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Bloom
Seth Harris, an angry high school senior, struggling to keep motivated after his parents’ divorce. He falls in love for the first time with Tessa Copeland, who distracts him from his crumbling world. He’s willing to throw his future away for her, but with disastrous consequences.
In comes Marie Burn, the confident, bubbly student who inspires Seth to be a better guy. However, the more his feelings for Marie grow, the more the loyalty he promised to Tessa is tested. Will Seth hold onto Tessa for dear life, or will he let something good slip through his fingers?
Bloom is a coming of age, sweet-romance topped with 2007 nostalgia. If you like self-discovery and love triangles, then you’ll love Sarah Blynne’s first teenage read.
In comes Marie Burn, the confident, bubbly student who inspires Seth to be a better guy. However, the more his feelings for Marie grow, the more the loyalty he promised to Tessa is tested. Will Seth hold onto Tessa for dear life, or will he let something good slip through his fingers?
Bloom is a coming of age, sweet-romance topped with 2007 nostalgia. If you like self-discovery and love triangles, then you’ll love Sarah Blynne’s first teenage read.
- GenresYoung Adult
212 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2024
2369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2024
I highly recommend this book for teenagers - it shows how a regular teen can be sidetracked by a sudden event. Seth was a good student and he is now about to fail everything………… because he and his dad have stopped all positive living when Seth's mum has left the family home. Seth starts a relationship and this is well depicted in the book - but is it the right relationship………… another female is in his midst. This is their story and also the story of how Seth starts to live again and gives himself a chance by engaging again in life and schoolwork. A must read for youngsters as it tells the story of how to respect relationships but to not believe that they can last forever.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 13, 2024
"Bloom" by Sarah Blyne is a captivating exploration of teenage relationships, self-discovery, and the complexities of loyalty. Set against the backdrop of the 2006-2007 school year, the novel introduces us to Seth Harris, a lazy and angry high school senior with a penchant for writing over schoolwork.
The story unfolds as Seth, determined to be loyal to his girlfriend Tessa Copeland, finds himself facing unexpected challenges. Blyne skillfully captures the essence of teenage rebellion and the struggle to balance personal aspirations with the demands of a relationship. Seth's internal conflict is palpable, providing readers with a relatable and emotionally charged narrative.
Tessa Copeland, Seth's girlfriend, is portrayed as equally unmotivated and rebellious, creating a dynamic and authentic relationship dynamic. The author delves into the intricacies of commitment and the impact of familial experiences on one's perception of loyalty. Seth's goal to avoid replicating his mother's actions adds depth to the narrative, unraveling layers of complexity in his character.
The introduction of Marie Burn, a fellow writer and studious student, adds a compelling twist to the plot. Blyne successfully weaves a story that challenges Seth's preconceived notions and forces him to confront his changing feelings. The character of Marie, with her bubbly personality and contrasting attributes, serves as a catalyst for Seth's self-discovery.
The novel expertly navigates the tumultuous journey of adolescence, where emotions run high, and decisions carry lasting consequences. As Seth grapples with conflicting emotions, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of love, loyalty, and personal growth. Blyne's writing style is both engaging and evocative, immersing readers in the characters' experiences.
The climax of the story presents Seth with a poignant choice: uphold his promise of loyalty to Tessa or follow the desires of his heart. The tension builds as Seth confronts the consequences of his decisions, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers hooked until the very end.
In "Bloom," Sarah Blyne delivers a compelling coming-of-age tale that transcends the typical teenage romance genre. The exploration of loyalty, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships make this novel a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read. Blyne's ability to capture the nuances of teenage emotions and relationships sets "Bloom" apart, leaving a lasting impression on readers who appreciate well-crafted stories of love and growth.
Highly recommend
The story unfolds as Seth, determined to be loyal to his girlfriend Tessa Copeland, finds himself facing unexpected challenges. Blyne skillfully captures the essence of teenage rebellion and the struggle to balance personal aspirations with the demands of a relationship. Seth's internal conflict is palpable, providing readers with a relatable and emotionally charged narrative.
Tessa Copeland, Seth's girlfriend, is portrayed as equally unmotivated and rebellious, creating a dynamic and authentic relationship dynamic. The author delves into the intricacies of commitment and the impact of familial experiences on one's perception of loyalty. Seth's goal to avoid replicating his mother's actions adds depth to the narrative, unraveling layers of complexity in his character.
The introduction of Marie Burn, a fellow writer and studious student, adds a compelling twist to the plot. Blyne successfully weaves a story that challenges Seth's preconceived notions and forces him to confront his changing feelings. The character of Marie, with her bubbly personality and contrasting attributes, serves as a catalyst for Seth's self-discovery.
The novel expertly navigates the tumultuous journey of adolescence, where emotions run high, and decisions carry lasting consequences. As Seth grapples with conflicting emotions, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of love, loyalty, and personal growth. Blyne's writing style is both engaging and evocative, immersing readers in the characters' experiences.
The climax of the story presents Seth with a poignant choice: uphold his promise of loyalty to Tessa or follow the desires of his heart. The tension builds as Seth confronts the consequences of his decisions, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers hooked until the very end.
In "Bloom," Sarah Blyne delivers a compelling coming-of-age tale that transcends the typical teenage romance genre. The exploration of loyalty, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships make this novel a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read. Blyne's ability to capture the nuances of teenage emotions and relationships sets "Bloom" apart, leaving a lasting impression on readers who appreciate well-crafted stories of love and growth.
Highly recommend
February 23, 2024
Seth Harris is not going to graduate high school unless something changes. Since his mom walked out on him and his dad, he’s pretty much given up on his dreams of becoming a published writer. He doesn’t care about his schoolwork and he has decided he’s never speaking to his mother again.
Let me start by saying that this young adult novel has lots to appreciate. The storyline is realistic in that teens are often conflicted about their feelings with themselves and one another. There is no vulgarity or curse words and that is completely refreshing. The relationship between Seth and his dad also seemed plausible. However, there are a few things that could have been improved upon.
There were more than a couple of grammatical errors/typos. Mistakes like these should have been caught in editing. Also, every time a song is mentioned in the story, the title and recording artist is included. Music plays a huge part in the relationship between Seth and Marie and also in the development of Seth’s writing, but I have never read a book where so many songs were mentioned with title and artist. Also, with the main character being a high school-aged boy, I questioned sometimes how authentic the dialogue and thought patterns were. Seth didn’t always seem to be talking like a guy. The author is a woman so maybe that’s why?
Additionally, we are told Seth has been friends with his best friend, Mason since junior high. This means he’s attended school with many of the same students for at least five to six years. Except he knows no one at his high school except Mason? He’s a senior and has no other friends or even acquaintances except one friend? That seems odd to me. Also a bit of continuity trouble: midway through the book Seth mentions that it’s the end of the semester and so his classes will be changing . He’s not sure if he will have any classes with Marie anymore once a new semester starts. However, they are still in the same English class with th same teacher at the beginning and ending of the book. Huh?
Overall, I appreciated the author’s story. I liked it and was encouraging of being true to oneself and doing what needs to be done even when it’s not easy. It’s a great teen romance that many teen readers would enjoy.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the author and BookSirens.
Let me start by saying that this young adult novel has lots to appreciate. The storyline is realistic in that teens are often conflicted about their feelings with themselves and one another. There is no vulgarity or curse words and that is completely refreshing. The relationship between Seth and his dad also seemed plausible. However, there are a few things that could have been improved upon.
There were more than a couple of grammatical errors/typos. Mistakes like these should have been caught in editing. Also, every time a song is mentioned in the story, the title and recording artist is included. Music plays a huge part in the relationship between Seth and Marie and also in the development of Seth’s writing, but I have never read a book where so many songs were mentioned with title and artist. Also, with the main character being a high school-aged boy, I questioned sometimes how authentic the dialogue and thought patterns were. Seth didn’t always seem to be talking like a guy. The author is a woman so maybe that’s why?
Additionally, we are told Seth has been friends with his best friend, Mason since junior high. This means he’s attended school with many of the same students for at least five to six years. Except he knows no one at his high school except Mason? He’s a senior and has no other friends or even acquaintances except one friend? That seems odd to me. Also a bit of continuity trouble: midway through the book Seth mentions that it’s the end of the semester and so his classes will be changing . He’s not sure if he will have any classes with Marie anymore once a new semester starts. However, they are still in the same English class with th same teacher at the beginning and ending of the book. Huh?
Overall, I appreciated the author’s story. I liked it and was encouraging of being true to oneself and doing what needs to be done even when it’s not easy. It’s a great teen romance that many teen readers would enjoy.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the author and BookSirens.
February 3, 2024
Hungry for fiction that celebrates 90s and early 2000s nostalgia, when I saw that Bloom by Sarah Blynne was set during main character Seth Harris's 2006 senior year (and 2006 was my junior year), I knew I had to give this one a go.
Seth is one of those rebellious teenagers who would rather put his passions (writing stories) before his schoolwork, though his reasons are for you to find out later in the novel (as he is not immediately forthcoming to readers), and he's surrounded by a smart, ambitious, and nerdy best friend and a loyal, rock of a father many of us in the early 2000s would have donated a kidney for. But when he makes a new friend online named Tessa, Seth dives deeper into his passions and finds a slight hint of new motivation for his schoolwork and his future. Seth also endearingly commits to Tessa, claiming that he will not make the same mistakes in his relationships that his parents made.
But when Seth meets another girl named Maria, Seth realizes that his loyalties to his relationships, schoolwork, and passions may not be as straight-forward as he originally thought. Rather, he finds that he will have to decide between what his heart wants and what he believes is the morally right thing to do, and it'll take further exploring the reasons behind why he lost motivation to do his schoolwork in the first place for him to really piece out which path he's comfortable with taking.
This would be a great, relaxing, even comforting read for anyone who has a tough decision coming up in front of them, or for someone who is still haunted by whether or not they made the right decision before. But this is especially fine-tuned for young adults and new adults who are still finding their footing in high school, college, early relationships, and deciding what they want to do with the rest of their lives. It also proved to be the nostalgic read that I was looking for with TV shows, music, games, and even electronic device references that were incredibly true to the early 2000s.
Seth is one of those rebellious teenagers who would rather put his passions (writing stories) before his schoolwork, though his reasons are for you to find out later in the novel (as he is not immediately forthcoming to readers), and he's surrounded by a smart, ambitious, and nerdy best friend and a loyal, rock of a father many of us in the early 2000s would have donated a kidney for. But when he makes a new friend online named Tessa, Seth dives deeper into his passions and finds a slight hint of new motivation for his schoolwork and his future. Seth also endearingly commits to Tessa, claiming that he will not make the same mistakes in his relationships that his parents made.
But when Seth meets another girl named Maria, Seth realizes that his loyalties to his relationships, schoolwork, and passions may not be as straight-forward as he originally thought. Rather, he finds that he will have to decide between what his heart wants and what he believes is the morally right thing to do, and it'll take further exploring the reasons behind why he lost motivation to do his schoolwork in the first place for him to really piece out which path he's comfortable with taking.
This would be a great, relaxing, even comforting read for anyone who has a tough decision coming up in front of them, or for someone who is still haunted by whether or not they made the right decision before. But this is especially fine-tuned for young adults and new adults who are still finding their footing in high school, college, early relationships, and deciding what they want to do with the rest of their lives. It also proved to be the nostalgic read that I was looking for with TV shows, music, games, and even electronic device references that were incredibly true to the early 2000s.
February 5, 2024
Bloom is a teen & young adult contemporary romance novel written by the author Sarah Blynne, published in January 2024. It is Sarah’s debut novel and she has for sure done a fantastic job. The story is set in 2006-2007, and revolves around a 17 year old teenager named Seth Harris, who has a passion for writing. The boy comes from a messed up family, and has an objective of not abandoning his own relationship with his sweetheart named Tessa Copeland.
However, an intriguing turn of events leads him to meet Marie Burn, another fellow author, and he begins to experience conflicting emotions. Now the real question arises, will Seth ever accept what his heart desires or keep his promise of not abandoning his girlfriend, Tessa?
He discovers that he must choose between his heart’s desire and what he feels is the morally correct course of action. In order to truly determine which course he is comfortable with taking, he will need to delve deeper into the reasons why he initially lost interest in his academic work.
This book was quite amazing, and the author’s ability to write in a way that makes you feel something is truly admirable.
The characters have distinct personalities and are well-developed, resulting in a striking visual depiction of their existence. I became immediately engrossed in the plot, even if it took some time to develop. The narrative moves through several emotional tiers with a genuine trajectory that is typically overlooked.
This would be a wonderful, calming, even consoling book for anyone who is about to make a difficult decision or is still troubled by the thought of whether they made the proper choice in the past. However, this is particularly well-suited for young adults and recent graduates who are still figuring out what they want to do with their lives after high school and college as well as early relationships. The book is about 245 pages long which makes it a pretty interesting read. Highly recommended from my side.
However, an intriguing turn of events leads him to meet Marie Burn, another fellow author, and he begins to experience conflicting emotions. Now the real question arises, will Seth ever accept what his heart desires or keep his promise of not abandoning his girlfriend, Tessa?
He discovers that he must choose between his heart’s desire and what he feels is the morally correct course of action. In order to truly determine which course he is comfortable with taking, he will need to delve deeper into the reasons why he initially lost interest in his academic work.
This book was quite amazing, and the author’s ability to write in a way that makes you feel something is truly admirable.
The characters have distinct personalities and are well-developed, resulting in a striking visual depiction of their existence. I became immediately engrossed in the plot, even if it took some time to develop. The narrative moves through several emotional tiers with a genuine trajectory that is typically overlooked.
This would be a wonderful, calming, even consoling book for anyone who is about to make a difficult decision or is still troubled by the thought of whether they made the proper choice in the past. However, this is particularly well-suited for young adults and recent graduates who are still figuring out what they want to do with their lives after high school and college as well as early relationships. The book is about 245 pages long which makes it a pretty interesting read. Highly recommended from my side.
April 14, 2024
Well, that was an emotional roller coaster. It's a fair while since I was a teen but Bloom brought a lot of memories and feelings back into my head. Poor old Seth. He had a lot to sort out and it was a fun, if somewhat angsty, ride as he worked his way through a tough final year of school.
I thought the development of Seth was done very well. It was clear how he got to where he was at the beginning of the book. Seeing how he dealt with (or failed to deal with) the issues he was facing was covered realistically. Interactions with his dad and teaching staff was pretty spot on, in my experience.
I was wondering at times if he was too mature in the way he was accepting of things in some of his discussions where things didn't go his way. There were a number of opportunities where packing a sad might have been a more realistic way for an emotional teen to deal with the situation, but perhaps teens have become better at expressing themselves since I was in that age group.
For me, the book wrapped up a little too quickly. It was like once Seth made his decisions everything fell into place and bang - it's all over.
I'd have liked to have read about Seth's interactions with his mum, as well as more on both Tessa and Marie's backgrounds.
I've never read a book before where the page number occurs randomly on every page throughout the book. Might it start a trend? Also, there were several pages with huge spaces until the next section of text, and even a couple of blank ones. That should have been sorted!
Overall - if you're looking for a good YA book to invest yourself in, you could do a lot worse than Bloom. It's solid and i recommend giving it a go..
I thought the development of Seth was done very well. It was clear how he got to where he was at the beginning of the book. Seeing how he dealt with (or failed to deal with) the issues he was facing was covered realistically. Interactions with his dad and teaching staff was pretty spot on, in my experience.
I was wondering at times if he was too mature in the way he was accepting of things in some of his discussions where things didn't go his way. There were a number of opportunities where packing a sad might have been a more realistic way for an emotional teen to deal with the situation, but perhaps teens have become better at expressing themselves since I was in that age group.
For me, the book wrapped up a little too quickly. It was like once Seth made his decisions everything fell into place and bang - it's all over.
I'd have liked to have read about Seth's interactions with his mum, as well as more on both Tessa and Marie's backgrounds.
I've never read a book before where the page number occurs randomly on every page throughout the book. Might it start a trend? Also, there were several pages with huge spaces until the next section of text, and even a couple of blank ones. That should have been sorted!
Overall - if you're looking for a good YA book to invest yourself in, you could do a lot worse than Bloom. It's solid and i recommend giving it a go..
December 24, 2025
Bloom is a heartfelt, nostalgic coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the highs, lows, and confusions of late adolescence. Set in 2006–2007, Sarah Blynne masterfully immerses readers in the era, weaving in pop culture, technology, and the music of the early 2000s with authenticity and charm.
Seth Harris is a relatable and flawed protagonist a high school senior who prioritizes his passion for writing over schoolwork, while navigating the complications of friendship, love, and personal responsibility. His journey becomes even more layered when he meets Tessa, an equally rebellious peer, and Marie, a sweet and engaging new friend, forcing him to confront tough decisions about loyalty, morality, and what it truly means to follow one’s heart.
Blynne’s storytelling balances humor, tenderness, and emotional depth. Teens and new adults will resonate with Seth’s struggles, and older readers will enjoy the nostalgic references sprinkled throughout. Bloom is a charming, thoughtful, and reflective read about choices, growth, and finding one’s own path.
Seth Harris is a relatable and flawed protagonist a high school senior who prioritizes his passion for writing over schoolwork, while navigating the complications of friendship, love, and personal responsibility. His journey becomes even more layered when he meets Tessa, an equally rebellious peer, and Marie, a sweet and engaging new friend, forcing him to confront tough decisions about loyalty, morality, and what it truly means to follow one’s heart.
Blynne’s storytelling balances humor, tenderness, and emotional depth. Teens and new adults will resonate with Seth’s struggles, and older readers will enjoy the nostalgic references sprinkled throughout. Bloom is a charming, thoughtful, and reflective read about choices, growth, and finding one’s own path.
April 10, 2024
Seth is a senior in high school. He reminds me of my son. Going through a stressful hard time and losing interest in everyone and everything. He connects with Tessa online and they meet up and end up going out. She moves and he makes friends with Marie.
What will happen? Will he make it work with Tessa? Or will he take his shot with Marie? Well worth the read in my opinion.
What will happen? Will he make it work with Tessa? Or will he take his shot with Marie? Well worth the read in my opinion.
April 18, 2024
Even though this seems to be written for teens, I highly enjoyed reading it. Some parts felt a bit fabricated, especially the dialog, but it was easy to look past that.
April 19, 2024
Great story told in Seth's pov. Loved how you could actually see what this guy was thinking especially about the whole love situation for him and what was going on in his life.
April 29, 2024
Super cute story it was okay and maybe not something I would normally read but all in all it was a good read.
May 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I think it's an YA book. Good story liked how she grew up in the area and used that in her book.
September 23, 2024
This was a true reflection of young adult lives with personal angst, first loves and losses all while navigating senior year at school and the choices it brings!
The writer introduced this reader to LOTS of new music which helped enrich the experience and enabled the reader to reach a deeper understanding of what the characters were feeling. Plenty of emotion and moments of naivety, by one character in particular, where this reader cringed while wanting to shake him and tell him to keep quiet!!! Well written to get this reaction!!!
Loved that several of the characters wanted to write in their spare time and the enjoyment they received from doing so.
I received this as a free complimentary advanced reader copy via BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writer introduced this reader to LOTS of new music which helped enrich the experience and enabled the reader to reach a deeper understanding of what the characters were feeling. Plenty of emotion and moments of naivety, by one character in particular, where this reader cringed while wanting to shake him and tell him to keep quiet!!! Well written to get this reaction!!!
Loved that several of the characters wanted to write in their spare time and the enjoyment they received from doing so.
I received this as a free complimentary advanced reader copy via BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews