Reviews

The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer

hsecen's review against another edition

4.0

September 2023 reread:
Yet another case of maybe I need to be in a different headspace to approach this book. Honestly, after reading my last book, this was the exact book that I wanted to read again, despite my apparent low rating. Definitely some thoughts remain the same - I still need to know why the hell he spit in her mouth?? - but the progression of Thayer and Salem's relationship was more enjoyable to read this go around. I do think some of Salem's expectations for Thayer's emotional recovery in those last few chapters was unrealistic and she could have cut him a little more slack.
But overall, I found myself enjoying this book a lot more during this reread.

Mmm I have mixed feelings about this book, mostly wrapped up in those last few chapters. Avoiding spoilers as much as possible, I will say that I've lived with someone who went through something similar to Thayer and the amount of time and healing needed is still ongoing and I guarantee it took more than a month for him to be in any better place. While Thayer's actions weren't perfect towards the end, I feel like Salem could have been a little more understanding/patient. The drama that is about to ensue in this next book feels like it could've been avoidable or at the very least minimized.
The romance between the two of them was pretty good and I did like the time frame of the book so that we could see the progression. I felt that the start of the relationship was super rushed and I didn't totally root for it but as the book and time went on it was a sweet relationship. Maybe a little over the top but I looked past that in the name of fictional writing.
But also, why did he spit in her mouth.

dhonings's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lady_abigail's review against another edition

3.0

Extremely and unnecessary sad… and the way the boys are written feels like a fan fiction. I loved some moments but overall I didn’t love it.

brisreads167's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

aalysad's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book made me feel every emotion under the sun. I have a feeling the rest of the story is gonna be toxic as fuck, but I am honestly here for it! My heart hurts, I think I need a nap after this. 😭

shaimahmad's review against another edition

1.0

This book... where do I even begin? It’s just bad. Every possible tragic plot device—from abuse to cancer to death—is thrown together without any coherent purpose. The protagonist has serious daddy issues and is so irritating that I found myself wanting to hurl diet coke and cookie dough cupcakes at her out of sheer frustration. It’s such a waste of time, yet I couldn't stop reading, driven by a morbid curiosity to see just how much worse it could get. Spoiler alert: it gets worse. 

And just when you think it couldn't possibly go further downhill, the story ends on a cliffhanger, promising a part two that seems poised to outdo the first in absurdity. Now, I’m left contemplating whether to check out the next installment for its train-wreck allure or to cut my losses and save my time. Decisions, decisions...

pagesofki's review against another edition

2.75

This book was such a shitshow and that’s putting it lightly. It felt like a teenager wrote this book in the worst way possible. It felt like the Salem was mentally jumping around and couldn’t stay on track regarding her feelings. The story itself felt so underdeveloped and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two. There’s so much that gagged me with this book.

For starters, how did we go from have a trauma induced nightmare to orgasming on his thigh. Then Forrest dying was a shock to me I was gagged along with her deciding to have sex with him while he’s obviously drunk and grieving was definitely a choice. May not have been the most ethical or logical one but it was a choice. Cynthia and Thelma being lovers was a nice touch tho. Thayer bringing some random woman pissed me off along with Caleb taking accountability for their relationship falling apart like Salem didn’t cheat on him.

. This whole book was just such an interesting experience in my opinion. One I wish I didn’t experience :/  

sadie_asher_veiled_novellas's review against another edition

emotional

4.0

dariagryffindor's review against another edition

5.0

Ich habe dieses Buch wirklich geliebt. Ich finde der Charakter von Thayer ist so gut gelungen. Ich mag ihn wirklich sehr gerne. Natürlich war das Ende doof, aber es gibt ja auch einen zweiten Teil, deswegen finde ich es ist ok. Es zeigt zudem auch, dass nicht alle Menschen perfekt sind und man vielleicht nicht immer und sofort sein Happy End bekommt. Trotzdem war das Buch sehr sehr schön geschrieben und es zählt seit heute echt zu meinen Lieblingsbüchern!

matcha_spresso's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25