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Blooms and Bickering
A war of the roses ignites between feuding small-town neighbors in this fun, slow-burn lesbian romance.
Retired master florist Kate Willow moved to remote Serenity Springs for one peace. All she wants is a glass of wine, her creaky rocking chair, and the company of her horse, Moose.
Her effervescent neighbor Margot Reed is sunshine and glitter-soaked chaos who just won't leave her alone. Worse, Margot's wild, messy garden ruins Kate's tranquil view and chafes her fraying nerves.
Their simmering rivalry ignites every year at the Rose Festival. Margot has won for five years straight—a crown Kate is determined to reclaim.
But when a crisis forces them to work together, they discover beneath the passive-aggressive barbs an unlikely attraction is starting to bloom.
Retired master florist Kate Willow moved to remote Serenity Springs for one peace. All she wants is a glass of wine, her creaky rocking chair, and the company of her horse, Moose.
Her effervescent neighbor Margot Reed is sunshine and glitter-soaked chaos who just won't leave her alone. Worse, Margot's wild, messy garden ruins Kate's tranquil view and chafes her fraying nerves.
Their simmering rivalry ignites every year at the Rose Festival. Margot has won for five years straight—a crown Kate is determined to reclaim.
But when a crisis forces them to work together, they discover beneath the passive-aggressive barbs an unlikely attraction is starting to bloom.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2026
4 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Park
4 books25 followersMorgan Park is a Library Media Specialist by day and author by night. She writes sapphic contemporary romance, and is looking forward to the novels slotted to publish soon!
She’s on a mission to fill the world with more heartfelt woman-loving-woman narratives. Her writing celebrates life's everyday triumphs, navigates through everyday heartaches, and cherishes the enduring tales of love. She lives in Upstate New York with the woman of her dreams and her fluffy fur-babies.
Books written by Morgan Park on Amazon:
mybook.to/haolt
https://www.amazon.com/Blooms-Bickeri...
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Shoreli...
TikTok: @mparkauthor
She’s on a mission to fill the world with more heartfelt woman-loving-woman narratives. Her writing celebrates life's everyday triumphs, navigates through everyday heartaches, and cherishes the enduring tales of love. She lives in Upstate New York with the woman of her dreams and her fluffy fur-babies.
Books written by Morgan Park on Amazon:
mybook.to/haolt
https://www.amazon.com/Blooms-Bickeri...
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Shoreli...
TikTok: @mparkauthor
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2026
I’ve always had a soft spot for old school romances where couples meet and steal glances. Should they or shouldn’t they. Blooms and Bickering is that book and more.
Kate Willow is a retired master florist, quietly living her days on her farm, working on her perfect gardens and riding her horse, Moose. Across the road, Margot Reed tends her own flowers in a purposefully chaotic display. The two constantly butt heads and mix words but underneath the fiery banter are genuine feelings of attraction.
Kate is the town grump that everyone is secretly fond of because of her big heart and I love that she is easy to like. So often, books feature a really mean main and I feel bad for the sunshine character. Margot also has a well rounded personality. She designs landscapes for wealthy clients and has it all together for business but underneath, feels a bit lost. This is an age-gap romance but the two mains are both over 40. They have crazy chemistry together but it’s deliciously prolonged. Small touches, romantic gestures, and a shared stillness under sunsets. Low key on spice but plenty of love and affection. They also have hilarious friends who cheer them on. I recommend for readers who prefer romance over sex scenes. An excellent story. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Kate Willow is a retired master florist, quietly living her days on her farm, working on her perfect gardens and riding her horse, Moose. Across the road, Margot Reed tends her own flowers in a purposefully chaotic display. The two constantly butt heads and mix words but underneath the fiery banter are genuine feelings of attraction.
Kate is the town grump that everyone is secretly fond of because of her big heart and I love that she is easy to like. So often, books feature a really mean main and I feel bad for the sunshine character. Margot also has a well rounded personality. She designs landscapes for wealthy clients and has it all together for business but underneath, feels a bit lost. This is an age-gap romance but the two mains are both over 40. They have crazy chemistry together but it’s deliciously prolonged. Small touches, romantic gestures, and a shared stillness under sunsets. Low key on spice but plenty of love and affection. They also have hilarious friends who cheer them on. I recommend for readers who prefer romance over sex scenes. An excellent story. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
December 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25 stars)
To start off, I really adored this story. From start to finish, I was hooked, not only did I love the characters (main and side characters) but I also adored the story and the fact that both characters were older (in their middle age). I loved this kind of representation and with that also the way it perfectly fit to the main characters.
