Book Review — HOTHOUSE FLOWER (The Addicted Series) by Krista & Becca Ritchie

 Ryke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway … she’s all grown up. 

• Buy HOTHOUSE FLOWER (Kindle) — latest book in the series
• Buy ADDICTED TO YOU (Kindle) — first book in the series 

 

EVERYONE SHOULD BE READING THIS SERIES!! The series as a whole stands out as one of the BEST New Adult romances I’ve ever read and Hothouse Flower had the perfect balance of a hot, sexy romance and a strong, well developed storyline. I adore these characters, I love the writing, and I’m completely ADDICTED to this series. 

Please note that this book should not be read on it’s own!! It is a part of the Addicted series (the fifth book in sequence) and I strongly recommend reading them in order. It is one continuous storyline that follows three main couples whose lives are all very closely connected and while each book in the series focuses a little more on one couple in particular, each one of the main six characters is an integral part of each book. So in order to get the complete picture and to feel all the feels, it’s best to read them in order (see below).

Ok… on to the review 😉

The story in Hothouse Flower focuses on Ryke Meadows — a 25 year old Alpha male — and Daisy Calloway — an 18 year old wild and fearless girl. When they first met, Daisy was 15 and Ryke was 22… but now it’s three years later and Daisy is all grown up! They’d been close throughout those three years but kept the extent of their closeness hidden from their friends and family, afraid that they would misinterpret it for more than the friendship-only basis they were at. The promise of anything between them was totally forbidden for so many reasons but that didn’t stop them from wanting more and even though they both knew they should try to move on, neither of them wanted to.

Despite being a famous model at a young age, growing up as the youngest Calloway daughter had taken it’s toll on Daisy and in an attempt to find her freedom, she headed off Paris alone to work Fashion Week there and hopefully gain back some of her independence. Back home, 25-year-old Ryke knew he should let her go, and continued to push back any feelings he had for her — knowing the severe backlash they’d receive if they ever allowed a relationship between them to develop. But when he recieved a distress call from Daisy, he dropped everything to go and help the girl who’d always been in his heart.

And…. I won’t say anything else but that stairwell scene???? *dies* Just WOW!!!!!

 

What I loved so much about Ryke and Daisy’s relationship was that despite the fact that they’d never been romantically involved before this point, they’d build a very solid friendship over the past 3 years which really strengthened their bond and made their connection go far deeper than just their mutual attraction.

But ho boy, their attraction and chemistry just sizzled!!!! No matter how much they (well, Ryke specifically) tried to keep them “just friends”, each of their interactions was so powerfully charged. I mean HOLY SEXUAL TENSION!!!!! I was already fanning myself before they’d ever even kissed!!

“She likes to tease, to see how far she can push me, and I’ve never had a girl play with me like that, with confidence that radiates. It drives me fucking nuts, and I find myself wanting to be around her even more, seeking those give-and-take moments and her fucking joy.

But there’s a silent understanding between us. We both know we can’t cross a certain line.”

I’ve always loved Ryke. He’s like the heart and muscle of the Addicted group. He cares so much for everyone and yet acts like he doesn’t give a fuck. And I loved especially how with Daisy, the depth of his caring for her over the years was even deeper because it came without the expectation of anything ever happening between them. He was a protector by nature and his personality was the perfect counterbalance to Daisy who was such a wild and fearless girl. She lived each day in the moment. She was a risk-taking daredevil — the kind of girl who wouldn’t think twice before leaping off a cliff for fun and Ryke was the kind of guy who’d jump right after her without a second thought. They were just perfect for each other.

“What we fucking have,” he said. ” 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… I fucking love you, sweetheart.”

I was full invested in ever word of the story. Oh, and the last 20% of the book especially was just one big reveal or omigosh moment after another. Like really — my heart was pounding!!!!!!!! And while there was a wrapped up ending with no cliffhanger, there were also some new developments that beautifully set up the last two books of the series which’ll be released in the next few months. I absolutely adore the direction the story is heading in and I can’t wait to read more!

I also want to mention how refreshing it is that there is literally no “drama for drama’s sake” in this entire series. Don’t get me wrong, the situations in the book had my heart lodged firmly in my throat on several occasions but each of those situations made perfect sense for the characters and the storyline. I really have so much respect for these authors and the way they have orchestrated and written this series.

And another thing I love is that this series has no cheating or love triangles (omg — the relief!!!!) and once these couples get together, they stay together. It’s about the relationship, about strengthening their bonds, about getting through things together. These are the kinds of relationships I most love to read about — the kind where it’s “them against the world” and not “them against each other”. This series is literally everything I love most about romance rolled into one fantastically written story.

I mean, even though in the beginning of the story, Daisy and Ryke were in denial of their feelings for each other, it made perfect sense for where they were at in their lives. Plus it served to build the sexual tension between them to epic levels so that by the time they came together, it was just explosive!!! And my gosh was it ever HOTTTTT. I mean really. This is about as hot as I’ve ever seen New Adult romance. Trust me, you will be fanning yourself for pages on end!!… But most of all, I adored that once they were together, they were genuinely together. No bullshit, no drama, no stupid fights. Just them making it work no matter what came their way.

“I am so emotionally involved with that girl… I want to be the one to hold her in my arms. I want to comfort her until she reanimates in pure fucking happiness. I don’t want to miss a day with her… And I can’t take back these feeling.”

And finally, I have to mention one more reason I love this series which is that even though the focus of this book was Daisy and Ryke, as with all the previous books in the series, all the main couples were heavily featured — Lily & Lo, and Rose & Connor are in at least half the scenes of this book. The deeply interconnected network of friends, family, and lovers that this series has is so fantastically done. They all have each other’s backs and have built such a strong, unwavering support system for each other. Yes, they bicker and tease but they’re always united against an outside threat and are incredible caring and protective of each other. And there’s just this brutal honesty and openness between them that is so deeply heartwarming. Each of them has their own special and unique relationship or bond to the other and the dynamics as they all play off each other is just gold!!!! Without a doubt, the Addicted series has one of the strongest, most endearing and well developed ensemble of characters I’ve ever read.

*happy sigh*

The Addicted series started strong and it just keeps getting better and better. These characters feel so real to me and I am fully invested in their stories. The writing is fantastic, the romance is hot, the character building is phenomenal, and with each book the story keeps my heart racing from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of New Adult romance, THIS is a series you should be reading.  

Rating: 5 stars!!!

 

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*** TIMELINE EXPLANATION & READING ORDER ***

The Addicted series has a core ensemble cast of 3 main couples: Lily & Lo, Rose & Connor, and Ryke & Daisy. They are all present in each of the books and their stories are all closely connected.

The books this series should be read in order and tell one continuous story. A huge part of why I am so in love with and so addicted to this series is because I know these characters. I’ve been through their ups and downs, I’ve seen their struggles and triumphs, and so each new development in their story has a lot of meaning to me. Everything carries more weight because I know what these guys have been through to get where they are. In my opinion, these characters deserve to have their story appreciated to the max, and that will come with reading the books in order.

If it helps to know…

• The first three books (Addicted To You, Ricochet, Addicted For Now) are focused on Lily & Lo and told from their POV with a resolved ending at the end of Addicted For Now.

• Then Kiss The Sky continues the same storyline but from a different perspective (Rose & Connors) and while it focuses on their story, it also continues the journey of all the main characters that we’ve been introduced to. It has it’s own HEA.

• The next book (Hothouse Flower) is the same deal but focuses on a different couple (Daisy & Ryke) while continuing the stories of all 3 couples as well. It also has it’s own HEA.

• After that, Thrive & Addicted After All go back to focusing on Lily & Lo. Thrive contains their POV during the previous 2 books. Addicted After All will move forward in time in their POV while continuing the story of all 3 couples.

• Finally, Fuel The Fire (Rose & Connor) and Long Way Down (Daisy & Ryke) will conclude the series.

It is perfectly safe to jump in and start reading this series now. You will not be left hanging! I promise. Cross my heart. No cliffhangers where the story is at now! And – please please please start reading these books, guys. They are just wonderful!!! 😀