Love in Bloom
By Mei Hua
When Lian, a reserved art student, and Zeyan, a driven medical major, cross paths in college, sparks fly-but not in the way either of them expects. The quiet, introspective Lian has always kept her emotions guarded, pouring her heart into her artwork rather than relationships. Zeyan, on the other hand, has always been focused on meeting the expectations of others, especially his demanding parents.
Their bond begins as a slow, quiet connection, but as they grow closer, old wounds, insecurities, and a past love triangle threaten to tear them apart. Jing Lin, a childhood friend of Zeyan's, refuses to let go of their past, complicating everything between Lian and Zeyan. As tensions rise, Lian must confront her fear of vulnerability, and Zeyan must choose between his family's expectations and the love that's growing inside him.
Through misunderstandings, jealousy, and personal growth, Lian and Zeyan must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their path. Will they find a way to stay true to themselves and to each other, or will the pressures of the world pull them in different directions?
Love in Bloom is a heartfelt, coming-of-age romance about finding love in unexpected places, the beauty of personal growth, and the courage it takes to build a future with someone who sees you for who you truly are.
"A beautifully told story of love, dreams, and the journey to self-acceptance. Love in Bloom is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love to transform us."
*Wattys 2018 Winner / Hidden Gems*
CREATE YOUR OWN MR. RIGHT
Weeks before Valentine's, seventeen-year-old Kate Lapuz goes through her first ever breakup, but soon she stumbles upon a mysterious new app called My Dream Boyfriend, an AI chatbot that has the ability to understand human feelings. Casually, she participates in the app's trial run but finds herself immersed in the empathic conversations with her customizable virtual boyfriend, Ecto.
In a society both connected and alienated by technology, Kate suspects an actual secret admirer is behind Ecto. Could it be the work of the techie student council president Dion or has Kate really found her soulmate in bits of computer code? She decides to get to the bottom of the cutting-edge app. Her search for Ecto's real identity leads Kate to prom, where absolute knowledge comes with a very steep price.