Somewhere Between Dandelions


Young Adult - Paranormal
251 Pages
Reviewed on 03/27/2024
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Author Biography

Trisha Larson Harmon was born and raised in Redlands, CA. She has been passionate about writing since a young age. She obtained her BA from UC Riverside and her MFA from CSU Long Beach, both in creative writing. She is known for being a heart finder. She sees hearts in the shape of rocks, clouds, egg yolks, apple cores, you name it! She resides in Los Alamitos, California, with her daughter and son. Somewhere Between Dandelions is her first novel, but it won't be her last.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Somewhere Between Dandelions is a paranormal drama by Trisha Larson Harmon. All Claire Goodnight wants is to move away from her small town and her alcoholic mother after her high school graduation. When Finn Peterson, a longtime crush with whom she recently had a perfect date, unexpectedly passes away in his sleep, Claire's entire world turns upside down. But soon, Finn's ghost appears to her and seeks her help to make things right. As Claire and Finn spend more time together, they uncover secrets about Claire's family and parentage that explain some of her mother's behavior over the years. However, Claire isn't ready to forgive her mother just yet. Meanwhile, a young man named Tyler develops feelings for Claire. How will she navigate family and love? Will Finn find peace?

Trisha Larson Harmon infuses a healthy dose of mystery, romance, and drama into this engrossing novel bound to be savored by readers of paranormal fiction. Somewhere Between Dandelions is a story about growing up, navigating family conflicts, forgiveness, and young love. Despite the supernatural elements of the tale, there is a sense of realism to Harmon's handling of the characters and the narrative that makes it all the more riveting to the reader. I was thoroughly engrossed with the protagonist and the relationship dynamics between her and her family and friends. The love triangle is compelling, and it puts you in a dilemma as to who you should root for to end up with Claire. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it to romance and paranormal fiction lovers.

Risah Salazar

Goodnight; that’s what Finn Peterson calls Claire; her last name serves as his endearing nickname for her, a privilege she grants only to him. Finn, the quintessential school jock and star basketball player, hails from a happy and supportive family. Claire, a shy girl burdened by her mother's reliance on alcohol to cope, navigates life's challenges alone since the closest ones to her left, one way or the other. The mere notion of Finn asking her out was surprising enough, but his untimely demise following their first date leaves Claire reeling. As Finn reappears as a ghost that only she can see, their connection deepens through sweetness and peculiarity. Now, they must confront the unresolved matters that bind them before one of them goes away for good. Who knew that a simple wish could provide the closure they all seek in Somewhere Between Dandelions by Trisha Larson Harmon?

Somewhere Between Dandelions unfolds with an ethereal grace that enchants the reader, infusing their imagination with light and wonder. The narrative flows seamlessly, captivating with its breathtaking romance at just the right pace. This roller-coaster tale repeatedly tugs at heartstrings, resonating closely with real-life experiences while maintaining a delicate balance of suspense, angst, and drama. Each chapter compels the reader to feel the same way as Claire, blurring the world inside and outside the pages. Trisha Larson Harmon skillfully weaves an intricate path as the protagonist embarks on a journey toward truth and healing. Somewhere Between Dandelions is a poignant tale tailor-made for romantics and aficionados of family drama. Above all, it speaks to those who steadfastly believe in the power of wishes fulfilled.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

In Somewhere Between Dandelions, Trisha Larson Harmon introduces readers to Claire Goodnight and the wish she makes every time she blows the seeds off a dandelion. Claire has had a secret crush on Finn Peterson since they were five years old. In their senior year of high school, Finn asks her out, and they spend a memorable night getting to know each other. The effect of their romance is paused when she returns home. Her alcoholic, indifferent mother is uninterested in her life, and when Finn suddenly dies, Claire runs to her friend and co-worker, Tyler. During Finn's memorial at school, Claire glimpses Finn. It doesn't seem real, but she can see his ghost. For a moment in time, she relives the spark between them, but Finn can only stay for a short time.

Trisha Larson Harmon pulls on every heartstring as she tackles grief, alcoholism, and loss. Harmon's words go straight to a reader's heart, evoking a visceral reaction to her story. Anyone who has lost someone close to them can put themselves in the place of one of the characters who are all connected in grief. The book moves along at a medium pace and the story unfolds with surprising discoveries at regular intervals. It's impossible to read this novel without visualizing Claire's tumultuous emotions as Harmon explains them seamlessly through the narrative. I imagine this book will open up some hard conversations if shared between family and friends, creating an atmosphere for healing. Somewhere Between Dandelions is a great selection for young adults and older readers who enjoy paranormal romances and magical realism.

Nino Lobiladze

Seventeen-year-old Claire Goodnight makes a wish on a dandelion. Her wish comes true almost immediately. Finn Peterson, a boy from her school whom she has been dreaming about for so long, finally asks her out. Claire and Finn spend a wonderful evening together, but Finn unexpectedly dies shortly after. Heartbroken and devastated, Claire has to contend with her mother, Lisa, who struggles with alcohol addiction, in their unwelcome house. Then something unbelievable happens, and Finn comes back as a ghost. Finn and Claire need to solve family mysteries and help those suffering after his death finally find peace of mind. Somewhere Between Dandelions by Trisha Larson Harmon is for young adult fans of paranormal fiction, romance, family drama, urban fantasy, and mystery.

In Somewhere Between Dandelions, Trisha Larson Harmon tells the captivating love story of a lonely girl forced to deal with life challenges much too early and the ghost of a boy who died untimely. The setting is tragic, yet Trisha makes us believe that there is always hope. The finely crafted characters have genuine emotional responses to the tragedies they go through. Claire tends to hide in her "turtle shell," and Finn's sister, Violet, tries to shake up their mother, who goes numb with grief. Trisha outlines that our ability to forgive others is inextricably connected to our ability to forgive ourselves. Somewhere Between Dandelions has exciting elements of mystery, and the narrative is fast-paced. The author harmoniously blends multiple genres into this gripping coming-of-age novel. The descriptive parts are perfectly balanced with the well-written dialogue. I highly recommend this meaningful book to readers who love exquisite psychological prose.

Antoinette Wessels

What would we do to have more time with the ones we love before they die? This became a reality for Claire Goodnight in Somewhere Between Dandelions by Trisha Larson Harmon. When the boy of her dreams asks Claire out on a date, Claire feels it must be too good to be true. Losing her grandmother and best friend recently and being left with an alcoholic mother, Claire was well aware of pain, loss, and disappointment. On the night of their date, the walls surrounding Claire start to crumble. Unfortunately, Finn dies in his sleep later that night. Claire experiences the full force of loss again, but she gets a second chance when the ghost of Finn appears only to her with unfinished business related to their families. They experience love differently without physical touch, creating a more intense love story. But Finn can’t stay forever.

Somewhere Between Dandelions by Trisha Larson Harmon is an emotional young adult romance that teaches the reader the true meaning of losing and loving someone to the fullest. It also taught me about forgiveness, especially for those who are supposed to be there to protect you. The pages of this story are filled with life lessons for any young adult reader struggling with forgiveness and loss. Seeing how Claire Goodnight found forgiveness and peace through her and Finn's love is beautiful to witness. Trisha Larson Harmon is exceptional in writing an innocent love story with a great message. I immensely enjoyed this easy-to-read young adult romance with a paranormal twist. It made me think of and regard love, loss, and disappointment differently.