𝘈 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 is a series of novellas following three former friends—Jaime, Claire, and Tessa—from the night they left Rose's Flower Shop in Sunrise, North Carolina, as teenagers to their return in their mid-twenties. Each story explores where they are in life, their reflections on the past, and reasons for returning.

The characters are relatable and likable. Jaime is driven, following her passion for floral design to New York, though her unrequited love for her boss, Liam McMillan, fell flat for me. Claire, the character I related to most, is outspoken and temperamental. Sent to a “customer service rehab clinic” by her boss, she reconnects with Christopher, Rose’s nephew, whose faith inspires her. Tessa, the only one who didn’t live in Sunrise full-time, discovers her love of flower farming in a class with Dawson Greene, who helps her build her dream.

Each novella is rich with details about flowers and floral competitions. I learned so much, like how big floral design contests can be! But the real beauty of this book is its focus on friendship—its fragility, heartbreak, and repair. Romantic relationships are present, but friendships take center stage, showing how misunderstandings can break us apart and how hope and forgiveness bring us back together.

The final story ties everything together, revealing Rose’s mentorship and the events that drove the friends away. Seeing how much time they lost is bittersweet, but the resolution is powerful. Woods Fisher masterfully weaves faith into the story without being heavy-handed, making it enjoyable even if you’re not religious.

This book made me long for friendships like the ones portrayed here. If you enjoy clean romances, stories of friendship, and a touch of floral beauty, 𝘈 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 is a must-read. It left me feeling hopeful and nostalgic.

This was a unique read for me, as I don’t typically read too many novellas or short stories and this was a book made up of 4! With that being said, I enjoyed this and each story was endearing and refreshing🩷

Another fabulous women’s fiction release from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

This collection of four novellas follows three teens that were separated by one summer’s tragedy, eventually returning in the final novella of The Year of Flowers.

Jaime, Tessa, and Claire are likeable characters, flawed as any character I’ve ever met on the page. As each of them work through their troubles, a registered letter brings each young woman back home. There’s a little bit of romance in all their story lines, but the focus is more on their careers in the floral industry: Jamie as a floral designer for an elite wedding planning company in New York; Claire as an employee with major customer service issues in Atlanta; and Tessa as a flower farmer somewhere in Georgia.

I loved the unique story lines with the troubles that crushed hopes and dreams of each character. The issues were enough to drive them to Rose’s side. Better grab your tissues for the final novella as the truth about the fire is revealed. And the reason for Rose bringing the girls back to their small town.

A beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness and redemption.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher contains four novellas that revolve around three women and a floral shop owner who was their mentor. The first three stories feature Jamie, Claire, and Tessa who worked in the flower shop together when they were younger (a story for each character). The fourth novella has them back in their hometown at Rose Reid’s flower shop. I like how all the stories tied together. In each story we get a glimpse of what happened in the past that changed the course of women’s lives. The full tale is not revealed until the last novella when the three women are brought back together. There is romance for each of the three ladies as well. I liked all the characters in the four novellas. Chris was the most transformed character. I especially liked his occupation. I like that the author included a glossary of floral terms. It was interesting learning about the language of flowers. It is amazing what you can say with a bouquet of flowers. The ladies need to forgive each other as well themselves. They just need to be open to the truth. This was a unique way for the author to tell this story. A Year of Flowers is a story of friendship, faith, flowers, and forgiveness.

Wonderful Novella Collection!

This book contains four stories, the first three revolving around each of a trio of friends, Jaime, Claire and Tessa, who worked for Ruth Reid in her flower shop during high school. Each novella takes place in the present day and
hints back at an event that drove the three young women away from the flower shop to start new lives in other places. Jaime, Claire and Tessa each had unique personalities that contributed to their abilities in working with flowers along with a close-knit friendship that could only be restored if they decided to accept Ruth Reid’s invitation to return to Sunrise, North Carolina. Each story was compelling in its own right and all were tied together by an underlying mystery which would only be solved if and when the women returned to the North Carolina flower shop to meet up with Ruth again.

Along with the mystery, each novella had a developing romance that was as distinct as each of the couples involved. Liam, Chris, and Dawson were all wonderful male leads and their differences in personalities made the stories all the more interesting. I especially loved the transformation Chris went through from high school days to the present. A subtle, spiritual thread added inspiration to the characters’ lives. Along with the great storytelling, I really enjoyed the glossaries provided to help familiarize the reader with floral-related terms. I feel like I learned so much about flowers from the reading of these stories!

The fourth and final novella wrapped things up masterfully and tied all three previous stories together with a beautifully wrapped bow and compelling message of forgiveness. It might be good to have a tissue handy, just in case it’s needed. Another fantastic series from author Suzanne Woods Fisher which I highly recommend!

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and these are my own and honest opinions.

This was a sweet set of four novellas about three young ladies who were all friends as teenagers but went their separate ways after a fire that they all thought they started. They each had a romance, and all learned to forgive, not only each other but themselves. Tessa and Dawson's story was my favorite.

I always enjoy books by Suzanne Woods Fisher and this is a great addition to her list of what she's written.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 19 November 2024

My thoughts: A Year of Flowers is a must read collection of four stories that all tied together and the climax for each of the stories is included in the final story. I enjoyed getting to know the three main characters and learning how events from the past that all happened on the same day called the three of them to part ways and go  in separate directions. I had to admire how hard the owner of the flower shop where they originally worked trying to get the three back together. This was a very good book and I highly recommended it. I was given a copy free and all opinions on my own,

Suzanne Wood Fisher's A Year of Flowers is a set of contemporary romance novellas about flowers. One fire at the flower shop changes the lives of three women forever causing each one to leave and begin again. Several years after the fire, each woman receives a letter from the owner of the flower shop telling them all is forgiven and to return to the shop. The first three novellas tell the story of each woman while the fourth novella unites their stories and flashes forward to the present. The themes of friendship and forgiveness make these novellas heartwarming and cause the reader to invest in the hopes and dreams of each woman.

"A Year of Flowers" is a beautiful novella collection by Suzanne Woods Fisher. The stories are connected through the 3 women, who worked at a flower shop as teens. After a tragic fire, they went their separate ways. The novellas pick up 7 years after the event and the first three focus on each of the women. The last connects them all together to a fulfilling conclusion.

I really liked the use of flowers, site locations in the book and the real emotions each of the characters had as they grew in faith and understanding. This is a faith-filled collection of books, perfect for a fan of modern Christian fiction. The quotes used at the beginning of each chapter are all flower quotes and add a beautiful element to the story. I even found myself highlighting several of those along with so many quotes from the author's writing in the book.

If you enjoy novella collections, this is one to check out. So much beauty, symbolism and just great storytelling that weave these novellas into one. I just really overall like the direction of Suzanne's recent writing with this book and the Cape Cod Creamery for modern Christian romance. If you liked those books, you'll want to check this one out as well!

Thank you to Revell fiction for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Year of Flowers is a collection of four novellas. Each of the first three stories features one of three close friends who had worked at a flower shop together years earlier until something happened to tear them apart. Though their lives have all taken very different turns, they all find themselves working with flowers in some way. We get glimpses in each of their stories about what had happened in the past, though we don't get the full story until the final novella when they are brought back together again, and the full truth comes out. It was a beautiful story of friendship, faith and yes, the importance of flowers too. I thought it was a really interesting way to tell their stories through novellas that all work together to tell one bigger story. It was beautiful and emotional. I have always enjoyed Suzanne Woods Fisher's contemporary romance, and this one certainly did not disappoint.

**ARC received via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a collection of four novellas that all combine to tell a singular story about three friends who used to work in the same flower shop. After a fire they all moved in separate directions. Rose, the owner of the flower shop, writes each of the girls a letter telling them to come home, that all is forgiven. Each girl has had time to gel her hopes and dreams and make them a reality. Jaime is working for the most elite wedding planning service in New York, Tessa has bought a one acre lot to grow flowers to supply to florists, and Claire finally has enough money to buy a flower shop. Each girl has issues to overcome even after getting their dream. Each girl has to respond to Rose's request to come home. Each girl is afraid of what Rose has to say.
Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a thoughtful book that includes a lot of floral lore and legend. Each chapter is prefaced with a flower quote or observation. Some of them I wish she hadn't included, but overall it was an entertaining read that didn't take a lot of time to read.

Suzanne Fisher, you just created the most darling and beautiful book I have ever read! This was SO good! I loved the cover, each page, and was so sad it was over. Can not wait for the next book already! Highly suggest.