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Rose in Bloom
A novella, originally appearing in "Scottish Brides"
Every Rose has its thorn . . . especially Rose MacKenzie-Craddock When they were children, the willful girl was the thorn in the Earl of Strathyre's side. Now, as a beautiful woman, Rose drives the Earl wild with desire. But even grown-ups can play some most interesting games . . .
Every Rose has its thorn . . . especially Rose MacKenzie-Craddock When they were children, the willful girl was the thorn in the Earl of Strathyre's side. Now, as a beautiful woman, Rose drives the Earl wild with desire. But even grown-ups can play some most interesting games . . .
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2011
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
212 books5,602 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 16, 2017
Do you really wanna know the truth?
To be brutally honest, I am pretty sure I wouldn't remember this book by the end of the week. 😪 I already forgot the name of the Gary Stu H, and I only still recall the name of the Mary Sue h because her name is the same as the title.
I'm sorry to say that this is more porn than romance. 😑 If I want to read only about sex I would have read erotica and be done with it. Please don't get me wrong I enjoy steamy scenes as much as any hormonal human being but I need more than physical attraction in a love story. Most of the romance, I'm sorry to say, happened behind the scenes. The story opened where the H ogles the (perfect ofc) breasts of our h and we are treated to similar scenes to the end. The H constantly assured us that he find the h an annoying pest but he developed a tendre (instalust) when he sees that the h developed into a sexy siren. I am certain that he only fell in love with the h because of her lady lumps and because another dude is after our h. I wonder if the H would still fall for the h if she remained gangly and awkward. 😭 I wish that instead of being subjected to the H's lustful thoughts we get to know more about their shared backstory.
Btw, if you are wondering about why I didn't talk about the h, it's because there is really nothing much to tell. She is a Mary Sue even if she denies that she is perfect. She ofc falls in lust with the H right away. Who wouldn't? Oh she is a spinster too because she is waiting for Mr. Right. The only scene where she shows personality is
For more novella if you prefer your hr to have more romance than this:
April 12, 2018
I don't know what it is about this book, but I LOVE this story. I have read it at least seven time. The most recent being two weeks ago. I think the reason it hits me in the feels is because the characters have such a history together. It was really easy for me to believe that they could fall in love. It also had a convincing friends to lovers storyline that felt 'realistic.
Update: Yep, I read Rose in Bloom again. It's such a comfort read I can't help but devour it over and over again.
Update: Yep, I read Rose in Bloom again. It's such a comfort read I can't help but devour it over and over again.
April 20, 2022
This would've been a 3 star read (it was just meh, not anything particularly special or bad) until I realized they are COUSINS. 🤠 I hate it here, why was this important to include; they could've just made them family friends why did the author make it incestuous.
May 5, 2017
Four stars. A lovely story of childhood-friends-turned-lovers. It is a well-written novella that is complete. Although I wish it's longer, I appreciate the skill it took to come up with a well-developed storyline. I really enjoyed this book.
June 20, 2024
My rating for Rose in Bloom, by Stephanie Laurens: 3 stars.
Stephanie Laurens is a good writer, but this novella appears to be one of her early works. It just wasn't as good as her Cynster's series or many of the other books she wrote later.
The story was okay, but I had a hard time liking Duncan. I didn't think he was in love with Rose, just lust. I also thought his attitude towards her was patronizing and annoying. He had never liked her, but then when he saw she had become a beautiful woman, he wanted to marry her (simply out of lust -- I still didn't think he really liked her much).
The story also suffered from lack of character development, probably because it was just a novella. I wanted more backstory on both Rose and Duncan.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
Stephanie Laurens is a good writer, but this novella appears to be one of her early works. It just wasn't as good as her Cynster's series or many of the other books she wrote later.
The story was okay, but I had a hard time liking Duncan. I didn't think he was in love with Rose, just lust. I also thought his attitude towards her was patronizing and annoying. He had never liked her, but then when he saw she had become a beautiful woman, he wanted to marry her (simply out of lust -- I still didn't think he really liked her much).
The story also suffered from lack of character development, probably because it was just a novella. I wanted more backstory on both Rose and Duncan.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
September 11, 2024
James' rating: 5 out of 5 stars on fire! ✨
Oh my gods! That was so freaking good. Duncan and Rose had such excellent chemistry that it was sizzling. I almost screamed , 'For the love of God, just fucking kiss already!'.
Duncan was an intense perfectionist who was sharp and vigorous (there just seemed to be restless energy surrounding him) with a litter grumpy side mixed in. Rose was an absolutely brilliant, bold and beautiful woman (see what I did there 😉).
The spice was burning hot. Stephanie Laurens writes one of the best spice I have ever read and this one was no exception. I was still sad to see it ended so quickly it's a novella but the ending was just perfect. The Scottish vibes enhanced everything and I was so glad to on Duncan and Rose's journey to a happily ever after.
Happy Reading!
Oh my gods! That was so freaking good. Duncan and Rose had such excellent chemistry that it was sizzling. I almost screamed , 'For the love of God, just fucking kiss already!'.
Duncan was an intense perfectionist who was sharp and vigorous (there just seemed to be restless energy surrounding him) with a litter grumpy side mixed in. Rose was an absolutely brilliant, bold and beautiful woman (see what I did there 😉).
The spice was burning hot. Stephanie Laurens writes one of the best spice I have ever read and this one was no exception. I was still sad to see it ended so quickly it's a novella but the ending was just perfect. The Scottish vibes enhanced everything and I was so glad to on Duncan and Rose's journey to a happily ever after.
Happy Reading!
July 14, 2025
I loved it very much! A tale of two best friends who haven't seen each other for years & then they meet at a summer house party for a Midsummer Night's Festival. She has always been coming, but he hasn't. They are trying to decide potential spouse candidates they have specifically brought in during the activities.
June 9, 2019
Cute story of a house party . . . Familiar yet had a few "gotchas" to make you smile.
Read
January 20, 2021Love this book! I reread it every couple of months.
September 15, 2023
Rose in Bloom
This was amazing as is this author, A great storyteller. A couple that had grown up together, she the thorn in his side became his perfect Rose.
This was amazing as is this author, A great storyteller. A couple that had grown up together, she the thorn in his side became his perfect Rose.
April 6, 2024
Probably my favorite novella so far, my first Stephanie Laurens.
It was fast pace and straight to the point, which all novellas should be, right?
My only negative point about this novella was the fact that a 27 y/o and a 35 y/o, were written as if they were in their late teens-straight puberty age. It made for a slight annoyance but not enough to deter me from their story.
It was cute, sensual and eventful.
It was fast pace and straight to the point, which all novellas should be, right?
My only negative point about this novella was the fact that a 27 y/o and a 35 y/o, were written as if they were in their late teens-straight puberty age. It made for a slight annoyance but not enough to deter me from their story.
It was cute, sensual and eventful.
July 7, 2025
I love everything Stephanie Laurens writes. Always excited when I discover a book I've missed.
February 17, 2026
3.5 stars. Actually pretty good for a novella.
March 7, 2026
This book was a quick read. Pretty short. I wasn’t a fan of the writing. I know it’s historical romance, but I’ve read better in that genre. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. It was just okay.
January 1, 2025
Rose in Bloom - Laurens
3 stars
A thinly plotted Regency romance set in Scotland. The brooding Earl returns to his ancestral lands with enough financial stability to take a society wife. He finds that his childhood nemesis is all grown up. No surprises where this story is going. Just enough plot to support the titillation and some midsummer sex.
3 stars
A thinly plotted Regency romance set in Scotland. The brooding Earl returns to his ancestral lands with enough financial stability to take a society wife. He finds that his childhood nemesis is all grown up. No surprises where this story is going. Just enough plot to support the titillation and some midsummer sex.
July 25, 2011
just: I love it!
November 17, 2011
Nice short story -
October 24, 2011
it was short yet very entertaining. childhood memories just bring back memories that will eventually lead to romance.
December 5, 2011
Great short story to read! The attraction between Rose and Duncan was very clear! I love how Laurens cast Clarissa as a true 1800's young lady! 5 STARS for sure!!!
February 29, 2012
Left wanting more
August 25, 2013
ahh me encantó Duncan, muy bonita historia
October 3, 2013
Reading it, I can imagine I'm in the highland, so wild and beautiful, sometime I wonder is there still the same, I shall visit Scotland if I have a chance too...
October 9, 2013
I liked this better than some of her most recent books. It is her tried and true formula but I felt their sex was hot. I liked Duncan and Rose and their interactions. This is a historical romance.
June 10, 2014
For being a short story I really enjoyed it. Normally I do t feel connected to short story characters but these two seemed to reach out and grab me.
April 22, 2012
It had no spark, no flow. The beginning was good, but it kept getting worse.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews