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Bloom
A sweet sapphic romance takes a deadly dark turn in this sharp-as-a-knife novella from the New York Times bestselling author.
Rosemary meets Ash at the farmers’ market. Ash—precise, pretty, and practically perfect—sells bars of soap in delicate pastel colors, sprinkle-spackled cupcakes stacked on scalloped stands, beeswax candles, jelly jars of honey, and glossy green plants. Ro has never felt this way about another woman; with Ash, she wants to be her and have her in equal measure. But as her obsession with Ash consumes her, she may find she’s not the one doing the devouring…
Rosemary meets Ash at the farmers’ market. Ash—precise, pretty, and practically perfect—sells bars of soap in delicate pastel colors, sprinkle-spackled cupcakes stacked on scalloped stands, beeswax candles, jelly jars of honey, and glossy green plants. Ro has never felt this way about another woman; with Ash, she wants to be her and have her in equal measure. But as her obsession with Ash consumes her, she may find she’s not the one doing the devouring…
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
370 people are currently reading
28657 people want to read
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
172 books2,757 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,615 reviews
November 30, 2023
We love a sustainable queen
December 14, 2023
in this house we ignore the brightest, biggest red flags for pretty girls
July 31, 2024
How do i rate this experience?
February 2, 2025
The perfect domestic suspense for weirdos.
April 10, 2024
even though i did not love this, i think i have finally recognized that i’m just not this type of horror reader. i love anything speculative, anything paranormal, but actual murders/slasher-like stories? they just don’t work for me, they have never worked for me, and this one also did not work for me. and if a sapphic cottagecore one didn’t work for me, i fear just none ever will. so i really implore you to look at other reviews if this book sounds good to you - here are some of my faves: gabby, genesee, cassidy
but yeah! sapphic, cottagecore, two girls meeting at a farmers market, but something sinister is always looming in the background. our main character is an assistant professor who has finally moved from the big city after a bad breakup. she is very lonely, very isolated, and trying to find a bit of happiness despite some major trust issues. i felt like this book was told in a satirical way, where the author is very aware and letting you know how pretentious rosemary is, and how she is just ignoring every red flag left, right, and center. yet, i also thought it was exploring themes of not wanting to see you are in an abusive relationship, and wanting to believe your partner so badly that you will very much be hurting yourself in the process by ignoring their abuse. and that’s important and something that i think can be hard to see, especially in your 20s and you’re leaving the only life you’ve ever really known, on top of having emotionally abusive family situations who have normalized abuse for you.
again, sadly, this just didn’t work for me, i think mostly because i just knew what was happening and for some reason having to watch it play out was just not as enjoyable as i wished it was. It really did feel like the 200 pages did go quickly and i was invested enough, maybe hoping a different twist would come and change the trajectory of the very obvious plot, but i never wanted to put the book down! and i will also say the very end of this book was actually insane and i let out the biggest gasp i didn’t know i was holding lol. i just kind of wish we had a moment like that in the middle of the story, and then the last half could have felt fresher and like there were more possibilities. not to be spoilery, but i was highkey hoping the roles would be reversed at the midway point, but alas! regardless, i hope if you pick this one up that you enjoy it! happy reading, and happy trying to enjoy eating charcuterie boards with meat after this one, friends!
trigger + content warnings: a lot of talk of body image, mention of infidelity, mention of loss of a father in the past, abandonment, missing person mention, abusive guardian in past, child abuse in past, animal cruelty + animal death (racoon), drinking, throwing up, unwanted videos being taken, one sentence mention/insinuation of pictures of underage children taken at a pool with them unknowing in the past, unknowing (and knowing) cannibalism, gaslighting, abuse in a relationship, abduction, captivity, amputation, violence, torture, gore
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but yeah! sapphic, cottagecore, two girls meeting at a farmers market, but something sinister is always looming in the background. our main character is an assistant professor who has finally moved from the big city after a bad breakup. she is very lonely, very isolated, and trying to find a bit of happiness despite some major trust issues. i felt like this book was told in a satirical way, where the author is very aware and letting you know how pretentious rosemary is, and how she is just ignoring every red flag left, right, and center. yet, i also thought it was exploring themes of not wanting to see you are in an abusive relationship, and wanting to believe your partner so badly that you will very much be hurting yourself in the process by ignoring their abuse. and that’s important and something that i think can be hard to see, especially in your 20s and you’re leaving the only life you’ve ever really known, on top of having emotionally abusive family situations who have normalized abuse for you.
again, sadly, this just didn’t work for me, i think mostly because i just knew what was happening and for some reason having to watch it play out was just not as enjoyable as i wished it was. It really did feel like the 200 pages did go quickly and i was invested enough, maybe hoping a different twist would come and change the trajectory of the very obvious plot, but i never wanted to put the book down! and i will also say the very end of this book was actually insane and i let out the biggest gasp i didn’t know i was holding lol. i just kind of wish we had a moment like that in the middle of the story, and then the last half could have felt fresher and like there were more possibilities. not to be spoilery, but i was highkey hoping the roles would be reversed at the midway point, but alas! regardless, i hope if you pick this one up that you enjoy it! happy reading, and happy trying to enjoy eating charcuterie boards with meat after this one, friends!
