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The Masked Flower
Will the depth of love be worth the inevitable loss to come?
Iris Greene found her light at the end of the tunnel in a person–her brother, Kai. When her ray of sunshine is robbed from her in the blink of an eye, she loses a piece of herself, too. Two years later, she’s thriving as an Events Director, but she can no longer see the light.
Jasper Alcott considers himself an ambitious failure. After an unforeseen accident, he finds himself back in Chrysocolla Cove reluctantly managing his old man’s antique shop, resigned to a mundane existence–until they waltz into the coffee shop he’s visiting. At first glance, Jasper assumes the man trailing behind her is her boyfriend. However, not all is as it seems.
When a fundraising event at her marketing agency brings the two closer together, he realizes the man following Iris isn’t just a man. He is her supernatural guardian, and for some reason, Jasper is the only living human who can see him. As Jasper gets to know Iris better, he begrudgingly finds her difficult to resist. Likewise, Iris can’t help but feel drawn to him. Between her guardian angel meddling where he shouldn’t and the undeniable pull the pair feel toward each other, life has become anything but mundane.
In this modern-day emotional paranormal romance, their connection deepens as Jasper unveils the mystery of why he can see him when no one else can. He is determined to lift her up despite her insistence to bear it all alone. Little does Iris know, she hasn’t been alone for quite some time.
Iris Greene found her light at the end of the tunnel in a person–her brother, Kai. When her ray of sunshine is robbed from her in the blink of an eye, she loses a piece of herself, too. Two years later, she’s thriving as an Events Director, but she can no longer see the light.
Jasper Alcott considers himself an ambitious failure. After an unforeseen accident, he finds himself back in Chrysocolla Cove reluctantly managing his old man’s antique shop, resigned to a mundane existence–until they waltz into the coffee shop he’s visiting. At first glance, Jasper assumes the man trailing behind her is her boyfriend. However, not all is as it seems.
When a fundraising event at her marketing agency brings the two closer together, he realizes the man following Iris isn’t just a man. He is her supernatural guardian, and for some reason, Jasper is the only living human who can see him. As Jasper gets to know Iris better, he begrudgingly finds her difficult to resist. Likewise, Iris can’t help but feel drawn to him. Between her guardian angel meddling where he shouldn’t and the undeniable pull the pair feel toward each other, life has become anything but mundane.
In this modern-day emotional paranormal romance, their connection deepens as Jasper unveils the mystery of why he can see him when no one else can. He is determined to lift her up despite her insistence to bear it all alone. Little does Iris know, she hasn’t been alone for quite some time.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2024
48 people are currently reading
1543 people want to read
About the author
Erin Halli
2 books37 followersAs a grieving wanderer herself, Erin Halli writes stories encompassing authentic journeys through grief–long, cumbersome paths. Additionally, she has a background in journalism, copywriting, and blog writing. Her objective is for readers to find comfort in knowing they do not roam the lonesome isles of grief alone. Her debut novel, The Masked Flower, is a story of grief, triumph, hope, healing, and, of course, true love. Erin resides in Texas with her husband and two small dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
December 28, 2025
Це було цікаво, не часто зустрінеш в книжці персонажів, які померли, стали янголом і захищають когось. І дякую, що є розділи від Кая, як раз таки брата Айрі, який помер. Тут є споріднені душі я це було доволі цікаво. Але оце непорозуміння/недоговорення в другій частині буквально псує всю картину.
І я так зрозуміла буде 2 частина про брата, який помер, і це дуже нагадує мені про серію у К. М. Moronova👀
І я так зрозуміла буде 2 частина про брата, який помер, і це дуже нагадує мені про серію у К. М. Moronova👀
Want to read
June 28, 2024I don’t know a thing about this book but I want to read it.
Want to read
August 30, 2024Idk, the cover is too pretty
November 9, 2025
This is such a beautiful book filled with grief, love, hope, and levels of humanity. The way Erin Halli has expressed grievances and the importance of healing and moving forward in life was a both heartbreaking and beautiful. I definitely cried a couple times while reading 🥹💗
The journeys of Iris, Jasper, and Kai was so well done, I truly connected with each of their characters. From their flaws to their strengths and weaknesses, they were perfectly imperfect characters that you grow to love when reading.
Iris and Jasper are so adorable together, I truly loved reading their story. They respect each other, care deeply for one another, and watching them go from business buddies to friends to lovers was so cute💗 Kai, UGH KAI, I loved him. His journey was such a joy to read and getting to know his character, as well. He was definitely one of my favourite things about this book, amongst so many other reasons why this story is so loved 🥹
This story is perfect for those who are looking to heal, and for those looking to deeply connect with a story and its characters🌷
The journeys of Iris, Jasper, and Kai was so well done, I truly connected with each of their characters. From their flaws to their strengths and weaknesses, they were perfectly imperfect characters that you grow to love when reading.
Iris and Jasper are so adorable together, I truly loved reading their story. They respect each other, care deeply for one another, and watching them go from business buddies to friends to lovers was so cute💗 Kai, UGH KAI, I loved him. His journey was such a joy to read and getting to know his character, as well. He was definitely one of my favourite things about this book, amongst so many other reasons why this story is so loved 🥹
This story is perfect for those who are looking to heal, and for those looking to deeply connect with a story and its characters🌷
February 14, 2025
The cover/character art drew me in and while it didn’t quite match my expectations of what would happen, the story had the same sweet vibe it projects.
This (paranormal infused) small town romance is a whimsical tale about loss, gaining independence, and finding love when you least expect it. I admired the author’s ability to string together the characters and events so that it all came full circle in the end. The main characters had great chemistry and the “my girl” trope worked well in their romance. 3.5 rounded up to 4!
I’d recommend this to readers who love:
💕 Paranormal influence, with humor
💕 Small town romance
💕 Forced proximity
💕 “My girl”
💕 Open door, low spice
💕 FMC finding her own inner strength- overcoming personal struggles with family and anxiety
This (paranormal infused) small town romance is a whimsical tale about loss, gaining independence, and finding love when you least expect it. I admired the author’s ability to string together the characters and events so that it all came full circle in the end. The main characters had great chemistry and the “my girl” trope worked well in their romance. 3.5 rounded up to 4!
I’d recommend this to readers who love:
💕 Paranormal influence, with humor
💕 Small town romance
💕 Forced proximity
💕 “My girl”
💕 Open door, low spice
💕 FMC finding her own inner strength- overcoming personal struggles with family and anxiety
May 5, 2024
Read it in a day. This book just kept getting better page by page. The journey you ride along with between the three main characters of Iris, Kai and Jasper was so beautifully written. The way the author expresses the levels of grief & the importance of moving through it rather than smothering it was articulated so well and you could feel the pure humanity of these characters as they go through those emotions.
The romance between Jasper and Iris had me at the edge of my seat from the start. So many scenes had me kicking my feet up because I just adored their shared time together and appreciated the clear communication between the two!
The character of Kai was the most moving of all and he completely stole my heart. I’m hoping to maybe see more of him in the future. *wink*
Absolutely recommend this if you are looking for a book to pull at your heart strings and prove that strength can be found in confronting your deepest emotions from within.
The romance between Jasper and Iris had me at the edge of my seat from the start. So many scenes had me kicking my feet up because I just adored their shared time together and appreciated the clear communication between the two!
The character of Kai was the most moving of all and he completely stole my heart. I’m hoping to maybe see more of him in the future. *wink*
Absolutely recommend this if you are looking for a book to pull at your heart strings and prove that strength can be found in confronting your deepest emotions from within.
September 2, 2024
“𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏.”
The Masked Flower by Erin Halli
Rating: ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
🍂 Forced Proximity
🍂 Small Town
🍂 Slow Burn
🍂 Supernatural Mystery
🍂 Mental Health Rep
🍂 Paranormal Romance
Review:
The Masked Flower follows Iris Greene and Jasper Alcott in a small town called Chrysocolla Cove. About two years ago, Iris Greene lost her brother, her rock, Kai in a car accident and in turn lost a piece of herself too.
Having lost someone recently, this definitely hit hard. I can’t say I didn’t cry… I felt the grief and the raw emotions that came with it. I was so lucky to read this and I’m so happy I did.
The romance in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet, I cannot lie! And Kai? Loved him!!!
If you’re looking for a story showcasing grief and love and everything in between, I recommend you try this out. But as always, be mindful of your heart and mental health too.
Thank you to Erin Halli for sending me this ARC for an honest review. 💖 And another congrats on publishing this book! 🥰
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫.”
The Masked Flower by Erin Halli
Rating: ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
🍂 Forced Proximity
🍂 Small Town
🍂 Slow Burn
🍂 Supernatural Mystery
🍂 Mental Health Rep
🍂 Paranormal Romance
Review:
The Masked Flower follows Iris Greene and Jasper Alcott in a small town called Chrysocolla Cove. About two years ago, Iris Greene lost her brother, her rock, Kai in a car accident and in turn lost a piece of herself too.
Having lost someone recently, this definitely hit hard. I can’t say I didn’t cry… I felt the grief and the raw emotions that came with it. I was so lucky to read this and I’m so happy I did.
The romance in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet, I cannot lie! And Kai? Loved him!!!
If you’re looking for a story showcasing grief and love and everything in between, I recommend you try this out. But as always, be mindful of your heart and mental health too.
Thank you to Erin Halli for sending me this ARC for an honest review. 💖 And another congrats on publishing this book! 🥰
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫.”
July 17, 2025
This story is a clear case of needing much more editing and development of writing skills on the author’s part. With a stronger understanding of storytelling and the craft, this idea has the potential to shine. However, it was executed very poorly, even when viewed through rose-colored glasses as an indie debut.
That said, I’d be willing to come back if the author ever released a new edition with significant edits.
—————————————————————————
Ratings
Plot: 2 📚📚 Some plot.
World Building (Immersion): 1 🌎 Dipped my toes. I was imagining as a hallmark small town.
Angst: 1 👹 Being bitten by a mosquito. I think the poor writing is to blame for it. The themes were heavy enough.
Funniness: 1 🌝 There was a joke, but I didn’t even twitch
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 2.5 💖💖💫 It could have been better developed
Spice: 1 🌶️ Some steamed kisses and fade to black
Goriness: 1 🫀 Some descriptions of blood or wounds
Sadness: 1.5 🥲💫 A twinge
Overall Star Rating: 2 ⭐️⭐️ Nothing is okay.
————————————————————————-
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
>>>The Good Chapters:<<<
▫️the ideas of grief were expressed in a manner I liked.
▫️Like I said, the story ideas were really good —just poorly executed.
>>>The In-between Chapters:<<<
🔹I let my brain marinate (I forgot to do this review). I can’t remember almost anything about the main characters. I just remember that they met at a café, and the MMC was admiring her and noticed she was with who he assumed was her boyfriend (turns out it was her dead brother, whom only he can see).
Everything else…
cricket noises 🦗🦗🦗
~~>The Bad Chapters:<~~
▪️I did not like the brother’s character. I didn’t find any of his reasons for his actions convincing, and his approach to his own romance while he was alive made me dislike him even more. If he knew—or even suspected—that the girl he was with was his soulmate, why not grow up? Anyway, she dodged a bullet. 🫡
Him watching over her wedding made me: 😬
___Romance Information:___
Safe. No others, no cheating. No other people drama (not really). I can’t recall anything about their past besides the heroine was inexperienced and the hero was somewhat more experienced.
—————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “With that in mind, I’ve decided to try something new this morning. Rather than waking up at 10:30 a.m., barely before the shop opens, I wake up at 7:30 a.m.”
~~>Not me getting the whole schedule right out of the gate… AGAIN. It has been *looks at book* ten pages. TEN PAGES!!
📌 “Now, it’s officially time to step into my badass business woman shoes”
~~>😬
📌 “h, boy. I’m in trouble.
Was moving back to my hometown the biggest mistake I’ve ever made? Probably, but only time will tell. I used to know who I was. I was a music enthusiast, a self-proclaimed food critic, a realist, and even a scholar at one point. All those things led to my true self’s grand reveal—I fooled everyone. At my core, I’m actually just a Masters School Dropout.
I chuckled at the irony of it all. Jasper Alcott, valedictorian of his graduating class, hopes to move to the big city and make a difference.”
~~>Woah info dumb gods, chill down, this almost sounds like a college essay
📌 “Why didn’t she acknowledge him at all during their coffee run, though? Why the hell did he wink at me like that? While pulling into my driveway, I realize I’m thinking about this so… excessively. Too excessively.
For fuck’s sake. I’m definitely in trouble.”
This so… painful. Ugh, no I wanted to like it!
📌 “I’d describe my office style as Bohemian but colorful”
~~>😐 lord have mercy..:
📌 “STFU, Iris! If by ‘labor of love’ what you really mean is ‘test of patience,’ sure, but we both know pre-cooked lasagna is your low-maintenance go-to,” she cackles. Callie loves using acronyms like “LOL” and “WTF” aloud—wild child tendencies, I suppose.”
~~>I need to stand up for myself☹️✊🏻
That said, I’d be willing to come back if the author ever released a new edition with significant edits.
—————————————————————————
Ratings
Plot: 2 📚📚 Some plot.
World Building (Immersion): 1 🌎 Dipped my toes. I was imagining as a hallmark small town.
Angst: 1 👹 Being bitten by a mosquito. I think the poor writing is to blame for it. The themes were heavy enough.
Funniness: 1 🌝 There was a joke, but I didn’t even twitch
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 2.5 💖💖💫 It could have been better developed
Spice: 1 🌶️ Some steamed kisses and fade to black
Goriness: 1 🫀 Some descriptions of blood or wounds
Sadness: 1.5 🥲💫 A twinge
Overall Star Rating: 2 ⭐️⭐️ Nothing is okay.
————————————————————————-
🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
>>>The Good Chapters:<<<
▫️the ideas of grief were expressed in a manner I liked.
▫️Like I said, the story ideas were really good —just poorly executed.
>>>The In-between Chapters:<<<
🔹I let my brain marinate (I forgot to do this review). I can’t remember almost anything about the main characters. I just remember that they met at a café, and the MMC was admiring her and noticed she was with who he assumed was her boyfriend (turns out it was her dead brother, whom only he can see).
Everything else…
cricket noises 🦗🦗🦗
~~>The Bad Chapters:<~~
▪️I did not like the brother’s character. I didn’t find any of his reasons for his actions convincing, and his approach to his own romance while he was alive made me dislike him even more. If he knew—or even suspected—that the girl he was with was his soulmate, why not grow up? Anyway, she dodged a bullet. 🫡
Him watching over her wedding made me: 😬
___Romance Information:___
Safe. No others, no cheating. No other people drama (not really). I can’t recall anything about their past besides the heroine was inexperienced and the hero was somewhat more experienced.
—————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “With that in mind, I’ve decided to try something new this morning. Rather than waking up at 10:30 a.m., barely before the shop opens, I wake up at 7:30 a.m.”
~~>Not me getting the whole schedule right out of the gate… AGAIN. It has been *looks at book* ten pages. TEN PAGES!!
📌 “Now, it’s officially time to step into my badass business woman shoes”
~~>😬
📌 “h, boy. I’m in trouble.
Was moving back to my hometown the biggest mistake I’ve ever made? Probably, but only time will tell. I used to know who I was. I was a music enthusiast, a self-proclaimed food critic, a realist, and even a scholar at one point. All those things led to my true self’s grand reveal—I fooled everyone. At my core, I’m actually just a Masters School Dropout.
I chuckled at the irony of it all. Jasper Alcott, valedictorian of his graduating class, hopes to move to the big city and make a difference.”
~~>Woah info dumb gods, chill down, this almost sounds like a college essay
📌 “Why didn’t she acknowledge him at all during their coffee run, though? Why the hell did he wink at me like that? While pulling into my driveway, I realize I’m thinking about this so… excessively. Too excessively.
For fuck’s sake. I’m definitely in trouble.”
This so… painful. Ugh, no I wanted to like it!
📌 “I’d describe my office style as Bohemian but colorful”
~~>😐 lord have mercy..:
📌 “STFU, Iris! If by ‘labor of love’ what you really mean is ‘test of patience,’ sure, but we both know pre-cooked lasagna is your low-maintenance go-to,” she cackles. Callie loves using acronyms like “LOL” and “WTF” aloud—wild child tendencies, I suppose.”
~~>I need to stand up for myself☹️✊🏻
August 17, 2024
this was so beautiful. i am so proud of my girl erin 🥹
5★
this was absolutely everything. the vibe was so cozy and felt like i was in a town that was stuck perpetually in fall. (it’s giving me the hope that fall is here but in reality it’s not for like another 2 months 🥲) I am in awe of this atmosphere and found myself wishing i was with these characters in their little cove sipping a latte with pumpkin spice and seeing angels ;)
I actually was gutted reading this though. the grief and the trauma was so REAL. it felt so real and so raw. i’ve lost family before but this just hit so close to home. it felt like a warm hug after a sob session. god Iris was so strong and so just wonderful. I immediately clicked with her and i felt so many of her feelings deep in my soul. she just really resonated with me! I also loved loved LOVED jasper. that man is the blueprint of men. he was so patient with her and he was so willing to help her and give her the time she needed. i just love how he kept reminding her of small things and making sure she understood that it’s ok to not be ok. i love when people notice the small things and jasper did just that. genuinely want to know what it’s like to hug that man. oh and my love kai. he just feels like a warm hug on a cold day. i could feel his love for iris through the book. it was so ethereal and so touching. these kind of books make me wish i had siblings so i would know what it felt like to be unconditionally loved by someone who is forced to be in my life but chooses to be my best friend. he was so perfect and so sweet, i wish he was real!!! truly there are not enough words to describe how i loved this and im not just saying that because of my friend. im saying this because this book does deserve every single star possible. i am in awe 🤧
also erin you are going to have to pay my therapy bill after this book. i am so proud of you and im not sure if you’ll read this but you did absolutely amazing sweetie. I am so grateful to have been sent an ARC and can’t wait to see what’s in store!!! i just know everyone is going to love this book 🤧🫂🫶🏼
5★
this was absolutely everything. the vibe was so cozy and felt like i was in a town that was stuck perpetually in fall. (it’s giving me the hope that fall is here but in reality it’s not for like another 2 months 🥲) I am in awe of this atmosphere and found myself wishing i was with these characters in their little cove sipping a latte with pumpkin spice and seeing angels ;)
I actually was gutted reading this though. the grief and the trauma was so REAL. it felt so real and so raw. i’ve lost family before but this just hit so close to home. it felt like a warm hug after a sob session. god Iris was so strong and so just wonderful. I immediately clicked with her and i felt so many of her feelings deep in my soul. she just really resonated with me! I also loved loved LOVED jasper. that man is the blueprint of men. he was so patient with her and he was so willing to help her and give her the time she needed. i just love how he kept reminding her of small things and making sure she understood that it’s ok to not be ok. i love when people notice the small things and jasper did just that. genuinely want to know what it’s like to hug that man. oh and my love kai. he just feels like a warm hug on a cold day. i could feel his love for iris through the book. it was so ethereal and so touching. these kind of books make me wish i had siblings so i would know what it felt like to be unconditionally loved by someone who is forced to be in my life but chooses to be my best friend. he was so perfect and so sweet, i wish he was real!!! truly there are not enough words to describe how i loved this and im not just saying that because of my friend. im saying this because this book does deserve every single star possible. i am in awe 🤧
also erin you are going to have to pay my therapy bill after this book. i am so proud of you and im not sure if you’ll read this but you did absolutely amazing sweetie. I am so grateful to have been sent an ARC and can’t wait to see what’s in store!!! i just know everyone is going to love this book 🤧🫂🫶🏼
August 26, 2024
For a debut book, this was absolutely incredible! The amount of emotion put into this book truly came out in the story!
It was beautiful, cute, heartbreaking, heart healing, and so many emotions in between!
I can't even begin to describe Iris and Jasper's story.
This is a book you'll think about long after you finish it! I loved it!
Overall ☆☆☆☆☆/5
It was beautiful, cute, heartbreaking, heart healing, and so many emotions in between!
I can't even begin to describe Iris and Jasper's story.
This is a book you'll think about long after you finish it! I loved it!
Overall ☆☆☆☆☆/5
September 19, 2024
This book is an absolutely perfect fall romance that will heal your soul along the way 🧡
Want to read
December 23, 2024 TBR
the cover is kinda cute so naturally i want to read it
the cover is kinda cute so naturally i want to read it
September 1, 2024
This book is for the ones who love heartfelt, wholesome, out also heartbreaking books that will give you a good cry and leave you in awe 🥹 Iris is a sweet and loving character who goes through a tragic event in her life that completely turns her world upside down. She is left alone, picking up the pieces and managing her anxiety. That's when we meet Jasper. He comes in to take over his dad's small business. I loved seeing how Jasper was there for Iris through all of her episodes, but he also gave her the space that she needed to overcome her obstacles and fears on her own. Giving her that space helped her build confidence within herself. The love in this story is beyond beautiful and just leaves your heart feeling so full 🫶🏽 The banter between Jasper and Iris is adorable and too funny 🤭 I loved the side characters, especially Kai. I can't say too much about Kai, but I felt for him 😭 especially at the wedding 💔 now for the ending.. my goodness, I cried!! I had to put my Kindle down and just have a moment to cry and feel everything. I felt so heartbroken, but also so happy with the way the ending turned out 🥹 this book makes you feel like you're watching a movie. That's how good it is!
Infinity stars ♾️✨️
🔥-low spice
Tropes:
🤎Paranormal Romance
🤎Small Town Romance
🤎Forced Proximity
🤎He Falls First
🤎Slow Burn
🤎Mental Health Rep
Infinity stars ♾️✨️
🔥-low spice
Tropes:
🤎Paranormal Romance
🤎Small Town Romance
🤎Forced Proximity
🤎He Falls First
🤎Slow Burn
🤎Mental Health Rep
August 31, 2024
I don’t quite know where to start with this one. It was everything I was hoping for, and then some. Iris is so strong and I found her story so touching, relatable, and raw. Grappling with such loss, grief, and maneuvering mourning at a young adult age is hard, and seeing it through iris made me choke up more times than I could count. The dynamic between iris and her brother, Kai, was just so beautiful, it literally shredded me. I also adored the dynamic between jasper and iris too! I’m such a sucker for an invisible string theory!
This book, albeit had some emotional themes, felt like the fuzziest of blankets wrapped around me. The Cove is giving Stars Hollow a run for their money in cozy autumn town and I LOVED IT. Not only was the atmosphere phenomenal, the writing itself was so beautiful. The diction was just out of this world.
Overall, I’m obsessed with this book. It healed me in spots I didn’t know needed healing. Absolutely a gorgeous, beautiful, touching debut novel!
This book, albeit had some emotional themes, felt like the fuzziest of blankets wrapped around me. The Cove is giving Stars Hollow a run for their money in cozy autumn town and I LOVED IT. Not only was the atmosphere phenomenal, the writing itself was so beautiful. The diction was just out of this world.
Overall, I’m obsessed with this book. It healed me in spots I didn’t know needed healing. Absolutely a gorgeous, beautiful, touching debut novel!
September 15, 2024
A beautiful debut novel that focuses on grief and loss. Covering hard topics like mental health and healing. Paranormal/ magical realism similar vibes to Ashley Poston's stories but felt a bit more YA than hers. However the book is not YA and does include a small amount of spicey moments.
The romance is a slow burn but I loved the connection between our MCs. Jasper is so sweet and caring, he definitely fell hard.
Overall the book was very cozy and emotional. I think a young woman going through grief for the first time would absolutely love and benefit from this book.
The romance is a slow burn but I loved the connection between our MCs. Jasper is so sweet and caring, he definitely fell hard.
Overall the book was very cozy and emotional. I think a young woman going through grief for the first time would absolutely love and benefit from this book.
December 16, 2024
This was such an enjoyable read! The characters were well-developed, and I loved the dynamics between them, as well as the healthy representation of relationships. While I liked all the characters, I have to say I have a soft spot for Kai. He was truly a wonderful person, and I can see why anyone would feel lucky to have him in their life. I also adored the sibling bond and the interaction between Kai and Jasper. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and healing which I also found were well depicted.
However, there was a part of the book, around the 70% to 85% mark, that seemed to drag on for me, and I found my interest waning as I pushed through. Fortunately, the last three chapters redeemed it for me.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a small town standalone romance sprinkled with paranormal elements, strong characters, and wholesome relationships.
However, there was a part of the book, around the 70% to 85% mark, that seemed to drag on for me, and I found my interest waning as I pushed through. Fortunately, the last three chapters redeemed it for me.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a small town standalone romance sprinkled with paranormal elements, strong characters, and wholesome relationships.
August 30, 2024
𝟒.𝟓 ⭐️ 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 2 🌶️ 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬
ROUNDED UP! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢!
I want to begin by thanking Erin by allowing me to be a part of her ARC team. It has brought me so much joy sharing your story & tagging along in your author journey.
Erin’s debut novel is an absolute gem—a story that feels like a warm embrace, welcoming you into a world of healing, acceptance, and the power of leaning on those who truly care about you. This isn’t just a comfort read; it’s a journey through grief, coming to terms with past traumas, and finding the courage to move forward and embrace happiness.
The story of Iris, Jasper, and Kai is simply wholesome. And Kai—my sweet Kai—stole my heart. His POV chapters are pure gold, arriving at just the right moments to pull you deeper into the narrative. The friendship that blossoms between him and Jasper is both endearing and unexpectedly delightful.
I also loved the relationship development between Iris and Jasper. It felt so right and pure, with their romance scenes perfectly executed. The spicy details leading up to the moment were tantalizing, followed by a flawless transition into a fade-to-black scene. Erin did a wonderful job crafting their special bond, leaving just enough to the imagination. It was romantic, playful, and everything you’d want from their love story.
The fall setting is everything—think the cutest small town, overflowing with pumpkin spice, vibrant autumnal details, and that cozy feeling that wraps around you like a blanket. Every moment is painted with the colors of the season, making it a joyful experience from start to finish.
So go support our friend Erin on her debut! The Masked Flower is the perfect cozy read, inviting you to snuggle up with your favorite fall drink, a cozy blanket, and a room full of lit candles. You’ll feel every moment with these characters.
What you’ll find inside:
💃 Black-tie events & parties
💻 Workplace romance
🍂 Autumnal imagery
🎃 Halloween scenes
🫂 Forced proximity
💌 He falls first
🪩 Charity masquerade
❤️🩹 Mental health representation
🪽 Paranormal twist
🚪 “I didn’t know where else to go”
🕯️ Slow burn
🧶 Invisible string
ROUNDED UP! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢!
I want to begin by thanking Erin by allowing me to be a part of her ARC team. It has brought me so much joy sharing your story & tagging along in your author journey.
Erin’s debut novel is an absolute gem—a story that feels like a warm embrace, welcoming you into a world of healing, acceptance, and the power of leaning on those who truly care about you. This isn’t just a comfort read; it’s a journey through grief, coming to terms with past traumas, and finding the courage to move forward and embrace happiness.
The story of Iris, Jasper, and Kai is simply wholesome. And Kai—my sweet Kai—stole my heart. His POV chapters are pure gold, arriving at just the right moments to pull you deeper into the narrative. The friendship that blossoms between him and Jasper is both endearing and unexpectedly delightful.
I also loved the relationship development between Iris and Jasper. It felt so right and pure, with their romance scenes perfectly executed. The spicy details leading up to the moment were tantalizing, followed by a flawless transition into a fade-to-black scene. Erin did a wonderful job crafting their special bond, leaving just enough to the imagination. It was romantic, playful, and everything you’d want from their love story.
The fall setting is everything—think the cutest small town, overflowing with pumpkin spice, vibrant autumnal details, and that cozy feeling that wraps around you like a blanket. Every moment is painted with the colors of the season, making it a joyful experience from start to finish.
So go support our friend Erin on her debut! The Masked Flower is the perfect cozy read, inviting you to snuggle up with your favorite fall drink, a cozy blanket, and a room full of lit candles. You’ll feel every moment with these characters.
What you’ll find inside:
💃 Black-tie events & parties
💻 Workplace romance
🍂 Autumnal imagery
🎃 Halloween scenes
🫂 Forced proximity
💌 He falls first
🪩 Charity masquerade
❤️🩹 Mental health representation
🪽 Paranormal twist
🚪 “I didn’t know where else to go”
🕯️ Slow burn
🧶 Invisible string
August 30, 2024
i finished this book & oh. my. god. that was beautiful & amazing & 10000/10!🥹
if you like ashley poston’s magical realism contemporary romances, then you need to give the masked flower a try!! i just finished the seven year slip before this book && they are so so so different but still gave me the same warm hug vibes!
this book has some of the most beautiful prose i’ve read while being one of the most captivating stories. please check trigger warnings as there is a lot of talk about grief over losing a loved one, but oh my goodness. if you’re in the mindset, you have to read this book!!
i laughed, i cried, i felt like i was going through a therapy session myself about processing grief & relationships in general. i have never ever ever felt so seen in regards to my grief journey with my mom who passed when i was 17 (about 11.5 years ago). this was beyond beautiful & just wowowow!! grief comes & goes in waves && sometimes it’s so easy to mask yourself to make others feel more comfortable && make sure those around your are okay before making sure you’re okay && iris goes through all of this!
i would say more about this book, but truly you should go in blind for one of the most wholesome & captivating stories!!
this book includes:
⋒ forced proximity
⋒ workplace romance
⋒ fall vibes
⋒ coffee shops
⋒ grief & trauma healing
⋒ hilarious banter
⋒ friendships
⋒ a sassy cat
⋒ slow burn
⋒ low spice/almost closed door
⋒ angels (but don’t call them that)
literally, i cannot suggest this book enough! i went in basically completely blind & i think you should too!! absolutely so freaking good!! i’ve been following erin on booksta for so long && i am just so dang proud of her! this book you can tell was written so close to her heart!! i beeeeggggggg you on my knees to read it!!
if you like ashley poston’s magical realism contemporary romances, then you need to give the masked flower a try!! i just finished the seven year slip before this book && they are so so so different but still gave me the same warm hug vibes!
this book has some of the most beautiful prose i’ve read while being one of the most captivating stories. please check trigger warnings as there is a lot of talk about grief over losing a loved one, but oh my goodness. if you’re in the mindset, you have to read this book!!
i laughed, i cried, i felt like i was going through a therapy session myself about processing grief & relationships in general. i have never ever ever felt so seen in regards to my grief journey with my mom who passed when i was 17 (about 11.5 years ago). this was beyond beautiful & just wowowow!! grief comes & goes in waves && sometimes it’s so easy to mask yourself to make others feel more comfortable && make sure those around your are okay before making sure you’re okay && iris goes through all of this!
i would say more about this book, but truly you should go in blind for one of the most wholesome & captivating stories!!
this book includes:
⋒ forced proximity
⋒ workplace romance
⋒ fall vibes
⋒ coffee shops
⋒ grief & trauma healing
⋒ hilarious banter
⋒ friendships
⋒ a sassy cat
⋒ slow burn
⋒ low spice/almost closed door
⋒ angels (but don’t call them that)
literally, i cannot suggest this book enough! i went in basically completely blind & i think you should too!! absolutely so freaking good!! i’ve been following erin on booksta for so long && i am just so dang proud of her! this book you can tell was written so close to her heart!! i beeeeggggggg you on my knees to read it!!
September 20, 2024
The Masked Flower is a paranormal romance that takes us on a journey of healing and romance. Iris Adelaide Greene has felt lost since losing her brother, Kai and Jasper Alcott has felt like a failure.
A series of events and the assistance of a guardian angel leads them to each other. What follows is a story of growth and light for both characters.
First, I am SO proud of Erin Halli’s writing in this debut novel. She included poignant prose throughout her novel which really made me feel Iris’ struggles and Jasper’s growing love for her. I rooted for these two so much throughout the novel and I really just wanted Iris to find her sparkle again.
The beauty of a story like this is that it really does reflect everyday life and how life goes on even when we grieve. It was wonderful in its simplicity but I did find myself wanting more.
I also wasn’t a fan of the third act breakup thoughts nor certain connections that were made towards the end of the book. With such complex themes, I felt like the connections and symbolism could have been made more complex as well. This is probably just a me problem, however as I sometimes find myself not enjoying YA stories as much as I used to.
Overall, if you’re looking for a story with:
🪽 Fall vibes
🪽 Workplace romance
🪽 Mental health rep
🪽 A cute cat
🪽 Forced proximity & I didn’t know where else to go
🪽 Antique business owner MMC x events planning director FMC
🪽 Grieving and healing after the death of a loved one
Then this one is for you 🫶
A series of events and the assistance of a guardian angel leads them to each other. What follows is a story of growth and light for both characters.
First, I am SO proud of Erin Halli’s writing in this debut novel. She included poignant prose throughout her novel which really made me feel Iris’ struggles and Jasper’s growing love for her. I rooted for these two so much throughout the novel and I really just wanted Iris to find her sparkle again.
The beauty of a story like this is that it really does reflect everyday life and how life goes on even when we grieve. It was wonderful in its simplicity but I did find myself wanting more.
I also wasn’t a fan of the third act breakup thoughts nor certain connections that were made towards the end of the book. With such complex themes, I felt like the connections and symbolism could have been made more complex as well. This is probably just a me problem, however as I sometimes find myself not enjoying YA stories as much as I used to.
Overall, if you’re looking for a story with:
🪽 Fall vibes
🪽 Workplace romance
🪽 Mental health rep
🪽 A cute cat
🪽 Forced proximity & I didn’t know where else to go
🪽 Antique business owner MMC x events planning director FMC
🪽 Grieving and healing after the death of a loved one
Then this one is for you 🫶
August 26, 2024
I finished this book in one sitting a day ago and I still don’t think I can properly explain how beautiful and amazing it was. This book is full of grief, healing, and the beauty of different types of love all wrapped up in the coziest small town. I truly loved everything about this book. Our three main characters are all people you want to wrap in blankets and kiss on their foreheads because they’re perfect little angels and they deserve it. The plot is so fun and emotional like a masquerade ball HELLO!!! The prose is flowery and so beautiful. I cried several times reading this because I just felt so seen and I can promise you that you will too. This is a very emotional book but it’s a book that everyone will be able to relate to and just thinking about it makes me teary eyed. You can truly feel the love that the author put into this book and it was so beautiful to experience. I want to give nothing away but this is a book I will hold near and dear to my heart for a long time. I can’t wait to see what this author does next. Now, pick up your next beautiful, cozy fall read immediately I promise you won’t regret it 🧡🍂
August 30, 2024
what a beautiful debut novel!
firstly, I want to say thank you for the ARC & congratulations to Erin Halli for writing The Masked Flower. This book was so heartfelt and cozy. Set in a small town this definitely falls into the category of “perfect fall read”. The Cove is a town you could see yourself stumbling into and never leaving!
The themes of overcoming grief and acceptance were what made this story special. In a unique take on paranormal romance this story follows Iris who is dealing with the loss of her brother. When Jasper rolls into town and meets Iris he assumes the man standing behind her is her boyfriend, come to find out Jasper is the only one who can see him - he is her guardian angel.
With lovable characters, heartfelt themes, and a setting that feels like a big hug. For fans of magical realism I would definitely recommend checking this one out!
tropes:
🍂 (almost) workplace romance
🍂 small town
🍂 masquerade ball
🍂 magical realism
🍂 mental health rep
🍂 grumpy sunshine (with a twist?)
🍂 slow burn
🍂 he falls first
firstly, I want to say thank you for the ARC & congratulations to Erin Halli for writing The Masked Flower. This book was so heartfelt and cozy. Set in a small town this definitely falls into the category of “perfect fall read”. The Cove is a town you could see yourself stumbling into and never leaving!
The themes of overcoming grief and acceptance were what made this story special. In a unique take on paranormal romance this story follows Iris who is dealing with the loss of her brother. When Jasper rolls into town and meets Iris he assumes the man standing behind her is her boyfriend, come to find out Jasper is the only one who can see him - he is her guardian angel.
With lovable characters, heartfelt themes, and a setting that feels like a big hug. For fans of magical realism I would definitely recommend checking this one out!
tropes:
🍂 (almost) workplace romance
🍂 small town
🍂 masquerade ball
🍂 magical realism
🍂 mental health rep
🍂 grumpy sunshine (with a twist?)
🍂 slow burn
🍂 he falls first
August 29, 2024
What a phenomenal debut novel!!!! Incredible, in-depth lovable characters, with RICH backstories.
This book had such great side characters as well, that made you fall in love with the families and town. I love the perspective it gave grief and life after death. 11/10 can not wait for her next book!
This book had such great side characters as well, that made you fall in love with the families and town. I love the perspective it gave grief and life after death. 11/10 can not wait for her next book!
November 23, 2024
"Oh, just ready to inject pumpkin spice into my veins. Nothing new here."
"I stare at her, stunned. Iris doesn't know me, but she singlehandedly soothed a tainted part of my soul without even trying."
"Instead of kissing my hand under the sun and calling me pretty, he kisses my forehead under the moon and tells me l'm ravishing.”
This story shows romance and grief with all the love and heartbreak in between. It made me giggle and tear up. The fall aesthetic was perfect! (I had to pause to get my own pumpkin latte as Iris sipped hers.) The brother/sister relationship felt like pure sunshine. The slow burn & forced proximity romance was perfect! And don’t forget the touch of paranormal magic! Such a lovely debut novel.
"I stare at her, stunned. Iris doesn't know me, but she singlehandedly soothed a tainted part of my soul without even trying."
"Instead of kissing my hand under the sun and calling me pretty, he kisses my forehead under the moon and tells me l'm ravishing.”
This story shows romance and grief with all the love and heartbreak in between. It made me giggle and tear up. The fall aesthetic was perfect! (I had to pause to get my own pumpkin latte as Iris sipped hers.) The brother/sister relationship felt like pure sunshine. The slow burn & forced proximity romance was perfect! And don’t forget the touch of paranormal magic! Such a lovely debut novel.
July 22, 2025
A very cute and cozy read! As Erin’s debut novel, it certainly was a fun book. I’m excited to see her future books and writing talent grow! I think the themes would’ve hit harder if I resonated more with subject matter.
August 30, 2024
▸ ⭐ 5/5
▸ 🌶️ 2/5
▸ genre: Romance & Paranormal Fantasy
▸ This debut novel was such a heartwarming story! 💗 The story captures so many emotions that range from devastating grief to pure joy; it really tugs at your heartstrings 🥹 I fell in love with all the main characters instantly: the broody mmc that's a sweetheart is obviously a no brainer and the fmc is such a strong and lovable character! Let's not forget the cute brother that's a ball of sunshine!! He is such a golden retriever - I'm really crossing my fingers for a future story about him!
The characters are well thought out and each is going through their own growth, which is why I feel like this book is so relatable! There's also chemistry and tension (and you all know I LOVE tension) from the main characters, and then you get all the hilarious little moments with Kai! I was basically laughing, crying on the inside, or at the edge of my seat for all those tense moments throughout the book. It's also a huge bonus that there's an adorable cat in it 😺
It's multi-pov (mostly dual), and it's an easy read that makes you feel warm and content by the end. "Easy" as in the story was pretty straightforward without any crazy twists and turns. Definitely not "easy" in the emotional sense - there's a lot of emotions at play here! It's technically fantasy, but I would describe this as being light in comparison to other fantasy books I've read - to me, it was more like a romance story with a good side dish of paranormal fantasy.
I received this as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
TLDR: Loved it - it was a heartwarming and easy read! (Easy as in it's pretty straightforward without any crazy twists and turns).
▸ 🌶️ 2/5
▸ genre: Romance & Paranormal Fantasy
▸ This debut novel was such a heartwarming story! 💗 The story captures so many emotions that range from devastating grief to pure joy; it really tugs at your heartstrings 🥹 I fell in love with all the main characters instantly: the broody mmc that's a sweetheart is obviously a no brainer and the fmc is such a strong and lovable character! Let's not forget the cute brother that's a ball of sunshine!! He is such a golden retriever - I'm really crossing my fingers for a future story about him!
The characters are well thought out and each is going through their own growth, which is why I feel like this book is so relatable! There's also chemistry and tension (and you all know I LOVE tension) from the main characters, and then you get all the hilarious little moments with Kai! I was basically laughing, crying on the inside, or at the edge of my seat for all those tense moments throughout the book. It's also a huge bonus that there's an adorable cat in it 😺
It's multi-pov (mostly dual), and it's an easy read that makes you feel warm and content by the end. "Easy" as in the story was pretty straightforward without any crazy twists and turns. Definitely not "easy" in the emotional sense - there's a lot of emotions at play here! It's technically fantasy, but I would describe this as being light in comparison to other fantasy books I've read - to me, it was more like a romance story with a good side dish of paranormal fantasy.
I received this as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
TLDR: Loved it - it was a heartwarming and easy read! (Easy as in it's pretty straightforward without any crazy twists and turns).
August 22, 2024
✨
Covering strong topics like; grief, heartbreak, love, healing, and family struggles. This book and story are so beautiful and navigate the healing process of losing a family member. The connection that is made between Jasper and Violet is just so sweet and ahh I love them.
Covering strong topics like; grief, heartbreak, love, healing, and family struggles. This book and story are so beautiful and navigate the healing process of losing a family member. The connection that is made between Jasper and Violet is just so sweet and ahh I love them.
September 2, 2024
First of all, thank you so much to Erin, for including me as part of the ARC team!
After reading mostly fantasy this year, this sweet and emotional story was perfect!
"𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯."
This book is a mix between paranormal romance and magical realism and it touches subjects of love, hope, grief, loss and healing. The importance of healing and moving forward are so important and this story really explores that in a beautiful way, which I'm sure will resonate with a lot of readers 🤍
And the main characters! Iris is this relatable and strong FMC, despite all she's been through; Jasper is thoughtful, caring and the golden retriever type and Kai is just the perfect connection between them! I really connected with all of them!
This book completely reminds me of Stars Hollow, the cozy little town with the coffee shop and everything!
It's very well written too and it's the perfect autumn read 🍂
After reading mostly fantasy this year, this sweet and emotional story was perfect!
"𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯."
This book is a mix between paranormal romance and magical realism and it touches subjects of love, hope, grief, loss and healing. The importance of healing and moving forward are so important and this story really explores that in a beautiful way, which I'm sure will resonate with a lot of readers 🤍
And the main characters! Iris is this relatable and strong FMC, despite all she's been through; Jasper is thoughtful, caring and the golden retriever type and Kai is just the perfect connection between them! I really connected with all of them!
This book completely reminds me of Stars Hollow, the cozy little town with the coffee shop and everything!
It's very well written too and it's the perfect autumn read 🍂
August 11, 2024
Erin’s debut novel was absolutely stunning and made an emotionless piece of work I am cry twice.
A story of grief, love, hope, and Truman I fell in love with all the characters. POV change? Yes please.
Be sure to grab a PSL as you dive into a beautiful story and be sure to look at the clouds every now and then.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
A story of grief, love, hope, and Truman I fell in love with all the characters. POV change? Yes please.
Be sure to grab a PSL as you dive into a beautiful story and be sure to look at the clouds every now and then.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2024
To grieving wanderers who find solace in the sun, comfort in the clouds, and peace in the moon.
this story, this world and these characters were so unbelievably beautiful. the fact this is the author's debut novel is incredible. I would not change a single thing about this book. I loved every single aspect: the magic realism, the grief, the hope, the healing, the concept of soulmates, and the invisible string theory. the story of iris, jasper, and kai is one I will never forget. this book made me happy, giddy, sad, and even cry, at both sad and happy moments. it was so full circle in a way that even healed me. I hope with everything in me that the author will write a book about Kai’s afterlife because she 100% hinted at one. it was so freaking fun to see jasper struggling talking to Kai and forgetting that only he can see him and people think he’s weird 🤣. but all in all, any scene with kai, I absolutely loved. like he is so sassy, funny and smug. plus, I am so interested if anything will happen between kai and cleo?!??!!!
if you aren’t in the mood for spicy scenes or don’t care for them, I highly recommend this book. the few spicy scenes are very brief and vague, it’s definitely not a primary focus.
Begrudgingly, on the way to see their parents, Iris and her brother Kai, get into a car accident that claims Kai’s life. Fast forward two years later, Jasper Alcott moves back home to take over his father’s antique shop after an accident. Before heading to work, he heads to try out a cafe and experiences a strange encounter with a cheery woman and a man that trails behind her.
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Her ethereal beauty is otherworldly. Forget being an angel—Iris is the epitome of a damn goddess tonight.”
“Well, if you ever want to talk, I’m here. Truthfully, I don’t have many friends here, and I plan on keeping you around, Greene. So, I’ll be waiting.”
“So, will you miss me, roomie?”
“Eh, I’ve missed being able to walk around my home shirtless, so I think I’ll manage.”
“What’s stopping you from doing that now? With us being friends and all, I didn’t think it’d make much of a difference.”
“Greene, if you wanted to see me shirtless, you could’ve just asked.”
“Have I ever told you I love the way you smell? Well, I do. And it’s not the only thing I love about you, Greene.”
“I can’t lie, it feels weird not riding with you back to your place right now.”
“Who’s stopping you?”
“Speaking of your mom, could you go grab my pants now, please?”
“Only if you promise this won’t be the last time you wander around my house pantsless.”
“Grief is messy, but that does not make you a mess. When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here, Greene. I meant what I said the other day—you can hit me with whatever you’ve got. I’ll be waiting.”
“Iris, if you think I’m interested in dating Joy, then I must be doing something seriously wrong here. I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I need to be frank. You’re the only girl I want, Greene. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“I tried resisting her. I really did. But Iris isn’t simply a ‘want’ for me anymore—she’s a need. A necessity, even.”
“I’ll take you home. Just five more minutes of this first.”
“I’ve really got to go, Jasper—”
“Please don’t make me beg, love.”
“Surprise. Miss me?”
“Didn’t even notice you were gone.”
“Jasper, I’m hurt. After all we’ve been through?”
“Since meeting Iris, though, my existence here has started to make sense. Instead of dreading this town every waking moment, I’ve begun to actually enjoy it. I feel comfortable with her. I find myself thinking about her every single day. She’s grieving and carrying so much weight on her shoulders, yet she still manages to emit the brightest glow I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t want to lose that light. I don’t want to lose her.”
“I take it back. I want to live.”
“Not only that, Iris. You deserve to live.”
“Mortals fantasize soulmates, but no one really knows whether or not they’re real. I learned that soulmates are indeed real, but it’s incredibly rare for someone to find their mate during their mortal life. A soulmate connection feels otherworldly—you can’t fight the pull, no matter how hard you try.”
“It sucks you’re so embarrassed to talk to me, man. It’s hurting my self-esteem.”
“Jasper, what happens when you find your safe place, your home, in a person, and you lose that person? When I lost my safe place, I think—I think I lost myself, and I haven’t found my way back because I don’t feel like I have anywhere to call home anymore.”
“I’ll be your home, Iris.”
“I love you, Greene. I’ve loved you for quite some time now. I’ve walked through life without the privilege of your company for nearly three decades, and I can’t fathom taking another step without you. Not anymore, love.”
“I've felt like a burden for years, but in your arms, I feel weightless—lighter than a feather. I love you, Jasper. More than I ever could’ve imagined possible.”
My heart stills. She loves me. Iris loves me.
“She is mine—my love, my light, my everything.”
“The moment I watched you waltz into that coffee shop like you owned the place, I knew I was in trouble. I've felt inexplicably drawn to you since that very first moment before I ever even knew your name. Every time I’ve seen you since then, I’ve felt the pull grow stronger and stronger. You’re the reason I believe in soulmates, Greene.”
“Kai has always been the sun in my cloud-filled sky—his embrace brightens the darkest corners of my heart.”
“Thank you, brother. You are enough, Jasper—more than enough. I would’ve loved to have gotten to know you under better circumstances, but that wasn’t in the cards for us. We’ll catch up on the other side, buddy.”
“I’m going to miss you, bro. More than I’d like to admit.”
“Aw, I’m so glad you finally admitted it.”
“Drifting off to sleep to the sound of your voice is the lullaby I never knew I needed. And I mean that—I need you. I need to fall asleep to the sound of your voice and wake up to the feel of your body against mine."
“I want you to know I’m all in, Greene. My home, my heart—they’re yours. All yours.”
“After trying so hard and feeling like a failure for so many years, she swooped into my life and filled me with a feeling I didn't realize I was missing: hope. For the first time in my life, I'm feeling optimistic about what the future holds. My buddy, Kai, may be her angel, but she is mine.”
“I always considered Kai the sun in my sky, keeping life bright and cheerful. If he is the sun, then Jasper is unequivocally the moon, lighting the dimly lit, cobblestoned path when the dark gets too perilous to endure alone.”
this story, this world and these characters were so unbelievably beautiful. the fact this is the author's debut novel is incredible. I would not change a single thing about this book. I loved every single aspect: the magic realism, the grief, the hope, the healing, the concept of soulmates, and the invisible string theory. the story of iris, jasper, and kai is one I will never forget. this book made me happy, giddy, sad, and even cry, at both sad and happy moments. it was so full circle in a way that even healed me. I hope with everything in me that the author will write a book about Kai’s afterlife because she 100% hinted at one. it was so freaking fun to see jasper struggling talking to Kai and forgetting that only he can see him and people think he’s weird 🤣. but all in all, any scene with kai, I absolutely loved. like he is so sassy, funny and smug. plus, I am so interested if anything will happen between kai and cleo?!??!!!
if you aren’t in the mood for spicy scenes or don’t care for them, I highly recommend this book. the few spicy scenes are very brief and vague, it’s definitely not a primary focus.
Begrudgingly, on the way to see their parents, Iris and her brother Kai, get into a car accident that claims Kai’s life. Fast forward two years later, Jasper Alcott moves back home to take over his father’s antique shop after an accident. Before heading to work, he heads to try out a cafe and experiences a strange encounter with a cheery woman and a man that trails behind her.
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Her ethereal beauty is otherworldly. Forget being an angel—Iris is the epitome of a damn goddess tonight.”
“Well, if you ever want to talk, I’m here. Truthfully, I don’t have many friends here, and I plan on keeping you around, Greene. So, I’ll be waiting.”
“So, will you miss me, roomie?”
“Eh, I’ve missed being able to walk around my home shirtless, so I think I’ll manage.”
“What’s stopping you from doing that now? With us being friends and all, I didn’t think it’d make much of a difference.”
“Greene, if you wanted to see me shirtless, you could’ve just asked.”
“Have I ever told you I love the way you smell? Well, I do. And it’s not the only thing I love about you, Greene.”
“I can’t lie, it feels weird not riding with you back to your place right now.”
“Who’s stopping you?”
“Speaking of your mom, could you go grab my pants now, please?”
“Only if you promise this won’t be the last time you wander around my house pantsless.”
“Grief is messy, but that does not make you a mess. When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here, Greene. I meant what I said the other day—you can hit me with whatever you’ve got. I’ll be waiting.”
“Iris, if you think I’m interested in dating Joy, then I must be doing something seriously wrong here. I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I need to be frank. You’re the only girl I want, Greene. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“I tried resisting her. I really did. But Iris isn’t simply a ‘want’ for me anymore—she’s a need. A necessity, even.”
“I’ll take you home. Just five more minutes of this first.”
“I’ve really got to go, Jasper—”
“Please don’t make me beg, love.”
“Surprise. Miss me?”
“Didn’t even notice you were gone.”
“Jasper, I’m hurt. After all we’ve been through?”
“Since meeting Iris, though, my existence here has started to make sense. Instead of dreading this town every waking moment, I’ve begun to actually enjoy it. I feel comfortable with her. I find myself thinking about her every single day. She’s grieving and carrying so much weight on her shoulders, yet she still manages to emit the brightest glow I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t want to lose that light. I don’t want to lose her.”
“I take it back. I want to live.”
“Not only that, Iris. You deserve to live.”
“Mortals fantasize soulmates, but no one really knows whether or not they’re real. I learned that soulmates are indeed real, but it’s incredibly rare for someone to find their mate during their mortal life. A soulmate connection feels otherworldly—you can’t fight the pull, no matter how hard you try.”
“It sucks you’re so embarrassed to talk to me, man. It’s hurting my self-esteem.”
“Jasper, what happens when you find your safe place, your home, in a person, and you lose that person? When I lost my safe place, I think—I think I lost myself, and I haven’t found my way back because I don’t feel like I have anywhere to call home anymore.”
“I’ll be your home, Iris.”
“I love you, Greene. I’ve loved you for quite some time now. I’ve walked through life without the privilege of your company for nearly three decades, and I can’t fathom taking another step without you. Not anymore, love.”
“I've felt like a burden for years, but in your arms, I feel weightless—lighter than a feather. I love you, Jasper. More than I ever could’ve imagined possible.”
My heart stills. She loves me. Iris loves me.
“She is mine—my love, my light, my everything.”
“The moment I watched you waltz into that coffee shop like you owned the place, I knew I was in trouble. I've felt inexplicably drawn to you since that very first moment before I ever even knew your name. Every time I’ve seen you since then, I’ve felt the pull grow stronger and stronger. You’re the reason I believe in soulmates, Greene.”
“Kai has always been the sun in my cloud-filled sky—his embrace brightens the darkest corners of my heart.”
“Thank you, brother. You are enough, Jasper—more than enough. I would’ve loved to have gotten to know you under better circumstances, but that wasn’t in the cards for us. We’ll catch up on the other side, buddy.”
“I’m going to miss you, bro. More than I’d like to admit.”
“Aw, I’m so glad you finally admitted it.”
“Drifting off to sleep to the sound of your voice is the lullaby I never knew I needed. And I mean that—I need you. I need to fall asleep to the sound of your voice and wake up to the feel of your body against mine."
“I want you to know I’m all in, Greene. My home, my heart—they’re yours. All yours.”
“After trying so hard and feeling like a failure for so many years, she swooped into my life and filled me with a feeling I didn't realize I was missing: hope. For the first time in my life, I'm feeling optimistic about what the future holds. My buddy, Kai, may be her angel, but she is mine.”
“I always considered Kai the sun in my sky, keeping life bright and cheerful. If he is the sun, then Jasper is unequivocally the moon, lighting the dimly lit, cobblestoned path when the dark gets too perilous to endure alone.”
August 31, 2024
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴—𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥.”
Iris’s story was deeply touching and heartwarming. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that made me feel the character’s grief the way this book did. I loved the way the author made me reflect on my own personal loss, and on the things I did to try and move forward.
The fmc was very relatable which I always love, and the mmc was one of the best golden retriever/overprotective, and thoughtful fictional characters you’ll find. The small town setting, with a cozy and regularly visited coffee shop, and funny best friend gave me a Gilmore Girls vibe and I am all for it!
This book talks about the importance of dealing with your emotions, and moving forward after losing someone important. This was such a beautifully written story, with a touch of magical realism and paranormal romance that took me completely by surprise. Erin was able to put into words all of this amazing story, showing her vulnerability for all of us to read, while also dealing with her own grief, made it all the more heartwarming for me.
Iris’s story was deeply touching and heartwarming. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that made me feel the character’s grief the way this book did. I loved the way the author made me reflect on my own personal loss, and on the things I did to try and move forward.
The fmc was very relatable which I always love, and the mmc was one of the best golden retriever/overprotective, and thoughtful fictional characters you’ll find. The small town setting, with a cozy and regularly visited coffee shop, and funny best friend gave me a Gilmore Girls vibe and I am all for it!
This book talks about the importance of dealing with your emotions, and moving forward after losing someone important. This was such a beautifully written story, with a touch of magical realism and paranormal romance that took me completely by surprise. Erin was able to put into words all of this amazing story, showing her vulnerability for all of us to read, while also dealing with her own grief, made it all the more heartwarming for me.
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