“Want to know a secret?”
***
“Sure,”
***
“You’re my favorite four-letter word.”
***
As always, these sisters blew me away with their talent and team work. I am simply astounded by it. This series has been a crazy, fun, emotional ride. And this addition is no exception.
Hothouse Flower is as much a love story between Daisy and Ryke as it is between Ryke and Lo. Ryke explores and tries to strengthen his relationship with Lo. He feels immense guilt over having not been there for his brother from the moment he found out about him. Because he hated Lo. with an unbridled passion based on his mother’s influence.
“There was no justice in her pain. There was just loneliness. But deep in the pit of my f*ng heart, I just wish she’d let go, so I could too.“
He feels a strong sense of love and responsibility for Lo’s. well-being.
“I can’t explain why I love him so much” “…Or maybe because I know deep down there’s a soul that needs love more than anyone else, and I can’t help but reciprocate to the fullest degree.”
We see a different side to Lo. in this book, and it was difficult to like him. Of course I was rooting for Ryke and Daisy and couldn’t understand why Lo. was having such a hard time with the idea of them together. On the surface it was clear he wanted to protect Dasiy. He kept saying Ryke wasn’t worthy of her. But, I think the reason he didn’t want Ryke with Daisy was because he didn’t want Ryke to be like his dad. Lo. was the product of “statutory rape”. His mother was underage when she had him. So if Ryke got together with a much younger Daisy, Lo. couldn’t help but lose respect for him. He holds Ryke in a much higher regard than his dad. He trusts him with sobriety and therefore his life.
This was also about healing relationships with other’s and oneself.
“My mom was Sara Hale. My dad was Jonathan Hale. I was no one’s son.”
Ryke was extremely angry with the decisions made by his dad upon the divorce with his mother. This leaves an indelible mark on him. And in order to move on with his life, he must chose between anger and forgiveness.
Ryke even solidifies his relationship with Connor-whom I adore! He is such amazing person, honest almost to a fault. I love what a genuine friend Connor is, even though he doesn’t know how to truly show it. And although Ryke thinks he doesn’t like Connor, he always goes to him for advice!
Now, the best part, Ryke and Daisy…sigh. I love them together. He is protective, caring, and head over heals in love with Daisy. She is “Soft to his hard. Sweet to his rough. Wild to his stone.” and seven years younger than him. He is her wolf, she is his sun, and she is HIS.
“I don’t want to share her with any other f*ng guy. And I don’t want any other f*ng girl”
Being together isn’t easy for them. They go through trials that would make anyone give up. He has been there for her when her family wasn’t. She is afraid to share her problems with anyone but Ryke. And when your relationship started based on support, giving up isn’t an option.
“I want to be with you Dais. No more hiding.”
How these two authors kept all of these characters lives in order and their stories going is beyond me. They did a fantastic job of story telling. This story doesn’t feel finished to me though, so keep going. Give us more.
About Krista and Becca Ritchie
Krista & Becca Ritchie are identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. Now in their early twenties, they write about other twenty-somethings navigating through life, college, and romance. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.
They are the New Adult authors of the Addicted series and Calloway Sisters spin-off series, and you can find them on almost every social media, frolicking around like wannabe unicorns.
What's on your mind? (Please note, comment may be held for moderation before appearing.)