I really enjoyed When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn. It's so sweet and meaningful - especially the female protagonist and the message of the story. I've been looking forward to reading more by Victoria Lynn ever since the publication of her last book, so I'm really glad to have this novelette to tide me over until she publishes a new novel in one of her series.

I really identified with the main character, Marjorie, and saw myself in her, which is always a plus for me in books even if I don't need it to enjoy a book just as much. I felt for her in each of her struggles, and I saw my own in hers - having low self-worth, being critical of my own appearance, being unable to forget embarrassment, and not realizing my strengths and my value to my loved ones. It was refreshing to read about a young woman who is not outwardly beautiful - but who has a beautiful heart along with many other wonderful qualities. It was so sweet to watch her learn to accept herself and realize her value to God and others - a journey I'm walking myself as well.

In addition to an endearing, sweet, and relatable protagonist, the other big strength of this book is the theme and message. The truth that each of us is beautiful and loved the way God created us to be is so important and needed. This book illustrates it wonderfully through the story of a young woman very much like me and many others I know. The theme is clear and beautiful, yet gentle and not overly preachy.

Marjorie's predicaments often made me smile or chuckle even as I felt her embarrassment, and I felt sad for her when she had to say goodbye to her dearest friend.

The supporting characters were sweet, though not as well-developed as Marjorie. I enjoyed Miss Claire, Ginger, Daphne, and Mr. Baeley. The female supporting characters had vivid personalities, and Mr. Baeley was very sweet and gallant. I do wish he had been on the page for a longer, because I don't feel that I - or Marjorie - got to know him very well at all in his brief appearances, even if he was a pleasant part of the book.

The light, mild romance was sweet, wholesome, clean, and God-honoring. I'm not used to reading books in which romance is the bulk of the plot, and I never read, much less enjoy romance novels. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if that weren't the case, even if this book is not solely a romance. However, I'm glad that the main focus of the book was Marjorie's growth as a person, rather than the romance. I was hoping the author would make sure that Marjorie found her worth in herself and in God and not in being appreciated by a young man, and I think the author succeeded.

There were a few tiny hiccups with the plot, scenes, writing, and characters, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. The book was a bit predictable, but I didn't mind. The protagonist, Marjorie, and her themes and growth as a character were the reason I enjoyed the book and rated it as highly as I did.

I recommend When Beauty Blooms to young girls and young women in particular, as well as to women of all ages - but I'm sure many guys could enjoy it very much as well. I would have really benefited from the message and main character as a teenager - and I still do now. It's a sweet tale full of truth that will speak to many people, as it did for me.

3.5 stars ( )