Braided Roses

Sensibility #2

by Mimika Cooney

A clean contemporary romance set in Paris where logic meets love, and secrets bloom.

Megan Mercer came to Giverny for the flowers, not for feelings.
A marketing executive sent to Paris to launch a new dating app, Megan is determined to stay focused, composed, and professional.

But when a spontaneous trip to Monet’s Gardens leads to a run-in with a charming stranger who feels oddly familiar, her carefully braided world starts to unravel.

Noah Sinclair lives for code, not chaos. Observant, grounded, and quietly brilliant, he’s used to building systems that hold under pressure. When work brings him face to face with the woman he met among Monet’s flowers, he’s unsettled by how familiar she feels.

As Paris wraps them in light, meaningful conversations, and long workdays, love and logic collide. Noah must decide when to tell Megan the truth about a connection that began long before Paris, and could change everything.

Braided Roses is a slow burn, clean and wholesome, closed-door contemporary workplace romance about emotional presence, professional ambition, and the quiet courage it takes to remain when retreat feels safer.

Perfect for readers who love character driven love stories with intelligent dialogue, restrained chemistry, and a literary sensibility, set against the luminous backdrop of Paris.




TROPES:
• Slow burn
• Workplace romance
• Strangers-to-lovers
• Emotionally guarded heroine
• Patient, emotionally intelligent hero
• Found family / close-knit friendships
• Clean, closed-door romance

THEMES:
• Grief & healing
• Choosing presence over retreat
• Emotional safety over intensity
• Mutual respect
• Quiet intimacy
• Healing through connection
• Learning to want again

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Emotionally intelligent love stories for women who think deeply and feel fully.

Mimika Cooney writes emotionally rich, closed-door contemporary romances about intelligent women, meaningful work, and love that grows through restraint, timing, and choice.

Mimika wrote her first book idea on a typewriter at the age of ten. It took her 40 years and 4 career changes to finally come back to her first love of storytelling. She believes love and faith go hand in hand, and every good romance deserves a little heartbreak, a lot of healing, and one unforgettable happily ever after.

Her stories blend warmth, wit, and emotional depth, pairing slow-burn romance with real-life professional stakes. Set in aspirational locations such as Paris, New York, London, and the European coast, her novels focus on connection built quietly, personal courage, and the moments that change how a life is lived.

A hopeless romantic, Mimika has been married to her childhood sweetheart for 30 years. Together they share 3 children; 2 independent young adults and a witty teenager.

When she is not writing, or planning her next writing research travel trip; she will be found on the ice practicing her spins as an adult figure skater. She also enjoys stabbing people for fun (without getting arrested) as an amateur fencer.

Reviews

[Sam (The Favorites Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review/4 stars

(Sensibility Romance: book 2)

Europe has some of my favorite locations to read about, so this clean (kisses only) romance set primarily in Paris had me very intrigued!

I really enjoyed the descriptions of French and Italian locations, and the emphasis on flowers was beautiful to vizualize. Some wording/phrasing seemed a bit repetitive at times, but otherwise I liked how the story has an almost poetic feel.

The main characters fit together well! Their meeting is a sort of instant attraction scenario, but I also liked how deeper history unfolds between them. They each go through lots of personal development too - especially Megan. And, while this isn't necessarily Christian fiction, there are a few brief Christian faith references that I appreciated seeing!

I'd recommend this to adults interested in clean romance with strong themes of emotional growth. (Side note: While this can be read as a standalone, there are scenes with characters from book 1, Mind Reader, so I'd recommend reading them in order to fully connect with those moments.)

*Content to note*
Brief mentions of cancer; memories of passed loved ones; discussions of overcoming grief. Character deals with Celiac disease symptoms (food/gluten related reactions including headaches).

**Thank you to the author for providing a complimentary e-ARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.**

[Ally | SkipTheSpice]

Braided Roses is a sweet, slow burn romance set in Paris following Noah and Megan, two strangers who have actually been unknowingly communicating online with each other regularly. It is a fun premise and didn’t feel contrived, which I appreciated.

Noah was definitely the star of the show for me. His steady presence for Megan really endeared him to me, and I loved that he maintained his presence in her life without pushing her while she struggled to work through her thoughts and feelings.

As with the first book in the series, I really enjoyed the Sensibility Sisters’ text threads. Their interactions add so much insight into Megan and her backstory. It’s also just fun to get to see the friend group - so much of their personalities are made clear in those texts and it sets up each of the friends nicely for their future book.

The story relies heavily on the inner dialogue and perspective of each of the main characters. You are immersed in Megan and Noah’s thoughts and viewpoints right from the start. The chemistry between the two builds slowly and gently. This is a low-drama, slow burn, clean romance that brings you along as a spectator for their gently unfolding love story. You could read Braided Roses as a standalone, but I think it would make more sense and be more enjoyable if you read Mind Reader first.

Intimacy: Kisses only
Language: None
Content Considerations: Death of a loved one (past), celiac representation

[Katie - cozy.chapterclub Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and yet while I loved the peace you felt while reading it, I wish it had more talking and conversations. I feel like the characters didn’t talk enough to have their relationship progress as quickly as they did. Maybe that all happened behind the scenes I gave it 4 1/2 stars because of that. But I truly did enjoy and love it. Megan and Noah are great characters that seem to flow well together. Favorite quote, “Not protection from pain, but the assurance that God meets you inside it.” Also, this book deals with the loss of a parent and grief. I have personally lost a mother and it really healed me to read this book. For that alone, the author has my undying gratitude. She gave grief the space to breathe and addressed it when most people just skip over it. It is hard to honor a parent and also live, but she beautifully had her character live it. The writing ebbed and flowed like a poem. Beautiful love story. Definitely recommend.

This was an ARC read.

[Lizzie Hammerstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost thank you Mimika Cooney for allowing me the honor of being on your ARC Team again and for allowing me to read your book. 💖
Braided Roses is the second book in The Sensibility Series. It is a slow burn, clean and wholesome, closed-door contemporary workplace romance about emotional presence, a slow/passionate/swoony romance and the quiet courage it takes to remain when retreat feels safer.
This story touches on themes of grief, complicated family dynamics, and emotional recovery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This was a 5⭐️ read for me. I loved everything about it. All the characters are so likeable and real that I felt like I was part of their family too. I love how through Megan's grief everyone was still so supportive and present. They never once rushed her grief or made her feel silly for still mourning the loss of her mother. I cried at many moments throughout this book. Perhaps I loved it so much because it resonated with me. Grief is a process and should never be rushed. It requires time, patience, and self-compassion to process, with no set timeline. And this is what everyone gave Megan. Time, patience and compassion. Then comes Noah Sinclair. Who is so beautifully Observant, grounded, and just so amazing. And I just love their love story...how its started, how they already knew one another from the beginning with out really knowing. This was just an amazing book with a gorgeous cover💖 Whats not to love!?! If you love clean romance with emotional intelligence, this one is for you. Preorder Braided Roses now and thank me later.💖

My favorite quote:
"My mother used to say faith meant trusting God knew the exits, even when you couldn’t see the room." - Megan

[OliJaneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised how difficult it was for me to switch from Cleo’s story into Megan’s. We get to see a lot of Cleo and Dillan in Braided Roses, but I felt like Megan’s POV was more difficult for me to understand. After reflection, I think it’s due to the fact that going from being inside Cleo’s brain to inside Megan’s brain felt like whiplash.

If you are going from reading Mind Reader to Braided Roses, they are very different stories. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it took me a while to get into the switch.

Noah and Megan are cute together, and I enjoyed their nerdy banter. Noah was sweet and patient, and Megan was a kind friend to those around her.

The Paris setting was magical and vivid, and it offset the intense workplace setting throughout the book.

Braided Roses leaned heavily on the healing trope, so it is a great book for those who value emotionally deep slow-burn romances!

-

I received an ebook arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own!

[Raisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean romance set in Paris with beautiful imagery and a compelling character driven storyline. This deals with off-page loss of a parent due to cancer, trust issues, Celiac disease, and grief.

I enjoyed this one, but recommend reading the first interconnected book, Mind Reader as there is some character overlap and back story. (Not mandatory, but it’s more fun knowing the other characters personalities).

Thank you to @mimikacooney for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Nicole | Nicole's Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braided Roses is a beautiful, slow burn romance that draws you in and invites you to linger. This isn’t your typical light read—it’s a story that engages both the heart and the mind. As I said of her previous book, Cooney’s writing is clever and emotionally layered, told with intention, insight, and depth. In Braided Roses, her prose leans even more poetic and descriptive, bringing each scene, interaction, and emotion vividly to life.

I love Noah and Megan’s story. Their romance is sweet and tender, building over time as their trust and connection deepen. There’s a quiet, steady gentleness woven throughout their relationship that makes their bond feel so genuine. The introspective nature of the writing offers a deep look into each character, making their journey feel real and easy to connect with.

As someone who has experienced loss, grief, and fear, I felt like this story captured the journey toward healing so well—especially when that loss isn’t new, but still shapes how you move through life and relationships. Watching Megan wrestle with vulnerability, growth, and the fear of opening herself up to love felt incredibly real. I especially loved how observant Noah is and the way he shows care through his actions. He’s present without being pushy, and that steady, thoughtful presence made all the difference.

If you enjoy slow burn romances with depth, introspection, and a more thoughtful pace, this is one to add to your TBR. It’s the kind of story that invites you to slow down, sit with the emotions, and really take it all in.


✨Includes:✨
Guarded Marketing Executive
Quietly Charming Coder
Strangers To Friends To More
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Slow Burn
Quiet Intimacy
Emotional Depth
You’ve Got Mail Vibes
Closed Door
Kisses Only

Favorites:
💜The way Noah is present without pressuring
💜He quietly adjusts to accommodate her
💜Patience and restraint
💜The photoshoot + The Effiel Tower
💜Café Lemaire + choosing to stay
💜The Sensibility Sisters chat
💜Megan: It was spectacular.
💜Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France


Thank you Mimika Cooney for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking]

Ah, France ! 🇫🇷

I loved that the story is bookended in the stunning Monet's garden in Giverny. The author thrives on description and Megan, the MMC, has such a strong connection to flowers through grieving her mother and celebrating love, that the "language of flowers" is carried throughout the story, giving it an ethereal feeling. A chance meet cute IRL with someone Megan is already connected to online shakes up her careful world. No longer feeling fully in control, Megan spends the story struggling to let Noah fully in, even though he sees her so clearly.

This is a slow burn romance with acknowledged chemistry and is deeply introspective. Because much of the story happens internally and very poetically, the flow is hard to connect to at times. There is a lot of metaphor and antithesis in contrasts as a style. When Megan and Noah finally make a decision, it actually grounds the story and makes their interactions feel more tangible. We get a steadiness from Noah while poor Megan works through everything in her mind and runs.

The texts between the Sensibility Sisters are a highlight- showcasing friendship and personality while being much of the catalyst for Megan to arrive at a different emotional location. They become a safe spot for her to land without judgment while she internally wars with whether or not she can let Noah in and grasp what is right in front of her.

Overall, this second story was a solid read and I look forward to learning more about the other "sisters" in future stories. This can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Mind Reader first for context. Cheers and happy reading!

I received a complimentary copy of the author's story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

This is Book 2 from the Sensibility Romance Series. It can be read as a standalone, but is best if read in order since the characters do cross over.

I love Paris and visited there just a few years! I was so excited to read this book since it takes place mainly in Paris, France and has many of the places I visited. I'm a huge fan of Giverny, and Monet's Gardens and loved the meeting between Megan and Noah. I'm also Celiac, like Megan, and found the similarities and feelings related to the disease a nice connection. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. However, I felt that there wasn't enough dialog between the characters.

The Sensibility Sisters group chat is so fun and I just adore all of these ladies. It adds a nice touch of friendship and humor to the story. I'm looking forward to more books about these fun ladies.

"I want someone who notices when I go still. Someone who stays."

"You sound like home."

"Possible is what happens when certainty hasn't failed you yet."

Thank you Mimika Cooney for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[B Kinzal]

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this story, and what stayed with me most was the emotional foundation and overall premise. The storyline itself is compelling and carries a strong sense of intention that kept me curious about where everything would lead.

The writing leans heavily into description and internal reflection, creating an atmospheric and immersive tone throughout the book. The narrative unfolds in a layered way, revealing details gradually and inviting readers to piece together the story alongside the characters.

For me personally, I occasionally found myself wanting a bit more dialogue and connective clarity, as some transitions felt fragmented and required careful attention to follow. That said, readers who enjoy introspective prose, slower pacing, and storytelling that trusts the reader to interpret subtle moments will likely find a lot to appreciate here.

Overall, this is a story with a meaningful core, thoughtful themes, and a distinct narrative voice. I’d especially recommend it to readers who gravitate toward reflective, descriptive storytelling and emotionally driven journeys.

[Smiley_Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn workplace romance novel, with charming Paris as its backdrop. Megan and Noah are assigned to work on a project together in Paris. When they meet, sparks quietly fly, but both harbor feelings that can't be ignored for other anonymous users on the other side of an online chat.

I like that Noah doesn't try to fix everything for Megan or be the hero. He's there as a steady presence, quietly providing support and encouragement. I do think I would have liked more time to be spent with the two interacting for more relationship development. There is a lot of thoughtful restraint shown and space given throughout the book, and then things seem to move very quickly at the end.

The atmosphere is where this story really shines. It's a character itself. The places the characters visit and the emotions those places evoke are eloquently described, making you feel like you're there.

💕: kisses
⚠️: grief from past loss

[Brit’s Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan has built a life rooted in control, guarding her heart and keeping her emotions at a safe distance. The only places she truly lets herself be known are within her group chat and through messages with a penpal she’s never met.

But when a spontaneous trip changes everything, Megan is forced to confront what it really means to let someone in.

This isn’t a fast-paced romcom. It is a slow burn contemporary romance that gently weaves in themes of faith. With a focus on introspection over heavy dialogue, the story invites you deep into the minds and hearts of its characters.

If you’re looking for something a little different, a closed-door romance with a yearning male main character and a dreamy Paris backdrop, this book might be exactly what you’re in the mood for.

[Savannah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting really set the stage for this closed door contemporary romance. Paris is a wonderfully romantic setting and the city vibes really came across vividly. Add in some you’ve got mail vibes and this was a delightful book!

I really liked how grounded both Megan and Noah were. They really highlighted that we can be intentional without being slow to act. They were good at also giving each other the space they needed to reset or process when they needed it.

I really liked that Noah knew what he wanted before Megan but prioritized her feelings and needs by waiting and giving her time; even though this was hard for him.

I also loved seeing the rest of the Sensibility Sisters and can’t wait to get all their stories!

[ThatBookishWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I’ve been wanting to read more closed door romances. This one hits just right! I love the characters. I was hooked instantly!

Love seeing Noah and Megan slowly build their friendship, connection and learning to trust as they worked together. It didn’t feel rushed and it truly felt genuine.

As a Star Wars fan, I loved seeing a few references tied in!

Dealing with loss and grief of a family member is always a tough thing. I love how it shows how she was still feeling and was working on healing. It truly hits home with me.

If you are needing more sweet closed door romances, friends to lovers, slow burn, work place romance, clean romance, found family? This is for you!!

[Kathryne Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy Received from Author

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved Braided Roses! 🌹 This slow-burn romance completely drew me in—I felt so connected to Megan and Noah. @mimikacooney’s writing is beautifully poetic and makes every moment feel alive, especially the Paris setting.

It’s a tender, closed-door romance full of heart, exploring grief, healing, and learning to open your heart again. The friendships and found family added so much warmth.

This story stayed with me long after I finished—truly a 5-star read. If you love heartfelt, character-driven romance, don’t miss it. 💖🌹

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who truly enjoyed Mind Reader I will say that Braided Roses was everything that I could have hoped for. The fact that this story took place in Paris made it even wonderful and gave more hype to the romance. I will say Mimika has a truly wonderful talent to crafting love stories beween two individuals and I am super glad that I got the chance to read this wonderful book and support the author in return.

[Nicole Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is a review of an advance copy from the author.*

This is a really cute story! I loved the slower pace of the romance, as neither character tried to rush things. I also feel that Noah is really chivalrous, but in a modern way. He was always looking out for Megan, but not pushy about it. He just let her know that he was there if needed. It was nice to see that, and felt very real because of that.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Braided Roses is the second book in the Sensibility Romance series. While it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading book 1 first since there’s a lot of character overlap and also backstory to get “the whole picture”.

Just as book 1 this one leans heavily on emotional healing and I appreciated how Megan’s grief journey was portrayed.
I liked both main characters and I personally am always on board with the hidden identity trope, so this was an aspect I really enjoyed.

I personally thought the interactions between our couple were a bit too few to really feel their deep connection and especially one scene near the end took me a bit by surprise. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Megan’s behaviour seemed a bit out of character to me.

I recommend this book (and series) if you enjoy sweet and clean romances with a focus on emotional depth and personal healing.

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Casey Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the series. Overall it’s a good read. There were some spaces where I felt like it lacked depth. I feel like this one was harder for me to get into. The details and descriptions of the setting were appreciated as it helped envelope the story. The moments where she talked about her mom and grieving I connected with and thought that was done well and with care.

[Terressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I loved about Braided Roses?
It wasn’t just the romance (though it’s beautiful).
It’s about grief, restraint, ambition, timing, and choosing connection when staying guarded feels safer. This book stayed with me long after the last page.
If you love clean romance with emotional intelligence, this one is for you!

[Lila S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of Braided Roses by Mimika Cooney, and all opinions are my own.

This story made it so easy to imagine living and working in Paris—and maybe even finding the love of your life there. One of my favorite parts was seeing Megan’s story come full circle. She grew up in France because of her mom, stayed away for a while because of her grief, and then got to return—speaking French again, visiting the places her mom loved, and doing the things that mattered to her. That felt really sweet and full-circle.

This is a slow-burn, dual POV romance with subtle You’ve Got Mail vibes. I wasn’t used to the lyrical writing style at first—it’s beautiful, but it took me a little while to adjust.

Noah was such a steady presence. He noticed the little things, always paid attention, and gave Megan the space she needed, which made their relationship feel natural and grounded.

The Sensibility Sisters added a fun and heartfelt dynamic, and the epilogue was my favorite part—such a satisfying way to wrap up the story.

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Mind Reader, the first book in the series, so I was excited to read the second book, Braided Roses! The setting of this book will make you want to hop on a plane to Paris - it did for me!

Although the character’s attraction was instant, I appreciated that they took their time developing their relationship and showed self-restraint and patience. I hate the miscommunication trope in stories, but this felt different because the characters made the effort to be vulnerable and open up to one another despite the obstacles.

The author does a wonderful job with creating back stories for the characters. She makes them feel real and relatable. Their childhood and young adult experiences shaped them and helped me to understand their actions and behaviors.

I loved how supportive and thoughtful Noah was to Megan, noticing the little things. I appreciated Megan’s friends and how they had each other’s backs, even when they were all going through their own hardships in life. Also, this is the first time I’ve read a book about a character that has celiac disease. It seemed like the author really knew about the topic and wove it into the storyline in an interesting way.

If you love slow burn clean romances set in a beautiful Parisian setting, this book is for you!

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy! All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Crystal Tipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I had the privilege to ARC read Braided Roses. This contemporary closed-door romance is such a sweet, heartwarming love story! A delightful friends-to-lovers journey set against the charming backdrop of Paris, Megan (FMC) and Noah (MMC) share undeniable chemistry that makes their relationship feel both natural and magical.
From the very beginning, it feels like fate brought them together-and watching their story unfold is truly a joy.
If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you smiling, this is definitely one to pick up. Be sure to grab your copy-you won't regret it! 🌹

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to kick off author Mimika Cooney’s latest! There is nowhere more romantic and picturesque than Monet’s actual gardens in Giverny, France. This setting delivers the quintessential feeling of romance as Cooney drops readers right in.

Wandering Monet’s garden just before her latest project is set to kick off in Paris, Megan is enchanted by the beauty, wonder, and flowers surrounding her. Stepping too close to the water’s edge in her haste to capture the perfect photo, a hand grabs her. This Giverny guy offers a warm and steady presence, as he allows Megan to show him her photos, speak to the flowers, and share a violet ice cream among the violets blooming around them.

This encounter between Megan and Noah hints subtly at this underlying subconscious feeling of ease, the beauty waiting to be found among the cracks, and the blossoming familiarity that was instantly there. As Megan returns to Paris to kick off her latest project, Noah is there waiting, unbeknownst to each other they will be working together as they market and launch Dillon and Noah’s dating app, iSight, in Europe.

Used to the background, working as a coder, Noah’s composure is set to be tested as he navigates the workplace, the intensity and pressure of Margaux, and the unwavering reliability of Megan. While Noah presents a strong, caring, and observing presence, Megan remains the organized, steady, beating heart of it all. But Megan is tangled between Noah and an online presence, a Reddit thread of anonymity, and the feeling of friendship and something more that has built over the last two years there as a result.

“Braided Roses” isn’t just a love story. Woven within Noah’s and Megan’s flirtations is an anonymous online presence, the navigating of celiac in Paris, surrounded by aromas and pastries, and a difficult coworker pushing Megan’s “no.” Skilled in crafting romances about more than just the love between the characters, Cooney, and those portrayed within, teach us so much amidst the folds of the slowly blossoming love unfurling across the pages. Informing, enchanting, and intriguing, “Braided Roses” is poetically relatable.

The love in Cooney’s Sensibility Romance Series is a slow burn. There’s an instant flash, a quick feeling of safety, a calm underscoring it all, but it seeps in slower as it envelopes Megan and Noah. Included within also lies this fitting digital footprint that flits around the outside of this one, providing a juxtaposition for the work they are doing in Paris on the iSight app and their real life.

“Braided Roses” houses a beautifully blossoming love story. Written in a way that allows readers to really grasp the undertones of a character without needing the author to feed us their whole story immediately. There’s this quiet sense of understanding and patience as Noah and Megan work their way towards each other. Cooney offers a cerebral, slow realization, tangled with emotions and chemistry that bubble just beneath the surface. This second in the series is an effortless glide down the Seine, a jaunt through Monet’s garden, and a stroll along the streets of Paris that readers are sure to enjoy.

[Elizabeth Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are few places better for a romance to take place than in the city of love itself - Paris, France. The myriad vivid descriptions of Paris in this book made for a beautiful setting for this contemporary workplace romance. Throw in a little bit of a "You've Got Mail" (anonymous online relationship) twist and you've got a great premise for Noah and Megan's love story.

One aspect of this story that I appreciated was how Megan, who's been attempting to deal with the grief of losing her mother by closing herself off to any love in her life, slowly learns to open up her heart to love again as her relationship with Noah gently grows and develops. I also liked Noah's sincere care for and attention to Megan's needs and feelings throughout the book.

I want to explain why I didn't give this book a higher rating. The writing style of this book is very different from any other romance I've ever read. The author's writing is extremely poetic, descriptive, and almost metaphorical/figurative (excessively so, for this book genre, in my opinion). Her writing is also very introspective. Most of the book is descriptions of mental observations the characters are making and a lot of self-reflective contemplations in the characters' minds. There were many times throughout the book where the writing was so poetic and figural (almost haiku-like) that it was unclear to me what the author was trying to convey. There's also not a lot of dialogue or action in this book, which, for me, made it difficult to get into the story. Because the dialogue and interactions between the characters was so minimal, it felt like I, as the reader, never really got to watch their relationship unfold or see the chemistry between them. I wanted to see more of their actual relationship (their interactions, conversations, flirting, banter, dates, etc.), not just their inner thoughts. For me personally, as beautiful as this kind of poetic, introspective writing can be, it just didn't seem to fit for a contemporary workplace romance. But for people who really enjoy overly poetic and descriptive writing and a lot of introspection in books, they would definitely enjoy this story.

(I was given a free copy of this book from the author, but all reviews and opinions are mine, are honest, and are completely voluntary.)

[Heidireadsitall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan and Noah just worked. From the first scene in Giverny, with Monet’s gardens and all those flowers, I was in. Megan is focused and driven, trying so hard to keep her world neat and controlled. But she is also carrying the grief of losing her mama, and that part quietly broke my heart. The way she honors her mom while still moving forward felt so real and tender.

And Noah. Sweet, steady, green flag Noah. He is observant, patient, and thoughtful in a way that made me melt. He lives in logic and code, but when it comes to Megan, you can see his heart fighting to take the lead. Watching their relationship grow from insta friends to something deeper was so swoony. The banter. The meaningful conversations. The long Paris workdays that slowly turn into something more. I loved every second.

Paris felt like its own character. From Giverny to quiet city moments, it all felt romantic and soft and full of possibility. I genuinely felt like I was walking those streets with them.

And can we talk about the Sensibility Sisters group chat being back? I adore them. They add so much warmth and humor and make everything feel fresh and fun.

This was such a solid romance. Tender. Smart. Full of heart. If you love love that grows through friendship, grief handled with grace, and a hero who is basically a walking green flag, you will eat this up.

Thank you to the author for the ARC! These thoughts are my own.

[clean.reads.corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

"There's a kind of beauty in the cracks."

Slow burn, closed-door, contemporary workplace romance set in The City of Light. Full of beautiful imagery that makes Paris come to life.

This is a tender romance that is very slow burn with elements of You've Got Mail that add a depth of connection to the MC's relationship.

This author has a unique voice and metaphorical writing style. However, the majority of the story is told in an introspective and self-reflective style with little dialogue, which at times made it hard to connect to the characters and the story. Those who love lyrical writing will be drawn to this book.

This is book 2 in the Sensibility Romance series and I highly recommend reading them in order.

Content warning: This book deals with grief and the death of a parent from cancer.

[Mel DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah & Megan: they have to opportunity to work on a professional project together… in Paris!

Neither of them know who they’ll be working with exactly, just that the client can be a bit impossible.

Through planning their best friend’s surprise, to tender moments in Paris & Italy, Noah shined bright being the type of guy that noticed what Megan needed.

The turning point? A two year anonymous text thread between them which creates high hopes for something more. The airplane scene was pivotal, and poor Noah had to hold in what he found out!

When it was all said and done, this story was a sweet, feel good romance. The emotional ups and downs of Megan and her grief wrapped up nicely at the end, too.

A quick read, closed door, and clean!

Thank you, Mimika, for the ARC. ❤️

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Sensibility Romance Series. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best read in the series order as the characters cross over.

In the first book, Mind Reader, we were introduced to the Sensibility Sisters - a group of 7 ladies that have become a tight group of friends. Mind Reader focuses on Cleo and Dillon, and Braided Roses focuses on Megan and Noah.

In this book we get:

💖 Paris Setting
💖 Dual POV
💖 Cinnamon Roll MMC
💖 Workplace Romance
💖 Found Family
💖 Friends to Lovers
💖 Girlfriend Friend Circle
💖 Closed-Door Romance

This book did take me a moment to get used to the writing style. I felt like there wasn't a ton of character conversation and the Megan tended to get stuck in her head and tended to run instead of embracing the feelings she was starting to have for Noah.

However, overall I did like the book. It was fun to have a specific romantic scene with Cleo and Dillon. I also liked the slight nod to "You've got Mail" in the aspect that Megan and Noah have unknowingly corresponding for the past 2 years through a website and when they meet in person for work they both have a feeling of familiarity. My overall rating is 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quotes:

"There's a kind of beauty in the cracks."

"...faith meant trusting God knew the exits, even when you couldn't see the room."

"Possible is what happens when certainty hasn't failed you yet."

"It's about the quiet pressure to get everything right when you're already tired of trying."

[4 The Love Of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to author Mimika Cooney for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Braided Roses.

Noah and Megan’s relationship is endearing. I loved the way Noah noticed everything about Megan and was a silent giver. That was very special. I found that their communication over texts was completely opposite from their interactions in person, even after they “officially met”. There was humor over text and in-person their interactions were more restrained.

I would have loved a peak inside their wedding day. It would have been an amazing opportunity for the Sensitivity Sisters to be in the same room supporting Megan.

In all, I really enjoyed and can’t wait to read the rest of the series!