Successful investment banker Alfie has a multi-million quid penthouse apartment, a well-stocked wine fridge, a temperamental sports car, and two really great friends (both exes). He has left the trappings and the accent of his Northern England upbringing behind—but is he really happy? When he accidentally comes out at a family wedding after being heckled about why he isn’t settling down with a nice girl, he bails for a drink at a local pub, scans through the Grindr app for a local pickup, abandons it… and meets a cute blond with pink tipped hair and spectacles who first antagonizes, then flirts with him, then takes him home, only to reveal his identity as someone Alfie bullied in school.

Gobsmacked, grown-up Alfie tries to do the right thing and apologize; Fen, once he confesses who he is and how he experienced Alfie, now wants nothing to do with him. Their chemistry—and the sex—was great, though; Alfie can’t get Fen out of his head. He takes a few days off to try to reconnect with Fen, tracking him down to the flower shop (Pansies) Fen has inherited from his mother. There’s apologies, an attempt at bathroom repair, dates, a reckless cruise down an old road, and lots of taking and processing. While I’m generally not a fan of the hooking up with your bully trope, Fen always had a little bit of a crush (in spite of Alfie’s bad behavior) and Alfie is so repentent, it works.

Alfie struggles with his heteronormativity (for a queer dude!) and narrow minded ideas about men and masculinity. The intersections of his compartmentalized life are a real problem. Fen is much more integrated and out. He’s coping with grieving his mother’s death, the loss of his career, and the trauma of his youth. Both seem to be having a quarter life crisis, but each is a comfort to the other in the breakdowns. When Alfie decides to stay on for a week and they see if they can make a go at a relationship, he can’t help but use his expertise with numbers to unscramble several years worth of accounting mess, in case Fen wants to try and salvage the business instead of returning to his career; it’s just one of the ways he tries to save him, as Fen saves him right back.

Pansies is classic Alexis Hall: witty, clever, nuanced literary writing, peppered with deep conversations and introspection, innuendo and allusions and puns, and precisely chosen details. Motifs of flowers and water are persistent. Fen, a lighting designer, is also a fan of Broadway musicals, so references to roles and songs abound—it’s fun for the reader to figure out from context what he’s singing, as Alfie (who is narrating) doesn’t have a clue.

The story is peopled with interesting and introspective characters like teenage Gothshelley who utters Art is Pain while constructing a floral arrangement described as “an experiment in negative space and triadic disharmony” and a former classmate Pete, who runs the local mechanic shop and whom Alfie is sure is going to unmask as a homophobe when Alfie comes out to him.

The story is set where Hall grew up, and the landscape, businesses and class differences between North and South are authentic and serve to illustrate the differences between the characters and their upbringings. The Geordie accent and colloquialisms from each region are carefully researched and presented, and make the story more grounded and real.

Alfie’s narrative is juxtaposed with letters Fen is writing to his (now deceased in) mother to unpack her loss and its impact. It’s a very clever device to further showcase the difference between the two men, and allow insight into Fen’s point of view.

This reprint edition has gorgeous cover art, two recipes (one from each character, in their respective voices and styles, and extensive author notes about the revision process, word choices, character motivations, and writing insights that really showcase how talented Hall is at their craft. Read as part of the Spires series or as a standalone novel, things a truly excellent examination of coming to terms with sexuality and the cultural, geographical, familial baggage that influences and informs it.

I received a free advanced readers review copy of #Pansies via #NetGalley courtesy of #Sourcebooks.

This was a classic example of a book that was not for me, but I can still appreciate the craft behind it. Alfie and Fen’s story is rooted in very specific experiences and a very specific place that I do not have personal context for and thus made it difficult for me to get into the story. However, as is always the case with Hall, the side characters are compelling and there are many funny moments that make the book worth reading. I also enjoyed the author’s notes at the end, which give great context for the choices in the writing and makes the story that much richer.

The Spires novels are among my favorite Alexis Hall books. Pansies is an even quieter romance than, say, Glitterland, but it's every bit as heartwrenching and romantic. This couple is one that will stay with me for a long time and I will definitely re-read this book in the future.

This book was a great read! The story had a great pace and the characters were well developed. It was very easy to get sucked into the story and in just a few sittings, I was done reading the book!

Pansies was my first intro into Alexis and their writing and I will certainly be reading more from them! I got choked up, I laughed, I was moved - everything I want from a solid read. There were some plot points that felt unresolved to me and I would have liked to see wrapped up better, but real life is messy and perhaps that’s what the authors intent was. Overall, I enjoyed this read and I’m excited to go back in this series and start from the beginning!

Edit: As a re-release that was edited since it was originally published, the Harry Potter references should absolutely have been removed. In light of Alexis Hall’s recent poor response to being called out on this, I am editing my review and lowering the star rating. Authors of queer books need to be accountable to queer spaces, and especially trans people as a collective. References to Harry Potter are both triggering to many trans people and perpetuate the idea that JK Rowling deserves any sort of platform after her actively hateful and harmful actions towards trans people. I would highly recommend re-releasing this release to remove any and all HP references across Hall’s books.

I received my copy of Pansies through @netgalley and this is my honest review.

I haven’t read much bully romance stories so far, but I did enjoy this one. I love a good angsty read and this one definitely delivered on that, along with some top tier banter and really well written spice.

It's almost 2025. I know the original book was published in 2016. However I read a newer edition as an arc, meaning edits were made. For some reason a very obvious Harry Potter reference wasn't removed. As a trans person I am so done with new releases still having Harry Potter references. Such references might seem small, but they do help a transphobic author's platform grow. JKR has done so much harm to many marginalised groups, specifically trans people. Why would a queer book refer to her work?

Trans people deserve better. Literally any character in pop culture could have been used to describe a character in this book, but still the author decided to go for Hermione Granger.

Heat Factor: We start with a very angry hookup and go from there

Character Chemistry: Instant connection—Alfie is very very smitten and, despite misgivings, Fen falls pretty fast too

Plot: Alfie pursues Fen and gets better at emotions

Overall: There is a lot going on in this book

Here are different one-line ways I could describe this book:
- A romance between a queer man and his high school bully
- A love letter to the northeastern English city of South Shields
- An exploration of masculinity, with emphasis on negotiating identity as someone who identifies both as gay and as a “man’s man”
- A one-sided courtship situation
- A book about learning to live with grief
- A story about being queer and also wanting the heteronormative life you grew up holding up as the ideal
- A Hallmark Movie narrative, where the Big City Investment Banker finds himself by going home and helping run a flower shop

Writing this list really brings home the fact that I do not know how to review this book, because it’s not straightforward. Sure, it’s a love story between Fen and Alfie, but so much of the book is about place and sense of self that the love story sometimes feels almost secondary. Like the love story is the plot trapping to get us to the larger point, which is exploring all this other stuff that’s going on with these two men.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is: this is not a book to pick up if you just want a sexy gay rumpus.

On the other hand, we are still firmly rooted in genre romance land. I know this because I cried when Alfie did his big love declaration. (“I was thinking maybe I could learn to cook? And we could listen to musicals. And you could drive my car sometimes. And I could suck you off every morning and fall asleep next to you every night. And you could top me whenever you wanted cos when it’s you I like it and it’s ok. And maybe we could watch The Shawshank Redemption and you wouldn’t laugh when it makes me cry.” If you don’t think that’s a portrait of domestic bliss I really don’t know what to say to you.)

Maybe the people who should read this book are the people who are snobs about genre romance, but then I fear they would be like, “Well, that one was ok, but most of them are still trite and silly” because Hall is being pretty obvious here about the themes he wants to grapple with.

Look, I really enjoyed reading this book. I think Hall is really talented, especially in developing distinctive voices for his characters. I love that his books are a bit nerdy and full of pop culture references. But I also acknowledge that that same nerdiness can be a bit much, and that not everyone wants to read a romance that’s also doing a lot of work to explore what it means to be a man.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Alexis Hall is one of my favorite authors. Their characters and plots are unputdownable every time and this book did not disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc! I rate this story 4 stars and 3.5 chili peppers for spice. I have loved all the Spires books so far and I think Alfie and Fen have been my favorite love story so far! There is so much angst and I love the dramatics. Love all the edits to the original story and the wonderful content in the back of the book.

Guys with a shared past: one realizing the errors of his ways and another trying to get by after the loss of his mother.

Story: 3 Characters: 3 Engagement: 3

"He found me when I most needed to be found and helped me find myself again."

Highlights:
- 2 different lives reconciling their past
- Shows struggles of each trying to figure out the life they want
- Kindness and support and fumbles were all genuine and true to real life.
- Poignant lines about deep feelings and life

Lowlights:
- Slow moving in the first half
- So much back and forth and torturing themselves about what was right

Notable quotes:
"I only have so much space in my heart, so I have to prioritise what upsets me,"

"that's called life. Wanting things, and not being able to figure out how to get them. "

"It was at times like this that he really wished he smoked. Or did coke. Or whatever gave you an excuse to slip out of the room when you needed to."

"I don't converse. I contemplate the meaninglessness of existence."

""But it feels lonely without someone in the world who knows who I am. Not just everything I pretend to be."

"He's always been like this, this axis pulling the world into shape around him. But now it's all for me, and it feels exactly the way I used to daydream it would."

""So you're saying you admire my commitment to looking like an idiot?""

"a friendship as familiar and comforting and slightly shabby as a favourite coat,"

"Alfie, you're so much more than you pretended to be." "Well. Aren't we all?""

"Joy and sadness and pain and love collided in Alfie's chest like some kind of terrible motorway accident."

This book was kinda boring tbh. I read it and then pretty much forgot what happened. I didn’t hate it but it wasn’t meaningful

I have enjoyed other books in this series, but this one unfortunately wasn't for me. I have a history dealing with bullying and I don't enjoy bully redemption story lines, so I was unable to read this title when I realized that was Alfie's storyline.

I'm sure it will be a great story for other readers.

Devoured this book. Alfie and Fen have such distinct developed personalities that I felt like I knew them in real life. And the ANGST!!! Definitely checking out other works from this author.

I tried but I couldn't with this one, unfortunately.

The cover initially attracted me to the book and after reading the synopsis, I was convinced that it had the potential for a good enemies to lovers. I didn't expect the bully trope at all. I was actually expecting some kind of mishap in the past like a lovers spat.

I tend to avoid books with bully tropes and this one just wasn't working out. I did see some reviews saying this wasn't a bully romance but I think it really is. While there wasn't on page bullying, it's discussed well enough and is a subject of focus often enough to be one. Anyway, wasn't for me.

Thanks to the publisher for this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Stunning Reissue with heartfelt author annotations—Alexis Hall Does It Again!

Pansies by Alexis Hall is an emotional, deeply resonant LGBTQIA+ romance that delivers everything you could want from an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract love story, with a beautiful dose of found family thrown in. This new edition, reissued as part of Hall's beloved Spires series, comes with the incredible bonus of the author’s annotations—giving fans and new readers alike a rare, behind-the-scenes look into Hall’s writing process and the thought-provoking details behind the characters and plot. These insights added so much depth to the reading experience, making this edition an absolute treat!

At its heart, Pansies is the story of Alfie Bell—a seemingly successful man who's clawed his way up to the London elite, only to realize he’s left behind a life of lies. Coming back to his small town, he’s forced to confront his past, especially when he runs into Fen, the flower shop owner with a vibrant personality and pink-tipped hair. But here’s the twist: Fen remembers Alfie all too well, and not in the way Alfie would hope. Their history is steeped in childhood cruelty, unrequited love, and the lingering pain of past wounds.

The chemistry between Alfie and Fen is off-the-charts, sparking with both tension and tenderness as they navigate their messy, complicated history. Hall weaves these tropes—unrequited love, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, and found family—so seamlessly that you can’t help but be swept away by Alfie and Fen's journey toward healing and redemption. The romance is raw and emotional, full of both the heartbreak and hope that makes Alexis Hall a master of the genre.

Content Warnings: Hall doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes, so readers should be aware of content warnings for homophobia, bullying, grief, and the death of a parent. These topics are handled with sensitivity and add an authentic layer to the characters' emotional landscapes.

While Pansies is part of the Spires series, you can definitely dive in without having read the others. It stands strong on its own, with a narrative that's both self-contained and beautifully expansive, showing us how the past can shape and sometimes sabotage our hopes for the future.

A special thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the chance to read this heartfelt reissue before its official release.

If you’re looking for a romance that packs an emotional punch, with characters who will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for their hard-earned happy ending, then Pansies is the perfect pick! Don’t miss out on this gorgeous, annotated edition—it’s one that fans of Alexis Hall will absolutely treasure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Alexis Hall for allowing me to ARC read for ‘Pansies.’

First off, this cover is so gorgeous.
This is another excellent offering from Alexis Hall. Following Alfie and Fen, ‘Pansies’ is a well written romance that details love, forgiveness and self-reflection/ discovery.
I thought the story flowed well, I loved seeing the character growth in the characters. I loved the north-east setting, also. It’s nice to see somewhere such as South Shields written about as opposed to the generic ‘London/ Edinburgh’ settings books often use.
I felt captivated by the unlikely love between Alfie and Fen from the get-go.
Be advised, this book featured sex scenes, so if that’s not your thing, either skip them, or don’t read it.
‘Pansies’ is worth the read for those looking for a feel-good romance with great character development.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 - Alfie and Fen’s love story is one that hurts a bit, but the Spires series has always delivered for me and this one is no exception.

Alfie Bell ends up back in South Shields for his best friend’s wedding after years making it big in London. When he meets Fen James at a bar, he has no clue who he is and definitely doesn’t remember their questionable history from school. But their attraction and chemistry is undeniable and they end up drawn to each other even though things are incredibly awkward and uncomfortable considering their past.

Honestly I was a little put off at first knowing that this was a past bully romance but I think this was done really well. Alfie grows a lot throughout this book, in addition to his growth off the page in the years passed so that definitely helped. I definitely felt for Fen throughout - he was so torn about his feelings, especially after Alfie started to redeem himself and get under his skin again. When they communicated, their relationship was so much fun to read, but it was a bit of a slog to get to that point at times with so much back and forth, misunderstandings, lack of communication, just a whole lot of fighting with themselves about a lot of things.

I liked how well these two fit together even though they couldn’t be more different - their dynamic was sweet when they were on good terms with each other and that got me through some of the more frustrating moments. This was an interesting addition to the Spires series and, while it wasn’t one of my favorites, I still enjoyed getting to know these two.

Pansies is a very realistic LGBTQIA+ romance novel. Even though it's an updated version of a previously released book, it's still relevant today. It addresses so many issues; bullying, loss, trying to live up to others expectations, ignorance/hate from people you love, and so much more. Alfie and Fen have to navigate these while trying to hold on to each other.

I love the enemies to lovers aspect of this book, where Alfie was Fens childhood bully. They both have to come to terms with the past and move on to be together. They both have to figure out what they want their future to be like.