Bloom is a super relatable YA novel about navigating the messy middle between what others expect and what you really want. Lauren's struggle to find herself, dodging between safe choices and the real, scary possibility of change, is refreshingly honest. Elizabeth Scott nails the voice of a teen questioning everything, peppered with humor, warmth, and a truly magnetic 'other guy.' Fans of Sarah Dessen, coming-of-age stories, and messy, imperfect characters will connect with Lauren's journey. If you love stories that explore personal growth, first loves, and the pressure to please, this one's for you!

Who May Not Like This Book:

Not everyone fell head over heels for Lauren - some readers found her whiny or unlikable, and the cheating subplot was a dealbreaker for a few. The love triangle feels predictable at times, and those looking for more dynamic supporting characters or drama outside the main romance may find it a bit one-note. If you prefer your YA heroines proactive from page one, or want a story less focused on romance and internal angst, you might not vibe with Bloom.

A thoughtful, realistic, and romantic teen read about learning to bloom into your true self - even when it’s hard and messy. Not perfect, but definitely heartfelt and hard to put down for fans of contemporary YA.

About:

Lauren is dating the perfect guy, Dave, but finds herself drawn to Evan, her dad's old girlfriend's son. As Lauren's feelings grow for Evan, she struggles with keeping up appearances and understanding her true emotions. The book explores themes of first love, self-discovery, and making tough choices in relationships. The writing style is described as realistic, compelling, and engaging, with well-developed characters and believable situations.

Characters:

Characters are realistically flawed, with Lauren's journey reflecting common teenage dilemmas about identity and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by relatability and a strong emotional connection, drawing readers into Lauren's struggles and thoughts.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores Lauren's internal conflict as she navigates a seemingly perfect life while uncovering her true desires through her relationships.

Setting:

The setting captures a typical high school landscape intertwined with personal family issues, highlighting social dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, being engaging for some while feeling drawn out and predictable for others.

“None. I thought we might have one, but then…” As she keeps talking, I glance over at her. She looks, as always, like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. This is because she gets up at a quarter to...

Notes:

Lauren seems to have a perfect life on the surface, dating the most popular boy, Dave.

Despite her popularity, Lauren struggles with feelings of unhappiness and the pressure to fit in.

Evan, a boy from her past, re-enters her life and sparks her true emotions.

Lauren feels more herself when she's around Evan, contrasting with her feelings for Dave.

Lauren's mother left when she was six, impacting her emotional development and relationships.

The story explores themes of finding one's identity and the struggle between safety and desire.

Lauren's relationship with her best friend Katie is complicated and largely based on their boyfriends' friendship.

Evan represents a more genuine connection for Lauren compared to the 'perfect' facade of Dave.

Throughout the book, Lauren has to decide between sticking with her safe but unsatisfying relationship or taking a risk for genuine happiness with Evan.

The supporting characters, like Gail and Katie, add depth to the story and highlight Lauren's growth throughout the book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Bloom include themes of emotional distress, infidelity, and family issues.

Has Romance?

The novel is highly romantic, centered around Lauren's feelings for both Dave and Evan.

From The Publisher:

There's a difference between falling and letting go.

Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy?

It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She's been holding back. She's been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the "right" thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?

But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can't see herself in - and as Lauren's craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce - Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice...before one is made for her.

April 2007

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240 pages

Ratings (3)

It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (3):

Read It (3)

What can you read after
Bloom?

Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
werewolf transformations
atmospheric landscapes

About the Author:

Elizabeth Scott is the author of Bloom, Perfect You, Living Dead Girl, Something Maybe, The Unwritten Rule, Between Here and Forever, and Miracle, among others. She lives just outside Washington, D.C. with her husband and firmly believes you can never own too many books. Visit her online at ElizabethWrites.com.

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Bloom

Elizabeth Scott

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