This exploration of what happens when two different life-changing events collide into one big maelstrom of emotion is hauntingly beautiful. Joanne Burn has created a story that is both reflective and thought-provoking. As Uma recovers from the one-two punch of events, she is forced to re-evaluate her life choices. Through Uma’s journey, the author explores issues such as the emphasis on image over truth in a marriage, whether something built on a lie is sustainable, and why it sometimes takes a tragedy to recognize the reality of a situation. The author also uses symbolism effectively, specifically the lighting of fires (for cooking or warmth) to illustrate Uma’s inner fire being relit. I especially liked that she used the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) as a basis for Uma’s healing: the way Uma was swept along by the breeze of her marriage (and the winds that signify change as she comes to her realizations), the previously mentioned fires, the ocean that calls to Uma and invigorates her, and the spices, stones, and flower petals that finally give her the answers she has been looking for. An excellent book that should be at the top of anyone’s TBR list! Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Congratulations Joanne Burn on this moving debut novel. An old subject but it just felt so different - so beautifully written I was actually on the beach with Uma.

Timing is everything.

Uma discovers that her husband is having an affair and before they have discussed it fully, he dies leaving her with questions that only he could answer. So when she should be grieving her husband she is consumed with finding his lover. The timeline switches from the present (2015) back to 1997 and charts the friendship of Uma, Daniel, Pippa and Aaron. I’m not sure why I was so gripped by this, maybe I have a secret yearning to run away to a cottage by the sea, but it really held my attention. There’s a great cast of characters and although Uma is central, I feel I need to acknowledge her interfering mother-in-law Mary as someone everyone knows.
A fabulous debut and I hope to read more from Joanne Burn in the future.

A story of love, loss, betrayal, grief and friendship. This is a lovely book to snuggle up with if you want a good but undemanding read. Wonderful characterisation, atmospheric and well written.

Petals and stones is well written. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the author’s writing. Not my favorite type of book.

I received Petals and Stones as an ARC from NetGalley and I absolutely loved it! Uma finds out her husband has been cheating on her & then he dies in a car accident. The story goes back & forth between past & present as the story unfolds of Uma and her 3 close friends. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I enjoyed the characters and thought the book was very well written. I would definitely read more by Joanne Burn.

A tale of friendships, longing, love and loss. After living a life that was perfectly good enough, Uma finds out that her husband has been hiding a secret.

Uma finds out her husband Daniel has been cheating on her. While is driving back home from a business trip he gets killed in an automobile accident. Uma has to decide if she will tell family or friends
I found the story rather dark. It never really became a happy go lucky story.

I was given an advanced reader’s reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This was pretty middling women’s fiction. If you like a happy ending for lonely ladies, you’ll enjoy this. I don’t and I didn’t really. A bit maudlin

All in all I enjoyed this book. Loved the beginning but felt it was a bit slow after that. Uma annoyed me at times but I had to keep reading to find out what happened.

This book starts with an immediately likeable character. Uma seems warm, genuine and loving and within the very opening scene her life takes a turn. And it goes from bad to worse...

What follows is an emotional, enjoyable story about love, family and friendship. It didn't feel like my usual read, but I enjoyed it. Perfect for those looking for an escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. This book wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but I enjoyed it a great deal. I thought there would be more intrigue, but really, at the heart of the book, it's about lost love, friendship, and being honest with yourself and others.