Every month for the past year, like clockwork, Meile Simon has gotten orders at her shop for the same type of bouquet, from the same guy, delivered to twelve different girls. By the third month, she starts to take note.
Warren Leigh likes women. He does. He knows there are too many beautiful women out there just waiting to be plucked by the right guy. But he firmly believes that personal relationships with them must have an expiration date.
When the girl who likes to watch flowers bloom encounters the guy who’s only in it while the fragrance lasts, curiosity gets the best of both of them.
In the midst of intermittent weather, will their connection blossom or wilt?
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What Drew Me In
Two things:
First, Chi Yu Rodriguez has been my friend since IDK 2007 (?) and we’ve been kind of writing buddies for a bit before I dragged her into this beautiful mess (haha!) called #romanceclass. So of course I knew I was going to read this book, especially since she used my Broadway bias, Aaron Tveit, as a character peg!
Second, isn’t that cover just gorgeous? It’s so out of character for the author, though, but perfect for the story. (Don’t kill me!) Another equally beautiful version of the cover exists, by the way, lovingly created by Carla de Guzman.
Click on the Continue Reading button for the rest of the review. May include spoilers. You have been warned.
What Made Me Stay
I really like Rodriguez’ prose. It’s light and colorful and funny, and very easy to get into. I remember reading an ARC of this one morning while waiting in line at a bank and almost finishing the entire thing even before I could finish my transaction. It was one of the few times I actually enjoyed waiting in line. ^_^v
The Hate You, Love You trope isn’t exactly my thing (in that I don’t write it), but I love it when it’s done well, and I think Rodriguez succeeded in that aspect. The build-up of tension between Meile and Warren was written very nicely, and it was so satisfying to finally see them getting past the push-and-pull and just give in to the mutual attraction.
I also like that Meile and Warren have very distinct personalities. They are their own person, and are not easily swayed by other people’s opinions. Meile does make concessions for the people she cares about (her dad and Rachel), and by doing so, she gives herself the chance to grow. Just like the flowers she loves, Meile blossomed into a woman who was more understanding and accepting of other people’s (Warren’s) flaws.
The Book Made Me Want To
- Visit a flower shop and just look at pretty flowers. Yeah, just look and go, because if I buy them and see them wilt, I feel bad.
- Read more Meile and Warren.
- … and Rachel and Geoffrey. (I know a lot of people already want Rachel and Geoffrey, so…)
- Pet a schnauzer, because Chester was so cute. <3
Rating
Giving someone a second chance isn’t always easy, especially when you’re the type of person who forms very strong opinions about someone and very rarely allows those opinions to be altered.
In its core, The Bye-Bye Bouquet is a story about second chances. It tells us how welcoming the possibility of goodness shining through a broken person’s soul can offer healing, not only to us but to the other person as well. Told through a narrative that’s fun, warm, and at times flirty–that seems to be what Warren was made for, after all–this book is a must-read for those who enjoy quick, feel-good stories that leave a smile on your face.
Bonus Round: I Livetweeted this book!
In case you’re interested in my #TBBB spazzing in 140 characters or less, simply follow the thread below.
About the Author
Chi Yu Rodriguez has many feelings. Sometimes these feelings find their way to paper in the form of short stories and fiction online. Sometimes they don’t come out at all and end up as unresolved sexual tension or terrible internal angst.
She prefers making imaginary people go through these feelings for her pleasure. Her muses hate her for it, and they repay her by being forever fickle.
She wrestles with them in her head everyday.
