A great beach read! Debbie Macomber’s characters are so relatable and believable. This story deal with grieving, alcoholism, and finances Joan is a widow who realizes that she’s been grieving for her husband too long after four years. She rents a room to a young lady whose father has alcoholism. The story follows their journey to love

Debbie Macomber has written some of my favorite books, Must Love Flowers was a hard read for me. it tells the story loosing someone you loved and how difficult it is too move on after that loss. While her book was a great life lesson, it may have been too heavy of a read for me at this time since my loss of spouse is too recent ( 2 years)

Another great book from Debbie Macomber. The main character is Joan. She is widower. She realizes that she has been mourning her husband for four years. She starts to take baby steps to get her life back. She is realizing that she needs to change parts of her life. It helps that she has lots of people that love her.

In the typical Debbie Macomber fashion, as in all romantic fiction, boy meets girl, boy loses girl and then boy gets girl again. The premise is the same but the backstories and backgrounds all change with each new story. In “MUST LOVE FLOWERS” Debbie Macomber is as she always is: a writer writing about believable people in believable situations, looking for someone to spend the rest of their days with: someone they can love and cherish. This time, however, there is a twist and it’s a sweet and lovely deviation from her norm. There are two love stories being played in tandem in MUST LOVE FLOWERS, and I became so engrossed, while reading it on my e-reader that I was shocked when it ended, but it left me feeling happy and satisfied. A good read for a rainy day or a day at the beach. Highly recommend this book. Very Highly.

One of the things I love about Debbie Macomber is that she doesn't shy away from the realities of life. We deal with hard things. She writes beautiful love stories, but at the same time, the characters are grieving and growing and changing. Yes, they are falling in love. But they are also growing their relationship with the Lord.

Must Love Flowers is a beautiful story of life in the midst of grief.

This story covers many life issues such as grief, depression, alcoholism, and financial. Joan’s journey out of her depression back to living was nicely written in this story. The romance between Nick and Maggie I didn’t enjoy as Maggie was such a pleasant person and Nick was annoying and really unkind to his mother. Fans of Macomber will probably enjoy this one too. 3.5 stars

Must Love Flowers was another great read by Debbie Macomber. Joan Sample is now a widow and empty nester. She has become a recluse. After another birthday alone, she finally decided to listen to her sister and get back out in the world. She decides to hire someone to tame her overgrown garden, joined a grief support group, and even decided to rent out a room to a local college student. Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista while attending nursing classes. She has lived with her alcoholic father and they struggle to pay the household bills. She decides to find a room for rent in Joan's home. I loved reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

I wanted to love this book, but ultimately it was just too predictable. I don't know if I have outgrown this genre of writing or of Ms. Macomber is losing her touch. I was disappointed with this book after looking forward to it for so long.

As a woman in her 50’s, I like reading books with characters 10+/- my age, as there can be more that is relatable. Must Love Flowers is no exception! Joan, the main character is a middle-aged widow, figuring out how to live and love again. The book picks up four years after her husband’s unexpected death, with Joan and her adult sons negotiating their relationships, especially with one another.

Additionally, we meet Maggie, a 20 something, in school and working full time, while helping support her alcoholic father. The two intersect when Joan takes Maggie in as a border. Caring for and about one another gives them then strength to move forward, make good decisions, and re build their lives.

A sweet story, I recommend for all ages!

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

Must Love Flowers follows a predictable path, as all of Debbie Macomber books are similar. They feature good characters who live in a nice community setting, all searching for something.

Joan Sample is stuck, not knowing how to live her life after being abruptly widowed. When she meets Maggie Herbert, a young woman down on her luck and Phil, a landscaper, can Joan embrace her life and move forward?

The one part of this book that really bothered me surrounded Joan's sons and their reaction to their mother in her time of grief. The author presented them as loving sons, but they basically abandoned her because they do not know how to help. The dichotomy was not believable, but did make for good plot points. Maggie was presented as a smart young woman, but she did a few things regarding her father and his health decisions that seemed only there for plot. Overall, the parts about grief and not being able to move on were well described and the support group that helped Joan was a good part of the story.

Readers who like Debbie Macomber will take to this book like a well worn pair of slippers, but those new to the author might want to try one of her early works.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

I am newer to Debbie Macomber. I read a couple of her paperbacks when I was in high school but this is the first one since. I definitely enjoyed the story and it revolved around some really tough/important issues. Grief, healing, hope, love. Maggie and Joan were both great characters who you root for. 4 stars. Thank you so much to #NetGalley and Random house Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me a copy in return for an honest review!

In a note to her readers, Debbie Macomber says that she tried retirement but discovered it was not for her. Rather, what she wanted to do was continue telling stories. This book is the result and it is one that her fans will surely enjoy. It has all of the elements of a classic Macomber story, good characters, a plot that engages, and a feeling of satisfaction when the last page is turned.

This is the story of several people who find each other and offer one another the chance to again embrace life fully. There is widow Joan who misses her husband every day. Joan has two sons but they are often busy with their own lives. Next is a young girl who misses her deceased mom. Maggie’s father is an alcoholic and she wants to begin a life away from him as she studies for her nursing degree. (Joan’s son is one of her customers at the Starbucks where she works to fund her studies). Third, there is landscaper, Phil. His loss is that of his daughter.

Will these three come together and help each other to move forward? Readers will have a pretty good idea of the answer but that is not the point. This is not a novel that is read for suspense but, instead, one for those who like a nice story and a bit of thoughtful escape.

I first read Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series. I just progressed from one to the next and enjoyed them all. Readers who want what she offers will be delighted with this new book and her backlist.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

This story was so hard for me to get into. I’m not sure if it was the writing or the plot but I just did not want to finish it. It was very deep and contained serious, mature problems. In the end, it was a touching story about chosen family and becoming close to those not so similar to you. A very challenging read for me but good overall!

I would like to give thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion. This book centers around Joan, an empty nester who has become a recluse and Maggie, a nursing student who is dealing with an alcoholic father and trying to survive. A twist of fate they meet and Joan rents a room to Maggie. This book is a must read for Debbie Macomber fans!

Highly entertaining, fun filled, emotional journey with witty banter, heartwarming moments, heart racing twists and so many fun and intriguing charters. Great read from beginning to end.

Joan lost her husband before the pandemic, sold their dental business and utilized the solitary times of Covid to retreat from the world. A letter from her HOA on the state of her yard shakes her awake and before you know it, she has a new haircut, a boarder, a new landscape company and a puppy. A quick heartwarming read about friendship, life and love.

Thinking she was ready to retire, Debbie Macomber realized she was born to write and this book is the result. It follows a struggling widow who takes in a boarder looking to escape the turmoil of living with an alcoholic father and very reluctantly begins grief therapy where she is surprised to see someone she knows. It is a sweet, hopeful, optimistic read exploring themes of grief, community, friendship and love with lots of food, flowers and a new puppy.
This is the kind of book I like to read when I am looking for a cozy character driven story that does not require alot of brain power and it fit the bill for me. The audiobook narrator has a calming voice and does a good job distinguishing all the different characters.

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber is a sweet romance that readers will love. Ms. Macomber stands apart in this genre, and her fans will love the second chance romance in this book. I love the characters in this book and the consequential issues addressed. Overall, it was a solid read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This was my first book by Debbie Macomber. It was very uplifting and feel good story.. The writing is sweet and comforting as it deals with tough issues of grief and loss. I found myself really connecting with this book and the characters. I lost my son to cancer and I could so see myself in Joan especially with the staying home, puzzles and the puppy! I just felt such a connection. as many of the things she did to cope I also did. The time frame of her loss was the same as mine right before COVID. I loved the uplifting feel of the characters wanting to help each other not only in dealing with grief, but anything where there was a need. The characters are amazing and you feel like they are old friends by the end of the book. I look forward to reading more by Debbie Macomber.

Thank you to Net Galley for this wonderful gem Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber in exchange for a honest review.As someone who has read almost all of Debbie’s books this is another feel good emotional bestseller.It is the story of Joan , a woman who lost her husband 4 years ago suddenly before the pandemic and is in a rut both emotionally and physically. Having little contact with the outside world, she has become a hermit.Her sister pleads with her to join an emotional support group and take in a boarder.Both decisions lead to a wonderful breakthrough. Through the support of fellow grievers she opens her heart to love and friendship.Her boarder , Maggie has many problems on her plate too..Her alcoholic father and his mean demeanor has forced her out of her own home.Can Maggie and Joan both find healing? Read the book and find out.This book has everything- drama, hope, romance , forgiveness and most importantly , healing.A must read .Highly recommend.