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The Roses That Bloom: Red Rose Edition
Selani Franklin thought divorce was the hardest chapter of her life, until she met Undre Dickerson. He's charming, magnetic, and understands her in a way no one else ever has. But beneath his quiet strength, lies a past he's desperate to keep buried.
As their romance deepens, Selani's closest friends rally around offering love and laughter when she needs it most. But when whispers of betrayal surface, cracks form in the sisterhood she's always trusted.
The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Then, one shattering revelation changes everything she thought she knew about the people she loves.
Now, Selani must decide who to believe, who to forgive, and whether love can survive when loyalty is tested.... and how a single answer about her mother could cost her everything.
As their romance deepens, Selani's closest friends rally around offering love and laughter when she needs it most. But when whispers of betrayal surface, cracks form in the sisterhood she's always trusted.
The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Then, one shattering revelation changes everything she thought she knew about the people she loves.
Now, Selani must decide who to believe, who to forgive, and whether love can survive when loyalty is tested.... and how a single answer about her mother could cost her everything.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 7, 2026
This book is not your ordinary romance! Meet Selani Franklin, she is the CEO of Diversity and Inclusion, a mother to twin girls, and is going through a divorce with her ex Arnel. Arnel committed the ultimate betrayal with someone very close to Selani, making it hard for her to trust men and anyone in general. Her best friends tell her that it’s time for her to get back out there so she goes with them to a cigar opening in their town. There, she meets Undre and they hit it off right away. Things start to get serious for them fast but Undre cannot get over the fact that he’s hiding something from Selani that will potentially ruin the bond that they created and ruin the lives around them.
This book had really good pacing and drew me in from the beginning. I could have never imagined the secret that Undre hid from Selani, it went deep!! I loved the friendship between Selani and her girls, it was a beautiful representation of sisterhood. I just needed a little bit more closure about the friend group at the end. Watching Undre and Selani leave their past behind and fight to become the people they want to become was very touching! This was my first read by this author and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
My favorite quotes: “I was tired of trying to please everyone, of shrinking myself to fit into spaces that never appreciated my worth. I was going to bloom, no matter the cost.”
“I was God’s rose, created for more than what my past had defined me as. I was more than the woman who had lost so much. I was the woman who would rise again, stronger than ever before.”
This book had really good pacing and drew me in from the beginning. I could have never imagined the secret that Undre hid from Selani, it went deep!! I loved the friendship between Selani and her girls, it was a beautiful representation of sisterhood. I just needed a little bit more closure about the friend group at the end. Watching Undre and Selani leave their past behind and fight to become the people they want to become was very touching! This was my first read by this author and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
My favorite quotes: “I was tired of trying to please everyone, of shrinking myself to fit into spaces that never appreciated my worth. I was going to bloom, no matter the cost.”
“I was God’s rose, created for more than what my past had defined me as. I was more than the woman who had lost so much. I was the woman who would rise again, stronger than ever before.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book drew me in after the first chapter. I thought this was going to be a cute story about self-discovery and love after a divorce, but I was totally wrong! This book has laughter, drama, suspense, and layers of heartbreaking betrayal.
Selani Franklin is rebuilding her life after a recent divorce. Her circle of friends; Laketa, Shanice, and Khloe have been pushing Selani to date again, but she’s rightfully guarding her heart. That is, until she meets Undre Dickerson. Their chemistry is undeniable and they align perfectly. However, there is a seventeen-year secret that threatens to destroy her newfound happiness. The realization that this secret involves both her best friend and her new man adds a layer of who can you trust, that kept me turning pages late into the night.
The real gut-punch was her father. My heart broke for Selani when she found her father had started a whole new life just a year after her world fell apart and she knew nothing about it; it is written so raw and real.
If you love stories where the past comes back to haunt the present and where happily ever after is constantly under fire, get the book. Just be prepared, this book truly had me on an emotional rollercoaster. This book shows us how the roses in our lives can come with the sharpest thorns. 🌹🥀
Thank you Erica Darcell for the ARC
Selani Franklin is rebuilding her life after a recent divorce. Her circle of friends; Laketa, Shanice, and Khloe have been pushing Selani to date again, but she’s rightfully guarding her heart. That is, until she meets Undre Dickerson. Their chemistry is undeniable and they align perfectly. However, there is a seventeen-year secret that threatens to destroy her newfound happiness. The realization that this secret involves both her best friend and her new man adds a layer of who can you trust, that kept me turning pages late into the night.
The real gut-punch was her father. My heart broke for Selani when she found her father had started a whole new life just a year after her world fell apart and she knew nothing about it; it is written so raw and real.
If you love stories where the past comes back to haunt the present and where happily ever after is constantly under fire, get the book. Just be prepared, this book truly had me on an emotional rollercoaster. This book shows us how the roses in our lives can come with the sharpest thorns. 🌹🥀
Thank you Erica Darcell for the ARC
May 7, 2026
ARC Review – The Roses That Bloom ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.75 stars)
This book was the definition of don’t judge a book by its cover.
I went into this thinking it was going to be soft, emotional, sisterhood vibes… and baby, it was NOT that 😭 This book really explored the ugly side of sisterhood, loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a way that caught me completely off guard.
Selani truly had a journey, and by the end she really embodied being the rose that bloomed from concrete. Watching her navigate everything thrown at her was messy, emotional, frustrating at times, but definitely engaging.
Now I will say, I’m personally more of a slow-burn girl when it comes to romance, so the instant love aspect wasn’t fully my thing; but that’s definitely personal preference more than a flaw in the story.
Overall, this was a very engaging read that constantly had me like “wait… what is actually going on?” 👀 I kept wanting answers and needed to see how everything would unfold.
Thank you for the ARC!
This book was the definition of don’t judge a book by its cover.
I went into this thinking it was going to be soft, emotional, sisterhood vibes… and baby, it was NOT that 😭 This book really explored the ugly side of sisterhood, loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a way that caught me completely off guard.
Selani truly had a journey, and by the end she really embodied being the rose that bloomed from concrete. Watching her navigate everything thrown at her was messy, emotional, frustrating at times, but definitely engaging.
Now I will say, I’m personally more of a slow-burn girl when it comes to romance, so the instant love aspect wasn’t fully my thing; but that’s definitely personal preference more than a flaw in the story.
Overall, this was a very engaging read that constantly had me like “wait… what is actually going on?” 👀 I kept wanting answers and needed to see how everything would unfold.
Thank you for the ARC!
May 7, 2026
This was such a good read! I finished it in a day because the drama, suspense, heartbreak, secrets, and chemistry kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Selani is navigating life after divorce while grieving the end of her marriage, and Undre is a man trying to outrun a past that refuses to stay buried. Their connection was instant, intense, and full of tension in the best ways.
What really got me was the friendship heartbreak and betrayal throughout this story. Sometimes betrayal from the people closest to you hurts even deeper than romance.
If you enjoy stories filled with secrets, emotional twists, messy truths, and a love worth fighting for, I definitely recommend this one. Amazing debut by Erica Darcell
Selani is navigating life after divorce while grieving the end of her marriage, and Undre is a man trying to outrun a past that refuses to stay buried. Their connection was instant, intense, and full of tension in the best ways.
What really got me was the friendship heartbreak and betrayal throughout this story. Sometimes betrayal from the people closest to you hurts even deeper than romance.
If you enjoy stories filled with secrets, emotional twists, messy truths, and a love worth fighting for, I definitely recommend this one. Amazing debut by Erica Darcell
May 10, 2026
Do not let this pretty cover fool you. This book comes with some serious drama and some really interesting twists. And then, the twists build on top of twists. This book kept me at the edge of my seat and now I need a book from each POV because it simply was not what I was expecting. I loved the writing and these characters….LaKeta was truly ride-or-die, and there is nothing you can say that will make me feel nice feelings about Arnel. Shanice…whew!!! All I can say is this book will make you think about your own conflicts that you have dealt with. This book is medicine for the soul 😭😭😭
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews