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Addicted #4
Thrive
Two years will change them forever.
When rumors spread like wildfire—like having three-ways with her boyfriend’s rock climbing brother—Lily Calloway spirals into a dark place. Her bedroom. Loren Hale is more confident and determined to keep their sex life private, even from their friends, and he helps Lily in the only way he knows how. But how much love is too much?
Their lives are filmed, watched, and criticized. And through it all, Lily and Loren have to face enemies they never thought they’d see, demons they don’t know if they should bury, and setbacks they didn’t think they’d meet. Not this soon.
And one rumor could be too much for them to handle. It will test their greatest limitations, and if they don’t hold onto each other, someone is going to drown.
A full-length New Adult Romance. Thrive must be read before Addicted After All if you have not read the Calloway Sisters spin-off series.
When rumors spread like wildfire—like having three-ways with her boyfriend’s rock climbing brother—Lily Calloway spirals into a dark place. Her bedroom. Loren Hale is more confident and determined to keep their sex life private, even from their friends, and he helps Lily in the only way he knows how. But how much love is too much?
Their lives are filmed, watched, and criticized. And through it all, Lily and Loren have to face enemies they never thought they’d see, demons they don’t know if they should bury, and setbacks they didn’t think they’d meet. Not this soon.
And one rumor could be too much for them to handle. It will test their greatest limitations, and if they don’t hold onto each other, someone is going to drown.
A full-length New Adult Romance. Thrive must be read before Addicted After All if you have not read the Calloway Sisters spin-off series.
480 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2014
2061 people are currently reading
91497 people want to read
About the author
Krista Ritchie
47 books17.5k followersNYT & USA Today Bestselling Authors Krista & Becca Ritchie are identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.
To stay up to date on new releases, bonus content, and more, sign up for Krista & Becca's Newsletter: www.kbritchie.com/newsletter
Quick note: We don't check Goodreads, so we don't respond to messages here. But if you want to connect with Becca or me, you can reach out to us on our social medias or at our website: www.kbritchie.com
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
Fans of Krista & Becca's Books:
♥ Join Krista & Becca's Fizzle Force Facebook group.
♥ Inspiration for the Addicted series can be found on their Pinterest boards.
♥ Find playlists for all of their books on Spotify
♥ Check out all of their extras! Including: bonus scenes, character interviews, fun posts and more on their Extras page.
To stay up to date on new releases, bonus content, and more, sign up for Krista & Becca's Newsletter: www.kbritchie.com/newsletter
Quick note: We don't check Goodreads, so we don't respond to messages here. But if you want to connect with Becca or me, you can reach out to us on our social medias or at our website: www.kbritchie.com
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
Fans of Krista & Becca's Books:
♥ Join Krista & Becca's Fizzle Force Facebook group.
♥ Inspiration for the Addicted series can be found on their Pinterest boards.
♥ Find playlists for all of their books on Spotify
♥ Check out all of their extras! Including: bonus scenes, character interviews, fun posts and more on their Extras page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,121 reviews
August 21, 2023
“the perseverance to do anything, to be anything. to thrive. someday, that word will belong to us too. after years of coming up short, it’s all i’ve ever wanted.” 😭
i know it’s kind of crazy to give a book that’s simply a recap of kiss the sky and hothouse flower in lilos pov, 5 stars…but that’s exactly what i’m doing. having lilo’s pov was everything, i missed my babies so much🥺🥺even though this book was a recap…lilo’s pov made it an entirely different experience. to see lilo be torn down by so many things, hurt me so much. after seeing my precious couple fight their addictions for years…i can’t wait to see them finally have their happy ending.
- “but we’re in earth-616, love. we’re going to have our happy ending. it just may take us awhile to get there.”
krista and becca ritchie have not failed to show that fighting an addiction and overcoming it does not happen overnight. so many curve balls were thrown at lilo, so many obstacles they had to overcome. lilo’s journey is truly inspirational. their strength is unmatched. they are the definition of soulmates because through it all, they have always been there for each other, picking each other back up when they’ve fallen down. ugh they’re such a beautiful couple.
- “there will always be bad days, but it’s how we live those bad days that count.”
- “i feel like i’m going out of my goddamn mind, ryke. tell me what i should do? huh? nothing takes this pain away, not running, not fucking the girl i love, not anything.” 💔💔
lo relapsing completely shattered my heart. i’m ugly crying just thinking about that chapter. oh how i wish i could pretend that it doesn’t exist😭when i tell you guys i could not stop sobbing. i was also in full on panic/anxiety mode omg.
- “lo,” i whisper, my fingers making circles on his black shirt. “i just want you to know that if you leave this world, i won’t be in it for much longer.” he’s a piece of me. you cut it off, and it’s like going through life with no lungs.
PAIN. thinking about a world without lily and lo makes me wanna throw up. and yes lily and lo exist in my REAL world. the core six are not fictional characters…they all feel so real to me so that’s what they are, real😭fight me about it.
i focus on my cell phone and text lil.
“i’m checking netflix when i get home.”
i press send, not clarifying. she’ll understand where i’m going with this. she replies quickly.
“do it. i’m studying :P”
“did you just stick your tongue out at me?”
“:P”
while adorable, the emoticon is her way of being evasive. i wish she was here.
then my phone buzzes in my belt, distracting me. i take it out.
“this is the second best day of my life. the director just accidentally touched my pinky finger!!!!”
i smile so goddamn much. my lips fall. i text back:
“what’s the best day?” i press send in an instant. she’s quick to reply.
“the day i fell in love with you.”
AHHHHHHHHHH the way i would steal lily’s or lo’s phone just to sit and read all their text messages…they’re so perfect.
lo and connor’s banter will get me every single time. their bromance is so cute i swear. they make me giggle. when connor calls lo “darling” and lo calls connor “love”😭literally stop it rn.
- “i love him,” connor says with so much conviction. “i would never intentionally harm lo.”
this admission that he loves….please iykYK. sobbing😭😭😭i love them endlessly.
“you threaten my balls everyday.”
“that’s because they’re hanging around my sister,” rose snaps. i hate that she makes a good point. “and you have full right to threaten my eggs or fallopian tubes. have at them.”
“i’m not going anywhere near your vagina.”
~PLEASEEEEEE LMAO lo and rose are so funny, but when lo and rose had that big fight :( omg i sobbed and it just goes to show how much lo actually cares about rose and how much guilt he carries for being so mean to her sometimes. i’ll always be a fan of their love-hate relationship though.
lo and ryke😭okay so in hothouse flower i was mad at lo, but when i read lo’s pov…instantly took my anger back.
- “i am sick of being treated like a broken toy. i am a goddamn human being.”
- “i don’t need him to be a twenty-four-seven sober coach. i need him to be my brother.”
my baby :(((((((( ugh ryke and lo’s bump in the road broke me. all lo wants is to be treated like a normal human and not someone who’s weak with an addiction. this fight between them was much needed.
lo and daisy🥺🥺the way he looks out for her.
- “i wince, not liking when she cries, at all. i already sense a change in my relationship with daisy since she’s become my brother’s girlfriend. she used to be like a little sister to me, but my obligation to her now feels larger when ryke isn’t here. like i have to be a force that keeps her safe when he’s gone. he’d do the same for lily, and it’s a role that i’ve easily accepted.”
lo accepting their relationship was everything to me because raisy is my fave🤭ahhhh i love them all so much.
♡lilo moments:
- “i’m going to love lily how i want to love her. overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. look away if you have to.” 😭🤭no, never!
“lily calloway, did you just defend me by throwing perfectly good booze at a douchebag’s head?”
“yes,” she says with a nod and then tilts her chin up for further effect.
i touch my heart. “i’d propose to you, but i already did that.”
~AHHHHHHHHH😭them>>>>>>>>
“remember how when we were little?” i whisper. “you’d chase me around before midnight.”
“you always ran out of breath.”
“i wanted you to catch me.”
“i thought so.”
“catch me,” i whisper.
“i already have,” he murmurs.
~my heart🫠
♡coballoway moments:
- them being batman and catwoman at comic con was EVERYTHING. perfect duo for them omg i screamed.
rose says, “then i’ll try to get pregnant right afterwards, just so i can have a girl.”
connor grins, a blinding one.
“i don’t pray to anyone but myself, but i may make an exception, just so we have a boy first.” he wants lots and lots of kids, so rose’s proclamation is like his heaven right now.
“your prayers won’t work against fate,” rose retorts. “there’s a fifty percent chance i’ll win over you.”
“it’s not fate. it’s science, darling.”
~I LITERALLY LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
♡raisy moments:
- daisy on ryke’s shoulders at comic con.
- ryke throwing popcorn to get daisy’s attention.
- their banter and their friendship😭love it just as much as them dating. they so own me.
“how’s the ground calloway?”
“hard,” she banters with a mischievous smile. “it’ll probably leave a mark.”
“that’s usually what happens when your ass meets something hard, sweetheart.”
~screamingggggggggg
- ryke giving his seat to daisy while they were bowling because there was no where to sit and the way ryke played on her lane even tho there were bumpers😭CUTE
“daisy even covers ryke’s eyes so he has to bowl blind. he’s actually grinning.”
~every little raisy moment has me geeked tf out.
“i have this theory,” daisy says, “that if you leave two people who are really, really attracted to each other, alone in a room, without anything to do, they’ll have sex. a lot, a lot of sex.”
he says, “if that theory is right, you must find your boyfriend fucking ugly.”
“who says i haven’t had lots of sex with him?”
his glare could kill. “he’s twenty-three, dais. if you’re fucking him, he’s going to jail.”
~i will never accept the raisy slander😭so what if they have an age gap…they waited until their relationship was legal, that’s all that matters to me.
♡other thoughts:
- lily and rose being pregnant together is everything😭
“i already feel awful for the thing,”
ryke pauses. “he may not have an addiction problem, lo.”
“no, it’s not that.” i stop drawing and point my pen at connor. “our kid is going to have to compete with theirs. it’s already fucked and it’s not even born yet.”
~THIS HAD ME CACKLING.
- lilo owning a comic book/coffee shop called “superheroes and scones” is iconic. i love how into marvel they are because SAME.
- lo going to comic con as cyclops…iykyk😭
- i love rose and ryke’s relationship😭
- connor speaking italian to ryke to have a little secret conversation in front of everyone just like he used to do with rose in french until he found out ryke could understand this whole time hahahah😂
- lo giving lily piggy back rides🥹🥹
- lo being more intimate with lily because he trusts how strong she is and how well she’s doing with her addiction. it worried me at first, but i’m so proud of her😭
- lily shipping raisy🤭🤭
- lo telling scott off…loved it. the hatred i have for scott, julian, and lily’s mom is like no other.
- i love that we got more of coballoway’s wedding🤭
- lo and ryke’s dad…i hate him right, but him getting sober makes me hopeful.
♡my favorite quotes:
- “i don’t want to live if you’re not living with me.”
- “i can’t help but smile. my girlfriend is beyond adorable.”
- “the only future i want is the one that ends with her.”
- “ryke may be actually falling for my sister.”
- “i won’t turn this bad day into a terrible one. for me. but really, for her. fear of failing lily—it motivates me in ways no one can understand.”
- “our love is rare. it’s one i can’t abandon, even if i tried. when she screams, an identical one rips through me. when she cries, my world rains with grief. when she loves, i truly, truly fly.”
- “i want to be strong for him. it’s my turn now. i’m ready for it.”
ps: i’m so not ready for lilo’s last book :(
i know it’s kind of crazy to give a book that’s simply a recap of kiss the sky and hothouse flower in lilos pov, 5 stars…but that’s exactly what i’m doing. having lilo’s pov was everything, i missed my babies so much🥺🥺even though this book was a recap…lilo’s pov made it an entirely different experience. to see lilo be torn down by so many things, hurt me so much. after seeing my precious couple fight their addictions for years…i can’t wait to see them finally have their happy ending.
- “but we’re in earth-616, love. we’re going to have our happy ending. it just may take us awhile to get there.”
krista and becca ritchie have not failed to show that fighting an addiction and overcoming it does not happen overnight. so many curve balls were thrown at lilo, so many obstacles they had to overcome. lilo’s journey is truly inspirational. their strength is unmatched. they are the definition of soulmates because through it all, they have always been there for each other, picking each other back up when they’ve fallen down. ugh they’re such a beautiful couple.
- “there will always be bad days, but it’s how we live those bad days that count.”
- “i feel like i’m going out of my goddamn mind, ryke. tell me what i should do? huh? nothing takes this pain away, not running, not fucking the girl i love, not anything.” 💔💔
lo relapsing completely shattered my heart. i’m ugly crying just thinking about that chapter. oh how i wish i could pretend that it doesn’t exist😭when i tell you guys i could not stop sobbing. i was also in full on panic/anxiety mode omg.
- “lo,” i whisper, my fingers making circles on his black shirt. “i just want you to know that if you leave this world, i won’t be in it for much longer.” he’s a piece of me. you cut it off, and it’s like going through life with no lungs.
PAIN. thinking about a world without lily and lo makes me wanna throw up. and yes lily and lo exist in my REAL world. the core six are not fictional characters…they all feel so real to me so that’s what they are, real😭fight me about it.
i focus on my cell phone and text lil.
“i’m checking netflix when i get home.”
i press send, not clarifying. she’ll understand where i’m going with this. she replies quickly.
“do it. i’m studying :P”
“did you just stick your tongue out at me?”
“:P”
while adorable, the emoticon is her way of being evasive. i wish she was here.
then my phone buzzes in my belt, distracting me. i take it out.
“this is the second best day of my life. the director just accidentally touched my pinky finger!!!!”
i smile so goddamn much. my lips fall. i text back:
“what’s the best day?” i press send in an instant. she’s quick to reply.
“the day i fell in love with you.”
AHHHHHHHHHH the way i would steal lily’s or lo’s phone just to sit and read all their text messages…they’re so perfect.
lo and connor’s banter will get me every single time. their bromance is so cute i swear. they make me giggle. when connor calls lo “darling” and lo calls connor “love”😭literally stop it rn.
- “i love him,” connor says with so much conviction. “i would never intentionally harm lo.”
this admission that he loves….please iykYK. sobbing😭😭😭i love them endlessly.
“you threaten my balls everyday.”
“that’s because they’re hanging around my sister,” rose snaps. i hate that she makes a good point. “and you have full right to threaten my eggs or fallopian tubes. have at them.”
“i’m not going anywhere near your vagina.”
~PLEASEEEEEE LMAO lo and rose are so funny, but when lo and rose had that big fight :( omg i sobbed and it just goes to show how much lo actually cares about rose and how much guilt he carries for being so mean to her sometimes. i’ll always be a fan of their love-hate relationship though.
lo and ryke😭okay so in hothouse flower i was mad at lo, but when i read lo’s pov…instantly took my anger back.
- “i am sick of being treated like a broken toy. i am a goddamn human being.”
- “i don’t need him to be a twenty-four-seven sober coach. i need him to be my brother.”
my baby :(((((((( ugh ryke and lo’s bump in the road broke me. all lo wants is to be treated like a normal human and not someone who’s weak with an addiction. this fight between them was much needed.
lo and daisy🥺🥺the way he looks out for her.
- “i wince, not liking when she cries, at all. i already sense a change in my relationship with daisy since she’s become my brother’s girlfriend. she used to be like a little sister to me, but my obligation to her now feels larger when ryke isn’t here. like i have to be a force that keeps her safe when he’s gone. he’d do the same for lily, and it’s a role that i’ve easily accepted.”
lo accepting their relationship was everything to me because raisy is my fave🤭ahhhh i love them all so much.
♡lilo moments:
- “i’m going to love lily how i want to love her. overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. look away if you have to.” 😭🤭no, never!
“lily calloway, did you just defend me by throwing perfectly good booze at a douchebag’s head?”
“yes,” she says with a nod and then tilts her chin up for further effect.
i touch my heart. “i’d propose to you, but i already did that.”
~AHHHHHHHHH😭them>>>>>>>>
“remember how when we were little?” i whisper. “you’d chase me around before midnight.”
“you always ran out of breath.”
“i wanted you to catch me.”
“i thought so.”
“catch me,” i whisper.
“i already have,” he murmurs.
~my heart🫠
♡coballoway moments:
- them being batman and catwoman at comic con was EVERYTHING. perfect duo for them omg i screamed.
rose says, “then i’ll try to get pregnant right afterwards, just so i can have a girl.”
connor grins, a blinding one.
“i don’t pray to anyone but myself, but i may make an exception, just so we have a boy first.” he wants lots and lots of kids, so rose’s proclamation is like his heaven right now.
“your prayers won’t work against fate,” rose retorts. “there’s a fifty percent chance i’ll win over you.”
“it’s not fate. it’s science, darling.”
~I LITERALLY LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
♡raisy moments:
- daisy on ryke’s shoulders at comic con.
- ryke throwing popcorn to get daisy’s attention.
- their banter and their friendship😭love it just as much as them dating. they so own me.
“how’s the ground calloway?”
“hard,” she banters with a mischievous smile. “it’ll probably leave a mark.”
“that’s usually what happens when your ass meets something hard, sweetheart.”
~screamingggggggggg
- ryke giving his seat to daisy while they were bowling because there was no where to sit and the way ryke played on her lane even tho there were bumpers😭CUTE
“daisy even covers ryke’s eyes so he has to bowl blind. he’s actually grinning.”
~every little raisy moment has me geeked tf out.
“i have this theory,” daisy says, “that if you leave two people who are really, really attracted to each other, alone in a room, without anything to do, they’ll have sex. a lot, a lot of sex.”
he says, “if that theory is right, you must find your boyfriend fucking ugly.”
“who says i haven’t had lots of sex with him?”
his glare could kill. “he’s twenty-three, dais. if you’re fucking him, he’s going to jail.”
~i will never accept the raisy slander😭so what if they have an age gap…they waited until their relationship was legal, that’s all that matters to me.
♡other thoughts:
- lily and rose being pregnant together is everything😭
“i already feel awful for the thing,”
ryke pauses. “he may not have an addiction problem, lo.”
“no, it’s not that.” i stop drawing and point my pen at connor. “our kid is going to have to compete with theirs. it’s already fucked and it’s not even born yet.”
~THIS HAD ME CACKLING.
- lilo owning a comic book/coffee shop called “superheroes and scones” is iconic. i love how into marvel they are because SAME.
- lo going to comic con as cyclops…iykyk😭
- i love rose and ryke’s relationship😭
- connor speaking italian to ryke to have a little secret conversation in front of everyone just like he used to do with rose in french until he found out ryke could understand this whole time hahahah😂
- lo giving lily piggy back rides🥹🥹
- lo being more intimate with lily because he trusts how strong she is and how well she’s doing with her addiction. it worried me at first, but i’m so proud of her😭
- lily shipping raisy🤭🤭
- lo telling scott off…loved it. the hatred i have for scott, julian, and lily’s mom is like no other.
- i love that we got more of coballoway’s wedding🤭
- lo and ryke’s dad…i hate him right, but him getting sober makes me hopeful.
♡my favorite quotes:
- “i don’t want to live if you’re not living with me.”
- “i can’t help but smile. my girlfriend is beyond adorable.”
- “the only future i want is the one that ends with her.”
- “ryke may be actually falling for my sister.”
- “i won’t turn this bad day into a terrible one. for me. but really, for her. fear of failing lily—it motivates me in ways no one can understand.”
- “our love is rare. it’s one i can’t abandon, even if i tried. when she screams, an identical one rips through me. when she cries, my world rains with grief. when she loves, i truly, truly fly.”
- “i want to be strong for him. it’s my turn now. i’m ready for it.”
ps: i’m so not ready for lilo’s last book :(
November 8, 2021
I am a WH🅾️R👁 FOR LILY AND LO, they fully own my entire soul. The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star was because it was a recap of kiss the sky & hothouse flower, which I completely understand had to be done since some people read the Addicted series without the Calloway sisters series. But since i’ve seen all the events in this book happen already, I didn’t feel like a 5 star was warranted HOWEVER.. as I said before, lilo owns me. <3
July 9, 2023
3.5⭐️ ok hear me out. I love lily and lo so much but I personally didn’t really need a book with their perspective on the stuff that happened in kiss the sky and hot house flower. I think I kept getting bored bc I already knew everything
October 27, 2025
This series is my home. Bye. I will read about these characters literally doing fuck all. Idk what’s happening I’m so obsessed I need help. I loved reading about the events of kiss the sky and hothouse flower from lily and los perspective I literally ache for them. How will anything ever compare?
January 5, 2024
「 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / ♾️ 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 」
⤷ #lorenhalepleasemarryme
“the perseverance to do anything, to be anything. to thrive. someday, that word will belong to us too. after years of coming up short, it’s all i’ve ever wanted.“
SHUT THE FUCK UP, i‘m obsessed with this book series! yet it rips my heart out every single time. i thought i couldn't fall more in love with the addicted books and i was so wrong *puts clown makeup on her face*
krista and becca ritchie, you will hear from my therapist fr. their ability to evoke so many emotions inside one with their way of words is incredible. it‘s like an addiction (see what i did there? yes? ok i‘ll shut up) you want to read more and more and never stop.
i was once again desperately ROOTING for loren and lily to make it to the end. their struggle throughout the book tore me apart .. i gotta admit this one hurt me the most. but i loved how they created their own little world named earth-616, a world that makes the impossible possible for both of them.
“we aren’t connected by our addictions. but by our childhood. souls fused together from the very, very start.“
SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
༘⋆｡˚ my fav quotes ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ “do we have superpowers in our world?”
“yeah,” he says, “but you’re not invisible.”
“what can i do then?”
“fly,” he says, “with me.”
⤷ “i think, sometimes, we have more faith in each other than we do in ourselves.”
⤷ “want to get lost with me in a palace?” “yes.”
it’s a good kind of yes. the best kind. one filled with a thousand I love yous, the type of love that can make you fly“
⤷ “no matter what happens,” lo says, his lips brushing my ear, “i’ll always be here, lil.”
i’ll always be here. i inhale.
༘⋆｡˚ pre-review ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
is there a better way to start 2024 other than with lilo ? i doubt it ✩ 🎀°｡🎧⋆⸜ 📖 let‘s fucking goooo !! 🏃🏼♀️
⤷ #lorenhalepleasemarryme
“the perseverance to do anything, to be anything. to thrive. someday, that word will belong to us too. after years of coming up short, it’s all i’ve ever wanted.“
SHUT THE FUCK UP, i‘m obsessed with this book series! yet it rips my heart out every single time. i thought i couldn't fall more in love with the addicted books and i was so wrong *puts clown makeup on her face*
“our love is rare. it’s one i can’t abandon,
even if i tried. when she screams,
an identical one rips through me. when she cries,my world rains with grief.
when she loves, i truly, truly fly.
krista and becca ritchie, you will hear from my therapist fr. their ability to evoke so many emotions inside one with their way of words is incredible. it‘s like an addiction (see what i did there? yes? ok i‘ll shut up) you want to read more and more and never stop.
i was once again desperately ROOTING for loren and lily to make it to the end. their struggle throughout the book tore me apart .. i gotta admit this one hurt me the most. but i loved how they created their own little world named earth-616, a world that makes the impossible possible for both of them.
“we aren’t connected by our addictions. but by our childhood. souls fused together from the very, very start.“
SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
༘⋆｡˚ my fav quotes ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ “do we have superpowers in our world?”
“yeah,” he says, “but you’re not invisible.”
“what can i do then?”
“fly,” he says, “with me.”
⤷ “i think, sometimes, we have more faith in each other than we do in ourselves.”
⤷ “want to get lost with me in a palace?” “yes.”
it’s a good kind of yes. the best kind. one filled with a thousand I love yous, the type of love that can make you fly“
⤷ “no matter what happens,” lo says, his lips brushing my ear, “i’ll always be here, lil.”
i’ll always be here. i inhale.
༘⋆｡˚ pre-review ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
is there a better way to start 2024 other than with lilo ? i doubt it ✩ 🎀°｡🎧⋆⸜ 📖 let‘s fucking goooo !! 🏃🏼♀️
March 17, 2025
5 stars
Thrive takes place during the events of Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower. It’s just a compilation of both previously mentioned books but from Lily and Loren’s POV. This book shows the evolution of Lily and Lo’s relationship and friendship—how they are fighting their own addictions in their own way but without enabling each other. They are both trying to learn and grow together by each other’s side, but sometimes they regress too, and that’s all part of their journey.
I’m happy that the authors decided to write Thrive because skipping this part of Lily and Lo’s story wouldn’t have done justice to their journey. They were still fighting their addictions, and I just didn’t want to miss this. I love all the references they made to Marvel comics, Harry Potter, GOT, and so many others. The fangirl inside me was screaming every time they mentioned Marvel or Harry Potter. I completely understand Lily and Lo’s obsession with them.
Lily Calloway is my favourite girl. She is the best. THE. BEST. GIRL. The things I would do for her. I love her so, so much, and I am so happy that she’s trying to fight her sex addiction in her own way. Rose was always there for Lily, and she is the only reason Lily has been able to cope with her addiction. I just want her to have her own happy life with Lo and her loved ones.
“The world seems empty whenever I watch her. It’s a peaceful existence.”
Loren Hale is the love of my life. I swear I would do anything for this man just to see him happy. I’m so proud that he’s doing everything he can to fight his addictions just so he can be a better man for Lily. He never abandoned her; instead, he tried—and is still trying—to be a better person for her. I understand his choices, and I know he can become the best version of himself.
“I wouldn’t be here without you.” It is bigger than an I love you. It is a declaration that solidifies what I’ve known for so long. We aren’t connected by our addictions, but by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.
Lily & Loren “The Marvel Nerds”
Lilo is the heart of the Addicted series. I would do anything for them anything just so they can have their happy ending. I love them so much. And trust me, I would do anything to protect my precious babies. They aren’t connected by their addictions; they are connected by their childhood. Their souls have been fused together from the very, very start. They may be two different people, but they are one soul.
Reading about Lily and Loren always brings me so much comfort, they are my ultimate comfort couple. They both deserve so much better. They deserve all the love and happiness. I just want to hug them so badly. And to those who made them feel like they were just two addicted people who didn’t deserve anything. I hope they all burn in hell.
And that scene where Lo relapsed and got sick—that scene broke everything inside me. His pain, and what Lily had to go through shattered my heart into million little pieces.
Rose & Connor “The Hottest Nerdy Couple”
I love how their intelligence turns each other on. And they’re going to have a baby, while Rose was literally horrified at the idea, but Connor was always grinning like, Damn, he won. He finally knocked up Rose, and now he can build his empire filled with babies. I love them.
Daisy & Ryke “The Adrenaline Rushers”
I love them. They are so adorable. I want more of them in the next books now that they’re together. They’ve been through so much together, and all I want for them is happiness and love. They deserve all of it.
I love Lo’s relationship with Ryke and Connor—how he’s trying to build a better relationship with his brother and his best friend. Connor and Ryke were there for Lo at every step of his addiction, even when he relapsed. And their banter is hilarious. And Lo is Connor’s new Darling, and Connor is Lo’s new Love. Lol, they are besties.
The last chapters were hard to read. I cried so much. I understand why Lo said those things, but I know he will change for Lily. They are all entering a new chapter in Addicted After All, and I know the Core Six are strong enough to get through it. I know they will do anything to protect each other and their children.
I haven’t even completed this series, and I’m already missing them. I refuse to believe that they are just fictional characters. They feel so real to me now. I would do anything to read more of them. They all have such a special place in my heart.
➙ Second read: October 2024 — 5 stars
➙ First read: January 2023 — 5 stars
“But we’re in Earth-616, love. We’re going to have our happy ending. It just may take us a while to get there.”
Thrive takes place during the events of Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower. It’s just a compilation of both previously mentioned books but from Lily and Loren’s POV. This book shows the evolution of Lily and Lo’s relationship and friendship—how they are fighting their own addictions in their own way but without enabling each other. They are both trying to learn and grow together by each other’s side, but sometimes they regress too, and that’s all part of their journey.
I’m happy that the authors decided to write Thrive because skipping this part of Lily and Lo’s story wouldn’t have done justice to their journey. They were still fighting their addictions, and I just didn’t want to miss this. I love all the references they made to Marvel comics, Harry Potter, GOT, and so many others. The fangirl inside me was screaming every time they mentioned Marvel or Harry Potter. I completely understand Lily and Lo’s obsession with them.
Lily Calloway is my favourite girl. She is the best. THE. BEST. GIRL. The things I would do for her. I love her so, so much, and I am so happy that she’s trying to fight her sex addiction in her own way. Rose was always there for Lily, and she is the only reason Lily has been able to cope with her addiction. I just want her to have her own happy life with Lo and her loved ones.
“The world seems empty whenever I watch her. It’s a peaceful existence.”
Loren Hale is the love of my life. I swear I would do anything for this man just to see him happy. I’m so proud that he’s doing everything he can to fight his addictions just so he can be a better man for Lily. He never abandoned her; instead, he tried—and is still trying—to be a better person for her. I understand his choices, and I know he can become the best version of himself.
“I wouldn’t be here without you.” It is bigger than an I love you. It is a declaration that solidifies what I’ve known for so long. We aren’t connected by our addictions, but by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.
Lily & Loren “The Marvel Nerds”
Lilo is the heart of the Addicted series. I would do anything for them anything just so they can have their happy ending. I love them so much. And trust me, I would do anything to protect my precious babies. They aren’t connected by their addictions; they are connected by their childhood. Their souls have been fused together from the very, very start. They may be two different people, but they are one soul.
“I’m going to love Lily how I want to love her. Overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. Look away if you have to.”
Reading about Lily and Loren always brings me so much comfort, they are my ultimate comfort couple. They both deserve so much better. They deserve all the love and happiness. I just want to hug them so badly. And to those who made them feel like they were just two addicted people who didn’t deserve anything. I hope they all burn in hell.
“Our love is rare. It’s one I can’t abandon, even if I tried. When she screams, an identical one rips through me. When she cries, my world rains with grief. When she loves, I truly, truly fly.”
“Remember how when we were little?” I whisper.
“You’d chase me around before midnight.”
“You always ran out of breath.”
“I wanted you to catch me.”
“I thought so.”
“Catch me,” I whisper.
“I already have,” he murmurs.
And that scene where Lo relapsed and got sick—that scene broke everything inside me. His pain, and what Lily had to go through shattered my heart into million little pieces.
“Lo,” I whisper, my fingers making circles on his black shirt. “I just want you to know that if you leave this world, I won’t be in it for much longer.”
Rose & Connor “The Hottest Nerdy Couple”
I love how their intelligence turns each other on. And they’re going to have a baby, while Rose was literally horrified at the idea, but Connor was always grinning like, Damn, he won. He finally knocked up Rose, and now he can build his empire filled with babies. I love them.
Daisy & Ryke “The Adrenaline Rushers”
I love them. They are so adorable. I want more of them in the next books now that they’re together. They’ve been through so much together, and all I want for them is happiness and love. They deserve all of it.
I love Lo’s relationship with Ryke and Connor—how he’s trying to build a better relationship with his brother and his best friend. Connor and Ryke were there for Lo at every step of his addiction, even when he relapsed. And their banter is hilarious. And Lo is Connor’s new Darling, and Connor is Lo’s new Love. Lol, they are besties.
The last chapters were hard to read. I cried so much. I understand why Lo said those things, but I know he will change for Lily. They are all entering a new chapter in Addicted After All, and I know the Core Six are strong enough to get through it. I know they will do anything to protect each other and their children.
I haven’t even completed this series, and I’m already missing them. I refuse to believe that they are just fictional characters. They feel so real to me now. I would do anything to read more of them. They all have such a special place in my heart.
➙ Second read: October 2024 — 5 stars
➙ First read: January 2023 — 5 stars
July 24, 2019
5 stars!
This Addicted series is one of a kind. I love everything about these books. Thrive is almost like reading a book(s) you love from another pov. Usually, I’m not crazy about that. But I desperately needed to know what was going on with Lily and Lo when everything happened in KTS and HHF. Even though most of the plot/storyline was the same, it didn’t feel like the same old same old- LiLo brought so much more to the story. Seeing where Lo’s head was when he did certain things was much needed for me.
Thrive takes place directly after Addicted for Now and spans over two years. It’s not as detailed as some of the other books because you already know what’s going on so it doesn't need to be. I’ve heard you can read this series in different ways, but in my opinion you NEED TO READ THEM ALL and you need to read them all in ORDER. I can’t imagine skipping any.
I understand the appeal of Raisy and Cobolway, and I love them all- don’t get me wrong, but there is nothing better than LILO. I can’t explain my love for them. They are my new favorite book couple. Their love is so real, all consuming and epic. I love how they always 100% support one another. It doesn’t matter if they make a mistake or whatnot, this couple always has one another’s back. And the references (Harry Potter, XMen etc) are my favorite thing ever! They bring out my inner geek and I love it!
There were times that reading from Lo’s pov brought me to tears. These books are really emotional for me because I feel so attached and connected to the characters. Even though I already knew what was going to happen, I still stayed fully invested and the story didn’t feel repetitive. It still felt fresh to me.
I’m getting ready to start Addicted After All and I’m equal parts sad and excited. This is the last Lily and Lo book. I don’t want to stop reading about them. I don’t want this series to end! Thankfully, there is another book after that and a few more on the way! I’m not ready for it all to be over!
Two years will change them forever.
This Addicted series is one of a kind. I love everything about these books. Thrive is almost like reading a book(s) you love from another pov. Usually, I’m not crazy about that. But I desperately needed to know what was going on with Lily and Lo when everything happened in KTS and HHF. Even though most of the plot/storyline was the same, it didn’t feel like the same old same old- LiLo brought so much more to the story. Seeing where Lo’s head was when he did certain things was much needed for me.
“We’re going to have our happy ending. It may just take us a while to get there.”
Thrive takes place directly after Addicted for Now and spans over two years. It’s not as detailed as some of the other books because you already know what’s going on so it doesn't need to be. I’ve heard you can read this series in different ways, but in my opinion you NEED TO READ THEM ALL and you need to read them all in ORDER. I can’t imagine skipping any.
I understand the appeal of Raisy and Cobolway, and I love them all- don’t get me wrong, but there is nothing better than LILO. I can’t explain my love for them. They are my new favorite book couple. Their love is so real, all consuming and epic. I love how they always 100% support one another. It doesn’t matter if they make a mistake or whatnot, this couple always has one another’s back. And the references (Harry Potter, XMen etc) are my favorite thing ever! They bring out my inner geek and I love it!
“No matter what happens, I’ll always be here, Lil.”
There were times that reading from Lo’s pov brought me to tears. These books are really emotional for me because I feel so attached and connected to the characters. Even though I already knew what was going to happen, I still stayed fully invested and the story didn’t feel repetitive. It still felt fresh to me.
I’m getting ready to start Addicted After All and I’m equal parts sad and excited. This is the last Lily and Lo book. I don’t want to stop reading about them. I don’t want this series to end! Thankfully, there is another book after that and a few more on the way! I’m not ready for it all to be over!
September 17, 2023
I’m aware this was slightly repetitive during certain parts more so in the beginning as it recapped the events that took place after Addicted for Now and during Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower—besides what comes next. But I didn’t mind it, as getting Lily and lo’s pov for those parts and during those timelines was completely necessary as is and for obvious reasons.
4.5 stars ✨
It was soo refreshing getting their povs after 2 books without them (reading based on recommended order). Also, keep in mind that so little (given the fact that there’s no new semblance of a plot here just some new material) yet so much happened when it came to everything that occurred between them.
“The perseverance to do anything, to be anything. To thrive. Someday, that word will belong to us too. After years of coming up short, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Everything felt so wholesome here! I loved seeing them stand and show up for themselves and each other, the self awareness, their continued growth and love more matured and less selfish, the way they see the core 6 for who they are and their love for them (there’s a new level of awareness here), the bond between lily and her sisters, all the bromances of course, their shared love for superhero’s and their worlds, experiencing and getting through the very lows and highs of their addictions, and entering a new reality that’ll have its challenges—but they’re no longer alone to handle it all.
“But we're in Earth-616, love. We're going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there."
I’ve grown to love lily and lo so much and I’m equally ready but not ready for their last book 🥲
A few parts I loved:
“You and me.” I smile against his lips. “Lily and Lo.” ♥️
“I’m going to love Lily how I want to love her. Overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. Look away if you have to. This man 🧎🏻♀️
“Physically, mentally, emotionally—Loren Hale has all of me.” Same lils same
“I want to be strong for him." It's my turn now. I'm ready for it.” >> the growth
“Want to get lost with me in a palace?"
“Yes." It's a good kind of yes. The best kind.
One filled with a thousand I love yous, the type of love that can make you fly.”
“We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.”
“I remember now, why we're friends. Every man needs a dog." He pauses. “Lassie taught me that." “F*ck you," Ryke says.”
Connor to Ryke in almost every interaction between them lol he couldn’t stop calling him a dog
4.5 stars ✨
It was soo refreshing getting their povs after 2 books without them (reading based on recommended order). Also, keep in mind that so little (given the fact that there’s no new semblance of a plot here just some new material) yet so much happened when it came to everything that occurred between them.
“The perseverance to do anything, to be anything. To thrive. Someday, that word will belong to us too. After years of coming up short, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Everything felt so wholesome here! I loved seeing them stand and show up for themselves and each other, the self awareness, their continued growth and love more matured and less selfish, the way they see the core 6 for who they are and their love for them (there’s a new level of awareness here), the bond between lily and her sisters, all the bromances of course, their shared love for superhero’s and their worlds, experiencing and getting through the very lows and highs of their addictions, and entering a new reality that’ll have its challenges—but they’re no longer alone to handle it all.
“But we're in Earth-616, love. We're going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there."
I’ve grown to love lily and lo so much and I’m equally ready but not ready for their last book 🥲
A few parts I loved:
“You and me.” I smile against his lips. “Lily and Lo.” ♥️
“I’m going to love Lily how I want to love her. Overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. Look away if you have to. This man 🧎🏻♀️
“Physically, mentally, emotionally—Loren Hale has all of me.” Same lils same
“I want to be strong for him." It's my turn now. I'm ready for it.” >> the growth
“Want to get lost with me in a palace?"
“Yes." It's a good kind of yes. The best kind.
One filled with a thousand I love yous, the type of love that can make you fly.”
“We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.”
“I remember now, why we're friends. Every man needs a dog." He pauses. “Lassie taught me that." “F*ck you," Ryke says.”
Connor to Ryke in almost every interaction between them lol he couldn’t stop calling him a dog
January 9, 2025
three random people called me “extremely lucky and privileged” for not liking lilo. i’m lowkey petty and i’m gonna be a hater. please don’t read this if you like this series/couple/book lol.
krista & becca googled “how to write blather” and did it FIVE more times. i don’t wanna hear ANYONE calling nesta the “worst sibling” when these two buffoons exist. lily and loren are BORING and ANNOYING. loren is the worst brother to ryke and lily… she doesn’t give a rats ass about her “younger sister”. the authors bias really was blaring with this one.
as someone who has my own issues—you would never catch me or anyone supporting this shit. so much of their descriptions of addictions aren’t even realistic or portrayed correctly. there was no need to drag these out for this many books. after a while, all the meaning and importance is lost. lilo stans also get hella pressed when people say that they have no identity or personality. i mean, they don’t. they have no purpose besides a bare foundation the authors continue to milk. they honestly deserve better. i don’t know why they thought it was a good idea for lilo to have this many books full of redundant zilch… pack this up.
krista & becca googled “how to write blather” and did it FIVE more times. i don’t wanna hear ANYONE calling nesta the “worst sibling” when these two buffoons exist. lily and loren are BORING and ANNOYING. loren is the worst brother to ryke and lily… she doesn’t give a rats ass about her “younger sister”. the authors bias really was blaring with this one.
as someone who has my own issues—you would never catch me or anyone supporting this shit. so much of their descriptions of addictions aren’t even realistic or portrayed correctly. there was no need to drag these out for this many books. after a while, all the meaning and importance is lost. lilo stans also get hella pressed when people say that they have no identity or personality. i mean, they don’t. they have no purpose besides a bare foundation the authors continue to milk. they honestly deserve better. i don’t know why they thought it was a good idea for lilo to have this many books full of redundant zilch… pack this up.
January 13, 2025
If lilo have no fans, I’m dead 🥺
I don’t even care that this was a repeat of the last two books in their pov — I missed them & it was helpful having their insight to some major events that were about them. I’m super nervous for their story to wrap up in the next book though…
Here’s a collection quotes I loved 💌
"I wouldn't be here without you." It is bigger than an I love you. It is a declaration that solidifies what I've known for so long. We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.”
"I just want you to know that if you leave this world, I won't be in it for much longer." He's a piece of me. You cut it off, and it's like going through life with no lungs.”
“But we're in Earth-616, love. We're going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.”
“Our love is rare. It's one I can't abandon, even if I tried. When she screams, an identical one rips through me. When she cries, my world rains with grief. When she loves, I truly, truly fly.”
“Remember how when we were little?" I whisper.
"You'd chase me around before midnight."
"You always ran out of breath."
"I wanted you to catch me."
"I thought so."
"Catch me," I whisper.
"I already have.”
“I love her. The world seems empty whenever I watch her. It’s a peaceful existence. But I know a life with just the two of us, alone, is a future better as a fantasy. Friends. Family. They’re not easy to leave behind anymore.”
“The world is never going to understand us,” he tells me, his eyes so impassioned that I can’t look away. “But it doesn’t matter, Lil. We have each other, and I get your pain, I understand how badly it hurts, so I need you to block out the other people today, okay? They don’t exist in our world.” Our world.”
I don’t even care that this was a repeat of the last two books in their pov — I missed them & it was helpful having their insight to some major events that were about them. I’m super nervous for their story to wrap up in the next book though…
Here’s a collection quotes I loved 💌
"I wouldn't be here without you." It is bigger than an I love you. It is a declaration that solidifies what I've known for so long. We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.”
"I just want you to know that if you leave this world, I won't be in it for much longer." He's a piece of me. You cut it off, and it's like going through life with no lungs.”
“But we're in Earth-616, love. We're going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.”
“Our love is rare. It's one I can't abandon, even if I tried. When she screams, an identical one rips through me. When she cries, my world rains with grief. When she loves, I truly, truly fly.”
“Remember how when we were little?" I whisper.
"You'd chase me around before midnight."
"You always ran out of breath."
"I wanted you to catch me."
"I thought so."
"Catch me," I whisper.
"I already have.”
“I love her. The world seems empty whenever I watch her. It’s a peaceful existence. But I know a life with just the two of us, alone, is a future better as a fantasy. Friends. Family. They’re not easy to leave behind anymore.”
“The world is never going to understand us,” he tells me, his eyes so impassioned that I can’t look away. “But it doesn’t matter, Lil. We have each other, and I get your pain, I understand how badly it hurts, so I need you to block out the other people today, okay? They don’t exist in our world.” Our world.”
July 22, 2014
**** FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED *****
Spoiler-free review. Plot is not discussed.
Thrive is the latest fantastic addition to the Addicted series and I absolutely LOVED it!!
I've been a huge fan of this series from the start and can honestly say that it just keeps getting better and better. Krista & Becca Ritchie continue to raise the bar and there really is no other series like this.
The Addicted series has everything I could ever ask for in a romance. It has loveable but flawed characters who each have a special place in my heart, some of the very best writing I've ever read, and the entire series has this delightful feeling of intensity that always keeps me fully connected to every page of the story. I absolutely ADORE it. I'm addicted. I love it. I crave it. I always read every new book as slowly as I can to make it last longer. And I highly recommend it for every single fan of romance out there!!
Please note: this book is not a standalone. This series must be read in order (see bottom of post) and this is the sixth book to be released in it so pleeease be sure to start with the first book.
This series essentially follows three main couples (Lily & Lo, Rose & Connor, and Daisy & Ryke) who are bound together by love, friendship, and family ties. There's a sex addict, an alcoholic, a virgin, a smartass, a daredevil, and a jackass and I promise you will fall in love with each and every one of them.
Also, within this series, this book is technically a "companion novel". That means it's a full length novel but it tells Lily & Lo's story (in their POVs) during the events of the previous 2 books in the series. This is not a retelling of the same story though and it is a must-read for any fan of this series. It contains new content that fills in all the blanks and truly completes the story so far. You might think that you know the whole story but you don't really... not until you've read this book.
The response to this series has been amazing. It has a strong and very passionate fan base who love these characters deeply and I think one of the main reasons is that the six focal characters, who are the heart and soul of this story, are some of the most well developed characters I have ever read. This is literally the most 'complete' story you can imagine. It's a 360 degree look at these characters lives. We know everything about them and so we care about everything that happens. It's not just that they feel real to the reader, it's that you feel like you genuinely know every side of them. You know them better than you would even know a friend because you've seen their story through six different perspectives. They become a part of you.
The character dynamics are PURE GOLD. It's not just about the main couples, but each of the six characters has their own, unique relation to the others. That's 15 interpersonal connections!!! It's a helluva lot to build a story on and KBR have done a top notch job of conveying each and every emotion flawlessly.
Although I loved each of the couples, Lily & Lo have always had a special place in my heart. I think the desperation and intensity of their situation is just so heart-wrenching that you can't help but want to root for these two addicts to make things work. I loved Lo's fierce protectiveness of Lily and Lily's unwavering faith in him. The only thing stronger than their addictions is their unconditional love for each other. I love how, no matter what, they are each each other's highest priority and nothing ever changes that. We've seen them hit rock bottom, we've seen them support each other every single step of the way, and we've seen them begin to get better. Together. Always together. There's no Lo without Lily and no Lily without Lo.
And best of all, they're surrounded by a group of people bound together by all different kinds of love who are willing to go to any length for each other, and to protect each other. It's heart-warming to an extreme.
I think I've said this in every single one of my reviews for the books in this series but it bears mentioning again that the main reason I have so much respect for these authors is that absolutely everything in these books makes sense and there is never any contrived drama. The story is intense, heart wrenching, romantic, sexy, fun, emotional, but never once is the integrity of the story or the characters sacrificed. Each line, each plot development, everything makes sense. These characters are each fighting their own battles but I respect the hell out of each one of them. And consequently, I feel the same about the authors.
It's a wonderful feeling to have such complete trust in the authors of a series you love. I was halfway through reading this book before I realized that I actually hadn't even read the blurb yet. I didn't need to. I just completely trusted that they would stay true to the characters every step of the way. And they did.
This book ends without any big cliffhanger but the next story is fully set up and I can't wait to read it. If you're new to the series, you can easily start it at any time even though there are still more books to come.
My honest opinion is that this is one of the very BEST on-going series out there. I highly recommend it!!!
This isn't a standalone story and while it's vital to the series storyline, it's still genuinely a "companion novel" so I don't feel right rating it on it's own because it's just one part of a much larger story. So, I'm going to just add it in to my full series rating of 5 STARS instead.
____________________________
***** Remember, this book is NOT a standalone.
____________________________
FULL SERIES READING ORDER (no skipping!!!)
- ADDICTED TO YOU
- RICOCHET
- ADDICTED FOR NOW
- KISS THE SKY
- HOTHOUSE FLOWER
- THRIVE
- ADDICTED AFTER ALL
- FUEL THE FIRE
- LONG WAY DOWN
My review of Book #1 ➜ http://bit.ly/1aVSaNM
My review of Book #1.5 ➜ http://bit.ly/1baSZSK
My review of Book #2 ➜ http://bit.ly/1fiPBas
My review of Book #3 ➜ http://bit.ly/McHotQ
My review of Book #4 ➜ http://bit.ly/RpIzIW
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
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✦ Twitter
Spoiler-free review. Plot is not discussed.
Thrive is the latest fantastic addition to the Addicted series and I absolutely LOVED it!!
I've been a huge fan of this series from the start and can honestly say that it just keeps getting better and better. Krista & Becca Ritchie continue to raise the bar and there really is no other series like this.
The Addicted series has everything I could ever ask for in a romance. It has loveable but flawed characters who each have a special place in my heart, some of the very best writing I've ever read, and the entire series has this delightful feeling of intensity that always keeps me fully connected to every page of the story. I absolutely ADORE it. I'm addicted. I love it. I crave it. I always read every new book as slowly as I can to make it last longer. And I highly recommend it for every single fan of romance out there!!
Please note: this book is not a standalone. This series must be read in order (see bottom of post) and this is the sixth book to be released in it so pleeease be sure to start with the first book.
This series essentially follows three main couples (Lily & Lo, Rose & Connor, and Daisy & Ryke) who are bound together by love, friendship, and family ties. There's a sex addict, an alcoholic, a virgin, a smartass, a daredevil, and a jackass and I promise you will fall in love with each and every one of them.
"Everyone is staring," I whisper to Lo….
His gaze softens for me… "You're a sex addict and I'm an alcoholic," he says, "and the whole fucking world knows it. We have to get used to people staring, love."
Also, within this series, this book is technically a "companion novel". That means it's a full length novel but it tells Lily & Lo's story (in their POVs) during the events of the previous 2 books in the series. This is not a retelling of the same story though and it is a must-read for any fan of this series. It contains new content that fills in all the blanks and truly completes the story so far. You might think that you know the whole story but you don't really... not until you've read this book.
The response to this series has been amazing. It has a strong and very passionate fan base who love these characters deeply and I think one of the main reasons is that the six focal characters, who are the heart and soul of this story, are some of the most well developed characters I have ever read. This is literally the most 'complete' story you can imagine. It's a 360 degree look at these characters lives. We know everything about them and so we care about everything that happens. It's not just that they feel real to the reader, it's that you feel like you genuinely know every side of them. You know them better than you would even know a friend because you've seen their story through six different perspectives. They become a part of you.
The character dynamics are PURE GOLD. It's not just about the main couples, but each of the six characters has their own, unique relation to the others. That's 15 interpersonal connections!!! It's a helluva lot to build a story on and KBR have done a top notch job of conveying each and every emotion flawlessly.
Although I loved each of the couples, Lily & Lo have always had a special place in my heart. I think the desperation and intensity of their situation is just so heart-wrenching that you can't help but want to root for these two addicts to make things work. I loved Lo's fierce protectiveness of Lily and Lily's unwavering faith in him. The only thing stronger than their addictions is their unconditional love for each other. I love how, no matter what, they are each each other's highest priority and nothing ever changes that. We've seen them hit rock bottom, we've seen them support each other every single step of the way, and we've seen them begin to get better. Together. Always together. There's no Lo without Lily and no Lily without Lo.
"The only thing keeping me here is Lily. I try to make every day count for something. For her. When I fuck up, she doesn't act like it's the end of the world. She tells me that the next day will be better."
And best of all, they're surrounded by a group of people bound together by all different kinds of love who are willing to go to any length for each other, and to protect each other. It's heart-warming to an extreme.
I think I've said this in every single one of my reviews for the books in this series but it bears mentioning again that the main reason I have so much respect for these authors is that absolutely everything in these books makes sense and there is never any contrived drama. The story is intense, heart wrenching, romantic, sexy, fun, emotional, but never once is the integrity of the story or the characters sacrificed. Each line, each plot development, everything makes sense. These characters are each fighting their own battles but I respect the hell out of each one of them. And consequently, I feel the same about the authors.
"There will always be bad days, but it's how we live those bad days that counts."
It's a wonderful feeling to have such complete trust in the authors of a series you love. I was halfway through reading this book before I realized that I actually hadn't even read the blurb yet. I didn't need to. I just completely trusted that they would stay true to the characters every step of the way. And they did.
This book ends without any big cliffhanger but the next story is fully set up and I can't wait to read it. If you're new to the series, you can easily start it at any time even though there are still more books to come.
My honest opinion is that this is one of the very BEST on-going series out there. I highly recommend it!!!
"We're going to have our happy ending. It may just take us awhile to get there."
This isn't a standalone story and while it's vital to the series storyline, it's still genuinely a "companion novel" so I don't feel right rating it on it's own because it's just one part of a much larger story. So, I'm going to just add it in to my full series rating of 5 STARS instead.
____________________________
***** Remember, this book is NOT a standalone.
____________________________
FULL SERIES READING ORDER (no skipping!!!)
- ADDICTED TO YOU
- RICOCHET
- ADDICTED FOR NOW
- KISS THE SKY
- HOTHOUSE FLOWER
- THRIVE
- ADDICTED AFTER ALL
- FUEL THE FIRE
- LONG WAY DOWN
My review of Book #1 ➜ http://bit.ly/1aVSaNM
My review of Book #1.5 ➜ http://bit.ly/1baSZSK
My review of Book #2 ➜ http://bit.ly/1fiPBas
My review of Book #3 ➜ http://bit.ly/McHotQ
My review of Book #4 ➜ http://bit.ly/RpIzIW
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
August 31, 2023
i…havebeenprocrastinatingwritingthisreview.
first i feel the URGE to say don’t take this rating as a reason not to dive into this series, because let me tell you 1/3 of my five star reads belong to the Addicted series! this book just didn’t do it for me; although i can tell you why.
this was in lilo’s pov (finally!) although it recapped the past events already written in previous books. so as much as i enjoyed seeing their thoughts and what they were actually doing behind the scenes, the repetition and lack of surprise felt like a bit of a drag. i think it’s a unique idea for a book therefore i see why so many people love it, but i’m such a “what happens next” person that i couldn’t quite find a love for this one. but i don’t doubt the future books will pleasantly surprise me as the others have and i’m rooting for lilo!
i love this series but i’m going to break from it for a bit; maybe it was a slight slump since i’ve been reading these books nonstop back to back 🙇🏻♀️
first i feel the URGE to say don’t take this rating as a reason not to dive into this series, because let me tell you 1/3 of my five star reads belong to the Addicted series! this book just didn’t do it for me; although i can tell you why.
this was in lilo’s pov (finally!) although it recapped the past events already written in previous books. so as much as i enjoyed seeing their thoughts and what they were actually doing behind the scenes, the repetition and lack of surprise felt like a bit of a drag. i think it’s a unique idea for a book therefore i see why so many people love it, but i’m such a “what happens next” person that i couldn’t quite find a love for this one. but i don’t doubt the future books will pleasantly surprise me as the others have and i’m rooting for lilo!
i love this series but i’m going to break from it for a bit; maybe it was a slight slump since i’ve been reading these books nonstop back to back 🙇🏻♀️
February 10, 2023
3 stars
This book was just a recap of everything that happened in kiss the sky and hothouse flower but from Lily and Lo’s pov and for someone who really didn’t care about these two it was just so unnecessary and kinda boring for me.
Lily and Lo are still my least favourite characters that’s why I was like “mmm who said you’re interesting enough to make me read the same story again but from you povs? I’d rather have it from Rose and Connor’s. I would read the grocery list of these two if it’s from their pov!!”
Two things that I actually really enjoyed in this one and that are also kind of 🚫SPOILERS🚫 if you haven’t read kiss the sky and hothouse flower:
1️⃣ It’s that we get a kinda extended version of Connor’s and Rose’s weeding! I loved to see that! even if it was from Lilo’s pov but whatever.
2️⃣ That we get to see the moment Rose discovered she was pregnant!! I kinda hoped that we get to see her talk to Connor about it like we saw Lily and lo do, but we don’t always get what we want so whatever. Again.
🚫 End of spoilers 🚫
Other than the fact that this was unnecessary and boring for me, it was also the fact that Lily and lo got what I wanted for Rose and Connor and yes I’m salty about that. Also, I still think that Lo is a selfish prick and he just need to grow up!
#1 Addicted to you ~ 3 stars
#2 Ricochet ~ 3 stars
#3 Addicted for now ~ 3.5 stars
#4 Thrive - 3 stars
#5 Addicted after all ~ 3 stars
“But we’re in Earth-616, love. We’re going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.”
This book was just a recap of everything that happened in kiss the sky and hothouse flower but from Lily and Lo’s pov and for someone who really didn’t care about these two it was just so unnecessary and kinda boring for me.
Lily and Lo are still my least favourite characters that’s why I was like “mmm who said you’re interesting enough to make me read the same story again but from you povs? I’d rather have it from Rose and Connor’s. I would read the grocery list of these two if it’s from their pov!!”
Two things that I actually really enjoyed in this one and that are also kind of 🚫SPOILERS🚫 if you haven’t read kiss the sky and hothouse flower:
1️⃣ It’s that we get a kinda extended version of Connor’s and Rose’s weeding! I loved to see that! even if it was from Lilo’s pov but whatever.
2️⃣ That we get to see the moment Rose discovered she was pregnant!! I kinda hoped that we get to see her talk to Connor about it like we saw Lily and lo do, but we don’t always get what we want so whatever. Again.
🚫 End of spoilers 🚫
Other than the fact that this was unnecessary and boring for me, it was also the fact that Lily and lo got what I wanted for Rose and Connor and yes I’m salty about that. Also, I still think that Lo is a selfish prick and he just need to grow up!
#1 Addicted to you ~ 3 stars
#2 Ricochet ~ 3 stars
#3 Addicted for now ~ 3.5 stars
#4 Thrive - 3 stars
#5 Addicted after all ~ 3 stars
July 26, 2023
reading this series is not enough. i need the calloway family to adopt me. 😭💗💗
September 16, 2014
THRIVE is a companion novel and not a novella. As a companion novel, it bridges the gap between the end of Addicted for Now through the two spin offs, Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower, and to the start of Addicted After All. There are several ways to read this series:
1) If you skipped reading the spin offs than you will NEED to read Thrive.
2) If you did read the spin offs than this is Lily & Lo's journey through her sisters' books. Lots of stuff happens to them that we never saw in KTS and HHF.
Either way if you are a fan you will want to read this book.
Logistics: it's broken into 3 parts. The time frame spans 2 years 5 months. Under each chapter number it will indicate the year and month which makes following along easy. I posted in my Addicted For Now review the time frame and I'm adding here too.
DYNAMICS:I'm often asked which book or series does Addicted compare to. I can never think of a comparable book series but I do have a comparison-> it reminds me of the TV show Friends (popular in the 90's). Minus all the switching of partners it has the same fun feel of twenty year olds living life together. 'Friends' had a faithful fan base who tuned in each week and lived vicariously through their favorite characters. Same is true in the book world with this series. Each time a new Addicted book shows up on our kindles all of us fans gather together to buddy read it. And just like the fans of 'Friends' who still watch reruns...we, fans of Addicted, rally around a new person as they start their journey with this series. We are able relive the series through their updates and reviews.
Lily & Lo are the geeks. Rose & Connor are the nerds. Daisy & Ryke are the adventurers. The combo of these 3 couples along with their struggles and successes pulls the readers to root for their favorite couple. Being able to relate in little ways to these characters, either be a geek or daredevil or brainiac, allows the readers to see themselves in the characters.
*********************************************************
Addicted series is interconnected with two spin-offs. The authors have written the books in 4 “phases”. Each phase is a complete story line with a satisfying enough conclusion.
Recommended reading order:
PHASE 1 (Lily & Lo):
{#1} Addicted to You | {#1.5} Ricochet | {#2} Addicted for Now
PHASE 2 (Rose and Connor) | (Daisy & Ryke):
{spin-off} Kiss the Sky | {spin-off} Hothouse Flower
PHASE 3 (Lily & Lo):
{#2.5} Thrive | {#3} Addicted After All
PHASE 4 (Rose and Connor) | (Daisy & Ryke):
{spin-off} Fuel the Fire | {spin-off} Long Way Down
***Thank you, Krista & Becca, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.***
LIVE➜ http://amzn.to/1rlHqlB
7/18/2014
1) If you skipped reading the spin offs than you will NEED to read Thrive.
2) If you did read the spin offs than this is Lily & Lo's journey through her sisters' books. Lots of stuff happens to them that we never saw in KTS and HHF.
Either way if you are a fan you will want to read this book.
Logistics: it's broken into 3 parts. The time frame spans 2 years 5 months. Under each chapter number it will indicate the year and month which makes following along easy. I posted in my Addicted For Now review the time frame and I'm adding here too.
DYNAMICS:I'm often asked which book or series does Addicted compare to. I can never think of a comparable book series but I do have a comparison-> it reminds me of the TV show Friends (popular in the 90's). Minus all the switching of partners it has the same fun feel of twenty year olds living life together. 'Friends' had a faithful fan base who tuned in each week and lived vicariously through their favorite characters. Same is true in the book world with this series. Each time a new Addicted book shows up on our kindles all of us fans gather together to buddy read it. And just like the fans of 'Friends' who still watch reruns...we, fans of Addicted, rally around a new person as they start their journey with this series. We are able relive the series through their updates and reviews.
Lily & Lo are the geeks. Rose & Connor are the nerds. Daisy & Ryke are the adventurers. The combo of these 3 couples along with their struggles and successes pulls the readers to root for their favorite couple. Being able to relate in little ways to these characters, either be a geek or daredevil or brainiac, allows the readers to see themselves in the characters.
We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.
*********************************************************
Addicted series is interconnected with two spin-offs. The authors have written the books in 4 “phases”. Each phase is a complete story line with a satisfying enough conclusion.
Recommended reading order:
PHASE 1 (Lily & Lo):
{#1} Addicted to You | {#1.5} Ricochet | {#2} Addicted for Now
PHASE 2 (Rose and Connor) | (Daisy & Ryke):
{spin-off} Kiss the Sky | {spin-off} Hothouse Flower
PHASE 3 (Lily & Lo):
{#2.5} Thrive | {#3} Addicted After All
PHASE 4 (Rose and Connor) | (Daisy & Ryke):
{spin-off} Fuel the Fire | {spin-off} Long Way Down
***Thank you, Krista & Becca, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.***
LIVE➜ http://amzn.to/1rlHqlB
7/18/2014
May 11, 2024
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ you have one new mail!
💌
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4 ☆ 🌷
from: 17/04/24
˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ ↳ to: 10/05/24
꒰🪷꒱ ”life moves too quickly. i don’t want to speed through a single moment. not anymore."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ review:
did it take me a month to finish this book? yes it did, and i want to thank my exams for that! 🤩
but i missed lilo so much, their cute moments together 🥹💘 it was a bit boring sometimes to read all the things again that were already mentioned in the previous books, but the little details about their relationship was so worth it <3
honestly, i can’t WAIT for the next book, how they’ll sort out their problems and lives with those plot twists happening.
there’s really nothing else to say, i just love them all so so much and i’m so happy that i still have multiple books about them 🫂
with love,
lils ♡🎀
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 4 ☆ 🌷
from: 17/04/24
˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ ↳ to: 10/05/24
꒰🪷꒱ ”life moves too quickly. i don’t want to speed through a single moment. not anymore."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ review:
did it take me a month to finish this book? yes it did, and i want to thank my exams for that! 🤩
but i missed lilo so much, their cute moments together 🥹💘 it was a bit boring sometimes to read all the things again that were already mentioned in the previous books, but the little details about their relationship was so worth it <3
honestly, i can’t WAIT for the next book, how they’ll sort out their problems and lives with those plot twists happening.
there’s really nothing else to say, i just love them all so so much and i’m so happy that i still have multiple books about them 🫂
with love,
lils ♡🎀
August 25, 2023
♡∞:｡.｡The perseverance to do anything, to be anything. To thrive. Someday, that word will belong to us too. After years of coming up short, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.༊*·˚
i love this entire series with my whole whole heart. 🥹
i am reading this series in the recommended series order so this would be the sixth book (for me), and it follows along the same timeline as kiss the sky and hothouse flower. i know a lot of it was very repetitive but getting lily and lo's perspectives added a whole new element to their story.
i will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible:
during kiss the sky, we get their perspectives with the whole reality tv show, and beforehand we definitely saw how it affected everyone but seeing how scott
next we have the in-between, this was basically everything that occurred before hothouse and it did give a lot of context for why lo acted the way he did in hothouse. how you could tell he was hurting so much but his was of displaying his emotions has always been in an aggressive manner because that is all he knows 💔
now for hothouse, this was about the last 30% and honestly, since it is my least fav book i was slightly dreading re-living it, but when you look at it from a diff pov you can see why lo was the way he is and why lily and rose were the way they were. i do not excuse how they acted toward dais but it definitely made more sense rather than allowing them to seem completely selfish at first.
overall, i will eat up any lilo and coballoway book because they are the love of my life. my husbands and wives 💖
this series just warms my heart and im pretty sure all of the books have defffffff made me cry at least 3 times. but then again i am pretty sensitive.
this review is p short because there was not really any new plot, but i love lilo too much to not love anything from them. im excited for the next (and last) lilo book 🥹
time for my fav part:
quotes
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀“But we’re in Earth-616, love. We’re going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.”
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀“The only future I want is the one that ends with her.”
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀Very softly, he says, “I wouldn’t be here without you.” It is bigger than an I love you. It is a declaration that solidifies what I’ve known for so long. We aren’t connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀I’m going to love Lily how I want to love her. Overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly. Look away if you have to.
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀“I want to be strong for him." It's my turn now. I'm ready for it.”
all of these lilo quotes ^^^^🥹
“We’re no longer welcome at that particular hotel…for eternity. Those were the manager’s exact words.” Connor loosens his bowtie. “I don’t blame him for thinking we’re immortal. In some preclassic civilizations, I’d be considered a god.”
“No,” Connor says. “A man never leaves his dog behind.”
connor calling ryke a dog any chance he gets is my version of crack
Poppy shares my smile. "I think we'd all do a lot more just to see you happy, Lily.”
pls poppy and her husband were so random but okay slay
—————
SHES HERE, im not letting anyone talk to me until i finish it 🙈🙈🙈🙈
————
the minute this book arrives on my door step i will be putting my entire life on pause i miss my babies 😫😫😫😫😫
May 18, 2023
4.5!! I love lilo forever <3 everything in this book happened in kiss the sky and hothouse flower but you just see it from Lily and lo’s pov! I love the core six so much my heart hurts
March 24, 2025
this is the first lily and lo book i’ve rated above 3 stars and it actually surprised me in a good way. it didn’t change how real their relationship felt, but it added a layer i didn’t know i was missing. seeing things through their eyes this time helped me connect with their struggles more than i expected. it made me care about their story in a way i hadn’t before.
lily’s struggles felt more raw in this one. there were moments where i really felt for her. the shame, the pressure, the constant fear of not being enough. she’s come such a long way from the girl in addicted to you and i liked seeing her slowly gain more confidence in herself and her recovery.
and lo… he still has his flaws but he’s learning to be soft without losing his edge. he’s becoming someone who wants to show up for lily, not just protect her. he’s finally letting her stand on her own while still being there when she needs him, and i really respected that.
i did really like this book but it felt a little repetitive, obviously, since i already knew how most of it played out in kiss the sky and hothouse flower. that took away some of the emotional weight for me, even though it still added value overall.
they’re not my favorite couple. coballoway and raisy still have that hold on me. but thrive made me understand lily and lo in a deeper way. this book gave them the space they needed to finally feel real to me.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ back to lily and lo. i haven’t rated any of their books above 3 stars yet, but maybe this one will change that 🤞 we’re finally seeing their side of everything that’s been happening in the background, and i’m hoping it makes me feel more connected to them this time around.
lily’s struggles felt more raw in this one. there were moments where i really felt for her. the shame, the pressure, the constant fear of not being enough. she’s come such a long way from the girl in addicted to you and i liked seeing her slowly gain more confidence in herself and her recovery.
and lo… he still has his flaws but he’s learning to be soft without losing his edge. he’s becoming someone who wants to show up for lily, not just protect her. he’s finally letting her stand on her own while still being there when she needs him, and i really respected that.
i did really like this book but it felt a little repetitive, obviously, since i already knew how most of it played out in kiss the sky and hothouse flower. that took away some of the emotional weight for me, even though it still added value overall.
they’re not my favorite couple. coballoway and raisy still have that hold on me. but thrive made me understand lily and lo in a deeper way. this book gave them the space they needed to finally feel real to me.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ back to lily and lo. i haven’t rated any of their books above 3 stars yet, but maybe this one will change that 🤞 we’re finally seeing their side of everything that’s been happening in the background, and i’m hoping it makes me feel more connected to them this time around.
August 31, 2021
“The only future I want is the one that ends with her.”
Lily & Lo <3
I'm really loving their story so much but also I love Connor & Rose and Ryke & Daisy too. I can't wait to read more about them... :)
And I don't know how I lived my life without knowing this series... But better late than never, right? ;)
Ps. This series are must read, I highly recommend them. <3
ADDICTED SERIES - RECOMMENDED READING ORDER
Addicted to You (Addicted #1)
Ricochet (Addicted #1.5)
Addicted for Now (Addicted #2)
Kiss the Sky (Spin-Off: Calloway Sisters #1)
Hothouse Flower (Calloway Sisters #2)
Thrive (Addicted #2.5)
Addicted After All (Addicted #3)
Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3)
Long Way Down (Calloway Sisters #4)
Some Kind of Perfect (Calloway Sisters #4.5)
Lily & Lo <3
I'm really loving their story so much but also I love Connor & Rose and Ryke & Daisy too. I can't wait to read more about them... :)
And I don't know how I lived my life without knowing this series... But better late than never, right? ;)
Ps. This series are must read, I highly recommend them. <3
ADDICTED SERIES - RECOMMENDED READING ORDER
Addicted to You (Addicted #1)
Ricochet (Addicted #1.5)
Addicted for Now (Addicted #2)
Kiss the Sky (Spin-Off: Calloway Sisters #1)
Hothouse Flower (Calloway Sisters #2)
Thrive (Addicted #2.5)
Addicted After All (Addicted #3)
Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3)
Long Way Down (Calloway Sisters #4)
Some Kind of Perfect (Calloway Sisters #4.5)
February 19, 2025
4 stars
This one was emotional. The more I read from Lo and Lily, the more I love them. Their love compared to the others is so much deeper to me, it’s just… more.
This one was emotional. The more I read from Lo and Lily, the more I love them. Their love compared to the others is so much deeper to me, it’s just… more.
May 23, 2015
* * * * 4.5 Stars * * * *
Thrive is best describe as filler. I do not mean that negatively, but it does basically fill in the time that lapsed from Addicted for Now and Hot Houseflower.
I was jonesing for this book after just finishing the binge read on the series, and was I disappointed??
I adore these six characters, so any little bit you want to give me I will happily accept.
Thrive alternates in POV between Lily and Lo. We basically relive a lot of scenes from Kiss the Sky and Hot Houseflower from their perspective. Since I am Team Ryke I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this one, but I fell back in love with LiLo. I had forgotten how they had originally stolen my heart with their friends to lovers story.
In my opinion, Lily and Lo are soul mates and their love for each other is so apparent in their actions. Lily and Lo would die for each other, but more than that, they live for each other.
Their story is sad and it breaks my heart. I feel like they basically raised each other. She is the forgotten Calloway and he is the son who ruined it all.
Yes this Harry Potter gif for Lily and Lo, since they are such fans.
Some of Lo’s thoughts in this story made me want to cry, and it made me less angry at him for some of his actions from the other books. Lily is endearing and sweet, and I loved watching her try to be strong for Lo. I swear, I just love these two!
I obviously love this series and love these characters so why the 4.5 stars instead of 5? I hate to say it, but it didn’t blow me away because there wasn’t a ton of new material. I think in a vlog I watched there was supposed to be 80% new material…maybe I got it backwards, because It didn’t feel that way.
I still loved it and cannot wait for more!!
Thrive is best describe as filler. I do not mean that negatively, but it does basically fill in the time that lapsed from Addicted for Now and Hot Houseflower.
I was jonesing for this book after just finishing the binge read on the series, and was I disappointed??
I adore these six characters, so any little bit you want to give me I will happily accept.
Thrive alternates in POV between Lily and Lo. We basically relive a lot of scenes from Kiss the Sky and Hot Houseflower from their perspective. Since I am Team Ryke I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this one, but I fell back in love with LiLo. I had forgotten how they had originally stolen my heart with their friends to lovers story.
In my opinion, Lily and Lo are soul mates and their love for each other is so apparent in their actions. Lily and Lo would die for each other, but more than that, they live for each other.
Their story is sad and it breaks my heart. I feel like they basically raised each other. She is the forgotten Calloway and he is the son who ruined it all.
Yes this Harry Potter gif for Lily and Lo, since they are such fans.
Some of Lo’s thoughts in this story made me want to cry, and it made me less angry at him for some of his actions from the other books. Lily is endearing and sweet, and I loved watching her try to be strong for Lo. I swear, I just love these two!
I obviously love this series and love these characters so why the 4.5 stars instead of 5? I hate to say it, but it didn’t blow me away because there wasn’t a ton of new material. I think in a vlog I watched there was supposed to be 80% new material…maybe I got it backwards, because It didn’t feel that way.
I still loved it and cannot wait for more!!
November 4, 2025
two addicts who ruined their lives and hurt those around them. that’s all I’ll say. No, forget that I'll say more.
if I had known this was the same book as Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower, but from Lily and Loren’s pov, I would have skipped it because it was useless.
and why do Lily and Loren get five books, but Coballoway and Raisy each only get two? seriously, these two characters have absolutely no development. if you go back to the first couple of books and compare them to this one, they’re still the same immature, childish, and they still don’t think about the consequences of their actions!
Lily spent nearly two months not speaking to Rose. do you want to know why? because the public accepted and praised Rose’s sex tape, but Lily was shamed when her sex addiction came out. and people still call her selfless and “sunshine”? please tell me how that’s not selfish! she wanted her own sister who’s never once shamed her, who’s always been there for her to suffer and endure the same hatred and judgment she did. that’s not selflessness, that’s downright evil!
and Loren? I was starting to like him, but now I can't stand him. every conversation he has with Ryke is about how Ryke can’t date Daisy because of the age gap, and that she’s like his little sister. but he was okay-is with Julian dating Daisy? (he’s the same age as Ryke, 23.) please, save me the hypocrisy. also, he’s is afraid he’ll feel abandoned if Ryke and Daisy date and break up? grow up, you child. the world doesn’t revolve around you!
and are you serious about making Lily pregnant? can you even imagine Lily and Loren as parents? because I really can’t. Lily can’t even remember to eat or shower she barely takes care of herself. and when things get tough, she immediately starts crying. plus, when she gets stressed, she starts thinking about sex. Loren’s an addict, and when things get hard for him, his first thought is to drink.
and when they are alone together all they do is have sex or discuss comics books and compare their lives to the books.
they still rely on Rose and Conner for help. how are they supposed to take care of a baby when they can’t take care of themselves? I just know Rose and Conner will be amazing parents because of the way they were there for Lily and Loren and the way they helped and supported these two childish brats.
if I had known this was the same book as Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower, but from Lily and Loren’s pov, I would have skipped it because it was useless.
and why do Lily and Loren get five books, but Coballoway and Raisy each only get two? seriously, these two characters have absolutely no development. if you go back to the first couple of books and compare them to this one, they’re still the same immature, childish, and they still don’t think about the consequences of their actions!
Lily spent nearly two months not speaking to Rose. do you want to know why? because the public accepted and praised Rose’s sex tape, but Lily was shamed when her sex addiction came out. and people still call her selfless and “sunshine”? please tell me how that’s not selfish! she wanted her own sister who’s never once shamed her, who’s always been there for her to suffer and endure the same hatred and judgment she did. that’s not selflessness, that’s downright evil!
and Loren? I was starting to like him, but now I can't stand him. every conversation he has with Ryke is about how Ryke can’t date Daisy because of the age gap, and that she’s like his little sister. but he was okay-is with Julian dating Daisy? (he’s the same age as Ryke, 23.) please, save me the hypocrisy. also, he’s is afraid he’ll feel abandoned if Ryke and Daisy date and break up? grow up, you child. the world doesn’t revolve around you!
and are you serious about making Lily pregnant? can you even imagine Lily and Loren as parents? because I really can’t. Lily can’t even remember to eat or shower she barely takes care of herself. and when things get tough, she immediately starts crying. plus, when she gets stressed, she starts thinking about sex. Loren’s an addict, and when things get hard for him, his first thought is to drink.
and when they are alone together all they do is have sex or discuss comics books and compare their lives to the books.
they still rely on Rose and Conner for help. how are they supposed to take care of a baby when they can’t take care of themselves? I just know Rose and Conner will be amazing parents because of the way they were there for Lily and Loren and the way they helped and supported these two childish brats.
January 18, 2022
How could I not love any book in the addicted/Calloway sisters series? It was so nice getting to read Lilly and Lo’s POVs again after the last two books in the series follow Rose & Connor and Daisy & Ryke. My only complaint is that this book has an overlapping timeline with Kiss the sky and Hot House Flower. It was really interesting to read a lot of the same events from Lilly & Lo’s pov but I generally knew everything that was going to happen because of that. Overall so excited to read the last few books in this series!!!
August 4, 2017
4.5 Stars!
(I buddyread this book with sis Bea. Check her lovely review by clicking her name.)
Lily and Lo. Lo and Lily. This couple always gets the best of me. I haven't continued this series until now for some reasons. But rehashing Lily and Lo's story along with Connor, Ryke, and the Calloway sisters was such a happy indulgence. I miss this gang so much!
I could say that reading Thrive helped me reminisce some details that I hardly remember. I loved that it felt like a re-read to me. It brought back so many feels! What I loved most about this book was Lily and Lo's character development. I loved how their battle against their addiction felt so realistic to me.
It wasn't that easy for Lo to get rid of drinking temptations since it was his way of coping with problems while growing up. In this book, a lot of things got too tough especially when he also had to deal with Lily's inner battle against sex addition and during those times, he started to feel like regressing. I saw the way he fought hard not to go back to his old lifestyle and for me, that was such a brave thing to do.
Lily's growth was also apparent. It was slow but progressive. In the previous books it seemed as though her addiction would be impossible to manage but in this book I really felt her struggle towards beating it. I totally admired her because even though the addiction always stays with her, she still continued to make such a huge effort to conquer it-- all for the love for herself, Lo, and her family.
It was a great read as a whole. The romance was all around the corner and the humor definitely made it worthwhile. Krista and Becca Ritchie really know how to capture a romance reader's heart.
“We're going to have our happy ending. It's just going to take us a little while to get there.”
(I buddyread this book with sis Bea. Check her lovely review by clicking her name.)
Lily and Lo. Lo and Lily. This couple always gets the best of me. I haven't continued this series until now for some reasons. But rehashing Lily and Lo's story along with Connor, Ryke, and the Calloway sisters was such a happy indulgence. I miss this gang so much!
I could say that reading Thrive helped me reminisce some details that I hardly remember. I loved that it felt like a re-read to me. It brought back so many feels! What I loved most about this book was Lily and Lo's character development. I loved how their battle against their addiction felt so realistic to me.
It wasn't that easy for Lo to get rid of drinking temptations since it was his way of coping with problems while growing up. In this book, a lot of things got too tough especially when he also had to deal with Lily's inner battle against sex addition and during those times, he started to feel like regressing. I saw the way he fought hard not to go back to his old lifestyle and for me, that was such a brave thing to do.
Lily's growth was also apparent. It was slow but progressive. In the previous books it seemed as though her addiction would be impossible to manage but in this book I really felt her struggle towards beating it. I totally admired her because even though the addiction always stays with her, she still continued to make such a huge effort to conquer it-- all for the love for herself, Lo, and her family.
It was a great read as a whole. The romance was all around the corner and the humor definitely made it worthwhile. Krista and Becca Ritchie really know how to capture a romance reader's heart.
“We aren't connected by our addictions. But by our childhood. Souls fused together from the very, very start.”
January 4, 2026
Two years will change them forever. Let the countdown begin…
Thrive takes place during the events from Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower but is written from Lily & Lo’s POV. I was curious to find out EXACTLY how they were both doing behind the scenes, regarding their addictions, however I did find the plot slightly repetitive due to the nature of the storyline.
Having said that, I am glad that the authors provided us with this part of the LiLo story as it proved to be an important part of their journey; the last 1/3 was particularly important and brand-new information 👀
With the paparazzi constantly on their tails, one rumor could be too much for them to handle. We watch first hand as their limitations are stretched beyond belief, and if they don’t hold on to each other, someone is going down… 🫣
"We’re going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.” 💖 ✨
Ah, going back to Lil and Lo’s POV was like going home. Right back to where this all began. It really got me thinking how far they have both come and how their depth of character and emotions have changed over time. They are no longer struggling teens, they are struggling adults. And with that comes greater responsibility…
I feel like I have said pretty much all there is to say about this book without giving away some MAJOR plot developments. I still have a special place in my heart for Lily and Lo, although I think Daisy has beaten them to top place 🥇
Their relationship is so complex and ever-changing. It can be heartbreaking to witness at times but also incredibly fulfilling. One thing is for sure - their love for each other is undeniable and unshakable.
"Our love is rare. It’s one I can’t abandon, even if I tried. When she screams, an identical one rips through me. When she cries, my world rains with grief. When she loves, I truly, truly fly." 💖✨
Overall, this book was like a little extra gift added on to the previous two books. I didn’t expect it but it was necessary before we can move forward with the series. Stay strong LiLo, I am rooting for you 🤜🏽
"There will always be bad days, but it’s how we live those bad days that counts."
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thrive takes place during the events from Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower but is written from Lily & Lo’s POV. I was curious to find out EXACTLY how they were both doing behind the scenes, regarding their addictions, however I did find the plot slightly repetitive due to the nature of the storyline.
Having said that, I am glad that the authors provided us with this part of the LiLo story as it proved to be an important part of their journey; the last 1/3 was particularly important and brand-new information 👀
With the paparazzi constantly on their tails, one rumor could be too much for them to handle. We watch first hand as their limitations are stretched beyond belief, and if they don’t hold on to each other, someone is going down… 🫣
"We’re going to have our happy ending. It just may take us awhile to get there.” 💖 ✨
Ah, going back to Lil and Lo’s POV was like going home. Right back to where this all began. It really got me thinking how far they have both come and how their depth of character and emotions have changed over time. They are no longer struggling teens, they are struggling adults. And with that comes greater responsibility…
I feel like I have said pretty much all there is to say about this book without giving away some MAJOR plot developments. I still have a special place in my heart for Lily and Lo, although I think Daisy has beaten them to top place 🥇
Their relationship is so complex and ever-changing. It can be heartbreaking to witness at times but also incredibly fulfilling. One thing is for sure - their love for each other is undeniable and unshakable.
"Our love is rare. It’s one I can’t abandon, even if I tried. When she screams, an identical one rips through me. When she cries, my world rains with grief. When she loves, I truly, truly fly." 💖✨
Overall, this book was like a little extra gift added on to the previous two books. I didn’t expect it but it was necessary before we can move forward with the series. Stay strong LiLo, I am rooting for you 🤜🏽
"There will always be bad days, but it’s how we live those bad days that counts."
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Currently reading
January 15, 2026.𖥔 ݁ 🪐˖ , I’ve been putting off this series for far too long, almost like I knew it would demand something from me emotionally. But here I am, finally stepping into it, and the premise alone tells me I’m not getting a gentle ride.
This already feels like the kind of story where love is intense, messy, and tested under pressure. I’m going in expecting raw emotions, private struggles played out under public eyes, and characters who feel everything to their limits. The idea of devotion being both a refuge and a risk has me completely intrigued.
I don’t know how much this book will hurt or comfort me, but I’m ready for honesty, passion, and relationships that refuse to be simple. If this delivers emotional depth and characters who fight for each other no matter what, I’ll consider the wait worth it.
Going in curious, nervous, and finally ready to see what I’ve been missing. <𝟑 .ᐟ
This already feels like the kind of story where love is intense, messy, and tested under pressure. I’m going in expecting raw emotions, private struggles played out under public eyes, and characters who feel everything to their limits. The idea of devotion being both a refuge and a risk has me completely intrigued.
I don’t know how much this book will hurt or comfort me, but I’m ready for honesty, passion, and relationships that refuse to be simple. If this delivers emotional depth and characters who fight for each other no matter what, I’ll consider the wait worth it.
Going in curious, nervous, and finally ready to see what I’ve been missing. <𝟑 .ᐟ
January 30, 2025
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Umm—- dare I say this may be like my favorite one so far??? I literally could not stand before this and now I think he’s inching up to be in my top faves(don’t worry Connor you’ll always be my number one). But genuinely this one changed my opinion on the series and I’m dialed in
Umm—- dare I say this may be like my favorite one so far??? I literally could not stand before this and now I think he’s inching up to be in my top faves(don’t worry Connor you’ll always be my number one). But genuinely this one changed my opinion on the series and I’m dialed in
January 4, 2026
Okay so I know I said I'm aware this is the previous books but their perspective and that I'll read anything to make this universe a tad longer... but there was no need for this book.. I think this is why I didn't binge it like the others . anyway the binging will continue and I love them so much in case it's not obvious yet 😭❤️
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July 17, 2014
**Bonus Material from Thrive: Daisy's 17th Birthday Party**
**First Official Teaser Poster**
Krista and I talk all the time about how this book is really dedicated to the fans. It contains some of the crazy, wild, insane, dramatic moments from Kiss the Sky & Hothouse Flower in Lily & Lo's POVs -- plus the months that those books didn't even cover. It's largely NEW material (about 80%).
It should not be skipped if you haven't read the Calloway Sisters spin-off series. Really, we don't suggest skipping this one at all. It's vital to the Addicted series and Lily & Lo's story. We strongly suggest this recommended reading order.) Thrive is a pretty important stage for Lily & Lo, and it's one we really love. We hope you do too!
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