3⭐️. it was a cute and spicy book about a bdsm club. i couldn’t immerse myself in the book but this is just not the type of books i read. it had really cute moments though. thank you netgalley for this book

Bloom by Helen Hardt is book 2 of the Black Rose series. First, I will read anything this author writes. She is fantastic! This book is about Frankie, little sister to Mandy who we met in the first book, and Phantom aka Hunter. Frankie is going through it and winds up at the Black Rose bar and meets the Phantom. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she falls into the world of BDSM. The Phantom who wishes to remain private catches feelings for Frankie. I really like the dynamic with these 2 characters and the steam and chemistry is definitely there. However, I felt the story was rushed. I wanted to know more but I feel it just all of a sudden ended. I do look forward to see where this series will go and I have enjoyed it so far.

This book is HOT. Franke was supposed to get married to Penn on the day her sister announced she was engaged. Everyone had forgotten Penn had broken up with her. She's upset and goes to a bar for a drink. A stranger sits beside her in a mask and calls himself Phantom. She agrees to see him again and he refuses to take the mask off It takes awhile for him to tell her why. She starts to realize why when he takes her blindfolded to a club where they practice BDSM. She is shocked but not repulsed. She is repulsed when she sees her ex-fiance there though. Their relationship is a little rocky until she sees him without the mask and he starts to tell her his reasons. They start to care for each other when a scandal breaks out regarding him and she tries to help but makes it worse. He breaks it off with her until he finally gets his head on straight and realize he does not be without her. A good story

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Thank you netgalley and Helen Hardt for this ARC! I’m giving it 3.5 stars. Following her sisters engagement, Francesca meets this mystery man, Phantom and their connection is instant but he does not want a romantic relationship and she just found out her fiancé cheated on her. I felt there wasn’t much of a storyline or at times it felt repetitive and being an erotica genre, it was just okay. I needed more from this book but overall it was a good quick read!

I love this book! I wish I could have a Phantom of my own! The way they get to know each other and the increased trust that develops so he's confident enough to share his life story with her is just a beautiful thing to read! The spice was on point and I could not really put this book down! I can't wait for Blossom!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Bloom" is a book that left me feeling dissatisfied and underwhelmed. Despite its promise as an erotic genre novel, it falls short in several aspects, leading to a lackluster reading experience.

One of the primary reasons for my disappointment was the protagonist, Frankie. Throughout the story, I found her to be a highly unlikable character. Her constant selfishness and often irritating behavior made it difficult to connect with her on any level. Frankie's actions left me frustrated and questioning her choices, which hindered my overall enjoyment of the book.

Additionally, considering the book's supposed genre, the sex scenes were surprisingly dull and uninspiring. Instead of eliciting any sense of passion or excitement, they felt flat and, at times, even tedious. The lack of depth and creativity in these scenes made it challenging to become fully engaged in the supposed eroticism of the story.

However, one redeeming quality of "Bloom" is its quick and light read. After slogging through lengthy sagas with intricate plots, this book provides a much-needed break. It offers a swift pace and easy-to-follow storyline, allowing readers to unwind and relax without the burden of complex narratives.

In conclusion, "Bloom" failed to meet my expectations on various fronts. Nevertheless, if you're seeking a swift and undemanding read to take a breather from dense and convoluted sagas, this book may serve that purpose.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

I typically Stan for anything Helen Hardt writes and own many of her books unfortunately though this will not be one I purchase. This books give me stranger danger vibes and felt like Frankie fell for Phantom way too fast. Phantom gave off so many red flags to me and it was hard to look past. The best part was her finding Penn at the club. I unfortunately had to DNF this book around 60 percent of the way through because I just couldn’t get behind this relationship.

This book was a great summer afternoon read. I found myself wanting to read more and find out what was going to happen between Frankie and Phantom. As their relationship developed I was a little surprised by how quickly things changed and some of their fights had me rolling my eyes.
Overall I enjoyed the book and while it did lack some depth I prefer in my reading it was a nice break from some of the more intense world building series l've read recently.

On the heels of her sister's engagement that happens to be announced on the very day she should have been walking down her own aisle, Frankie thinks that her love life is never going to get any better. Feeling sorry for herself, she finds herself drinking away her sorrows and ight in the sights of a man who calls himself The Phantom. With a disguise and a domineering personality, Frankie is taken on a wild ride and realizes just who she is and exactly what she wants in a man. Can the mystery turn into love? Or will the hype fall to pieces once his true identity is revealed? With characters that at times need to be hit upside the head and a storyline that will make you fall in love while at the same time want to scream at your kindle, this was a great read.

Let me start by saying that this was a MUCH anticipated book. I squealed when I saw the ARC available on Netgalley. I stopped reading my current book so I could jump back into this world Helen Hardt created. I really enjoyed Mandy's story and when it was revealed the second book would be about her sister, I had high hopes. I truly hate to say this but I was slightly disappointed with this one. I found Frankie to be whiny at the beginning and there was no growth over time. It was like she met the Phantom and suddenly became a different person. I also wasn't a fan of the Phantom. I didn't find him sexy or interesting. Maybe it was just me. Maybe this one just want my cup of tea. I'm still very much interested in reading the third book though ion the hours of returning that flame that the first book brought

Absolutely no sleep last night. I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. So, we start this book with Frankie feeling like nobody cares about her feelings which she knows really isn't the case BUT.....As she is drowning her sorrows at the bar Phantom/Hunter sees her and from there things Bloom. They both have their own hurtles but with each others love and support they will get through anything. I think I liked this story more than Mandy and Jacksons'.

Frankie and her mysterious Phantom meet by chance but choose to give into the connection that is instantly felt.

This is book 2 in the story and we are introduced to Frankie is her sisters story but you can easily enjoy and love this book without reading the first.

Frankie has been dealt a bad hand in romance. With a heavy heart she chooses to pop into a bar without knowing that this will lead to the meeting of a man who will change her whole world!

I like that Frankie and Phantom (whose name I will NOT reveal) grew in their personal and professional lives as they got to know one another. They both equally pushed the other and their easy conversations and hot meetups are what really pulled me in. I hope we get more of this world because I’m intrigued!

This is the second book in the Blush series, and while I enjoyed the first book, this one was "just ok" for me. I know this author's books are considered erotica, and most times I enjoy the main storyline over the erotica, but this book didn't have much of a storyline. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, end of story. I wanted there to be more conflict (or something!) happening. Also, the erotica just seemed to be a repeat of everything I've already read in the Steele Brothers Saga or even what was written in book #1. This is a solid 2.5-3 stars.

Another amazing book by Helen Hardt. I love the storyline in this book. I don't want to give away anything because I know everyone hasn't read it yet. But you definitely should.

Second 'Black Rose' installment, just as heated as 'Blush'. Same world but different player, and some seriously hot kink. One hiding from emotion, the other betrayed, they face a rocky road and are their own worst enemies. Good drama and some interesting plot moves.

First, the logistics: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Now, what y’all have come here for.

Bloom is about a woman named Francesca who is newly single after finding out her fiancé had been cheating on her. She meets a man, who goes by the name Phantom, and frequents a BDSM nightclub in NYC. Phantom is not looking for a romantic partner. He’s looking for a sub to play with - someone to have great chemistry with during a scene and leave it at that. But Francesca tempts him to consider more.

Which brings me to my thoughts on this erotic fiction novel. I was super torn giving Bloom three stars. I feel like it’s more of a 2.5, but alas Goodreads doesn’t do that.

For a BDSM book… the story is very vanilla. By no means is it dark or overtly erotic in a way that one considers BDSM. Francesca is a tough character to like. There were moments where I could not understand her appeal. Like why out of every woman Phantom had come across was she the one? The first 175 pages of Bloom held my attention, but the last 70? Very hard to get through.

But there were some pretty good things about the book. It was funny at times. Phantom is kind of like this young adult man but speaks like he’s an older gentlemen from another time. And I really loved the attention to liquor, investigative journalism, and politics of a university that came into play.

Overall, it was a decent read.

When Phantom says “what I really want isn’t on the menu” 🔥🔥. I was like okay, now we are talking! I was already invested in the book but then I turned the brightness all the way up on my iPad, got more comfortable in bed and ready to see what spicy things are about to happen. Now, I want a Phantom in my life lol

I could not stop reading this book! Of course I finished it in a couple of hours and now I need to read all the books by this author!

Frankie, her wedding that is suppose to be happening the same day that her sister announces that she’s engaged. She leaves dinner and decides that she is going to go to the first bar that she sees.

I truly enjoyed everything about this book! I can’t disclose Phantom’s name but I’m so glad to finally find out! Also how safety is very important to him. Watching the love him and Frankie shared was absolutely beautiful.

The BSDM and talk about sex clubs really made this book so 🔥🔥. I also enjoyed how it even talked about different things of that lifestyle. Anyone reading that doesn’t know much about it, can definitely learn some things from this book. If you’re into that stuff, I know you will love this book too.

Thank you to NetGalley EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts.

Not sure how I didn’t realize this was a series. With that being said, I didn’t read book 1.

Wow, from break up to a mysterious gathering. One bares all their soul. Will it work for them or hurt them.

Release date: August 2023
I always look forward to a Helen Hardt book as I know the writing, characters and plot will be good. Not to mention the spice level, so definitely not one for the faint hearted. Especially as this story explores BDSM. Frankie has been dumped by a cheating fiance and soon meets the mysterious Hunter who introduces herself to a side she never knew she liked. I won't give away any spoilers but will say that I recommend this book. I received this book as an ARC via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie isn't one of my favourite characters from the books that the author has written, I couldn't really relate to her and found her selfish at times. She is overall likeable. A solid 4 star book for me

Bloom is so so good!
Frankie is now a single woman, since her ex-fiancé cheated on her. She ends up meeting a mysterious man in a mask, named The Phantom.
Who is this mystery man? Will Frankie find out who this mystery man is? Will Frankie divulge her secrets too? You have to read to find out!

Thank you Helen Hardt for another amazing book!! I want more!!