Queen B’s Decree: Me and second chance romances have an on/off relationship. So many times the breakup or reason for their time apart is eye roll inducing. Anderson in Bloom pleasantly surprised me.
I was prepared to hate Nikki, instantly aligning myself with Anderson. But I was unable to stop liking her. While this story is told 100% from Anderson’s point-of-view, you can feel Nikki’s yearning and earnestness leaping off the page. She was so honest, admitting her mistakes, her trauma and demons, and her desperate love of Anderson.
Their prior breakup was painful, but I can’t blame either of them. I honestly think it was the best thing for them—as it forced both Anderson and Nikki to grow and adapt.
The pacing was a bit off, but the second half sucked me in and I couldn’t stop listening. Rebecca Mazo was a fantastic narrator, really imbuing Anderson with emotion, while giving Nikki’s voice that yearning.
Also that cover is fabulous.
Book: Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan
Series: standalone
Genre: Contemporary
Plot Devices/Tropes: second chance, sapphic