I received this ARC from Net Galley not knowing anything about this book I was shocked when I started reading.
This book is Frankie and Phantoms story.
Frankie just had a 5-year relations end when her fiancé told her he was cheating. She needed a break and went to a bar and ran into Phantom the chemistry between them was strong from the start.
He showed her the world of bdsm and they grew so close they had a falling out and broke up for a little bit but ended up back together book has a happy ending

This is #2 in the Black Rose and as awesome. Phantom and Frankie are so good together and are meant to be together. Drowning her sorrows in a bar she meets the mysterious Phantom and their lives were never the same again.

Francesca (Frankie) Thomas
Hunter (Phantom) Stone

Bloom, book 2 in the Black Rose Series, which is a spin off of the Follow Me Series.

Needing a drink after learning that her sister had gotten engaged on the very day she was to become Mrs Pendleton Berry, Frankie goes into a bar, she's never been to before. While there, she meets Phantom.

Phantom introduces Frankie, into a whole new world, in the BDSM lifestyle...

Helen Hardt, wrote this book with the perfect amount of sex, steam and chemistry between these 2 main characters.

I give it 5 stars.

Helen Hardt has always written such fast paced, spicy romance books that I instantly love and Bloom was no different.

The BDSM scene was newer for me to read about but I love the educational side of it and learning alongside the FMC, Frankie. I love that how Helen is able to make you relate with her character and feel their struggles as you read their journey while diving into taboo topics.

Her side characters always play such small but significant roles in each book and it has you excited to read the next book in the series and continue to see where the stories further develop.

Her Phantom...

Frankie does something out of the norm for her, after she was supposed to get married and didn't. She meets Phantom at a club. Phantom stays in character for quite a bit of the book. Phantom as in Phantom of the opera, cape and all (no capes!) No names, only their roles. Frankie as a sub and Phantom as a Dom, where they play out all their risqué fantasies.

Phantom is obviously packing some major baggage around and things go south and he reacts exactly as predicted. Did he need to grovel more? Absolutely.
Steamy.

Helen Hardt Bloom

Bloom pulses with heat and lust and all those tantalizing moments, leaving me swiping across the H.O.T. glass of my iPad. Whew! These two lit up more than each other. It had
My heart fluttering in anticipation…in arousal, as I waited to find out all their secrets and desires. Their fantasies and tastes run deep and dark, as their chemistry takes them on a journey full of pleasure. I Could Not Put This Down!!!


Francesca “Frankie”Thomas was supposed to get married today. Instead she’s sitting at a family dinner when her sister announces her engagement to Jackson Paris. Unable to stay another moment, she flees. She needs a stiff drink and escapes into the first bar she sees. That’s when she meets him. Tall dark and deliciously disguised, a man called Phantom, and he is the perfect distraction. She’s beguiled by this nameless, and faceless man. His raw, magnetic, chemistry pulls her in and awakens her every desire and she can’t help but want to succumb her body and soul to his every touch.


Phantom stares at the beauty sitting next to him and finds himself getting lost in her eyes. He’s not here looking for a partner, he’s looking for playmates. He has rules, all to protect his identity. No names. No personal information. This is separate from his other life where he makes a living. Here, he dives into the deepest and darkest parts of his desire with willing partners. But Frankie is tempting him and is threatening his cautious and controlling world. At Black Rose Underground Club, he can explore her deepest and darkest desires…as long as he keeps his public life and his secrets hidden.


“I’m going to figure out all of your secrets, Mr. Phantom.” “Are you, now?” “I am.” “Then you know what that means, don’t you, Angel?” “What?”“That means I will find out all of your secrets as well.”

Frankie is all in, ready to explore what this is between them. The darkness, the intensity, the sparks and the pleasure of it all. But while the mystery of him is thrilling, secrets are one game she’s not willing to play. So now she needs to find out who the Phantom is and what is he hiding behind his mask.

