Title: Hothouse Flower
Authors: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Series: Calloway Sisters #2 (Spin-off of the Addicted series)
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Publication Date: March 28, 2014
Rating: 5 Fairy
Wings
Reviewer: The Mauve Fairy
Summary:
Ryke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway...she's all grown up.
Twenty-five year old Ryke Meadows knows he's hard to love. With a billion dollar inheritance, a track star resume, and an alpha-male personality -- he redefines the term likable asshole. But he's not living to make friends. Or enemies. He just wants to free climb three of the toughest mountains in Yosemite without drama or interruption. And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris -- a girl that he has never been allowed to have.
Daisy Calloway is eighteen. Finally. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career. Next stop, Paris. Fashion week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.
As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there's deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto -- "live as if you'll die today" -- may just come true.
New Adult Romance: recommended for readers 18+ for mature content
*Authors Note* Hothouse Flower is a spin-off of the Addicted series. Kiss the Sky is required before reading, and we strongly recommend reading the Addicted series before this spin-off.
MY REVIEW
I need to make an admission. I hate walls of text. Paragraph upon
paragraph, and never ending words, it makes my eyes bleed. After four or five
paragraphs, my eyes get tired of all that reading that I just skim over the words and get only
the gist of what was being said. So I thought, why not make this review like a
Q&A. That way I get to answer each question, not afraid of missing a point
or something. And it won’t hurt my eyes and those that like me. So let’s get it
on!
What’s the
reason that you read this book?
Though this book is a spinoff of the
addicted series, I still think this as a part of this one epic chain of books. I love this series so much, it’s one of my all time favorites and I can’t
envision myself not reading this book because that would be like turning my
back on the one I love. Plus this is a great series! Everybody should read it.
You may learn a thing or two here. It’s really an enjoyable read that would
evoke so much emotions in you and would take you to such a place you never thought existed. You will never want to go back to that place where you were
before! God, I’m rambling I know!!! But there are just so many great things in
this series and in this book that I could go on and on and it will probably
take me weeks or even months before I am finished with what I want to say!
Thoughts on
the cover?
The cover is beautiful. I think Krista, who designed the cover, did
great on this one. Though they picked the picture on a photo site, they were
able to choose one that is appropriate and looks like an original photo. Daisy
Calloway is a supermodel with long-ass blonde hair so I think it’s apt to the
story and the title.
How about the title?
When I think of hothouse flower, the first thing that comes to my mind
are those plants being cultivated in this building made of plastic walls, has
proper ventilation and airing and temperature for nurturing these foliage.
I reach out, and I hold her cheek with the scar. “You’re a
hothouse flower,” I tell her. “You can’t grow under natural conditions. You
need adventure. And security and love in order to stay alive.”
Hothouse Flower concerns about the heroine in this book who needs
love and caring. Add to the fact that her name is Daisy, which is a type of
flower. So I guess the cover is just fitting and right for this story.
What can you
say about the content of the book? Was it what you imagined it to be?
It is everything I imagined it to be
and so, so much more! I can’t even fathom how KB did this! I know these girls
are extremely talented, they plan on everything they write but HF is
AH-MAH-ZING! I mean Kiss the Sky and the previous books are all amazing. And
they always teased us and always tell their readers that they just want to give their readers the best that they could possibly write. And man, the outcome is
fabulous, wonderful, and magnificent. I think I’ll run out of adjectives in
describing HF. It’s a very, very astounding ride you would not want to miss
out.
Comment on
the writing style of the authors
The authors’ writing style is faultless. The novel
is in two POV’s, so we know what Ryke and Daisy are feeling and thinking. The
narrative parts are short and the story is full of conversations you would not
get bored while reading. The authors are descriptive in their narrations that
it’s impossible not to imagine what they are relating in the story. Their word
choices are relevant and updated. I guess being 23-year olds and writing
characters of the same age are useful because they’re able to express the
characters well enough.
Are there any grammatical or spelling errors?
I don’t think there are any. I don’t even
remember seeing any error.
What can you
say about the story, plot or storyline? Is the plot well-developed?
The book is very well-developed. The
girls just nailed this one and I don’t think I’ve ever read something that is
so perfect. I know I’ve already said that they’re very talented and that they
plan everything. Every sequence of the story, every line and every scene are all well-thought of. It’s really evident on the development of this book. And the
characters feel so real I want to be a part of the gang! Each of these
characters has their own issues and personalities but they all fit together.
The progression of the story is not just written to create some drama. Those
scenes are integral and connected and become one whole series of events that
makes up a good story.
Let’s talk
about the main characters. Thoughts on Ryke
OMG Ryke is OMG!
In the previous books, he is not
likable. He’s always angry and he inserts himself to people. He always criticizes
Lily and thinks she’s not good enough for Lo. He is an asshole, a jackass, he
likes to utter a lot of profanities, and he projects that i-don’t-care attitude
so much. But he is kind and caring to those that matters to him. He’s smart but
does not brag about it.
Here in HF, it was explained his
growing up years, so that clarifies why he’s always angry at the world. It was
also revealed here that he not only speaks Spanish but 3 other languages and
you need to read this in order for you to find out what they are :P He was also
portrayed here how is he as a brother, a
friend, a lover, a boyfriend, and a son. And it’s impossible not to fall in
love with him. Other than he’s sizzling H-O-T, he’s also so sweet, thoughtful
and caring to Daisy. He is the perfect boyfriend! That scene in Paris, the stairwell scene and the cornfield scene are all swoon-worthy!
What can you
say about Daisy
We saw Daisy as a carefree child in
the past books. She doesn't seem to have a problem. She’s a supermodel at such
a young age. She’s famous, young and rich.
HF portrays her as someone who is vastly
affected by what happened around her. The series of events from the past put a
dent in her sunshine personality but she does not show it to others. She’s still the daredevil, always wanting to
do crazy things.
Thoughts
on the secondary characters. Who is/are your favorite/s and why?
Lo and Lily. These two are always endearing and
adorable. Lily is her usual goofy self. I really can’t help but laugh at her
silly antics. Lo, on some parts, is just his selfish self. I’m distressed that
he can’t be strong enough to overcome his weakness and that he’s sometimes awful to his
brother. In the end, I’m happy that he’s able to get past the “bastard” feeling
and call Ryke his big brother
Connor and Rose.
Jonathan Hale. Daddy Hale had gone up ten points in
my book. I didn't think it was possible, but he made me cry. But then, I
deducted five points because he’s still hard at Lo even if Ryke pleaded with
him to ease up on him. And I really think he loves his sons no matter how
dreadful he is as a father. Giving up on his habit can be daunting but he
amended to it just to prove of that love.
Greg Calloway. Yes Daddy Calloway is present here
and he actually has a scene wherein he has some great lines. I applaud KB for
making him present in this book since he’s always non-existent even in his own
birthday bash in Addicted to You. Clap Clap!
Samantha Calloway. Well, a great story
is not that great if there is no villain. And Mama Calloway makes a great
villainess.
What was your favorite part of the
book and why?
There are many lovable parts in this
book. But the most memorable that got stuck in my head is the bromance thingy and
their verbal fights. I love, love their banters!! The way they toss teasings and
mockeries to each other and their battle of wits. They are so open and trustful with
each other that they know these jokes are meant to be fun and not hurtful.
What was your
least favorite part of the book and why?
That thing that happened when they landed
after they’d gone from California. That scene made me angry I want to bitch
slap the culprit.
Did the book make you laugh or cry?
What other emotions did you undergo while reading the book?
OMG I can’t even fathom what I went
through and can’t even imagine describing what I felt while reading this book.
I was a mess afterwards and I was like a lunatic person on a mental ward while
reading it. I was crying, then laughing, then swooning, then crying again, then
chuckling over what Lily did or said, then getting angry at Samantha, then
crying again, then laughing again, then sighing over what Ryke had said, then
smiling over the bromances, then my heart swell with so much emotions I thought
it would burst. See? It’s crazy!! Every turn of the page I was gasping and
saying OMG. Then another scene is like WTF. I think I’ve said WTH and seriously many
times that I lost count. It’s a wild but awesome ride and I’m ecstatic I’ve
gone through it because what I had experienced in reading this is beyond
imaginable! That’s E-P-I-C!
How was
the end? Did you find it satisfying?
Uhuh. More than satisfied actually.
After reading all that, who wouldn’t be happily contented? The book has laughter, Lily
is so adorable in her goofiness. It has a fair share of emotional moments, lots
and lots of scenes that will make you cry. It will make you angry at some
point. It will make you swoon and drool over Ryke’s hotness. It has bromance.
The banters and bickerings are to die for, I love their verbal fights! The
sexual tension is squirming-ly unbearable. The sex scenes are hotter than hot
you would wish you are Daisy. It left the readers two surprises that will be an
immense plot for the next sequels. And after all that happened, Ryke and Daisy
are together. I AM ONE HAPPY READER!
Would you
recommend this book to others?
Oh yes! This book is highly
recommendable and I will definitely bug every book best friends that I have to
read not only this book but the entire series. Actually, I’ve been recommending
them not only verbally but through the social media as well and on Goodreads too.
What are your favorite quotes from the story?
I have to admit that I have a lot of favorite lines in this novel.
The book is almost covered with so many highlights. But these are the top of my
favorites:
“I’ve
ignored a lot of bad shit in my life, but I don’t want to ignore this one good
thing anymore. It’s too painful.”
I’m so
fucking tired of being alone. I was scared that he’d tell me to fucking leave.
Because that means going back to a life I can’t see for myself anymore. Daisy
has changed that for me. She made me comfortable to share my life with someone
else, to live for happiness in the company of others. My solitary future looks
bleak. But my future filled with my brother, my friends, her—there’s nothing
fucking brighter.
She’s the
sun. I’m the dark.
If she’s
gone, I can kiss that fucking light away.
Without
her, I know I’ll never see it again.
“What we
fucking have,” he says. “I love you beyond physical attraction.” He cups my
smooth cheek, looking deep into my eyes. “I love you, Dais, because you’re the
wildest fucking girl with the biggest fucking heart. And without you in my
life”—he shakes his head like it’s an inconceivable picture—“I’d be the
unhappiest fucking guy.”
He
whispers, “I fucking love you.”
I smile,
my lips tingling. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“I love
you more than chocolate cake.”
I reach
out, and I hold her cheek with the scar. “You’re a hothouse flower,” I tell
her. “You can’t grow under natural conditions. You need adventure. And security
and love in order to stay alive.”
“I kissed
you tonight because I want your lips to only touch mine. From now until
forever. That’s the fucking truth.”
He’s like
my wolf—dangerous, alluring and protective—but I can never get close enough or
else he’ll bite me.
What insight/s did you gain from
reading this book?
Friendship and love does not come with
age. You cannot put a number to it. It grows on two people who have felt a
connection and no matter who prevents it or whatever circumstances you’d gone
through, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
Your rating
and why?
5 Fairy Wings!! If there is a number beyond that I
will make it 5 million. The book is just epic! I truly enjoyed reading this one.
I was able to finish it in one sitting. I just can’t put it down! Every scene
gripped me like a tight fist. I fell in love more with the characters. I had a
massive book hangover when it was finished and I keep on wanting more! I don’t
think I’ll ever get enough. This is one of those stories I wish would never end!
And I hope KB reads this because they're the ones who can make this happen and i really wish they will make it happen! *cross-fingers
Any last words or
anything you want say that was not asked?
Rating
5 F*cking Fairy Wings!!!!
Add Hothouse Flower to Goodreads
THE ADDICTED SERIES
STANDALONE COMPANION NOVELS
Addicted Series Recommended Reading Order
Thrive (Addicted #2.5) (coming soon)
Addicted After All (Addicted #3) (coming soon)
MEET THE AUTHORS
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Krista Ritchie has a
clone...or someone who looks exactly like her. If she's not writing books with
her twin sister, she's pouring over entertainment news and ingesting copious
amounts of pop culture. She likes tennis, that thing called the TV, and beating
Becca (her clone) on Sega Genesis.
Krista & Becca Ritchie write New Adult books that make you cringe, gasp, and go ooh-la-la. (If you do that sort of thing.) They are currently working on the spin-offs and final books in the Addicted series. Connect with them on twitter and their website: www.kbritchie.com
Connect with the Authors
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