This was an interesting history about an interesting immigrant woman, accompanied by some great old photos. Sadly, I found the writing stiff and therefore distracting--smoothing that out would make the book much better. The ARC I received had a ton of partial words, which made reading a bit of a drag but the overall story was interesting. I'll look for this book once it's proofed and published.

This is such a unique and beautiful story, I am so glad I got to read it. Jackie was born on March 19, 1901, and I found this book on March 19, 2021, which feels a little like fate.

The pictures, sketches, and diary entries sprinkled throughout the book really helped to show Jacomena Maybeck's life. There are photos of the family, of the house, of cars, of pets, and so much more. The author did a great job of picking out the best parts to add, absolutely all of them felt important.

The author's connection with Jackie is very prominent and the love for her shines through the pages. The writing is touch and go, it is very slow at times and too fast at others, but overall it is a nice easy read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies and books about strong women.

‘Blooming in Winter’ is a charming book. To this reader, it feels similar to leafing through a scrapbook filled with memories, moments, photos and sketches of a life fully lived.
Jacomena Maybeck was fascinating. Pam Valois lovingly peels back the layers of her friend ‘Jackie’.; wife, mother, grandmother, artist, lover and patron of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Indonesian born of Dutch parents, Jackie immigrated to the United States as a child, settling in California. In 1927, she would earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Berkeley and in 1952 a Master degree in ceramics. Jackie married Wallen White Maybeck, son of famed architect Bernard Maybeck in 1928. Under the guidance of her father in law, they would design a magnificent home for themselves and their twin daughters. A lover of life and beauty, she spent her days creating, gardening and entertaining.
Widowed at sixty one years old, she would enter this next chapter of her life with zest and endless possibilities as she carried on the Maybeck legacy.
Bohemian and feisty until her death at age ninety five, Jackie lived her truth in a collage of vibrant colors, wit and fascination. What a joy it must have been to share a golden lit afternoon in her company. Pam Valois brings the reader very close to that experience and how grateful I am to share in it.
Thank you NetGalley, Pam. Laois and She Writes Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

When Jacomena “Jackie” Maybeck died in 1996 at the age of 95, she had lived an active, fulfilling life. Blooming in Winter: The Story of a Remarkable Twentieth-Century Woman is a tribute to this mother, grandmother, artist, patron of arts and architecture, and world traveler by her friend, Pam Valois. When the author met Jackie, she was a young mother; Jackie was in her 70s. She became Pam's friend and mentor for nearly 20 years. This book is written from a collection of writings taken from Jackie’s memoir and other sources. The author, who herself is now in her 70s, found Jackie to be a source of inspiration not just for aging well, but for living life with zest.

Jacomena Adriana van Huizen was born in Java to Dutch parents on March 19 1901. (Happy birthday, Jackie – I finished this book on the anniversary of your birth!) Her father was a chemist. When Jacomena was seven months old, the family moved back to Holland, and her brother was born when she was two. They moved to New York before she turned six, and then to Southern California. Jacomena, who was later called Jackie, grew up and married Wallen Maybeck, son of the prominent architect Bernard Maybeck. Bernie eventually designed the home that Jackie, Wallen, and their twin girls lived in. Jackie loved the land, her gardens, and entertaining. “The Family,” as they were referred to, meaning the Wallens, were often about, and Jackie had difficulties with her mother-in-law, who viewed her daughter-in-law as too outspoken and perhaps unladylike. Somehow, however, they managed to co-exist.

I had great difficulty engaging with this book, honestly. One of the biggest sticking points was the writing itself. I gathered that much of the writing was taken directly from diaries and Ms. Maybeck’s memoir; time and again there are missing letters at the beginning of words and within words. Most of the time, it’s not difficult to decipher, but it does break up the flow. It wasn’t until Ms. Valois describes her relationship with Jackie that my interest picked up. I began to feel more of a connection to her and to appreciate her talents and personality. Ms. Valois touches on the relationship Jackie had with her whole family and includes photos of her with Pam's sons.

What I really did enjoy were the photographs and sketches! The author has included numerous family photos, pictures of the family’s home, cabin, favorite car, and so on. This is what truly brought the book to life for me. As a cat lover, I have to say that my favorite photo is one of an older Jackie and her cat Alvin. Jackie looks totally enamored with this cat. I admire the relationship these two women had; their age difference was no barrier. May we all be blessed to enjoy winters this way.

My thanks to NetGalley, She Writes Press, and the author for this ARC copy of Blooming in Winter. My opinions are my own.

3 stars