Full Bloom
Available August 5, 2025
The power to be seen. The power to be heard. The power to be adored. . .
A woman’s life is forever changed by a mysterious perfume in this stunning novel about ambition and untapped desire from the New York Times bestselling author of Ghosts of Harvard.
Then, a mysterious neighbor, an older Frenchwoman, makes her a gift: a bespoke perfume.
One spritz, a dab behind the ears, and Iris is a different woman. Suddenly, she is the object of every man’s desire, and she can satisfy her own hungers for sex, love, and ambition. She can cast off her inhibitions and use her newfound allure to dazzle the high-profile client, attract a man who excites her like no other, and access all the rarified spaces that once excluded her. Under the perfume’s heady spell, Iris embodies her maximum power—a flower fully bloomed.
But there is danger in connecting to our primal emotions. Scent awakens buried memories, and nightmares of the childhood house fire she barely survived return to haunt her. As Iris ventures deeper into the glamorous and male-dominated worlds of New York real estate, dimly-lit steakhouses, and beachfront mansions in the Hamptons, she finds herself getting closer to unspeakable truths—about the people she trusted, about the people she loved, and about the new circle of power-players that invited her in.
A sensual and seductive novel set among the upper echelons of New York City, Full Bloom is at once a poignant story of becoming and a riveting mystery that asks: Who are you without your inhibitions? Does being wanted get what you want, or will you be devoured by desire?
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“Francesca Serritella is a literary wonder. Atmospheric and lush, FULL BLOOM is is the story of Iris, so overwhelmed by life, only a miracle could set her free. With one spritz of an elixir, Iris is free to explore her potent past and visit the magical possibilities of her future. Serritella’s elegant prose includes a top note of originality, a middle note of pure heart, and a base note of self-discovery. A sensory feast for readers everywhere.”
—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author
“Francesca Serritella’s Full Bloom is an absolutely gorgeous read — the perfect combination of romance, mystery and magical realism, with a vibrant cast of characters who will make you wish you were a part of Iris’s world. Here is a big, juicy story that will linger long after you’ve closed the book.”
—Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author
“I love FULL BLOOM. Charged with emotion, it is a masterful portrait of one of the most intriguing characters I’ve ever met. Iris grew up with heartbreak, encounters betrayal, and powers through it all with heart and bravery. Her adventures may or may not be the result of a seductive elixir concocted by her brilliant and eccentric neighbor, the exalted perfumer Rapacine. With elegant prose and an insider’s knowledge of New York City, Francesca Serritella has created a dazzling world that draws us in and makes us feel we are wandering the brownstone-lined streets and hidden gardens of Greenwich Village. She writes of Iris’s longings and desires, passion and regrets, and she understands the art and science of love. What a wonderful novel she has written!”
—Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author
Excerpt to come!
Book Club Kit to come!