Since I already mentioned main characters, I absolutely loved both Margot and Kate! I think they literally captured my heart from the moment I started reading and even now, as I’m writing this a while after finishing the story, they haven’t let me go. I loved the way they were written, the way one could literally feel the initial dislike the two had for each other, plus the ‘enemies’ as well as ‘competitors’ side of things was soo well drawn out as well!!! Besides, I also loved how the slow burn was a real slow burn to the point where I just wanted to push the two together because when their friends realized the attraction that was there but they were both too afraid to act on it. I really liked how one could feel the yearning, tension, love and as I mentioned hate in this novel. The Morgan Park really excelled at that!
And I want to give a special mention to Kate who I wanted to cuddle soo much while I was reading the book. She had such a healing experience while finding love and gosh, I adored this! A huge hug goes out to her in the fictional world.
Moreover, in my opinion, the pace of the story was perfectly. I wouldn’t wish it to be longer nor shorter. It felt perfectly balanced. The writing was really good too!!! Having read other books written by Morgan Park, I knew that I would love the writing and this novel showed me once again, how very much I do enjoy it. However, it isn’t a book that completely wowed me even though I adored the characters, their personalities and relationships, the writing and pace which is why I give it 4.25 stars instead of 5. I still highly, highly recommend reading it!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for providing me with a free ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.
To start off, I really adored this story. From start to finish, I was hooked, not only did I love the characters (main and side characters) but I also adored the story and the fact that both characters were older (in their middle age). I loved this kind of representation and with that also the way it perfectly fit to the main characters.
Since I already mentioned main characters, I absolutely loved both Margot and Kate! I think they literally captured my heart from the moment I started reading and even now, as I’m writing this a while after finishing the story, they haven’t let me go. I loved the way they were written, the way one could literally feel the initial dislike the two had for each other, plus the ‘enemies’ as well as ‘competitors’ side of things was soo well drawn out as well!!! Besides, I also loved how the slow burn was a real slow burn to the point where I just wanted to push the two together because when their friends realized the attraction that was there but they were both too afraid to act on it. I really liked how one could feel the yearning, tension, love and as I mentioned hate in this novel. The Morgan Park really excelled at that!
And I want to give a special mention to Kate who I wanted to cuddle soo much while I was reading the book. She had such a healing experience while finding love and gosh, I adored this! A huge hug goes out to her in the fictional world.
Moreover, in my opinion, the pace of the story was perfectly. I wouldn’t wish it to be longer nor shorter. It felt perfectly balanced. The writing was really good too!!! Having read other books written by Morgan Park, I knew that I would love the writing and this novel showed me once again, how very much I do enjoy it. However, it isn’t a book that completely wowed me even though I adored the characters, their personalities and relationships, the writing and pace which is why I give it 4.25 stars instead of 5. I still highly, highly recommend reading it!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for providing me with a free ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book toned my smile and laugh muscles, warmed my heart and spirit too
Even before I finished reading this book I knew it was going on the re-read pile. Mains Kate and Margot have chemistry that flies off the page whether they're fighting or not; there's a meddlesome horse named Moose who has no shortage of attitude; and the (inner and outer) dialogue and narration all kept me chuckling or outright laughing throughout. Add to that some fabulously colorful secondary characters with a flair for evocative similes, gossip, and being the embodiment of community in all the best senses of the word, plus ample fodder for flower/plant/garden nerds to bask in, and the feel good moments continue on chapter after chapter. There is drama aplenty but the romance is so deliciously sweet between two over forties with an age gap between them; having it set in the South ups the charm and hilarity of all the ladies on the page. May the audiobook narrator be well chosen for this story to really surpass what my imagination conjured for my own amusement in terms of character voices and accents. The grumpy sunshine dynamic between Kate and Margot is perfect as is their transition away from that to something warmer and sweeter. I wrote 'awww' so many times in my notes while reading and may have teared up a time or two as well so have tissues handy just in case. This is the kind of book that movies ought to be made out of with all of it on the big screen, no changes. This is my favorite book by author Morgan Park so far and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next as well as revisiting Blooms and Bickering for all the feels and laughs. If your smile and laugh muscles need a workout and your heart needs some heartening and uplifting, this book delivers that in abundance. And if you want to read about older ladies who aren't stereotypical senior citizens, you'll find them here as well.
Highly recommend this book.
Even before I finished reading this book I knew it was going on the re-read pile. Mains Kate and Margot have chemistry that flies off the page whether they're fighting or not; there's a meddlesome horse named Moose who has no shortage of attitude; and the (inner and outer) dialogue and narration all kept me chuckling or outright laughing throughout. Add to that some fabulously colorful secondary characters with a flair for evocative similes, gossip, and being the embodiment of community in all the best senses of the word, plus ample fodder for flower/plant/garden nerds to bask in, and the feel good moments continue on chapter after chapter. There is drama aplenty but the romance is so deliciously sweet between two over forties with an age gap between them; having it set in the South ups the charm and hilarity of all the ladies on the page. May the audiobook narrator be well chosen for this story to really surpass what my imagination conjured for my own amusement in terms of character voices and accents. The grumpy sunshine dynamic between Kate and Margot is perfect as is their transition away from that to something warmer and sweeter. I wrote 'awww' so many times in my notes while reading and may have teared up a time or two as well so have tissues handy just in case. This is the kind of book that movies ought to be made out of with all of it on the big screen, no changes. This is my favorite book by author Morgan Park so far and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next as well as revisiting Blooms and Bickering for all the feels and laughs. If your smile and laugh muscles need a workout and your heart needs some heartening and uplifting, this book delivers that in abundance. And if you want to read about older ladies who aren't stereotypical senior citizens, you'll find them here as well.
Highly recommend this book.
January 14, 2026
Kate Willow WANTED to retire to peace, quiet and growing roses. Sadly the quiet ended when Margot Reed moved across the way. The woman's house and gardens are a chaotic mess, unlike Kate's.
Margot is devastated when a accident ruins her flower beds, one caused by Kate. Kate is incredibly apologetic, but the damage is done and Margot is unusually furious.
Mild gripe: there's a lot of 'tell not show' going on with characters assigning traits and behavior not shown on page.
We find out Margot was previously a workaholic, and her cheery persona is a bit of a act. Similarly, Kate is less cold and mean than she appears.
Kate finally decides to fix it herself, drives up with a truck load of plants and gets to it. Margot charges out in her undies, then realizes she's undressed. They work together fixing the damage, and start to become friends.
Kate realizes part of why Margot bugs her is that she's attracted to her, but as far as she knows Margot is straight. Visiting Kate's Margot learns she's gay and that her lover left her years back... they almost kiss, but Kate stops herself. Also, this is the first time Margot liked a woman like this.
And... third act jealousy arc over the new lady doctor. The book really did not need it.
Wrap up, they get together, conclusion. Good book, no spice if that's your thing, but solidly good.
4 out of 5 stars.
Margot is devastated when a accident ruins her flower beds, one caused by Kate. Kate is incredibly apologetic, but the damage is done and Margot is unusually furious.
Mild gripe: there's a lot of 'tell not show' going on with characters assigning traits and behavior not shown on page.
We find out Margot was previously a workaholic, and her cheery persona is a bit of a act. Similarly, Kate is less cold and mean than she appears.
Kate finally decides to fix it herself, drives up with a truck load of plants and gets to it. Margot charges out in her undies, then realizes she's undressed. They work together fixing the damage, and start to become friends.
Kate realizes part of why Margot bugs her is that she's attracted to her, but as far as she knows Margot is straight. Visiting Kate's Margot learns she's gay and that her lover left her years back... they almost kiss, but Kate stops herself. Also, this is the first time Margot liked a woman like this.
And... third act jealousy arc over the new lady doctor. The book really did not need it.
Wrap up, they get together, conclusion. Good book, no spice if that's your thing, but solidly good.
4 out of 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a sweet enemies to lovers story I really liked the read. The older bitter Kate and the younger high-spirited Margot are just right for each other, ice meting fire, they can finally get to a place where they find true love after a lot of disappointments in life.
Kate has retired early and all she wants is peace and quiet, but she has this annoying chaotic neighbour Margot. They look at each other from afar and are fierce competitors at the annual Rose festival. One day Kate’s horse Moose is destroying Margot’s garden with her award-winning roses. It is quite the disaster, and Kate is feeling obliged to help Margot to rebuild despite their animosity. That is of course the beginning of them finally getting to know each other, becoming friends and perhaps something more.
I was a bit disappointed with the lack of backstory of the troubled MCs Kate and Margot, that addition would have been great to have to get a better understanding of their journey to where they are when they finally start interacting. Some physical intimacy beyond the very chaste kisses would also have been a great add-on to make this book a lot more enjoyable.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave an honest review voluntarily.
Kate has retired early and all she wants is peace and quiet, but she has this annoying chaotic neighbour Margot. They look at each other from afar and are fierce competitors at the annual Rose festival. One day Kate’s horse Moose is destroying Margot’s garden with her award-winning roses. It is quite the disaster, and Kate is feeling obliged to help Margot to rebuild despite their animosity. That is of course the beginning of them finally getting to know each other, becoming friends and perhaps something more.
I was a bit disappointed with the lack of backstory of the troubled MCs Kate and Margot, that addition would have been great to have to get a better understanding of their journey to where they are when they finally start interacting. Some physical intimacy beyond the very chaste kisses would also have been a great add-on to make this book a lot more enjoyable.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave an honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
who could guess at the rivalry that starts when the rose festival begins.....
margot has entered for a while now and has won for the last 5 years but her neighbour kate isnt to happy from losing her crown.... that they live next to each other is another thorn in kate side as she likes her peace and quiet which ended when margot moved in....power drills drive kate insane....
but things come to ahead when moose kate horse runs amok through margots garden ruining all that she had built up. kate is mortified and offers to help but margot is just to angry and shocked to take the offer of help
but time helps to heal and calm margot down that she takes up the offer of help and along the way she finds herself drawn to kate in a way that she hadnt realised...
a pleasant read that gives you that feel good moment
who could guess at the rivalry that starts when the rose festival begins.....
margot has entered for a while now and has won for the last 5 years but her neighbour kate isnt to happy from losing her crown.... that they live next to each other is another thorn in kate side as she likes her peace and quiet which ended when margot moved in....power drills drive kate insane....
but things come to ahead when moose kate horse runs amok through margots garden ruining all that she had built up. kate is mortified and offers to help but margot is just to angry and shocked to take the offer of help
but time helps to heal and calm margot down that she takes up the offer of help and along the way she finds herself drawn to kate in a way that she hadnt realised...
a pleasant read that gives you that feel good moment
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautiful sapphic romance with a lot of heart and roses
This is a heart-warming, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance set in a small town. Neighbors Kate and Margot have been feuding for years and as avid gardeners have been rivals at the yearly rose festival. Then disaster or rather Kate‘s horse strikes and devastates Margot‘s garden. Kate wants to help and they reluctantly start working together.
I loved how we see more and more layers of Kate and Margot. The story slowly shows their defenses and the armour around their hearts. There were heart-wrenching scenes of vulnerability - well balanced by beauty and joy. So well done!
The language was beautiful, descriptive, at times witty and I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of gardens and roses.
Since I loved all the meddling folks I have high hopes for a sequel.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
This is a heart-warming, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance set in a small town. Neighbors Kate and Margot have been feuding for years and as avid gardeners have been rivals at the yearly rose festival. Then disaster or rather Kate‘s horse strikes and devastates Margot‘s garden. Kate wants to help and they reluctantly start working together.
I loved how we see more and more layers of Kate and Margot. The story slowly shows their defenses and the armour around their hearts. There were heart-wrenching scenes of vulnerability - well balanced by beauty and joy. So well done!
The language was beautiful, descriptive, at times witty and I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of gardens and roses.
Since I loved all the meddling folks I have high hopes for a sequel.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A delightful story of Margot and Kate, neighbours and competitive gardeners vying for the top place in the annual Rose Festival. That is until Kate's horse Moose steps in and haphazardly throws the dynamic upside down. As each character reveals the layers of protection they've built up to each other, a friendship begins, and, much to each woman's surprise, deeper feelings blossom.
The story takes you on a journey of understanding about each character's life story and how it has shaped their personas. The author has spent a great deal of effort in their development and its what makes this such a successful and enjoyable read. The kind of book that leaves you with a smile on your face and in your heart. Highly recommended!
The story takes you on a journey of understanding about each character's life story and how it has shaped their personas. The author has spent a great deal of effort in their development and its what makes this such a successful and enjoyable read. The kind of book that leaves you with a smile on your face and in your heart. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by Netgalley & Ylva publishing
This book centers two older women, with the younger of the two being 41 and the older being 59, with a low simmering annoyance with each other. They have a little rivalry with their roses. They start to spend a lot of time together because of an accident.
The love develops slowly, with both of them having different reservations aside from them being unfriendly to each other for the longest time. One has relationship baggage while the other has just realized that she's interested in women. The romance takes its time with the leads only kissing at around 70%, but they have physical attraction to each other much earlier. The leads and the other townsfolk are all quite fun.
I thought this was a really solid love story.
This book centers two older women, with the younger of the two being 41 and the older being 59, with a low simmering annoyance with each other. They have a little rivalry with their roses. They start to spend a lot of time together because of an accident.
The love develops slowly, with both of them having different reservations aside from them being unfriendly to each other for the longest time. One has relationship baggage while the other has just realized that she's interested in women. The romance takes its time with the leads only kissing at around 70%, but they have physical attraction to each other much earlier. The leads and the other townsfolk are all quite fun.
I thought this was a really solid love story.
Read
January 13, 2026I learned so much about flowers, I also know I should get my backyard in better shape. Thanks for that.
Maybe this story revolved around the gardens too much, but I liked the ease and comfort of it.
Our main characters are a bit older than the usual in books like this, I like it. They are both a bit troubled, while we find out why and what for one of them, the other remains a bit of a mystery. I miss that “resolution”..
I also feel like we see some secondary characters quite often early on in the book, only for them to almost disappearin the second half.
Overall I’d say this is a cozy gardening read, nothing special, nothing too demanding, just a light weight read with some emotions,
Maybe this story revolved around the gardens too much, but I liked the ease and comfort of it.
Our main characters are a bit older than the usual in books like this, I like it. They are both a bit troubled, while we find out why and what for one of them, the other remains a bit of a mystery. I miss that “resolution”..
I also feel like we see some secondary characters quite often early on in the book, only for them to almost disappearin the second half.
Overall I’d say this is a cozy gardening read, nothing special, nothing too demanding, just a light weight read with some emotions,
January 14, 2026
This is a cozy and sweet romance about two neighboring women in their 40s and 50s who both enjoy gardening. Blooms & Bickering is a slow descent into their romance by way of friendship. While they start off as neighbors who dislike each other, Margot and Kate build a beautiful friendship while Kate tries to make up for her horse making a mess of Margot's garden. At a certain point, that friendship tips into allurement and captivation while grumpy and orderly Kate is learning to be vulnerable in front of sunshine, workaholic, chaotic Margot. If you enjoy slow-burn and sweet age gap romance, this is the one for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a slow burn, low angst flowering love story.
Margot and Kate are neighbours who appear to be the complete opposites and have a standoffish relationship.
They are also each other’s main rivals in the annual rose festival.
Things begin to change when Moose goes ‘wild amongst the flowers’!!
The author is wonderfully descriptive and her writing brings the romance to life and you can feel the emotions running through Kate and Margot.
You’ve also got a lovely supporting cast in Charlotte, Deanna and Jess.
Thanks to Ylva and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Margot and Kate are neighbours who appear to be the complete opposites and have a standoffish relationship.
They are also each other’s main rivals in the annual rose festival.
Things begin to change when Moose goes ‘wild amongst the flowers’!!
The author is wonderfully descriptive and her writing brings the romance to life and you can feel the emotions running through Kate and Margot.
You’ve also got a lovely supporting cast in Charlotte, Deanna and Jess.
Thanks to Ylva and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first book by this author and it was a decent book. Kate and Margot are right for each other, ice and fire, heaven and hell but they fit.
One day Kate’s horse Moose destroyed Margot’s garden and Kate felt obliged to help Margot to rebuild despite their animosity which is the beginning of them finally getting to know each other, and become friends. This needed more backstory to help relate to the characters, but overall it was a pretty good story,
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One day Kate’s horse Moose destroyed Margot’s garden and Kate felt obliged to help Margot to rebuild despite their animosity which is the beginning of them finally getting to know each other, and become friends. This needed more backstory to help relate to the characters, but overall it was a pretty good story,
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.75 ⭐
Masterfully written in places, but strangely empty at its core
...
Masterfully written in places, but strangely empty at its core
...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews