This was an Early Reviewer book which I won. I really enjoyed the first few chapters- learning about the meanings of flowers (something I may actually investigate further, so thanks for that) The foster care stories were sad, but brief (I am not yet done with the book, but in the final third) However,as is wont to happen with me and books, I started to get a little irritated at all of the coincidences in this girl's life- that she 'just so happens' to run into someone who is also into flowers (and gives her a job) and then more and more people-all into flowers and their hidden meanings- it seems at times like the whole town (in real time, and the past) are 'flower people'. And everyone -since she's aged out of foster care- is so overly concerned with her. She even starts curing people's love lives with bouquets, and then she meets a handsome man named 'Grant' (of coarse!), and now I realize this is going to be like a Sunday afternoon Lifetime movie -and so far it is. She's 'afraid to love', but of coarse, Grant won't give up on her, trying to soften her up, or break her like a wild stallion. She gets pregnant (which came from left field, even though she begins having sex all of the time with Grant (Wake up, girlfriend! It's 2012!) She takes all of her belongings and goes to live in the park (!!) rather than tell Grant she's pregnant because he might be 'too happy' about a baby. I don't find this stoic- I find it mental! Run, Grant! (and yes- blame her upbringing, her 'get out of owning up to your own actions' free pass) She can't get an abortion 'because she can't be naked in front of strangers' (the Doctors) Really? That's loony-tunes, right there. (Say you're against abortion, or whatever, but please don't talk to me like I'm an idiot!) Her boss, who guesses she is pregnant is stern and decides 'we need to get you insurance young lady!' then tells her it'll take her all day to fill out the insurance paperwork she's already procured. (All Day? What kind of insurance is this? I could see maybe a half-hour....) but she flees- because- after all- the nerve of people, wanting to help me pay for a baby, who has a father that might be 'happy'. It's terrible. I tell ya! At this point in the story (the page I'm on) she is literally watching as 'Grant' is searching for her ( she's looking out of a storefront attic's window!) - watching Grant asking the townspeople if they've seen her. 24/7 this is what he's doing, for months evidently- while she sleeps in the park. All he needs is to bring along a dainty glass slipper and have the females of the town all try it on, until only her delicate foot slips in!!This is a huge city, but he's right there in her line of sight. It's like a Harlequin Romance minus the bodice and petticoats.. If she REALLY didn't want him to know she was pregnant- why wouldn't she get out of the area altogether? Who would be homeless (like it's nothing, by the way, the book doesn't even discuss the awful logistics of that in any great length) rather than live with a handsome, rugged, 'prince of a man', who is devoted to her?? I'll tell you why she doesn't leave town-because she's a big drama-queen, and she needs him to really, really, really kiss up to her, BEG even. She thinks she's being selfless, but she's actually extremely narcissistic, keeping everyone running in circles over HER! It's so ridiculous. I'm sorry. I'll be back to finish this when I'm done. But who buys into this stuff? Next thing you know she'll have a kid and name it after a flower. It's all so pink bows and frosting flowers.... that it's making my teeth ache. (read less)

This was an Early Reviewer book which I won. I really enjoyed the first few chapters- learning about the meanings of flowers (something I may actually investigate further, so thanks for that) The foster care stories were sad, but brief (I am not yet done with the book, but in the final third) However,as is wont to happen with me and books, I started to get a little irritated at all of (read more)

This is a story of of needing to learn how to love. That seems unbelievable, doesn't it?
Love just happens. We love our family, we love our friends, we love. We love. But, what if
we never had a family, or a friend. What if a child were abandoned by her mother, the first
person who would love her? What if she spent ten years with no one showing love, no one
to turn to, not even a friend? What happens to love then? Victoria knew the answer. She knew what happens when one spends ten years without love. It becomes unattainable, or seems to. It becomes unbelievable, doesn't it? It becomes impossible. Victoria knew that. She also knew that no one would ever love her, and she set out to make it so. The sadness of Victoria and her spare, hollow life is a tangible thing. It is apparent to Renata, the woman who looked at a gaunt and empty young girl, and decided to try to help. She was careful to only help a little, lest she frighten Victoria away. She was circumspect and a little bit kind. She did
what no one before, had managed to do. Victoria allowed her to become a friend. What happens in the days that follow are remarkable. The story grows like a vine around circumstance and
coincidence. But then, some say, there is no coincidence. Some things are just meant to be. The journey that Victoria takes after meeting Renata, who is my personal hero in this story, is a journey with many twists,
many turns, and many obstacles. But most journeys end somewhere, even if it is only at the beginning of a new journey. The back story, where we learn the language of flowers has its own elegance and beauty. I liked this book. Recommended (read less)

This is a story of of needing to learn how to love. That seems unbelievable, doesn't it?
Love just happens. We love our family, we love our friends, we love. We love. But, what if
we never had a family, or a friend. What if a child were abandoned by her mother, the first
person who would love her? What if she spent ten years with no one showing love, no one
to turn to, not even a friend? What (read more)