Snapdragon (Gilded Love Book 1) Kindle Edition

Ugh! To write in the language of the author, this book triggered me. When I read the word misogyny, I should have put the book down. Why an woman who suffers misandry would attempt to write a romance novel is beyond me. From the first mention of her boss, the misogynist, I could see the 2-dimensional thinking of the author. Rarely in life is it so simple that a man hates a woman based on her sex. Although I could see why men would hate the author who judges men that way. I loath this book and the way the author forces her warped progressive agenda on the reader. The story had potential. The characters, when together, were interesting. But since that wasn't story enough, we had to be subjected to every boring bit of research the other uncovered on treatment of opioid addiction.And then the coup de gras; talking about their same sex experiences. If I wanted to read about gay sex, I would read a gay romance. I'm hetrosexual, I find that to be a turn off. I'm putting the book down. My time will be better spent anywhere else.

A smart, clever story about two people wanting a 'no-strings' attached relationship. But unlike a lot of 'friends with benefits' stories, 'Snapdragon' is so much more. Due to their busy professional lives it seems at first as if Darby and Michael will be able to pull it off. They have much in common, enjoy each other's company, and the sex is great. It's easy to see how they are perfectly comfortable with the parameters defined by their unique relationship. Until it no longer is. Ms. Blades invites you, as a reader, to share the subtle changes she cleverly weaves into the relationship between Darby and Michael. By revealing secrets of the past she builds, layer by layer, a depth of emotion neither of them want to openly acknowledge until, by its very nature, it changes what was initially proposed, and agreed to. Can two very smart people accept the new direction of their relationship? Are they capable of making a commitment, with the understanding of all that means? Do they even want to? An unexpected delight, I will definitely add 'Snapdragon' and this author to my bookshelf.

This book has a mysterious page-turner element to it; it’s easy to get drawn into the story, even though the plot is everything one could expect of it at all times (I found no surprises) and the main characters — while they would describe each other as complex — really are very straightforward, with again, no surprises or deep development.And yet, it’s unreasonably enjoyable to vicariously experience their romance. I think one reason may be that unlike many “incredibly rich handsome charming man is attracted to competent intelligent well-cultured author-insert” tales, there’s no angry mood-swinging, much less threats or exhortations of any kind, and in all ways their relationship is as wholesome and as healthy as could possibly be.Regards the matter of putting their careers ahead of their love lives, really this is not nearly so big an issue in the book as I thought it would be from reading the blurb; it really doesn’t seem to be a conflict, and in fact, they’re both able to quite comfortably help (or less euphemistically, outright solve) each other’s professional challenges; there’s a lot of him showing up on a white horse, though to her credit, she returns the favour a couple of times too.All-in-all, this is a much more light-hearted work than I had expected it to be, but no less enjoyable.

I was wowed by Kilby Blades through the short story, "The Art Of Worship." So, I was more than willing to take on her debut novel, the part one to her Love Conquers None duet. The first part is , "Snapdragon," and it does not disappoint. We meet Darby and Michael, two professionals, who decide to enter into a no-strings relationship. The story not only follows their budding relationship, but chronicles the day-to-day, in their careers as well. When they first met, at a wedding, they discovered that they both are married to their careers, but are very attracted. They enter into an agreement - their relationship ends with one word. I was pulled in by the fascinating characters and lulled by their absorbing stories. I can't wait for "Chrysalis." Absolutely enthralling. I received this book as an ARC from Hidden Gems Books, and I volunteered this review.

Kilby Blades enthralls us with two lonely professionals who long for a companion who allows them to keep their career as a top priority. When things get too complicated all they have to say is snapdragon to end it, with no hurt feelings.Darby is a politician’s daughter who despises the corruption she has had to live with while her father is in office. She had to keep her relationships above question because any harm to her father’s reputation meant install destruction to her boyfriend.Michael just wanted a companion who could ward off the aggressive advances from other women and an intelligent woman he could spoil. As their friendship progresses, they continually work to prevent it from getting complicated.They build off each other’s friendship and find that they are able to boost the other’s career. But the reader continually wonders which will be the ruling factor in the end, the career or relationship.

Take two people totally committed to their careers, stir in differences – she is a pharmacologist, practising and involved in vital new research, and she’s the daughter of politician and used to moving in high society – he is an architect with huge projects all over the world, but he was born to poverty on Chicago’s South Side – and you have the makings of a cracking romance.Stop right there! This “romance” has a safe word for either of them to end the relationship-that-isn’t-dating, and some of the sex scenes made me think Darby and Michael needed one for those too! What is the safe word? Do they use it, or is this a romance that works against the odds?

My first book with this author. A unique and interesting read. This story is about Darby and Michael. Both rather lonely professionals who look for a relationship that allows them to keep their career as a top priority. When things get too complicated all they have to say is snapdragon to end it, with no hurt feelings. Darby is a politician’s daughter who despises the corruption she has had to live with while her father is in office. Michael thought if he was ina relationship other woman would stop hitting on him. I voluntarily received an arc copy of this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Snapdragon (Love Conquers None Book 1) written by Kilby Blades is an amazing romance novel. The author, Kilby Blades, has a great talent for writing, as this book is full of detail, a well thought out and unique plot line, and has characters that the reader can’t help but fall in love with. Darby is a career driven, strong willed female character who, because of her family history, does not have a good thought in regards to committed relationships. Michael is a career driven, family oriented male character who, because of his career and lack of time, does not want a committed relationship but has struggled to find someone willing to have something casual, with no strings attached. Michael and Darby meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and instantly hit it off. I love how the title is an extension of the book. Snapdragon, the “get out of jail free card” in this story. If Darby or Michael feel that their casual relationship is becoming more involved or complicated all one of them has to do is say “snapdragon” and their fling is over. This romance novel is in a whole different realm when compared to other books of this genre. The plot is in depth and the characters are each complex and full of life, and of course the multiple intimate scenes throughout this book are well detailed and thought out. This book is addicting and I am really looking forward to the next in this series.