This book contains bisexuals. Don't be fooled. It's an absolute glut of them. Some are sad, some are sl-tty, some are distinctly tortured.

Just how I like them.

Seriously though, this book is a treat, I went in not knowing if it was a romance or not, and I'd wish I'd checked because it would have set up my expectations. There is s*x in this book, but honestly I've had romance books with more pointless s*x than this. It feels like all of the scenes serve to move the plot along. Well, most of them.

I loved the portrayal of the different characters, and of course I had favourites (hello Nicola and Finley), I've removed half a star because it did feel like it wandered a little a bit, and the big 'reveal' could have packed more punch for me, given how much it was teased.

But honestly, each character is drawn beautiful, there's tension throughout, and lots of k-nky bisexuals. I'm a happy ho.

4.5* stars!

Adam recently lost his grandfather, but the stories he used to tell about a mysterious manor in Scotland Highlands, stayed with his grandson. He is craving an adventure, so he decides to finally visit Scotland and takes his best friend Nicola to accompany him. There they meet the the groundskeeper Finley and the owner of the manor, the enigmatic Eileen. It's very clear from the start that their new 'friends' are somehow involved romantically, but that is only one of the mysteries in this book. There is clearly a lot of things that Eileen and Finley are not telling Adam and Nicola, even if they share little details, there is a clear veil of mystery. As the time goes, everything gets even more tangled, especially when it comes to relationships and mysteries are slowly uncovered in the background of this gothic novel.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the 5th book of S.T. Gibson that I've read. Comparing to the others, I think this is quite weak, because a lot of things seemed either rushed or ideas were not finished. For example, the romantic/sensual relationship between characters (except the combo of Finley and Eileen as their relationship is already established) felt more like insta-lust, without any proper set up. As well as the instant jump with Nicola and Adam from best friends to lovers, also felt too easy, i think it should have been developed more. Regarding the erotic scenes, I thought for the most part they were well-written and not cringy, although the insta-lust ruined it a bit for me. As for the plot twist, I kind of had an inkling what might happen, so it didn't surprise me much, although ending was unexpected. In the end, even if it was easy to read, unfortunately I didn't enjoy the book as much as I hoped to. As this is the first one in a planned series, I might still try to read the next book tho.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I've come to the conclusion I will love anything ST Gibson writes! So far I've loved everything I've read by this author.
Loved the setting and the writing style and world building is just beautiful! Loved it!

Creepy house, horny adults.
Think The Starling House meets Fifty Shades of Grey.

Adam and his best friend Nicola travel to Scotland to find the secrets behind an old house that his grandfather told him fairytales about.
There, they find Eileen, a sickly, eccentric aristocrat, and Finley, her broody groundskeeper.

I went into this expecting a horror mystery.
This was more Fifty Shades with creepy shadows.

This was a lot spicier than I was expecting, but as someone who usually steers clear of that and flips them, I can tell you these were hot and steamy and also educational… That’s all I’m saying.
Power play kinks, dom and sub rep, good emphasis on consent. And oh so queer.

I wish we got more plot because the focus on characters and their self-discovery was about 80% of the book.
In this sense, ST Gibson does remind me of Olive Blake in the way they both focus on characters and relationships.

Those last two chapters gave me whiplash. Check me into a hospital. I felt quite annoyed by how that played out considering my comments about the slowness of the rest.

Arc gifted by Orbit.

Thank you so much to Little Brown, Orbit and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

-

4,25 stars - to quote my live-blogging texts to my bestfriend: fuck Eileen is so hot I want her to ruin me

<i>“The play had been set in motion with his arrival, and now Adam was trapped on stage under the hot lights, doomed to either recite his assigned lines or fall into ruin.”</i>

It took me a good 10% to get into it, but once it got properly started I had a really good time with this book. It was sexy, mysterious and adventurous.
I am really intrigued by the plot and magic, I love stories about the fae and this one has the scary yet intriguing kind. The setting is dark and dramatic, windswept and isolated, and worked really well to both set the scene and put the characters in situations with forced proximity. It’s amazing how cramped and almost claustrophobic it can feel despite being so full of nature and weather and a large house.

<i>“Craigmar was poisoning the well of her heart with its heady, dark magic drip by damning drip.”</i>

I absolutely adored the characters (all but one, I’ll get back to him)! Their personalities are so different, yet work so interestingly (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse) together. They all have wildly different dynamics with each other, giving a new (and sexy) flavour depending on who’s in the room or not.

<i>“They had grown up tangled in each other like ivy, starving each other for light, and they were the only ones who really understood each other.”</i>

Finley is brooding, dark and intelligent. I loved that he’s smarter than he first lets on, and I love how loyal and protective he is.
Eileen is hot, toxic and complicated. I love her. She’s not a nice person, or a good partner, and she’s aware and mostly shameless about it. She doesn’t <i>need</i> to be, to reach her goals.
I also just want to take a moment to appreciate the author for including chronic illness rep, I love seeing it in my favourite genres, and it added another interesting layer of complicated feelings to Eileen’s character. Her relationship to her own health, and her thoughts about it, felt real and relatable.
Nicola, my sweet adorable emotional sunshine girl, immediately became a favourite. She’s shamelessly horny and open about it, desperate for a sense of belonging, and not afraid to go for what she wants once she puts her mind to it. We also own the same perfume, which was such a fun detail for me to discover.
And then there’s Adam. I need him to get his shit together. He was frustrating throughout most of the book, only really likeable to me in his growing dynamic with Finley. His character has potential, but he kept missing the mark for me. The end gave me hope for the next book however, so I’m not quite giving up on his stubborn ass yet.

<i>“She liked being looked at like that, like she was a puzzle box to be solved, even if she had to be broken open to get at the secrets inside. The breaking was often her favorite part.”</i>

I loved reading about the characters exploring and finding their various dynamics with each other, Finley + Nicola and Eileen + Nicola being the most intriguing to me so far. The characters themselves are where this book really shines, and what was the most memorable to me.
They’re all incredibly messy, and with so many layers (some of them generational), and I can’t wait to see how it evolves as the story continues.

Described as "decadent, sinister, and deliciously erotic," Savage Blooms delivers exactly that—though perhaps not in the way you'd expect. I went in anticipating a creepy Scottish folklore mystery steeped in dark secrets, but instead found a novel that's about 80% eroticism, 10% mystery, and 10% fantasy. Surprisingly? I still liked it.

The writing is lush and sensuous, and while the plot sometimes takes a backseat to the romance (and heat), there's a dark, gothic atmosphere that lingers throughout. The ending felt a bit rushed, which was disappointing, especially after such a slow, deliberate build-up.

If you're looking to spice up your reading life (or your love life), this could be the perfect pick—but definitely check the trigger warnings first. It's not for the faint of heart, but it knows exactly what it is and leans into it with confidence.

Great example of an erotic gothic romance. ST Gibson sets up a small but rich world with a battle for territory between humans and the Fae, the upper and underground. The relationships in this are very dynamic with no idea who you can trust. Secrets are kept that inevitably rip apart some of the relationships that begin to develop.

You are constantly left piecing together bits of information and often left with more questions than answers. It's a very quick and easy read you don't want to put down.

four stars solely because i needed more gay scenes but it was CHEFS KISS. my biggest worry going into this would be another book that makes light of fairy’s and celtic culture while appropriating our history and fables for money. fear not! s.t. gibson shows the world it is possible to write about fairy’s and be respectful toward real world mythology that’s held dear to dying cultures. i was so pleasantly surprised to be greeted with fairy’s more similar to my childhood folk tales and bedtime stories from my mother and grandparents. i adored where this story took us and the twists and turns along the way, i admit i’m not always the biggest erotic reader and for that, i’d say—while this is steamy, there’s far more plot than porn (thankfully). came for s.t. gibson, stayed for the cultural respect.

Savage Blooms has a great atmosphere, gothic, moody and sensual although at times it leaned more towards vibes than having a plot than I would have liked. I do think it's an interesting start though I would like a little something more substantial in the next book. Also I was told that it was erotica and kinky but there was less kink than I would have liked, but mileage may vary on that one and perhaps I've read too much erotic fanfic in my time. I enjoyed the ot4 forming and in all it's toxic, twisted glory that appeals to my house and I love a gothic house that haunts the narrative. While not a Wuthering Heights fan, I do think it captured somewhat of that mood and I hope that the writing style from the prologue and epilogue picks up again in the next book

I liked this book; it didn’t fully blow me away, but still, it left a strong impression. It blends fae magic, queer representation, and Gothic sensuality.

The atmosphere is misty, eerie, and hauntingly romantic. The setting is so immersive : a Scottish manor, eerie forests, ancient magic and fae elements. This makes the books so intriguing.

The relationship dynamics are compelling, especially the tension between the characters (Adam, Nicola, and Finley). The queer representation is top notch and the erotic scenes are well written.

However, the pacing lacks a little in the middle, and some characters (especially Eileen) felt underdeveloped. The emotional tension didn’t always land as powerfully as it could have.

I will pick up book 2 once it comes out because this book definitely left me intrigued!

★ 4.75 stars

𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙩.

📚 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝: e-book
📆 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 7th October 2025
📎 𝚙𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛: Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit
🏷️ 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚜: fantasy, faeries, magic, gothic, folklore, seduction, generational trauma, erotica

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙: I honestly think Nicola and Finley were my two favourite characters in this book. Can we please have a whole book dedicated to Finley ravishing Nicola? Please and thank you x

Nicola as a whole, so relatable.

I also loved that there weren’t too many characters introduced through the book - I’ve always found this a huge thing with Gibson’s other work, for a neurodivergent brain like mine, it’s SO appreciated to not be overwhelmed with 100 random characters who make a single appearance and me just getting confused about who’s who. I knew exactly who was who and what their story was throughout the book and I loved it.

I loved the ending - gagged at the cliffhanger, can’t wait for the next book. And honestly, I had no idea at all what Eileen’s plan was until it was revealed, my suspicions were actually a lot more sinister!

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙙: The only really drawbacks I found which are holding my rating from being a 5 star, are that I actually, weirdly, expected more smut and erotica? 😭

Also I did feel at times like the fae storyline was quite random in contrast to how ‘normal’ they all seemed otherwise, but this could be because the only other books I’ve read with fae in it were already in quite a mystical environment whereas this was just a random big estate in Scotland and I imagined the 4 main characters as some random millennials 🤣

𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨: I’m at a stage where anything that Saint writes, I will EAT up and lick my fingers clean. I love her writing so much; the characters she writes are so lovable and the storylines are so enthralling that it’s hard to put her books down! I can’t wait for the next two books in this trilogy. Would highly recommend!

𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬!

Oh. Wow. Where to even start. I read this in a one day sitting over about 8 hours of driving on my kindle app because I left my actual kindle IT WAS THAT GOOD.

I knew this book was coming when I was lucky enough to go to ST’s tour in 2024. I heard Scottish Gothic Wuthering Heights meets all kinds of supernatural and eerie and I preordered it IN THE STORE WHILST STILL LISTENING. And let me tell you, this is my favourite Gibson since Dowry - and that’s coming from someone who thought the potential of Wuthering Heights was squandered.

These characters and their relationships, are intense, toxic, gripping and beautiful (sometimes in a tragic kind of way). Eileen has you loving her even though you know something Crimson Peak is going on with her and Finley MINUS THE INCEST IS IMPORTANT FOR THAT COMPARISON. Finley is a domineering yet broken (with a heart of gold) mystery. Adam is that one guy everyone likes even though he can be obnoxious AF and is super charming and attractive physically and otherwise. And my baby Nicola! An angel. Wants to be loved and gives love tenfold. Their group dynamic HITS. It is addictive, toxic, and glorious.

This really is character based. But the plot packs a mean punch. If you’re one to want instant gratification with lore and world building, go in with the knowledge that this is a series. And most of that knowledge will be edging you for mystery, suspense and ultimately Gothic purpose. Which is why I was addicted and will remain so until I can read book two. The ending?! ST you’re going to jail. That was criminal! But don’t worry I’ll free you and give your prosecutor the Minoan Bull punishment because I must know more!

Furthermore and finally, folks. My little Gothic/Romantic Movement heart. Is so full. Over all of the references and prose Gibson has used here. My first highlight was the most stunning quote to ever reference Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his wild albatross in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I will edit this to add it in because MY GOD.

But just know this. This is 5 stars. And very horny (non-derogatory actually very obsessed).

Here we are with another S.T. Gibson book that had the potential to be great – if only it had delivered even half of what was promised on the author’s social media.

I have very mixed feelings about this one. Savage Blooms was marketed as a lush, gothic tale filled with beautiful prose, a touch of magic, and a bold, atmospheric romance. Unfortunately, readers hoping for a spiritual successor to A Dowry of Blood will likely be disappointed. What we get isn’t very bad – I wouldn’t rate this book 1 or 2 stars – but it’s firmly average. Not great, not terrible.

The writing is solid, but not exceptional. The atmosphere is suggested rather than fully realized. While the book does deliver on explicit content, the story itself feels too thin to support the emotional and thematic weight it seems to be reaching for.

Speaking more of the story, what frustrated me most in this novel was a trend I’ve also noticed in several recent romantic fantasy series: the "just wait for book two" approach. Savage Blooms is really short on plot – not in an intentional, minimalist way, but rather in a way that feels incomplete. The characters arrive at a house, stay there, everyone has s£x with everyone, there’s a cliffhanger, and then the book ends. It’s all so simple that I was already slightly bored about 70% of the way through, even though the book is only around 330 pages. And as for the whole 'Wuthering Heights meets The Cruel Prince' – where exactly is that in this book? Please stop comparing everything that happens in the northern UK to the Brontës. The marketing implies that the premise will make more sense later, and that the worldbuilding and character arcs will deepen in future installments. But does that promise excuse the lack of a satisfying plot in the first book? I don't think so. Yes, I admit the spice does contribute to the characters' development and the dynamics of their relationships – but that’s all it is. You can’t build reader trust by asking them to invest in a series when the foundation isn’t strong enough to stand on its own. Honestly, I can’t blame readers who reduce Savage Blooms to just erotica. There’s very little else to latch onto.

That said, this book wasn’t painful to read. S.T. Gibson is undeniably a talented writer with a unique voice, even if what she delivers often differs from what was initially promised. The premise of this series is strong, and I do think the characters have potential. I really liked Eileen and Finley, though the latter seems to fall into a pattern I’ve noticed in Gibson’s work: the inclusion of non-white characters who are unfortunately written with somewhat stereotypical traits. Adam didn’t evoke much emotion for me, and Nicola wasn’t the type of female character I usually connect with – though to be fair, she wasn’t poorly developed.

At the end of the day, Savage Blooms feels like a victim of its own marketing– a book swallowed by the weight of expectations it never quite meets. I think S.T. Gibson has a clear vision of the kind of author she wants to be (which is a great thing), and she promotes her work very strongly in line with that vision. But because of that, many readers go in expecting something very specific. And unfortunately, that can easily set the stage for disappointment.

3.5 ⭐️

American travelers Adam and Nicola as they’re drawn to this mysterious home after the death of Adam’s grandfather. Hoping to feel closer to him, Adam uncovers more than just memories—he meets Finley, the groundskeeper, and Eileen, the ailing Lord of the house, whose tangled relationship pulls the trio into a shared, haunting legacy.
The story weaves themes of doomed love, gothic melodrama, and the dangerous beauty of ancient myths. The mystery at the heart of the manor is compelling, and while the plot occasionally steps aside to make space for romance, it remains atmospherically rich. That said, the sense of danger could have been heightened, and the characters, though well-positioned in the narrative, often felt underdeveloped. There were missed opportunities to flesh them out more deeply.
One standout element was the chronic illness representation through Eileen. Her struggles are portrayed with nuance and accuracy—the unpredictability, the emotional weight, and her quiet resilience were particularly affecting.
While the pacing held steady and kept me engaged, I found myself missing Gibson’s signature haunting, lyrical prose. At times, it felt like I was reading a novel by a different author, which was disappointing. Still, I enjoyed the story and appreciate the space left for it to grow. I’ll definitely be picking up any future installments.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for sending me this ARC!

As we all know, S.T. Gibson is one of my auto-buy authors, so I always look forward to reading one of her books.

Savage Blooms is moody, gothic and well, horny. There is instant attraction, everyone is bisexual, and tension that sizzles.

The prose, as always, was perfection, and the attraction and sexual tension were so well written that it had me blushing on several occasions!

This book is written from 5 perspectives, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it didn't feel disjointed when switching - in fact, I was eager to finish the current POV to see the next person's reaction to what was happening.

I wasn't expecting the 'ancient enchantment' aspect in this book to be Fae - but I was delighted when I saw the direction the book was taking. I wish we had seen more of the Fae and their backstory to set the plot in motion faster. However, based on the ending (no spoilers, don't worry), I am sure we will see everything I felt was missing in book 2.

A very solid 4 stars. I expect the next book in this series will be above and beyond, and I look forward to reading it!

the pull of gibson’s writing is always magic to me: the gloomy manor with its four occupants is such a good hook and it’s sexy as fuck as well?! My god, devoured this in three days. Thank you for the ARC Xxx

Sweater, had a crush on, slacks - British English

Getting my pet peeve out of the way - American authors using Americanisms in books with British characters. Slacks, sweater, having a crush on - these should have been caught by an editor. I find them really jarring, and they do take me out of the book for a second or two.

The plot here was somewhat lacking, I’ll be honest. It has however been set up quite nicely for the next two books…but could it have been a duology? Because really not very much happened here.

The writing, as always, was great. Lush and gothic, vivid in all the right places, it was exactly what I’d expect from ST Gibson. The smut was well written - erotic, and not boring at all.

It’s multi-POV, and it is very well balanced between the 4 characters. The faerie element feels very…small, however it will clearly pay a bigger part in the next two books.

Overall I did enjoy this - was it my favourite ST Gibson novel? No. Is it still better than a lot of other books out there? Yes.

3.75/5 rounded up

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

The writing style is great, it's gothic & it's erotic, dark fairies and magic

But I think it's lacking in terms of story. The storyline wasn't a deep one, maybe it's setting foundations for the next two books?

So no plot but it's a good read that I devoured.

The smut scenes are actually done well in this book which is a nice change as I often find myself skipping through many badly written scenes.

Please check the trigger warnings for this book as they are lengthy and triggering

Thank you netgalley for this ARC!

Did I devour it or did it devour me!

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this was a really well written and entertaining book! I read about 80% in a day and the rest I took a bit longer to digest. This book is a really good start to this series and gave us a delicious insight to all the characters. The way it ended honestly has me wanting to read book two today!!!

Now I understand why people might like it, and if you don't like you books with spice this book is not for you. Like I wouldn't even pick it up, you have been warned... This being said I was expecting more haha

I enjoyed the writing style but I do love purple prose, so if you don't you won't like it.

I will be reading this series and I have a feeling that's going to be even sexier!

Thank you netgalley for making my year by supplying me with this arc.

Omg I am reeling after this absolute journey.

To say I devoured this book is an absolute understatement. I read this in less than 24 hours and the urge to call in sick to work so I could live in the world a little bit longer.

ST Gibson is an absolute force and displayed her talent throughout this book.

As a polyamorous queer kinky girl, representation is few and far between, especially in books and fantasy worlds. Gibson is an absolute expert in somehow writing erotica that captures the heart of consent in this book that I think makes the experience safe and sane while exploring content matter that might otherwise be unsettling for readers with a different lived experience.

This book is sumptuous and rich, and so appetising that you can’t help but sink your teeth into it. However, the book bites you right back (and you will thank it for the honour).

Finley, Nicola, Eileen and Adam are complex characters who are richly realised. Somehow ST Gibson manages to fit tangled but individual relationships between all the pairings together into a cohesive book which also somehow manages to have an excellent and compelling plot underscoring the romance and erotic moments.

Her influences are tangible yet not a copy, somehow rocky horror with thornchapel and wuthering heights somehow manage to work cohesively, and ST Gibson somehow made their love child into something unique with its own lore and beating heart.

Bravo. Thank you. More gothic erotica please. I need the next instalment immediately.