Accustomed to lurking in her famous guru brother’s shadow, Deirdre “Dee” Griffin longs to step out from behind her successful siblings and create a path that’s all her own — but fate seems to have other plans. Single, in her thirties and living in a renovated sheep shed on her brother’s vast estate, Dee knows she can’t continue on as his mousy social media adviser. But how to move forward?
When an opportunity to break a leg on “Dancing With the Stars” falls into her waiting lap, she leaps at the chance to pursue a passion — any passion — and get away from Tag’s influence. Even if her time on the show doesn’t necessarily go as planned, the joy is always in the journey.
Claire Cook’s Wallflower in Bloom is a lighthearted, fun and delightful read that made running errands in the company of the audio book a pleasure. Dee is the underdog character we love to root for, and the story had a vibe akin to “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” There’s no wedding, per say, and Dee isn’t as bad off as Toula, but this transformation story was every bit as satisfying and enjoyable.
What really makes the story is Dee’s complicated relationship with her superstar brother and two sisters: a gaggle of four trying to navigate their roles as adults in each other’s lives. Their relationships are complicated by the fact that Tag Griffin is a global brand employing his family members . . . meaning Dee takes orders from her little brother, and a bossy one at that. Though she could have gotten another job, sure, it was easier to do what was comfortable. I get that.
There’s a little romance, some intrigue, plenty of funny family drama and Los Angeles scenery. Wallflower in Bloom is more chocolate mousse than meat-and-potatoes, but it hit the spot all the same. Dee’s transformation from a timid woman hiding behind a computer to a blossoming dancer, even a haphazard one, was fun — and her sense of humor and delightful narration made this a frothy, laugh-out-loud read I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to chick lit lovers.
4 out of 5!
Pub: 2012 • Goodreads • LibraryThing • Amazon • Author Website
Audio copy borrowed from my local library
write meg! 
wooow this book sounds so cool! Sounds like a great read for those long tiresome journeys
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Sounds like a great Summer Read!
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Sounds like a vibrant and engaging tale. I’m just wondering what it was about it that made it a four star rather than a five star story
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My ratings are usually a gut feeling, Peter . . . a five-star read is one that makes a tremendous impact on me — something I’ll remember for months or years to come. It has some essential element making it extraordinary, a cut above other reads. Very few stories get that coveted five-star rating. (Not that they lose sleep over it, I’m sure!)
Wallflower in Bloom was very fun, but it’s a light read — not something that altered my world. It’s not forgettable, per say, but I won’t remember favorite passages or quotes or characters down the road.
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This sounds like a really fun read, perfect for the summertime. I’ve been meaning to dig in to some Claire Cook titles and this might be the one for me. Thanks for a lovely review as always!
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