Viola Shipman has fast become a favorite author of mine.  The Heirloom Garden, like Shipman’s other books, is warm and comforting.  While it is a bit predictable at times, it is still heartwarming, sentimental and sweet, with promises of sunshine, warm lake breezes and the perfume of flowers.  

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book

Heartwarming story about a war vet and an older landlord who imparts wisdom on this young family. She herself has had a lot of loss. Her gardening brings them closer. Felt long winded at times but overall an enjoyable read.

I just loved this touching story from Harlequin that was partly historical fiction and partly “women’s fiction”. It was a sweet story with a happy ending and was a nice read during our COVID confinement. Gardens symbolize the eternalness of the seasons and the passing of life and the garden in this story stood for a life well-lived that had been dormant a little too long.
This is one my mother would have called “a nice story”. It made me cry.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and share about it!

(Net Galley ARC received for free)

Graydon House and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Heirloom Garden. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

The Heirloom Garden follows two women, Iris Maynard and Abby Peterson, strangers who become neighbors and friends. Iris has lived a hard life, losing those she loved most entirely too early. Will the walls that Iris has put up stop Abby, as well as her husband and daughter, from become part of her life?

There are parts of The Heirloom Garden that I really liked, especially the historical aspects regarding World War II. I also liked how the author connected the two women from the beginning, instead of having two separate perspectives without any thread between them until later in the novel. Although the ways that history was repeating itself, especially regarding the treatment of women in the workplace, was interesting, these parts of the book were not as successful. Abby's reactions to her situation mimic those of Iris, but women in the early 2000's had more ammunition at their disposal. Women like Abby, smart and assertive, would not have reacted in the same way in the 2000's as Iris did in the 1940's. Though the military angle was a good parallel, it almost was not necessary to the novel. Iris Maynard was a fascinating woman and her story was enough to carry the book. Overall, The Heirloom Garden was a good read and one I would recommend to those who like historical fiction.

When Abby and her husband, Corey and daughter, Lily move to a town on Lake Michigan, they are curious about their neighbor who seems to hide in her house.  It is initially Lily who breaks through to Iris, an old woman who experienced many tragedies on her life.  The relationship between Corey, suffering from PTSD after serving in Iraq, and Iris helps both to move forward.  The use of flowers to represent feelings and emotions was interesting, but lost on me since I don’t garden.  Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

So this is my first @viola_shipman book and I loved it! Poignant and beautifully written without being overwhelmingly emotional , The Heirloom Garden can inspire anyone to get in the dirt and make themselves better. I liked this book so much that I bought a copy for my mom for Mother’s Day. I knew she would love it.

This book tells the story of two women from different generations who are brought together by their experiences of war. Iris’s husband was killed in WWII, and her daughter passed away a few years later. She now finds peace in her garden, but she hasn’t left her house in years, closing herself off from the world with tall fences. In 2003, Abby’s family moves into the house next to Iris’s, which Iris rents to them. Abby’s husband has just returned from the Iraq war, but he is a shell of his former self. Abby’s kind daughter, Lily, is curious about the old lady who lives next door, which leads to an unlikely friendship.

This book was a tearjerker. Iris is mourning her husband and daughter decades after their deaths. She still talks to them. It was heartbreaking to see show her life was standing still, for the most part, since they died. Even though Abby’s husband returned from his war, he was so traumatized that he wasn’t himself anymore. Abby and Iris had similar experiences with being left behind in the aftermath of a war.

I loved the dual narratives of Abby and Iris. They had different perspectives, being from two generations, yet there were similarities in their lives. Both of them had their husbands go to war. They were both working in scientific jobs, where they weren’t given opportunities they deserved because they were women. Though they were working in these fields fifty years apart, not much had changed in the way women were treated in the workplace.

I found the gardening aspect of this book fascinating. I don’t know much about gardening, but it was amazing how it brought people together in this book. There was also a scientific side of it, which was described by Iris. She created her own unique flowers. I also didn’t know about the process for saving plants through the winter. Iris would pack them away in her basement to save them for the spring. It made sense, but I had never thought about that process before.

This is a beautiful story!

Thank you Graydon House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Viola Shipman is a new to me author but after reading this novel, I went to Amazon and ordered a few of this amazing authors books.  I can honestly say that The Heirloom Garden will be one of my favorite books this year. Dual timelines are my favorites and this one is beautifully written.
We meet Iris Maynard during World War II where she is tending the Victory Garden with her friends and neighbors.  After the loss of her husband and daughter she becomes a recluse that is until she rents her grandmothers cottage to a young couple with an inquisitive young daughter.

I absolutely adored Iris, her love of gardening and her heirloom flowers were such a beautiful and important part of her life.  The vivid descriptions of the gardens, the houses and Grand Haven, Michigan made me feel like I was seeing what the character were seeing and feeling what they were feeling.  Abby Peterson is a wonderful character who has a husband suffering from PTSD and a daughter who needs both parents to watch over her.

When Iris first meets her neighbors things don't really go all that well because she wants privacy but  her little neighbor wants to talk so needless to say their first meeting doesn't go too smoothly. As the relationship develops between Iris and the Peterson family there will be secrets revealed, loneliness and fears will be faced but there will be times of trust and letting go of the past.  I wanted to spend time with this unlikely foursome, I even wanted to try corndog and since I don't eat meat I knew this author had truly drawn me into this wonderful book.

Overall, I thought this beautifully written story has the most compelling characters that I have met in quite some time.  I cried, smiled, and cheered  for each of these unforgettable characters.  I will never forget this fantastic book.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

There was a lot about this novel that I was unsure about when I read the synopsis. This isn't my usual book, but I figured I'd give it a try. I'm not someone who usually likes war stories or time pieces. However, this wasn't really anything like that. It was back-and-forth, but in a good way!

This was my first Viola Shipman novel. I never would've thought to read her before, but I'm really glad I did. This intrigues me for future novels by her as the writing was extraordinary. I really enjoyed her point-of-views between characters and that made me enjoy them even more. Iris lost her husband in WWII and her daughter to polio. This is where she built herself inside of her garden and didn't want to talk to anyone. She did this for a long time before she meets Abby. Abby's husband comes back from the Iraq war and is no longer than man he was before he left. Now living next door to each other, these two women have something in common even if Abby didn't lose her husband physically. These two women bond and find a relationship unlike anything I've ever read before. 

I loved this story. It was the epitome of a feel-good novel. It was very heartwarming and makes you feel hope that things are actually like that. Abby, Iris, and Abby's daughter, Lily, truly stole my heart.  It was special to see that the relationship and friendship between Abby and Iris that bloomed despite their age gap. 

The gardening point-of-view in this story is impeccable. I have a "black thumb", but I absolutely loved learning about all of the different types of flowers and plants that Iris and Abby talk about was spectacular.

The reasons why I didn't give this novel a five-star rating were two different things. First, there were some parts of this book that was very righteous and almost "holier-than-thou". I can see why it would be like that, but sometimes it seemed to be too much. Second, this book seemed longer than it should've been. I really enjoyed this story, don't get me wrong, but I feel like it was drug out at some parts. 

Overall, Viola Shipman has definitely caught my interest. I would be open to reading her other books as this one had very "feel-good" energy. This could absolutely be one of the top "general fiction" novels of 2020.

This is a beautifully written story about two women whose lives are connected by horrible wars. I loved the characters and the bond that formed between both Abby and Iris as well the families bond with Iris, especially the daughter. Both women have some serious issues to work through and I thought the story did a great job of showing their development. The only thing I didn't love was the political commentary. It was warranted by I felt like there was just too much of it. Overall though it was a great book and I really enjoyed it.

