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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
I LOVED this YA debut from Canadian author Farah Heron! This story features Tahira, an aspiring fashion designer who decides to spend the summer working with her Aunt and her flower shop. Big city girl meets small town magic, Tahira initially clashes with Rowan but the two slowly bond as they work together on a flower design competition. I really, really enjoyed this #ownvoices YA summer love story! Highly recommended for fans of Sunny Song will never be famous. The author wasn't afraid to address issues of microaggressions or racism in the fashion industry and does a great job writing about a relatable teen social media influencer. Great on audio, this was one of my favorite YA reads of 2021!
lighthearted
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
It took me several chapters to get into this book, but I was hooked once I did. It starts out a bit too YA (and I questioned if I'd outgrown this genre), but I quickly changed my mind as the story progressed. I loved the relationships and interactions throughout as well as the main character's journey.
This was a very enjoyable read and I'd recommend it to anyone that: likes YA, is a sewist, loves flowers, and/or appreciates reading in color.
This was a very enjoyable read and I'd recommend it to anyone that: likes YA, is a sewist, loves flowers, and/or appreciates reading in color.
I loved this book. Should be 4.5 stars. A totally different “enemies to lovers” trope…a social media fashion influencer and a “Plant Boy”…what could go wrong?? This book gave me all the feels. The will they/won’t they, the Pride and Prejudice vibe. The unrequited love between the sister and Plant Boy’s best female friend. The funny Ts. The family pressures to do what they think is right, which isn’t necessarily what is right for you. I also liked how the author focused on the pressures of social media and the toll it takes on people to get that next like, that latest connection to advance their presence. And all the flowers! I could picture the gardens that Rowan created. I also appreciated how the author dug into the background of garden design and how botany and gardening comes together to create beautiful flowers variations.
The premise and execution of this book was cute. I really enjoyed the characters and their dynamics. Tahira had a good head on her shoulders and presented as a smart, young woman without being the quirky girl. I like that she has goals and was driven, but without her being neurotic either.
However, it was so predictable and cheesy in ways that I didn’t always enjoy it. You knew it was going to pull a lifetime flip where the city girl falls in love with the small town and she’s going to realize what she thought was good for her isn’t, blah blah. So I found myself just daze-reading parts of it.
But it was nice to have representation of Desi parents and to have discussions about micro-aggressions in a way that felt authentic and real. It didn’t have to be overly social justice/political driven, but included enough to feel current.
I’m not sure if I’d recommend this as more than a quick read for a vacation or something, but I might buy it for my classroom.
However, it was so predictable and cheesy in ways that I didn’t always enjoy it. You knew it was going to pull a lifetime flip where the city girl falls in love with the small town and she’s going to realize what she thought was good for her isn’t, blah blah. So I found myself just daze-reading parts of it.
But it was nice to have representation of Desi parents and to have discussions about micro-aggressions in a way that felt authentic and real. It didn’t have to be overly social justice/political driven, but included enough to feel current.
I’m not sure if I’d recommend this as more than a quick read for a vacation or something, but I might buy it for my classroom.
I liked this one much more than Heron's other book. It felt more real, more involved, and more was at stake with life decisions and relationships. Also, it skewered the whole influencer BS, which I loved.