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A review by lie_7
Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The detail and the imagery of this book are captivating right from the start. From the apartment in Paris, traveling in the trains, and reading glimpses of scenery as Vincent and Loup travel, this is beautiful. The incorporation of actual artists used as names for characters, it was a sweet nod to artists who have passed on. This book has made me want to visit Paris and fall in love. I've never had the urge to go to Paris until reading this book.
That being said, this book's main character, Vincent, makes me feel a lot of different things. I pity her in the beginning and towards the end, I start to feel resentful towards her. As much as she struggles to figure out what she wants to do with her life, I struggle to keep rooting for her as the story goes on.
It's a great story and the characters are well developed, but I struggled with the ending. As the ending pages began to dwindle, I was so desperate to know the path she took and yet, in the end, I still didn't know. Some people are okay with open interpretations, but in this specific story, I hated it. I wanted to see her actually pick a path and watch it unravel.
I know the author made that choice for a reason, but I was bummed out by it. I was holding my breath and waiting for the drama to unravel, but it never came. Despite not liking the ending, it made me think and consider what I might do if I was in a similar situation. Overall, a stunning novel and I have no doubt, despite the uncertain ending, I'll definitely be picking it back up in the future and rereading it again!!
That being said, this book's main character, Vincent, makes me feel a lot of different things. I pity her in the beginning and towards the end, I start to feel resentful towards her. As much as she struggles to figure out what she wants to do with her life, I struggle to keep rooting for her as the story goes on.
It's a great story and the characters are well developed, but I struggled with the ending. As the ending pages began to dwindle, I was so desperate to know the path she took and yet, in the end, I still didn't know. Some people are okay with open interpretations, but in this specific story, I hated it. I wanted to see her actually pick a path and watch it unravel.
I know the author made that choice for a reason, but I was bummed out by it. I was holding my breath and waiting for the drama to unravel, but it never came. Despite not liking the ending, it made me think and consider what I might do if I was in a similar situation. Overall, a stunning novel and I have no doubt, despite the uncertain ending, I'll definitely be picking it back up in the future and rereading it again!!