Elly In Bloom Written by: Colleen Oakes

Hello fellow book lovers. Ah, spring is... well not actually anywhere near me at the moment, but it was a heck of a winter. Now, picture this readers you're in love, you're happily married, and you decide to go home and surprise your darling hubby or significant other....and instead of walking in on him napping or working you find yourself faced with a very slim, bouncing, gorgeous red head riding your husband while his face is in absolute rapture. Well, I'd probably do something I'd later regret... probably... at least I think I'd regret it. Any who  what do you do!? Well, Elly Jordan retreats she runs away with anything she can grab including her wedding dress, and just drives until she stops in Clayton Missouri. This book was rather amusing as Elly the main character is quite charming. Elly is a 30 plus year old woman blonde, and quite curvaceous as in a size 16-18 (she make this known A LOT) she loves to eat, and flowers are something that has and is bringing her back to herself. (Again, she mentions these about herself a lot!) Her sense of self deprecation is also charming to a point. She's a curvaceous woman who loves to make things beautiful after having experienced something so ugly. It has been a few books since I fell so in love with an entire cast of characters. Snarky Teenager is a super treat as is Elly's best friend and mentor Kim. They're a delightful duo who provide much needed support and guidance to our darling Elly. Then there's her faithful dog Cadbury and her neighbor Keith both faithful and lovable in a charming loyal way. I wish the main character would have a bit more confidence throughout the book in herself but it's clear she needs something to fill all those cracks in her life. The story begins quite dramatically and continues to build before it tapers off into flower shop and business chaos. Throw into the mix a sexy new neighbor who may just consider Elly his muse and things are changing for Elly Jordan, but are they for the best? Elly after all still sees herself as "the cute chubby friend, who was probably really nice and very funny. she was the sidekick." Not exactly the healthiest outlook about herself. There are some valuable lessons in this book and some very I mean very amusing moments. I did become bored at times because it felt like the book could have moved a tad quicker, but with how Elly is in life somehow the pace worked for the book, I was just impatient to know what the heck was going to happen! After all the past has a way of coming back to bite you at the most inconvenient times doesn't it? A happy Read and perfect if you love flowers, food, friends, and curves.