Soft Like Thunder

A Savage U Standalone

By: Julia Wolf

Narrated by: Valentina Ortiz, Nelson Hobbs

"Helen. What a sweet name for a girl who is anything but."

The first time I laid eyes on Theo Whitlock, I chased him and his frat boy friends with a bat. I’m no white knight. I’m broke. He’s rich. I destroyed his car. He chooses not to rat me out.

I was never supposed to go to college, but especially not one like Savage U, where only the wealthiest need apply. One might call this a lucky break, only I don’t feel so lucky with a drug dealer breathing down my neck, and a gangster threatening to burn my house down.

"You have a face that could launch a thousand ships."

Theo and I don’t make sense, but being with him feels good, and I need more than my books and classes to distract me from the chaos and violence in my life.

"I know you’re my good girl. Aren’t you, Helen? Tell me."

We’re casual. No complications. We have to be. I’m keeping secrets, and I have a feeling behind Theo Whitlock’s twinkly blue eyes is a whole world of darkness.

"Do you think about me?"

Too much…

"Did I hurt you?"

He will...if the other savages don’t get to me first.

Soft Like Thunder is a dark college romance that explores mature themes and dubious situations. In includes a badass heroine, bad guys, and a satisfying happily ever after.

©2022 Julia Wolf (P)2022 Podium Audio

Excellent!

It’s so good to discover a new author. It was a great story with excellent narration, both combo that is very hard to come by in an audible. Truly enjoyed this purchase, thank you! Can’t wait for the next book in this series, kinda sad that I didn’t get the chance to read the previous series before starting this one.

Mixed feelings

The first few chapters got me hooked. However, as the story progressed, the h who was strong and smart, was too contradicting. The H was a doormat. Always do what he was told by his dad. The drama was just inconsistent. This is a series and I am done. I chose this because I enjoyed Nelson Hobbs work. Don't' let my review deter from listening.

WOW

Julia Wolf ALWAYS captures my heart and attention, I will say that when I started this one I wasn’t 100% sold UNTIL I got the audible companion for the book.

Valentina Ortiz has to be one of the best female narrators I have ever listened to. I will admit that I’m usually a bit critical of the female narrators because they can sound a little whiny, but she delivered! Every single character she portrayed was amazing and her Gabe had to be my favorite!

So glad I bought this duo, it will probably be my back up comfort book and audio!

Such a beautiful unexpected gem✨🤍!

I did not expect the story to go this way at all. Tbh i thought it was going to be a basic bad girl meets rich good boy but this was something else! There was drama! There was angst! There was romance! And I laughed a lot at times. Helen was a badass and I loved it, she did not take no shit from Theo! Theo definitely had to work for it. 5/5⭐️ 3.8/5. 🌶

Finally

Loved this story just as much as when I read it myself, great performance. Always an infuriating ride

4/5

This isn’t what I consider a dark romance just more real life dramas than anything else. With that said, it was a good book. Theo wasn’t as strong and Alpha as I like my Alphas to be (he let his father run him too much for my liking) and if I’m being honest this is fairytale so Elenas power should’ve been the power Theo possessed “tell me everything so I know how many hitmen my father needs to hire” like at the least if daddy has money daddy’s money need to be put to work. But also his dad doesn’t even have money his step mom does. All in all it was good

Soft Like Thunder by Julia Wolf - 3⭐️

Tropes/Themes:
-MF new adult contemporary romance
-University setting
-Hate to love
-Opposites attract (Rich Frat Boy x Bad Girl Heroine)
-Other Woman drama (mild)
-Dual POV
-Book #1 in an interconnected standalone series

This was the first installment to Julia Wolf’s spin-off series within the “Savage” universe. I’ve already binge read and loved The Savage Crew series, so I was super stoked to finally see Helen get her HEA. I really enjoyed this one! I don’t normally like the “bad girl heroine” trope (mostly because a little wimp and can’t relate), however there was something super endearing about Helen that it made it impossible for me not to like her. I loved how devoted she was to her little sister and how she was doing everything within her power to give her the life she deserves.

Theo was a super soft and doting hero for the most part. Even he’s been through his fair share of struggles as well, I liked how he was able to balance out Helen’s sharper edges without compromising her character or personality. I have to say though…I didn’t like the relationship discord caused my Theo later in the later (no spoilers but the issues caused by his stubbornness and ego). I found it super frustrating and hypocritical, which made me like him a teeny bit less, luckily, I was already so invested in the relationship and plot that I was able to push through and make it to the other side.

We got plenty of cameos from beloved Savage Crew characters. I’m also super excited and intrigue by the set up we got for Zadie and Amir’s book. Overall, I really enjoyed this and am hopeful that I’ll like the rest of the series even more!

CWs for loss of a loved one, cystic fibrosis, grief, substance use, drug dealing, gun violence, sexual assault (in conversation and on page), absentee parent, child abuse

Story: 3/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Valentina Ortiz & Nelson Hobbs)
Length 10h27min