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novelty_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I knew right from the premise alone that I would really enjoy this novel.
Tahira in Bloom seemingly brought together everything I could’ve possibly loved in a book and tied it up with a ribbon of fashion and garden design. It was cute, deep and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on. The book follows Tahira, an ambitious wannabe fashion designer and style influencer who, after her summer internship falls through, seeks another opportunity helping her aunt in her boutique in small town, Bakewell, Canada. There, she discovers a garden design competition where the winner may have an opportunity to impress the likes of fashion designers at a sister event in New York. However, Tahira knows she would be unsuccessful unless she employs the help of her grumpy gardener neighbour who is less than impressed by her influencer antics. As the two get closer, they begin to realise they're not so different after all.
For starters, I loved the characters and loved the journey of self-growth they embark on. I love how Tahira, for example, was a completely different person by the end of the book than how she was at the start of the book. She endured lots of self-realisations and self-reflections on the kind of life she wanted to live and what fashion design, the career she dreams of, really meant to her. As a very work-driven person myself, I found myself relating to her ambitious goals and dreams and I found her journey endearing and relatable to even my own relationships with work and future aspirations. There was a lot to learn from Tahira and in a weird way, I found myself discovering more about myself as well. I really enjoy fictional books that help reflect on yourself, your life, your dreams and your future and so I was pleasantly surprised when I started Tahira in Bloom.
At the start of the book, I didn't really like Tahira. To me, she seemed a little self-absorbed but now looking back, I see that it was important for her to appear as so because it meant we could see her character develop and (pun intended here) bloom. At the start, Tahira was focused on growing her online presence on her social media platforms (specifically instagram). With her best friend Gia and boyfriend, Matteo who had common goals with her, Tahira seemed to be on track to a glowing career with internet fame. However, as we see the book progress, Tahira begins to realise that fame was never really what she wanted, rather fashion design for her was all about creating art and stories and sharing that with other people. This book was about finding yourself through passion and ambition and it was a story I found really resonated with me.
This book was very character focused and for me, who is very much characters over anything else, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Rowan and his sister Juniper and their relationships with Tahira. I also liked the way friendships were portrayed here as two characters realise they want different things out of life and each other. I liked how this book showcased making new friends and learning to let go of past friendships. This book was very comforting in letting you know that sometimes people leave and sometimes you need to leave them. It sometimes hurts but it's often for the best and it's often necessary to do so.
Overall, this book was very solid for me and I would highly recommend it to every reader who enjoys romance or contemporaries.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.45 STARS
I knew right from the premise alone that I would really enjoy this novel.
Tahira in Bloom seemingly brought together everything I could’ve possibly loved in a book and tied it up with a ribbon of fashion and garden design. It was cute, deep and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on. The book follows Tahira, an ambitious wannabe fashion designer and style influencer who, after her summer internship falls through, seeks another opportunity helping her aunt in her boutique in small town, Bakewell, Canada. There, she discovers a garden design competition where the winner may have an opportunity to impress the likes of fashion designers at a sister event in New York. However, Tahira knows she would be unsuccessful unless she employs the help of her grumpy gardener neighbour who is less than impressed by her influencer antics. As the two get closer, they begin to realise they're not so different after all.
For starters, I loved the characters and loved the journey of self-growth they embark on. I love how Tahira, for example, was a completely different person by the end of the book than how she was at the start of the book. She endured lots of self-realisations and self-reflections on the kind of life she wanted to live and what fashion design, the career she dreams of, really meant to her. As a very work-driven person myself, I found myself relating to her ambitious goals and dreams and I found her journey endearing and relatable to even my own relationships with work and future aspirations. There was a lot to learn from Tahira and in a weird way, I found myself discovering more about myself as well. I really enjoy fictional books that help reflect on yourself, your life, your dreams and your future and so I was pleasantly surprised when I started Tahira in Bloom.
At the start of the book, I didn't really like Tahira. To me, she seemed a little self-absorbed but now looking back, I see that it was important for her to appear as so because it meant we could see her character develop and (pun intended here) bloom. At the start, Tahira was focused on growing her online presence on her social media platforms (specifically instagram). With her best friend Gia and boyfriend, Matteo who had common goals with her, Tahira seemed to be on track to a glowing career with internet fame. However, as we see the book progress, Tahira begins to realise that fame was never really what she wanted, rather fashion design for her was all about creating art and stories and sharing that with other people. This book was about finding yourself through passion and ambition and it was a story I found really resonated with me.
This book was very character focused and for me, who is very much characters over anything else, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Rowan and his sister Juniper and their relationships with Tahira. I also liked the way friendships were portrayed here as two characters realise they want different things out of life and each other. I liked how this book showcased making new friends and learning to let go of past friendships. This book was very comforting in letting you know that sometimes people leave and sometimes you need to leave them. It sometimes hurts but it's often for the best and it's often necessary to do so.
Overall, this book was very solid for me and I would highly recommend it to every reader who enjoys romance or contemporaries.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.45 STARS
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
odditiex's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship
peachani's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Gaslighting and Infidelity
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