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Cultivated #3
Lumi
Damian took a bullet for me when I was seventeen.
He didn’t ask for my heart in return, but it’s been his ever since.
We are as different as night and day. He’s fun-loving and outgoing while I’m skeptical of new people and prefer to avoid social events.
So, why did I agree to be handcuffed to him for a full week in the name of science? It’s not because he dared me to do it, or because I need the money that comes with it. I’m the CFO of Solver Industries, after all.
It’s because I’m turning twenty-nine, and I’m sick and tired of my heart comparing every man to Damian when my brain knows full well that he’s far from perfect.
Will my plan work? an overdose of the large Irishman will kill my crush on him and finally set me free.
Lumi is the third installment in Elin Peer’s psychological drama series, Cultivated. Readers rave about Elin Peer’s ability to make the characters jump off the page and stay in your thoughts for a long time after you close the book. If you love romance with depth, a fast pace, a bit of steam, and some great dialogue, then you've found your next read.
If you've already read the first two books in the series, Charlie and Atlas, then this is a no brainer. Buy Lumi on pre-sale and have it delivered straight to your Kindle App the moment it goes live on Amazon in February 2020.
He didn’t ask for my heart in return, but it’s been his ever since.
We are as different as night and day. He’s fun-loving and outgoing while I’m skeptical of new people and prefer to avoid social events.
So, why did I agree to be handcuffed to him for a full week in the name of science? It’s not because he dared me to do it, or because I need the money that comes with it. I’m the CFO of Solver Industries, after all.
It’s because I’m turning twenty-nine, and I’m sick and tired of my heart comparing every man to Damian when my brain knows full well that he’s far from perfect.
Will my plan work? an overdose of the large Irishman will kill my crush on him and finally set me free.
Lumi is the third installment in Elin Peer’s psychological drama series, Cultivated. Readers rave about Elin Peer’s ability to make the characters jump off the page and stay in your thoughts for a long time after you close the book. If you love romance with depth, a fast pace, a bit of steam, and some great dialogue, then you've found your next read.
If you've already read the first two books in the series, Charlie and Atlas, then this is a no brainer. Buy Lumi on pre-sale and have it delivered straight to your Kindle App the moment it goes live on Amazon in February 2020.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2020
About the author
Elin Peer
57 books848 followersWith a background in life coaching, Elin is easy to talk to and with over thirty-six books under her belt, fans rave about her unique writing style that has subtle elements of coaching mixed into fictional love stories with happy endings.
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: [email protected]
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 4, 2020
A difficult and heart breaking path to a truly beautiful love story.
I adored Lumi and Damien's story, which is told both in present day along with clearly defined flashbacks to the past. This allows a well paced reveal of many untold and unknown events that have shaped the people they are today. Once started I didn't want to put this down, the excellent writing and engaging storyline kept me hooked. The emotions pour of the page and this was definitely a "box of tissues" read.
There were times when I would have liked to have felt more emotion from Damien, mainly in the past and particularly when . His decision, which I understood, didn't come with enough angst and soul searching to convince me of the depth of his feelings at that time. He seemingly made his decision too easily . However in the whole scheme of things it was a minor wrinkle in an otherwise amazing story.
Lumi and Damien are both well written, rounded characters. Neither was perfect and Lumi in particular had issues to work through. The concept of the forced physical (but not sexual) intimacy was a really interesting plot device, providing drama and tension alongside some truly thought provoking moments. The story never felt cliched or predictable.
Elin Peer 's flawless storytelling is a joy to experience, her finely crafted characters are both believable and likeable. She totally convinced me of the strong connection between Lumi and Damien, as well as the depth of their feelings. She also teased us with both Nathan and River's struggles, leaving me desperate for more of this family.
I adored Lumi and Damien's story, which is told both in present day along with clearly defined flashbacks to the past. This allows a well paced reveal of many untold and unknown events that have shaped the people they are today. Once started I didn't want to put this down, the excellent writing and engaging storyline kept me hooked. The emotions pour of the page and this was definitely a "box of tissues" read.
There were times when I would have liked to have felt more emotion from Damien, mainly in the past and particularly when . His decision, which I understood, didn't come with enough angst and soul searching to convince me of the depth of his feelings at that time. He seemingly made his decision too easily . However in the whole scheme of things it was a minor wrinkle in an otherwise amazing story.
Lumi and Damien are both well written, rounded characters. Neither was perfect and Lumi in particular had issues to work through. The concept of the forced physical (but not sexual) intimacy was a really interesting plot device, providing drama and tension alongside some truly thought provoking moments. The story never felt cliched or predictable.
Elin Peer 's flawless storytelling is a joy to experience, her finely crafted characters are both believable and likeable. She totally convinced me of the strong connection between Lumi and Damien, as well as the depth of their feelings. She also teased us with both Nathan and River's struggles, leaving me desperate for more of this family.
February 2, 2020
This new series by Elin Peer is probably her best yet. I take that back. Her Slave series was pretty awesome and the Color series rocked. Oh and let's not forget the Men of the North Series! *Sigh* I don't think the woman can write a bad book! This latest installment in the Cultivated series is one that I couldn't put down once I picked it up. Yeah, I lost sleep that day. It's one of those books where you keep saying "one more chapter" and before you know it you look at the clock and realize you have to be up in 2 hours. Well worth it. Definitely worth it.
December 20, 2020
Boy...Lumi and Damian are both screwed up in this one. I wished that at some point they would have been able to talk honestly with each other, it would have saved so much time and heart ache for them both. At least with the experiment they agreed to it helped that along. I liked that Jolene called them out on their crap mid way through, it helped break those final walls and made it so together they would work towards something lasting.
January 29, 2020
Lumi, Cultivated Series 3, by Elin Peer.
I cracked the first chapter of Lumi, the third book in Elin Peer's new series Cultivated the afternoon I received it at 3 p.m. I was finishing at 7 a.m. the following morning. I read right through supper, all evening, deep into the night and right into the next morning.
I was so enthralled by the twenty-year-long on-again-off-again romance between Lumi Robertson and Damian O'Rourke that I forgot everything and just became the story.
Lumi was a 17-year-old teenager when Damian, a member of the Irish Garda, rescued her from a vicious cult, taking a bullet meant for her in the process as the cult-leader ordered his followers to suicide. Her mother, her only trusted friend, had just been killed.
She never forgot it, and neither did he. As she grew into stunning adulthood, she regarded Damian as a "friend", but in reality, both individuals loved each other and didn't know how to express it. Damian was a decade older than she and felt he had to protect her from predatory males.
The key to this novel, however, is a psychological test devised by her brother's mate, psychiatrist Jolene. Recognizing the passion the two felt for each other, she designed an "experiment" to get the pair to admit their feelings for each other by challenging them to live for a week, handcuffed together. They must share their most intimate activities and report their progress daily.
As you can imagine, this led to all kinds of agony, because the trauma Lumi had experienced as a teenager had led her to distrust men altogether, and had led to the breakup of several potential love relationships.
Novelist Peer is a master at building tension in relationships, and this one rises to the point where the reader thinks it's going to explode in bloodshed. When the novelist pulls the trigger, the release is like a bucket of ice-water in the face.
There is a sudden gasp, then the realization that something incredible just happened, and then the resumption of normality with everything reversed. I liken this to a recognition of the Absurd--a sense that the world you knew is wrong, and it's opposite is, in fact, reality.
Peer continues to draws on her background as a life coach with an in-depth knowledge of character, personality, and emotion. It's the psychological aspects of this novel that make it so powerful. Jolene plays a central role in getting Lumi and Damian to tell the truth, to be honest with each other, and in so doing sets the stage for the conclusion.
But the recognition of their love for each other isn't the end. Following the couple.s Epiphany, Peer builds on that recognition to deepen the romance and shape a future free from the agonies of the past.
It takes a compelling writer to wring that kind of emotion out of me, and it's not the first time Peer has done it. But I think it's probably the most incredible expression of the power of words to change worlds.
There is much more to this story that the love between Damian and Lumi. Along the way, we meet others of the Robertson and O'Rourke families. These include Lumi's adopted brothers and sisters River. Nathan, Maxim, Atlas, Damian's sister Kit, and, of course, Jolene, Atlas's fiancée. All of them play unforgettable roles in this drama.
As it happens, I received a piece of bad news the same day I started reading this book. The government has suspended my driver's license because of a minor fault in my vision. I should have been shocked, but I wasn't. The power of this book drove any sense of regret and anguish right out of my mind.
Anything strong enough to do that is worth reading. Words change worlds.
I cracked the first chapter of Lumi, the third book in Elin Peer's new series Cultivated the afternoon I received it at 3 p.m. I was finishing at 7 a.m. the following morning. I read right through supper, all evening, deep into the night and right into the next morning.
I was so enthralled by the twenty-year-long on-again-off-again romance between Lumi Robertson and Damian O'Rourke that I forgot everything and just became the story.
Lumi was a 17-year-old teenager when Damian, a member of the Irish Garda, rescued her from a vicious cult, taking a bullet meant for her in the process as the cult-leader ordered his followers to suicide. Her mother, her only trusted friend, had just been killed.
She never forgot it, and neither did he. As she grew into stunning adulthood, she regarded Damian as a "friend", but in reality, both individuals loved each other and didn't know how to express it. Damian was a decade older than she and felt he had to protect her from predatory males.
The key to this novel, however, is a psychological test devised by her brother's mate, psychiatrist Jolene. Recognizing the passion the two felt for each other, she designed an "experiment" to get the pair to admit their feelings for each other by challenging them to live for a week, handcuffed together. They must share their most intimate activities and report their progress daily.
As you can imagine, this led to all kinds of agony, because the trauma Lumi had experienced as a teenager had led her to distrust men altogether, and had led to the breakup of several potential love relationships.
Novelist Peer is a master at building tension in relationships, and this one rises to the point where the reader thinks it's going to explode in bloodshed. When the novelist pulls the trigger, the release is like a bucket of ice-water in the face.
There is a sudden gasp, then the realization that something incredible just happened, and then the resumption of normality with everything reversed. I liken this to a recognition of the Absurd--a sense that the world you knew is wrong, and it's opposite is, in fact, reality.
Peer continues to draws on her background as a life coach with an in-depth knowledge of character, personality, and emotion. It's the psychological aspects of this novel that make it so powerful. Jolene plays a central role in getting Lumi and Damian to tell the truth, to be honest with each other, and in so doing sets the stage for the conclusion.
But the recognition of their love for each other isn't the end. Following the couple.s Epiphany, Peer builds on that recognition to deepen the romance and shape a future free from the agonies of the past.
It takes a compelling writer to wring that kind of emotion out of me, and it's not the first time Peer has done it. But I think it's probably the most incredible expression of the power of words to change worlds.
There is much more to this story that the love between Damian and Lumi. Along the way, we meet others of the Robertson and O'Rourke families. These include Lumi's adopted brothers and sisters River. Nathan, Maxim, Atlas, Damian's sister Kit, and, of course, Jolene, Atlas's fiancée. All of them play unforgettable roles in this drama.
As it happens, I received a piece of bad news the same day I started reading this book. The government has suspended my driver's license because of a minor fault in my vision. I should have been shocked, but I wasn't. The power of this book drove any sense of regret and anguish right out of my mind.
Anything strong enough to do that is worth reading. Words change worlds.
February 15, 2020
Have you read the first two books in Elin Peer's "Cultivated" series yet? If not, then you REALLY need to do yourself a favor and find the time to fit them into your schedule. You won't be disappointed! If you have and if you're like me, she has already trained you to set the bar high for what to expect from one of her books and this one is no exception. Lumi and Damian both have such flawed personalities they become totally relatable and pulled me into the story almost immediately. And the storyline? So amazing. It's an emotional rollercoaster full of psychological intrigue and self-discovery. I see the wrinkle in your forehead. Did I mean self-discovery for the characters or the reader? That seems to be the light bulb moment because I don't think I could've gone down that rabbit hole with our characters and NOT come out untouched, so I'd have to say both. But isn't that the mark of an outstanding author? When they can somehow tell their story and have it make some type of impact on you personally? Another great read!
January 31, 2020
Another exceptional book in this series. I have to say that the tension you feel between Lumi and Damian leaps from the pages. When you read about some of the things holding them back (trying not spoil anything) you want to reach into the pages and shake them and tell them to get it together! lol I think that is the work of a great author, someone who can make you feel things so intensely when you are reading words on a page! These characters are well developed and complex. I love that we get to see/hear about all the auxiliary characters that you fell in love with in book 1. I can not wait to read Nathan's story next!!
January 28, 2020
This is one of those books that you can’t put down no matter the time of night or what you’re supposed to be doing. I absolutely love Lumi and Damian together! Honestly, throughout the other books Lumi seemed like a less relatable character. However, after reading this book I found that I relate to her in so many ways. She’s been hurt in every way possible by so many different people. Even at such a young age she learned to be distant, untrusting, cynical, and an introvert. The rocky, forbidden relationship between Lumi and Damian has been a long time coming and it was an amazing, heart-wrenching journey that I recommend to any and everyone. Not only is it an amazing story between two people who are destined to be together but you also learn something along the way.
February 2, 2020
Elin your awesome. You paint pictures with words. What an awesome gift. I'd read anything you wrote. Oh, wait....I do read everything you write. Lol.
February 4, 2020
Once again, Elin Peer has written a book that just captures from the first page.
This book is # 3 in the Cultivated series and is about Lumi and Damian.
In the first book we follow all the characters and as psychopath Connor O'Brian chooses the members of the cult to commit suicide, Damian who is a Gardaí takes the bullet for Lumi and she is forever grateful to him.
For the ten years since the suicide, and where her mother was killed, she has had a crush on Damian and still have. In this book we follow Lumi and Damians on/off romance.
Once you have started the book, the pages almost turns itself, as you just have to read what happens on the next page and in the next chapter.
I can only recommend this series, just as I can recommend Elin Peer's other series.
You simply get caught on the last page.
Thank you Elin Peer for your wonderful way of writing.
This book is # 3 in the Cultivated series and is about Lumi and Damian.
In the first book we follow all the characters and as psychopath Connor O'Brian chooses the members of the cult to commit suicide, Damian who is a Gardaí takes the bullet for Lumi and she is forever grateful to him.
For the ten years since the suicide, and where her mother was killed, she has had a crush on Damian and still have. In this book we follow Lumi and Damians on/off romance.
Once you have started the book, the pages almost turns itself, as you just have to read what happens on the next page and in the next chapter.
I can only recommend this series, just as I can recommend Elin Peer's other series.
You simply get caught on the last page.
Thank you Elin Peer for your wonderful way of writing.
February 10, 2020
Elin Peer keeps this series so interesting and page turning. At first I didn’t like the flash backs, but then they were helping me to understand so much about Lumi and Damian. Their age difference made me wonder what had happened and what would happen.
I absolutely loved how Lumi’s story went. I especially love how the stories fit together and how the siblings remain an important part of each other’s lives. I recommend this story but absolutely suggest reading the first two before you do.
I absolutely loved how Lumi’s story went. I especially love how the stories fit together and how the siblings remain an important part of each other’s lives. I recommend this story but absolutely suggest reading the first two before you do.
February 15, 2020
This is a fantastic series and I love the fact that it deals with a cult. Even though these are stand alones technically they are interlocking characters so you should start from book 1 to get the complete feel of who everyone is, and this one is my favorite of the series so far. Lumi has been through so much in her life that she is beyond jaded but one thing she knows she’s in love with Damien and wants to try to get over the problems that still plague her the next she can so when her experiment is to be handcuffed to him for a week he happily agrees cause he’s been in love with her for a very long time also. Damien is literally Lumis hero on every level and it was intriguing reading about them deal with the trauma of there past
March 6, 2020
Another gripping story by the talented author Elin Peer. This is the third book in the Cultivated Series. To throughly immerse yourself in this book i would advise you to read the first two. This is the story of Damien and Lumi. A detailed story that is well thought out and thorough. Emotion in abundance, laughter and heart break. This is the type of book that grips you from the very first page and plunges you into an amazing story line with engaging characters.
February 20, 2020
Excellent read
This is an enjoyable read!!
Lumi agrees to participate in this experiment in the hopes she would finally get over her crush on Damian. They are both in for the wake-up call they were not expecting.
Although I love Lumi and Damian's characters. I just have to mention that Jolene plays a wonderful deep part in this story even though she is not in it that often. An absolutely great read!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Wonderful characters
This is an enjoyable read!!
Lumi agrees to participate in this experiment in the hopes she would finally get over her crush on Damian. They are both in for the wake-up call they were not expecting.
Although I love Lumi and Damian's characters. I just have to mention that Jolene plays a wonderful deep part in this story even though she is not in it that often. An absolutely great read!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Wonderful characters
February 4, 2020
Wow this is a very gripping story that pulled me in from the start to finish, its a real page turner. Can Lumi get past her fears. The Author has really brought a fantastic read to fruition. This is a fantastic series that I highly recommend.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
February 14, 2020
What an amazing third book. Will the romance work for both. Intriguing and definitely kept me interested until the end. Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
December 3, 2021
I listened to this book in audiobook format.
February 3, 2020
I loved the storyline of this series. I cant put them down. I feel like I am getting to know each character personally. Please dont stop writing. Cant wait for the next one.
August 16, 2020
I have been waiting for Lumi and Damien’s story since Book one. It’s sweet and heartbreaking. Lumi had suffered so much and she just wanted to be loved and accepted. Good book.
January 31, 2020
This story was for me the best in series so far. I do like how the character development flows from book to book in the series. Each book may stand alone but they all feed on the book before to enhance each character.
March 7, 2020
This is the 3rd Book in the “Cultivated Series” by Elin Peer. I suggest you read the first 2 books so you can really understand why Lumi ( the Main Character of this book) is the way she is. I think all woman want to be a little like Lumi. SHe is a strong, take no Sh** , get out of my way ,..this is my world type of woman. I think its very easy to relate to Lumi . Love, true love or just a crush, is still hard to truly figure out if it is meant to be or not. Fear is so controlling but Lumi finds her way through the fear to get what she has always wanted...Acceptance(as a strong woman)..Love(without doubt) ...& Family(without shame)!!
Author Elin Peer continues to surprise me ...with her out of the box thinking with her characters....refreshing and so relatable.
5-STARS
PG-25
MRS.C. :)
Author Elin Peer continues to surprise me ...with her out of the box thinking with her characters....refreshing and so relatable.
5-STARS
PG-25
MRS.C. :)
February 14, 2020
Lumi is the 3rd book in the Cultivated series by Elin Peer.
Elin Peer just keeps hitting home run after home run with this fabulous series. I really thought the 1st book would be hard to beat, yet this author just keeps churning out these books with amazing, flawed characters and storylines that keep the reader engrossed from start to finish. I already know the day I plan on reading Elin Peer's newest work that it'll be pizza (pre-ordered) for dinner and very little sleep for me!
Knowing that this is Lumi's story had my anticipation up. I love the way Elin Peer slowly pulls back layer after layer of each character until they are raw and exposed. That the love interest often sets off this chain of events adding even more to the story. Motivating the main character to dig deep for healing because like almost everyone...they just want to be loved. The support they get from their love interest is perfect. Interestingly enough there is such a struggle for them to actually come together. And the chemistry is always just right.
But these books aren't *just* love stories. They touch on subjects that are relevant today. Cults exist even if we don't want to admit it. The psychological impact cults have on individuals varies just like the author has touched on for 3 books now.
I love to read books that can engage my brain, teach me something interesting, and have a good love story. Elin Peer has done all that and then some. Lumi's story had me locked within it's pages until the very end.
I received an ARC of this book. I have voluntarily chosen to leave my review in support of the book and author. All views and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
Elin Peer just keeps hitting home run after home run with this fabulous series. I really thought the 1st book would be hard to beat, yet this author just keeps churning out these books with amazing, flawed characters and storylines that keep the reader engrossed from start to finish. I already know the day I plan on reading Elin Peer's newest work that it'll be pizza (pre-ordered) for dinner and very little sleep for me!
Knowing that this is Lumi's story had my anticipation up. I love the way Elin Peer slowly pulls back layer after layer of each character until they are raw and exposed. That the love interest often sets off this chain of events adding even more to the story. Motivating the main character to dig deep for healing because like almost everyone...they just want to be loved. The support they get from their love interest is perfect. Interestingly enough there is such a struggle for them to actually come together. And the chemistry is always just right.
But these books aren't *just* love stories. They touch on subjects that are relevant today. Cults exist even if we don't want to admit it. The psychological impact cults have on individuals varies just like the author has touched on for 3 books now.
I love to read books that can engage my brain, teach me something interesting, and have a good love story. Elin Peer has done all that and then some. Lumi's story had me locked within it's pages until the very end.
I received an ARC of this book. I have voluntarily chosen to leave my review in support of the book and author. All views and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
February 17, 2020
Outstanding lesson in life and love…
Once again, Elin Peer’s background in life coaching lends itself beautifully to a unique plot centered around two very different personas, Lumi and Damian, coming to terms with their relationship spanning twelve plus years. What repeatedly draws them together but then pushes them apart? Can a one week long experiment reveal thoughts and feelings that have been suppressed or ignored? None of us are perfect. We all have experienced times when we have acted upon our own assumptions and didn’t bother to check them out beforehand. What happens when we are restrained by old habits to avoid getting hurt? These circumstances are all too common in many people’s lives which is why it is so refreshing to see how Elin Peer sheds creative light on this couple and what develops between them when there is little or no room for escape.
The idea of being handcuffed together not only helps to resolve their issues but keeps us entertained and focussed on their relationship and others involved in this captivating story. So far, this has been a wonderful series – each book is its own expression of another couple’s search for love and acceptance. However, there is no redundancy, each story is special and the characters really come to life on the page. I do recommend reading these books in order since it is a family affair linking them back to a critical incident that each has been coping with differently thus bringing unique challenges to each of their relationships. The books are very well written and highly recommended for pleasure and perhaps a little gentle therapy.
Once again, Elin Peer’s background in life coaching lends itself beautifully to a unique plot centered around two very different personas, Lumi and Damian, coming to terms with their relationship spanning twelve plus years. What repeatedly draws them together but then pushes them apart? Can a one week long experiment reveal thoughts and feelings that have been suppressed or ignored? None of us are perfect. We all have experienced times when we have acted upon our own assumptions and didn’t bother to check them out beforehand. What happens when we are restrained by old habits to avoid getting hurt? These circumstances are all too common in many people’s lives which is why it is so refreshing to see how Elin Peer sheds creative light on this couple and what develops between them when there is little or no room for escape.
The idea of being handcuffed together not only helps to resolve their issues but keeps us entertained and focussed on their relationship and others involved in this captivating story. So far, this has been a wonderful series – each book is its own expression of another couple’s search for love and acceptance. However, there is no redundancy, each story is special and the characters really come to life on the page. I do recommend reading these books in order since it is a family affair linking them back to a critical incident that each has been coping with differently thus bringing unique challenges to each of their relationships. The books are very well written and highly recommended for pleasure and perhaps a little gentle therapy.
February 15, 2020
Lumi is a survivor. She's done well with building a wall around her of protection which has kept her cold and standoffish to those who don't know her. While she has loved Damien with all she's had for years their rocky history has also been the main reason her heart is not open to the love she craves. While Damien has always loved her he has allowed or used various excuses to keep her at bay. Their story is one of pain and heartbreak each being apart of the problem and the solution. Breaking through their past and their personal blockades can only be done with complete honesty. But getting through those blockades will take intervention of the best, by the best and that wont be easy.
This series is so different from what we have become used to by this author at the same time being a perfect example of what she does best. It's clinical while being invasive to the mind and soul. She breaks it all down with flashbacks as they go through the experiment. It's hard to continue to love Damien when you know the story but also easy to see the how and why. You can't help but get wrapped up in their story while sharing in their heartbreak. It's an amazing story of love, support, family and life. Absolutely ripped my emotions to shreds and gently put them back together. Their story doesn't end here, it's only their beginning. With this series you do need to read each book as the author reveals just how intertwined these survivors forever will be.
This series is so different from what we have become used to by this author at the same time being a perfect example of what she does best. It's clinical while being invasive to the mind and soul. She breaks it all down with flashbacks as they go through the experiment. It's hard to continue to love Damien when you know the story but also easy to see the how and why. You can't help but get wrapped up in their story while sharing in their heartbreak. It's an amazing story of love, support, family and life. Absolutely ripped my emotions to shreds and gently put them back together. Their story doesn't end here, it's only their beginning. With this series you do need to read each book as the author reveals just how intertwined these survivors forever will be.
February 4, 2020
Children raised by a psychopath - how are they affected? In this series, the children who survived a mass murder by their psychopathic 'father' and/or cult leader are now adults. Lumi saw her mother killed. Damian, a dashing Irish special forces officer took a bullet to save her. What caused Lumi to have this crush on Damian since then? How has it affected her life? Life has a way of not giving you what you want at that moment. They are in each other's lives for many years. When she thinks they will be together, yes, events happen to keep them apart. One of her brothers challenges her to an experiment involving handcuffs with Damian so she can get past this heartbreak of loving him and not having him and be able to move on with her life. The challenge is to be handcuffed together for a week. They need to be truthful with each other and with themselves. Easier said than done. Two separate minds, two individuals who are set in their ways. What happens when they need a shower or to use the bathroom? Can Lumi fall out of love to be free? How creative can they be when they need privacy or alone time? This is an interesting series that gives a perspective on what happens to children who do not have a 'normal' upbringing and the challenges they face as adults.
February 23, 2020
Who can love you better than the hotty who took a bullet for you? This is the story of Lumi and Damien.
This is a great story of love that over a 20 year period was denied, expressed, rejected and betrayed before it was allowed to bloom and grow. Since she was a child Lumi had a huge crush on Damien and even wanted him to be the first to show her what love making is. Beautiful things do happen between them but life gets in the way and Lumi is rejected by Damien as he continues a relationship with another woman. Subconsciously Damien is the template for all men and over the years Lumi is unable to sustain a relationship with anyone.
Damien is unable to release himself from his love and responsibility for the women Lumi has become. When Jolene challenges them to handcuff themselves to each other they have to face their fears and their passions.
You have to read the first book to appreciate this one. I love that all the family are so close to each other. Elin does a great job of setting up the next story which is Nathan's. This is a wonderful story, beautifully told of happiness finally found.
This is a great story of love that over a 20 year period was denied, expressed, rejected and betrayed before it was allowed to bloom and grow. Since she was a child Lumi had a huge crush on Damien and even wanted him to be the first to show her what love making is. Beautiful things do happen between them but life gets in the way and Lumi is rejected by Damien as he continues a relationship with another woman. Subconsciously Damien is the template for all men and over the years Lumi is unable to sustain a relationship with anyone.
Damien is unable to release himself from his love and responsibility for the women Lumi has become. When Jolene challenges them to handcuff themselves to each other they have to face their fears and their passions.
You have to read the first book to appreciate this one. I love that all the family are so close to each other. Elin does a great job of setting up the next story which is Nathan's. This is a wonderful story, beautifully told of happiness finally found.
February 13, 2020
OMG, Elin Peer's books go from BEST to BEST EVER! Lumi fell in love with Damien when he stepped in front of a bullet to save her when she was a precocious 17 year old from cult leader O'Brien's plot to have the whole membership kill themselves. Damien is a hero in so many ways and left no stone unturned to be available to Lumi without ever taking advantage of her, first because he was 10 years older and then for other valid reasons. Nearly 12 years later this treatment has Lumi completely confused and bound in her love life and Damien himself no less bound. But her big brother Atlas and his love, Jolene, suggest an experiment to cure Lumi of her reticence to trust men enough to let them close to her: be handcuffed to a man for a week. Damien quickly volunteers and Lumi eventually agrees. Elin tells the story of this week with flashbacks of their relationship through the years. The pages fly, the characters so interesting in their total oppositeness, the story so real even in its uniqueness, and Peer's way with words just pure joy.
February 14, 2020
This is a fun book about two people who have loved each other for years but have had various reasons for staying apart, including things like social anxiety and other psychological problems resulting from past trauma. There is a lot of psychological information in the book which was fun to learn but the biggest learning experience came from reading about the challenge that was given to them to help solve the psychological problems. They must be handcuffed to each other for a week while completing various exercises, like answering personal questions. Another great learning experience came from reading about all the body language cues that helped people figure out their real feelings. I wish there had been a little more suspenseful action in the book, maybe increasing the problems with the CEO of the company. I wonder what it would have been like to have to run or fight while handcuffed! But in the end, it is the HEA that made it all worth reading through their emotional struggles.
April 4, 2020
Lumi – The third book in Elin Peer´s series Cultivated
Even if you are intelligent, good-looking and successful in your career and everybody think your life is perfect you may have deep memories from your childhood that haunt you and you have avoided and not dared to confront them.
When it comes to the most important areas and choices in life you are affected by the dark shadows and not able to see clearly what is hindering you from answering from your true self and follow you intuition.
Thank God there are people who will do everything to help you see through the veils getting the power back to go for what you really want and what has been hidden waiting for you to claim.
Lumi is asked by a friend of hers to take part in a one week challenge together with a man who once saved her life. She says yes as she sees it as a means to overcome feelings that she wants to understand and be freed from.
Even if you are intelligent, good-looking and successful in your career and everybody think your life is perfect you may have deep memories from your childhood that haunt you and you have avoided and not dared to confront them.
When it comes to the most important areas and choices in life you are affected by the dark shadows and not able to see clearly what is hindering you from answering from your true self and follow you intuition.
Thank God there are people who will do everything to help you see through the veils getting the power back to go for what you really want and what has been hidden waiting for you to claim.
Lumi is asked by a friend of hers to take part in a one week challenge together with a man who once saved her life. She says yes as she sees it as a means to overcome feelings that she wants to understand and be freed from.
February 12, 2020
Damien and Lumi’s story is my favourite so far. When Damien saved her life there was always going to be a closeness between them and although she crushed on him for years, her feelings never went away. Damien being a lot older ended up married thinking he was doing the right thing.
Then Jolene came up with ludicrous social experiment handcuffing Lumi and Damien together. She knew they had feelings for each other.
I love that all the family are in each of these stories and always feel like I’m part of that family.
The chemistry between Damien and Lumi was off the charts and there were a few laughs and a lot of emotion during their time together. I also loved the flash backs giving us the full story of events over the years.
Elin Peer really know how to pull you into her books....a brilliant story!!
Then Jolene came up with ludicrous social experiment handcuffing Lumi and Damien together. She knew they had feelings for each other.
I love that all the family are in each of these stories and always feel like I’m part of that family.
The chemistry between Damien and Lumi was off the charts and there were a few laughs and a lot of emotion during their time together. I also loved the flash backs giving us the full story of events over the years.
Elin Peer really know how to pull you into her books....a brilliant story!!
February 15, 2020
I enjoyed the look into Lumi's life and how she learned to cope in such a short time after years of keeping everything close to the vest and finding out her and Damian through the years had gone through their own trials. Liv and Charles think of them as their kids and try to make sure that they listen and try to encourage them all. Jolene is definitely a boost in helping all of the siblings go out into the world with their best foot forward even though the pack between them might hinder recovery a bit in some ways they are not quite aware of but time will tell. A Really beautiful story of how what happen did something different and damagaing to each child now adult in different ways. Romantic suspense.
I was given an ARC as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
I was given an ARC as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
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