Summer Reading Challenge: In Bloom by Katie Delahanty (Chrissy’s review)

In Bloom (The Brightside #1)
written by Katie Delahanty
published by Entangled (Embrace)

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange  for an honest review.

Did I enjoy this book: Yes! It made me giddy throughout. I read it in about a day and a half.

At first, I was skeptical because it started off a bit slow. However, it picked up speed and got me interested. Once the author referenced the life-changing capability of a Primanti Bros. sandwich, I was sold! I loved the Pittsburghese, the Burgh references, and the mentions of Pittsburgh. It gave me an additional connection to Olivia.

The story is cute. It’s sweet. It’s romantic. It’s very hot. The New Adult steamy scenes were hot. I’m glad I wasn’t reading those as I was walking around my neighborhood. I was on the sweet and romantic scenes then. I was walking and giggling and smiling.

I wasn’t sure I liked Olivia in the beginning. She seemed too naive and clueless. But the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. She was sweet, shy, sometimes clumsy-ish, and a hard worker. She was also funny. I liked her attempts to ease the tension or change the subject. I liked Berkeley from the beginning. And I loved getting to know the real Berkeley as the story unfolded. He seemed genuine, kind, shy, and an all-around good guy who wanted to protect Olivia from the press games. I loved his South African accent slips, and I wished Olivia had a few more Yinzer accent slips as she got comfortable with Berkeley. That would have been fun to watch her explain, especially if she told him she had to redd up n’at before she could leave the office. LOL

All-in-all, In Bloom was a great read, and I can’t wait for the next book in the Brightside series.

 

Would I recommend it: Yes.

About the book: My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.

I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the hot lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me.

How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it’s all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all…

 

 

About the author: Katie Delahanty never knew she was a writer. Her childhood obsessions centered on old movies, costumes, fashion, playing dress up, and books. Lots of books. On her quest to play make believe for a living she decided she wanted to be a fashion designer and after satisfying her practical parents by graduating from UCLA with a BA in Communication Studies. She went on to pursue her design dreams with a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. Now in charge of the ecommerce business for In Bloom Lingerie, she was asked to start the company blog. Not knowing what to say about lingerie but needing to use bridal keywords, she decided to start a fictional serial about how a girl named Olivia Bloom, who worked for In Bloom Lingerie, became engaged. And that’s when Katie fell in love with storytelling and the path to make believe became clear. She hasn’t looked back since.

Find Ms. Delahanty here: web, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads