way into the book. My other problem was some of the characters. At the start I really didn’t like Maxine. Like what kind of friend is friends with the people that are mean to you. She also seemed super duplicitous and even snobby. I did manage to tolerate her nearer the end when she kind of disappeared from the story. I also despise Jacinta. I know that I am supposed to hate her but I am pretty sure that somewhere in the next books she will be forgiven by the main character. The author also tries to make the reader sympathise with her by showing her point of view. This doesn’t work for me though and her POV makes her sound even more spoilt and childish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
This is addictive shit.😏
April 4, 2021
3,5 stars
I liked the mc, she was mature and was pretty sure in herself, her own skin. But omg those siblings needs to get a grip, god Jacinta and her brother Jaxon was the worst. Both of em assumed the worst and didn´t change a bit even after they had got to live with Harlow.
That ending was so annoying, when Jacinta ofc blamed Harlow again for fucking everything after Jacinta herself had humiliated Harlow in front of the whole family and just everyone. Omg how old are these guys?? i know they are around the mid twenties to the thirties, but they act like high school kids in how they choose to pick on someone for literally no reason than their own problems and insecurities..... * eye rolling
I didn´t really get an impression on Holden and Thomas, i guess i will get to know them more in the next book. I dunno but
Go Harlow, i love that she is a qualified Vet, yaaas! she knows her shit and can stand on her own feet without someone else help. I did want her to push and fight back when they threw shit at her. I mean she did once or twice but that´s about it. Then she just took the shit like she thought it would be better
I liked the mc, she was mature and was pretty sure in herself, her own skin. But omg those siblings needs to get a grip, god Jacinta and her brother Jaxon was the worst. Both of em assumed the worst and didn´t change a bit even after they had got to live with Harlow.
That ending was so annoying, when Jacinta ofc blamed Harlow again for fucking everything after Jacinta herself had humiliated Harlow in front of the whole family and just everyone. Omg how old are these guys?? i know they are around the mid twenties to the thirties, but they act like high school kids in how they choose to pick on someone for literally no reason than their own problems and insecurities..... * eye rolling
I didn´t really get an impression on Holden and Thomas, i guess i will get to know them more in the next book. I dunno but
Go Harlow, i love that she is a qualified Vet, yaaas! she knows her shit and can stand on her own feet without someone else help. I did want her to push and fight back when they threw shit at her. I mean she did once or twice but that´s about it. Then she just took the shit like she thought it would be better
September 19, 2023
Before we get into this can we first talk about how disgusting and ignorant it is that Winston thinks it's so cute to name the company neighpalm, it's a horse and a palm tree a name change from a bet; so cute 🤮. A name change taking place, per the time frame set forth by the story, in the WWII to Vietnam era where Napalm, pronounced the same way killed and maimed countless people and is banned by the UN. But yeah so cute! #Gross
This review is for the first three books (book 4 is out Sept 30, 2021, there is also a fifth book out in February in 2022 available for preorder. I do not only read completed series but I do think it is shady af to purposely put books that are not even written out for preorder knowing that the way Amazon displays the series it looks like you have five books available to read when there are only 3 books. This is a prolific self-published author, so they know exactly what they are doing.)
1) You know the Wayne's World Super Bowl 2021 commercial where they make fun of the over the top product placement (I think it was in the movie too) This series does exactly what they are mocking. Oh let's talk about this paranormal wolf reverse harem or hey what about this rock band that is obviously having issues because of they are all in love with the same girl and don't forget about the heiress the photographer, the model, and the designer, they are likely to give the actors, the stunt double and the director a run for their money. Stop doing that. It's pathetic. If you want to include a book that is part of the pop culture lexicon still to help frame a character ok, but throwing in product placement hard pass and bad writing.
2) You know when you are mentally having both or all sides of a conversation and then you calm down and you remember the imaginary conversation you had in your head and cringe because it was so one sided and the other sides of the conversation you are filling in are totally slanted to you winning and not at all like another human being would actually engage in conversation with you, that is how all of the dialog in this series is written.