This was such an amazing story! My heart was fluttering out of control in anticipation. Out of…arousal. Exhilarated. Excited. As these two change, grow and bloom in ways neither of them ever imagined.

I received an early copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I never thought I'd be a total goner for a main character who spends his free time dressing up like the Phantom of the Opera, but leave it to Helen Hardt to give me those unexpected feelings.

I could not put this book down - for the first half, at least. Hardt did something I haven't come across in any of my readings: she kept the reader in total mystery by keeping the male main character's identity from both us and the female main character. It was actually sort of thrilling to be getting a character's perspective, to be in his head, but not even know his real name. It brought a whole new level of intimacy and intrigue that is hard to get from a fictional character.

Of course, Frankie was determined to find out her Phantom's real identity, and that's where the story lost a bit of steam for me. To me, it felt like there was a clear before and after. Before Phantom's real name was revealed, it felt like the story revolved around Frankie and getting over her ex; after Phantom's name was revealed, it felt like the story shifted from her problems to his. I enjoyed both parts of the story, but I definitely enjoyed the first half more than the second.

I love Helen Hardt's writing style and the amount of spice to brings to her stories, and Bloom was no exception. Frankie and Phantom had chemistry off the charts, even when drama caused some bumps in their road to happily ever after. While this is the second book in Hardt's Black Rose Underground series, it is technically a standalone. However, Frankie's sister - who was the main character in the first book - does make several appearances in Bloom, and some of the events from the first book are referenced throughout.

Overall, I enjoyed Frankie and Phantom's journey. There were definitely parts of the book I enjoyed more than others, but it all came together nicely and gave both main characters the happy ending they deserved.

Francesa, Frankie, Thomas is a junior editor at magazine. She is writing a story about the BDSM scene in the city. Unfortunately, the people who participate in this lifestyle are very hush-hush and protect their privacy. Most of the clubs have strict non-disclosure policies as well. Frankie has to get in one of these clubs to see what goes on.

After learning that her older sister was getting married on the day that her wedding was supposed to be happening, Frankie needed a drink. She went to the bar and met a masked man. Like a Phantom mask. Everyone there called him Phantom and seemed to know him and was used to him showing up like that. Frankie had to know more. Oddly, Frankie is into everything the Phantom shows her including a BDSM club.

Frankie needs more from Phantom. Can he give it to her? His lifestyle is private for a reason. He doesn't want to be a part of her article but can't seem to bring himself to stay away from her. Frankie is just as bad. Can they make it through the tough times to enjoy the good times?

I enjoyed this book. I did not read this first book in this series, but I will be remedying that shortly. I loved that the book was about adults doing adult, albeit somewhat taboo things. Frankie's article will open the world to BDSM much like this book will. Readers will get the fundamentals and the hows and whys. Most books just jump right in not give readers the reasons behind it.

An awakening for both Francesca and Phantom: passionate and seductive
Oh my gosh! I just finished one of Ms. Hardt’s best and most alluring stories ever. Compelling, steamy, well-written, and page-turning deliciousness.
On a night when 27yo Frankie should have been happy, she finds herself in a predicament. She knows that it is juvenile but she leaves her family with their good news and goes to a bar. There she meets a most entrancing man wearing a mask and cape. He calls himself Phantom and so do all the others in the bar. What starts out as an escape, turns into something much greater than she ever anticipated. Her introduction to Black Rose Underground Club, a very private BDSM club and the events that occur there, astound, and bewitch her. With the help of 35yo Phantom, she blooms while she captivates his stone-cold heart. All will not go well for our beautiful couple though. Roadblocks ahead but it will end with a much-deserved HEA.
I loved this book! It has a wonderful and uplifting story. Brings back mention of Skye and Braden Black, only tangentially. So great when two characters find their other half by accident or otherwise. If you like mysterious men with secrets finding their soulmates, you must read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through Entangled/NetGalley. This is more than a 5-star book!

Bloom by Helen Hardt

Published: August 22, 2023
Entangled: Amara
Genre: Erotica
Pages: 324
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Helen Hardt is a #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose 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 romantic fiction, 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.

“It’s like music when we kiss.”

Frankie is still getting over being told her fiancé had been cheating on her when her sister announces she and Jackson are getting married. Wanting to be happy for Mandy, Frankie tries to put on a front. Hiding behind a mask, he can enjoy his desires. He has never had an issue with wanting more from his playmates until he meets her.

I enjoyed the dynamic in this book. There were fewer steamy scenes and more connecting on a deeper level, but the steamy scenes were well done.

I enjoyed getting to know Frankie in this book. She was moving forward and looking for something else. The Phantom was a sensual mystery. A tantalizing newness, and together they succumbed.

The romance throughout this book is passionate and intense. I appreciate the research on D/s relationships and how openly and respectfully the lifestyle is discussed.

I am enjoying this series. I am a little bummed we didn’t find out who “Erik with a K” is, but otherwise, this was a kinky happily ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of Bloom in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
Francesca Thomas, on what should have been her wedding day, encounters a mysterious man named Phantom who ignites her senses and desires. Despite his strict rules of anonymity, their potent chemistry draws her in. Phantom's enigmatic persona and careful secrecy captivate her, leading her to explore the Black Rose Underground Club for a deeper connection. As they navigate their intense attraction, Frankie is determined to uncover the man behind the mask, refusing to be tangled in a web of secrets. The story delves into their journey of unraveling mysteries while indulging in forbidden pleasures.

My Thoughts:
"Bloom" by Helen Hardt captivated me, I devoured in a single day, thanks to its magnetic chemistry between Phantom and Frankie. The allure of Phantom added mystery that kept me glued. However, the abruptness of the third act breakup and its resolution felt out of place. Despite this, "Bloom" earns a rating of 3.75/5 for its enchanting narrative and characters, a testament to Hardt's storytelling.

Rating: 3.75/5 (rounded to 4)
Spice: 4/5

Oh, Frankie. I have to give props to her taking a hard situation and making it work for her. Not many woman could be approached by a masked man on a typical night and agree to a date. I personally, would be laughing my way out of the bar or have my phone ready to call for help. But, I guess I'm not adventurous! I was not sure if I was really going to like Frankie after finishing the first book (Blush), but she totally won me over. I really love reading books with BDSM in it as long as there is genuine plot/story. I would say this book had a good ratio of BDSM and actual plot. The coffee shop scene felt like it was made to be in a Hollywood movie. I wish my life had moments like that! Frankie and "Phantom" also gave me very puppyish vibes (not to be confused with puppy play), more like they were both chasing each other in their own ways. I especially loved the part where she almost lost her mind knowing that he had just been in the place she was and became a detective for a hot minute. If I was her date, it would have been red flag city! Alas, the heart makes us do wild things. I also want to point out that underneath their masks, both literal and figurative, there was past trauma that both of these characters had to grow from in order to be their authentic selves. Without that growth, I don't think these characters would have been as likable. Kudos to Helen Hardt for writing a book that could have been a total dumpster fire in the wrong hands, but ended up being a really great read.

This story was great in that it allowed me to explore another type of the spicy romance. This book intrigued me because of the Phantom of the Opera reference made by one of the characters named Phantom and the fantasy that character played. The author was sneaky and definitely had me half way through the book with the name game that was going on (iykyk). I also enjoyed that the author included other literary references besides the Phantom of the Opera. I was a tad bit disappointed that there wasn’t another scene with Tomas Carson. Maybe one of him and Phantom going at it but that may have stemmed from me wanted a tad bit more drama or maybe drama that didn’t end too soon. That’s not to say there isn’t drama because there is but I was hoping for a tad bit more.

DNF @ 32%...

I would not ordinarily rate a book I don't finish, but since we have to here...I will rate what I did read.

I LOVED Blush so much. I mean, I ate that book UP when I was on vacation this summer. And I love Helen Hardt, and will continue to read her books. But this one was not it for me.

So writing this review is a disappointment, to say the least. I REALLY wanted to love this book as much as the first one. But this one was just too cringe for me. And I can take a LOT of cringe. But the guy dressed up as the Phantom when no one else was dressed up, with no one batting an eye was weird. It was weird and I couldn't use suspension of disbelief because it's not paranormal, it's not fantasy, it's not even dark romance. I just couldn't do it...and then quoting PotO, Gatsby...it was too much. She wasn't even a Phantom fan! All the Angel of Music talk during the sex scene... like... nah.

And Frankie...I didn't like her. She was honestly hateful and spiteful toward her sister both outwardly and in her inner monologue. I could not get past it. It also was not believable that she didn't know what "vanilla" meant regarding sex and that she used the "C-word" in her inner monologue during a spicy scene. AND the whole thing with the investigative journalism...planning to use info she gathered at the club despite the NDA? It gave me the ick.

I just couldn't do it anymore, and I have way too many things to read to keep reading something I'm not enjoying. But again, I do enjoy her books and I won't stop reading them by any means! And hey, if you're a PotO superfan, this may be your jam!!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: August 22, 2023

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Sexually explicit content

Bloom is the second book in the Black Rose series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one and this next instalment is just as good!

Frankie has just gotten out of a long term relationship. In fact, today was the day she was supposed to get married. After discovering her fiancé was cheating on her, Frankie broke off the engagement.

After spending the evening with her family, Frankie is frustrated and disappointed that none of them seem to remember today was supposed to be her special day. Leaving their family dinner early, she heads to a bar she’s never been to before.

Phantom sees Frankie the second he walks into the bar. He knows she’s never been there before because he frequents the bar often. It’s not the bar or the drinks he come for though, it’s the underground sex club he’s here for.

After spending some time with Frankie, Phantom knows he wants to introduce her to his world. He knows it’s not for everyone but cannot deny the attraction they have. He vows to keep his identity a secret though. After his previously failed relationships he’s not looking for anything more than a playmate.

As Frankie and Phantom explore both each other and their sexual tendencies, they both start to realize this is more than just sex. How do two people who have sworn off relationships discover they have found love with each other? And are either of them brave enough to try and make it work?

This was just as hot as the first book. Not for the faint of heart!! I loved it and give this one 4 stars!

#NetGalley #Bloom #helenhardt

Thanks to Entangled for the ARC. Are thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book! However I struggled a lot with the FMC, I found myself disagreeing a lot with her reasoning and just with her as a person. I didn’t like how her family relationships evolved in the book. I liked the mystery of Phantom at the start of the book, however I felt like once the mystery was done, it all happened too quickly and the end felt rushed.

I would have loved for their relationship to also grow outside of the sex aspect.

A little bit of struggle for me to read, and it wasn't because of the content. I had a hard time with the characters and didn't realize the book is the second in the series. The Phantom mask made it hard for me to get into the action so to speak as I am a big Phantom of the Opera fan and it distracted me. Too much in the club but that might just be me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

I wanted to like this more. But there were a few things that stopped me. The 2 main characters just seemed to go round and round with their conversations. They also would just blow up, then a paragraph later get over it even at times not talking it over. There wasn't a good flow because of it.

The things I liked was when Frankie was interviewing people for her article, I learned a lot about the subject and it was fun learning along with her. I liked the mystery of Phantom and the struggles they both have had in their lives.

I wanted to love this.... but sadly I did not. It dragged on and continuity issues with the first book killed me within the first chapter.

This was very fifty shades for me. But, a more mature adult version of it if that’s possible? I found myself wanting to DNF this multiple times. There really wasn’t a plot per say. The female MC, Frankie, made me more and more aggravated as I kept reading. And Phantom aka Hunter, gave me hard core Christian Grey vibes when it came to his private life. Idk. I would have enjoyed this more if there there was an actual plot and not so much fixation on the sex club. It all just seemed odd to me.