Before the Bloom

By Kaia Pan and Tiffani Gong

Before the Bloom

A Hearts of Shanghai Prequel

Before Lydia Chen became the poised, enigmatic project manager known in elite circles, she was something far more dangerous-young, brilliant, and broken.

Before the Bloom traces Lydia's turbulent journey through international schools, toxic entanglements, manic highs, and devastating lows. Born into wealth but scarred by betrayal, Lydia survives heartbreak, addiction, and trauma while slowly piecing together a life on her own terms. With the help of her fierce loyalty to one best friend, a strict financial recovery plan, and relentless ambition, Lydia claws her way toward self-stability and purpose.

Set against backdrops from Geneva to Bogot to modern-day Shanghai, this emotionally raw and stylish novel explores the cost of control, the danger of desire, and what it truly means to rebuild yourself without permission.

This is not a love story.

This is how she learned to survive one.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FC6Y9NPF
• ISBN13: 9798287031503
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 82 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"