Review by Booklist Review
Tahira, 17, has known she wants to be a fashion designer since she was a child, and her parents helped her to develop the Plan, to which she adheres strictly. When a rogue parakeet ruins her hopes for a summer internship with a fashion designer, Tahira reluctantly leaves Toronto for small-town Bakewell to help her mother's cousin with her clothing store. After making a terrible impression on Rowan, a young man who works at a garden center, Tahira is mortified to learn that he and his family live next door. As the summer progresses, however, Tahira starts to share Rowan's appreciation for flowers as they prepare to enter the Bloom, a flower sculpture competition. When Tahira is faced with a choice between the Bloom and her personal ambitions, she makes some surprising discoveries about herself. Tahira is extremely focused and driven, which plays nicely against the equally driven Rowan, and their relationship simmers. With well-rounded supporting characters and a polished narrative, this is a natural choice for Sarah Dessen and Sandyha Menon fans.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When 17-year-old emerging designer and FIT hopeful Tahira Janmohammad's Toronto-based fashion internship is derailed by a wayward parakeet, Tahira's driven, over-involved parents deploy Plan B: a replacement job at her aunt's ladieswear boutique in rural Canada. Bakewell is the flower capital of Ontario, and Tahira is allergic to rabbits and flowers. Moreover, the Black boy next door, Rowan Johnston, is a rude, unfashionable, plant-obsessed "flower stormtrooper." Eventually, of course, the small town charms, as does Rowan, and the duo pair up to compete in the annual Bakewell flower-arranging contest, which Tahira believes is her ticket to New York City and fashion-influencer stardom. Along the way, Tahira must learn to avoid making snap judgments, and consider turning away from fame and glamour when friendships and love are on the line. As she does in her books for adults, Heron draws on her own Indian Tanzanian Canadian Muslim identity, and details of close-knit, transnational community enrich this YA debut. The book's memorable secondary characters--including Nilusha, Tahira's wise and compassionate mentor, and Juniper, Rowan's sweet younger sister--help Tahira stay true to herself in this entertaining enemies-to-lovers rom-com. Ages 12--up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, Bookends Literary. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A fresh YA novel that includes a ton of representation, friendship, romance, determination, and a whole lot of coming-of-age. Tahira is 17 and living in Toronto. Her dedication to her blooming fashion career is only second to her parents' desire to see her succeed and get into FIT in New York City. After a fluke accident, her summer internship is canceled and she opts to work at her aunt's shop a few hours outside of Toronto in small-town Canada for the summer. The town, Bakewell, is obsessed with flowers, which is definitely not Tahira's aesthetic--but is it the next trend? Filled with current teen slang, Instagram posts, awkward relationships, broken friendships, and a lot of growth all summer, the novel follows Tahira as she comes to realize what matters most isn't the branding and networking opportunities, but the art behind her passion--or the passion behind her art. Indian Canadian, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ representation is seamlessly woven into this coming-of-age story that has authentic and realistic experiences captured in an age appropriate manner. VERDICT A great addition to all high school shelves.--Samantha Hull
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An aspiring fashion designer in Toronto makes the most of an unexpected summer opportunity. Seventeen-year-old Tahira Janmohammad's dream is to be a fashion designer, and she has a plan to make that happen: attend an arts high school, establish a social media presence, intern with a fashion designer, and get into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. All is going well until her internship with a rising star designer falls through. Fortunately, Tahira's aunt owns a small boutique and offers her a summer job. Unfortunately, it's in the small town of Bakewell, the self-proclaimed flower capital of Ontario. With her best friend coming along, Tahira decides it won't be so bad--until she meets 18-year-old Rowan Johnston, Sharmin Aunty's rude but handsome nursery employee neighbor. An exciting opportunity arises when Tahira discovers that the floral sculpture competition portion of the annual flower festival might be her way in with a famous New York City streetwear designer who got his start in floral design. But first she must find a way to work with Rowan if she has any hope of winning and proving herself. Heron has penned an enjoyable coming-of-age romantic comedy. Touching on the pressures of social media, discovering your passions, and staying true to yourself, your morals, and your real friends, the book offers readers characters whose feelings and insecurities will resonate. Muslim Tahira is of Indian descent; Rowan is Black. A sweet read filled with fashion, flowers, and romance. (Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
