I really tried to read this book. There is nothing wrong with the book. It just isn't for me at this time.

Mary (Blossom) has loved to come to Black Rose, but can’t seem to want to come any longer. As I read the words, I felt Blossom’s hesitation to be back and when Ronon walks in the door, dressed in a kilt, it seemed her world tumbled around. As I read the pages, I felt Mary’s attraction to Ronon, yet uncertain that this is the lifestyle for her. As they began their world wind courtship, I could feel her torn between what is safe and what makes her heart happy. Truly an excellent book by a favorite author.

I got to enjoy a ARC of Blossom by Hardt. It was a quick read and just as steamy as the previous titles in the Black Rose series. I really liked the history of New Orleans brought into the mix. Making it a mysterious but fun city to enjoy and Voodoo a religion to be explored, not feared. I found that rather refreshing instead of falling into the obvious fear and witch crafty element.
I'm not sure about the MMC's kilt. It felt a little forced and phony, but that's just me. I think that he could've been sexy without adding that element. But I suppose that made him stand out from the crowd? Spice level was decently high, but not out of hand. If you enjoyed the first couple of stories, then this one will definitely hit the right spot. Check the trigger warnings in case you have issue with any of the "play" involved. Not something I enjoy IRL, but this was a quick enjoyable light read.

Another great book to add to this series.
Helen Hardt really knows how to write a riveting book with all the feels.

Sometimes what you thought you wanted isn't actually what you need! The conclusion of Helen Hardt's 'Black Rose' series is charming and meaningful, and by the end, you will be on the edge of your seat.

I have loved reading every book in this series and Blossom was another gem. The BDSM lifestyle is seen from a different perspective in Mary and Ronan's story. Mary is submissive in all aspects of her life, but when a scene goes wrong it has her questioning her life. She is puzzled at why the scene had such an effect on her because she has forgiven the Dom she was with and it has happened before. Why is she now wondering if this lifestyle is enough for her?

Ronan is a handsome Highlander. His Scottish roots and muscular features have everyone stopping in their tracks. And when he makes his first trip to Black Rose Underground, everyone is gawking (understandably). He is a dominant through and through and when he lays his eyes on Mary (known as Blossom in the club) he is enamored. Ronan is always honest about his intentions and has never wanted more but Mary has him craving just that.

Their romance is an instant-love and whirlwind. They share some meaningful chats, have undeniable chemistry, and its even adorable when they spend time with his Mémé on a trip to New Orleans. Although it's been a short time since they met, every moment they spent together is precious. And Mary is not only getting her groove back in the bedroom but she is finally starting to realize that a future with Ronan is what she wants.

This was a beautiful story about finding yourself and realizing that you deserve to be happy. I rooted so hard for Mary and Ronan. I think the final chapters were great at keeping a reader on the edge of their seat at least that's what it did for me. Sad to see this series come to an end, but I can't wait for the next book from one of my all time favorite authors, Helen Hardt!

I liked this novel a lot, having read many of Helen Hardt's books before. I have not read the two prior to this novel, but this book was well written - as all of Helen's books are. This was predominantly romance, light on the BDSM. Which in series like this - I feel is necessary for like a breather. This novel/series reminds me a lot of the series by Sara Cate, but good nonetheless. While I do feel this is okay as a stand-alone, it would likely benefit all readers to read the prior two novels to have a better grasp of the characters that are mentioned throughout this novel. This focused on a female, which was nice as many times that man is the lead of these types of series. The scenes were hottt, as usual - Helen can't write a bad spice scene! 4 stars, but only because it did feel a tad repetitive. :)

In a world where your desires are available and the rules are simple one woman will discover that her past does not define her.

When Mary aka Blossom finally faces her past will she be able to give herself to Ronan, the handsome Scotsman who recently arrived to town?

If you love your romance with an inferno heat, writing that pulls you in with characters that are exciting, layered, and full of spark you won't want to miss this.

While this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone.

This is the third, and last book, in this series, and I have to say that I am glad about that. While this book offered a little more storyline (the whole New Orleans scene and the event in the coffee shop), much of it was just a repeat of Hardt's other books. Her stories focus on the BDSM scene, where the sub ultimately falls in love with the dom, and vice versa. This is very repetitive of all her stories that I have read so far and I am honestly looking for a new plot from her. 3.5 stars for this one, but only because of the New Orleans/coffee house things.

Another WOW from Helen Hardt. Each book in the series keeps getting better and better. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I could not put this novel down. The relationship between Ronan and Mary is so special it takes your breath away. It grew quickly but deeply. Their attraction was something so on point it mad you swoon. All I can say is READ THIS BOOK.

I don't know how you got inside my heart, but I do know that I don't want you to leave

Hands down Blossom in the Black Rose series is my favorite. Black Rose Underground was a safe place for Mary to let go and explore her sexual desires. But when a scene goes terribly wrong, it makes her rethink if she should leave the way of life altogether. But when Ronan O'Connor walks into the club, Mary instantly feels a flash of hope and possibilities.

Ronan exudes dominance and control when he walks into a room. Mary catches his eye like no other woman has. She makes him see a future with her which is so out of character and not his norm. It was engrossing to see them both navigate what they both are feeling for each other.

Publication date: January 23,
2024

Blossom is the 3rd and final instalment of the Black Rose series by Helen Hardt. I have absolutely loved this series so far. It’s my first introduction to the author and first dark romance series I have read.

Blossom focuses on Mary, a character we have seen in the background of the first two books. Mary loves the underground club life. Fulfilling her sexual needs without the emotional attachment of a relationship.

After an encounter gone wrong, Mary is having a tough time getting back to the club and starts to question everything she thought she wanted. One night when she returns to the club after weeks away she meets Ronan O’Connor a gloriously large and beautiful Scotsman new to the club.

Mary and Ronan connect at first sight. Mary isn’t ready for club play yet so they meet outside the club to get to know each other better. Something neither of them have done - they typically leave the club underground and don’t mix reality with play time.

After a short time getting to know each other, Mary and Ronan realize that although they have never wanted it with anyone else, they want to be more to each other than club friends. Is marriage, family and forever love in Mary’s future? Is Ronan the man she’s been waiting for?

I enjoyed this book but didn’t quite connect with the characters as much as the first two. I’m also not a huge fan of insta love, I’m much more into character and relationship development than this book offered. This is a 3 star for me but still highly recommend the series of you’re into dark bdsm romance!

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

#NetGalley #helenhardt #blossom

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC Review

Blossom - Helen Hardt

5/5⭐️
5/5🌶️

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Wow this one is seriously such a good one from start to finish! I loved every detail and especially mémé! I need to walk into the Black Rose Underground Club just for one day please! Blossom is such a great FMC and the growth was just so good! I was routing for her so hard! Ronan is the man we all want to run into! Ronan is the sexy kilt wearing, serious businessman and an extremely great Dominant! When Blossom and Ronan do things a bit differently at first and may not see it with their own eyes at first. Fate truly brought them together for a reason! I forever will love Ronan and Blossom’s story!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
~ Underground sex/ leather club
~ Dominant
~ Submissive
~ New Orleans
~ VooDoo
~ Coffee Shops
~ Character Growth
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

✨Do you have any pets? What are their names?

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

#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok #arc

Helen Hardt has done it again! After reading Blush and Bloom, I’m back to Black Rose Underground for another round of exquisite BDSM vibes! I was very excited to read Blossom and I was hooked from the beginning until the end. The book focuses on Mary, who, after a traumatic event, has sworn off BDSM scenes, and Ronan, who, with his understanding but still domineering ways, helps Mary surpass her trauma. This is an emotional ride but it’s still an insta-love kind of thing which threw me off a bit at the beginning since both leads swore to never fall in love (again for Mary) which hasn’t been my favorite trope. Helen Hardt has a way of capturing my attention with her writing and the way she describes what they’re doing and how they’re feeling like we’re in the same room with the characters experiencing it with our own eyes. I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed and that the life-threatening situation at the end was a bit predictable in a way that they professed their love for each other and then The End, but it was still a wonderful read. I really enjoyed reading this series and can’t wait for more of Helen Hardt!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this ARC! A couple of quick notes.
1) I have not read the other two books in this series. This book was able to be read as a standalone and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything by not reading the other ones. I’m sure I would have gotten to know some other characters, but it didn’t affect the story for me.
2) I’m not usually into dominate/submissive stories. To me, the romance and love story was the focal point more so than it being dom/sub which I appreciated.

With all that being said, I really enjoyed this book and am invested in Mary’s and Ronan's relationship. Like I mentioned, I love that the romance was the focal point of the story. I love that they could be vulnerable with each other and that you could really feel that they cared for one another. I like when books have duel point of views because you really get to know the characters and what they are feeling.

The only thing that kind of took me out of it, was the dramatics surrounding them expressing their love for each other. I wish that moment was more simple and not as intense as it was, but it didn’t ruin the story for me.

Blossom is the last book in Helen Hardt's Black Rose trilogy and the only thing I can say is WOW! Although I read the first book in this series, I somehow missed reading the second novel, but you can be sure I'll be backtracking to read it after this unputdownable, 5-star read.

First off, a warning: Blossom is an sexually graphic, erotic, BDSM romance, and if any of those adjectives are an issue for you, you should probably read something else. However, if you love a well-written, seriously hot, and deep look into the BDSM lifestyle, and both its good points and bad ones, I suggest starting at the beginning of this series, and giving it a try.

This novel centers around Mary, aka Blossom, a natural submissive who was introduced to the BDSM lifestyle while at college--the Dom being one of the older professors at the college, and it ended badly when Mary wanted forever, and her Dom just wanted sex. When she finally got over him, or at least thought she did, she then had a bad experience with a Dom at the Black Rose Underground club when a Dom she was scening with didn't honor her safe word--which left her deeply traumatized and wondering about whether or not she ever wanted to get involved with a Dom again.

When Mary's BFF, Brenda, finally convinces her to at least meet for a drink at The Black Rose, it's there she spots the hero, a new member of the club, Ronan, a gorgeous, shirtless Dom, who's wearing a kilt--is there anything sexier? The two are immediately and totally attracted to one another, but Mary is very tentative, and Ronan seems willing to take the time to get to know her and take things slowly.

Ronan is the kind of literary hero you can easily fall in love with. Although he's not looking for a long-term relationship having left a 5-year one behind in Scotland, he's intrigued by Mary and wants to help her, get to know her, and get her over her fear of getting back into the lifestyle. To say that he sweeps Mary (and this reader) off her feet is putting it mildly, but what impressed me most was how well Ms. Hardt developed each of these two characters, and how careful she was about portraying their slowly building relationship, and Mary and Ronan coming to terms with their feelings and their hopes for the future.

Yes, there are pitfalls along the way, all handled with care and consideration, but in conclusion, this was one really excellent read and I'm happy to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

What a great way to end the Black Rose Underground series! Blossom is a member of the club who had a traumatic experience and is questioning whether or not this lifestyle agrees with her anymore. Cue Ronan, a gorgeous Scot, and Blossom is rethinking everything. Ronan wants to help her feel comfortable again. Sparks fly. Ronan is endearing, thoughtful and find himself wanting more then a physical relationship. Blossom becomes smitten and we see both of their feelings grow. Ronan is a true hero and swoon worthy. Blossom is every girl who is a little bit broken and looking to find herself. I really loved the series and I’m so glad I read it. This can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the first two before diving into this one as characters from previous books are revisited.

Oh my gosh. I love the fact that we circled back to Mary in this final episode of the series. She has not been herself after a scene with Jack and she has shut herself up with unresolved feelings like something truly is missing from her life. In walks Ronan a Scottish hunk and her whole life changes in a matter of a week.. This is the best way to end this series. I love both of them so much..

BDSM is a little out of my depth, but I’m always fascinated by the books about them as there really is a whole world to it with all of its rules and codes. I wasn’t expecting to read about New Orleans, my home, for a good chunk of this book and was immensely pleased about that. Also I totally envisioned Ronan as Jamie Fraser so the references were pretty spot on and funny 😂 in the blurb, when I read about a Scotsman who got her attention, I was just immediately like SIGN ME UP 😂 overall, I enjoyed this read! It is also an installment in the Black Rose Underground series, but can be read as standalone!

Thank you to the author and Entangled for the early copy!

This one focuses on the girl we've seen in both stories so far, but now it's her turn to shine. Blossom, or Mary, is finding her way in the world and deciding if the sub life is really where she wants to be anymore. Of course, she meets the most thoroughly dominant man she's ever seen in the midst of her indecision, making everything harder to decide.

As Mary and Ronan navigate their desires in and out of the bedroom, they both begin to realize that they may mean far more to one another than they ever thought possible.
This one was more emotional than Blush and Bloom, but still very steamy!

This book was gifted to me as an E-Arc by Entangled publishing and Netgalley

DNF- I was really excited to start this book and loved the premise but, found it missed the mark with me. I found I didn't really connect with any of the characters, some of the spicy scenes were a bit to cringey for my liking and overall I didnt feel the need to continue with this book. This was my first time reading anything by Helen Hardt and I am definitely willing to give her another try eventually, maybe by starting this series from the beginning?