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Fated #1
Moon Flower
When Galen flees his home and travels to Lunar’s Reach, he does what he needs to survive. But trading his body for food in his belly is always a risky undertaking. After he’s found injured in an alleyway, his new friends take him to Moon Flower apothecary, where the madam in charge offers him the proposition of a lifetime.
Little does he know that the Moon Flower flourishes at night—in more ways than one. Gentlemen gather in secret, yearning for an evening with Galen and the others, where they offer pleasure willingly while exploring their desires.
But Galen’s eye is continually drawn to the most unassuming man in the room—Azriel, the resident healer, who has the most unusual aura Galen has ever seen. There’s an understated melancholy in him that Galen longs to soothe, and the more time they spend together, the more he craves to know Azriel’s touch.
But security is only a threadbare veneer for those like him, and soon danger is upon their doorstep. Galen has only ever needed to protect himself, but now he belongs to an ensemble of unlikely characters who’ve become the family he never had. So he’ll put himself on the line, along with his heart, if it means keeping them safe—especially Azriel, the man who quiets his restless soul.
*Please note: Moon Flower is set in an imaginary world reminiscent of our nineteenth century, with some fantastical elements, such as potions and fated mates, but without explicit rules. Some liberties were taken for the sake of fiction—and, of course, romance.
*TW: Discussions and depictions of assault which are physical and sexual in nature, as well as a background characterization that some might find unconventional.
TAGS: found family, auras, potions, healers, fated mates, soft boys, brothel, twins, voyeurism, hurt/comfort, pining, swoon
Little does he know that the Moon Flower flourishes at night—in more ways than one. Gentlemen gather in secret, yearning for an evening with Galen and the others, where they offer pleasure willingly while exploring their desires.
But Galen’s eye is continually drawn to the most unassuming man in the room—Azriel, the resident healer, who has the most unusual aura Galen has ever seen. There’s an understated melancholy in him that Galen longs to soothe, and the more time they spend together, the more he craves to know Azriel’s touch.
But security is only a threadbare veneer for those like him, and soon danger is upon their doorstep. Galen has only ever needed to protect himself, but now he belongs to an ensemble of unlikely characters who’ve become the family he never had. So he’ll put himself on the line, along with his heart, if it means keeping them safe—especially Azriel, the man who quiets his restless soul.
*Please note: Moon Flower is set in an imaginary world reminiscent of our nineteenth century, with some fantastical elements, such as potions and fated mates, but without explicit rules. Some liberties were taken for the sake of fiction—and, of course, romance.
*TW: Discussions and depictions of assault which are physical and sexual in nature, as well as a background characterization that some might find unconventional.
TAGS: found family, auras, potions, healers, fated mates, soft boys, brothel, twins, voyeurism, hurt/comfort, pining, swoon
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2021
33 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lee
58 books2,159 followersChristina writes romance in different sub-genres, mostly with LGBTQ characters, not only because she's part of the community, but because representation matters, and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 8, 2021
3 stars
“Maybe our homes are right here, in the space where our breaths mingle and our hearts beat in unison.”
This is not the typical book I would normally read. But my typical books have not been working for me, at all. So in an effort to find a book that I might enjoy (it’s been a struggle for me to enjoy any book lately), I keep picking up books way outside of my comfort zone, which is how I came to picking up this book.
This is set in 1881 but has some fantasy elements to it. Which is a vibe I can definitely get behind.
I think I might just be in a mood because i’ve been very stressed lately, but I feel like I would have enjoyed this a lot more on any other day, so do not be surprised when I come back to this book later. I think this was just right book, wrong time, because I could see how it potential for me to love it.
Brief Summary
Galen is a sex worker because he does not have any money and needs money to buy food and survive. One night he is assaulted and beaten up by a client. He is rescued by twins, Azriel and Sparrow. They bring him to the Moon Flower apothecary and there he finds shelter and Azriel, the man he will fall in love with. Moon Flower is also a brothel.
First, there was such strong found family themes in this book and I loved reading about it, so much. Found families are one of my favourite thing in book, I love seeing people come together and defend each other through everything.
Second, the ambiance of this book was fantastic. 1800s novels with a dark vibe where nothing is going well for any of the characters are my favourites, when i’m not reading romance. This book had the feels of any 1800 books that respects itself, the air of sadness and poverty around everything in town, overshadowed by a few that have everything, how nothing is ever going well, for any of the characters. The gritty towns with the thieves and the brothels and illnesses. It really reminded me of the feel of an Émile Zola book, which is big praises from me, because Zola is one of my favourite writer. But it also had a lot of magical elements that made the ambiance even more enjoyable.
Third, my biggest issue with this book was the romance. Or lack of. It was more of a book about the two main characters and about the life in town and about the other characters at the brothel, than a romance novel. It felt like it wanted to be a really epic romance at times but it just wasn’t. It felt like a memoir about a guy who was poor and lived in a brothel and his experience at the brothel. Which would have been lovely, if I was ready a memoir and not a romance book. I just needed more romance and more connection between the caracters. I was being told about how they are meant to be together but every one of their interaction felt like two people who never interacted before, they just had no connection. Also, for the first 66% of this book, they were only together as friends or because a man liked watching them have sex together. And even when they got together after that, we didn’t get to see many scenes of them actually being together, which was a shame. The first scene of them being together without anyone else was at 82%, which is just a shame. And it didn’t help in making me believe that they were into the other. None of this book was an epic love story, it was just the memoirs of someone’s life, which is fine but i’m not into that in books.
Fourth, we won’t analyze what it says about me too much but my favourite part of this book was reading about the side characters who are twins and who were together and love each other. Also I read that short story about them and it was wonderful.
Side note, I really enjoyed the scenes where the main characters were happy together, that was such a nice contrast with the rest of the book and it really worked for me.
All my complaints about the lack of romance are almost overshadowed by how good the ambiance was, I love these kind of books. I just wish I was into the romance more because it could have been the perfect book for me if I was.
If you go into this book expecting it to be a memoir of a character from the 1800s with a wonderful ambiance, a little magic and a little side of romance, then I think you will really love it.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
“Maybe our homes are right here, in the space where our breaths mingle and our hearts beat in unison.”
This is not the typical book I would normally read. But my typical books have not been working for me, at all. So in an effort to find a book that I might enjoy (it’s been a struggle for me to enjoy any book lately), I keep picking up books way outside of my comfort zone, which is how I came to picking up this book.
This is set in 1881 but has some fantasy elements to it. Which is a vibe I can definitely get behind.
I think I might just be in a mood because i’ve been very stressed lately, but I feel like I would have enjoyed this a lot more on any other day, so do not be surprised when I come back to this book later. I think this was just right book, wrong time, because I could see how it potential for me to love it.
Brief Summary
Galen is a sex worker because he does not have any money and needs money to buy food and survive. One night he is assaulted and beaten up by a client. He is rescued by twins, Azriel and Sparrow. They bring him to the Moon Flower apothecary and there he finds shelter and Azriel, the man he will fall in love with. Moon Flower is also a brothel.
First, there was such strong found family themes in this book and I loved reading about it, so much. Found families are one of my favourite thing in book, I love seeing people come together and defend each other through everything.
Second, the ambiance of this book was fantastic. 1800s novels with a dark vibe where nothing is going well for any of the characters are my favourites, when i’m not reading romance. This book had the feels of any 1800 books that respects itself, the air of sadness and poverty around everything in town, overshadowed by a few that have everything, how nothing is ever going well, for any of the characters. The gritty towns with the thieves and the brothels and illnesses. It really reminded me of the feel of an Émile Zola book, which is big praises from me, because Zola is one of my favourite writer. But it also had a lot of magical elements that made the ambiance even more enjoyable.
Third, my biggest issue with this book was the romance. Or lack of. It was more of a book about the two main characters and about the life in town and about the other characters at the brothel, than a romance novel. It felt like it wanted to be a really epic romance at times but it just wasn’t. It felt like a memoir about a guy who was poor and lived in a brothel and his experience at the brothel. Which would have been lovely, if I was ready a memoir and not a romance book. I just needed more romance and more connection between the caracters. I was being told about how they are meant to be together but every one of their interaction felt like two people who never interacted before, they just had no connection. Also, for the first 66% of this book, they were only together as friends or because a man liked watching them have sex together. And even when they got together after that, we didn’t get to see many scenes of them actually being together, which was a shame. The first scene of them being together without anyone else was at 82%, which is just a shame. And it didn’t help in making me believe that they were into the other. None of this book was an epic love story, it was just the memoirs of someone’s life, which is fine but i’m not into that in books.
Fourth, we won’t analyze what it says about me too much but my favourite part of this book was reading about the side characters who are twins and who were together and love each other. Also I read that short story about them and it was wonderful.
Side note, I really enjoyed the scenes where the main characters were happy together, that was such a nice contrast with the rest of the book and it really worked for me.
All my complaints about the lack of romance are almost overshadowed by how good the ambiance was, I love these kind of books. I just wish I was into the romance more because it could have been the perfect book for me if I was.
If you go into this book expecting it to be a memoir of a character from the 1800s with a wonderful ambiance, a little magic and a little side of romance, then I think you will really love it.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
June 28, 2021
Moon Flower is not a traditional love story by any means, but it is hauntingly beautiful and compulsively readable.
The fictional setting feels Dickensian, with gambling halls, orphans, great wealth & even greater poverty, streets teeming with good & evil, whores, and brothels.
Galen sells his body to survive. He has synesthesia, which means he sees people's auras in colors. Purpose is passion; fuchsia is love.
When Galen follows a man swirled in grey into an alley, he pays for it dearly. Thankfully, Wren and Sparrow, twins who work for Madam Langley, find him half beaten to death and bring him to the Moon Flower, an apothecary by day and high-end brothel catering to men who love men at night.
At the Moon Flower, Galen meets Azriel, a healer who helps Madam Langley create various salves and ointments, as well as other young men who live and work there.
I loved all the secondary characters, especially the twins who have an intense taboo relationship.
A sense of danger and intrigue permeates the story. The town's constable, who despises himself and wants to be cured of his homosexual desires, is dead set on bringing down the Moon Flower if he's not "cured" of his wicked thoughts.
If that weren't enough, the man who hurt Galen is still out there, and a deadly plague causing fever and skin sores is spreading through nearby towns (this was sadly familiar).
Fortunately, a patron of the Moon Flower takes a liking to Azriel and Galen, and pushes them together. The MCs are ever so tender with each other. The passion is subdue, more of a whimper than a bang.
I must admit that I didn't fully feel the connection between Azriel and Galen. Part of the issue is that only Galen narrates the story, so Azriel remains a bit of a mystery.
Also, while I liked the faster-paced plot, I think at times the relationship was relegated to the backburner.
Even so, this is a charming story with a bittersweet HEA. I read it in a couple sittings and recommend it for fans of historical romance.
P.S. The bonus short about Wren and Sparrow is hella hot and worth a download.
The fictional setting feels Dickensian, with gambling halls, orphans, great wealth & even greater poverty, streets teeming with good & evil, whores, and brothels.
Galen sells his body to survive. He has synesthesia, which means he sees people's auras in colors. Purpose is passion; fuchsia is love.
When Galen follows a man swirled in grey into an alley, he pays for it dearly. Thankfully, Wren and Sparrow, twins who work for Madam Langley, find him half beaten to death and bring him to the Moon Flower, an apothecary by day and high-end brothel catering to men who love men at night.
At the Moon Flower, Galen meets Azriel, a healer who helps Madam Langley create various salves and ointments, as well as other young men who live and work there.
I loved all the secondary characters, especially the twins who have an intense taboo relationship.
A sense of danger and intrigue permeates the story. The town's constable, who despises himself and wants to be cured of his homosexual desires, is dead set on bringing down the Moon Flower if he's not "cured" of his wicked thoughts.
If that weren't enough, the man who hurt Galen is still out there, and a deadly plague causing fever and skin sores is spreading through nearby towns (this was sadly familiar).
Fortunately, a patron of the Moon Flower takes a liking to Azriel and Galen, and pushes them together. The MCs are ever so tender with each other. The passion is subdue, more of a whimper than a bang.
I must admit that I didn't fully feel the connection between Azriel and Galen. Part of the issue is that only Galen narrates the story, so Azriel remains a bit of a mystery.
Also, while I liked the faster-paced plot, I think at times the relationship was relegated to the backburner.
Even so, this is a charming story with a bittersweet HEA. I read it in a couple sittings and recommend it for fans of historical romance.
P.S. The bonus short about Wren and Sparrow is hella hot and worth a download.
June 28, 2021
This is a truly lovely story with a really strong sense of place.
It skirts between a pseudo almost medieval feeling, with herbology and apothecaries, small villages and bawdy houses, through into the references of railways and bigger cities, and it works well.
The fantasy side comes with talk of auras, fated pairings and possible werewolves, but overall it feels like a low industrial steampunk vibe.
Or, as my lovely friend Dani eloquently describes - it's Dickensian in feel (why that escaped me I do not know 🤣 )
I loved all the characters, not just our two heroes. Each of the lads who works at the Moon Flower has a unique personality and the town itself is vividly created.
Azriel and Galen are super sweet and clearly attracted to each other from the start. There's an interesting plot device used by Christina to help their physical relationship grow which I really loved.
There's some angsty bits, but it never becomes overdone, and even the "villain" of the piece is more of a hindrance rather than a definite threat.
Still, the pacing was good, the ending ties up nicely for the two young men and leads into the groundwork of what will be the second, and concluding, book.
I'm intrigued for that one as it concerns one of the lads who another is convinced is actually a werewolf who's forgotten he is one.
Another cool idea which I'm eager to discover is where Christina will take her story setting!
The cover is also utterly fabulous by the extremely talented Sarah Jo Chreene.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
It skirts between a pseudo almost medieval feeling, with herbology and apothecaries, small villages and bawdy houses, through into the references of railways and bigger cities, and it works well.
The fantasy side comes with talk of auras, fated pairings and possible werewolves, but overall it feels like a low industrial steampunk vibe.
Or, as my lovely friend Dani eloquently describes - it's Dickensian in feel (why that escaped me I do not know 🤣 )
I loved all the characters, not just our two heroes. Each of the lads who works at the Moon Flower has a unique personality and the town itself is vividly created.
Azriel and Galen are super sweet and clearly attracted to each other from the start. There's an interesting plot device used by Christina to help their physical relationship grow which I really loved.
There's some angsty bits, but it never becomes overdone, and even the "villain" of the piece is more of a hindrance rather than a definite threat.
Still, the pacing was good, the ending ties up nicely for the two young men and leads into the groundwork of what will be the second, and concluding, book.
I'm intrigued for that one as it concerns one of the lads who another is convinced is actually a werewolf who's forgotten he is one.
Another cool idea which I'm eager to discover is where Christina will take her story setting!
The cover is also utterly fabulous by the extremely talented Sarah Jo Chreene.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 24, 2021
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
I read this book in one sitting. I think Christina's writing style just works for me. It's smooth and simple and sweet. So if's you're looking for a feel-good, conflict0ree book...this is it.
This book was no different. Even though there are some things that I avoid reading in my MM romance, I found that I they didn't bother me here because they were done tastefully.
What I loved:
1. The Characters:
Galen: He has been selling his body for food ever since he ran away from home. He is strong and resilient and doesn't give up, even after he gets the shorter end of the stick of life. #NeverGiveUp
Azriel: He is also a prostitute, but in an establishment rather than the streets like Galen. He also helps out in the apothecary and is a sweet soul, with a big heart who wants to care for everyone. #HelpingHand
2. The Plot:
The story revolves around Azriel and Galen growing closer and closer on Moon Flower, the apothecary/gentlemen's club they both live in. there are some outside conflict that provides some tiny element of suspense, but the plot as whole is about them falling for each other, dreaming about a world were they would be each other's alone, free to be in love. #HopeAndDreams
3. The Romance:
These boys fall slowly but surely for each other. From the beginning, they are attracted to each other, share shy smiles and secrets looks. they are intimate in ways, other than sexual. They talk late at night and share comfort in their closeness. #SoftlySweet
4. Steam-o-meter: Steamy!
Now here is where it gets tricky so bare with me: Most of their encounters are for a voyeur who comes to Moon Flower and they kind of preform for him. Despite that, this person is never intrusive, on the contrary, he sees how fond they are of each other and sort of gives them the chance to be intimate because it is against the rules. When they are intimate, it all about them and they are amazingly sexy together. #IOnlyHaveEyesForYou
5. Angst-o-meter: Low angst.
Minimal conflict through out the story, and never between Galen and Azriel. #NoPlaceForSadness
6. The HEA: The get what they were wishing for in Moon Flower. #DreamComeTrue
P.S.
These are some aspects of the book that some people may not like... so I'm putting them in a spoiler tag:
I read this book in one sitting. I think Christina's writing style just works for me. It's smooth and simple and sweet. So if's you're looking for a feel-good, conflict0ree book...this is it.
This book was no different. Even though there are some things that I avoid reading in my MM romance, I found that I they didn't bother me here because they were done tastefully.
What I loved:
1. The Characters:
Galen: He has been selling his body for food ever since he ran away from home. He is strong and resilient and doesn't give up, even after he gets the shorter end of the stick of life. #NeverGiveUp
Azriel: He is also a prostitute, but in an establishment rather than the streets like Galen. He also helps out in the apothecary and is a sweet soul, with a big heart who wants to care for everyone. #HelpingHand
2. The Plot:
The story revolves around Azriel and Galen growing closer and closer on Moon Flower, the apothecary/gentlemen's club they both live in. there are some outside conflict that provides some tiny element of suspense, but the plot as whole is about them falling for each other, dreaming about a world were they would be each other's alone, free to be in love. #HopeAndDreams
3. The Romance:
These boys fall slowly but surely for each other. From the beginning, they are attracted to each other, share shy smiles and secrets looks. they are intimate in ways, other than sexual. They talk late at night and share comfort in their closeness. #SoftlySweet
4. Steam-o-meter: Steamy!
Now here is where it gets tricky so bare with me: Most of their encounters are for a voyeur who comes to Moon Flower and they kind of preform for him. Despite that, this person is never intrusive, on the contrary, he sees how fond they are of each other and sort of gives them the chance to be intimate because it is against the rules. When they are intimate, it all about them and they are amazingly sexy together. #IOnlyHaveEyesForYou
5. Angst-o-meter: Low angst.
Minimal conflict through out the story, and never between Galen and Azriel. #NoPlaceForSadness
6. The HEA: The get what they were wishing for in Moon Flower. #DreamComeTrue
P.S.
These are some aspects of the book that some people may not like... so I'm putting them in a spoiler tag:
July 16, 2024
Imagine if Oliver Twist was taken to a brothel instead of a house full of thieves and pickpockets, fell in love with the artful dodger and Fagin was a fierce protective madam.
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook so much, it’s close to my preference in pacing, though it might not be for everyone! I just wished they got an English narrator. it’s set in the 19th century with what seems more like magical realism than fantasy and a side of romance. A single narrative, which is more to my taste because I like a little mystery and the feeling the MC gets when ‘yes! finally! I get my happy ending now’. Pacing was perfect in my opinion and well written, takes you on the journey of a boy slowly trusting the found family he’s made and what he will do to keep them safe.
A boy with synesthesia ‘a power to see auras’ gets rescued by twins from a tasteful whore-house / apothecary after getting assaulted by a client in an alley, gets offered a position, befriends the beautiful shy man who works there and a sweet slow burn filled with longing ensue. The side characters are all wonderful and I hope each get their own book, I’m very interested to get Edward & Oscar’s story, there is a taboo trope of twincest, the ’steam’ is 4/5 and I’m off to read the next book in the series.
PS. The covers are just awful , I’m surprised a lot of reviewers loved them. WTF?!! They look like those old Barbie/Tinker Bell posters!!!!!!!!
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook so much, it’s close to my preference in pacing, though it might not be for everyone! I just wished they got an English narrator. it’s set in the 19th century with what seems more like magical realism than fantasy and a side of romance. A single narrative, which is more to my taste because I like a little mystery and the feeling the MC gets when ‘yes! finally! I get my happy ending now’. Pacing was perfect in my opinion and well written, takes you on the journey of a boy slowly trusting the found family he’s made and what he will do to keep them safe.
A boy with synesthesia ‘a power to see auras’ gets rescued by twins from a tasteful whore-house / apothecary after getting assaulted by a client in an alley, gets offered a position, befriends the beautiful shy man who works there and a sweet slow burn filled with longing ensue. The side characters are all wonderful and I hope each get their own book, I’m very interested to get Edward & Oscar’s story, there is a taboo trope of twincest, the ’steam’ is 4/5 and I’m off to read the next book in the series.
PS. The covers are just awful , I’m surprised a lot of reviewers loved them. WTF?!! They look like those old Barbie/Tinker Bell posters!!!!!!!!
June 30, 2021
Having loved Christina Lee's and Riley Hart's Forbidden Series, I've super excited for Moon Flower. It takes us back to medieval times with an element of magic.
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.
So much to love:
-The characters. Galen, Azriel, the twins. It's impossible not to grow to love them and root for them.
-Loved the connection between Galen & Azriel; you feel it from their meeting.
-Romantic & tender.
-The writing. The style is beautiful; I love when writing is quietly poetic and haunting.
-Steam. This book is hot, hot, hot- voyeurism FTW!
-The story is overall low angst with a sprinkle of danger.
-The end has a sweet HEA and leaves you wanting more. Hello, Bellamy!
-Easy pace.
Niggles? One, we don't get Azriel's POV. I wanted it; I needed it. I wanted to learn more about him and wanted to be inside his head.
All in all, Christina Lee has a written a beautiful story, and one I highly recommend. It's nice when authors step outside their norm. I can't wait for more stories in this world Lee has created!
February 3, 2022
languorously sexy!
I couldn’t put this down! I don’t know why.
The characters and their situations drew me in and captivated me.
Set on the streets and in a brothel.
Love and magic.
HEA.
TRIGGERS: beating, near rape.
I couldn’t put this down! I don’t know why.
The characters and their situations drew me in and captivated me.
Set on the streets and in a brothel.
Love and magic.
HEA.
TRIGGERS: beating, near rape.
August 17, 2023
Set at a brothel in a fantasy world reminiscent of the 19th century. Strong sense of place. Familiar but new.
-twins (side characters w/descriptions of incest)
-magic
-auras
-fate
-flowers
-herbs
-apothecaries
-slow burn
-sensual
-themes of acceptance
-found family
See CWs
-twins (side characters w/descriptions of incest)
-magic
-auras
-fate
-flowers
-herbs
-apothecaries
-slow burn
-sensual
-themes of acceptance
-found family
See CWs
Want to Read
June 10, 2021Omg that cover is beautiful 🤩
November 1, 2023
A cover this beautiful had to have a charming band of characters.
I use to give money to charity. The ones for children hungry, military service, and artist in need. For years I divided my poverty level wages into my needs, my siblings supplies and these charities...
Until it felt like it all was a drop in a bucket full of holes. But this story ... I see that making a personal impact on people's lives. Has a more lasting effect.
I use to give money to charity. The ones for children hungry, military service, and artist in need. For years I divided my poverty level wages into my needs, my siblings supplies and these charities...
Until it felt like it all was a drop in a bucket full of holes. But this story ... I see that making a personal impact on people's lives. Has a more lasting effect.
Read
July 28, 2021DNF @ 10%. This is so not for me
April 12, 2023
This was such a soft, tender, gentle romance, with equally tender sex scenes. So much longing and passion. It felt so unique, in a way. Galen starts working at this apothecary/brothel where Azriel works, and they’re drawn to each other, but one of the rules is that employees aren’t allowed to have sex or romantic relationships with each other. *SPOILER (sorta, it’s about the romance and some cute things)* *END SPOILER* And there’s so much longing and wanting and sweetness and passionate tension. It’s lovely.
And both characters were gentle and sweet, especially Azriel. He just wanted to help people, working in the apothecary shop. Galen had a little more spice to him, more stubborn and willing to speak up, but even he was mostly quiet and kind.
There was some sweet friendship and found family too. Galen had been alone at the start, but the people at the apothecary/brothel were all kind (even the grumpy one wasn’t so bad) and there for him and became like family.
There were some less savory elements to the story though, so do be aware of that. Things like sexual assault/violence against sex workers (on-page and mentioned), homelessness, a sickness that spreads, laws against men loving men, and bad characters with internalized homophobia.
There was also just a touch of fantasy. The story is set in 1881, but it’s not quite our world. The main character can see auras, there’s mention of potions and witches, some people are fated to be together (though that’s not really explained), and it all seems to be fairly normal and accepted by society, or at least not completely unheard of.
I found it a little strange how sort of formally the characters talked. A lot of fancy, pretty words. It didn’t feel quite natural. It did, however, fit with the vibe of the book, so I just accepted it.
I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Iggy Toma. He sounded natural and was pleasant to listen to. His narration suited the story. I do have a complaint, though it may be more the fault of whoever produced the audiobook, I don’t know. The audiobook was so quiet, which I can solve by using a separate speaker, but so much of the dialogue was whispered or spoken so quietly that I still couldn’t hear some of it even with my speaker almost at full volume, and if I turned it any higher, the rest of the narration would’ve been unbearably loud. I like that the narrator performed with the context in mind (e.g. a soft-spoken character, or two people having a quiet conversation while everyone else sleeps), but the volume levels were just too varied.
Overall, this was a lovely, tender, gentle romance that had harsher or sadder moments but always balanced them with heaps of sweetness, and I enjoyed it!
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Date Read: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes gentle, tender romance and sex, longing, quiet characters, and just a touch of fantasy.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
And both characters were gentle and sweet, especially Azriel. He just wanted to help people, working in the apothecary shop. Galen had a little more spice to him, more stubborn and willing to speak up, but even he was mostly quiet and kind.
There was some sweet friendship and found family too. Galen had been alone at the start, but the people at the apothecary/brothel were all kind (even the grumpy one wasn’t so bad) and there for him and became like family.
There were some less savory elements to the story though, so do be aware of that. Things like sexual assault/violence against sex workers (on-page and mentioned), homelessness, a sickness that spreads, laws against men loving men, and bad characters with internalized homophobia.
There was also just a touch of fantasy. The story is set in 1881, but it’s not quite our world. The main character can see auras, there’s mention of potions and witches, some people are fated to be together (though that’s not really explained), and it all seems to be fairly normal and accepted by society, or at least not completely unheard of.
I found it a little strange how sort of formally the characters talked. A lot of fancy, pretty words. It didn’t feel quite natural. It did, however, fit with the vibe of the book, so I just accepted it.
I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Iggy Toma. He sounded natural and was pleasant to listen to. His narration suited the story. I do have a complaint, though it may be more the fault of whoever produced the audiobook, I don’t know. The audiobook was so quiet, which I can solve by using a separate speaker, but so much of the dialogue was whispered or spoken so quietly that I still couldn’t hear some of it even with my speaker almost at full volume, and if I turned it any higher, the rest of the narration would’ve been unbearably loud. I like that the narrator performed with the context in mind (e.g. a soft-spoken character, or two people having a quiet conversation while everyone else sleeps), but the volume levels were just too varied.
Overall, this was a lovely, tender, gentle romance that had harsher or sadder moments but always balanced them with heaps of sweetness, and I enjoyed it!
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Date Read: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes gentle, tender romance and sex, longing, quiet characters, and just a touch of fantasy.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 2, 2024
Single POV, and I felt like it lacked a bit of depth on the 2nd MC as a result. Overall enjoyable though. big CW for SA. Very satisfying HEA.
June 29, 2021
This book was magical. I loved the world building. It was a bit medieval in tone.
Galen is rescued in the nick of time by the twins and taken to Moonflower to recover.
Galen’s stubbornness is almost his down fall. Azriel is a good counterpart to Galen AND some of their scenes are SO hot. The voyeurism adds to the sexy factor too.
The HEA is very uplifting and I loved the end and know there’s more to come.
I’m glad there are more books in this series because I’m not ready to leave this world Christina has created quite yet.
Galen is rescued in the nick of time by the twins and taken to Moonflower to recover.
Galen’s stubbornness is almost his down fall. Azriel is a good counterpart to Galen AND some of their scenes are SO hot. The voyeurism adds to the sexy factor too.
The HEA is very uplifting and I loved the end and know there’s more to come.
I’m glad there are more books in this series because I’m not ready to leave this world Christina has created quite yet.
July 10, 2021
4 stars from me. Yes, I liked Galen and Azriel, but would've preferred dual POV's, and the ending felt a little rushed to me; however, if Christina decided to set another story in this universe, I would definitely read it.
January 25, 2022
2.5-3 stars
hm.. well umm i liked it enough to finish the book, but not enough to love it.
iggy toma really made this book for me, i don't think i could have finished without his narrations.
i really hope i am not going in to a slump...
hm.. well umm i liked it enough to finish the book, but not enough to love it.
iggy toma really made this book for me, i don't think i could have finished without his narrations.
i really hope i am not going in to a slump...
January 11, 2022
An enchanted world full of love and magic
July 8, 2021
Such a beautiful, unique, read. I was enthralled! Love and fate and peril. The tension, the slow burn. I cannot say enough about this book! You must read it!
June 27, 2021
What a very unique and different book. This was set back in the 1800s and I really liked the feel of the time, the hint of magical elements and the goings on at Moon Flower-where men can go to discreetly be who they are without fear of being arrested or worse. Galen was such a delightful character and how his relationship with Azriel developed, under the auspices of the Moon Flower, was sweet and steamy. Grab this if you are looking for something a little different, well written with a sweet HEA!
June 30, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This book is set in a fictional world that the author states is supposed to be similar to the nineteenth century. There are gambling halls and men in power starkly contrasted by those that have no power. The apothecary is a store by day and caters to men’s desires by night. While most patrons treat the young men well, there are those, like the constable, that want their desires eradicated by any means. Galen knows what it’s like to be hungry and he knows what it’s like to be alone and afraid and the Moon Flower gives him food and shelter.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
This book is set in a fictional world that the author states is supposed to be similar to the nineteenth century. There are gambling halls and men in power starkly contrasted by those that have no power. The apothecary is a store by day and caters to men’s desires by night. While most patrons treat the young men well, there are those, like the constable, that want their desires eradicated by any means. Galen knows what it’s like to be hungry and he knows what it’s like to be alone and afraid and the Moon Flower gives him food and shelter.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
Want to Read
September 14, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/14/2021)! 🎁
August 2, 2021
Definitely different and felt kind of surreal. Very dream like.
Only thing I didn't like so much was it felt like I didn't have a whole lot of information about the world and the main characters to really immerse myself in it. Like we're given info briefly but I felt like I needed more.
Only thing I didn't like so much was it felt like I didn't have a whole lot of information about the world and the main characters to really immerse myself in it. Like we're given info briefly but I felt like I needed more.
June 29, 2021
Beautiful, heartfelt and sexy. I'm not sure what I expected this one to be.. Especially with how Christina described it. It's mostly Historical Romance though it does have a little dab of Paranormal - a bit of "magic" sprinkled in. Galen and Azriel haven't been very fortunate growing up, also being gay in the times they were born is dangerous. They might have found a way of earning a living, at least for now, but it's not a real future. Seeing each other, feeling the attraction, the pull towards one another, makes them wish for something more.
Galen had to leave the small town he grew up in after he was caught stealing. Ashamed of himself, and not wanting to cause any problems to his aunt who raised him he moves to the next town, earning a living (barely) by selling his body. He has a certain gift that helps his make a better decision when guys approach him, but he made a mistake which almost cost him his life.
When the twins (Wren and Sparrow) came to his rescue he is unsure of the whole situation. They look like two angels. When he arrives at their home he is grateful for sure, but he also doesn't want what the lady of the house - Madam Langley - is offering anyone who stays there. He will pay his debt and go. What he didn't expect is Azriel.
Madam Langley takes good care of the guys. She makes sure they get everything they need and are treated well, but she also has her rules, one of them being - unless two guys are fated (whatever that means) she doesn't allow them to be together (in any capacity).
Azriel is very devoted to Madam Langley and the work he does for/with her at the apothecary (the "main business") and Galen has just arrived and doesn't want to lose Azriel so he abides by the rules. It leaves them in a very conflicted state. They form a connection, a friendship but anything more they can only share in a very specific setting (I would rather not spoiler, I'll just say it was sexy but also tender).
There is more to the story than just the two of them, there are the other guys who live at "Moon Flower" - one of them being Bellamy who will have his own book! YAY! There are also two villains with bad intentions either towards the club or Galen and Azriel specifically.
I really enjoyed the way the story was resolved. It was exactly what I would have imagined and I'm so happy for Galen and Azriel and also so thankful for the person who had the eyes to see, and the heart to feel and be there for them at the very end.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
Galen had to leave the small town he grew up in after he was caught stealing. Ashamed of himself, and not wanting to cause any problems to his aunt who raised him he moves to the next town, earning a living (barely) by selling his body. He has a certain gift that helps his make a better decision when guys approach him, but he made a mistake which almost cost him his life.
When the twins (Wren and Sparrow) came to his rescue he is unsure of the whole situation. They look like two angels. When he arrives at their home he is grateful for sure, but he also doesn't want what the lady of the house - Madam Langley - is offering anyone who stays there. He will pay his debt and go. What he didn't expect is Azriel.
Madam Langley takes good care of the guys. She makes sure they get everything they need and are treated well, but she also has her rules, one of them being - unless two guys are fated (whatever that means) she doesn't allow them to be together (in any capacity).
Azriel is very devoted to Madam Langley and the work he does for/with her at the apothecary (the "main business") and Galen has just arrived and doesn't want to lose Azriel so he abides by the rules. It leaves them in a very conflicted state. They form a connection, a friendship but anything more they can only share in a very specific setting (I would rather not spoiler, I'll just say it was sexy but also tender).
There is more to the story than just the two of them, there are the other guys who live at "Moon Flower" - one of them being Bellamy who will have his own book! YAY! There are also two villains with bad intentions either towards the club or Galen and Azriel specifically.
I really enjoyed the way the story was resolved. It was exactly what I would have imagined and I'm so happy for Galen and Azriel and also so thankful for the person who had the eyes to see, and the heart to feel and be there for them at the very end.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
January 30, 2022
To ten typ książki, w którym prawie nic się nie dzieje, ale i tak czytasz, bo klimat ratuje sytuację.
Rzecz rozgrywa się w wymyślonych pseudohistorycznych realiach, w których niektórzy ludzie posiadają zdolności parapsychiczne, np. widzą aury innych, tak jak główny bohater, Galen. Chłopak jest uliczną prostytutką, zarabia na przetrwanie, świadcząc usługi seksualne w ciemnych alejkach i powozach bogaczy. Homoseksualizm jest oczywiście piętnowany i penalizowany.
Jeden zły wybór podyktowany desperacją i Galen ląduje w alejce ciężko pobity i skazany na śmierć. Zostaje ocalony przez bliźniaków z przybytku zwanego Moon Flower (na dole apteka, na górze dyskretne pokoje) i w ten sposób trafia do tajnego burdelu dla gejów, gdzie spotyka Azriela - uroczego, nieśmiałego pomocnika aptekarza. Żeby nie było za prosto w całość wplątane jest przeznaczenie.
Historia miała potencjał, który niestety nie został wykorzystany. W którymś komentarzu przeczytałam, że było za mało romansu - dla mnie za dużo; że za dużo budowania świata - ja nie obraziłabym się za jeszcze szersze jego opisanie; ponadto brakowało rzeczywistej fabuły, bohaterowie snuli się od weekendu do weekendu, kiedy to odbywały się "spotkania" z dżentelmenami, a główne zagrożenie stanowiło dwóch gejów, którzy zaprzeczali swojej orientacji. Książka była krótka, przez co ucierpiały zarówno tło, jak i historia.
Zawsze mi żal, kiedy opowieść z potencjałem nie zostaje dopracowana i w pełni rozwinięta, dlatego tylko 2,75 gwiazdki.
Rzecz rozgrywa się w wymyślonych pseudohistorycznych realiach, w których niektórzy ludzie posiadają zdolności parapsychiczne, np. widzą aury innych, tak jak główny bohater, Galen. Chłopak jest uliczną prostytutką, zarabia na przetrwanie, świadcząc usługi seksualne w ciemnych alejkach i powozach bogaczy. Homoseksualizm jest oczywiście piętnowany i penalizowany.
Jeden zły wybór podyktowany desperacją i Galen ląduje w alejce ciężko pobity i skazany na śmierć. Zostaje ocalony przez bliźniaków z przybytku zwanego Moon Flower (na dole apteka, na górze dyskretne pokoje) i w ten sposób trafia do tajnego burdelu dla gejów, gdzie spotyka Azriela - uroczego, nieśmiałego pomocnika aptekarza. Żeby nie było za prosto w całość wplątane jest przeznaczenie.
Historia miała potencjał, który niestety nie został wykorzystany. W którymś komentarzu przeczytałam, że było za mało romansu - dla mnie za dużo; że za dużo budowania świata - ja nie obraziłabym się za jeszcze szersze jego opisanie; ponadto brakowało rzeczywistej fabuły, bohaterowie snuli się od weekendu do weekendu, kiedy to odbywały się "spotkania" z dżentelmenami, a główne zagrożenie stanowiło dwóch gejów, którzy zaprzeczali swojej orientacji. Książka była krótka, przez co ucierpiały zarówno tło, jak i historia.
Zawsze mi żal, kiedy opowieść z potencjałem nie zostaje dopracowana i w pełni rozwinięta, dlatego tylko 2,75 gwiazdki.
June 23, 2021
Moon Flower is something different to anything I have really read before
It's set in the late 1800s but not necessarily a historical romance. A lot is similar but there's enough that differentiates it and gives readers a very individual story.
Galen has been living and working on the street for the past year but after being beaten by a customer after their "transaction", he's rescued by those from Moon Flower, Madame Langley's apothecary that is more than meets the eye. After being healed with their help and some much needed rest, he finds himself drawn to the goings on in the back rooms and what is provided to the gentleman callers that visit. However, what has his attention the most, is Azriel, one of the young men who works as a healer as well as upstairs entertaining. There is a connection immediately between them but it is strongly worded that there is no romance to happen among the boys. Along with the developing relationship is a level of danger posed to Moon Flower and those who live there. One man who can take it all away as well as brings fear to those who gets in his way.
I really enjoyed this, its different that I was expecting with a slow burning relationship developing between Galen and Azriel, even with the warning. They're physically brought together by a customer who totally tugs on your heart and can see the connection as clear as day. I love the setting for this, similar to something like old time London but on a smaller scale with apothecaries and the idea of fated mates. Christina's writing draws you in and had me experiencing everything right alongside the MC as he goes homelessness and rescue, finding new friends and safety, with attraction, fear and hope all mixed in. There's a great mix of characters with a variety of personalities, I am especially fond of Wren and Sparrow and the special bond that they have.
Definitely a recommended read and I'm looking forward to hearing more from other characters.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
It's set in the late 1800s but not necessarily a historical romance. A lot is similar but there's enough that differentiates it and gives readers a very individual story.
Galen has been living and working on the street for the past year but after being beaten by a customer after their "transaction", he's rescued by those from Moon Flower, Madame Langley's apothecary that is more than meets the eye. After being healed with their help and some much needed rest, he finds himself drawn to the goings on in the back rooms and what is provided to the gentleman callers that visit. However, what has his attention the most, is Azriel, one of the young men who works as a healer as well as upstairs entertaining. There is a connection immediately between them but it is strongly worded that there is no romance to happen among the boys. Along with the developing relationship is a level of danger posed to Moon Flower and those who live there. One man who can take it all away as well as brings fear to those who gets in his way.
I really enjoyed this, its different that I was expecting with a slow burning relationship developing between Galen and Azriel, even with the warning. They're physically brought together by a customer who totally tugs on your heart and can see the connection as clear as day. I love the setting for this, similar to something like old time London but on a smaller scale with apothecaries and the idea of fated mates. Christina's writing draws you in and had me experiencing everything right alongside the MC as he goes homelessness and rescue, finding new friends and safety, with attraction, fear and hope all mixed in. There's a great mix of characters with a variety of personalities, I am especially fond of Wren and Sparrow and the special bond that they have.
Definitely a recommended read and I'm looking forward to hearing more from other characters.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
June 25, 2021
Let’s start with how much I LOVED this book. I was sucked right on in from the first page. Could not put down. Snuck reading while supposed to be working. Shhhh
Galen is own his own trying to survive after fleeing home using his body for food and coin. Poor guy. A riel is essentially a prostitute working in the brothel and works in the apothecary helping everyone. He is very caring and the perfect person to help tend to Galen when he is found.
These boy definitely have an instant connection and spend time,mostly at night, getting to know each other.
This book has some taboo in it but written in an very beautiful way. I am not normally a fan but Christina did it perfectly and I wanted more. The voyeurism in the book was HOT. I wish I could have been there to sneak a peek. Lol. Again I am normally not a fan of sharing but the way Christina did it, I was content with and only enhanced their love.
I fell in love with all the boys in the brothel including a Mr Blackburn. He really tugged at my heart. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happened to Bellamy.
Galen is own his own trying to survive after fleeing home using his body for food and coin. Poor guy. A riel is essentially a prostitute working in the brothel and works in the apothecary helping everyone. He is very caring and the perfect person to help tend to Galen when he is found.
These boy definitely have an instant connection and spend time,mostly at night, getting to know each other.
This book has some taboo in it but written in an very beautiful way. I am not normally a fan but Christina did it perfectly and I wanted more. The voyeurism in the book was HOT. I wish I could have been there to sneak a peek. Lol. Again I am normally not a fan of sharing but the way Christina did it, I was content with and only enhanced their love.
I fell in love with all the boys in the brothel including a Mr Blackburn. He really tugged at my heart. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happened to Bellamy.
October 2, 2021
We start off with Galen not listening to his gut & is viscously beaten by a john. He is saved by Wren & Sparrow, twins, whom I absolutely loved. He is taken to be healed where he meets Azriel. It turns out that he was taken to a brothel, where it would be more safe for him then trying to make it on the streets selling his services. Over all the the story is our MC's growing to care for each other. It is against the rules for the boys to be intimate with each other. There is a customer who likes to watch them, but never intrudes on their time together. He was such a gentle soul & missed his significant other greatly. The gift he leaves them when he is gone, is what they needed. Be warned, there is twincest in this, but they were beautiful together. This book was a quick read & I read it in one sitting. There is minimal angst, but not between our MC's. Also, be warned that they do work in a brothel so they do have sex with clients. Normally I do not/will not read books that has cheating in it. This one is not considered cheating IMO. Off to read the next book.
I rec'd a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
I rec'd a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2021
Flower Moon would not have been my usual choice of book, based on the blurb, but it was a Christina Lee book, and, in my eyes, she can do no wrong. And I was totally right: Christina Lee writing style just does it for me, it lures me into every story she writes, enchanting me to the very last word.
This book has a sort of magical, ethereal feeling to it. It could be a historical set in the late 19th century, but then there’s also the magical, supernatural elements. Aura seers, healers, magical flowers... to the names of the cities themselves: Lunar’s Reach and Solar’s Edge.
Galen and Azriel are wonderful characters with so much love to give, and there’s a great group of side-characters, too!
Without getting too much into the plot or repeating the blurb, the only thing I can think of to say about this book is: do yourself a favour and read it, you won’t regret it!
This book has a sort of magical, ethereal feeling to it. It could be a historical set in the late 19th century, but then there’s also the magical, supernatural elements. Aura seers, healers, magical flowers... to the names of the cities themselves: Lunar’s Reach and Solar’s Edge.
Galen and Azriel are wonderful characters with so much love to give, and there’s a great group of side-characters, too!
Without getting too much into the plot or repeating the blurb, the only thing I can think of to say about this book is: do yourself a favour and read it, you won’t regret it!
June 24, 2021
Taking place in an imaginary and somewhat magical version of the 19th century, Moon Flower is about two young men that fall in love while working at a brothel that has become a safe space for men of a certain persuasion.
Galen and Azriel are two sweet souls who quickly form a beautiful bond, but circumstances beyond their control are keeping them from following their dreams. The book is pretty low angst, but there is an undercurrent of danger that adds tension to the story. It of course has Christina Lee’s trademark sweetness and swoony romance. I just fell in love with Galen, Azriel, and all the young men employed by Moon Flower Apothecary and am hoping for more stories taking place in this world!
CW: taboo pairing of side characters, assault
Galen and Azriel are two sweet souls who quickly form a beautiful bond, but circumstances beyond their control are keeping them from following their dreams. The book is pretty low angst, but there is an undercurrent of danger that adds tension to the story. It of course has Christina Lee’s trademark sweetness and swoony romance. I just fell in love with Galen, Azriel, and all the young men employed by Moon Flower Apothecary and am hoping for more stories taking place in this world!
CW: taboo pairing of side characters, assault
June 24, 2021
This was my first book by Christina Lee. Set in its own world with its own rules kinda 19th century world and language and rules meets some mystical abilities and throw in a bawdry house with street rats turned rent boys? Yes please! None of this sounds like it makes sense except it totally does and Christina gives us all the sweet feels lots of sexy times a plagu, evil men who get their due and and the promise of a second book! I can’t wait and this means I have a whole new author to binge read!!
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