Helpful Score: 4
For eight years I dreamed of fire.
Victoria Jones has spent her entire childhood in foster care. The book opens on her 18th birthday which is her emancipation from the foster care system. She has been a difficult child and her case worker is very tired of her. The only thing that Victoria cares about is flowers. She knows their proper names and more importantly the meaning of each one. She does not last in the halfway house intended to help her adapt to society. Instead she ends up sleeping in a park. A chance meeting with a florist opens the door for her to shine.
The story is told in alternating chapters of the present and when Victoria was 10 years old. At that time she was placed with the one woman who cared for her and wanted her to thrive. Elizabeth teaches Victoria the Victorian language of flowers. Victoria absorbs all the information and uses it to create a customer base in the floral shop.
This book was so incredibly good that I read it in one sitting. The agony of Victoria's life sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. She has been independent so long that she can't let go and trust others. Her relationship with Elizabeth is so complex. Then we meet Grant. What a tortured couple!
I have always been fascinated with the Victorian flower language. To know that you can tell a whole story or relay a secret message with just flowers is amazing!
Such an wonderful book!
Victoria Jones has spent her entire childhood in foster care. The book opens on her 18th birthday which is her emancipation from the foster care system. She has been a difficult child and her case worker is very tired of her. The only thing that Victoria cares about is flowers. She knows their proper names and more importantly the meaning of each one. She does not last in the halfway house intended to help her adapt to society. Instead she ends up sleeping in a park. A chance meeting with a florist opens the door for her to shine.
The story is told in alternating chapters of the present and when Victoria was 10 years old. At that time she was placed with the one woman who cared for her and wanted her to thrive. Elizabeth teaches Victoria the Victorian language of flowers. Victoria absorbs all the information and uses it to create a customer base in the floral shop.
This book was so incredibly good that I read it in one sitting. The agony of Victoria's life sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. She has been independent so long that she can't let go and trust others. Her relationship with Elizabeth is so complex. Then we meet Grant. What a tortured couple!
I have always been fascinated with the Victorian flower language. To know that you can tell a whole story or relay a secret message with just flowers is amazing!
Such an wonderful book!
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
