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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Whew, chile! Where to begin??? This story was so messy. But don’t get me wrong, I love a good messy storyline! Having said that, this is still a hard review to write. I absolutely loved the story, but some things felt weird for me. While I was reading, certain things made me feel as though I shoulldn’t have been enjoying the story as much as I was.
I’m going to start with what I loved:
1. Loup. He reminded me so much of Luca from Grown-ish. They’re both such a vibe that I love.
2. Vincent’s emails with Tully. I mean come on. How cute was that???
3. The bits from Cillian’s novel.
What kind of gave me icky feelings:
I can understand the feeling of betrayal that Vincent felt following Cillian’s life-changing omission. But I don’t think she should have left and started basically a new life before really figuring out where she wanted to go from there. I can’t imagine anyone doing that in real life. Though I’m sure people do, so I didn’t let that deter me. She and Cillian were married at a young age and I felt that she used Cillian’s betrayal as an excuse to play “what if” and maybe live out some things she felt she missed out on by marrying and starting a family so young. Creating a whole different life for herself in a whole other country was just not it. I honestly feel her actions were worse than Cillian’s.
I’m not letting Cillian off the hook, though. Keeping a secret as big as he did and then having the nerve to expose it in a book before telling ANY of your family is beyond stupid. What did he actually expect would happen? It’s like the sins of his father taught him nothing.
And then THE ENDING!!! What a mess! That’s where I took away a star. Aside from my personal issues with Vincent’s decisions, the book was SO GOOD! It probably would have been a 5-star rating. But the ending was so rushed and just left way too much unanswered. It created a new mess and left the readers with so many questions. I really hope there will be a sequel. If not, that makes the ending even worse.
I’m going to start with what I loved:
1. Loup. He reminded me so much of Luca from Grown-ish. They’re both such a vibe that I love.
2. Vincent’s emails with Tully. I mean come on. How cute was that???
3. The bits from Cillian’s novel.
What kind of gave me icky feelings:
I can understand the feeling of betrayal that Vincent felt following Cillian’s life-changing omission. But I don’t think she should have left and started basically a new life before really figuring out where she wanted to go from there. I can’t imagine anyone doing that in real life. Though I’m sure people do, so I didn’t let that deter me. She and Cillian were married at a young age and I felt that she used Cillian’s betrayal as an excuse to play “what if” and maybe live out some things she felt she missed out on by marrying and starting a family so young. Creating a whole different life for herself in a whole other country was just not it. I honestly feel her actions were worse than Cillian’s.
I’m not letting Cillian off the hook, though. Keeping a secret as big as he did and then having the nerve to expose it in a book before telling ANY of your family is beyond stupid. What did he actually expect would happen? It’s like the sins of his father taught him nothing.
And then THE ENDING!!! What a mess! That’s where I took away a star. Aside from my personal issues with Vincent’s decisions, the book was SO GOOD! It probably would have been a 5-star rating. But the ending was so rushed and just left way too much unanswered. It created a new mess and left the readers with so many questions. I really hope there will be a sequel. If not, that makes the ending even worse.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was an emotional journey! I loved being able to read what was going on in Vincent's head and most of the time that's what made the book for me. Her emotions and her internal fight felt so real! The ending bugged me but that wasn't surprising based on my tastes. Overall a good book that I'd recommend to someone that wants a toned down soap opera in a book. :)
emotional
funny
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
No
"The best way to know life is to love many things." – Vincent Van Gogh
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
Cross-Smith's Half-Blown Rose was such an addictive enjoyable read. A mature, privileged, creative, independent Black woman in Paris, trying to make sense of a secret that her husband revealed in a book, falls for a young, hot EDM musician.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
What I loved about this besides the exquisitely sensual prose was the agency of Vincent. She went into her tryst with Loup with both eyes open, using the time apart from Cillian to do something that made her feel good. Even though she knew that she still loved Cillian, what he had kept from her for all their marriage and lives together had thrown her off-kilter. Do I agree with her actions? No. But she grown.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
I was here for every touch, kiss, and sexy times that just made Vincent happy. It showed her vulnerability and strength, her supportive friends, loving and living in that moment.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
I enjoy how Cross-Smith built out this story with journal entries, emails, letters, playlists, and novel excerpts, even the most mundane recollection and admission made for more enjoyable reading. That ending has me diving into throuple territory though. Either that or it's gonna be one heck of a rumble.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
Cross-Smith's Half-Blown Rose was such an addictive enjoyable read. A mature, privileged, creative, independent Black woman in Paris, trying to make sense of a secret that her husband revealed in a book, falls for a young, hot EDM musician.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
What I loved about this besides the exquisitely sensual prose was the agency of Vincent. She went into her tryst with Loup with both eyes open, using the time apart from Cillian to do something that made her feel good. Even though she knew that she still loved Cillian, what he had kept from her for all their marriage and lives together had thrown her off-kilter. Do I agree with her actions? No. But she grown.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
I was here for every touch, kiss, and sexy times that just made Vincent happy. It showed her vulnerability and strength, her supportive friends, loving and living in that moment.
🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
I enjoy how Cross-Smith built out this story with journal entries, emails, letters, playlists, and novel excerpts, even the most mundane recollection and admission made for more enjoyable reading. That ending has me diving into throuple territory though. Either that or it's gonna be one heck of a rumble.