4.3 rounded down to 4/5.

In Michelle Collins Anderson's "The Flower Sisters," readers are transported to the small town of Possum Flats, Missouri, where the echoes of a tragic event from 1928 reverberate through the lives of the Flower family for generations. Drawing on a little-known true story, Anderson weaves together two compelling storylines fifty years apart, exploring the unpredictable effects of split-second decisions, family secrets, and the enduring power of redemption.

At the heart of the narrative are Violet and Rose Flowers, twin sisters whose lives are forever changed by a devastating explosion at Lamb's Dance Hall. As the story unfolds, we see how the events of that fateful night shape the destinies of the Flower family and the town of Possum Flats itself.

Anderson's writing is poignant and evocative, capturing the essence of small-town life with depth and authenticity. The characters, from the wild and outgoing Violet to the solitary and reserved Rose, are beautifully drawn and easy to relate to, making their struggles and triumphs all the more compelling.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its dual timeline structure, which is clear and concise, allowing readers to seamlessly navigate between the past and the present. The multigenerational flipping adds depth to the narrative, offering insights into the legacy of tragedy and the enduring bonds of family.

However, as the story progresses, some readers may find that the momentum begins to wane after a plot twist, and the ending may feel somewhat rushed, particularly as it transitions from the 1920s to the 1970s. Additionally, while the ending has a feel-good quality reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, it may seem somewhat out of place when compared with the rest of the novel's tone.

Nevertheless, "The Flower Sisters" is a captivating and well-crafted tale that offers a compelling exploration of family, secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit. Anderson's use of a real-life event as inspiration for the story adds depth and authenticity, while her skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, "The Flower Sisters" is a book that would make an excellent choice for book clubs, offering rich material for discussion and reflection. As readers turn the final page, they will be left eagerly anticipating what Michelle Collins Anderson will write next, testament to the strength of her storytelling and the enduring power of her characters and themes.

This story had an intriguing story line using different times in history and a varied set of characters each with their own thought and feeling throughout the story. I am from the area that this story is set and was looking forward to reading about a retelling. Unfortunately, I found it to be really slow and hard to get into. So much time was devoted to the same event being told though different characters viewpoints that I just kept wishing it would move on.

I loved the dual POV that spanned decades - it was one of the first things that drew me to this book and it did not disappoint. I think the way the author did a very good job of portraying small town life in a way that felt authentic not only to someone from a small town but to anyone reading the book. The characters were strong and the writing and plot were engaging.

A really terrific multi-perspective historical. I caught a couple of anachronisms (surprisingly, in the 1970s timeline rather than the 1920s), but the book was otherwise so well written and evocative that I couldn’t grade it down for them. There were a lot of different voices in this one, but each of them was beautifully distinct. And I loved the ending. It was the last book I read in 2024, and one of the best of the year.

3.5 This novel tells a story through a dual time line that surrounds an explosion at a dance hall in Missouri in 1928. This was an interesting event in history of which I was unaware. The story was compelling, most of the characters were likable, and I enjoyed the writing style. Yet, I did not find myself very engaged. It took me a while to get through this book. I’m not sure I can pinpoint the issue. Perhaps if it moved more quickly and focused more on the narratives from the timeline of the explosion, it would have held my attention.

Overall, I liked the story itself, and I would definitely read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, John Scognamiglio Books, and Michelle Collins Anderson for this free ARC digital copy.

A wonderful book set in The Ozarks in 1928 where we see a tragedy, a life lost-one twin dies and one twin lives. Fast forward to 1978 where we find Rose (the twin who survived) how is now looking after her 15yo grand-daughter.

This is a book based on a true story and what a very interesting story it is. Emotional, happy, sad and and a story of how life evolves through tragedy and over years. It is a wonderful story of family, love and healing yet so much more.

I enjoyed this book very much and felt it was well written but at times some of the descriptions just went a bit far and dragged on. But other than that it is a great story and a book I would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

1928 in Possum Flats is a little town in the Ozarks when a tragedy occurs where identical twins Violet and Rose lived. The Lambs Dance Hall suffers an explosion causing a fire that consumed Bonds Dance Hall. Violet Flowers, was one of the twins that succumbed to that fire. Forward to fifty years later we find Rose, the other twin, now widowed and running a funeral home. She is also a grandmother whose mother has dropped off her teenaged granddaughter ;15 year old Daisy. As Daisy becomes an intern at the local paper, she finds information leading to the 1928 fire, therefore, opening secret and memories that were best stored away. This is an emotional story of love and family and a tragic incident brought to life in wonderfully delicate prose. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In “The Flower Girls,” author Lisa Larsen masterfully intertwines twin storylines fifty years apart, exploring the enduring impact of a tragic event in a small Missouri town. Drawing from a little-known true story, the novel unfolds through the lenses of Rose and Violet Flowers, identical twins distinguished by temperament, and later, through Rose’s daughter, Lettie, and granddaughter, Daisy. The narrative centres on the catastrophic explosion at Lamb’s Dance Hall in Possum Flats in 1928, a night that forever alters the lives of the Flower sisters.

Violet’s untimely death and the subsequent fallout shape the trajectory of the family, resonating through time. The dual timeline technique smoothly navigates between the 1920s and 1970s, offering a comprehensive understanding of the Flowers saga. Larsen excels in capturing the essence of small-town life and the reverberating effects of profound decisions. The characters, vividly portrayed, evoke empathy and connection, making the reader an integral part of Possum Flats. The complexities of family secrets and the impact of historical tragedies are masterfully woven into the narrative, creating a poignant tapestry.

The author’s skilful storytelling explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Daisy’s inquisitive nature, as she unravels the past during her summer in Possum Flats, adds a layer of suspense and discovery to the novel. Larsen adeptly portrays the small town’s dichotomy—its tightly held secrets and the healing power of confronting the truth. “The Flower Girls” offers a captivating blend of historical fiction, family drama, and mystery. Fans of Daniel Woodrell, Donna Everhart, Ellen Marie Wiseman, and Jeannette Walls will find themselves immersed in this beautifully written narrative. It delves into the unpredictability of life-altering decisions, the aftermath of small-town tragedies, and the enduring legacy of family secrets, creating a compelling and resonant story.

In 1928 the town of West Plains, Missouri faced an unimaginable tragedy. During a dance, the Bond Dance Hall exploded, resulting in the death of 39 people. Author Michelle Collins Anderson grew up in West Plains but did not know of the tragedy until she was an adult. She used the explosion as the catalyst for The Flowers Sisters. The novel tells the story of Daisy Flowers, forced to live with her grandmother in a town reluctant to open old wounds.

When Daisy's mother drops her off in the town of Possum Flats, Daisy has no idea what to expect. She's never met the grandmother she is supposed to live with who happens to be the town's funeral director. Daisy is given an internship at the town newspaper. She finds an article on the explosion in the "morgue" - the paper's basement archive. Daisy wants to write about the event, but faces resistance especially from her grandmother who lost her twin sister in the explosion. Daisy is aided by Joe, whose grandfather is the town preacher and was present at the event. The novel tells the usual stuck in a small town story with a unique twist. Daisy's article exposes long buried secrets and truths, but in the end brings healing to a very injured town.

This is a gentle book that draws you in. Daisy is spending summer with her Grandmother, who she barely knows, in a small country town. She gets involved in the local newspaper and starts getting a feel for the town. Set in dual timelines, we also find out about explosion 50 years before, however, there are secrets people are holding about this. As Daisy asks questions, things start to come to the surface, especially the big secret that Grandmother is keeping. The resolution of all this was beautiful and I particularly enjoyed the ending, especially the musings of Dash as he left this world. The themes of love, family, belonging, home and identity are explored in a sensitive and empathetic way. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC to review.

A story of family secrets and small town trauma, The Flower Sisters will have readers on the edge of their seats frantically turning the pages to discover answers to the questions that hang over Possum Flats and the Flowers family. This is a story about finding yourself, finding your home, and finding out how to honor the past while making way for a bright new future. It's a story of betrayal and healing, of life and death, and the very human decisions we make that have a ripple effect on the lives of those around us.

This book was another adventure/mystery that had me all mixed up with every kind of emotion that you could possibly think of. It was that well written.
It was definitely an interesting read and one I found myself looking up images for this fire and I was astounded. I couldn't believe it because it sounded so much like the Pulse fire here in Florida.
The scenes were so descriptive that I found myself shivering because I couldn't imagine how horrible their deaths were. It's sickening in how descriptive this was. I can't even comprehend how these people felt at being burnt up. This book will probably give me nightmares after reading this novel. I didn't think it would be so very vivid that I could actually see it happening like in a horror movie. Those poor poor people. No wonder it's not talked about much!
And no one knows who even set that fire that's the terrible part! It's like a cold case mystery.
Daisy's mom is really something else. Throwing her daughter over for a man. How rude is that? Ugh.
No wonder the poor girl feels unwanted and uncomfortable in her grandmother's town.
I really enjoyed her uncovering the towns history though. That's the mystery part that I enjoyed. I loved sleuthing along with her.
Her grandmother's job gave me the willies though. I can't imagine what it's like living in a funeral home and doing that type of job. I think it's absolutely creepy. It's also at times depressing so I knew how Daisy felt. I felt like we were sisters.
This story is told from multiple points of view and its like getting to know each character and making friends with them.
It's a little explicit at times but I skipped those parts. Sometimes too juicy for me.
I enjoyed most of the book except for what I said at the beginning.
I did finish it one day I had to see if Daisy solved the mystery of the dance hall fire.
I don't really think the cover matches the story inside however. I do love the womans outfit as it does match the times it was set in. She's from the 20's.
Overall a great read but very sad chalk full of historical settings.
The town's real name was West Plain MO and this really did happen.
The author did well with the timelines and I did enjoy reading about how this town changed through the times after the explosion.
Isn’t it amazing how life goes on after tragedies such as this and I did notice the date of the explosion too.
(It was around the time of Titanic's sinking years before).
I wanted to add one more thing to this review
I know that this is a long quote but it spoke to my heart clear through because it's so very true. It just takes some longer to realize it. Including me.
"Maybe home is something you can’t run from, a place you find yourself searching for even after you think you’ve gotten away. You look for it in every town or city, apartment or house—but it’s slippery, shifty. Because home is a feeling, and the people and place that inspire that feeling. It’s about their acceptance and your belonging, You can’t change where and who you’ve come from, only where you will go and who you will be. But that place and those people always call your name, longing for you— and you, in turn, long for them.
Very well spoken. I'm feeling and finding my way home to Daytona Beach slowly. Kentucky was my home for many years. So I completely understand Daisy. Some places just grow on you. This is how Florida is to.me. it's slowly growing on me.
This is why I love historical fiction because it's based on a true story.
I'm giving this one 4 stars because of the too descriptive scenes.
But I still highly recommend this novel for others who will like it also.
My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington publishers for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out strong for me and then kind of fizzled out. I figured out the two main plot twists very early on, so I was kind of muddling through the book waiting for characters to find it out - and one of it was never realized except to the audience. It kind of felt like a slice of life around a horrific tragedy, which is fine but not really my thing. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the “maybe-quasi-no-wait-it’s-not-actually-incest” subplot that was thrown into the end. I felt like that was unnecessary and honestly, kind of weird.

I did like the first half of this book though. I liked the accounts of what happened at the dance, and would have loved to read more perspectives of those who were at the dance - including the dead. The ending of the book felt very fast and it felt like every conflict that was about to build up in the last third of the book got resolved quickly. I think cutting down on some of that present day story and using more of perspectives from the past (and maybe even ending on a past perspective! Like it could be awesome if our chapter after the first Dash chapter was a different character, and the final chapter was our plot twist character’s perspective of the dance, or right before the dance for example) could have been great.

There was a lot of potential in this book and I think it had a really interesting concept, but unfortunately the execution left something to be desired for me.

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read this book.
This is a dual timeline story that takes place in small town Missouri. The dual timeline is 1928 and 1978.
Violet and Rose are identical twin sisters. Violet likes to have a good time while Rose is more reserved in nature.
It is a hot August night in 1928 and Violet wants to go the Lamb where the young people go to have a good time - meeting up with friends, dancing etc..
During the evening there is an explosion with many dead including one of the twins.
Fast forward to 1978 Daisy is dropped off at her grandmother Rose's house for the summer. Daisy is a no-nonsense girl and gets herself a job as an intern at the local paper. The 50th anniverary of the explosion and Daisy wants to delve into the past and talk to the people who were there.
Daisy is met with reluctance with opening up the long ago tragedy. By doing her research Daisy finds things about her own family that was not talked abot.
These are my own opinions.
I had many emotions going while reading this book. I look forward to Michelle Collins Anderson's next book.

I loved this book I felt the characters were well developed and it was an interesting story but I fel that the storyline could have been fleshed out more
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

There were things about this book I really enjoyed and a few things that fell a little flat. I really enjoyed the story as a whole, and thought the dual timeline aspect was well used in this novel. The writing was overall quite good and I was quickly invested in the story and the characters. Unfortunately, what kept this book from becoming a favorite was the ending. It really felt like the ending was rushed, wrapped up too easily, and honestly felt a little too Hallmark-y for my personal tastes. I definitely can see where this could become a book club favorite and know there is an audience out there who will love it, Hallmark ending and all. Overall it was a good read, and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction for sure.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

Pub Date: April 23, 2023

4☆

I think the character were vivdly portrayed; daisy, trying to uncover possum flats' history, and its residents, dealing with the memories of the past. However, while I understand that the focus of this story was on daisy, rose and possum flats, i do wish there had been a slightly better development of the storyline between daisy and her mum.

excellent, haunting book. I really loved the beautiful writing and the amazung prose. I would definitely recommend this book.

Overall interesting, but even though it is historical fiction based on truth it was very slow to get to the point. I was loosing interest, yet I kept on reading waiting to reach the point were the 1928 story would arise again. It took over 100 pages.
It was only in the last 50 pages that the interesting part finally arrived. The book could have been 100 pages shorter and still got to the point. I feel that the story was just not enough to dedicate a whole book, unless it was written with two timelines throughout the book.
It could have been better. I found it a bit dry.

This well written book flowed throughout alternating chapters with the person most involved.
The original character was Violet Flowers who died in a tragic fire in 1928 and the story continues 50 years later with her twin sister Rose Flowers who operates a funeral home in a small town in Missouri, One day her granddaughter is Daisy is dropped off by her mother, which she thinks is just for the Summer. She settles in to the local happenings and gets an internship at the newspaper and gets assigned to first write the obituaries, Then she is asked to start a column by researching of what happened that day from the old newspapers. As she gets more involved she discovers some very strange things that have happened but have never solved. The story concludes with all the missing pieces.
Just sit back on the beach or a comfy chair and let this book absorb you.