Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Wildflowers

AUTHOR:  Mel Bossa

PUBLISHER:  JMS Books

LENGTH:  289 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 28, 2024

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Note:  There is a strong death due to terminal illness/grief storyline here, so take care if this content is sensitive for you.

Hal Cress has suffered some setbacks.  He got laid off from his high-paying job and he’s taken a gig as a call center rep.  Definitely below his skill set but he needed to do something.  He’s still looking for another job, but it’s not going well.  One evening he’s leaving this soul-sucking job when he’s talking to himself in the lobby of his building and a gorgeous guy calls him out.  He’s stunned by the man’s beauty.  He happens to follow him on his way to his subway home and he sees him enter a storefront.  Every day he passes by hoping to catch the man.

Then one night he sees the store is open for some kind of event.  He meets the owner who seems somewhat protective of the man. But he does eventually give them some space to talk  Hal finds out the man’s name is Cory.  He is helping out his friends with their auction.  He finally agrees to coffee with Hal after the shop closes, but when Hal gets back, Cory has already gone home with a migraine.  Hal noticed that Cory seemed to have tremors.  His friend tells Hal it’s complicated.

Eventually they finally do go for coffee at a place close to Cory’s home where he knows the owners.  Hal can tell something is up and Cory isn’t too forthcoming except to say he’s got health issues.  Cory googles his symptoms though and the news is not good.  In fact, it’s actually dire.  Cory confirms what Hal has discovered.  He then does his best to push Hal away.  Repeatedly.  But Hal is made of tougher stuff.  He’s lost his younger brother years before to a chronic illness.

Hal’s best friend Blair has been his rock and support since Dickie, Hal’s younger brother passed away.  He’s watching Hal be taken advantage of and get into bad relationships where he’s been used.  Blair is always there to help Hal keep his chin up.  When Blair find out that Hal is falling for someone who is not going to be around very long, well he’s naturally worried. He really doesn’t want to have to pick up the pieces again.  If there is one thing he doesn’t want to do, it’s watch Hal get hurt one more time.

Cory is dealing with a lot of things.  His diagnosis is something he’s working on accepting.  Hal vows to be there for him.  His family is skeptical that Hal can handle this, but he convinces them that he will be there until the end with Cory.  Of course there are ups and downs.  Their relationship is also a strain on Hal’s friendship with Blair until Hal and Cory bring him into their lives.  And Cory is very astute.  He sees what Blair really feels and tries to get Hal to understand that he will not be alone when Cory is gone – if only he can embrace what’s right in front of him.

I was absolutely thrilled when I saw that Mel Bossa had a new book.  I’ve been a fan of this author for years and this story is a great example of why.  The characters?  Fantastic.  The setting?  Lovely (and yes Montreal is SUPER cold in winter).  The heartbreaking emotional arc was perfection.  I definitely cried reading this story which doesn’t happen very often.  Ultimately though, this story is uplifting and hopeful and a beautiful second chances love story.  Well maybe third or fourth of fifth chances for Hal? All of the secondary characters were beautifully and realistically portrayed.  Honestly in awe of the strength and resilience among many of these folks. There is so much healing here – for most of the characters.   There is beauty in the face of tragedy.  There is joy in the memories of loved ones who have gone before us.  Honestly one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’m confident it’ll be on my best of list.  Highly recommended.

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