By: Isabella Louise Anderson
Released
January 17, 2017
Chick Lit Goddess, LLC
Chick Lit Goddess, LLC
Tour Host: Tasty Book Tours
As the
owner of a successful florist shop, Khloe Harper trusts her instincts. She has
a strong bond with her family and friends, but after being betrayed by her last
love, she's kept herself at arms’ length from romance. When dashing
entertainment attorney Derek Thomas walks into her store, Khloe’s interest is
piqued. What at first seems like a business relationship quickly turns into romance,
and Derek slowly plucks away the petals she’s been hiding behind. Just as Khloe
lets down her guard, she discovers that Derek may not be worthy of her love
after all.
Frumpy
Connie Albright has a faux fascination with an imaginary man named Walt, thinking
that by sending herself flowers from him she’ll feel less out-of-place with the
“mean girls” she works with. When she comes face to face with her possible
prince charming and thinking she might have a happy ending, when a truth is
revealed, she wonders if she’ll ever have a Cinderella story.
A recently
widowed senior, Gabby Lewis, isn't ready to give up on love—which means
releasing herself from survivor's guilt and taking a chance on finding
happiness and companionship again. After signing up for an online dating site
for senior citizens, much to her surprise, she’s matched with Harry, an
energetic and loving man, who quickly eases himself into her heart. Will Gabby
take the leap of falling in love again, knowing it’s possible to have two loves
of her life?
As each
woman’s story develops through flowers and cards sent from Khloe's shop during
the fall months, they begin to learn that love can only truly blossom when you
trust your heart.
Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop is really 3 stories in 1! And I was
luckily enough to be able to review it all for you. So let me tell you some
more about the story.
Khloe is the owner of the flower shop and the character that ties
everyone together, but Khloe wants love too, even though she her heart has been
betrayed in the, she takes a risk with the very successful Derek Thomas! And
everything is going well until she finds out that Derek has kept a secret from
her!
Our second story is about Gabby; a widow, whom somehow allows her
friends to talk her in to internet dating! But Gabby meets Harry and falls in
love, will guilt from her deceased husband stop her future happiness?
Lastly, there is Connie, who feels like a wallflower! But to get a
particularly spiteful coworker off of her back, Connie begins to send herself
flowers, with notes from her imaginary boyfriend Walt Goldman. But when she is
pushed to produce this boyfriend, Connie finds one, but does it end up in true
love? Or disaster??
Cards From Khloe's Flower Shop is a sweet tale of second (and first )
chance love and the bravery of those women whom put themselves out there. I
really like the characters and the writing was great. I did find the stories
pace slow going and choppy. I will admit that I'm not a huge fan of books that
jump backwards and forwards, like this one did, but overall it didn't spoil the
tale.
I give Cards From Khloe's Flower Shop 4 stars
It was a perfect kind of day. The
rising sun warmed the chill in the air, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and a
light breeze tousled Khloe’s long auburn hair. After sliding her key in the
lock of her flower shop, she inhaled the intoxicating scents of gardenias,
sweet peas, magnolias, along with her personal favorite—roses—and they tickled
her nose. She smiled, thinking how the aroma of flowers made for a great start
to the day.
Six days a week, at eight in the
morning, Khloe sat in her office at the back of the store to return emails and
process online orders. While it wasn’t a big office, it had turned out just as
she’d designed it. Three walls were painted starfish orange, and various
posters of flowers, including several Georgia O’Keeffe prints (gifts from her
parents after opening her store), scattered the walls. Her cherry wood desk sat
in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, which overlooked a row of rose bushes
that she’d planted to make the gray slate building across the street less of an
offense to look at, especially when she brought customers back to her office
for meetings. Across the room was a square glass coffee table, which was made
to look like a table at a dinner party with four place settings. In the center
lay a large floral arrangement with fall-like colors of oranges and red roses,
along with mini pine cones dispersed throughout, which Khloe had designed
herself. Customers always praised the beautiful seasonal arrangements she
created for the table, and these often helped make a sale for weddings,
birthday parties, anniversaries, and even funerals.
After working for three florists
during high school and college, Khloe knew she wanted to work in the floral
business. Soon after graduating college with a degree in business, her
then-boss promoted her to store manager. After six years, she felt she’d gained
enough knowledge about the to open her own shop. She gave her two weeks’
notice, secured a loan, and opened Khloe’s Flower Shop. While it took time for
things to get started and run smoothly, sales finally picked up, and just
before Christmas, her store flourished. That was last year, and she had high
expectations for the upcoming holiday season. Owning her shop meant everything
to her, especially because it distracted her from her non-existent love life.
Right then, her phone rang.
“Hi, Mom,” Khloe said, after
checking the caller-ID on her cell phone, plopping herself down, and taking a
seat at her desk.
“You sound perky,” Linda joked,
commenting on Khloe’s monotonous tone.
After toggling the mouse to wake up
her computer, Khloe observed the numerous overnight orders that had come in.
“It’s just going to be another crazy and busy day at the shop.”
“That’s great, honey. I’m very happy
your store is doing so well, but maybe it’s time to focus your efforts on
finding yourself a man. Like I’ve told you, I had a lot of trouble conceiving
you because I was in my early forties, and don’t forget, you’re not getting any
younger. I’d love to be able to play with my grandchildren.”
At thirty-one, the only child of
Linda and Kyle Harper, Khloe was never pushed to be perfect or meet her
parents’ desires, but just as she had when she was a young girl, on occasion,
she still felt the need to please her parents.
“Mom, we’ve gone over this a hundred
times, and right now, my shop takes up all of my time.” In truth, it didn’t,
but Khloe wasn’t ready to have her heart broken again.
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry to
hound you about it, but I want you to be happy—really happy.” She paused, then
added in a softer tone, “I just wish you wouldn’t be afraid to get back out
there. I mean, after Josh hurt you...”
Just the mention of Josh’s name was
enough. “Mom, I know you and Dad thought I’d marry Josh, but he really hurt
me.” She covered half of her face with her hand and tried to shake the memory
away, but like a strong wind, the memory of his betrayal swooped in, causing
her to relive the pain.
“I appreciate your sentiment and
know you want only the best for me, but I’m doing okay.”
“If you say so, dear, but if those
bells on your door chime, and Mr. Right walks through, take him by the hand,
marry him, and give me grandchildren.” Her mother’s over-excitement stung
Khloe’s ears. She loved her mother, but sometimes she was too brash.
“Mom, please—”
Her mother sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry.
I’ll try not to dig into your love life, but know I’m always here to listen.
Anyway,” she began with enthusiasm as she changed the subject, “your father and
I went to the Mumm winery over the weekend, and we shipped you two more cases.
You should be expecting them within the next few days.”
“Thanks,” Khloe said, trying to
sound thrilled as she leaned back in her chair and saw the five wooden cases
she’d received last week, having taken only one home. “It’s definitely a perk
when I pull out a bottle meeting with my customers, and, as you know, it’s my
favorite. Oh, and how’s Dad, by the way?” she asked, changing the topic.
“As a matter of fact, right now, for
the third time this week, he’s out with his golf buddies. One would’ve never
known he’s a cancer survivor.”
Khloe
laughed, feeling her heart warm, thankful that her dad was well taken care of
by his doctors. “Well, I’m glad to hear things haven’t changed and he’s doing
well.” At the sound of a ding, her computer signaled another order had come in.
“Well, Mom, I have to go, but give Dad my best and tell him I love him.” After
they said their goodbyes, Khloe hung up with her mother and got to work.
Isabella
grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She
focuses her time on featuring other writers on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with
organizing Goddess
Book Tours, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America
She
lives in Dallas with her husband, enjoys spicy Mexican food, margaritas, gin on
the rocks (with a splash of lime). She loves spending time with family and
friends and cheering on the Texas Rangers. Not only is Isabella an author,
she’s also a Scentsy consultant
and hoarder.
Thanks for sharing!
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