fun little tale which has strong abilities and a lot of cool ideas. i love obscure historical things and this one fits pretty well!

Wouldn't have you loved to be young during the roaring '20s? I'd be out there doing the Charleston, that's for sure!

<img src="https://www.adventuresindance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20150912_094704-e1444192765456.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="charlestondance"/>

Needless to say, I enjoyed that storyline much more than the one from 1978, when I *was* around. I guess the grass is always greener...

Anderson does a great job with her debut novel especially with the research. Not only from those time periods, but also about the business end of funeral homes. She got the idea from an event in her home town, West Plains, Missouri. Hindsight is 20-20, but really who would have a dance hall above a garage? It makes you wonder about life, what if you were out sneaking a drink, having a smoke or in the back seat of a car instead of dancing--doing what you shouldn't be, in other words--during the explosion and survived?

<img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1200,h_600,c_fill,f_jpg,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F42d8dd29-d724-4b03-8549-e71e9fb444cf_844x562.png" width="400" height="400" alt="dancehallfire"/>

I had some problems with the plot--usual twists that most people will see coming--and I wish the ending wouldn't have been so giftwrapped and tied with a bow. As I remember, the hippie look wasn't so much in fashion in 1978 and straight leg jeans were more popular than bell bottoms. But all those Mama Mia movies prove me wrong with their dance outfits.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advanced reader copy.

I can't say that I enjoyed reading this one in the sense that it's based on a tragic piece of lesser now history. But the story was compelling and I just had to know how it ended. And I learned a lot.

Book Review: The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson

Rating: 5 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing "The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson", and wow, this debut novel had me hooked from the very first page and left me feeling all sorts of emotions. Seriously, I haven’t cried over a book in ages, but this one really got to me.

Summary

Set against the backdrop of a tragic event in the author’s hometown, the story unfolds in two timelines: one in 1928 and another fifty years later. At its heart are twin sisters Violet and Rose Flowers, who couldn’t be more different despite their identical appearances—Violet is the wild spirit, while Rose is more reserved. Their lives take a devastating turn after a catastrophic explosion at Lamb’s Dance Hall in Possum Flats, Missouri, claiming one sister's life and altering the other’s forever.

Fast forward fifty years, and we meet Daisy Flowers, Rose's curious and determined 15-year-old granddaughter. When Daisy is sent to stay with her grandmother for the summer, she stumbles upon the haunting history of her family and the small town. As she digs deeper into the past, Rose becomes increasingly uneasy about Daisy’s quest for truth, especially as buried secrets and old ghosts begin to resurface.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved every minute of this book! The writing was beautifully crafted and flowed so well that I found myself completely immersed in Possum Flats. The pacing was spot on; just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Anderson threw in some surprises that kept me on my toes.

The setting itself was enchanting, with the Ozarks providing a perfect backdrop for this tale of tragedy and resilience. I truly appreciated how the author intertwined the historical event with her fictional narrative—it added depth and authenticity that made it all the more powerful. Speaking of powerful, the characters were so vividly drawn that I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

And can we talk about the twist? I won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say that it took my breath away! It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel; Anderson has a remarkable talent for storytelling.

In conclusion, The Flower Sisters is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of history, emotional depth, and compelling characters. I can’t recommend it enough and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this talented author in the future!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The Flower Sisters
By: Michelle Collins Anderson

5 Stars

This book hit a little different for me. It was a read that had me laughing while at other times, crying. Daisy is in Possum Flats for the foreseeable future, at least until her mom comes back for her. Staying with her grandmother, who runs a funeral home, is not her idea of fun. Soon, she finds herself working at the paper when she stumbles across a tragedy, 50 years past. Throughout the book, she strives to tell their story. The people who were lost. It leads her on a journey that will change her as well as the other residents of this small town.

This was such a good book. It was so funny while also focusing on a major town tragedy. I loved the characters as much as I loved the little town of Possum Flats. This book was one that is heart-wrenching, while at the same time, it shines a beautiful light on telling your truth. It hides its secrets among the pages until they slowly answer all the questions that you may I ask. This is a story that can be read by the young or the old, but it will be loved by all.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Based on the little-known true story of a tragic event that took place in an Ozarks dance hall in 1928, this was a pleasant surprise for me. The Flower sisters - Rose and Violet were twins, one of whom died in the horrible explosion and fire. Fifty years later, Rose's granddaughter Daisy, who she's never met is left with her for the summer by her mother. Daisy and Rose are lovable characters full of personality and are a delight. Daisy talks herself into an internship at the local paper and convinces the editor to let her write a series of articles on the anniversary of the explosion. What happens is to bring to light long hidden secrets.

Drawing on the true story of a tragic event that took place at an Ozarks dance hall in 1928, this novel, told in a dual timeline format fifty years apart, explores the unpredictable effect of split-second decisions and the ways family secrets reverberate through generations. Anderson perfectly captures the 1970s in her later timeline, and her commentary on the damaging effects of hiding the truth is engrossing. For fans of well-crafted historical fiction based in fact and lesser-known events.

Since I recently moved to the Ozarks I've been looking into stories set in the area. The premise sounds good but it started out crude which I prefer not to read.

In this complex rural mystery novel, readers experience a multitude of perspectives in Anderson’s latest historical fiction book. Starting with Daisy Flowers in 1978, readers discover the explosion of the Possum Flats dance hall back in 1928 when her grandmother Rose was a teenager. As Daisy seeks to interview local survivors for her new job at the local newspaper, it seems that the town has deliberately forgotten the explosion for several reasons because no one wants to talk about it. As she discovers more and more secrets from the town’s inhabitants, Daisy realizes that her story could change everything in this tiny little town. Inspired by a true event from Anderson’s Ozarks hometown in Missouri, this historical fictional reimagining of the event and its discovery generations later is a fascinatingly complex novel. With several perspectives, Anderson can tell the story of the dance hall by those who lived it while also following Daisy who is discovering it for the first time. The characters are the star of this novel, and Daisy is a straightforward heroine acting as a vessel for the narrative of the dance hall and of Possum Flats. A story of a town’s survival, fans of historical fiction and mysteries are sure to enjoy this book.

This historical fiction book follows two timelines telling the story of a devastating explosion that rocked a small southern town in the 1920's and showing how 50 years later some secrets need to be exposed. The story is told from many points of view, by different people of the town weaving their characters seamlessly. This is a great debut and should be a hit with everyone. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very brief synopsis: August, 1928. The local dance hall was packed and jammed with dozens of local young people, all together to let loose and have some fun. Unfortunately that fun came to an abrupt and horrifying end when the dance hall complete with dozens of dancers, blew up and caused the excruciating deaths of dozens of people. Possum Flats holds a multitude of big secrets, some guarded by the living, some kept by the dead. And through Rose, Daisy, Dash—a preacher who found his calling that fateful night—and others, those ghosts gradually come into the light, forcing a reckoning at last.

My thoughts: To start, I love the cover. It had me immediately! With many points of view and two timelines, this book is quite a bit to keep track, but if you give it a chance it snags you.

For a small town with this history, its amazing to me that no one talked about it over the years.
Its like a big cover up - hush hush. So many families were affected. Crazy! I can just imagine the survivors guilt and trauma. With strong characters and a big mystery as to who did it and why, this is a who done-it with a family twist.

Stay for the author’s note at the end which tells the story of the explosion in her hometown in 1928 that was the basis for this novel. I just love a book inspired by a piece of history. This one is well done.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for introdusing me to a new to me author. While I could predict part of the outcome, I did enjoy the read.

Inspired by the true story of the Bond Dance Hall explosion, a tragedy that took place in the author’s hometown of West Plains, Missouri on April 13, 1928, Michelle Collins Anderson creates her captivating dual timeline debut novel, The Flower Sisters.

In 1928 we meet identical twins, Violet and Rose Flowers. Violet, who has a tiny bluish-purple mark on the back of her neck hidden by her hair, is vivacious and outgoing, while Rose is ladylike and quiet. On the 13th of August, many of Possum Flats teenagers were listening and dancing to a popular local jazz band at Lamb’s Dance Hall. Suddenly, an explosion demolishes the Dance Hall leaving one twin and dozens of others dead, forever changing the lives of all who survived.

Fifty years later we meet 15 year old Daisy Flowers. She is dropped off for the summer at her Grandmother Rose’s house/funeral parlor, whom she has never met before, by her mother Lettie. To escape the situation, an inquisitive Daisy finagles an internship with the local newspaper. While searching through the archives she learns of the long-ago tragedy, and the connection to her family. As Daisy begins writing weekly stories about what happened, paying tribute to the victims, horrors, pain, grief, and guilt of the survivors is brought to the forefront. Will Daisy be the one to help them heal?

Anderson’s exquisite prose created life like characters with heart wrenching emotions and her vivid descriptions immerses her readers into the sights, sounds, and life of Possum Flats. I felt the struggles of each character as they came to terms with their long held secrets. The mystery surrounding the 1928 Bond/Lamb’s Dance Hall explosion is expertly woven into the narrative, which kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Michelle Collins Anderson.

It was a great honor to have the opportunity to read this outstanding duel timeline debut by a very talented and promising new author. I received a complimentary copy of this outstandingly book, The Flower Sisters, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

3.5 stars rounded down. Ultimately, this is a book that just isn't for me. I was sucked in by the gorgeous cover and the description, but it just never clicked.

This is a very well-written dual-timeline historical centered on a small own where a dance hall explosion (very 1950s - the dance hall, not the explosion) illed a lot of people. The second timeline is the story's present = the 1970s. There are several viewpoint characters and the plot ties up nicely.

This is very much for fans of 20th century historicals. I'm not sure why it didn't quite work for me.

Gripping, that's the first word that comes to mind about this book. I sat down to read and didn't want to stop, that's how much I loved this book. A small-town tragedy in 1928 (inspired by true events) leads to a series of news article written by Daisy, teenage newspaper intern and our main character. As citizens recall the tragedy and recount their stories, Daisy uncovers a shocking discovery. This book is simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, poignant and beautifully written. An outstanding debut novel.

4.5 stars, there is much that I enjoyed about this debut! Coming of age, dual timelines, family secrets, subtle humor, welled-developed characters, based off of a true event, deception, imbrued gruesomeness, forgiveness all wrapped up beautifully at the end with utmost care and a stunning bow! Thank you Michelle Collin’s Anderson and NetGalley for this ARC.

When I'm really enjoying a book, I like to provide updates as I go along. I'M REALLY ENJOYING the AUDIO version of The Flower Sisters!!

I'm only at 38% (about 8 hr 41 min remaining). Multiple points of view. Daisy's mom ran off with her latest boyfriend and "dumped" Daisy with her grandmother, who is a mortician/funeral director in Possum Flats. 5 stars so far. I'll continue to provide updates. Additionally, I believe this to be a debut by author Michelle Collins Anderson. Great job! I think I'll be following this author.

Finished The Flower Sisters yesterday. Really enjoyed it (although descriptions of the explosion aftermath were - expectedly - grisly). I enjoyed the writing.

Book audio length is 12.25 hours, publication date is April 23, 204. There is a full cast of narrators who were all very well selected for their roles. I especially liked the narration of "Daisy" and "Hazel".

Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for introducing me to (yet again) another fabulous debut author in Michelle Collins Anderson. I'm now following her. I was approved for both the audio by RB Media and the ebook version by publisher Kensington Books. The audio version was reviewed. Publication date for both was April 2024.

A couple paragraphs with Joe and Daisy ...
Joe starts to say somethin, but doesn't. Instead, he pops open a can of Pepsi and sets it beside him before reaching into his bag and removing a bologna sandwich, potato chips and Oreos. "Want a swig?" he asks, noting my lack of liquid refreshment. i usually get a cup of water at The Picayune (newspaper), but in my haste had forgotten to bring anything to drink.
"No," I say. "Soda is terrible for you."
"Oh," he says, taking another long pull at his Pepsi before wiping his mouth with one tanned forearm. "I've heard Fig Newtons are super healthy."
Oops. ...

Loved the nickname Joe had for Daisy.

This story was based on a real life dance hall explosion in the author's home state. A great concept to start a story - and it doesn't disappoint!

Twins, Violet and Rose, are almost identical - except one sister has a small mark on the back of her neck. That information proves to be really informative in the story. One sister attends the dance that fateful night, and one goes on to live with the reminders all her life. Daisy, a granddaughter is left to stay at the Flowers Funeral home when her mother takes off for the west coast with a new boyfriend. She's looking for something to connect her to the town and her family, when she takes a newspaper job and uncovers a huge story that brings back the events of that night that have haunted the town ever since. The characters are well developed and interesting to get to know.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

EXCERPT: Flowers Funeral Home faces Main Street in downtown Possum Flats and my upstairs room overlooks the back alley, where Grandma takes her 'deliveries' twenty-four hours a day. Not much there except dumpsters and stray cats and, over the buildings, the tip-top of a church steeple. From the front sidewalk of the funeral home, you can see east down Main to the downtown square that has banks on opposite corners and a boring limestone courthouse in the centre with a silver flagpole waving the U.S. and Missouri flags.
Possum Flats. Seriously? It sounds like roadkill - and it's every bit as dead.

ABOUT 'THE FLOWER SISTERS': At birth, Violet and Rose Flowers were identical, save for a tiny bluish-purple mark gracing Violet’s slender neck. By nineteen, their temperaments distinguish them, as different as the flowers their mother named them for—Violet, wild and outgoing, and Rose, solitary and reserved. Still, they are each other’s world. Then, on a sweltering, terrible August night in 1928, an explosion rocks Lamb’s Dance Hall in Possum Flats, Missouri, engulfing it in flames, leaving one twin among the dozens dead, and her sister’s life forever changed.

Fifty years later, Daisy Flowers is dumped on her grandmother Rose’s doorstep for the summer. A bright, inquisitive fifteen-year-old, Daisy bargains her way into an internship at the local newspaper—where she learns of the mysterious long-ago tragedy and its connection to her family. Rose, now the local funeral home director, grows increasingly alarmed as her impulsive granddaughter delves into Possum Flats’ history, determined to uncover the horrors and heroes of the fiery blast.

For a small town, Possum Flats holds a multitude of big secrets, some guarded by the living, some kept by the dead. And through Rose, Daisy, Dash—a preacher who found his calling that fateful night—and others, those ghosts gradually come into the light, forcing a reckoning at last.

MY THOUGHTS: After a breathtaking start in both timelines, I settled in for what I thought was going to be an exceptional read . . . but it didn't quite work out that way. It sort of fizzled out and never really regained its momentum.

Of the two timelines, I much preferred the 1978 story. Daisy is a lovely character and I enjoyed watching her personal growth after her arrival in Possum Flats. I felt that a lot of the 1928 story could have been better told better in flashbacks as Daisy uncovered what actually happened. There are too many points of view, and we get the full background story on each and every one of them. It was just too much. And while they say there is no one so devout as a reformed sinner, the character of Pastor Emmonds (known as 'Dash' in his wilder days) was totally overdone. In contrast, his grandson Joe was a breath of fresh air.

The ending was a little too tidy for me - life just isn't like that and it came across as manufactured and, dare I say it?, twee.

I really enjoyed the Author's note at the end which tells the story of the explosion in her hometown in 1928 that was the basis for this novel, but the execution of the actual novel itself left a lot to be desired. While I didn't feel compelled to abandon the read, my attention frequently wandered and I would have to backtrack to pick up the thread again.

⭐⭐.9

#TheFlowerSisters #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Michelle Collins Anderson grew up on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks — a place and a way of life that has shaped her writing.
Michelle has been an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri and Stephens College, taught creative writing at her local elementary school, and serves on the board of The Missouri Review.
She and her husband, Clay, have three adult children and live in St. Louis, Missouri, with a rambunctious border collie and two sister cats.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This was an interesting story based on an actual event in 1928. I liked how I learned what happened the night of the explosion as Daisy, a newspaper intern, interviewed people that were there that night. Lots of other secrets were revealed through the interviews as well. Some will surprise you! The descriptions were amazing yet some are quite morbid. I loved the overall theme of love, home, and forgiveness. The ending was the best part of the book because it brought closure and a feeling of hope to the story. The author includes notes from her research of the Bond Dance Hall Explosion in 1928 and discussion questions for book groups. This is a good read for historical fiction fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Although I wondered what was going on at the beginning, the whole story was thought out so well. It moves between two timelines, 1928 and the present in the book which is 1978. Daisy Flowers moves in with her Grandma who she doesn’t know. Daisy finds it hard to settle in a town that she doesn’t think she'll stay in long, where she feels like everyone knows her although she doesn’t know anyone. While researching a story for the local paper, Daisy begins pushing some boundaries and opening up memories of a town tragedy that happened 50 years ago. She discovers a big secret and learns about herself in the process. The ending is perfect and one of the best endings I have read for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.