This book surprised me I didn’t think that I could like new characters anymore than I loved from the last two books. And once again, Helen Hardt prove me wrong. Watching the story between Mary and Ronan unfold, and how vulnerable and raw they were with each other was beautiful. Has a way of making us fall in love with a new fictional character every time more than the last this truly was no exception. I felt like we were able to be the flies on the wall, watching them fall in love, and knowing it even before they could admit it. it was just such a pure one that I will read again and again, and have already purchased for my permanent collection outside of the netgalley arc I received for my unbiased review. do yourself a favor and get this book and be prepared to fall in love with them.

First, I want to thank Entangled Publishing and the author for gifting me this ARC! I didn’t really know what to expect going into Blossom but boy, did I eat this book up!! I literally finished it in a single day and totally fell in love with Ronan and Mary💙

These two meet at an underground leather club after Mary had an experience with a scene gone wrong. She doesn’t know if she wants to be in the life anymore, so as a test, she decides to hang out at the club one more time. Of course, this is where she meets Ronan and right away, something feels different about him; and Ronan feels it too, but they could never tell each other that lol. The chemistry between these two is palpable and will have you blushing every time they’re together!!

I really appreciate the way Ronan took his time getting to know Mary and being open to the foreign feelings he was experiencing. I also always love when books including BDSM put emphasis on the subs having most of the power in a dynamic. Ronan is an expert dirty talker and a man confident enough to wear a kilt anytime and anyplace is 🥵 Mary continued to show her strength, even though she was scared and put herself out there in fear of missing out on something great.

I was totally immersed in this book from beginning to end and my only critique is that it felt like it ended SO quickly, I would have loved a few more chapters to spread out the finale. But other than that, I seriously loved these characters, the spicy scenes, the drama, and the romance between these two who opened their hearts for each other🫶🏻

Despite harboring the anticipation of enjoying this book, I found the narrative somewhat disarrayed. The story, with its latent potential, fell short of my expectations primarily due to writing that I struggled to appreciate. Repetitive elements permeated the text, making it a challenging read. Though tempted to abandon it, I persevered to the end. My rating is 3 stars. It reflects acknowledgment of the pleasant romantic aspects and the untapped potential within the storyline. However, the persistent issues with repetitiveness and challenging prose ultimately hindered the book from reaching its full potential, leaving a mixed sentiment about the overall honest reading experience.

Thank you for this opportunity to read this story. It was a good story that I will go back and read the rest!

First I would like to thanks Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the story of Mary, also known as Blossom, who has not been able to enjoy her time being a submissive in the Black Rose club since a minor event occurred. When she decides to go to the club with her friend she runs into a new club member Ronan, Scottish dominate. After spending time together both Mary and Ronan start to have feelings that they haven't every experienced before with another dominate/submissive and have to decide if this relationship can survive outside the confines of the club.

What I loved:
New Orleans, Ronan grew up in the city and takes Mary there for a compulsive trip and I've never wanted to go visit as city as much as I did when reading the chapters set there
Ronan, he is described as the perfect Scotsman and he plays into it by wearing a kilt to the club and I am a BIG FAN of that aesthetic
Meme, Ronan's grandmother who practically raised him is my favorite character of the story, she is a business owner, amazing chef, embraces the practice of Voodoo and is 100% herself
History, I really enjoy that we get to learn how Mary came into the lifestyle since that backstory really lends to why she struggles so much with her relationship with Ronan
Spicy, as expected this book has a great level and range of spice and I liked how the spice was not only confined to the club and the ghost scene was WILD

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book even when there were parts where I wanted to shake both Mary and Ronan to get themselves out of their own heads. If you are looking for a romance that has travel, spice, personal growth and some surprises I would absolutely recommend this book to you! Bonus, this is the last of a trilogy and they are all great books!

*I received an ARC copy however all opinions are my own*

Rating: 3.75 (didn’t want to give this just 3 stars bc I did enjoy the story)
First thing, I absolutely loved Ronan and Mary’s characters. I enjoyed their quick romance and their overall story. The only reason I gave it this rating was because of the ghost scene and the constant mentions of voodoo throughout the book. Idk if it’s because I live in Louisiana but I wasn’t feeling the glorification/ eagerness to learn it. Everytime it was mentioned I felt like I was pulled out of the story which impacted my reading experience through the rest of the book. I understand this is all personal preference and that’s why I wanted to lead with the things I did like about Blossom. I still loved the characters, the writing and their story minus a couple scenes which bugged me. Thank you again for the opportunity to read Blossom :)

Absolutely loved this! Falling in love with this whole series! Helen Hardt keeps your attention, and heart strings close!

A hot Scot Dom in a kilt, be still my beating heart and then throw in that New Orleans drawl – well that’s how he sounds in my head – and I was a goner for Ronan O’Connor probably just as quickly as he fell for Mary Sandusky or Blossom as she was known in the Black Rose adults only club they both belonged to. Although American, Dominant Ronan who had spent much of his adult life in his father’s home country of Scotland, was newly returned to the US and fresh out of an arrangement where his sub had wanted more than he was prepared to give. He’d gone to the club to check it out and the first person he saw was Mary where he was instantly intrigued. Mary was at a crossroads in her life. She had been happy to play but only on a casual basis with no long-term agreements with any Dom. This arrangement had suited her but she’d recently lost confidence in her own judgement after a scene had gone wrong and she’d had to use her safe word. Now she was afraid of trusting another Dom and was trying to decide what it was she wanted and whether or not she to remain in the lifestyle.

This was a slowburn, friends to lovers romance as Ronan, with the aid of his grandmother helps Mary decide what it is she wants from her life and to go out and grab it. Ronan hadn’t been looking for a relationship, he didn’t do hearts and flowers but as he played tourist to Mary’s guide in New York and then reversed the situation when he showed her his ‘N’awlins’ even introducing her to a randy ghost that resulted in a sizzling threesome, love gradually snuck up on them both but both were afraid to make the first move until a near tragedy showed them just what was important. The development of their relationship was well paced and believable as he rebuilt her confidence. Perhaps I felt there could’ve been more of a thing made of his ex-submissive’s stalker like tendencies but that’s just me always wanting more.

Did I accidentally read this not knowing it was book 3? Yeah but I fell right into the storyline with really no confusion. While I can see how having previously read the two prior to this one for the interconnections and the relationships, you honestly won't be left stumbling through the read should you start here.

I'm a sucker for a good 'adult club' setting and the navigations of Mary/Blossom as she tries to navigate life back into the scenes was wonderful. She was truly a character that expressed her vulnerability and did some real soul searching on reassessing what she wants in life and how she thinks she needs to be perceived by others. Take all this character growth and development and pair it with a hottie with money, some genuine tender care and love to him that is also navigating some wants and needs in his life, and some super hot scenes- we've got the perfect recipe.

This was such a quick read that it was over in nearly the blink of an eye. We had a bit of up and down throughout as Mary and Ronan navigate this connection but we're guaranteed that sweet and satisfying ending. I'll definitely be circling back to book one and two just so I can get a taste of everyone.

This book could easily be 30-40% shorter. The unnecessary overexplaining of things like cocktails, dishes and even coffee was redundant at best, patronising at worst. Speaking of patronising - the way that Ronan sometimes speaks to Mary got me annoyed and disconnected from him as a character. I didn’t feel like I wanted to fall in love with him. And I don’t mean the conversations in the D/s scenes. But even those did not really translate as written by an author who properly researched Doms. In fact, the author makes such a big to-do through both characters that Ronan is such a quintessential Dom and Mary a true Submissive - but other than their own inner monologues we don’t see that at all. Tying a partner up and the odd piece of language does not make a Dom.

The writing was repetitive and the pivotal conflict in the third act happening in the last 20% of the book felt rushed and sloppy. I am sorry to say this book was highly disappointing for me - which is a pity, because I’ve read other Helen Hardt books that I’ve enjoyed very much.

Blossom by Helen Hardt

Published: January 23, 2024
Entangled: Amara
Genre: Billionaire Romance
Pages: 301
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

This series has been fire. I need a glass of water and a moment of silence. The depth of this book rocked my world. I loved the dynamics between the characters, the self-discovery, and the dip into Creole cooking and Voodoo.

Helen is such a powerhouse writer. This is my third book with her, and she floors me every single time. The spicy scenes are so well written and delivered in such a beautifully erotic fashion.

I loved the story within a story element of this book. It was entertaining and the perfect touch. The way each character is written, from central to side, it is evident that no detail was by accident.

I love and appreciate the way Hardt brings a story to life. This book made me giggle blush, and kept me glued to the pages. I am a bit sad the series has concluded, but I am glad I was able to take the ride!

4.5 stars - Sexy, sweet and erotic, Blossom is a wonderfully sensual way to end this series.

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

I wanted to like this book but it was kind of all over the place. I think the story has potential but I did not enjoy the writing. So many things were repetitive and it was very hard to read. I wanted to not finish it but I made it through to the end. At least it had an HEA….

Thank you for the ARC for my honest opinion.

Mary & Ronan ... sweet & swoony

Yet again Helen Hardt has delivered another entertaining, steamy, emotional, and unputdownable story. BLOSSOM, the final book in the Black Rose trilogy, is a romance that captured my heart. It's two main charactacters quickly became among my favourites fro Ms. Hardt.

Mary Sandusty is a submissive at a crossroads. After a scene at the Black Rose Club goes wrong she begins to question whether ot not she wants to continue being a part-time submissive. She's unsure if she will be able to put her trust in the hands of another Dom. Mary is a sweet natured woman who was hurt in a previous relationship, yet finds herself wanting more, she wants to find love like her best friend has. Kilt wearing, American/Scot Ronan O'Connor has moved back to the US due to work commitments and the conclusion of a five year relationship. He's a Dominant, and wants to find a full-time submissive. When the two meet at the Black Rose Club their lives change in ways neither expected.

Mary and Ronan are instantly drawn to each other, their chemistry is red hot and sparks fly. The only problem is, they both want different things in life. It's not long before they both begin a journey that will have them re-evaluating their lives and how they view relatinships. After Mary takes Ronan to her favourite places in New York, Ronan takes her to his hometown of New Orleans. It is there that their relationship begins to change. Yes, the steam between them sizzles, yes their friendship deepens as do their feelings for each other, but will they be brave enough to voice their truths?

I enjoyed the pace of this story. It wasn't forced or rushed, instead it burned slowly as Mary and Ronan made individual discoveries about themselves. I adored Ronan's granmother, Meme Yvette, she was an amazing woman with so many wise words. I loved that this story concentrated on the development of their relationship rather than just the spiciness between them. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazingly spicy scenes. The only part of the book that dragged for me was the scene at Ronan's grandmother's restaurant, I didn't feel that I needed all the information that was supplied.

Overall, this was a terrific read that I'll definitely be revisiting again.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE ENTERTAINING STARS ✨✨✨✨✨

This is the third book of the Black Rose series, and I was swept into the intricate dance of trust and desire between Mary, known as Blossom in her BDSM community, and the enigmatic Scottish Dom, Ronan O’Connor. After a distressing experience at the Black Rose Underground Club, Mary's journey of self-discovery and Ronan's struggle with vulnerability weave a compelling story. Their evolving relationship, set against a backdrop of kink and emotional exploration, struck a balance between steamy encounters and heartfelt moments. The book masterfully concludes the series, leaving me reflecting on the themes of healing and the courage to embrace one's true self. A perfect blend of romance and light BDSM elements, this book was a satisfying, spicy read that captivated me from start to finish.

