What do you think?
Rate this book
Somebody's Rose
When the manuscript arrives at the office of a small publishing company, it has no return address. The required postage is affixed and is made up of a hodgepodge of random stamps. The manuscript itself is typed… typed on an old manual typewriter. On top is a simple note that
I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose.
And thus begins a memoir about a lovely lady named Rose and the man who has been in love with her ever since he was ten years old.
In her signature style, Marla Melior presents this nostalgic, through-the-ages look at lasting love set against a backdrop of American history and pop culture. This is a true celebration of love and marriage and serves as a tribute to our nation and its heroes. Fall in love with Rose and our anonymous narrator as this young couple builds a life together, and learn why every woman in the world wants to be somebody's Rose.
I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose.
And thus begins a memoir about a lovely lady named Rose and the man who has been in love with her ever since he was ten years old.
In her signature style, Marla Melior presents this nostalgic, through-the-ages look at lasting love set against a backdrop of American history and pop culture. This is a true celebration of love and marriage and serves as a tribute to our nation and its heroes. Fall in love with Rose and our anonymous narrator as this young couple builds a life together, and learn why every woman in the world wants to be somebody's Rose.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
3 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 22, 2025
This is the third book I’ve had the privilege of reading from Marla, and I think it may be the sweetest yet!
Somebody’s Rose is told entirely from the husband’s perspective and feels like his final love letter to honor his beloved wife, Rose, whom he married in 1946. Spanning decades into the modern day, it’s both touching and tender. He takes us back to the very beginning: his first glimpse of her, their early (sometimes awkward and funny) conversations, and the slow unfolding of a relationship that grew into a lifelong, steadfast love. His devotion only deepens with every passing year.
What I appreciate most about Marla’s writing is that her stories can be enjoyed by readers of any age. It’s a wholesome story. She includes historical and nostalgic details such as popular songs, foods, and news events from the era. Other themes woven in are faith, family, friendship, military, and small town living.
🎶 And don’t miss the extras at the back: discussion questions, a music playlist with every song mentioned in the book, and Rose’s very own Chocolate Divine Cake recipe (yum!).
Thank you, Marla, for sending me such a beautiful copy of your book and giving me the chance to experience this love story.
✨ Someone’s Rose releases September 24!
Somebody’s Rose is told entirely from the husband’s perspective and feels like his final love letter to honor his beloved wife, Rose, whom he married in 1946. Spanning decades into the modern day, it’s both touching and tender. He takes us back to the very beginning: his first glimpse of her, their early (sometimes awkward and funny) conversations, and the slow unfolding of a relationship that grew into a lifelong, steadfast love. His devotion only deepens with every passing year.
What I appreciate most about Marla’s writing is that her stories can be enjoyed by readers of any age. It’s a wholesome story. She includes historical and nostalgic details such as popular songs, foods, and news events from the era. Other themes woven in are faith, family, friendship, military, and small town living.
🎶 And don’t miss the extras at the back: discussion questions, a music playlist with every song mentioned in the book, and Rose’s very own Chocolate Divine Cake recipe (yum!).
Thank you, Marla, for sending me such a beautiful copy of your book and giving me the chance to experience this love story.
✨ Someone’s Rose releases September 24!
August 31, 2025
Somebody’s Rose by Marla Melior
Coming September 23, 2025
“I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose.”
These words open a timeless memoir, an anonymous manuscript typed on a weathered manual typewriter, arriving at a small publisher’s office with nothing but truth and tenderness to offer .
You can't help but fall in love with Rose and Bud!
Rose is lovely, steady, unforgettable, and the man, Bud, has loved her since they were ten. Memory upon memory blooms into a deeply moving journey through American history, pop culture, and a love that endures.
This book has parts that make you laugh but definitely bring you to tears as well.
Nostalgic, deeply emotional, and beautifully written Marla Melior captures the quiet, sacred moments that define a lifetime. This is a true love story!
If you believe in the kind of love that lasts, mark your calendar for September 23. You’ll want to know about Rose.
Thank you @marla_melior_author, @wordnerdauthorservices and @wordnerdbookworm for this ARC
Coming September 23, 2025
“I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose.”
These words open a timeless memoir, an anonymous manuscript typed on a weathered manual typewriter, arriving at a small publisher’s office with nothing but truth and tenderness to offer .
You can't help but fall in love with Rose and Bud!
Rose is lovely, steady, unforgettable, and the man, Bud, has loved her since they were ten. Memory upon memory blooms into a deeply moving journey through American history, pop culture, and a love that endures.
This book has parts that make you laugh but definitely bring you to tears as well.
Nostalgic, deeply emotional, and beautifully written Marla Melior captures the quiet, sacred moments that define a lifetime. This is a true love story!
If you believe in the kind of love that lasts, mark your calendar for September 23. You’ll want to know about Rose.
Thank you @marla_melior_author, @wordnerdauthorservices and @wordnerdbookworm for this ARC
August 29, 2025
I loved this book SO much! I fell in love with the characters right away. The story spans from 1946 to present day. It's heartfelt, full of love, history, life lessons and nostalgia. It's the perfect mix of romance and historical fiction. The author also includes a song list that goes with the book and it's fantastic. This book publishes on 9/23/2025 and I highly recommend it! Thank you so much Marla for the eARC! Immediately adding the author's previous books to my TBR and can't wait for future books.
Additional notes :
•This is a clean book and appropriate for any age in my opinion. I think it will appeal to many generations which is really unique! It's not often that I find a book that I love that I also can recommend to both my teen and my mother.
• After 7 years of owning my kindle, I used the highlight feature for the first time with this book because I really loved some quotes.
Additional notes :
•This is a clean book and appropriate for any age in my opinion. I think it will appeal to many generations which is really unique! It's not often that I find a book that I love that I also can recommend to both my teen and my mother.
• After 7 years of owning my kindle, I used the highlight feature for the first time with this book because I really loved some quotes.
September 16, 2025
This was such a great story! A book publisher gets sent a book all about a man and his wife, Rose. He wants to tell her story. Thus we get the life story of him and his wife. I really enjoyed reading through the story of this couple. It was very interesting and I loved how it started in the 60s and went all the way to modern day. I also liked all the song references. The Man’s friend, Marty’s story was so sad and I felt bad for him and his siblings. There was history throughout and talk of military service that I thought was extra special. Overall, I thought this a great story and I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Somebody's Rose is a beautiful read. It is a fictional memoir written by an anonymous author about a woman named Rose. The story takes place through many years and references key points of American history. I really enjoyed this element of the novel. The characters were very developed to where the reader truly got to know each one personally. This book didn't shy away from some hard topics (i.e. war, hard family dynamics, etc.) but every topic was handled with respect. The writing was lovely and descriptive. I highly recommend it!
Somebody's Rose is a beautiful read. It is a fictional memoir written by an anonymous author about a woman named Rose. The story takes place through many years and references key points of American history. I really enjoyed this element of the novel. The characters were very developed to where the reader truly got to know each one personally. This book didn't shy away from some hard topics (i.e. war, hard family dynamics, etc.) but every topic was handled with respect. The writing was lovely and descriptive. I highly recommend it!
August 29, 2025
What a SWEET read! Truly gave me the “The Notebook” vibes throughout. You’ll fall in love with Bud and his Rose thoroughly before you’re done with this one.
It may have taken me a good 10 chapters to get really into this, but I’m glad I stuck it out. So much real life, mixed with an interesting time in American history (I didn’t know much about American servicemen in Alaska before the Cold War, but now I do!)
Melior’s writing is very conversational and dialogue forward, and you come to know the characters so well from it. It was a joy to read as a fan of historical fiction, romance, and books that feel just…real.
—Thank you Marla, and Lindsey/Word Nerd Author Services, for providing this ARC for review consideration! All opinions are my own.
It may have taken me a good 10 chapters to get really into this, but I’m glad I stuck it out. So much real life, mixed with an interesting time in American history (I didn’t know much about American servicemen in Alaska before the Cold War, but now I do!)
Melior’s writing is very conversational and dialogue forward, and you come to know the characters so well from it. It was a joy to read as a fan of historical fiction, romance, and books that feel just…real.
—Thank you Marla, and Lindsey/Word Nerd Author Services, for providing this ARC for review consideration! All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2025
I still had a few tears drying on my face as I set my Kindle down upon completing this book. Wow! What an amazing story; one I wish were true and not fiction. It is so touching. The way I was immediately drawn into this tale, it didn’t go at all like I expected, but I don’t wish to give spoilers. All future readers should enjoy the way this tale unfolds organically and have nothing spoiled.
Rose is an amazing woman, not without flaws, but remarkable; as is the anonymous writer who shares her story. This story is just so sweet, but not without pain and tragedy, much like life. The way the characters, main and supporting, all come together and learn to lean into one another for support is very inspiring.
What really stood out to me is the pacing and the way the story grows right along with the characters. This story progresses steadily as Rose moves from childhood to adolescence, into adulthood, and finally into the season of children and grandchildren of their own. The strong bonds formed along the way are a central theme. The way they support not only one another but also their community is a powerful message of love and faith, always striving to show kindness and grace.
I think that anyone who loves stories that touch on historical events across decades, who are drawn to family-centered sagas, and who long for fiction that feels achingly real, will really connect with Rose, the narrator, and Marty. This book will go down as a favorite read for 2025, and it has definitely earned a place on my list of all-time favorite novels.
Many thanks to Marla Melior IG: @marla_melior_author, @wordnerdauthorservices, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I was gifted a copy by the author and her team, but all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
🎶 Bonus: The author created a playlist of all the songs mentioned in the novel. You can listen along on Apple Music or Spotify
Rose is an amazing woman, not without flaws, but remarkable; as is the anonymous writer who shares her story. This story is just so sweet, but not without pain and tragedy, much like life. The way the characters, main and supporting, all come together and learn to lean into one another for support is very inspiring.
What really stood out to me is the pacing and the way the story grows right along with the characters. This story progresses steadily as Rose moves from childhood to adolescence, into adulthood, and finally into the season of children and grandchildren of their own. The strong bonds formed along the way are a central theme. The way they support not only one another but also their community is a powerful message of love and faith, always striving to show kindness and grace.
I think that anyone who loves stories that touch on historical events across decades, who are drawn to family-centered sagas, and who long for fiction that feels achingly real, will really connect with Rose, the narrator, and Marty. This book will go down as a favorite read for 2025, and it has definitely earned a place on my list of all-time favorite novels.
Many thanks to Marla Melior IG: @marla_melior_author, @wordnerdauthorservices, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I was gifted a copy by the author and her team, but all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
🎶 Bonus: The author created a playlist of all the songs mentioned in the novel. You can listen along on Apple Music or Spotify
September 22, 2025
Reading 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮’𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 by @Marla_Melior_Author feels like sipping sweet tea on a front porch swing—𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐜, & then BAM—𝐠𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 (the good kind). 💘 It lulls you in with its quiet charm… then leaves you in a puddle of tears.
The story kicks off when a 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 lands at a small publishing house. 𝐍𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬. Just a typed note: “𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦.”
And just like that, you’re swept into a 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 that begins in 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟔 & stretches across a lifetime. The narrator’s name? Never revealed. So, naturally, I’ve affectionately dubbed him “Ed” ☺️. By the end, you’ll wish you were somebody’s Rose, too. 🥹
Think decades of devotion, war letters, nostalgic tunes, heartache, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, & the quiet kind of magic that only comes with growing old together. It’s not just romance—it’s 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃
🌹 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 – flawed, real, & radiant in the quiet moments
🎶 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 & 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙨 – a nostalgia-filled playlist & even Rose’s Chocolate Divine Cake recipe 🍫
⏳ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 – WWII to small-town life, rich & textured without feeling heavy
😂 𝙀𝙙’𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧 – tender, understated, & deeply human
🤜🤛 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 – friends & family who bring depth & love
💪 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙩 – scars, setbacks, & hope woven through every page
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
💭 This isn’t a fireworks romance. It’s a 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧, lifetime kind of love that builds, deepens, & stays. If you crave a story that 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 the last page, grab your tissues & dive in.
I received a copy from the author. A positive review was not required—all swooning is 100% mine.
————
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒
🤬 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚: No profanity or crude language.
🛁 𝙎𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩: None; clean and appropriate.
🥊 Violence/Thematic Elements: Mild references to war and military service. Parental abuse and neglect (non-graphic).
🥺 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨/𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨: Depictions of grief and death (non-graphic); small‑town poverty.
Mentions of PTSD (veteran), dementia, and alcoholism.
🎬 𝙏𝙑/ 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩: Most likely PG (for thematic elements like war, loss, and emotional depth). Enjoyable for readers of any age.
📖 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝟰.𝟱/𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀. A tender, nostalgic love story that stole my heart. The emotional depth & quiet beauty of this book lingered long after I turned the last page. My only wish is that the powerful opening—the mysterious manuscript—had been echoed more fully at the end to bring it full circle. But still an unforgettable read.
The story kicks off when a 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 lands at a small publishing house. 𝐍𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬. Just a typed note: “𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦.”
And just like that, you’re swept into a 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 that begins in 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟔 & stretches across a lifetime. The narrator’s name? Never revealed. So, naturally, I’ve affectionately dubbed him “Ed” ☺️. By the end, you’ll wish you were somebody’s Rose, too. 🥹
Think decades of devotion, war letters, nostalgic tunes, heartache, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, & the quiet kind of magic that only comes with growing old together. It’s not just romance—it’s 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃
🌹 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 – flawed, real, & radiant in the quiet moments
🎶 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 & 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙨 – a nostalgia-filled playlist & even Rose’s Chocolate Divine Cake recipe 🍫
⏳ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 – WWII to small-town life, rich & textured without feeling heavy
😂 𝙀𝙙’𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧 – tender, understated, & deeply human
🤜🤛 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 – friends & family who bring depth & love
💪 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙩 – scars, setbacks, & hope woven through every page
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
💭 This isn’t a fireworks romance. It’s a 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧, lifetime kind of love that builds, deepens, & stays. If you crave a story that 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 the last page, grab your tissues & dive in.
I received a copy from the author. A positive review was not required—all swooning is 100% mine.
————
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒
🤬 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚: No profanity or crude language.
🛁 𝙎𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩: None; clean and appropriate.
🥊 Violence/Thematic Elements: Mild references to war and military service. Parental abuse and neglect (non-graphic).
🥺 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨/𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨: Depictions of grief and death (non-graphic); small‑town poverty.
Mentions of PTSD (veteran), dementia, and alcoholism.
🎬 𝙏𝙑/ 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩: Most likely PG (for thematic elements like war, loss, and emotional depth). Enjoyable for readers of any age.
📖 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝟰.𝟱/𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀. A tender, nostalgic love story that stole my heart. The emotional depth & quiet beauty of this book lingered long after I turned the last page. My only wish is that the powerful opening—the mysterious manuscript—had been echoed more fully at the end to bring it full circle. But still an unforgettable read.
October 9, 2025
“There is beauty in living simply…and simply living.” This quote sums up Somebody’s Rose in a nutshell. Meticulously detailed, this “memoir” is poetically written and clearly comes from a place of love. It is so hard to fathom that these characters weren’t real people who once lived; they are so well fleshed out. I found this story incredibly sweet and quite moving despite its simplicity. It is truly a love letter chronicling the lifelong love between a Bud and his Rose told from the heart.
Though I know Rose was a fictional character, she was a remarkable woman and the kind of person I aspire to be. I do feel like the length is quite on the long side for this type of story, but once I read it, I understood why. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it’s clear that the author did not want to leave anything out. I liked how there was just enough detail to paint a lovely picture while also giving enough depth that the reader can’t help but feel like they know these characters.
Chapter 41 was the chapter that made me chuckle the most, and when I read in the author’s note that it was all based on fact, that made it all the more funny! You’ve got to appreciate the random humor that life tends to throw our way. I was also living for the nostalgia! The songs and relevant news of the time transformed this simple love story into something unique and poetic, almost feeling like a love letter not only for Rose but for the era.
As I read the last chapter of the book, tears were streaming down my face. Like Bud, I wasn’t ready to let go just yet, but sadly, that’s life. Bud is such a wonderful guy and the perfect narrator. I appreciated getting the male’s perspective, particularly when it comes to a story like this. It’s clear from the moment he sees Rose that theirs will be a story for the ages, and it is.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Though I know Rose was a fictional character, she was a remarkable woman and the kind of person I aspire to be. I do feel like the length is quite on the long side for this type of story, but once I read it, I understood why. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it’s clear that the author did not want to leave anything out. I liked how there was just enough detail to paint a lovely picture while also giving enough depth that the reader can’t help but feel like they know these characters.
Chapter 41 was the chapter that made me chuckle the most, and when I read in the author’s note that it was all based on fact, that made it all the more funny! You’ve got to appreciate the random humor that life tends to throw our way. I was also living for the nostalgia! The songs and relevant news of the time transformed this simple love story into something unique and poetic, almost feeling like a love letter not only for Rose but for the era.
As I read the last chapter of the book, tears were streaming down my face. Like Bud, I wasn’t ready to let go just yet, but sadly, that’s life. Bud is such a wonderful guy and the perfect narrator. I appreciated getting the male’s perspective, particularly when it comes to a story like this. It’s clear from the moment he sees Rose that theirs will be a story for the ages, and it is.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
September 17, 2025
Oh to be somebody’s rose 💕 In this historical fiction love story, we start out at a small publishing company where they receive a mysterious handwritten manuscript saying “I don’t want money, I just want people to know about my Rose.” Then we dive in and we meet our MMC at 10 years old in 1946. While we never learn his name, we come to know him as Bud. Bud is your typical young boy in small town Wyoming: loves his family, his best friend Marty, and town sweetheart, Rose. We follow Bud from 10 years old in 1946 all the way to present day, experiencing the highs and lows of a life of love. At times, I questioned if this was a love story about Rose or his best friend Marty, because he loved them both so well. Bud is literally the “if he wanted to he would”, “down bad”, heart of gold type of guy. Not only do you get a beautiful love story, you get many historically important moments like the military team stationed in Alaska, the happenings around Vietnam, presidential changes over the years, and more. This book is also a fantastic representation of veteran PTSD and small town poverty. This is my first time reading Melior and I absolutely loved her dialogue forward writing. Getting to know each of these characters felt like such a privilege and I love them all. I cried multiple times in this story, but still recommend it with my entire soul.
Imagine this: small town love story, historical fiction, single POV, dialogue heavy, story spanning an entire life, military representation, and more! Pick this one up on Sept. 23!
TW: alcoholism, PTSD, parental abuse and neglect, dementia, death, grief, and war.
Thank you to Marla Melior and Lindsey at Word Nerd Author Services for gifting me the ARC for an honest review. It was an honor to read your words & be on your ARC team.
Imagine this: small town love story, historical fiction, single POV, dialogue heavy, story spanning an entire life, military representation, and more! Pick this one up on Sept. 23!
TW: alcoholism, PTSD, parental abuse and neglect, dementia, death, grief, and war.
Thank you to Marla Melior and Lindsey at Word Nerd Author Services for gifting me the ARC for an honest review. It was an honor to read your words & be on your ARC team.
September 22, 2025
Somebody's Rose is a chronicle of life lived. “Bud”—the only name we know him by—wants the world to know about his Rose, the kindest person he’s known and the love of his life, so he writes the story of their life and anonymously sends it to a publisher.
The story of Bus and Rose tells the ebb and flow of their lives from an elementary school crush in 1950 to their old age. The heartfelt memoir weaves small-town Americana, world and national events, and authentic life lessons into his tribute to Rose. It reminded me a bit of the movie The Longest Ride. Rodeo and bronc riding included. The ordinary and extraordinary equally unfold. It's young love, old love and everything in between.
One of my favorite moments of the story is a lesson Bud learned from his father when he was a teenager. The family had attended a flower show—very boring in Bud's opinion.
𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, “𝑶𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓! 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍!” 𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕… 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕, 𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅. “𝑵𝒐,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅. “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑴𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓.”
I also really appreciated this part because I'm often amazed at the fashion knowledge of the average MMC. 😁
𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆’𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏…
The story of Bus and Rose tells the ebb and flow of their lives from an elementary school crush in 1950 to their old age. The heartfelt memoir weaves small-town Americana, world and national events, and authentic life lessons into his tribute to Rose. It reminded me a bit of the movie The Longest Ride. Rodeo and bronc riding included. The ordinary and extraordinary equally unfold. It's young love, old love and everything in between.
One of my favorite moments of the story is a lesson Bud learned from his father when he was a teenager. The family had attended a flower show—very boring in Bud's opinion.
𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, “𝑶𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓! 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍!” 𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕… 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕, 𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅. “𝑵𝒐,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅. “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑴𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓.”
I also really appreciated this part because I'm often amazed at the fashion knowledge of the average MMC. 😁
𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆’𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏…
September 24, 2025
“Life has a way of moving forward, whether we expect it to or not. It is just another proof that Someone wiser and more capable than us is the One in charge.“
The tears have finally dried enough for me to write my review of this endearing, heartwarming, romance that spans generations! This is a touching story that would be enjoyed by you, a teen, your parents, and your grandparents.
The author gripped me with the prologue and I truly did not want to put this book down. I laughed, cried, giggled, curled my toes, and cried some more. The story reminded me so much of one of my all time favorite love songs, Somebody’s Chelsea, and I loved seeing the authors note at the end of the book regarding the influence of that song.
This story follows Bud and Rose and their journey from 10 years of age through courtship, war, political turmoil, historical events, faith, grief, pain, loss, and family. The amount of historical research put into this book showed how much heart, time, and love the author dedicated to this story.
Do yourself a favor grab this book, a package or two of tissues, a blanket and cozy up to read this beautiful story!
Thank you @marla_melior_author for the #gifted copy and the chance to read this story early!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The tears have finally dried enough for me to write my review of this endearing, heartwarming, romance that spans generations! This is a touching story that would be enjoyed by you, a teen, your parents, and your grandparents.
The author gripped me with the prologue and I truly did not want to put this book down. I laughed, cried, giggled, curled my toes, and cried some more. The story reminded me so much of one of my all time favorite love songs, Somebody’s Chelsea, and I loved seeing the authors note at the end of the book regarding the influence of that song.
This story follows Bud and Rose and their journey from 10 years of age through courtship, war, political turmoil, historical events, faith, grief, pain, loss, and family. The amount of historical research put into this book showed how much heart, time, and love the author dedicated to this story.
Do yourself a favor grab this book, a package or two of tissues, a blanket and cozy up to read this beautiful story!
Thank you @marla_melior_author for the #gifted copy and the chance to read this story early!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 27, 2025
Thank you Marla for the digital ARC and for including me in your ARC team for Somebody's Rose! ❤️
The story starts with a manuscript showing up to a publishing house with no return address, but a note: "I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose."
We eventually learn that the narrator is "Bud" and we follow his life at a young age, starting with when he first sees Rose.
This is a slow and beautiful story of Bud and Rose's lives. Starting young, entering into courtship, and working through the different paths they take in life. Of course I started rooting for them immediately and enjoyed seeing their beautiful life they built. We see their reactions to big milestones in their lives, including world events that impact them.
Marty and his family situation was so hard to read. My heart broke.
I especially enjoyed Jack's character, an Army Veteran who has trouble adjusting after his service time. I have so much respect for the townspeople that showed up and respected Jack. They lifted him up. They all showed up.
This was a beautiful story. I spent the last few chapters in tears. Everyone wants to be Somebody's Rose. ❤️
The story starts with a manuscript showing up to a publishing house with no return address, but a note: "I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose."
We eventually learn that the narrator is "Bud" and we follow his life at a young age, starting with when he first sees Rose.
This is a slow and beautiful story of Bud and Rose's lives. Starting young, entering into courtship, and working through the different paths they take in life. Of course I started rooting for them immediately and enjoyed seeing their beautiful life they built. We see their reactions to big milestones in their lives, including world events that impact them.
Marty and his family situation was so hard to read. My heart broke.
I especially enjoyed Jack's character, an Army Veteran who has trouble adjusting after his service time. I have so much respect for the townspeople that showed up and respected Jack. They lifted him up. They all showed up.
This was a beautiful story. I spent the last few chapters in tears. Everyone wants to be Somebody's Rose. ❤️
October 2, 2025
“We lived a simple life, and I guess because of that, in many ways, we got to simply live. And what a beautiful life it was!”
I went into this book blind and was immediately intrigued, as there is a story within a story. Set as a fictional memoir, the reader is swept away through the 1950s to present day, facing historical events and pop culture through the nameless character’s eyes. All of the music and all of the happenings throughout generations is so touching.
I loved the messages of finding joy and happiness in the simple things, and in finding a love worth grasping onto through thick and thin.
Marla Melior has a style that lends true to the times and a way of breathing life into the characters that allows for feelings. I actually cared about them and became deeply invested in this story and shock of all shocks, I was full on sobbing at the end. I NEVER cry in books.
This book caught me by surprise and became a favorite read of September.
Content: mild romance; death; war; neglectful parents
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
I went into this book blind and was immediately intrigued, as there is a story within a story. Set as a fictional memoir, the reader is swept away through the 1950s to present day, facing historical events and pop culture through the nameless character’s eyes. All of the music and all of the happenings throughout generations is so touching.
I loved the messages of finding joy and happiness in the simple things, and in finding a love worth grasping onto through thick and thin.
Marla Melior has a style that lends true to the times and a way of breathing life into the characters that allows for feelings. I actually cared about them and became deeply invested in this story and shock of all shocks, I was full on sobbing at the end. I NEVER cry in books.
This book caught me by surprise and became a favorite read of September.
Content: mild romance; death; war; neglectful parents
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
September 6, 2025
This was such a beautiful story of Rose and Bud, set against the backdrop of small-town America in the 1950s. At its heart, it’s a tender love story between Rose and her Bud-but what struck me even more deeply was the friendship between Bud and Marty. From the very first page, I adored Marty, and all I wanted was to wrap him in a big hug and remind him that things will get better.
Told in Bud’s heartfelt first-person perspective, this book is filled with warmth, vulnerability, and characters who feel like friends you want to keep forever. Rose, Bud, and Marty are the kind of people we all need more of in our lives-kind, resilient, and unforgettable.
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC. Somebody’s Rose is being published later this month, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
Told in Bud’s heartfelt first-person perspective, this book is filled with warmth, vulnerability, and characters who feel like friends you want to keep forever. Rose, Bud, and Marty are the kind of people we all need more of in our lives-kind, resilient, and unforgettable.
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC. Somebody’s Rose is being published later this month, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
September 21, 2025
Somebody's Rose is a special read.
It's my first book my @marla_melior_author and it hit so good! It feels like a saga, an ode to a life well lived and a life well loved. I smiled, I laughed, and I cried, and then I smiled some more.
l've never read a book like this before, where we never actually learn the name of our narrator, just a nickname given to him. The way you felt the way he was compelled to tell his story, to tell about his Rose, made me have a hard time putting this book down.
I loved the nostalgic feeling, as we go through life with our main character we see a lot of decades come and go, and I loved how music was a way of showing how times were changing.
I don't want to give away anything, so won't say much more. But if you want to read a book where you will feel all the feelings, this is the one!
It's my first book my @marla_melior_author and it hit so good! It feels like a saga, an ode to a life well lived and a life well loved. I smiled, I laughed, and I cried, and then I smiled some more.
l've never read a book like this before, where we never actually learn the name of our narrator, just a nickname given to him. The way you felt the way he was compelled to tell his story, to tell about his Rose, made me have a hard time putting this book down.
I loved the nostalgic feeling, as we go through life with our main character we see a lot of decades come and go, and I loved how music was a way of showing how times were changing.
I don't want to give away anything, so won't say much more. But if you want to read a book where you will feel all the feelings, this is the one!
October 5, 2025
From the first time Bud saw Rose at a church picnic in 1950, when he was 10, he was smitten. As teenagers, they dated, but never seriously. After Bud joined the military, he thought that might be the end of his relationship with Rose, but it only solidified their feelings for one another and thus began their epic love. Spanning over 50 years, Somebody’s Rose, recounts Bud and Rose’s journey as they endured the ups and downs, the births and deaths, and the joys and heartbreaks of life together.
Once again, author Marla Melior, writes a clean, epic love story that is a joy to read. Her characters exhibit depth and authenticity that draw readers in and she includes allusions will strike a nostalgic chord that make you fall in love with her books.
Once again, author Marla Melior, writes a clean, epic love story that is a joy to read. Her characters exhibit depth and authenticity that draw readers in and she includes allusions will strike a nostalgic chord that make you fall in love with her books.
October 11, 2025
Marla Melior has written such a sweet, deeply felt love story that to me felt like The Notebook meets Up, all wrapped in a Wyoming western backdrop! From the moment Bud falls for Rose at age ten, we follow their life together! Through triumphs, hardships, and quiet everyday moments we get a full look into their life together! And not only is the love story so sweet, but the friendships and the family relationships!
Marla weaves nostalgia, devotion, and history into a beautiful memoir-style romance that’ll make you laugh, cry, and believe in enduring love.
Somebody’s Rose it a tender, warm read you won’t soon forget!
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Marla weaves nostalgia, devotion, and history into a beautiful memoir-style romance that’ll make you laugh, cry, and believe in enduring love.
Somebody’s Rose it a tender, warm read you won’t soon forget!
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 19, 2025
Wow, I was completely captivated by this book! Life has put me in a reading slump, and Marla Melior and her writing pulled me right out of it. Somebody's Rose is written as a fictional memoir, and provides a peek into culture and events just before the Vietnam war up to the present day. Marla weaves in a lot of memorable historical events and music throughout her writing, which is one of her personal touches that I love! I felt as though I was walking through life with the narrator. Above all, the story highlights how powerful family relationships and friendships are, and what is the real focus in this life.
Overall, its a fantastic book. I would recommend it to teenagers and older. Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
Overall, its a fantastic book. I would recommend it to teenagers and older. Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
January 22, 2026
I always hate to give a low review to an indie author, but unfortunately I couldn’t finish this book. It was extremely slow and I couldn’t get into it. There seemed to be no connection between the prologue and the main story, for one thing. The main story didn’t have a typical overarching storyline—just a series of memories, one after another, following what is supposed to be the love story. But without the rising action, conflict, and resolution of a typical story, I was rather bored. I quit reading at 30%.
It would have been more interesting had the main story been given to the reader in smaller sections intertwined with a modern love story (a tie-in to the prologue), with conflict given in both stories.
It would have been more interesting had the main story been given to the reader in smaller sections intertwined with a modern love story (a tie-in to the prologue), with conflict given in both stories.
September 15, 2025
“I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my Rose.”
First off I would like to thank Marla for inviting me to be a part of her ARC team for this book. This is my very first ARC read and I was not disappointed.
This was such a touching story of life and love and finding your person. An editor is given an anonymous manuscript with the above quote attached and in the story he details his life story growing up through the 40s through today.
I was moved by our unnamed main character’s love and respect for all of the little things in life, but also his love for Rose. It reminded me so much of my great grandmother and my grandmother. I felt this was a life journey they could most likely relate to and I saw myself picturing the characters as my own loved ones.
Truly, this was one of the most heart-warming and emotional reads I’ve picked up this year. It’s nostalgic and a gorgeous representation of life, love, and honoring fallen heroes. I’m not ashamed to say I teared up several times.
Thank you again Marla, you’ve made me a fan for sure!
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
First off I would like to thank Marla for inviting me to be a part of her ARC team for this book. This is my very first ARC read and I was not disappointed.
This was such a touching story of life and love and finding your person. An editor is given an anonymous manuscript with the above quote attached and in the story he details his life story growing up through the 40s through today.
I was moved by our unnamed main character’s love and respect for all of the little things in life, but also his love for Rose. It reminded me so much of my great grandmother and my grandmother. I felt this was a life journey they could most likely relate to and I saw myself picturing the characters as my own loved ones.
Truly, this was one of the most heart-warming and emotional reads I’ve picked up this year. It’s nostalgic and a gorgeous representation of life, love, and honoring fallen heroes. I’m not ashamed to say I teared up several times.
Thank you again Marla, you’ve made me a fan for sure!
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
August 26, 2025
What a treasure this book is! You will fall in love with the many characters throughout the book, but especially Rose, Bud, Marty and Jack.
The book takes you from the 1950's through the present day and especially centers around families who are proud of their country and military service.
As a reader, there were parts that I laughed at but also parts where it brought tears to my eyes, in joy and sorrow.
The love story that ran throughout was endearing. It showed a wonderful example of how a relationship should be.
Thanks to the author for the arc. The opinions are my own.
The book takes you from the 1950's through the present day and especially centers around families who are proud of their country and military service.
As a reader, there were parts that I laughed at but also parts where it brought tears to my eyes, in joy and sorrow.
The love story that ran throughout was endearing. It showed a wonderful example of how a relationship should be.
Thanks to the author for the arc. The opinions are my own.
September 11, 2025
This is such a beautiful love story. Life story, really. It's full up the ups and downs many people experience in life. There is love and loss of friends and family members. It's told from the perspective of Bud. It's full of his experiences, observations, and insights. You'll find yourself reflecting on your own life and taking some of the advice to heart. If you loved The Notebook, yeah, you're going to love this one!
Thank you Marla Melior for the early copy of this book. These thoughts are my own and voluntarily given.
Thank you Marla Melior for the early copy of this book. These thoughts are my own and voluntarily given.
September 21, 2025
This book is a snapshot in time of Bud and Rose’s life from the mid 1940’s to present day.
They meet at a church picnic in rural Wyoming and for both of them it is love at first sight.
I appreciated how the author intertwined events happening throughout that time period and how they would impact Bud and Rose.
This book focuses on love and marriage and the ups and downs throughout life. Themes of family support, community support, and kindness are strong throughout this book.
Thanks to the author for an early reader copy of this book.
They meet at a church picnic in rural Wyoming and for both of them it is love at first sight.
I appreciated how the author intertwined events happening throughout that time period and how they would impact Bud and Rose.
This book focuses on love and marriage and the ups and downs throughout life. Themes of family support, community support, and kindness are strong throughout this book.
Thanks to the author for an early reader copy of this book.
September 10, 2025
This book was super sweet I loved how the author shared a unique story of two people life’s but not just them but incorporated a whole lifelong story. This was a slower pace book and it took me a few chapters to get into. I will say after a while I enjoyed it and the end was truly amazing. I shed some tears, laughed, and enjoyed the book! If you are in need of no spice love story this one is for you!!
September 23, 2025
Somebody’s Rose
by: Marla Melior
@marla_melior_author
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~When a manuscript arrives at the office of a small publishing company, it has no return address. The manuscript itself is tped…typed on an old manual typewriter. On the top is a simple note that reads: “I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my rose…”
“Every woman longs to be loved. Or rather, cherished. Because, every woman in the world wants to be somebody’s Rose.”
-Somebody’s Rose, is a dear memoir about a lovely lady named Rose and the man who has been in love with her ever since he was ten years old. Having had the pleasure to beta-read and have an ARC of this dear tale, I can say completely that this is a beautiful love story that emphasizes the importance of finding and holding onto lasting love, of being grateful for the small and simple moments that build a beautiful life together, and of finding peace to heal along the way. It is a story weaved with all the feels, vivid details, depth, and combines historical elements with pop culture references breathing life within. It wonderfully and gracefully emphasizes the importance of celebrating love and marriage, and that there’s beauty in the small things with simply living. This is such a dear moving story worth reading! 🩷📚🙌🏻
“We were a team… there was no “I” or “You,” we were “Us.”
•Content: loss, death of loved ones, grief, mourning, serving in the war/military, side character suffering from “shell shock,” (PTSD), no language, mild moments of peril, kisses only.
“You’re something, Rose. Something pretty special.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“Life is precious, and time is one thing you can never get back.
#somebodysrose
“Remember the good times and know there are a lot more to come.”
#marlameliorauthor
“I will never stop seeing Rose in everything around here. She is in all of it.”
#allaboutthebestreads
by: Marla Melior
@marla_melior_author
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~When a manuscript arrives at the office of a small publishing company, it has no return address. The manuscript itself is tped…typed on an old manual typewriter. On the top is a simple note that reads: “I don’t want any money. I just want everyone to know about my rose…”
“Every woman longs to be loved. Or rather, cherished. Because, every woman in the world wants to be somebody’s Rose.”
-Somebody’s Rose, is a dear memoir about a lovely lady named Rose and the man who has been in love with her ever since he was ten years old. Having had the pleasure to beta-read and have an ARC of this dear tale, I can say completely that this is a beautiful love story that emphasizes the importance of finding and holding onto lasting love, of being grateful for the small and simple moments that build a beautiful life together, and of finding peace to heal along the way. It is a story weaved with all the feels, vivid details, depth, and combines historical elements with pop culture references breathing life within. It wonderfully and gracefully emphasizes the importance of celebrating love and marriage, and that there’s beauty in the small things with simply living. This is such a dear moving story worth reading! 🩷📚🙌🏻
“We were a team… there was no “I” or “You,” we were “Us.”
•Content: loss, death of loved ones, grief, mourning, serving in the war/military, side character suffering from “shell shock,” (PTSD), no language, mild moments of peril, kisses only.
“You’re something, Rose. Something pretty special.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“Life is precious, and time is one thing you can never get back.
#somebodysrose
“Remember the good times and know there are a lot more to come.”
#marlameliorauthor
“I will never stop seeing Rose in everything around here. She is in all of it.”
#allaboutthebestreads
September 14, 2025
Fan of The Notebook? Love a long-lasting sweet romance? This wholesome novel may be perfect for you! The playlist that follows Bud and Rose’s love story is a bonus treat! Many tender moments carry this moving story about epic love and enduring friendships.
October 5, 2025
Heart touching story over a complete lifespan.
What a beautiful story! I cried. I chuckled. I couldn't put it down! Delightful read, very well written. The author is fantastic. Her other book are just as good. A must read!
What a beautiful story! I cried. I chuckled. I couldn't put it down! Delightful read, very well written. The author is fantastic. Her other book are just as good. A must read!
October 12, 2025
This was a beautiful love story and had plenty of description and characters I wanted to get to know. The dialogue helped bring the story to life more. Super clean and easy, enjoyable read.
September 17, 2025
A publisher receives an anonymous manuscript, the reading of which is the story in Somebody’s Rose. As readers, we know the author is Bud, who’s written about his love story with Rose, and their lives that followed.
I felt like I was back in time with this book, in particular the first half or so that took place in the 1950s and ‘60s. The imagery was there and I could practically hear the music.
I was much more engaged in Bud’s and Rose’s early years together, from courtship to his military service and back to Rose.
I liked having Bud as the narrator. Admittedly, most of the books I read have female main characters, so it was refreshing getting Bud’s point of view here. Plus, he was such a sweet guy that you couldn’t help but root for him!
I loved the author’s The Broken China Necklace and had high expectations for this book. I enjoyed the beginning with Bud and Rose as teenagers and young adults but my interest dropped as the story went on. While not preachy or to a specific religion, there was a fair amount of praying to god, god’s will, etc. To me it seemed unnecessary and took away from my reading. The book also didn’t need the manuscript storyline. It could have just started and ended with the narrative, and that would have been enough.
I was provided a free digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I felt like I was back in time with this book, in particular the first half or so that took place in the 1950s and ‘60s. The imagery was there and I could practically hear the music.
I was much more engaged in Bud’s and Rose’s early years together, from courtship to his military service and back to Rose.
I liked having Bud as the narrator. Admittedly, most of the books I read have female main characters, so it was refreshing getting Bud’s point of view here. Plus, he was such a sweet guy that you couldn’t help but root for him!
I loved the author’s The Broken China Necklace and had high expectations for this book. I enjoyed the beginning with Bud and Rose as teenagers and young adults but my interest dropped as the story went on. While not preachy or to a specific religion, there was a fair amount of praying to god, god’s will, etc. To me it seemed unnecessary and took away from my reading. The book also didn’t need the manuscript storyline. It could have just started and ended with the narrative, and that would have been enough.
I was provided a free digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews