Half-Blown Rose

by Leesa Cross-Smith

An irresistible story of a woman remaking her life after her husband’s betrayal leads to a year of travel, art, and passion in Paris, from the award-winning author of This Close to Okay.

Vincent, having grown up as the privileged daughter of artists, has a lovely life in many ways. At forty-four, she enjoys strolling the streets of Paris and teaching at the modern art museum; she has a vibrant group of friends; and she’s even caught the eye of a young, charismatic man named Loup. But Vincent is also in Paris to escape a painful betrayal: her husband, Cillian, has published a bestselling book divulging secrets about their marriage and his own past, hinting that when he was a teenager, he may have had a child with a young woman back in Dublin—before he moved to California and never returned.

Now estranged from her husband, Vincent has agreed to see Cillian again at their son’s wedding the following summer, but Loup introduces new complications. Soon they begin an intense affair, and somewhere between dinners made together, cigarettes smoked in the moonlight, hazy evenings in nightclubs, and long, starry walks along the Seine, Vincent feels herself loosening and blossoming.

In a journey that is both transportive and intimate, Half-Blown Rose traverses Paris, art, travel, liminal spaces, and the messy complexities of relationships and romance, with excerpts from Cillian’s novel, playlists, and journal entries woven throughout. As Cillian does all he can to win her back, Vincent must decide what she wants . . . and who she will be.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Literary Fiction, Travel, Historical Fiction

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2022

About the author

Leesa Cross-Smith is a homemaker and writer from Kentucky. She is the author of seven books: AS YOU WISH, GOODBYE EARL, HALF-BLOWN ROSE, THIS CLOSE TO OKAY, SO WE CAN GLOW, WHISKEY & RIBBONS, EVERY KISS A WAR. HALF-BLOWN ROSE received Coups De Cœur recognition from the American Library in Paris and was the Amazon Editors’ Spotlight for June 2022, the inaugural pick for Amazon’s Editorial Director Sarah Gelman’s Book Club Sarah Selects, and the Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick for June 2022. THIS CLOSE TO OKAY was a Goodreads Choice 2021 Nominee for Best Fiction, a Book of the Month Book of the Year 2021 Nominee, a Book of the Month Early Release Pick for December 2020, the Good Housekeeping Book Club Pick for February 2021 and the Marie Claire Book Club Pick for March 2021. She was longlisted for the 2022 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award and 2021 Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize and SO WE CAN GLOW was listed as one of NPR's Best Books of 2020. WHISKEY & RIBBONS won the 2019 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Gold Medal in Literary Fiction, was longlisted for the 2018 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and was one of O Magazine's 2018 Top Books of Summer. EVERY KISS A WAR was nominated for the PEN Open Book Award (2014) and was a finalist for both the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction (2012) and the Iowa Short Fiction Award (2012). Find more @ LeesaCrossSmith.com

Reviews

[Leesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE FLASHING GOLD STARS BC I THOUGHT IT, I SOLD IT, I WROTE IT, I LOVE IT. This is my third novel, my fifth book.

[Taylor Reid]

Learning a shocking truth about her husband’s past, Vincent escapes to Paris where she sinks into her new life. When she catches the eye of a vibrant young man, they fall into a heady affair. With her time in Paris coming to an end, the clock is ticking for Vincent to decide what she wants from her life. An utterly intoxicating story with every turn of the page.

[emilybookedup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO READ IT AND TALK ABOUT IT!!!!

…also if you’ve read it, i NEED to talk about that ending!! Leesa, we need an epilogue STAT babes!!! 😨😱😯😧🫢

i listened to this on audio but also flipped to the physical a few times too. i even re-read the ending on my physical copy to make sure i got it right.

HIGHLY recommend the audiobook… set in Paris, this book has literally the best vibes ever. the scenery, the prose, the writing, the accents, the French flirtation phrases… everything 🙌🏼

it’s equal parts romance and coming of age. Vincent is a married woman trying to find herself after her husband makes a huge mistake and leaves them at a crossroads. so she leaves him in Kentucky and goes to Paris to figure out what to do. and there, life surprises her in more ways than one.

if you enjoyed THE IDEA OF YOU and/or like romance with a large age gap and lots of steam… this is for you!!

full review to come on my IG soon!! THANK YOU Grand Central Publishing for my gifted ARC and Libro FM for my gifted ALC 🌹🌹🌹

[T. Rosado · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

This book was so frustrating for me. I put the book down for a week at 30% and figured I'd dnf. Instead, I picked it up and finished to know the outcome. Although, of course, it was an open ending. Those normally don't bother me, but in this case, It made me feel like I wasted a chunk of my reading time. Which is precious, these days.

Cheating isn’t generally a hard line for me in fiction, but I have to feel sympathy or empathy for the protagonist if it’s a major plot point in their story arc. While I understand the hurt the female mc (Vincent) experienced by her husband’s sin-of-omission regarding a discretion from his past, it happened long before meeting in college. At the same time, their marriage was happy and fulfilling and I felt that Vincent’s reaction outweighed his "sin." Therefore, as her husband’s backstory was slowly revealed, my empathy was mainly directed toward him while Vincent came across as overly self-centered. Then there was Loup. I felt he was meant to be written as a mature younger man, but I didn’t find seducing a married woman very mature. Also, Vincent's family’s reaction to everything she was experiencing in her life baffled me. I guess I'm not as indulgent and free-thinking as most of the characters in this book.

As for the writing style, it was lyrical and well-written, but could also come across as pretentious. I might have overlooked that if I'd enjoyed the story more.

[Randi (readsrandiread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the audiobook was well done (love me an Irish accent), the story itself didn’t do it for me. The main character, Vincent, seemed so self-pitying to me. She is dealing with a “betrayal” and I just couldn’t get behind her massive reaction to it. It seemed disproportionate to the offense, but to each their own I suppose. Who am I to tell fictional people how to act and respond? ⁣
⁣
Also, the name Vincent for the main female character confused me the entire book. My mind kept hearing Vincent and thought it was the male character, even though her name being Vincent was well established, my brain couldn’t make it work without effort. ⁣
⁣
I love the cover! I love reading books set in Paris. This just wasn’t the one for me.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woooooooooo boy, I cannot believe I am in love with a romance novel. Wow wow wow! Honestly I only picked up HALF-BLOWN ROSE because the cover looked so beautiful—never in my wildest dreams would this end up becoming one of my FAVORITE books of the year. I will be busy for the rest of the year reading Leesa Cross-Smith's other books as this was my first venture with the author's books.

The story focuses on a 44-year old woman, Vincent (give the name a chance readers, it took me awhile too), traveling to Paris after finding out about her husband's betrayal (you'll find out when you read it, because I don't want to spoil it and it's a major point of action in the story). In Paris, Vincent is takes up a job at a modern art museum and meets a 24 year old charismatic and beautiful man Loup (Lou), who captures her attention. Loup is much younger than Vincent, but the two forge a steamy, beautiful, romantic relationship. Ugh LOUP IS A F'N BABE. THERE I SAID IT. As Vincent navigates Paris and her relationship with Loup, her husband Cillian is hoping to rekindle their marriage at their son's wedding. However, Vincent's decision on whether she decides to stay with Cillian or move on with Loup becomes very complicated.

This book is absolutely breathtaking. I fell in love with the Parisian atmosphere and the story was so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. This book is a really powerful as it touches many deep and powerful topics that society deal with today. And again, LOUP IS A FN BABE. I loved every second of this book and I know that I will be thinking about it for a long time.

[Bethany Ames · Rating 1 out of 5]

It felt like I was reading a reality TV show about one really rich lady having a mid-life crisis while being surrounded by other shitty people. And no, I don’t mean “flawed individuals” I mean actually shitty people.

She is shitty for having different standards for herself and her husband while they’re separated and lying about it when him lying about stuff from before he ever met her is what got them into this situation. She is shitty for acting like she can’t help having the affair when we all know that’s not true.

Her husband is shitty for not being upfront from the beginning, I feel like she would’ve understood the issue and possibly helped him meet his son sooner. Her friends are shitty to each other and encourage affairs. Loup is shitty for getting himself involved with a woman who told him in the beginning that she might get back together with her husband.

I couldn’t even read most of this book, I only skipped to the last two chapters so I won’t be going into my book club meeting blind. The ending was horrid. Not only for the format (why there are random sections of the book written like a screenplay I will never understand and also I hate it), but for the way she acts like everything is totally OK and inviting her lover to the villa her husband bought for her while her whole ass family is there and her husband thinks they’re getting back together is beyond shitty. AND SHE LETS HER HUSBAND THINK THEY’RE GETTING BACK TOGETHER WHEN SHE’S INVITING HER LOVER TO STAY WITH THEM!!!! As if she can have her cake and eat it too and keep the parts of each of them that she loves.

It’s open ended so I hope he divorces her self-absorbed ass.

[Just A Girl With Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full on shivers from this book. I’m drowning in it. The audio elevated it and gave a little something extra. I fell so in love with this book!! Vincent, a 44 year old woman betrayed by her author husband when he publishes a book that reveals a secret. You have to read to find out.

This story, set in Paris is sheer perfection. The narration coupled with this story feels like a soft caress on the skin..a faint whisper in the ear that leaves chill bumps all over your body. This story was sensual romance with a coming of age storyline that I did not see coming (I went in blind). I love age gap stories where the woman is older and I loved that she was Black. I want to see this normalized more because there is a difference when it is a woman older vs a man.

Loup, a 24 year old hella sexy man steals her heart and soul. I was at the edge of my seat literally not knowing where this story was going. I need about 3 epilogues because this story was just everything and unpredictable.

This was intense, knock you off your feet type love story and I’m so glad I listened to this masterpiece!!

I. Need. More.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG! This was like watching a train wreck. I wanted it to be over because I couldn’t stand the constant reference to the main character’s period and her indecisiveness and her self absorption. BUT….I had to read it to the end just to watch the train wreck.
I must say it had a great premise. Promising storyline. But I didn’t care one wit about ANY of the main characters in this story. Don’t waste your time!

[Shelley Odell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible! Very juvenile! If I could rate it .01 stars I would have!

[Girl Well Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cross-Smith's strength is in her immersive prose. She doesn't shy away from creating a strong female lead who (gasp!) puts her own passion above everything, even her family. Reeling from betrayal, Vincent—as in van Gogh—embraces her desires and sexual needs and what it means to be a woman, even while bleeding and emotional. (There's lots of period talk.)

But here's what doesn't work. Every character is not only attractive, but intelligent and interesting, which makes it feel like it's a script for a Hollywood movie. There are also no consequences for anyone's actions, least of all our heroine's (cue the ending). Meandering at times and manic at others, readers will be left feeling a little empty.

Half-Blown Rose is compelling, passionate, and beautifully written.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paris, oh how I adore you!

"The Idea Of You" anyone?? Half-Blown Rose definitely gave me similar vibes.

I really enjoyed the writing style and could feel the intense chemistry between Vincent and Loup.

I absolutely loved this book right up until the very end. Unfortunately I was left wanting more. What happened to the characters? What was the reaction to Vincent's final decision? I've never really been a fan of open endings. - alas, that's a me problem. :)

The playlists throughout the book are excellent! I loved that addition to the story.

Overall I enjoyed the story and looked forward to picking it up each time. There's a whole lot of love for this book so I encourage you to give it a read.

Thanks so much to Grand Central Publishing for this gifted copy!

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was extremely painful to read because none of the characters were remotely likeable. I'm giving it two stars because the writing is beautiful and the descriptions of cities and culture in Europe is stellar. The main character is extremely selfish and a total mess for a 44 year old woman. I sort of felt like she was stringing along both her husband and her French lover and how she treated both was extremely cruel. Her family's complicit behavior was also very disturbing to me. I just didn't understand why all of the men were so enamoured with her. Lastly, the open-ended finale with no real resolution was infuriating. This book feels very much like the fantasy of a middle aged woman who gets to have her cake and eat it too.

[The Lexington Bookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to be really honest even though I don't like having to be... Half-Blown Rose really wasn't my cup of tea. I was so excited for Cross-Smith's latest- the cover is beautiful, the plot description sounded dreamy, and I adore Cross-Smith's writing style. However, I just felt like this wasn't her best- it was a little predictable, a little drawn out, and honestly a little scattered. I didn't love the flashbacks and the interwoven excerpts. I didn't love Vincent constantly second guessing herself. I disliked Cillian entirely. Unfortunately, this was a real dud for me.

[Erik Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know that lately it's become very popular to tell stories from the villain's perspective but this one just didn't work for me.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just TRULY cannot get enough of Leesa Cross-Smith. As soon as Netgalley approved me for her newest novel, I dropped everything and devoured it. Cross-Smith's writing is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, chatting with an old friend, and listening to your favorite nostalgic playlist. Her prose is witty and cozy, and her characters are full of life and lovable. I want to live inside her worlds, and HALF-BLOWN ROSE may be my favorite one yet.

Our heroine is a woman named Vincent, currently living in Paris in her parent's apartment after separating from her husband unexpectedly at 44. There, she has a rose-colored life of teaching at an art museum, making fabulous friends, eating incredible food, and falling into bed with a 24 year old who looks like Timothée Chalamet. We learn about her extended family, her grown children, and the love story between her and her husband (and the surprising reason why it soured). As she is torn between her old life in Kentucky and her new, dazzling life in Paris, we go with her on a journey of self-discovery, love, and lots of fun surprises. Cannot recommend enough!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus)]

DNF

i recognise that this book is definitely not my cup of tea. additionally, it seems i have a low-tolerance for americans or british authors writing about france & french ppl. why why why do they have to be so clichéd about it?

[Ariana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished, read a few other reviews and the other negative ones seem to have the same issues I did with the book.

I just could not get on board with the main female character (Vincent) and what seemed an over reaction to her husband's secret. She was apparently upset about a lie in his past and then the book is nothing but her lying to her family and friends about her present. There is also almost never a situation where I'm going to like a character that cheats on a marriage.

Beyond that, the book felt a bit pretentious and like name dropping, but with places in Europe. It felt unnecessary to the story. I just couldn't find anything in common with any of the characters. Almost everyone was artsy, well-off (aka wealthy enough not to have to worry about real jobs), and high brow. I wouldn't be friends with these characters if it was real life, so it's not surprising I didn't like them in the novel. Lastly, I've been to Paris and it's lovely and I love reading about it, but it's still just a place in the world. There are many wonderful places but I can't imagine being so tied to one or so in love with a location like Vincent is in the book.

Writing was good. But this just wasn't the book for me.

[heather | booksbyheath · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!! Obsessed

[Samantha // fictionfigurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me say that Leesa, we need an epilogue! I have feelings about that ending.

Plot summary, Vincent is a 44 year old woman recently betrayed by her famous author husband, Cillian who had recently wrote an “auto fiction” about having a secret love child before marrying her.

Vincent is understandably hurt, the love of her life has held these secrets their entire relationship, and didn’t bother to be honest with her until the book was published. She makes a decision to remake her own life and travels to Paris, living in a home owned by her parents, and becoming an art teacher at a local campus. There, she is consumed by everything Parisian and is completely immersed in the new life she’s created, despite her estranged husband’s frequent requests for forgiveness… which she declines.

Then she meets Loup, a young “looks like Timothée Chalamet” student who is smitten with Vincent. And before long, a intoxicating love affair begins.

This book is structured from Vincent’s POV, with chapters from her husband’s book “Half-Blown Rose”, and what seems like screenplay narrations. I didn’t quite grasp the need for the narrations until the ending (I still want that epilogue though!) There are also email communications between Vincent and someone (I won’t spoil it)… and lastly there are several of Vincent’s current playlists sprinkled throughout the book.

I couldn’t really tell where my reading experience was headed, the book is quite unique in its structure, written like a diary at times, but quickly I sunk deeper into some very compelling plot points… will Vincent continue to live in Paris? Will she ever go back to America and forgive Cillian, who she still can’t help but love deeply? How will she ever have a life without Loup, who so kind and full of life and loves her like she’s never experienced?

While Vincent “discovers” herself, the use of French language, and the Paris setting is absolutely a book in itself. I personally love all things French, but the way the author writes about this experience is absolutely mesmerizing. I saw another review where someone describes Leesa Cross-Smith’s writing like a warm blanket. I couldn’t agree more! There was something very comforting about Vincent coming into herself and reflecting on her life and her future choices at hand. I absolutely love lyrical prose and you will definitely find that in this book. By the ending, I felt like I had watched an impassioned French film which actually sent me into a happy cry when it was over.

Ultimately, Half-Blown Rose was such an immersive literary experience, which are my very favorite kinds of books. If you love the things I mentioned above, you will definitely enjoy this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @grandcentralpublishing and #netgalley for my advanced e-arc in exchange for an honest review

[MaryBeth's Bookshelf]

I listened to the audio of Half-Blown Rose and was swept away by this beautiful and heartfelt story. Vincent (named after the artist Van Gogh) leaves her husband after he reveals a past secret in a devastating way. She escapes to her beloved Paris; there she teaches art at a local university and tries to make sense of the wreckage of her life. While wandering the street of Paris, she meets a man half her age and begins a passionate affair. Loup opens her up in ways she never expects. At the same time, the pull of her past life is constantly right outside her door.

I highly recommend listening to the audio of this one (if you aren't a member of LibroFM I can't recommend it enough!!!) - it's very atmospheric, sexy, flirtatious, sensual, sexual, heartbreaking, and romantic. It's a love letter to Paris, to finding out who you are and finding your voice. My heart broke for Vincent as she dealt with the consequences of someone else's choices and it soared when she found her voice. I nearly wept at the end, that's how sad I was that it was over. This is my first novel by Leesa Cross-Smith and it certainly will not be my last.

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensual. Sexual. Scenic.
Atmospheric. Romantic. Fulfilling.

I have the best-kind-of-complicated feelings about 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅-𝐁𝐋𝐎𝗪𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄. The whole reading experience was immersive. The prose was breathtaking, the characters unbelievably complex and the story unequivocally compelling. It asked me to live in the gray spaces of life. It asked me to question behaviors and decisions. It asked me to sit with my emotions.

That ending- oof. If you've read it- PLEASE drop into my DM's because . . . oof!

READ: Concurrently in print and audio (thank you @librofm for the ALC) I read more on audio because the cadence of the narration continued to give me the shivers.

BONUS: All of Vincent's well-curated playlists are available on Spotify and I can't stop listening.

4.5 stars

[Paola Iacobelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was there not to love about this book? The immersive setting in Paris, the tailored music playlists left at the end of chapters, references to classic romance movies, the complex relationships, the beautiful writing and prose, and the yearning for more once finished. This story so perfectly captures the complexity of life and relationships. I couldn’t recommend more. I did not expect the ending to go the way it did…….and left me wanting for a more conclusive ending

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fives. Fives across the board.

When I started reading this...I was unsure. But I very quickly fell in love with this quirky, beautiful book - full of love, light, and personal exploration.

This book takes up shortly after Vincent, a 44-year-old woman, flees to Paris after her novelist husband, Cillian, makes a big life-changing reveal in a book he's just published. Vincent is searching for herself now that her kids are grown and she's not sure if she can trust her husband. Meanwhile, she meets Loup, a 24-year-old Parisian, full of passion and energy, and despite her best efforts, she isn't able to avoid him. Throughout the book, Vincent must decide who she wants to be with and who she wants to become.

Half-Blown Rose is just SUCH a work of art. Cross-Smith weaves in playlists, excerpts from Cillian's novel, journal entries, text messages, and so many little excerpts of life. In some ways it felt almost like a scrapbook entwined with the novel, bringing in these beautiful pieces of Vincent's life. The book is rich with references to music, food, art, travel, and more. Because of this, I think it would have been hard to jump right into the audiobook, but when I did, it was a feast for the ears.

On a deeper level, the book explores liminal spaces, or the spaces in between. To me, this is where the book came across as absolutely brilliant. The book highlights those in-between places and moments - trains and planes, life transitions, and so much more. Especially as my kids grow and I'm getting closer to 40, I found it so inspirational to see the ways in which life can continue to deliver, surprising you with new adventures and joys.

This book is slow and sensual and so beautifully descriptive. It places with sound and language, with repetition and absences, with feeling and all of your senses. In places, it's absolutely steamy and then it pulls back again to reveal the small joys of foods and places and sounds surrounding us.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: literary fiction with f/m romance
Location: Paris (mostly) with some London, Amsterdam, and other destinations
Reminds me of: You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
Pub Date: out now

Read this if you like:
⭕️ books filled with travel, food, music, art, etc.
⭕️ reading about the "in betweens" of life
⭕️ multidimensional women
⭕️ slow burns with lots of description

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and #netgalley for an e-copy and physical copies of this book!

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Wilde, named after Vincent Van Gogh, is happily married to Cillian Wilde, a famous author originally from Dublin, Ireland. They share two kids together and have a happy marriage, that is until one day some of Cillian's secrets start coming out. Cillian normally shares his work in progress with Vincent, but with his latest book, he is curiously quiet about the details. In fact, Vincent doesn't read the book until it's published. His latest novel ends up reading like a loose biography and within it, she finds out that Cillian, when he was in Ireland, fathered a child. She can't believe that her husband would keep this information from her, not to mention that fact that he has been ignoring his biological child for years, so she flees to her parents' apartment in Paris. While in Paris, she hopes to focus on herself and what she wants. After years of taking care of her kids, who are now adults, and essentially, living a lie with Cillian, this time in Paris will be about her. While there, she brushes elbows with artists, teaches a class or two, explores the city, and hosts many dinners at her parents' sophisticated Parisian apartment. While teaching her class, she meets a much younger Loup. He throws her world upside down, because he is very into her despite the fact that she could be his mother. As time goes by, Loup becomes part of their group of friends, so he is impossible to ignore. In the background, there's always Cillian, her husband, who desperately wants to make amends. Vincent knows that she can't ignore Cillian for too long as they will be reunited at their son's wedding in the not-so-distant future. Which path will Vincent choose? Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith is a compelling love story to Paris as well as the importance of finding yourself amidst the chaos of life and the many paths that lay in front of us.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't lie - I kinda hated this one for a while and a part of me hated the whole thing. But credit where credit is due, I never considered putting it down and by the end I was invested in knowing what happened.

That being said, it was infuriating. I feel like i'm on a roll with choosing books with immensely unrealistic storylines recently and this one was no exception.

However, it kept me reading so there's that. Take that how you wish.

[Chelsea Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is this Leesa Cross-Smith's Parisian middle-aged love affair fantasy come to life? 'Cause...LOL NO!

I cannot comment without spoilers, so please, don't go any further if you don't want to know. If you're considering putting this on your DNF list, proceed.

I enjoy a good "slice of life" story, where nothing truly remarkable needs to happen but you can appreciate the little moments a main character experiences. There was little to appreciate about the first two-thirds of Half-Blown Rose. I found myself exhausted with the repetitiveness of Vincent's day-to-day: Louplouplouploup; obsess + fantasize; Anchois show; ignore Cillian; dinner parties + museums; date + converse; sex + handstands. Rinse, repeat. I was shocked to learn months had gone by, because my suffering as a reader made the passage of time feel exponentially slower. I came close to quitting this book a few times as a result.

Vincent Wilde is not an enjoyable character. Her response (an affair) to her husband's teenage secret (maybe fathering a child at 15) was highly disproportionate to his past actions. Cillian immediately becomes "out of sight, out of mind" once Vincent arrives in Paris, and even though she claims she is making an effort to forgive him and move on, it never actually feels that way. She insists she still loves him, but Cross-Smith put all of her effort into writing page upon page about Loup and just a handful of lines about Cillian. I couldn't tell if that reflected over-prioritization on the author's part, or was a way to show Vincent as reckless and uncaring of what becomes of her marriage.

Vincent is also self-righteous and hypocritical, judging others for what they do in their marriages while coming up with ways to justify her own cheating. She finds herself annoyed by Loup's insecurities despite having her own, subjecting us to cringey interactions as a result. It was very inappropriate for her to reach out to Cillian's son Tully and his mother Siobhán, pretending the intentions were good. She makes sure they know she left Cillian "for what he did to them," and apologizes on his behalf...She wants Tully and Siobhán to see her as a victim, too, one that is strong and kind enough to still have a relationship with them, and it's gross. This woman has absolutely no idea how selfish she is.

Cross-Smith is so lost in creating a near-impenetrable love bubble for Vincent and Loup that the attempts of drama outside of it were laughable. The story could have gone on in much the same way without Mina "looking out for her little cousin" or Agathe's crush and affair with Batiste. Plus, Cross-Smith lays the PMS storyline on so thick that I knew Vincent would be pregnant before the book's conclusion. I had hoped she wouldn't write something so obvious, and it's what dropped Half-Blown Rose from a debatable 3-star rating to a definitive two.

The characters were inauthentic, nearly every single one. Everyone in Vincent's world is beautiful or handsome, talented and charming, and carved out an enviable, creative path for themselves. The members of Vincent's family are cool artists and entrepreneurs living in various corners of the world. Their reactions to meeting Loup blew my mind—who welcomes their child's or sister's young lover with open arms? I was SHOCKED! when Vincent's mother literally said "I'm proud of how you handled this," commending Vincent's decision to have an affair and discover herself. Is cheating the new Eat. Pray. Love?

The biggest tragedy of Half-Blown Rose is that Cross-Smith's prose, which was utterly beautiful at times (pretentious at others), is wasted on an awful story. There were so many lines and passages I quite loved to read, and you can feel the raw, fresh love between Vincent and Loup in them, or perfectly visualize something uniquely Parisian. I didn't care for the numerous writing styles sprinkled throughout (journals; screenplays; the novel within a novel; playlists). They felt overused and occasionally clumsy. I'm almost certain Cross-Smith forgot about the passages from Cillian's book because they suddenly stopped appearing and became a loose end for me. Considering his book was what ultimately brought Vincent to Paris, I wanted a little more from it. The finale scene, written like a script, was open-ended, not in the introspective way, but a way that suggests Cross-Smith gave no thought to how the story should wrap. It is both lazy and ridiculous, further solidifying how much time I wasted reading.

Half-Blown Rose is not my cup of café au lait et pain au chocolat.

[Nora · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know the cliche pretentious literary book where a middle-aged man has a crisis and an affair with a woman young enough to be his daughter? That's this book but gender swapped, and I like it as little as I like the OG version. DNFing at 43%.

Lou is a nonsense character that I did not buy for 1 second. Vincent is a self-absorbed idiot who uses her husband's mistakes as an excuse for an affair and is unreasonably jealous of both her husband and her lover, neither of whom (as far as I got) were the ones actually cheating...

Honestly I felt bad for the husband. Did he fuck up? Yeah, definitely. But he doesn't deserve to be strung along for months while his wife is texting him and not breaking up with him and sleeping with someone that she frequently compares to her son. Ew.

I toughed it out through the entire first section, which at least had the benefit of backstory unfurling and the main character having dilemmas. The second part started out so annoying that I'm out.

[Hannah Nowak · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was very beautifully written, the pacing was too slow for me. I feel like a lot in the middle could have been cut out; Vincent spent much too much time trying to have the best of both worlds, which wasn’t fair to either Cillian or Loup. I understand Vincent felt betrayed, but I don’t think she needed to drag both men along an entire year until she figured out what she wanted and she can’t use the betrayal to justify her affair. I enjoyed reading about their travels and the descriptions were 🤌🏼 but almost feel like the middle could have been entirely Vincent’s journal entries and that would have been enough. I’m not a big fan of age-gap romances, so I had a hard time buying Loup/Vincent, though I did really like Loup and his quirkiness. Also… I hate open endings and need to know what happened and how everyone responded😅