Member Reviews

This was hotness. I wanted more. this checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah. Love me some of this.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3 Stars
Publication: May 24, 2022
Number of Pages: 32

This a very, very short novella by Alivia Fleur, new author to this reader. “Hide and Seek” is a second chance love for Maria Fitzherbert, as she looks forward to a marriage to Frederick as opposite as the one her first husband left dented in her heart…one filled with infidelity. After they are married, interruptions invade their every moment of trying to find an intimate moment. As a remedy, they play games that engage them into some heated and steamy moments prior to their true departure for their honeymoon. They decide to play hide and seek. While Maria search for a place to hide, she uncovers a letter to Frederick from one of her deceased husband’s mistresses and believes she has made a mistake in marrying Frederick.

This hide and seek was a very…and I mean very short novella that had me wanting more of the story and not just this little bit of read that was less than an hour for me. A short role of reversal as she was the dominant and had all the sexual experience and he had none. Instead of hide and seek, I think follow the leader should have been built in as well. Glad it ended in a HEA.

Was this review helpful?

A short story, but the right amount of romance and plot.

Maria is getting her second chance at love and hopes her husband isn't like the first. This book takes place right after the new marriage and Maria teaches her new husband a thing or too.

Being a short story, I was worried that it would not have enough detail to have a developed plot, but really it wasn't lacking at all. I enjoyed that it was a standalone story since I'm used to reading them in collections with a theme.

A nice breath of fresh air between reading other books!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a nice short story that I was able to read in one sitting. It was a very relatable story of a newlywed couple that just wasn't able to find some alone time after they said their vows. There was one hiccup on their road to wedded happiness but it was quickly sorted out. A delightful quick read!

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a VERY short little novella - my biggest quibble with it was that it was too short. Maria, the new Mrs. Fitzherbert was a widow who was burned by her husband's infidelities. She somehow found a second chance at love, and after a long courtship, and engagement, married Frederick. He is a sweet gentleman who did not overstep the boundaries with Maria, despite her being a widow, and after the wedding, they seem eager to consummate their wedding, after such a long wait. However, there are many distractions and interruptions. They engage in a game to pass the time until they can depart on their honeymoon, and during a session of Hide and Seek, Maria discovers something that makes her suspect Frederick is not the gentleman that he seems, and is fearful that he may have more in common with her deceased husband.

I enjoyed this novella, but have to admit it left me wanting more. This is very short; can be read in a fraction of an hour, but I was left wanting to know more about Maria's past and her relationship with her first husband, and also her relationship with Frederick, especially considering what we find out about him, because he seems like a sweet, loving gentleman.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.".

I didn't know that Hide and Seek was a short story.. I enjoyed Maria and Frederick story. 4 stars


Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review

Happy Reading Lisa 📚

Was this review helpful?

First I would like to say thank you to Aliva Fleur and Xpresso Book Tours for sending me this e-arc from NetGalley. This review is my own thoughts with no influence.

Hide and Seek is a short and steamy historical Regency-era romance novella. If you are looking for a quick read that leaves you falling in love with a Mister instead of a Duke who may or may not have a secret he is keeping from his new missus, then this book is for you.

What I loved about this book is how even though it was a short 42 pages it really made me feel single all the same in this book the roles are reversed instead of him being dominated it's her and he just obeys. Everyone needs to read this book.

Available May 24.

Was this review helpful?

Very short, almost vignette of a novella. Quite sweet and light. Fairly well written and you are happy for the main characters who have had a long road to their HEA!

Was this review helpful?

She'd been lied to and hurt in the past. Though this union they show favor with one another, is he truly the man he says and claims to be, or

It is only 32 pages

Was this review helpful?

A very short story, warm, charming, and spicy -- I would happily have spent many more pages with this nice couple! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Alivia Fleur's work.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

"Hide and Seek" is a sweet and steamy regency romance short story following the few short hours after a couple's wedding. The lady in question is a widower who had married a philandering man previously and the man is a country man without a title.

Overall really cute, I hadn't realized it was a short story going into it but I enjoyed it and would have read a full book.

Pub date: May 24th 2022 | thank you to Alivia Fleur and netgalley for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Hide and Seek tells the story of Maria and Frederick, newly married and preparing to leave for their honeymoon. They are interrupted several times while attempting to consummate their marriage and resort to playing some (sexy) games in the interim. As the games commence, Maria and Frederick also find themselves opening up to each other and confronting honestly some of the things they never felt they could discuss during their chaste courtship and engagement.

Wow, I’m so impressed! Novellas are almost always tricky for me. It’s usually a big ask to be able to fit an entire romantic narrative arc into such a short work, so I typically end up feeling left wanting more and wishing I had just had a full book with the novella’s characters. In this instance, I think the novella structure worked perfectly, and Fleur was actually able to fit in a lot of plot into Hide and Seek without it feeling overburdened. The writing flowed smoothly and compellingly, the characters were well-rounded and engaging, and the steamy scenes were spicy but still completely worked with the plot. Hide and Seek is a wonderful read for anyone looking for a quick, steamy, emotional read and is highly recommended. 4.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a sweet and well written short story, that is the perfect way to spend a lunch break or a quick read in the morning or before bed. This is the first novel I have read by Alivia Fleur and I found the writing to be quickly engaging and well balanced and paced. This novel is a quick story that revolves around a newly married couple and their first intimate time together. Fleur beautifully balances the quick introduction of this couples while also providing the insight and context to the heroine, whom the story is more actively told from, in third person. I really enjoyed getting this charming, sweet and sensual introduction to Alivia Fleur's work and I definitely will be exploring her backlist! Would highly recommend it you need a really quick escape that provides a glimpse into the beginnings of a marriage and the strength and value that the heroine learns to demand from her partner.

Was this review helpful?

Well written, sexy & short. That’s how I’d describe this novella. The characters interactions are tender and sweet, with detailed spice, perfect for anyone who enjoys their romance with a side of historical and smutty.

For such a small novella, there’s not much to say. Our main characters play a few games and things get a bit messy. A bit dirty too, but I won’t be giving away any spoilers… you’ll just have to read it for yourself!

I rated this book four stars because of the author’s sophisticated writing style and because it simply just warmed my heart at how cute the story was. Three spices are all due to the sexual tension and the elaborate scenes detailing the perfect amount of information. My only complaint is that it wasn’t kinky, which if you know me and the books I read, it’s a must!

Was this review helpful?

Hide and Seek is a short erotic story set in the Victorian era. It starts on Maria and Frederick's wedding day. They've courted for over two years and done nothing more than kiss. They are both super ready to take the next step, but they keep getting interrupted at very inconvenient moments.

For a story that's less than 45 pages long, it manages to include a believable conflict and a little surprise for readers. It is primarily an erotic story of a couple that's very hot for each other, so the climax is just what you'd expect!

Was this review helpful?

Hide and Seek is a Victorian short-story about newlyweds Maria and Frederick. Desperate to pass the time until they can celebrate their marriage in privacy, they turn to parlour games to keep themselves occupied. However, Maria soon discovers that Frederick is not who she thought him to be - will the marriage make it through the night?

This short story was shockingly full of plot while still delivering on the expected steam. Definitely recommend to romance lovers. I read this after feeling burnt out from a string of more serious novels, and it was the perfect way to reset.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Maria and Frederick are eager to be alone together after their wedding—but their housekeeper keeps interrupting them! Will a game of hide and seek solve the problem?

This steamy Victorian short is delightful. It's well written and romantic with tons of sensual tension. If you're looking for a quick bedtime read, this is a good choice.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Was this review helpful?

Super short! Just the post-wedding scene where these two are just trying to find a moment alone and they keep getting interrupted. There's one really quick miscommunication where Maria finds a letter from a courtesan, but Frederick just needed a bit of advice before bedding his bride.

Was this review helpful?

Things I didn’t know I needed until right know - Steamy Victorian short stories!

This book hit my reading sweet spot and did so in just 30 minutes! I enjoyed it more than I expected.

It was sweet, sexy and satisfying in a way that surprised me. I think I just discovered my next book obsession! Well down Alivia Fleur, well done!

I’m giving 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗞 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

Have you ever read a book just because of its cover? That’s what this was.
This was a historical romance novella with a short satisfying preview of their romance. It had enough for me to be satisfied with this small glimpse of their desire for each other. It’s smoldering and smexy. I enjoyed everything about it and hope the author wants to write novels.
I’m definitely reading another one by Alivia Fleur.
Thanks to the author via NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?