Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 

This is a bit of a hard one to rate. I loved loved Nikki so much, which made me frustrated with Andy sometimes about the way she was treating her. 

I get that Andy went through a lot, but she definitely handles things very immaturely for a very long time. Ghosting someone that you've been in a relationship with for years and live with (and have a cat together with!) is just insane. 

On the other hand I really loved Nikki and all of her growth. Maybe the book would have worked a little better if it was dual POV. 

There were also some confusing parts about the timeline of their previous relationship, some of the things just didn't totally add up, but hopefully that'll be fixed in the final edition. 

I like a protective best friend, but yhe way Johnny acted was way over the top and way out of line and he was not called out enough for that. 

The setting of the book was also a cute coastal Maine town which I was very excited for, but it didn't really have a lot of Maine charm to it, it was more of a generic small town.The town overall didn't really have any character. 

I did enjoy this book and I really loved Nikki, but I definitely had my issues with it.

Have you ever read a book where at the end of the book, you're like, "These two should absolutely not be together"? Well, that was me with this book. Let me preface by saying that the cover is absolutely stunning and I was excited for this, especially because it is a sapphic second chance romance that really seemed intriguing. However, I really think these two just have too much history and feel way too toxic to even be together again. Some people are exes for a reason! I don't feel like they were reedeming as a couple and there was just too much anger and resentment. I thought the idea of them on the TV show as children and then writing a memoir about it was really cool, but I also don't like that Nikki wanted to find where Andy was hiding and kind of "out" her with the details of this book she is writing. This whole thing sort of dulled the romance aspect of it for me, because I genuinely do not feel like these two should even have reconnected.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Dugan, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

Anderson Ducharme and Nikki Price were childhood stars together on a show that (at least with some of the behind the scenes events) seems to bear a passing similarity to Sam and Cat, the Nickelodeon show. Although the description says this is an enemies to lovers story, that’s not entirely accurate; it’s honestly more of a second chance romance. The two young stars get together, and the work and the lifestyle tear them apart, so much so that Anderson leaves with pretty much no notice. Years later she is quietly working in a flower shop, going by Andy, and occasionally checking on her ex’s social media. Which is where she finds out that Nikki is writing a book. Anderson, perhaps a little altered by alcohol, sends a message.

There is a tendency in romance stories to show one person as the one who did something wrong and the other as the one who has to go through hoops to make things right. Luckily, although it certainly seems like it at first, this is not the way with this book. Neither Andy or Nikki is perfect, and the mistakes they make along the way seem like mistakes people would make, not “we got to have them apart at this point, so throw this wild thing in there and have a big communication breakdown for no reason.” Not that there isn’t communication breakdown, but you could see how it gets there.

I like my Happily Ever After in my romances, but more than anything I like when they feel earned, and that is the case here. It’s a limited cast--which is a slight mark agains the book-- in this book, but every character makes sense, and even though it’s pretty much told from Andy’s point of view, we still get to see a pretty good glimpse of who Nikki is. This is only my second Jennifer Dugan book (Love at First Set was the first–it’s a good book, but this one shows marked improvement and confidence). I plan to read more.

This was an interesting perspective on two traumatized women falling for each other. I appreciated the patience and grace Nikki showed Anderson as Anderson worked through her complex feelings toward their relationship. The story as a whole did not click with me, but the writing was compelling and the characters were interesting.

Wow this was quite the roller coaster. I really enjoyed the plot and felt the characters were well developed. This was a sweet (with some angst) second chance romance. I enjoyed how the author wove in their struggles from the past with the present.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The overall plot is something I haven’t heard before which is refreshing - I love the florist and starlet idea and it kept me reading the whole time.

I feel I wasn’t rooting for Andy and Nikki which defeats the point - I was more hoping they could peacefully be friends by the end than end up together. I think learning Nikki’s growth was great and got me to start liking her after spending most the book hating her. However I feel like Andy’s own growth at the end was glossed over quickly, her therapy; etc

Overall I enjoyed the book.

Thank you Netgalley and avon for this arc!

(Thank you Netgalley, thank you Avon love you always Avon)

3.75 rounded up. This was a cute, quick, fun sapphic read, with a pub date the same as my birthday no less! For fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this book approaches similar themes while also asking the biggest question that all fans of superstars have: what happens when it ends?

This is my first look at Dugan’s work and her character and world building is solid; I found myself just as drawn to sidekick ensemble as I was to the main pairing. My critiques of the novel lie predominantly in the author’s voice and the end result, but I recognize these ‘faults’ to be solely a personal taste conflict. While I didn’t love the ending—nor the semi-dated social media references—I thought it was all around a unique contribution to the WLW genre and I will definitely be recommending it.

Andy is happy, she thinks. Why wouldn’t she be? She is making floral arrangements as the head florist at a small shop in coastal New England, and she has two best friends who have helped her through the roughest time of her life. So why does she wallow and get drunk when she finds out her former cast mate and girlfriend Regan is writing a tell all about their time growing up in Hollywood? Andy left Regan years ago and hasn’t looked back, right? Well her drunken text isn’t helping her case. Then Regan shows up at her flower shop and isn’t leaving. Can they find a way to work through their past, or will Andy runaway again?

This was a great ARC and will be available March 2026. You have second chance romance, celebrities, small town life, and friends with benefits. This novel definitely shows you that there are always two sides to every story, and suppressing your feelings doesn’t make them go away.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Jennifer Dugan for this digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
#bookstagram #bookdragon #readingchallenge2025 #arcreview #netgalley #andersoninbloom #bookcover #sscondchanceromance #lqbtqbooks #smalltownbooks

Cinco años después de desaparecer del ojo público, Andy Ducharme, exestrella de una serie juvenil y ahora florista bajo el nombre de Annie, lleva una vida tranquila en un pequeño pueblo costero de Maine. Alejada del caos de Hollywood y del corazón roto que le dejó su exnovia y coprotagonista, Nikki, Andy por fin ha encontrado un poco de paz… hasta que descubre que Nikki planea publicar unas memorias que podrían arrastrarla de nuevo al centro de atención.

Cuando el reencuentro entre ambas ocurre, Andy debe enfrentar heridas no sanadas, recuerdos dolorosos y sentimientos que creía enterrados. ¿Puede realmente dejar atrás el pasado si Nikki está empeñada en invadir su presente? ¿Y cómo proteger su nueva vida sin volver a perderse a sí misma?

---

Todo es sobre lo que Nikki quiere.

Se supone que Nikki lastimó profundamente a Andy. Estuvieron separadas por cinco años en los cuales jamos pensó en buscarla y disculparse. Y cuando escribe sus memorias, piensa que está bien utilizar a Andy para que la ayude. La tonta de Andy la acepta muy fácilmente porque sigue amándola. Nikki actúa como si nada hubiera pasado y como si fueran mejores amigas.

Nikki es una infiel traicionera y roba papeles, no merecía otra oportunidad. Ella dice que si otros la besaban o la tocaban no contaba como infidelidad porque nunca tuvo sexo con esas personas.

Andy tuvo que aguantar que Nikki se volviera adicta al alcohol y a las drogas, mientras los medios pintaban a Andy como la persona que la había metido en eso (cuando no fue así), o como si ella hiciera escándalos (tampoco era cierto: solo iba a recoger a Nikki, y los dramas los hacia N porque estaba drogada). Y, por supuesto, Andy fue la que cargó con todo. Sin olvidar que tuvo que ver videos y fotos de su novia con otras. Y al final, ¡ella misma se culpa por no haber cuidado mejor a Nikki! Me enoja, porque lo único malo que hizo fue esperar años para irse.

Y para terminar con broche de oro, cuando por fin hablan, Nikki sale con que tenía tres señales para saber si debía seguir intentando que Andy la perdonara, y que si se cumplía alguna se iría porque no quería perder su estabilidad. O sea, todo fue pensado en ella y en protegerse a sí misma. Pero le valió cuando Andy intentó alejarse (aunque duró poco, al menos lo intentó). Es decir, no cambió: solo ve por su bienestar. Andy sí o sí tenía que perdonarla, ¿qué más daba si su presencia lastimaba a la mujer que decía amar? ¿Qué importaba si Andy no quería verla? Ella la obligó a hacerlo y a reunirse, sin importarle la salud mental de Andy, pero A tiene que preocuparse y tener cuidado de lastimar a N.

Que Nikki haya trabajado sus adicciones está muy bien, y es importante. Pero eso no la hace una buena pareja, mucho menos para Andy. Al final, me molestó profundamente que la narrativa empujara al perdón como si fuera la única opción, cuando Nikki claramente no merecía otra oportunidad.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

I am not as enamored with this book as with Dugan's previous works, but I stilly enjoyed it enough!

Dugan's writing style is reliably great, I just didn't vibe with the overall plot. I still recommend this book!

DNF at 6%, about one chapter in. 75% of the first chapter was lore dumping through internal monologue. I can't do this, I'm not strong enough.

I wish this queer novel all the luck in the world. Your gorgeous cover will get you far, at least.

The cover of Anderson in Bloom stopped me in my tracks. It is so beautiful and despite my best efforts to not judge a book by its cover, I was immediately ready to dive in.

This second chance romance takes place in a small coastal town where we find the FMC, Andy, learning to thrive after fleeing her childhood acting career in Hollywood. Fresh out of a toxic relationship, Anderson finds a new future as a florist in her best friend’s flower shop granting her peace and fresh start… until her ex comes and turns her life upside down again!

This book had so much potential with its cozy setting, cat named Gouda, and extremely lovable best friends. Sadly, I hit a slump and struggled to get through the middle of the book. The main characters were very immature and annoying at times making it hard to root for them to rekindle their relationship. While there wasn’t the redemption arc and the level of character development I’d hoped for, the story did pick back up and I did enjoy the ending.

Huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and author Jennifer Dugan for providing me with the eARC of “Anderson in Bloom”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: March 3rd, 2026
Reviewed on Goodreads: July 19th, 2026

I ate this up!
Let me start off by saying that “Anderson in Bloom” is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026, and it did not disappoint! An absolutely stunning cover, a fun plot AND written by Jennifer Dugan?
Sign me up.

Perfect for lovers of:
- Sapphic romance
- Second chance romance
- Celebrity romance

This story follows Andy. A former actress that has left Hollywood after a devastating split with her ex-girlfriend, Nikki.
Andy had sworn off contact with Nikki and wants absolutely nothing to do with her.
Until, in a moment of drunk weakness- she sends an angry text after discovering a new project she is working on.
What she doesn’t expect is a response…or for Nikki to randomly show up at the floral shop she is working at the next day, asking for her help.
Once to two reconnect, they must decide if they can fix everything- or if some things are better left broken.

I loved this. I just loved it.
I love Andy, I love Nikki, I love Andy and Nikki together.
This had all the intensity and tension that I would expect from a story like this one.
I was actually thrilled by their reconnection, and I was on the edge of my seat every time they had an almost-romantic encounter.

Their fights? Devastating. Consider me heartbroken.
I was begging two fictional characters to please just love each other again.

I love their stories and reading about their struggles with their previous relationship and individual Hollywood experiences.
This is one of those books where I really felt bad for both of them equally.
They both were hurting, being hurt by other people, and hurting each other all at the same time.
I was so glad they were able to get some healing.

Overall, this is for me. This is my thing. I am SO happy to have gotten to read and review this early. I will be patiently waiting to get a copy of this In March. Always looking forward to reading more Jennifer Dugan in the future!

Perfect for fans of Late Bloomer and Make the Season Bright, Anderson in Bloom is a sweet sapphic romance of second chances, escaping toxic pasts and fame, and falling in love in a charming small town.

I really like that Anderson isn’t a likable character at first; she’s heartbroken, lost, and still raging over her past with her ex- girlfriend and costar of the once popular Nikki and Andy Show. Seeing the two slowly reunite and fall back in love was a whirlwind of emotions and genuine reconnection— and I’d like to believe Gouda the cat helped, love him.

I will say I think there was a bit too much back and forth with the conflict, and a lot of resolution was backtracked and then resolved later. I also think Nikki was too forgiving, and kinda felt like a punching bag for Andy at times? I think this book could be like 50 pages shorter.

Overall, highly recommend for anyone looking for a good contemporary lesbian second chance book. Plus the cover is so cute so that’s a bonus!

Sometimes the rule of not going for a book based solely on its cover is true.(Will I make this mistake again? Absolutely.)
This was… not good. The idea was really good, but I don’t like the execution.
Almost everything boils down to the fact that I personally don’t think you can get better and heal if you are constantly around someone that reminds you of the worst part of your life. Especially not that soon and that fast after reconnecting.
The first 30% of the book was really fun, I have to admit that, and the characters' chemistry is fire, no doubts about that. Around 50% is when I started to get bored. 60% is when I realised they definitely shouldn’t be together and this would work perfectly as litfic and not romance. There’s a certain part where one of the characters says they are regressing to toxic behaviors and they are better off without being in a relationship and I have to agree.
I loved the part where we actually got to see a passage of the book, I wish we got more of that. It could really use flashbacks or something that gave us a better understanding of their situation, it’s a lot of telling and not enough showing.
I hate not enjoying arcs but I’ll always be truthful, and this one was definitely not for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.

After finishing The Ride of Her Life: A Novel yesterday, I was still jonesing for a good, solid romance that didn't rely on non-communication as a plot device. I wondered if deciding to jump into Anderson in Bloom right away was a massive mistake. Would my opinions be tainted by the less than stellar previous book? After looking around at other books on my ereader (my new Kobo Libra Colour - bye Kindle Color Soft) I couldn't decide on anything else. So Anderson in Bloom it was.

I ended up reading much later last night than I had anticipated and, had it been Friday night instead of Wednesday night I wouldn't have stopped at all. (This will be posted on TBR Reviews on the anticipated publication date so hello from the past!)

I'm not gonna lie, there were a few times when I thought we were going to have the same "run away instead of dealing with issues" thing from The Ride of Her Life but, in the end, it was sort of the opposite of that. We got maturity and communication. I don't think that's a spoiler and it didn't happen right away.

This was a story I could relate to after spending over a year apart from the love of my life. We were also very young when we got together and also had to hide because we were in the military. Not exactly the same but close enough for me to draw parallels and feel for both young Andy and Nikki and their current day counterparts.

Without going into much detail because you'll want to read it for yourselves, this was a second-chance romance that definitely makes it on my re-read list.

A nice bouquet of daisies for Jennifer Dugan. (Daisies are a cheerful and innocent flower that symbolize forgiveness and new beginnings.)

A huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley!

No other person can heal the wounds we carry, and without healing ourselves, we hurt the potential that is growing in the future.

Wow. This book was absolutely stunning and thought provoking. It took hurt comfort to the next level. It was beautiful to see Andy and Nikki's story unravel. It was painful to see two people so in love hurt each other so much from perceptions that were valid, but not always fully true. It really makes you think back to situations in the past and delve into how others saw the situation. There is always more to the story. Jennifer Dugan did a beautiful job of showing that hurt is always valid, but it's also worth seeing the full picture.

I highly recommend reading this book not only for the romance, but the self growth journey.

This book was adorable and charming. I loved the florist setting, it felt so cozy even among all the drama. I love a good second chance romance and this checked so many boxes. The drama, the need, the wanting, the push and pull, the *SPICE.* It was SO good.

My biggest problem is I didn't like Andy/Annie for a large chunk of the book, mostly because she was so stuck in her 20 year old self. You could see Nikki's growth and maturity but Andy/Annie was still just so immature it grated on me a bit. I get she was set in her trauma but she did talk about growth while she was away reinventing herself but we didn't see it really until the end of the book. I kind of wish we had at least one Nikki POV chapter too.

That being said, I love them and where they ended up. I love all their back and forth, their hard talks, the realizations of how they hurt each other and their solutions to heal. Love love loved.


Now I NEEEEED a Regan and Johnny book, please!

I requested this ARC because I love the cover. It's gorgeous. Love the colors, love the font, love the feel.
And then when I opened the ebook, the chapters had titles! Chapter titles, especially when they're funny or tie into the plot, are something more books should have.

Anderson "Andy" Ducharme left her acting career, LA, and her girlfriend Nikki Colletti behind several years ago to get away from the stress, the anxiety, and the toxicity that is her relationship with Nikki. And all is well, ish, until almost being recognized as a former actress leads to a night of cyberstalking you ex, getting a little drunk, and drunk texting said ex. Who texts back immediately.
Nikki reenters Andy's life almost immediately and is a different woman than she was several years ago. Or is she? Andy is having a hard time reconciling the past, her trauma, and Nikki's actions and words with the Nikki in front of her. And in her quest to regain Andy's trust, some things go right, some things go wrong, but in the end, what matters is the present, not the past.

I really liked Nikki's character. She has obviously put in work to better herself, to make up for past issues, and is quite clear that she's willing to let Andy set the pace, which is difficult given how Andy, bless her heart, kind of runs Nikki around a bit.
Andy...I didn't like her as much as Nikki at first. But slowly, as she began to realize that she wasn't perfect either and that she's not healed as much as she thought and got help, I liked her more and more.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was cute, it was sweet, it was painful, it was good.
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!