3) Do you like people who have been psychologically messed up and weary of people, understandably so, because of that abuse or neglect throwing away all of those decades of learned protective measures in two seconds of meeting people and immediately declaring the new people their best friends who they confide all their secrets in and invite them to move in and have full access to all of their stuff because people do all of that all the time. ALL THE TIME. 🙄
4) Several books in you should randomly make one of the characters a spy, because duh, that totally is in line with the characters and world you have set up. Spy's are aloof. They need to be a part of a harem or else how could their woman be satisfied when they are off being all spy like. Also, spies totally stick their gun in the band of their sweatpants or gym shorts all the time because they totally aren't worried about shooting their eggplant off. (They don't.)
5) Speaking of eggplants, they are hard all the time. As are those little round things on the torso and man do they need some damp rid up in this series. Someone die? super aroused. Almost die? Mmm that eggplant looks good. Utterly humiliated? Oh but they look so hot ruining my life. Death glares? Well we've talked for all of two seconds and they are my siblings so of course I'm think bam chicka bow wow. There is no development of attraction. Even though the hookups don't start happening until later the insatiable lust and need to relieve oneself is immediate and every five seconds. Lazy, lazy writing. It also makes zero sense in conjunction with the way the FMC is being treated.
6) The harem thing is thrown in your face over and over. Literally every peripheral character has experience with non monogamous relationships and every single person is like bells yeah! You have a relationship with as many people at the same time as you can! Not one person is like huh, that's different or huh I don't know how I feel about that.
7) There are so many parts of this series that are stretched outside the boundaries of reality to try and force a plot point the author wanted and it's painful. The FMC has to learn about about all the company does immediately on arriving in California because the press will destroy her if she doesn't know about the latest hotel/band/club/airline/spring line. God, remember all the questions Nickie and Paris Hilton always have to field about how the pandemic is impacting the Hilton portfolio of properties. And God, when was the last time a week went by where Bill and Melinda Gates' kids were not being chased by the media to answer questions about how the chip shortage is going to impact Microsoft's ability to meet production deadlines and then the PR team has to come out and smooth things over because the kids couldn't answer about the last share holder vote. It's all the time. I'm so glad that struggle was included here.
8) There are so many plot or character inconsistencies like being terrified that a billboard is going to ruin your career chances but not at all terrified that having an unconventional relationship with 6 high profile men will not have an even worse impact.
Conclusion: There is an interesting underlying mystery but the character development and world building is week. It's average at best. It's edited well. If you don't mind the above it's an acceptable reverse harem series.
This review is for the first three books (book 4 is out Sept 30, 2021, there is also a fifth book out in February in 2022 available for preorder. I do not only read completed series but I do think it is shady af to purposely put books that are not even written out for preorder knowing that the way Amazon displays the series it looks like you have five books available to read when there are only 3 books. This is a prolific self-published author, so they know exactly what they are doing.)
1) You know the Wayne's World Super Bowl 2021 commercial where they make fun of the over the top product placement (I think it was in the movie too) This series does exactly what they are mocking. Oh let's talk about this paranormal wolf reverse harem or hey what about this rock band that is obviously having issues because of they are all in love with the same girl and don't forget about the heiress the photographer, the model, and the designer, they are likely to give the actors, the stunt double and the director a run for their money. Stop doing that. It's pathetic. If you want to include a book that is part of the pop culture lexicon still to help frame a character ok, but throwing in product placement hard pass and bad writing.
2) You know when you are mentally having both or all sides of a conversation and then you calm down and you remember the imaginary conversation you had in your head and cringe because it was so one sided and the other sides of the conversation you are filling in are totally slanted to you winning and not at all like another human being would actually engage in conversation with you, that is how all of the dialog in this series is written.
3) Do you like people who have been psychologically messed up and weary of people, understandably so, because of that abuse or neglect throwing away all of those decades of learned protective measures in two seconds of meeting people and immediately declaring the new people their best friends who they confide all their secrets in and invite them to move in and have full access to all of their stuff because people do all of that all the time. ALL THE TIME. 🙄
4) Several books in you should randomly make one of the characters a spy, because duh, that totally is in line with the characters and world you have set up. Spy's are aloof. They need to be a part of a harem or else how could their woman be satisfied when they are off being all spy like. Also, spies totally stick their gun in the band of their sweatpants or gym shorts all the time because they totally aren't worried about shooting their eggplant off. (They don't.)
