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Gems of Wolfe Island #5

Opal: A Wolfes of Manhattan Novel

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She lashes out with spite and venom. He fights back with anger and passion.

Being held captive on a South Pacific island and forced to submit to the depravity of strange men was horrific, but it wasn’t the worst experience of Kelly Taylor’s life. Abused as a child and abandoned once she turned eighteen, Kelly is now free…except for the threatening text messages she’s receiving.

Ex-Navy SEAL Leif Ramsey—known as Phoenix—is only too happy to become personal security for the gorgeous Kelly…until she opens her mouth. Nothing but pure poison spews from her full pink lips. Still, it’s a job that pays very well, and Leif has certainly been through worse. He can handle a vicious young woman. After all, she’s been through hell. They have that in common.

Leif investigates Kelly’s threatening texts while trying to ignore his desire for his feisty charge. The sparks between them finally explode, but the threat to Kelly intensifies, and Leif vows to protect her no matter what.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

136 people are currently reading
175 people want to read

About the author

Helen Hardt

202 books8,332 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.

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5 stars
310 (70%)
4 stars
101 (22%)
3 stars
26 (5%)
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3 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Karen Aguilera.
257 reviews21 followers
January 15, 2023
This is book 5 in the series and they should be read in order.
This is Kelly’s story.
Kelly is having the hardest time after being rescued from the island.
After receiving threatening text messages the Wolfe family has decided to put Leif in charge of her protection.

Leif is ex Navy Seal and has the patience of a saint when having to deal with Kelly and her attitude.
He doesn’t give up and slowly wears her down by showing her he is not one of the bad guys.

Kelly is finally letting the ice melt around her heart a bit and making great strides to not always lashing out and looking at things so negatively.

I read this in one sitting as in typical Helen fashion it will suck you in until you reach the end. I can’t wait for Phoenixes story.
Profile Image for Jan Savage.
110 reviews
March 29, 2023
Well there’s so much more to Kelly life .And Leif comes in to be her body guard and it’s definitely interesting .Kelly has a bite and Leif gives it back which is great but they still haven’t gotten to who’s sending the texts and we’re still waiting on more info on her mother and how life really was for Kelly Everybody is trying to be patient with Kelly .Leif and Kelly have something special a connection and it’s starting to grow . I must say I hate at the end of the book there’s an extra bit but you have to go through book funnel to get the extra I’m not a fan I try and get it to go to iBooks never happen and have to use book funnel not a fan join this and have to put a code in seriously complicated .I’m seriously not happy about it and I think the books good of been bigger considering Kelly’s story isn’t finished.Times are hard financially already
Profile Image for Angela.
274 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2023
Leif Ramsey- Phoenix
Kelly Taylor- Opal

Someone is threatening Kelly, and she thinks its another survivor from the island.

Kelly has been through so much in her short life, from the way she was raised, to being abducted and held captive for 5 years on an island.
Her coping mechanism is to lash out, to strike at people hard and fast, before they can strike and hurt her.

Leif, and ex-Navy SEAL, now hired by the Wolfe family as private security detail, to watch over Kelly, to protect her from the threats made in the form of text messages.

Spending time with Kelly can be difficult at best, but Leif sticks it out...

Leif, there only because he's paid the big bucks, or so Kelly thinks...but the big bucks or not, the redheaded spitfire has lit a spark in him that can't seem to be distinguished.

Can Kelly see past the job description? See that Leif really does care, that there could possibly be more than just security protection between them.

Read Opal, Gems of Wolfe Island 5 to learn more about Kelly Taylor and Leif Ramsey.

As is her writing style, Helen Hardt left this book with a doozy of a cliffhanger. She is known as the queen after all. Now to wait for Phoenix to release, to get the rest of the story.

I rate this book with 5 huge stars...



5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Linda Dunn.
1,286 reviews29 followers
January 18, 2023
Just because I am strong enough to handle pain, doesn't mean I deserve it...

Kelly has only known and lived in a toxic environment. Her childhood set her up to be strong when she was taken to an island that was dangerous and destructive. When she was rescued, it left her in a callous frame of mind. She lashed out to the people who were only trying to help her recover.

Leif has been asked by the Wolfes to make sure no harm comes to her. Kelly has received disturbing threats against her. Leif is a calm and composed man due to his military experience as a Navy Seal. He admires Kelly's strength, but knows she is holding back secrets from her past.

I am eagerly awaiting for the next book in this series.
1,652 reviews8 followers
March 6, 2023
Opal (Kelly) and Leif are two people to be reckoned with!

Leif has been assigned to be Kelly’s bodyguard along with Buck by the Wolfes. They were both Navy Seals and have been through a lot. Kelly is Opal from The Island where the Wolfe’s father kept them to be hunted. She is really angry and expects everyone to have an ulterior motive for whatever they do. Her childhood was horrendous, too. She’s been getting threats, therefore the bodyguard. Leif gives her as good as he gets. She’s so not used to that. Will she ever thaw from being so angry she lashes out at everyone? There story is one of intrigue and anticipation, with steam and suspense mixed with angst. The cliffhanger creeps up on you like no other I’ve read. Can’t wait to read what happens next.
Profile Image for Corinne Akers.
1,151 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2023
Opal

Wait! What? I was just getting ready to turn the page and try to find out what the text was and there was no more!!!! What are you trying to do to me!! Gaaah!

I do like that Lief is working on Kelly and she is finally starting to come around a bit. But who is sending the texts? And what is up with her mother?

As always though, another amazing book. I would like to hear more depth about what happened in Kelly’s childhood between her and her mother to make the so estranged. Like is it a Mommy Dearest type of situation or more of a Sybil type of situation - on what level are we dealing with here? Because Kelly is really bitter and lashes out and I just want to understand her backstory. Overall, I have to say I loved the book!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Sharon Wingo.
359 reviews10 followers
February 21, 2025
What an ending! Talk about a cliffhanger.. Kelly(Opal) has lived her whole life as a victim of abuse, then she was taken to the island. Now that she’s in the Wolfe’s apartment building she is receiving threatening texts. Leif has been assigned as her bodyguard and promises to keep her safe and find out who is sending her the texts.
Now I need to go start Phoenix to see what the last threat was because…in typical Helen Hardt fashion, she ended this book with Leif looking at the text Kelly just received. Read these books! Sooo good!
1,142 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2023
Holy cow, what a place to end!!!! Can Phoenix get here any sooner? Kelly is bitter about things that happened in her childhood and lashes out at everyone first because she thinks everyone is out to hurt her, because that is all she has know. Leif thinks she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met and try’s hard to get past her bitter anger. Will he succeed?
29 reviews
May 10, 2024
Opal

Opal & Phoenix .. Ying to Yang what a great adventure! I loved this story with its highs and lows. I sometimes wanted to slap Opal. Yet, I understand abuse because of the kids I service on a daily basis from the foster care system. There are truly many blurred lines between love and hate!
Profile Image for SizzlingSpoilers BookReviewer.
332 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2025
2.5/5🌶️

The abuses the survivors continue, who their abusers were and how they evaded capture/repercussions is discovered and we get to sort of enjoy how Kelly drives everyone insane with her bad attitude which is really a shield because of all the pain she went through since childhood. But of course, her bodyguard "pulls a Raven!" aka falls in love with her.
Profile Image for karen.
1,627 reviews
March 30, 2023
I love Lief. Kelly gas been through so much.she is sarcastic and mean to protect herself before someone can hurt her. Her mother is a bitch. A build up to who is te ting her. But sex a little too soon. Stopped at wrong spot. Could have combined the two books
587 reviews
February 21, 2025
Anger and resentment.

Kelly and Leif's story includes flashbacks of abuse and torture, constant arguments, deadly threats and passion. Their tale continues in the next book, Phoenix.
326 reviews
May 10, 2025
Another done and it contains some good plot twists. I love how patient Leif is with Kelley. He knows there are more layers to her than meets the eye. He is taking his time to uncover each layer and it will be worth the wait. On to The Phoenix
Profile Image for Bec.
2,107 reviews11 followers
March 4, 2023
Gah too short. I need more in this series.
So many twists.
Recommend to all
Profile Image for Bobbie.
1,560 reviews
March 5, 2023
Intriguing romantic suspense. Great characters.
Profile Image for Sue.
39 reviews
March 7, 2023
Opal

I loved it but a bit shorter than the other books. I'd really love to know how Leif and Kelly end up. I'll be waiting for Phoenix to be released.
Profile Image for Sharilyn Russell.
975 reviews4 followers
March 7, 2023
Riveting

Another great story, that I couldn’t put down. You are brought into the story and feel like an observer sitting right next to them
Profile Image for Tina Mitchell.
228 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2023
Powerful !!

I can't wait for Phenix this series is the absolute best !! I would recommend this series to all my book loving friends ..
403 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2023
Opal

I really enjoyed reading this book and wait to find out what happens next. My heart goes out to Kelly. I hope Kelly and Leif end up together.

48 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2023
awesome read

Another great read!
Can’t wait to read the next installment to Lief and Kelly’s story.
Five stars plus!
Helen is the best!
Profile Image for Joanna Wilson.
53 reviews
August 18, 2023
Another great book from Helen!!

Love, love, love this book! I read this one quickly, so I was surprised when it ended. On to the last book of the series....
Profile Image for Jess T.
144 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2023
Every time!!! Once i start a helen hardt book i STRUGGLE to put it down!!!!
Once again keeping me captivated with the twist of survial, love, and mystery in one.
Seriously obsessed🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Shelly Jones Thomas.
18 reviews
March 7, 2023
Wow!!!!!

Helen Hardt never disappoints can’t wait for book 6 !!!! Definitely left it on a cliffhanger!!!! Love love all her books !!!!
Profile Image for Nicole Deanne Veracruz.
2,398 reviews15 followers
March 9, 2023
I feel the pain as my own

This was so well written that I could literally feel the emotion pain as if it was my own. I also felt the fear. I can't wait for phenix.
Profile Image for Sparklin C Reads.
1,996 reviews
August 14, 2023
Wolfes of Manhattan: Rebel - Recluse - Runaway - Rake - Reckoning

Short Story: Revenge

Billionaire Island: Escape

Gems of Wolfe Island: Moonstone - Ravine - Garnet - Buck - Opal - Phoenix

Novella: Amethyst

Poor Kelly was tortured as a child by her mom. Only to be kidnapped and end up at Wolfe Island. Absolutely loving the love - hate chemistry between Kelly and Leif.
Profile Image for Serena.
775 reviews21 followers
February 25, 2023
5/5⭐
4/5🌶

Kelly Taylor is a survivor. She's off the Island of horror that the degenerate Derek Wolfe held her and many other women on for his and degenerates like him sick and twisted entertainment. She survived, shew healing and she's ready to take back her life. However unbeknownst to her or anyone else the danger is still out there and after her.

Leif Ramsey aka Phoenix is one of the Wolfe family's elite security team. He's one of the best. Buck Moreno and Lief get called back to Manhattan to be assigned to Kelly’s threatening texts and protection detail. They're there to figure out and stop whoever is threatening Kelly.

Kelly is a spitfire and has her theories of who's behind the scenes in threatening her. She's hot headed and full of venom. She's ready to take down her enemy and get her life back again.

She has attitude and is the most mouthy, and rude person Leif has seen in a while. She's also the most beautiful woman he's laid eyes on if his life and completely Off-limits. He's there to protect and stop the threats. He is also not the one to treat her with kid gloves. He notices her spitting pure poison in the form of word tow Reid Wolfe and everyone else who disagree with her theories about the person behind her threatening texts. He tried to be nice and giver her the sympathy she deserves but the dam breaks and he's had enough when she keeps throwing her disrespectful out bursts his way. He give back just as harsh and rude as she gives and something sparks in Kelly's eyes at his dominant and commending tones when he spits back the verbal venom she flings around.

His refusal to let her treat him like she does everyone else is the small spark that lights her on fire and awakens emotions and physical feelings she never thought she'd feel for a man again. Her attraction to Lief just intensifies and she opens up to him.

Kelly and Leif have an undeniable chemistry and when they both realize that whatever this pull is to each other its not going away. The more Leif holds back the more Kelly pushes. Their passion is like an inferno and it can't be ignored.

The danger is still out there and it's getting worse. Leif will stop at nothing to protect what's his, no matter what!

Opal is the 5th installment in Helen Hardt's Gems of Wolfe Island series. Emotions get pulled in every direction. Helen knows how to control your emotions and she takes your heart on a ride. This suspenseful story leaves you with so many questions and theories about what could happen next.

Opal is a sensational, suspenseful, and steamy story that will leave you ready for more.

Opal is nothing less than a 5 Flaming Stars ⭐ read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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