An emotionally charged book where Kara learns to live again. After loosing her mother at a young age, loosing her husband in a car accident and for her father not being emotionally vested in her life.Her father has now bought a Victorian house in the countryside that needs to restored. Soon she finds a field of wildflowers along with working side by side with her father will help open and heal old wounds.

Loved this story, beautifully told of healing old wounds and moving forward in life. This is a book that I could not put down, Looking forward to reading more in this series. I read through my kindle unlimited.

Starting over
Deeply introspective and character-focused, with the tiniest touch of a budding romance, this story chronicles Kara's recovery after a tragic accident. It is told with honesty about how healing, from both physical and emotional trauma, is a process that takes time and that involves steps forward and back. Kara has more than the accident to recover from, including harsh words spoken before the accident and trauma from her childhood. She has faults (don’t we all!) and Grace Greene doesn't shy away from them, which makes the story true to life. I loved the descriptions of the wildflowers and the grounds of the home Kara and her father move to in the story, and I think it will be a wonderful setting for the future books in the series!

I had to read this book because two of my favorite authors, Patricia Sands and Bette Lee Crosby were recommending it. I have to say that their recommendation was fabulous!! I am grateful I read it and look forward to the next in this series, as this is just book 1 in “The Wildflower House Book” Series. I also want to read her other novels. This is very exciting! I love being introduced to an author that I will be following.
We meet Kara who enters wildly into the story, there is no slow lead up; which I loved! Grace Greene uses the wildflower both literally and figuratively throughout the story until the very end. Her writing is very poetic, so you really feel as though are where Kara is during each scene. It is truly beautiful.
This is the story of Kara’s journey of recovery from a tragic event that occurred when she heard heartbreaking news from her husband, Niles on their anniversary. She was able to depend on her Father, even though he may have been the “king of Understatements”; he was still the one that she could count on when it really mattered. Loss. Regret. Forgiveness. Grief. Family. Love. Are all intermixed in this story, like the seeds of wildflowers. Characters you don’t want to say goodbye to; which always makes the best stories!
The way she describes the wildflower garden. Let’s just say, my 12-degree day was definitely warmer!
Well Done!
This is a great cup of tea, warm blanket or sitting by the seaside read.

This book is breathtaking. Grace Greene paints beautiful poignant moments with words. The scenes in this book are so vivid and I see them clearly.
Kara’s journey is so real and the emotions are overflowing. This is a story of strength, personal growth. It’s about how humans respond to hurt. It’s about healing and learning to love oneself.
I can’t wait for the next visit to Wildflower House!

This was a beautifully written story of so much love, loss, laughter, grief, friends and the love between a dad and daughter.

Kara has already had so much loss in her life when she loses her husband. Though things were not by any means perfect between them, she loved him and losing him was awful. She had a lot to overcome and her dad was right there as always to help. She had trouble walking without a cane after a car accident and wasn’t moving on with her life like she should have been.

Henry, Kara’s dad, bought an old house to redo. He had so many problems of his own that he does finally share with Kara in this book. But you have to read it to find out about that. The house is huge and Kara is not so sure about this. Her dad giving up his business to spend time working on such a huge place. There is a garden of sorts in the back and I can vividly picture it in my mind. A big field of wildflowers that the previous owner’s husband planted for her.

In parts I didn’t like Kara. I thought she had a bit of an attitude. When she found out things that her dad never shared, told her something else, she acted a bit spoiled about it to me. I did like her very much. I just thought she was way to opinionated towards some things that could hurt the people involved very much. I know she has had lots of loses but still. But in the end I did root for her for sure. I felt awful for what all she went through and the losses she experienced. They were very deep losses and hurt her so much. My heart broke for her. I root for her and Seth though.

When another tragedy strikes her life Seth, the neighbor and friend, is there for her. He seems like a very kind and good man. I think he will be good for Kara too.

The ending of this book was great and I look forward to the sequel so bad. I can’t wait to see what happens next with Wildflower House, Seth and even Victoria. Will Kara find happiness and true love. Will she finally have the family she needs.

This book was so well written, great characters, even secondary characters you will love, descriptions that make you feel like you are right there. I could even smell the musty in the old house. It was a huge house that was left rundown over the past year. It will be so beautiful when it is finished though.

Some of my favorite lines in this book are:
Don’t dwell in yesterdays. Live in the now. Frankly, you didn’t miss hugs and kisses you’d never had. You didn’t even know they were missing.

One of these days I’m going to walk that path myself and see what might await at the other end. Perhaps it would be a fairy-tale palace where mothers didn’t leave, fathers didn’t fail, and a daughter didn’t try to hold her own dad to standards she herself couldn’t keep.

A person must respect their past, even an unpleasant past, because it’s part of them, of what made a person who they are.

A kid doesn’t choose where it starts its life. You’re just born there, and you don’t know any different, and you do the best you can within whatever situation you’re given. I did that until I saw other ways to live. And then I made a different choice. A better choice for me. (This one is me all over)

“Humans along with other living creatures. Regardless of our place in line, we are renters on Earth. Tenants.”