5) Speaking of eggplants, they are hard all the time. As are those little round things on the torso and man do they need some damp rid up in this series. Someone die? super aroused. Almost die? Mmm that eggplant looks good. Utterly humiliated? Oh but they look so hot ruining my life. Death glares? Well we've talked for all of two seconds and they are my siblings so of course I'm think bam chicka bow wow. There is no development of attraction. Even though the hookups don't start happening until later the insatiable lust and need to relieve oneself is immediate and every five seconds. Lazy, lazy writing. It also makes zero sense in conjunction with the way the FMC is being treated.
6) The harem thing is thrown in your face over and over. Literally every peripheral character has experience with non monogamous relationships and every single person is like bells yeah! You have a relationship with as many people at the same time as you can! Not one person is like huh, that's different or huh I don't know how I feel about that.
7) There are so many parts of this series that are stretched outside the boundaries of reality to try and force a plot point the author wanted and it's painful. The FMC has to learn about about all the company does immediately on arriving in California because the press will destroy her if she doesn't know about the latest hotel/band/club/airline/spring line. God, remember all the questions Nickie and Paris Hilton always have to field about how the pandemic is impacting the Hilton portfolio of properties. And God, when was the last time a week went by where Bill and Melinda Gates' kids were not being chased by the media to answer questions about how the chip shortage is going to impact Microsoft's ability to meet production deadlines and then the PR team has to come out and smooth things over because the kids couldn't answer about the last share holder vote. It's all the time. I'm so glad that struggle was included here.
8) There are so many plot or character inconsistencies like being terrified that a billboard is going to ruin your career chances but not at all terrified that having an unconventional relationship with 6 high profile men will not have an even worse impact.
Conclusion: There is an interesting underlying mystery but the character development and world building is week. It's average at best. It's edited well. If you don't mind the above it's an acceptable reverse harem series.
April 1, 2021
Review by The Dragon Den
* * * * *
Whelp...I've found my new series! This was great! Harlow has to go through so many changes and now she is being dealt this hand. At least she has the most dope grandparents who love and adore her! Those Summer kids are going to seriously have karma dealing them a hand and I can't wait to see what card gets smacked in their face! Getting book 2!
* * * * *
Whelp...I've found my new series! This was great! Harlow has to go through so many changes and now she is being dealt this hand. At least she has the most dope grandparents who love and adore her! Those Summer kids are going to seriously have karma dealing them a hand and I can't wait to see what card gets smacked in their face! Getting book 2!
July 15, 2021
I love the book, but Jacinta is a spoiled brat that if she doesn’t get her way she blames Harlow. She needs to grow a back bone.
Want to read
May 14, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/14/2023)! 🎁
November 9, 2020
Too predictable, but still enjoyable
This story line has been done many times before and sadly this book didn’t break the mold. The FMC is way too perfect to be believable and every major plot point could be seen coming a mile away. (Possible spoiler) The motivations and actions of the siblings also don’t make much sense. If they truly cared about their father, then why would they be so publicly hostile to Harlow? There’s also not enough justification for ruining Harlow’s life for there to be a realistic reconciliation between all of them in future books. Still, it was a satisfying read and I have high hopes for the next installment.
This story line has been done many times before and sadly this book didn’t break the mold. The FMC is way too perfect to be believable and every major plot point could be seen coming a mile away. (Possible spoiler) The motivations and actions of the siblings also don’t make much sense. If they truly cared about their father, then why would they be so publicly hostile to Harlow? There’s also not enough justification for ruining Harlow’s life for there to be a realistic reconciliation between all of them in future books. Still, it was a satisfying read and I have high hopes for the next installment.
February 16, 2023
As soon as I began this book, I knew it was going to be a mess of a series. There’re 6 books and from all the filler written in this one book, I can tell half the books aren’t necessary.
Grown ass adults with important jobs bullying another woman because they think she is a « gold digger » when she was exactly raised as them. Heroine who is the reincarnation of a small kitten because she has the backbone of a butterfly.
The author writes the less subtle hints: the flight attendant, Luke, Brad’s PA (I already forgot her name), the completely random description of a man seated in the waiting room of the designer building… like please make an effort.
No one gives a shit about the abandoned house and there’re pages and pages of its description. No one gives a shit about the vampire count either. Why bother with this sub-plot when you already ass write the main plot? Seriously FOCUS.
What kind of a shitty P.I. Declan has hired if he can’t tell him right away Harlow’s job? She went to college, she graduated and she’s been doing her job for a whole year at the farm, how incompetent you can be to not know that?!
Jacinta reminds me of Nan from the Rosemary Beach series by Abby Glines. Petulant, spoiled and insecure woman who has the balls of her brother in her Chanel bag.
Brad and the grand-parents’ lack of discipline towards the « children » (they’re fucking +25 years old but are discussed like babies » would make me take a one way ticket to the East coast if I was Harlow. Once again, she is a passive and kinda boring (sorry not sorry) character.
Finally, what the fuck is in the water if everybody is in a polyamory relationship? Why Nana wants to push Harlow to the guys when they know each other for 5 minutes? A disfunctional family is not a cute trait.
And ewwwww to Oliver and Holden. Even if they’re not blood related, they were raised together since they were kids so making them a couple is a big no.
Grown ass adults with important jobs bullying another woman because they think she is a « gold digger » when she was exactly raised as them. Heroine who is the reincarnation of a small kitten because she has the backbone of a butterfly.
The author writes the less subtle hints: the flight attendant, Luke, Brad’s PA (I already forgot her name), the completely random description of a man seated in the waiting room of the designer building… like please make an effort.
No one gives a shit about the abandoned house and there’re pages and pages of its description. No one gives a shit about the vampire count either. Why bother with this sub-plot when you already ass write the main plot? Seriously FOCUS.
What kind of a shitty P.I. Declan has hired if he can’t tell him right away Harlow’s job? She went to college, she graduated and she’s been doing her job for a whole year at the farm, how incompetent you can be to not know that?!
Jacinta reminds me of Nan from the Rosemary Beach series by Abby Glines. Petulant, spoiled and insecure woman who has the balls of her brother in her Chanel bag.
Brad and the grand-parents’ lack of discipline towards the « children » (they’re fucking +25 years old but are discussed like babies » would make me take a one way ticket to the East coast if I was Harlow. Once again, she is a passive and kinda boring (sorry not sorry) character.
Finally, what the fuck is in the water if everybody is in a polyamory relationship? Why Nana wants to push Harlow to the guys when they know each other for 5 minutes? A disfunctional family is not a cute trait.
And ewwwww to Oliver and Holden. Even if they’re not blood related, they were raised together since they were kids so making them a couple is a big no.
February 7, 2025
I hated giving this book and 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. The story itself is fantastic, the world building is great, the characters are fleshed out and we learn a little about a few of the siblings backstories.
Why does it get a 3 star then?
This is why:
* This is a bully romance so I expected some truly epic but subtle, ways that these siblings were going to try to convince Harlow to pack her bags. What I got was petty high school bullshit from people who are ostensibly adults and heads of their own businesses.
* The guys and Jacinta were all adopted out of terrible situations, yet when it comes to Harlow who had life far worse and for far longer, they give zero fucks. In fact, they think throughout the entire book that they are entitled to their hatred because somehow Harlow is going to screw up their family dynamic and these grown ass adults can’t seem to reason out that their actions against Harlow create a self fulfilling prophecy.
* It is stated more than once that the adopted kids all but worship their father and yet somehow no one seems to realize if they hurt Harlow they are hurting their Dad and pissing him off? No one is that stupid especially not when there are seven brains involved.
The thing that really takes the cake for me is just how determined some of these characters are to believe that Harlow is the one at fault for all the tension and problems within the family. Cause blame the victim right? Making childish choices and then continuing to plot the deserved revenge against Harlow (can you feel my sarcasm here?) makes all the sense in the world wouldn’t you agree? Especially when you have angered and disappointed your father and grandparents too.
Hopefully in the next book we’ll start to see some redemption arcs coming and some scheming that is more adult than teen. If not, this whole series is going to be one giant train wreck.
Why does it get a 3 star then?
This is why:
* This is a bully romance so I expected some truly epic but subtle, ways that these siblings were going to try to convince Harlow to pack her bags. What I got was petty high school bullshit from people who are ostensibly adults and heads of their own businesses.
* The guys and Jacinta were all adopted out of terrible situations, yet when it comes to Harlow who had life far worse and for far longer, they give zero fucks. In fact, they think throughout the entire book that they are entitled to their hatred because somehow Harlow is going to screw up their family dynamic and these grown ass adults can’t seem to reason out that their actions against Harlow create a self fulfilling prophecy.
* It is stated more than once that the adopted kids all but worship their father and yet somehow no one seems to realize if they hurt Harlow they are hurting their Dad and pissing him off? No one is that stupid especially not when there are seven brains involved.
The thing that really takes the cake for me is just how determined some of these characters are to believe that Harlow is the one at fault for all the tension and problems within the family. Cause blame the victim right? Making childish choices and then continuing to plot the deserved revenge against Harlow (can you feel my sarcasm here?) makes all the sense in the world wouldn’t you agree? Especially when you have angered and disappointed your father and grandparents too.
Hopefully in the next book we’ll start to see some redemption arcs coming and some scheming that is more adult than teen. If not, this whole series is going to be one giant train wreck.
August 9, 2021
Clunky and ultimately unsexy
From the blurb, this book is right up my alley. The beginning is super clunky with the backstory being “explained “ via unnecessary dialogue. You know the drill, “Oh, I feel so bad about this because of the childhood abuse I suffered at the hands of my mother and I’ve only gotten over it because I went to therapy.” Second person, “it’s true, you know how insecure you are because your mom never told you about your dad, but take heart because you are so hard working, graduating from school early.” Yeah. There are a number of repeated phrases and some continuity issues, and some hilariously misused idioms. I’m not sure why no one these days knows how to use an adverb, but this author also lacks the skill. So, the beginning is sloggy. It starts getting better once the backstory is done. Then the most unsexy trope comes along to slap you in the face. I’m turned on by being physically and emotionally threatened. Yeah. There are amazing ways you can work physical dominance into sexy times and there are super hot ways you can work power dynamics into sexy times and none of those ways are used here. It’s just your basic, I’m going to come because some sexy, jerk stranger is treating me like a$$. Anyway, I’m out. Not for me. Sad, because I was really in the mood for this kind of story.
From the blurb, this book is right up my alley. The beginning is super clunky with the backstory being “explained “ via unnecessary dialogue. You know the drill, “Oh, I feel so bad about this because of the childhood abuse I suffered at the hands of my mother and I’ve only gotten over it because I went to therapy.” Second person, “it’s true, you know how insecure you are because your mom never told you about your dad, but take heart because you are so hard working, graduating from school early.” Yeah. There are a number of repeated phrases and some continuity issues, and some hilariously misused idioms. I’m not sure why no one these days knows how to use an adverb, but this author also lacks the skill. So, the beginning is sloggy. It starts getting better once the backstory is done. Then the most unsexy trope comes along to slap you in the face. I’m turned on by being physically and emotionally threatened. Yeah. There are amazing ways you can work physical dominance into sexy times and there are super hot ways you can work power dynamics into sexy times and none of those ways are used here. It’s just your basic, I’m going to come because some sexy, jerk stranger is treating me like a$$. Anyway, I’m out. Not for me. Sad, because I was really in the mood for this kind of story.
January 30, 2022
Not for me
This book threw me, literally out. If the plot already sounds wonky at 30% what's the point. Small spoiler as I didn't finish this book. If the FMC started living with her mother's employers at a young age, practically sharing a room with their daughter her "best friend" why does she act like everything is new to her? Surely she would by now already know the family businesses. Is it really a shock to be driven somewhere, to not wait in line, to get catered to?
Her attitude to wealth is insulting, who is to say their families didn't work hard for what they have. She's condescending to her friend simply because she don't turn her nose up at the same things she does. So what if she wears heels and dresses, of course she has to network with the people her parents/grandparents know. You would think she would be a rock for her friend who probably asks for her companionship for moral support. Yet we are led to believe her adoptive family treated her no differently.
Just no
This book threw me, literally out. If the plot already sounds wonky at 30% what's the point. Small spoiler as I didn't finish this book. If the FMC started living with her mother's employers at a young age, practically sharing a room with their daughter her "best friend" why does she act like everything is new to her? Surely she would by now already know the family businesses. Is it really a shock to be driven somewhere, to not wait in line, to get catered to?
Her attitude to wealth is insulting, who is to say their families didn't work hard for what they have. She's condescending to her friend simply because she don't turn her nose up at the same things she does. So what if she wears heels and dresses, of course she has to network with the people her parents/grandparents know. You would think she would be a rock for her friend who probably asks for her companionship for moral support. Yet we are led to believe her adoptive family treated her no differently.
Just no
August 8, 2023
I’m a little confused how this book has such a high ratings - I was at 28% and very bored. All that has happened so far is the death of her mum and the fact that she nearly slept with her step-brother (I’m assuming that’s where the story leads). It has a lot of cringey lines like when she says ‘this is all a dream come true’ and stuff like that.
August 28, 2021
It could have been worse. Born to a junkie mother, Harlow was "adopted" by a wonderful, wealthy family. She was loved even if she never quite fit into their world. Now a graduate with a veterinary degree, Harlow is set to follow her dreams. Instead, her mother dies and the mystery of her father is revealed. Harlow has a family. However, when she flies across the country to meet her father, it's apparent her seven step-siblings do not want her there. And led by her sister, they will make sure she doesn't stay.
I love RH and my favorite sub-genre is contemporary. I also believe it's the most difficult to make believable. It's one thing to have fated mates in the paranormal realm; it's quite another to create a story where multiple desirable guys willingly agree to share one girl. One night, sure-forever, no way. So contemporary RH needs the perfect set-up and the perfect cast. Then you need to establish individual relationship dynamics along with an overall harem relationship. Chemistry is tricky one-on-one; to make it work in a polyamorous relationship takes talent. So, when I find a book/series where all of my requirements are met, I get excited. This book got me excited!
Harlow is the key to its early success. She is the proper amount of 'damaged' with childhood trauma, so she is interesting. She is intelligent and hardworking. She is beautiful and friendly but socially inept. She is also strong and resilient. Her new situation with her new family feels natural, not contrived. It allowed for immediate tension and mistrust. The author didn't need to make the characters jump through hoops to find a reason to dislike Harlow. The bullying is obvious and one-time extreme but not ridiculous. It's believable. And so far, none of the guys have gone so far, there's no coming back. To me, it's the perfect set-up for the future.
The side characters are fantastic. I love Harlow's foster parents, her dad seems okay, if maybe a little weak, and I adore Nana and Poppy. Her brothers are a mixed bag who I look forward to getting to know better. Oliver is an early favorite of mine. I'm not sure why Thomas and Holden exist since they had absolutely no part in the story. This was my only criticism of the future harem. It's large, there will need to be lots of character development. Jacinta is the only character I disliked. I realize she had a role to play as villain, however, it's going to be difficult to get beyond her flaws. A character can be a bully, do mean things and still be forgiven depending on the "why". Jacinta's motivation is due to her deep-seated insecurities about not being good enough and being replaced. Also, because she is spoiled and doesn't want to share what is hers. She is pathetic. She's been raised most of her life with unconditional love and incredible wealth. So, she believes it was all a lie or she's simply a bi***. She controls her brothers using emotional manipulation, she acts knowing it will not only hurt her new sister but her dad and grandparents. She damages the company brand out of immaturity and spitefulness. And why would Alex and Shane still be interested? They seem really nice and she has proven she doesn't deserve them. I don't see how she is ever trusted. It's a shame, I love female friendships but I am rooting for Harlow to find a female friend outside of the family. Can't wait to read book two. Here's hoping Harlow gets some revenge.
I love RH and my favorite sub-genre is contemporary. I also believe it's the most difficult to make believable. It's one thing to have fated mates in the paranormal realm; it's quite another to create a story where multiple desirable guys willingly agree to share one girl. One night, sure-forever, no way. So contemporary RH needs the perfect set-up and the perfect cast. Then you need to establish individual relationship dynamics along with an overall harem relationship. Chemistry is tricky one-on-one; to make it work in a polyamorous relationship takes talent. So, when I find a book/series where all of my requirements are met, I get excited. This book got me excited!
Harlow is the key to its early success. She is the proper amount of 'damaged' with childhood trauma, so she is interesting. She is intelligent and hardworking. She is beautiful and friendly but socially inept. She is also strong and resilient. Her new situation with her new family feels natural, not contrived. It allowed for immediate tension and mistrust. The author didn't need to make the characters jump through hoops to find a reason to dislike Harlow. The bullying is obvious and one-time extreme but not ridiculous. It's believable. And so far, none of the guys have gone so far, there's no coming back. To me, it's the perfect set-up for the future.
The side characters are fantastic. I love Harlow's foster parents, her dad seems okay, if maybe a little weak, and I adore Nana and Poppy. Her brothers are a mixed bag who I look forward to getting to know better. Oliver is an early favorite of mine. I'm not sure why Thomas and Holden exist since they had absolutely no part in the story. This was my only criticism of the future harem. It's large, there will need to be lots of character development. Jacinta is the only character I disliked. I realize she had a role to play as villain, however, it's going to be difficult to get beyond her flaws. A character can be a bully, do mean things and still be forgiven depending on the "why". Jacinta's motivation is due to her deep-seated insecurities about not being good enough and being replaced. Also, because she is spoiled and doesn't want to share what is hers. She is pathetic. She's been raised most of her life with unconditional love and incredible wealth. So, she believes it was all a lie or she's simply a bi***. She controls her brothers using emotional manipulation, she acts knowing it will not only hurt her new sister but her dad and grandparents. She damages the company brand out of immaturity and spitefulness. And why would Alex and Shane still be interested? They seem really nice and she has proven she doesn't deserve them. I don't see how she is ever trusted. It's a shame, I love female friendships but I am rooting for Harlow to find a female friend outside of the family. Can't wait to read book two. Here's hoping Harlow gets some revenge.
August 15, 2020
Loved and highly recommended. Forsee many re-reads in my future.
I really, really enjoyed this book and it will definitely be a re-read. Harlow is likable, and even though her life has been hard in patches, she does have a good support network of loving and well-written found (and not so found, as it turns out) family.
I adore Nana and Poppy, and I like that Harlow is a vet. I'm looking forward to the inevitable point where she helps the pregnant critters on site have their babies.
Now for the things that bothered me, and even though I'm about to rant a little please keep in mind that the sum total of my bitching comes to losing one star. The rest of the book is good enough for the other four.
Okay. Starting off - 1) Harlow doing what I hate in bully romances. I get it, attractive guys are attractive, but when those guys are actively threatening you, it is not hot. Abuse and harassment are not hot. Especially for a girl coming from an abusive household, this should be a huge red flag for her.
2) These people are all grown-ass adults. This is not your standard high school secret daughter/stepsister/charity case, these people are in their mid to late twenties and are the heads of major corporations and/or own businesses. They have also almost all seen another sibling be adopted into their family, but because this one is biological and not adopted, somehow she is there to hurt them?
3) There is absolutely no justification for the way that they treat her. They decide that she is a villain with absolutely no evidence, despite the fact sworn testimony of multiple mutual friends who have known her for her entire life - including their own grandparents, who again have known her for YEARS. The one case of her spending any family money is when she buys OMG TWO PIECES OF RIDING GEAR INSTEAD OF ONE! But they treat her like...well, like a gold digger.
4) Final point...I'm sure that there will be a forced redemption arc for the family, but I have a really hard time imagining a scenario in which Jacinta earns it. Her actions are despicably low, and her brothers are absolutely complicit in it. Because her father dares show interest in his other daughter (who, reminder, has committed no crimes and been there a grand total of like four friggin' days) she is willing to call her a gold digging whore ON A BILLBOARD. I get that they try to justify it with she's not thinking and she's lashing out, but back to the original point - she's an adult, not a teenager. She has nothing to gain and everything to lose from this. Even after the time to stew on it, her reaction to all of this is that Harlow has to pay. Pay for what I've got no fucking clue.
What can she really ramp up to from here? Actual physical violence?
Wow that was a rant, hah.
I only hope Jacinta gets a comeuppance, not just forgiveness.
I really, really enjoyed this book and it will definitely be a re-read. Harlow is likable, and even though her life has been hard in patches, she does have a good support network of loving and well-written found (and not so found, as it turns out) family.
I adore Nana and Poppy, and I like that Harlow is a vet. I'm looking forward to the inevitable point where she helps the pregnant critters on site have their babies.
Now for the things that bothered me, and even though I'm about to rant a little please keep in mind that the sum total of my bitching comes to losing one star. The rest of the book is good enough for the other four.
