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A Very Secret Garden #1
The Book of Firsts
Three boys, the 'kings' of the school. One cynical newcomer. An outrageous competition.
When Mika Niles overhears the details of "The Book of Firsts" she's at first bemused, then scornful, then intrigued. Judging which of three very handsome young men is best at kissing, and...?
With no time in her final year for serious attachments, a series of lunchtime trysts is more than tempting – and an opportunity like this might never come her way again. But this light-hearted game is also a scandalous secret, and few can play with fire and walk away unscathed.
When Mika Niles overhears the details of "The Book of Firsts" she's at first bemused, then scornful, then intrigued. Judging which of three very handsome young men is best at kissing, and...?
With no time in her final year for serious attachments, a series of lunchtime trysts is more than tempting – and an opportunity like this might never come her way again. But this light-hearted game is also a scandalous secret, and few can play with fire and walk away unscathed.
560 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2021
16 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Karan K. Anders
3 books20 followersKaran K Anders is a pseudonym used by Andrea K Höst to infrequently publish romance with more sex than usually found in her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 14, 2023
Reread September 2023: I picked up the sequel and decided I'd rather refresh my memory of this first. I'm glad I did, because it's just a good story. I have only this to add to my review: if this were erotica, it'd be six times longer. I love how adroitly the author chooses what to show and what not to to make this an engaging character-driven story.
I picked this up from Andrea Höst's blog as Karan K. Anders is a penname for her. Höst normally fades to black on sex scenes and it looks like this is a Reverse Harem romance where she left all the sex in. So it makes sense that she'd use a different penname for branding purposes. Wisely, because yeah, that's a lot of sex. Whole lot of sex.
But what I could count on was that the characters would feel real and make sense internally and make the plot and setup work. And holy molasses did she deliver. Reverse Harem is always going to be hard because men are jealous creatures and don't share well on an emotional level. So if this was going to work, her guys would have to work. And the situation would have to hold together. And once you have all that, you then have to find a woman who can put all that together without flinching or being an unrealistic chameleon.
Part of what makes this work is that all four characters are exceptional. The three kings are elite students who are smart and dedicated but also highly privileged and have money and goals. They've grown up together, but more importantly, have learned to rely on each other as a shield against those who want pieces of them—parents, romantic partners, fellow students, teachers, etc. So they've formed a tight bond and a bit of a world of their own. And they have big goals for after graduating that they all are highly engaged with and that will require even more fortitude because all of them are going to go against their (very rich, very powerful) families. And I love how deliberate and planned-out they are because it's clear that they're going to need some timing and fortitude and they've mapped it out very reasonably.
And Mika is brilliant in her own right as well. She's smart, but fundamentally disconnected and self-reliant as a result of moving so much while growing up. She has setup her final year of high school to remain in one place that has significance for her future as well. It's the perfect feeder school for what she wants to do professionally, and she has the brains and drive to pull it off. Probably. She's unrealistically exceptional, but that just works because Höst never loses sight of her as a person.
And being disconnected plays right into the competition the kings have started and gives us the setup for them to start connecting in ways they can't do in public. I loved the intimacy and immediacy of their plans. And I love how deeply Mika finds herself involved in them while having to maintain strict privacy. I love the emotional bonds they create with Mika and how individually-flavored they are, each with their unique twists on the bonds they share with each other and, eventually, with Mika.
This is a master-class in character development that's only enhanced by how abnormally gifted they are as individuals.
Anyway, this comes out an easy five stars, though it'll be hard to recommend to anyone because reverse harem isn't going to fit most people's (sub)genre tolerances. Frankly, it's not really in my wheelhouse, either, but I was intrigued because I know the author is good enough that if anyone could do it, she could. She did.
A note about Steamy: The author claims there are more than sixty sex scenes but I find that unlikely unless you count the scenes that are elided over in generalities. The actual sex scenes are many, though. Easily dozens and would normally be completely outside my steam tolerance. What I liked, though, was seeing how those intimate moments brought connection between the characters and how distinct they were, even in (roughly) the same circumstances and activities. It was a brilliant frame for showing their similarities and differences and showing how they connected so closely together as an emotional unit. Even more brilliant is that they never felt similar or repetitive and they really kind of should have, all things considered.
I picked this up from Andrea Höst's blog as Karan K. Anders is a penname for her. Höst normally fades to black on sex scenes and it looks like this is a Reverse Harem romance where she left all the sex in. So it makes sense that she'd use a different penname for branding purposes. Wisely, because yeah, that's a lot of sex. Whole lot of sex.
But what I could count on was that the characters would feel real and make sense internally and make the plot and setup work. And holy molasses did she deliver. Reverse Harem is always going to be hard because men are jealous creatures and don't share well on an emotional level. So if this was going to work, her guys would have to work. And the situation would have to hold together. And once you have all that, you then have to find a woman who can put all that together without flinching or being an unrealistic chameleon.
Part of what makes this work is that all four characters are exceptional. The three kings are elite students who are smart and dedicated but also highly privileged and have money and goals. They've grown up together, but more importantly, have learned to rely on each other as a shield against those who want pieces of them—parents, romantic partners, fellow students, teachers, etc. So they've formed a tight bond and a bit of a world of their own. And they have big goals for after graduating that they all are highly engaged with and that will require even more fortitude because all of them are going to go against their (very rich, very powerful) families. And I love how deliberate and planned-out they are because it's clear that they're going to need some timing and fortitude and they've mapped it out very reasonably.
And Mika is brilliant in her own right as well. She's smart, but fundamentally disconnected and self-reliant as a result of moving so much while growing up. She has setup her final year of high school to remain in one place that has significance for her future as well. It's the perfect feeder school for what she wants to do professionally, and she has the brains and drive to pull it off. Probably. She's unrealistically exceptional, but that just works because Höst never loses sight of her as a person.
And being disconnected plays right into the competition the kings have started and gives us the setup for them to start connecting in ways they can't do in public. I loved the intimacy and immediacy of their plans. And I love how deeply Mika finds herself involved in them while having to maintain strict privacy. I love the emotional bonds they create with Mika and how individually-flavored they are, each with their unique twists on the bonds they share with each other and, eventually, with Mika.
This is a master-class in character development that's only enhanced by how abnormally gifted they are as individuals.
Anyway, this comes out an easy five stars, though it'll be hard to recommend to anyone because reverse harem isn't going to fit most people's (sub)genre tolerances. Frankly, it's not really in my wheelhouse, either, but I was intrigued because I know the author is good enough that if anyone could do it, she could. She did.
A note about Steamy: The author claims there are more than sixty sex scenes but I find that unlikely unless you count the scenes that are elided over in generalities. The actual sex scenes are many, though. Easily dozens and would normally be completely outside my steam tolerance. What I liked, though, was seeing how those intimate moments brought connection between the characters and how distinct they were, even in (roughly) the same circumstances and activities. It was a brilliant frame for showing their similarities and differences and showing how they connected so closely together as an emotional unit. Even more brilliant is that they never felt similar or repetitive and they really kind of should have, all things considered.
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May 18, 2021First of a two part series.
I converted all the fade to black scenes from all my other books into actual sex scenes for this one. :) [There are almost sixty sex scenes in this book. Seriously. So much sex. And yet somehow not erotica.]
Does not fall neatly into any category, but new adult fits best, since the main characters are all nineteen and fairly mature for their age. Despite all the sex, this is a story about friendship (with benefits). The tone is positive (though I will add a minor trigger warning for discussion of suicide), and somewhat fantastical.
I really like the characters in this.
I converted all the fade to black scenes from all my other books into actual sex scenes for this one. :) [There are almost sixty sex scenes in this book. Seriously. So much sex. And yet somehow not erotica.]
Does not fall neatly into any category, but new adult fits best, since the main characters are all nineteen and fairly mature for their age. Despite all the sex, this is a story about friendship (with benefits). The tone is positive (though I will add a minor trigger warning for discussion of suicide), and somewhat fantastical.
I really like the characters in this.
July 30, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable. Dialogue that manages to be both light-hearted and smart, plus the blossoming of a friendship that may survive a lifelong habit of letting go and saying goodbye. (I deeply feel for people whose families have frequently moved from one place to another.)
The only irksome part was the ubiquitous fixation on good looks (those girls literally throwing themselves on one of the 'kings' triggered an eye-roll), but I could see it played for laughs, in a manga/anime-like fashion; and, to a lesser degree, on social status. (Or maybe to a greater degree: too little fun was poked at it, so my anti-elitist bile would rise higher.)
Moments to relive:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
The only irksome part was the ubiquitous fixation on good looks (those girls literally throwing themselves on one of the 'kings' triggered an eye-roll), but I could see it played for laughs, in a manga/anime-like fashion; and, to a lesser degree, on social status. (Or maybe to a greater degree: too little fun was poked at it, so my anti-elitist bile would rise higher.)
Moments to relive:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
Read
December 1, 2021I'm tagging this comedy-of-manners as that comes closest to what is difficult to pinpoint, but then the author behind the Anders name is known for experimenting within genre tropes. So it is here; this time it's tropes within manga and anime that she is working with. Specifically harem stories. And the focus is sex.
What you might need to know upfront is that there is a lot of sex in this story. LOTS. But I would not call it erotica, which, at least as far as I've read, tends toward sex being the point of various arcs within the story--the story focus is mostly sex. (Whereas porn is basically paper dolls doing mattress Olympics in highly stylized ways meant to evoke the most heat in readers, and actual story is as flimsy as the clothing.)
But in this story, though they get right to the sex fairly quickly, and there is plenty of it (result of a four way wager that you discover in the first chapter), the focus is on the characters. The author's skill demonstrates how sex scenes, which too often stop the story dead in the same way monster fights often do in other genres, serve to elucidate character. For that matter, the same as in sports novels of any kind, including gaming. I'm not into sports or games, unless it's gymnastics or fencing. I fall out of a book if the character development lurches to a stop when the games begin, though many readers are delighted and excited by the game descriptions, whether football or Go or mecha fights.
The character development here expertly walks that fine line between wish fulfillment (the guys are all hot) and enough real and complex emotion to draw me in, the sex never turns grimly realistic (for example, if it happens on sand, no one gets sand in places you really don't want it) and yet the focus stays on character. I was deeply involved in the characters and stayed that way to the very satisfying end.
I'd love to see more of these characters!
What you might need to know upfront is that there is a lot of sex in this story. LOTS. But I would not call it erotica, which, at least as far as I've read, tends toward sex being the point of various arcs within the story--the story focus is mostly sex. (Whereas porn is basically paper dolls doing mattress Olympics in highly stylized ways meant to evoke the most heat in readers, and actual story is as flimsy as the clothing.)
But in this story, though they get right to the sex fairly quickly, and there is plenty of it (result of a four way wager that you discover in the first chapter), the focus is on the characters. The author's skill demonstrates how sex scenes, which too often stop the story dead in the same way monster fights often do in other genres, serve to elucidate character. For that matter, the same as in sports novels of any kind, including gaming. I'm not into sports or games, unless it's gymnastics or fencing. I fall out of a book if the character development lurches to a stop when the games begin, though many readers are delighted and excited by the game descriptions, whether football or Go or mecha fights.
The character development here expertly walks that fine line between wish fulfillment (the guys are all hot) and enough real and complex emotion to draw me in, the sex never turns grimly realistic (for example, if it happens on sand, no one gets sand in places you really don't want it) and yet the focus stays on character. I was deeply involved in the characters and stayed that way to the very satisfying end.
I'd love to see more of these characters!
September 17, 2023
I'm certain I can't do this book justice, so I'll try to write down some random thoughts, hoping I can show that I found the book extraordinary.
-the storyline is one I hadn't encountered yet, it was kind of reverse harem, but not erotica. There were many sex scenes (always between the FMC Mika and one of the 3 MMCs) but after the first few sex scenes, most of them were fading to black.
-the school and students felt OTT-elite, the 4 main characters were extremely rich, intelligent and resourceful. Everything made sense, though, in the story's context. I had some troubles accepting that the characters were in their last year of high school, could suspend my disbelieve, though, because the storyline was so smooth and convincing.
-the 4 MCs had very distinct personalities, and we got to see more and more of their thoughts and secrets, and how they grew, separately and togeter, as well.
-I didn't feel truly connected to the 4 MCs, though, and didn't feel a particular strong connection between each of the boys and Mika, even in the end when it had to be there, and I was disappointed to not feel it. The strong connection and loyality between the 3 boys was palpable, though.
Overall low 4 stars.
-the storyline is one I hadn't encountered yet, it was kind of reverse harem, but not erotica. There were many sex scenes (always between the FMC Mika and one of the 3 MMCs) but after the first few sex scenes, most of them were fading to black.
-the school and students felt OTT-elite, the 4 main characters were extremely rich, intelligent and resourceful. Everything made sense, though, in the story's context. I had some troubles accepting that the characters were in their last year of high school, could suspend my disbelieve, though, because the storyline was so smooth and convincing.
