Love in Bloom

Finding Mr. Right #6

by Karen Rose Smith

Dr. Paige Conrad needs Clay Reynolds' help. However, he can't give it because she and the rest of the town of Langley, Maryland, might discover his secret. Clay has no memory of the first 25 years of his life. The past and his father's rejection is behind him. Digging it up brings back nightmare he has fought for ten years to control. After spending three years in underdeveloped countries following her parents vision of healing, Paige has come to Langley to gain perspective on her life and help an old friend with his medical practice. Learning Clay was involved in a rock climbing accident and went through the rehabilitation process, she wants him to share his experience with a trouble teenager to give the boy hope.
Paige and Clay are inexorably drawn to each other. But can Clay trust Paige and share his secret? Can Paige dare to follow her own dreams.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Ebooks, Chick Lit, Amazon

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business.

She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing relationship novels. Now she writes romances as well as mysteries full time. Her first book was published in 1992; her 110th novel will be published in 2024. A winner of New Jersey's Golden Leaf Award in Short Contemporary Romance, Colorado Romance Writers Award Of Excellence for short contemporary, as well as the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter's Golden Quill for Traditional Romance, she has also been honored with Cataromance.com's award for Best Special Edition and Washington Romance Writers Career Achievement Award. Her romances have made both the USA TODAY list and the Amazon Romance and Contemporary Romance Bestseller lists. Her mysteries have made the USA TODAY and Barnes and Noble bestseller lists.

She has written for Meteor/Kismet, Kensington, Silhouette and Harlequin. Readers can contact Karen through her website, on Facebook (Karen Rose Smith Author) and on Twitter @ Karenrosesmith, on TIKTOK at karenrosesmithauthor and on Instagram. They can also follow her monthly e-zine IN TOUCH with KAREN ROSE SMITH which has the latest news about her books, recipes and contests.

Reviews

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this traditional sensual romance the reader meets Dr. Paige Conrad, who has come to the small town where she was raised to help the local doctor, who is recovering from a stroke.Clay Reynolds had come back some years ago following an accident that robbed him of his memory of the first 25 years of his life. Of course, circumstances keep tossing them together, even though both have decided that they do not need the complications of a relationship at this point in their lives.

That story set-up us pretty standard stuff for a romance novel, but it was all handled with strong narrative flow and some really good dialogue. One of the elements in the book that I liked most was the characterization of Paige. On some levels she was so strong, but there was also a sweet innocence about her that was endearing. I also enjoyed the plot line that involved the young boy who was recovering from a severe injury and dealing with issues of anger and resentment.

Fair warning to those readers unfamiliar with sensual romance novels. This one has scenes of explicit sex. That will satisfy those readers who like that in a book, others can skip read and stick to the storyline.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! First book I have read from this author, she did a great job. The characters had depth. The story was heartwrenching at times it was hard to hold back the tears. I would rate it a 4 1/2 stars except there's no way to do it. I liked that the book wasn't just a clear cut romance. It dealt with a lot of real life issues not only with the main character Clay and his long recovery from an accident that still left him missing his memories from before the accident and the problems it still causes him. But it also brought up issues regarding healthcare coverage not just here but in undeveloped countries. These issues normally aren't in your normal romance novel but the author integrated them wonderfully. I will be looking for more books from her. Is definitely recommend this book, its a worthwhile read.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was on my Kindle, and I decided to read it. The story itself is amazing! I could have done without all of the sexual stuff. I don't mind kissing and mentions of sex but this was beyond that.

I loved all of the characters! Paige is wonderful! She is a doctor with a heart of gold. Clay is hunkalicious! His past has made him an introvert, but Paige's love helps him open up. Together, they make the perfect team.

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this free from Amazon.
I was very surprised after reading this book. Pleasantly surprised. I have never heard of this author but I must say she is very talented. I enjoyed the way the author told the story. I also enjoyed some of the phrases she used in this book. I use them myself and I was shocked to see them in black and white.
The characters were likable and totally flawed. There were times when I felt sorrier for Paige then I did for Clay.
Furthermore, lately I have been seeing endings where the author just says k, I'm done and end the book. It makes me so mad because the ending is just as important as any other part of the book.
Smith wrote a fabulous ending. She took her time, placed everyone where she wanted them and I loved it. Smith was really great at bringing things together.
I would love to read another book by this author. For a free book, this one was fabulous.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the happily ever after. It was just a sweet, easy to read romance. I loved it. I will read more from this author. I loved Paige. I liked Clay. I liked the details of the characters and the way the author really got me into the emotions of each character. loved, loved loved

[Loraine]

I really liked the storyline and characters in this story. The main characters, Paige and Clay, were both complex people dealing with real life issues. I would have given it a 4 if the author had included less detail of their romantic interludes.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in Bloom is a warm and charming romance between two people facing intimidating decisions. The wonderful characters hand us their hearts as they steal ours.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a fairly decent book. I was somewhat surprised. I liked the characters well enough and the plot was paced well and believable.

