Helpful Score: 3
Favorite of 2012!!!
This book reminded me of the saga "The Thorn Birds" with a little something for everyone, a bit of romance, history, drama and mystery. I think it would make a great edition to a book club read as there are so many issues that could be explored. The way the author seamlessly incorporated the past with the present was wonderful and has placed her on my list of author's to watch.
Take my word for it: Don't miss reading this book!!! I don't think you will be disappointed!
This book reminded me of the saga "The Thorn Birds" with a little something for everyone, a bit of romance, history, drama and mystery. I think it would make a great edition to a book club read as there are so many issues that could be explored. The way the author seamlessly incorporated the past with the present was wonderful and has placed her on my list of author's to watch.
Take my word for it: Don't miss reading this book!!! I don't think you will be disappointed!
Helpful Score: 2
Great book with likeable characters. I read it in 3 days (it's 500 pages). I liked getting to know Beattie all those years ago, and then, fast-forwarding to get to know her granddaughter, Emma. I hope that Kimberley Freeman writes a sequel, and I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
Helpful Score: 2
Could not put it down!!!
Easily able to connect with characters and wish I could make all the hurts "go away"!!
Wish I could look forward to a sequel and spend more time on Wildflower Hill with Patrick and Emma.
Easily able to connect with characters and wish I could make all the hurts "go away"!!
Wish I could look forward to a sequel and spend more time on Wildflower Hill with Patrick and Emma.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was really good, I breezed through it even though it was over 500 pages. I'm looking forward to more from this author. I loved the characters so much. Beattie goes through so much, and yet still is a strong woman. She keeps a secret of a daughter, and it and other things she went through are uncovered when her granddaughter Emma, inherits her wildflower hill ranch and finds the clues. You will not be disappointed very well written.
Emma is a world-renowned ballerina she knows no other life, nor does she desire one. But when a fall ends her career, she doesnt know what to do. Her whole life has been revolved around dance, her boyfriend recently broke up with her and she has only a handful of friends all dancers. She goes home to her parents and learns that she inherited a sheep ranch from her late grandmother. She decides to go to Tasmania, a small community, and clear out the houses contents so she can sell it.
There, she begins to unpack items from hundreds of boxes of her grandmothers life, pieces of a puzzle that she cant seem to reconnect. She makes new friends, helps a studio of girls with Down syndrome with ballet and begins to find herself again.
Meanwhile, the story flashes back to Beattie, Emmas grandmother. Her troubles when she is young, falling in love with a dashing married man. When her mother finds out Beattie is pregnant, she tosses her out. With no help from Henry, she goes to a home for unmarried women. Her shame is great, but when Henry appears, she is delighted. They run off together and begin to make a new life with their infant daughter, Lucy. But Henry drowns his troubles with liquor and Beattie cant live that life anymore, so she takes Lucy and escapes. She begins to pick up the pieces of her life again and eventually wins a sheep farm in a poker game.
However, her troubles are only beginning. Henry returns for Lucy, but this time with his wife. She decides to split custody with them, even though it breaks her heart. But finding her greatest love helps her with their separation, until her greatest love dies and Henry takes Lucy and doesnt tell Beattie where they have gone.
Between Beatties unique and heartbreaking life and Emma trying to find herself and what she desires in her heart for the future, Wildflower Hill is a magnificent saga that will find a place within your heart. Beatties fashion designs and her determination build the foundation for the new generation. Emmas story was solid but I found myself immersed with Beatties story. The struggles she went through, the heartbreak and her triumphs, she is a strong and complex character who I grew to love. Wildflower Hill is a wonderful read that I highly recommend. I just wish there was a sequel! I would love to spend more time with these characters.
There, she begins to unpack items from hundreds of boxes of her grandmothers life, pieces of a puzzle that she cant seem to reconnect. She makes new friends, helps a studio of girls with Down syndrome with ballet and begins to find herself again.
Meanwhile, the story flashes back to Beattie, Emmas grandmother. Her troubles when she is young, falling in love with a dashing married man. When her mother finds out Beattie is pregnant, she tosses her out. With no help from Henry, she goes to a home for unmarried women. Her shame is great, but when Henry appears, she is delighted. They run off together and begin to make a new life with their infant daughter, Lucy. But Henry drowns his troubles with liquor and Beattie cant live that life anymore, so she takes Lucy and escapes. She begins to pick up the pieces of her life again and eventually wins a sheep farm in a poker game.
However, her troubles are only beginning. Henry returns for Lucy, but this time with his wife. She decides to split custody with them, even though it breaks her heart. But finding her greatest love helps her with their separation, until her greatest love dies and Henry takes Lucy and doesnt tell Beattie where they have gone.
Between Beatties unique and heartbreaking life and Emma trying to find herself and what she desires in her heart for the future, Wildflower Hill is a magnificent saga that will find a place within your heart. Beatties fashion designs and her determination build the foundation for the new generation. Emmas story was solid but I found myself immersed with Beatties story. The struggles she went through, the heartbreak and her triumphs, she is a strong and complex character who I grew to love. Wildflower Hill is a wonderful read that I highly recommend. I just wish there was a sequel! I would love to spend more time with these characters.
Wildflower Hill is a wonderful book. It's the story of two generations and secrets that could possibly be in every family . It's also the story of how the granddaughter grows to be a less selfish, self-absorbed woman.
I throughly enjoyed this novel. It is a family saga covering multiple generations. It reminds me a lot of Kate Morton's books. As it turns out, the author of this book (Kimberly Freeman) and Kate Morton are friends.
Great storytelling. My gauge of a good book is how well I can relate to the central characters. This one had me in tears a few times as I sympathized with Beattie, the grandmother, and felt like she was someone dear to me that I wanted to protect and/or triumph over her oppressors (be they social stigma or real people). The storyline of Emma's (the granddaughter) struggles to reevaluate her life after a sudden end to a dazzling, hard-earned ballet career were satisfying in that she changes from a self-absorbed diva into a person you can cheer for. The story alternates between the two women. The book is a fast read and I highly recommend it.
Wonderful read! Fastest I went thru over 500 pages in a long time.
