So excited to have another opportunity to be selected to receive an ARC copy of Drea Scott’s re release of her second novel, Hunt For The Roses 🌹
The book was originally released in August 2023 and has a re-release date of 20th March 2026!
So first things first I will say this book is intense and you’re straight in, and the overall subjects of the story make this inevitable. The Prologue is quite a lot and took me a bit by surprise but this didn’t alter my overall feeling for the book and how much I really enjoyed it.
Now this review will have a few spoilers (not in detail) but to appreciate this book for what it is I feel it’s needed, plus the factor that this is a re-released version and that date has also passed, so it has been out it the world but I still don’t want to ruin it for any other reader!
I loved the quote to the reader and the playlist link at the start of the book. This really helped set the tone for the book, character and story. “When life throws thorns, hunt for the roses.” – anonymous
Something that really stood out was the quote at the beginning of the first chapter and helped understand what Aria as a character was going to go through.
The picturesque setting of a South Carolina coastal town was perfectly described and really helped immerse you as the reader into this world.
The main themes I took away from the book are:
- Grief looks different every time
- Finding love happens in the most unexpected moments in life
- Life still goes on even when the worst has happened
- It’s ok to take the time you need
- Family and friends are what life is all about it
The book really had an impact, i really loved it and it took me a little while to digest the story in full.
The two main themes of a love story and the topic of grief were done in a way I haven’t seen before.
The pace and timeline of the story really helped to make the relatable and help you as the reader develop a better undestanding for the characters.
I found Aria as a character very ‘normal’ in the best way. She was just living the life of any twenty something year old and making the best of it. Then having to adjust this after losing the person she thought she was going to be with forever and in such a tragic way.
There were so many layers to each character but especially Aria and Dane, it was so nice to read their story both as individuals and then their coming together.
Grief is such a complex emotion and is completely different not only to every person but also every time you go through it. It really highlighted how same moments are life changing not only just for the person it has happened to but also ripples into every other aspect of life too.
One of my favourite parts of the book was how the whole idea of ‘hunting for roses’ was linked together both metaphorically and physically with the scene in the Rose Garden between Aria and Dane. I think especially for me this was the moment the whole book just clicked.
This is Drea Scott’s first book and I would like to read the original at some point to see what changes were made if any for the re release and also another chance to visit this story again.
I really loved her writing style and it really stood out in this particular genre for me. So I have definitely added her second book Fly Back To Me to my TBR list.
As an author Drea Scott in my opinion gives a refreshing and thought provoking approach to the romance genre. And her next release has already been teased as a duet book, which again is something totally new to me!
So I’m so pleased to have been introduced to her as an author and a huge thank you to Drea Scott and the team involved for giving me the opportunity of this and receiving an ARC copy.
You can follow Drea Scott on her instagram page @authordreascott for all her latest releases and updates!