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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The domestic abuse was a little too much for me. The first 100 pages really were too much and then to bring it back again at with Alice’s relationship was my breaking point for enjoying it. I liked the concept of the flowers at the start of each chapter but this book didn’t tie it together into a story that I could appreciate.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meaningless floral entourage.
I really struggled to connect with the characters and the story — and I think a lot of that comes down to how it was written. It’s clear this is the author’s debut, and while there’s potential, the overall storytelling just didn’t work for me.
There’s barely any suspense. The “mysteries” (likewhat happened to Alice’s brother or why Oggi left ) were super easy to figure out early on, so the buildup felt unnecessary. Instead of being drawn in, I found myself rolling my eyes a bit while waiting for the story to catch up.
The women’s shelter, which could have added real weight and depth to the story, ends up just being a backdrop. It doesn’t really shape the plot or influence the characters in a meaningful way. Honestly, they could’ve lived and worked anywhere and the story wouldn’t change — which feels like a huge missed opportunity.
The ending felt rushed, underdeveloped, and fairy-tale-like.Everyone magically reconnects, shakes hands, and lives happily ever after — because the author clearly needed to wrap the book up.
That said, the central theme of the book — abusive relationships — is important and compelling.
What I did appreciate is that the author highlights how:
1.You can end up in an abusive relationship even if you’ve witnessed abuse in your own family ;
2.This can happen not only when you're young and naive, but also when you're an adult ;
3.An abuser might accuse you of abuse first to discredit you and flip the narrative — a very common tactic !
But sadly, the author doesn’t really do anything with these powerful ideas (especially the third one!). And the real consequences of abuse for the victim, especially the psychological ones, are never explored. There was so much more to say, and the story just kind of skims the surface.
I really struggled to connect with the characters and the story — and I think a lot of that comes down to how it was written. It’s clear this is the author’s debut, and while there’s potential, the overall storytelling just didn’t work for me.
There’s barely any suspense. The “mysteries” (like
The women’s shelter, which could have added real weight and depth to the story, ends up just being a backdrop. It doesn’t really shape the plot or influence the characters in a meaningful way. Honestly, they could’ve lived and worked anywhere and the story wouldn’t change — which feels like a huge missed opportunity.
The ending felt rushed, underdeveloped, and fairy-tale-like.
That said, the central theme of the book — abusive relationships — is important and compelling.
What I did appreciate is that the author highlights how:
1.
2.
3.
But sadly, the author doesn’t really do anything with these powerful ideas (especially the third one!). And the real consequences of abuse for the victim, especially the psychological ones, are never explored. There was so much more to say, and the story just kind of skims the surface.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
A beautifully told story told through the language of flowers. There is a theme of abuse at the hands of men in this book but more so is a story of found family and the weaving in of the magic and myth of flowers and generational love and trauma.
emotional