…the exact kind of YA fiction I would’ve loved to read in high school when I was shaping my ideas about love and who I wanted to be. Heron’s newest book is filled with great lessons about staying true to yourself and what you want…” —USA Today
“As she does in her books for adults, Heron draws on her own Indian Tanzanian Canadian Muslim identity, and details of close-knit, transnational community enrich this YA debut. The book’s memorable secondary characters—including Nilusha, Tahira’s wise and compassionate mentor, and Juniper, Rowan’s sweet younger sister—help Tahira stay true to herself in this entertaining enemies-to-lovers rom-com.” —Publishers Weekly
“Heron has penned an enjoyable coming-of-age romantic comedy. Touching on the pressures of social media, discovering your passions, and staying true to yourself, your morals, and your real friends, the book offers readers characters whose feelings and insecurities will resonate…A sweet read filled with fashion, flowers, and romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With well-rounded supporting characters and a polished narrative, this is a natural choice for Sarah Dessen and Sandyha Menon fans.” —Booklist
“Small-town fun, flower arranging, and summer crushes are all at the forefront of this winning YA novel.” —POPSUGAR
“In Tahira in Bloom, Heron delivers all the necessary elements to an artfully designed rom-com: the perfect meet-cute, a delightful arrangement, and a rich connection to roots. A masterful debut!” —Nisha Sharma, award-winning author of My So-Called Bollywood Life
“Farah Heron’s YA debut stars strongheaded Tahira, who’s pursuing her dreams as a fashion designer. Against the backdrop of a fierce flower competition, Tahira finds her true strength and shines. This heartwarming book tackles ambition and the toll it takes on family, friendship, romance, and identity.” —Roselle Lim, author of Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop
“Tahira in Bloom is an entertaining and compelling coming-of-age story about fashion, floriculture, and finding yourself even when you don’t know you’re a little lost. Never have I ever laughed at so many plant puns. Perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon, Syed Masood, and Sarah Kuhn.” —Suzanne Park, author of Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous and The Perfect Escape
02/01/2022
Gr 9 Up—A fresh YA novel that includes a ton of representation, friendship, romance, determination, and a whole lot of coming-of-age. Tahira is 17 and living in Toronto. Her dedication to her blooming fashion career is only second to her parents' desire to see her succeed and get into FIT in New York City. After a fluke accident, her summer internship is canceled and she opts to work at her aunt's shop a few hours outside of Toronto in small-town Canada for the summer. The town, Bakewell, is obsessed with flowers, which is definitely not Tahira's aesthetic—but is it the next trend? Filled with current teen slang, Instagram posts, awkward relationships, broken friendships, and a lot of growth all summer, the novel follows Tahira as she comes to realize what matters most isn't the branding and networking opportunities, but the art behind her passion—or the passion behind her art. Indian Canadian, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ representation is seamlessly woven into this coming-of-age story that has authentic and realistic experiences captured in an age appropriate manner. VERDICT A great addition to all high school shelves.—Samantha Hull
Narrator Anita Kalathara's inflections convey contention between urban and rural teens. Things are not coming up roses for 17-year-old Tahira Janmohammad. Her summer internship in New York City is sabotaged by a parrot, and then she finds herself helping her aunt revamp her store in Bakewell, Ontario. Kalathara's youthful voice brings out the teen’s personality. Soon, Tahira’s initial disdain for the small Canadian town turns into a growing awareness of the positive qualities of its residents—even Rowan Johnston, the gorgeous but frustrating country boy who is contemptuous of her city ways. This lesson on acceptance and community is a light listen (with some expletives) suitable for teen/young adult listeners. M.F. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
2021-08-16
An aspiring fashion designer in Toronto makes the most of an unexpected summer opportunity.
Seventeen-year-old Tahira Janmohammad’s dream is to be a fashion designer, and she has a plan to make that happen: attend an arts high school, establish a social media presence, intern with a fashion designer, and get into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. All is going well until her internship with a rising star designer falls through. Fortunately, Tahira’s aunt owns a small boutique and offers her a summer job. Unfortunately, it’s in the small town of Bakewell, the self-proclaimed flower capital of Ontario. With her best friend coming along, Tahira decides it won’t be so bad—until she meets 18-year-old Rowan Johnston, Sharmin Aunty’s rude but handsome nursery employee neighbor. An exciting opportunity arises when Tahira discovers that the floral sculpture competition portion of the annual flower festival might be her way in with a famous New York City streetwear designer who got his start in floral design. But first she must find a way to work with Rowan if she has any hope of winning and proving herself. Heron has penned an enjoyable coming-of-age romantic comedy. Touching on the pressures of social media, discovering your passions, and staying true to yourself, your morals, and your real friends, the book offers readers characters whose feelings and insecurities will resonate. Muslim Tahira is of Indian descent; Rowan is Black.
A sweet read filled with fashion, flowers, and romance. (Romance. 12-18)