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ketevanreads's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of Cross-Smith and was hesitant to read this because, based on reviews, I thought this was a romance set in Paris, two things I generally avoid. While it is set in Paris (see below for my thoughts on how American writers just can't depict Parisian life accurately), it is NOT a romance. This is a romance like Doctor Zhivago and Lady Chatterley's Lover are romance.
For me, it's straight-up literary fiction with a bold feminist twist--so much so that I found it to be almost *too* obvious!-- but I guess that was a tough line for Cross-Smith to tread because I can see from the reviews here that it went over many heads.
We have an endless number of male-authored books featuring our male protagonist in a transitional space who processes by having sex with lots of women or lots of sex with one woman. Cross-Smith wrote that book, but with a female protagonist. Come on, she even gave her a man's name--was that not flashbulbs for everyone else? Oh and she's wealthy and Black, because why not inject some Black joy into the world? Some reviewers seem unhappy with that choice, but I found it extraordinarily intentional and successful.
A couple of other corrections to the many reviews stating otherwise: This is not an affair, our protagonist has very clearly left her husband. She ends the relationship, moves to a different continent for a year. I mean, sure they're still legally married, but it didn't occur to me once that this was an extra-marital affair until I read reviews expressing their discomfort over this (LOL). Second, the ending is clear as day. Sure, Cross-Smith doesn't literally spell it out for you, but like...reread the last few pages and it's obvious? So if either of those things concern you, don't worry about it.
As for writing Paris well, that's where this fell short. Although the French was largely accurate and lots of details were spot-on, there will always be some funny gaps that you'd never notice unless you were French or lived in France.
Realistic:
-American living in Paris buying their bread and produce from Franprix.
Getting catcalled because your coat covers your dress.
-Protagonist and her lover wait a very long time to say that they love each other. Not culturally accurate, but realistic portrayal based on the context.
Unrealistic:
-French people switch to franglais around Americans. LOL no.
-American protagonist befriends French woman and they are casually saying I love you to each other within months. Yes, even though they became BFFs in that timeframe, which is also unrealistic.
-Throuple/triad show up to a party and no one bats an eye. Perhaps this might be more realistic in The Arts crowd, but in general French people are VERY conservative in this regard.
-Protaganist calls out sick from teaching a class because of her period and is told nbd, get well.
-Most baffling: French lover says s’il vous plaît to protagonist? Why so formal, Loup??
For me, it's straight-up literary fiction with a bold feminist twist--so much so that I found it to be almost *too* obvious!-- but I guess that was a tough line for Cross-Smith to tread because I can see from the reviews here that it went over many heads.
We have an endless number of male-authored books featuring our male protagonist in a transitional space who processes by having sex with lots of women or lots of sex with one woman. Cross-Smith wrote that book, but with a female protagonist. Come on, she even gave her a man's name--was that not flashbulbs for everyone else? Oh and she's wealthy and Black, because why not inject some Black joy into the world? Some reviewers seem unhappy with that choice, but I found it extraordinarily intentional and successful.
A couple of other corrections to the many reviews stating otherwise: This is not an affair, our protagonist has very clearly left her husband. She ends the relationship, moves to a different continent for a year. I mean, sure they're still legally married, but it didn't occur to me once that this was an extra-marital affair until I read reviews expressing their discomfort over this (LOL). Second, the ending is clear as day. Sure, Cross-Smith doesn't literally spell it out for you, but like...reread the last few pages and it's obvious? So if either of those things concern you, don't worry about it.
As for writing Paris well, that's where this fell short. Although the French was largely accurate and lots of details were spot-on, there will always be some funny gaps that you'd never notice unless you were French or lived in France.
Realistic:
-American living in Paris buying their bread and produce from Franprix.
Getting catcalled because your coat covers your dress.
-Protagonist and her lover wait a very long time to say that they love each other. Not culturally accurate, but realistic portrayal based on the context.
Unrealistic:
-French people switch to franglais around Americans. LOL no.
-American protagonist befriends French woman and they are casually saying I love you to each other within months. Yes, even though they became BFFs in that timeframe, which is also unrealistic.
-Throuple/triad show up to a party and no one bats an eye. Perhaps this might be more realistic in The Arts crowd, but in general French people are VERY conservative in this regard.
-Protaganist calls out sick from teaching a class because of her period and is told nbd, get well.
-Most baffling: French lover says s’il vous plaît to protagonist? Why so formal, Loup??
asha_reads's review
3.0
Half-Blown Rose is a contemporary romance novel that takes place in Paris. This romance explores messy relationships, secrets, choices, and art. I loved the plot of this book. I also loved the way that the author sprinkles in music playlists, letters, and emails which worked well with the story. I also liked the writing style as well. I felt that the open ending worked for this particular book. The biggest issue I had with this story is the pacing. It’s way too drawn out and there were a few times where I tuned out. I also wasn’t a fan of the audiobook. Lastly, I found both of the audiobook narrators to be unlikable and liked reading the physical book more. Overall, I had mixed feelings about this book and it was 3 stars for me, but ultimately I don’t think it was for me.
the_spines's review
2.0
Thought I was going to love, but I found this main character to be pretty awful. Acts like a 17 year old throughout and I just struggled to take it seriously in so many ways. Kind of gave me Idea of You vibes
lalala_rich_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
balletbookworm's review
3.0
A solid MEH. Had I not been reading this to lead the book club discussion, I probably would have get it down somewhere in the middle and probably not picked it back up again.
There was a part of me that really did empathize with Vincent - yeah, her husband hiding this very autobiographical book and his past from her was really a betrayal of trust. And it's going to take some sorting out. And you can see how an affair with a younger man might come into the picture.
But then this almost came under "pot calling the kettle black" and she's lying about the affair while simultaneously being pissed that someone came onto her husband and some other stuff and then a "wants to have her cake and eat it too" situation and then it starts feeling very meta and is this a script adaptation of Cillian's book and bleeeeaaaaahhhhhhh I just didn't really care about Vincent or Cillian at all by the end.
There was a part of me that really did empathize with Vincent - yeah, her husband hiding this very autobiographical book and his past from her was really a betrayal of trust. And it's going to take some sorting out. And you can see how an affair with a younger man might come into the picture.
But then this almost came under "pot calling the kettle black" and she's lying about the affair while simultaneously being pissed that someone came onto her husband and some other stuff and then a "wants to have her cake and eat it too" situation and then it starts feeling very meta and is this a script adaptation of Cillian's book and bleeeeaaaaahhhhhhh I just didn't really care about Vincent or Cillian at all by the end.
danidsfavereads's review
4.0
I am not 100% sure how I feel about this one.
I really enjoyed the writing. But I didn’t love the story. I think it’s because I didn’t love Vincent as a character. I felt for her and the betrayal she felt by her husband. And I could understand her desire to rediscover herself in a new place. But something just didn’t click for me.
I will say, this story gave me wanderlust. I feel like it’s just as much a love story about Paris as anything else. I want to go back, wander the streets and eat all the delicious food.
[cw - infidelity]
Thx to Libro.FM & Hachette audio for the ALC.
I really enjoyed the writing. But I didn’t love the story. I think it’s because I didn’t love Vincent as a character. I felt for her and the betrayal she felt by her husband. And I could understand her desire to rediscover herself in a new place. But something just didn’t click for me.
I will say, this story gave me wanderlust. I feel like it’s just as much a love story about Paris as anything else. I want to go back, wander the streets and eat all the delicious food.
[cw - infidelity]
Thx to Libro.FM & Hachette audio for the ALC.
whitneyiles's review
5.0
I loved this book. It was the perfect amount of romance and chaos. It consumed me. I will forever be obsessed with Paris (& Loup). Let me live in the daydreams this book provided.