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kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
An election, a PR firm, a set of cousins and a small town in Colorado. Val and Gwen are cousins and Gwen has had a successful run on city council and has decided that a run for mayor is in her future. She decides that she needs her cousin and best friend by her side to help her with this big thing. In the midst of the campaign Val may bump into a guy who may change the course of her life.
I loved the combination in this book of personal and professional storylines. I liked how it wasn't just a love story and Val had professional ups and downs. I also loved reading the relationship between Gwen and Val - knowing they were cousins but had that sister relationship hit home with me. I have a cousin who lives very close and we are so similar it may be crazy, so it is nice to bounce something off someone who may completely agree with me!
An election, a PR firm, a set of cousins and a small town in Colorado. Val and Gwen are cousins and Gwen has had a successful run on city council and has decided that a run for mayor is in her future. She decides that she needs her cousin and best friend by her side to help her with this big thing. In the midst of the campaign Val may bump into a guy who may change the course of her life.
I loved the combination in this book of personal and professional storylines. I liked how it wasn't just a love story and Val had professional ups and downs. I also loved reading the relationship between Gwen and Val - knowing they were cousins but had that sister relationship hit home with me. I have a cousin who lives very close and we are so similar it may be crazy, so it is nice to bounce something off someone who may completely agree with me!
allenstenger's review against another edition
4.0
This is a story of two very strong-willed people who fascinate each other, exasperate each other, and finally fall in love with each other. It's set in the context of a very dirty political campaign, but it's not primarily a love story or a political drama. The two protagonists are thirty-somethings who have settled into comfortable ruts, partly as a way of dealing with past hurts, and their collision sets them exploring many new directions in their new life together.
The book is an entertainment and a quick read. The writing is a little clunky in spots, but the two protagonists are well-drawn and engaging.
The book is an entertainment and a quick read. The writing is a little clunky in spots, but the two protagonists are well-drawn and engaging.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. The cover is cute, the blurb seems like a setup for a good story, and I was assured when I agreed to review it that it was a “clean, sweet romance”. Well, the cover is still cute but the story (at least the execution of it) is problematic and the romance is less clean than I was given to believe.
While the basic bones of the story and the writing structure are good, the characters are rather one-dimensional and the progression of events feels like it’s missing chunks or just doesn’t work. Especially the developing romance between Val and John. Despite the fact that there is just no chemistry/emotion that I could sense between them, their early relationship is a bit stalkerish to be honest. The day after their first encounter (which amounted to noting that his tie matched her purse … and a BRIEF conversation that doesn’t go beyond surface level comments), John shows up at her office building as she’s leaving. We find out shortly thereafter that he last-minute scheduled a meeting with his attorney (whose office is in the same building) just so he could see her again. In another encounter, Val doesn’t see John anywhere at a party – even though she knows he was just there – but later she gets a text from him that says “I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” Ummm… creepy much?
And maybe these elements in a different book with different characters would have been ok, but here in this book with these characters … it didn’t work for me. I didn’t sense any emotion/chemistry between them or from them. We don’t get inside their heads or feel what they’re feeling, and the entire book just moves along without much emotion at all.
Bottom Line: The general premise of Wallflower Blooming has merit, but the way it comes together is underdeveloped on several levels. The characters need more dimension, the romance needs more emotion, and the plot needs more definition. If the story were tightened up a bit and the characters developed more deeply, this could be very enjoyable.
Reviewer’s Note: There is some mild sexual content. Readers should also be aware that there is quite a lot of foul language as well.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
While the basic bones of the story and the writing structure are good, the characters are rather one-dimensional and the progression of events feels like it’s missing chunks or just doesn’t work. Especially the developing romance between Val and John. Despite the fact that there is just no chemistry/emotion that I could sense between them, their early relationship is a bit stalkerish to be honest. The day after their first encounter (which amounted to noting that his tie matched her purse … and a BRIEF conversation that doesn’t go beyond surface level comments), John shows up at her office building as she’s leaving. We find out shortly thereafter that he last-minute scheduled a meeting with his attorney (whose office is in the same building) just so he could see her again. In another encounter, Val doesn’t see John anywhere at a party – even though she knows he was just there – but later she gets a text from him that says “I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” Ummm… creepy much?
And maybe these elements in a different book with different characters would have been ok, but here in this book with these characters … it didn’t work for me. I didn’t sense any emotion/chemistry between them or from them. We don’t get inside their heads or feel what they’re feeling, and the entire book just moves along without much emotion at all.
Bottom Line: The general premise of Wallflower Blooming has merit, but the way it comes together is underdeveloped on several levels. The characters need more dimension, the romance needs more emotion, and the plot needs more definition. If the story were tightened up a bit and the characters developed more deeply, this could be very enjoyable.
Reviewer’s Note: There is some mild sexual content. Readers should also be aware that there is quite a lot of foul language as well.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
inliterarylove's review against another edition
4.0
An easy read and adorable story, Wallflower Blooming will be quick to distract you. If you're looking for something quick to delve into, this is your book. Long enough to connect to characters, short and light enough for a weekend read.
rabitoye's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the perfect light romance to curl up with on a Friday night. I fell for John and Val as hard as they fell for each other! I loved the connection that Val and Gwen share too, and seeing just what they would do for each other.
writeramyshannon's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent
I loved this book. Any book that has strong women draw me in. The bonds of friendship between Val and her cousin Gwen is genuine and interesting. Friendships. Romance. Love and politics. My favorite quote was "“Love isn’t easy, darling” Constance said, “And loving a…um, newsworthy man takes some getting used to. But look at it this way, Val. You’re a good person and so is John. I can’t say that I know him well but I think that he avoids controversy the way you do, so once the novelty wears off, they’ll move on to more interesting prospects.” It's the truth in life or fiction.
I loved this book. Any book that has strong women draw me in. The bonds of friendship between Val and her cousin Gwen is genuine and interesting. Friendships. Romance. Love and politics. My favorite quote was "“Love isn’t easy, darling” Constance said, “And loving a…um, newsworthy man takes some getting used to. But look at it this way, Val. You’re a good person and so is John. I can’t say that I know him well but I think that he avoids controversy the way you do, so once the novelty wears off, they’ll move on to more interesting prospects.” It's the truth in life or fiction.
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