-the 4 MCs had very distinct personalities, and we got to see more and more of their thoughts and secrets, and how they grew, separately and togeter, as well.
-I didn't feel truly connected to the 4 MCs, though, and didn't feel a particular strong connection between each of the boys and Mika, even in the end when it had to be there, and I was disappointed to not feel it. The strong connection and loyality between the 3 boys was palpable, though.
Overall low 4 stars.
July 25, 2021
I REALLY REALLY liked this.
Yes, there is a lot of sex, but totally integral to the storyline. Which does have some - okay, a lot of - suspend-your-disbelief sprinkled through, but ah, there is so much feel-good here with proper comeuppance for those who deserve it.
(Also so much competence. I'm a sucker for competence.)
Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the relationships - and very much looking forward to the sequel!
Yes, there is a lot of sex, but totally integral to the storyline. Which does have some - okay, a lot of - suspend-your-disbelief sprinkled through, but ah, there is so much feel-good here with proper comeuppance for those who deserve it.
(Also so much competence. I'm a sucker for competence.)
Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the relationships - and very much looking forward to the sequel!
April 25, 2023
When it comes to indie authors I love, I tend to auto buy their books and go into them blind. This is actually a lot of fun with T. Kingfisher, who writes for all different ages and different genres. This worked a little less well in this case with Andrea K. Host as this book, it kind of messed with my head. I knew that she was writing it under a different name and that it was some kind of romance, but that was all.
But I did not know
But I did not know
August 1, 2021
I loved this for so many reasons. Here are some of them: 1. The four main characters respect each other. There's no manipulation, no power plays, no one's using anyone else. They all make it clear at various points that if anyone isn't right into the game, they'll stop. 2. There are no stupid misunderstandings that could be cleared up if only people would talk to each other. The characters DO talk to each other. 3. There's remarkably little angst, except for a bit with Bran at the beginning. The troubles come from outside the quartet. 4. They're having fun. 5. The fact that the boys are ridiculously rich, privileged and good looking is at least partly countered by their determination not to go down the roads that have been mapped out for them by their parents.
So good to read an enjoyable story with healthy relationships in it.
So good to read an enjoyable story with healthy relationships in it.
August 23, 2024
4⭐️s
For a book that claims to have 60 sex scenes this was a remarkably un-steamy book - don’t get me wrong, there was steam but it felt almost clinical - like this really was a grading exercise. There are moments that are a little more descriptive but most of this seems to be more around getting ready to have sex; a lot of the sex fades to black and this works really well for this book.
The book is surprisingly character driven (and there are a lot of characters aside from our four main protagonists) though it’s coupled with the usual family drama angst but that is the only angst in the book. Honestly, it was the least angst read for me in a long time.
I honestly don’t know what to categorize it as. Reverse harem, sure, but not a dark romance even though there is a someone is trying to (maybe) kill them side story. Unexpected and atypical in a really good way.
For a book that claims to have 60 sex scenes this was a remarkably un-steamy book - don’t get me wrong, there was steam but it felt almost clinical - like this really was a grading exercise. There are moments that are a little more descriptive but most of this seems to be more around getting ready to have sex; a lot of the sex fades to black and this works really well for this book.
The book is surprisingly character driven (and there are a lot of characters aside from our four main protagonists) though it’s coupled with the usual family drama angst but that is the only angst in the book. Honestly, it was the least angst read for me in a long time.
I honestly don’t know what to categorize it as. Reverse harem, sure, but not a dark romance even though there is a someone is trying to (maybe) kill them side story. Unexpected and atypical in a really good way.
January 2, 2022
The idea for this book is very interesting - a reverse harem where a girl is in a poly relationship with three boys - and Andrea K Host, writing under a pseudonym, manages to make it work without drama or jealousy. There is barely much of a plot and the background details of the setting and the other characters are rather sketchy and vague, with the book primarily focused on the protagonist, Mika, and the three boys she has a relationship with. The book features lots of sex but somehow doesn't come across as erotica or saturated with sex. What strikes me most strongly about this book is that it is a character study about each of the four main characters and their relationships with each other. I really liked the ending and am excited to see how this poly relationship will go in the sequel.
May 22, 2021
Adorable smutty romance
This was surprisingly free of the misunderstandings, tantrums and drama that I feared. Light and frothy, young folk having no strings polyamorous fun that becomes friendship.
This was surprisingly free of the misunderstandings, tantrums and drama that I feared. Light and frothy, young folk having no strings polyamorous fun that becomes friendship.
December 31, 2021
I was suggested this book when a dear friend told me about a comment she saw about a book with 60+ sex scenes that has an anime series kind of vibe.
Calling it good might be too much.
Passable, for sure.
The whole premise is about a group of three friends who challenge each other with a bunch of sexual tasks in pursuit of identifying which of them is the best at sex. They involve the new girl as judge and partner in the challenges, but wait…things don’t stay platonic and they all fall for her, but their friendship is so strong that they ask her if she’s okay with having a relationship with all of them.
I kept waiting for the moment in which it felt less like a textbook recollection about sexual acts and more like a sexy, lustful encounter between two people but nothing...just a mention of tingling here, and bit of boneless feeling there, and onto the next scene.
The romance doesn't come into play until the very end....the friends with benefits comes into play a bit earlier but it doesn't start it that way.
I'd say it goes from clinical trial to friends with benefits to poly romance....without any heat whatsoever (60 sex scenes and not one of them written in a way that makes it feel like they're having sex instead of, say, knit a pair of socks).
The drama doesn't focus on the relationship at all which was very nice. The communication is also very on point (beside a short period with one of the guys, but that has its reasoning and it was very well done).
The thing is,the book is arguably nicely written, the characters are engaging, the plot takes off after a while...all good characteristics.
Should it be considered so highly? No. Even without personal opinions involved, it has a couple issues that greatly damage the score.
Would someone be able to ignore those flaws if the story hits them deeply? I can totally see that because of my own personal experiences.
Judging books objectively will be always impossible in my opinion
I'm definitely curious to see how things will evolve in the next book now that they've all agreed to the relationship...but I don't see myself holding my breath on anticipated waiting or suddenly developing a taste for poly.
I like my romances monogamous in books, despite this one tackling the poly aspect very nicely…I’m curious enough to see how things will evolve in the next one. But calling it smut puts every fanfiction rated Teen to erotica level in comparison
Calling it good might be too much.
Passable, for sure.
The whole premise is about a group of three friends who challenge each other with a bunch of sexual tasks in pursuit of identifying which of them is the best at sex. They involve the new girl as judge and partner in the challenges, but wait…things don’t stay platonic and they all fall for her, but their friendship is so strong that they ask her if she’s okay with having a relationship with all of them.
I kept waiting for the moment in which it felt less like a textbook recollection about sexual acts and more like a sexy, lustful encounter between two people but nothing...just a mention of tingling here, and bit of boneless feeling there, and onto the next scene.
The romance doesn't come into play until the very end....the friends with benefits comes into play a bit earlier but it doesn't start it that way.
I'd say it goes from clinical trial to friends with benefits to poly romance....without any heat whatsoever (60 sex scenes and not one of them written in a way that makes it feel like they're having sex instead of, say, knit a pair of socks).
The drama doesn't focus on the relationship at all which was very nice. The communication is also very on point (beside a short period with one of the guys, but that has its reasoning and it was very well done).
The thing is,the book is arguably nicely written, the characters are engaging, the plot takes off after a while...all good characteristics.
Should it be considered so highly? No. Even without personal opinions involved, it has a couple issues that greatly damage the score.
Would someone be able to ignore those flaws if the story hits them deeply? I can totally see that because of my own personal experiences.
Judging books objectively will be always impossible in my opinion
I'm definitely curious to see how things will evolve in the next book now that they've all agreed to the relationship...but I don't see myself holding my breath on anticipated waiting or suddenly developing a taste for poly.
I like my romances monogamous in books, despite this one tackling the poly aspect very nicely…I’m curious enough to see how things will evolve in the next one. But calling it smut puts every fanfiction rated Teen to erotica level in comparison
Read
January 2, 2022Note: There's a lot of sex in this. Like, A LOT. Some of it more explicit than others, but literally the whole premise revolves around sex, so if that's not your thing, there won't be much of a book to read.
I read this because I was intrigued by the premise. I am personally a one-man kind of woman and I generally prefer those kinds of romances; I've never seen a harem romance done well and believably, even when it's tangential to the actual story (I'm looking at you, Wheel of Time); and reverse-harem stories are thin on the ground and what stories do exist aren't done believably. So when some people whose reviews I generally trust commented on how well-done this one was, I was intrigued.
Honestly, I'm still a one-man kind of woman, and I don't think my reading preferences are going to change, either, but I have to admit that this was well done and in a way that makes a lot of sense within the reality and circumstances the author has constructed. I can't exactly recommend it to those of my friends who follow me, because I doubt it's what they'd go for, but for someone who is interested because of the premise, I can pretty confidently say you'll enjoy it.
I read this because I was intrigued by the premise. I am personally a one-man kind of woman and I generally prefer those kinds of romances; I've never seen a harem romance done well and believably, even when it's tangential to the actual story (I'm looking at you, Wheel of Time); and reverse-harem stories are thin on the ground and what stories do exist aren't done believably. So when some people whose reviews I generally trust commented on how well-done this one was, I was intrigued.
Honestly, I'm still a one-man kind of woman, and I don't think my reading preferences are going to change, either, but I have to admit that this was well done and in a way that makes a lot of sense within the reality and circumstances the author has constructed. I can't exactly recommend it to those of my friends who follow me, because I doubt it's what they'd go for, but for someone who is interested because of the premise, I can pretty confidently say you'll enjoy it.
December 29, 2021
As everyone has said, there's a LOT of sex in this book. And I laugh to myself remembering what things were like when I was 19 years old and young adult, or "new adult" (which didn't exist at that time), books would have been exploring "should she or shouldn't she" usually with the answer she shouldn't, ha ha ha, or have been about teen pregnancy if she did. And a lot of the substance of this novel is a young woman having a lot of good clean fun with three different dishy guys (not all at once, but the concept wasn't ruled out). How things have changed!
So it is kind of "high concept" (though I gather not entirely unique if you read manga), but well handled. The characters are strong and the relationships given lots of time to develop. In some ways it reminded me a lot of this author's best known series (under a different name) - depicting high-achieving, intellectually brilliant, physically fit and gorgeous young people. It could just be a fantasy if it were not that the characters are likeable and not without flaws. I'll look forward to the sequel!
So it is kind of "high concept" (though I gather not entirely unique if you read manga), but well handled. The characters are strong and the relationships given lots of time to develop. In some ways it reminded me a lot of this author's best known series (under a different name) - depicting high-achieving, intellectually brilliant, physically fit and gorgeous young people. It could just be a fantasy if it were not that the characters are likeable and not without flaws. I'll look forward to the sequel!
January 13, 2023
(Review for both books. Includes mild spoilers for this book and Four Kings.)
It took me a while to understand the genre of this book, as it's so unusual. But here it is--Competence Porn for women! You might think much of Romance or Lesbian Fic is competence porn. You would be wrong! Karan Anders shows how it's done.
* Set in Ruritania, Atlantis, or the past. Check.
* Succeed at everything. Check
* Build a town from near nothing. Check.
* Build technology. Check. (In this case video games and bridges.)
* Get wealthy. Check.
* Have a harem! Check, and how!
The main twist is this mostly takes place in HS and college, rather than a desert island or the past, or a region marooned in the past.
I will leave others to discuss details of the plot, but they revolve around a (supposedly) no-strings-attached relationship with three cousins who wish to compete with each other in a friendly sex competition... Never mind, this is covered in the first chapter or two.
As for how I enjoyed it? I was highly amused at the whole conceit!
It took me a while to understand the genre of this book, as it's so unusual. But here it is--Competence Porn for women! You might think much of Romance or Lesbian Fic is competence porn. You would be wrong! Karan Anders shows how it's done.
* Set in Ruritania, Atlantis, or the past. Check.
* Succeed at everything. Check
* Build a town from near nothing. Check.
* Build technology. Check. (In this case video games and bridges.)
* Get wealthy. Check.
* Have a harem! Check, and how!
The main twist is this mostly takes place in HS and college, rather than a desert island or the past, or a region marooned in the past.
I will leave others to discuss details of the plot, but they revolve around a (supposedly) no-strings-attached relationship with three cousins who wish to compete with each other in a friendly sex competition... Never mind, this is covered in the first chapter or two.
As for how I enjoyed it? I was highly amused at the whole conceit!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2023
I was so happy to discover that one of my favorite fantasy/sci-fi authors had taken a stab at writing romance under a different name. This book might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed the development of the characters and their inter-relationships. I put it on my ‘friends to lovers’ shelf but its more of a ‘lovers to friends’ story.
As always, this author portrays young people as intelligent and competent, which I like. On the other hand, I had a hard time believing such high levels of sexual competence and commitment in teenagers but I suppose it could happen. I obviously went to high school in a different era and different culture!
One thing I really appreciated about this book and have liked in all of Andrea’s books is that the young people don’t have that sickening over the top ‘drama’ vibe that is prevalent in most books labeled NA or YA.
As always, this author portrays young people as intelligent and competent, which I like. On the other hand, I had a hard time believing such high levels of sexual competence and commitment in teenagers but I suppose it could happen. I obviously went to high school in a different era and different culture!
One thing I really appreciated about this book and have liked in all of Andrea’s books is that the young people don’t have that sickening over the top ‘drama’ vibe that is prevalent in most books labeled NA or YA.
November 1, 2025
Despite the Peril plot this book comes off as someone who loved shows like Ouran High School Host Club and perhaps Dear Brother and wanted to write a version where everything went perfectly for everyone except Bad People and no one sympathetic ever got embarrassed apart from in the backstory. Given the threat of scandal and embarrassment are more grounded than the peril plot I think that's a mistake—not particularly for realism but because I would be much more bought in and compelled. Technically the threat of scandal hangs over the story sure but I never felt like any scary secrets were on the verge of being discovered.
May 24, 2021
A big genre departure from the authors other works, under a different name. Was not certain I'd like this at all. Love the writing, love the dialogue, love the world building. Liked the mystery thread that runs throughout the book. However, while I understand the book is based around a series of sex "challenges" with three separate guys, even knowing that, a few too many sex scenes for me. Started kinda skipping over them somewhere in the middle. Minus one star...
October 18, 2021
Basically Ouran High turned down from eleven to eight, with the horniness turned UP. What's fascinating about the book is the setup is absurd - private school girl agrees to sex competition between 3 best friends - and has masses of sex, but it's actually not at all prurient and contains some really interesting character work, a lot of it put across in the sex scenes. Absolutely should not work but does; I'm impressed.
July 4, 2021
Loved it!
This book is long, but in the good way. I haven't read a book with this many pages in a while. I loved that it covered an entire year. I hope the next book in the series is just a well written and thought out as this one.
This book is long, but in the good way. I haven't read a book with this many pages in a while. I loved that it covered an entire year. I hope the next book in the series is just a well written and thought out as this one.
May 22, 2021
Very interesting
Loved it - much more different from regular adult romance books - just loved her Practical mind and loved the non- drama
Loved it - much more different from regular adult romance books - just loved her Practical mind and loved the non- drama
May 25, 2021
Review to come.
Read
August 14, 2021Enjoyed this no nonsense, easy lovers-to-friends trope book.
March 17, 2022
Can't wait for the next!
May 31, 2023
That was surprisingly amazing. I'm really not sure what kept me reading, because the characters seemed pretty fixed, but nevertheless I couldn't put it down.
August 26, 2024
I’m between 3.75 - 4 stars!!!
November 24, 2021
A fun read about some people you'd actually want to be friends with playing a risqué game, and the relationships they develop as a result.
There is certainly explicit sex here, but the majority of these scenes just wind up glossed over. Which is actually probably okay, as there is quite a lot of sex happening, and it would surely get repetitive after a while of reading about it over and over again!
Although I APPRECIATE the way the main characters spoke and thought, I did find it highly unlikely that there might be four high school students who are all that reasonable, intelligent, and mature. I don't know how likely it is that there are even four adults who think and speak like that all in one place.
The middle of the book dragged a bit for me, but I enjoyed it over all.
There is certainly explicit sex here, but the majority of these scenes just wind up glossed over. Which is actually probably okay, as there is quite a lot of sex happening, and it would surely get repetitive after a while of reading about it over and over again!
Although I APPRECIATE the way the main characters spoke and thought, I did find it highly unlikely that there might be four high school students who are all that reasonable, intelligent, and mature. I don't know how likely it is that there are even four adults who think and speak like that all in one place.
The middle of the book dragged a bit for me, but I enjoyed it over all.
September 27, 2021
The author described this as a combination of all the fade-to-black sex scenes from her books under her other pen name, which it totally is, while also being a fun and well-written story.
Read
December 19, 2021I am conflicted, but am prepared to admit it may be entirely my own fault. I had preconceived notions because of the author's works under another name (that I rank among my favourite series) and found the departure from my expectations hard to process.
Simply put, this is a high school fantasy. Genius-level smart, interesting, effortlessly beautiful, effortlessly cool, social savant, connected, extraordinary-life-living girl meets three ditto boys. Lots of sex.
As the story progresses, the characters do flesh out, some. But I find the pedestal they all are placed on, slightly glowing, a little hard to swallow. (Fair warning, maybe it's being so forcefully reminded of my own averageness that makes me bitter.)
When your book revolves around one girl/woman and three boys/men there is always a line to walk between sexual emancipation and objectification. I think the author navigates this very well. But a few things stuck with me as "ick", and they are all about power.
And it really, really bothered me that Kyou (actually, all of them) underestimates how smart she is. And then Kyou doesn't have the decency to be ashamed of himself for it but straight up tells her he didn't think she was cleverer than Bran. Why not?
On the less ambiguous side of my response - the writing is good, I liked Lania, pragmatism is celebrated, and this was one of the rare occasions that I couldn't guess the shape of a story beforehand. I like the representation of other ways to structure relationships, the complexity and autonomy of the FMC, and the deep loyalty portrayed in the friendships.
But still conflicted.
Simply put, this is a high school fantasy. Genius-level smart, interesting, effortlessly beautiful, effortlessly cool, social savant, connected, extraordinary-life-living girl meets three ditto boys. Lots of sex.
As the story progresses, the characters do flesh out, some. But I find the pedestal they all are placed on, slightly glowing, a little hard to swallow. (Fair warning, maybe it's being so forcefully reminded of my own averageness that makes me bitter.)
When your book revolves around one girl/woman and three boys/men there is always a line to walk between sexual emancipation and objectification. I think the author navigates this very well. But a few things stuck with me as "ick", and they are all about power.
And it really, really bothered me that Kyou (actually, all of them) underestimates how smart she is. And then Kyou doesn't have the decency to be ashamed of himself for it but straight up tells her he didn't think she was cleverer than Bran. Why not?
On the less ambiguous side of my response - the writing is good, I liked Lania, pragmatism is celebrated, and this was one of the rare occasions that I couldn't guess the shape of a story beforehand. I like the representation of other ways to structure relationships, the complexity and autonomy of the FMC, and the deep loyalty portrayed in the friendships.
But still conflicted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2021
The story is really not what it's advertised as. Or it is but the experience of reading it is so different because it's a comfort/healing story more than a romp kind of story.
Mika is a brilliant engineer who really needs a top final year to get into her dream program in university. There's a little bit of a scifi twist as to where that university is, but the school conventions are Australian and Mika is 19 in the book. Her problem is that she is new to the school. She is always the new one because her parents have unusual jobs and move around a lot and so she doesn't have a consistent record. Thus entering into a challenge pact with the 3 kings of the school might provide her the distraction without the personal emotional involvement to allow her to reach her goals.
Again, it's not what you think. This was one of the best books I read this year because at its heart it's about friendship, and being there for each other, and challenging each other, and standing up for who you are. The achievement of this book is that Anders makes this very subtle so that every interaction builds characterization and connection. I read it three times in a row because it was just soooo well done. And Mika is magic. Not really, of course, but I just loved her daring, wit, and self-control. I'm eagerly awaiting book 2!
Anders also writes as Andrea Höst and I've bought a few of her fantasies to read as well.
BTW, if you liked Tam Lin by Pamela Dean--this has a similar feel but with a lot more sex.
Mika is a brilliant engineer who really needs a top final year to get into her dream program in university. There's a little bit of a scifi twist as to where that university is, but the school conventions are Australian and Mika is 19 in the book. Her problem is that she is new to the school. She is always the new one because her parents have unusual jobs and move around a lot and so she doesn't have a consistent record. Thus entering into a challenge pact with the 3 kings of the school might provide her the distraction without the personal emotional involvement to allow her to reach her goals.
Again, it's not what you think. This was one of the best books I read this year because at its heart it's about friendship, and being there for each other, and challenging each other, and standing up for who you are. The achievement of this book is that Anders makes this very subtle so that every interaction builds characterization and connection. I read it three times in a row because it was just soooo well done. And Mika is magic. Not really, of course, but I just loved her daring, wit, and self-control. I'm eagerly awaiting book 2!
Anders also writes as Andrea Höst and I've bought a few of her fantasies to read as well.
BTW, if you liked Tam Lin by Pamela Dean--this has a similar feel but with a lot more sex.
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