Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan is a heartfelt, messy, and beautifully LGBTQIA+ second-chance romance that trades Hollywood red carpets for the cozy coastal charm of a New England flower shop. Former child star Anderson "Andy" Ducharme is just trying to keep her life low-drama after fleeing LA after her manager screws her over and she walks out of her ex-best-friend/ex-co-star/ex-everything in the middle of the night just being over the whole situation. But then her ex-everything, Nikki, rolls into town after a tell-all book announcement on TIkTok and Andy can't help but drunkenly contact her out of hurt and rage, old wounds and old sparks collide. Along the way, we meet Regan — the flower shop owner who helped Andy pick up the pieces — and Johnny, the mechanic who can fix your car, your mood, and maybe your heart along side of cheap beer and pizza. The small-town setting is warm and vivid, the characters feel layered and human, and the emotional tension? Yes please..
If you love tropes like second-chance romance, former childhood stars reconnecting, small-town drama, and friends-to-lovers subplots, this one’s worth adding to your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the e-arc!

This was a fun second chance romance - Andy and Nikki were both great leads. Yes they were messy and both made bad choices, but they worked individually and together to make better choices the second time around. It felt believable that this second chance would work out.

It takes awhile to get the full backstory - we’re learning Nikki’s side at the same time as Andy is. But even from the beginning you get the sense that Andy’s memories either aren’t totally accurate or there were things she missed at the time. I just wanted them to sit down and have a good long talk right from the beginning, but Andy still needed to actually process what happened back then.

Gouda is a fantastic cat - I love a cat with a clear favorite person. The human side characters were pleasant, but not particularly unique.

The use of flower language was a lovely touch as well!

Overall this was a sweet romance that deals with some heavier topics like addiction, but I think it still reads light enough for a beach read.

I’ll be honest, this was not my favorite Jennifer Dugan story, but I still really enjoyed it! A solid four star read. Second chance romance is not my favorite trope, so that may have played a part, but I did feel like the author accomplished it better than most I’ve read. There was a good blend of angst and nostalgia and I did feel like both characters had a good amount of character development throughout the book. I just didn’t feel overly connected it the story, but it was well written and enjoyable.

I love her voice in this. I think it's punchy and unique. I laughed it loud a few times. I cared about the characters and loved seeing them fall in love. Nikki is amazing and hot. I usually am not one to read a second chance romance but I'm glad I did. I loved the language of flowers being used as a way to reconnect.
I believe there are some structural issues. The pacing felt off. I think Andy didn't have enough to do for a lot of the story. There was also an issue of her being inside her own head too much. I think she made the same points to herself an irritating number of times.
I think we need more scenery described; it was talking heads some. I also really think we should see Nikki ask about the email -- the reveal will have more impact. Overall its a very worthwhile read.

Typos I saw:

16% "and the stool good for good measure." (Should be still for good measure)
56% "but I thought it was more on principal." (Should be principle)
61% "to where are bodies meet" (Should be our)
61% "And I want to say my name.” (Should be want you to say)
88% "giving her a soft small." (Should be smile, I think?)
91% "lilting up even more" (no period)

3.5 stars rounded up~

I really enjoyed reading ANDERSON IN BLOOM! Getting the “second chance” trope right can be tricky, but I thought it was executed well here with a good mix of angst and emotional healing. At times the dialogue felt a bit too repetitive, like the main characters kept going in circles in their arguments, but I liked how the conflict resolved in the end. The Hollywood angle was a nice touch too. I’m looking forward to seeing adult fiction work from this author!

A lovely second chance romance where the MCs are putting in the work to ensure a better future for themselves as individuals and as a potential couple. I loved their honesty with struggles in their first relationship. As they grew closer you saw the different sides of similar events that eventually resulted in the first breakup. The emotions were raw and hopeful throughout the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Andy/Anne, I love you and I love the person you are. Andy had so much character growth throughout the book, realizing that maybe things weren't exactly how she saw them and realized her mistakes.
Nikki, I love you just as much as I love Andy. Nikki had the most character growth I've ever seen in a book, she recognized her mistakes, grew from them, did all the thing she had to in order to get better in the end.
Reagan, please be my best friend. Thats all. I need someone like you in my life, ALSO YOU AND JOHNNY BELONG TOGETHER, DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT GIRL
Johnny, you are so kind and patient with Reagan, it makes me believe in love, PLEASE GET YOUR GIRL

Throughout the entire book I felt deeply connected to the characters, I felt like I was in the book and I wish I had been because WOW this was such an amazing book. It had some funny quotes which I sadly cannot share because its not released yet but I will forever find some of these quotes very funny.

🌶🌶🌶
Yall are just getting hot and heavy in here arent ya? wow...

This was my first (and last) experience with a book where exes get back together. This book was well written and certainly had a steady plot, however I found the florist becoming more annoying by the chapter (probably because I see a lot of myself in Andy or Annie or whatever she calls herself) with her 'should-I-shouldn't-I' attitude...

Absolutely hooked from the very first chapter. The pining and desire was just leaking off the pages. I'm so happy they received their happy ending.

Complicated characters navigating broken relationships, broken trust.

Interesting plot follows the character's personal growth and how previous experiences color their perception and relationships.

*2.5

Honestly I liked the writing of the book I just don't think they should get back together. Nikki was too toxic and I don't think she did a good job of explaining her actions. I get that we have a biased pov but when she explained herself it felt like Nikki wasn't understanding why Andy felt left behind.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I usually don't enjoy enemies to lovers because if they already broke up once, what's to stop them from breaking up again? I still decided to give this a chance and adored it.

Anderson in Bloom is a messy, heartfelt, and emotionally rich sapphic second-chance romance that dives deep into the aftermath of childhood fame. Centered on Andy, a reclusive former child star turned florist, and Nikki, her Oscar-winning ex and former co-star, the story explores trauma, healing, and the complicated path back to love. The floral shop setting was adorable, while the characters’ flaws make their journey feel raw and real. Though Andy’s immaturity was frustrating at times, but the prose, spicy tension, and emotional payoff make this a compelling read.

I really enjoyed this book! I think doing a good enemies-to-lovers is hard and I really felt the struggle that the characters had. Their yearning had ME yearning and it was so so satisfying, and frustrating, when the characters finally came together for the first time. The MC was just complex enough that I not only was annoyed with her, but also understood where she was coming from. The characters and their struggles were very human and relatable and found myself wondering what I could do in their situation. Overall, I think this was a very enjoyable read!

Jennifer Dugan's Anderson in Bloom is a delightful dive into the world of second-chance romance, offering a unique twist with its focus on two former child television stars. The novel beautifully explores the complexities of growing up in the public eye and the lasting impact of such an unconventional childhood.

The heart of the story lies with Andy/Annie and Nikki, who were once inseparable best friends and young lovers, forced to navigate the often exploitative and toxic environment of a TV set. It's a poignant reminder of how child stars are often pushed into an adult world far too soon, leaving them vulnerable to the pressures and pitfalls of fame. Their past selves were undeniably immature and messy, a direct consequence of their unique upbringing. However, watching them grow, both together and apart, is a central, satisfying element of the narrative. While some aspects of their journey felt a bit unrealistic at times, the emotional core of their development remained compelling. I particularly appreciated that both characters are presented with genuine flaws, making their struggles and eventual triumphs feel more authentic and relatable.

Beyond the captivating romance, the floral shop setting is an absolute highlight. It provides a charming and vibrant backdrop to the story, and learning about the meanings behind different types of flowers adds a wonderful layer of depth and symbolism to the narrative. It's a detail that truly makes the book bloom!

Overall, Anderson in Bloom is a sweet and engaging read that skillfully blends the nostalgia of a second-chance romance with a thoughtful exploration of the challenges faced by child stars. If you're looking for a heartwarming story with flawed yet endearing characters and a unique setting, this one is definitely worth picking up!

This started slow for me and I nearly gave up but I stuck with it-mainly because of the flower shop setting. A former child star who has made a new life for herself is pursued by her ex, an Oscar winning actress who has never stopped loving her. Sparks fly, will they be able to find their way back to each other while remaining true to themselves? I ended up liking it, not loving it. I will read more from this author, it may have just not be the perfect book for me right now.,

I really enjoyed Anderson in Bloom. It’s a sapphic second chance romance following Andy and Nikki. Andy is a former child star who has run away from the LA scene and now works as a florist on the east coast. When she sees that Nikki is planning to release a memoir, she unblocks her and reaches out, bringing Nikki back into her life. Their reconnection was messy and at first I couldn’t figure out if I wanted them to get their HEA, but in the end I was rooting for them. Andy went from completely avoiding discussing the past because it still hurt to getting to a point where she understood that sometimes hard conversations are necessary.
Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a heartfelt read and I 10/10 recommend. This was my first read by Jennifer Dugan and now I definitely want to go read her other work.

Rating: 4 stars
Format: E-book (ARC)
Genre: Romance

Now. . . should Andy and Nikki have gotten back together by the end? I have no idea. Was the entire journey to them getting there full of mess, drama, emotions, and tea??? Absolutely. I think if you can connect to these characters and their very real struggles, then you’ll be able to enjoy this second-chance romance, regardless of if you think they’ll actually stay together past the end of the book (which seems unlikely).

I found the writing very addicting and easy to read and I adored the small town setting where Andy lived. I appreciated the growth that characters individually went through and that made my investment in the romance almost secondary - in a good way. I enjoyed the characters so much that it didn’t matter to me how things ended up because I believed their journey. Would highly recommend this sapphic romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager and Jennifer Dugan for this great ARC! Happy to leave my honest review.

I must say the cover of this book grabbed my attention right away. It’s a stunning cover and I seriously hoped the book did it justice. For me, it definitely did! Anderson in Bloom is a heart wrenching, stomach churning, smile inducing and overall satisfying read. There was so much to unpack in this book! I love that. I love when a story sucks me in and doesn’t let go until the very end.

At core this is a second chance romance for two absolutely amazing women. Women that you want to root for, love and support. Anderson (aka Andy) and Nikki were childhood stars that worked together on a hit tv show. They were best friends who fell in love but had the misfortune of growing up on a tv set. Child stars too often suffer in a unique exploitative and toxic environment. They are forced to grow up too fast and live in a very adult world as kids. They are pulled in every direction and all too often poisoned by the lifestyle. Well, this is pretty much what happened with these girls. They found love in each other but were torn apart by the world they lived in. Anderson can’t handle it and quite literally checks out, a move I deeply respect. She chose her sanity, mental health and her well being. She chose to escape while Nikki remained. Nikki continues on to find stardom in its brightest form but remains scarred by her past. Andy rebuilds herself and runs her quaint floral shop which acts as the backdrop for a lot of the book.

After a drunk text brings Nikki back into Andy’s life and the true drama ensues. I want to say they instantly kiss & make up but nope! They are a train wreck together! It’s a lot of hurt wrapped in anger and fear coated in pain. I found myself grinding my teeth & shaking my head. Both Andy & Nikki are extremely flawed and have been through the wringer. But they are both fighters and tough as nails when necessary. They are both wonderfully deep characters. I really enjoyed getting to know them both. They do complement each other beautifully once they get out of their own way, so to speak. A lot of healing must be done…perhaps even more than we witness throughout their journey. But sure enough the explosions turn into fireworks!

In the end, Andy and Nikki manage to embrace the spark that never quite burned out. They forgive each other and forgive themselves. Though perhaps not all of their wounds are healed, they chose to love each other and I my heart sang with joy. The writing is deep, funny, soulful and sometimes almost lyrical. Dugan’s prose was evocative and I was glued to each page. I had to force myself to put the book away to go to sleep and couldn’t wait to get back to it the next day. That is precisely what I want from any story I spend my time with.

I highly recommend this second chance wlw romance & I intend to look for more by Jennifer Dugan.

Thoughts on upcoming (March 2026) sapphic romance novel!

Former actress, Anderson Ducharme, ran away from her old life 6 years ago without warning or explanation to anyone, including her live-in girlfriend and TV show co-star, Nikki. When Andy finds out Nikki is planning to release a memoir she unblocks her ex and reaches out, the catalyst that sends Nikki to Andy’s doorstep and back into her heart.

I really wanted to like this novel, as I felt it was well written and I enjoyed the premise. I enjoyed the spicy scenes and the dialogue heavy plot. There’s also a cat named Gouda 😻 I love this cover, too!

However, I disliked Andy, finding her to be incredibly immature and toxic, and as hers is the only POV throughout the novel, it really dragged the story down for me. I felt both characters were toxic in the description of their previous relationship and while Nikki was written in a way that showed the growth she experienced during their time apart, Andy remained self-centered and had a victim mentality that was difficult to relate to.

I’m giving this ARC 2.5 🌟 and am grateful for the opportunity I had to read and review.

I really, really enjoyed Anderson in Bloom. I’m generally not a huge fan of a second chance romance plot but my never ending quest for enjoyable WLW stories overrode my avoidance of the trope—and I’m glad it did! Andy and Nikki’s falling apart in the past and coming back together after time and space to heal on their own felt authentic and believable. I loved Andy’s friends and how they weren’t awed by Nikki’s fame and made her win them over on her own merit.

One of my main complaints with romances centering on a queer couple is that frequently the intimate scenes do not feel true to how two women actually have sex. In this book I felt the author did a great job of portraying it in a way that felt real, not just giving the reader some glorified heavy petting and calling it a day.

I really enjoyed how Andy and Nikki learned about and unraveled their own misconceptions about their past together and used those moments of understanding to help them rebuild in the present. I particularly loved the scene where Nikki sends the manuscript to Andy’s email; total The Notebook vibes.

I would definitely recommend this book and am thankful to have had the chance to read an advance copy!