[juanita dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in Bloom

Disliked that they gave into lust that powerful internal sexual craving/desire/drive/emotion before falling in love the way God ordained. Satan was as manipulative as he was in the garden.

[Georgia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!

This was a very good story I enjoyed reading it and couldn't put it down until I got to the end. Thank you

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love in Bloom

This was a good book how ever I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting.I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story

[Jami Zehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a longer review at Absurdly Nerdly

I’m a big fan of the romance genre. I like reading about people working on relationships, the good and the bad. I’m not even turned off by bad and cheesy hand holding book covers. However, even though this book was free, I felt it didn’t do the romance genre justice. Usually I try to avoid writing reviews about books I don’t like because, I figure, just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean someone else won’t like it, and I can’t write really funny bad reviews, so I just refuse to rate them and spend my time reviewing them. But, a couple of things stuck in my claw about this book, and I wanted to say a few things.

Sounds interesting right? Someone with a medical problem, retrograde amnesia. A doctor trying to figure out who she is, and where she belongs in this world. A couple of subplots about old friends and a troubled teenager. The makings of a decent romance novel right there. Where the book fails is in its execution of its own characters. I felt like the author thought, what are some cute ways a couple could be forced to spend time together, wrote those moments, and then wrote filler paragraphs in between the moments she wanted to write about. Character development throughout was rather poor, but then she would have these really sweet moments. Life and stories aren’t just about the big moments and waiting in between, life is actually what happens in the between moments, in the quiet and the stillness, and the reflection of who we are as people.

But, OK, I’ve read plenty of romance novels where the characters are not fully fleshed out, but still enjoyed the book, so why did this one not reach that level of such badness it was awesome? Well, perhaps because they were not fully *fleshed out*, hehehehe. (Sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself.) I’m going to spoil something here, Paige is a virgin. Oh LAWDY, clutch my pearls and gasp, this was soooo unexpected. While, I think it is fair to say American’s have a very puritanical view of sex (seeing as many of us came from puritans, I personally came from a religious sect called the Anabaptist, so same difference), she grew up a nomad surrounded by many different cultures. Even though she has not grown up in American she holds on to those puritanical views, even though she went to med school in Chicago and was away from parental supervision for years! Now, I’m not knocking those people who choose to wait until the time is right for them to express their own sexuality, but it is a weird phenomenon in the romance genre that virginity is held up to be this kind of holy grail. I personally don’t believe that is true or realistic. And I really felt it detracted from the story rather than added to the plot.

Is this a horrible book? Not by any means. The writing isn’t too bad, and I think the characters have potential. However, the story has some holes and the characters are underdeveloped. In addition, Paige suffers from the virginity holy grail plot device and the sexy times are unrealistic and not very sexy. In the end, the best I can say is that this is not the greatest book I’ve ever read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear I have read Love in Bloom before, even though I just downloaded it last week. The story is so familiar, though the ending is not the same as what I was thinking. It is driving me a bit crazy trying to figure out what the other book was...or if there was another book. It is just odd. So the whole time I was reading this I was thinking have I read this already?? If anyone knows of a similar story please let me know. I still enjoyed this story.

Paige has come to the small town of Langley to take a break from her work in Africa. She was raised her whole life with her parents who did medical work in poor underprivileged places. She has been expected to continue this selfless doctoring and make it her life too. She might not be up to it, but she also doesn't want to let her mom down. She is trying to take some time and figure out what she wants while also helping Doc.

Soon after she gets to town she meets a boy who needs some help recovering from an accident. He can't walk as well as he once could, and Doc suggests he talk to Clay who also had an accident may years ago. He thinks Clay might be able to help put things in perspective for the boy so he can not waste his life away being angry. The only problem? Clay doesn't want anything to do with that. He has kept secret what happened to him and that he cannot and will never remember anything that happened before the accident. He doesn't want anyone to know since he has too many people who didn't accept him in the past. An ex-girlfriend left when she found out, his dad still doesn't accept him, etc. He is not who he once was, but he is still a good person.

Clay and Paige are attracted to each other but Clay is really hesitant to start something. He doesn't want to get hurt again. Paige could be leaving soon to go back to Africa and he doesn't want to get involved just to be left behind. Of course staying away doesn't work since they keep getting thrown together.

I was a little disappointed in the end of the book. Paige's mom comes back and expects Paige to go back to Africa with her. Paige hasn't decided what she wants to do yet, and really I expected more from the mother. More of an issue with Paige potentially not going with her. She just was set up like it would be a big deal, but you never really saw the mother. It was like she was fine with whatever Paige wanted once she made up her mind.

I did like the epilogue though. So cute how Clay and Paige worked everything out. So sweet and they really were perfect for each other.

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

[Cat Fu (carocat) · Rating 1 out of 5]

They decide to get married after knowing each other for about a month I think?

This book and the characters were odd, I think I'd have liked more depth to it all.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just had to much trouble with this whole story from the very beginning. It just was cold but I started it and it was not a terrible book it had merit. I just could not find it believable so it made me keep saying in my head this would never happen so it made it not fun for me. Why in the world would a doctor go to a not professional with a problem himself because one his memory and two he just doesn't want to get involved. Well, both at some point want to do something to help but need the service of the doc that Paige was there to help while he was out ill. He guides them and while they fight it the is a pull to both their hearts and yours. The sex scenes are hot so have a fan but the storyline just kept me disengaged for a lot of the story. I gave it three stars when I rated it for it was not totally bad.

[Shanora Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went on a free-spree on Amazon and came across this book. I'll keep it simple and sweet..

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was amazing to me. I loved the Paige and Clay's relationship. It's one that I dream of sometimes. They had a strong love and I'm glad that Paige decided to stay in Langley to be with him. I could picture him as this sexy guy with minor flaws from his rock climbing accident.
I am a BIG fan of anything with romance (and even though they were older people-- around their high twenties or low thirties)this book was definitely for me.
But to put it simply, I loved this book and Karen Rose Smith did a great job with it.

[The Loopy Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in Bloom was a light, enjoyable read. I liked that the main characters had a heart for others and were involved in their community. Paige and Clay were good for each other, and together they served others selflessly. Not only did they experience healing and growth but they helped others do the same.

[katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written story with heartfelt moments . Karen always grips at your hear strings and creates emotions like fluent poetry. Characters you easily fall on love with and a wonderfully compelling love story with a happily ever after . If your after romance and a great storyline this is ideal.

Will post review soon

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really nice romance. I struggled some with Paige's story - her fear of disappointing her mother and not really knowing what she wanted to do with her life. I just couldn't connect with her character as much as I wanted to. The other characters and the chemistry between Paige and Clay, however, made up for this. It was a good read, but not really something I'll read again.

[Lyuda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of two people falling in love despite their decision not to as they have different goals in life. Clay, the hero, was injured in the rock climbing accident that robbed him of memory. Page, the heroine, was a doctor who spent many years of her life in the third world countries helping people. The circumstances kept them seeing each other…

[Katrina Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author brings us a beautiful, contemporary romance about two emotionally scarred people who have come to a crossroads of their lives. Both must choose which path they will travel, but their journey will be a tough one. Facing choices they know will change their lives forever. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

a perfectly nice book about a doctor who has lived her whole life trying to meet her family's expectations, and the hero who had undergone a horrible accident which left him physically and emotionally impaired, and how they struggle to overcome their pasts.

[Poonam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow,Amazing story! A sweet heartfelt romance.I loved Clay Reynolds and the way how he and Dr Paige Conrad falling in love with each other.I liked the background story too.Wish the epilogue was more longer in detail.I love reading such stories.Happily ever after!!! :D

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

what drives or motivates us can go stale if its not us...but someone else's expectations, then your left to find your own identity. resilience to go forward can be a slow process, but healing takes time.

[Marjorie Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters were great

I loved this book. the characters were both strong and yet tender. I loved the relationships between each other and their relationship with their own families.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

This was a sweet happily ever after romance with all the fixings of a great lighthearted read. I loved the smoothness of the plot and how in love you fall for the characters.

[Anna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light romance.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book. Characters had depth in emotions.

[Lori V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expect much from the is free Kindle book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it.