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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
The heartbreak is real. I’m sad, wrapped up in a warm blanket after ordering the second book. This was good. Very good. I cried and my heart hurts. Check CW’s for sure
This had the small town vibes I needed, a good age gap, forced prox/ forbidden romance, and heartache. It’s available on KU. Now I’m going to stare at my ceiling, THINK ABOUT THE ENDING, and wonder why I didn’t order the second book sooner
This had the small town vibes I needed, a good age gap, forced prox/ forbidden romance, and heartache. It’s available on KU. Now I’m going to stare at my ceiling, THINK ABOUT THE ENDING, and wonder why I didn’t order the second book sooner
The Confidence of Wildflowers had potential, but overall, it left me underwhelmed. The teenage perspective made the writing feel immature, which would have been fine if the story had more depth. Instead, I found myself skimming through repetitive details—how many times do we need to hear about making cupcakes or eating cookie dough? The pacing was odd, with some parts dragging and others feeling rushed.
The romance itself didn’t feel well-developed, and I couldn’t fully invest in Salem and Thayer’s relationship. The age gap was treated as more of a plot device than something explored with depth, and given Salem’s past trauma, it was strange how little anyone questioned it. Her mother’s lack of concern felt especially unrealistic.
While there were attempts at emotional moments, they often fell flat because the characters weren’t fleshed out enough. Even major plot twists lacked the impact they should have had. The book did end on a strong cliffhanger, which is the only reason I’d consider picking up the sequel, but I wish the rest of the story had been as gripping.
Overall, this felt like a first draft in need of serious refinement. With better pacing, character development, and emotional depth, it could have been a much stronger read. As it stands, I’d rate it around 2.5 stars.
The romance itself didn’t feel well-developed, and I couldn’t fully invest in Salem and Thayer’s relationship. The age gap was treated as more of a plot device than something explored with depth, and given Salem’s past trauma, it was strange how little anyone questioned it. Her mother’s lack of concern felt especially unrealistic.
While there were attempts at emotional moments, they often fell flat because the characters weren’t fleshed out enough. Even major plot twists lacked the impact they should have had. The book did end on a strong cliffhanger, which is the only reason I’d consider picking up the sequel, but I wish the rest of the story had been as gripping.
Overall, this felt like a first draft in need of serious refinement. With better pacing, character development, and emotional depth, it could have been a much stronger read. As it stands, I’d rate it around 2.5 stars.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Speed read/hate read the last 50% every cliche imaginable predictable and not a good read
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The confidence of wildflowers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My poor, wretched heart will never be able to recover.
I'm in so much pain it's not even amusing that the finale made me cry and scream on the book.
First, this book addresses a lot of really prominent and essential societal issues, which I loved Micalea for writing them. The fact that the challenges were made realistic rather than "happily ever after" since it's fiction is my favorite part. This stuff happens in real life, and sadly, it isn't always a happily ever after.
The romance in this novel lovely, but I thought the love interest didn't act his age most of the time, which make him look younger and, that to me makes the age gap less visible, at some points I thought Salem was older than him. Caleb is one of the sweetest people I've ever read about, and I hope that one day he will have his own book. The family theme was strong in this novel, and it's one of my all-time favorite tropes, so I was delighted to find it included.
That’s was foreshadowing and I just knew something was going to happen but that ending I truly didn’t saw it coming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My poor, wretched heart will never be able to recover.
I'm in so much pain it's not even amusing that the finale made me cry and scream on the book.
First, this book addresses a lot of really prominent and essential societal issues, which I loved Micalea for writing them. The fact that the challenges were made realistic rather than "happily ever after" since it's fiction is my favorite part. This stuff happens in real life, and sadly, it isn't always a happily ever after.
The romance in this novel lovely, but I thought the love interest didn't act his age most of the time, which make him look younger and, that to me makes the age gap less visible, at some points I thought Salem was older than him. Caleb is one of the sweetest people I've ever read about, and I hope that one day he will have his own book. The family theme was strong in this novel, and it's one of my all-time favorite tropes, so I was delighted to find it included.
That’s was foreshadowing and I just knew something was going to happen but that ending I truly didn’t saw it coming.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were several triggers I was not anticipating even with the warning page. This book is incredibly sad. The main character sees more tragedy, more heartache, than any one person should. And even still, she is resilient and tries to bring sunshine to everyone else’s world. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was a quick read, definitely brought on some tears though, so not necessarily the light summer reading you might assume it to be at first glance. I’m looking forward to getting the second book soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
“Wildflowers are strong. Resilient. They can grow under most conditions. I want to be like that.” I let my hair down, his eyes watching my movements. “I want to have the confidence of wildflowers—to never give up, to flourish, and thrive.”
I discovered this book on BookTok and added it to my TBR months ago, and let me just say I am so happy I finally decided to dive into it- even if it almost killed me.
A B O U T:
•Genre- Romance
•Tropes- sunshine girl meets grumpy guy, age gap, neighbors, forbidden love.
The story starts out with our main girl, Salem. She is a happy go lucky ray of sunshine, who has so much love for her hometown, her mom, and cookie dough cupcakes. However, don’t let the constant smile on her face fool you, because Salem is suffering from unimaginable childhood trauma that haunts her thoughts every single night making sleep just about impossible for her. Then, Thayer comes into the picture as her new broody, lumberjack next door neighbor. To say Thayer is ✨not✨ a people person would be an understatement, he’s just a flat out grump. But our girl Salem doesn’t let that stop her and continues to stay persistent to befriend her new neighbor. Oh and did I mention that Thayer also happens to have the cutest 6 year old little boy as well? A little boy he just so seems to be in desperate need of a babysitter for. And who would be the perfect fit for the job but Salem. And of course it’s not long after they strike up this deal that it turns into a whole lot more than babysitting, but I’ll let you read the rest to find out for yourself.
This book has a trigger warning that should be viewed before diving in, but I also think it’s important to note that I don’t think the warning is as descriptive as it should have been because there’s a gut wrenching moment in this book that I think a lot of people may not handle well and they should know what their getting themselves in to.
I found this to be one of those most heartfelt romances, even thought it shattered my heart into a million pieces and never quite put it back together the same way.
PS- this book contains many references to the movie Hocus Pocus! My favorite!
I discovered this book on BookTok and added it to my TBR months ago, and let me just say I am so happy I finally decided to dive into it- even if it almost killed me.
A B O U T:
•Genre- Romance
•Tropes- sunshine girl meets grumpy guy, age gap, neighbors, forbidden love.
The story starts out with our main girl, Salem. She is a happy go lucky ray of sunshine, who has so much love for her hometown, her mom, and cookie dough cupcakes. However, don’t let the constant smile on her face fool you, because Salem is suffering from unimaginable childhood trauma that haunts her thoughts every single night making sleep just about impossible for her. Then, Thayer comes into the picture as her new broody, lumberjack next door neighbor. To say Thayer is ✨not✨ a people person would be an understatement, he’s just a flat out grump. But our girl Salem doesn’t let that stop her and continues to stay persistent to befriend her new neighbor. Oh and did I mention that Thayer also happens to have the cutest 6 year old little boy as well? A little boy he just so seems to be in desperate need of a babysitter for. And who would be the perfect fit for the job but Salem. And of course it’s not long after they strike up this deal that it turns into a whole lot more than babysitting, but I’ll let you read the rest to find out for yourself.
This book has a trigger warning that should be viewed before diving in, but I also think it’s important to note that I don’t think the warning is as descriptive as it should have been because there’s a gut wrenching moment in this book that I think a lot of people may not handle well and they should know what their getting themselves in to.
I found this to be one of those most heartfelt romances, even thought it shattered my heart into a million pieces and never quite put it back together the same way.
PS- this book contains many references to the movie Hocus Pocus! My favorite!
"I thought our love story was written in the stars; destined, remarkable, once in a lifetime. Turns out we’re nothing but a memory gone up in flames, ashes scattered in the wind."
This book. I cannot say enough good things about Salem and Thayer and their story in this first installment if the Wildflower Duet. Trigger warnings: cancer, sexual abuse, grief, child loss. Do not take these trigger warnings lightly.
This book gives us: small town romance, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, neighbors, and a slow-ish burn.
This story follows Salem (18), finding herself drawn and attracted to the the grumpy but beautiful single dad Thayer Holmes (31) next door. She basically inserts herself into his life without giving him the option to really say no. As the book goes on, it is clear the bond these two hold for one another and Thayer is quite LITERALLY the definition of the perfect man. Lets also not forget he has the sweetest and most adorable 6 year old son Forrest, and of course watching Thayer with him only makes Salem fall for him even harder. The chemistry and the banter between these two is so GOOD. It's funny, it's sexy, it's romantic. Check check check. Everything Thayer does is magic. And also, there are a few rather spicy scenes in this book that had me FANNING MYSELF. You think the story is going to end with something cute, sweet, maybe something predictable and cut and dry.... but NOPE. Big fat nope. The plot twist in this book took the literal BREATH out of me. Like cut me open and let me die, took the breath out of me. This was an easy 5 stars for me because it kept me engaged the entire time, the dialogue was so beautifully written, and I was able to finish it within a day.
One thing I think needs to be said is that I feel like the trigger warning surrounding the death that occurs in this book should have been a lot more specific than just "death" because I did not see it coming at all and it messed me UP. Another thing, I felt like Caleb deserved so much more than what he was given tbh.
Overall, this book took my heart, broke it, and then smeared it everywhere. Thank god there is a second book to this duet because I quite literally do not believe I would have been able to move on from this being a standalone. Easy 5 stars. Spice gets a 3/5 from me.
This book. I cannot say enough good things about Salem and Thayer and their story in this first installment if the Wildflower Duet. Trigger warnings: cancer, sexual abuse, grief, child loss. Do not take these trigger warnings lightly.
This book gives us: small town romance, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, neighbors, and a slow-ish burn.
This story follows Salem (18), finding herself drawn and attracted to the the grumpy but beautiful single dad Thayer Holmes (31) next door. She basically inserts herself into his life without giving him the option to really say no. As the book goes on, it is clear the bond these two hold for one another and Thayer is quite LITERALLY the definition of the perfect man. Lets also not forget he has the sweetest and most adorable 6 year old son Forrest, and of course watching Thayer with him only makes Salem fall for him even harder. The chemistry and the banter between these two is so GOOD. It's funny, it's sexy, it's romantic. Check check check. Everything Thayer does is magic. And also, there are a few rather spicy scenes in this book that had me FANNING MYSELF. You think the story is going to end with something cute, sweet, maybe something predictable and cut and dry.... but NOPE. Big fat nope. The plot twist in this book took the literal BREATH out of me. Like cut me open and let me die, took the breath out of me. This was an easy 5 stars for me because it kept me engaged the entire time, the dialogue was so beautifully written, and I was able to finish it within a day.
One thing I think needs to be said is that I feel like the trigger warning surrounding the death that occurs in this book should have been a lot more specific than just "death" because I did not see it coming at all and it messed me UP. Another thing, I felt like Caleb deserved so much more than what he was given tbh.
Overall, this book took my heart, broke it, and then smeared it everywhere. Thank god there is a second book to this duet because I quite literally do not believe I would have been able to move on from this being a standalone. Easy 5 stars. Spice gets a 3/5 from me.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Holy crap, to think I almost DNF. That ending was wildly traumatic, but I understand why it is. The age gap romance trope was hard to get through, but the writing perfectly captured the heartbreak of what often happens in an age gap relationship, especially when one party is barely legal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship