Book Review: Once Upon a Rose by Laura Florand

Title: Once Upon a Rose
Series: La Vie en Roses, Book 1
Author: Laura Florand
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: bought
Published: January 26, 2015 (self-published)

She stole his roses.
Fleeing the spotlight, burnt out rock star Layla—“Belle”—Dubois seeks refuge in the south of France. That old, half-forgotten heritage in a valley of roses seems like a good place to soothe a wounded heart. She certainly doesn’t expect the most dangerous threat to her heart to pounce on her as soon as she sets foot on the land.

He wants them back.
Matt didn’t mean to growl at her quite that loudly. But—his roses! She can’t have his roses. Even if she does have all those curls and green eyes and, and, and…what was he growling about again?

Or maybe he just wants her.
When an enemy invades his valley and threatens his home, heart, and livelihood, Matthieu Rosier really knows only one way to defend himself.

It might involve kissing.

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Reviewed by: Lesley

Why I Read This Book: Sometimes I just want a contemporary that’s romance without the extra strife thrown in. This one takes place in a valley of roses in the south of France and sounded like exactly what I was looking for.

What I Liked: The hero is a growly bear of a man who’s inherited the responsibility of running the rose valley in the south of France that’s been in his family for generations, and he blushes a lot. The heroine is a down-to-earth indie musician that’s struggling to find her music again after one song made it big. She’s cute, mischievous, and can hold her own against the sexy, grumpy hero, his boisterous family, and his war hero elders. These two are absolutely adorable.

As if the setting, the characters, and the plot weren’t enough to make you melt, Florand’s writing is simply beautiful. Her descriptions and style bring the story and the characters to life. Matt and Layla are unique and well developed characters with tons of chemistry. Matt’s band of cousins and his other family members round out the story and help the plot flow smoothly, not to mention the humor they bring as they tease and pick at big, broody Matt.

What I Didn’t Like: I really can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this one! It was exactly what I was looking for in a sweet contemporary romance.

Overall Impression: A charming and delightful read! If you’re looking for a sweet, sexy, picturesque romance with a little bit of humor thrown in, Once Upon a Rose is a wonderful pick. Layla continually reminds herself that it’s not a fairy tale, but a quaint cottage in a field of roses with a growly hunk of a neighbor sounds pretty magical to me.

Lesley’s Rating: