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Bloom
From the New York Times bestselling
author of If I See You Again Tomorrow comes a delightful and heartwarming novel about family, love, grief, and one precocious houseplant, that reminds us of the beauty of living a life in full Bloom.
Morris Warner is withering away. After the sudden death of his husband, Fred, he has shut himself off from the world. No more going to movies with friends, or swims in Lake Michigan, instead preferring the quiet loneliness of his history books and Jeopardy episodes with only the cat to hear his answers.
Morris’s stepdaughter, Sloan, feels like she has nowhere to grow. She’s about to get married to the man of her dreams, if only her mother will let her actually plan her own wedding and trust her to build her own life after her father’s death.
Jade is drying out. Literally. As a plant in Morris’s home, she and her plant housemates have been slowly wasting away, leaf by falling leaf, since Fred’s death and Morris’s lack of care. She needs to come up with a plan to make her new owner come back to life, no matter what it takes.
New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch’s Bloom is a wondrous novel where family, love, kindness, and yes, Mother Nature, triumph.
Morris Warner is withering away. After the sudden death of his husband, Fred, he has shut himself off from the world. No more going to movies with friends, or swims in Lake Michigan, instead preferring the quiet loneliness of his history books and Jeopardy episodes with only the cat to hear his answers.
Morris’s stepdaughter, Sloan, feels like she has nowhere to grow. She’s about to get married to the man of her dreams, if only her mother will let her actually plan her own wedding and trust her to build her own life after her father’s death.
Jade is drying out. Literally. As a plant in Morris’s home, she and her plant housemates have been slowly wasting away, leaf by falling leaf, since Fred’s death and Morris’s lack of care. She needs to come up with a plan to make her new owner come back to life, no matter what it takes.
New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch’s Bloom is a wondrous novel where family, love, kindness, and yes, Mother Nature, triumph.
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Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars — omg the entire time i read this book i was screaming in my head “WATER THE DAMN PLANTS!” 😭
this was a bittersweet read, and while i didn’t necessarily cry, i definitely felt strong emotions. this was my first robbie couch book and i’ll have to check out his backlist!
and for anyone that has plants — have you watered them enough lately?? 🩵🪴
this was a bittersweet read, and while i didn’t necessarily cry, i definitely felt strong emotions. this was my first robbie couch book and i’ll have to check out his backlist!
and for anyone that has plants — have you watered them enough lately?? 🩵🪴
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
REVIEW TO COME😍😭😍😭😍😭
DID Y'ALL WATER YOUR PLANTS TODAY💞🌹?????
🌸🌷🌻☀️Oh my heavens, this sounds so beautiful🌸🌷🌻☀️ !!!!!!!!
DID Y'ALL WATER YOUR PLANTS TODAY💞🌹?????
🌸🌷🌻☀️Oh my heavens, this sounds so beautiful🌸🌷🌻☀️ !!!!!!!!
March 11, 2026
READ THIS ONE!
Think A Man Called Ove with a sprinkle of The Guncle.
It’s a long stretch to go from YA stories to writing about a seventy-something widower, his stepdaughter, and a dying plant—but oh boy, Robbie Couch pulled it off. Honestly, I think this might be his best one yet.
I don’t even know where to start. Sloan, the vape-smoking, soon-to-be bride? Morris, a retired teacher who now only talks to his cat since the love of his life, Fred, passed away? Jade, the poor plant slowly dying because she doesn’t get watered anymore? Or the beautiful flawed family at the heart of it all?
This story about relationships and learning to live again is a gem. I loved Sloan. I loved Jade. But Morris, this sweet, sweet man, completely stole my heart.
Robbie Couch, with this one, you’re right up there with Fredrik Backman. And I need more of these kinds of stories, like, yesterday.
Thank you, Gallery Books and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
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Think A Man Called Ove with a sprinkle of The Guncle.
It’s a long stretch to go from YA stories to writing about a seventy-something widower, his stepdaughter, and a dying plant—but oh boy, Robbie Couch pulled it off. Honestly, I think this might be his best one yet.
I don’t even know where to start. Sloan, the vape-smoking, soon-to-be bride? Morris, a retired teacher who now only talks to his cat since the love of his life, Fred, passed away? Jade, the poor plant slowly dying because she doesn’t get watered anymore? Or the beautiful flawed family at the heart of it all?
This story about relationships and learning to live again is a gem. I loved Sloan. I loved Jade. But Morris, this sweet, sweet man, completely stole my heart.
Robbie Couch, with this one, you’re right up there with Fredrik Backman. And I need more of these kinds of stories, like, yesterday.
Thank you, Gallery Books and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
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April 22, 2026
Audible audio
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Loved this so much ❤️ 💖 💗.
Definitely looking up the author's other works :).
Have tissues 🤧 ready in some parts of the book!
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Loved this so much ❤️ 💖 💗.
Definitely looking up the author's other works :).
Have tissues 🤧 ready in some parts of the book!
March 3, 2026
ALL THE STARS! Bloom is jam packed with emotion and depth, and is lyrical and absolutely stunning. You’ll fall head over heels for any one of these characters.. especially Morris who outshone them all. Love love love. This is Robbie Couch’s adult fiction debut and what a gem!! ❥ Pub. 3/3/26
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Going from writing YA to an adult book and still keeping the same prose and beautiful writing/exploration of human experience that I loved when I read 'If I see you again' is incredible as far as I'm concerned.
An exploration of grief told from three povs, one of the being a plant, is such a funny idea and when I requested the arc I did it solely because I recognized the authors name. I love how the book and narrative allowed me as a reader to infer some parts of it rather than force feeding the information to me. Every character felt real, palpable even with the book being so short.
I loved reading this so much and I'm glad I took the chance!! I got an arc from Netgalley and Gallery books in exchange for my honest review.
An exploration of grief told from three povs, one of the being a plant, is such a funny idea and when I requested the arc I did it solely because I recognized the authors name. I love how the book and narrative allowed me as a reader to infer some parts of it rather than force feeding the information to me. Every character felt real, palpable even with the book being so short.
I loved reading this so much and I'm glad I took the chance!! I got an arc from Netgalley and Gallery books in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2026
All the feels in a good way. This story about loss and new beginnings revolves around three characters. First, we have Sloan, who is mourning the loss of her father and getting ready to embark on a new chapter with her upcoming nuptials. Next we have Morris, Sloan’s stepfather, whose life seemed to stop after the sudden death of his beloved husband, Fred. Finally, there is Jade, one of Fred’s many plants who desperately needs water and is nearing the last days of her life.
I devoured the story Couch brought us and loved the relationship that developed between Sloan and Morris, even as I screamed, water the plants! Loss is never easy, especially when you feel you can’t talk about it, and that is where Sloan is. Fred hurt her family and before things could be resolved he died. Morris’s life had just bloomed when Fred was alive, and now he has shut himself off. He doesn’t realize the impact he has had on others.
I cannot believe the author made me connect with a houseplant(s), but he did. I desperately wanted Jade and the two plants sitting in the picture window to survive, and they became important characters. Even the old tree in the yard had a personality.
While the story deals with grief, I found it uplifting as new bonds and a mending unfolded. If you loved A Man Called Ove as much as I did, that you need to listen to Bloom. Lee Osorio & Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and brought Morris, Jade and Sloan to life as well as the secondary characters from Sloan’s nosy aunt to her siblings. This is a story that will stay with you. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I devoured the story Couch brought us and loved the relationship that developed between Sloan and Morris, even as I screamed, water the plants! Loss is never easy, especially when you feel you can’t talk about it, and that is where Sloan is. Fred hurt her family and before things could be resolved he died. Morris’s life had just bloomed when Fred was alive, and now he has shut himself off. He doesn’t realize the impact he has had on others.
I cannot believe the author made me connect with a houseplant(s), but he did. I desperately wanted Jade and the two plants sitting in the picture window to survive, and they became important characters. Even the old tree in the yard had a personality.
While the story deals with grief, I found it uplifting as new bonds and a mending unfolded. If you loved A Man Called Ove as much as I did, that you need to listen to Bloom. Lee Osorio & Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and brought Morris, Jade and Sloan to life as well as the secondary characters from Sloan’s nosy aunt to her siblings. This is a story that will stay with you. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
March 19, 2026
It is a very touching story about loss and recovery. I found the story thoughtful and filled with kindness it was exactly what I wanted.
I liked the pace and that there was drama, but it wasn't too heavy.
A great (read) listen.
I liked the pace and that there was drama, but it wasn't too heavy.
A great (read) listen.
September 17, 2025
Actual rating — 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Just … wow.
Robbie Couch‘s first foray into adult fiction is an absolute triumph.
For context — I have read all of Robbie’s work. He is an all-time favorite writer of mine, and an auto-buy author for me. I’m only used to his YA style of writing. The jump from being a YA storyteller to producing a more adult-oriented project seems like it could be a tricky leap, right? Well, he nailed that transition.
The writing is noticeably different. For the first time, Robbie tries his hand at third-person POV, and it worked so well because it gave a lot of room for the writing to breathe and focus on other elements rather than being confined to the “I” format. The prose is more vivid and mature, and it evoked a great deal of emotion.
Interestingly enough, we actually do get some first-person writing — but only from the perspective of Jade, a succulent. A plant narrating part of the story was such a fresh idea that I’ve never come across in a book, and I really enjoyed how innovative that felt.
Bloom is a story about regrowth, self-discovery, grief, and what it means to move from the darkness into the light.
I loved the parallel of the condition of the plants mimicking the emotional state of the characters — it was a great metaphor and plot device that reminded us that without our own sunlight, nourishment, and care, we would also lose our leaves and fall apart.
An incredibly satisfying ending, strong character development (with a focus on relationships), and an engaging plot that elevated the reading experience.
The book is short, but it packs a punch. One that I won’t forget.
A big thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Bloom is out in March 2026!
Just … wow.
Robbie Couch‘s first foray into adult fiction is an absolute triumph.
For context — I have read all of Robbie’s work. He is an all-time favorite writer of mine, and an auto-buy author for me. I’m only used to his YA style of writing. The jump from being a YA storyteller to producing a more adult-oriented project seems like it could be a tricky leap, right? Well, he nailed that transition.
The writing is noticeably different. For the first time, Robbie tries his hand at third-person POV, and it worked so well because it gave a lot of room for the writing to breathe and focus on other elements rather than being confined to the “I” format. The prose is more vivid and mature, and it evoked a great deal of emotion.
Interestingly enough, we actually do get some first-person writing — but only from the perspective of Jade, a succulent. A plant narrating part of the story was such a fresh idea that I’ve never come across in a book, and I really enjoyed how innovative that felt.
Bloom is a story about regrowth, self-discovery, grief, and what it means to move from the darkness into the light.
I loved the parallel of the condition of the plants mimicking the emotional state of the characters — it was a great metaphor and plot device that reminded us that without our own sunlight, nourishment, and care, we would also lose our leaves and fall apart.
An incredibly satisfying ending, strong character development (with a focus on relationships), and an engaging plot that elevated the reading experience.
The book is short, but it packs a punch. One that I won’t forget.
A big thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Bloom is out in March 2026!
February 5, 2026
Bloom is a heartfelt literary fiction novel with an elderly queer protagonist at its center, exploring themes of grief, life after loss, family tension, and the possibility of acceptance and forgiveness. This book marks Robbie Couch’s first venture into adult fiction, and it has an A Man Called Ove meets The Guncle vibe. If you’re familiar with Couch’s previous work, you’ll notice a shift to a third-person point of view for much of this book—and it works perfectly here. There are also short chapters narrated in the first-person POV of a talking jade plant, which adds intrigue and charm!
The story follows Morris Warner, a man unraveling after the sudden death of his husband, Fred; his stepdaughter Sloane; and Jade, a talking houseplant. Once lively and extroverted, Morris now lives a reclusive, solitary life, still processing grief and neglecting the home—and the plants—Fred left behind. Sloane is also struggling with planning her wedding while burdened by loss and family expectations that leave her feeling stuck and unseen. Meanwhile, Jade desperately tries to help her human companion “come back to life,” while also trying to save herself and the other plants she converses with by getting the humans to water them and care for them. The novel shifts between these POVs, giving readers a close, often whimsical look at how the lives of all three characters intersect and how each helps the others heal.
This is a character-driven story, and readers will quickly grow to love the main characters and their evolution. It’s refreshing to have an elderly queer protagonist, and Morris’s journey from withdrawal to vulnerability to openness is beautifully portrayed—and will tug at readers’ heartstrings. Meanwhile, Sloane, who has uncertainties about her upcoming wedding and a growing conflict with her mother, reclaims agency over her life and learns to trust her own instincts in ways that feel completely relatable and inspiring. Their relationship, complicated by grief and shared memories of Fred, grows through a series of meaningful experiences—from shopping trips to a gay bar outing to a cinema night out—and becomes the emotional heart of the story. But what makes this book truly unique is the sentient plant, Jade—a delightful narrator whose physical wilting and revival mirror the emotional states of the humans around her. Add in a feline threat and other sentient plants, each with their own personalities and backstories, and the story becomes a whimsical, heartfelt tale that will keep readers turning the pages!
This is a short book at 240 pages (or about 5 ½ hours on audio), and the pacing is gentle but steady. The opening chapters take a bit of time to introduce Morris, Sloane, and the plants’ backstories, but once Morris and Sloane start spending time together, the story gains momentum. Don’t expect major plot twists or confrontational scenes—instead, there are meaningful moments, quiet connections, and realistic situations that challenge the characters. The ending feels true to life, with things still unresolved, but it leaves readers with a sense of renewal and hope, not just for the people, but for the plants too. And it gives off a powerful metaphor for how, even after profound loss, life can bloom again in unexpected ways.
Overall, Bloom is a highly original and compelling exploration of grief, family, and the idea that growth can happen even in the later stages of life—and it marks a very successful transition into adult fiction for Robbie Couch. This book is perfect for readers who love memorable characters, emotional stories about healing and connection, and novels that stay with you long after the final page!
The story follows Morris Warner, a man unraveling after the sudden death of his husband, Fred; his stepdaughter Sloane; and Jade, a talking houseplant. Once lively and extroverted, Morris now lives a reclusive, solitary life, still processing grief and neglecting the home—and the plants—Fred left behind. Sloane is also struggling with planning her wedding while burdened by loss and family expectations that leave her feeling stuck and unseen. Meanwhile, Jade desperately tries to help her human companion “come back to life,” while also trying to save herself and the other plants she converses with by getting the humans to water them and care for them. The novel shifts between these POVs, giving readers a close, often whimsical look at how the lives of all three characters intersect and how each helps the others heal.
This is a character-driven story, and readers will quickly grow to love the main characters and their evolution. It’s refreshing to have an elderly queer protagonist, and Morris’s journey from withdrawal to vulnerability to openness is beautifully portrayed—and will tug at readers’ heartstrings. Meanwhile, Sloane, who has uncertainties about her upcoming wedding and a growing conflict with her mother, reclaims agency over her life and learns to trust her own instincts in ways that feel completely relatable and inspiring. Their relationship, complicated by grief and shared memories of Fred, grows through a series of meaningful experiences—from shopping trips to a gay bar outing to a cinema night out—and becomes the emotional heart of the story. But what makes this book truly unique is the sentient plant, Jade—a delightful narrator whose physical wilting and revival mirror the emotional states of the humans around her. Add in a feline threat and other sentient plants, each with their own personalities and backstories, and the story becomes a whimsical, heartfelt tale that will keep readers turning the pages!
This is a short book at 240 pages (or about 5 ½ hours on audio), and the pacing is gentle but steady. The opening chapters take a bit of time to introduce Morris, Sloane, and the plants’ backstories, but once Morris and Sloane start spending time together, the story gains momentum. Don’t expect major plot twists or confrontational scenes—instead, there are meaningful moments, quiet connections, and realistic situations that challenge the characters. The ending feels true to life, with things still unresolved, but it leaves readers with a sense of renewal and hope, not just for the people, but for the plants too. And it gives off a powerful metaphor for how, even after profound loss, life can bloom again in unexpected ways.
Overall, Bloom is a highly original and compelling exploration of grief, family, and the idea that growth can happen even in the later stages of life—and it marks a very successful transition into adult fiction for Robbie Couch. This book is perfect for readers who love memorable characters, emotional stories about healing and connection, and novels that stay with you long after the final page!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A believable story narrated by a plant!
In the acknowledgments at the end of Bloom author Robbie Couch says he wondered who would want to read “a book about a houseplant that finds a way to help its grieving human bloom again”. My reaction was, who could resist it?
As you might expect from this summary and from the fact that the plant Jade is the narrator, this book gave me a lot of smiles, even when Jade and others are facing serious problems. For example, Jade alerts readers not to be fooled by the fact that he is only two years old and stresses his maturity, in contrast to two-year-old Sapiens (humans), whom he describes as ornery menaces who demand respect while defecating relentlessly.
Jade is worried that he will die because of the lack of care from his Sapien, but Jade’s Sapien Morris is suffering serious grief from the loss of his husband Fred and is neglecting a lot. Meanwhile, Fred’s daughter Sloan is eagerly looking forward to marrying her fiancé Todd but is struggling with interference in the wedding planning from her aunt Angela and her mother Beth, who is still grieving the death of her former husband and had never recovered from the fact that Fred left her for a MAN. A big issue is who will walk Sloan down the aisle at the wedding, a mundane but real problem.
The characters in the book, including Jade, are all believable and sympathetic. If you are a bit concerned, as I was, about the categorizing of the book as LGBT and thought it might dominate the book, be reassured that Morris’ sexual preferences are not the driving force in most of his life, just as it is only one aspect of the lives of LGBT people I know.
Ordinary people with ordinary problems, but they are described in prose that is far from the ordinary. My kindle has a lot of comments like “I love the writing”.
Apparently this is Couch’s first book for adults; I hope he will write another one soon!
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster.
In the acknowledgments at the end of Bloom author Robbie Couch says he wondered who would want to read “a book about a houseplant that finds a way to help its grieving human bloom again”. My reaction was, who could resist it?
As you might expect from this summary and from the fact that the plant Jade is the narrator, this book gave me a lot of smiles, even when Jade and others are facing serious problems. For example, Jade alerts readers not to be fooled by the fact that he is only two years old and stresses his maturity, in contrast to two-year-old Sapiens (humans), whom he describes as ornery menaces who demand respect while defecating relentlessly.
Jade is worried that he will die because of the lack of care from his Sapien, but Jade’s Sapien Morris is suffering serious grief from the loss of his husband Fred and is neglecting a lot. Meanwhile, Fred’s daughter Sloan is eagerly looking forward to marrying her fiancé Todd but is struggling with interference in the wedding planning from her aunt Angela and her mother Beth, who is still grieving the death of her former husband and had never recovered from the fact that Fred left her for a MAN. A big issue is who will walk Sloan down the aisle at the wedding, a mundane but real problem.
The characters in the book, including Jade, are all believable and sympathetic. If you are a bit concerned, as I was, about the categorizing of the book as LGBT and thought it might dominate the book, be reassured that Morris’ sexual preferences are not the driving force in most of his life, just as it is only one aspect of the lives of LGBT people I know.
