Review: "In Bloom" by Katie Delahanty (The Brightside #1)
Olivia Bloom left Pittsburgh for Los Angeles, ready to start the next phase of her life as a costume designer. Things don't go exactly as planned but she's finally landed a gig as a lingerie designer and the experience will be good for her. What she's not sure about experiencing is the life of an "it" girl but her friends are desperately trying to make her over to see if the changes they make will have people turning their attention her way. The one person she doesn't expect to notice her is Berkeley Dalton, the lead singer of Berkeley and the Brightside, her favorite band of all time.
Berkeley Dalton has experienced the highs and lows of being a celebrity ever since his band hit it big several years ago. After his high profile relationship with an actress ended, meeting Olivia Bloom was a refreshing change. He's noticed her far longer than she thinks and he's hoping that she's willing to try dating him, even if it'll mean having to endure invasive paparazzi, nosy publicists, and stalker-like fans. There's something special about her and Berkeley wants to get to know her better. She isn't high maintenance nor is she craving for attention. She's simply Olivia.
When Olivia and Berkeley start seeing each other, Olivia is thrust into a world that is obviously more than glitz and glamour. Berkeley's publicist insists that she act a certain way but Berkeley likes her just the way she is. Being with Berkeley is what matters most to Olivia but she's juggling her responsibilities at work while trying to keep her inquisitive friends and offbeat mother at bay. She also has to contend with her new boyfriend's ex and their legions of fans who all happen to hate her guts. Olivia's falling for Berkeley but is she ready for everything being his girlfriend will entail?
In Bloom was one of my one-click Amazon purchases during the whole 99-cent November sales I blitzed through. It's the first novel in The Brightside series by first-time author Katie Delahanty, and it's been quite a debut for her, nabbing a lot of high ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads. The blurb definitely piqued my interest and the 99-cent price tag along with the mostly positive comments and critiques made the decision to buy the book an easy one. When I saw the second book was available for review on NetGalley, I knew I had to read and review them in order.
Admittedly, it took a few chapters to get me into the groove of the story but once I was invested in both Olivia and Berkeley, there was no putting my tablet down. It was fun reading about how Olivia was trying to navigate her way in her new life in LA, her interactions with her friends, and her budding romance with Berkeley. There were definitely some funny moments mixed in with really sweet one between Olivia and Berkeley. The supporting cast of characters, specifically Parker Mifflin and Mrs. Bloom, was a hoot and definitely amped up the light humor and zaniness.
If you love rock star romances, I would definitely recommend In Bloom, especially if you're looking for a break from all the angst-ridden books that are currently out there. With memorable characters who you can't help but smile over and a story that'll have you thinking back to your favorite band and that one particular band member that you liked best, this was a winner, even with a few editing issues that were missed. I love it when a book still manages to surprise me and can bring a smile to my face, not just at the end, but while I'm reading it. ^.^ This one gets 4.5 stars. ♥
Date read: 17 February 2015
Learn more about author Katie Delahanty here.
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