(Scent Valley University Book 1) Bonds and Blooms by Polly Maple Review

 

Bonds and Blooms: A Sweet Omegaverse Romance by Polly Maple
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

⭐⭐ 2 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️3 Spice

From the start, the sweet and cozy vibe of this book really stood out. It felt warm, light, and had that comforting charm I normally adore in a cozy romance. But as much as I wanted to love it, I found myself zoning out, brushing over sections, and struggling to stay invested.

I usually love stories where friendship and gentle support shine, and this book absolutely had that. The pack’s love and kindness were heartfelt and sincere. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to carry the rest of the book.

My biggest issue was the consistency of the main character, Faye. She was introduced as someone deeply focused on her lifelong goals and studies, especially given her history and motivations. But that thread completely vanished as soon as the romantic storyline kicked in. Her goals became a background detail, barely mentioned again, and it felt like her core purpose was lost.

There were moments I liked, and I appreciated the respectful nature of the relationships, but too many story elements felt rushed or underdeveloped. Plot points were introduced and then quickly dropped. The spice was graphic and open-door, but without emotional connection or investment, even that fell flat for me.

✅ What I liked
The friendships and emotional support
Positive consent and care in romantic interactions
The cozy, comforting vibes

❌ What didn’t work for me
I didn’t connect emotionally with the story or characters
Inconsistent portrayal of Faye’s personality and motivations
Her university goals were abandoned halfway through
Major plot events felt rushed or unresolved
Overuse of a specific word to the point of distraction

Would I recommend this book?
No

Would I reread it?
No

How would I sum it up?
A story full of sweetness and warmth, but ultimately left me feeling confused, disconnected, and underwhelmed.


(view spoiler)[ I don’t usually write spoilers in reviews, but I felt like I needed to this time. I loved the *idea* of this book, but the execution really let me down. Faye goes to university to step out of her comfort zone, hoping to learn and eventually make life better for omegas. Her parents were killed by an alphas, and she wants to help omegas like she see's her grandmother do at the shop. But the moment her pack enters the picture, all of that gets tossed aside. It felt like the foundation of her character was just dropped for the sake of the romance.

Then there’s Cole’s father suddenly showing up, making a scene about his son needing a more "suitable" omega, and then disappearing just as fast. It felt like cheap drama to push Faye and Cole into finally biting each other. Damon’s storyline felt weird and uncomfortable, and I honestly didn’t like how it was handled at all.

And if I had to hear the phrase “KNOT ME” one more time, I swear I was going to throw my Kindle out the window. The cozy sweetness held this book together in the beginning, but by the end, all I was left with was a toothache.
(hide spoiler)]

View all my reviews