Name: Genesis (@whisperingchapters)'s review of The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer
Item: The Confidence of Wildflowers
Rating: 5
Author: Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Micalea Smeltzer

My future is a big ‘what if’ at the moment and I’m fine with that.
For the most part.
When Thayer Holmes moves in next door, the grumpy landscaper both fascinates and amuses me.
When he asks me to nanny his kid, it’s a great way to make some extra money.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Thayer and his adorable son.
There’s a big problem though.
I’m eighteen. He’s thirty-one.
Falling for someone almost fifteen years older than me wasn’t part of my plans, but sometimes things happen when you least expect them.

Wildflower Duet #1

The Confidence of Wildflowers

Alyssa Rovella

“Who we used to be doesn’t matter, it’s who we are now, what’s in our hearts that matters most. You’re sunshine, Salem, but even the sun doesn’t always shine.” His hand moves to cup my cheek. A sigh passes through my lips as I lean into his touch. “I’m not bright like you, but I promise, when your days are dark, I’ll be your light.”

“Wildflowers are strong. Resilient. They can grow under most conditions. I want to be like that.” I let my hair down, his eyes watching my movements. “I want to have the confidence of wildflowers—to never give up, to flourish, and thrive.”

rach

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

My future is a big 'what if' at the moment and I'm fine with that. For the most part. When Thayer Holmes moves in next door, the grumpy landscaper both fascinates and amuses me. When he asks me to nanny his kid, it's a great way to make some extra money. It's impossible not to fall in love with Thayer and his adorable son. There's a big problem though. I'm eighteen. He's thirty-one. Falling for someone almost fifteen years older than me wasn't part of my plans, but sometimes things happen when you least expect them.

Sidney Schaffner

** spoiler alert **
           Only got interesting once the kid died

loren

2.5/5 ⭐️

los últimos capítulos son un shock TOTAL

Brizah

** spoiler alert **
           Okay… whyd you have to kill off the kid 😭😭 to be honest I’m not sure if I do wanna read the next book but I might :)

Nialani Thompson

Took me almost a month but I did it. I loved this book. It was so good. The age difference kind of grossed me out at first but its fine. The end BROKE me, I’m literally so so sad. I loved how sweet they were and their relationship was so fiery and refreshing. I loved that he was there for her always and never had to be asked, he always just was. I love baby Forrest too :( he’s the best kid every, so sweet. I’m super excited to see how the twist plays out in the next book!

Grumpy Sunshine. Age Gap. Single Dad Babysitter. Small Town Romance. ONE BED. Oh the first 90% had me so giddy like a school girl obsessed with this fun, cute love story. And then the last 10% WRECKED ME. My goodness I was not expecting that. My heart is literally shattered. Not a HUGE fan of the cliffhanger… but I immediately ordered the second book when I was about 30% in not knowing what was coming and you better believe I am starting it as soon as Mr Amazon drops it on my porch.

BROOKE A

Jennifer Nobles-Clover

This book is amazing, it really caught me from the beginning and I read it in 2 days!

it felt a bit rushed. the plot twist was unnecessary. but yet i was still entertained

nikki 

Gabrielle Geibel

WHAT A FREAKING ROLLERCOASTER. Emotionally I’m not okay. Mentally I’m not okay. What an incredible read. I’m wide awake and starting The Resurrection of Wildflowers immediately. Absolutely amazing.

Sarahy Benavides 

** spoiler alert **
           Fue bueno el inicio, la conexión que tuvieron, la dinámica, me encantó, me estaba riendo. Luego las acciones de los personajes cambiaron mi perspectiva de ellos. Siento que trataron de hacer ver la infidelidad como algo que estaba bien, solo porque no se trató de la relación principal. La infidelidad no está bien en ninguna situación, que lo trataran de justificar demasiado arruinó la historia para mi, y todavía hicieron que al que le fueron infiel dijera que fue su culpa ??? Y la Salem todavía dice que lo ama ??? Por último, el asunto del niño, he’s dead! me lo ahogaron. Nunca me había molestado tanto un embarazo no planeado, me mataron a mi Forrest para meter un bebé que si era de ambos, again ???

Anna 

Loved the concept of the book…but there was so much unnecessary drama in the last 10% of the book which didn’t add anything plot wise and if anything it ruined the book for me. Nearly dnf at the 65% mark as well because the writing style is a bit juvenile and not really for me. Will probably still read the second book due to the cliffhanger though! 

When it comes to the main characters I really loved the Thayer but I thought Salem was a bit flat and I didn’t really love her as a character - mainly due to the way she reacted to certain plot points.

Kasey Montagnat

I didn’t end up finishing this book cause I just can’t do cheaters as soon as I saw that I was like no I read over the reviews and decided I didn’t want to finish it super good plot just not for me

Heather Miller

** spoiler alert **
           I feel very much in the minority with this book. I’m actually surprised to see so many good reviews for this book. Nothing about it screamed a five, four, or even three star. The only reason I gave it two was because I felt like if there were a few more edits and reviews, it could’ve been a decent story. I’ve definitely read worse.

One complaint I have are the chapters. Some feel too short and rushed. Some feel like fillers that add nothing to the story, just to make it longer. If it doesn’t add to the story, delete it! That’s what makes it feel drawn out and makes a reader bored. We want action and twists and believable drama.

Another is the writing. It feels amateur, like I am reading an early draft and not a finished one. The constant repetition of diet coke and cookie dough got to me. We get it, she likes them. 

The characters felt extremely flat and underdeveloped. Although we know Salem was abused, it is really, really minor in the story, and sometimes I even forget about it. 
I felt that could’ve shaped her and who she was a little more. We knew virtually nothing about any of them.

I was halfway in and felt like absolutely nothing happened. Everything seemed to be moving in fast pace, yet felt extremely slow, and even though it was a shorter book, it took me forever to get through. Everything that happened seemed too quick and rushed, nothing was questioned or eased into. At the same time, I felt compelled to keep reading, just to see if anything would actually happen. When they did, it felt fake and staged. Nothing happened naturally. I don’t know how else to explain it.

I was disappointed because none of the sad parts made me cry, yet I seen other reviewers get emotional over it. I always say, if an author can provoke emotions out of me through their writing, that it was a good story. I am the mother of a 10 year old brain cancer survivor. I was sure cancer and the death of a child would provoke something, it almost had me avoiding reading the book, but it was so forced and unbelievable that I didn’t feel much at all. Maybe it was the flatness of the characters. 

The only thing that makes me want to go on and read the next one, was the ending. I can say the author left it on a great cliffhanger, and now I want to know what happens next. I really do feel like this could’ve been a decent story, but like I said, it read like an early draft and felt more time and edits could’ve polished it up a bit. I’m hopeful that the next one feels more finished and explains more about their lives.

Anna t

Kayla lord 

this book was amazing!!! 

It kept me on my toes and the ending literally broke my heart and I wasn’t expecting what happened.. I’m torn and can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

Lucy📖🍂

I was not prepared for the heartbreak of this book😭I loved the book but some parts hurt. Please check TW if you are going to read this book.

Cassandra Martin

** spoiler alert **
           I went into this book knowing that it made people cry, so I knew to expect something bad, and after some very obvious foreshadowing with Forrest - I knew what was going to happen the whole book. 

Most the book doesn’t really have a plot, which I honestly don’t mind if the characters are worth it. I found Thayer worth the lack of plot, but Salem I’m only the fence about. Though she seemed very loving and supportive of the people in her life, she still gave off a little of those forced quirky girl vibes. And even though I’m a cat person, who quite literally has my cats face tattooed on my body - the emphasis on how much binx was her best friend felt a little forced too. Like okay, I get it after the first time. 

The book was also pretty repetitive, I wish there was a little more to it. 

The spicy parts were pretty good and the back and forth flirting was nice too, those were really the only parts that kept me interested for most of it. 

I think using Forrest’s sudden death as a plot twist was a cheap shot honestly, it just rubs me the wrong way. I feel like we didn’t even get enough of Forrest in the book and then suddenly he’s killed off just for a reason to cause a break up between the main characters. Just for Salem to end up pregnant at the end? No thanks.

Lyndsay Breitner

I went into this book blind sighted. And for the first 350 pages I thought it was just a cute age gap, sappy, romance book. Boy was I wrong. 

You will fall in love with these characters and while the plot twists at the end seem kind of rushed, they will leave you wanting more.

I read this in one day and I can’t even put into words how invested I was in Thayer and salems relationship 

I have yet to process this book but I’m hoping the second one will make me happier than I am right now

Oh I somehow forget to mention that I am currently sobbing and if you aren’t by the end, you’re crazy

ESTE FUCKING LIBRO. 

¿QUÉ DEMONIOS?

Pensé que sería el típico:

—age gap (ella 18, él 31)
—single dad
—neighbors romance
—grumpy/sunshine 

pERO NO.

QUÉ. CARAJOS. FUE. ESE. FUCKING. PLOT TWIST. 

A pesar de que el final queda abierto y con ganas de que uno se empiece el siguiente libro ya mismo, me parece que no lo voy a leer porque ya fui a ver algunos spoilers y en definitiva ese tipo de dramas no son lo mío.

Megan Lowe

This is a solid book, a solid, beautiful story.
I will warn though, that the trigger warnings in the front are not entirely accurate. I’ll put them at the end of this review and they do provide spoilers.

As I said, this is a solid book. I like the story even if there are rather large shades of sweet dandelion in this book.
The characters are solid, and I loved Forrest.
But I felt like the pacing was slightly off. The start was slow, up to 40, 50% until stuff started happening. The. The last 10% everything happens and ends.
Still, I did enjoy this book and can’t wait for the second.

Added trigger warnings! Please note, these do have spoilers.
Cheating, between the main characters, opposite to what is in the book.
Death of a child, which I find slightly alarming that it wasn’t included as I find this could be particularly damaging to those sensitive.

macy

4.5

Wow. Ummm I don’t even know what to say
the last 10% … what. the. fuck. HAD ME SOBBING SHATTERED MY HEART WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT

Despite all the pain i just went through in the last part this book had many of my favourite tropes i enjoyed it so so much <3 I absolutely love Thayer and Salem (and need book 2 immediately) Thayer was the perfect older grumpy DILF neighbour who would do anything for her and Salem my princess deserves the world, their little domestic scenes together with Forrest were so so cute. 


tropes: age gap (13 years, she’s 18 he’s 31), single dad, grumpy sunshine, boss x employee (kind of she babysits his son), one bed

*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*

nory

the writing style is god awful but the ending has me intrigued so i will be tuning in for book 2 🫶🏼

Courtney ✿ @librarycutie

i liked the romance and the cute slow burn (ish) and the sweet moments between the two but then there’s some moments and tidbits that really upset me or disappointed me so three stars it is!

this duet wrecked me, let me tell you!!!

it was really beautiful, some moments or quotes. he called her sunshine and i would melt. the way he treated her, the selfless acts. the way he let her in even though he felt he didn’t deserve her. the way he protected her and cherished her. the way he was always there, just incase she needed him. it never failed (until that plot twist point wrecked their world). their love, despite my dislike and hate towards the cheating, was remarkable and although i did feel like their feelings happened quickly, sometimes you have to act fast before your moment is too late.

it came and went far too quickly, and i would give anything to have a different ending. something else to destroy our hearts, anything else. that death. it was a big trigger for me.

after accepting that the death happened and does happen in real life too often for comfort, i really enjoyed this story and depending how the second book goes could see this as a favorite romance duet. this is a very realistic view on life, grief, abuse, living with all of that and more and it’s definitely eye opening and shattering.

beautifully tragic, i need to know what happens next.

caleb was literally so amazing and i actually fell in love with him rather than thayer! caleb is too good for her. literally deserves a woman who will love and cherish him endlessly.

the death was a huge deal and was immensely triggering for me. death usually doesn’t trigger me but it’s very rarely about someone’s child. that is triggering for me, a mother to a boy.

also, why was the mother made out to be such a villain?? i feel like she was too forcefully villainous and rude. it never sat well with me because he said she was fine, they just didn’t work well. then why is she such a snake everytime she appears??

also, the cheating. i hate cheating so much, it’s something i really hate in real life and in fiction, but name was such a champ and deserves the world for how he was still there!! my heart!!!

samantha youngclaus

i owe this book MY LIFE for getting me out of my reading slump but the ending was cruel and unnecessary and i cannot wait for book 2

gracie

A captivating and beautiful story that haunts your soul with its heart-warming and electrifying romance and the heartbreak that will stay with you long after reaching the end.

Salem is content with staying in her small town and letting all the dreams of college go to her boyfriend. She's happy helping her mom in her store, as well as baking cupcakes and making candles. Thayer, a quiet and grumpy hero, is ready to settle down and give a stable home to his son, Forrest, whenever he visits. He's okay just being by himself, but Salem storms her way into his life, and what started with a cupcake and a babysitting gig transforms into a wonderful friendship that ultimately leads to a fascinating secret romance.

Abusers don't deserve tears.

Salem has had to walk on eggshells through most of her life; having an abusive father will make you live in fear. Thankfully, Salem, her mom, and her sister are at a better place now. I related so much to Salem. Just reading that quote above had me stopping and contemplating how true those words are.

Because of what these women went through, it made their bond all the stronger, especially Salem and her mom. I loved the moments we got to see them baking together and just overall being together. The bond these two shared could be felt through pages.

"The blame always gets put on the victim or victims. Why is that? It's because society never wants to accept that monsters are real—just weak women."

I consider Salem to be this old soul stuck in a young body. Her view of life is one I wish I had had early on; I probably wouldn't have wasted so much time. She doesn't fully know what she wants out of life, but she's so happy doing what she loves.

Thayer does have this larger than life, untouchable persona about him.

Enter Thayer Holmes, next-door neighbor. He's closed-off and grumpy but hanging out with Salem brings a lighter and happier side to him he didn't think he'd ever find.

Thayer is so attentive and caring with Salem. He's always worrying when she climbs the roof, if she's hydrated, if she's safe walking alone before sunrise to go to the gym; he also got her the merch shirt she wanted and spent lots of money on getting her pit tickets for a concert!

I loved the friendship that Salem and Thayer developed. While Salem knew her stomach fluttering at the mere sight of Thayer was wrong, she was so glad to finally have someone she could trust and count on, someone who truly cared for her. He wouldn't even do extreme things; he'd stick to doing little things that he knew would show her he was not leaving.

One of the many things I loved was their late night talks. It was during this time that we'd see them with their walls down and completely trusting. It was here we could see their friendship slowly developing into more. It made their romance so believable and undeniable!

"You deserve to know you're not alone, that someone's beside you to fight your battles with you."

Of course, once these two finally started to give into their feelings, all bets were off; they were electrifying and magnetic!

We are chaos. Unrestrained passion igniting with a single spark.

I remember reading the title for this book and wondering what it meant. After reading Micalea's perfect meaning for it, it made me see wildflowers in a whole new light.

"Wildflowers are strong. Resilient. They can grow under most conditions I want to be like that. I want to have the confidence of wildflowers—to never give up, to flourish, and thrive."

I know I mentioned there was heartbreak in this book and, let me tell you, it's gut-wrenching. I was not expecting to feel every single emotion with this book. The heartbreak I got was absolutely brutal and devastating! Even right now writing this, my heart is feeling it all with the memory. I won't say more because it will give everything away, but just make sure to have a pint of ice cream or at least your favorite comfort food. Is the heartbreak worth it, though? A THOUSAND TIMES YES!

"Don't hide from me. Ever. I see you. I want to see you. All of you."

The romance, the characters, the small town… They all demanded attention. This story broke me in so many ways. 😭 It’s also unbelievably brilliant! Salem and Thayer own a piece of my heart.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- age gap
- forbidden romance
- grumpy-sunshine
- small town
- secret romance
- slow burn
- one bed
- boss-employee (she babysits his kid sometimes)
- single dad
- late night talks
- next door neighbor
- a hero who’s always there for the heroine

"I figure being your someone sounds better."
"Does that mean I'm your someone?"
"No, Salem. You're my everything."

Rating: ALL THE FREAKING STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶🌶/5

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer

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Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer