Fiona’s Fury Book Review

Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book from Stress Free Book Marketing in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warning: this review discusses stalking and abuse.

When I read a book, it might take me a while to get into it. Something has to happen to make me invested in the story. On the other hand, there are times that I’ve gotten on board right away. This may be because of the premise, or it could be the author’s writing that immediately sucks me in. The latter occurred when I read Fiona’s Fury by Roxy Blue – a chilling, sardonic book that had me scared and laughing.

Fiona’s Fury is about a woman willing to risk everything for love. Fiona Turner – the CEO of Fiona’s Floral Shop – has no time for men. She talks to a flower vendor on the phone, which makes her feel things that she doesn’t really want to admit to. Fiona has remained friends with her ex-husband Quade, but she never would’ve expected him to become a terrifying, controlling, law-bending monster. When she displays the first signs of wanting to move on with her life, Quade threatens to take everything from her. Luckily, a weekend at a floral conference answers all her questions about the floral supplier and man on the other end of the phone, Bo Thompson, except how she could possibly have him. She must find a way if she wants to know what she’s missing.

I knew that I was going to like this book right away when I read the words “naked ass” on the first page. That told me everything I needed to know about Fiona as well as the tone. Specifically, she is strong and confident and doesn’t give a rat’s ass about things that don’t appeal to her. At the same time, she uses her sarcasm as a mask for her true feelings and desires, especially after years of trying to please her father. These are more apparent when her best friend Holly tries to talk to her about the floral vendor on the phone.

The chapters switch between Fiona and Bo’s perspectives. Bo – the Prince Charming in this case – is a simple and handsome man who lives on his family farm in Florida. He spends his time tending to the plants he eventually sells and restoring the house. Also, he has visions of a woman in trouble. This might seem silly, but there have been romantic comedies that have more ridiculous situations. Also, what Bo does in the third act is completely in line with those movies.

I totally bought into their romance because of their undeniable attraction towards each other and how both want simple things in life. They also bond over their sad backstories. Fiona has a father that never really respected her because she’s a girl, while Bo lost his parents in a tragic accident when he was 14. The middle portion of the book is devoted to their romance as it blooms at the floral conference. This part can drag a little bit, yet their hesitancy to advance the relationship is interesting. 

Bo also vows to respect Fiona’s agency, unlike her ex-husband Quade. Quade starts off as a dorky, but friendly man who is still in love with his ex-wife. It begins with him asking her out to dinner when he’s in town and coming over to the house she lives in. Then, it turns into him breaking into that same home (also, he owns it). He threatens to take everything away from her, especially the flower shop, and he’s buddies with the local police. He believes that he is losing her. These scenes were tough to get through since they riled me up that this delusional man could take advantage of Fiona in such a way. I understand her fury even if she comes off as foolish sometimes. If this novel gets adapted, I would love to see Will Ferrell as Quade.

The supporting characters are pretty good too. Holly and Jose are friends with Fiona and Bo, and they are super supportive. When Holly finds out about Fiona’s troubles with Quade, she immediately has her stay at her house. I got the feeling that they only exist just so the main ones can have someone to talk to. Given that both are of color (with Fiona at one point calling Holly her “beautiful bi-racial friend”), this is a bit questionable. On the other hand, Blue is writing other romance stories involving characters from this book. This includes Maxine, one of Fiona’s employees, who goes to London for an advanced floristry course in the novel Some Kind of Angel. I hope Blue will explore Holly and Jose in future books, especially the former. Readers know a bit about her like that she is an architectural drafter, a divorcee, and has a boyfriend named Levi.

Fiona’s Fury by Roxy Blue is a pretty good romance-suspense book. The writing drew me in with its wonderful thrilling and sardonic tone. The main characters are compelling, and readers will completely understand why they are drawn to each other. It helps that the antagonist is disturbing. I would recommend it to readers who like romantic comedies with some suspense. While it’s not perfect, the book got me on board right from the start. It’ll be out tomorrow, March 12, so get it wherever it’s available.

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