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April In Bloom
April in Bloom by Annie Jones released on Mar 28, 2006 is available now for purchase.
253 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 23, 2017
Enjoyable, as usual.
April 14, 2025
I read this as a stand-alone, however, there were aspects of April’s family life/drama that didn’t feel as fully explained as I would have preferred, and maybe that’s where reading the other two books could have helped? Still, since this one is specifically April’s story and she seemed very affected by what happened in her family, I thought her experience could have been explored in greater depth here even if it had been touched on in the previous novels.
The first two books in this trilogy were released as part of Steeple Hill Cafe, a short-lived Christian fiction chick-lit/romantic comedy line, whereas this last one released as a Love Inspired title. This did feel like a blend of the two lines with one foot in quirky romantic comedy only for the other foot to suddenly plunge into more serious territory. To me, the tone seemed kind of imbalanced or something and lessened the emotional impact a little.
While I enjoyed Miss Cora, I did wish her page time had been reduced just a bit to maybe add in another scene between April and her stepdad, a dynamic I liked but saw little of, similarly, I wanted a little more interaction between Kurt and his mother since his conflict/reluctance to pursue a public relationship with April is tied to gossip, which is something his mother notoriously engages in.
I would have loved a little more of April gardening and other seasonal spring vibes, but if you like small town stories where everyone’s sticking their noses into other people’s business or if you’re a long time Love Inspired reader and want to try one that marches to a slightly different beat, this has some entertaining moments and a couple poignant ones, too.
The first two books in this trilogy were released as part of Steeple Hill Cafe, a short-lived Christian fiction chick-lit/romantic comedy line, whereas this last one released as a Love Inspired title. This did feel like a blend of the two lines with one foot in quirky romantic comedy only for the other foot to suddenly plunge into more serious territory. To me, the tone seemed kind of imbalanced or something and lessened the emotional impact a little.
While I enjoyed Miss Cora, I did wish her page time had been reduced just a bit to maybe add in another scene between April and her stepdad, a dynamic I liked but saw little of, similarly, I wanted a little more interaction between Kurt and his mother since his conflict/reluctance to pursue a public relationship with April is tied to gossip, which is something his mother notoriously engages in.
I would have loved a little more of April gardening and other seasonal spring vibes, but if you like small town stories where everyone’s sticking their noses into other people’s business or if you’re a long time Love Inspired reader and want to try one that marches to a slightly different beat, this has some entertaining moments and a couple poignant ones, too.
June 14, 2022
Such a sweet story
May 25, 2023
Not bad to read to pass the time
July 14, 2023
Good read with a good message in self forgiveness, love and healing.
May 13, 2025
nice little Christian read.
January 2, 2017
Sheriff Kurt Mulldoon and April Shelnutt are trying to forget and overcome past hurts. Kurt doesn't want to be part of the local gossip or subject April to it so he stays away or meets her in secret. April has had enough of secret meetings and calls it off. Can they overcome past hurts?
March 6, 2011
I used to think I liked serial paperback romances ... and then I read a poorly written one. In my defense I got this book as part of my free gift for joining a Christian romance club, that I figured would be easy enough to cancel, but in the meantime would give me a fresh supply of cheap romance novels. Maybe that's not such a good thing.
I can tell Jones thinks dialogue is her strong point, evidenced by the teaser chapter for her next book that's entirely dialogue, but she seems to spend all her time thinking up "clever" (I use that word in the loosest sense) things for her characters to say, only to forget to explain to her readers which character is doing the speaking and whether or not it's part of some internal monologue or actually spoken aloud. The story she was trying to tell was good enough that I wanted to finish it, but that's not saying much since I'm a sucker for romance. I did really liked the way she included a Christian perspective into the story. Where I found Janette Oke overbearing, Jones did manage to incorporate Christian beliefs into her story without going overboard. That at least seemed fairly realistic. Otherwise this book was almost a waste of my time & I'm pretty hesitant to read my other free book.
I can tell Jones thinks dialogue is her strong point, evidenced by the teaser chapter for her next book that's entirely dialogue, but she seems to spend all her time thinking up "clever" (I use that word in the loosest sense) things for her characters to say, only to forget to explain to her readers which character is doing the speaking and whether or not it's part of some internal monologue or actually spoken aloud. The story she was trying to tell was good enough that I wanted to finish it, but that's not saying much since I'm a sucker for romance. I did really liked the way she included a Christian perspective into the story. Where I found Janette Oke overbearing, Jones did manage to incorporate Christian beliefs into her story without going overboard. That at least seemed fairly realistic. Otherwise this book was almost a waste of my time & I'm pretty hesitant to read my other free book.
August 11, 2010
This story is about April, a spinster, and the influence an older woman (never married either) has in her life. Basically the theme is to bloom where you are planted, as well as to give love a chance. Kurt, too afraid of his past to love again, must also learn to prune away the dead branches so that new life can take hold.
June 29, 2012
There is an interesting premise in this novel if you are a sucker for romance, like I am; but the dialog was confusing at times, the plot seemed forced, and the outcome was too predictable. I finished the book by skimming just because I am a compulsive "finisher."
August 20, 2010
-This is a good story. Very interesting, as it is about a person getting away from meddling townspeople.
July 3, 2011
Redundant and boring. The plot tries really hard to be deep, but there's SO much hype and beating around the bush that it's just anti-climactic.
November 10, 2014
This book was okay. There were several eye-rolling moments, and Mrs. Cora was a little off. It wasn't memorable, but I didn't have to force myself to keep reading it.
January 7, 2009
Again I didn't finish. Got stupid.
February 5, 2012
Only read it once years ago, don't remember it too much but I remember it being a sweet book.
September 11, 2014
LI--third book in a series (first two were not LI) Woman with relationship with town sheriff.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews