Does it mean following instructions and respecting the authority of your team? Or does it mean taking risks?
The latter – I’m finding – is something I’m good at. When the guys send me to Ms. Enders’ Etiquette Camp for Refined Young Ladies, I know that I need to master the game and play the part of the respectable socialite. We need to find the answer to this question: What is causing the girls to commit suicide? I knew there would be danger here, and if I don’t watch my back, I could find myself in a whole lot of trouble.
***The is a Reverse Harem title*** **Please be warned that the content of this book may include some triggering subjects and scenes***
Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
I remember being exited and looking forward to the second book, but by the time It came out, I barely remembered what's the story was about. It wasn't easy for me to get back into the setting and to recall everything that happened, which kind of sucked. By the time I felt like I was finally "back in the game", the book was coming to an end. But then again, it may be solely my problem. So, my terrible memory aside, I had a nice time with the book. The writing is great and I more or less like the characters. My only real issue with them is in the way the guys are treating Harlow. They're acting like she's a child sometimes, which irritates me to no end. Also, it doesn't help matters that the team is still keeping secrets from Harlow and none of them seem really inclined to reveal those any time soon. The whole thing actually remains me awfully much of the Scarab Beetle series, now even more so than in the first book. It's not even the plot as a whole, it's the little things: like some of the missions and the relationship Harlow has with the guys, the characters personalities, that sort of things. All in all, it doesn't bother me much, I just hope that the relationship drama won't be dragged for quite as long as it did in those series.
Overall, while I liked this book, I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first one. It was okey, but could've been better.
2.5 stars. I almost gave up on this one. I feel no connection towards any of the characters. It got a little better towards the end. I probably won’t continue with the series.
Ive been waiting for this release for so long only to find myself so bored that i had to stop reading multiple times and just skim through the rest.. sigh
Harlow and the boys from Iris are back. Harlow is a trainee with Iris now. She's learning how to protect herself, how to observe and be analytical, how to follow instructions but there is still so much the boys keep from her. It's frustrating but Harlow has her secrets too, although her's all include the boys. That all needs to be put on the back-burner for now because Harlow has a job to do. Young girls are in trouble. Girls from good families with no past problems are drinking, taking drugs, stealing, and one killed herself. All that they have in common is Ms. Enders’ Etiquette Camp for Refined Young Ladies. So now Harlow is off to Etiquette Camp to see if she can find the answers.
Power and Choice was good, not great. The case was good. I enjoyed the touch of mystery and field work. I enjoy when they work as a team. I do not enjoy the power disparity between Harlow and the boys. Yes, I understand that she is a trainee but it goes beyond that. They keep so much from her unnecessarily. Little details, big picture details. And each time she gets angry or frustrated, all they have to do is flash a smile at her and she immediately forgets how to breath and forgives them. The same goes for Grayson. Example: "Where are you? Nowhere you need to be concerned with." Typical. Enough with the boys and the constant vague non-answers. She is completely under their control. They drive her everywhere, they make each decision but they do not offer anything. There is no trust! Without trust, there is only lust. No relationship. Certainly, no love. Harlow took care of herself and her mother for years, now she is caged with no power and no choices. Ironic. Or maybe I am missing something.
This book has a Ghost Bird feel to it and I enjoy that. I just want more. Hopefully, book three will give me what I am missing because I do like the concept and I do like the guys.
This book follows straight on from the previous novel, and it would have been nice to have had a quick prologue to recap where all the characters stood. All the names were confusing to launch straight into the book.
This novel was somewhat predictable in a couple of places, particularly the reason directly relating to why the victims had no real recall. I considered that this should have been addressed early on due to the fact that this is pretty much general knowledge, for instance all those advertisements, reminders and warnings in girls’ restrooms and at bars, clubs and pubs regarding leaving your drink unattended.
The only other problem is the lack of any indication for when the next book will become available. Just to become another monthly ongoing reminder with all those other reminders in my calandar.
I mostly liked this book. It just did some things that i hate in these types of books. Harlow is young and she kind of lets the guys walk all over her. They say things like you don't need to know or get mad at her for breaking rules that were never explained to her. Also she goes out to a club with her friend and has a couple drinks but isn't drunk, gets her intoxicated friend safely home and then let's the guys tell her she's basically too stupid to be allowed out drinking with out them. They tell her she is a girl and it is too dangerous for her to go out without a man there to protect her. It made me want to punch them all. other then that i liked the mission part of the story. Hopefully in the next book they will pretend like women can take care of themselves.
First time i tried to read this, it didn't work cuz i was so bored with this series and stuff. And then months later i gave it a second try and boy i like it now!
Harlow is settling into her new life. She's still learning what all it means to be involved in Iris. There's still a lot she doesn't know but the time for a gentle introduction passes when a new job comes up. A job that hits close to home for some of the team. What happens when Harlow is off on her own without the guys with her every step of the way? What happens when the secrets she's been keeping come out in the open?
I'm so in love with this series. I love the characters, both individually and as a group. They mesh so well together. We are slowly building the relationships, though things really do start to pick up in this book. Harlow is starting to feel more involved in the team. Especially since she's front and center on their new mission. There's still a lot of trust that needs to be earned and that's normal for someone being brought into a group who's been together for so long.
While this book does have a mission that it's centered around, it's not the whole focus of the book. I actually like that. It's not inconsequential enough that we don't care or feel like we need more, but it's not the entire book either. Harlow, the guys, and their new life/relationship still take center stage. I do love how we got to see a real fierce side of Harlow. She's growing into her own and really stepping up. The guys may still be keeping things from her but she doesn't let them hold out and push her around when it comes to the really important things. We also still have some lingering issues from the first book. We learn a little bit more about Grayson and why the boys seem to hate him so much.
I was just as enthralled by this book as I was the first one. I may or may not have been sneaking in some reading while I was at work, it was just that good. Definitely a series that I recommend you read, it's very quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Good second book to.the series. I put off reading this book for a while just because it released around the same time of a lot of other books I was waiting for. After just finishing this book now though I'm kind of kicking myself for not reading it sooner. The again I'm also kind of kicking myself for not waiting to read until the next book is out. The conundrum sometimes of being a reader and loving a book is that you're always in two minds about when to read it.
Power & Choice starts a few weeks after the end of the first book. I have to admit that it did take me a few chapters to remember what exactly had happened in the last book, but I soon got into the swing of it all. Harlow is developing more in this book, but I was frustrated at times when the guys wouldn't open up about things. Some part of me felt Harlow really needed to let rip at them about that and I hope she does in the next book. They need to understand she is able to look after herself and needs to be in the know. Grayson has become even more intriguing in this book, I feel like he will play a much bigger role in the third book and I'm really excited for that. He's one of those characters that I'm not sure whether to love or hate so am really looking forward to learning more about him.
The heat level picks up a bit more in this book, but it's still a slow burn for Harlow and the guys, I like that as I think it works right for her character to not be rushing into things too fast. I'm really looking forward to reading what will happen next for Harlow and the Iris boys and to discovering some hidden secrets. I just really hope I don't have to wait too long for book three though as this is a series that has me excited and reading each book in one seating so far. It was a fantastic and enjoyable read for me and I loved it.
This book is different then the first book. Harlow’s character grows by leaps and bounds. Her personality and inner fire makes itself known. The guys are her props - the background to show her personal growth. At first, I was a little worried about the direction the characters and the storyline were going because of this aspect. But, Lucy Smoke tied it up nicely with a big red bow. I would suggest patience as this book is (or seems) slower paced with the action then the first book to highlight these aspects. The most surprising part of the book was Grayson’s presence and is role in Harlow’s life.
Characters: Harlow’s personality grows and she becomes more confident with herself and the guys / the guys are still themselves but we do see some of their inner passions coming to light throughout the book, especially at the end - this book definitely separates the guys by their personalities / I’m really waiting to see what Grayson’s role and relationship with Harlow and the guys will be - he’s like the bad boy in the group dynamic
Setting: NA contemporary
Plot: Harlow’s growth as a person and her role in Iris (new mission-bigger role)
RH factor: slow burn but heating up
Read on KU. Will buy it (own the first book). Do recommend it for the characters and the romance. Will reread it.
So, this book picks up a bit after the first book - a monthish or so. Harlow has joined Iris and is in training, but things have slowed down for her a bit. That said, she still has a lot going on. Her mom is still sick, and she still has responsibilities there. She’s falling into a rhythm with most of the guys, and she’s getting used to not having many people to rely on. Likewise, after not having a ton of experience with guys (because she had no time), she’s coming to grips with her feelings for multiple guys, some of whom don’t get along. The story picks up pace once they have a case dropped in their laps, and Harlow has other things to worry about on her first real case with the guys. At the same time, the guys are never far from her mind, and one of the strengths in this book is the character developments and relationship development between the characters in the face of other things going on.
This is another fantastic read in the series, and I enjoyed seeing Harlow start to come into her own a bit more, rather than the sort of survival mode we saw her in for much of the first book. The ending also had a little bit of a cliffhanger to it. A small one. The main story in itself was whole and completed, but it’s more that there were ongoing issues to move into the next book.
Another excellent book in this series and I'm already pining for the next. This author has such a talent for world building and bringing her characters to life. It's so beautifully written in every way. There are times our MFC feels a little overly dependent on the guys but I remind myself though tough caring for herself and mom before she has very little true life experiences. I'm hoping with her growth her belief in herself and that she’ll be more independent here. She's getting close to there and the guys’ relationships are becoming more clear and meaningful. We're seeing more of the guys and the reader gets more of them as they are instead of through her eyes. I'm usually not a big fast of slower burns but it fits in this story. Everything else is so good I hardly notice but I can feel the heat starting to warm. I highly recommend and can't wait for the third. I'm on a mission to read everything from this author old and new.
I love the concept of this series and this is a great second book! Like always Lucy Smoke writes a great novel that has real depth to her characters and the reader really gets invested in their story! In this book we see Harlow not only coping with her sick Mum and her developing feeling got four guys, but also starting to work for Iris! We get to see her actually carrying out a mission. I really enjoyed that she gets to do something in this book but I hate that she still does not get told everything and that the guys did not think to talk to her about the four of them dating her so she did not feel so guilty! I love Harlow and Bellamy’s relationship developing further and I love her connection to him, as well as the others. Not to sure if I like Grayson yet and don’t know if he will be any good for Harlow. Great RH novel that is highly recommended!
Book two in this fabulous series and the excitement and drama just does not end! Harlow has a lot on her plate, her mum is sick, she is trying to decide if she wants to join Iris and she has four boys on her mind, and a fifth who keeps popping up
Marvs family friends have daughters who seem to be getting themselves into trouble for seemingly no real reason, but each have a common factor. Harlow wants to be part of the team and wants to help but the boys want to keep her out of dangers way
I love how strong Harlow is, there are moments of humour, Romance, danger and drama, this book is the whole package, it’s a great storyline and has all the components that to me make a great book and U loved it
Great book and series!! Definitely worth 5+ stars!
This is my favorite new RH series in years!! Lucy Smoke just rocks! Her storytelling is amazing! The characters are all so engaging! (Even the secondary characters.) The book is filled with every emotion possible and it was exciting. And of course the relationship between Harlow and the guys, Knix, Bellamy, Marvin, Texas and even Grayson... As they all get closer, Harlow just gets more confused, especially since she's such an innocent. Apparently, Harlow is now part of Iris, but she still feels like she's being kept of of the loop. She knows that things have to change. I can't wait for book 3! They already have another adventure in front of them.m super excited to see what happens!
I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down. Hope it doesn't take too long for book 3 to come out. Reminds me a lot of the Academy series. I just hope she doesn't bring Grayson into her harem. At least the iris boys know and trust one another, I would see it as a betrayal if she started dating him too. I can see his potential as a friend, but never as a lover. That was what turned me off of the second Academy series, amoung other things. Hope it doesn't come to that because I'm really looking forward to finishing this series.
As expected and anticipated this was a great read. Harlow and the guys are moving along and she is starting to come into her own. The plot was intriguing and the characters are moving along at a pace that is conceivable. We get to learn more about Texas in this series and also a little more about each of the other guys. I am still on the fence about Grayson. I’m excited about the next book and can’t wait for it to come out! Highly recommend this series!
Amazingly well written with intrigue, new love, empathy and self doubt. This second part of the Iris Boys series is just what is supposed to happen next. Harlow is finding her way with being part of team, but still asking herself personal questions. Knix, Marv, Texas and Bellamy are slowly letting her know their own interests. Just the right amount of steam for the part of the journey these 5 are on. Can't wait for the next book.
Power &Choice is the second book in the Iris boys series. It was a book I’ve been really looking forward to. The excitement and drama in this book doesn’t let you put it down. Harlow is suck a down to earth, she really grows as a character in this book. I’m still on the fence with Grayson, I dunno just something about him... I’m super excited about the next book. I highly recommend these books if you are looking for a contemporary RH series
A great sequel to Iris Boys 1. Things finally start to heat up between Harlow and the guys, but with that come confusion and guilt. I was frustrated that Harlow keeps getting brushed off and kept in the dark regarding Iris and the guys’ lives. Hopefully she’ll be a bit more assertive with the guys when they try to redirect her attention off the subject and demand she is treated as an equal part of the team.
I’ve written, deleted and written again my review for book 2. I can’t find the right words to explain how awesome this book and series is!
Harlow in this book is growing into a strong young lady that puts her heart into everything, from Iris to her guys. I love the development of the storyline as characters. Read, you won’t be disappointed at all. My new favourite series.
I really dont know whether I liked book one or two the most in this series. Either way Lucy Smoke did an amazing job with Power and Choice. I love this series. The Iris Boys has quickly become one of my favorite series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I absolutely loved this book! Harlow is such a down to earth main character. She make good choices (although she still makes mistakes). I love how the relationship between her and her men are progressing. Very slowly, but the tension is there.
Overall an amazing series and I can't wait for book 3!
So went straight from book one to book two. Let me just say oh my gosh I did not see THAT plot twist coming. I wouldn’t not have guess that x was starting the fires. I’m going to be over here recovering from such a great book and impatiently waiting for the next one to come out. Lucy, thanks for writing such a great book!!
I kept trying to figure out who the villain was in this one and I kept guessing wrong lol anyway I was super excited that Harlow made more progress with her guys! I was feeling all of the anxiety and nervousness she was feeling with bouncing between all the guys. And not to mention the unknown hostility between Grayson and marv. I can't wait to keep reading!
I’m so in love with the series i been dying for book two and omg i love this harem with little investigation pi stuff.. it’s a thrill and love story all wrapped in one becoming one of my favorite series
The second book in the series that didn't disappoint, excellent storyline and we are getting to know all the characters and how their relationships are evolving. I can't wait for the next installment. I love Lucy Smokes books
I really am enjoying this story! The first book was intriguing enough to leave you wanting more. But this book demanded attention from the start. I am excited to find out what happens next with Harlow and the guys!