A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson

Weddings by Design, Book 4

She didn't expect to fall in love--but roses aren't the only thing blooming on Galveston Island.

Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her boisterous Greek family--especially her father--has other ideas. They've all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand--directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's--and they want Cassia's full participation.

To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!

Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop . . .

My Review:
This is volume 4 in the Weddings by Design series. Although I've read the others, it is meant to be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. Even so, I've enjoyed "seeing" more of the Rossi family. (It's not necessary, but if possible, I'd recommend reading them in order.)

I appreciate the humor that Thompson inserts, and I find myself smiling as I read.

The protagonist, Cassia Pappas, a twenty-three year old single lives with her Greek family above their sandwich shop. She loves flowers and has even obtained an accreditation with the American Institute of Floral Designers. She dreams of working in a flower shop, and discovers that just such a job has a position available in a floral shop a few blocks down from her family's new restaurant.

However, her father, Babbas, rules his roost and makes all decisions--even those for his grown daughter! Cassia fears approaching him about leaving the sandwich shop to work with flowers. It's hard for a non-Greek woman to understand the ties that Babbas has with his family.

To complicate matters, Babbas instructs his entire family to ignore the "enemy" pizza shop across the street. That proves quite difficult when that very shop is filled with the Rossi clan--a large Italian family. The tension of both shops marketing for the same customers provides interesting developments.

Thank you to Lanette Haskins at Baker Publishing Group Baker Publishing Group for my copy.