Poison Ivy by Steffanie Holmes is steamy dark romance so I had high hopes for it but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I didn't really like the plot, the setting, or the characters. There was so much pointless violence that didn't really serve much of a purpose other than to prove how bad these guys are. I also prefer my spicy books with older characters. I'm sure others will like this one but it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let’s be real: I’m a sucker for reverse harem and dark romance, so Poison Ivy: Stonehurst Prep sounded like a deliciously scandalous escape. Ruthless boys with secrets? Check. A heroine willing to play the game? Check. But while the premise had all the right ingredients, the execution left me wanting more—and not in a good way.

First off, the story itself. It had the bones of something great—power plays, morally gray characters, and all the steamy tension you’d expect from a dark bully romance. Victor, Torsten, and Cassius each have distinct vibes, and their dynamic with the protagonist had potential. But the plot felt shallow, like it was checking off every trope without giving them enough weight. Instead of the slow-burn tension I crave in dark romance, it felt more like a sprint through a checklist: broody stepbrother? Check. Wild party? Check. Dangerous threats lurking around every corner? Double check.

And then there are the narrators. In an audiobook like this, you want narrators who can sell the heat, the tension, the raw emotion. Unfortunately, they fell flat for me. The performances lacked the chemistry and intensity I needed to really get lost in the story. Instead of pulling me deeper into the world of Stonehurst Prep, the narration kept dragging me out of it.

That’s not to say the book is all bad. The concept of the Poison Ivy Club is intriguing, and I love the idea of a group so ruthless they control everyone’s futures. The heroine’s ambition and willingness to play dirty made her interesting, even if I wanted more depth from her character. Plus, there were glimpses of the tension and stakes that could’ve made this a knockout read—but they just weren’t explored enough.

Overall, Poison Ivy: Stonehurst Prep is okay if you’re in the mood for something light and tropey, but don’t expect it to blow your mind. Huge thanks to Bacchanalia House, Steffanie Holmes, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this! I’ll still check out the next book because hey, there’s always hope for more depth and tension as the series continues. Here’s hoping the Poison Ivy Club delivers next time!

This storyline was fine. A blind FMC is an unusual twist but I like what the author did with it. Unfortunately the narrators really let the story down. The MMCs voice didn’t match up to his supposed age, and it killed the vibe of the story. I think if I had read the physical I would have enjoyed this story more.

Based on the blurb I wasn't sure what I was getting into and stepbrother romance is a very big ick personally. So I was hoping that was the gang aspect. I was wrong... Like within the first few chapters wrong. ick.
I love that the FMC is blind and is every bit as able as other MC's. Love when there is representation. But stepbrother? really... There is good chemistry between all 3 boys and Fergie and I guess she isn't really related... right? ick.

**The audiobook was provided via NetGalley in return for an honest review.**

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for providing the audiobook. I think the audiobook really added that extra bit of flair to the story. The multiple narrators is a huge plus with following multiple POVs.

I very much enjoyed this story. I enjoyed this dark bully RH romance. How the main character tried her hardest to resist but in the end, they all gave in to each other. What a ride.

The FMC doesn’t let her disability define her, she navigates the world with such ease and is actually a bad ass. One mistake does flip her word
Upside down, thrusting her into the world of her new step brother and the poison ivy club. The poison ivy club is a group of local nepo babies that help other spoiled rich kids that squandered their chances at an Ivy League. This help comes at cost..

Poison Ivy is the first book in the Stonehurst Prep Elite Series. This book is about Fergie, Victor, Torsten, and Cassius and is told from all of their points of view. This is a bully reverse harem book.

Fergie is blind and is now moved into a new house with her dad (who she never sees), her stepmom who randomly shows up, and her stepbrother who doesn't want her there. Her stepbrother and her meet when they sleep together because he lies to her and she believes he is someone else.

Victor, Torsten, and Cassius all start to have feelings for Fergie, but she is hiding something and secrets always have a way of coming out. What happens when Fergie learns who these boys really are? What happens when they find out she isn't who she said she was?

Fergie is blind, but there were points in this book when it didn't feel like it.

I will continue on in this series, because I'm curious what happens next.

