A good read, though I must say the heavy-handed moral storytelling put me on edge. Rose is naive and willfully misunderstands everybody. Additionally, she is a flirt without even realizing it. I couldn't get over Alcott killing off one of the main characters so abruptly, and I also felt that she utilized some of the same plot devices as in "Little Women," with much the same disappointing and sad effect.
All of that aside, I liked this book. Mostly - who am I kidding, it was all because I loved Mac. A better character you'll not find in the story, if you ask me. He had morals without being sanctimonious and pious to the extent of irritation (like Rose and her Uncle Alec). He added much needed variety and had the most original remarks and actions of any of the characters.
Don't get me wrong, I love Louisa May Alcott; however, her narratives have, with age, begun to be less moving for me. I'm glad I finally got around to this one, though. 3 stars.

I absolutely loved this book. At first, in the beginning it seemed slow because of Rose's romance with Charlie, but towards the middle of the book, I got really attached. I've found that I can relate to Rose and her fancies of being girly while still wanting to speak her mind. While I did think it was a little weird that Rose falls in love with her cousin, I do understand that it was the custom of the day. When Charlie died, I cried. It was completely unexpected, but it made sense. At the beginning of the book, I had wanted either Charlie or Mac to marry Rose, because she had a chance to reform them. I did also want Charlie to change, and I wish he hadn't died, but I guess it was for the best. I was an emotional wreck for the last five chapters of the book. Everything started to fit into place, not perfectly mind you, but in unexpected ways. I have always loved 'Eight Cousins', but I've finally read 'Rose in Bloom' and I love this one way more. I recommend this to anyone who still has those girlish fantasies and hopes of her prince coming to save her, but still wants to have a mind of her own.

Lousia May Alcott never fails to inspire the noblest parts of my soul and motivates me to strive for the best things.
This one was more romantic than the other books I've read from her, but very wise and thought-provoking. I understand that people might think parts of her writing preachy and sometimes even schmaltzy, but one has to understand it was written in another time. But though it was written in another time and for a particular audience, I feel it has to say so much to everybody in the present and I would recommend her works to every young soul who wants to live a full life and leave a mark on the lives of others. It is honest and pure inspiration.

This sequel to "Eight Cousins" is really just a continuation of the same story. One of the reasons I love these two books is because book loving Mac has always seemed like my kind of person, despite being part of a rich Boston family in the 19th century. It's been interesting to reread these at the same time I've been reading the "Divergent" series by Veronica Roth, they have a lot in common as moral writing for teenagers -- interesting ideas about virtue and social problems combined with rather insipid love stories.

The sequel to [Eight Cousins] pretty much unfolded like I expected. More pompous and creepy interference from Uncle Alec, Rose remains charming and innocent, the cousins remain supportive. The surprising bit was how Alcott resolved the love triangle which felt a bit like her taking the easy way out. Even with all that it was still a cute story for it's time.

Very nearly as good as my favorite of books, Little Women. This book, too, evokes many emotions and provides plenty of important lessons in an easy manner. I may have to read this one frequently as I do Little Women. Loved it!!

Thank goodness I was born in the 20th century!

reread April 2025:
took me till the year of our Lord 2025 to recognize it's not just the bookworm-ness that younger me was bonding with Mac over #autisticrepbeforethatwasathing

also. greta gerwig I found where you got the bulk of Jo's big speech from and i like it more now since learning most of it was an Alcott original after all <3

Louisa May Alcott's novels are perfect reading for children. Her heroines are great role models for girls. And her stories are very real, and also very charming and innocent.

Rose in Bloom, the sequel to Eight Cousins, should serve as a guidebook for every young lady. It is a story of Rose, an orphan, who goes to live with her uncle and seven boy cousins. Her uncle "experiments" with raising her up and the result is a lovely young woman. Rose in Bloom is a "coming of age" novel. As Rose matures into a young lady, Uncle Alec guides her throughout every step of the way, helping her make decisions regarding friends, dress, and beaus.

The innocence of Alcott's writings is shown primarily in her portrayal of romance. Courtship and marriage are not portrayed in a gushy, sentimental way. Her love stories are very sweet and tender, and presented in quite a wholesome way. Alcott's stories are simple and wholesome reading for younger readers, and yet still rich enough to be enjoyed gleaned from by older readers.

Alcott is particularly admirable in her use of literary references and allusions. She incorporates so many hints of Shakespeare, Dickens, as well as lesser known authors such as Maria Edgeworth, Susan Warner, Dinah Maria Craik, Mary Sherwood, etc. Her literary knowledge is extensive and impressive!

I read these books about Rose and the cousins as a child in the 1960s. I loved them then and cherish them now.

This book is the equivalent of comfort food to me--it brings back so many memories of when I was growing up! I loved it then and I still do. It had such vivid characters and such innocence yet honesty. I also remember how stunned I was by the romantic choices that are (and aren't) made. It really drove home to me the importance of marrying a man of character, not just someone "passionate." Definitely one to read to the kids (read Eight Cousins first).

2024 update: this should be required reading for every teen before they start dating. It has such thought provoking themes about how to choose a life partner. And it makes such a strong case for NOT dating someone (no matter how charming) because you want to help/fix them.

“Rose wanted to be kind, and tried in various ways to help her cousin, feeling very sure she should succeed as many another hopeful woman has done, quite unconscious how much stronger an undisciplined will is than the truest love.”

Oooph. What a line! And how true—the strongest emotional love will become weak if it isn’t accompanied by a disciplined will that can continue to choose what is right.

Gdybym mogła dałabym więcej gwiazdek, bo na to ta książka zasługuję. Kocham wszystkie powieści autorki, ale ta przebija wszystko. Nic nie jestem w stanie porównać do fragmentów, podczas których płakałam mimo, że doskonale wiedziałam co się wydarzy dalej. Prosta, przewidywalna, delikatna niczym tytułowa Róża, opowieść. Ale opowieść, która zostaje z czytelnikiem na zawsze. Wszystkie te cytaty, relacje i drobne, ledwo zauważalne mądrości życiowe stworzyły tą niesamowitą całość, którą teraz trzymam w ręce.