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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I...did not like this book.
I bought it quite some time ago and was excited to read it with my bookclub now for some fun, spring-summer sapphic vibes. I actually enjoyed the first couple of chapters. I really related to Opal in her people-pleasing ways whilst still feeling that yearning for someone who really understands her and is there for her without having to feel like you have to do everything for that person to accept you. I also didn't read the blurb again, so I was surprised by the plot twist ofPepper still living at the Thistle and Bloom. I also liked that there would be autism-spectrum and ADHD rep, and I always love family plotlines, whether that's Opal's relationship with her sisters or Pepper's with her mother. Unfortunately, that's where the things I liked ended.
First of all, as soon as Opal arrived at the Thistle and Bloom, she started feeling like an entirely different character. Suddenly she was super sure of herself and was very much able to express her boundaries (for the most part), which she wasn't before. Next, I did not understand why these two were lusting after each other and were already feeling things when they were honestly kind of mean to each other (and not in the "you're mean but hot"-kind of way).
I also felt that this book did not profit from the dual POV. Each time a character does something unkind or not smart, it felt like the author thought she needed to immediately justify why that character acted this way, or at least show that the character knew she was wrong for the way she acted. For example, both of them are on the spectrum of ADHD or Autism andany of the ways the characters act are based on this. It would have been much more meaningful and applicable to real life if the reader and the main character had later on found out that they had prematurely judged the other character after finding out their reasoning or why misunderstandings happened. Due to the dual-pov, however, there was never any room for guessing or proper misunderstandings the way they happen in real life, or even yearning and the thrill of wondering if the other character feels the same way romantically because the author already told the reader everything. Just such a missed opportunity, especially since it could open up such a great conversation of how struggles with disabilities can impact people in their interactions with others, especially if these disabilities aren't visible on the outside.
My next problem was honestly the writing style. Too many interjections that unfortunately were not my humor and dated the book quite badly (alongside the many pop references). It was also very easy to guess the author's interests from that, and (what I consider to be unfortunate), the acknowledgements read the same way the book did, with no real voice for especially Opal, who read the same as the author's voice. Also, some of the jokes made in this book almost made me quit reading, especially when the other character would then go into a full paragraph of describing how funny that joke was. Also, I NEVER want to read "noice" in a book again. Especially not twice within a paragraph, no matter how much the author loves quirky interjections.
Additionally, I thought the reason for the third act breakup was incredibly stupid.There's no way these two did not even ONCE consider they might lose to the point that Opal would be THIS upset at losing...
I did like that Opal had awful hair accidents and I enjoyed the showdown with their friends (though it was very romance-clichee to do the "my girl" thing). And I lovedthat the epilogue for once wasn't them getting engaged (which they alr ady were but oh well) but instead Opal gifting Pepper a college tuition fund. THAT I think more books should have.
Finally, I kinda thought this would be a small town romance setting...it was not. 90% of the book took place on that farm and instead of visiting even just the Café that's owned by a friend of Pepper's, they visit A WAFFLE HOUSE?????? No.
I bought it quite some time ago and was excited to read it with my bookclub now for some fun, spring-summer sapphic vibes. I actually enjoyed the first couple of chapters. I really related to Opal in her people-pleasing ways whilst still feeling that yearning for someone who really understands her and is there for her without having to feel like you have to do everything for that person to accept you. I also didn't read the blurb again, so I was surprised by the plot twist of
First of all, as soon as Opal arrived at the Thistle and Bloom, she started feeling like an entirely different character. Suddenly she was super sure of herself and was very much able to express her boundaries (for the most part), which she wasn't before. Next, I did not understand why these two were lusting after each other and were already feeling things when they were honestly kind of mean to each other (and not in the "you're mean but hot"-kind of way).
I also felt that this book did not profit from the dual POV. Each time a character does something unkind or not smart, it felt like the author thought she needed to immediately justify why that character acted this way, or at least show that the character knew she was wrong for the way she acted. For example, both of them are on the spectrum of ADHD or Autism andany of the ways the characters act are based on this. It would have been much more meaningful and applicable to real life if the reader and the main character had later on found out that they had prematurely judged the other character after finding out their reasoning or why misunderstandings happened. Due to the dual-pov, however, there was never any room for guessing or proper misunderstandings the way they happen in real life, or even yearning and the thrill of wondering if the other character feels the same way romantically because the author already told the reader everything. Just such a missed opportunity, especially since it could open up such a great conversation of how struggles with disabilities can impact people in their interactions with others, especially if these disabilities aren't visible on the outside.
My next problem was honestly the writing style. Too many interjections that unfortunately were not my humor and dated the book quite badly (alongside the many pop references). It was also very easy to guess the author's interests from that, and (what I consider to be unfortunate), the acknowledgements read the same way the book did, with no real voice for especially Opal, who read the same as the author's voice. Also, some of the jokes made in this book almost made me quit reading, especially when the other character would then go into a full paragraph of describing how funny that joke was. Also, I NEVER want to read "noice" in a book again. Especially not twice within a paragraph, no matter how much the author loves quirky interjections.
Additionally, I thought the reason for the third act breakup was incredibly stupid.
I did like that Opal had awful hair accidents and I enjoyed the showdown with their friends (though it was very romance-clichee to do the "my girl" thing). And I loved
Finally, I kinda thought this would be a small town romance setting...it was not. 90% of the book took place on that farm and instead of visiting even just the Café that's owned by a friend of Pepper's, they visit A WAFFLE HOUSE?????? No.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay? I had a decent time reading it and the spice was good, but so much of it was just GOOFY that it took me out of it. Girly would not have over $300k to drop on a property she’s NEVER SEEN because it would be TAXED, and all of that to…paint SHOES?? Who is buying custom GARDEN CLOGS?? And then this flower competition is giving the winner ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS?? Does this author have no concept of money because I would have to win Family Feud 5 times to win that much money, and this random flower organization is just giving that away
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this so bad. On paper it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for in a romance- sapphic, neurodivergent and it’s on a flower farm?!? I was so excited and probably what made it so disappointing. I found Opal so annoying- this may partly be the audiobook narrator but I found her emotional outbursts and mood swings so irritating. I know it’s adhd coded, but as someone with raging adhd it felt too much like she was written one dimensionally. Like her diagnosis and all of the wonderful and challenging things it comes with was the entirely of character. Pepper’s character felt a little more grounded with her autism. But overall I didn’t find their romance believable- it all happened so quickly.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First and foremost, the cover is gorgeous and after listening to the author try to come up with book title ideas, this is the perfect one! I had a hard time with the narrators voices in the audiobook though.
Off the bat I struggled with this book. Opal is insane to me!!! Why are we taking calls from your ex after everyone knows you've won the lottery? Why do we think NYC is your natural best move after knowing that's your hellscape? Why do we instead buy a flower farm that we know nothing about (including how to take care off) and have never seen in Asheville for all of your lottery money to a random woman on Facebook market place? All because you think buying land with the money is best? Girl you don't know how to utilize the business and you went in thinking you could do it alone and for all your money? I'm exhausted and pissed off.
This whole book felt disjointed to me. I was getting whiplash every other chapter. Opal was so impulsive and manic and then all of a sudden was so confident and taking charge. It didn't add up to me. It felt like we got to different characters once Pepper came into the picture and they started their sex pact where they only had sex once before feelings were involved and the roof caved in literally. Once again, what???
Pepper made the book redeemable for me. I loved her journey with grief, her terrible mother, her late bloomer status, her jaded personality, and finally being taken care of and appreciated.
I really enjoyed the Opal's sisters and the bi trifecta as well as Pepper's best friend so her birthday party was by far my favorite scene. Her yelling she's not horny when there was an accidental quiet lull was hilarious.
By the end of the book I could see how they worked together but I wasn't sold on them 100% still. I see this author's work all the time but this was my first read, so I thought the writing itself was nice but the plot points especially needed work as well as the characters fleshed out. I'll give another book a chance though. We'll see.
Off the bat I struggled with this book. Opal is insane to me!!! Why are we taking calls from your ex after everyone knows you've won the lottery? Why do we think NYC is your natural best move after knowing that's your hellscape? Why do we instead buy a flower farm that we know nothing about (including how to take care off) and have never seen in Asheville for all of your lottery money to a random woman on Facebook market place? All because you think buying land with the money is best? Girl you don't know how to utilize the business and you went in thinking you could do it alone and for all your money? I'm exhausted and pissed off.
This whole book felt disjointed to me. I was getting whiplash every other chapter. Opal was so impulsive and manic and then all of a sudden was so confident and taking charge. It didn't add up to me. It felt like we got to different characters once Pepper came into the picture and they started their sex pact where they only had sex once before feelings were involved and the roof caved in literally. Once again, what???
Pepper made the book redeemable for me. I loved her journey with grief, her terrible mother, her late bloomer status, her jaded personality, and finally being taken care of and appreciated.
I really enjoyed the Opal's sisters and the bi trifecta as well as Pepper's best friend so her birthday party was by far my favorite scene. Her yelling she's not horny when there was an accidental quiet lull was hilarious.
By the end of the book I could see how they worked together but I wasn't sold on them 100% still. I see this author's work all the time but this was my first read, so I thought the writing itself was nice but the plot points especially needed work as well as the characters fleshed out. I'll give another book a chance though. We'll see.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated