Bloom

Loving Lies #2

by Lynn Hammond

Bloom
Bloom’s life has been a series of struggles. After her mother’s suicide, when she was just a little girl, she spends her entire life with a father who is ashamed of her looks and hates her. At sixteen she finds out her looks are due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), and she might never have a child of her own.
When tragedy hits and her father is sent to jail, she’s left living with a brother she had no clue existed. And here she is, at twenty, about to start college, with no friends, a life of insecurities, and the prospect of being sterile.
One day, she finds herself literally falling in the arms of a hot guy. Owen is his name. Oh, she remembers seeing him at the events her father hosted at their house. But she was never allowed to attend. Her appearance was too repulsive. But Owen said hello to her anyway.
Despite how sweet he is, Bloom has more important things to worry about, like starting college, finishing her injection treatment, and hopefully finding some friends. Until, that first day of college, she sees Owen standing off in the distance with another girl.
She never wanted a boyfriend.
Until Now.
Will she be brave and try?

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2018

Reviews

[Louise Jackson]

This author clearly has a lot of insight and researched thoroughly into PCOS and the associated bullying/hardships that can go hand in hand with it. This is a really emotional story of how a young woman lives with this awful syndrome and some of the ways that she tries to overcome it. That side of the story was wonderful. Had tears in my eyes at one point and wanted to throttle the people who made Bloom's life a misery.

If the story lacked anything for me, it was more background. My own fault. I read this series out of order and feel that I really needed to read book one to fully understand more about her mother, her bullying father, and the way the step-family became entwined. That aside, the tale is a great one of first love, overcoming bullies, self esteem, and triumphing against all the odds. All in all a real page turner.

[Couri Clyburn]

This is an excellent read. I would recommend this book to any one ! The main character , Bloom seems to resonate well with readers with her dense personable personality. Her trials and tribulations may not be relatable to all readers but it sets a certain tone that's too attractive to ignore. Overall, a great read!

[Kala Brooks]

After reading Risky lies I knew I had to get my hands on Bloom. I can really say this one was a perfect second part to Risky lies. I love how it makes you feel as if you were in the book. It may not relate to everyone, but it gives you an idea of what people go through. I suggest you go and read the rest of her books as well!

[Rose Bush]

Bloom was a beautiful, insightful, emotional, and suspenseful! My emotions were everywhere. I love how this book was also very educational about PCOS. I absolutely loved everything about it! Bloom is grew so much in this book and Owen is such a good hearted man. I love these characters so much!!!

[Priscilla Robinson]

Emotional

This is my type of story. Bloom the main female character is written so well. She isn’t two dimensional instead she has depth and goes through so much while still putting her best foot forward while facing new challenges and stepping outside of her comfort zone. A great read.

[Crystal]

Title: Bloom
Author: Lynn Hammond
Genre: Contemporary Romance
**RECEIVED FREE COPY FOR HONEST REVIEW**
MY REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

This is my first book by this author and I was excited to read it for personal reasons. The heroine Bloom has PCOS and suffers the usual side effects: weight gain, thining hair, acne, horrible abdominal pain from the cysts, and the inability to get pregnant. Due to her physical appearance she has been bullied most of her life. All she wants is a "normal" life. While at college she meets her new best friend who is a bit wild and truly doesn't care what Bloom looks like. She also re-meets an old childhood friend who she falls in love with. Owen is her dream. Now there is a little drama...see Bloom lives with her half brother while their dad is in jail and her mom killed herself.

Okay, so to start off the writing was ok. There wasn't any depth. You don't get a feel for the characters. They just move scene to scene. As the story develops you get a real feel for Bloom. This is her story. Not anyone else's. It is her pain, her internal struggle. She is trying to find peace. Eventually you feel this and know it. But there is still a disconnect in the writing. Bloom wants to feel beautiful and she says she does because she feels Owen's evident desire but I feel he needs to voice it more often. She has lived a life of being bullied and hurt verbally and emotionally. Yes show her but tell her. Tell her how much you want her. Tell her how beautiful she is. The writer doesn't seem to understand how to convey healing emotion in this book.

I will say by the end the writer stepped up. Finding out the truth and then the truth from horses mouth, it broke her but it healed her and it conveyed it so very well. It really had heart and soul. The soul I was looking for.

I like this book because it puts a light on a disease many of us suffer from that have social ramifications not just medical. I like this book because at the end it showed it doesn't matter where you come from, you deserve love also.
For these reasons I give it 3/5 stars.

[Debbie Victorino]

Awesome book!!

This book was so good. I loved it, the writing style was awesome. It had a very good story line and amazing characters. This is my second book by this author and this is my favorite so far. She has a great way of pulling you into her stories. Once I started reading this book I didn't want to put it down. This is the story of Bloom and Owen. Bloom had a really tough life and her father was horrible. He mentally abused her, he was so terrible. She finds out that she has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and may never be able to have children. She had noticed Owen at her dad's party but her dad said she was repulsive and she never went to anything. She sees Owen again later he is so good looking but she never considers him as a boyfriend. I think she is so down on herself due to her father always putting her down. Then when she sees Owen again at college , she then decides she really wants him. This poor girl was so abused, words can be as bad as physical pain. This author did a amazing job with this issue. Oh my gosh at times I could of went after her father myself. It was just one of those books you never forget. If I could recommend one book as a must read. This book would be it!!!! This book was so heartfelt and honest it blew me away. Just an outstanding book. I would love to have this book in paperback. Wow, such an amazing book!!!

[Gladys]

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book and although I enjoyed it, it never quite reached its full potential. In my opinion the characters were underdeveloped and I felt a lack of continuity to the main character, Bloom's thoughts and actions. For me it seemed illogical, that a girl with so much emotional baggage, would basically go from an anxiety attack/fainting spell from a guy looking at her, to within probably a week or at most two, walking up hugging the guy and pressing her chest to his belly (especially with less than a handful of interaction between them). The worst part for me is that I felt this book had such an important story to tell. A story about overcoming emotional trauma, living with PCOS and finding your happiness. A story that in my opinion did not get the justice it deserved. I wish this book had been the book I wanted it to be. All thoughts and opinions stated in this review are completely my own.

[Jordan Leger]

What a great read. Even though I read this one first, didn't phase me one bit. Bloom can actually be read as a standalone. However, I'll be reading the first one too so I'm not missing any details.

Bloom is based on a young girl who had to grow up with some pretty tough family issues, then to make matters worse she has PCOS and may never have the chance of conceiving a child. On the bright side, there's Owen. A young man who supports her and gives her comfort through everything Bloom is going through. Owen is her rock.

Side note: I loved this story. It had meaning to it. It was heartfelt and beautiful.

[Wendy Livingstone]

This is the second book in this phenomenal series. Bloom has a heartbreaking and tragic upbringing, and when she meets Owen he sees her as she is, and helps her to move on and triumphing against all of the odds. This is a beautifully written story which is a heart-warming and emotional roller coaster journey. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more form this talented author, whose work I recommend for all.

[Mary]

Bloom is a young woman who suffers from PCOS, a lifelong condition. If that was enough, her father was verbally abusive to her during her growing years. Thanks to her small circle of caring friends and family, they help her cope. This is a heartfelt and warm story, good among evil.

Review copy was received for a honest opinion.

[Mona williams]

this was the second book in this series and i loved it! talk about breaking me heart reading it. she has always struggled with her life after finding out her mother died and now she has a disease. she just wants to be loved. her own father is mean to her. than she meets him ,but doesnt know if its just a cruel joke or real read to find out.

[Jen (jensdreamylittlereads)]

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. It was so good! I just loved it and the writing style was great. It had a very good story line with some amazing characters.

This is a beautifully written story which takes you on a heart-warming and emotional roller coaster. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more form this author.

[Karlee Knight]

Good read. I like the point there was a big twist at the end.

[Theresa Willett]

This is a comfortable love story. Warm smiles on my heart.