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Black Rose #1
Blush
What he wants from you will make you… Blush
Amanda Thomas is hopelessly in love with Jackson Paris, but he will never see her as anything more than his sweet and innocent bestie. After being virgin-adjacent for too long, Mandy is officially ready to move on. She wants to learn about hot, dirty sex, so she joins an online dating app where the enigmatic Mr. Dark promises to fulfill all of her wicked fantasies...
Jackson Paris has been keeping secrets from his stunning, too-innocent best friend―like forbidden sexual proclivities and his membership at the exclusive Black Rose Underground club. But Mandy has decided she needs an education―the filthy kind. As Mr. Dark, Jackson can safely give her a taste of what she wants―and deter her from pursuing more―without revealing his identity.
But in the dim, provocative atmosphere of Black Rose Underground, there are no secrets. Here, every wicked appetite is satisfied. And for the first time, Mandy will discover who her best friend really is...just in time to shock him with a secret of her own.
Each book in the Black Rose series is STANDALONE:
* Blush
* Bloom
Amanda Thomas is hopelessly in love with Jackson Paris, but he will never see her as anything more than his sweet and innocent bestie. After being virgin-adjacent for too long, Mandy is officially ready to move on. She wants to learn about hot, dirty sex, so she joins an online dating app where the enigmatic Mr. Dark promises to fulfill all of her wicked fantasies...
Jackson Paris has been keeping secrets from his stunning, too-innocent best friend―like forbidden sexual proclivities and his membership at the exclusive Black Rose Underground club. But Mandy has decided she needs an education―the filthy kind. As Mr. Dark, Jackson can safely give her a taste of what she wants―and deter her from pursuing more―without revealing his identity.
But in the dim, provocative atmosphere of Black Rose Underground, there are no secrets. Here, every wicked appetite is satisfied. And for the first time, Mandy will discover who her best friend really is...just in time to shock him with a secret of her own.
Each book in the Black Rose series is STANDALONE:
* Blush
* Bloom
336 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2023
391 people are currently reading
1964 people want to read
About the author
Helen Hardt
202 books8,325 followers#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.
Join my official street team on Facebook, Hardt & Soul, for exclusive excerpts and giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardt...
Unchained (Blood Bond Saga: One) is FREE!! Get it here:
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Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga Book 10) is AVAILABLE! Get it here👇
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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xYJ70H
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Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_Breathless
Join my official street team on Facebook, Hardt & Soul, for exclusive excerpts and giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardt...
Unchained (Blood Bond Saga: One) is FREE!! Get it here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2OccbIv
Nook: http://bit.ly/2u5tFOc
iBooks: https://apple.co/2KZpwSi
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2N0srL2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2u7bHe0
Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga Book 10) is AVAILABLE! Get it here👇
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NV9oa5
Nook: http://bit.ly/2zEclDb
iBooks: https://apple.co/2xWg393
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xYJ70H
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xKZGwJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_Breathless
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
December 14, 2022
Blush is extremely hot, stimulating, hyperventilating! I loved Jackson and Mandy’s mind blowing chemistry! They were amazing together!
I only disliked the repetitive cycle including their urge to restraint their feelings and their stubbornness not to come clean even though everyone in their close circle sees exactly what they mean for each other! I want to slap Jackson’s forehead and scream at him to talk to the girl! She’s not sweet and innocent as she seems!
I enjoyed Steel Brother series! And I have to thank to Helen Hardt for help me to heal my erotic romance cravings. I’m not interested in reading Frankie’s story ( probably she’ll have romance with Ben Black who was more interesting character for me) but I never say no to see more Mandy and Jackson!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Engtangled Publishing LLC for sharing this steamy arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I only disliked the repetitive cycle including their urge to restraint their feelings and their stubbornness not to come clean even though everyone in their close circle sees exactly what they mean for each other! I want to slap Jackson’s forehead and scream at him to talk to the girl! She’s not sweet and innocent as she seems!
I enjoyed Steel Brother series! And I have to thank to Helen Hardt for help me to heal my erotic romance cravings. I’m not interested in reading Frankie’s story ( probably she’ll have romance with Ben Black who was more interesting character for me) but I never say no to see more Mandy and Jackson!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Engtangled Publishing LLC for sharing this steamy arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
January 25, 2023
Meh! Very plotless and repetitive. It read more like BDSM for dummies than a romance novel with so much info dump. The characters were bland and their chemistry was nonexistent.
January 25, 2023
Damn, I love her books! So good!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hardt knows how to grab your attention in her stories! She simply pours on the heat and steam while lacing with bits of erotica and light BDSM for a fabulous reading experience.
One of the first things I fell for was the characters together. The best friend trope was so easily delivered with the simmering heat just below the surface. The painfully slow realization of the reality of their love was crazy! I could not turn the pages fast enough!
Blush brings so many emotions to the table. I loved that it was mainly focused on Jack and Mandy with other characters on the fringe and not highly involved with the day-to-day. That for me is huge!
This book has everything you want in a fabulous love story. It is captivating and definitely a must-read if you love a deeply connected burning love match that will fire you up inside.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/blush-by-hel...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hardt knows how to grab your attention in her stories! She simply pours on the heat and steam while lacing with bits of erotica and light BDSM for a fabulous reading experience.
One of the first things I fell for was the characters together. The best friend trope was so easily delivered with the simmering heat just below the surface. The painfully slow realization of the reality of their love was crazy! I could not turn the pages fast enough!
Blush brings so many emotions to the table. I loved that it was mainly focused on Jack and Mandy with other characters on the fringe and not highly involved with the day-to-day. That for me is huge!
This book has everything you want in a fabulous love story. It is captivating and definitely a must-read if you love a deeply connected burning love match that will fire you up inside.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/blush-by-hel...
September 8, 2023
this reads like a 15 year old just discovered what wattpad, polyvore (iykyk, rip legend) and the most minimal of what a bdsm kink is all on the same day
~~~~~
i already know this’ll be a 1.5-2 at best for me and im considering DNFing so jumping ahead of myself on the review here lmao at first it was funny and now i am just baffled at how im 50% in the bffs have fucked vanilla once and he was immediately a douche to her after, he is allegedly so into bdsm and leather but we’ve seen none of that, zero groveling, zero awareness that she is in love with him, her sister is so fucking annoying i WISH someone would muzzle her, the fashion choices are driving me NUTS
i was so hyped for this book bc bestfriend teaches her spicy stuff is a fav of mine rn and honestly that just serves me right for not going into it blind like i have been with everything else the last several months bc i had expectations and they were absolutely shitted on with grotesque diarrhea LMAO
~~~~~
i already know this’ll be a 1.5-2 at best for me and im considering DNFing so jumping ahead of myself on the review here lmao at first it was funny and now i am just baffled at how im 50% in the bffs have fucked vanilla once and he was immediately a douche to her after, he is allegedly so into bdsm and leather but we’ve seen none of that, zero groveling, zero awareness that she is in love with him, her sister is so fucking annoying i WISH someone would muzzle her, the fashion choices are driving me NUTS
i was so hyped for this book bc bestfriend teaches her spicy stuff is a fav of mine rn and honestly that just serves me right for not going into it blind like i have been with everything else the last several months bc i had expectations and they were absolutely shitted on with grotesque diarrhea LMAO
July 2, 2024
Mandy is 29 and an introvert who enjoys being a virtual assistant to an author and working from home. Jackson is her childhood best friend who she is in love with. They talk and see each other multiple times during each week. She doesn’t think he’ll ever be interested in her and so she decides to put herself on a dating app with the idea of hooking up with others to gain more experience. Jackson is very experienced and belongs to a sex club where he enjoys being dominant in scenes. The story is told from both POVs alternating each chapter. Jackson decides to take Mandy to his club while in disguise hoping to frighten some sense into her.
It sounds like an interesting premise but honestly not a whole lot happens. Jackson’s chapters are him vacillating between she is too innocent for his world and wanting her. Her chapters are more straight forward and she is intrigued and interested. His disguise ruse falls apart surprisingly early with her knowing who takes her to the club. And I am perplexed that although she describes herself as an introvert she is able to go out for drinks and clubbing with her sister and friends with no issue.
The book falls into the erotica category with some BDSM but at the 75 percent mark there is only 1.5 steamy interactions between the MCs. It seems more explicit because of Jackson’s thoughts and happenings at the club. And personally I threw up a little in my mouth every time he uses his nickname for her of Mandy Cakes. I was bothered in the beginning as there are body shaming comments as she is curvy and orders food in a bar while her sister and friends won't eat. But when she goes to the gym the personal trainer talks to her about health and toning. She isn’t plus size. And half way through the book those comments go away. I liked her sister who is engaged but I wasn’t’ invested in any of the other characters.
Overall I thought the book is repetitive. Especially with Jackson’s thoughts and not making up his mind of what he wants. The book can be read as a stand alone but the ending scene lets you know the series will continue. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
It sounds like an interesting premise but honestly not a whole lot happens. Jackson’s chapters are him vacillating between she is too innocent for his world and wanting her. Her chapters are more straight forward and she is intrigued and interested. His disguise ruse falls apart surprisingly early with her knowing who takes her to the club. And I am perplexed that although she describes herself as an introvert she is able to go out for drinks and clubbing with her sister and friends with no issue.
The book falls into the erotica category with some BDSM but at the 75 percent mark there is only 1.5 steamy interactions between the MCs. It seems more explicit because of Jackson’s thoughts and happenings at the club. And personally I threw up a little in my mouth every time he uses his nickname for her of Mandy Cakes. I was bothered in the beginning as there are body shaming comments as she is curvy and orders food in a bar while her sister and friends won't eat. But when she goes to the gym the personal trainer talks to her about health and toning. She isn’t plus size. And half way through the book those comments go away. I liked her sister who is engaged but I wasn’t’ invested in any of the other characters.
Overall I thought the book is repetitive. Especially with Jackson’s thoughts and not making up his mind of what he wants. The book can be read as a stand alone but the ending scene lets you know the series will continue. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2023
Thank you to the author Helen Hardt, publishers Entangle: Amara Press, and TLC Book Tours, for an advance paperback copy of THE WITCH HITCH. Thank you also to NetGalley for an accompanying widget. All views are mine.
Full review on my blog!
When I was invited to read BLOOM, Helen Hardt's follow up to BLUSH, I said absolutely, yes, I mean, have you seen these covers? They are gorgeous! I asked to read BLUSH first, so I could see where the story started and I went in completely blind. I like surprises.
And wow was I surprised. ...
...
I'm so excited to read the last book in the series, BLOSSOM, due out January 24. Honestly, I'm totally sold on the series. And I'm not typically a series girl! But this is really good work!
Blush:
Cover: 5
Character Work: 4.5
Story: 4
Settings / World Work: 3.5
Ending: 4
Steam: 5
Rating: 4.33
Recommend? Definitely!
Dates finished: July 27 (Blush) and 28 (Bloom)
Format: Advance Digital Copy (NetGalley) and Paperback (TLC Book Tours)
Full review on my blog!
When I was invited to read BLOOM, Helen Hardt's follow up to BLUSH, I said absolutely, yes, I mean, have you seen these covers? They are gorgeous! I asked to read BLUSH first, so I could see where the story started and I went in completely blind. I like surprises.
And wow was I surprised. ...
...
I'm so excited to read the last book in the series, BLOSSOM, due out January 24. Honestly, I'm totally sold on the series. And I'm not typically a series girl! But this is really good work!
Blush:
Cover: 5
Character Work: 4.5
Story: 4
Settings / World Work: 3.5
Ending: 4
Steam: 5
Rating: 4.33
Recommend? Definitely!
Dates finished: July 27 (Blush) and 28 (Bloom)
Format: Advance Digital Copy (NetGalley) and Paperback (TLC Book Tours)
July 17, 2024
2,5 ⭐️
Amanda este îndrăgostită iremediabil de Jackson, prietenul ei din copilărie, dar el nu o va vedea niciodată mai mult decât prietena lui cea mai bună, dulce și inocentă, însă Mandy este oficial pregătită să meargă mai departe. Vrea să învețe despre sexul fierbinte și murdar, așa că se înscrie într-o aplicație de întâlniri online, unde enigmaticul domn Dark promite să-i îndeplinească toate fanteziile...
Jackson a ținut secrete față de Amanda, cum ar fi înclinațiile sexuale interzise și apartenența sa la un clubul exclusivist. Dar Mandy a decis că are nevoie de o educație - de genul murdar. În calitate de Mr. Dark, Jackson îi poate oferi în siguranță un strop din ceea ce își dorește, fără a-și dezvălui identitatea.
Dar în atmosfera întunecată și provocatoare de la Black Rose Underground, nu există secrete...
Așa potențial mi s-a părut că are “Blush”, având în vedere ce bine a început și cât m-a intrigat, dar ceva n-a mai funcționat cum trebuie o dată ce am pătruns în poveste, iar aici a fost de vină Jackson 🤷🏻♀️, pentru mine. Ținând cont de faptul că personajele sunt adulte, aproape de vârsta de 30 de ani, Jackson avea un comportament de adolescent, uneori, și începuse să mă irite. L-aș fi preferat mai hotărât, să-și asume riscuri, nu să o tot dea după vișin…
De Amanda mi-a plăcut, în mare parte din poveste, și de la ea aș fi vrut să fie o idee mai înfiptă, să nu tot accepte atâtea du-te - vino, să pună piciorul în prag, mai ales că lăsa impresia că știe ce-și dorește. Am înțeles ideea cu dorința de a păstra prietenia construită de-a lungul anilor, dar o dată ce se schimbă sentimentele și devin altele decât unele de amiciție, îți asumi, părerea mea 🤷🏻♀️.
Iar finalul…m-a dezamăgit complet. Mă așteptam la cu totul altceva, parcă nu-și avea locul, totul ca din topor a venit și parcă nicio noimă. Nu știu exact ce a avut autoarea să facă cu povestea, dar mi s-a părut că și-a pierdut ideile pe parcurs.
Nu critic, că nu sunt în măsură, dar ceva nu a funcționat cum trebuie pentru mine cu volumul ăsta și mi-e ciudă, dar clar continui seria, că-s prea curioasă de povestea lui Frankie și a lui Mary.
Amanda este îndrăgostită iremediabil de Jackson, prietenul ei din copilărie, dar el nu o va vedea niciodată mai mult decât prietena lui cea mai bună, dulce și inocentă, însă Mandy este oficial pregătită să meargă mai departe. Vrea să învețe despre sexul fierbinte și murdar, așa că se înscrie într-o aplicație de întâlniri online, unde enigmaticul domn Dark promite să-i îndeplinească toate fanteziile...
Jackson a ținut secrete față de Amanda, cum ar fi înclinațiile sexuale interzise și apartenența sa la un clubul exclusivist. Dar Mandy a decis că are nevoie de o educație - de genul murdar. În calitate de Mr. Dark, Jackson îi poate oferi în siguranță un strop din ceea ce își dorește, fără a-și dezvălui identitatea.
Dar în atmosfera întunecată și provocatoare de la Black Rose Underground, nu există secrete...
Așa potențial mi s-a părut că are “Blush”, având în vedere ce bine a început și cât m-a intrigat, dar ceva n-a mai funcționat cum trebuie o dată ce am pătruns în poveste, iar aici a fost de vină Jackson 🤷🏻♀️, pentru mine. Ținând cont de faptul că personajele sunt adulte, aproape de vârsta de 30 de ani, Jackson avea un comportament de adolescent, uneori, și începuse să mă irite. L-aș fi preferat mai hotărât, să-și asume riscuri, nu să o tot dea după vișin…
De Amanda mi-a plăcut, în mare parte din poveste, și de la ea aș fi vrut să fie o idee mai înfiptă, să nu tot accepte atâtea du-te - vino, să pună piciorul în prag, mai ales că lăsa impresia că știe ce-și dorește. Am înțeles ideea cu dorința de a păstra prietenia construită de-a lungul anilor, dar o dată ce se schimbă sentimentele și devin altele decât unele de amiciție, îți asumi, părerea mea 🤷🏻♀️.
Iar finalul…m-a dezamăgit complet. Mă așteptam la cu totul altceva, parcă nu-și avea locul, totul ca din topor a venit și parcă nicio noimă. Nu știu exact ce a avut autoarea să facă cu povestea, dar mi s-a părut că și-a pierdut ideile pe parcurs.
Nu critic, că nu sunt în măsură, dar ceva nu a funcționat cum trebuie pentru mine cu volumul ăsta și mi-e ciudă, dar clar continui seria, că-s prea curioasă de povestea lui Frankie și a lui Mary.
February 5, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review
1 star!
Ooooooooof I was so ready for this. I was intrigued by the story and was hoping for the story to unfold to the reveal of Mr. Sexy and how Mandy would take the news when it was all revealed.
But nope. I sadly didn't enjoy this at all.
There were a few things I didn't enjoy. For most part, with how it's written, it's very in the characters too much scene by scene. So it feels like nothing really happens. Also, I was worried for this as soon as I read 'my boring grey eyes'.
Another thing was that the reveal was done WAY too early. Far too early. I was really thinking this would go on for a while, BUT THEN she just knew it was him and didn't even seem bothered by it.
Really not for me, but it might be for someone else.
1 star!
Ooooooooof I was so ready for this. I was intrigued by the story and was hoping for the story to unfold to the reveal of Mr. Sexy and how Mandy would take the news when it was all revealed.
But nope. I sadly didn't enjoy this at all.
There were a few things I didn't enjoy. For most part, with how it's written, it's very in the characters too much scene by scene. So it feels like nothing really happens. Also, I was worried for this as soon as I read 'my boring grey eyes'.
Another thing was that the reveal was done WAY too early. Far too early. I was really thinking this would go on for a while, BUT THEN she just knew it was him and didn't even seem bothered by it.
Really not for me, but it might be for someone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2022
The idea was good, but in the end the book was boring. We spend way too much time inside their heads, and seeing the same internal monologue over and over again. Also, I'm really put off by the "she's so innocent and he's so experienced" trope. Let's normalise experienced women living the dream :D
February 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. Amanda and Jackson are firmly stuck in the best friend zone until Amanda decides it’s time for her to own her sexuality and explore kinks she’s intrigued by. The fact Jackson is who she’s secretly exploring them with adds a fun, almost voyeur aspect to the story.
So if you like your books with a dash of kink this one’s for you.
I received an arc of this book
So if you like your books with a dash of kink this one’s for you.
I received an arc of this book
December 5, 2022
*Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me an ARC for my honest review. All opinions are unbiased and mine alone.*
Childhood best friends to lovers…? Mandy and Jackson have been best friends since they were in diapers. They have had some fleeting thoughts about the other romantically, but neither thinks the other is interested. When Mandy wants to broaden her sexual horizons, she looks to a dating app to do so. Jackson doesn’t like this, so tries to get Mandy to be scared off of the app, even though he doesn’t fully understand why. As they delve deep into Jackson’s proclivities, they both realize they could be exactly what the other has been missing.
This book is mostly smut, so if you’re looking for a quick, impersonal read, this is your book. Not for me, as it seemed repetitive with their internal monologues. The trope of “she’s so innocent, my Mandy Cakes” and “he couldn’t possibly be in love with me too, he’s so experienced” just didn’t work for me.
I would be interested to read about her sister Frankie and fiancé Penn in the next book, Blossom.
Not my favorite read and I wouldn’t recommend because it’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but I wouldn’t pick it up again.
I’m not opposed to reading another of Helen Hardt’s books.
Childhood best friends to lovers…? Mandy and Jackson have been best friends since they were in diapers. They have had some fleeting thoughts about the other romantically, but neither thinks the other is interested. When Mandy wants to broaden her sexual horizons, she looks to a dating app to do so. Jackson doesn’t like this, so tries to get Mandy to be scared off of the app, even though he doesn’t fully understand why. As they delve deep into Jackson’s proclivities, they both realize they could be exactly what the other has been missing.
This book is mostly smut, so if you’re looking for a quick, impersonal read, this is your book. Not for me, as it seemed repetitive with their internal monologues. The trope of “she’s so innocent, my Mandy Cakes” and “he couldn’t possibly be in love with me too, he’s so experienced” just didn’t work for me.
I would be interested to read about her sister Frankie and fiancé Penn in the next book, Blossom.
Not my favorite read and I wouldn’t recommend because it’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but I wouldn’t pick it up again.
I’m not opposed to reading another of Helen Hardt’s books.
January 25, 2023
Another amazing book by Helen Hardt.
Mandy is in love with her best friend Jackson. She feels like he doesn’t have the same feelings for her and she is willing to keep in in the best friend zone.
It isn’t until she sets up a online dating profile and Jackson becomes Mr Dark and sexy. Once he brings her to Black Rose Underground to try and turn her off from finding a teacher that she figures it out that it was him.
Scared that they have ruined their friendship it takes one encounter to change everything for the both of them.
I love that we got to dive back into Braden’s underground world and also got to see some familiar names.
I can’t wait for the next one.
Mandy is in love with her best friend Jackson. She feels like he doesn’t have the same feelings for her and she is willing to keep in in the best friend zone.
It isn’t until she sets up a online dating profile and Jackson becomes Mr Dark and sexy. Once he brings her to Black Rose Underground to try and turn her off from finding a teacher that she figures it out that it was him.
Scared that they have ruined their friendship it takes one encounter to change everything for the both of them.
I love that we got to dive back into Braden’s underground world and also got to see some familiar names.
I can’t wait for the next one.
December 27, 2022
Blush is a standalone erotic best-friends to lover’s romance novel by bestselling author, Helen Hardt. I’d class this as erotica but with a sweet friends to lovers storyline and enough plot that will keep you entertained between spicy scenes and have you cheering for the main characters to get their happy ever after. I enjoyed this fun and easy to read romance. A perfect escapism book for people wanting something light hearted and cheeky to pass an afternoon. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
December 26, 2022
Loved this. I wasn't surprised how much I enjoyed it, Helen Hardt is a great writer . I have enjoyed many of her books and series in the past
This one was different, though. It was kinky, hot, and steamy but had a softer side without the darker twist that so many of her others have.
I loved all the characters in this, too, and I am curious to see where their journeys will take them also.
Im really looking forward to the next in this series .
This one was different, though. It was kinky, hot, and steamy but had a softer side without the darker twist that so many of her others have.
I loved all the characters in this, too, and I am curious to see where their journeys will take them also.
Im really looking forward to the next in this series .
October 13, 2024
i wish i could give a book negative stars. so much time I will never get back
January 8, 2023
Blush is an extremely spicy read. It is the intense and explosive chemistry I have come to expect when reading books by Helen Hardt.
I enjoyed the twist to this friend to lovers romance. I loved Jackson and Mandy. There has always been this underlying connection between these two and Mandy joining the dating app to educate herself was just the push Jackson needed.
My biggest complaint of this book and in similar stories written by the author is the repetitive nature of their evolution. The back and forth between them was overdone. I am so over friends to lovers romances with this inherent restraint between them and their feelings. The stubbornness of them not to come clean and to be put their feelings and attraction on the line dilutes the story. It has been done, it made the story feel tired and already told. There wasn’t anything that felt innovative about their relationship. JAckson and his lack of communicating his feelings made ragy at times.
I did enjoy this story. It just felt like I had already read it. The possibilities where there but it just felt like the author relied on the tried-and-true friends to lovers hang ups.
I enjoyed the twist to this friend to lovers romance. I loved Jackson and Mandy. There has always been this underlying connection between these two and Mandy joining the dating app to educate herself was just the push Jackson needed.
My biggest complaint of this book and in similar stories written by the author is the repetitive nature of their evolution. The back and forth between them was overdone. I am so over friends to lovers romances with this inherent restraint between them and their feelings. The stubbornness of them not to come clean and to be put their feelings and attraction on the line dilutes the story. It has been done, it made the story feel tired and already told. There wasn’t anything that felt innovative about their relationship. JAckson and his lack of communicating his feelings made ragy at times.
I did enjoy this story. It just felt like I had already read it. The possibilities where there but it just felt like the author relied on the tried-and-true friends to lovers hang ups.
February 9, 2024
“Blush” is a new adult romance novel while is also the first novel in Helen Hardt’s “Black Rose” trilogy. “Blush” focuses on the sexual awakening of Amanda “Mandy” Thomas’s unrequited love for best friend Jackson “Jack” Paris which eventually becomes something more.
The novel consists of fifty-six chapters, an epilogue, and a blurb about the author.
The novel begins by the reading being introduced to the main character twenty-nine-year-old Amanda “Mandy” Thomas as well as her younger sister Francesca aka Frankie. After Frankie shares with Mandy that her boyfriend of five years Pendleton “Penn” Berry has proposed, Mandy reflects on her lack of romantic relationships.
Since Mandy is an introvert and works as a virtual assistant for a romance author, she has no desire to make friends and has no desire to date. Mandy shares that has known Jack since they were babies but her romantic feelings for him surfaced when they are in high school. Mandy feels that Jack doesn’t see her as nothing other than a friend considering that he refers to her by a childhood nickname of “Mandy Cake.”
Tired of being ignored by Jackson, Amanda decides to join an online app to fulfill her wildest sexual fantasies. As Amanda explores the app looking for a sexual teacher, she discovers a prospect named Mr. Dark and Sexy.
After Mandy tells Jack that she’s signed up for a dating app, he’s surprised because he views her as too sweet and innocent to be exposed to a virtual meat market. Unbeknownst to Mandy, Jack thinks she beautiful but is off limits due to their lifelong friendship. Jack reluctantly helps Mandy to set up a profile to not draw attention to the wrong type of guy on the app.
As the novel progresses, the narration alternates between Mandy and Jack. To scare Mandy, Jack creates a profile on the same online app then invites her to a Black Rose Underground, sex club while wearing a disguise. When Mandy arrives at the bar, she’s surprised when she is given an NDA for the Black Rose Underground club and is shocked when she gets the sexual education she asked for in her app profile.
During her first time at the club, Mandy is surprised by how safe she feels with Mr. Dark and Sexy while Jack is shocked when Mandy doesn’t leave the club after arriving and he attempts to shock her by exposing her to various sexual acts. Jack reveals to the reader that he is a dominant and feels that Mandy is too innocent to submit to the type of sex he enjoys. After Jack and Mandy shares a kiss, he takes her to a private room and after he gets Mandy aroused, she reveals that she knows his true identity.
Mandy is soon thrown into the world if the sex club including being a submissive and wearing a collar to be protected from other dominants at the club. After being rejected by Jackson, Amanda decides to shed no more tears for him and starts attempting to date other guys to get over him.
After Jacks hurts a submissive during a scene, he considers taking a break from the club and Mandy but finds himself unable to stay away from her. Although Mandy has been his safe space, Jack reconsiders how tight their friendship is considering he’s hidden his dark side from her before realizing that he’s in love with her and has been in denial about it. Mandy reassures Jackson that no amount of sexual secrets he reveals will squash her love for him.
Despite Jack and Mandy having several sexual encounters, he worries about their friendship being scarified and drives Mandy away while he sorts out his feelings for her. After feeling played with by Jack, Mandy decides to find others to teach her how to be a submissive.
Following an ultimatum from a surprise source, Mandy cuts ties with Jack to focus on Frankie’s upcoming wedding. After a month of separation, Mandy has accepted that she and Jack will never be more than friends while Jack tries to decide if he is capable of being in a relationship with Mandy while being friends. When Jack promises to call Mandy but doesn’t, a dangerous situation leads to them reuniting in a hospital.
By the end of the novel, Jackson’s finally able to express his true feelings to Mandy. Although Mandy wants to believe that what Jackson’s is saying is true, she finds it hard to believe that he’d give up his dark sexual desires to be with her.
The novel ends with an epilogue occurring a month later. While Mandy and Jackson’s relationship has deepened, they are both shocked to see a familiar face in a compromising situation at the Black Rose Underground.
As I finished the novel. I liked the alternating narrator as well as Mandy’s sexual awakening, revelation and embracing of her submissive personality. Since I really enjoyed this novel, I definitely plan to read the next two books in the Black Rose trilogy.
The novel consists of fifty-six chapters, an epilogue, and a blurb about the author.
The novel begins by the reading being introduced to the main character twenty-nine-year-old Amanda “Mandy” Thomas as well as her younger sister Francesca aka Frankie. After Frankie shares with Mandy that her boyfriend of five years Pendleton “Penn” Berry has proposed, Mandy reflects on her lack of romantic relationships.
Since Mandy is an introvert and works as a virtual assistant for a romance author, she has no desire to make friends and has no desire to date. Mandy shares that has known Jack since they were babies but her romantic feelings for him surfaced when they are in high school. Mandy feels that Jack doesn’t see her as nothing other than a friend considering that he refers to her by a childhood nickname of “Mandy Cake.”
Tired of being ignored by Jackson, Amanda decides to join an online app to fulfill her wildest sexual fantasies. As Amanda explores the app looking for a sexual teacher, she discovers a prospect named Mr. Dark and Sexy.
After Mandy tells Jack that she’s signed up for a dating app, he’s surprised because he views her as too sweet and innocent to be exposed to a virtual meat market. Unbeknownst to Mandy, Jack thinks she beautiful but is off limits due to their lifelong friendship. Jack reluctantly helps Mandy to set up a profile to not draw attention to the wrong type of guy on the app.
As the novel progresses, the narration alternates between Mandy and Jack. To scare Mandy, Jack creates a profile on the same online app then invites her to a Black Rose Underground, sex club while wearing a disguise. When Mandy arrives at the bar, she’s surprised when she is given an NDA for the Black Rose Underground club and is shocked when she gets the sexual education she asked for in her app profile.
During her first time at the club, Mandy is surprised by how safe she feels with Mr. Dark and Sexy while Jack is shocked when Mandy doesn’t leave the club after arriving and he attempts to shock her by exposing her to various sexual acts. Jack reveals to the reader that he is a dominant and feels that Mandy is too innocent to submit to the type of sex he enjoys. After Jack and Mandy shares a kiss, he takes her to a private room and after he gets Mandy aroused, she reveals that she knows his true identity.
Mandy is soon thrown into the world if the sex club including being a submissive and wearing a collar to be protected from other dominants at the club. After being rejected by Jackson, Amanda decides to shed no more tears for him and starts attempting to date other guys to get over him.
After Jacks hurts a submissive during a scene, he considers taking a break from the club and Mandy but finds himself unable to stay away from her. Although Mandy has been his safe space, Jack reconsiders how tight their friendship is considering he’s hidden his dark side from her before realizing that he’s in love with her and has been in denial about it. Mandy reassures Jackson that no amount of sexual secrets he reveals will squash her love for him.
Despite Jack and Mandy having several sexual encounters, he worries about their friendship being scarified and drives Mandy away while he sorts out his feelings for her. After feeling played with by Jack, Mandy decides to find others to teach her how to be a submissive.
Following an ultimatum from a surprise source, Mandy cuts ties with Jack to focus on Frankie’s upcoming wedding. After a month of separation, Mandy has accepted that she and Jack will never be more than friends while Jack tries to decide if he is capable of being in a relationship with Mandy while being friends. When Jack promises to call Mandy but doesn’t, a dangerous situation leads to them reuniting in a hospital.
By the end of the novel, Jackson’s finally able to express his true feelings to Mandy. Although Mandy wants to believe that what Jackson’s is saying is true, she finds it hard to believe that he’d give up his dark sexual desires to be with her.
The novel ends with an epilogue occurring a month later. While Mandy and Jackson’s relationship has deepened, they are both shocked to see a familiar face in a compromising situation at the Black Rose Underground.
As I finished the novel. I liked the alternating narrator as well as Mandy’s sexual awakening, revelation and embracing of her submissive personality. Since I really enjoyed this novel, I definitely plan to read the next two books in the Black Rose trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2023
Jackson and Mandy are amazing in this story. They certainly made the book entertaining for me when they visited the club to partake in some kinky playfulness. I absolutely loved the plot of the story. Two best friends trying to figure out all these strange emotions that they have for one another and how can they expand upon them. The writer did a wonderful job of having the characters react upon those feelings separately. It did become a bit much when it became a constant back forth between the two main characters when they realized that they have strong feelings for each other. The sexual scenes were heated, but I believe that they could be more explosive. More explicit and sensual. I definitely loved how the story ended. I truly had high hopes for these two to find each other.
January 24, 2023
Blush by Helen Hardt is the First book in the Black Rose Series. This is the story of Jackson and Mandy. Mandy and Jackson have been best friends forever with a hint of wanting something more. But Jackson thinks Mandy isn't cut out for what he likes until he finds out that she does have a want for it. Enjoyed and can't wait to read more from this author and series.
January 22, 2023
Provocative, charged, and enticing!
Blush is a passionate, tantalizing, friends-to-more romance featuring the sweet, inexperienced Amanda, who has finally decided it’s time to move on and forget about her long-time crush she’s always had for her best friend, and the sinfully swoon-worthy Jackson, who is finding it harder and harder to keep his attraction for his best friend a secret, and realizes he may just have to be the one who introduces her to the joys of sex, especially the darker, kinkier side that he usually prefers.
The prose is steamy and intense. The characters are considerate, caring, and patient. And the plot is an alluring mix of exquisite chemistry, sultry dialogue, simmering tension, heat, heart, desire, drama, boundaries, pleasure, friendship, and love.
Overall, Blush is a tantalizing, dramatic, sexy start to this new Black Rose series by Hardt that has all the spicy elements we’ve come to know and love about her novels, including a little forbidden love, a lot of seduction, and some light BDSM fun.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Angela Melamud for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blush is a passionate, tantalizing, friends-to-more romance featuring the sweet, inexperienced Amanda, who has finally decided it’s time to move on and forget about her long-time crush she’s always had for her best friend, and the sinfully swoon-worthy Jackson, who is finding it harder and harder to keep his attraction for his best friend a secret, and realizes he may just have to be the one who introduces her to the joys of sex, especially the darker, kinkier side that he usually prefers.
The prose is steamy and intense. The characters are considerate, caring, and patient. And the plot is an alluring mix of exquisite chemistry, sultry dialogue, simmering tension, heat, heart, desire, drama, boundaries, pleasure, friendship, and love.
Overall, Blush is a tantalizing, dramatic, sexy start to this new Black Rose series by Hardt that has all the spicy elements we’ve come to know and love about her novels, including a little forbidden love, a lot of seduction, and some light BDSM fun.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Angela Melamud for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2023
NO, there are other books out there that are better. This one was so bad. Poorly executed and boring. Also, I felt like the author didn’t trust me to remember interactions with her characters that I literally just read about and so they were repeated over and over again through dialogue or in the POV characters inner dialogue and it drove me crazy. I think the idea had promise of tension and chemistry between our two love interests but it was done so poorly that instead of enjoying a natural build up of “will they, wont they” that I love in romance novels, I spent pretty much the entire time screaming “OMG JUST FREAKING BOINK BECAUSE THIS IS STUPID.”
And then they do and it was still… stupid. Yikes.
And then they do and it was still… stupid. Yikes.
April 30, 2024
I hated this book. It had SO much potential. The plot was like not there. It was disappointing from the very beginning. Mandy’s an introvert wanting all this BDSM stuff and Jackson and he’s very picky with what he’s willing to give. I WISH the reveal happen so so so much later. If she would have kept her mouth shut and went along with it, she could’ve gotten so much farther. I also feel as if the characters were so immature. I understand the thought process but as a young adult now, I have the maturity to be able to talk to other people. It just wasn’t for me. Way too much overthinking and not enough action. I imagined Mandy to be gorgeous tho and honestly if he wasn’t gonna great her right she should’ve looked elsewhere cuz she’s a queen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2022
Okay… where to start…
I was actually really excited that I got approved for Blush thinking it was going to be super romantic kinky etc…. However… and I totally hate to do this.. the book was unfortunately not for me. The pet names the constant repetition of the same phrases, and words I honestly felt like I was reading something a high school student wrote… I’m sorry for being completely honest but it was a no go for me..
Thank you NetGalley, Entangled: Amara, and Helen Hardt for the opportunity to read and review this e arc.
I was actually really excited that I got approved for Blush thinking it was going to be super romantic kinky etc…. However… and I totally hate to do this.. the book was unfortunately not for me. The pet names the constant repetition of the same phrases, and words I honestly felt like I was reading something a high school student wrote… I’m sorry for being completely honest but it was a no go for me..
Thank you NetGalley, Entangled: Amara, and Helen Hardt for the opportunity to read and review this e arc.
June 14, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this or at least tried. I DNF to listen to something less annoying.
The male narrator sounded like Batman when he was trying to be Mr. Sexy. Even thought it didn’t last long It’s a no for me…
Jackson’s ability not be able to see Mandy as anything other than pure is very primitive. I’m sure the author wanted to force the fact but it felt like every time he said Mandy’s or even the cringy Mandy cakes (which made my say eww out loud every time)he said she so innocent and naive.
The male narrator sounded like Batman when he was trying to be Mr. Sexy. Even thought it didn’t last long It’s a no for me…
Jackson’s ability not be able to see Mandy as anything other than pure is very primitive. I’m sure the author wanted to force the fact but it felt like every time he said Mandy’s or even the cringy Mandy cakes (which made my say eww out loud every time)he said she so innocent and naive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2023
I listened to the audiobook. Not much actually happens, it's dialogue heavy and very repetitive. It was comical that Jackson (H) was whispering the WHOLE TIME they were together at the club for the first time. Even if he wore a mask, coloured contacts, whispered and "added a rasp to his low tones," did he really think that his childhood friend couldn't tell who he was when they were right in front of each other? lmao. Like sorry, I couldn't take H seriously. Did he think he was Batman (2022) or something? He was also so indecisive it started to get on my nerves.
March 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this! I love a good friends to lovers romance and this was exactly that. With some spice 🌶️ I loved the writing style and it flowed nicely. The cliffhanger at the end was crazy! I can’t wait for the next one.
dnf
June 10, 2024DNF
Horrible writing and read like a terrible fanfic with the two characters repeating the same sentiments about the other over and over
Horrible writing and read like a terrible fanfic with the two characters repeating the same sentiments about the other over and over
December 2, 2022
Thank you so so much to the author and the publisher, Entangled Publishing Amara, for sharing an e-ARC of this spicy romance book with me on NetGalley!!
TW: bdsm dynamics, bondage, check general trigger warning at the beginning of the book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Tonight I will begin my education in the art of sex and seduction”
Blush, you say??? This book had me blushing, feeling frustrated and excited and so many other things from the beginning to the end !!!
Wow !!! I don’t think I can explain it differently !!! Wow !!!! And let me tell you that this “discrete” cover doesn’t being to cover the things that are happening to Jack and Mandy inside of it!!!
I’m absolutely in love !!! I never thought I could like so much a book like this one !!! Thank you so much to the publisher for, always, adding the trigger warning list at the beginning of the book. I believe that for this one that list was more than necessary!!! If you’re not comfortable with reading about bdsm and Dom/sub dynamics then, Jackson Paris is definitely not for you !!!
This is probably one of the few boos about a best friends to lovers development I actually fell hard for !!!
Definitely an unconventional turn of event !!
It all starts with Mandy asking her best friend (whom she happens to be madly in love since forever) to create a profile on a dating app. And then everything started going sideways!!!
Honestly I loved this book so much !!! Spicy, steamy, hot, so much … but also romantic and sweet !!! And after that epilogue ???? I need another book in this series of standalones !!
“All right. Your safe word is … blush”
“Come with me, Mandy. Come with me to the dark side”
TW: bdsm dynamics, bondage, check general trigger warning at the beginning of the book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Tonight I will begin my education in the art of sex and seduction”
Blush, you say??? This book had me blushing, feeling frustrated and excited and so many other things from the beginning to the end !!!
Wow !!! I don’t think I can explain it differently !!! Wow !!!! And let me tell you that this “discrete” cover doesn’t being to cover the things that are happening to Jack and Mandy inside of it!!!
I’m absolutely in love !!! I never thought I could like so much a book like this one !!! Thank you so much to the publisher for, always, adding the trigger warning list at the beginning of the book. I believe that for this one that list was more than necessary!!! If you’re not comfortable with reading about bdsm and Dom/sub dynamics then, Jackson Paris is definitely not for you !!!
This is probably one of the few boos about a best friends to lovers development I actually fell hard for !!!
Definitely an unconventional turn of event !!
It all starts with Mandy asking her best friend (whom she happens to be madly in love since forever) to create a profile on a dating app. And then everything started going sideways!!!
Honestly I loved this book so much !!! Spicy, steamy, hot, so much … but also romantic and sweet !!! And after that epilogue ???? I need another book in this series of standalones !!
“All right. Your safe word is … blush”
“Come with me, Mandy. Come with me to the dark side”
January 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review: 3 stars
Mandy finds herself in a midlife crisis when she hears that her younger sister, Frankie, will be getting married. She always had a longtime, major crush on her best friend, Jackson, but she knew he was never interested in her. To get over her feelings, she used a dating app to find someone to gain more experience. Little did she know, Jackson, whom she enlisted to help create her dating profile, uses the app to reel her in. His purpose: was to show her some sense and frighten her of the idea. As Jackson's taste runs on the kinky side, he disguises himself and brings Mandy to the BDSM club. Little did he know that Mandy's taste may almost run the same way.
When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. However, the book falls flat midway through, since the disguise ruse falls apart super early. For most of it, the characters are in denial about their feelings which leads to a push and pull and off/on miscommunication anddd it took multiple chapters of the same and an event for them to realize otherwise giving it a repetitive vibe. It was also told in both POVs which makes it entertaining but frustrating at the same time since the characters are predictable.
I wasn't invested in any of the side characters either. There were some parts where I felt Mandy perceived the side characters to be looking down at her and there was some fat shaming involved. I also don't understand why it feels like she woke up one day and says I need to go to the gym and this keeps coming up off and on.
This book is also deemed erotica with BDSM thrown into it. Spice levels were standard for what is expected.
Review: 3 stars
Mandy finds herself in a midlife crisis when she hears that her younger sister, Frankie, will be getting married. She always had a longtime, major crush on her best friend, Jackson, but she knew he was never interested in her. To get over her feelings, she used a dating app to find someone to gain more experience. Little did she know, Jackson, whom she enlisted to help create her dating profile, uses the app to reel her in. His purpose: was to show her some sense and frighten her of the idea. As Jackson's taste runs on the kinky side, he disguises himself and brings Mandy to the BDSM club. Little did he know that Mandy's taste may almost run the same way.
When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. However, the book falls flat midway through, since the disguise ruse falls apart super early. For most of it, the characters are in denial about their feelings which leads to a push and pull and off/on miscommunication anddd it took multiple chapters of the same and an event for them to realize otherwise giving it a repetitive vibe. It was also told in both POVs which makes it entertaining but frustrating at the same time since the characters are predictable.
I wasn't invested in any of the side characters either. There were some parts where I felt Mandy perceived the side characters to be looking down at her and there was some fat shaming involved. I also don't understand why it feels like she woke up one day and says I need to go to the gym and this keeps coming up off and on.
This book is also deemed erotica with BDSM thrown into it. Spice levels were standard for what is expected.
December 14, 2022
Blush is a spicy and fun friends-to-lovers romance.
When we first meet up with Mandy, she's at a bit of a crossroads in her life and is ready to find "the one". When she enlists her best friend Jackson to help her get out there and find the one, her world gets turned upside down in more ways than one....
I adored the friendship between Mandy and Jackson. Their friendship stood the test of time no matter how many obstacles stood in their way. I thought they had wonderful chemistry together and it was obvious that they both had deeper feelings for one another but were too scared to admit or act on them. That being said as much as I liked them together, these two frustrated me to no end. The back and forth drove me nuts. Jackson couldn't make up his mind with his feelings and I felt like he just strung Mandy along. I wish that Mandy had more of a backbone and didn't let Jackson toy with her the way that he did.
Overall, this book is an ok read. The writing is easy to get swept up in and the characters are easy to connect with. I did find the storyline to be a bit predictable and I do think the back-and-forth between Mandy and Jackson might be a turn-off for some readers. I think this is a book that readers are either going to love or going to hate. This reader is just somewhere in between.
*Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title.*
When we first meet up with Mandy, she's at a bit of a crossroads in her life and is ready to find "the one". When she enlists her best friend Jackson to help her get out there and find the one, her world gets turned upside down in more ways than one....
I adored the friendship between Mandy and Jackson. Their friendship stood the test of time no matter how many obstacles stood in their way. I thought they had wonderful chemistry together and it was obvious that they both had deeper feelings for one another but were too scared to admit or act on them. That being said as much as I liked them together, these two frustrated me to no end. The back and forth drove me nuts. Jackson couldn't make up his mind with his feelings and I felt like he just strung Mandy along. I wish that Mandy had more of a backbone and didn't let Jackson toy with her the way that he did.
Overall, this book is an ok read. The writing is easy to get swept up in and the characters are easy to connect with. I did find the storyline to be a bit predictable and I do think the back-and-forth between Mandy and Jackson might be a turn-off for some readers. I think this is a book that readers are either going to love or going to hate. This reader is just somewhere in between.
*Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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