Wow, what a haunting, beautiful read, which made me laugh, cry, and much more! It was beautifully written, with amazing characters and flawless character development, the plot was well developed in a manner that had my heart yearning for more and needing a break! Prepare for laughs, but prepare more for the heart breaks that are sure to come while reading this book! So beautifully brutal, true, and important for the YA lovers! I highly, highly recommend!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms!

“There is no judgment within the Wildflowers—there is only acceptance. Come as you are and they will absorb your grief as our own.“

We The Wildflowers was an unexpectedly beautiful story of love, loss, friendship, and resilience. It was a story of depth and importance.

I am not sure what I expected with this novel but I didn’t anticipate crying in the end. This book is a story that I know will stay with me for a long while. The wildflowers, my wildflowers; were an amazing group of teenagers that came together during the lowest points in their lives. Chloe, Genesis, Adam, and Lukas, all experienced their own pain and losses and that was what lead them to the Sacred Heart group home. They all formed an unbelievable friendship and none of them took it for granted.

“We are four. We are the Wildflowers.”

The story is told entirely in Chloe’s point of view and as she tells her story it was easy to care about Chloe. She had gone through so much and she was simply learning about herself. She was trying to become more confident and accepting of herself. The friendship that she shared with her friends was an unbreakable bond.

I fell in love with each character and I wanted the best for everyone one of them. This story broke my heart at times. I didn’t anticipate the level of heartache these four would have to go through. Every minute of this story captured my attention and I became protective of each of the Wildflowers. The story flowed really well except for a few parts in the middle that seemed a tad bit rushed but otherwise I enjoyed it all’s

I would definitely recommended this book. I know I will not soon forget the Wildflowers.

This book was sad and depressing, but also joyful and uplifting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and liked the interactions between them. I was holding my breath while reading this book waiting for the next bad thing to happen. There was lots of hopeful moments and good quotes in this book. Unfortunately, I don't think things usually turn out like this. A must read for people who like teen angst.

We, The Wildflowers is L.B Simmons’ newest masterpiece. She doesn’t release often but when she does, it’s always worth the wait. I didn’t read the synopsis (I know, shocking) so I had no idea what the story was about and wow! I was not expecting this and I loved that.

Four teenagers. Four different struggles. Four different pasts. One incredible bond. They are The Wildflowers.

Chloe, Genesis, Adam, and Lukas are living in a Scared Hearts house and attending high school as juniors when they are finally a four. They are all there because of different circumstances. They are there for a reason. And that reason was that they needed each other to fight. To fight for their freedom. To find out what unconditional love really means. To feel accepted for themselves. To feel safe. They are from families who were gone or didn’t care about them. Didn’t see them. They need to been seen. To be heard. And that is what the Wildflowers are about. They are one. One feels pain, they all feel pain. One feels happy, they all feel happy. They are there for each other no matter what. But, what will happen when their lives are forever changed? Will their bond keep them together when fate wants to pull them apart?

I can’t really get into the story without spoiling anything. I can say that it’s beautifully written. It’s not the easiest to read but so worth it. It’s real. It’s raw. And it needed to be told. It’s about growth, love, family, friendships, and finding yourself.

Quotes:

“Somewhere deep within you lies your very own bitch mode—I feel it as sure as I breathe. I will find it. I will expose it. I will nurture it. But it will be you who finally unleashes it. And what a marvelous sight that will be.”

“Well, even with your obvious lack of eye contact, I still see you.”

“You really think you can handle the darkest parts of me?”
I wave a dismissive hand. “You don’t scare me.”
He arches a dark brow and his mouth quirks ever so slightly at the sides. “Is that so?”

We, The Wildflowers is L.B. Simmons' newest emotional story that's both heartwarming and heart breaking. Chloe, Genesis, Adam and Lukas are now family. After each of them lost their families and childhoods for various reasons, they find themselves bonded by their loss, pain and heartache. But they also found solace in each other. In their friendship. In their new life. Genesis knows who she is. She's overcome so much and survived. Adam was punished for just being himself. Lukas paid the price for trying to protect someone and Chloe was betrayed by the people who are supposed to love her. Together they heal. They learn to let go of the pain and move forward together. It's going to be harder than they thought, but they are stronger together. They can overcome whatever life throws at them even if it's trying to separate them. In the midst of surviving and moving on, they find love, acceptance and closure. They not only survive, they thrive. And they realize that they've formed an unbreakable bond that will last their entire lives. And their dreams will come true if they trust in each other and let love in. Overall, the writing is fantastic, the story moving and it's going to stick with me for a long, long time.

As an English teacher, the symbolic nature of titles and their multiple meanings and interpretations are aspects of language that make my nerdy heart so happy to analyze, and while I may read into things a bit too deeply in some situations, it’s clear that L.B. Simmons’ newest release, We, the Wildflowers was created with the qualities of wildflowers and the seasons that change them in mind as Simmons worked to tell Chloe, Lukas, Adam, and Genesis’ story.

While the story is told solely through Chloe’s perspective, each one of these characters has their part to tell and they do so in their words and their actions…in the idea that each individual’s plight is not the same, but a common bond can be found, and once that connection is forged, it becomes essential in all ways possible, proving that it’s more than okay to lead on others when you find the people who teach you the true meaning of home and family.

Simmons presents all parts of the four main characters stories - their pasts, their presents, and what they hope will be their futures, and through it all, it remains clear just how much the events that they had to endure and the obstacles they had to surpass and continue to go through help to define who they are and not only how they see themselves but how they see life in general.

The Wildflowers’ emotions resonate from the pages of the book and help to illustrate just how much pain they’ve had to wade through, just how low their lowest points were, and as their struggles seem to ebb and flow with life circumstances and maybe even the seasons, as if they are the embodiments of wildflowers, readers can’t help but want to shield them, to care for them, to protect them in a way that they can continue to grow and never risk being uprooted again.

Readers’ emotions will run the gamut, which, in my opinion, is a testament to the way the story is told. In a young adult romance, teens’ feelings as well as their individual personalities are not only fickle but still developing, which means that there are going to be missteps, both by chance and by choices. I can’t tell you how destroyed I was by one single event in the tex; it crushed me and my heart hurt so badly after I read it, but even in what seemed to be the darkest hour, the Wildflowers endured…and even if it was difficult and they wanted to give in and get lost in the shadows, the sun still shone and it gave them the smallest amount of hope to continue on.

This reading experience is unlike any that I’ve had in quite some time, and it’s because of the way Simmons presents the characters’ stories, the way she allows readers to feel EVERYTHING they feel, the way she helps us to truly understand their plight and their struggles, the way she works to help us cope with the highs and lows her characters work through made this much more than a solitary escape.

This book is a true masterpiece of the human condition in all of its wonder and at times horror. Because Simmons provides readers with a front row seat to all that Chloe, Lukas, Adam, and Genesis fight through and endure, we’re able to see firsthand just how powerful a bond these four characters share, just how much better and stronger they are when they’re together, and the fact that they would sacrifice their own happiness just so that the others can see and feel just how amazing they truly are, regardless of anyone else’s recriminations or mistreatment, is a testament to what lies in their hearts and souls and just how selfless they all can be.

This is a book you will be thinking about long after you are finished reading it. It’s a book that should be experienced by everyone! It’s a book that speaks to every readers’ heart and its lessons make us want to be better people, better listeners, better in all ways that matter, not just for ourselves, but for those suffering in silence, for those who are too afraid to speak. Because when it comes down to it…we are all wildflowers…we just grow in different places and experience different things.

5++++ Poison Apples

In WE, THE WILDFLOWERS, readers will meet four teenagers whose lives will intersect and even though no familial blood runs through their veins, they will nevertheless become a type of family.

Tackling issues such as suicide, depression, addiction and abuse, this book is one which young adults should identify with.

Finally, the world is ready to talk frankly and honestly about mental health issues and this book tackles them with unfettered honesty. Even though the story is fiction, the issues that Genesis, Lukas, Chloe and Adam have faced in their pasts are very real.

The one thing that I disliked was the use of profanity. I don’t mind when characters swear normally, but in this case, the swearing seemed like it was only included as a way to try to make the teens sound more authentic, but in my opinion, it does the opposite. However, that is a small issue and can be easily overlooked by the reader.

I rate WE, THE WILDFLOWERS as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

**Thank you to the Author, NetGalley and to Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with a free copy of this book.**

‘We’re been bonded by pain, but together, we’re rooted in resilience. We are four. We are the Wildflowers.’

Chloe, Adam, Genesis and Lukas are housemates at Sacred Heart house. Their guardian of all things is Mary Rodriguez who provides them with a home filled with empathy and unconditional love. They thrive in the stability that Mary provides and become very close friends.

Genesis (Genny) names them the Wildflowers and like their name, over time they begin to open up and blossom in their new environment. Individually they have their own issues they need to work through but knowing that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences really does help. Genny is the leader I guess, after taking them all to the patch of wildflowers on nearby land with a lake. It becomes their favourite place to hang out and provides them with the much needed peace and solace that has been missing from their lives.

‘The very definition of being a Wildflower is just that. We’re bound so closely that your pain is our pain. Your story is no longer just yours to bear - it’s ours. And when winter strikes any of us, we perish together knowing we will rise together as well. We are four, but we are one, And together, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.’

Adam came to Sacred Heart after being disowned by his family, he is adjusting to his new life but misses his first love who he was pulled away from when he was sent away. He loves the close friendship he now has with his Wildflowers.

Lukas has been through the foster system and has experienced/seen terrible things that have shaped who he is now. He carries a bucket load of guilt, shame and blame around on his shoulders and it weighs him down. He is beginning to open up though and that is mostly to do with the pretty girl who recently joined them, Chloe.

‘I’ve searched for you, Chloe Campbell. And now that I found you, I’m never letting you go.’

Chloe has grown up never feeling loved or wanted by her parents. When she overhears a conversation between them it tips her over the edge and is the end of her relationship with her family. She ends up at Sacred heart and becomes one of the Wildflowers

As these four navigate their way through their final year of high school they share lots of fun and laughter, many firsts and creating their own version of family. It’s not all happy though, when things change at home they are once again tested in the most awful of circumstances and cut away at the root. Will these Wildflowers ever feel the sun again or are they destined to be in the dark forever.

It’s been a while since I read a Young Adult story and this was a great dip back into that genre. There were so many sad, heartbreaking moments but overall the love they had for each other shone through.

4.5 Stars

"Change is quite possibly one of the most difficult things to accept. Many find security in routine, regardless of the damage it can cause. Instead of breaking a destructive cycle, whether internal or external, most will allow it to continue because it’s constant and therefore, to some degree, comfortable. And when you’re trying to find something, anything, to hold on to while your world is spinning out of control, it’s easy to anchor yourself to the familiar, no matter how terrible it might be."

As a forewarning, make sure you have stock in tissue. You’ll need them, plenty of them. I suggest the ones with lotion so you can avoid the red, sore nose that comes with being a blubbering mess.

Next up, We, the Wildflowers is NOT for the faint of heart. And, it is most definitely not for the judgmental heart. This book and its characters will open your eyes to a myriad of sensitive, yet very important subjects:(view spoiler). I added the triggers in a spoiler, if you come from a broken past or even a current one, I strongly suggest you look at them. The topics within are presented in a raw, absolute telling. L.B. Simmons does not hold anything back. If you’ve read any of her other books, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

This novel will take a toll on your emotional and mental state. You will not walk away without being affected in some shape or form. No lie, LB will WRECK you, repeatedly. Buckle in because your emotions will be all over the place; you won’t be able to control the direction or intensity of them. There are parts that will utterly break you. I was a train wreck of a mess. A sobbing, emotional mess. I didn't see how Simmons' would put me back together. My heart physically hurt. I couldn't breathe from the pain. I just wanted to crawl into a hole of denial. Pretend all this never happened. Leave off on Chapter 18, where things had a semi-balance of happiness and promise.

I don’t know what I expected when I started this journey, but it wasn’t that. As a huge fan of Simmons’, I should've known better. I should’ve known she would take my world and flip it upside down. I should’ve known I wouldn’t walk away unscathed.

These four teens were me on a multitude of levels. Genny, Adam, Chloe, and Lucas touched me. I connected with these characters beyond just the words on a page. Reading this book threw me right back into a world I’m very familiar with. And for that reason, I felt an overabundance of despair, rage, grief, compassion, love, hope, sympathy, empathy, and pride. Their failures and successes, their strength and growth, their healing, their loyalty and relationships, their self-discovery, their paths became personal to me. I viewed them through the eyes of a survivor; in turn, making me root even harder for their coveted HEA.

With that said, We, the Wildflowers was not a perfect book. It had flaws, but I was able to look past them. The story line and its characters kept me riveted. I didn’t mind the language/way of communicating between the teens. Yes, I agree, it could get very philosophical and preachy, at times. I don’t know many adults who have their *ish* together, or who talk like these characters did. Therefore, it was sometimes hard to realistically believe that these teens thought/talked the way they did, even with having a maturity and exposure to a life most will never experience.

Also, I know some talked about the over dramatic bits that felt out of place or over the top. As someone who is familiar with the world of foster care, I didn’t have the same view on this. At any given time, as a ward of the state, your life can change that drastically, and you can be placed with some vile predators, even some as cartoon-ish as these may have seemed. For me, this aspect did not affect my reading or take me out if the story. It just showed how genuine Simmons’ kept it.

Once again, L.B. Simmons built a captivating and poignant world. Proving why she is one of my all-time favorite authors and an automatic buy. Her writing never fails to hit me directly in the soul. And, as long as she keeps writing books of this magnitude, I'll keep devouring every single word.

Wow! This book was a very emotional journey with some intense hard to read scenes. I cried multiple times throughout. It will stick with me and the author’s words will become my daily mantras. Oh and can I just say...THAT COVER!

Fav Quotes:
Embrace what you have to offer to those around you, both good and bad. And if people don’t get it, if they don’t understand, f them. They’re not worthy.”

“Because in the end, it’s not about what others see, but how you see yourself.”

True love is when you’re faced with truths you don’t want to hear, with words difficult to accept, but they’re spoken to better you as a person, without fear of consequence.”

“you became the person I aspired to be. Someone who possesses enough heart to see past someone’s ugliness and make them feel like they matter, even if they don’t deserve it.”

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the audio book.

This book wasn't really for me. I did like the variety of characters in this and they seemed interesting and well fleshed out but there was just something that i could not connect with. I liked the writing but it just seemed a little flat in places overall.

4.5 stars
"We've been bonded by pain, but together, we're rooted in resilience.
We are four.
We are the Wildflowers."

I felt for these characters and what they had been through. I was touched by the bonds they formed and how important this self-made family became to each of them. Four high school students basically tossed away or left alone who ended up together at Sacred Heart and bonded in their pain, understanding, and need for acceptance. Each has struggled and hit rock bottom. And now with the help of their new friends are trying to find their way, heal, and grow.

Chloe...meek and empathetic....has a strong need for acceptance and does not stand up for herself.
Genesis...brash and bold...tough on the outside, but just as broken on the inside.
Adam...Charming and fun....but being his true self cost him everything.
Lukas...quiet, direct, and a bit dark...plagued by his own guilt and perceived failure.

I loved how they could see under the others' facades, share, and be vulnerable together. But then could stand together in support and find more strength. But even together, they cannot predict future challenges.

I liked the characters, the premise, and the relationships. The subject matter is not easy and is pretty raw. There are catalysts of change and beacons of hope. They all try to find their way and realize their strengths and gifts. There are villains and obstacles. As they dance between darkness and light, it was intense, emotional, heartbreaking, and inspiring.

One issue I did have with this book was the language. It seemed very mature and too philosophical for high school kids. I have an eighteen-year-old now in Honor's college and they do not speak this way. So sometimes it took me out of the story, especially in the first half. But the second half had me riveted. One of their biggest challenges almost too over the top dramatic, it did keep me interested and propelled the plot, and did completely affect their lives in both good and bad ways ultimately giving us what we needed.

It takes on tough topics and is current, especially in relation to young adults growing up these days. I really loved the messages about the importance of acceptance, forgiveness, self-worth, unconditional love, and paying it forward. It has a little romance in it, but it is mostly about loving yourself, your friends, and those you feel are family...and helping others feel the same way.

My top book of 2020! The raw emotions and thoughts within the story pulled at me. The writing and seasons made the story so much better. I feel it's a book anyone dealing with depression or anxiety should read. I wish I'd had this when I was in high school. The love story within was worth the growth and change of the characters. I loved the story and its message.

I feel like this is a book that everyone of all ages needs to read. Growing up is hard. We the Wildflowers hits the whole spectrum of issues teenagers face and it’s tragically beautiful. I’m so glad LB is putting a book out that is necessary in this time.

We, The Wildflowers by L.B. Simmons is a brilliant book. It is the story of four teenagers, named Genesis or as she is commonly called Genny, Adam, Chloe, and Lukas who end up staying together in Mrs. Rodriguez’s home, a branch of an organization called Sacred Heart. Each of the four has his or her own story of why he/she live in Sacred Heart. Genny is a former substance-abuse addict, Adam is homosexual whose parents didn’t accept him after his coming out, Chloe is suicidal with unloving parents and Lukas has spent time in juvenile. The four call themselves the wildflowers.

The story is told through Chloe’s eyes and we follow her entire journey through the book, how she grows from a meek, sad girl into a confident young woman. You also can’t help but fall in love with the other three wildflowers. The book has an interesting plot and a good character-driven story. The story is hard-hitting and doesn’t shy away from delivering real and terrifying truths.

The only issue I had with the book was that it was too lengthy and certain parts could have been shortened. Overall, the book is a must-read.

An emotionally intense story of four teens who come together under tragic circumstances and find the strength to heal one another.

Chloe Campbell
Lukas White
Genesis "Genny" Monroe
Adam McNamara
Each character has been broken down, left unprotected by the people that brought them into this world. However, they find a new home with Sacred Heart under the care of an amazing woman, Mary Rodriquez.

Chloe is the sole narrator of this story, and initially, the story is slow paced as she struggles with her insecurities. But her friend/roommate, Genny, is her strongest cheerleader. With time, she helps to bring Chloe out of her shell.

"It's what you leave behind for others to carry forward that should define you . . ."

This story has some beautiful highs (as the four find support and comfort to rid themselves of their painful pasts). Conversely, it also has some very low lows, when the group faces a life changing event. My heart broke for each and every one of them as old demons haunt them again.

While the author puts the characters, and this reader through the ringer, there is a strong message of hope in this story.

"But some people are just worth fighting for."

I liked the evolution of Chloe's character in this story. She was a shell of a person in the beginning, and despite the losses she faced, she not only became stronger for herself, she was there to support and heal another.

If you are looking for a heartbreaking yet hopeful story, check this one out.

If L.B. Simmons set out writing this book with the intention of making the reader feel ALL THE FEELS, well all I can say is: mission accomplished! I knew going in that for me, this would probably be a hard book to read because I am a very emotional reader. I feel everything characters feel, I struggle alongside them, I rejoice with them, I cry with them. And I did all of those things while reading We, The Wildflowers. Add in the fact that these kids are in their teens and navigating the last couple of years of high school which were the most tumultuous years of my own life, and I knew this book was going to hit me in places deep inside my heart.

I don't know if L.B. has a really great memory, or if she took scenarios from her own teenage daughter's lives, but man does she nail the teenage years! The cliques in high school. The mean girls. The first date with a boy. All of these things are traumatic enough on their own but when you add in the fact that the main characters are all troubled youth who have been put in a group home because no one else wanted them? That magnifies everything tenfold.

There is just so much depth layered into these young people who really have had to grow up in certain aspects way before they should have had to. These kids have gone through so much in their lives and there were times while reading that I sat back and said, "why is L.B. putting these poor kids through SO much? Why can't they be happy go lucky kids gushing about which college they're going to attend? Why so much pain?" But the reality of it is, this book represents SO many children in the world. It's about the strength these kids have when faced with situations they should never have to face. It's about the bond these four kids form with each other, the Wildflowers that survive and thrive in the face of adversity and the harshest of conditions.

<b> <I> Their strength and ferocity stem from below the surface where their roots are tangled, interwoven in such a way that for the remainder of time they bloom together, and when winter finally prevails, they perish as one. But even in death they remain connected, thriving within the comfort only they can provide each other, until springs brings them to life once again. </b> </I>

So yeah, this book is not hearts and flowers (okay there are flowers, Wildflowers to be exact) and it is not romantic and it's not about two kids falling love. It is about the relationships that form between a group of kids who were brought together by one very special woman who saw things in them they didn't see in themselves. It is about the bonds built, the family that is formed whose roots are so deep in the ground that no one and nothing can break apart what they've created.

This is a soul shifting book. The kind of book that buries deep in your heart and stays there. It makes you think and question and contemplate. This story was a cathartic experience for me. There are few authors who could pull that off. She's a prolific storyteller and as hard as this book was to read in certain places, it was absolutely necessary and I will forever see the beauty woven through the words. And I will forever remember the Wildflowers.

My thoughts on this one are all over the place. I knew going in that this one was going to be one that would be heavy on my heart. And I was not wrong. This is a very emotionally charged book. Who better to write it than Simmons? She has a way with weaving her words in such a profound way. Her books will always tug at my heart; at least that is my experience.

My only negative, well not negative-I'm not sure the what the right word would be, is the heavy profoundness that these children possess. Like I said, it's not really a negative. It was hard for me to think of kids at 16-18 holding such deep profound conversations and thoughts. On one hand, they are trying to heal and find their meaning in life, but then on the other hand, they had such deep, profound thoughts for one another. They felt very contradictory to me in that aspect.

This book is definitely not a fast paced book. It moves quite slowly. Not a lot of big things happen, but when they do happen, your heart is in your throat. The few major things are big, and they make the book such a great piece of art.

I was definitely moved and devoted to these characters on their tragic and emotionally charged paths. The story is written with such great prose that I couldn't help but feel like I was a part of their story. If you're reading this review and are looking for an epic, emotion filled story, this is definitely the one for you.

We, The Wildflowers was an emotional read for sure, and I couldn’t help but feel attached to these characters from the very beginning.

Imagine four broken individuals living under the same roof, going to school together, and having to navigate through life while trying to heal from physical and emotional turmoil at such a pivotal age...sounds like a recipe for disaster. And yet, they formed this unbreakable bond and were able to relate to each other and find solace in one another.

I really enjoyed reading this story and getting to know the characters and what brought them together at Sacred Heart. It wasn’t easy to read and some scenes downright brought me to tears. At times, the pacing of the book seemed a bit off and the story appeared to segue too quickly, so it made it difficult to keep my full attention, but overall I did enjoy it and would recommend it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3151149425

There are stories that are gripping and engrossing and then there are stories that are beyond words. This story is truly one that has left me completely emotionally speechless with the intensity of its essence, it’s meaning.

It is emotionally alluring. I felt deeply for these characters and their experiences, trials and circumstances. I had so many emotions as I read and would stop and contemplate and empathize with each one of the four Wildflowers. I loved them and how they loved each other!

This is my first book by L.B. Simmons and while I don’t usually read too much Young Adult, the cover and title captivated me so much so that I couldn’t wait to read it. Despite the angst, frustration and emotions I’m so glad that I did! I really am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book.

Chloe tells the story in such a way that captured my attention and heart. I deeply felt for her and what she dealt with. She evolved and finally found a family she deserved.

The deep reflections and insights from Genesis despite her young age and background were heartwarming and inspiring to me. I was in awe of her maturity and how she saw so much more into each of the other Wildflowers.

Adam captured my heart and it ached for what he went through before finding his place with the Wildflowers.

Lukas was the my heart actually ached for in his darkness. But he found his light with the love, acceptance and inclusion in the group. I was invested in his well being as I was with all of them.

A beautifully written and important story that must be read and felt in all it’s power!

#WetheWildflowers #NetGalley