I love flowers, love color and enjoy anything and everything that is a heirloom. Filled with a lovely garden, descriptions of beautiful flowers, this was a lighter toned read. The subjects though we're anything but light. An older woman, who shuts herself in her garden after some tragic losses. A young man who has returned with PTSD after serving in the Iraq war. His wife who is trying so hard to keep their family together and their five year old daughter Lily, who is delightful.

It also takes place in Grand Haven, Michigan a place I know well. Was a little taken aback by what the residents call us out of towners from Illinois, which I don't repeat here. Did provide a little chuckle. 
A good, warm-hearted, tender story, but it did get a little treacly for my reading taste. Those flowers though made it easy for me to overlook some of my usual preferences.

The narrators were Nan Macnamara and Lauren Enzo. They did pretty well so three stars for the narration.

Another book by Viola Shipman that I absolutely adored! Loved the characters, Iris and Abby, and the dual timelines in the story. The writing was beautiful, charming and delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed The Heirloom Garden, and is one that should not be missed.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy.

I absolutely adored this book!  Everything from the appreciation of the military to the reality of PTSD to the evocative images of Lake Michigan and gorgeous gardens to the familial and neighborly relationships, of love and healing and hope.  It takes a lot to make me cry in a novel, and Viola did just that....I found myself weeping at some of the scenes in the book.  Thank you for allowing me to read this, and I look forward to recommending it to many!

Every time I read a Viola Shipman book, I am amazed that it's written by a man. He can really get into the mind of a woman, and his characters are so developed. This book starts off so sad. One of the main characters has lost her husband and daughter while the other has a husband suffering from the PTSD from the Iraq War. This turns into a beautiful story of hope, though, and the way the flowers are woven into the story is both magical and masterful. I also loved the setting of Grand Haven. I spent a few days there when we lived in Chicago, and I really loved our visit. The only reason I didn't rate this book five stars is it got a bit preachy about how awful war is, and though I don't disagree with the author, I thought it felt a bit forced into the story. Overall, this was a fantastic read.

The Heirloom Garden
Viola Shipman

Personal Note: Like many editorial reviewers I usually only review in the third person, expressing my feelings in only adverbs and adjectives but once in a while an author speaks to my soul and that is exactly what Wade/Viola does for me and I just had to take a minute to express this.

Viola Shipman’s latest, The Heirloom Garden is an exceptional read about loss, hope, of friendship and the healing power gardening. It’s also a fantastic example that a family of the heart sometimes is dearer than blood. Set in the real Michigan town of Grand Haven aka Coast Guard City the author uses real places like the long time Pronto Pup hotdog stand and events like the Grand Haven Musical Fountain alongside his fiction that gives the read a real genuine feel as the reader follows the family on outings and while in their Sears Kit house. The characters are likeable and realistic and each star has their own strengths like Iris’s childlike excitement in her garden, Lily’s old soul personality, Cory’s anguish resulting from his time at war and Abby trying to keep it all together. And it’s all perfectly expressed in a flowing easy to comprehend narrative. Each of the main protagonists are equally exceptional and the real standout in the novel the tribute to our past and present military men and women and a reminder to always thank them for their service. Fans of this master storyteller, women’s fiction, military fiction or just an unforgettable novel will find this unputdownable.

In the spring of 2003 a young family moves next door to their reclusive elderly landlady. The family consists of Cory, a vet just returned from war, his wife Abby an engineer whose new job has brought them to Grand Haven, Michigan and their small daughter Lily. This family needs a new start and Abby hopes this new place will be what they need. What they don’t need is a cantankerous old woman living behind a giant fence next door.
Iris hasn’t left the sanctuary or prison (however you look at it) of her home in decades. She’s experienced the tragic loss of her husband in WWII whose remains are still somewhere in Europe and of her daughter not so many years later stricken with a rare fatal type of polio. She spends her days months and years caring for her heirloom garden the only thing that has kept her sane for all these years. The last thing she needs is the family living in her grandmother’s cottage next door snooping into her life.
What these people don’t realize yet is that they are exactly what the other needs.

I really liked this book because it drew on similiar themes as some of my favorites authors; Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley. The romance, an almost Secret Garden like atmosphere, I could not put the book down. Fantastic.

Thank you to Graydon House and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. This book is a little masterpiece when it comes to stories about loss and friendship. At first, I thought it was going to be a sappy read, but I was so wrong. This is a beautiful story. Iris, who lost her husband in WWI and her daughter to illness, has shut herself away from life by building a big fence around her house. She also has a lot of flowers and she is quite the gardener. Abby and her family move next door. Abby's family is going through hard times because her husband has been traumatized during the Iraq War. This is the story of how these two women help each other heal and come to terms with the things they have lost. I loved the flower illustrations also! They were just beautiful! Highly recommend this book!

Iris Maynard is a recluse. Ever since losing her husband in World War II and her daughter a few years later, she’s decided to hole herself up in her house and avoid interacting with the public as much as possible. Decades later, she still rents out her grandmother’s beautiful house next door, but she’s very picky about the tenants she approves.

Iris likes Abby Peterson and her family right off the bat. Abby is a successful engineer. Her daughter is sweet and curious, and Abby’s husband is grumpy and just back from war. Iris has no plans to actually talk to the Peterson family, but when she happens to catch Abby’s daughter picking her bleeding heart plant, Iris finds herself drawn into the family…and into deeper relationships than she’s experienced in years. The four neighbors will eventually form a bond and a trust that will not only help them heal and forgive past hurts, but also help them figure out what it means to live a meaningful life.

MY THOUGHTS
The best thing this book has going for it are all the Midwestern plants. I’m a Master Gardener in Illinois, and I so loved hearing Iris talk about her favorite flowers. If you aren’t familiar with these plants, you’re going to want to google each and every one so you know what she’s talking about. But for me, I knew most of them already, so I felt like I was having a conversation with a fellow plant nerd. It was delightful.

The storyline is okay. I’d say it’s a little (cheesy) Hallmark channel-ish for my taste, but I still enjoyed watching the relationships between these characters progress. And who doesn’t love a happy ending, especially in times like these? Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for other books by Viola Shipman.

When you pick up a book by Viola Shipman, you know you’re in for a treat. This heartwarming story is no exception. Her novels are always populated with broken, lost characters who have lost their way or purpose and somehow find a way back to happiness. In this one, a woman who has lost everything and has isolated herself from the world soon befriends the family that is renting from her next door and finds there may be more to life than she’d thought.

Iris is a complicated character who has a broken life and has found solace in her garden. She creates beautiful flowers which originated from her grandmother’s garden, and they bring her joy. Abby, her neighbor, is trying her best to keep her family together despite the stress of her husband’s PTSD, her new job, and caring for her young daughter. She is overwhelmed. But upon meeting Iris, she feels a kinship with the older woman and slowly they begin to create a bond. But changing one’s life isn’t always easy.

This is a beautiful story that is sure to touch your heart. Perfect for those who love heartwarming women’s fiction novels.

This was a lovely read that flowed beautifully between the well drawn charcters. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.  I have read the authors previous works and always enjoy returning to these appealing well crafted stories.  I was surprised to find out that the author is actually a male author writing in the name of his Grandmother to honor her. Somehow this author is writing wonderful women's fiction that appeals even as a male author which is unusual. 

We are introduced here to two strong female charcters. Both suffering from grief and somehow finding solace through their friendship even with a difference in their ages.  Iris had lost her husband and daughter. She spends her days in her magnificent private garden tending to her plants. She has created a paradise for herself and does not share it with the world.. It brings her purpose and comfort.  Abby moves next door with her husband who is a vet and suffers terrible PTSD impacting their family.  Her life is difficult and she reaches out to Iris.  They become friends and as Iris shares her garden each woman finds the friendship is helping them heal and relate to each other. 

This is a lovely book. I enjoyed the rich charcters and descriptions of the garden . I look forward to the next book  by this author.