“A stunning story about family and hope that unfolds unexpectedly but beautifully, like a Michigan summer sunset over an orchard.” –Viola Shipman, bestselling author of The Summer Cottage and The Clover Girls In cherry season, anything is possible… Everything Hope knows about the Orchard House is from the stories of her late mother. So when she arrives at the northern Michigan family … at the northern Michigan family estate late one night with a terrible secret and her ten-year-old daughter in tow, she’s not sure if she’ll be welcomed or turned away with a shotgun by the aunt she has never met.
Hope’s aunt, Peg, has lived in the Orchard House all her life, though the property has seen better days. She agrees to take Hope in if, in exchange, Hope helps with the cherry harvest–not exactly Hope’s specialty, but she’s out of options. As Hope works the orchard alongside her aunt, daughter and a kind man she finds increasingly difficult to ignore, a new life begins to blossom. But the mistakes of the past are never far behind, and soon the women will find themselves fighting harder than ever for their family roots and for each other.
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This was a thoroughly delightful and heartwarming family drama with characters that I absolutely loved despite their flaws – or maybe, because of their flaws.
My heart totally went out to the three main female characters of the story. Hope is fleeing from an abusive situation. Her precocious ten-year-old daughter Tink isn’t speaking to anyone. Peg, Hope’s aunt, is harboring a secret and the resulting guilt is so great it has driven her into becoming a recluse, pushing everyone in their small town away.
Three broken females. Secrets. Regrets. Romance. Danger. A small town full of warm and loving people. I enjoyed the story as it unfolded before me. Hope, Tink, and Peg must learn to trust, but trust doesn’t come easy for them. This is a story of family dynamics and second chances. I rejoiced as Hope and Peg took those first small steps in trusting and exposing their vulnerabilities. This is a beautiful feel-good story of redemption and reestablishing family bonds. Warning: You may need tissues.
This is the first book that I have read by Molly Fader. I loved her writing style so now need to get some of her older books.
4.5 stars
This is a very emotional and beautiful story. But beware, it will make you want to eat all the cherries, so have some available.
The cast of characters in this book are varied and quirky and real. While the main character, Hope, was not my favorite, she’s trying her best to be a good mom. She’s had many roadblocks in her life and didn’t get the emotional or physical help she needed. The key thing is, I think she’s learned from her mistakes and is realizing that just because she’s on a certain path doesn’t mean she can’t veer off onto another path. And boy, she raised an amazing daughter.
Tink is precocious and smart and funny and sarcastic and just all around wonderful, but she’s no ray of sunshine. The author really captured the voice (or, in Tink’s case, mostly the thoughts) of a young girl. My life didn’t play out as Tink’s, but I can recall having some of the same thoughts and feelings. Tink may sometimes be devious and get into things she should leave alone, but the girl has a heart of gold and has no ill will toward her family. She’s just hurt and confused and scared.
And then there’s Aunt Peg. Stubborn as they come, but with a soft gooey center that she keeps hidden from everyone. Who can blame her? As this story plays out you sense the woe Peg has had in her life before you even know the whole story. The compassion and love she even thought had been stamped out in her soul is still there, it just needs a nudge to come to the surface again.
I wouldn’t consider this a romance, but there is definitely some romantic relationships happening along the way that gave me warm-fuzzies. They’re not the main plotline, but they add some depth and richness to this already wonderful tale.
Watching the three generations of women in the Orchard House learn how to love and trust one another was touching and took me through every emotion. This is a new-to-me author who I had actually thought was new to writing, but realized that she’s actually quite well known as romance writer Molly O’Keefe. Well, if those stories are as wonderful as this story then she has amazing range in her writing. I’m definitely going to be digging into her back library since it seems her books will be right up my romance loving alley.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Desperate to escape an abusive situation, Hope throws what clothing and belongings she can gather quickly into her beat up old car and she and her daughter strike out for the the old home that has been in her family for decades in search of a place that they will be safe. Her Aunt Peg, whom she doesn’t remember ever meeting, is still living on the farm. Aunt Peg is a crusty old gal with a few secrets of her own. She agrees to let Hope and Tink stay on the farm if they will help with the cherry harvest. (Tink is the nickname given to her by her father..short for Tinkerbell)
This story is filled with family drama and family secrets. Three generations of women forge a strong bond. There is a little humor and a lot of conflict. The story captured my attention and my heart. I recommend The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season to anyone who enjoys a well written women’s fiction novel.
I loved every second of this beautiful tale of rediscovery, regrets and rebirth. Strong characters had me deeply invested from the start.
The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader is a journey of discovery; discovery of family, of one’s self, of strength, of forgiveness, of trust, and of love. Warning: keep tissue nearby as you read this amazing story.
Hope and her ten-year-old daughter are on the run from an unstable and slightly abusive man who wiggled his way into their lives. Hope is trying to find Orchard House where an aunt she never met lives. Her only knowledge of the place comes from the stories her late mother shared of the family farm in northern Michigan. Aunt Peg has lived in the Orchard House her entire life and Hope is unsure of their welcome; turned away with a shotgun or accepted. Peg agrees to take them in as long as Hope helps with the cherry harvest. As Hope works the orchard alongside her aunt, daughter, and a kind, gentle man she is finding difficult to ignore. In cherry season, anything is possible, and a new life begins to bloom for these people. As the mistakes of the past are seldom far behind, or hidden, these amazing women find themselves fighting for their family roots and for each other. I loved watching the growth, confidence, and love that evolved in these women as the story occurred.
I totally and absolutely loved how Ms. Fader utilized alternating POVs in order to tell this wonderful and amazing, three generational story; a tale that was emotional, tragic, filled with wonderful dialogue, endearing characters, and a community of support and friends, that is definitely must read. I highly recommend The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I feel like my words are wholly inadequate and don’t give this book justice. But I ADORED this book! I was completely enamored by the women in this family. Hope might have been down, but she didn’t give up. She had herself and a daughter to fight for. Aunt Peg was a surprise, but someone she found she needed. I enjoyed seeing the dynamics between these family members. They all had a trauma of some sort they had to move past in their lives and it weighed heavy on them. But these were strong women (and lady)! I liked how Hope was trying to get away from something bad and The Orchard House offered her solace and time out. She was able to regroup and work on herself and Tink. Other people who cared about them was something they had never had before. This book was a time of growth, family and the strength within. I couldn’t put this book down and Molly gave me ALL THE FEELS. I felt everything these characters went through and often found myself holding my breath, waiting. I can’t recommend this book enough! Be sure not to let this book pass you by!
The Bitter And Sweet of Cherry Season was good. It focuses on relationships; its complexities, rebuilding them and maintaining them. It’s also packed with secrets and lies with a bit of romance sprinkled in. I enjoyed this story and definitely recommend.
Copy provided by author
I love generational stories where women come together, sometimes with tragedy and secrets between them. As they get to know each other and become close, the issues are brought to a head and worked out in a way that bond the women forever. The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season is just such a story.
I loved this story—loved the characters and loved the process of all of them becoming a family. I even loved the drama that the author inserted into the story to keep me turning the pages. Molly is a new-to-me author but after reading this book, I want more!
You will definitely want to add this to your summer reading list. I know you’ll fall in love with Hope, Tink, and Peg, just like I did.
This book is the very best in women’s/contemporary fiction. Molly Fader has created a truly heartwarming tale of a mother’s determination to give her daughter a better life. One away from the fear and loathing that she couldn’t protect her better. Forced to escape to the family farm, where memories are most times just out of reach, Hope Wright and her daughter Tink find the unexpected balm they need to try and heal all the hurt they have endured. Whether or not that balm in is the form of the stubborn Aunt Peg is anyone’s guess. And right from the moment Hope and Tink pull up in their ratty car in the middle of the night, I knew I was in for an emotional ride and simply couldn’t wait what we’d all find with each new chapter.
With 3 generations of Wright women now under one roof, I was kept on my toes reading this sweeping story and its fitful starts and stops. With Hope taking the first steps in reclaiming her life from the man who tried to break her, I was beyond in awe of the strength she didn’t know she possessed along with the bit of snark she needed to use at times to keep herself somewhat sane. A true loner, Hope is the kind of woman I love to root for, watching as she decides to put their own feelings aside and do what’s best for everyone all around. And when that includes now being a part of The Orchard House and picking and sorting cherries all day long with the silent Tink by her side, it’s all she can do to stay upright and keep going.
An underlying mystery that Peg is holding close to the vest adds the right amount of mystery. Getting her POV, gave me great insight into her own struggles to remain the stoic one in charge of not just the farm but of long-held family secrets. I had my own guesses as to her true role in Hope’s life and was more than flabbergasted as truths are fully revealed in the final chapters.
Tink is a wonderful character, showing her Winter moxie and keeping Hope on her toes. Fader does a great job in showcasing her fears as her life seems to be in constant turmoil, with a layer of grief never far away. But the way she takes to farm life and has the chance to truly be that innocent 10 year old girl again made me smile and often.
Abel as the quiet yet determined farming partner offers a romantic respite in all the chaos that seems to follow Hope around. Theirs is a slow-burn kind of relationship, with Abel carefully keeping Hope at the arms length she seems to need. He has Peg’s number that is for sure and is the optimistic ray of light all 3 of the Wright women definitely crave.
There truly is a bitter and sweet of cherry season as this unconventional family comes together silently and beautifully create a marvelous burst of colorful noise as they all seek to find the happy they most certainly deserve. There are wonderful secondary characters who show true friendship and support, especially for the skittish Hope and Tink. There is a true kinship among the people of this small farming town and the pieces of the disarray in both past and present for Hope, Tink and Peg have never needed to be put back together more.
I couldn’t love this book more if I tried. It is thoughtful and endearing and despite all that occurs, still radiates a kind of yearning that there is always something better on the other side of despair. There is a perseverance each character possesses and together they show they are unstoppable.
With tears falling happily as the last few chapters were read, I knew once again that Molly Fader had written yet another incredible book. One that is worthy of a huge 5 stars and more!
The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season is just this side of fluffy, and in these troubling times, that is most definitely not a bad thing. The story does have its emotional side, but Molly Fader tempers the bitter with plenty of sweet to keep you smiling. These characters were an absolute delight to get to know, and the way this author writes them, it really felt like getting to know them. The book is very well done from the terrific characters to the secrets that it doesn’t give up until it’s ready, and if ever there were a story you can just fall into from the very first page, this one would be it. This really isn’t the type of book I would normally pick up, but something about that lovely cover just called to me, and I’m certainly glad it did. If you need a bit of feel good to get lost in, I would suggest this book. It’s a must read for summer.
Have you ever started reading a book and you immediately feel like you’re right inside the book?! I felt that way with this story from page one. Three generations of strong women coming together under one roof. This book was so good I didn’t want it to end! It was descriptive , could almost taste the cherries! Definitely recommend! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Wow, this story packed a punch of wonderful love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and happiness. It also had the repercussions of pain, loneliness, isolation, and depression. It started out so hurtful, but as things unfolded, and we got to see things from Hope, Tink, and Peg, the strength and the power these females showed, it was beyond beautiful. As they learned to live again, for each other, for themselves, the synergy of the force they created was a kaleidoscope so bright, you were drawn into the vortex. And in that, you felt their feelings, and you rejoiced with them as everything washed over and through you. None of it bad, none of it good, but all of it becoming part of who they were and are in the moment. Truly and honestly, invigorating in its’ story and the life they are living. I feel privileged to have witnessed it.
This book had me addicted from the very first page I think. It’s written in such a beautiful manner that you just never want it to end.
Loaded with highs and lows scattered throughout, the story is told in such an emotional and touching manner, it feels like you are one of the family.
It’s a story of secrets, regrets, drama, and romance that pulls you in and twists you up. Fader has crafted a beautiful story ripe with Americana and the warmth of home. It simply is a feel good book that keeps us believing in the strength of family ties.
A perfect heartwarming summer read. Not to be missed!