IN BLOOM: SIDE A

by Adrian Harlow

First crush, first kiss, first drink, first trip.

These are the times they’ll talk about…should they survive them.

Usher in the era of flannel shirts and messy hair, where Gen Xers define themselves through random acts of disorder and creative disobedience, with libidos set on overdrive. Jared Buckley just transferred into Queens Land Central Academy for his senior year, not quite the sprawling metropolis he's used to. If he's worried he'll be bored though, he shouldn't be.

Jared soon meets the radio club, a ragtag group of misfits known for their antics, building a rapport with one member in particular, Sydney Rockafella. This sets the stage for a series of events that will change his world forever.

It's all good times, ditching class for fast cars, five finger discounts and other new experiences meant to keep one flying sky high. But, when the joyride comes to a screeching halt, can Jared truly depend on the people he calls friends?

Paperback

About the author

I am me. For if not me, who else would I be? I write what I know. I ask that you come my way, if only for a little while. Escape the restraints and displace reality. A time to let go and set your spirit free. Please, do enjoy the journey.

Reviews

[claire martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a nostalgia trip!

The scenes are so descriptive, especially the clothing, that you can imagine yourself back in the 90's.

If you're easily triggered by drug taking then this story is not for you.

I feel like a couple of storylines could have been developed a bit more, such as the play in drama class,( did they actually finish and perform the play?) and why are Jared's parents so strict and anti drinking?

The group are so tight knit and will do anything for each other.

This was an enjoyable story.

[Squid Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Easy to get into and keeps you entertained for the ride.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Felina Pittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an honest and harsh depiction of teen life in an American public school. It portrayed distinctively how a group of adolescents deal with peer pressure, run-ins with teachers, parental rebellion, struggle with self-identity besides experimenting with drugs, sex and alcohol. The author literally showcased the voice of the youth full of angst and longing for direction and acceptance in a misguided world as they grapple with the complexities of growing up. The writing style is rudimentary at best. The descriptive language used by the writer is reflective of the expressions and verbiage used by the teenagers of the present time.

The book will appeal to the young adult set and the young and restless at heart.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book
The story was easy to follow and had a great mix of characters. The author's writing is wonderful which makes the novel easy to read. A really enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to the author and vorious readers only for my ebook copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am struggling so hard with this one, it falls extremely short of the mark. According to the synopsis it should have taken me back to the 90's and the days of grunge. Nothing in this book screams 90's! I was 18-28 yrs old in the 90's, I was in the thick of great music (all of it, not just grunge), great clubs, it was the best years for living in the San Francisco Bay Area! The prime days of grunge are glaringly absent from this book. I can't even connect to any of the characters, they are insufferably boring. I am 49% through this book and I keep debating myself about abandoning the remainder. Why torture myself, but then again why deny adding another finished book to my book challenge? I think I will call it done at page 226.
Thank you to VRO and Adrian Harlow for sending a free copy. I am terribly sorry to say though that this one didn't work for me.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrian Harlow brings us a wonderful teen drama that captures all the roaring counter culture of Gen X while managing to land with a deep heart in In Bloom: Side A! Jared has just transferred to a new school where he falls in with the Radio Club, a group of young misfits. But while getting in plenty of trouble with this motley crew, Jared manages to meet Sydney, who’s trouble all her own. Harlow seamlessly captures all the fun, craziness, emotions, and challenges of growing up Gen X! I really loved the sort of Breakfast Club feel this one evoked, but it’s certainly its own beast and rounds out all the crazy parties and troublemaking with a meaningful deep heart. If you love realistic teen drama set in the teen days of Gen X, definitely come stir up some trouble with In Bloom!

[Sylvia Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well-written book exploring the friendship and experiences of a group of high school students. Although I found the writing engaging and the storyline interesting, I found that I could not connect with the characters.

I attribute this to demographic incompatibility, as I suspect that readers in a different demographic will connect more deeply with the material

Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tris Lawrence]

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Unfortunately, the writing style did not mesh with me and I did not finish reading the book.