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The Longest Bloom
The Longest Bloom is a story of self-discovery and inspiration. Nearly any woman twenty to eighty can see themselves in Juliet’s life. A teenager leaves rural Georgia to find adventure in San Francisco. A world-renowned painter struggles to balance family and career. A widow barely has energy to live in an empty house, let alone paint, and her daughter thinks the nursing home conversation is due.
On her seventy-fifth birthday, Juliet stares at her naked body in the mirror and realizes she has to start living again. Her college-aged granddaughter, her good friend, and the spirit of her late husband all support Juliet’s awakening plan. Juliet shares her journey with frank honesty, as she dares to search for her first love, Ruby, and to engage in a new relationship with Elena.
Juliet’s story is about finding ourselves between what we’re supposed to do and what we want to do. She lets us see the joys of life, and even sex, through the eyes of a young adult who doesn’t have a clue and the warm wisdom of an older woman. Juliet teaches us to face all of our human emotions, whether grieving or celebrating, and to find the best parts of every stage of our lives.
On her seventy-fifth birthday, Juliet stares at her naked body in the mirror and realizes she has to start living again. Her college-aged granddaughter, her good friend, and the spirit of her late husband all support Juliet’s awakening plan. Juliet shares her journey with frank honesty, as she dares to search for her first love, Ruby, and to engage in a new relationship with Elena.
Juliet’s story is about finding ourselves between what we’re supposed to do and what we want to do. She lets us see the joys of life, and even sex, through the eyes of a young adult who doesn’t have a clue and the warm wisdom of an older woman. Juliet teaches us to face all of our human emotions, whether grieving or celebrating, and to find the best parts of every stage of our lives.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2025
3 Stars
The novel had a general sense of what a reader would expect in a late in life awakening. There’s the childhood love, the adult love, living life as a responsible adult, getting old, freedom from old life, etc. It was generic.
I was excited about the main character being an elderly POC, to begin with. However, as the story progressed, there was minimal to zero “flavour” to the characters or the events surrounding the character. If I read the story without looking at the cover, I wouldn’t have known the main character was of African descent. Her experiences were very generic, nothing to discern that she was a POC.
An elderly woman suddenly finding herself with a purpose of living in her older years is not a new concept. Which means one has to assert their story to have an edge and be memorable amongst other stories like it. Unfortunately, The Longest Bloom just didn’t have that for me.
The novel had a general sense of what a reader would expect in a late in life awakening. There’s the childhood love, the adult love, living life as a responsible adult, getting old, freedom from old life, etc. It was generic.
I was excited about the main character being an elderly POC, to begin with. However, as the story progressed, there was minimal to zero “flavour” to the characters or the events surrounding the character. If I read the story without looking at the cover, I wouldn’t have known the main character was of African descent. Her experiences were very generic, nothing to discern that she was a POC.
An elderly woman suddenly finding herself with a purpose of living in her older years is not a new concept. Which means one has to assert their story to have an edge and be memorable amongst other stories like it. Unfortunately, The Longest Bloom just didn’t have that for me.
June 17, 2025
An amazing experience!
Juliet has reached a milestone birthday, and at seventy five she is determined to start living her life the way she wants to without judgment or regret. With her good friend, granddaughter and late husband’s spirit supporting her on this journey, she goes in search of her first love, Ruby. She also meets Elena and finds herself discovering the joys of a new relationship.
I was excited to join Juliet on her journey. From the very first chapter the whole story felt freeing and liberating. The representation of someone older turning their life upside down to pursue a feeling and heart’s desire was truly inspiring. What I loved most about Juliet was her energy and curiosity. She wanted to know more and find out things that she thought she could bury and leave behind, but they had never really left her. As soon as she went out and started doing what she wanted, she was free, and I was excited to find out what she’d learn next, or who she would meet, or what would be revealed about her or her past.
What worked so well was mixing up parts of the story to go back into the past to share memories, and also do some of it in the present. It really helped to get to know Juliet really well, and understand what had gone on in her life that had resulted in her ending up where she was and being who she was. The flashbacks were exciting and made me feel like Juliet was sharing intimate secrets with me as a close friend rather than a reader.
Such a great story, and really about expressing yourself and finding joy in life in any way you can. Recommend this very highly to anyone who wants a feel good story to leave you smiling every time you think about it and Juliet.
Juliet has reached a milestone birthday, and at seventy five she is determined to start living her life the way she wants to without judgment or regret. With her good friend, granddaughter and late husband’s spirit supporting her on this journey, she goes in search of her first love, Ruby. She also meets Elena and finds herself discovering the joys of a new relationship.
I was excited to join Juliet on her journey. From the very first chapter the whole story felt freeing and liberating. The representation of someone older turning their life upside down to pursue a feeling and heart’s desire was truly inspiring. What I loved most about Juliet was her energy and curiosity. She wanted to know more and find out things that she thought she could bury and leave behind, but they had never really left her. As soon as she went out and started doing what she wanted, she was free, and I was excited to find out what she’d learn next, or who she would meet, or what would be revealed about her or her past.
What worked so well was mixing up parts of the story to go back into the past to share memories, and also do some of it in the present. It really helped to get to know Juliet really well, and understand what had gone on in her life that had resulted in her ending up where she was and being who she was. The flashbacks were exciting and made me feel like Juliet was sharing intimate secrets with me as a close friend rather than a reader.
Such a great story, and really about expressing yourself and finding joy in life in any way you can. Recommend this very highly to anyone who wants a feel good story to leave you smiling every time you think about it and Juliet.
December 9, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
I love stories about protagonists we don't normally get to see. In this case, the main character is a 75-year-old black woman who lost her husband four years ago and is approaching a time in her life when she's taking stock of who she is versus who she used to be. The story is paced well and has some organic developments with family and dating as an older person exploring their sexuality but there are some minor grammar errors (they're and there are mixed up), which detracted a bit from my enjoyment. Overall, enjoyable and well worth a read!
I love stories about protagonists we don't normally get to see. In this case, the main character is a 75-year-old black woman who lost her husband four years ago and is approaching a time in her life when she's taking stock of who she is versus who she used to be. The story is paced well and has some organic developments with family and dating as an older person exploring their sexuality but there are some minor grammar errors (they're and there are mixed up), which detracted a bit from my enjoyment. Overall, enjoyable and well worth a read!
November 17, 2025
So, a book about a seventy-five-year-old woman who decides she wants to explore her sexuality probably doesn't sound like something most will want to read. Yet, this story is both beautiful and inspiring. I loved it. And, I must admit, I shed a few tears, too.
August 25, 2025
A beautiful and thought-provoking novel following Juliet, whose voice will grip you from the first pages as you follow her journey!
The Longest Bloom is a story of self-discovery and inspiration. Nearly any woman twenty to eighty can see themselves in Juliet’s life. A teenager leaves rural Georgia to find adventure in San Francisco. A world-renowned painter struggles to balance family and career. A widow barely has energy to live in an empty house, let alone paint, and her daughter thinks the nursing home conversation is due.
On her seventy-fifth birthday, Juliet stares at her naked body in the mirror and realizes she has to start living again. Her college-aged granddaughter, her good friend, and the spirit of her late husband all support Juliet’s awakening plan. Juliet shares her journey with frank honesty, as she dares to search for her first love, Ruby.
Juliet’s story is about finding ourselves between what we’re supposed to do and what we want to do. She lets us see the joys of life, through the eyes of a young adult who doesn’t have a clue and the warm wisdom of an older woman. Juliet teaches us to face all of our human emotions, whether grieving or celebrating, and to find the best parts of every stage of our lives.
It's "a Black Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo."
The Longest Bloom is a story of self-discovery and inspiration. Nearly any woman twenty to eighty can see themselves in Juliet’s life. A teenager leaves rural Georgia to find adventure in San Francisco. A world-renowned painter struggles to balance family and career. A widow barely has energy to live in an empty house, let alone paint, and her daughter thinks the nursing home conversation is due.
On her seventy-fifth birthday, Juliet stares at her naked body in the mirror and realizes she has to start living again. Her college-aged granddaughter, her good friend, and the spirit of her late husband all support Juliet’s awakening plan. Juliet shares her journey with frank honesty, as she dares to search for her first love, Ruby.
Juliet’s story is about finding ourselves between what we’re supposed to do and what we want to do. She lets us see the joys of life, through the eyes of a young adult who doesn’t have a clue and the warm wisdom of an older woman. Juliet teaches us to face all of our human emotions, whether grieving or celebrating, and to find the best parts of every stage of our lives.
It's "a Black Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo."
September 13, 2025
An uplifting, thought-provoking, and beautifully written novel. At its heart, this is a story about a woman who reminds us that it’s never too late to rediscover our essence, embrace our purpose, and make the changes needed to live authentically. Juliet’s journey is inspiring—at a later stage in life, she learns to face her emotions with honesty.
This is one of those stories that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. It made me pause and reflect about the choices I make each day—am I living with intention, or simply moving through time? When I look back at the end of my life, will I know that I lived with purpose?
I enjoyed walking alongside Juliet through every stage of her life. Special thanks to the author for allowing me to read an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
This is one of those stories that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. It made me pause and reflect about the choices I make each day—am I living with intention, or simply moving through time? When I look back at the end of my life, will I know that I lived with purpose?
I enjoyed walking alongside Juliet through every stage of her life. Special thanks to the author for allowing me to read an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews