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Hearts in Bloom
After an injury ended her dance career, Jessica Holliday became a landscape designer. So when a society wedding gives her the chance to make a name for herself, she vows to get the job done without help from anyone—especially handsome newcomer Captain Andrew Keegan.
Though his neighbor may be beautiful, even with dirt under her nails, Drew Keegan has to do what he feels is right—by marrying the socialite of his father's choosing, he'll be able to help those who need it most. But when Jessica's livelihood is jeopardized, Drew begins to see his goals—and Jessica—in a new light.
Though his neighbor may be beautiful, even with dirt under her nails, Drew Keegan has to do what he feels is right—by marrying the socialite of his father's choosing, he'll be able to help those who need it most. But when Jessica's livelihood is jeopardized, Drew begins to see his goals—and Jessica—in a new light.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: Harlequin Heartwarming
April 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars
What I enjoyed about this book:
This was a really light, quick read and it was a sweet little story that kept me entertained all the way through. The characters are wholesome, the friendships are cute, and even some of the romance stuff was nice.
What I disliked about this book:
The author clearly wanted to tackle several themes but there were just too many, and because of that, they all lacked quite a bit. There was romance, Christianity, grief, small business, drama/miscommunication, and even a little bit of disability talk. But none of these got a moment to shine because they were constantly toppling over onto each other. Would’ve loved if it was just the romance and the grief (and maybe the Christianity) that were the MAIN focus and then everything else was secondary. Would’ve flowed a lot better.
My main qualm with this book was the Christianity. It felt really surface level and out of place. If you’re going to write a Christian love story, go full throttle. This felt lack luster and disingenuous, and made me cringe more times than not. The story wouldn’t have changed if you took the Christianity out, and as a longtime Christian, I was pretty bothered by that.
Overall, it was fine. The only reason it isn’t getting 2 stars is because I did enjoy myself while reading it, which is an extra star in my book.
3 stars
What I enjoyed about this book:
This was a really light, quick read and it was a sweet little story that kept me entertained all the way through. The characters are wholesome, the friendships are cute, and even some of the romance stuff was nice.
What I disliked about this book:
The author clearly wanted to tackle several themes but there were just too many, and because of that, they all lacked quite a bit. There was romance, Christianity, grief, small business, drama/miscommunication, and even a little bit of disability talk. But none of these got a moment to shine because they were constantly toppling over onto each other. Would’ve loved if it was just the romance and the grief (and maybe the Christianity) that were the MAIN focus and then everything else was secondary. Would’ve flowed a lot better.
My main qualm with this book was the Christianity. It felt really surface level and out of place. If you’re going to write a Christian love story, go full throttle. This felt lack luster and disingenuous, and made me cringe more times than not. The story wouldn’t have changed if you took the Christianity out, and as a longtime Christian, I was pretty bothered by that.
Overall, it was fine. The only reason it isn’t getting 2 stars is because I did enjoy myself while reading it, which is an extra star in my book.
February 2, 2021
A friend sent me this book.
Jessica gets a reduction in her housing in exchange for revamping the landscaping around the townhouses. She's recovering from a leg injury that ended her professional dancing career and trying to launch a second career in gardening/landscape design.
Drew's recovered from an accident of his own and now is a partner in a car restoration shop when he moves in next door. Drew's original plan included looking up a girl he'd known in the past and starting a political career.
God has a way of changing people's plans.
My biggest complaint is one that's common to the Love Inspired Series--the man and women end up getting engaged/married after knowing each other for only a short time. I'm not quite sure that it's true love at that point. I don't think there's been time to move beyond the infatuation stage after only a few weeks or months.
I liked how Jessica treated Faith--trying to include her, not talking down to her, etc. (Especially compared to how Amelia treated Faith like she was a burden.)
I liked the lady who helped differently abled people be creative and learn about creativity.
Jessica gets a reduction in her housing in exchange for revamping the landscaping around the townhouses. She's recovering from a leg injury that ended her professional dancing career and trying to launch a second career in gardening/landscape design.
Drew's recovered from an accident of his own and now is a partner in a car restoration shop when he moves in next door. Drew's original plan included looking up a girl he'd known in the past and starting a political career.
God has a way of changing people's plans.
My biggest complaint is one that's common to the Love Inspired Series--the man and women end up getting engaged/married after knowing each other for only a short time. I'm not quite sure that it's true love at that point. I don't think there's been time to move beyond the infatuation stage after only a few weeks or months.
I liked how Jessica treated Faith--trying to include her, not talking down to her, etc. (Especially compared to how Amelia treated Faith like she was a burden.)
I liked the lady who helped differently abled people be creative and learn about creativity.
January 31, 2022
Pretty much a standard Harlequin romance. Wasn't bad but wasn't spectacular either.
July 18, 2023
i definitely Read This Book
January 13, 2025
I haven't read it only the preview but I'm interested to continue reading
May 27, 2011
This was a nice, light read with a lot of focus on Jessica. Unlike many leading females in romances, Jessica deals with weight issues. As she struggles with her changed appearance and more limited lifestyle, she remains determined to be independent and useful. She jumps to conclusions a lot to me and seems to be the typical overly independent female with no rationality to her life. Drew is a man trying to break off from his father's plans, especially when it comes to the choice of bride. He seems to be a character that encompasses most "perfect" attributes. Overall it's a cute story, though lacking slightly in imagination.
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http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com
June 26, 2008
ok, this one was MUCH more real, in that it had more believable characters. they actually had 2 main characters who weren't perfect Barbie-sized!
w/ this book, i could also once again relate to the main characters, both male AND female, or at least parts of their life experiences.
great quick lite easy summer read.
this is also, at least for now, the last of the "mushy stuff" in my pile. i now return to the twisted thrillers, starting off w/ another mystery from the Spenser series by Robert B Parker
w/ this book, i could also once again relate to the main characters, both male AND female, or at least parts of their life experiences.
great quick lite easy summer read.
this is also, at least for now, the last of the "mushy stuff" in my pile. i now return to the twisted thrillers, starting off w/ another mystery from the Spenser series by Robert B Parker
May 30, 2011
I GOT THIS BOOK FROM THE BOOK CLUB I AM IN AND I REALLY LIKE THE BOOK SHE WROTE
WELL JESSICA WAS A DANCER ONE TIME AND SHE REGRETTED AND MISSED IT TILL HER NEIGHBOR
CAME AROUND SHE IS DOING THE FLOWERS FOR WEEDING AND THEN SHE HAS CRAVING OF FINDING
THE RIGHT MAN FOR HER SHE DOES IN DREW AND MAKE HER SO HAPPY
WELL JESSICA WAS A DANCER ONE TIME AND SHE REGRETTED AND MISSED IT TILL HER NEIGHBOR
CAME AROUND SHE IS DOING THE FLOWERS FOR WEEDING AND THEN SHE HAS CRAVING OF FINDING
THE RIGHT MAN FOR HER SHE DOES IN DREW AND MAKE HER SO HAPPY
September 17, 2013
Jessica Holliday, former dancer turned landscape designer after devastating injury.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews