In Bloom by Kat Jackson is an incredibly deep and poignant study on love, loss, and healing. The characters, Nicole Callahan and Avery Pullman, are beautifully crafted with depth and authenticity -- you can't help but hurt deeply for the pain these two women are going through. Jackson's superb writing skillfully navigates through the complexities of the women's lives and slow burn birth of a deep connection.

Jackson weaves a story that is emotionally thoughtful and mature. The pacing, though deliberately slow, is expertly handled, drawing readers into the intricate web of emotions and experiences that shape Nicole and Avery's journey.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its portrayal of realistic and relatable situations. From dealing with the grief of an actual loss, to dealing with the grief of a lost relationship, the book explores the challenges of letting go. The humor and lightness woven into these moments add a refreshing touch, making the heavy themes more digestible.

Houston, the dog, adds an extra layer of warmth and charm to the narrative. The comedic moments at the mortuary provide a unique and realistic touch, showcasing the author's ability to infuse humor into even the most challenging situations.

In Bloom is a perfect book for anyone who appreciates a well-written, medium-stakes sapphic love story.

Thank you NetGalley, Kat Jackson, and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Kat Jackson book and it won't be my last. I was unprepared for the depth of story I was offered by Avery and Nicole's romance. If you are a fan of well written, medium stakes sapphic stories of love then this is right up or alley. It was for me.

Thank you to Bella Book and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I read mostly romance and this book is not one. Sure there two people on the way of love, but the main subject here is healing. Whether it’s grieving for Nicole, or getting out of a toxic relationship for Avery. I had a bit trouble getting into the book at first, but I understand Jackson took the time really introduce the two characters, their wounds and what prevents them to thrive in their lives. When the two main characters start interacting with each other, it’s really endearing. I love the way Jackson put them on the same path in small and random ways like fate won’t let them give up on each other after a first date that didn’t go well. There is nothing more satisfying than reading wounded characters get better. In this case, they don’t forget their problem my magic, they help each other working on themselves invidually. If you are looking for passion and spice this book might not be the one for you, but it you a want book with a realistic learning curve about self love and self forgiveness, with a lot patience and communication, it definitely is.

A complicated possible new relationship.
Both women have issues. Nicole is a widow and Avery is hanging onto an 7 year hope for a relationship with an old girlfriend.
Nicole is more realistic. But I would have liked to have heard more about her wife. More about what she was like, why did she take her life and how did she take her life.
Avery was just was hanging onto a hope, that after 7 years, this person was going to choose her.
Interesting but complicated.
The writing is very good and I'm sure I will enjoy other stories by this author. But I couldn't relate to this one.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Such a great story! I loved the characters and the story! The characters were wonderful and I loved the push and pull between them. I didn’t want to finish this book! It held my attention and my heart loved it so much!

This is a new author too me. The story follows Nicole and Avery dealing with issues and when they meet they start dealing with their problems. It is a slow narrative however really well written and an enjoyable read. Thankyou for advanced copy.

I have enjoyed many books by this author, so as soon as I saw a new one hit the shelf, I grabbed it with my hands and teeth. I'm not a girly-girl. I don't speak about my thoughts or feelings ad nauseum. I am married to quite a butch woman whom patterns much like me regarding thoughts and feelings, so this book was very much outside my comfort zone. I was practically in a parallel universe. Both MC's had carryon baggage when they met- ok, more like steam trunks on trolleys, but I couldn't get invested in them. I loved the eulogy writer and her past, and I adored the Twisted Tulip and her chosen family, yet I lacked connection to what I was reading. Too much thinking explained on the page forced me away rather than drawing me into the characters. While, this may not have been for me, it may be for others whom enjoy the relationship minutiae. There are some wonderful quotes tucked into the paragraphs of feels so do be ready to become quite learned.

This is a well written sapphic story following the journey of two women. The main characters are great, and you can't help but feel connected them. This was very intense. i recommend. Well done.

Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Not a typical book when you're looking for a romance, but I would strongly urge to read it and actually put it somewhere near the top of your list. Incredibly well written journey of 2 lovely women who have (or are) experiencing grief and who are able to help each other. Kat Jackson manages to really create two women that are written so well you feel they could be one of your friends and I felt for both of them during their journey. Really, just pick this one up.

Wow! This is my first read by this author and I was so impressed. They really knew how to evoke some intense emotions in their writing. This was so much more than a romance. Highly recommend.

This is not your run of the mill, happy go lucky romance. This story is an intense exploration of grieving, hurting, letting go and trusting again. It’s so beautifully written, it should be front and center on your TBR!

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Nicole is slowly adjusting to her new life. After her wife’s death almost three years ago, Nicole went steadily through the stages of grieving. Slowly her world opens back up, but is she ready to focus on the future while her past is so, so painful? When she hesitatingly swipes right on a dating app, she can’t believe she actually has a match with a gorgeous woman. If only this woman, Avery, didn’t hide behind her own walls of hurt.

Avery has been stuck in a world of ‘what if’s?’ for the last decade. Pining and waiting for a woman that’ll never choose her. Is she ready to move on? After an awkward meeting with a beautiful woman from a dating app, Avery realizes she isn’t ready. But somehow the string that pulls her towards Nicole get’s sturdier every time they meet by coincidence.

Two women with a lot of baggage. I loved that they dealt with that like actual human beings instead of the story just being a rose colored romance. It’s simultaneously painful and heartwarming to read we are completely normal and not alone in the way we’re dealing with our own issues.

Jackson weaves sentences together like silk threads, smooth and irresistible. She writes emotions so well you actually can feel anger rising in your own body ready to explode. The inner turmoil of the main characters is described so accurately it’s impossible not to fall a little bit in love with them both just because they seem so real. The very specific way (don’t want to spoil it) Nicole uses to help Avery deal with her past is very emotional and just.. *chef’s kiss*.

This book actually ends at the beginning. As a true lover of sapphic romance I’m so invested I would love to see where Nicole and Avery are headed. But even now I have full faith in their connection.

If you’re ready to take yourself on a ride of true emotions and a search for the kind of love everyone deserves, read this, you won’t regret it.

would like to thank netgalley and publisher for letting me read this book

avery a successful business woman with her own flower shop but not lucky in love, she has been in an off and on again thing and really needs to either be the one or not but she isnt strong enough in herself to end whatever she is in...

nicole has been struggling but she keeps on doing her thing, she is single and doesnt know how to go about dating again, she has a friend with benefits going on but its non emotional and its time to get out there and mingle

so accidently avery and nicole swipe right and end up on a night out, but with averys baggage and nicole not being in the right frame of mind its not gonna go well.... and it doesnt

but for some reason they also keep managing to bump into each other now ....

this author has a way with words that makes you laugh out loud or to sit there is shocking silence as you read what is there... i did really enjoy this book for all that it covered with some serious stuff going on in it

This book was beautifully written. The development of these two characters and their stories, their past trauma, their emotions, their growth and development.. it was just incredibly deep. It’s uncommon to read a romance novel and feel so much. This author is incredibly talented with her ability to evoke emotions from the reader as we read along and immerse ourselves in the beautiful connection and growth between these two characters. I’ll read anything this writer puts out there! My only wish is that there was a little bit more of the physical connection/spiciness depicted! It all plays into the overall connectedness of these two souls.

This is a captivating and emotional journey. So often I say in reviews people have a hard time connecting because of their past relationships. But in this case one character is in the middle of trying to get out of an unhealthy situationship. Nicole Callahan has endured heartbreak and grief and is finally ready to be open to the possibility of dating. She meets Avery Pullman, owner of a local flower shop. Their first meeting does not go well at all. Avery is kind of a mess when it comes to her love life. I don’t want to share the details because the author writes about it so well. But I love the little spark between the two and that Nicole is more than willing to go slow and give the embers a chance to grow.

This is a slow burn story and emotionally thoughtful. I was actually disappointed when the book ended because I wanted to continue on the journey with these two. This story takes hard realistic situations and somehow lets you follow as characters give into anger, grief, and letting go. And somehow the author does it with humor and lightness. Supporting characters are great at encouraging and being sounding boards. And who wouldn't want Houston (the dog) to snuggle on the bed. And I love the comedic moments at the mortuary. I’ve had my own experiences laughing in release when planning funerals for loved ones. Again the author hit on something that is so realistic. The writing is beautiful and mature.

This is not your typical romance and I truly enjoyed reading it. Thank you to Bella Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

4.5⭐ Both Nicole and Avery have dealt with loss, and neither is expecting or looking for a relationship.

This was a beautifully written book. It deals very heavily with themes of grief and loss, and does so in a realistic way. Bring the kleenex. 🙂

I really enjoyed this book, but it was not what I was expecting (which was a romance). If you enjoy fiction with weightier topics, this book is a gem. Just go into it realizing that it's not a fluffy romance book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

A slow burn ‘riddled’ with fear and pain and a disastrous first date. The loss Avery and Nicole experienced couldn't be more different but pain and grief are irrelevant of how and why the loss occurred. Kat Jackson takes us from grieving to healing to thriving in this excellently written book. A heavy read but a fascinating one none the less.

Free ARC via NetGalley

In Bloom in a very unique and multi-layered story. This is the type of book that doesn't fit a stereotypical formula that some romantic authors seem to follow. The storyline focuses on loss, grieving, and how to let go of past relationships and people. One of the losses explored is the loss of a spouse due to death at a younger age. This loss impacts Nicole Callahan and focuses on how she is recovering from the loss almost three years later. She also has a unique side hustle that she does in addition to her main career and that side hustle fits quite well into the overall storyline of grieving and recovery.

The other loss impacts Avery Pullman, owner of a flower shop, who is having quite a difficult time leaving what she calls a "situationship" of about seven years with a cop her appears to be stringing her along, but to whom Avery is emotionally attached.

Both women go on a dating app, one at the encouragement of a friend, and try to see if there are any matches for them. Nicole and Avery match on the app, agree to a simple date, and disaster strikes during their first meeting. Neither even consider a second date. However, a chance meeting in town propels them forward in a non-date environment. I think this was a wonderful idea by the writer to advance their acquaintanceship forward. The pace of the book is a very slow burn romance with a lot of emotions that must be experienced before either woman is allowed to move forward with each other. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Avery and Nicole, two ladies who met on a dating website. Both were looking for love, but both had to face certain truths and let go of something difficult in order to be free to accept new love into their lives. Both of their situations were so completely different, but yet needed to be resolved.
Life is interesting when one thinks about how many such scenarios are so true in so many relationships. I don’t need to spell out any details, but will say that the author did a great job of presenting very emotionally, authentic situations and examined the potential outcomes and effects of each.
Other than the emotional aspects of the story, the other storylines were fun and enjoyable. Avery owned a flower shop and we got to meet her employees and have a taste of her experiences. One interesting thing that Nicole did was to write eulogies for a funeral home.
I hope everyone will enjoy this as much as I did!

Ok, well, where does one begin with a book like this?
The cover, it’s stunning, I love it.
The book is different from many others. It’s a story about grief and dealing with loss. The very physical loss of a loved one dying and the loss of a relationship, the end of a long period of uncertainty.
I think this story is told beautifully and I like how each character navigates their loss in their own way. Grief is a weird beast and everyone moves through it in their own way, at their own pace. You can only hope to find some people who’ll support you on that journey. And I think this is exactly the story this book tells.

I appreciate our main characters dealing with all this and moving slowly together. I’m very glad the author didn’t rush in I-love-yous and other intimacy.

If I were asked for a negative about this book I would say it’s the random sprinklings of astrology. It’s not a lot and really, really random and I could do without it.

This is a book that left me completely immersed in its emotional journey. Avery and Nicole had me captivated, with their back-and-forth dynamics between the two. Avery and Nicole both grapple with their own issues, and witnessing their growth throughout the book was truly refreshing.
This story offers a slow, slow-burning romance, intertwined with real and weighty themes. You can genuinely sense the pain and fear of intimacy in both characters, making them feel incredibly relatable. What I appreciated even more was the presence of well-crafted supporting characters who weren't afraid to call Avery and Nicole out on their BS when needed.

While the pacing of the story may be considered slow, the impeccable writing skill of the author makes it a non-issue. The narrative flows smoothly, and you get so engrossed that you hardly notice the passage of time. Additionally, the story's setting and descriptions make you want to open your own flower shop or find a barefoot Avery of your own. This story delves into the complexities of letting go, forgiveness, and moving forward, delivering a heavy but authentic tone. The author's raw and honest writing style adds depth to the story, making it a truly enjoyable read. If you're seeking a whirlwind spicy, instant love story, this isn't it. However, if you appreciate a heartfelt, slow-burning connection between two genuinely deserving individuals, then this is the story for you.