In welcome but surprising waves of hope, curiosity, disgust, and empathy…I read characters unfold that felt familiar but equally unpredictable. Michelle Webster Hein approaches the characters‘ generosity and limits with kindness, as each of them weave a story together of love and family, loyalty and obligation, growth and regression. It‘s a beautiful book.

I‘m stunned at how little I understood the complexities and connections of religion, political influence, and gender expectations. This book helped connect so many dots for me I didn‘t know I needed. Highly recommend.

I ADORED this book. Fascinating detail about the importance of flowers in the past, now and in the future from so many angles.

I loved Thomas' way of describing the intricacies of Starr's (main character) life and family - and the way the neighborhoods become a character in the mix of this heart-wrenching and important book.

Lovely as an audiobook - the narration was great....but the story wasn't as complex as I'd hoped; the characters lacked depth, wasn't for me.

Incredibly engaging....hard to peel myself away from the main character's obsession with reclamation of self....and the reconciliation of what's real from the three vantage points the book is divided into. Wrestled with wanting her to find relief; yet seeing her disposition as something to find beautiful rather than something to pity.

I wish I could force everyone I know to read this.

Relatable. She's transparent about the intricacies of intimacy, and the balance of finding a voice in it.

Accessible, inspiring, funny-