The Novel:
Christmas in Full Bloom

The Author:
Denise N. Wheatley

The Guest:
Essie, Host of Love, Essie - the Podcast
IG: @essiemv

The Synopsis:
This Christmas, can they slow down long enough to smell the roses and fall in love?
When savvy, up-and-coming floral designer Lauren Beal returns home to Maple Valley, Michigan, for her sister’s holiday wedding, she’s determined to be the perfect maid of honor. She didn’t expect the best man to be the college crush she’d reluctantly left behind to pursue her Chicago-based dreams.

Family practice doctor Mel Jennings always knew he’d remain rooted in Maple Valley to work for his father’s clinic. He happily juggles his demanding practice with philanthropic endeavors that connect him to his tight-knit community. Sparks fly when he reunites with Lauren, the one who ran away. As they enjoy Maple Valley’s Christmas festivities, Mel remembers how close they once were. But can they ever have a future?

Lauren finds herself falling for Mel and suspects the feelings are mutual. Yet they’re both pulled in different directions by work and family. Will the pair find a moment alone during the hectic
holiday season to figure things out, or will they miss their chance at love once again?

*Trigger Warning* Dieting and body consciousness

Show Notes:
- The 9th Day of Boobsmas with Essie
- West Coast living (from Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR)
- NYC as the go-to city destination for the holidays... but why? (00:06:40)
- Only so much time to read only so many books
- Surprisingly, soap operas and romance novels have a LOT in common
- Introducing today's Boobsmas read, Christmas in Full Bloom (00:27:40)
- Where are all the parents??
- The one redeeming factor... the food
- Character descriptions: Yay or Nay? (00:49:35)
- A few outdated tropes that just don't cut it in 2021
- If you're THAT busy, then you don't have time for a relationship with ANYBODY
- We rewrite the book to be about the MC's best friend and a cranky male florist (00:59:15)
- No steamy scenes to be found, sorry!
- Not utilizing all of the pieces in the puzzle
- Heart, Humor, Heat AND Holiday Ratings (01:08:33)
- More on our hypothetical cranky florist story (#FloristsAreTheNewBakers)
- The 9th Day of Boobsmas jingle courtesy of Cooper Baldwin

Movies, Books, & People mentioned in this episode:
- All things by Nalini Singh
- Webtoon: another way to enjoy romance
- "Single All the Way" (Netflix)
- Previous Boobsmas reviews mentioned: A Very Witchy Yuletide by D. Lieber and Sweet on You by Carla de Guzman

*Use the promo code BOOBIES10 for 10% off your first Steam Box order*

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