A review by bookbonds
Sweet Dandelion by Micalea Smeltzer

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“I’m nineteen! I’m an adult! I can do what I want!” “No, Dandelion, you’re an emotionally stunted child! You were shot, your friends were killed, you watched our mom die right in front of you. He took advantage of you and nothing you say can convince me otherwise.”

i’ve been trying to think of a cohesive way to put my thoughts into words and actual sentences but i cant, so you’re getting a list instead.
what i loved:

• the way dani and ansel’s friendship progressed
• how this author and characters confronted the ethics of dani’s relationship with lachlan
• grief, ptsd, depression, the whole 9 yards lol

Also kinda spoiler/plot point:

i’ve always wanted to read an age gap book where the fmc leaves/separates from the mmc and goes off to just, explore the world and life for a little while. and i got that here. the chapters where dani is with ansel just traveling the world are my favorite

i’m trying to think of things i particularly disliked and honestly not much lol? very very little nitpicks to the point where i couldn't knock this down a star, so. 
read this, absolutely read this. ive read so many age gap novels but this is definitely in my top 3 and it ain’t number 3. 

“I’m trying. One day at a time. One step. One moment. The past doesn’t have to be an anchor, it can be your wings.”