Review: The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

Series: #1
Published by No Bird Press LLC on February 2024
Genres: Romance
Pages: 184
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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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'm completely his.

The book was first published in 2015, but this review is for the Audiobook which was released in Feb. 2024.

Hot! Whew. Someone get me a spray bottle.

This short novella is as steamy as it gets. yes, I was looking for something like Jane Eyre with a lot of spice, and boy did this deliver. Admittedly, I don’t think I realized it was erotica when I requested it, or when I started listening to it on my commute into work. But a lot of stuff happens in the first hour and by the time I got to work, I realized what I was listening to (and needed a cold shower).

I will say that while the book is entertaining, and completely silly at times, I totally enjoyed it. I liked Ivy and Julian both separately and together. Usually there’s one character you gravitate towards more, but I think both contained multiple layers and motivations. I especially like how brave Ivy is. She is no wallflower.

There are some things that happen between the characters that I feel are a little too far fetched, but overall, it was a lot of fun and very sexy. She does a great job really adding life to all of the characters.