Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell is a fantastically done story set in 1850s England. I was drawn into this story of a female botanist struggling to receive recognition for her work. Her life was bound up in cataloging and researching flowers and plants and because of that she was one of the most honest, true, funny characters I've ever read. You can't help but love her. :-)
Charlotte Withersby has been helping her botanist father ever since her mother died eight years ago. She's been writing his books, drawing the illustrations, taking care of all the correspondence, and paying all the bills. When her uncle convinces her father that she needs to stop being his assistant and have a social life, Charlotte is flabbergasted. Forced from what she loves doing so she can enter society to snag a husband, Charlotte feels unwanted and unloved especially from her father.
Edward Trimble has been one of Mr. Withersby correspondents from New Zealand for the last three years. He came back to England and immediately went to their home to speak to Mr Withersby. Once there he is offered the job as his assistant. Charlotte is hurt and furious that he is going to take over her job, and she is determined to out him as soon as possible. What Edward doesn't know is that Charlotte is the one he had been writing to for the last three years. Charlotte is terrified he will found out and hopes she can keep it hidden.
The main character was wonderfully done, and I really felt for her. When she was trying not to cry, I was trying not to cry with her. When she accepted who she was, I breathed a sigh of contentment. When love found her, I was thrilled for her. When she stood up for herself, I cheered along with her. I loved how smart she was with botany but how clueless she was with the rules of etiquette. It made for some funny moments in the story.
I loved how the author transformed Charlotte from a flower bud into a flower in bloom, and it is a great story of a woman accepting who she is and not looking back.
Charlotte Withersby has been helping her botanist father ever since her mother died eight years ago. She's been writing his books, drawing the illustrations, taking care of all the correspondence, and paying all the bills. When her uncle convinces her father that she needs to stop being his assistant and have a social life, Charlotte is flabbergasted. Forced from what she loves doing so she can enter society to snag a husband, Charlotte feels unwanted and unloved especially from her father.
Edward Trimble has been one of Mr. Withersby correspondents from New Zealand for the last three years. He came back to England and immediately went to their home to speak to Mr Withersby. Once there he is offered the job as his assistant. Charlotte is hurt and furious that he is going to take over her job, and she is determined to out him as soon as possible. What Edward doesn't know is that Charlotte is the one he had been writing to for the last three years. Charlotte is terrified he will found out and hopes she can keep it hidden.
The main character was wonderfully done, and I really felt for her. When she was trying not to cry, I was trying not to cry with her. When she accepted who she was, I breathed a sigh of contentment. When love found her, I was thrilled for her. When she stood up for herself, I cheered along with her. I loved how smart she was with botany but how clueless she was with the rules of etiquette. It made for some funny moments in the story.
I loved how the author transformed Charlotte from a flower bud into a flower in bloom, and it is a great story of a woman accepting who she is and not looking back.
I was given this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
1 comment:
I'm so glad you enjoyed my book! Thanks for taking the time to write and post a review.
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