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For the Love Of #1
For the Love of Flowers
LORENZO
I was never meant for this life. I never wanted to follow what my father had planned for me, yet I didn’t have the strength to leave. Then one day, he came into my shop and my double life started. I was always looking over my shoulder, constantly scared that my secret would be discovered… until the day the secret must come out. Now I must be brave enough to fight for the life I want or die trying.
WYATT
I was happy with my life; I had worked hard to get to my position, and I didn’t see it changing until the day I walked into his shop. I thought we had always been honest with each other until the day his secret came out. Now I must decide if I trust him enough to do what is needed and risk losing him, just to have the future I never realized I wanted
For The Love of Flowers is the first in a series love redemption and out for you MM romance and is guaranteed HEA.
I was never meant for this life. I never wanted to follow what my father had planned for me, yet I didn’t have the strength to leave. Then one day, he came into my shop and my double life started. I was always looking over my shoulder, constantly scared that my secret would be discovered… until the day the secret must come out. Now I must be brave enough to fight for the life I want or die trying.
WYATT
I was happy with my life; I had worked hard to get to my position, and I didn’t see it changing until the day I walked into his shop. I thought we had always been honest with each other until the day his secret came out. Now I must decide if I trust him enough to do what is needed and risk losing him, just to have the future I never realized I wanted
For The Love of Flowers is the first in a series love redemption and out for you MM romance and is guaranteed HEA.
353 pages, ebook
First published June 5, 2020
32 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 8, 2024
Time of death: 4%.
I simply CANNOT. It's so OTT, even the description of him walking into his house and taking a shower took 3 damn pages because we were bombarded with oodles of unnecessary detail.
I simply CANNOT. It's so OTT, even the description of him walking into his house and taking a shower took 3 damn pages because we were bombarded with oodles of unnecessary detail.
August 29, 2023
I knew within the first atrociously edited chapter that this is a disappointing read. I kept on reading and hoping for more than the bland niceness, The jarring scene with which it began should have set a serious tone of drama, but it didn’t. The home life relationship was pretty well written between Lorenzo and Wyatt. It would have fit into any MM romance. But, Lorenzo is walking a very fine line by being heavily involved with his Mafia family drug business and Wyatt being the police detective assigned to the case. It’s an almost unbelievable premise, but attraction is a powerful force that trumps reason and I went with it. Why he would act on his attraction to Wyatt like this is not explained. Lorenzo has to know that a gay relationship with a cop could mean death for both he and Wyatt. This is a major lack of depth in a book that basically has none. MC Wyatt is way too passive for a police detective. I felt his dialogue was lacking in that it was too refined, not enough f-bombs and slang. He’s a cop involved with taking down a Mafia run drug trade, there should be more earthy talk. This is my major complaint for the book, the wishy washy dialogue. It doesn’t have to constantly be coarse, but it should hit the ear as real. The police partners, the MC partners, the interactions with Lorenzo’s crime world, it was all lacking authenticity.
The narrative is weak in this story. It should be packing a punch as this is a cop unknowingly living for two years with a Mafia prince. This should be huge! But it was treated like a lover’s spat. “I’m leaving. I’ll be at Liam’s.” Umm, you’d better be at Internal Affairs saving your career. I had to suspend disbelief that no one in Lorenzo’s criminal world knew that he was living with someone. No one came over? His father, a Mafia chief, didn’t know any details of his son’s personal life?
The entire beating of Lorenzo after his gay admission was not well written. The hospital reunion with Wyatt was flat and there was no emotional reaction from Wyatt at what should have been horrific injuries to Lorenzo’s face and body. After waking, Lorenzo seemed like it was just a headache instead of a broken face and serious concussion. There should have been some yelling for major pain relief! Just another example of the blandness in the scenes.
The anemic writing and passive dialogue has me giving this a DNF.
Too bad that the cover was more bad ass than the story.
The narrative is weak in this story. It should be packing a punch as this is a cop unknowingly living for two years with a Mafia prince. This should be huge! But it was treated like a lover’s spat. “I’m leaving. I’ll be at Liam’s.” Umm, you’d better be at Internal Affairs saving your career. I had to suspend disbelief that no one in Lorenzo’s criminal world knew that he was living with someone. No one came over? His father, a Mafia chief, didn’t know any details of his son’s personal life?
The entire beating of Lorenzo after his gay admission was not well written. The hospital reunion with Wyatt was flat and there was no emotional reaction from Wyatt at what should have been horrific injuries to Lorenzo’s face and body. After waking, Lorenzo seemed like it was just a headache instead of a broken face and serious concussion. There should have been some yelling for major pain relief! Just another example of the blandness in the scenes.
The anemic writing and passive dialogue has me giving this a DNF.
Too bad that the cover was more bad ass than the story.
July 8, 2020
A good start
There's a lot of potential with this author! The story was sweet, but lacked a lot of depth. It was pretty clunky and there were quite a few editing errors, but I enjoyed the story of Wyatt and Lorenzo. Looking forward to seeing the growth of a new author!
There's a lot of potential with this author! The story was sweet, but lacked a lot of depth. It was pretty clunky and there were quite a few editing errors, but I enjoyed the story of Wyatt and Lorenzo. Looking forward to seeing the growth of a new author!
August 27, 2021
It is rare when we get a book featuring an established couple, but For the Love of Flowers gives us just that. It also gives us an incredibly compelling mystery and a lot of heart.
This is the story of Lorenzo and Wyatt, a couple in New York who have been together for two years and are already deeply in love by the time the story starts. However, not everything is as perfect as it seems on the surface. For one thing, Lorenzo has been lying to Wyatt since day one. Wyatt believes he is Lorenzo Ricci, employee at the local flower shop where they met. In truth, he's Lorenzo Romano, owner of the flower shop and son of a crime boss. Not only is his father the son of a crime boss, but Lorenzo is being groomed to take the throne when his father retires. The novel opens on Lorenzo committing a murder before we know anything else about him.
Wyatt, on the other hand, is a narcotics detective, investigating a drug ring that is about to hit too close to home. The truth comes out early in the book, opening up Wyatt and Lorenzo to an uncertainty that has never been in their relationship and a desire to bring down Lorenzo's father, Alfredo Romano.
The love between these two men is palpable on the page. It is believable and a beautiful study of what someone would do for the person they love. There are lines crossed and actions previously deemed unforgivable forgiven. Wyatt finds himself compromising certain beliefs and values he's always held in high regard in order to continue being with Lorenzo and to keep him safe. Lorenzo prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice for the same thing. It is powerful.
The book also has amazing side characters in Wyatt's partner, Liam, and Lorenzo's brother, Marco. They pop off the page and you can tell that there's something else beneath the surface between them (but that's for the sequel).
Hodge does a wonderful job of creating romance and suspense and writing a book that makes me not want to put it down. However, there were a few things that kept this from being a five star review. Some sections of the writing didn't flow properly and there were a lot of editing issues. There was also one part of a love scene that fully pulled me out of the scene for a moment. None of these things affect my enjoyment of the story or my love for these characters.
After all, I love a flawed morally grey protagonist.
WARNING: this book does contain murder, violence, drugs, general criminal activity, and homophobia. If any of these issues bother you, do not proceed.
** BOOK PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
This is the story of Lorenzo and Wyatt, a couple in New York who have been together for two years and are already deeply in love by the time the story starts. However, not everything is as perfect as it seems on the surface. For one thing, Lorenzo has been lying to Wyatt since day one. Wyatt believes he is Lorenzo Ricci, employee at the local flower shop where they met. In truth, he's Lorenzo Romano, owner of the flower shop and son of a crime boss. Not only is his father the son of a crime boss, but Lorenzo is being groomed to take the throne when his father retires. The novel opens on Lorenzo committing a murder before we know anything else about him.
Wyatt, on the other hand, is a narcotics detective, investigating a drug ring that is about to hit too close to home. The truth comes out early in the book, opening up Wyatt and Lorenzo to an uncertainty that has never been in their relationship and a desire to bring down Lorenzo's father, Alfredo Romano.
The love between these two men is palpable on the page. It is believable and a beautiful study of what someone would do for the person they love. There are lines crossed and actions previously deemed unforgivable forgiven. Wyatt finds himself compromising certain beliefs and values he's always held in high regard in order to continue being with Lorenzo and to keep him safe. Lorenzo prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice for the same thing. It is powerful.
The book also has amazing side characters in Wyatt's partner, Liam, and Lorenzo's brother, Marco. They pop off the page and you can tell that there's something else beneath the surface between them (but that's for the sequel).
Hodge does a wonderful job of creating romance and suspense and writing a book that makes me not want to put it down. However, there were a few things that kept this from being a five star review. Some sections of the writing didn't flow properly and there were a lot of editing issues. There was also one part of a love scene that fully pulled me out of the scene for a moment. None of these things affect my enjoyment of the story or my love for these characters.
After all, I love a flawed morally grey protagonist.
WARNING: this book does contain murder, violence, drugs, general criminal activity, and homophobia. If any of these issues bother you, do not proceed.
** BOOK PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
June 22, 2020
So Lorenzo is the son of a evil man. He was raised to take over his father's drug empire & has learned how to kill efficiently & ruthlessly. He is in a relationship with a police officer who is investigating his father's empire & is trying to take him down. When it comes to light how Lorenzo is involved, Wyatt comes to a crossroads & needs to decide if he wants a future with him or not. All Lorenzo wants is out of the business, run his flower shop & create a life with Wyatt. With the help of some secondary characters, we get to see these two get their HEA. This was a very good debut novel & I can't wait for more books.
ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2020
My first by this author and it was a good story. The premise has a man finding out that the love of his life has a secret, and not just any little secret but one that turns his world upside down and throws everything he knows, believes, and holds dear into question. The author is able to make this story work well, for the most part. There are, unfortunately, a lot of editing issues that would jar me out of the action. There are also a couple instances where I seriously questioned a choice made by a character. Some of these were credibly justified or explained by the author, but that wasn't the case for all of them. I was able to read through to the end, and if this is viewed as a near-final draft rather than a final one, then the potential is clearly seen, for both the story and the author.
February 9, 2025
Amazing!!
This book is Kelsey's debut novel. It's a story that will pull you in until the very end. Lorenzo and Wyatt are from two completely different walks of life. But don't people say 'Opposites attract'? You will be on the edge of your seat wondering what they'll each do in order to stay together. There is heartache and tears. But there is also a sense of humor along the way. You'll truly wonder if these two can survive the challenges they're put through. You'll have to read it in order to find out. Deserves more than five stars.b
This book is Kelsey's debut novel. It's a story that will pull you in until the very end. Lorenzo and Wyatt are from two completely different walks of life. But don't people say 'Opposites attract'? You will be on the edge of your seat wondering what they'll each do in order to stay together. There is heartache and tears. But there is also a sense of humor along the way. You'll truly wonder if these two can survive the challenges they're put through. You'll have to read it in order to find out. Deserves more than five stars.b
June 13, 2020
Lorenzo only wants two things in life, his flower shop and the love of his life, Wyatt. He is complicit in his fathers drug empire but doesn’t see a way out. Wyatt is a good cop. He has been with Lorenzo for a couple of years. When the depth of Lorenzo’s deception is revealed, each man faces a life changing decision.
This was an interesting story. I’m not sure a how a cop would of let Lorenzo’s misdeeds slide by but we are in romance land here so I can let that go (after all, there was no proof). Other than Lorenzo’s big lie, the men were very much in sync.
Lorenzo’s brother Marco, Wyatt’s partner Liam, and Lorenzo’s guardian angel Frank are all key players. All the characters were well rounded. Not a lot of background but it was still a nice read.
All that said, I do need to say there was some rough spots that didn’t flow well in the beginning. Once I got past that I enjoyed the story.
I would normally think this is a 3.5 star book but as this is a new author who I think has a lot of potential I am giving it 4 stars. Looking forward to (I hope) Marco and Liam’s story.
I received an arc of this book.
This was an interesting story. I’m not sure a how a cop would of let Lorenzo’s misdeeds slide by but we are in romance land here so I can let that go (after all, there was no proof). Other than Lorenzo’s big lie, the men were very much in sync.
Lorenzo’s brother Marco, Wyatt’s partner Liam, and Lorenzo’s guardian angel Frank are all key players. All the characters were well rounded. Not a lot of background but it was still a nice read.
All that said, I do need to say there was some rough spots that didn’t flow well in the beginning. Once I got past that I enjoyed the story.
I would normally think this is a 3.5 star book but as this is a new author who I think has a lot of potential I am giving it 4 stars. Looking forward to (I hope) Marco and Liam’s story.
I received an arc of this book.
July 12, 2021
Amazing first book!
Kelsey Hodge has hit it out of the park with this first book. This story shows the very real human reaction to do everything we can to protect the ones we love. It demonstrates human weakness, human nature, and the fact that we all make mistakes and are just trying our best to remedy them. Wyatt and Lorenzo have an established relationship, but it's been built on lies. Will the truth set them free, or will it destroy them? Lorenzo has to make some hard choices, choices that can get him killed. And Wyatt must decide if he's going to protect Lorenzo or leave him. Sparks fly and steam happens along the way. Wyatt and Lorenzo are surprised to find they have some rock solid support in the side characters we meet, who may also be generating some steam of their own. I can't wait for the next book!
Kelsey Hodge has hit it out of the park with this first book. This story shows the very real human reaction to do everything we can to protect the ones we love. It demonstrates human weakness, human nature, and the fact that we all make mistakes and are just trying our best to remedy them. Wyatt and Lorenzo have an established relationship, but it's been built on lies. Will the truth set them free, or will it destroy them? Lorenzo has to make some hard choices, choices that can get him killed. And Wyatt must decide if he's going to protect Lorenzo or leave him. Sparks fly and steam happens along the way. Wyatt and Lorenzo are surprised to find they have some rock solid support in the side characters we meet, who may also be generating some steam of their own. I can't wait for the next book!
June 27, 2020
Great debut novel
A really strong showing for a first time author.
I loved the dynamic between Lorenzo and Wyatt.
Lorenzo as the scion and heir to a criminal empire he wants no part of.
The expectations thrust upon his shoulders are a burden.
He just wants to be left alone with his flowers and to live peacefully with his boyfriend Wyatt, who also happens to be the cop investigating Lorenzo's family business.
Lorenzo is terrified of his family discovering the truth because he's not sure which is the bigger sin in their eyes : being gay or being in love with a cop?
A really great cast of secondary characters really helped tie the book together.
A really strong showing for a first time author.
I loved the dynamic between Lorenzo and Wyatt.
Lorenzo as the scion and heir to a criminal empire he wants no part of.
The expectations thrust upon his shoulders are a burden.
He just wants to be left alone with his flowers and to live peacefully with his boyfriend Wyatt, who also happens to be the cop investigating Lorenzo's family business.
Lorenzo is terrified of his family discovering the truth because he's not sure which is the bigger sin in their eyes : being gay or being in love with a cop?
A really great cast of secondary characters really helped tie the book together.
August 12, 2021
Mafia with a twist
I quite enjoyed Lorenzo and Wyatts story even if some parts are a bit hard to believe, at the end of the day it’s a fun romantic novel. Lorenzo is the closeted son of a mafia/drug lord who is happiest making up bouquets in is flower shop. Wyatt is the detective on the drug force team trying to bring down Lorenzos dad.
Things are not as they seem and Lorenzo is not who Wyatt thinks he is. But will their love be enough to see them through this? I liked the team that Wyatt and Liam and Marco and Lorenzo formed and the close bonds that they forged together as 5hey fought for their freedom to live their love openly.
I look forward to Marco’s book out next.
I quite enjoyed Lorenzo and Wyatts story even if some parts are a bit hard to believe, at the end of the day it’s a fun romantic novel. Lorenzo is the closeted son of a mafia/drug lord who is happiest making up bouquets in is flower shop. Wyatt is the detective on the drug force team trying to bring down Lorenzos dad.
Things are not as they seem and Lorenzo is not who Wyatt thinks he is. But will their love be enough to see them through this? I liked the team that Wyatt and Liam and Marco and Lorenzo formed and the close bonds that they forged together as 5hey fought for their freedom to live their love openly.
I look forward to Marco’s book out next.
June 8, 2022
Love this book .I think this is the first time i read any books by this author and I loved it,, This is about a guy Lorenzo that has to hide in the closet because of his father the big drug dealer but one day someone walks into his florist shop he is hit with instant attraction to his customer Wyatt,,, ,things heat up and they fall in love but Wyatt is a cop and he doesn't know Lorenzo father is the bad guy they are after but soon he does find out about Lorenzo dad and they have to figure out how to handle all the new complication but soon they figure it out. I read this book for this author for my honest opinion
September 4, 2023
This was a little different than your typical romance as the MCs are already together when the book starts. However, you can tell how much they love each other from the start. They're two very different people as far as their jobs go. They are so good together though.
Lorenzo is living a double life though. Wyatt is a detective. Soon their lives collide and truths have to be revealed.
Wyatt is probably the most forgiving person that's ever lived. But for this story it felt really believable when he was discussing things with his best friend, Liam.
Very well told story with a definite happy ending!
Lorenzo is living a double life though. Wyatt is a detective. Soon their lives collide and truths have to be revealed.
Wyatt is probably the most forgiving person that's ever lived. But for this story it felt really believable when he was discussing things with his best friend, Liam.
Very well told story with a definite happy ending!
June 21, 2020
This story started with the couple already being in a committed relationship. Wyatt was a narcotics police detective and Lorenzo owned and worked at his flower shop. But Lorenzo was hiding a huge secret. Kelsey Hodge is a new to me author, I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author. All the side characters really helped tie the whole story together. It was well written and a page turner. Definitely recommend!
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
July 5, 2020
This is the first book in a new series. An interesting book the writing was good. I would have liked more background I think that would have improved the story a lot. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters intriguing. The characters were developed and thought out. Wyatt and Lorenzo are the MC’s of this book. While I am only giving this book 3 stars I still can recommend this story worth a read because there is good writing. And I will read the next book. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
June 14, 2022
I loved this book. Lorenzo and never wanted the life his father has planned for him. His father runs a drug empire and he sees no way out. Lorenzo loves his flower shop. When a man comes in needing a last minute gift for his mom. Lorenzo never expected he would be asked out and then his double life began. Wyatt and his partner Liam are investigating how drugs are getting into the city. What will happen when the secrets come to light? Will it give Lorenzo the strength to fight for what he wants most?
February 18, 2025
Audiobook - very consistent narration that really fits the characters.
Story - 3.5 stars. This starts with an interesting established relationship - Wyatt, the narcotics detective, has been living with Lorenzo, the mafia son, for two years while having no idea about Lorenzo's double life. Lorenzo really just wanted to work with his flowers, but his father had him trapped. Lorenzo knew that the situation couldn't last, which, of course, it didn't. Lorenzo's severe beating, which nearly killed him, had a surprising shortage of real aftereffects, which didn't work for me. Frank was a real gem.
Story - 3.5 stars. This starts with an interesting established relationship - Wyatt, the narcotics detective, has been living with Lorenzo, the mafia son, for two years while having no idea about Lorenzo's double life. Lorenzo really just wanted to work with his flowers, but his father had him trapped. Lorenzo knew that the situation couldn't last, which, of course, it didn't. Lorenzo's severe beating, which nearly killed him, had a surprising shortage of real aftereffects, which didn't work for me. Frank was a real gem.
June 26, 2020
Lorenzo owns and works at his flower shop. His father is grooming him to take over his drug empire but Lorenzo doesn't want to and doesn't see a way out. Wyatt is a cop and dating Lorenzo when he finds out about his double life.
This was a new author for me and I found this an a intriguing story. The storyline was awesome and the side characters helped make the story come together. I definitely recommend this book!
This was a new author for me and I found this an a intriguing story. The storyline was awesome and the side characters helped make the story come together. I definitely recommend this book!
August 7, 2022
The Love of Flowers
Lorenzo was as the cliché goes born into a life of crime. His path was set from birth and the choice was simple. He had no choice. It was eat or be eaten. So he lead a double life. Gentle florist and ruthless enforcer. Until he met him then everything changed. He had had to figure out a way the break free of his father’s control or die trying. This book had me from beginning to end.
Lorenzo was as the cliché goes born into a life of crime. His path was set from birth and the choice was simple. He had no choice. It was eat or be eaten. So he lead a double life. Gentle florist and ruthless enforcer. Until he met him then everything changed. He had had to figure out a way the break free of his father’s control or die trying. This book had me from beginning to end.
June 27, 2020
I absolutely LOVED this marvelous, fascinating, grab-you-by-the-feels, amazing, fantastic, smoking hot, suspenseful, poignant, made-me-shed-tears-of-both-sadness-and-joy, bittersweet, emotionally charged, and totally awesome tale. This is a fabulous debut by a new-to-me author, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
June 27, 2020
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. Lorenzo owns a flower shop that he loves working at unfortunately he’s also the son who is supposed to take over his father’s drug empire. Wyatt is a police officer who is investigating said drug empire to take it down. Things get a little sketchy when Wyatt finds out how much Lorenzo is involved in it. I really enjoyed reading this story.
August 27, 2020
A compelling story of intrigue, deception and betrayal. A florist embarks on a relationship with a customer but there are big secrets hidden from each other which causes a big strain on everyone. When lies come to light it brings about a dramatic ending that will effect everyone involved. A very solid story with so much potential for more which will be explored in book 2.
January 27, 2021
There are so many ways this could have ended. I'm so happy with the ending! I loved that I had so many things going through my head. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. Lorenzo and Wyatt show that true love will prevail despite family and jobs throwing curveballs at them. There was plenty of heart, a sprinkle of humor, and lots of steamy times!
March 8, 2022
This book was okay. It needed a good editor that would have corrected all the typos and cleaned out some of the many unnecessary exclamation marks. The writing style felt clinical. It lacked passion, for lack of a better word. I found myself losing interest in both Wyatt and Lorenzo by the middle of the book. This was my last book by this author.
March 17, 2023
When you meet 'the one' but you're from opposing walks of life, how far would you be willing to go to ensure you are able to get your happily ever after? This is what Lorenzo and Wyatt have to decide. Kelsey Hodge manages to capture the swaying emotions that one would have when making big decisions very well.
August 23, 2021
This is an amazing first book from this author and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. This book grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down until the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a little suspense with their love.
June 13, 2022
This is different
This was exciting. A mob boss's kid and a narcotics detective. Their world's away. Will the love they have survive when all the truth is revealed. I really li!ed this, because it was different. Loved the characters.
This was exciting. A mob boss's kid and a narcotics detective. Their world's away. Will the love they have survive when all the truth is revealed. I really li!ed this, because it was different. Loved the characters.
January 8, 2024
excellent
Excellent start to a brilliantly written series. Love the cast and the plot was excellent.
A cop and a florist fall in love and live together for two year until their world crashes around them . No spoilers , highly recommended series
Excellent start to a brilliantly written series. Love the cast and the plot was excellent.
A cop and a florist fall in love and live together for two year until their world crashes around them . No spoilers , highly recommended series
June 23, 2020
good story.. some spots didnt flow well for me.. overall it was good... some things i wasnt sure of.. it kinda irkd me i guess.. im not sure.. but i did enjoy it. it made me happy most of it.
November 28, 2021
Not bad at all, but Wyatt sure is a wimp for being a cop.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews