Super Bloom: A Novel

by Megan Tady

Overview

Named One of the 12 Best Romance Novels for Beach Read Season by Tertulia

Independent Publishers Book Awards, Gold Medal - US Northeast: Best Regional Fiction

In this sparkling, heartwarming debut set at an iconic Vermont spa, massage therapist Joan Johnston struggles with grief. Can a quirky assignment from a demanding, eccentric author help Joan rewrite her life?

Massage therapist Joan Johnston can’t seem to get her life back on track. She’s wallowing in grief over the accidental death of her boyfriend, Samuel, and her attitude is now seriously jeopardizing her job at Apex Inn & Spa, a Vermont institution, as well as her friendships. Then a new client, Carmen Bronze—famous for her bestselling romance novels as well as her crazy demands and flaming temper—offers Joan the chance to pay down her massage school debt and get back in her boss’ good graces at work. All Joan needs to do is funnel Carmen insider dirt for her next book, which is set at a spa. Joan’s not sure, but she’s out of better options and takes the deal.

As the task unexpectedly reawakens a dormant talent in Joan, she’s irresistibly drawn to writing her own romance novel—one based on her relationship with Samuel that stretches into the bright future they didn’t get to share. Writing seems to be the therapy Joan so desperately needs, and her heart begins to open to unlikely friendships, workplace injustice, and even a new romance.

But it’s not that easy, especially with the intensity of Carmen breathing down her neck. When Carmen discovers what Joan has been up to, she snatches Joan's hand-written manuscript and claims it as her own, leading Joan’s new motley crew of friends to hatch an audacious (and hilarious) plan to get it back.

A heartfelt look at taking second chances in life and in love, Tady’s uplifting debut will have readers rooting for Joan on every page—as well as laughing out loud at her one-of-a-kind wit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798986241890
Publisher:	Zibby Books
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	312
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Megan Tady, a journalist and editor, is the author of Super Bloom. She founded Word-Lift, a communication consulting and copywriting firm. Originally from Nebraska, she now lives in New England with her husband and two children. 

Editorial Reviews

Super Bloom is a true delight—hilarious, poignant, and as much of an escape as a spa day in the mountains of Vermont. Who could resist a novel about writers, romance, and the nuances of friendship? Not me! Take Super Bloom along on your next getaway.”
—Amanda Eyre Ward, The New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club pick, The Jetsetters & The Lifeguards

“Absolutely delightful.”
—Jenny Lawson,The New York Times bestselling author of Broken (in the best possible way) and Furiously Happy

"Fresh, funny and told by a narrator whose voice I would follow anywhere, Super Bloom is a true delight. I absolutely adored this book.”
—Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script

“Super Bloom is that rare sort of novel that’s both a blast to read and leaves you thinking about the characters long after you’ve finished the last page. Set in a spa in Vermont (who doesn’t want to go there for a while?) Megan Tady delivers a terrific satirical world in which our heroine—a down and out massage therapist mourning a lost love—has to fight her way back to happiness. Throw in some entitled clients and a narcissistic romance novelist with truly evil intentions, and you’ve got a sure hit from a wonderfully gifted new debut novelist. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!
—Katie Crouch, The New York Times bestselling author of Embassy Wife and Girls in Trucks

“Super Bloom is such a fun read! Megan Tady had me laughing out loud as I followed her quirky, broken-hearted heroine Joan as she bumbled her way through grief, loss, and the more typical hardships of a thirty-something woman living in a small town. This life-affirming story (and a romance within a romance within a romance) is a tale of unexpected friendship, moving through grief, and never giving up on your dreams.”
—Eileen Garvin, bestselling author of The Music of Bees

"Super Bloom is super fun! Like a great massage therapist, Megan Tady’s funny, feel-good debut will de-stress and delight."
—Georgia Clark, bestselling author of Island Time and It Had to Be You

"A winning (and wickedly funny) debut about a massage therapist's second chance at life. Like a skilled therapist herself, Megan Tady works all the right pressure points to leave the reader rejuvenated. I already can't wait to read what she writes next."
—Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, The Editor, and The Guncle

“An alternately heartbreaking and hopeful debut about the importance of writing your own story.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A fun, charming read.”
—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

From the Publisher

2023-03-14
A grief-stricken massage therapist agrees to help a romance novelist write her next book—but gets more than she bargained for.

Joan Johnston works as a massage therapist at Vermont spa the Apex, and she’s beyond burned out. Part of that is because she kind of hates her job (the demanding clients, the physical stress, the unpredictable pay), and part of it is because she’s grieving the death of her beloved boyfriend. They may have been a couple only for six months, but they were planning to spend the rest of their lives together—and now all she has to look forward to is another day getting yelled at by clients. If she doesn’t get fired, that is. Her boss, Tara, tells her that if she can’t get a review from notoriously hard-to-please client Carmen Bronze, she’s finished. Joan thinks her days at the Apex are done—until Carmen wants to strike a deal. Carmen, a prolific romance novelist, wants Joan to give her notes about the inside workings of the spa so she can use them in her next book about a massage therapist. In return, she’ll give Joan a glowing review—and a decent amount of cash. Joan happily takes the deal, but holding up her end of the bargain is harder than she expected. Taking notes for Carmen awakens her own long-dormant dream of writing, and soon Joan is secretly working on her own romance novel. What will happen when Carmen finds out? Debut author Tady carefully balances humor and grief, exploring Joan’s genuinely touching heartbreak over the premature death of her boyfriend while also giving readers plenty of her snarky internal monologue. The story is at its best when Joan begins to open up to the people around her—her co-workers, book club members, and even a favorite grocery store employee she nicknames Deli. As Joan works through her grief and attempts to restart her life, it’s satisfying to see her realize how much support and love she already has.

An alternately heartbreaking and hopeful debut about the importance of writing your own story.

Kirkus Reviews