Let’s just say this one was short and dirty. 🥵

Ivy has been left destitute, but her late cousin’s widow takes her in, and she gets a quick education in 🌶️! Oh, and also, her cousin’s death was under somewhat mysterious circumstances. 🫢

Sierra Simone knows how to write spice, and there’s some good stuff in this short little novella.

Not only is the tension between Ivy and Mr. Markham 🔥, but he also has a group of friends that definitely enjoy a good time!

This is just little sneak peak of the 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘩𝘢𝘮 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭 series, and I am definitely interested in continuing on. Zara Hampton-Brown narrated this one, and she’s a favorite of mine. Looking at the rest of the audiobooks in this series, I spot a few more favorites, so I’ll definitely be looking into continuing on via audio!

Thank you to Dreamscape Select, No Bird Press LLC and @netgalley for providing me an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What this book is giving:
✅ Historical Er0t!c Romance
✅ Novella
✅ Gothic Vibes
✅ Death under mysterious circumstances 🧐
✅ Very “close” circle of friends 😘
✅ Cliffhanger

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5

⭐️ 3.5/5

• First of all what in the world did I just read?! I expected something out of the ordinary from the synopsis but not this!! 😅

• The book is super atmospheric and has gothic vibes. I loved the tension between the MCs.

• The one thing I did not like and it’s a very important thing for me is how the FMC kept wanting out of having to do anything substantial for her own living just because she will not have control over her own time. But girl, you don’t have control over your life right now!

• I have heard great things about this author and I will definitely read more since I enjoyed her writing a lot! Also 🌶️🌶️🌶️

- The audiobook narration was great and the alternation between the male and female characters seemed very nice.

Very good book. Definitely a spicy story and one I'd love to hear more of. I was very upset that it ended. I'd like to know what happens with the characters and the cousins death.

Set in the Victorian Era, this fast paced romance will catch your attention and leave you blushing! This quick read is perfect for fans of Bridgerton - as long as you don’t mind a step up in the spice department. A grumpy powerful man welcomes his deceased wife’s young and naïve cousin into his home after her brother (her provider) passes away. Following his wife’s untimely death, there are rumors swirling and he seems to be at the center of it. A powerful, possessive and private man opening his home, is it out of the goodness of his heart, or does he have dark intentions? This book definitely ends on a cliff hanger, so it’s perfect for those looking for a romance series.

I would like to thank Sierra Simon, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. The narrator also deserves mention as it really was narrated with the perfect accent, annunciation and emotion throughout.

Sierra Simone's writing is often very much about the vibe, more than the plot, and this is definitely no exception. I personally think that's usually a good thing, because she excels at making you believe two people are completely over-the-top obsessed with each other just because her writing is so lovely. I think my issue is that I never understood what, exactly, Ivy saw in Julian. It's the whole "I just can't stay away from you" thing for both of them, and that's fine, but... why? I don't trust Julian's motives, but that's a good thing, because this is the first book in a mystery series, so I'm not supposed to trust him. But she doesn't trust him either, so I am going to need to understand why she feels so compelled by him anyway, and I didn't really.

All of that said, the Simone Vibe was still there, and I love the vibe, so I'm still glad to have listened to this audiobook. If you've read Thornchapel, this felt a lot like that book to me, with a lot of similar elements.

I received an ARC of the audiobook, which is just now being released, although the print book has been out for years. If you like your male main characters to be very, very growly, you'll love this, because that's how Zara Hampton-Brown narrated him. I don't personally love it, but I think some people will. Otherwise she was good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the Advanced Reader Copy (maybe more accurately called an Advanced Listener Copy?).

Sierra Simone writes hot hot books and this one was definitely there. Ivy and Julian sizzle, but ivys feelings run hot, run cold and she is very unsure of Julian. Ivy has to deal with a lot, sexual awareness, very strong feelings for Julian, jealousy, gossip and the mystery of her cousins death.

I was bummed that the end was just left hanging. As a novella, the story was developed decently and the narration was done well although Julian's voice was a little too odd and gruff.

3.5 stars! The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is a book that has been on my TBR for the longest time! This is the start of the Markham Hall series and when I saw the audio was being released, I knew it was the perfect time to jump in.

This is a short read, it’s a novella that is just under 200 pages and definitely leaves things not finished with the story. That said, it was entertaining for what it was. This has gothic, historical, erotica vibes and is similar to a bunch of my fav stories: Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Crimson Peak.

It’s 1879 and Ivy is headed to Markham Hall. After the recent passing of her brother, and the death of her parents years before, at 19 Ivy is all alone and relying on the mercy of strangers to help her. She gets invited to Markham Hall to stay with Julian Markham, her late cousin’s husband. And from there she learns her cousin, who was Mr. Markham’s second wife, passed just a month after their marriage. Now Ivy is super pulled towards Julian and Markham Hall but starts learning some dark secrets about both.

This was just moody and steamy and fun! Like I mentioned, the story isn’t complete with this one book, but it was intriguing enough to continue at some point. I didn’t love it quite as much as I thought I would, very insta everything really and not too much depth to Ivy so far in the story.

The audiobook is narrated by Zara Hampton Brown, it was an easy listen and entertaining! I received an audio ALC from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own!

When you pick up a Novel by Sierra Simone you go into it knowing it will be hot. It was definitely on fire but that was it. The story fell flat and when it ended with cliff hanger I was disappointed. I was not fully invested into the characters to continue on the multiple books to follow.

Book Name: The Awakening of Ivy Leavold
Author: Sierra Simone
Narrator:  Zara Hampton-Brown

ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select, No Bird Press LLC for Audio ARC of The Awakening of Ivy Leavold bySierra Simone

Stars: 4
Spice: 5

Audiobook
- British Accent
- Easy to Follow
- Quick Listen

Book
- Series
- Cliffhanger
- FMC POV
- Historical Smut


- Thoughts.
- Alpha Type MMC
- Billionaire Vibes
- Jane Eyre Vibes
- Tension X10
- Power Dynamic

Had to keep reading. Loved the gothic Jane Eyre Vibes but with dead wife rather than crazy wife. Power dynmaic was bit off putting.

I picked up Ivy Leavold as an ALC from NetGalley. I'd read it previously, so was curious to see how this erotic novella played out in my ears. Honestly, I don't prefer first person erotica. Ivy is a penniless virgin sent to live with her late cousin's husband, Julian Markham. She's immediately attracted to him despite the fact that he's now had two wives die within a month of marriage to him. It's an exploration of sexuality in the Victorian era for a poor country girl. It's 5🔥 but essentially the first in a serial, rather than something that can be read alone. There's instant-lust for sure and a bit of mystery. Because it's first person POV, we have Ivy's very naive perspective, but that gives the book an intriguing air, though, not my favorite stylistically.

The narration is solid - at first I wasn't sure how Zara Hampton-Brown's narrative style would work, but she gives Ivy the innocence of a young girl learning how to want.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an ALC for review. The audiobook for The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is out 2/29/24. The ebook and print are available now.

3/5 Stars

Thank you to Dreamscape Select, No Bird Press LLC, and Netgalley for providing me with an ALC to listen to.

I love Sierra Simone and I truly never know what to expect from her other than an ungodly amount of smut. This is a historical ish adult romance with some mystery elements and I did enjoy it. It was very short as it is a novella and it was only 4 or so hours long as an audiobook. I do plan on continuing this series as I liked the romance and the spice and I can’t wait to figure out more about the mystery portion of the book.

Ivy Leavold has been left alone and destitute by the death of her brother and is taken in by her only family she has left, her cousin’s widower, Julian Markham. It is hard not to fall for him but there are secrets Markham has that might put Ivy in danger. She continues trying to find out what happened to cause the death of her cousin but she also continues to fall more and more for Julian.

I really did like the dynamic between Julian and Ivy, and I can’t wait to see more as kink in the 1800s is very different and similar to it now which I haven’t actually really read much in that period. Julian is a morally grey character and I am excited to see more of that. I just wished this book was longer so I could really see more for him in action. I didn’t love Ivy but I also just don’t like when women chase men that reject them for stupid reasons. If you can’t tell I don’t read a lot of historical romance so while things might be normal in historical romance I don’t often like it. I did like that Ivy was pretty confident at times in herself. I just wish it was more consistent.

I will read the next ones whether it is audio or I grab the ebooks as I think it is a fun series and a nice short read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review.

After reading the Priest series by Sierra Simone, I was looking forward to listening to this audiobook, unfortunately, this book disappointed me quite a bit.

All the things I appreciated about the Priest series were missing in this book for me: What the Priest series did really well was tabu, yet consensual spice, with deep romantic feelings. I did not get this feeling here, which is why I felt really uncomfortable listening to the audiobook until around the 75% mark. The only reason I kept listening was to get rid of this feeling of uncomfortableness because I was hoping the MMC might have some explanations about his behaviour. My questions were only somewhat answered.

So this is what made me uncomfortable (spoilers ahead): We have a young, inexperienced FMC, and she’s the newly dependent of the MMC. He keeps pursuing her, basically egging her on, to then always realize that he shouldn't be doing this and turning her down. All of these experiences are her first sexual encounters. He's basically sexually manipulating her into pining after him, but feeling bad about it, because he, and society for that matter, is telling her that if she wants him, she's bad. Instead of either pursuing her wholeheartedly or leaving her alone for good, he decides to invite his friends over. He says it is because the house they are staying in feels isolated and he wants them to be able to be social. Inviting friends over, as a buffer, could be a good move in theory, but the MMC does not have those kinds of friends. No, he has swinger friends (that he obviously also has a sexual past with). So, because he doesn't want to want her, he invites swingers that he also doesn't want her to get in contact with. Make that make sense?
It creates a long segment of the book that is just painful to listen to. Being part of a new friend group where you don't know anyone well, apart maybe from the guy you like, is awkward enough, now make it a swinger party and you don't have any sexual experiences and the guy you're interested in is also kind of cock blocking you from himself and everyone else, while he gets touched by others - that has to be the most awkward thing ever.

Don't get me wrong I'm not against reading about more than two consensual partners in a romance book. The thing is that it did not feel very consensual here. For starters, the MMC is kind of controlling what the FMC is allowed to part take in or even know about, while the FMC has no such control over the MMC. Secondly, the FMC is a virgin at this point and seems pretty overwhelmed. Thirdly, the FMC simply has a lack of knowledge, not just regarding sexual acts, but also about the group dynamics. She has never met these people before and then she "consents" to play a game with them that they don't even tell her the rules of. As part of the game they undress, kiss and touch her and one of the guys even pushes his penis into her hands. No boundaries were discussed before or after. And even if so, I don't even think she could have enough information to make it 'informed consent' without ever having experienced anything sexual before.
The group was also kind of pressuring her to take off more clothes and calling her 'pet' the whole time like she was just a plaything. The power dynamic in the group did definitely not feel right.

While all of this going on, I also feel like the MMC is emotionally and sexually manipulating her to participate in this because a) she now wants him to want her and this seems to be the only way and b) it seems that if she doesn't participate, he will participate without her and she won't know what's going on.

Then there's Molly. She's one of the friends in the group that the MMC has a sexual history with. That's not the entire problem here. She also keeps dropping comments that a) egg the FMC on to have more sexual contact with the MMC and everyone else and b) make the FMC feel inferior but also at the same time c) make the FMC think that the MMC will drop her.
For some reason the MMC and Molly kiss heavily which the FMC overhears and the MMC argues that he did it to protect the FMC from him and actually he is super loyal. Make up your mind dude. You are not protecting anyone by making out with your ex and edging the FMC the whole time to then drop her when she's about to get down with you. There's zero logic in this whole back and forth which made it seem 100% more toxic.

Also, let's not forget that we are in the 19th century and the FMC relies on the MMC for housing and any other expenses. Without her “virtue” she becomes even more dependent on him. Now let’s bring into the mix that both of the MMC’s previous wives have mysteriously died after he married them and his relationships with them seemed more than problematic – this set-up is not only unbelievable but also the opposite of romantic.

This is the first out of four continuous novellas in the series and I feel like in this case, as in most cases when romance books are made into a continuous series, it is just an excuse to gloss over poor plot execution and a lack of character development. As each part of the series is so short that you have to squeeze the spice and the plot points in that everything else just gets left behind.

There are a few more things that didn't work for me but wouldn't have been a deal-breaker by themselves:

There's isnta love or more like insta lust between the MC's. Their connection is based on nothing.

The MMC is very vulgar and brisk in his sexual encounters with the FMC from the very beginning. Given that the FMC is a virgin and we're 18-something Yorkshire, I found the constant talk of his 'cock' and her ‘cunt’ more off-putting than enticing.

He calls her a wild cat (how's she wild?). After somehow deciding that he can't stay away from her after all, he also says something along the lines of ' no one could handle me and my dark side, but you can'. What is this based on? We don't know anything about either of them that distinguishes them from anyone else. Also couldn't Molly handle you?

We don't know much about the main characters or any of the side characters. They are just one-dimensional beings like the jealous housekeeper, the promiscuous ex, the charming friend, the friendly but secretive servant.

I normally like this narrator, but in order to fit with the character better, I guess she took on a bit breather, squeakier voice and I did not like that, but could ignore it after some time.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, please don't be under the assumption that this is period-accurate.

As you can tell from the length of my review, there were a lot of things to complain about, especially compared to the length of the book. I would not recommend this to anyone except if you are looking for a quick trashy read (but be aware this is only part 1 of 4), especially if you have the expectation of finding something similar to the priest series here. I might skim-read the other parts of the series to make the trash TV-loving part of my brain happy and to fulfil my nosiness though.

NARRATION LOVE
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

STORY LOVE
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

SPICE
🌶️ mild

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

Ivy Leavold’s story unfolds over the course of three books. I’ve read and enjoyed all three. I’m happy I have the opportunity to to listen to Sierra Simone’s The Awakening of Ivy Leavold because the narrator really brought the story to life. I could feel the angst and chemistry between Ivy and Markham. I want more though. I’m looking forward to the audio release of the second installment.

Give this historical romance a listen/read. Enjoy!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @sierrasimone for the opportunity to listen to the first installment of the series in advance.

I typically do not like historical romance, but I actually really enjoyed this audiobook. I don't know if it is Sierra's writing that I enjoyed, or listening to it in audiobook form rather than reading it in kindle/paperback form, but I am excited to listen to the next book in the series.

This story follows Ivy as she moves into her cousin's husband's house. Her cousin had recently passed away due to a horse-riding accident. Ivy develops a relationship with Julian Markham, and while she has mixed emotions about the situation, she finds herself falling in love (lust?) with Julian. Ivy has to deal with the town gossip, the housemaid, Julian's valet, and Julian's friends to navigate what she should do, and how she should feel.

I am looking forward to the next in the series, The Education of Ivy Leavold!

#TheAwakeningofIvyLeavold #NetGalley

It was a sexy gothic tale of Ivy and Julian. Ivy’s family has all met with their deaths leaving Ivy all alone as we find her in the beginning. Her cousin who has also died. Her husband is willing to take her in he is quite wealthy and is living in a castle. My fault, I thought the book was a mystery to find out who killed her cousin. Nothing could be further from the truth for this book. The book is the awakening of her sexual desires. Not the lies of her cousin’s death. It’s a 1970’s swingers book set during the gothic age. I want to thank the following for allowing me opportunity’ to read and review an early copy of this audiobook.
#NetGalley,
Produced by: #EastHouseProductions
Publisher: #SierraSimone
Author: #SierraSimone
Narrator: #ZaraHamptonBrown
#The AwakeningofIvyLeavold
PublicationDate: February 29, 2024

if you like historical smut then this one is for you. Ivy is left broke and alone after her parents passed and her brother gambled away all of their money. Then he has the audacity to die as well. She is just a series of misfortunate events. She goes to live with her cousin's (who has also died) husband.
Hot group sex. Swinging. Corsets were shed and trousers were dropped.

It was a good listen. I appreciated it being British. I felt like it added more to the narration.

I feel as though I should preface this review by saying a few things… 1: I didn’t realize this was an older book. I guess I should have paid more attention. 2: I’ve read and liked other books by Sierra Simone. I thought the Thornchapel series was beautifully written. With that said, yikes! 😬 This book was so 2015 and could really do with a revisit and revision. The entire first half, maybe even the first 3/4 of the book is bad. It’s just bad. I read enough romance, erotica and straight smut to enjoy “sex is the plot” but this just wasn’t well done. If anything I suppose it shows Sierra’s growth as an author. Yay her! The entire book lacked a foundation and felt like a series of events that were contrived not to move the plot (as much as there was one) forward but to allow for more sexual escapades. Which, whatever… but I just couldn’t suspend belief for some of it. This woman who’s apparently got no grasp on social norms of the time and has been left to her own devices most of her life, meets this man and BANG! she’s suddenly aware of her body and is a slut. And not only is she cool being “compromised/ ruined” she’s fine with other people knowing it too. Ok, cool. It could have worked if there was more to it. More internal conflict or even some coercion on his part- something! Anything! Instead it’s just him constantly saying he’s going to stay away and then not and her momentarily wondering what happened to her cousin and then thinking about dick again.
The narration was fine. Not great, but fine. I’m not a huge fan of single person narration unless it’s really well done and this was just fine. The whole thing was fine for what it is but I didn’t really want it.

Platform: Audiobook (ALC) via NetGalley. Thank you Dreamscape Select & No Birds Press LLC for this audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

I’m a big Sierra Simone fan-she just knows how to weave exciting stories and interesting characters but not usually a Historical romance girlie but ya know what…I had a great time!

This book was a quick and easy listen! I started and finished in one sitting. It has a dark, gritty setting with mystery and secrets.

Ivy finds herself destitute after her brother’s death and is taken in by her cousin’s widower, Julian Markham. He’s broody and unwelcoming. Definitely not someone Ivy should be desperate to know on a more intimate level. As Ivy starts to unravel the mystery and secrets behind her cousin’s death, she starts to suspect Julian might be her murderer but she finds it impossible to stay away. He’s addicting, even if he’ll be her end.

I have a few suspicions and I will definitely be continuing the story in book 2 to figure out mif I’m able to discover the mystery before the end!

Well, well, WELL, at least it was VERY short. You know what this book needed? Vampires. Would’ve been 10 times better with vampires. As it is, it’s terribly bad.

I did not realize this was a series, so when it just ended I was like AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED!!!
But its okay, there are 4 more book! (: ummmm... I'm ready whenever you want to release themmmm (:

Publisher's summary
**Yorkshire, 1879
I am alone.**
When Ivy Leavold is left destitute by her brother's death, she is taken in by her cousin's brooding, tortured widower—Julian Markham. Handsome and possessive, it's not long before Ivy falls for him. But Mr. Markham has dark secrets, secrets that may put Ivy in danger...
I am afraid.
As Ivy unravels the mystery surrounding her cousin's death, she falls deeper and deeper in love with Julian, who opens her body and her mind to his indomitable will. But even as he draws pleasure and desire from her night after night, Ivy can't shake the feeling that their passionate affair may end in violence...
And I am completely his.

Thanks to NetGalley & No Bird Press LLC for the arc of this book!

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold
Markham Hall, Book 1
By: Sierra Simone
Narrated by: Zara Hampton-Brown
Publisher: No Bird Press LLC
Release date: 02-29-24