Must Love Flowers: A Novel

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber is a story about grief, starting over, friendship, family, and romance. I always look forward to reading Debbie Macomber's latest novel. They provide a great escape. The author has a casual writing style that draws the reader in and holds their attention. The characters are friendly, relatable, and realistic. I could certainly understand what Joan was going through. Grief is not something that will go away overnight. Shutting yourself away, though, is not good for you. I like how her family encouraged her to see a therapist and get a boarder. The letter from the HOA about the condition of her yard was actually a good thing. It helped Joan to get interested in gardening again. Must Love Flowers has a couple of intersecting storylines. We get to meet Maggie, a nursing student who is living with her alcoholic father. Her father has not been the same since Maggie's mother passed. Nick, one of Joan's sons, worries about his mother. He is not in favor of her taking a boarder. Maggie's other son is so focused on work, he is missing out on a special woman. Phil, Joan's landscaper, happens to be in Joan's grief support group. He knows what Johan is going through. Phil is there to lend a listening ear when Joan needs one and to offer a helping hand. The author captured what it is like to suffer a loss and the long healing process. Must Love Flowers hit all the right notes. I started reading Must Love Flowers and kept going until I turned the last page. Must Love Flowers is more than a romance. We get to see people going outside their comfort zone. They are making changes to their lives and meeting new friends while dealing with their grief. An epilogue nicely wrapped up the character's storylines. Must Love Flowers is a touching tale with a messy yard, a concerned sister, a nursing student, a workaholic son, a helpful therapist, and a hopeful future.