Okay. Starting off - 1) Harlow doing what I hate in bully romances. I get it, attractive guys are attractive, but when those guys are actively threatening you, it is not hot. Abuse and harassment are not hot. Especially for a girl coming from an abusive household, this should be a huge red flag for her.
2) These people are all grown-ass adults. This is not your standard high school secret daughter/stepsister/charity case, these people are in their mid to late twenties and are the heads of major corporations and/or own businesses. They have also almost all seen another sibling be adopted into their family, but because this one is biological and not adopted, somehow she is there to hurt them?
3) There is absolutely no justification for the way that they treat her. They decide that she is a villain with absolutely no evidence, despite the fact sworn testimony of multiple mutual friends who have known her for her entire life - including their own grandparents, who again have known her for YEARS. The one case of her spending any family money is when she buys OMG TWO PIECES OF RIDING GEAR INSTEAD OF ONE! But they treat her like...well, like a gold digger.
4) Final point...I'm sure that there will be a forced redemption arc for the family, but I have a really hard time imagining a scenario in which Jacinta earns it. Her actions are despicably low, and her brothers are absolutely complicit in it. Because her father dares show interest in his other daughter (who, reminder, has committed no crimes and been there a grand total of like four friggin' days) she is willing to call her a gold digging whore ON A BILLBOARD. I get that they try to justify it with she's not thinking and she's lashing out, but back to the original point - she's an adult, not a teenager. She has nothing to gain and everything to lose from this. Even after the time to stew on it, her reaction to all of this is that Harlow has to pay. Pay for what I've got no fucking clue.
What can she really ramp up to from here? Actual physical violence?
Wow that was a rant, hah.
I only hope Jacinta gets a comeuppance, not just forgiveness.
July 13, 2020
Speechless
This book... Wow. Utter brilliance. Dark contemporary RH romance that is not YA or academy. This book is about a 25 year old who never knew her father and discovering who her family is after an incident with her biological mother. Harlow had grown up in a foster home due to her mom using drugs. She was loved and cared for at this family but still experienced bullying and self doubt. She strove to make something of herself without any handouts. She is interesting and we'll rounded. Interests that are not common and fun to read about. She however is faced with a lot of hatred and cruelty as her adoptive siblings do not want her there. Some seem to be scared she will ruin things and upset the status quo. Others are fearful she is only after the family money. They all have different reasons but they seem to stem from fear. There are three that seem to hate her the most: Jaxon, Jacinta and Declan. Jacinta is cruel and selfish. It's going to be hard for me to like her. We get a brief glance at Kai and Oliver too. They don't seem to be as weary of her and want to accept her, but also don't do anything to stop their siblings. Not much on Holden or James yet. I like the friends she is beginning to make and glad that she has them. I was crying at the end. The emotions keep off the page and pierce your soul. I'm so intrigued to learn more of the story. It's very captivating. It's intense at times, but very well written with great character arcs. Multiple POVs. Slow burn at the moment but building with relationship development. Sexual tension out the wazoo. Definitely ready for more. Read this book and devour it!
This book... Wow. Utter brilliance. Dark contemporary RH romance that is not YA or academy. This book is about a 25 year old who never knew her father and discovering who her family is after an incident with her biological mother. Harlow had grown up in a foster home due to her mom using drugs. She was loved and cared for at this family but still experienced bullying and self doubt. She strove to make something of herself without any handouts. She is interesting and we'll rounded. Interests that are not common and fun to read about. She however is faced with a lot of hatred and cruelty as her adoptive siblings do not want her there. Some seem to be scared she will ruin things and upset the status quo. Others are fearful she is only after the family money. They all have different reasons but they seem to stem from fear. There are three that seem to hate her the most: Jaxon, Jacinta and Declan. Jacinta is cruel and selfish. It's going to be hard for me to like her. We get a brief glance at Kai and Oliver too. They don't seem to be as weary of her and want to accept her, but also don't do anything to stop their siblings. Not much on Holden or James yet. I like the friends she is beginning to make and glad that she has them. I was crying at the end. The emotions keep off the page and pierce your soul. I'm so intrigued to learn more of the story. It's very captivating. It's intense at times, but very well written with great character arcs. Multiple POVs. Slow burn at the moment but building with relationship development. Sexual tension out the wazoo. Definitely ready for more. Read this book and devour it!
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