Welcome to Blooms

by Joanna Monahan

When your name is Daisy, you get used to flower jokes. When your name is Daisy and your family owns a flower shop, your life becomes the joke.

Event planner Daisy Greene never wanted any part of running her family's flower shop, Blooms by Bert. But when her father is hospitalized, Daisy returns home to help her brother save the struggling business, even though it means leaving a career-making client gala in the hands of a scheming coworker.

Much to her mother's delight, Daisy is increasingly drawn back into the business she's spent years avoiding. Between a quirky, well-meaning cast of characters, a mischievous dog, and the reappearance of an old flame, Daisy finds herself questioning her carefully constructed life.

As the future of the flower shop hangs in the balance, Daisy must decide what she's willing to risk for her career, her heart, and the people who matter most.

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2026

About the author

Joanna Monahan writes contemporary Women's Fiction that is clean, cozy and full of humor and heart. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, their two children, and two distracting cats. She is a member of The Authors Guild, North Carolina Writers' Network, and the Women's Fiction Writers Association.

When she isn’t writing, Joanna enjoys theater, baseball, and bookmarking recipes she will never make. A child of the 80s, she regrets that she no longer receives pizza coupons in exchange for reading books.

You can find Joanna at www.joannamonahan.com or on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest as @joannamonahanauthor.

Reviews

[shereadswith_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Blooms 5/5 stars
By Author Joanna Monahan

I had the honor to be part of this “traveling” book! We highlighted, commented, left gestures and our own marks as we loved on this novel before passing it on.

What a sweet read. Welcome to Blooms caught my eye from the beginning with its adorable cover and who doesn’t love a Flower Shop!
What I loved most: It was funny! Cute anecdotes, innuendos and playful simile’s. I loved how the family who owned Bert’s Blooms all had names based around flowers. I loved that the novel seemed to have it “all”, family, challenges, growth, triumphs and hope!

Welcome to Blooms is about a family owned business, hoping to pass it down to their children, Daisy and Bud. Bud is all in but Daisy has a future elsewhere, she grew up and moved on! Her father’s health brings her back home for a short time to help with the business while he’s recovering . She busies herself with trying to convince them Bud is who they should promote to manager and trust his ideas. She NEEDS to get back to HER life and career.

When she is back home her first love Jeremy is there and wants her back but she has her mind made up and her career goals come first. She second guesses her priorities and opens her heart to change!
It’s a heartfelt novel that reminds you of what’s important. It’s a mother’s love against the growing pains of children. It’s trust in family, second chance romance and small town charm and even a mischievous dog. I loved it!

You’ll want to read this if you love
Small town, second chance at love,fresh start ,found family slow-burn romance,feel-good, flower euphemism, family comedy

Thanks to Author Joanna Monahan for including me in this “traveling” book journey, I was so happy to be a part.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cozy and entertaining read. I always enjoy stories about families, and this hit the spot. Daisy and her family felt so real and totally believable. The emotion and banter between them is heartfelt and engaging. I loved how Daisy found herself again after returning home. The author has truly created characters that you root for. I enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy.

[Donna Norman-Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you rather be a cactus or a daisy?
It seems like an easy choice—until life makes it complicated.

Event planner Daisy Greene has spent years staying as far away from her family’s floral business as possible. When her brother, Bud, calls her home after their father is hospitalized, Daisy is forced to confront everything she’s been avoiding. It’s only when she returns to the place she least wants to be that she begins to discover who she truly is and where she belongs.

A heartfelt, feel-good story about finding your way back to yourself, Welcome to Blooms, Joanna Monahan’s sophomore novel, blooms with charm, wit, and emotional depth. Its richly drawn characters will inspire you to think about your own life on your own terms.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Blooms is a humorous women's fiction by Joanna Monahan. You will be delighted to meet Daisy Greene, a woman who is trying hard to outrun an overbearing mother, a hardworking father, a go-along-with-the-flow brother (named Bud), and a family business that makes her sneeze. That's right, Daisy's family owns a flower shop, and not only is she allergic to the flowers, she's pretty certain she's allergic to her family.

She has her life mapped out in a city far away from home and rarely visits. She even screens her calls to keep from talking to her mother or brother unless absolutely necessary. Until the day her father goes into the hospital - and she finds herself smack dab in the middle of the family drama once again.

This is a funny novel - part romantic comedy, part cozy, part midlife coming of age. You will laugh and cry. You will shout at Daisy to get her head on straight. You will cheer her on as she finally figures out what is important. And, if you are like me, you might even feel a few allergies coming on!

This is a must read - so run out and grab your copy today!

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was the charming, feel-good story I needed. I breezed through it, loving the humor, warmth, and heart I found on every page.

The family dynamics and antics were what first grabbed my heart, as Daisy Greene is called home to help with her family’s flower shop. While there is some messiness and challenges within the family, I adored how close Daisy was to her brother, Bud.

The quirky characters, many with floral names, the sweet three-legged dog, and a touch of small-town romance kept me entertained. Ultimately, though, the story is about Daisy’s self-discovery and growth as she decides where her heart and home truly lie. Sometimes, returning to your roots is the biggest chance of all.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @joannamonahanauthor for this gifted book.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something so comforting about stories where characters return home and slowly find themselves again within their roots, and this book captures that feeling perfectly.

I’ve always loved stories about messy, dysfunctional families, because no family is ever truly perfect, and this one felt so real. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes going back is exactly what you need to move forward.

And yes… there’s a dog and you already know I can’t resist that. He completely stole the show for me, absolutely adorable.

Overall, this is such a cozy, feel-good story that lifts you up. It’s about family, relationships, love, and finding your way back to yourself in the most unexpected places.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of family, love, and figuring out what's important in life. The floral related names made me smile and the familial relationships were challenging and relatable. It's a quick easy read that left me feeling satisfied and happy, and there's another book coming featuring Daisy and Bud so keep your eye out for that one too.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word review: Delightful! I am all too familiar with complicated family dynamics, so this story was very relatable. I could understand why Daisy felt the need to separate herself from her family to chart her own course. I really enjoyed reading about her journey of self-discovery and was excited to see that the story will continue!

[Paula Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great character development . The struggle between family members is very relatable . Finding yourself and discovering what you really want, in spite of your slightly dysfunctional family, makes for a happy ending. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are literally allergic to the family business, how can you expect to fit in? For Daisy Greene, the metaphorical "cactus in the flower shop," you avoid it at all costs.

I absolutely loved this book about black sheep, pushy parents and learning to love your family for who they are (and who they aren't). Daisy and the Greene family - especially brother Bud - dug their way into my heart and bloomed! The easy banter and heartfelt emotion was so genuine, I felt like part of the family. For better or worse.

Monahan's sophomore novel is right at home on the shelf next to the great modern storytellers. Her women's lit voice is polished, authentic and downright entertaining!