Like other readers of “When Jasmine Blooms” by Tif Marcelo, I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I feel like something was missing from the end of the book. While there is a conclusion - and a “six months later” chapter, it feels like something (an epiphany? A more complete conclusion?) else should’ve happened at the end. While at its center is Celine, I know that she changed realizing that sometimes one has to let the past be the past, but it seemed like she was told this, not that she really understood it for herself. While I don’t normally have issues with “was it a dream? Was it an alternative reality?” type of books, in this one I did have a problem with it - it felt forced at times, especially the parts regarding the relationship with her daughters in the “dream” alternative. I think, overall, this book worked for a while for me - I could see Celine struggle with what could’ve been, what she hoped could be changed - but then at one point it felt like Celine was making decisions that didn’t work, especially after someone’s comment to her about what that person wished. I would say that if you like a book with family at its core and dealing with loss, then this book might be one that you like.

This is a lovely book about a mother, entrepreneur, and wife (Celine) who has been forced to face her biggest trauma - the death of one of her four daughters. I admit the beginning was a bit slow and I wasn’t as eager to keep reading, but the story did eventually picked up especially when Celine was given her “second chance”. It took me a little bit longer to read but nonetheless it was still an entertaining and good book, 3 stars! I would say this is a good book club choice and there are book club questions listed at the end. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC for an honest review.

I'm uncertain of my full feelings about this book. It's a decent book, and I am impressed with Marcelo's ability to craft imagery and set one as a reader into the scene. I thought the characters were great, and the dynamics worked well... but throughout the entire story, something was missing.

The story that was being told did not feel like a full story. There's an absence of a climax and true conflict that I was anticipating throughout the whole story. I wanted to see Celine's desperation to return to reality come to a head towards the end of the book, but it wasn't there. In fact, it felt more like she wanted to be in the alternate version of her life, and I feel like that wasn't how it should have felt. Everything seemed to work out, which I guess in some respects is nice, but I definitely feel like it is not the way that it should have been because it feels like no lesson was learned, and no journey was made.

Basically, the story shows Celine's life as it could have been, but the heartache was missing. I expected it to be an emotional and thought-provoking book. I wanted a raw experience with Celine as she learned and grew as a character, but that never came.

It was a decent book and an easy enough read. I think I was just expecting more from it than it delivered in the end, which is a shame.

That being said, where the story seems to lack, the rest of it thrives. I liked the characters, the dynamics, the writing style, and the overall flow of the book was done well. Marcelo's writing is natural and well-developed, and I cannot knock her for that.

This book was incredibly engaging—I could not put this down! It had some very sad and poignant moments and at times was heart wrenching to read. However, overall, this book was such a beautiful, loving and moving book. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this book!

If you’ve ever experienced the raw emotion when things don’t align a dream with your waking life, then you’ll empathize with this book. Celine wants to get back to her family and job but this life she is in has its perks too. Libby, or Elizabeth, is here alive and well. It’s been so long since she saw her daughter although here, she isn’t her daughter. She certainly doesn’t want to give up being around Elizabeth, but is cautious with her heart around her. There are things to patch up with her husband/boyfriend in both lives but Celine is determined.

Thank you NetGalley and Tif Marcelo for allowing me to read this early access. It was a wonderful audio book that I will gladly share with other.

Celine Lakad is the mother of Tessa Mae, Josephine, Elizabeth Abigail aka Libby, and Amelia Lou. Her life goes according to plan, accompanied by her husband who loves her very much, Quinn.

Unfortunately, everything changed when Libby died. She felt that she had failed as a mother, she thought that Libby's death was her fault.

She vented all her sadness with work, work, and work. The family, which was worried about Celine, persuaded her to undergo counseling therapy. Unfortunately she refused.

She was angry and disappointed, until it crossed her mind, "what if he doesn't marry Quinn? Libby won't die".

This "what-if" scenario brings her to a parallel world. She is still Celine, but without her husband and children. Her husband Quinn, becomes her ex-fiancé. Mae, Josephine, and Amelia become his co-workers, and Libby becomes the tenant of her house in Sampaguita.

Then, is the parallel world meet to her expectations?

To be honest, Celine's attitude at the beginning of the story annoyed me. But I also can't blame her for this attitude, because I understand a little what it feels like to lose someone I care about.

Two years after Libby died, Celine was still trapped in several stages of depression. First, denials. Celine doesn't want her family to talk about Libby, and refuses to come to sampaguita, where Libby lives.

Second, anger. Yes, Celine was angry with herself for Libby's death and considered herself a failure as a mother.

Then, she gave vent to all her feelings of disappointment and sadness by continuing to work tirelessly. In this condition, Celine entered the bargaining and depression stage, but was trapped in it.

In her paralel world, she wants to step into stage acceptance.

I really like Mercelo Tiff's complete writing technique in describing Celine's situation. Every string of words written by Marcelo, gives me the same sensation when I watch a movie in the cinema. I love the details.

However, somewhat disappointed, the climax of the story is lacking. Though, my brain has created such and such scenarios, which are more emotional.

But, i got the message that family is the first. Always put your family first, because you need a home with people who love you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tif Marcelo for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#Netgalley #WhenJasmineBlooms

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC of 'When Jasmine Blooms' by Tif Marcelo.

To say I was a touch bit disappointed with this book would be an understatement. I have read a book by Tif Marcelo so I was excited for the Little Women based book but it fell flat for me. It didn't bring me the joy I expected. But alas, it wasn't my cuppa but it could be someone else's.

Celine is an influencer and on tour promoting a book. It has been 2 years since her daughter, Libby, passed away. She has been working nonstop and her friends and family are worried that she hasn't given herself time to grieve. They stage an intervention. Celine then wakes up and she's in an alternate universe where she is not married, has no kids, and Libby is alive as Elizabeth. She wants to get to know Elizabeth before she loses her again forever.

I like the premise of the book. I've read a few that are similar where people end up in their What If situation. It was interesting to see Celine is this other life. One of the things I struggled with this book is that I didn't find the actual Celine likable. I didn't care about her being an influencer. I thought the beginning was too long and didn't think I actually knew much about her. I did like the alternate universe version of her though and felt that that helped me get to know the real Celine.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing

An emotive and heartbreaking story that left me reaching for the tissues on the regular. Well written with a riveting and heartwrenching storyline and well developed characters.

I really enjoyed this story. Loved the characters and the writing. If you love what if? Stories then this is a must read!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing.

All thoughts and opinions are my own

Tif Marcelo really knows how to write and hit your heart strings. Her next novel, When Jasmine Blooms will have you grabbing for the tissues.
Tif examines the common thought of what if….
I highly recommend this novel, coming out in 2023.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed In a Book Club Far Away... To read another Marcelo out a big smile on my face.

When Jasmine Blooms by Tif Marcelo was a journey well worth taking.

Through a heartbreaking exploration of love, loss, and grief Tif Marcelo weaves together a beautiful story of motherhood, healing, hope, family and unexpected second chances.
Libby and Celine, are phenomenal characters! Well developed and very relatable.
I immediately got sucked into her story.
The writing is so perfect. It just flows so beautifully.
This book is so easy to get into and stay in.
From the very first page I was captivated by this story.
Full of love, grief and hope this book was beautifully written and will stick with me for a while.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest, this book didn't really work for me. An unhappy woman wonders what her life would have been like had she taken another path and wakes up to find herself on that path. Only to realize there's no place like home. Somewhat trite and very predictable..

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Great characters, entertaining dialogue and an engaging storyline

Thank you to Tif Marcelo, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book.