Ordinary people with ordinary problems, but they are described in prose that is far from the ordinary. My kindle has a lot of comments like “I love the writing”.
Apparently this is Couch’s first book for adults; I hope he will write another one soon!
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster.
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April 14, 2026The concept of plant POV was fun but there wasn't actually enough of it to make an impact, and while I liked the human (or Sapien!) characters I also didn't feel I knew them very well. I think this needed to be either shorter and tighter or longer to work for me.
September 20, 2025
Absolutely loved this! This novel is a beautifully written exploration of grief, healing, and the messiness that comes with affairs, divorce, and death. I appreciate the unique take on the relationships in this story, There are some unlikeable characters who also grew on me.
I personally didn't love the POV from the plants, but can very much appreciate the way their own plant-health mimicked the mental state of Morris. If you are a fan of Remarkedly Bright Creatures I think you would love this part of the novel.
10/10 would recommend!
I personally didn't love the POV from the plants, but can very much appreciate the way their own plant-health mimicked the mental state of Morris. If you are a fan of Remarkedly Bright Creatures I think you would love this part of the novel.
10/10 would recommend!
September 25, 2025
cry count: llll
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April 27, 2026I could have done without the plant POV
March 3, 2026
With Bloom, Robbie Couch makes the leap from YA to adult fiction, tackling “easy” topics like grief, various forms of betrayal, survival, how to live a life, wedding conflict, and the many challenges of family units.
He does this splendidly, making us cheer for a fiancée as she navigates wedding planning and all the conflict family brings. He makes us fall in love with a charming widower trying to remember why—and how—to live. He even makes us root for a potted plant just trying to survive and maybe make the world a little more beautiful.
The story intertwines these three characters in a beautiful adventure that approaches these “easy” topics indirectly, making them easier to digest and more genuine to the human experience.
This book is superb and hard to put down. It proves that Robbie Couch continues to Bloom and blossom as a writer in any book or genre.
Lastly, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of this splendid book.
He does this splendidly, making us cheer for a fiancée as she navigates wedding planning and all the conflict family brings. He makes us fall in love with a charming widower trying to remember why—and how—to live. He even makes us root for a potted plant just trying to survive and maybe make the world a little more beautiful.
The story intertwines these three characters in a beautiful adventure that approaches these “easy” topics indirectly, making them easier to digest and more genuine to the human experience.
This book is superb and hard to put down. It proves that Robbie Couch continues to Bloom and blossom as a writer in any book or genre.
Lastly, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of this splendid book.
March 30, 2026
An absolutely delightful story. On the shorter side but still filled with the right amounts of family drama, incredibly sweet and light but still entirely emotional. It’s a fantastic balance. Love and loss and new beginnings. All the feels.
There are characters to adore and root for and others to vilify, but there are also interjections from sentient plants that should be unhinged but instead come across as deeply emotional and connective. You just have to see for yourself.
Though, you will be shouting, “for the love of God, water the plants!” 10 separate times.
Ultimately it’s an uplifting and cathartic story, wonderfully done on audio if that’s your thing, but either way you read, I highly recommend.
* I received a free audio copy from the publisher
There are characters to adore and root for and others to vilify, but there are also interjections from sentient plants that should be unhinged but instead come across as deeply emotional and connective. You just have to see for yourself.
Though, you will be shouting, “for the love of God, water the plants!” 10 separate times.
Ultimately it’s an uplifting and cathartic story, wonderfully done on audio if that’s your thing, but either way you read, I highly recommend.
* I received a free audio copy from the publisher
March 28, 2026
Thank you Gallery Books for the advanced copy to review!
Bloom by @robbiecouch is an absolute must read. What a gift of a book about grief, love, family, and moving forward. The last few chapters + the epilogue had me sobbing into my pillow. Morris, Sloan, Jade - you’ll live in my heart forever. I cannot wait to revisit this one (the audio is read by Lee Osorio!!!!!!).
Bloom by @robbiecouch is an absolute must read. What a gift of a book about grief, love, family, and moving forward. The last few chapters + the epilogue had me sobbing into my pillow. Morris, Sloan, Jade - you’ll live in my heart forever. I cannot wait to revisit this one (the audio is read by Lee Osorio!!!!!!).
March 9, 2026
First I’d like to thank Gallery Books, NetGalley and author Robbie Couch for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll admit at first glance I wasn’t sure if this one would be for me. But the more I read about our three narrators I loved seeing the story through their POV.
Morris has lost the love of his life Fred and he’s still grieving pretty much letting the days go by, but a chance visit from his stepdaughter Sloan one day changes everything, including saving his dying Jade plant from dying slowly in a corner.
The highlights for me was seeing Morris take his life off pause and doing so with his stepdaughter Sloan that everyone assumed was irresponsible and just floating through life, but Morris was able to see through that and see the talents she was hiding.
This book left me sobbing because it shows how grief isn’t a one and done thing, every interaction is marked by grief and sometimes it’s hard, but eventually you get to a place where you can smile through it.
Robbie got me excited about an elderly man and plants… two things that i don’t usually jump for joy over. Amazing step into general adult fiction!
I’ll admit at first glance I wasn’t sure if this one would be for me. But the more I read about our three narrators I loved seeing the story through their POV.
Morris has lost the love of his life Fred and he’s still grieving pretty much letting the days go by, but a chance visit from his stepdaughter Sloan one day changes everything, including saving his dying Jade plant from dying slowly in a corner.
The highlights for me was seeing Morris take his life off pause and doing so with his stepdaughter Sloan that everyone assumed was irresponsible and just floating through life, but Morris was able to see through that and see the talents she was hiding.
This book left me sobbing because it shows how grief isn’t a one and done thing, every interaction is marked by grief and sometimes it’s hard, but eventually you get to a place where you can smile through it.
Robbie got me excited about an elderly man and plants… two things that i don’t usually jump for joy over. Amazing step into general adult fiction!
April 21, 2026
4 Stars.
It really shouldn’t work to tell part of a story through the eyes (erm…leaves?) of a plant. It’s a risk that could so easily go terribly wrong. But, in this delightful little novel, Robbie Couch has managed to pull it off. It’s due almost entirely to his lovable and relatable characters. Morris (the aging widower), Sloan (the distant stepdaughter), and Jade (the forgotten house plant) are full of heart and very quickly pull you into the story. You can’t help but root for all three of them (no apology for the pun). It’s a quick read, but that doesn’t mean it’s light on emotional connection or deeper ideas.
All three characters are unable to thrive. Morris is hiding himself away from the world, unsure how to go on without his husband. Sloan is constricted by her complicated family and the pressure of her upcoming wedding. And poor Jade is deprived of light and water. Through a series of connected events, each one will attempt to adapt to their new reality, find a way to grow, and fully embrace life.
For readers that aren’t able to grasp the sentient plant idea, this might not be a great experience. There can be a bit of dissonance in the chapters from Jade’s perspective if you begin to think too logically or dissect details. It won’t be for everyone. But, for those of us that are down to let our imaginations wander and to be swept away by adorable characters doing their best to survive in a complex and emotional world, this is a heartwarming story that leaves you feeling like you’ve been wrapped up in a cozy hug.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It really shouldn’t work to tell part of a story through the eyes (erm…leaves?) of a plant. It’s a risk that could so easily go terribly wrong. But, in this delightful little novel, Robbie Couch has managed to pull it off. It’s due almost entirely to his lovable and relatable characters. Morris (the aging widower), Sloan (the distant stepdaughter), and Jade (the forgotten house plant) are full of heart and very quickly pull you into the story. You can’t help but root for all three of them (no apology for the pun). It’s a quick read, but that doesn’t mean it’s light on emotional connection or deeper ideas.
All three characters are unable to thrive. Morris is hiding himself away from the world, unsure how to go on without his husband. Sloan is constricted by her complicated family and the pressure of her upcoming wedding. And poor Jade is deprived of light and water. Through a series of connected events, each one will attempt to adapt to their new reality, find a way to grow, and fully embrace life.
For readers that aren’t able to grasp the sentient plant idea, this might not be a great experience. There can be a bit of dissonance in the chapters from Jade’s perspective if you begin to think too logically or dissect details. It won’t be for everyone. But, for those of us that are down to let our imaginations wander and to be swept away by adorable characters doing their best to survive in a complex and emotional world, this is a heartwarming story that leaves you feeling like you’ve been wrapped up in a cozy hug.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2025
5 stars
Since I've really liked and even loved every book I've read by Robbie Couch, I expected to enjoy this. But all of the previous books have been YA. Not everyone can cross over as smoothly as we all hope. This? It's spectacular.
This speedy but deeply impactful novel features three perspectives: Jade, Morris, and Sloan. Jade is a houseplant. I am one of those folks who lives in a jungle (there are more than 200 plants inside of my house, not to mention what's happening in every outdoor nook and cranny). I cannot get enough of the basic premise that a houseplant is a narrator and vital character here. Obsessessed. The sapien characters are also pretty great. Morris is Sloan's stepdad. He and her father had an affair immediately before she became a student in a whole year of Morris's high school history course (a decade ago). But like all of those situations, it's complicated. Also, this one took a different turn when the affair turned into a long and serious relationship. After all, in the present day, Morris has outlived his husband: Sloane's dad. Sloane is about to get married, and she has this sudden desire early in the book to reach out to Morris. This is surprising since she's had no contact with him and she - along with the rest of her family - harbors FEELINGS about Morris's role in breaking up her nuclear family. So how will Jade, Morris, and Sloan connect? That's for you to read and for me to get misty over just thinking about.
I anticipate great books from Robbie Couch, but this is on another level. The characters - plants included - are layered and memorable. The relationships teach so much. There's a lot of loss and sadness here, but there is also overwhelming hope. Like all books by this author, there is also meaningful representation.
This is an innovative and touching read that I will be recommending widely. I was a huge fan of this author's on the way in (and special props to my pal Andrew, who sent me a signed book of Couch's not long ago - a prized possession to be sure - I'll cherish it even more now). Now, I've moved from "I really love Couch's books" to "Couch wrote one of my favorite books of this year."
I recommend this book and proper care of your houseplants and hearts.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this arc, which is exceptional. I received it in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Since I've really liked and even loved every book I've read by Robbie Couch, I expected to enjoy this. But all of the previous books have been YA. Not everyone can cross over as smoothly as we all hope. This? It's spectacular.
This speedy but deeply impactful novel features three perspectives: Jade, Morris, and Sloan. Jade is a houseplant. I am one of those folks who lives in a jungle (there are more than 200 plants inside of my house, not to mention what's happening in every outdoor nook and cranny). I cannot get enough of the basic premise that a houseplant is a narrator and vital character here. Obsessessed. The sapien characters are also pretty great. Morris is Sloan's stepdad. He and her father had an affair immediately before she became a student in a whole year of Morris's high school history course (a decade ago). But like all of those situations, it's complicated. Also, this one took a different turn when the affair turned into a long and serious relationship. After all, in the present day, Morris has outlived his husband: Sloane's dad. Sloane is about to get married, and she has this sudden desire early in the book to reach out to Morris. This is surprising since she's had no contact with him and she - along with the rest of her family - harbors FEELINGS about Morris's role in breaking up her nuclear family. So how will Jade, Morris, and Sloan connect? That's for you to read and for me to get misty over just thinking about.
I anticipate great books from Robbie Couch, but this is on another level. The characters - plants included - are layered and memorable. The relationships teach so much. There's a lot of loss and sadness here, but there is also overwhelming hope. Like all books by this author, there is also meaningful representation.
This is an innovative and touching read that I will be recommending widely. I was a huge fan of this author's on the way in (and special props to my pal Andrew, who sent me a signed book of Couch's not long ago - a prized possession to be sure - I'll cherish it even more now). Now, I've moved from "I really love Couch's books" to "Couch wrote one of my favorite books of this year."
I recommend this book and proper care of your houseplants and hearts.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this arc, which is exceptional. I received it in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
March 4, 2026
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
When Morris Warner's husband Fred passes away unexpectedly, he finds himself in a depressive state. Fred had a green thumb, but Morris has let a select few houseplants languish after donating most of them to a former student for her classroom.
The story follows Morris through his grief as he reconnects with his stepdaughter Sloan, with whom he has not had a close relationship. Woven throughout the book are chapters told from the POV of Jade, one of the three remaining houseplants. Jade and her fellow plants try desperately to get Morris' attention, slowly withering as each day passes without water. When Sloan shows up unannounced at Morris' house one day after sharing some tense moments with her mother, she just might be the key to saving both Morris and his plants.
I loved so much about this book. It was a beautifully told story of grief, family, and second chances. The metaphor and parallel of the dying plant POV were a unique storytelling element that made this stand out to me. Morris and Sloan were both such lovable characters, and I was rooting (pun intended) for them to triumph throughout. Despite its short length, there was so much character development and it felt like a fully fleshed out story, making it a great and memorable palate cleanser for anyone in a slump.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
When Morris Warner's husband Fred passes away unexpectedly, he finds himself in a depressive state. Fred had a green thumb, but Morris has let a select few houseplants languish after donating most of them to a former student for her classroom.
The story follows Morris through his grief as he reconnects with his stepdaughter Sloan, with whom he has not had a close relationship. Woven throughout the book are chapters told from the POV of Jade, one of the three remaining houseplants. Jade and her fellow plants try desperately to get Morris' attention, slowly withering as each day passes without water. When Sloan shows up unannounced at Morris' house one day after sharing some tense moments with her mother, she just might be the key to saving both Morris and his plants.
I loved so much about this book. It was a beautifully told story of grief, family, and second chances. The metaphor and parallel of the dying plant POV were a unique storytelling element that made this stand out to me. Morris and Sloan were both such lovable characters, and I was rooting (pun intended) for them to triumph throughout. Despite its short length, there was so much character development and it felt like a fully fleshed out story, making it a great and memorable palate cleanser for anyone in a slump.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
March 12, 2026
3.5 stars 💖
“The only melancholy they’ve brought into my life is the fear of losing them and the understanding of what my own mom must’ve felt saying goodbye to me all those years ago.”
Let me start by saying, I love everything Robbie Couch writes. It’s raw, emotional, and tackles topics that are innately human and difficult to talk about. The topic of grief has been discussed time and time again, but I think Robbie truly tackles it differently here. This story shows grief from every angle. Grieving the death of a loved one. Grieving the person you knew and the relationship you had with them. Grieving someone (or some plant) you never knew but are connected through life. Grief is complicated, messy, exhausting, and brings up painful and joyful memories sometimes in the same instance. It’s confusing and in times of grief things that matter to us are bound to be forgotten, like watering the plants.
One take away I have from this book is that every situation impacts each person differently. It’s best said by Harriet to Sloan when she reminds Sloan that their father is the love of their mother’s life even though Morris is his. It serves as a reminder to give people grace. See their side of the story, what does it feel like for them? And to forgive.
In regard to the writing, I love that Robbie kept the conversational and more simple voice of his YA books. It was an easy read, but an impactful one.
“The only melancholy they’ve brought into my life is the fear of losing them and the understanding of what my own mom must’ve felt saying goodbye to me all those years ago.”
Let me start by saying, I love everything Robbie Couch writes. It’s raw, emotional, and tackles topics that are innately human and difficult to talk about. The topic of grief has been discussed time and time again, but I think Robbie truly tackles it differently here. This story shows grief from every angle. Grieving the death of a loved one. Grieving the person you knew and the relationship you had with them. Grieving someone (or some plant) you never knew but are connected through life. Grief is complicated, messy, exhausting, and brings up painful and joyful memories sometimes in the same instance. It’s confusing and in times of grief things that matter to us are bound to be forgotten, like watering the plants.
One take away I have from this book is that every situation impacts each person differently. It’s best said by Harriet to Sloan when she reminds Sloan that their father is the love of their mother’s life even though Morris is his. It serves as a reminder to give people grace. See their side of the story, what does it feel like for them? And to forgive.
In regard to the writing, I love that Robbie kept the conversational and more simple voice of his YA books. It was an easy read, but an impactful one.
April 14, 2026
this was super cute! approachable and novel. And even managed to surprise me and have plot twists.
I'm not sure how I ended up reading two "cozy queer paranormal dealing with family drama surrounding grief and infidelity" books so close together but I guess that's cool :)
I finished a few days ago but I forgot about this app bc of a gig
read if you have poetry in your soul and are obsessed with plants
I'm not sure how I ended up reading two "cozy queer paranormal dealing with family drama surrounding grief and infidelity" books so close together but I guess that's cool :)
I finished a few days ago but I forgot about this app bc of a gig
read if you have poetry in your soul and are obsessed with plants
April 7, 2026
A lovely, heart warming and unique story about a sentient houseplant that, as the author describes, “finds a way to help its grieving human bloom again”.
I especially liked the epigraph quoting Peter Wohlleben: “ who knows, perhaps one day the language of trees will eventually be deciphered, giving us the raw material for further amazing stories”
I especially liked the epigraph quoting Peter Wohlleben: “ who knows, perhaps one day the language of trees will eventually be deciphered, giving us the raw material for further amazing stories”
April 11, 2026
3.75⭐️
This was a sweet, heartfelt book about grief, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Unlike most, I didn’t love the perspective of Jade, the plant, but I did love the growing relationship between Sloane and her father’s widower, Morris. This is a great comfort read that never becomes saccharine.
This was a sweet, heartfelt book about grief, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Unlike most, I didn’t love the perspective of Jade, the plant, but I did love the growing relationship between Sloane and her father’s widower, Morris. This is a great comfort read that never becomes saccharine.
Did Not Finish
March 22, 2026DNF
May 12, 2026
This was a fun, quick read. Perfect for breaking up a reading rut.
Did Not Finish
April 4, 2026I listened to the first 15% of this one and was just not really in the mood for it. I don't feel like I listened long enough to really judge it. Maybe it's great, but I just wasn't feeling it at the moment.
July 23, 2025
If I have ever recommended books to you, I've definitely mentioned Robbie Couch's name- so you can imagine how excited I was to open an envelope and see Robbie's adult debut, Bloom.
A story told, in part, from the point of view of his deceased husband's houseplants withering away in Morris' living room, Bloom is everything I've know Couch's writing to be: tender, funny, and raw.
This is such a heartfelt look at a family grieving and trying to navigate loss and messy dynamics after a loss while putting themselves back together as life moves on. And then there's Morris. Sweet, withdrawn, Morris looking for small ways to start living and enjoying life again with a little help from his step-daughter and the plants in his home.
Bloom is truly such a lovely, heartfelt debut from Couch that you won't regret picking up!
A story told, in part, from the point of view of his deceased husband's houseplants withering away in Morris' living room, Bloom is everything I've know Couch's writing to be: tender, funny, and raw.
This is such a heartfelt look at a family grieving and trying to navigate loss and messy dynamics after a loss while putting themselves back together as life moves on. And then there's Morris. Sweet, withdrawn, Morris looking for small ways to start living and enjoying life again with a little help from his step-daughter and the plants in his home.
Bloom is truly such a lovely, heartfelt debut from Couch that you won't regret picking up!
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