When Silence Blooms is a deeply moving, beautifully written novel that stayed with me long after I finished the final page.

When Chickapea finds herself in Worthy Texas she knows no-one, but holds on the fact that her mother told her to head there as that’s where she has family. When she crosses path with a widowed nurse (Ruth), Chickapea slowly uncovers her story.

The author handles grief, trauma and healing with remarkable sensitivity, allowing Chickapea and Ruth’s relationship to unfold with tenderness and emotional honesty.
The mystery surrounding Chickapea’s past adds tension without overshadowing the story’s heart. The beautifully drawn characters feel vivid, layered and utterly genuine, and the theme of family being chosen as well as inherited is both powerful and uplifting.

Heartbreaking at times but ultimately full of courage, hope and hard-won light, this is an unforgettable read that I would wholeheartedly recommend.

A beautiful, heart stirring story of hope and found family. Five glowing stars.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

When Silence Blooms pulled me in and was so hard to put down. The themes of grief, healing, chosen family, and belonging were exactly the kind I love reading about. Chickapea had my heart. Watching her keep going and hold on to hope after everything she had experienced made me root for her throughout. Her relationship with Ruth gave the story so much of its emotional impact, while the suspense kept me eager to find out what happened next. There was just so much to love about this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lori L. Jackson, and At Home for the advance reader copy, provided through Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

What a page-turner! This book is incredibly hard to put down. It tells the story of Chickapea, a young girl who’s wise beyond her years and forced to grow up very quickly. Despite the hardships she faces, she becomes an amazing person. Chickapea must take charge and forge her own destiny, even though she’s far too young for it. This story explores themes of survival, grief, love, loss, and forgiveness. You forget how young Chickapea truly is when you consider all she’s endured in her short life. This book is definitely worth having a box of Kleenex handy, and it’ll stay with you for a long time. I highly recommend it to everyone. For anyone looking for a book that will surely tug at your heartstrings, this is one you’ll want to read.