Is there anything sexier than a man that knows how to wear a kilt?

Ronan O’Connor is new to New York after relocating from Scotland for Business, and he knows how to make an entrance at Black Rose especially since he catches Mary Sandusky’s eye which has been hard to do lately. Mary had a bad experience and is unsure if she wants to stay in the scene, can Ronan be the one to make things right for her again? Or will she walk away from it all?

I enjoyed the chemistry between Ronan and Mary, they could heat up a room on a cold day that's for sure. Ronan is an interesting guy, he recently broke things off with a submissive he had a D/s relationship with and moved to another country to start over...talk about cutting ties. He was adamant in what he wanted and a wife and kids wasn't it...could Mary change his way of thinking?

Blossom is the third book in the Black Rose Series and can be read as a standalone. I have only read one other book in this series but I plan to go back and read the one that I missed, this series is perfect for readers that enjoy STEAMY Contemporary Romances, BDSM Romances, or Interracial Romances.

Happy Reading!!!

I love Ronan's character so much. You are exactly what each other needs. Will Mary except Ronan's offer? Will his offer be too good to turn down? This book is so good.

When The Fun Happens Outside The Club

“She will be mine.”

This book was fun and had me hooked from the start. There’s an instant attraction between the MCs but they take their time exploring one another and feeling each other out before diving in. Which means that they get up to some adventures that I wouldn’t jump into with a stranger, but I felt made for a very interesting story.
I enjoyed the way the author incorporated details of the cities and explored supernatural elements. The MMC, Ronan is very Scottish, well he’s only part Scottish but that doesn’t stop him from leaning into with kilts and an occasional broque. I really liked Mary, she struggled with some anxiety and processing a past trauma that made her skittish to “get back in the saddle”, but oh boy did eventually ride that saddle hard. 😂

⚜️ InstaLust with a Slow Burn Romance
⚜️ Ghosts & Voodoo
⚜️ Leather Club, Dom/sub Relationship
⚜️ Exploring NYC & New Orleans

✨ Book 3 in a standalone series.

🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: 💙💙💙💙
Billionaire Romance: BDSM, Scottish Billionaire (kind of but it counts), Working Class Girl, Self Discovery, Voodoo
Dual POV
⚠️: Explicit with BDSM Themes

Blossom (aka Mary) is considering making a big change in her life after a bad experience at a club. She goes to the club to help her decide her next move and that's where she first encounters Ronan. Her attraction to him is undeniable but does she want to pursue anything with him. Ronan goes to the club because he's new in town. He has just ended a five-year relationship and has no interest in getting involved with anyone but his attraction to Blossom is undeniable. The two of them have a journey ahead of them to decide if they can make a future with each other.

I thought the author did a good job developing Mary and Ronan. Both of them had childhood traumas that helped to form who they are as adults. Both have had relationships that taught them to never bond with another person romantically. I like how both of them have to work through their issues to be together. There are characters that put pressure on their relationship that help to push the story forward. These characters are neither good guys or bad guys just point along the path. The end of the story was a surprise, but I like that it came out of left field.

One of my issues with the book is that I didn't think that the adult activities always added to the story. I understood going in that this was that sort of book, so I expected them but some of them seemed superfluous. I also thought there was some unnecessary repetition. I don't mind repetition if it adds to the story or if the characters add details with each iteration. In this case it felt like filler.

This story takes place in New York and New Orleans. Both of the characters are adults with careers. This story takes place in the world of the Black Rose Underground club. This book can be read as a stand alone. I will read more from this author in the future.

What a way to end a series! This one may be my favorite of this series and Ronan my be my favorite guy. This book was so good!. Ronan and Mary's chemistry was so good. This book had me tearing up and it takes a lot for a book to make me do that!. I will definitely miss this series. Can't wait to read it again. Helen Hardt never disappointes!