What do you think?
Rate this book
When Jasmine Blooms
From USA Today bestselling author Tif Marcelo comes a timeless tale of motherhood inspired by Little Women about one woman’s grief, hope, and second chance with the daughter she lost. It’s been two years since Celine lost her daughter Libby. Desperate to escape her grief, Celine throws herself into her work, determined to be the strong, capable woman the world believes her to be. But there’s no fooling her family. A shocking intervention brings an impossible confront her grief or risk losing the family she still has. Reeling, Celine wonders what her life would have been like if she’d chosen her first love instead of her husband and avoided this pain altogether. Celine wakes the following day and is shocked to realize that what-if has become reality. She’s with her high school sweetheart, her daughters aren’t quite her daughters, and her home is being rented by the daughter she thought she’d lost forever. As she reconnects with Libby in this parallel world, Celine is forced to face the problems in her real her unwillingness to move forward, the tension that’s always rocked her family, and the hard truth that not everything can be fixed by a mother’s love.
333 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2023
About the author
Tif Marcelo
37 books764 followersTif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, which was a Target Diverse Book Club pick, The Holiday Switch, and the Heart Resort and Journey to the Heart series. She and her books have been featured in The Today Show, Shondaland, Real Simple Magazine, The Asian Journal and more! Her website, which includes a link to her newsletter, is www.TifMarcelo.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 18, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
Twitter - Amazon - Storygraph - The Book Review Crew
Why did humans do this to one another?
Why was it our nature to push away rather than pull people close in times of struggle?
This book broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together again. I liked the premise of what if and the road not taken. Once I was in Celie's parallel universe I felt the pain of the characters. The book was inspired by Little Women the only two connections I noticed were a mother who loses a daughter who is also a military wife. Tif Marcelo made sure that Celine was a character in her right and not a copy of Marmee.
I loved how Celine grew as a person and a character. She learned from her situation and her mistakes. She really tries to change by healing herself and her family. Even though the book deals with grief and other mental health issues it was a joy to read and be on Celiens's journey. Even though I would have loved to see more about the happenings of Celine and her family when she returns to her true world (or even more of the past before the loss of her daughter) I enjoyed this book a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Why did humans do this to one another?
Why was it our nature to push away rather than pull people close in times of struggle?
This book broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together again. I liked the premise of what if and the road not taken. Once I was in Celie's parallel universe I felt the pain of the characters. The book was inspired by Little Women the only two connections I noticed were a mother who loses a daughter who is also a military wife. Tif Marcelo made sure that Celine was a character in her right and not a copy of Marmee.
I loved how Celine grew as a person and a character. She learned from her situation and her mistakes. She really tries to change by healing herself and her family. Even though the book deals with grief and other mental health issues it was a joy to read and be on Celiens's journey. Even though I would have loved to see more about the happenings of Celine and her family when she returns to her true world (or even more of the past before the loss of her daughter) I enjoyed this book a lot.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
March 27, 2023
The story is about a mother grieving over the death of one of her daughters. I know I wouldn’t be able to deal if one of my children passed away. I Know be heartbroken. I felt really awful for the mother.
April 29, 2023
3.5 stars
When Jasmine Blooms is my first Tif Marcelo book and I enjoyed it. I was excited to see that this was inspired by ‘Little Women’ but I didn’t read any further into the blurb than that.
This was one of those books that was kind of an alternate/dream reality book. What my life would have been like if I would have taken this path. After Celine loses one of her daughters, she wonders if this life is worth the pain she’s going through, even two years later.
In her alternate reality, Celine isn’t married to her husband and doesn’t have children. All of her children are alive though, so it’s a bit of a trade off. I feel like the ending of this one was a bit rushed for me, but overall it was an interesting read.
When Jasmine Blooms is my first Tif Marcelo book and I enjoyed it. I was excited to see that this was inspired by ‘Little Women’ but I didn’t read any further into the blurb than that.
This was one of those books that was kind of an alternate/dream reality book. What my life would have been like if I would have taken this path. After Celine loses one of her daughters, she wonders if this life is worth the pain she’s going through, even two years later.
In her alternate reality, Celine isn’t married to her husband and doesn’t have children. All of her children are alive though, so it’s a bit of a trade off. I feel like the ending of this one was a bit rushed for me, but overall it was an interesting read.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Ferdelle Capistrano
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 10h 52m
April 24, 2023
TITLE: WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS
AUTHOR: TIF MARCELO
PUB DATE: 04.11.2023 Now Available
When Jasmine Blooms is a poignant story about a mother, the loss of a child, and all the grief that comes along with it. Using Maarme as an inspiration, we find ourselves immersed into Celine’s life, spiraling over the loss of her daughter Libby. Celine contemplates the what-ifs scenarios and wakes up in a parallel world where her life completely changes, but to what cost.
When Jasmine Blooms is a phenomenal read about a topic we are bound to face either for ourselves or someone we know. It’s a beautiful exploration on the stages of grief, what it looks like when you get stuck, and what it looks like when we can move forward into acceptance with the love of our family.
Tif Marcelo’s unique voice and signature style of placing the family front and center is why I love reading her books. The mention of Sampaguita described in the book brought real memories for me in my life in Manila - I can smell it now, thank you Tif!
This is the perfect spring time read.
AUTHOR: TIF MARCELO
PUB DATE: 04.11.2023 Now Available
When Jasmine Blooms is a poignant story about a mother, the loss of a child, and all the grief that comes along with it. Using Maarme as an inspiration, we find ourselves immersed into Celine’s life, spiraling over the loss of her daughter Libby. Celine contemplates the what-ifs scenarios and wakes up in a parallel world where her life completely changes, but to what cost.
When Jasmine Blooms is a phenomenal read about a topic we are bound to face either for ourselves or someone we know. It’s a beautiful exploration on the stages of grief, what it looks like when you get stuck, and what it looks like when we can move forward into acceptance with the love of our family.
Tif Marcelo’s unique voice and signature style of placing the family front and center is why I love reading her books. The mention of Sampaguita described in the book brought real memories for me in my life in Manila - I can smell it now, thank you Tif!
This is the perfect spring time read.
February 14, 2023
A love letter to LITTLE WOMEN and a healing journey through grief, wrapped into one: Tif Marcelo's WHEN JASMINE BLOOMS reads like a comforting, warm hug.
April 10, 2023
Celine is navigating the loss of her daughter Libby and while she thinks she's coping, her loved ones are seeing a downwards spiral and decide to call an intervention.
Celine is blindsided and upset about the intervention and in her anger has a fall and wakes up to a whole new life. One where Libby is alive, but she also isn't her daughter...
Celine gets perspective and second chances in this alternate world but wants nothing but to return to her real-life, but that means leaving Elizabeth (Libby) behind!
When Jasmine Blooms was a journey about loss and life after loss.
There was so much reflection on Celine's character between the two worlds.
It was a story about growth and acceptance and was truly a beautiful book.
Thank-you to NetGalley for my ARC, and also to Tif Marcelo for the opportunity to read this great book!
Celine is blindsided and upset about the intervention and in her anger has a fall and wakes up to a whole new life. One where Libby is alive, but she also isn't her daughter...
Celine gets perspective and second chances in this alternate world but wants nothing but to return to her real-life, but that means leaving Elizabeth (Libby) behind!
When Jasmine Blooms was a journey about loss and life after loss.
There was so much reflection on Celine's character between the two worlds.
It was a story about growth and acceptance and was truly a beautiful book.
Thank-you to NetGalley for my ARC, and also to Tif Marcelo for the opportunity to read this great book!
November 20, 2023
My only nitpicky comment is about the cover--technically the flowers displayed are Frangipani (Plumerias), not jasmine.
April 30, 2023
When Jasmine Blooms
author: Tif Marcelo @tifmarcelo
Lake Union Publishing
Review: Celine has experienced both the exuberant joys of motherhood and also deep devastation from the death of one of her four daughters. Inspired by the book Little Women, Marcelo tackles the difficult subject of grief in her story of Celine's personal path toward healing after losing her daughter, Libby, two years prior.
Marcelo's story is profound while remaining sensitive to the delicate theme of the heartbreak of bereavement. Celine is a well-developed character, and Marcelo extensively addresses her roles as author of the book Just One Step, as well her relationships with her husband Quinn and daughters Mae, MJ, and Amelia. In a unique plot twist with magical realism, Celine must finally confront her grief.
In my first book by Marcelo, I was moved by her ability to write so honestly and beautifully about such a hard theme. She writes with a strong sense of place, and I enjoyed the Maryland setting. The title and story motivated me to read more about jasmine, the national flower of the Philippines. This book was thought-provoking and meaningful to me personally as I am currently experiencing the grief of two recent losses.
Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader's copy. My review is my own.
author: Tif Marcelo @tifmarcelo
Lake Union Publishing
Review: Celine has experienced both the exuberant joys of motherhood and also deep devastation from the death of one of her four daughters. Inspired by the book Little Women, Marcelo tackles the difficult subject of grief in her story of Celine's personal path toward healing after losing her daughter, Libby, two years prior.
Marcelo's story is profound while remaining sensitive to the delicate theme of the heartbreak of bereavement. Celine is a well-developed character, and Marcelo extensively addresses her roles as author of the book Just One Step, as well her relationships with her husband Quinn and daughters Mae, MJ, and Amelia. In a unique plot twist with magical realism, Celine must finally confront her grief.
In my first book by Marcelo, I was moved by her ability to write so honestly and beautifully about such a hard theme. She writes with a strong sense of place, and I enjoyed the Maryland setting. The title and story motivated me to read more about jasmine, the national flower of the Philippines. This book was thought-provoking and meaningful to me personally as I am currently experiencing the grief of two recent losses.
Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader's copy. My review is my own.
April 12, 2023
A moving sliding doors, women's fiction story about an influencer wife/mother reeling from the death of one of her daughters who wakes up one day living the life she would have had if she had stayed with her high school sweetheart.
I was drawn to this gorgeous cover and have always been a fan of Tif Marcelo. Her newest novel did not disappoint and I especially enjoyed that it was a Little Women reimagining. Full of heart, second chances and healing, this was great on audio and definitely one for people who enjoy what if scenarios.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review!
I was drawn to this gorgeous cover and have always been a fan of Tif Marcelo. Her newest novel did not disappoint and I especially enjoyed that it was a Little Women reimagining. Full of heart, second chances and healing, this was great on audio and definitely one for people who enjoy what if scenarios.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review!
December 26, 2022
Celine Lakad is the mother of Tessa Mae, Josephine, Elizabeth Abigail aka Libby, and Amelia Lou. Her life goes according to plan, accompanied by her husband who loves her very much, Quinn.
Unfortunately, everything changed when Libby died. She felt that she had failed as a mother, she thought that Libby's death was her fault.
She vented all her sadness with work, work, and work. The family, which was worried about Celine, persuaded her to undergo counseling therapy. Unfortunately she refused.
She was angry and disappointed, until it crossed her mind, "what if he doesn't marry Quinn? Libby won't die".
This "what-if" scenario brings her to a parallel world. She is still Celine, but without her husband and children. Her husband Quinn, becomes her ex-fiancé. Mae, Josephine, and Amelia become his co-workers, and Libby becomes the tenant of her house in Sampaguita.
Then, is the parallel world meet to her expectations?
To be honest, Celine's attitude at the beginning of the story annoyed me. But I also can't blame her for this attitude, because I understand a little what it feels like to lose someone I care about.
Two years after Libby died, Celine was still trapped in several stages of grief. First, denials. Celine doesn't want her family to talk about Libby, and refuses to come to sampaguita, where Libby lives.
Second, anger. Yes, Celine was angry with herself for Libby's death and considered herself a failure as a mother.
Then, she gave vent to all her feelings of disappointment and sadness by continuing to work tirelessly. In this condition, Celine entered the bargaining and depression stage, but was trapped in it.
In her paralel world, she wants to step into stage acceptance.
I really like Marcelo Tif's writing technique in describing Celine's situation. Every string of words written by Marcelo, gives me the same sensation when I watch a movie in the cinema. I love the details.
However, somewhat disappointed, the climax of the story is lacking. Though, my brain has created this and that scenarios, which are more emotional.
But, i got the message that always put your family first, because you need a home with people who love you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tif Marcelo for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#Netgalley #WhenJasmineBlooms
Unfortunately, everything changed when Libby died. She felt that she had failed as a mother, she thought that Libby's death was her fault.
She vented all her sadness with work, work, and work. The family, which was worried about Celine, persuaded her to undergo counseling therapy. Unfortunately she refused.
She was angry and disappointed, until it crossed her mind, "what if he doesn't marry Quinn? Libby won't die".
This "what-if" scenario brings her to a parallel world. She is still Celine, but without her husband and children. Her husband Quinn, becomes her ex-fiancé. Mae, Josephine, and Amelia become his co-workers, and Libby becomes the tenant of her house in Sampaguita.
Then, is the parallel world meet to her expectations?
To be honest, Celine's attitude at the beginning of the story annoyed me. But I also can't blame her for this attitude, because I understand a little what it feels like to lose someone I care about.
Two years after Libby died, Celine was still trapped in several stages of grief. First, denials. Celine doesn't want her family to talk about Libby, and refuses to come to sampaguita, where Libby lives.
Second, anger. Yes, Celine was angry with herself for Libby's death and considered herself a failure as a mother.
Then, she gave vent to all her feelings of disappointment and sadness by continuing to work tirelessly. In this condition, Celine entered the bargaining and depression stage, but was trapped in it.
In her paralel world, she wants to step into stage acceptance.
I really like Marcelo Tif's writing technique in describing Celine's situation. Every string of words written by Marcelo, gives me the same sensation when I watch a movie in the cinema. I love the details.
However, somewhat disappointed, the climax of the story is lacking. Though, my brain has created this and that scenarios, which are more emotional.
But, i got the message that always put your family first, because you need a home with people who love you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tif Marcelo for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#Netgalley #WhenJasmineBlooms
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2023
Celine has lost her daughter, Libby, to a terrible infection. She blames herself for not checking on her and being there for her. Her grief takes over and she is avoiding all aspects relating to Libby. Her family stages and intervention. Her children want their mother and her husband wants his wife back! Celine must make a choice…face her grief or lose her family.
Well, this is a bit out of the ordinary for this author. I have been a big fan of Tif since I read North To You years ago. This is not at all what I expected. I expected a sweet romance. Well! This has a little romance but this is about grief, family and rebuilding your life together after an unimaginable death.
I love when an author expands their abilities and their talents. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. This one worked. Now, it is a bit out there with a “parallel universe”. But if your smart you will know exactly what “universe” it is! And I will be honest, I really was a bit hesitant at first but I enjoyed Celine and all her emotions. Plus, I trusted Tif to take me on a good ride! And she sure did!
Need a unique, emotional story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Well, this is a bit out of the ordinary for this author. I have been a big fan of Tif since I read North To You years ago. This is not at all what I expected. I expected a sweet romance. Well! This has a little romance but this is about grief, family and rebuilding your life together after an unimaginable death.
I love when an author expands their abilities and their talents. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. This one worked. Now, it is a bit out there with a “parallel universe”. But if your smart you will know exactly what “universe” it is! And I will be honest, I really was a bit hesitant at first but I enjoyed Celine and all her emotions. Plus, I trusted Tif to take me on a good ride! And she sure did!
Need a unique, emotional story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
April 24, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Celine is a very successful life coach and author. 2 years ago she tragically lost her daughter Libby and has been grieving ever since. Her entire family surprises her on her home book tour date. They all are worried about the way Celine is dealing or really not dealing with Libby's death. Celine feels ambushed and refuses to see reason. As she is heading to stage she hits her head, and she wakes up in an alternate reality where her life turned out different but everyone she loves is still in her life just not quite the way she hopes.
The family relationships were very strong in this novel and I genuinely enjoyed reading this but it didn't bring anything new to the concept. I have read versions of this book many times so I was not impressed by anything.
Celine is a very successful life coach and author. 2 years ago she tragically lost her daughter Libby and has been grieving ever since. Her entire family surprises her on her home book tour date. They all are worried about the way Celine is dealing or really not dealing with Libby's death. Celine feels ambushed and refuses to see reason. As she is heading to stage she hits her head, and she wakes up in an alternate reality where her life turned out different but everyone she loves is still in her life just not quite the way she hopes.
The family relationships were very strong in this novel and I genuinely enjoyed reading this but it didn't bring anything new to the concept. I have read versions of this book many times so I was not impressed by anything.
November 26, 2025
No parallel lives/sliding doors for me.
August 20, 2023
The premise of this novel is certainly unique. Being a Little Women reimagining, When Jasmine Blooms centers Marmee through the character of Celine Lakad-Frasier, a mother on a journey through suffering and denial after the death of her third daughter Libby. How, the author wonders, would Marmee have coped after the loss of her child? While this novel isn't a traditional retelling—the setting veers far from Little Women's own, and even the characters are their own people, despite the few aspects of their personalities Marcelo chose to retain from the original—it explores motherhood and grief in a way that constantly reminds the reader to look at the world, both within and outside the book, from different perspectives.
Though it may work well as the abovementioned exploration of certain themes, the novel falls flat in several other areas. None of the characters are very compelling, with me rooting for Celine to move past her grief only to see the stagnancy of the narrative end at last. The rut that the plot seemed to have fallen into may have accurately reflected the rut Celine had been in for years because of Libby's loss, but it made for a difficult read to get through. There was rather more telling than showing, with repetitive writing attempting to hammer in details that readers could have understood naturally, without the reinforcement. I like the idea behind this novel a lot, but its execution did not move me as much as I had hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this novel. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Though it may work well as the abovementioned exploration of certain themes, the novel falls flat in several other areas. None of the characters are very compelling, with me rooting for Celine to move past her grief only to see the stagnancy of the narrative end at last. The rut that the plot seemed to have fallen into may have accurately reflected the rut Celine had been in for years because of Libby's loss, but it made for a difficult read to get through. There was rather more telling than showing, with repetitive writing attempting to hammer in details that readers could have understood naturally, without the reinforcement. I like the idea behind this novel a lot, but its execution did not move me as much as I had hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this novel. All opinions expressed above are my own.
May 30, 2023
3.5
Not my typical genre, but it held my interest.
I think my mom would like it.
Not my typical genre, but it held my interest.
I think my mom would like it.
April 4, 2023
Grief is a crooked road that can sometimes lead you into the abyss. Celine is struggling. As a mother myself, I don't even want to imagine what she is going through. The people around Celine are worried and rightfully so. When Jasmine Blooms is a mentally captivating and heartwrenching read. A tribute to perseverance and the mental exercise needed to carry on in the wake of the unthinkable.
~Tanja
*Thank you to Lake Union for the ARC
Follow me on
✿KTBookReviews✿Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿TikTok
~Tanja
*Thank you to Lake Union for the ARC
Follow me on
✿KTBookReviews✿Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿TikTok
September 18, 2023
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. This story is inspired by Little Women, told in the mother, Celine's POV. I have never read LW, so I can't composure the similarities. This was a beautiful story of the a parallel universe of the alternate life taken. It's a story about dealing with grief and family ties. The story is engaging and I love all the Filipino food and references woven into the story.
June 1, 2023
Enjoyed the start. Really struggled to get into the plot during the middle
July 6, 2024
I met the author at a book fair and got this book. It's sad but hopeful, main character getting a fantasy do over and realizing what you have in the real world is better even with the heartbreak.
August 12, 2023
3.5 stars
I don’t usually do this but because it’s relevant to my review, here’s a quick synopsis: Celine Lakad-Frasier is a life coach and influencer. She loves the novel “Little Women” and is especially inspired by Marmee, with whom she shares many similarities, including being a military spouse with four daughters. Two years after the death of her third daughter, she is back to touring, having written her fifth self-help book. But her family wants her to slow down, properly grieve, and stop pushing them away. Faced with an ultimatum, she wonders what her life would be like if she had made a singular choice differently. And she’s about to find out.
First, I want to dispel the notion that this book is reminiscent of the movie “Sliding Doors” — though we do see two different paths for Celine’s life, the more prominent comparison (to me, anyway) is to The Wizard of Oz. *Mini Spoiler* When Celine awakens in her “other” life, her friends and family are still a part of her life, just in different roles or with a different relationship. For example, a real-life daughter is now an employee, a friendly relationship with a real-life neighbor now a contentious one. *Mini Spoiler over*
Second, though Marcelo wrote this out of her own admiration for Marmee which Celine shares, I found this to take after Little Women in an over-the-top way, like Marcelo was trying too hard to make them similar. Celine’s daughters are even named similarly — Mae, MJ (the J is for Josephine), Libby (actually Elizabeth and Elizabeth in the other life), and Amelia. Amelia’s husband is named Theo. The neighbor is Mr. Loren, and he gifts Libby the piano. Amy travels with a great aunt. And more! I just felt beaten over the head with the Little Women references.
But okay, the actual story? I liked it. I think we’ve all wondered “what if” and imagined a slightly different life that hinges on one choice. What would be the same? What would be different? And, most importantly, would I be willing to forego this one thing to have that one thing? I liked the characters in both lives. I’ve seen Celine reviewed as an unlikeable character but I didn’t find her to be so. I think many mothers would relate to Celine, their intentions often coming off as overbearing or as having little faith in the child’s independence, words translated as harsh and mannerisms interpreted as cold. For all Celine’s success as an author and life coach, she was terrible at communicating with her family. That didn’t make her unlikeable to me. I was more angry with her family for that intervention and ultimatum. I applaud their suggestion of therapy but I don’t think it’s fair to dictate how a person’s grief should manifest or be expressed.
Finally, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. (There’s no way for me to expound on that without spoilers.) And I know what lesson Celine was meant to learn, but it wasn’t made explicit. I was just a little underwhelmed. Overall I enjoyed this book once I got into it, and I think it would be good for book clubs as there’s a lot of potential for discussion.
I don’t usually do this but because it’s relevant to my review, here’s a quick synopsis: Celine Lakad-Frasier is a life coach and influencer. She loves the novel “Little Women” and is especially inspired by Marmee, with whom she shares many similarities, including being a military spouse with four daughters. Two years after the death of her third daughter, she is back to touring, having written her fifth self-help book. But her family wants her to slow down, properly grieve, and stop pushing them away. Faced with an ultimatum, she wonders what her life would be like if she had made a singular choice differently. And she’s about to find out.
First, I want to dispel the notion that this book is reminiscent of the movie “Sliding Doors” — though we do see two different paths for Celine’s life, the more prominent comparison (to me, anyway) is to The Wizard of Oz. *Mini Spoiler* When Celine awakens in her “other” life, her friends and family are still a part of her life, just in different roles or with a different relationship. For example, a real-life daughter is now an employee, a friendly relationship with a real-life neighbor now a contentious one. *Mini Spoiler over*
Second, though Marcelo wrote this out of her own admiration for Marmee which Celine shares, I found this to take after Little Women in an over-the-top way, like Marcelo was trying too hard to make them similar. Celine’s daughters are even named similarly — Mae, MJ (the J is for Josephine), Libby (actually Elizabeth and Elizabeth in the other life), and Amelia. Amelia’s husband is named Theo. The neighbor is Mr. Loren, and he gifts Libby the piano. Amy travels with a great aunt. And more! I just felt beaten over the head with the Little Women references.
But okay, the actual story? I liked it. I think we’ve all wondered “what if” and imagined a slightly different life that hinges on one choice. What would be the same? What would be different? And, most importantly, would I be willing to forego this one thing to have that one thing? I liked the characters in both lives. I’ve seen Celine reviewed as an unlikeable character but I didn’t find her to be so. I think many mothers would relate to Celine, their intentions often coming off as overbearing or as having little faith in the child’s independence, words translated as harsh and mannerisms interpreted as cold. For all Celine’s success as an author and life coach, she was terrible at communicating with her family. That didn’t make her unlikeable to me. I was more angry with her family for that intervention and ultimatum. I applaud their suggestion of therapy but I don’t think it’s fair to dictate how a person’s grief should manifest or be expressed.
Finally, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. (There’s no way for me to expound on that without spoilers.) And I know what lesson Celine was meant to learn, but it wasn’t made explicit. I was just a little underwhelmed. Overall I enjoyed this book once I got into it, and I think it would be good for book clubs as there’s a lot of potential for discussion.
April 3, 2025
What an interesting concept... "what if". What if you had chosen differently 30 years ago? I loved seeing the parallel universe of what her life would have been like if she had taken a different path. Such an interesting concept.
September 3, 2023
For a women's fiction read it lacked some aspects of women in a story full of women, so I'm giving a generous 3 ⭐s.
The story follows a mom & a bestselling author, Celine, at the point of grief at the loss of one of her daughters, Libby. Celine is of course successful woman with a shining social appearance who has worked through her life as an author in between helping her loving husband and supporting his job becoming a housewife while raising her lovely daughters. She is without a doubt a strong & capable woman who is having a hard time accepting the death of Libby so, she barriers herself in work to show others, even her family that everything is perfect.
Celine has this little obsession with the book 'The Little Women' inspired her journey to become an author and in this process of grief, we see some magical elements which is a kinda of psychological thing where she sees an alternative reality of her life she builds with her school sweetheart & Libby is actually a tenant lives in her current house which makes her mind so messed up. For the most part, this book talks about motherhood, the bond between a mother and her daughters & her aspiration as an author.
This book took me by surprise with its promise but as soon as I got into the story it failed to deliver what I was expecting. The writing was just okay for me as I was hoping to get more heart-hitting, emotional time with the grief. But unfortunately, the book didn't go there for me. And the imagining part was a little insane for my taste. I think the story could have added more depth to the family as a whole aspect & could have more on the relationship between husband & wife better. The Little Women's influence was good but I didn't see much of it in the story other than mentioning that as the favourite book several times. And some things were quite a bit draggy. But I loved the representation of migraines, depression and anxiety quite a bit. I think unfortunately this one was not for me.
The story follows a mom & a bestselling author, Celine, at the point of grief at the loss of one of her daughters, Libby. Celine is of course successful woman with a shining social appearance who has worked through her life as an author in between helping her loving husband and supporting his job becoming a housewife while raising her lovely daughters. She is without a doubt a strong & capable woman who is having a hard time accepting the death of Libby so, she barriers herself in work to show others, even her family that everything is perfect.
Celine has this little obsession with the book 'The Little Women' inspired her journey to become an author and in this process of grief, we see some magical elements which is a kinda of psychological thing where she sees an alternative reality of her life she builds with her school sweetheart & Libby is actually a tenant lives in her current house which makes her mind so messed up. For the most part, this book talks about motherhood, the bond between a mother and her daughters & her aspiration as an author.
This book took me by surprise with its promise but as soon as I got into the story it failed to deliver what I was expecting. The writing was just okay for me as I was hoping to get more heart-hitting, emotional time with the grief. But unfortunately, the book didn't go there for me. And the imagining part was a little insane for my taste. I think the story could have added more depth to the family as a whole aspect & could have more on the relationship between husband & wife better. The Little Women's influence was good but I didn't see much of it in the story other than mentioning that as the favourite book several times. And some things were quite a bit draggy. But I loved the representation of migraines, depression and anxiety quite a bit. I think unfortunately this one was not for me.
April 30, 2023
I’m a sucker for the “road not taken” trope. You know, the “What if I had chosen this or done that? What would that different life look like?” So when I saw that this novel includes such a storyline, I knew I would like it!
Celine is the mother of four girls. She has been happily married for decades. She has a successful business writing self-help books and then touring to promote them.
But all the business travel is stressful and tiring for Celine. Her husband starts showing signs of discontentment. And her daughters are all acting strangely.
Above all, the death of one of her daughters has completely broken her. She threw herself into work instead of taking the time to grieve. That was not a good plan, and now she is coping less and less well.
What to do? Who will she turn to for help?
Why, Marmee from “Little Women”, of course!
Celine identifies with Marmee because they both were military wives who were effectively single parents when their husbands were serving, both devoted themselves to helping others, both had four daughters. And both had lost a child.
So Celine looks to Marmee for guidance. WWMD (What Would Marmee Do)?
In the Author’s Note, Tif Marcelo points out that this book is not a retelling of “Little Women”, although it is inspired by that classic novel. There are clear differences between the two fictional families. It is fun, though, to notice commonalities that pop up throughout the book.
This is a bittersweet story about a woman suffering terribly from grief. Despite the moments of sadness, it is an enjoyable read. There is also laughter and love and understanding. And the “what if” world created by the author is cleverly plotted.
⭐️⭐️⭐️, available now. My thanks to the author, Tif Marcelo, to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
Celine is the mother of four girls. She has been happily married for decades. She has a successful business writing self-help books and then touring to promote them.
But all the business travel is stressful and tiring for Celine. Her husband starts showing signs of discontentment. And her daughters are all acting strangely.
Above all, the death of one of her daughters has completely broken her. She threw herself into work instead of taking the time to grieve. That was not a good plan, and now she is coping less and less well.
What to do? Who will she turn to for help?
Why, Marmee from “Little Women”, of course!
Celine identifies with Marmee because they both were military wives who were effectively single parents when their husbands were serving, both devoted themselves to helping others, both had four daughters. And both had lost a child.
So Celine looks to Marmee for guidance. WWMD (What Would Marmee Do)?
In the Author’s Note, Tif Marcelo points out that this book is not a retelling of “Little Women”, although it is inspired by that classic novel. There are clear differences between the two fictional families. It is fun, though, to notice commonalities that pop up throughout the book.
This is a bittersweet story about a woman suffering terribly from grief. Despite the moments of sadness, it is an enjoyable read. There is also laughter and love and understanding. And the “what if” world created by the author is cleverly plotted.
⭐️⭐️⭐️, available now. My thanks to the author, Tif Marcelo, to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
February 25, 2023
I really, REALLY wanted to love this. Anything that is inspired by Little Women, or described as 'a love letter to Little Women', is generally on my radar. While 'When Jasmine Blooms' does clearly borrow heavily from my beloved March women, I couldn't connect here.
I think there were three main issues for me.
1. The "wife' trope. I hate it. I hate the focus of 'wife' being part of the identity. When looking at Marmie in comparison to Celine, its like looking at an iron beam and a wet spaghetti noodle. Celine is, quite frankly, annoying in the 'first life' and overall, kind of pathetic. Marmie--with a husband off to war, four growing daughters, and little to no money, was able to give back to others and continue to provide an example of independence and strength to her daughters.
2. Grief. The focus on the grief. OVER AND OVER. There was no...movement. A parallel world, where Libby was still alive, could almost be seen as if Celine was disassociating from reality away from her grief.
3. The actual storyline. What is the point? There was no real....crux or climax to this story. It just kind of....ended.
I think that it's an interesting concept, to modernize a classic and take if from an angle that is rarely told, but when people change who the actual heart of that person is, who the soul of that story is.....it ruins everything.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I think there were three main issues for me.
1. The "wife' trope. I hate it. I hate the focus of 'wife' being part of the identity. When looking at Marmie in comparison to Celine, its like looking at an iron beam and a wet spaghetti noodle. Celine is, quite frankly, annoying in the 'first life' and overall, kind of pathetic. Marmie--with a husband off to war, four growing daughters, and little to no money, was able to give back to others and continue to provide an example of independence and strength to her daughters.
2. Grief. The focus on the grief. OVER AND OVER. There was no...movement. A parallel world, where Libby was still alive, could almost be seen as if Celine was disassociating from reality away from her grief.
3. The actual storyline. What is the point? There was no real....crux or climax to this story. It just kind of....ended.
I think that it's an interesting concept, to modernize a classic and take if from an angle that is rarely told, but when people change who the actual heart of that person is, who the soul of that story is.....it ruins everything.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 7, 2023
Loosely inspired by Little Women, When Jasmine Blooms follows Celine, a woman who struggles to find the balance between motherhood and work. After an ill-timed intervention and an ultimatum from her family to quit her book tour and finally take time to grieve her late daughter, Celine collapses and wakes up in an alternate reality where she's still with her ex and has no children.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this book much. The writing style is more telling than showing, which reads very clunky and takes forever to get through. Celine's inner dialogue goes in circles every chapter and it becomes irritating to read the same thing over and over.
I also don't think the stakes were high enough for me as a reader to be invested in the story. There's no real danger, and Celine seems to get used to her alternate life quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this book much. The writing style is more telling than showing, which reads very clunky and takes forever to get through. Celine's inner dialogue goes in circles every chapter and it becomes irritating to read the same thing over and over.
I also don't think the stakes were high enough for me as a reader to be invested in the story. There's no real danger, and Celine seems to get used to her alternate life quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
Celine is a mother of four, a military wife, and a motivational speaker and author. Two years after the death of her daughter Libby, she is struggling to uphold a facade that everything is okay. After a disastrous intervention by her family, she's transported to a different reality, but can she find her way back to what's real when she isn't sure what to believe anymore?
I have mixed feelings about this book. I found Celine to be incredibly frustrating at times. One example is her relationship with Anne, a character in this book. She seems to dislike Anne for doing a lot of the same things she does. A lot of Celine's problems stem, I think, from her issues with her own mother. I felt this book is mostly about what being a mother means and learning when to let go a little. It's a lesson Celine can't seem to learn, or is unwilling to learn, and it's the one thing that causes the most damage in her life. Yet, at the same time, she thwarts any advice others give because she thinks she knows better.
I also think the ties to Litte Women are too tenuous. If you are going to mention that this is tied in some way to that book, then it has to feel like that tie makes sense. It doesn't here. Either strengthen that comparison or leave it out completely. Throwing it in here and there isn't enough. How does she see herself in Marmee, besides the obvious: that they are both mothers of four girls, military wives, and suffer through an unimaginable loss? What else ties them together? If the author can't answer that, then don't mention it at all, because it feels like a cheap grab. i waited for the whole book to see if Little Women, something mentioned specifically in the synopsis, would make a bigger meaning, but it never did. I just can't see the inspiration.
One other thing that annoyed me about this book is that Celine stays in the other world/alternate version of her world until 90% of the book is done. Without giving too much away, the ending felt rushed and thrown together in bits and pieces of time-lapse. It feels too easy and too simple for a complex issue like dealing with grief and learning to let go.. I just didn't buy it.
Overwall, this is more like a 2.5 out of 3 for me.
Celine is a mother of four, a military wife, and a motivational speaker and author. Two years after the death of her daughter Libby, she is struggling to uphold a facade that everything is okay. After a disastrous intervention by her family, she's transported to a different reality, but can she find her way back to what's real when she isn't sure what to believe anymore?
I have mixed feelings about this book. I found Celine to be incredibly frustrating at times. One example is her relationship with Anne, a character in this book. She seems to dislike Anne for doing a lot of the same things she does. A lot of Celine's problems stem, I think, from her issues with her own mother. I felt this book is mostly about what being a mother means and learning when to let go a little. It's a lesson Celine can't seem to learn, or is unwilling to learn, and it's the one thing that causes the most damage in her life. Yet, at the same time, she thwarts any advice others give because she thinks she knows better.
I also think the ties to Litte Women are too tenuous. If you are going to mention that this is tied in some way to that book, then it has to feel like that tie makes sense. It doesn't here. Either strengthen that comparison or leave it out completely. Throwing it in here and there isn't enough. How does she see herself in Marmee, besides the obvious: that they are both mothers of four girls, military wives, and suffer through an unimaginable loss? What else ties them together? If the author can't answer that, then don't mention it at all, because it feels like a cheap grab. i waited for the whole book to see if Little Women, something mentioned specifically in the synopsis, would make a bigger meaning, but it never did. I just can't see the inspiration.
One other thing that annoyed me about this book is that Celine stays in the other world/alternate version of her world until 90% of the book is done. Without giving too much away, the ending felt rushed and thrown together in bits and pieces of time-lapse. It feels too easy and too simple for a complex issue like dealing with grief and learning to let go.. I just didn't buy it.
Overwall, this is more like a 2.5 out of 3 for me.
February 9, 2024
I found myself engulfed in a whirlwind of heartbreak and despair. The story of Celine's devastating loss and her desperate struggle to escape the suffocating grip of grief tore at my soul with every passing moment.
From the haunting emptiness left in the wake of her daughter Libby's passing to the overwhelming pressure to maintain a facade of strength and resilience, Celine's pain was achingly palpable. Marcelo's evocative prose laid bare the raw, searing agony of a mother robbed of her child, leaving me shattered and bereft in its wake. As a mother, I can only imagine the pain and agony she must have felt.
As Celine struggled with the impossible ultimatum presented by her family—a choice between confronting her grief head-on or risking the loss of what little remained of her fractured family—I felt her anguish echo within the depths of my own heart. The weight of her decision, the fear of facing her deepest wounds, and the crushing loneliness of her shattered reality weighed heavily upon me, threatening to suffocate me with their unrelenting sorrow.
But it was the cruel twist of fate that thrust Celine into a parallel world—a world where her long-lost daughter was miraculously returned to her—that truly shattered me. The bittersweet reunion with Libby, tainted by the knowledge that it was all too fleeting, left me trembling with aching despair. The jagged edges of hope and despair tore at my heart, leaving me gasping for breath in their wake.
As Celine navigated the treacherous terrain of her dual existence, confronting the demons that haunted her real life and grappling with the painful truth that not even a mother's love could mend all wounds, I felt my heart splintering into a million irreparable pieces. Marcelo's poignant exploration of grief and loss left me shattered, yet strangely hopeful, in its wake.
In the end, "When Jasmine Blooms" is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable pain. Through Celine's harrowing journey of self-discovery and healing, Marcelo reminds us all that even amidst the darkness, there is still a glimmer of light waiting to be found.
From the haunting emptiness left in the wake of her daughter Libby's passing to the overwhelming pressure to maintain a facade of strength and resilience, Celine's pain was achingly palpable. Marcelo's evocative prose laid bare the raw, searing agony of a mother robbed of her child, leaving me shattered and bereft in its wake. As a mother, I can only imagine the pain and agony she must have felt.
As Celine struggled with the impossible ultimatum presented by her family—a choice between confronting her grief head-on or risking the loss of what little remained of her fractured family—I felt her anguish echo within the depths of my own heart. The weight of her decision, the fear of facing her deepest wounds, and the crushing loneliness of her shattered reality weighed heavily upon me, threatening to suffocate me with their unrelenting sorrow.
But it was the cruel twist of fate that thrust Celine into a parallel world—a world where her long-lost daughter was miraculously returned to her—that truly shattered me. The bittersweet reunion with Libby, tainted by the knowledge that it was all too fleeting, left me trembling with aching despair. The jagged edges of hope and despair tore at my heart, leaving me gasping for breath in their wake.
As Celine navigated the treacherous terrain of her dual existence, confronting the demons that haunted her real life and grappling with the painful truth that not even a mother's love could mend all wounds, I felt my heart splintering into a million irreparable pieces. Marcelo's poignant exploration of grief and loss left me shattered, yet strangely hopeful, in its wake.
In the end, "When Jasmine Blooms" is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable pain. Through Celine's harrowing journey of self-discovery and healing, Marcelo reminds us all that even amidst the darkness, there is still a glimmer of light waiting to be found.
April 24, 2023
The more I tried to deny my feelings, the more I lost my way.
An emotional read on motherhood, womanhood, family and death. The death of a child should never happen even an adult child. You are stuck with what if's and how do I go on. When Celine lost her daughter, everything changed. The dynamics of the family, work and ultimately her marriage. She loved her family but how do you love after a member is no longer there?
Her family gives her ultimatum to deal with the loss of her daughter Libby. Deal with the sale of the house that Libby lived in her last days. Her 3 daughters and husband give her their reasons and what needs to be done. What happens next, she looses consciousness and wakes up to another world. Celine wakes up next to her old boyfriend Rex in California. She is confused but slowly knows she is in another glitch in time. A second chance. She knows she can wake up anytime to her real reality of the ultimatum her family has given her. Celine is still in work mode and with the urging of her assistant and friend, Celine goes back to the house where her daughter died and is given the second chance to be what Libby needed before she taken from her.
Being a mom of adult children, this gave me a pause. It deals with the fine balance of being a mom, a friend and to stop giving your opinions at every turn. I have stepped back with my own grown daughters in this but I grieve the role I had with them in taking care of them. Celine and Libby suffered from miscommunication and misunderstanding that left both of them wanting. Celine's second chance was a discovery to stop and listen and be present.
I loved how this second chance was more about learning about yourself and responding to those you love. Celine was a self-discovery about who she was to the world and to those most important to her -her husband and girls.
A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
An emotional read on motherhood, womanhood, family and death. The death of a child should never happen even an adult child. You are stuck with what if's and how do I go on. When Celine lost her daughter, everything changed. The dynamics of the family, work and ultimately her marriage. She loved her family but how do you love after a member is no longer there?
Her family gives her ultimatum to deal with the loss of her daughter Libby. Deal with the sale of the house that Libby lived in her last days. Her 3 daughters and husband give her their reasons and what needs to be done. What happens next, she looses consciousness and wakes up to another world. Celine wakes up next to her old boyfriend Rex in California. She is confused but slowly knows she is in another glitch in time. A second chance. She knows she can wake up anytime to her real reality of the ultimatum her family has given her. Celine is still in work mode and with the urging of her assistant and friend, Celine goes back to the house where her daughter died and is given the second chance to be what Libby needed before she taken from her.
Being a mom of adult children, this gave me a pause. It deals with the fine balance of being a mom, a friend and to stop giving your opinions at every turn. I have stepped back with my own grown daughters in this but I grieve the role I had with them in taking care of them. Celine and Libby suffered from miscommunication and misunderstanding that left both of them wanting. Celine's second chance was a discovery to stop and listen and be present.
I loved how this second chance was more about learning about yourself and responding to those you love. Celine was a self-discovery about who she was to the world and to those most important to her -her husband and girls.
A special thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 11, 2023
🌸 𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🌸
Happy Pub Day @tifmarcelo 🥳
Thank you Lake Union / @amazonpublishing for the gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗼
𝟯𝟮𝟴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟰/𝟭𝟭/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - out today!
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: Women's Fiction / Magical Realism. Inspired by Marmee from Little Women, Marcelo weaves a touching tale of motherhood, grief, hope, and second chances. 💕
Celine is a social media sensation, life coach, motivational speaker, and best-selling, multi-book author. Following the death of her daughter, Libby, Celine throws herself headfirst into her work as a coping mechanism, compartmentalizing her grief, and choosing instead to be the strong, capable, boss babe the world thinks she is. She may be fooling her fans, but her family knows she's choosing avoidance over healing; choosing work over her family; working herself into exhaustion. When things come to a head, Celine is faced with an ultimatum.... deal with the grief of her loss, or risk losing her family forever.
The next day, Celine wakes up in a different life, and has the chance to get to know Libby all over again. This alternate reality provides Celine with the chance to heal and work through everything she's been avoiding for so long.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This was a heartbreaking look at motherhood and the unimaginable grief of losing a child. It's touching, thought-provoking and full of heart. And though I have never lost a child, I relate to Celine in the way she compartmentalizes and holds everything together. I see a lot of myself in Celine.
The magical realism was a unique spin.
And though this is inspired by Little Women, there are very few similarities - it is not a retelling. The author used inspiration from Marmee's story to craft an entirely different story that explores what Little Women did not: how a mother moves on after the loss of a child.
I definitely recommend this one for folks who enjoy character driven women's fiction novels and magical realism.
📖 Available on Kindle Unlimited
.
.
.
.
Happy Pub Day @tifmarcelo 🥳
Thank you Lake Union / @amazonpublishing for the gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗼
𝟯𝟮𝟴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟰/𝟭𝟭/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - out today!
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: Women's Fiction / Magical Realism. Inspired by Marmee from Little Women, Marcelo weaves a touching tale of motherhood, grief, hope, and second chances. 💕
Celine is a social media sensation, life coach, motivational speaker, and best-selling, multi-book author. Following the death of her daughter, Libby, Celine throws herself headfirst into her work as a coping mechanism, compartmentalizing her grief, and choosing instead to be the strong, capable, boss babe the world thinks she is. She may be fooling her fans, but her family knows she's choosing avoidance over healing; choosing work over her family; working herself into exhaustion. When things come to a head, Celine is faced with an ultimatum.... deal with the grief of her loss, or risk losing her family forever.
The next day, Celine wakes up in a different life, and has the chance to get to know Libby all over again. This alternate reality provides Celine with the chance to heal and work through everything she's been avoiding for so long.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This was a heartbreaking look at motherhood and the unimaginable grief of losing a child. It's touching, thought-provoking and full of heart. And though I have never lost a child, I relate to Celine in the way she compartmentalizes and holds everything together. I see a lot of myself in Celine.
The magical realism was a unique spin.
And though this is inspired by Little Women, there are very few similarities - it is not a retelling. The author used inspiration from Marmee's story to craft an entirely different story that explores what Little Women did not: how a mother moves on after the loss of a child.
I definitely recommend this one for folks who enjoy character driven women's fiction novels and magical realism.
📖 Available on Kindle Unlimited
.
.
.
.
May 22, 2023
(3.75 rounded to 4.0)
Celine Lakad-Frazier is an Internet Influencer. She has molded her “Mommy of four” blog into a self-help, coaching empire and is scheduled for a sold out presentation and book signing for her latest best seller. With less than an hour to go, her family of three daughters, a recently retired military husband and her prized personal assistant unite to confront her about her with her work addiction and her inability to mourn the death of her fourth daughter two years ago. Following daughter Libby’s death, Celine focuses on keeping her grief under the surface and her family at arm’s length. As part of her intervention requirements, she has to return to the house where they raised their daughters in Louisburg MA. They hope that spending time in their family home might remind her of how things were when they were a family and Libby was still alive. Initially, Celine refuses to cancel her last two book signings so she can spend time there. But when she falls asleep asking “What if?” she awakes, in an alternate reality.
What follows is a fresh take on the alternate reality trope. This book is also a homage to “Little Women”. The author’s note clarifies that it is not meant as a retelling but a tribute to the book. This book has four daughters of a mother who has been on her own as a military wife. She also has to deal with the loss of a daughter, Elizabeth (“Libby”). The story is a good one. The characters are well developed and the story gives them all a second chance to show growth throughout the story. The setting of a small Massachusetts town has a strong sense of place. I enjoyed the book and note the tribute to “Little Women”. Recommend to readers of contemporary literary fiction, family dynamics, and alternate realities.
Celine Lakad-Frazier is an Internet Influencer. She has molded her “Mommy of four” blog into a self-help, coaching empire and is scheduled for a sold out presentation and book signing for her latest best seller. With less than an hour to go, her family of three daughters, a recently retired military husband and her prized personal assistant unite to confront her about her with her work addiction and her inability to mourn the death of her fourth daughter two years ago. Following daughter Libby’s death, Celine focuses on keeping her grief under the surface and her family at arm’s length. As part of her intervention requirements, she has to return to the house where they raised their daughters in Louisburg MA. They hope that spending time in their family home might remind her of how things were when they were a family and Libby was still alive. Initially, Celine refuses to cancel her last two book signings so she can spend time there. But when she falls asleep asking “What if?” she awakes, in an alternate reality.
What follows is a fresh take on the alternate reality trope. This book is also a homage to “Little Women”. The author’s note clarifies that it is not meant as a retelling but a tribute to the book. This book has four daughters of a mother who has been on her own as a military wife. She also has to deal with the loss of a daughter, Elizabeth (“Libby”). The story is a good one. The characters are well developed and the story gives them all a second chance to show growth throughout the story. The setting of a small Massachusetts town has a strong sense of place. I enjoyed the book and note the tribute to “Little Women”. Recommend to readers of contemporary literary fiction, family dynamics, and alternate realities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews