Flowers and Gemstones by Alaina Erdell: Book Review
Flowers and Gemstones by Alaina Erdell is a beautiful contemporary romance that is captivating from the first page.
Hannah is great at running her family’s jewelry business but terrible at dealing with her feelings—especially when it comes to breaking up with her girlfriend, Bren. Before she can find the right words, tragedy strikes.
Vanessa, meanwhile, has spent years struggling to move on after Bren left her. She’s built a successful flower shop and is approaching fifty, but her mother’s constant criticism still lingers in her mind.
When Vanessa unexpectedly shows up at Bren’s funeral, it raises more than a few questions. Did either of them really know Bren at all? As secrets unravel and long-buried truths come to light, Hannah and Vanessa are forced to confront their pasts. But can what they learn help them create a future—maybe even together?
Writing
I have a weakness for unique storylines, and Flowers and Gemstones delivers that brilliantly. The storytelling, from its intricate details and well-developed characters to its beautifully crafted sentences, resonated deeply with me. The blend of figurative language and dialogue is seamless, creating a powerful impact. And the emotions—just wow—they truly moved me. The themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery add so much depth to the narrative.
Certain scenes lingered in my mind long after reading (I won’t give anything away here though). The writing flows effortlessly, drawing me in with its vivid descriptions and raw, authentic character dynamics. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel every moment.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Vanessa’s mother is quite the piece of work. Her vicious remarks, passive aggression, and backhanded compliments had me fuming while also deepening my empathy for everything Vanessa endured over the years. The emotional toll of her mother’s behavior is palpable—decades of belittlement and manipulation have shaped Vanessa in ways that are both heartbreaking and painfully realistic. While she’s worked hard to stifle the negative self-doubt, learning of Bren’s actions during their relationship brings these repressed feelings to the surface. Fortunately, the blossoming (pun absolutely intended) relationship between Vanessa and Hannah provides a much-needed contrast. Through Hannah, Vanessa begins to unlearn the toxicity she’s internalized, finding solace and love in ways she never thought possible. The portrayal of these relationships feels so raw and authentic, making the emotional highs and lows even more impactful.
The interactions throughout the story—whether awkward, funny, heartfelt or even sad—feel so real, making it easy to connect with. Vanessa and Hannah’s ability to reflect on their lives and challenge long-standing habits really shows their strength and growth. Their relationship doesn’t follow a straight path; instead, it develops in a natural, sometimes messy way, just like real-life relationships and personal growth.
What makes their journey so engaging is how emotionally honest it is. The story balances humor and raw, heartfelt moments in a way that feels totally authentic. As Vanessa and Hannah navigate change, their struggles and breakthroughs feel incredibly relatable, reminding us how tough but rewarding personal growth can be. The natural dialogue and thoughtful storytelling make their bond even more compelling, leaving a lasting impression long after the book is finished. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them and look forward to grabbing this book from my reread pile!
Heads Up
This story explores themes of emotional and verbal abuse within a parent-child relationship.
The Conclusion
Flowers and Gemstones is one of those stories that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page. The unique storyline immediately pulled me in, and the way it’s told—with rich details, well-developed characters, and beautifully crafted sentences—made it all the more powerful. The emotions in this book hit hard (in the best way), and the themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery add so much depth.
What really makes this story stand out is how real it feels. Vanessa and Hannah’s journey isn’t a straight path; their growth is messy, full of setbacks and breakthroughs, just like in real life.
The writing flows effortlessly, drawing you in with vivid descriptions, seamless dialogue, and raw, emotional moments. Some scenes lingered in my mind long after reading (no spoilers, though!). It’s not just a book you read—it’s one you experience; an experience I am so glad I had. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Excerpt from Flowers and Gemstones by Alaina Erdell
That’s when Hannah saw her again.
The mystery woman hurried away in the opposite direction of everyone else, toward a sedan parked on an adjacent road.
“I’ll be right back,” she told Zara, and followed her. The woman had a head start, but a small incline separating the grassy area from the pavement seemed to slow her pace. Hannah broke into a jog, no easy task in heels. “Excuse me.”
The woman didn’t hear her, or simply didn’t acknowledge that she had. She was about halfway up the small hill when Hannah reached the bottom.
“Excuse me,” Hannah called, this time more loudly.
Near the top, with Hannah only a few yards behind her, the woman’s heel sank into the soaked ground and stuck. Her momentum pulled her foot from her shoe and sent her stumbling, but she managed not to fall. She stopped and turned, her bare foot planted in the wet grass.
Hannah bent and retrieved the shoe, pulling it from the sodden earth with a sucking sound. It held the warmth of the woman’s foot, though the bottom was now half-covered in mud. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“No, we haven’t.” Her voice, low but lilting, surprised Hannah. “I’m so sorry for your loss, but I really must be going.”
With a few steps, Hannah put them on equal ground. The woman was almost her height. This close, her hair was even paler than Hannah had initially realized, the shade that often allowed a woman to transition from blond to white with little notice as she aged. “How’d you know Bren?”
For a split second, the woman hesitated, her expression shuttered. “I did the flowers.”
Hannah studied her with skepticism. “Do you attend all the funerals you do arrangements for?”
“No.” The woman sighed and looked away for a moment. When her eyes met Hannah’s again, she’d clearly made a decision. Her composure regained, she straightened her spine. “I’m Vanessa Holland. Bren and I used to date. When I saw her name on the order, I wanted to pay my respects.”
Used to date?
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1636797458
Publisher: Bold Strokes
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