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Blossom in Winter #4

Defying Eternity

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"Our relationship is ill-fated. Everyone saw it but us.
We, on the other hand, thought nothing but death could tear us apart.
And like clockwork, death came to tear us apart.”


Petra knows her marriage to Alexander Van Dieren is a deadly union.

The stakes have never been so high and consequences are to be expected when taking eternal vows.

But when a life-changing revelation turns her world upside down, Petra finds herself torn between justice and love.

If she decides to seek justice, then she will become her husband’s worst enemy.

If she can rationalize saving the love they have, then it will lead to her downfall.

Despite everything, sacrifices have to be made or all will crumble.

Can their marriage survive after so many secrets and lies? And if so, at what price?

This book is for mature audiences.

484 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2021

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About the author

Melanie Martins

22 books1,792 followers
Melanie Martins is a digital entrepreneur, travel influencer, and the author of the series "Blossom in Winter", a forbidden love story between a young heiress and her godfather. Her debut novel has been labeled as "wrong", "immoral", and by others as a "masterpiece", "phenomenal" and a "must-read" creating a dedicated, loyal fan base of lovers and haters.

When she is not behind her laptop writing, she can be found globetrotting, reading, daydreaming, and sharing her adventures on Instagram and Facebook

Born in France and raised in Portugal, she currently lives on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta and can't get enough of it.

To get a copy of Blossom in Winter, you may visit blossominwinter.com

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5 stars
1,209 (54%)
4 stars
634 (28%)
3 stars
266 (11%)
2 stars
81 (3%)
1 star
32 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for SueBee★bring me an alpha!★.
2,417 reviews15k followers
March 6, 2022

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Defying Eternity, book 4 in the Blossom in Winter saga!

Books should be read in order:
Book 1: Blossom in Winter
Book 2: Lured into Love
Book 3: Lured into Lies
Book 4: Defying Eternity
Book 5.1-5.2: Happily Ever After, Part I & II
Book 5.3-5.4: Happily Ever After, Part III & IV


Un-puttdownable! Yet I wished I could have read slower so it never ended.

Hands down one of the best series I have ever read.

🗝 I have never met a hero quite like Alex before. Assured, calculated, worldly, ruthless, untouchable…..
🗝 A heroine who could hold her own against the larger-than-life Alex.
🗝 Money, secrets, sex, power, intrigue & betrayal.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3E9N29Q

ARC provided to me by author Melanie Martin in exchange for an honest rating/review.
15 reviews
December 18, 2021
Naiveté Level 100

So I'm only halfway through the book. I am so frustrated with the main character's obliviousness and reaction to her husband's anger and distrust since she testifies against him in a court of law. I mean COME ON... I don't know of any human that would try to have a nice dinner with a person who testifies against them, much less an entire GD marriage.

I have enjoyed the series thus far, but come on! Nobody can afford those manners.
Profile Image for Katrina.
90 reviews
January 14, 2023
Another Binge Read!!🤦🏾‍♀️💃🏾

With everything that has happened in books 1 - 3, Petra and Alex are at odds with each other😞. Petra has agreed to testify against her own husband because she believes he had her mother Tess abducted and killed. Matt takes his solitude revenge on Petra punishing her for the act and telling her he will not be coming home after she has him set up to be arrested. Things eventually goes downhill from there leaving Petra trying to figure out where her and her husband Alex stands. Petra eventually finds out she is pregnant with not only one baby, but two. She is having twins, a boy and a girl. Upon hearing the great news, she tells her husband in attempts that it will bring them closer and him back into the home. But little did Petra realize is that Alex is only interested in the pregnancy when he learns that Petra has been cooperating with the prosecution to tape all conversations with him. He only wants to talk about the pregnancy and doctors appointments, which puts a sour taste in Petra's mouth. Eventually after Alex beats the case, he considered going home. The rest his history!!!!
Profile Image for Alyssa Luna.
2 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2022
Honestly, this book was a let down. Same as the third book it just kept dragging on and on and on. This book was filled with unnecessary fluff. Alex and Petra character development was horrible. They both have not grown all that much since the first book. They’re still disagreeing on roughly the same stuff. Alex is still keeping secrets, Petra has a immature mindset at times, and Alex still tries to belittle Petra at any turn. This was honestly such a let down.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
925 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2023
The final installment in the saga of Petra and Alex - and I'm glad to say it's done. You can tell the author was running out of steam, but this story was needed to tie up the loose ends and start a new chapter in their life (I will NOT be reading the sequel series, Happily Ever After. Liked it, but glad to be done -- 6 out of 10.
Profile Image for dana.
27 reviews
December 18, 2021
did i hate alex in about 90% of this book? yes
do i think petra deserves way better? also yes
will i be reading happily ever after? absolutely
Profile Image for Madi Ginn.
90 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2024
I’ve never been so excited to be done with a series. Honestly the concept of this book is just outrageous. In no real life scenario would any of the things between this couple allow for them to stay together unless one or both are actually delusional or mentally unwell.
Profile Image for Jalisa Foggie.
83 reviews9 followers
March 19, 2024
& this amazing series continues. The spice was spicing in this book baaabbbyyyyyy!!! Only thing I hated was Petra’s lack of self worth, like BITCH, stand up for yourself.
3 reviews
December 18, 2021
I want more!!!! The story is fantastic. Like the last three, I flew through this one. I came upon this author and series by accident and I was captivated from the start. They are definitely up there on my list of great stories that pull you in. Makes me sad when I finish. But look forward to March for the story to continue.

Melanie Martins, you did a fantastic job.
I recommend these books to anyone that loves to get lost in a story.
Profile Image for Jodie.
106 reviews9 followers
March 19, 2022
I was disappointed by the last book of the series. 2000 pages of the series and this was the only book I didn’t binge in under a week and had to force myself to read.

I found it hard to get into, the baby talk irritated me, the story felt rushed, the characters lacked development and the HEA was disappointing.

The first two books in this series were amazing. But it declined, and I was glad the book and the series were over.
January 10, 2022
Was so excited for this book and the rest of the series had good ups and downs. This was more of a disappointment. Most of the book had about the same tone and with no great climatic moments. The first 3 books were so good.
Profile Image for Tamarra Lynch.
658 reviews17 followers
December 18, 2021
***SPOILERS***



It was evident from the beginning the choice that Petra made to go against Alexander, her husband, it was not a likely choice but nonetheless Petra felt there was no way out, she did what she needed to do to protect herself, had she trusted her husband, it could have been a different outcome, there will always be that what if...

Petra is hurting, struggling to understand why Alexander is treating her the way he is, he is right to do so, but Alexander also knew, Petra warned him of the consequences of what would happen if he continued to lie and deceive her, but together they both suffered for their choices.

Then comes Petra’s pregnancy, which take both her and Alexander by surprise, in the middle of his trial no less, but it does not change Alexander’s feelings towards Petra, but when they receive devastating news about Petra’s pregnancy, feeling hurt and vulnerable she turns to her husband only to be rejected, the pain stinging her tenfold.

Petra pushes Alexander like no other, testing his limits and his patience, she wants him and needs him, but he does not reciprocate, she wants to make their marriage work, but he is not inclined, he threatens to leave if she continues down the path that she is on, finally she acquiesces, much to his unhappiness.

Amidst everything they take a trip to Venice, where Petra is introduced finally to part of Alexander’s past, one that was part of his life and one that he has since put behind him. Petra is introduced to a whole new world; she takes comfort in the fact that it is Alexander that is accompanying her and no other. Petra becomes bold, showing her sensual side, relinquishing her fear, and stepping into another role that allows her to explore the other side of herself. And it is here with her husband that he takes control, showing his other side, commanding his courtesan in the sensual art of f*****g, dominating her, punishing her, giving her pleasure, the intimacy of the acts themselves, that of which she has never experienced or felt before, and one she will not soon forget.

Pregnant and vulnerable, with Alexander’s constant need to push Petra away, Petra makes a grave mistake by allowing another man to kiss her, her friend no less, doing the right thing she tells Alexander only for him to tell her that it would be best if they separated so she can decide what it is that she wants for herself and their marriage, shocking Petra to the core.

And when Alexander is acquitted, he a Petra come together, Alexander willing to give their marriage a second chance, and in doing so we see how attentive Alexander becomes towards Petra as she progresses through her pregnancy, standing by her side, holding her hand as they go through the highs and the lows, together facing the challenges head on.

These characters will impact you in unusual ways, there will be moments that will make you laugh and cry but have you thinking what the f***, but its these pivotal moments that expose the perplexing tangle of hurt, anger and denial, powerful in themselves, the secrets, lies, deception, manipulation, pain, motives, and truths which becomes all the clearer with those deep revelations.

I was hooked from the very first chapter right up until the last. The different point of views told a telling story of heartbreak, love, and loss, of their past connecting with their present. The author knows how to write, to ensnare her readers to ensure they will come back for more, me I will come back for more. 

It holds so much drama, action, murder, mystery, adrenaline seeking suspense, slow burning passion, betrayal, blackmail, dark romance, intrigue, revenge, vengeance, friendship, lust, loyalty, trust.

It will hook you, have you turning the pages to find out more, the themes and triggers were defining pivotal moments that made these characters all the stronger testing any reader, reading this story, it enables the readers to really connect with the characters.     

And those s*x scenes in and out of the bedroom were f*****g erotic, daring, hardcore, the explicit language and dirty talk was filthy, downright wicked, sensually dirty, twisted, emotional, wrong, intense, obsessive, daring, explosive, wrong, physical, provocative, possessive, controlling, oh so steamy, deliciously wicked, dirty, hot, beautiful, dark, naughty, raw, rough, powerful, passionate, wet, dominating, and wild.

That ending though... when I got to the end of the book, I was almost disappointed with the way the story ended but was even more excited to find out that their story would continue in another set of books allowing the readers to immerse themselves in there happily ever after and all that it entails.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amber Rae.
284 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2024
This series got me out of a pretty severe reading slump after trying to make my way through ToG. WOW. My friend, Shawkia, first introduced me to the series by forwarding me some TikTok reviews about it. I was instantly intrigued because of the unique God father romance element but these books are so much more than taboo smut. There is so much sophistication in her storyline and how it develops and unfolds. I believe I saw the author refer to the series as a “romantic thriller” and I can definitely see that as there is a tremendous amount of mystery and nefarious behavior. The book is well edited grammatically, there were no spelling errors that I noticed, but it would be wise for the author to go through and address some of the second-language-sentence-structure. What I mean by this is that there are certain sentences in the book, that happen frequently, where you can tell it is written by someone who doesn’t speak English as their first language. It just doesn’t have the cadence or verbiage of someone that’s lived in the US their whole life. Thats a very very minor complaint though and fortunately, the characters are not from America so you can kind of hide a lot of it in creative writing. The only way I know that it’s not intentional is because it also happens when the American characters are talking. All in all, once you’re invested in the plot, which happens quickly in book one, a few weird sentences matter very little, you just can’t wait to see what happens next!

I already purchased her interconnected six book series and the four happily ever after novellas. I’m invested!
Profile Image for Marie McNamara.
16 reviews
June 28, 2024
I did not like this book . Was disappointed by the end of the serious . After three great upbeat books this one just DRAGGED . Went in circles . Alex is terrible to her so it’s hard to root for them . We don’t get sufficient answers about her mom . It’s just teasing you with him being a jerk and the babies health and then just a cliche happy ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anika.
5 reviews
Shelved as 'not-interested-in'
January 1, 2022
Before starting a book, I always try to find whether there is any cheating in the book. So the OM, the heroine's friend, kissed the heroine, and she let him.

"Unfortunately, he's not the only one to blame. Having someone who cherishes you feels good, and maybe there was a part of me that wanted to know what it felt like being kissed by him."

"I leaned in just as much as he did and let him kiss me."


All while being in love with the hero, legally married to him, and pregnant with his babies. What the duck? The author's three previous books in the series were great. Her last book in the series, and it's not even safe. That is just so sad! I feel betrayed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for E.K.D..
54 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2022
What started off so good, was a real pain to end. I never knew how difficult it is to read a book where you just absolutely can’t stand the heroine. A weak, weak heroine who is also not very smart, has very few redeeming qualities, and absolutely undeserving of the hero.

This was the first book where I wished the heroine didn’t get her HEA.

Ugh. I skimmed the whole frigging book, wasted previous time on it.
53 reviews
November 23, 2022
Pretty abrupt ending.

I’m glad Ms. Martins decided to continue this story, because this book felt like it ended a little abruptly. Almost like she was running out of gas and just wanted to stop writing. We go from a lot of detail in the plot to suddenly 3 months later and then such a sudden ending with unanswered storylines. It just feels like the real end of the story was chopped off by a cleaver. A very unsatisfactory way to finish a book.
Profile Image for Sherma.
109 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2023
Alex and Petra

I love, love,love this series. I so recommend this series for a good read. I started this series two weeks and stayed with it until the end. It's rather sinful, it's sensual, it's drama and wow. This has so much angst that trying to put it down was hard. I woke up to read before work, read on lunch breaks, it is that good. Get the series and remember to keep an open mind.
Profile Image for Victoria.
20 reviews
January 18, 2023
Tears! Laughs! Anguish!

I felt it all. This book was a Rollercoaster. You will cry, you will laugh, you'll get angry and you'll feel devastated. You'll question why you started reading the story of Petra and Alex. But don't stop. The ending is SO worth it and I love the entire ride. I'm starting the next book, I can't get off the wild ride of this couples love story!
Profile Image for Amber.
22 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2024
Step into the intoxicating whirlwind that is Petra and Alexander's love story, a saga that dares to dance on the razor's edge between passion and peril, love and loss, secrets and survival. This isn't just a tale of romance; it's an odyssey of the heart that tests the very limits of love's endurance.

In a world where their union was branded as ill-fated from the start, Petra and Alexander defy the odds, their love a beacon in the tempest of skepticism and danger that surrounds them. But oh, the cruel twist of fate! Just as they believed only death could part them, it swoops in like a vindictive storm, threatening to fulfill that prophecy.

The stakes? Astronomically high. The consequences? Inevitable. Their marriage, a delicate dance on the precipice of eternity, faces its ultimate trial when Petra is blindsided by a revelation that shakes the foundations of her world. Now, caught in the crucible between justice and love, she stands at a crossroads that could either forge their bond stronger or shatter it irrevocably.

And let us not forget the allure of the "Enemies to Lovers" trope, exquisitely executed with a slow burn that ignites the pages, a testament to their tumultuous journey from adversaries to soulmates. The whole world immersion serves as a lush backdrop to their drama, enveloping the reader in a universe so vivid, so tantalizingly real, that one can't help but be drawn into its depths.

But ah, the intrigue that ensnares them, a web of secrets and lies that tests their vows to the breaking point. The age gap, a mere detail in the grand tapestry of their love, adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, challenging societal norms and expectations.

And let us not skirt around the "dark spice" of their intimate scenes—these moments are not mere interludes but profound expressions of their connection, as dangerous as it is divine. Each encounter is a dance of shadow and light, a daring exploration of desire that burns with an intensity that could either save or doom them both.

To render this masterpiece anything less than five stars would be an injustice to its brilliance. Petra and Alexander's story is not just a romance; it's a battle cry, a declaration that even in the face of death, love will not be silenced. It's a question of sacrifice, of what one is willing to endure for love, and at what price.

So, dear readers, if your soul yearns for a love story that transcends the ordinary, that challenges the very notion of fate and destiny, and that seduces you with its complexity and depth, then look no further. Here is a tale that promises not just to enthrall but to haunt you, long after the final page is turned. Can their marriage survive the tempest of secrets and lies? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Petra and Alexander's journey is one for the ages, a testament to the enduring power of love in the face of insurmountable odds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,472 reviews57 followers
August 2, 2022
Defying Eternity: Blossom Winter Book 4 is by Melanie Martins. Petra van Gatt was concerned about her mother. She had heard from her right before her wedding telling Petra that she was going to be out of pocket for a while (an undetermined time). Then she called again and wanted to meet with her, but didn’t show up. The Attorney General had come to see Petra and tell her that her mother was dead and to arrest Petra’s husband for her death. Did Alex lie when he said he had nothing to do with her death? She knew he had lied about what he had done in his twentys that made her mother not like him. She didn’t know what to believe. Eric Bradshaw, the Attorney General, got his son Matthew to talk to her and help convince her to testify against her fiancé. Petra was so confused she agreed to help the Attorney General get proof that her husband had killed her mother.
Petra was only nineteen and had been married to Alec for only a short time. In that time she had been in a coma for six weeks after losing her baby. She was not in a good place mentally when she made that decision. When she wanted her husband back, she had a lot to try to get him to forgive her for. Alec being older felt betrayed by her as he had been betrayed earlier. Then Petra finds she is pregnant again. This time with twins and there were complications. Just when she needed her husband, he wasn’t there.
51 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2022
The last book improved. I'm glad to have finished the series and I have to admit that the book's last third was more exciting and intriguing than the previous two books and two-thirds combined. Nonetheless, it's far from being a great read. Petra matured a little towards the end, which is also proof that the author was looking to conclude their story. Having all those mishaps happening one after the other, I wonder whether the author couldn't come up with better twists. I was half expecting a twist relating to her mother because up to this book, we don't know what really happened. Also, the godparents. I expected one but come on! The marriage almost led to divorce because of a person, and then you patch things up to the point of appointing the person godparent? All throughout the books, the main characters were portrayed as stubborn and difficult to let go of a grudge. Petra even agrees to "betray" her husband and then the final third of the book just throws all the buildup into the trash for the sake of a "happy ending". I wouldn't be reading more of the series, and I do not recommend it.
Profile Image for lau ✨.
49 reviews
December 29, 2021
Me decepcionei muito, eu estava MEGA ansiosa por esse livro mas cai do cavalo. Para começar o Alex agindo como a vítima quando foi ele e a família dele que matou a mãe dela, ela se humilhando para ele perdoar ela quando deveria ser ao contrário. A mãe dela acabou de morrer, ela esta passando por um gravidez de risco e complicada e ele simplesmente abandona ela, sério achei as atitudes dele péssimas, e achei a Petra uma bobona por aceitar isso, aliás ela aceitou todas as merdas que ele fez numa boa, outro absurdo. Ai chegou quase no final ele perdoo ela do nada, ele simplesmente mudou de ideia uma hora pra outra. Também tem o absurdo que ninguém da familia dele sofreu as consequências pela suas ações, sério odeio a família dele demais. Sinceramente esse livro foi o pior e foi mega decepcionante o desfecho da série, eu adorei os três primeiros mas esse foi uma m****, espero que os próximos sejam melhores.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for BookBelow.
41 reviews12 followers
March 22, 2022
This is the fourth installment in the Blossom in Winter series, with a life-changing revelation turning Petra’s world upside down as she finds herself torn between justice and love, agony dripping veins forcing her to stand decisive. Seeking justice would paint her as her husband’s worst enemy, while her rationalizing the love they have, would display her downfall on a silver platter. Despite everything, sacrifices are to be made: for otherwise all that Petra has come to terms with, and has at stake is to crumble mercilessly, leaving her with little to no choice in the matter. The ever-persistent question of will, and if yes, how, their bond is to survive the burden of such lies and treacherous secrets is what actually kept me and the audience of this series hooked to the story’s rather fast-paced progress. for full review click here
208 reviews8 followers
September 25, 2024
Almost done

With this series. Honestly, there were too many holes left, and I can only make assumptions.

SPOILERS

Alex was horrible throughout. He continued to keep secrets, added unnecessary stress, gaslighted, and over all, no character growth. Petra's only concern was that Alex was not sleeping with her during his trial. Then, after it, she mentioned her murdered mom one time, and it was to say that her might not have been excited about petra's pregnancy if she were alive. What?!?

This book could have been an email. So many unnecessary events happened that added no value, like the trip to Venice and the whole "secret recording" that everyone knew about, including Alex because he was informed during the meeting where Petra's lawyer shared evidence with Alex and his lawyer. Oh, and the week at the hospital.

I gave it an extra star because my anger was stirred. While it was not the feeling I liked to feel while reading, at least I wasn't bored.
Profile Image for Lynnett.
684 reviews15 followers
July 18, 2024
Once again, I am wrapped up in the happiness of these terrible people. I love that Roy and Henrick changed a bit, and Matt was less creepy after being put in his place, but my lord, they are all despicable. Yet I could not get enough. I had to know what happened next and just did not put the book down.

The only irritating things were the overuse of the word riposte and the phrase turn the page. Maybe it is a cultural use where the author is from, but this usage made the sentences choppy and juvenile sounding. Almost like a thesaurus was used to find a bigger word. Risposte, where I live, is mainly a fencing term, not the verbal jab it can also be used for. But maybe this is just me.

Overall, I was happy with the ending of this book and relieved the next few are HEAs.
Profile Image for Kayla Bafile.
4 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2024
If you don’t listen to me regarding any other books PLEASE listen to this one…READ IT! This whole book and the other three with it was incredible. I’m slightly let down with the last book because I felt it was so tightly wrote around Tess’s abduction and murder that there could’ve been resolve by the end of the book but there wasn’t. Other than that everything was perfection! The spice was SPICY 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 the drama was DRAMATIC! I was on pins and needles the entire time, I cried, I laughed, and I was ANGRY many, many times. If you want a book that gives you everything these are the books to read!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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