WOW!!!! This book has left me speechless.

Sitting here trying to write this review and I am struggling to do this book justice. I don’t think I can ever express my feelings well enough in this review. Trust me if you read any book this year….This is the book to read!!! Best book of 2020 so far for me.

We, The Wildflowers was such a raw, real and emotional story. The only thing I will tell you about this storyline is that it may cause triggers for some readers. The subject matter of this book is something that plagues our youth today. I won’t lie, I normally don’t have trouble with triggers in stories, but I have to be honest….there were parts to this story that I had trouble reading. Nothing is overly graphic, but what is told and the rest is your imagination….it can take a toll on you emotionally. Just know….read at your own risk.

I have read many books by L.B. Simmons and I can say that I have LOVED every one of them. Her books just get better and better. This book was flawless!!! I was so engaged in this story and these characters lives, I had a hard time putting this book down.

L.B.'s writing is fantastic. She created a story that sucked me in and didn't let go…this truly was an emotional roller coaster!!! She has my emotions all over the place. I was laughing, fist pumping, crying, smiling, and yelling. This book does have a love story built into it, but it was so much more than that. It was a story of self discovery as well as learning to forgive oneself and what true friendship and unconditional love really is.

In this book we follow the journey of 4 teenagers. This story is told solely in Chloe’s POV and I have to say that I normally like Dual POV better, but this story couldn’t have been told any better than through the eyes and mouth of Chloe. I thought the writing was perfect. The flow and pace of the story was spot on. This book was beautifully written.

I feel like I had been waiting for this book for a while now, but let me tell you…..It was so worth the wait!!!

I can’t rave enough about this book….Definitely a MUST READ!! If you are a fan of YA novels, then this is one you CAN’T miss!!! This book is a standalone novel.

Holy. Hannah.

This. book.

I almost didn't request an ARC of this book. I have read only one other book by L.B. Simmons and I really enjoyed it, so I was definitely interested in picking up another one. But YA can be hit-or-miss for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to take a chance on a YA book that wasn't - technically - a romance.

I am so glad I took the chance.

We, the Wildflowers is deeply, sometimes darkly, emotional. If you are sensitive to triggers, approach with caution. I do not consider myself sensitive to triggers, but there were parts of the book that caused me a great deal of anxiety. Parts I rushed through to get to the other side. Parts that hurt to read. It cut my heart wide open and left me aching and raw.

But, maybe I'm some kind of masochist, because in spite of all that - I felt like this book was incredibly beautiful. Brutal, for sure. But while the brutality is there, the focus is on hope, resilience, perseverance, and -- most of all -- love .

It's so beautifully written - almost lyrical sometimes. The storytelling was incredibly compelling - deftly weaving a tapestry that was sometimes heartwarming, other times heartbreaking, and veering occasionally into an almost mystical or spiritual territory. This is an important story. It is not for the faint of heart, but now - having turned the last page - I can promise that the rewards were worth the emotional gut punches it delivered. And no, it's technically not a romance, but it's definitely a love story . An incredible one. I loved the Wildflowers fiercely. I imagine I'll be carrying them in my heart for a good long while, and if that's not the mark of a truly fantastic book - I don't know what is.

We, The Wildflowers by L.B. Simmons is a full length, ya novel, published by Spencer Hill Press.
Genesis
Adam
Chloe
Lukas
The four teens are inhabitants of Sacred Hearts, a home for teens. Every single one of them has baggage and his packet to carry. Take Chloe, she's a 16 year old unloved by her parents and after a desperate cry for help she simply gets shipped off from them. So have the other three. All of them grow up together and they're still going through a lot. I will not spoiler here, only so much. We, The Wildflowers is a raw and gritty read, hauntingly beautiful that gave me all the feels. I loved the storyline and the characters, 5 Stars.

I found this book on Netgalley and was approved to read the digital advanced copy by the publisher. I requested this book because 1) the cover (simple flowers with a black background; simple, aesthically pleasing covers DO IT for me) and 2) it was a YA that seemed different and stood out to me.

The Goodreads rating for this book is 4.45 so obviously I had very high expectations going into this novel. I’ve never read a story by L.B. Simmons before so I wasn’t really sure exactly what to expect.

We, The Wildflowers follows one main character, Chloe, as she experiences living in a sort of group home after being abandoned by her wealthy parents. There she meets Genesis (Genny) and Adam, and then eventually Lukas is the fourth and final member of the household.

All four teens are close to graduating high school and have all experienced traumas in their life time. Genny was a drug abuser, Lukas was arrested for attacking a man, and Adam was shunned from his household for being a gay man. Mrs. Rodriguez eventually that takes them in, and they’re lives start drastically improving…until it stops.

The pacing of this story bugged me at first, because by about the halfway point, everything started to come to a perfect close. I was wondering what was going to fill the last half of the book. Then, the last half happened. The story took a dramatic turn and we’re left with a story about teens trying to pull themselves together from another tragedy.

The overall plot of the book was great. I love reading stories about mental health and other serious issues among teens because I think those stories need to be broadcasted. It’s issues like these that are everywhere but never seem to get enough attention. I almost hoped that I could’ve gotten a couple chapters with the other teens perspectives just to get a better sense of their characters, but honestly that’s just me being nit picky at this point. Being inside the mind of Chloe was fascinating and I thought Simmons did a wonderful job of showing us the complex side characters too.

One aspect that I really loved that I usually don’t enjoy much in YA books is the romance. I read YA for the complexity of the characters and the coming of age moments, but rarely am I excited about the romance happening. I’m usually quite indifferent about it. But the romance between Chloe and Lukas was wonderful, and I found myself rooting for them until the very end.

I was also very satisfied with the ending. It was a happy ending considering the very unhappy circumstances. Simmons really let Chloe develop into a strong, willful woman.

Overall, I have this book 5 stars. I’m most likely going to buy a physical copy of this book when it releases in February because I NEED it on my classroom bookshelf. I think this story is a must read.

This book was received as an ARC from Spencer Hill Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

My heart hurt so much for Genesis, Adam, Chloe, and Lukas and how nobody wanted them around and then a godsend strikes and they land at Mary Rodriguez’s home, an outpost for Sacred Heart’s troubled youth program and they get the opportunity of a lifetime to start fresh and make something out of their lives. With battles of addiction, abuse, drugs, depression and loneliness, the four teens form a bond that is so strong that it becomes a reliance for them. Now this bond is tested in many ways and the teens stop at nothing to stay together and its what they need for survival. I have a warm spot for struggling teenagers and the battles they face everyday and my heart brightens up when they find a way to get through and win their battles and live the life they deserve to live. I know our teen book club will love this book and enjoy them very much.

We will consider adding this book to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

One day. That's all it took to read this book. I could not put it down once I started. This is my first book from this author and it left me with such a feeling of warmth. Yes, it's sad. Yes, it has some dark things happen. Yes, it's hard to read in places. But, even with all of that, this book is nothing but a book filled with hope and love. So much love. So much hope and love that when you read the very last sense it leaves you with a sense of longing for a group of your own Wildflowers.

Every single character in this book made an impact whether that impact was full of light or cast a shadow on that light. Simmons does a great job of bringing every thought and every action to life. She does this simply with her beautiful writing. Metaphors that bring a new meaning to everything around you. There really is no adequate words to describe her writing except that it's rare to come across something like it and I am so happy I found the path.

I think this book is one that all ages should read. Everyone can take away something from this story. Maybe you need to be reminded you're not alone. Or you needed to be reminded of true love in not only the romantic sense but in a very platonic way. Or maybe you just need your own bright pink Wildflower to remind you to go be the lioness you have in you just waiting to claw herself out. Just don't miss this one.

What an unexpected and heartwarming book that I stumbled across, and I am so glad that I did. I have not felt so many emotions from a book in quite some time, This book made me laugh, cry and go through a spectrum of feelings. Wow, just wow.

This is a heavy book so please prepare yourself for that and triggers for some people. If you can though, read this. The characters will take a place in your heart and not leave. Sacred Heart is a youth program for troubled teens. Genesis, Adam, Chloe and Lucas all end up here. As they make bonds we go through the ups and downs of their life that brought them there and the demons that they deal with. We wait with baited breath to see who will survive and if their bonds can make it through.

Please if you choose no other emotionally charged book this year, choose this one.

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

L.B. Simmons is one of the few authors of which I have read every book they released. I was introduced to her almost seven years ago, and I have been in love with her storytelling abilities and writing style ever since. It has been almost four years since she released a new book, so I was really excited when I got my hands on We, the Wildflowers. I already knew that this book would impact me emotionally after reading the blurb. The characters were intriguing and very likable. I especially felt a strong bond with Genesis, who is a fierce and loyal friend. The story is told entirely from Chloe's POV, who is the third teenager who ends up in Mary Rodriguez’s home, an outpost for Sacred Heart’s troubled youth program. She felt so unworthy of love, and the loving home with the best people brought her out of her shell. All four of the teenagers have their own struggles, but they know they will always have each other. Their bond was really strong and beautiful.

"I've found more of a home than I've ever experienced. I've found a place where I'm seen. Where I'm acknowledged. Where I'm loved and accepted. I've finally found...a family."

I would've rated this book higher if not for the abrupt change of pace in the second part of the story. It really bothered me that some things changed really quickly, and I just couldn't really keep up. I didn't have time to fully process everything. I just didn't think it fully fit the story and there were some things that definitely could've been handled differently. But I think things got back on track in the last quarter of the book. I loved seeing everything come together and the wildflowers finding their way back to each other. I think this book dealt with many difficult issues, and it was not always easy to read those heartbreaking scenes. I laughed and cried with the characters and wanted the best for all of them, and the ending was very heartwarming and uplifting. I am glad I read We, the Wildflowers and I already look forward to L.B. Simmons' next book.

"But even in death they remain connected, thriving within the comfort only they can provide each other, until spring brings them to life once again."

This is so sad! This story broke my heart! This is heartbreaking!

This is suffering from sharp knife stab wounds, sudden impact of pouring ice bucket down your head, several punches on the face! Four wildflowers: Genesis, Chloe, Adam, Lukas. It is impossible not to feel for them, ache for them, resonate with them, cry for them and of course love them.

Four broken souls came together to form a group, becoming their each other’s confidante, best friends and of course family, sharing their secrets, heavy burdens, traumatic experiences. They are too young, unique, delicate and beautiful souls. They don’t deserve to carry all those burdens and suffer from those ugly life experiences. You want to reach their hands and help them get up, listen to their problems and tell them:
“Everything is gonna be all right”! Even though it is a lie, you still want to say something to share their pain because you care.

I cared those characters and loved them too much. This read affected me deeply from the beginning and the first half of the book was solid five stars but in the middle, the story’s direction unnecessarily and over dramatically changed. I can handle the angst. But come on, suddenly all hell broke loose and the genre of the book turned into something over melodramatic and darkly tragic. I’m sorry about this change but I have to admit that: I didn’t like it!

This story is already heavy, sad, depressing but too much exaggeration killed the uniqueness and soul of the story. At least that’s what I think.

The ending and closure of Chloe’s part of the story was satisfying, heart-warming, promising and hopeful. I still love the characters so much but the progression of the middle parts made me lose my enthusiasm of the book. It is still great subject and teaching too much lessons, making you question so many things and dealing with important stuff such as addiction, sexual abuse, grief, guilt feelings, suicide, diversity, sexual preferences but tragic turn of the events still left a bad taste in my mouth.

I wish I could give more than three stars but at least this book attracted my attention and put a talented author on my radar. I want to read more works of L. B. Simmons.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Spencer Hill Press for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.

When I finished We, The Wildflowers I had goosebumps on my entire body. Because THIS is the story that needs to be told. The one that needs to be read and needs to be absorbed by others. The meaningfulness, the ever changing seasons, the growth, the metaphors, and the hurt. This is what this world needs more of. This book right here.

I have only ever felt, read, and experienced the angst of a type of love between two people, a man and a woman. Wanting them to be together and experiencing their heartbreaks. Never have I ever in my life read and felt the angst and experienced the need for a group of people to be together. Not until I met The Wildflowers.

Not only all of that but L. B. Simmons has unique writing. The type of writing that you don’t really see any more of these days. Not unless you find the right book, at the right time, that most likely no one else has even read yet. (Those are just the best though, right? Right.) The ones you want to yell about? That’s this book. That’s her writing. It needs to be heard. Her writing makes the most poignant and beautiful metaphors I have read to date. From the ever changing seasons, to the kids and the cover and just all of it. Brilliant.

I feel like if you only read one book this year, or if your child only reads one book this year, it’s this one. The hopefulness, the faith, the support, and the story of these four extraordinary but special kids just makes my heart sing and swell.

Disclaimer: I have read through this review four different times now and every time I read through it I have no adequate words to explain how amazing this book was.