As a long-time fan of Steffanie Holmes, I was beyond excited to get the chance to listen to the audiobook version of Poison Ivy, and it did not disappoint. This new adult dark romance is everything I love in a story—intense, thrilling, and so steamy. Let me tell you, if you think you know what you're getting with the premise, you’re in for a wild ride that’s much more than just spice.

The plot kicks off right from the first moment, and I was immediately drawn into the world of Stonehurst Prep and its twisted elite: Victor, Torsten, and Cassius. These three men—each one so different yet equally dangerous—completely own the narrative. They’re ruthless, smart, and effortlessly magnetic. And the chemistry between them and the protagonist is electric from the get-go.

I absolutely loved how Steffanie Holmes builds the tension between the characters. The stakes are high—not just with the Ivy League promises but with the personal sacrifices they demand in return. The story is so much more than the hot moments (although there are plenty of those). It's dark, emotional, and filled with that irresistible push-pull of forbidden attraction and dangerous deals.

And the spice? Oh, it’s definitely spicy. The scenes are smoking hot, no question. But I really appreciate how Holmes balances the heat with a deeper story. There’s a lot of complexity to the characters and the relationships, and it’s not all just about getting off. There’s tension, betrayal, loyalty, and that emotional rollercoaster that makes a romance stick long after the audiobook ends.

The narrators are also absolutely perfect. Each one brings the characters to life in a way that feels authentic to their personalities. Their delivery captures both the darkness of the world they inhabit and the sizzling chemistry between the characters. The transitions between perspectives are seamless, making it so easy to stay immersed in the story without breaking focus.

Overall, Poison Ivy is a thrilling, intense, and super spicy ride, and the audiobook version just amplifies it. If you’re a fan of dark romance with a healthy dose of suspense and steamy chemistry, this is a must-listen. Steffanie Holmes has once again shown why she’s a queen of this genre—Poison Ivy will keep you hooked from start to finish.

In "Poison Ivy," readers are treated to a tantalizing blend of spice and intrigue that keeps the pages turning. The narrative follows Fergie, whose journey is as much about uncovering the secrets of those around her as it is about her own hidden truths. The author masterfully doles out clues, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that hooks you from the start.

The chemistry between the characters is palpable, adding a delicious tension that complements the unfolding mysteries. Just when you think you have a handle on the plot, new twists emerge, ensuring that you're constantly on your toes. The pacing is spot on—each revelation feels earned, and the buildup to Fergie finally learning the truth is both satisfying and maddeningly addictive.

"Poison Ivy" is a standout read for anyone who enjoys a dash of naughtiness mixed with suspense. It's the kind of book that demands your attention and leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for those who appreciate a story layered with secrets and sizzling dynamics.

I'm choosing not to share this feedback on my social sites due to only getting a little bit into the book. That being said, I did want to be sure to share my feedback with the team around this book.

DNF - 3%

I personally loved how this author describes Fergie as being blind. Her disability is not treated as a crime, but rather shown through Fergie's actions. That being said, that is the only thing I liked about this book, to the point I had to stop it so quickly. One, I swear Fergie talks about "the incident" dang near once a paragraph. It's fine to illude to something happening, but it was half the words that came out of her mouth. Speaking of which, Cassius "thumbed" her for like 0.2 seconds and she was already there. In what world?? Then, Cassius' chapter rolls in and it sounds like zapp brannigan from Futurama. I absolutely couldn't, I literally laughed so hard.

Thank you to Steffanie Holmes, Bacchanalia House, and NetGalley for an audio arc of Poison Ivy.

This book is SPICY!! If you like dark romance, bully romance, and/or mafia romance, this one is for you! I finished this book within a day and immediately had to download the second one. The hate between the main characters was palpable, but there were also a lot of sweet moments too. Also - this book has representation for the blind community as the main character is blind.

At first I was a bit put off by how often the author talked about smells - I didn't realize the main character was blind! After the reader is told, though, it started to make sense and I realized how often the author incorporated other senses to explain how the main character experienced the world around her.

The "incident" which caused Fergie and her dad to change identities and move across the country could also have been explained earlier. It seemed silly to string the reader along for so much of the book and the reveal wasn't as grand as I thought it would be.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series! 4/5 stars.

I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately fell short for me. Unfortunately, I cannot provide an overall rating since I was unable to finish it. As an avid audiobook listener, I typically have no trouble completing books; however, the male narrator's performance proved to be quite distracting. His voice sounded strained, as if he were out of breath after every other word, which was an unusual experience for me and detracted from my enjoyment of the content. That said, I intend to read the physical copy and give the book another chance.

This book was rather hard for me to get into. I loved the concept but it was not my normal read/listen. I felt that the plot could have been stronger, and now as dark. I am not the books target audience but if you like dark, spicy, and morally gray… this is for you

2.5 rounded

This is not my first foray into RH or bully romances, so I had a general idea of what to expect, though the twist of the FMC being blind was an intriguing detail that I was eager to see how that impacted the storyline. The spice was spicing pretty much right from the beginning, but unfortunately, the story of Fergie, Cas, Victor, and Torsten very quickly devolved into tired tropes of miscommunication, hate-fueled lust, and abuse for enjoyment's sake. The three boys each have distinct personalities, which is refreshing, and I appreciated seeing an accurate representation of ASD in a teenage boy. Overall, though, the constant repetition of details from each character's perspective and repetitive inner monologues (particularly of Fergie) became inane and redundant. I realize that I am sighted and cannot grasp the world of blindness, but I struggled to breeze over the fact that our FMC was identifying facial expressions and colors. It would have made more sense to me if those descriptions were left to the boys' chapters.

Of note, the author namedropped HERSELF at least 3 times in the book, with the FMC talking about the audiobooks she was listening to and naming Ms. Holmes as the author. I feel like this was supposed to be a subtle nod to her other works, but it felt self-aggrandizing and ingratiating. And for a character to flat out say that she's reading a bully romance with 3 male leads, there is no subtlety - Fergie should have had some sense of awareness that that was happening to her as well. It made the character look stupid.

I did enjoy the 4 POVs and getting to know the inner workings of all of our main characters, and I appreciated having a separate narrator for each POV. However, I feel that a duet narration format may have worked better, given that the FMC's narrator had to maintain 3 separate male voices for the 3 MMCs and each male had their own voice for the FMC. Overall, though, all 4 performances were quite good.

I am not sure if I will continue this series, as I do not find myself drawn to the story enough to get through 1-2 more books of backstabbing, brutality, and bitterness before we reach the conclusion. However, I am intrigued to know who is working with the mayor's mom to bring down the Triumvirate. If anyone wants to send that to me, I'd be very appreciative!

Thank you to NetGalley, Steffanie Holmes, and Bacchanalia House for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I think the book could have been shorter considering it’s the first book in an interconnected series. Some parts in the middle could have been omitted. But I enjoyed the story overall. The beginning is f the FMCs relationship with each character.
The narration was great.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book almost immediately. The narrative style was not a great fit for me and I found the opening chapters to be jarring. The book insisted upon itself.

This book includes:
- dark romance
- an "evil" stepmother
- concealed tragic background

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Steffanie Holmes, and Bacchanalia House for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

yeah... i had to DNF this one. it started off pretty good, but the stepbrother instantly SA-ing the BLIND stepsister that he quite literally just met made me put it down. i don't want to yuck anyone's yum, but that made me extremely uncomfortable.

Thank you NetGalley and Steffanie Holmes for allowing me to listen to audiobook in return for my honest review. I rated it 3.75⭐️. Great premise and I would happily read the second book.

I already own the Kindle book of this, purchased from Amazon but hadn't read yet, so I was thrilled to receive the ARC audiobook! It moved right up my TBR and I had SUCH A GOOD TIME I cannot wait for sequels. I love an elite prep school setting of dark academia and salacious spice - this delivered and I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Joining the bandwagon of DNF due to not realizing the stepbrother trope. Perhaps it should be made clearer in the description.

The writing was okay. The beginning of the book was a bit all over the place. I can't comment on the end, sadly.

Unfortunately I DNF'd this book. Narrators were good. I'm usually a fan of these tropes, but I did not connect with the plot.