This stunning multi-generational trilogy that wends its way through the past and present day Charleston, binding families and hearts together, comes full circle with this satisfying latest installment.

A captivating series, unique in that you can read them out of order or even as stand alones, but each book connects like a precision cut puzzle piece to the others, enriching the experience and lending deeper meaning to the stories. I loved how this book effortlessly shifted between various viewpoints and time periods. In the present day flower shop owner Alice searches for answers about her mother who went missing during hurricane Katrina, while in 1861 Clara takes a stand against her family's wishes, and works to reunite her friend Rose with her daughter.

A beautifully written book that I wanted to savor and soak in. The characters are well developed, and I liked how faith was naturally woven into the fabric of the story, and it was wonderful to finally learn Rose's story. One of my favorite parts of the book was Alice and Sullivan's first meeting.

A memorable read with compelling characters, and a heartfelt story of courageous women, faith and love, you will not regret picking up any one of this remarkable trilogy. One of my favorites!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t notice that Ashley Clark’s Where the Last Rose Blooms was the last book in the Heirloom Secrets. If you’re like me and picked up the book because of the cover and synopsis, don’t worry, there were only a few moments when I felt like I was missing some backstory.

Ashley’s book is a split time and at first, I wasn’t quite sure how she would pull the threads of the two periods into one cohesive story, but, by golly she did.

The contemporary characters and plot were fascinating on their own, as were the Civil War era characters and plot. Although I did get lost a few times with all the characters. Having the POV clearly listed helped.
I’ve always wanted to know about floriography, and the symbolism of the rose rooted itself into both eras. A symbol of courage, healing, love, and reconciliation—and beauty amidst the thorns.

I highly recommend, and would have given this a 5 star except, I did have a bit of a challenge with keeping track of the characters, and I wish I had a bit more of the Civil War story, specifically Rose. Otherwise, loved this book!

I received a complimentary ebook from Bethany House Publishers through #NetGalley for my honest review.

I’ve loved each of the three books in this series and enjoy the author’s writing style.

I always enjoy the dual timeline in the books.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

This fictional story is set in the present day city of New Orleans. This gives it a little Cajun flair and culture. There is a past tense and present tense story happening simultaneously throughout the book, while reading about the main characters, you will also read about their ancestors.
Rose, a Black slave is trying to reunite with her daughter during the Civil War era. Her “owner” becomes an abolitionist and helps Rose in her quest. There is a theme throughout the book, involving roses, hidden messages and the power of hope.
The present day characters unveil the mystery behind the ancestors’ past and the author weaves themes of depression, suicidal thoughts, and redemption into the present day plot.

Overall, this is a clean book with slight love story additions. It is suitable for teenagers and I would recommend it to anyone. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed reading the last book of Heirloom Secrets.

I believe this was my favorite book in the Heirloom Secrets. The first pages grabbed you and you just had to see it to the end as quickly as possible.

This is one of those series that each book is able to be read out of order or as a standalone. You will want to read all the books though!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

This book was truly delightful in both plot lines and characters. The dual time periods wove together so well, just like roses on a trellis and I loved how Ashley made them fit so well. Each was given ample time to be told entirely and then they tied back to the first two stories in the series just perfectly. There was heartbreak, loss, grief, and pain paired with love, belonging, joy and peace. Its the kind of story that lingers in your heart and mind long after you finish the last page and one you want to read again very soon. The history was a great mix of real and fiction but felt so personal you didn't want to walk away from it. I will certainly be highly recommending this one to others. It's definitely going on my keeper shelf and I hope to reread it and the other two books again soon to see all the connections that exist that I might have missed before now.

I received this ARC copy from Ashley Clark via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

This dual timeline novel finishes out the series of Heirloom Secrets with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed seeing Millie again, glimpses of other characters from books past as they appeared. The cover, as many of Bethany House Books, often have, amazing covers. I think it would be fun to own them all in print as they are just gorgeous. My print copy of this book is going on my shelf!

have adored this series and this book did not let me down. Ashley Clark was a new author to me when I read the first book and I have thoroughly enjoyed her style ever since.

I loved the connection that is made to each book. I will say I have trouble remembering everything that happened in the previous book so that was frustrating to me, but that was just my own problem and as the current book went on I would start to remember what I had read before.

If you haven’t given Ashley’s books a try I highly recommend you do.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I adore historical fiction, and this is such an interesting premise. I recommend because of the story itself, writing style, and its ability to transport you into a different world/time period.

“It’s in the waters, in the wading, that healing comes.”

Filled with vivid descriptions and interesting historical tidbits, Ashley Clark’s third book in her Heirloom Secrets series is a fascinating look into 1860s Charleston, as well as modern-day New Orleans, as she ties up ends in her dual timeline series. The characters are colorful, relatable, and well-drawn. The Civil War era characters seem true to the time, and the contemporary characters were charming. I’m amazed at Clark’s ability in weaving together the different plot lines in a way that works to keep the reader engaged. I must admit that I sometimes have trouble keeping all the characters and plotlines in the right timeline when I read dual timeline books.

I enjoyed the imagery of the flowers in this story, the floriography, and the symbolism of the rose throughout the series. This is a beautiful tale of courage, healing, love, and reconciliation which is sure to touch the hearts of all romance lovers. I recommend this book to those who enjoy engaging split-time stories. Be prepared to want to book a trip to the southern states while you’re reading it! 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Alice is a florist and has a shop in New Orleans with her aunt. Her mother went missing during Hurrican Katrina. She and other friends are planning a wedding and discussing flowers and a mystery from the 1860s

Clara is a Southern belle who doesn't agree with the doings of her plantation owner father and longs to help her mail, Rose, find her young daughter who was sold to another plantation owner. She teams up with some Yankee spies and friends that are helping slaves escape.

The story flips back and forth between these two times. Some of the modern day folks are descendants of Clara and Rose. This is the second book in this series I have read and they are very well done and very interesting.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Where the Last Rose Blooms was engaging to read, both for its story and the author’s captivating writing. The author really pulled me into both time periods with her writing- it was just so well done. I loved seeing Clara and Alice come into their own and stand on their own two feet- Clara with taking a stand on slavery and Alice choosing grace and freedom after tragedy. It was a moving story and flowers were a unique connection!

The mystery aspect of Alice and Sullivan discovering the story of the past felt a little anticlimactic and I wish the endings of both the past and present were dived into a bit more but my enjoyment of the story was still intact.

I had not read the first two books of the series prior to reading the book (something I will have to remedy) but I still liked it as a stand-alone. I look forward to reading more by this author!

* I received an advance reader copy from the publisher but was not required to post a review. This is my honest opinion.

Run, don't walk, to grab Ashley Clark's latest installment in the Heirloom Secrets series! You don't need to have read the other books in the series, although honestly, why wouldn't you want to? Clark is an absolutely charming writer and her stories are filled with drama, heartache, history, beautiful scenery, compelling characters, and, ultimately, redemption. The way she weaves multiple timelines--spanning decades--is impressive and I especially appreciate how every little detail is accounted for. The message of WHERE THE LAST ROSE BLOOMS is much-need in these difficult times.

Where the Last Rose Blooms
by Ashley Clark
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of Where the Last Rose Blooms through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:


If you’re looking for a novel that draws you in and does’t let go, I recommend Where the Last Rose Blooms.


Alice and her Aunt run a flower shop, but thoughts of Alice’s Mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina are never far from her mind.After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap--and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.


Clara is known to be a rule follower in 1861 Charleston, but the war has changed her. Without her Father’s knowledge who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father's associates.


Facing the unknown, these women will have to dig deep to let their courage bloom.



I give Where the Last Rose Blooms five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Being a mid-west girl, I have unexpectedly fallen in love with southern fiction in the last couple of years and I attribute that new found interest to authors such as Ashley Clark. Her Heirloom Secrets series has been delightful. Split-time novels are definitely a favorite with me because I love to read the intertwining stories as they unfold into a brilliant masterpiece.

In Where the Last Rose Blooms, Ashley Clark introduces the reader to new characters, weaving their stories of hope with those that have come before. I love how all the stories are tied up in this novel. While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading them in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the stories. I love the connection between the family heirlooms and the secrets they hide. With beautiful prose, Ms. Clark tells two stories of strong women who are separated by 160 years, who learn to trust in God, even in the middle of the storm, finding healing and the will to survive even in the middle of brokenness.

One of my favorite quotes:
"But if we look hard enough, we can find spaces, pierced by a needle. When threaded together, they create something beautiful-a story, our story, and through the threads and the holes, we grow."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
This was a beautiful conclusion to this trilogy. I absolutely loves Clara, Sullivan, and Alice's story. Like the previous two books, the author has a historical and present day timeline. She weaves the story with precision and care. Each detail is accounted for, and I love how all of the character's stories - from the three books are tied up with this novel. One day I hope to sit down and read them back to back to back to experience the wisdom of the connections in each individual story and how the family lines are woven throughout the entire series. Clark writes beautifully and always has a good faith message - this time she had a character with depression and, as someone who has experienced this, I loved how she handled it with a faith lens while also encouraging counseling/medication, if needed. She

I look at this book as a comparison to fine chocolates. Now how do you like to eat your chocolates, do you savor them or rush through them and eat them as quickly as possible because their so delicious? Well with this book I know I should have read it slowly, savoring it along the way, contemplating what I had read. But......... it was so fabulous that I couldn't stop reading it and read it in less than a day :)
While this can be read as a stand alone sure, I strongly suggest reading the books in order in this three part series, with this being the last one. The stories just mesh together so smoothly flowing from book to book that you really don't want to miss any of the back story.
The book draws you in from the first page and the time lines blur together so effortlessly.
Both timelines have such strong women who despite all the hardships they face will bravely struggle on because they know it's the right thing to do.
I enjoyed learning about the language of flowers and how it used to be a secret way people would send messages.
Such a beautiful conclusion to the series.
I highly recommend it!

Pub Date: 01 Feb 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This. Book. Is. Amazing.

It's a fitting culmination to an amazing series (go read books 1 and 2 if you haven't already--not only to prep for this read, but because they're stellar in their own right!). I am amazed at the author's skills and talents in writing, character development, and navigating the time-slips over not just one, but three novels. Truly incredible.

This may be my favorite read of the series, as well (not at all because I find myself swooning over Sullivan, or that his name reminds me of Sully in "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman" in the best way possible. Nope, not at all). I often go for the first book in a series (exhibit A being _Fellowship of the Ring_), so this was kind of a fun detour from the norm for me. And as if I hadn't already, the read only cements my desire to visit Charleston and see some of these places in person! (I just wish I could meet the characters while I'm at it ... :D)

Learning about floriography proved fascinating as well (who knew flowers could say so much? It goes way beyond rose color--no pun intended with the book title/character name!). And wow, the Great Fire of 1861. Just wow.

Do yourself (thyself?) a favor and get thee to a bookseller for this read!

5/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

With heart and haunting prose, Ashley Clark paints a vivid portrait of two women, separated by 160 years, searching for answers to a better future.



Ashley Clark’s Heirloom Secrets series has been lovely and poignant. Blending soul and mystery, each book explores issues of race, women’s place in society, and the importance of faith in our lives. I was anxious to see how the series would resolve, and I wasn’t disappointed.



The characters are so vivid you’ll expect to look up from the book and see them sitting across from you. Each of the main characters are inspiring in their own ways. So many people will relate to Alice in the face of her struggles with anxiety and depression. The descriptions of mental illness in this book are some of the truest I’ve ever read portrayed in fiction. It paints a picture of what it is like to face grief, anxiety, and depression while giving a sense of hope for those who struggle. Clara is a brave young woman who will capture your heart with her bold willingness to put her life at risk to help those who have been wronged by slavery. Rose’s heart bleeds on the page as she gives accounts of her life in her own voice throughout the story. Supporting characters like Aunt Charlotte, Juliet, Mary, and Oliver will warm your heart, as well, and create the perfect supporting cast for the book. And it was a treat to revisit favorite characters from the previous books in the series, as well as to see the connections between the characters throughout the generations.



Clark’s prose weaves its way through your heart and brings her story to enchanting life in your mind. You can get lost in these pages. The worlds of historic Charleston and modern day New Orleans come to life in this story. Sea air and roses scented my imagination as I read about Clara, Teddy, and Rose’s world, while the taste of beignets and the sounds of jazz filled my mind as I followed Alice and Sullivan on their search for answers in the Big Easy.



Filled with themes of finding hope in brokenness and redemption, Where the Last Rose Blooms will capture the hearts of readers across the board. Highly recommended!



Many thanks to the author and Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Alice, who runs a New Orleans flower shop with her aunt, is still holding out hope of finding her missing mother who vanished during Hurricane Katrina. She has no patience for a man like Sullivan, who shows up at the flower shop Kate on Valentine’s Day to buy a last-minute flower arrangement, then turns out to be Alice’s blind date for the evening. When Alice suddenly finds herself in possession of some mysterious heirlooms connected to a Civil War spy ring, Sullivan offers to help her with sleuthing out the truth. Will they ever be able to piece together the clues? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction, third in the Heirloom Secrets series, that moves back and forth between present day and the Civil War.