She stole his roses.
Fleeing the spotlight, burnt out rock star Layla—“Belle”—Dubois seeks refuge in the south of France. That old, half-forgotten heritage in a valley of roses seems like a good place to soothe a wounded heart. She certainly doesn’t expect the most dangerous threat to her heart to pounce on her as soon as she sets foot on the land.
He wants them back.
Matt didn’t mean to growl … back.
Matt didn’t mean to growl at her quite that loudly. But—his roses! She can’t have his roses. Even if she does have all those curls and green eyes and, and, and…what was he growling about again?
Or maybe he just wants her.
When an enemy invades his valley and threatens his home, heart, and livelihood, Matthieu Rosier really knows only one way to defend himself.
It might involve kissing.
And that might be just the start.
Praise for Laura Florand’s novels
“A poignant, lovely, moving, authentic story.” – Virginia Kantra, NYT bestselling author
“Sweet, sexy, and all around delicious. I’m addicted. I can’t wait for the next book.” – Nalini Singh, NYT bestselling author
“Chocolate, Paris, and a Greek god for a hero; this delectable confection has it all!” – Library Journal Starred Review
“(Florand) captures the nature of love, its fierce, soul-warming necessity, in a way that will make you as happy as the finest bonbon could.” – The Barnes & Noble Review, a Best Book of the Year
“Florand outdoes herself with this exquisite confection… painstakingly crafted and decadent as the sweets it portrays, leaving the reader longing for just one little taste.” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“Adorable, charming, whimsical.” – Smexy Books
“Romance at its strongest and most powerful.” – Dear Author, Recommended Read
“A delectable summer bonbon.” – NPR Books
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This series will have a new book releasing next week and so to share the love, I’ve decided to recommend the first book. Ms. Florand writes realistic fairy tales, with lush imageries and heartfelt emotions, romance, humor, heartbreak and love. A very unique meet-cute happens between our leads Layla and Matt and just like that I fell in love. Once Upon A Rose is a real life fairy tale between a wandering free spirit and a solid down to earth being whose life blood is the valley of his heritage. The whole La Vie En Roses series is about the Rosier cousins and their home and heritage and finding love of course.
I love Laura Florand!! The Chocolate Thief was the first book I read by her and it might be my fave, but all of her romances are delightful. They definitely fall into the category of fairy tales about Paris that Americans love to imagine are true but are probably not, but Florand lived in France and I think is married to a French guy so I TRUST HER. Also it IS true that France is full of delicious chocolate and pastries and wine, and if you throw in a well-written romance with well-developed characters I am sold. Once Upon a Rose takes place in a rose valley in Provence, so the writing could be terrible and I’d still be into it, but it’s 100% un-terrible!!!! In all seriousness, Florand has a really lovely way with words and I highly recommend her.
Great story!
Rich, decadent and flavorful are only a few words that come to mind when I read a Laura Florand novel. Most of her books deals with food in one way or another, but with Once Upon a Rose (La Vie en Roses #1), we have a nice switch where roses are in the spotlight, and a hero who loves working with them, and literately smells like roses (not sandalwood like heroes of ye olde romance). Laura has a way with words, which is golden in every piece of dialogue and the way the characters act. The hero and heroine are delightful here, as well as the setting.
Once Upon a Rose is a feel good romance, mainly because of how Layla and Matt interact with one another. Matt, like most Florand heroes, has body issues, as in he thinks he’s too manly, large, hairy, uncouth, etc… for the likes of the sweet and womanly soft heroine. Matt is all thumbs when it comes to Layla, who turns his world upside down. Her sunny nature, and too many smiles to count (the word “smile” is very overused when it comes to Layla) irks Matt because he doesn’t know how to act around her. Matt is all bark and no bite, which is very endearing. Layla is Little Mary Sunshine, whose biggest worry is trying to get her musical mojo back. The biggest tension is how Matt will react when he finds out that Layla isn’t some run of a mill singer trying to make ends meet with her music. That is the biggest hurdle for these two. The angst level is pretty low, even though Matt acts like the sky is falling most of the time. But these strange quirks of Matt’s are cute, and Layla seems to be the only one who calms him.
The love scenes crackle with heat. I can’t find anything wrong with them. Laura writes great sex! She makes a great case for Layla to chuck everything and stay with Matt and his roses. One Upon a Rose is a great little story that has a nice fairy tale feel set in a beautiful foreign landscape you wished you could visit ASAP.
Not as good as her other books. Her Chocolate series is better.
“Once Upon a Rose” lacks some of the crucial character building that Florand’s Paris series has taught me to expect. Without any shared hobbies or passions (like a love of good food, or a dedication to chocolate) the book falls flat. Also, the main characters are lacking in confidence and trust, which makes them rather unlikable. I’m giving it 3 stars because the scenery and descriptions still feel like going on vacation!
I didn’t bother to finish it.
Enjoyed
Love this author, her characterization are so different from the usual…you can’t put the book down. Turmoil she develops urges you to read full steam ahead.
Great and emotional reading
Great locale, original outlook on an unusual industry. Cute story.
Terrific romance that takes place in the rose growing region of Provence. Wonderful characters, deeply romantic.
I loved it!
Really liked the author. Unique setting. Great book!
Lyrical description of the valley makes it feel you have been there in a dream
I enjoyed this story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fun characters!
Loved it!!! Nice quick romantic read!! Lots of comic quips and enjoyable romance
Good storyline and characters. Great descriptions of the country side. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story.