trigger + content warnings: a lot of talk of body image, mention of infidelity, mention of loss of a father in the past, abandonment, missing person mention, abusive guardian in past, child abuse in past, animal cruelty + animal death (racoon), drinking, throwing up, unwanted videos being taken, one sentence mention/insinuation of pictures of underage children taken at a pool with them unknowing in the past, unknowing (and knowing) cannibalism, gaslighting, abuse in a relationship, abduction, captivity, amputation, violence, torture, gore
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
January 3, 2024
Rosemary, a supposedly erudite literature professor (well, associate professor, anyway) falls hard for the mysterious waif who mans a booth at the local farmer's market. (How is she a literature prof if she's never read Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market and Other Poems? That poem alone should keep her on the lookout for things that seem too good to be true . . . ) But, even though the lissome lass won't even reveal her full name, Rosemary's heart wants what it wants. And, then, (Head slap!), Professor Head-Over-Heels misses another literary clue - when she visits her true love's house, she receives a Bluebeard-like command to NOT OPEN THAT DOOR.
Let this be a lesson to ya, kiddos - reading and heeding books can truly save your life!
This book probably isn't worth 5 stars, but I honestly enjoyed the heck out of the story. It had the HOLY-CRAPPIEST ending I've encountered in a while. Truthfully I had sort of predicted the ending, but I really didn't expect the author to GO THERE.
Oh, yeah. She did.
A luscious maple bacon cupcake I will probably never eat again.
Let this be a lesson to ya, kiddos - reading and heeding books can truly save your life!
This book probably isn't worth 5 stars, but I honestly enjoyed the heck out of the story. It had the HOLY-CRAPPIEST ending I've encountered in a while. Truthfully I had sort of predicted the ending, but I really didn't expect the author to GO THERE.
Oh, yeah. She did.
A luscious maple bacon cupcake I will probably never eat again.
Read
August 21, 2024Rosemary got what she deserved
August 31, 2024
i've heard of reduce reuse recycle but this is ridiculous
February 21, 2025
hot garbage but it gets an extra star because i loooved hating it, usually low stars means bad writing but this was mostly terrible because of the author’s ideas and what she was saying which is admittedly so interesting. some of the most cringe lines i’ve ever read written with full sincerity
January 10, 2024
A sapphic horror romance where the couple meets at a farmers' market? It sounds like exactly my cup of tea, but something got lost along the way for me. I really wanted to like this one.
I found it difficult to find any investment in either of the characters. Ro's internal monologue felt pretentious and naïve at the same time, and we were intentionally told very little about Ash — for good reason, however because of this I didn't connect to either of the major characters in the book, which also led me to have very little investment in their romance and the story as a whole. The plot was predictable, resulting in me guessing the big twist at the end basically from the start, although some of this may be due to the blurb.
I do have to say that once the more explicit horror elements kicked in, my eyes were glued to the page. My chin dropped in alarm at least once, and at this point I did finally feel aligned with Ro's character. I felt everything she was feeling, going into that fight or flight mode.
Ultimately, if you're looking for a quick and easy read with some lighthearted sapphic romance before things take a turn, this book might be for you. It just wasn't for me.
I found it difficult to find any investment in either of the characters. Ro's internal monologue felt pretentious and naïve at the same time, and we were intentionally told very little about Ash — for good reason, however because of this I didn't connect to either of the major characters in the book, which also led me to have very little investment in their romance and the story as a whole. The plot was predictable, resulting in me guessing the big twist at the end basically from the start, although some of this may be due to the blurb.
I do have to say that once the more explicit horror elements kicked in, my eyes were glued to the page. My chin dropped in alarm at least once, and at this point I did finally feel aligned with Ro's character. I felt everything she was feeling, going into that fight or flight mode.
Ultimately, if you're looking for a quick and easy read with some lighthearted sapphic romance before things take a turn, this book might be for you. It just wasn't for me.
November 9, 2025
the real horror of this book was the writing
CWs: gore, amputation, cannibalism
CWs: gore, amputation, cannibalism
January 1, 2024
1.5/5
I wanted to love this so badly, but the whole experience felt like poorly written hannibal fanfiction.
I wanted to love this so badly, but the whole experience felt like poorly written hannibal fanfiction.
September 21, 2023
would’ve been more enjoyable if every red flag wasn’t dismissed by her thinking “well she’s not a man so it’s fine if SHE does it” #feminism #girlboss
May 4, 2024
4.0 Stars
Video Review https://youtu.be/dFyDuswyDnc
I am kicking myself for missing this novella when it first came out last year. This was such a pleasant little horror book to come across. In some ways this is a very cozy little book, starting out at the farmers market. However this one does not disappoint. With some extra patience, the dark elements will arrive.
I also really loved the writing. The opening paragraph immediately became a personal favourite. In a shorter novella package, I found this narrative tightly written and satisfying.
I would highly recommend it to readers looking for another newer horror storu to fall in love with.
Video Review https://youtu.be/dFyDuswyDnc
I am kicking myself for missing this novella when it first came out last year. This was such a pleasant little horror book to come across. In some ways this is a very cozy little book, starting out at the farmers market. However this one does not disappoint. With some extra patience, the dark elements will arrive.
I also really loved the writing. The opening paragraph immediately became a personal favourite. In a shorter novella package, I found this narrative tightly written and satisfying.
I would highly recommend it to readers looking for another newer horror storu to fall in love with.
July 25, 2024
4.5 ☆
Ro had a rough time with her bi awakening, poor thing. i lived for every unhinged second of this book though, Ash was channeling her inner Annie Wilkes .. 🔪
me 🤝🏽 sapphic horror
Ro had a rough time with her bi awakening, poor thing. i lived for every unhinged second of this book though, Ash was channeling her inner Annie Wilkes .. 🔪
November 9, 2024
⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 3★ ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅
“She is obsessed, she is compelled, she is called. She is a selkie, and Ash has her skin. It’s infuriating and delicious and easy and challenging and tumultuous and she is hungry for me.”
I would say that I love the whole idea behind the concept but I just don’t thing the horror aspect was done quite well. Like it’s only there in the last 40 pages and the build up to it also wasn’t exciting at all. The whole going to the farmers market every Saturday just so that Rosemary can see Ash honestly I will say that this was the best thing throughout the whole book. The longing eyes and the way they just interacted with each other was just so amazing. But I did enjoy the story of Ash and Rosemary and I will say Rosemary does deserve what she gets in the end.
: ̗̀➛Ash
Even thought this girl has done some questioning stuff in the end but when we got introduced to her i’ve really liked her so much much than Rosemary. Like I love the whole shop thing she has if we were to ignore the end.
: ̗̀➛Rosemary
The way this girl does not respect boundaries at all. Like the amount of times Ash told her that she’ll be busy during those days and to not bother her and what she does the next day?? goes and visit her. Also the whole snooping around the house the first time she got invited in and then acts so surprised that Ash is pissed at her for snooping like what were you expecting girl. The way Rosemary did not respect any boundaries at all, like I get it Ash this go to far in some places but still like respect the boundaries people give you it’s not that hard. And then she has the reason to nearly start crying when Ash calls her out on it like tf.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
happy halloween everyone!! i’m excited to read another horror book!!!
“She is obsessed, she is compelled, she is called. She is a selkie, and Ash has her skin. It’s infuriating and delicious and easy and challenging and tumultuous and she is hungry for me.”
I would say that I love the whole idea behind the concept but I just don’t thing the horror aspect was done quite well. Like it’s only there in the last 40 pages and the build up to it also wasn’t exciting at all. The whole going to the farmers market every Saturday just so that Rosemary can see Ash honestly I will say that this was the best thing throughout the whole book. The longing eyes and the way they just interacted with each other was just so amazing. But I did enjoy the story of Ash and Rosemary and I will say Rosemary does deserve what she gets in the end.
: ̗̀➛Ash
Even thought this girl has done some questioning stuff in the end but when we got introduced to her i’ve really liked her so much much than Rosemary. Like I love the whole shop thing she has if we were to ignore the end.
: ̗̀➛Rosemary
The way this girl does not respect boundaries at all. Like the amount of times Ash told her that she’ll be busy during those days and to not bother her and what she does the next day?? goes and visit her. Also the whole snooping around the house the first time she got invited in and then acts so surprised that Ash is pissed at her for snooping like what were you expecting girl. The way Rosemary did not respect any boundaries at all, like I get it Ash this go to far in some places but still like respect the boundaries people give you it’s not that hard. And then she has the reason to nearly start crying when Ash calls her out on it like tf.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
happy halloween everyone!! i’m excited to read another horror book!!!
October 3, 2023
A quick read with some seemingly casual romance that turns quite vile by the end. It just failed to grab me, the twist was easily predictable early on. Ro's internal monologue felt naive and distracting, and the way her position as an Assistant Professor was depicted sounded unrealistic to me.
The horror part of this short book also takes a while to unfold, most of the action takes place within the last few chapters.
The horror part of this short book also takes a while to unfold, most of the action takes place within the last few chapters.
December 4, 2024
The main character bought a plant from the woman she has a crush on and is thinking about how it used to breath the same air as her and honestly that is the same kind of obsession I have with this book. One of my top favorite reads this year.
January 14, 2024
loved the prose and the progression of the story, but for such a short book, it kind of dragged a little in the middle, but I think most of that is because I didn't enjoy reading from Ro's POV because I thought she was annoying, other than the fact that she's super bookish. the discomfort I felt during several scenes seemed like the author's intent, but there was a fine line between the type of unsettling that I love in horror vs. just wanting to move tf on.
however, of course I loved how it ended because that's one of my favorite tropes in horror, but I sure had to work for it.
I thought the last line was absolutely perfect though.
If you liked this one, try Such Pretty Flowers by K.L Cerra or Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric Larocca!
however, of course I loved how it ended because that's one of my favorite tropes in horror, but I sure had to work for it.
I thought the last line was absolutely perfect though.
If you liked this one, try Such Pretty Flowers by K.L Cerra or Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric Larocca!
April 10, 2023
What the absolute fuck was that!? Holy shit! I need to gather my thoughts 😨
Review: 4.5 stars
It has been a long time since a book has given me nightmares. Bloom is a beautiful sapphic love story at its center, but what lies behind the flowery language and cute flirting, is something far darker. The unbridled horror you will feel by the end of this novella is indescribable. I am going to be thinking about it for years to come.
Review: 4.5 stars
It has been a long time since a book has given me nightmares. Bloom is a beautiful sapphic love story at its center, but what lies behind the flowery language and cute flirting, is something far darker. The unbridled horror you will feel by the end of this novella is indescribable. I am going to be thinking about it for years to come.
January 18, 2024
“She is obsessed, she is compelled, she is called. She is a selkie, and Ash has her skin. It’s infuriating and delicious and easy and challenging and tumultuous and she is hungry for more.”
I knew this book would be a 5 star read from the first page. Holy hell, this got my heart racing!
Rosemary “Ro” Dutton has been trudging through the pain of a recent break up when she stumbles upon the stunningly radiant Ash at a farmer’s market. The woman practically has hands of magic– whipping up mouth watering cupcakes, creamy perfumed soaps, and beeswax candles, all crafted from natural ingredients and sold at her quaint apothecary booth. She also has a green thumb and has a knack for growing lush green plants. Ro is surprised to find herself instantly in love, because she has never had such strong feelings for another woman before. Everything about Ash is a new and exciting experience. But as Ro is caught up in the whirlwind of infatuation, readers will start to suspect Ash might be too good to be true.
BLOOM is both a delight and shock to the human senses. You can smell the prose in this book, taste them, practically touch them. Every word is tantalizing, the imagery vivid and delicious. And this, I think, is done purposefully by Dawson as she lures readers by the hand down a gradually darkening path to danger. This is a quick read that somehow still takes its time in the best way. Horror lovers need to patiently take in every page like literary foreplay. You have to let it simmer like soup over the stove, let it steep like a tea bag in hot water. And then when the time is right, you're in for the perfect terror.
I first fell in love with Delilah S. Dawson’s storytelling when I read The Violence, but this newest book has solidified her place in my dark heart as a new favorite author. If you're looking for a Sapphic romance with an insidious touch, grab this book and make it your upcoming Valentine's Day treat!
I knew this book would be a 5 star read from the first page. Holy hell, this got my heart racing!
Rosemary “Ro” Dutton has been trudging through the pain of a recent break up when she stumbles upon the stunningly radiant Ash at a farmer’s market. The woman practically has hands of magic– whipping up mouth watering cupcakes, creamy perfumed soaps, and beeswax candles, all crafted from natural ingredients and sold at her quaint apothecary booth. She also has a green thumb and has a knack for growing lush green plants. Ro is surprised to find herself instantly in love, because she has never had such strong feelings for another woman before. Everything about Ash is a new and exciting experience. But as Ro is caught up in the whirlwind of infatuation, readers will start to suspect Ash might be too good to be true.
BLOOM is both a delight and shock to the human senses. You can smell the prose in this book, taste them, practically touch them. Every word is tantalizing, the imagery vivid and delicious. And this, I think, is done purposefully by Dawson as she lures readers by the hand down a gradually darkening path to danger. This is a quick read that somehow still takes its time in the best way. Horror lovers need to patiently take in every page like literary foreplay. You have to let it simmer like soup over the stove, let it steep like a tea bag in hot water. And then when the time is right, you're in for the perfect terror.
I first fell in love with Delilah S. Dawson’s storytelling when I read The Violence, but this newest book has solidified her place in my dark heart as a new favorite author. If you're looking for a Sapphic romance with an insidious touch, grab this book and make it your upcoming Valentine's Day treat!
March 6, 2024
this was fun! i wish that the author hadn't posted spoilers on her instagram but i still enjoyed it.
vlog: https://youtu.be/ePLfJWT--Fs
vlog: https://youtu.be/ePLfJWT--Fs
November 23, 2025
O.M.G. 🙀🤮
I'm off farmer's markets forever.
4.25⭐️
I'm off farmer's markets forever.
4.25⭐️
January 24, 2024
🚨U🚨P🚨D🚨A🚨T🚨E🚨
After discussing this with several friends, I realize that I may have misunderstood this book. It seems as though the characters were not meant to be liked or relatable. They were written to be toxic and possibly aggressively-male-coded. That being the case, a reread is in order. Having that knowledge would greatly alter my reading experience and enjoyment. Keeping my rating at a 3 until further notice. But know that this could very well be a higher rating in the future.
Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/Nz5Vo2Bm9fg
I went back and forth and back and forth and back and forth with my feelings and rating for this book.
There is a lot of great things to be said for/about this book. But I just didn't like it. Which is odd, given it's marketed to be directly up my street.
The things I loved about it
1. Queer as a book can be
2. Sapphic horror? yes please. We are in desperate need for more.
3. The elusive hints woven throughout. For example, after you read the book, Google what rosemary and lemon are used for in conjunction with meat preparation....The author did her research. That's for sure. And she doesn't hold your hand. If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you won't. Love that.
4. It's short. Nuff said.
5. The COVER! A work of art.
Now, here are the things that I just couldn't get myself to enjoy.
1. It is SO pretentious. I was Googling words on every single page. Eventually I gave up and stopped caring what the words meant. Let me give you some examples of words Rosemary (fmc) uses willy nilly: transubstantiation, veritable, sepulcher, grok, cultivar, charybdis, just to name a few.
Now, you could argue that it was the author's intent to make Rosemary pretentious to the point of the reader disliking her. If that's the case, then she did a fantastic job. I just wasn't reading it that way and it ruined part of the experience for me unfortunately.
2. I guessed what was happening 5 pages in. I don't think anyone else will guess it. It just happens to be a sideline plot in my favorite movie and a cult classic book. I've mentioned this to several people who have both read the book and watched the movie and none of them have made this connection. So, the author did a great job of hiding it. I just happened to have guessed it and that was disappointing for me. AGAIN! Not the author's fault AT ALL. That's just how the cookie crumbled.
3. I hated the relationship. Which sucks because I went in with sapphic expectations on a completely different caliber than what was given. Toxic relationships can be fun. I have nothing against that. Toxic queer relationships exist. They should be written about. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but here's where you lost me. The toxicity is so male-coded in this book. It's not a woman gaslighting a woman. It's a woman who took all her social queues from men and weaponized them against another woman. That is so gross to me. Is it realistic? Absolutely. So, again, nothing against the author. I just hated reading about it.
4. For such a short book, the middle really drug.
5. I wanted to shake the main character and be like "Rosemary! If you want to know, just ask! If you want to see, just look! If you are curious, find out!" ugh.
After discussing this with several friends, I realize that I may have misunderstood this book. It seems as though the characters were not meant to be liked or relatable. They were written to be toxic and possibly aggressively-male-coded. That being the case, a reread is in order. Having that knowledge would greatly alter my reading experience and enjoyment. Keeping my rating at a 3 until further notice. But know that this could very well be a higher rating in the future.
Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/Nz5Vo2Bm9fg
I went back and forth and back and forth and back and forth with my feelings and rating for this book.
There is a lot of great things to be said for/about this book. But I just didn't like it. Which is odd, given it's marketed to be directly up my street.
The things I loved about it
1. Queer as a book can be
2. Sapphic horror? yes please. We are in desperate need for more.
3. The elusive hints woven throughout. For example, after you read the book, Google what rosemary and lemon are used for in conjunction with meat preparation....The author did her research. That's for sure. And she doesn't hold your hand. If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you won't. Love that.
4. It's short. Nuff said.
5. The COVER! A work of art.
Now, here are the things that I just couldn't get myself to enjoy.
1. It is SO pretentious. I was Googling words on every single page. Eventually I gave up and stopped caring what the words meant. Let me give you some examples of words Rosemary (fmc) uses willy nilly: transubstantiation, veritable, sepulcher, grok, cultivar, charybdis, just to name a few.
Now, you could argue that it was the author's intent to make Rosemary pretentious to the point of the reader disliking her. If that's the case, then she did a fantastic job. I just wasn't reading it that way and it ruined part of the experience for me unfortunately.
2. I guessed what was happening 5 pages in. I don't think anyone else will guess it. It just happens to be a sideline plot in my favorite movie and a cult classic book. I've mentioned this to several people who have both read the book and watched the movie and none of them have made this connection. So, the author did a great job of hiding it. I just happened to have guessed it and that was disappointing for me. AGAIN! Not the author's fault AT ALL. That's just how the cookie crumbled.
3. I hated the relationship. Which sucks because I went in with sapphic expectations on a completely different caliber than what was given. Toxic relationships can be fun. I have nothing against that. Toxic queer relationships exist. They should be written about. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but here's where you lost me. The toxicity is so male-coded in this book. It's not a woman gaslighting a woman. It's a woman who took all her social queues from men and weaponized them against another woman. That is so gross to me. Is it realistic? Absolutely. So, again, nothing against the author. I just hated reading about it.
4. For such a short book, the middle really drug.
5. I wanted to shake the main character and be like "Rosemary! If you want to know, just ask! If you want to see, just look! If you are curious, find out!" ugh.
February 3, 2025
I can't stop thinking about this one and every time I do I feel like there's a hole in my chest
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Reading notes along the way...
Nonfiction writer= main character. At first when I started reading, it seemed like fantasy.But I think the main character is from this world and there's just some sort of magical realism.
...the romance is already coming off a bit cheesy 😬
Something about the small town witchy atmosphere is giving me Cackle vibes (and a little bit crumbs)
78% good. I'm really glad she stood up for herself 💯💯💯
Omg 85% on....TERRIFYING 🤌
That moment before she opens the door. Then the simple "f***" that closes the chapter. PERFECTION.
This is absolute insanity!!!!! I'm screaming crying wtf.
"She would have caught the red flags in a man. But not in this beautiful girl."
"She has become very good at hiding how she feels"
Oh my godddddd 😭😭😭😭😭
I can't stop thinking about this one and every time I do I feel like there's a hole in my chest
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.
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Reading notes along the way...
Nonfiction writer= main character. At first when I started reading, it seemed like fantasy.But I think the main character is from this world and there's just some sort of magical realism.
...the romance is already coming off a bit cheesy 😬
Something about the small town witchy atmosphere is giving me Cackle vibes (and a little bit crumbs)
78% good. I'm really glad she stood up for herself 💯💯💯
Omg 85% on....TERRIFYING 🤌
That moment before she opens the door. Then the simple "f***" that closes the chapter. PERFECTION.
This is absolute insanity!!!!! I'm screaming crying wtf.
"She would have caught the red flags in a man. But not in this beautiful girl."
"She has become very good at hiding how she feels"
Oh my godddddd 😭😭😭😭😭
I can't stop thinking about this one and every time I do I feel like there's a hole in my chest
February 26, 2024
I knew I was going to hate this book the second I read the third “luxuriating” in the first two chapters. “Bloom” was advertised as a sensual and shocking novel/novella, full of lush language. I didn't find the language lush as much as overwritten. People moaned “orgasmically” they were not “stupid to leave” they were “too ensourcelled to leave” etcetera. And then the main character gets praised repeatedly for “having a way with words” which read a lot more like authorial self congratulation than believable natural dialogue. This deep dive into the thesaurus failed to make me feel anything other than irritation for the main character. Rosemary is a woman who was presumably burned in a previous unfaithful relationship, so she justifies spying through a woman's house (when they're not even in a relationship yet) as necessary to trust Ash; she's a character who when finding a flyer with information about a missing young woman thinks to her herself “people go missing all the time” then proceeds to think without really knowing the mother who is desperately looking for her daughter that maybe the daughter just hates her mother. At this point I was begging the story to make sense. And this is despite massive expositional dumps that are excellent as background notes for a writer creating a character in a story, but for me were really irritating to read in a final novel. For example: “Roe has worked very hard to get where she is. Instead of spending her summers traveling she spent them taking classes so she could level up faster. Instead of spending her weekends partying, she claimed her favorite carrel at the library and hid behind a stack of books. And yes, OK, so she preferred reading and researching to a loud room full of strangers, but the point is that she has put in the hours and made many sacrifices to be in her dream job this early in her career. Well, the first stages of her dream job. Tenure is still very far away: but she is barreling toward it with dogged persistence because that is what she does…” and we keep going. I don't understand why this couldn't have been shown to us. I would have much preferred to spend more time with Rosemary in more diverse environments and draw my own conclusions, rather than continuously returning to the farmers market and to Ash’s farm so that we can moan orgasmically over cupcakes and other foods. In the end the whole orgasm turned into a nightmare, which I'm sorry to say was immediately obvious to me the second I first read the word “lard.” Perhaps the point was supposed to be that Rosemary having exited an unhealthy relationship is less likely to react to blatant red flags, such as her love interest bludgeoning to death a poor raccoon with a shovel, but when a reader is 200 steps ahead of the MC it’s hard to enjoy the story. And then we get non sequiturs such as Rosemary thinking that she should have deduced what was happening because “she once wrote a term paper comparing the abusive relationship of Edward and Bella in twilight to Heathcliff and Catherine in withering heights, she should have seen this coming.”
I've heard people comparing this story to novels such as “Woman Eating” or novellas such as “To Be Devoured” but I don't think it's fair. Both the above-mentioned titles are literary writings and they do not drown the reader in a lot of tell; Instead they're slow character exploring novels that rely less in my opinion on shocking final reveals and more in connecting with human trauma. If you liked those titles I don't know if “Bloom” will work for you, although I know it worked for some people. Not for me unfortunately.
When reading this review keep in mind: I read it fully until the 30% mark and skipped ahead and skimmed a few chapters, then read the final two chapters in full as well. I don't believe in torturing yourself to finish a story you're clearly not enjoying; the ending didn't surprise me at all, as I guessed the main reveal in chapter 2.
I've heard people comparing this story to novels such as “Woman Eating” or novellas such as “To Be Devoured” but I don't think it's fair. Both the above-mentioned titles are literary writings and they do not drown the reader in a lot of tell; Instead they're slow character exploring novels that rely less in my opinion on shocking final reveals and more in connecting with human trauma. If you liked those titles I don't know if “Bloom” will work for you, although I know it worked for some people. Not for me unfortunately.
When reading this review keep in mind: I read it fully until the 30% mark and skipped ahead and skimmed a few chapters, then read the final two chapters in full as well. I don't believe in torturing yourself to finish a story you're clearly not enjoying; the ending didn't surprise me at all, as I guessed the main reveal in chapter 2.
April 16, 2025
4,5*
A dark and twisted sapphic novella with a deliciously doomed atmosphere, written in the third person POV.
Ro is a woman in her late twenties, a reclusive scholar, who needs a fresh start after a bad break-up with her cheating boyfriend. She wants to try new things and a lovely farmers' market seems like a perfect start. There, she meets Ash, who's very pretty in an ethereal, almost fae-like way, who sells pastel-colored cupcakes and homemade soaps. And even though Ro considers herself straight, Ash sparks in her a curiosity that quickly becomes an infatuation. Every weekend, she looks forward to visiting Ash's stall, making small talk, and enjoying the unique cupcakes.
Now, two facts:
1) Some people are going missing in the town, their relatives desperately looking for them. Oh well, people go missing all the time...
2) Ash's cupcakes are absolutely delicious. Her secret is in the lard she uses instead of butter. Homemade, of course.
You already know where the story is heading, right, but the journey was oh so great. Throughout the book, I felt the mounting dread - the atmosphere was almost cozy and sweet but with something rotten just underneath.
The prose is beautiful - the kind that kept me at an emotional distance for most of the book. On the other hand, the last third made me hide most of the page while reading so that my eyes don't skip to the next paragraphs out of anxiety and nervousness.
I still don't know how I feel about the ending - I hate it, and I freaking love it 😨😳
A dark and twisted sapphic novella with a deliciously doomed atmosphere, written in the third person POV.
Ro is a woman in her late twenties, a reclusive scholar, who needs a fresh start after a bad break-up with her cheating boyfriend. She wants to try new things and a lovely farmers' market seems like a perfect start. There, she meets Ash, who's very pretty in an ethereal, almost fae-like way, who sells pastel-colored cupcakes and homemade soaps. And even though Ro considers herself straight, Ash sparks in her a curiosity that quickly becomes an infatuation. Every weekend, she looks forward to visiting Ash's stall, making small talk, and enjoying the unique cupcakes.
Now, two facts:
1) Some people are going missing in the town, their relatives desperately looking for them. Oh well, people go missing all the time...
2) Ash's cupcakes are absolutely delicious. Her secret is in the lard she uses instead of butter. Homemade, of course.
You already know where the story is heading, right, but the journey was oh so great. Throughout the book, I felt the mounting dread - the atmosphere was almost cozy and sweet but with something rotten just underneath.
The prose is beautiful - the kind that kept me at an emotional distance for most of the book. On the other hand, the last third made me hide most of the page while reading so that my eyes don't skip to the next paragraphs out of anxiety and nervousness.
I still don't know how I feel about the ending - I hate it, and I freaking love it 😨😳
October 9, 2025
PRETTY. 🌸 POSSESSED. 💀 PETRIFYING. 🌿 A cozy cottagecore dream that rots from the inside out. Bloom lures you in with softness and sweet scents (soaps, plants, candles) before it twists into something darker, stranger, and far more unhinged. A Sapphic descent into obsession and control that’s as beautiful as it is disturbing.
I didn’t really know what to expect walking into Bloom, but I was told it was an 'unhinged Sapphic romance', and that’s all I needed to hear to want to read it. 😂 This was such a fun read! I’d actually recommend going in blind; I don’t think reading the description is necessary, and in some ways, I think it takes a little something away.
This is a story about obsession, confidence issues, control, and an immense amount of uncertainty. It’s the kind of story where you can’t tell if the narrator is reliable or unreliable, if the other characters are a little too obvious to be the antagonist, or if there’s some outside force quietly building tension in the background that just hasn’t been revealed yet.
My mind was all over the place while reading. I had one inkling in the beginning about where it might be going, and I ended up shoving that thought aside because I figured, no, that’s too obvious. I should’ve trusted my first instinct, because that’s exactly where it went. 😂
It’s an absolutely fun ride, and again, I really do think it’s one best experienced blindly, as long as you’re fine with some horror, gore, general disturbing content (trigger warning for animal abuse.) This book delivers pure, chaotic, Sapphic madness.
That said, I did feel like it dragged in some parts. Dawson gives her narrator a lot of room to be introspective, and there are sections where you’re just living a “day in the life” with our main character. But even then, I never felt bored. Our main character is interesting enough that I wanted to see where she’d go next.
It’s a wild, slightly unhinged experience that turns into something I wasn’t expecting (again, probably because I went in completely blind) and I very much enjoyed it. 🩶
I didn’t really know what to expect walking into Bloom, but I was told it was an 'unhinged Sapphic romance', and that’s all I needed to hear to want to read it. 😂 This was such a fun read! I’d actually recommend going in blind; I don’t think reading the description is necessary, and in some ways, I think it takes a little something away.
This is a story about obsession, confidence issues, control, and an immense amount of uncertainty. It’s the kind of story where you can’t tell if the narrator is reliable or unreliable, if the other characters are a little too obvious to be the antagonist, or if there’s some outside force quietly building tension in the background that just hasn’t been revealed yet.
My mind was all over the place while reading. I had one inkling in the beginning about where it might be going, and I ended up shoving that thought aside because I figured, no, that’s too obvious. I should’ve trusted my first instinct, because that’s exactly where it went. 😂
It’s an absolutely fun ride, and again, I really do think it’s one best experienced blindly, as long as you’re fine with some horror, gore, general disturbing content (trigger warning for animal abuse.) This book delivers pure, chaotic, Sapphic madness.
That said, I did feel like it dragged in some parts. Dawson gives her narrator a lot of room to be introspective, and there are sections where you’re just living a “day in the life” with our main character. But even then, I never felt bored. Our main character is interesting enough that I wanted to see where she’d go next.
It’s a wild, slightly unhinged experience that turns into something I wasn’t expecting (again, probably because I went in completely blind) and I very much enjoyed it. 🩶
April 12, 2025
OMG. The creep, ick, and WTF factors are SO high in this book. Definitely only recommended to people with the courage to enter the doors that are supposed to be locked. I could see where the book was going with each turn, and it was like a six-car pileup on a highway that you cannot take your eyes off of. Reading it, I was just glad to be on this side of that door!
Ro is a terrible judge of character, and like every suspense novel, she should've listened to her Spidey sense! But I liked that she never gave up. Ash is psychotic in every disgusting way. Put them together, and you end up with a very gory, updated version of Stephen King's Misery, except the gross level is dialed up all the way.
Fun to read, as far as a book like this can be called fun. I was hooked from the first word to the last. I was unable to see the hidden message at the end, so I felt a bit stupid for it myself. But again, I'm on this side of that door, so I really don't have to see it.
Lastly, Ro was 100% right about pockets. It's why I get so excited whenever a designer has thought o add pockets to women's clothing.
Ro is a terrible judge of character, and like every suspense novel, she should've listened to her Spidey sense! But I liked that she never gave up. Ash is psychotic in every disgusting way. Put them together, and you end up with a very gory, updated version of Stephen King's Misery, except the gross level is dialed up all the way.
Fun to read, as far as a book like this can be called fun. I was hooked from the first word to the last. I was unable to see the hidden message at the end, so I felt a bit stupid for it myself. But again, I'm on this side of that door, so I really don't have to see it.
Lastly, Ro was 100% right about pockets. It's why I get so excited whenever a designer has thought o add pockets to women's clothing.
January 28, 2025
Ahhhh I loved this. Have not stopped thinking about it.
Ro meets Ash at a farmer’s market and is instantly enamored. Ro left her last boyfriend after finding out he was cheating on her and she has never had feelings for another woman before. As she navigates these new feelings, she becomes consumed with her infatuation for Ro and the two quickly strike up a friendship which ultimately leads to something more.
The buildup is slow and I’m not mad about it because I loved the writing in this. My first read by Delilah S. Dawson and now I’m asking myself why it took me so long to pick this up!? As the story progresses, Ro blinds herself to the red flags that Ash presents until she’s in too deep for it all to matter. Yes, it may be a bit easy to see where the story is headed but I am living for the dark, unhinged second half of this story. I was hooked, spellbound, entirely entranced by the end of this.
Highly recommend! Sapphic dark cottagecore - need I say more?
Ro meets Ash at a farmer’s market and is instantly enamored. Ro left her last boyfriend after finding out he was cheating on her and she has never had feelings for another woman before. As she navigates these new feelings, she becomes consumed with her infatuation for Ro and the two quickly strike up a friendship which ultimately leads to something more.
The buildup is slow and I’m not mad about it because I loved the writing in this. My first read by Delilah S. Dawson and now I’m asking myself why it took me so long to pick this up!? As the story progresses, Ro blinds herself to the red flags that Ash presents until she’s in too deep for it all to matter. Yes, it may be a bit easy to see where the story is headed but I am living for the dark, unhinged second half of this story. I was hooked, spellbound, entirely entranced by the end of this.
Highly recommend! Sapphic dark cottagecore - need I say more?
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