She didn't expect to fall in love--but roses aren't the only thing blooming on Galveston Island Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her boisterous Greek family--especially her father--has other ideas. They've all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand--directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's--and they want Cassia's full participation.To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!
Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop . . .
Here's my review of this lovely novel:
First, I would like to extend a
heartfelt “Thank you” to Janice Thompson and her publisher for sending me a copy of
"A Bouquet of Love" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity.
I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer
copy available to me.
Some people believe that Glen Campbell put Galveston on the
map. I believe that Janice Thompson has
that honor. “A Bouquet of Love” is
Janice Thompson’s fourth offering in the Weddings by Design series, adding a
new family – and cultural dynamic – to the landscape. The Rossi family has been imbedded in every
aspect of Galveston Island. Now, a new
family has come to town. A Greek family. With a patriarch that is hostile toward the
Rossis. Who has opened a Gyro shop
across the street from Parma John’s Pizzeria!
But now that Cassia Pappas has taken a job at the flower shop on the
Strand and is making friends with the Rossis, she is struggling with being
completely honest with both her family and her new friends.
Having grown up in a community that was Italian, Jewish and Greek, this
book took me back to the similarities of the cultures I loved as a child. For the most part, the situations the
characters found themselves in were comedic.
But having lived much like this as a child, and grown up and out of it
as an adult, I found myself getting frustrated with Cassia. I was giving her advice as I was
reading. Telling her to be honest with
her father and her friends before she weaved such a web around herself that she
was completely trapped. Yet, Janice
Thompson is a gifted craftswoman who made me laugh and really pulled me in to
this work of fiction! Her books always
land on my “keeper” shelf.
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