Dandelion Meadows is cursed.
Horrible name.
Horrible luck.
At eighteen she should be headed off to college, all smiles and naivety.
Instead, a victim of a school shooting, she’s starting her senior year in a new city and living with her brother.
Nightmares of that terrible day haunt her, affecting her daily life and the relationships around her.
Forced to meet with the school counselor, Dani … meet with the school counselor, Dani finds him chipping away at the walls she’s built around herself, and even her heart.
Lachlan Taylor doesn’t know what to make at first of the broken student he’s tasked with helping. She’s survived a trauma he’s not sure he can save her from, but he knows he has to try.
The more time they spend together, the more they learn about what it really means to live.
Some things are forbidden.
Some things are necessary for survival.
Their love is both.
more
Micalea Smeltzer is a new-to-me author, but after reading Sweet Dandelion (thanks to a visually gripping cover that compelled me to one-click), I will now be making my way through the rest of her published catalog. This is a story that will rip you apart, stitch you back together, and leave you eternally connected to these beautifully complex characters. One of my favorite reads of 2020 thus far.
First let me say, this cover is stunning, and I’m slightly obsessed with it. In this book we are dealing with some heavy topics and how those who survive or endure tragic events continue living their lives after such tragedy. At the beginning we are introduced to Dandelion aka Dani who is starting her life over at a new school and having to meet with a new counselor, but since the events she’s been through she is very doubtful her life will ever be the same nor will the counselor be able to help her out of her dark thoughts. I loved how the author brought the emotions and characters to life and we as readers could feel their pain, laughter, and all of it. Dani finds herself opening up more and more to her counselor because even if its wrong she is extremely attracted to him, yet she finds a comfort in him where she can be herself and tell him all her thoughts. The book is extremely detailed and at some points it was hard to push through the everyday mundane things but I promise if you do it will help you understand about Dani’s everyday life, but I think that it is that way to show us readers what it’s like inside someone else’s mind that has endured horrible things and still trying hard to live and not just go through the motions. Lachlan aka Mr. Taylor aka Dani’s counselor is an amazing character because he doesn’t want to fix Dani, he wants to help her, get to know her better, and figure out ways she can help herself live life again. He knows it is wrong to catch any feelings or feel the way he does about her so most of the book he stays away and fights any kind of inappropriate thoughts/feelings towards Dani, but things like that never work. As things become more and more complicated Dani still struggles with finding herself and what she wants out of life so after some things happen, she ventures out to find what she wants out of life. It takes some time but thigs work out as they are supposed to and these two find themselves and fate steps in and places them where they need to be at the right time.
Loved this emotional journey with a touch of forbidden. Love finds a way even in the weeds and rocky places. Dani has experienced something so tragic that no one should ever have to live through. Despite that she’s still here, still living and it’s her and her brother going forward in this world. Lachlan Taylor is her guidance counselor, her rock, her confidante. I loved the feel of destiny sort of guiding Dani and Lachlan along to their meeting…their easy friendship. I also adored her friends Ansel and Sasha and Sage’s over-protectiveness. He always made me smile. Great story of healing, friendship and falling in love.
This book was so ahhmazing and by a new arthur for me. This story will break your heart, make you laugh and make you angry believe me this arthur will have you feeling all kind of emotions, but it will make you fall in love with these character’s.
Meet Dandelion Dani for short she’s having to live with her brother Sage due to a school shooting where a lot of people lost their lives including their mom and she herself is a victim as well.
She’s having to finish her Senior year in a new school and she’s having to see the school’s counselor to help her find her way back from the tragedy and life again.
What she didn’t expect is the hot counselor Lachlin and the feeling’s he’s making her feel and the walls he’s breaking down to help her.
I’d definitely recommend one clicking this and find out just how good this book is.
Micalea Smeltzer wrote another emotionally packed GREAT READ.
Dani’s pain, Lachlan strength To do what was right for the both of them sending Dani on a trip of self discovery. The secondary characters were absolutely a huge part her recovery. ( seeing some spin offs in the future).
You will laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out. Yes, it’s that good.
Enjoy the adventure of heartbreak , loss, self discovery and Love.
I was completely drawn in by this story of forbidden love and a love that stands the rest of time!! While this book wasn’t written too long ago, it still resonates and is relevant to the days we live in now. I really liked Dani’s resilience and strength and although being the victim of a school shooting isn’t something I’ve experienced firsthand, I felt all of Dani’s pain and emotions which is a true testament to Micalea’s writing style. And Lachlan… what a fantastic hero! I loved him so much and loved him with Dani. This story was incredible and I highly recommend it!!
It should never of happened but it did.
She could of died, but she didn’t.
Now she has the chance to rebuild her life.
Can she learn to embrace what is before her, or will she continue to shy away and merely exist.
Oh wowsers what an amazing read from start to finish!
Every spare second I had I devoted to reading this. I couldn’t get enough of their forbidden love.
They were so right but so wrong. I adored everything about them, from the longing looks, to the simple touches. The soft words and guilty thoughts.
Lachlan and Dani touched my heart well and truly. Everything they shared made me melt a little more inside. I could honestly read about them for forever and a day.
This is simply one of those books you need to read, and once you have it will stay with you forever.
4.25
Spanish & English Opinion
Trope: teacher/student – taboo.
Story: original, interesting, amazing message.
Characters: they are perfect. Lachlan and Dani are one of my fave couples. Sage and Sasha are amazing and definitely, Ansel.
Chemistry: 100%
ESP ::
Me encanta la historia. El mensaje de los tiroteos, cómo impactan, lo que causan es súper fuerte pero es positivo. Es importante mencionarlo.
La relación entre Mr. Taylor y Dani es hermosa. Taboo en el momento pero muy linda. Su conexión es especial y ambos son muy lindos. Amo que no hay otras personas en la dinámica. Sage es el mejor hermano y amo que Sasha tenga su HEA. De mis favoritos, obvio Ansel.
Este libro es must. Es taboo pero mucho más profundo y lindo que eso. Es excelente.
ENG ::
I loved this story. The shootings and the consequences that they bring are pretty impressive to read and I love how it makes us think and create conscience.
Mr. Taylor and Dani’s relationship is really cute. They have an epic love and an amazing connection. Sage is the best brother and I love Sasha getting her HEA. A guy I love? Ansel
A must read. Taboo, yes but it goes deeper than that. It shows a true love story that light up the world of people on the middle of dark times.
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I truly have no idea where to start with this review. There are so many words… I was intimidated by Sweet Dandelion for so long because of how big it is, so I treated myself to the audiobook to listen to while studying. It’s going to be so hard for me to put my feelings into words for this book, because I loved it SO much. It’s been forever since I’ve loved a book like this.
After being the victim of a school shooting, Dandelion Meadows is now under guardianship of her older brother in a new state at a new school. To help her deal with her trauma, she meets with her school counselor every single day, Mr. Taylor. Nothing happens between Dani and Mr. Taylor for a good portion of a book. She’s simply a student and he’s her counselor. The way Micalea writes though, you can see the moment things begin to change so vividly. Micalea’s writing is why I loved this book so much, I think. For me, it was like reading Colleen Hoover. Her words were so impactful and held so much meaning. I rarely every cry, and this book had tears pouring down my face. Dani was so strong, and Lachlan (Mr. Taylor) loved her SO much. The sacrifices he made for Dani were utterly breathtaking. I also loved Sage – the ultimate big brother that dropped everything for his sister. His love for Dani was so selfless. Their back and forth banter was so funny, especially the nicknames Weed and Herb. Then we have Ansel, sweet Ansel. Freaking best friend goals. I would do anything for a best friend like Ansel, and can’t wait until we have his book!
Sweet Dandelion was my first book by Micalea, and I’m so excited to read more of her work. I can already tell she’s going to be one of my all time favorite authors.
Dani’s life was turned upside down when a shooter opened fire in the school cafeteria she attended in Portland. After recovering from a gun shot wound and months of therapy Dani moved to Salt Lake City to live with her brother. Sage is Dani’s legal guardian eventhough she is eighteen and a legal adult. Sage felt obligated to make decisions on her behalf. Dani felt guilty that this burden had been placed on her brother.
Dani begins her senior year at a new high school and as part of her healing process she’s been assigned a guidance counselor. Mr. Taylor is eleven years older than Dani, yet He’s the first person that Dani felt comfortable around because he listened without trying to fix her.
Dani hasn’t wanted to talk about the shooting in fact she was excited at the prospect of meeting people who didn’t know about her past. This school was a new start. She was here to finish school and discovery herself. She wasn’t looking to make friends, but that’s what happened. Ansel and Sasha gravitated towards her when all she wanted was to be invisible.
Dani spends one class period everyday visiting her guidance counselor. He’s unlike the therapists she had before. He’s good looking and young. They develop a bond over books. With every touch and grasping of his hands Dani develops a crush.
Dani’s relationship with her brother is complicated with his new role as guardian. The bond they have as brother and sister is compromised by this overprotective need to make better decisions for her future. Being a guardian puts a strain on the role of being her brother.
Micalea gives some sound advice. Take this comment for example: After I told Mr. Taylor I didn’t want friends because it hurts too much, he said to me, “Sometimes we have to hurt to be reminded that the best things in life bring us joy and pain.” Thank you Micalea for reminding readers why a good premise needs a great writer to drive its point home.
I loved the concept and idea of this story. Although There’s something missing from this story that’s preventing me from connecting to these characters. On the surface it’s this superficial element of going thru the motions. I need more of an emotional connection. Dani’s character is in a state of uncertainty not giving too much thought at being a survivor while also being somewhat apprehensive at being alive. I’m not feeling any pain or emptiness because she’s in this limbo state. She doesn’t necessarily want to be sad yet feels guilty for being happy.
This book had three essential relationships: one with her brother, one with her friends, and one with her counselor. Each relationship offered something unique in the way Dani progressed. The relationship with her brother was unique because he was her guardian taking on the role of parent while also being her older brother. The friendship with Ansel was easy and natural. The relationship with Mr. Taylor was more friendship than counseling. He provided a safety net of comfort and understanding.
While Micalea applied an equal amount of storyline on each of these relationships I felt the romance wasn’t a necessary progression for her to heal. It was a great distraction, but not a necessary part of her recovery.
I kept hoping her crush was one-sided. I didn’t expect the story to go in this direction. Although I did connect more with the story when the relationship between them crossed the line. Micalea offered some compelling arguments regarding the student/counselor relationship. With him being eleven years older and her being eighteen I questioned her fragile mind given the trauma she just experienced. It seemed Dani was lacking parental authority and needed Mr. Taylor to fill in that role.
However, There were a few one too many scenes where nothing significant took place just random routine life of ordering food, eating food, making food, doing homework, sitting on the bus, driving somewhere, and sleeping that didn’t help progress the story. While it showed Dani’s progress to live life it established that she still existed in life.
My other setback was the lack of emotional turmoil or pushback from Dani’s character. Had she started her journey with hate and anger it would’ve been more believable. All I felt was the physical connection of attraction between Dani and Lachlan. I felt a disconnect between them because it was missing that gut wrenching ache. Time would pass without them seeing each other while Micalea filled that time with Sage or Ansel so I would lose that connection. I needed Dani’s actions to match the words Micalea used to express her feelings.
I’m obsessed with age gap romances so I consider myself a bit of an “expert” on them — just kidding, but I have read a lot of this trope and I have to say this is a new top favorite.
I love the perfect amount of angst and sweetness. I adore the characters. The relationships were *chefs kiss*. It was an all around great read.
Definitely recommend!
I loved this book! Dani is a relatable character and had amazing character development. At times, the story is really hard to get through but I understand why with the plot. Towards the end, I thought that there were some unnecessary chapters. Honestly, I was an Ansel stand throughout the story and wasn’t rooting for Lachlan, even though I knew he and Dani would end up together in the end.
“My sweet, Dandelion. May you always be as free as the birds, as wild as the flowers, and untamed as the sea.”
This was my first book by this author and I am definitely kicking myself for waiting so long to pick it up. A forbidden angsty story that kept me up till 4 am reading. Dani is broken after surviving such a horrible tragedy and Lachlan is the only one that gets her to open up and begin to heal. No matter how wrong it may be, Dani and Lachlan are so right for each other.
Lachlan pulled me back to shore, but it’s me who’s choosing to stay.
This book has snuck it’s way into my Favorite 2020 reads.
A beautiful story of overcoming heartbreak and loss. Dani has moved in with her older brother away from where her life changed forever. She has gone through hell, but knows she needs to stay strong. When she meets the guidance counselor, Mr. Taylor, at her new school, she immediately feels comfortable. Dani is able to confide in Mr. Taylor, and soon they’re connection turns into something they both were not expecting. Dani and Lachlan’s connected was steamy and sweet and full of angst. The book was a little long, but I loved their story.
Unfortunately like many reviewers before me, I have to say that this book was just way too long. I loved the premise and the forbidden aspect of Lachlan and Dani’s affair but the story was bogged down by extraneous details that seemed to be repeated one too many times. I found myself skimming just in order to finish and I am saddened that I felt the need to do that.
However, both Lachlan and Dani are great characters and their chemistry was evident right from the very beginning. I felt for Dani and her ongoing loneliness and what she had endured in her former school’s cafeteria. That horrific event would have shattered most people but I admired her tenacity and her ability to draw others in, like the wonderful Ansel, even when she didn’t even try.
Lachlan is the perfect ‘therapist’ for Dani and his ongoing desire to fight whatever was going on between them was well executed. He’s a good guy and his wanting to help Dani in any way possible, even when he knew he had crossed a line more than once, endeared me to him.
Again, it just took too long for everything to come to a head, knowing full well these two would be found out eventually. In addition, the part wrt Sasha and Sage seemed forced and completely unnecessary as we weren’t privy to how that even occurred.
I will say I am happy with how things turned out, it just would have been nice for it to have happened a bit sooner. And I wouldn’t have minded more from Ansel, the unexpected best friend, who truly had Dani’s back no matter what. He deserves a book and if that is ever written, I might just give this author another go.
2.5 stars.
I was drawn to the cover of this book first, then the summary had me hooked.
Having read quite a few of Micalea’s books I knew it would be good.
Dandelion Meadows was involved in a school shooting changing her whole life. she has moved living with her brother, who is another amazing character. Lachlan Taylor is the school counselor she is to meet with daily. He makes her safe enough to open up and begin to heal. This story is full of good bad and ugly feelings and doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. I loved it so much. And the Epilogues were amazing. Thank you
OMG…Thank you! I loved this book. This book gave me so many feels. I even did the ugly cry a few times. A new author has just been added to my must keep reading list.
“I know it’s wrong. I know nothing can happen.. again, but I won’t deny my feelings. Not when I’ve been numb for way too long.”
I was not so patiently waiting to read Sweet Dandelion ever since it was first announced.
I loved the story and the style of writing, seriously, Micalea Smeltzer nails it every damn time!
Scenes that would make you cry, shiver, swoon, laugh, this book has them all.
The only thing that was missing for me – Chapters from Lachlan’s POV, I needed those so much. I feel like a bunch from his perspective would have been a buffer to Dani’s chapters & would have helped us connect with him better. I genuinely found myself wondering what he was doing, feeling, thinking & kept hoping to hear from him too.
My thoughts on the main characters:
– Dani/Dandelion Meadows – definitely a likeable heroine. I loved the growth of her character, her strength, her banter with her brother, the chemistry she had with Lachlan. But damn, Dani, just read the letter, Lachlan himself told ya to read it, girl.
– Lachlan Taylor – LOVE HIM. Nothing more to be said.
I adored Dani & Lachlan as a couple, they were so perfect for one another & would give you all the feels when reading!
Sweet Dandelion is a definite must read of 2020 & a real page-turner.
Dani and Lachlan are not your traditional love story. In the mist of tragedy and trying to put all the broken pieces back together Dani finds love when it’s least expected and with a person the world will not approve of. But who is to say who is the right one, the only thing in control of that is the large muscle that rest inside your chest. Be prepared for one EMOTIONAL ride of finding TRUE LOVE in the deepest of depths.
Sweet Dandelion has everything. It got tears, humor, heat. I’m so glad that Dani got her happy ending. I’d like to see Sage get his happy ending.