A childhood crush, a broken heart, what will the future bring?

Synopsis

Dax Hartley has made flowers his entire life, just like his late father did.

When his dad’s old florist’s shop is up for sale, he has to have it. Only problem is, he’d need to sell a kidney to afford it. The reality show Battle of the Blossoms is the perfect opportunity to win the money he needs, but when his childhood crush blows back into his life, distractions risk taking his eyes off the prize. He needs his head and heart to start working together to ensure he doesn’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

Hollyn Matthews has made some colossal mistakes in life.

When she’s dumped just as she’s expecting an engagement ring, she knows she’s put her heart into the wrong man. Hoping for a second chance at being a grown-up, she moves home to stay with her brother and his best friend Dax, a boy whose memory faded as she ran away from her past. Facing the hurt she left behind means facing some home truths about herself, but there’s one boy who has always loved her, if only she’d take the time to notice him.

My review

Maybe Hollyn didn’t know what to feel exactly, but while she was expecting an engagement ring, being dumped was not what she thought the evening would bring.
She returns to stay with her brother River, licking her wounds and thinking what she will do with her future now.
However, River does not live on his own, as he shares an apartment with his best friend Dax. Dax, who used to have a major crush on Hollyn and is now trying to turn his dream into reality. He wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and open his own florist shop, the same place his father used to have his shop. But for being to do that, he participates in a reality show. And with Hollyn’s return, he finds himself easily distracted.
Returning back home means for Hollyn to also face all the hurt she has caused in the past…
All this is going on while she starts to realize that there is still one man who would do just anything for her…

I absolutely love romance stories, and sometimes even the most predictable stories can bring me so much happiness and fun.
And this story is a lovely, heart – warming one, that brought me even more joy and fun than I expected, while not being predictable at all!

It’s clear that Hollyn is a kind character, but I found her also a bit gullible at moments. There were several incidents, even in the past, that made me want to show her that her decisions weren’t the wisest ones.
But the more into the story I got, the more I saw that Hollyn is not gullible at all, but it was more a case of being gaslighted.
Seeing how her ex behaved towards her, only made me feel more sorry for her, and even made me question the faith we put in people who don’t deserve it.
And her not knowing what to feel with the prospect of the proposal, also shows us that the relationship she is in, isn’t the best kind…

But I found it great to see how Hollyn’s confidence starts to grow in this story, and how she realizes the mistakes she made in the past and how she tries to redeem herself.
It was also realistic that it takes time to forgive and forget, however, even in her case, her family will always be her biggest fan!

Now I have a very important question for the author… Where can I buy Dax for myself? Because he just threw all my perfect imaginary boyfriends through the window and he is my first choice now!
I don’t think there can be a kinder or gentler character!
In his younger years he may be seen as a geek, but what a marvellous specimen has he turned into!
Not only has his appearance turned for the better, but he also kept his kindness and caring nature. The way he welcomes Hollyn back home, with a bunch of lovely flowers, and keeps on being her rock, made my heart melt.
But I also laughed with his quirkiness and sense of humour. And his shirts made always put a smile on my face!

The story itself was so sweet on so many levels. We see how a teenage crush can evolve into something permanent and real, we see how a character finally sees what was in front of her all the time. And we see also how a forgotten deep friendship was able to have an impact not only in the past but also in the present.
Seeing how Hollyn and Dax are getting closer again was something wonderful to experience, and how they are being such a positive influence in each other’s lives.

And the humour also has a big importance in this marvellous book. I laughed how River sticks to his ‘bro code’, not seeing how useless it was.
But I liked the kind of brother he is. he is truly there for Hollyn, giving up his bed, but also giving her all the support she needs.

I have not talked about the participation of the reality show, but while it is important for Dax to realize his dreams, and these moments bring the main characters closer together, the show has its significant moments, but it’s not the connecting thread throughout the story.

I was positively surprised by this book and first acquaintance with this lovely author. I found myself totally invested in the story of Hollyn and Dax, with their chances at redemption, chasing dreams, and finding yourself and love.
What a wonderful, heart – warming, positive story!!!