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A review by vane_reads95
The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer
5.0
“Wildflowers are strong. Resilient. They can grow under most conditions. I want to be like that.”
18-year-old Salem has just graduated high school but wonders how others have their future figured out because she certainly feels happy with her cat, living at her mom's house and working at her mom's story, with little to no plans in going to college, despite of multiple attempts to hop on the college route by her boyfriend Caleb. A new neighbor named Thayer who is 31 moves next door and seems to be angry at the world, and Salem aims to befriend him by bringing him cupcakes. Salem and Thayer are very aware of their age gap, but that doesn't make the attraction they have for each other vanish.
After I finish the book I grew a little anxious with that ending.. I don't understand why authors do this to us!!! Worth to mention that there are a few trigger warnings including abuse, death, and sexual assault.
I loved how real this felt, the story was written with characters that have flaws, have a dark past and I enjoyed how everything slowly came about. There is some spicey moments throughout the story but I think what outstands the most is the romance from the characters.
Salem and Thayer are both forced to experience trauma in a different way but nevertheless those events mark them for life. I appreciate how there wasn't much of a toxic relationship, and the fact that Caleb and Thayer are both so wonderfully qualified for Salem yet her heart only beats for Thayer and Thayer only. I feel like if I were in Caleb's shoes, I wouldn't have put up with so much but that guy is one in a million.
That slow burn was really killing me but what broke me the most was how I can see it being a real possibility that Thayer's actions are justified by grief, I mean it's REAL tough what he went through but really, after everything was fitting into pieces, I just couldn't.
Written in Salem's POV, I devoured every second of her relationship with Thayer because he sounds like the perfect man, I feel like if it was written in 2 POV everything would've been predictable.
There are a few spoilers, so skip them if you are not into spoilers.
*By 28% When the three of them are having dinner (Salem, Salem's mom and Thayer) and Salem just sends her mom up to bed just like that as if she's the parent. And I believe this was way before the mom was showing any signs of illness.
*I noticed a typo by 70% "I know, honey." She gives me hand a slight squeeze. I think she meant to say 'she gives MY hand a slight squeeze'
*I couldn't get over the "open your mouth" and he spits on her?? Idk? Is that attractive nowadays or am I boring???? Idk, many many thoughts on this lol
18-year-old Salem has just graduated high school but wonders how others have their future figured out because she certainly feels happy with her cat, living at her mom's house and working at her mom's story, with little to no plans in going to college, despite of multiple attempts to hop on the college route by her boyfriend Caleb. A new neighbor named Thayer who is 31 moves next door and seems to be angry at the world, and Salem aims to befriend him by bringing him cupcakes. Salem and Thayer are very aware of their age gap, but that doesn't make the attraction they have for each other vanish.
After I finish the book I grew a little anxious with that ending.. I don't understand why authors do this to us!!! Worth to mention that there are a few trigger warnings including abuse, death, and sexual assault.
I loved how real this felt, the story was written with characters that have flaws, have a dark past and I enjoyed how everything slowly came about. There is some spicey moments throughout the story but I think what outstands the most is the romance from the characters.
Salem and Thayer are both forced to experience trauma in a different way but nevertheless those events mark them for life. I appreciate how there wasn't much of a toxic relationship, and the fact that Caleb and Thayer are both so wonderfully qualified for Salem yet her heart only beats for Thayer and Thayer only. I feel like if I were in Caleb's shoes, I wouldn't have put up with so much but that guy is one in a million.
That slow burn was really killing me but what broke me the most was how I can see it being a real possibility that Thayer's actions are justified by grief, I mean it's REAL tough what he went through but really, after everything was fitting into pieces, I just couldn't.
Written in Salem's POV, I devoured every second of her relationship with Thayer because he sounds like the perfect man, I feel like if it was written in 2 POV everything would've been predictable.
There are a few spoilers, so skip them if you are not into spoilers.
*By 28% When the three of them are having dinner (Salem, Salem's mom and Thayer) and Salem just sends her mom up to bed just like that as if she's the parent. And I believe this was way before the mom was showing any signs of illness.
*I noticed a typo by 70% "I know, honey." She gives me hand a slight squeeze. I think she meant to say 'she gives MY hand a slight squeeze'
*I couldn't get over the "open your mouth" and he spits on her?? Idk? Is that attractive nowadays or am I boring???? Idk, many many thoughts on this lol