I had always worried that I was like my father. Cold. Afraid of emotion. Wary of disorder.
Perhaps I should’ve been more concerned about being like my mom.

No one chose where or to whom they’d be born. We had to manage where we began. Like wildflowers.

This is a huge 5 star book. I loved it from start to finish. A must read.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for an ARC of this book.

Abandoned by her mother, raised by an unemotional father, Kara Hart goes through life coping and thinking she has weathered all that can be thrown at her. She has a successful career, gets married, but then another tragic event brings her marriage and ordered world to a crashing downfall. How much more can she endure? Kara needs to get away, so she agrees to move with her father to an old home that he plans to renovate. The first time Kara visits, the only beauty she sees is a field of wildflowers behind the run down home. Can this simple scene bring healing to Kara? Grace Greene has written a wonderful book of grief, loneliness and finally the resilience that Kara needs to open her heart to a new life.

Wildflower Heart is the first book in the Wildflower House Series. This storybI thought was beatiful written and it had many emiotions heartache, grief and healing, and love. I was hooked from the first chapter and it has a good storyline. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author in exchance for an honest review.

This book had me gripped from the start. What a lovely story of recovery and renewal. Kara’s journey is so heartwarming and shows you can live again after a lot of loss. I’m so grateful to have received an ARC from the author via NetGalley for my honest review.

Wildflower Heart is a beautiful story about getting through the tough times and moving on. That's easier said than done for Kara. She has had a lifetime of people she has loved, just up and leaving her. She moves with her father when he buys a new home but she still hasn't moved on with her life. Will the change in scenery help her change her life?

Grace has penned a heart-warming, lovely story which includes plenty of soul searching and reflection about what is important in life. I loved the gentleness of the words and the wonderful, caring characters. I'm so excited that this is going to be a series because I came to think of Kara and the rest of the people in the story as good friends and I can't wait to visit them again.

Wildflower Heart is a poignant tale, a sentimental journey through the life of Kara Lange Hart. Kara's dad described her as resilient, a characteristic that stood her is good stead during her life's many lows with far too few highs. Kara was a survivor, and each time she got back up after being knocked down, she was better and stronger. Kara learned to see herself, other people, and circumstances for what they were, learning to accept each for the positive things they held, but not blinded to shortcomings, yet not controlled by them either. At first I thought that this story was best read by someone who was in a good place in their own life, someone who would not be depressed by the sadder parts of Kara's story, but then I realized that someone in not such a good place would benefit greatly from the hope Kara found as she moved through life, allowing herself to grow.

Grace Greene is an accomplished author; Wildflower Heart showcases her ability to use the beauty of language to capture her readers' hearts and to lead them to embrace her characters. I am sure others looking for a book with depth will gratefully spend time between the covers of this of Wildflower Heart. I anxiously await the next book in this series, and was privileged to be asked to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Loved the cover of this book, which drew my attention, plus the title had me dreaming of Wildflowers. Enjoyed this story from start to finish. An emotional read. I rarely write what a story is about as i prefer one to read for themselves, but i do recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

Wildflower Heart by Grace Greene. I really liked the story especially seen the story centered around Wildflowers. Wildflowers are beautiful in all states. Bluebonnets in Texas are my favorite. Anyone who loves flowers will love the story.

Wildflower Heart is the first in book in the Wildflower House series by Grace Greene, and also the first book I have read by this author. As soon as I started reading I wondered how I could have missed reading any of her books before, and I was glad Wildflower Heart was the first of a new series because now I have so much to look forward to. As well as catching up with Greene’s other books, of course!

Wildflower Heart is Kara’s story. But it’s so much more than that. It’s the story of her mother who leaves, her husband who dies, and her father who has always been present but distant and suddenly reveals a new, surprising side and history. And it’s about the wildflowers. The beautiful wildflowers at the broken-down, neglected house her father has bought that take Kara’s breath away.

Kara was in a terrible accident. She’s recovering slowly both emotionally and physically and has never really gotten over life’s losses. She’s not ready to return to normal, whatever that is, and get back into the everyday world to make her place. The move with her father is intended to be temporary, but once again life happens.

Wildflower Heart is a beautiful story, about loss and love and emotional support and family and friends both new and old. The sense of romance will envelop you. The writing is excellent, with characters so well developed and fascinating that you can’t wait to learn their secrets. The pace of the story is smooth. It’s not a thriller full of suspense, but there are many twists and turns and unexpected reveals, so much so that I could not put the book down; I just did not want to leave this place and these characters. And the wildflowers – the description of them is so vivid you feel you are standing in the field, mesmerized by their beauty.

I received an advance copy of Wildflower Heart from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved Kara’s story. Grace Greene leaves the door very satisfactorily open for many things to happen as the series moves along, and I can’t wait for the next book to find out what comes next.

Wonder how many of us can relate to some part of Kara’s life? Do we really know people or do we really know what they want us to know? I can’t imagine how I would have handled some of the things she had to deal with in the way life presented them to her. I think our history certainly makes us who we are today. Some folks today certainly try to do things to erase the past, but it’s still there. Can we change the direction we seem to be headed? Yes, but maybe we can because of the strengths we’ve had to develop from what we have dealt with. Not everyone has an easy time talking about well, anything. Kara and Henry certainly had a breakthrough with each other and I’m happy it happened when it did. I can’t wait to see what becomes of Kara and Seth and all the wonderful characters in this story. I received this book from NetGalley, and my opinion is my own.

Wildflower Heart is the first book in The Wildflower House series By Grace Greene. I thought it was a great start to a new series. I don’t read a lot of women’s fiction but I do enjoy Grace’s books and it’s a good change of pace.

Kara had it all. Almost. She was college educated. Had a great job. Married to her college sweetheart. She was happy then on her sixth wedding anniversary everything changed. Her life was flipped upside down. She now had to start over. Once again. And a year later, her dad threw her for a loop when he said he was selling his business and bought a house out in the country. It was something she never thought she would hear out of her businessman of a father.

The house was huge. A Victorian with a backyard full of wildflowers and garden gnomes. It needed a lot of TLC and Kara was still confused over the reasoning of why her dad would take on such a task. He asked her to help with the project. They would be a team. It was overwhelming but looking at the beautiful wildflowers and walking along Cub Creek relaxed her. She still didn’t know where she belonged in life but right now, this was it. After the renovations, she would have to figure it out. For now, she would help her dad with his dream. He had others to help him as well. The Albers. His new neighbors and friends. One was even a handsome man who made Kara’s head turn. But, is she ready to date again?

I enjoyed this story. Like I said, it’s a different pace than what I usually read. Slower but it’s a story that makes you think about life’s journey. Kara has gone through a lot and is trying to figure out where she belongs. She is also learning more about her father as he opens up. I love old houses so I could just picture the house in my head and enjoy the view. And it has a touch of romance too. Seth is a sweetheart. He is reliable, a bit flirty, and has a good head on his shoulders. He also knows to go slow when it comes to Kara.

Overall...it’s a great start to a new series. It’s a emotional journey that I am looking forward to continuing. And the discussion questions at the end are awesome. If I was in a book club that would be so helpful.

Quotes:

“A day at a time,” Seth said. “Any journey worth taking is worth finding value in each step.”

There were many things my dad wasn’t, but it was the small actions that often told the true story.

“Good morning, Kara,” he called out.
“Good morning, Seth. You’re at it early. It’s looking good.”
He cupped his hand to his ear. “You said I’m looking good?”

Beautiful written and emotionally powerful. The imagery takes you into the story and keeps you there. Facing fears, moving on and enjoying life again are always an enjoyable story. This does not disappoint. I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read and review this ARC. I enjoyed it. At first I did have a little difficulty caring about Kara,. She seemed sort of a one dimensional, pathetic type character, but as the story developed I could relate much better to her. It makes sense that this character that had been through so much loss would hold herself aloof. It was almost like getting to know a real person with all their scars and issues. I don’t want to give away the story, but I will say that Kara blooms much like the wildflowers of the title.

Kara Lange's life is told in stages. The biggest influence in her life is her father. His motto was to just keep pushing forward. This left her pulling inward and talking in her head. She didn't have a lot of friends and showing emotions was not something she knew how to do. Her father made a change in his life and that effected her. For once there are people in her life that allows her to just be. Just as things are settling down, another change happens. Can she start another chapter in her life? Is she as resilient and strong as her father told her she was? I enjoyed this book.

I found this book to be very long and tedious.Not much action and a lot of it took place inside the main characters head.It just wasn't the type of book I like to read.

It’s been a long time since I read a book that compelled me so strongly to get to the next page as fast as I could. Wildflower Heart is such a book. I started out using Siri to read it aloud, and as time went on, I was reading ahead of Siri on the page, and having to advance the voiceover to catch up with me. After reading almost 50% of the book this way, I finally shut Siri off, effectively firing her as my reader, grabbing the tablet, and reading the last half of the book at breakneck speed. There were interwoven themes, and images of great natural beauty to savor along the way. Challenges are grappled with, difficult communications lead to insights and opportunity, and life passages are facilitated.

A huge time neglected home nestled among wildflowers comes back to life when a father and daughter move in, and with it, lives previously in limbo find something stirring within. New confidence arises, and rehabilitating legs reliant upon walking assistance, are soon dancing through empty rooms, an intersection of wonder about past lives with daydreams of future happiness. Kara, the main character, marvels as she discovers the house, “There were secrets here. I didn’t have the answers, and that was ok.” Some see wildflowers as weeds, but Kara is fiercely protective of their healing magic. Like a springtime awakening, life seems beautiful again, and full of potential. When Kara meets Seth, she is speechless, but now more open to the unexpected gifts life bestows. Unforeseen events propel readers deeper into the story; images painted by the author make you linger, losing track of time. Kara finds “...there were times in your life that felt like points of no returns,” yet what might seem like a bad experience, may in reality be a stepping off point for a new direction.

The descriptions of rural Virginia’s beauty weave a spell you never want to end. The author’s intent and the readers’ engagement in the story creates a moment of past and present intersecting, a connection, and a “simple gift of solace” from a world short on sentiment, and sometimes long on heartbreak.