Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Bouquets & Belonging

SERIES: Heartcraft Market (Book 4)

AUTHOR: Duckie Mack

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 288 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 10th, 2024

BLURB:

Marley is a hopeless romantic who loves his job. Flowers make him happy, and he gets great joy out of the delight they bring to others. He has a standing flower shop as well as a regular booth at the Heartcraft Market.

Derek is an overworked businessman. His work consumes his life, both in the office and at home. He doesn’t have time to date and isn’t looking, but when he sees the florist with an infectious smile at a wedding, his interest is piqued.

When the handsome man Marley caught watching him at a recent job shows up at his shop, he’s certain there’s a spark between them. After helping so many couples fall in love, he longs for his own great romance.

Even if Derek wants to pursue the vibrant man, he has no room for someone in his busy schedule. But Marley plants a seed in his life, a glimpse of the beauty he didn’t know he needed.

REVIEW:

I’m so excited to be able to make another visit to Heartcraft Market and get Marley’s story now too! 

Derek is a very busy man…something his meddling mother can not seem to grasp! He told her he would be at his sister’s wedding and, just because he cut it a little close, he made it in time didn’t he?  Work is his life. He has worked hard to achieve the success he has earned. Being the CMO of the company is a lot of responsibility. His clients and his staff depend on him and his attention to the tiniest of details that are required in his line of work. But what he never expected was his full attention completely detoured to the ray of sunshine with magenta hair dancing carefree with his sister at her wedding reception. He became so intrigued with the colorful man he could not get his mind to let go. So a bit of what some people may consider stalking was needed. But when the real thing is even better than he hoped for what does he do next? 

I can’t imagine having so much confidence like Marley does. I struggle with my weight and it is a constant challenge. I truly appreciated that he has grown comfortable in his own skin but reserved about showing it to someone as well sculpted as Derek. But Derek’s attitude and his attention to Marley, especially making sure consent was a thing almost too often (I got where Marley was getting frustrated with all the checking in for consent) but it was so sweet that he wanted to make sure Marley always had the last word and was comfortable in their relationship. He saw the real and complete Marley and that is who he needed in his life. 

I loved how adoring and doting both these men were to that sweet kitten. O’Malley has to be the most adored rescue ever. That little guy made a very wise choice in accepting Marley when it could have just as easily decided to run away. And the fact that Marley looked out the car window at just that moment meant fate stepped in and gave a helping hand to form their sweet family. 

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Writing a plus size character was important to me as a plus size person. It means a lot for me to see my character loved and accepted for who he is.

⬆️ This right here is what made me want this book. Duckie Mack did such a great job of explaining what we, as plus-size people, go through daily from well meaning friends or potential mates. Marley’s explanation of what he had experienced in the past was spot on. 

I have really enjoyed this series and can’t for what I think is Theo, the wood carver’s story, next. I do recommend that you read them in order but they can stand on their own as well. Great heartwarming story in a fantastic series. 

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon