Coming Up Roses By Staci Hart Review

About:
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Recommended By/Why I’m Reading It: I found the author on Instagram Explorer Page! The floral cover caught my eye!
Date Started: 12/2/20
Date Ended: 12/4/20
Rating: 4/5

Analysis
Would I recommend it? Yes!
Themes or characters that resonated with me: Letting go of toxic thoughts or people was a great point made throughout the book.
Emotions, thoughts, or memories it brought up in me: Almost brought back the memories of being brokenhearted the way Wendy sobbed. I couldn’t help but feel bad although it was needed.
Opinion about the author or writing style: I just love how she made Tessa so stubborn! I kept clapping when she didn’t give Luke the time of day when we met them.

Notes & Highlights
- Luke definitely reminds me of a puppy dog. You can’t help but fall in love with him!
-Wisdom Bombs from Ivy, the best friend:
”I know you think you can plan for danger, but when you’re constantly looking for something to go wrong it inevitably will.”
”Uncertainty is a part of life. You can’t plan for it, you can’t brace yourself…you can’t runaway and you can’t fight it, you can’t freeze from indecision and overthink it to death. Sometimes there is no right answer and no wrong one. The only way through it, is to have faith.”
-I took some parts of the quote out because of spoilers, but you get the gist. I love when companion characters put their foot down with the main character. The bff always says what the reader is thinking. On my end, I’m always like THANK YOU. NEEDED TO BE SAID.
-The only thing I had a problem with was that Luke (the hero) had fooled around with Tessa’s bff Ivy, not once but it was implied over the course of several years. Blegh! That’s a no for me in real life.

My Biggest Takeaway
I loooved that this story had so much character building. I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed with the huge cast, but knowing there’s two other books after this it made me relax a little. There is so many elements in this book too: romance of course, self discovery, family relationships that blossoms, strong friendships, and most importantly floral themes! I am totally interested in seeing these floral displays in person, they sounded stunning! Going into this book, I was hoping there would be some floral names and I got one! Ivy. This was a good book overall, and I am excited to read the next one!

Official Blurb
Everyone hates parts of their job. Maybe it's the paperwork. Maybe it's the day-to-day grind. Maybe it's that client who never knows what they want, or the guy who always cooks fish in the microwave. But not me. I love every corner of the Longbourne Flower Shop, every flower, every petal, every stem. I love the greenhouse, and I love Mrs. Bennet, my boss. I love creating, and I love being a florist. I don't hate anything at all. Except for Luke Bennet. The Bennet brothers have come home to help their mom save the flower shop, and Luke is at the helm. His smile tells a tale of lust, loose and easy. He moves with the grace of a predator, feral and wild. A thing unbridled, without rules or constraint. When he comes home to save Longbourne, I almost can't be mad at him. Almost. He doesn't remember that night I'll never forget. That kiss, touched with whiskey and fire. It branded me like a red-hot iron. But it meant nothing to him. Everyone hates part of their job, and I hate Luke Bennet. Because if I don't, I'll fall in love with him.