My first introduction to Elizabeth Luly was honestly amazing. I got an e-ARC on NetGalley and it was a great contemporary romance. I usually struggle with contemporary romance books but I devoured this. When I finally sat to read, I devoured the book in 1.5 days. It sped by. I didn’t give it a 5 star because I do wish the characters were more diverse than rich white people and white queers. I would like to see more POC! I also gave a 4.5 on storygraph but there are no .5 stars here so I rounded up.

This book is full of some of my favorite tropes: small town romance, faking dating, and grumpy/sunshine. It was a fun and sweet read!

Olivia is exploring her queer identity and trying to figure out which label best describes her experiences. Olivia’s relationship with Roz is also her first experience dating a woman. Oliva is in her 30s, which I appreciated. I feel like I’ve read a lot of books about characters in high school or college exploring their identities. Those books are so important, but I’m glad I’m seeing more books that depict people of a variety of ages exploring their queer identities and figuring out who they are. It is never too late!

I also loved Olivia’s commitment to environmental sustainability in her business and her life. Olivia is a florist dedicated to using local flowers grown through eco-friendly practices. I love seeing environmental sustainability celebrated in fiction! Olivia also encourages Roz to be more sustainable in her business and her personal life.

This novel can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the two other books in the series first because they give context to the friend group dynamics. I love getting little glimpses of the “happily ever afters” experienced by the characters from the earlier books, too.

Highlights:
- exploring your queer identity in your 30s
- queer friend group
- small town romance
- grumpy/ sunshine

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book!

Ok - this is me being honest. It didn’t quite clock until later on that this was from a series I had previously started.
I honestly was just so intrigued by the cover and well, long story short; it was a cute and fun read. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book in the series and in hindsight I’m glad I didn’t know it was part of that at the start.
I think this very well could be a stand alone. It’s super cute and perfect for spring/summer

I truly enjoyed getting to watch Olivia & Roz’s story. I’m not gonna lie, everything was happening so fast in the beginning I was nervous for the remainder of the book lol but it went well ultimately. I did not know this was the third book in a series so this book can be read as a standalone. Elizabeth Lulys writing captivated me from the very beginning and I truly enjoyed getting to read Olivia and Roz’s love story. Will definitely be reading the other books in the series. Thank you so much to NetGalley and West Brunswick West for the arc. I love every moment of this read.

This book was beautiful, the slow burn was good, it was so well written that you could feel the tension between the main characters and I have to say that this is one of the sexiest in this series so far (and I'm not complaining). Olivia and Roz had a little encounter that didn't lead to anything but left them impressed, we fast forward a few months where Roz buys the farm in town and the place where Olivia buys the flowers for her flower shop, the farm is bankrupt but Roz thinks she can save it and well, some things happen that make the two of them have to pretend to go out in order to get the funds for the farm.

The story is simple but I really liked it, I read it in one sitting because I thought it was so good and obviously, like the previous book which is my favorite, it made me feel a lot and that's something I always look for when I read. The romance was nice, I feel like Olivia grew a lot and I liked that she opened up to her friends and they knew what to say to her. A book that I loved, a series that I am loving and I look forward to going back to the small town of Sapphire Springs.

Before I get into my review of “The Floral Arrangement”, I’d like to thank NetGalley and West Brunswick Press for the early eARC!

I absolutely loved this book! This book had me giggling and kicking my feet from the beginning to the end. Roz and Olivia are the perfect opposites-attract couple!

Luly is an amazing author with every book she writes, having you immediately falling in love with every character!

My only complaint is (slight spoiler alert?) I wish there would’ve been an epilogue, especially since Olivia wants a family. I wish we could’ve seen her and Roz trying to start a family or Olivia finding out she’s pregnant.

This book is so full of love, the cover, the lovely design of the maps on the first page and of course the story. This heartwarming novel has so much detail about the setting, the farm, the small town, this community and main characters. I was hooked after just a few pages and it was really hard to put the book down.

I really liked Olivia in particular - she is so warm, funny and has a huge heart. You just have to like her. Roz also quickly made it into my heart and just the fact how much heart and soul she put into her new farm and trying to save everything really impressed me. The chemistry between Olivia and Roz was amazing and the slow burn.... oh man... it was really hard sometimes. But buckle up; the sex scenes - omg!

I loved everything about this book! Fake dating in a small town with two main characters who not only have sparks but are also incredibly funny and charming. Plus a farm with lots of beautiful flowers and two very symapthic cows. Moo - was my absolute highlight, by the way. When you've finished reading the book, you'll know what I mean. I can highly recommend the book! It's already one of my favorite books this year and definitely in the category: I wish I could read it again for the first time!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.

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

roz is high up in her career there is just one more position she wants in the company she has worked her backside off for and its within easy reach... that her only competition isnt up to it makes her confident of that job being offered to her.....

so when she is overlooked she quit her job and looks around for something to get her teeth into..... after all she has saved virtually all her money so she has a cusion to fall back on

when she hears about red tractor farm is up for sale her interest is peeked as she has many happy memories of her time there as a child..... and with that thought she sets about finding out all she can and visiting it

with a vision in her head she decided to buy it.... but with a more stream lined look...... which might not be popular for those concerned....

what roz didnt account for ...was that olivia was the person she met 6 months ago and left high and dry and that olivia would have a stake in the farm for her business....

ohhh what a burner this one was.... ice queen meets her match with the flower queen.... how those walls came down for them both.... that farm sounds amazing

cant wait to read the next book from this author

The Floral Arrangement is the third book in Elizabeth Luly's Sapphire Springs series. It isn't a requirement to have read the previous two, but their main characters do appear in this one. Olivia (one of the MCs) is the sister of Blake (one of the MCs in Not Just Gal Pals), and it was amusing to read about her coming out process.

The ice queen trope played heavily in the introduction of the other MC of Roz, and it made some of her farming mishaps even funnier. I liked how her demeanor softened as she had more experiences with learning how to care for the farm with the various employees and animals (Thelma and Louise were especially hilarious cows).

I found joy in the main plot of fake dating plus enemies-to-lovers between Olivia and Roz. They had to establish boundaries as well as plan out behaviors, and then those slowly changed as their relationship did. I definitely found myself rooting for them as the story progressed.

This book made me want to visit a farm, and also wish Red Tractor Farm was a real place. I enjoyed the interactions between the main characters and the side characters, and the book was a very fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.

Fresh, funny and full of heart, The Floral Arrangement is a charming enemies to lovers rom com with a delightful twist of fake dating and floral chaos. Elizabeth Luly has crafted a book that is as vibrant and warm as a summer bouquet, with unforgettable characters and a story that blooms beautifully.

Roz Kennedy is at a crossroads. Passed over for a promotion and yearning for a fresh start, she leaves behind her corporate career and impulsively buys Red Tractor Farm, a place steeped in fond childhood memories. Her plan is bold, but it comes with complications. The farm is struggling, and Roz needs serious investment to keep it going.

Enter Olivia Mitchell, a fiercely dedicated florist whose flower shop depends on the very farm Roz now owns. Their first meeting is far from cordial, made worse by the awkward realisation that they have a bit of history from a chance encounter at a bar. Sparks fly, and not the good kind. But when a potential investor mistakes Olivia for Roz’s girlfriend, the two strike a reluctant bargain and agree to keep up the pretence.

What follows is a joyful, enemies to lovers slow burn that blossoms into something far more tender. The chemistry between Roz and Olivia is irresistible, the banter sharp and the emotional payoff utterly satisfying. Their relationship grows organically, filled with friction, vulnerability and those quiet moments that make your heart ache in the best way.

Beyond the romance, Luly brings real depth to the story. Themes of identity, reinvention and emotional courage are woven throughout, grounding the comedy and giving it a lasting impact. Roz and Olivia are both complex, flawed and immensely likeable, and their journey feels honest and hard-won.

The Floral Arrangement is a breath of fresh air. A heartfelt, empowering romance with emotional honesty, comedic charm and a love story that feels entirely authentic. It is one of those rare books that leaves you smiling long after the final chapter.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Elizabeth Luly once again delivers a captivating and heartfelt Sapphic romance in The Floral Arrangement. From the very first page, the story pulls you in with an engaging opening that sets the tone for a beautifully written, emotionally rich narrative. Luly has a gift for crafting characters that feel authentic and relatable, and this novel is no exception.

The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and their relationship unfolds with a perfect balance of tension, tenderness, and passion. The romantic arc is well-paced and deeply satisfying, drawing the reader into a journey of love, vulnerability, and growth.

What makes The Floral Arrangement stand out is not just the romance, but the way Luly weaves in themes of self-discovery and emotional resilience. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page—heartwarming, empowering, and impossible to put down.

Another triumph for Elizabeth Luly, this novel is a must-read for fans of queer romance and emotionally resonant storytelling.

I have read the other two books in the Sapphire Spring series and really enjoyed reading those books. However, this book is by far my favourite in the series so far, it was so much fun to read, and I just sat with a big smile on my face while reading. It is a book that is possible to read as a standalone but extra fun to see a bit of the old favourites from the previous books in the series.

The whole fake dating and enemies to lovers work perfectly in this book. I am normally not a fake dating fan but her it is amazingly executed in the best of ways. I loved how Olivia and Roz interacted and the fact that we get the POV from both MC’s in the book. It is so great to follow Olivia’s sexual awakening with Roz and that Roz slowly melts and show a completely different side than the ice queen executive persona she has in the beginning of the book.

I now look forward to more books in the series or any other book really written by this great author.

I requested The Floral Arrangement as an ARC based on the interesting description about a fake-dating and enemies-to-lovers rom-com scenario. Even though this is the third book in the Sapphire Springs series, I can confirm that this book can be read as a standalone book since I have not read the first two books. I was not disappointed in requesting this book as it certainly lived up to its interesting description and more.

Roz Kennedy is a high-powered management consultant based in New York City. She is due for a major promotion, however, she is passed over for that promotion and immediately resigns. When she learns that Red Tractor Farm in Sapphire Springs, New York, is up for sale due to the owner's pending retirement, Roz jumps at the chance to put in an offer. Roz has family located in Sapphire Springs who love Red Tractor Farms, so the place is close to her heart.

Six months earlier Roz met a gorgeous and interesting woman named Olivia Mitchell at lesbian bar, Pryde, which is located a half hour away from Sapphire Springs. Roz and Olivia were on the verge of spending the night together when a misunderstanding occurs that prevents their one night stand. Roz runs into Olivia after she has moved to Sapphire Springs to focus on the purchase of Red Tractor Farms. Olivia learns that Roz plans to stop supplying flowers from Red Tractor Farms to her flower shop, Sapphire Blooms.. Olivia is outraged and spontaneously works to plan to ensure that doesn't happen. What results is hilarious.

I have never read an Elizabeth Luly book, but as I began reading this story I immediately engaged with both of the main characters and later with several of the secondary characters who form the town's residents and business owners. The author has a good writing style that kept the action in the book moving at a nice steady pace. There were many times throughout the story that I was actually laughing out loud about the actions, physical humor, or dialogue taking place. Overall, this was a highly enjoyable book that I'd recommend to others. I have now downloaded books 1 and 2 in the series. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from West Brunswick Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an excellent sapphic romance book!

I can tell this is going to be a 4 star read for me, but I need to wait until it’s published. Why?

Firstly, thank you for the free eARC! I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

The reason I am putting this book down for now and will be coming back to these:
-This is a stand alone book, which is wonderful, but it is part of a series. I want to read the first book first.
-One of the main character names is a personal trigger for me, by chance. It is very unlucky.

Things I LOVED about this book;
-The cover
-Text messages done right, often times they are formatted all weirdly in books, they didnt impact reading experience here, which was amazing
-The writing style had me giggling and kicking my feet
-The main characters are so cute/
-Excellent character development
-I was fully engrossed and wanted to keep reading

I am beyond excited to dig into these later! I am grateful for NetGalley for introducing me to this author!

Thank you for the free eARC. I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Luly, and West Brunswick Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I have adored the other two books in this series. I’m happy to say that I loved this book too. It is the perfect spring sapphic read. It was everything I was hoping for. Olivia and Roz are both complex characters. They both blossom by the end of the story. Olivia is trying to understand her sexuality. She feels she has to put a label on it because her queer friends knew who they were early on. Something that I liked is that people reminded her that she doesn’t have to label it. That is such a powerful message, especially in today’s society.

I’m sure others will enjoy this book, but it’s not for me. I like the tone and the writing style, but I’m not a fan of physical humor. When Roz was pressured into milking a cow, that was when I’d had enough. It’s not believable that a woman with her business acumen would do the stupid things she does. DNF ~34%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I loved both Roz and Olivia. I connected with them both, especially when it came to the whole kids situation. It was actually refreshing when Olivia started to do the math of how many years it would take to date, get to know, trust marry and then have kids with someone. I feel like that’s not talked about enough.

Roz was a little mean towards her mom and I u set stand the history but it did feel a little much and hurtful.

I didn’t realize that this book is one of a couple in a “universe” this is my first book by Elizabeth Luly, but it won’t be my last!!


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

4.5 stars

What happens when my favorite trope (fake dating) mixes with my least favorite (age gap)? This cute story about a florist hatching a spur of the moment plot to fake being in a relationship with the high powered consultant turned farmer in order to save the flowers.

While it is true that I don't usually enjoy age gap, this one wasn't insurmountable for me. It's an 11 year difference (31 and 42) but it doesn't come up too often and it isn't a power imbalance so I didn't hate it. I do love the fake dating plot, and I really enjoyed returning to Sapphire Springs. Previous characters make an appearance, which is always nice.

I enjoyed the character arcs and all the family aspects. I saw that the author is planning another in the series, and I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.