Helpful Score: 3
A very good novel about family relations and love. The book shares wisdom of a very profound nature in an easily digested manner. A great novel to be treasured.
Helpful Score: 3
Great read about the importance of extended family. It made me think about my own grandparent and give him a call.
Helpful Score: 3
A sentimental story about family members struggling with themselves and each other to discover what is really important.
Helpful Score: 3
This book struck a chord with me. Having taken care of my elderly mother the last year and a half of her life I could relate to the relationship between the grandaughter and grandmother. Grandma Rose had her priorities in order...and wanted to impart them to her famly.
A very good read.
A very good read.
Helpful Score: 2
Great characters, vividly drawn. Grandma Rose's advise is not just for her family members. Readers can't help but gain from the examples of acceptance, caring and wisdom.
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful story of a family realizing the reasons the are who they are starting with a grandaughter and her family caring for the almost 90 year old grandmother. Wonderfully written and a joy to read!
Helpful Score: 2
A lovely intergenerational tale. Katie Benson and her husband come for an extended visit with her grandmother, she doesn't let on she's there to keep an eye on her her until the rest of the family arrives to pack her up and move her to a senior facility. It's not an easy transition for the Bensons - moving in with a baby, the telecommuting her husband banked on not possible from the farmhouse. But they are drawn in to the life of the community, and into a greater appreciation of Katie's grandmother. Realistic, well-developed characters and situations make this a book worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
A very good book; it was difficult to put it down and do my housework.
A new mother (& her husband and baby) go to stay temporarily with her grandmother on the farm. The grandmother and granddaughter share memories. The granddaughter finds the grandmother's journal which has heartwarming stories about "the virtue of patience, the power of love, and the importance of family, friendship, and faith."
A new mother (& her husband and baby) go to stay temporarily with her grandmother on the farm. The grandmother and granddaughter share memories. The granddaughter finds the grandmother's journal which has heartwarming stories about "the virtue of patience, the power of love, and the importance of family, friendship, and faith."
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be very special. I saw so much of my family and my mom in this book. It brought me to tears. Would highly recommend. My first book from this author. I also have the next two in the series and am anxious to get started.
Helpful Score: 2
I really loved this book and didn't think I would. Sweet, heartwarming tale rich with profound life lessons and messages that we could all take to heart. Cherish your families and those that you love... I think this is going to be one of those books that I will reread every couple of years.
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. It's very touching about an elderly lady and her family. The elderly lady leaves a journal with life lessons in it.
Helpful Score: 1
Some readers might find this story sentimental and sappy. In contrast the story is chock full of wisdom. Get over that hurdle, and try one more. You will be relentlessly reminded that "it's the simple things that are important" and "family comes first". Overlook these flaws and you will discover an enjoyable story.
The characters, like us humans, are flawed but likeable. The main character, Grandma Rose, now a widow, has been living alone on the family farm. Even her independent streak and her feistiness can't hide the fact her health is faltering. Her granddaughter, Kate, returns to the farm to care for Grandma until the rest of the clan arrives for Christmas holidays. Grandma's persistence can be annoying, but aren't most grandmother's that way?
Most of the book revolves around the relationship that develops between Kate and the matriarchal Grandma Rose, propelled by short stories Grandma writes about her past and leaves unattended for Kate to discover. Having lived through the loss of my parents and in-laws to old age, I could identify with Grandma's feelings about having more to look back on than to look foreword to especially since she is the only remaining elder relative and coping with the onset of failing health.
Grandma's relationship with a little girl, Dell, who lives in a poor neighborhood with her own ailing grandmother, is a significant part of the story. Grandma, like Dell, had a childhood filled with desperation and hardship. Dell reappears as a teenager in the book, "The Language of Sycamores."
The characters, like us humans, are flawed but likeable. The main character, Grandma Rose, now a widow, has been living alone on the family farm. Even her independent streak and her feistiness can't hide the fact her health is faltering. Her granddaughter, Kate, returns to the farm to care for Grandma until the rest of the clan arrives for Christmas holidays. Grandma's persistence can be annoying, but aren't most grandmother's that way?
Most of the book revolves around the relationship that develops between Kate and the matriarchal Grandma Rose, propelled by short stories Grandma writes about her past and leaves unattended for Kate to discover. Having lived through the loss of my parents and in-laws to old age, I could identify with Grandma's feelings about having more to look back on than to look foreword to especially since she is the only remaining elder relative and coping with the onset of failing health.
Grandma's relationship with a little girl, Dell, who lives in a poor neighborhood with her own ailing grandmother, is a significant part of the story. Grandma, like Dell, had a childhood filled with desperation and hardship. Dell reappears as a teenager in the book, "The Language of Sycamores."
Helpful Score: 1
The lessons that most enrich our lives often come unexpectedly. lThat's what Kate Bowman learns when she moves temporarily--with her husband and baby son--to her grandmother's Missouri farm. The family has given Kate the job of convincing Grandma Rose, who's become increasingly stubborn and forgetful, to move off her beloved land and into a nursing home. But Kate knows such a change would break her grandmother's heart.
Just when Kate despairs of finding answers, she discoveers her grandma's journal. A beautiful handmade notebook, it is fully of stories that celebrate the importance of family, friendship, and faith. Stories that make Kate see her life..and her grandmother..in a completely new way.
Just when Kate despairs of finding answers, she discoveers her grandma's journal. A beautiful handmade notebook, it is fully of stories that celebrate the importance of family, friendship, and faith. Stories that make Kate see her life..and her grandmother..in a completely new way.
Helpful Score: 1
Heartwarming story about the meaning of "family"....
Helpful Score: 1
An incredible story of family and special releationships. Very touching and moving.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good book to give to a newly married couple even though it is fiction. Little tidbits of wisdom found amoung the pages.
Helpful Score: 1
Tending Roses - What a book! Reading this book brought back images and memories of my grandmother who could be loving on one hand - so full of wisdom and nic-picky on the other hand. Grandma Rose is just like her in this book. And just like Kate comes to cherish the wisdom of Grandma's point of view, I too find myself repeating things that my grandmother said to me.
The message of Tending Roses is to pay attention to what you have been given that's right in front of you - your life, your family, your friends - instead of buying into the constants of the material world. Less is more and Lisa Wingate does a good job explaining through Grandma Rose, Kate and the rest of the family.
The message of Tending Roses is to pay attention to what you have been given that's right in front of you - your life, your family, your friends - instead of buying into the constants of the material world. Less is more and Lisa Wingate does a good job explaining through Grandma Rose, Kate and the rest of the family.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best "comfy" series i have read. Very touching story, it stands on itself, if you get the chance-- read the rest of the series, it is so good you'll be looking for more from Ms. Wingate.
Helpful Score: 1
A sweet story about family relationships and priorities. A bit cheesy, but garnered a good discussion at our book group. We decided Wingate needs a good editor.
One of the best books I have read.........realistic and tender at times. A must read for all women with families.
A story about generations coming together and changing lives. A spiritual and emotional tale of a family that has some lessons to learn from one another.
Good book.
I don't like "chick books", so this was not a fave for me. Way too sappy.
This is such a sweet, tender book. It brings with it a great message that we all need to hear, but is not preachy at all. I loved how the characters all learned to look at each other with different eyes after a lifetime of contention. I simply could not put this book down and wept at the end. I wanted it to go on and on, but the author wisely ended the book at just the right moment. I would give this book 10 stars if I could and I highly recommend this book to all. It is especially good for those who have endured difficult family members, family situations, or are just trying to reconcile what has occurred in their life.
A rich story about Kate Bowman who temporiarily moves with her husband and baby to her grandmother's Missouri farm to try to ocnvince her grandmother to move into a nursing home. Kate finds her grandmother's notebook full of stories that cerebrate the importance of family, friendsihp and faith.
Beautifully written book about realizing what's really important in life. Awesome book! I really love this author!
What a touching book. Just finished and the tears are still drying on my face. Makes you take a step back and look at the priorities in your life. A good read.
Excellent text that honors the family! A feel good book that will leave you with renewed hope within your own family!
This book tugged at my heart all the way through it.
Loved this book.
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
Tending Roses Series Book One
Ben and Kate Bowman were âliving the lifeâ as some say. Things changed in the blink of an eye. A baby born with heart issues. Hospital bills that were piling up and insurance refusing to pay. And Grandma Rose needing someone to stay with her until after Christmas because of health issues.
Kate was on extended leave from work and Ben could work from home. So the adventure began. Grandma Rose was not an easy women to be around. Kate's family was at odds with each other for the past six years. And the money issues were pulling at Kate's marriage.
Another story that pulls at the heartstrings and gets the tear ducts flowing. And more. I wish I'd taken more time to sit and learn my own history before my grandparents and mom had passed away. Our busy lives often keep us so focused on the future, that we forget to remember our past. Thank you, Lisa Wingate, for another well-written book that is so much more than just a fiction read.
**Received book through Penguin Random House for an honest review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/lisa-wingate-book-list.html
Tending Roses Series Book One
Ben and Kate Bowman were âliving the lifeâ as some say. Things changed in the blink of an eye. A baby born with heart issues. Hospital bills that were piling up and insurance refusing to pay. And Grandma Rose needing someone to stay with her until after Christmas because of health issues.
Kate was on extended leave from work and Ben could work from home. So the adventure began. Grandma Rose was not an easy women to be around. Kate's family was at odds with each other for the past six years. And the money issues were pulling at Kate's marriage.
Another story that pulls at the heartstrings and gets the tear ducts flowing. And more. I wish I'd taken more time to sit and learn my own history before my grandparents and mom had passed away. Our busy lives often keep us so focused on the future, that we forget to remember our past. Thank you, Lisa Wingate, for another well-written book that is so much more than just a fiction read.
**Received book through Penguin Random House for an honest review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/lisa-wingate-book-list.html
My first from this author and I liked it a lot.
This book was wonderful, heart wrenching, and one of my all time favorites!
It is a book for anyone who has parents and Grandparents!
It is a book for anyone who has parents and Grandparents!
One of Lisa Wingate's best! Katie & her husband Ben leave the fast paced city life to spend a few weeks on the family farm caring for Katie's grandmother. The family plans to place the elderly lady in a nursing home after a few accidents caused by dementia. This is a wonderful read! Wingate delivers a heart touching story about a dysfunctional family trying to heal & reminds us we are never too old learn a few life lessons. Wonderful book!
Wonderful read and quick.
Very tender story!
A rich story of family and faith.
From the back cover.
From the back cover.
Christmas is going to be difficult for Kate Bowman this year. Traveling with her husband and infant to the family farm in Missouri, she has the unpleasant task of convincing her 89-year-old Grandma Rose to move to a nursing home. Kate hasn't been back for six years and is dreading the confrontation with Grandma as well as the first family reunion since the death of her mother. But Grandma Rose makes things easier by leaving her journal out for Kate to read, enabling her granddaughter to realize just how much more there is to Rose than she thought and how very important the farm is to her. This helps Kate find her way through her financial and emotional problems and cues her to what's truly really important in life. Wingate's touching story of love and faith proves the old adage that we should take time to smell the roses and try to put our modern problems in perspective
