Plot summary, “Coming Up Roses” by Staci Hart in 8 Minutes - Book Review
0"Coming Up Roses" is a romantic comedy novel by Staci Hart, loosely based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The story revolves around Luke Bennet, a charming and handsome man who returns to his family home in Manhattan. The Bennets have been running the Longbourne Flower Shop in Greenwich Village for 170 years, but the business is struggling. Luke's oldest brother, Marcus, calls his siblings back home to help save the shop.
When Luke enters the flower shop, he spots his old flame, Ivy Parker, but mistakenly believes Ivy is in the cooler of flowers. He playfully surprises her with an intimate gesture, only to realize that it's actually Tess Monroe, Ivy's best friend, in the cooler. Tess is furious at Luke's touch and shocked to see him in the store, as she was unaware of his return. Tess has secretly had a crush on Luke since they were 16 years old.
Luke, known for his charm and sunny disposition, can't understand why Tess is so hostile towards him. Determined to win her over, Luke decides to find a way to make Tess like him. The novel alternates between Luke and Tess's perspectives. Both characters feel a spark when Luke returns, but Tess harbors anger towards him due to a past incident. When they were 16, Luke kissed Tess and promised to be her boyfriend, only to forget everything the next day and pursue a relationship with Ivy instead. This left Tess hurt and believing Luke to be a playboy.
In contrast to Luke's free-spirited nature, Tess is a planner and a reliable person. She lives with her father, who lost his legs in Afghanistan. As the story progresses, the relationship between Luke and Tess evolves, and they both confront their past feelings and secrets.
"Coming Up Roses" explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the complexities of relationships. It combines elements of romance, humor, and family dynamics to create an enjoyable and lighthearted story.