Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith: An Audiobook Review

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From The Publisher:

An irresistible story of a woman remaking her life after her husband’s betrayal leads to a year of travel, art, and passion in Paris, from the award-winning author of This Close to Okay.
 
Vincent, having grown up as the privileged daughter of artists, has a lovely life in many ways. At forty-four, she enjoys strolling the streets of Paris and teaching at the modern art museum; she has a vibrant group of friends; and she’s even caught 

the eye of a young, charismatic man named Loup. But Vincent is also in Paris to escape a painful betrayal: her husband, Cillian, has published a bestselling book divulging secrets about their marriage and his own past, hinting that when he was a teenager, he may have had a child with a young woman back in Dublin—before he moved to California and never returned.
 
Now estranged from her husband, Vincent has agreed to see Cillian again at their son’s wedding the following summer, but Loup introduces new complications. Soon they begin an intense affair, and somewhere between dinners made together, cigarettes smoked in the moonlight, hazy evenings in nightclubs, and long, starry walks along the Seine, Vincent feels herself loosening and blossoming.
 
In a journey that is both transportive and intimate, Half-Blown Rose traverses Paris, art, travel, liminal spaces, and the messy complexities of relationships and romance, with excerpts from Cillian’s novel, playlists, and journal entries woven throughout. As Cillian does all he can to win her back, Vincent must decide what she wants . . . and who she will be.

Audiobook Review:

Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith is a thought-provoking novel built on the concept of betrayal. It is raw, honest and full of passion. It is a love affair not only between a woman and a man, but also one with Paris. I enjoyed it.

This is a book that feels like it requires the reader to experience what Vincent is experiencing. At times, a single line will come from what the author refers to as ”the narrator”. I feel the depth of Vincent’s despair, learning her husband Cillian has a son from a relationship at the age of 15 after he revealed it all in his latest book. This is not the way one wants to find out about this secret that he has been holding onto for decades.

Vincent’s love affair with Paris is felt in every part of this book. . Even her music playlists which are provided throughout the book exemplify this passion. Those of us who share this sentiment about the city will enjoy this aspect of the book.

The attraction between Vincent and Loup is undeniable. Despite there being a twenty-year age difference, the push and pull of this relationship are palpable. There is no question that the author knows how to write about passion.

What bothers me about this book is the laissez-faire manner in which Vincent holds the hearts of both her husband and Loup. While the conclusion of the book is left to interpretation, I wanted something more cohesive. What a great novel this would make for a book club or buddy read!

I listened to the audiobook version of Half-Blown Rose which was narrated by Mela Lee and Tim Campbell. I appreciated both of their performances which felt natural and easy to listen to. I loved Tim’s Irish accent and Mela’s ability to speak French. I have no hesitation to recommend the audiobook to those that enjoy this format.

What I Liked:

• The author’s ability to write about Vincent’s love of Paris
• The passion between Vincent and Loup
• The audiobook performances

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Libro.fm for the ALC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

This Close to Okay by Leesa-Cross Smith

Sophie Valroux’s Paris Stars by Samantha Verant

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst