Romance and Self-Discovery in Tennessee: A Novel
El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes (The Day You Dream of Wild Flowers)
El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes by Paola Calasanz (Roca Editorial, 2017) is a romantic novel that tells the story of Flor, a successful Spanish photographer living in New York with her boyfriend, Roy. She has a very hectic social life and works endlessly to afford her luxury goods. Her boyfriend is increasingly involved in his work and is often absent. Things seem to be going from bad to worse in Flor’s life until she receives a phone call. Her life changes completely the day a fan of her work asks her to take pictures of her wedding. After giving it some thought, she accepts the job and embarks on a journey to Tennessee, where she will change her perspective of the world. During this trip, she meets Jake, a very special Southern man who crosses her path. Together, they will experience a passionate romance, a process of personal growth, and a moment of inflection that will force both of them to make the most important decision of their lives.
Character Development and Relationships
El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes is a deep novel that allows you to empathize with the main characters. The protagonists are well-constructed, and each one has a defined personality. I loved learning about their completely different stories, and I appreciated the special connection between Flor and Jake. The secondary characters are also varied and endearing, bringing a fresh touch to the novel. Notably, Flor’s grandmother has her own story that is gradually revealed, which I really enjoyed. She is a very interesting woman with a lot of willpower, always trying to help her granddaughter.
Themes: Social Media, Veganism, and Nature
Paola Calasanz addresses many current issues, making you feel as if you were part of the story. For instance, she expresses the stress that social media often causes young people and reveals the reality behind the superficial lives of celebrities. However, the most important theme is veganism and respect for animals and nature, especially through Jake’s character. He taught me many things I did not know about the subject, and, above all, the story made me reflect and rethink whether society is taking the right path.
Plot Twists and Conclusion
There are several twists in the plot, some predictable but most of them quite surprising. This feature keeps the reader absolutely immersed in the story. The ending seemed perfect to me, although I wished for a few more pages to completely close this beautiful story. It made me feel both sadness and happiness simultaneously, which is priceless.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes is a touching story that deeply moved me and made me realize that our lives cannot be based on how we present ourselves on social media. This novel also connected me with nature in a unique way because, as the author states, “there are keys to know who we really are” and “the day we dream of wild flowers, we will begin to see life in a different way.”