I was immediately drawn to the cover of Anderson in Bloom a novel by Jennifer Dugan. It is depicted in a striking style reminiscent of older comic books and shows two women embracing in front of double glass doors and surrounded by flowers. I was also drawn in by the description of the book.
The book is penned as “a hilariously sexy enemies-to-lovers, second-chance rom-com about a reclusive former child star turned florist whose quiet life is turned upside down when her annoyingly hot ex (and former costar) shows up in town, with plans to write a tell-all memoir” (Avon and Harper Voyager). As a consistent reader of memoirs in general, and as someone with a fascination for memoirs of media folks my age, I was intrigued.
I was not disappointed in the writing style, character growth, or promise of a second chance celebrity romance. I loved the focus on the language of flowers, which feels rare in a contemporary romance – it’s something I might expect in a historical however. The complexity of the central relationship was rewarding in its resolution, which (no spoilers) refuses simplicity itself.
While I was overall happy with the novel, I feel selling it as a rom-com is somewhat disingenuous. The novel has comedic moments and is often funny, however, the humor is frequently dark and the themes of the novel itself are darker than I would expect in a rom-com. This isn’t a flaw in the novel, but in my opinion, it is in the marketing. I understand the author has little control over the marketing, but feel it is important to let readers expecting a rom-com know what they are in for. I would still heartily recommend the novel and enjoyed the experience of reading it greatly.
I received an advanced readers copy of Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan from the publisher via Netgalley n exchange of a fair review.
Hedgehog Harry 