The Review

This is one novel where you shouldn’t judge the cover. “I Will Blossom Anyway” was listed as a Romance novel, and the cover certainly has the esthetic of a fun Rom Com, but what unfolds inside is something far more introspective. Instead of lighthearted hijinks or meet-cute charm, Disha Bose gives us a story rooted in grief, identity, and the complicated tug-of-war between family expectations and the life you quietly dream for yourself. The novel was less about falling in love with someone else and more about Durga slowly learn how to fall back in love with her own life.

At its heart, I Will Blossom Anyway follows Durga, a young woman who leaves her bustling family home in India for a tech job in Ireland, hoping the distance will help her carve out a life that feels truly her own. What she doesn’t anticipate is a devastating loss that forces her to evaluate how she thought she needed to be perceived. When she returns home to India in the aftermath, Durga is confronted with the weight of her family’s expectations and the realization that her family may not be as perfect as it seems.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how much I love that distinctly Irish, Sally Rooney–esque approach to contemporary fiction. I love the emotional honesty, the protagonist’s ability for self-reflection, and the way that ordinary, everyday moments feel monumental. I Will Blossom Anyway fits beautifully into that space. It’s a coming-of-age story not for teenagers, but for those of us navigating our early to mid-thirties, when you suddenly realize you’re still piecing yourself together in ways you never expected. Watching Durga confront the versions of herself she had outgrown, the expectations she had absorbed without question, and the small, hopeful possibilities opening in front of her made the journey feel both relatable and unexpectedly tender. It’s a slower, more reflective read, but one that rewards you with the reminder that growth doesn’t end just because you’re technically “grown.”

Bose’s writing feels simple at first, but there’s a lot of emotion woven into the small details, and it hits you gradually in the best way. The side characters feel like real people who actually influence Durga’s choices, whether they are supporting her, challenging her, or just showing up in messy, imperfect ways. The pacing is gentle, but it never feels slow for the sake of being slow. It mirrors what healing actually looks like, where the real changes happen in small steps instead of big dramatic moments. The mix of cultural tension, personal growth, and quiet hope creates a story that feels honest and very human. It is the kind of book that sticks with you because it invites you to feel it rather than rush through it.

All in all, I Will Blossom Anyway ended up being such a thoughtful and genuinely moving read. It surprised me in ways I didn’t expect and gave me so much more depth than the cover or genre label suggested. Durga’s journey felt honest, relatable, and quietly powerful, and I kept thinking about her long after I turned the last page. The writing, the emotional weight, the little moments of hope, and the realistic relationships all worked so well for me. I would happily give this one 4.5 stars and will definitely be picking up whatever Disha Bose writes next.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

This is one novel where you shouldn’t judge the cover. “I Will Blossom Anyway” was listed as a Romance novel, and the cover certainly has the esthetic of a fun Rom Com, but what unfolds inside is something far more introspective. Instead of lighthearted hijinks or meet-cute charm, Disha Bose gives us a story rooted in grief, identity, and the complicated tug-of-war between family expectations and the life you quietly dream for yourself. The novel was less about falling in love with someone else and more about Durga slowly learn how to fall back in love with her own life.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how much I love that distinctly Irish, Sally Rooney–esque approach to contemporary fiction. I love the emotional honesty, the protagonist’s ability for self-reflection, and the way that ordinary, everyday moments feel monumental. I Will Blossom Anyway fits beautifully into that space. It’s a coming-of-age story not for teenagers, but for those of us navigating our early to mid-thirties, when you suddenly realize you’re still piecing yourself together in ways you never expected.