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Tahira in Bloom
Life is full of surprises in a winning novel about a girl dreaming big during one unexpected small-town summer.
When seventeen-year-old aspiring designer Tahira Janmohammad’s coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents have a Plan B. Tahira will work in her aunt’s boutique in the small town of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario. It’s only for the summer, and she’ll get the experience she needs for her college application. Plus her best friend is coming along. It won’t be that bad.
But she just can’t deal with Rowan Johnston, the rude, totally obsessive garden-nerd next door with frayed cutoffs and terrible shoes. Not to mention his sharp jawline, smoldering eyes, and soft lips. So irritating. Rowan is also just the plant-boy Tahira needs to help win the Bakewell flower-arranging contest—an event that carries clout in New York City, of all places. And with designers, of all people. Connections that she needs!
No one is more surprised than Tahira to learn that floral design is almost as great as fashion design. And Rowan? Turns out he’s more than ironic shirts and soil under the fingernails. Tahira’s about to find out what she’s really made of—and made for. Because here in the middle of nowhere, Tahira is just beginning to bloom.
When seventeen-year-old aspiring designer Tahira Janmohammad’s coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents have a Plan B. Tahira will work in her aunt’s boutique in the small town of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario. It’s only for the summer, and she’ll get the experience she needs for her college application. Plus her best friend is coming along. It won’t be that bad.
But she just can’t deal with Rowan Johnston, the rude, totally obsessive garden-nerd next door with frayed cutoffs and terrible shoes. Not to mention his sharp jawline, smoldering eyes, and soft lips. So irritating. Rowan is also just the plant-boy Tahira needs to help win the Bakewell flower-arranging contest—an event that carries clout in New York City, of all places. And with designers, of all people. Connections that she needs!
No one is more surprised than Tahira to learn that floral design is almost as great as fashion design. And Rowan? Turns out he’s more than ironic shirts and soil under the fingernails. Tahira’s about to find out what she’s really made of—and made for. Because here in the middle of nowhere, Tahira is just beginning to bloom.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2021
About the author
Farah Heron
12 books891 followersFarah Heron is a critically acclaimed author of romantic comedies for adults and young adults filled with huge South Asian families, delectable food, and most importantly, brown people falling stupidly in love. She lives in Toronto with her husband, two children, and a rabbit named Strawberry. She recently adopted two cats, who are now in charge.
Farah’s debut, The Chai Factor was named one of the summer’s best books by The Globe and Mail, and was praised in Book Riot, Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Bustle and more. Her next release, Accidentally Engaged, was listed as a best book of 2021 in Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, CBC Books, Kobo, and more. Her young adult debut, Tahira in Bloom, was recently released, and was praised as one of the best rom-coms of the year by USA today.
Farah’s debut, The Chai Factor was named one of the summer’s best books by The Globe and Mail, and was praised in Book Riot, Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Bustle and more. Her next release, Accidentally Engaged, was listed as a best book of 2021 in Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, CBC Books, Kobo, and more. Her young adult debut, Tahira in Bloom, was recently released, and was praised as one of the best rom-coms of the year by USA today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
February 6, 2022
- brown girls being badass and doing the arts!!!
- pride and prejudice vibes
- interracial relationships where the (male) love interest isn't white!!
- dislike to friends to lovers
- strong female friendships
- small town in Canada setting
- cottagecore vibes
- LGBTQA+ representation
- the author wrote this for her daughter 🥺🥰
If you like any (or all) of these things, read this book!!!!
Content warning: bullying, racism (microaggressions), cheating (by side character)
- pride and prejudice vibes
- interracial relationships where the (male) love interest isn't white!!
- dislike to friends to lovers
- strong female friendships
- small town in Canada setting
- cottagecore vibes
- LGBTQA+ representation
- the author wrote this for her daughter 🥺🥰
If you like any (or all) of these things, read this book!!!!
Content warning: bullying, racism (microaggressions), cheating (by side character)
November 23, 2021
4.5/5
Farah Heron is one of my favorite adult romance authors so I leapt the chance to read her YA debut. Tahira In Bloom was as lovely as that stunning cover. Words can’t express how much I loved it so this review is going to be difficult but as always, I shall try!
A FASHION DESIGNER MEETS A PLANT NERD
I feel like all you should know about Tahira In Bloom is that it’s a coming-of-age story featuring an adorable dislike-to-friendship-to-love romance between an aspiring fashion designer/influencer and a grumpy garden nerd. I’m a romance-fiend, so I read this for the romance, but it wound up being even more special because of Tahira’s characterization and her story arc.
Tahira is eager to start an internship with one of her fashion designing inspirations when it unfortunately falls through. She and her parents come up with a second plan for her to work her magic on her aunt’s failing boutique in a small, flower-obsessed town. The main goal is for her to achieve just the experience she needs for her college application, but it ends up being an even more transformative journey for her.
AN INSPIRING JOURNEY
I adored Tahira. She’s hardworking, goal-oriented, and truly just loves fashion. She wants to change the fashion world with her elaborate and creative designs and that passion shines through the pages of Tahira in Bloom. Besides her intelligence, her good heart also makes her entirely too lovable. She has no problem admitting when she’s in the wrong. The summer is quite the learning experience for her as she learns about where her true passions lie, how to deal with family pressure, and how there isn’t just a single path for her to fulfill her dreams.
WHERE WAS MY SOFT AND KIND-HEARTED PLANT NERD?
I’m sure you all want to know about the plant nerd I mentioned in the intro of this review. Friends, where was my plant nerd when I was in high-school??? Rowan is a rude grump at first meeting, but he just does has misconceptions about influencers. So he and Tahira get off on the wrong foot. I loved Rowan as much as I loved Tahira. He has a heart of gold and is gentle and soft when he does open up.
I loved how their relationship evolved, especially in the friendship stage as Rowan and Tahira team-up to take part in a flower arranging competition. Farah Heron brings romance and swoon to every interaction of theirs through heartfelt conversations to romantic stargazing evenings with all the shared touches. It’s wonderful and definitely appealed to the romance fan in me. Alsooooo, there was a secondary sapphic romance between Rowan’s sister, Juniper, and a certain long-time friend that had my heart FULL.
THE UGLINESS OF HUMANITY
Farah Heron also explores friendships in Tahira in Bloom and I loved how she weaved in both toxic and joyous positive friendships. There are also important discussions on racism and racial microaggressions throughout the book. Both Tahira and Rowan and his family face the ugly sides of humanity as they are Muslim and Black, respectively. I won’t say too much about them but they are handled with care and a lot of truthfulness as I’ve come to expect from the author.
I could go on and on about this book. I haven’t even touched how fascinating the flower arranging contest was but I figure I should leave some of that for all of you to read. Tahira in Bloom is a heartfelt and swoon-worthy read full of romance, friendship, and flowers. It’s not to be missed!
Content notes: Discussions of racism, racial microaggressions, bullying, mean girls
Relationship disclosure: Farah Heron and I are mutuals on social media.
Farah Heron is one of my favorite adult romance authors so I leapt the chance to read her YA debut. Tahira In Bloom was as lovely as that stunning cover. Words can’t express how much I loved it so this review is going to be difficult but as always, I shall try!
A FASHION DESIGNER MEETS A PLANT NERD
I feel like all you should know about Tahira In Bloom is that it’s a coming-of-age story featuring an adorable dislike-to-friendship-to-love romance between an aspiring fashion designer/influencer and a grumpy garden nerd. I’m a romance-fiend, so I read this for the romance, but it wound up being even more special because of Tahira’s characterization and her story arc.
Tahira is eager to start an internship with one of her fashion designing inspirations when it unfortunately falls through. She and her parents come up with a second plan for her to work her magic on her aunt’s failing boutique in a small, flower-obsessed town. The main goal is for her to achieve just the experience she needs for her college application, but it ends up being an even more transformative journey for her.
AN INSPIRING JOURNEY
I adored Tahira. She’s hardworking, goal-oriented, and truly just loves fashion. She wants to change the fashion world with her elaborate and creative designs and that passion shines through the pages of Tahira in Bloom. Besides her intelligence, her good heart also makes her entirely too lovable. She has no problem admitting when she’s in the wrong. The summer is quite the learning experience for her as she learns about where her true passions lie, how to deal with family pressure, and how there isn’t just a single path for her to fulfill her dreams.
WHERE WAS MY SOFT AND KIND-HEARTED PLANT NERD?
I’m sure you all want to know about the plant nerd I mentioned in the intro of this review. Friends, where was my plant nerd when I was in high-school??? Rowan is a rude grump at first meeting, but he just does has misconceptions about influencers. So he and Tahira get off on the wrong foot. I loved Rowan as much as I loved Tahira. He has a heart of gold and is gentle and soft when he does open up.
I loved how their relationship evolved, especially in the friendship stage as Rowan and Tahira team-up to take part in a flower arranging competition. Farah Heron brings romance and swoon to every interaction of theirs through heartfelt conversations to romantic stargazing evenings with all the shared touches. It’s wonderful and definitely appealed to the romance fan in me. Alsooooo, there was a secondary sapphic romance between Rowan’s sister, Juniper, and a certain long-time friend that had my heart FULL.
THE UGLINESS OF HUMANITY
Farah Heron also explores friendships in Tahira in Bloom and I loved how she weaved in both toxic and joyous positive friendships. There are also important discussions on racism and racial microaggressions throughout the book. Both Tahira and Rowan and his family face the ugly sides of humanity as they are Muslim and Black, respectively. I won’t say too much about them but they are handled with care and a lot of truthfulness as I’ve come to expect from the author.
I could go on and on about this book. I haven’t even touched how fascinating the flower arranging contest was but I figure I should leave some of that for all of you to read. Tahira in Bloom is a heartfelt and swoon-worthy read full of romance, friendship, and flowers. It’s not to be missed!
Content notes: Discussions of racism, racial microaggressions, bullying, mean girls
Relationship disclosure: Farah Heron and I are mutuals on social media.
February 17, 2022
Ambitious and adorable.
More of a coming-of-age than a dislike-to-love romance, but equally inspiring and heartfelt. Tahira dreams of a career in fashion and the premier fashion school in NYC fits her enthusiastic plan. But when her perfect summer internship falls through, she ends up working in her aunt’s boutique in a small town of Ontario. Despite her best friend’s company on this summer trip, she can’t have the best time of her life because a) that boutique is lame and b) that grumpy neighbour Rowan is annoying her with his judgements.
Rowan is rude but handsome and completely opposite to Tahira; he’s disinterested in fashion and very much interested in plants. She, on the other hand, is allergic to flowers. When a flower-arranging contest demands them to pair up—because Tahira believes this would win her a ticket to NYC, the fashion capital—she must find a way to work with Rowan. And so it begins: a romance that gradually builds on mutual respect as the two secretly admire each other but must keep up their enmity as two strong-egotistical characters.
With a focus on Indian parents passing down their gene of ambition and young dreams, an exploration of faith and religious practice, an interracial relationship, the pressures of social media, racial prejudice, and finding true friendships, this YA debut proves to be as entertaining and nuanced as Heron’s adult rom-com Accidentally Engaged .
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17.04.2021 already invested when the mc is a south asian muslim but the author says it has 'fashion, flowers, friends' so I'm even more interested and not just because this promo line has alliteration.
January 28, 2022
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
4 ADORABLE STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
Tahira in Bloom was positively squeal-worthy adorable, while also overflowing with meaningful messages on racism in modern America, and learning to discover and fight for your goals in life. Farah Heron crafted a beautifully-written story on summer romances and long-lasting friendships, rich with desi parents, South Asian culture and the mistakes and miracles of being young! I loved every moment of this.
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve been meaning to find a good contemporary romance to fill my heart with giggles and smiles, and this absolutely nailed it, with the added plus of desi rep, flowers and fashion design!
Tahira was a woman on a mission, and I loved it. Her character was strong and pushed through trials and tribulations that threatened to uproot the Plan to become a part of the fashion industry, and I really enjoyed her goal-driven personality, where she knew what she wanted and how to work towards it. Her meet-cute with Rowan was hilarious and the perfect way to set them off on their adorable enemies-to-lovers spiral, and Rowan himself was equally incredible, and just as focused on reaching his goals in life, which I loved.
“Thanks to them I’d had grit, determination, and Asian ambition bred into me since birth.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
The side characters were equally realistic and easy to imagine, and I loved sweet Juniper’s innocent but brave character, and even the little glimpses of Tahira’s sister. The sapphic relationship woven into the story alongside our main couple was so cute, and I also loved the more-serious but equally essential themes of racism and Islamaphobia.
Oh, and the romance! Tahira and Rowan were simply the sweetest little pair, and I loved their development from mild enemies to friends to… more. They had their troubles, as all couples do, but they came out the other side stronger, and were so honest and real with one another, which I loved.
“Your art, passion, your brilliance. I will always be drawn to the brightest light in the universe. It’s inevitable.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
All-round, I’m so glad I was accepted to receive this ARC, and I loved every moment of the book! I’ll definitely have to check out more of Farah Heron’s books, and I wholeheartedly thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
4 ADORABLE STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
Tahira in Bloom was positively squeal-worthy adorable, while also overflowing with meaningful messages on racism in modern America, and learning to discover and fight for your goals in life. Farah Heron crafted a beautifully-written story on summer romances and long-lasting friendships, rich with desi parents, South Asian culture and the mistakes and miracles of being young! I loved every moment of this.
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve been meaning to find a good contemporary romance to fill my heart with giggles and smiles, and this absolutely nailed it, with the added plus of desi rep, flowers and fashion design!
Tahira was a woman on a mission, and I loved it. Her character was strong and pushed through trials and tribulations that threatened to uproot the Plan to become a part of the fashion industry, and I really enjoyed her goal-driven personality, where she knew what she wanted and how to work towards it. Her meet-cute with Rowan was hilarious and the perfect way to set them off on their adorable enemies-to-lovers spiral, and Rowan himself was equally incredible, and just as focused on reaching his goals in life, which I loved.
“Thanks to them I’d had grit, determination, and Asian ambition bred into me since birth.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
The side characters were equally realistic and easy to imagine, and I loved sweet Juniper’s innocent but brave character, and even the little glimpses of Tahira’s sister. The sapphic relationship woven into the story alongside our main couple was so cute, and I also loved the more-serious but equally essential themes of racism and Islamaphobia.
Oh, and the romance! Tahira and Rowan were simply the sweetest little pair, and I loved their development from mild enemies to friends to… more. They had their troubles, as all couples do, but they came out the other side stronger, and were so honest and real with one another, which I loved.
“Your art, passion, your brilliance. I will always be drawn to the brightest light in the universe. It’s inevitable.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
All-round, I’m so glad I was accepted to receive this ARC, and I loved every moment of the book! I’ll definitely have to check out more of Farah Heron’s books, and I wholeheartedly thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2022
I read this with my Muslim book club and it was Cringey for the most part. Dialogue was very YA circa 2014. There isn’t any Muslim rep in case u were wondering LOL. Shawty mentioned going to the masjid only twice and that’s also the only time prayer was mentioned. There were a lot of moments where the author could’ve made the character grow and correct previous behavior but alas that didn’t happen. The influencer aspect was annoying as hell too. And this is coming from an influencer.
April 10, 2022
Tahira has big dreams.
All life long, she’s wanted to become a fashion designer. She’s always had the support from her parents and has worked hard on her social media game to be noticed, but when her internship with an upcoming designer falls through, Tahira finds herself having to downsize her plans for the summer. She ends up staying at her aunt’s house to help out in her new fashion shop.
This was such a wonderful and entertaining contemporary read. Featuring a South Asian Muslim main character who deeply cares about her friends and her own aspirations and her social media game, and a Black love interest, Rownan, who is into flowers and despises influencer culture, “Tahira in Bloom” is the perfect sweet romance for fans of the rivals to lovers trope.
I enjoyed the development of Tahira and Rownan – Both learn a lot from each other without having to depend on each other.
While this book is certainly romantic, there are a few lessons about friendship in it as well. It demonstrates that friendships can be toxic. It also touches the topic of social media and how it can influence us in good and bad ways.
There’s also casual queer representation – a sweet side romance between some of the important side characters.
“Tahira in Bloom” is definitely worth the read!
i post about books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
All life long, she’s wanted to become a fashion designer. She’s always had the support from her parents and has worked hard on her social media game to be noticed, but when her internship with an upcoming designer falls through, Tahira finds herself having to downsize her plans for the summer. She ends up staying at her aunt’s house to help out in her new fashion shop.
This was such a wonderful and entertaining contemporary read. Featuring a South Asian Muslim main character who deeply cares about her friends and her own aspirations and her social media game, and a Black love interest, Rownan, who is into flowers and despises influencer culture, “Tahira in Bloom” is the perfect sweet romance for fans of the rivals to lovers trope.
I enjoyed the development of Tahira and Rownan – Both learn a lot from each other without having to depend on each other.
While this book is certainly romantic, there are a few lessons about friendship in it as well. It demonstrates that friendships can be toxic. It also touches the topic of social media and how it can influence us in good and bad ways.
There’s also casual queer representation – a sweet side romance between some of the important side characters.
“Tahira in Bloom” is definitely worth the read!
i post about books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
February 19, 2022
Mini review:
Trigger warning(s): None till the point I read.
Rep: Tahira is an Indian Muslim. Rowan is Black. Juniper is Black.
DNF
I was so excited to read this book! It had everything I look for in a book. Plus the flower aspect sounded so cool. Unfortunately I didn't like it.
The beginning was fine, but as I read on I realized that I wasn't actually interested in the story. I didn't care about any of the characters. What grated me the most was Rowan who kept on calling Tahira 'thirst trap'. That was just disgusting! I could not for the life of me imagine them as a couple.
I do still recommend. It just wasn't for me.
Trigger warning(s): None till the point I read.
Rep: Tahira is an Indian Muslim. Rowan is Black. Juniper is Black.
DNF
I was so excited to read this book! It had everything I look for in a book. Plus the flower aspect sounded so cool. Unfortunately I didn't like it.
The beginning was fine, but as I read on I realized that I wasn't actually interested in the story. I didn't care about any of the characters. What grated me the most was Rowan who kept on calling Tahira 'thirst trap'. That was just disgusting! I could not for the life of me imagine them as a couple.
I do still recommend. It just wasn't for me.
Want to read
March 6, 2024-A South Asian MC
-Stunning cover
-Muslim rep
My desi heart is so happy rn!
-Stunning cover
-Muslim rep
My desi heart is so happy rn!
January 22, 2022
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron is a story about fashion and flowers that will leave readers with a smile. As a fan of both of these forms of design, I loved reading about Tahira’s summer in the flower capital of Ontario, and she is a strong and confident main character as well. Balancing humour and heartfelt moments with more serious topics, this is a charming contemporary that I would definitely recommend.
When the designer Tahira was planning on interning with over the summer breaks her leg, Tahira’s only alternative is to spend the summer in the flower capital of Ontario, helping out with her aunt’s clothing store. When she arrives in Bakewell, Tahira is appalled by the town’s inescapable flower theme, and the frustrating and unfashionable gardener who lives next door. However, when Tahira learns about a flower arranging contest that might give her a shot at meeting one of her favourite designers in New York, she decides to give floral design a chance, even if it means teaming up with the irritating flower boy to make her dreams a reality.
❀ CONFIDENT MAIN CHARACTER
I loved Tahira’s character, and she is so confident. She’s passionate about fashion and willing to do whatever it takes to follow her dreams of being a designer, and I enjoyed the way she learns to explore alternative pathways for her future. What I especially appreciated about Tahira is the way she is portrayed as an influencer, not as someone shallow as is normally the case in books about influencers, but as someone hoping to share her talent with the world. Tahira’s social media presence has the power to launch her career in fashion, and I loved seeing social media finally being portrayed as something to be taken seriously.
❀ SPOTLIGHT ON DESIGN
One of my favourite elements of the book is its spotlight on two forms of design, fashion and flower arranging. Throughout the book, there are beautiful descriptions of Tahira’s styling as well as elaborate flower arrangements, and I enjoyed the way the two are portrayed as not so different. Through Tahira’s experiences, there is also commentary on racism in the fashion industry and important discussions about the way marginalized designers are forced to work harder to gain visibility. The integration of these themes makes the story even more well rounded.
❀ COMFORTING STORY
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron is a comforting story about following your dreams. I adored the inclusion of both fashion and flowers, and the main character’s drive is inspiring to read about. While this is a cute and upbeat story, there are also discussions about more serious topics, such as racism in the fashion industry, which make this one a both heartwarming and thought-provoking read.
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron is a story about fashion and flowers that will leave readers with a smile. As a fan of both of these forms of design, I loved reading about Tahira’s summer in the flower capital of Ontario, and she is a strong and confident main character as well. Balancing humour and heartfelt moments with more serious topics, this is a charming contemporary that I would definitely recommend.
When the designer Tahira was planning on interning with over the summer breaks her leg, Tahira’s only alternative is to spend the summer in the flower capital of Ontario, helping out with her aunt’s clothing store. When she arrives in Bakewell, Tahira is appalled by the town’s inescapable flower theme, and the frustrating and unfashionable gardener who lives next door. However, when Tahira learns about a flower arranging contest that might give her a shot at meeting one of her favourite designers in New York, she decides to give floral design a chance, even if it means teaming up with the irritating flower boy to make her dreams a reality.
❀ CONFIDENT MAIN CHARACTER
I loved Tahira’s character, and she is so confident. She’s passionate about fashion and willing to do whatever it takes to follow her dreams of being a designer, and I enjoyed the way she learns to explore alternative pathways for her future. What I especially appreciated about Tahira is the way she is portrayed as an influencer, not as someone shallow as is normally the case in books about influencers, but as someone hoping to share her talent with the world. Tahira’s social media presence has the power to launch her career in fashion, and I loved seeing social media finally being portrayed as something to be taken seriously.
❀ SPOTLIGHT ON DESIGN
One of my favourite elements of the book is its spotlight on two forms of design, fashion and flower arranging. Throughout the book, there are beautiful descriptions of Tahira’s styling as well as elaborate flower arrangements, and I enjoyed the way the two are portrayed as not so different. Through Tahira’s experiences, there is also commentary on racism in the fashion industry and important discussions about the way marginalized designers are forced to work harder to gain visibility. The integration of these themes makes the story even more well rounded.
❀ COMFORTING STORY
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron is a comforting story about following your dreams. I adored the inclusion of both fashion and flowers, and the main character’s drive is inspiring to read about. While this is a cute and upbeat story, there are also discussions about more serious topics, such as racism in the fashion industry, which make this one a both heartwarming and thought-provoking read.
May 13, 2023
I really wanted to love this book because that cover is absolutely STUNNING but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I found the dialogue stilted and cringeworthy at times, and I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the main character, because it felt like she was showing no emotion at all. She was just really self-centred and I didn’t think she had nearly as much growth by the end of the book as she should have done. A story centred around a flower festival is a really cool idea, but I just don’t think the execution was there.
October 12, 2021
There is something so satisfying when the contents of a book is as gorgeous as its cover and this book happily falls into that category.
Not only is it a brilliantly written enemies-to-lovers romance with depth, it's also got flowers, character growth in each of its multilayered and loveable characters, casual bi and pan rep, discussions on racial prejudice in the fashion industry and society in general (specifically towards South Asian and Black communities) and so much more. This was just a really, really great YA contemporary read.
TW: discussion of racism
Not only is it a brilliantly written enemies-to-lovers romance with depth, it's also got flowers, character growth in each of its multilayered and loveable characters, casual bi and pan rep, discussions on racial prejudice in the fashion industry and society in general (specifically towards South Asian and Black communities) and so much more. This was just a really, really great YA contemporary read.
TW: discussion of racism
May 31, 2022
not a bad book, but as i have zero interest in fashion or influencers, i didn't care about a whole lot of it
Rep: Indian Canadian Muslim mc, Black li, Black lesbian side character, pan side character
CWs: racism
Rep: Indian Canadian Muslim mc, Black li, Black lesbian side character, pan side character
CWs: racism
Want to read
April 20, 2021please look at this cover. thank you
December 19, 2021
When her highly desired fashion design internship falls through, young, ambitious high schooler Tahira’s parents find her an alternative. An apparently sucky alternative, but one that grows on her over the summer at the small town of flower-loving Bakewell. And though they get off on the wrong foot, Tahira meets Rowan, gardener and hopefully future landscape architect.
The two butt heads immediately, but gradually begin to appreciate the other’s drive, talent and artistry, as Tahira works with Rowan and his sweet and lovable younger sister June on their joint design entry for an upcoming floral design contest. Which could be a possible stepping stone for Tahira in her quest to gain an admission to a prestigious design school in New York City.
Tahira starts the story impossibly driven, with the support of her equally driven and successful Indian parents. Tahira has been working on her clothing designs for years, and showcasing them by setting up her own photo shoots with her best friend Gia and her aspiring model boyfriend Matteo and posting them on Instagram.
Tahira is grumpy about her summer assignment and distance from Toronto, and does not appreciate the way floral and fashion design share qualities, until she begins working with Rowan, on the advice of her mentor.
Tahira learns a lot over the course of her summer break, not all of it welcome or happy, but necessary in her development as a person and as a designer.
The enemies to lovers trope was handled well by Farah Heron as Tahira and Rowan both needed to look beyond their assumptions about the other to appreciate each other’s qualities. The supporting characters, especially June, were good, and though I could predict not necessarily the details of a couple of the reversals in the story, but still knew when the adversity would hit the characters, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this story. I also liked how the author wove in racism, authenticity, and finding one’s voice into a cohesive whole in this sweet romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Skyscape for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The two butt heads immediately, but gradually begin to appreciate the other’s drive, talent and artistry, as Tahira works with Rowan and his sweet and lovable younger sister June on their joint design entry for an upcoming floral design contest. Which could be a possible stepping stone for Tahira in her quest to gain an admission to a prestigious design school in New York City.
Tahira starts the story impossibly driven, with the support of her equally driven and successful Indian parents. Tahira has been working on her clothing designs for years, and showcasing them by setting up her own photo shoots with her best friend Gia and her aspiring model boyfriend Matteo and posting them on Instagram.
Tahira is grumpy about her summer assignment and distance from Toronto, and does not appreciate the way floral and fashion design share qualities, until she begins working with Rowan, on the advice of her mentor.
Tahira learns a lot over the course of her summer break, not all of it welcome or happy, but necessary in her development as a person and as a designer.
The enemies to lovers trope was handled well by Farah Heron as Tahira and Rowan both needed to look beyond their assumptions about the other to appreciate each other’s qualities. The supporting characters, especially June, were good, and though I could predict not necessarily the details of a couple of the reversals in the story, but still knew when the adversity would hit the characters, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this story. I also liked how the author wove in racism, authenticity, and finding one’s voice into a cohesive whole in this sweet romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Skyscape for this ARC in exchange for my review.
November 11, 2021
Honestly, this book is something I have been looking for all year.
First of, I would like to thank the author and Skyscape for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel!
I was so excited to read this book because of the desi and color representation. There was also some muslim representation which made me even more intrigued!
This book follows the life of an aspiring fashion designer who visits a small town called Bakewell so she gets all the experience she needs for her college application. Not only did she have to deal with the towns flower obsession, but she also needed Tod deal with her stubborn, cranky neighbor, Rowan, who was a handsome garden-nerd.
Love flourishes, flowers bloom, and Tahira's allergies take toll, but she won't led that stop her from learning about floral designs and fashion design.
This book was a quick, fluffy read filled with cute banter and annoying neighbors that will keep you swooning on your feet! I also loved that we got a view of how hard Tahira's life is, and how difficult it is to juggle her workload!
You can also see - throughout the book - the character development. Tahira changed into a whole new, better person. She was not self-centered like "other" influencers and it was very nice to see her change and go on that blissful adventure with her!
I really enjoyed this book and I hope you do as well!
First of, I would like to thank the author and Skyscape for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel!
I was so excited to read this book because of the desi and color representation. There was also some muslim representation which made me even more intrigued!
This book follows the life of an aspiring fashion designer who visits a small town called Bakewell so she gets all the experience she needs for her college application. Not only did she have to deal with the towns flower obsession, but she also needed Tod deal with her stubborn, cranky neighbor, Rowan, who was a handsome garden-nerd.
Love flourishes, flowers bloom, and Tahira's allergies take toll, but she won't led that stop her from learning about floral designs and fashion design.
This book was a quick, fluffy read filled with cute banter and annoying neighbors that will keep you swooning on your feet! I also loved that we got a view of how hard Tahira's life is, and how difficult it is to juggle her workload!
You can also see - throughout the book - the character development. Tahira changed into a whole new, better person. She was not self-centered like "other" influencers and it was very nice to see her change and go on that blissful adventure with her!
I really enjoyed this book and I hope you do as well!
October 3, 2021
Blooming where you're planted
The book is definitely directed at young adults raised with the "progressive" mindset.
Tahira is a high school senior of Indian descent who lives in Toronto. She's driven internally, as well as externally by her parents, to succeed in the fashion industry.
She's been so focused on the goals & plans that her parents outlined for her that she eventually finds herself exhausted & miserable
I didn't find her dislikeable - her self-focus is because she's driven to an unhealthy level as opposed to being just straight up selfish, but I really couldn't find much to relate to or like about her until about 80% in when she gets her wake up call.
Her realization of what she doesn't want (with the help of her mentor) leads to her realization of what she does want. And that epiphany leads to a universal truth, & some appreciable character development & maturation.
So the lead up had some interesting stuff & a few nice touches, but it did drag at times - especially when it got preachy. The pivotal moment was worthwhile. And the ending was prosaically realistic yet mostly happy. That's about a 25% ROI. Hence the rating.
***Potential Content:
*Language: Minor swearing - 3-4 dozen common swears + 7 f-bombs
*Sex: secular attitudes on sex as a recreational pastime; protagonist is sexually active but nothing more graphic than her dad tossing her a box of condoms; Same-sex secondary character relationship which includes a character who is a pansexual (non-stereotypicals)
*Political: Lots of SJW-flavored talk - microaggressions & safe spaces; villains aren't simply nasty individuals - they're part of those privilege-skinned people, etc
*Religion: protagonist is part of a Muslim family, though not much talk about their faith other than relating discrimination & bigotry; author has characters use God's Name (God/Lord/Jesus) trivially - aka in vain - which is puzzling as it's supposed to be offensive to all of the Abrahamic faiths that adhere to the Commandments - Christians, Jews & Muslims
The book is definitely directed at young adults raised with the "progressive" mindset.
Tahira is a high school senior of Indian descent who lives in Toronto. She's driven internally, as well as externally by her parents, to succeed in the fashion industry.
She's been so focused on the goals & plans that her parents outlined for her that she eventually finds herself exhausted & miserable
I didn't find her dislikeable - her self-focus is because she's driven to an unhealthy level as opposed to being just straight up selfish, but I really couldn't find much to relate to or like about her until about 80% in when she gets her wake up call.
Her realization of what she doesn't want (with the help of her mentor) leads to her realization of what she does want. And that epiphany leads to a universal truth, & some appreciable character development & maturation.
So the lead up had some interesting stuff & a few nice touches, but it did drag at times - especially when it got preachy. The pivotal moment was worthwhile. And the ending was prosaically realistic yet mostly happy. That's about a 25% ROI. Hence the rating.
***Potential Content:
*Language: Minor swearing - 3-4 dozen common swears + 7 f-bombs
*Sex: secular attitudes on sex as a recreational pastime; protagonist is sexually active but nothing more graphic than her dad tossing her a box of condoms; Same-sex secondary character relationship which includes a character who is a pansexual (non-stereotypicals)
*Political: Lots of SJW-flavored talk - microaggressions & safe spaces; villains aren't simply nasty individuals - they're part of those privilege-skinned people, etc
*Religion: protagonist is part of a Muslim family, though not much talk about their faith other than relating discrimination & bigotry; author has characters use God's Name (God/Lord/Jesus) trivially - aka in vain - which is puzzling as it's supposed to be offensive to all of the Abrahamic faiths that adhere to the Commandments - Christians, Jews & Muslims
June 18, 2023
ok i'm dnf-ing this at 25%. the premise and idea for this book is SO CUTE. like, a cute lil designer from canada moving to the "countryside" of canada to her aunt's cutesy lil cottage in a big gardening town to help her redesign her boutique. adorable right? well, let me tell you, the mc (tahira) is soooo baaaad. first off, she's very intent on making sure you know that she is an "oppressed brown girl". the author is sure to push the idea of pronouns and teenagers embracing their gay-ness if you will, which she's canadian so how did i not see that coming lol. not only that, because normally i can look around that and move on, but tahira had THE WORST personality. she hates the countryside of canada, which is hardly the country compared to west tennessee hahaha, acting very condescending towards the people, even though im pretty sure she's only a few hours away from her home in toronto. at first, she gets in the way of a gardening store to take a stupid selfie, and ends up spilling a massive bag of manure on herself and the ground, AND PROCEEDS TO BLAME IT ON THE STORE/MANURE, not her big brain telling her to kick around some poop to take a picture. without asking. she thinks she deserves everything (probably since she's not white), and whenever she tries to make her aunt's boutique more "hip", her aunt says "no" very kindly, and THIS GIRL CRIES. SHE CRIES. SHE IS 17 YEARS OLD DADGUMIT!!!! it was that incident that made me just close the book and shake my head. i was looking for a cute summer romance, and this most certainly did NOT deliver. as it turns out, her best friend is straight, white, single (oh yeah, thats the other thing, tahira has a great boyfriend and must end up making a fiasco out of that bc the romance is between her and this gardener she "hates"), and very fun and nice, and i think the book would've been 1,000,000 times better if she was the mc. wouldn't recommend unless you like "oppressed", spoiled brats. and canada
![Profile Image for rein [[free palestine]].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1704654490i/98468573._UX200_CR0,24,200,200_.jpg)
Want to read
August 14, 2021I keep thinking about this book
I need it. Now.
I need it. Now.
May 30, 2022
rep: indian muslim MC, black LI, black sapphic SC, pansexual SC
tahira’s internship was supposed to be the most coveted one for the fashion industry. however, when it fell through, tahira’s parents told her about the revamp that her aunt’s boutique needed in a small town. needing that experience, tahira agreed but she would be surrounded by flowers that she’s allergic to and her boyfriend wouldn’t be there. good thing though, her best friend has decided to go along with tahira.
once she reaches bakewell, tahira landed on the wrong side of a hot, garden-nerd-next-door named rowan. his grumpy attitude wasn’t welcoming to tahira, especially after knowing that tahira is an influencer. things started improving when tahira joined rowan’s team in the flower-arranging contest which has a prize trip to NYC which tahira desperately needed for her portfolio and growth in the fashion industry. through ups and downs, tahira realises that not all is about numbers, followers, and fame. there are the small things in life that matters and she came to the realisation that she just needs to love what she’s doing.
gia was a huge red flag from the start. even though she have her moments of being a best friend and a good person, i didn’t like how flakey she was when everyone was involved in the competition. she was supposed to be good! that goes the same for matteo who is basically just there for the fame. these people definitely opened her eyes to insincere and fake friends.
tahira had a lot of growing up to do, and i’m glad she did! her romance with rowan started out with a little bit of dislike but things turned out great. tahira made mistakes but also, resolved the issues that arose because of her actions. she made great friends there as well! rowan, leanne, and juniper were down-to-earth, amazing characters to meet.
i liked that farah heron took a spin to supportive parents and yet portrayed how stressful their direct participation in tahira’s life was on her. tahira’s 100% aware that her parents are backing her up all the way but she’s unexpectedly pressured since it’s feels like she can never fail because janmohammads always succeed.
trigger and content warning: racism
tahira’s internship was supposed to be the most coveted one for the fashion industry. however, when it fell through, tahira’s parents told her about the revamp that her aunt’s boutique needed in a small town. needing that experience, tahira agreed but she would be surrounded by flowers that she’s allergic to and her boyfriend wouldn’t be there. good thing though, her best friend has decided to go along with tahira.
once she reaches bakewell, tahira landed on the wrong side of a hot, garden-nerd-next-door named rowan. his grumpy attitude wasn’t welcoming to tahira, especially after knowing that tahira is an influencer. things started improving when tahira joined rowan’s team in the flower-arranging contest which has a prize trip to NYC which tahira desperately needed for her portfolio and growth in the fashion industry. through ups and downs, tahira realises that not all is about numbers, followers, and fame. there are the small things in life that matters and she came to the realisation that she just needs to love what she’s doing.
gia was a huge red flag from the start. even though she have her moments of being a best friend and a good person, i didn’t like how flakey she was when everyone was involved in the competition. she was supposed to be good! that goes the same for matteo who is basically just there for the fame. these people definitely opened her eyes to insincere and fake friends.
tahira had a lot of growing up to do, and i’m glad she did! her romance with rowan started out with a little bit of dislike but things turned out great. tahira made mistakes but also, resolved the issues that arose because of her actions. she made great friends there as well! rowan, leanne, and juniper were down-to-earth, amazing characters to meet.
i liked that farah heron took a spin to supportive parents and yet portrayed how stressful their direct participation in tahira’s life was on her. tahira’s 100% aware that her parents are backing her up all the way but she’s unexpectedly pressured since it’s feels like she can never fail because janmohammads always succeed.
trigger and content warning: racism
November 17, 2021
Let me start by saying I absolutely love chapter titles. They are completely underutilized. I am happy to report Farah Heron has some of the best chapter titles around. After every chapter was completed, I went back to the title and was like "ahhh, brilliant" Thank you Farah Heron for going the extra mile. It was not wasted on me.
Now onto the book. This is my first YA Rom-Com and it set the bar high. VERY HIGH. It is:
Adorable 🥰
Laugh out loud funny 😂
Makes me believe anything is possible 💞
Tahira, a high school student, dreams of a career in fashion with her sights set on the premier fashion school in NYC. When her perfect summer internship falls through, she ends up in small town Ontario working in her aunt's lame boutique.
Even though her best friend is coming with, she cannot have a good time with that grumpy neighbor Rowan, who judges her every move. Unfortunately, they are going to need to forgo their animosity to join forces to compete in a flower competition to win a coveted trip to NYC which would give Tahira the chance to hob nob with a fashion icon.
In true enemies to lovers fashion, the dialogue is hilarious. The YA component keeps it solidly PG-13 (or less), with plenty of fade to black moments. Just one 🌶️ on the spice-o-meter, and that's just perfect.
It also covers racism, cultural expectations and stereotypes, heavy topics covered very well. I loved the diverse cast of characters, as well as the amazing personalities, especially Rowan's younger sister, Juniper, who had the innocence I wish we all still had in us from time to time.
These characters will stay with me for a long time.
Now onto the book. This is my first YA Rom-Com and it set the bar high. VERY HIGH. It is:
Adorable 🥰
Laugh out loud funny 😂
Makes me believe anything is possible 💞
Tahira, a high school student, dreams of a career in fashion with her sights set on the premier fashion school in NYC. When her perfect summer internship falls through, she ends up in small town Ontario working in her aunt's lame boutique.
Even though her best friend is coming with, she cannot have a good time with that grumpy neighbor Rowan, who judges her every move. Unfortunately, they are going to need to forgo their animosity to join forces to compete in a flower competition to win a coveted trip to NYC which would give Tahira the chance to hob nob with a fashion icon.
In true enemies to lovers fashion, the dialogue is hilarious. The YA component keeps it solidly PG-13 (or less), with plenty of fade to black moments. Just one 🌶️ on the spice-o-meter, and that's just perfect.
It also covers racism, cultural expectations and stereotypes, heavy topics covered very well. I loved the diverse cast of characters, as well as the amazing personalities, especially Rowan's younger sister, Juniper, who had the innocence I wish we all still had in us from time to time.
These characters will stay with me for a long time.
January 22, 2022
IDK IDK. Stay tuned for my. discussion with Tahirah over at Iqra Trials book club!
March 9, 2023
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I knew right from the premise alone that I would really enjoy this novel.
Tahira in Bloom seemingly brought together everything I could’ve possibly loved in a book and tied it up with a ribbon of fashion and garden design. It was cute, deep and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on. The book follows Tahira, an ambitious wannabe fashion designer and style influencer who, after her summer internship falls through, seeks another opportunity helping her aunt in her boutique in small town, Bakewell, Canada. There, she discovers a garden design competition where the winner may have an opportunity to impress the likes of fashion designers at a sister event in New York. However, Tahira knows she would be unsuccessful unless she employs the help of her grumpy gardener neighbour who is less than impressed by her influencer antics. As the two get closer, they begin to realise they're not so different after all.
For starters, I loved the characters and loved the journey of self-growth they embark on. I love how Tahira, for example, was a completely different person by the end of the book than how she was at the start of the book. She endured lots of self-realisations and self-reflections on the kind of life she wanted to live and what fashion design, the career she dreams of, really meant to her. As a very work-driven person myself, I found myself relating to her ambitious goals and dreams and I found her journey endearing and relatable to even my own relationships with work and future aspirations. There was a lot to learn from Tahira and in a weird way, I found myself discovering more about myself as well. I really enjoy fictional books that help reflect on yourself, your life, your dreams and your future and so I was pleasantly surprised when I started Tahira in Bloom.
At the start of the book, I didn't really like Tahira. To me, she seemed a little self-absorbed but now looking back, I see that it was important for her to appear as so because it meant we could see her character develop and (pun intended here) bloom. At the start, Tahira was focused on growing her online presence on her social media platforms (specifically instagram). With her best friend Gia and boyfriend, Matteo who had common goals with her, Tahira seemed to be on track to a glowing career with internet fame. However, as we see the book progress, Tahira begins to realise that fame was never really what she wanted, rather fashion design for her was all about creating art and stories and sharing that with other people. This book was about finding yourself through passion and ambition and it was a story I found really resonated with me.
This book was very character focused and for me, who is very much characters over anything else, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Rowan and his sister Juniper and their relationships with Tahira. I also liked the way friendships were portrayed here as two characters realise they want different things out of life and each other. I liked how this book showcased making new friends and learning to let go of past friendships. This book was very comforting in letting you know that sometimes people leave and sometimes you need to leave them. It sometimes hurts but it's often for the best and it's often necessary to do so.
Overall, this book was very solid for me and I would highly recommend it to every reader who enjoys romance or contemporaries.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.45 STARS
I knew right from the premise alone that I would really enjoy this novel.
Tahira in Bloom seemingly brought together everything I could’ve possibly loved in a book and tied it up with a ribbon of fashion and garden design. It was cute, deep and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on. The book follows Tahira, an ambitious wannabe fashion designer and style influencer who, after her summer internship falls through, seeks another opportunity helping her aunt in her boutique in small town, Bakewell, Canada. There, she discovers a garden design competition where the winner may have an opportunity to impress the likes of fashion designers at a sister event in New York. However, Tahira knows she would be unsuccessful unless she employs the help of her grumpy gardener neighbour who is less than impressed by her influencer antics. As the two get closer, they begin to realise they're not so different after all.
For starters, I loved the characters and loved the journey of self-growth they embark on. I love how Tahira, for example, was a completely different person by the end of the book than how she was at the start of the book. She endured lots of self-realisations and self-reflections on the kind of life she wanted to live and what fashion design, the career she dreams of, really meant to her. As a very work-driven person myself, I found myself relating to her ambitious goals and dreams and I found her journey endearing and relatable to even my own relationships with work and future aspirations. There was a lot to learn from Tahira and in a weird way, I found myself discovering more about myself as well. I really enjoy fictional books that help reflect on yourself, your life, your dreams and your future and so I was pleasantly surprised when I started Tahira in Bloom.
At the start of the book, I didn't really like Tahira. To me, she seemed a little self-absorbed but now looking back, I see that it was important for her to appear as so because it meant we could see her character develop and (pun intended here) bloom. At the start, Tahira was focused on growing her online presence on her social media platforms (specifically instagram). With her best friend Gia and boyfriend, Matteo who had common goals with her, Tahira seemed to be on track to a glowing career with internet fame. However, as we see the book progress, Tahira begins to realise that fame was never really what she wanted, rather fashion design for her was all about creating art and stories and sharing that with other people. This book was about finding yourself through passion and ambition and it was a story I found really resonated with me.
This book was very character focused and for me, who is very much characters over anything else, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Rowan and his sister Juniper and their relationships with Tahira. I also liked the way friendships were portrayed here as two characters realise they want different things out of life and each other. I liked how this book showcased making new friends and learning to let go of past friendships. This book was very comforting in letting you know that sometimes people leave and sometimes you need to leave them. It sometimes hurts but it's often for the best and it's often necessary to do so.
