Clover Blue lives at the Saffron Freedom Community, in Northern California, Blue’s twelve and he’s not sure of his real birthday and why he was adopted into the commune. Everyone is part of one big family, the leader of the group is Goji, he’s the guru and founder and created the rules. They grow all their own vegetables, raise chickens and goats, practice yoga and meditation and have no running water, indoor plumbing and the children are home-schooled.

Harmony is Blue’s best friend, they grew up together and her mum Gaia was a member of the commune, and she left and Harmony hasn’t heard from her in sometime. While life is idyllic in the commune, Blue knows other people live very differently and they notice this when they visit the closest town, clothes are a must and not like at Saffron where everyone walks around naked.

When Rain arrives at Saffron Freedom Community, her story is she ran away from her stepfather and she’s eighteen and Blue’s not sure if he believes her. A teenage Blue starts to question the guidelines they all follow, the family structure and the adults are scared of the authorities, and why he’s the only child adopted into the commune, and how did it happen?

I received a copy of Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards from NetGalley and Kensington Books and in exchange for an unbiased review. The well written and interesting narrative is set in 1970's America and during it's hippie faze and it explores what it’s like to live in a commune and the extremist lifestyle. A unique coming of age story, about Blue's search for his identity and who he is and it's truly complicated and full of mystery and secrets.

I enjoyed reading Clover Blue, family versus tribe, truth versus lies and five stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early ARC copy. I listened to the audio version, and this is my honest review.

I absolutely adored this coming-of-age story with a twist set in a time of free love and exploration.

The characters were so well-developed I could imagine hanging out with them around their campfire. And this applies to the main characters, the secondary, the tertiary, and the fringe. ALL the characters became real people.

Clover Blue has never known anything but a commune life and has never considered there might be a different way to live. As he grows, his desire to figure out the secrets of his "family" grow along with him. As he discovers one thing, the layers peel away like an onion, revealing truths that will change everything.

I did not read this book so I feel that I can not give it a fair review. The synopsis sounds wonderful and I would like to read it in the future.

I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

I really enjoyed this story! The author did a fantastic job of building the characters and allowing you to feel like you know them.

A coming of age story about a young boy, Clover Blue that grows up in a commune in the 1970's. His brothers and sisters are those by choice, not by blood. The lies and choices made by everyone have consequences. Some consequences change the course of life.

I cried at the end of the book. A journey of forgiveness..

Thank you so much for giving access to this wonderful book. I was brought to a time when I imagine my parents were struggling with being young adults in the changing world

Author, Eldonna Edwards, has such a way of portraying realistic characters that draw the reader into her stories, that are always original. I was immediately sucked into this story and hated having to stop reading for trivial things such as sleep and work. Needless to say, I am a forever fan of this author!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

I loved this book.. I loved the way the story played out. Clover Blue is such a sweet soul. It was fascinating reading about his life that was so different. The relationships at SFC were so interesting. How could you go through life each day and not question others actions aloud? I have never read a story like this before, but I’m so glad I did.

A very original story. Reads a little bit YA. Started as a 3.5⭐️ For me but Especially liked the last quarter of the book. Some great plot twists.

BOOK REVIEW:

CLOVER BLUE by Author, Eldonna Edwards

Oh my goodness....What a great ride through Clover Blue's world, in Northern California during the 70's.

This story will take you on a "trip" through the lives and habitat of the Saffron Freedom Community with all its deep beliefs in living off nature and to nurture each other within their tight-knit commune with little to no need for the outside world.

You will meet a cast of characters, some complex, some quirky and some trying too figure it all out...meaning life itself....as mystery becomes a definite player in this story, one in which will have you on an emotional rollercoaster as to it's conclusion when the answers are finally revealed.

Our protagonist, Clover Blue, a young boy with hipee parents and a community of "brothers and sisters" is a loving child, devoted and intense, brave, and wants nothing more than too have lingering questions answered as he comes into his own as a young man. A life of peace, love and unity is all Clover Blue has ever known, until........

This story will have you cheering and crying, as well as inserting a true feeling of belonging to this crazy, wonderful, and fearless world within the confines of Saffron. The description of scenery and events throughout, are so well thought-out, you'll feel the warmth and craziness of it all.

Eldonna Edwards has truly woven an intriguing, entertaining and powerful narrative. One in which I highly recommend.

I thank Eldonna Edwards for the gift of this ARC of Clover Blue, a story I truly fell in love with.

5 Stars

#CloverBlue
#EldonnaEdwards
#AJohnScognamiglioBook

Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club

It was wierdly interesting, i had other expetations than what i was meet with, and to be fair some part i skimmed because i felt lost and confused.

As a child of the 70's and lived a very relatable childhood this book spoke to me in deep ways. The writing was fantastic with descriptive writing for the characters and situations so you could immerse yourself in the story even if it was a very different lifestyle for the reader. I really enjoyed this book and will look for more books from Eldonna Edwards, 4 stars.

Who is your true family? Clover Blue is a gripping story that also shows the time period and backdrop like I've always imagined it to be.

A wonderful book with very interesting characters. I wish I could have been reading in this book forever.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Clover Blue is living in the Saffron Freedom Community as he get older he begins to question his past life and comes to realize he had another life before he came to this current lifestyle. More time passes and Clover Blue becomes determined to protect his
Relationship with Harmony while he continues to question his past and examine his
Unexplainable draw to new member Rain

This was a beautiful story. The author’s masterful storytelling kept me captivated throughout. There are many types of non traditional families but sometimes that is not enough. We want to know where we come from. These characters will stay with me a long time.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

3.5 stars. Set in California in the sixties/seventies, this is a wonderful coming of age story with a twist. It's always interesting to explore lifestyles that are foreign to me. As I was reading this book, I was picturing the Charles Manson family commune in the free love, flower children era. What it must have been like to grow up off the grid and not know much at all about the hustle and bustle of the world around you. And the complete trust of and reliance on your elder leaders for your basic needs and knowledge. As the story unfolds, you begin to realize how the family was formed and secrets start to be revealed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about this era.

Clover Blue, by Eldonna Edwards is a quite new topic in my reading list. So far I have enjoyed tremendously, There is just a hope in not so distant future I will hammer enough time to complete reading it.

3.5 Mid 1970s, located near Santa Rosa, the Saffron Freedom Community is a commune, like many that appeared during this time period. All members refer to each other as sister or brother, everything is shared, sex, drugs, chores, but despite this, thx ere are many who hold secrets. Clover Blue is a young boy, best friends with Harmony, and one day they witness a birth, which causes Clover to wonder who his birth mother was. Goji is the leader, and this birth and s new arrival will cause this small commune, great harm.

The time period is wonderfully, and I believe accurately portrayed. Readers enjoyment will depend on their connection to Clover and Harmony. Fortunately I liked them both, and the unraveling of the mystery at the heart of this novel, kept me interested. There is much going on here behind the scenes.

Loyalty to the family we make, grow to love against the pull of blood. I loved the totally unexpected ending and the full circle nature of this story. Plus, I'll admit to being a armchair gawker into the life of a commune, how they work, and how they manage day by day. Edwards writing is clear, concise and we'll done. The pace of the story flows nicely. Although can't see myself in commune living, it was interesting to get a small peak.

ARC from Netgalley.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley & author.

This was definitely a truly unique storyline. The book is set in the 70s in a commune. Clover is now questioning his identity prior to the commune.

The characters are well-written and lively. The author is n amazing writer!