Overall, this book was very solid for me and I would highly recommend it to every reader who enjoys romance or contemporaries.
ACTUAL RATING: 4.45 STARS
Want to read
June 30, 2021a south asian muslim mc ?? also this one has the prettiest cover ever ahhhh
November 2, 2021
I recently read and loved Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron, so I couldn't help but jump at the chance to read and review her new YA novel Tahira in Bloom. While I didn't love Tahira *quite* as much, I still loved it just the same and this was a fun and informative read! It has a little bit of romance in it but overall, I would describe it as contemporary fiction and of course, it is young adult which I used to read all the time but have been slacking on the past couple of years. The cover of this book is gorgeous, and I can tell you the inside is just as great. I loved Tahira as a character, and her wanting to be a fashion designer and then ending up working at her aunt's boutique while dealing with flowers (she is allergic) was a nice touch. I was also able to relate to Rowan as far as how he feels about plants and nature. And of course, it has a nicely diverse cast which is always a plus!
The audiobook for Tahira in Bloom is also quite lovely and narrated by Anita Kalathara for those of you who might be interested. She was perfection as the voice of Tahira and I loved every second of her narration. The only thing I will say that is disappointing about the audiobook is that it doesn't include the acknowledgments. I know not everyone reads those, but I ALWAYS do, and you will definitely want to for this book to get the reason Heron had for writing it. It was adorable and I love when an author includes something personal about themselves in their acknowledgments section. This falls into the enemies-to-lovers trope for the romance aspect which I really enjoy, and even though Tahira and Rowan were perfect for each other from the beginning - it takes them a moment to get there. Tahira also grows a decent amount by the end, and I love that she was able to find herself and what she wanted in the end. Overall, this was super cute and fun while also being a little serious and is the perfect YA contemporary/romance whether you are a young adult or not!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook for Tahira in Bloom is also quite lovely and narrated by Anita Kalathara for those of you who might be interested. She was perfection as the voice of Tahira and I loved every second of her narration. The only thing I will say that is disappointing about the audiobook is that it doesn't include the acknowledgments. I know not everyone reads those, but I ALWAYS do, and you will definitely want to for this book to get the reason Heron had for writing it. It was adorable and I love when an author includes something personal about themselves in their acknowledgments section. This falls into the enemies-to-lovers trope for the romance aspect which I really enjoy, and even though Tahira and Rowan were perfect for each other from the beginning - it takes them a moment to get there. Tahira also grows a decent amount by the end, and I love that she was able to find herself and what she wanted in the end. Overall, this was super cute and fun while also being a little serious and is the perfect YA contemporary/romance whether you are a young adult or not!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 10, 2021
"Art. Culture. Breathtaking beauty. You reminded me that I needed all that in my life, and that little bit of discomfort when something is new is worth it."
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron was a sweet surprise. I thought it was going to be just a fluffy read but it was so much more. It was refreshing to see young people make mistakes and take full accountability. I loved how important communication and compromise were in the friendships and romantic relationships. I also loved that it showed that art comes in many forms, including flowers. Even though this book was essentially a coming of age romance, it touched on many deeper themes in lighthearted ways and it contained more than one kind of representation that was celebrated equally (Desi, Muslim, Black, Blindian couple, LGBTIA+)
My favorite character wanted to start a page to take pictures of books. Imagine that. 😜 It was also great to see how much of Desi culture the author infused into the book. There were scenes that made me laugh hysterically, lots of fuzzy warm ones that made laugh and some that made me question some of their character. Overall it was a cute and fun read with enjoyable writing. I would definitely read more of Heron's work. If you're into fashion, flowers, sweet romances and social media influencers this one might be perfect for you. Thanks to @amazonpublishing and @tlcdiversity for the gifted copy.
Some of the main points were:
💐 the algorithm favors white creators over others
💐 BIPOC creators are overlooked 8n many spaces & have to work twice as hard to gain visibility
💐 social media fame is not the end goal for everyone
💐 the fashion world can be cutthroat
💐 female influencers are deemed less intelligent
💐 there can be more than one path to the same goal
💐 first impressions aren't always accurate
💐 staying true to yourself and your values keeps you grounded
4.5 🔥
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron was a sweet surprise. I thought it was going to be just a fluffy read but it was so much more. It was refreshing to see young people make mistakes and take full accountability. I loved how important communication and compromise were in the friendships and romantic relationships. I also loved that it showed that art comes in many forms, including flowers. Even though this book was essentially a coming of age romance, it touched on many deeper themes in lighthearted ways and it contained more than one kind of representation that was celebrated equally (Desi, Muslim, Black, Blindian couple, LGBTIA+)
My favorite character wanted to start a page to take pictures of books. Imagine that. 😜 It was also great to see how much of Desi culture the author infused into the book. There were scenes that made me laugh hysterically, lots of fuzzy warm ones that made laugh and some that made me question some of their character. Overall it was a cute and fun read with enjoyable writing. I would definitely read more of Heron's work. If you're into fashion, flowers, sweet romances and social media influencers this one might be perfect for you. Thanks to @amazonpublishing and @tlcdiversity for the gifted copy.
Some of the main points were:
💐 the algorithm favors white creators over others
💐 BIPOC creators are overlooked 8n many spaces & have to work twice as hard to gain visibility
💐 social media fame is not the end goal for everyone
💐 the fashion world can be cutthroat
💐 female influencers are deemed less intelligent
💐 there can be more than one path to the same goal
💐 first impressions aren't always accurate
💐 staying true to yourself and your values keeps you grounded
4.5 🔥
January 29, 2022
4.25. Sweet teen romance. Loved the characters so much. I KNOW it’s a teen romance but wish it wasn’t fade to black bc the CHEMISTRY
November 25, 2021
First of, the cover looks awesome and appropriate for the novel. I immediately fell in love with it and clicked the 'Request' button on NetGalley.
Tahira has her future all planned out, right from when she was seven years old. Get into an amazing fashion internship, keep designing for portfolio, increase social media influence and get in to the dream college in New York. But when a parakeet disrupts her perfect plan, she is left with no other choice but to go to Bakewell, where everything is flowery and gain fashion experience by working in her aunt's boutique. Not only did she have to deal with working at the simple boutique and living in a tiny house made of pine, but also the rude grumpy garden nerd next door.
The writing style is simple, easy to understand and laugh-out-loud humorous at places. The setting of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario, is wonderfully described. The characters were diverse- both in terms of personality and representation. There's representation of South Asian Muslim, Black, Pansexual and Bi. I loved how toxic friends were identified and how the mc realized it. I also liked the lovely way in which passion for art is described!
The desi-parent thing- the parents being totally supportive of their kids' ambition was totally unrelatable for me. I am an Indian (if you don't know that already), and I totally know the real 'desi parenting'- no matter what your ambitions are or where your interests lie, you are expected to become a doctor or engineer. You are not supposed to choose even your parents' profession (if they are not a doctor or engineer). I wish Rowan was more of a normal looking guy than a drop-dead-gorgeous guy. I keep telling myself while reading fantasy that, may be, the laws of nature in that world doesn't work the same way. I seriously feel that YA books, at least Contemporary, should have representation of not-so-gorgeous, not-so-perfect people. I also sometimes felt that the main character was too self-centered and a bit judgy but her character development in the second half of the book does solve some of that.
Overall, Tahira in Bloom is a quick, satisfying read that shows that life does not always go on as planned and is full of surprises. I thank NetGalley and Skyscape for giving me this wonderful opportunity to read and review Tahira in Bloom. All opinions are my own.
Tahira has her future all planned out, right from when she was seven years old. Get into an amazing fashion internship, keep designing for portfolio, increase social media influence and get in to the dream college in New York. But when a parakeet disrupts her perfect plan, she is left with no other choice but to go to Bakewell, where everything is flowery and gain fashion experience by working in her aunt's boutique. Not only did she have to deal with working at the simple boutique and living in a tiny house made of pine, but also the rude grumpy garden nerd next door.
The writing style is simple, easy to understand and laugh-out-loud humorous at places. The setting of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario, is wonderfully described. The characters were diverse- both in terms of personality and representation. There's representation of South Asian Muslim, Black, Pansexual and Bi. I loved how toxic friends were identified and how the mc realized it. I also liked the lovely way in which passion for art is described!
The desi-parent thing- the parents being totally supportive of their kids' ambition was totally unrelatable for me. I am an Indian (if you don't know that already), and I totally know the real 'desi parenting'- no matter what your ambitions are or where your interests lie, you are expected to become a doctor or engineer. You are not supposed to choose even your parents' profession (if they are not a doctor or engineer). I wish Rowan was more of a normal looking guy than a drop-dead-gorgeous guy. I keep telling myself while reading fantasy that, may be, the laws of nature in that world doesn't work the same way. I seriously feel that YA books, at least Contemporary, should have representation of not-so-gorgeous, not-so-perfect people. I also sometimes felt that the main character was too self-centered and a bit judgy but her character development in the second half of the book does solve some of that.
Overall, Tahira in Bloom is a quick, satisfying read that shows that life does not always go on as planned and is full of surprises. I thank NetGalley and Skyscape for giving me this wonderful opportunity to read and review Tahira in Bloom. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2022
I've enjoyed Farah Heron's adult contemporary romances so I figured Tahira in Bloom could be a quick and fun read. Despite my 3 star rating, I actually thought that the story was pretty fun (about an influencer trying to achieve her dreams of becoming a designer), there were parts of it that I thought were a little cringey.
Tahira is our main character and I enjoyed her ambition. She wants to be a designer and has been striving towards this goal (with her parents' aid) but when her coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents decide to send her to her aunt's for the summer for her to help out at her clothing shop instead. After all, having some work in fashion merchandise will look better on her college apps than none at all. However, Tahira is in for a rough summer due to her allergies to flowers and her new next-door-neighbors being avid florists. In particular, she doesn't get along with Rowan, a surly though handsome boy who has the worst first impression of Tahira as just another influencer.
Let's be clear: I liked the idea of the story that Farah Heron was trying to tell her about ambition, goals and trying not to lose yourself along the way. Tahira wants to be a designer and her social media side-gig is really just a side-gig to her: it is simply a way to boost her profile and her chances of getting into a good school. And when she decides to take on floral design, it feels like something that she can do for herself that doesn't have anything to do with her goals but challenges her creativity.
While the idea was good, I wasn't so sure about the execution. For one, the dialogue felt like it was going to get dated fast (e.g. Rowan calling Tahira thirst trap - I have the feeling that this is going to age itself terribly). Moreover, it was also kinda gross that he was calling her that? Furthermore, it also felt like a certain plot point repeated itself.
Tahira is our main character and I enjoyed her ambition. She wants to be a designer and has been striving towards this goal (with her parents' aid) but when her coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents decide to send her to her aunt's for the summer for her to help out at her clothing shop instead. After all, having some work in fashion merchandise will look better on her college apps than none at all. However, Tahira is in for a rough summer due to her allergies to flowers and her new next-door-neighbors being avid florists. In particular, she doesn't get along with Rowan, a surly though handsome boy who has the worst first impression of Tahira as just another influencer.
Let's be clear: I liked the idea of the story that Farah Heron was trying to tell her about ambition, goals and trying not to lose yourself along the way. Tahira wants to be a designer and her social media side-gig is really just a side-gig to her: it is simply a way to boost her profile and her chances of getting into a good school. And when she decides to take on floral design, it feels like something that she can do for herself that doesn't have anything to do with her goals but challenges her creativity.
While the idea was good, I wasn't so sure about the execution. For one, the dialogue felt like it was going to get dated fast (e.g. Rowan calling Tahira thirst trap - I have the feeling that this is going to age itself terribly). Moreover, it was also kinda gross that he was calling her that? Furthermore, it also felt like a certain plot point repeated itself.
January 16, 2022
I debated my rating of Tahira in Bloom a lot. On the one hand, I thought the story was well-written. and creative. The writing is simple, yet the story's progression is done well with good pacing. The premise is unique, and not really something I've seen in a lot of novels. The novel has a sort of Hallmark feel to it with its small town setting and main character who is uptight and only cares about her career in the city. However, the story escapes being derivative and adds depth to what could've been lackluster. Likewise, the characters felt very realistic; I found myself recognizing traits of people I know in real life in these characters. The character development undergone by Tahira was very believable and nice to see.
Despite all this good, I just couldn't get past the fact that I hated Tahira. I found her to be so unlikeable. She felt very self-important and just nasty. At the beginning of the story, she would constantly put done other characters, especially Juniper. Even though she got better and checked her judgement, she still had this elevated sense of self-importance. I also couldn't stand how girl-bossy she was. A major sense of conflict in the novel was Tahira trying to do what was best for her career while also trying to maintain a romantic relationship (mind you, Tahira is 17). I just got so annoyed with this. While I appreciated how driven Tahira was, I just kept thinking 'girl you are 17 years old, calm down'. I swear Tahira was having relationship troubles like a 30 year old career woman. I know that the author is used to writing adult romances, which I can definitely see in this work based on the characters very grown up predicaments.
Honestly, I would still recommend this book. It was definitely not bad, I just personally didn't vibe with the characters.
Despite all this good, I just couldn't get past the fact that I hated Tahira. I found her to be so unlikeable. She felt very self-important and just nasty. At the beginning of the story, she would constantly put done other characters, especially Juniper. Even though she got better and checked her judgement, she still had this elevated sense of self-importance. I also couldn't stand how girl-bossy she was. A major sense of conflict in the novel was Tahira trying to do what was best for her career while also trying to maintain a romantic relationship (mind you, Tahira is 17). I just got so annoyed with this. While I appreciated how driven Tahira was, I just kept thinking 'girl you are 17 years old, calm down'. I swear Tahira was having relationship troubles like a 30 year old career woman. I know that the author is used to writing adult romances, which I can definitely see in this work based on the characters very grown up predicaments.
Honestly, I would still recommend this book. It was definitely not bad, I just personally didn't vibe with the characters.
November 1, 2021
This is my second book by Farah Heron, but it’s the first YA she’s written.
I love when an author branches out into another genre or age range and I think she did so flawlessly.
While this is YA - the characters felt mature - and I really connected with the main two.
Give me anything and everything that has to do with florals. This book made my flower loving heart so happy. I want to move to this town.
There is diversity and representation in these characters that many youth/people will see themselves in - make sure to read the author’s note - and see the touching reason she wrote YA.
Other things I loved a lot: fashion industry, social media aspects, the small town and that it was set in Canada!
Thanks to the author for the ARC! It was truly my lucky day to win this giveaway!
I love when an author branches out into another genre or age range and I think she did so flawlessly.
While this is YA - the characters felt mature - and I really connected with the main two.
Give me anything and everything that has to do with florals. This book made my flower loving heart so happy. I want to move to this town.
There is diversity and representation in these characters that many youth/people will see themselves in - make sure to read the author’s note - and see the touching reason she wrote YA.
Other things I loved a lot: fashion industry, social media aspects, the small town and that it was set in Canada!
Thanks to the author for the ARC! It was truly my lucky day to win this giveaway!
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