From the USA Today bestselling author of The Summer Cottage In her inimitable style, Viola Shipman explores the unlikely relationship between two very different women brought together by the pain of war, but bonded by hope, purpose…and flowers. Iris Maynard lost her husband in World War II, her daughter to illness and, finally, her reason to live. Walled off from the world for decades … Walled off from the world for decades behind the towering fence surrounding her home, Iris has built a new family…of flowers. Iris propagates her own daylilies and roses while tending to a garden filled with the heirloom starts that keep the memories of her loved ones alive.
When Abby Peterson moves next door with her family–a husband traumatized by his service in the Iraq War and a young daughter searching for stability–Iris is reluctantly yet inevitably drawn into her boisterous neighbor’s life, where, united by loss and a love of flowers, she and Abby tentatively unearth their secrets, and help each other discover how much life they have yet to live.
With delightful illustrations and fascinating detail, Viola Shipman’s heartwarming story will charm readers while resonating with issues that are so relevant today
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I loved learning about flowers while the story progressed
Best book I have read in a good while.
Heirloom Garden has the qualities of presenting beauty, love, and social issues in an inspirational and enjoyable story.
The author always knows how to tell a good story
This is a wonderful book. There are so many touching issues .
Loved it- meaningful / positivity and kindness throughout. Lots of emotions. Informative about the military.
I first discovered one of Viola Shipman’s novels in The Hope Chest. I was drawn to reading more about his Lake Michigan memories he inherited from his family .
His books are fictional but you can tell the descriptions he uses are from his own growing up days around the loving home he had with his family especially his grandmother’s.She would be so proud seeing he is passing on these memories in his books.
Ive read all his books and pre ordered The Heirloom Garden. Due to my mother’s death this March,I set my book down off and on, and finally was able to draw myself into my love of reading again,and this book warmed my heart reading on families pain and love pulling through ,especially the heirlooms our parents and grandparents give us , and to remember, our loved ones may be gone but their memories we inherit always stay with their heirlooms past on to those who still live.
In this book, there are two worlds that are drawn together, of greif and sadness, love and joy, and the innocence of a little girl,Lily..who brings the adults together and through a Heirloom Garden that lies on the other side of a tall towered wooden fence. She sneeks over to get a flower that is dangling on her side of the fence and this opens up a friendship that will last a lifetime.
Iris has lost her husband to the WW11 and her daughter Mary , to Polio and her husband Jonathon was lost at war. Iris is drawn through decades of grief and sadness and this one reason why she isolates herself within her house and the fence. Other reasons explain as well.
She rents her grandmothers house next door to the Peterson family. Abby Peterson wants to work closer to her job, and is having her own life struggles.Cory,her husband suffering from PTSd after serving in the Iraq War.
Abby trying to keep their homelife going despite her husband’s addictions and not contributing in all ways except separating their marriage and unable to keep tabs on their daughter while she works.
I love the bonding Lily forms with this elderly woman,and the caring and protection Iris gives Lily in the beginning after watching Lily wander off in the beach alone.
The Peterson family and Iris help one another to pull through their pasts and to move forward in their futures.
Viola’s books have always shown the respect for elderly people and their heirlooms . In this book, we learn historical eras and dates about the wars and the pain war can leave on everyone and in the heroes as well.
We also get a scientifical botany lessons in Iris’s Heirloom Gardens, which I truly loved at this point of my life…with my own journey, coping with the loss of my mother and rebuilding my new gardens this year. Unfortunately my emotional energy wasn’t allowing me to do this myself this yr and my landscaper followed my direction and helped me clean up new gardens this past week and setting up two new rosebushes in memory of my mom.
This will be my alltime favorite book by Viola . Iris’s inspiration about having faith and hope during losses,past and present in our life.
She lives happier well deserving time, in company of Lily,Abby and Cory.They form a bonding relationship . They grow, teach and learn from one another . Viola also has beautiful quotes about gardens and life.I wrote them down to remember when I need a positive quote to give out.
You will tug your heart strings, feel their pain and laughter, their triumphs and joys they give one another, but most of all, the gardens described makes me pay more closer attention to the different colored flowers out there in peoples gardens and want to ask about its history. I know my gardens have their history,starting with my Butterfly Tree!
I loved stepping into the heirloom garden and back stories of the characters in this novel. I’m a gardener at heart, even though the last few years have found me without much of an outdoor garden of my own. Reading of all the lovely flowers and plants passed between friends and from one generation to another and relating a certain plant to a beloved person felt like “coming home.” The story of the difficulties and serious challenges that our armed forces face in returning to family life was insightful and increased both my understanding and compassion. This book was a page-turner for me because I loved it, but it is one you will want to savor. Weeks later I’m still carrying the images of the heirloom garden in my mind.
First of all, if I could give The Heirloom Garden more that 5 stars I would in an instant. It is my favorite book this year so far and I can’t imagine another topping it. Not in the same way, for sure!
I love the way the author created such a respectful approach to what is often an extremely hard topic to write about, talk about, or most certainly live with, PTSD. One would not be surprised that Cory, a soldier just back from the horrors of the Iraq war, could be dealing with this. But what about an elderly lady, like Iris, who has been in self imposed isolation due to losses in her life? What an unlikely duo this author brings together. The bond that GROWS between them ultimately helps each find their way back into a world of hope and happiness.
The descriptions of Iris’s multitude of beautiful flowers and the memories associated with them were enough to melt my heart as it took me back to treasured memories of my own. This is a story I will revisit and savor over time.
I have been following this author since his first book was published and have enjoyed all of them. He uses his grandmother’s name because she has been the inspiration for all of his novels. “The Heirloom Garden” has a cast of characters whom the reader won’t soon forget. The story moves along quickly with lots of flashbacks to World War II and comparisons with the war in Viet Nam. The illustrations of the various flowers in the garden are beautiful as are the meanings behind each of them to the story. A wonderful uplifting story about the importance of connection!
‘The Heirloom Garden’ was a delightful romp through my home state of Michigan, and brought to mind all the wonderful summers I have spent up north. Set in Grand Haven, it follows the intertwining stories of Iris, a reclusive war widow who spends all her time in a walled garden, and a young military family that has moved in next door. As the novel progresses, relationships are formed that mirror the many flowers that are mentioned in the story and I loved how the author was able to tie everything together. The ending had me wiping at a tear. Reading this book was like taking a long, fragrant walk in my favorite park.
Another amazing book from Viola Shipman. This is a story about PTSD, heartbreaking loss and about redefining the meaning of family. You won’t be disappointed.
We meet two women generations apart who have lost their husbands.
One has a husband who never came home from WWII, and one has a husband who came home but is lost to PTSD.
Iris loves her flowers and her family, but they are now gone including her daughter.
Abby moves into the house next to Iris, has her husband and her daughter, and a job as an engineer since her husband can no longer work or function.
We follow the lives of both characters present day and past.
Gardeners will absolutely LOVE this book.
The flower and gardening information is outstanding and described in such detail you can visualize it.
I also enjoyed how flowers were compared to feelings and life events.
Viola Shipman has given us another heartwarming book filled with positive thoughts and virtual hugs.
The writing is beautiful just like the uplifting story line.
THE HEIRLOOM GARDEN has characters that will warm your heart once you get to know them.
The book was a bit difficult to follow for the first ten percent, but once you got going, it was as marvelous as always. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Viola Shipman, and Harlequin Books S.A. – GraydonHouseBooks. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Viola Shipman to friends and family. Her nostalgic peek into the past may bring you to tears, but it’s a good cry.
The Heirloom Garden is centered in the small town of Grand Haven, Michigan. Iris’s grandparents and parents had built side-by-side Sears and Roebuck’s Craftsman homes many many years ago.. All three generations of women were avid gardeners, maintaining large yards filled with blooms of every season. Late in the summer of 1944, we visit this small town through the eyes of Iris Maynard, recent widow of First Lieutenant Jonathan Maynard, mother of Jane, a college-degreed botanist, and natural gardener.
We visit Grand Haven, Michigan, and Iris again during the 9/11 Iraqi action in the spring of 2003. In the 1950s Iris lost her daughter to Polio and has since lost her grandparents and parents. Iris is in her 90’s and has been for years a complete shut-in. She has her groceries delivered to the gate of her 10-foot fence, pays her bills by computer, and shops online. Most folks in town think she has passed on, as it has been many years since she was seen out and about. Iris still resides in the home built by her father, and occasionally rents out her grandmother’s home next door and outside the walls of her personal haven. Over the years she has moved her grandmother’s plants into her own garden behind the wall, leaving only what doesn’t require labor to maintain at her Grandmother’s place.
In the spring of 2003 Iris contacted her realtor and ask that her Grandmother’s house be leased out, and as usual, she will let the realtor know whether she approves of the potential renter after the showing. Abby Peterson and her daughter Lily are both enthusiastic about the house. Cory did not come with them, as he had appointments in Detroit concerning his medical needs. The Peterson family need to be in Grand Haven, Michigan for some time, as Abby, a chemical engineer, will be producing a marine paint for a local concern who handles equipment and supplies for boaters on Lake Michigan. Abby’s husband – Lily’s dad – is a returning Veteran very different from the man who went over to Iraq, that spontaneous, funny, impulsive man they once knew. PTSD has stolen the man they understood, and both Abby and Lily hope the summer out of the city will give him a quiet time to unwind and find peace. Fortunately, Iris approves of them as renters, and the family gets moved in just in time for Lily’s summer camps and Abby’s job. Cory Peterson has several appointments with the VA which he misses, and he remains isolated in the house, for the most part, drinking beer, watching TV, and sleeping on the sofa. Cory is about as agoraphobic as Iris. Something has to change – but what? What can they do to help him back into the world? And Iris, as well. What can two busy females do to open the eyes and hearts of these shut-ins? Perhaps Iris and Cory just need to understand each other, to help each other to see the world again as it is…
This touching story of a woman who withdraws from society after she loses her family post-WWII, and the family who moves next door, is both heartbreaking and inspirational. I learned a LOT about flowers (very interesting) and thought the author did a nice job illustrating the long-lasting effects of war, regardless of the time period. I thought the characters were well-developed, although some of the situations didn’t seem to fit exactly. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for a digital ARC of this book.
A brilliantly written story about hope, friendship and new beginnings.
A new family has moved into the house next door to Iris Maynard, her parents’ old house. She had no idea what was going on with the Peterson family until they become friends. All Iris knew was they were a young couple with a little girl names Lily, a flower name just like her own. Iris soon learns about Abby’s career and marriage struggles and Cory, Abby’s husband, is suffering from PTSD after serving in the Iraq war. Iris lost her husband in WWII and her daughter shortly after. She become a recluse after both losses. But with the help of each other, Iris and Cory help each other come out of their shells and learn to live again. And, Abby gains the confidence to take her life in her own hands when it comes to her career.
I have read all of this author’s books and with each new one, I say it was the best. This book falls right in line with that saying. I was hooked from the very beginning. The story took me on a journey through the characters lives, past and present, and taught me about flowers and gardening. It also taught me to open my eyes and truly see what’s around me, not just what’s on the surface. The story wrapped up with an ending that brought tears to my eyes. I can’t end this review without mentioning sweet Lily and how she was crucial to this story by bringing her family and Iris together.
The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman
Book starts with authors praise from other works.
Starts out with Iris and she has a victory garden as to so many during the war. It was the only way to get food, rest had to go to the soldier fighting the war.
There is so much you will walk away with after reading this book. Iris raised the victory garden for the town and needs to get over her anxiety and has no resting place for her spouse, Abby needs encouragement to be strong to do the things she needs to do,
Cory needs to get over his anxiety after returning from the war.
Parts that got to me where the monthly visits to the garden as I have so many of the same flowers-what a beautiful year of flowers.
2000’s
Abby married to Cory, back from the war live in MI and have Lily
Cory is damaged and she can’t trust him to take care of girl. Abby works at paint for boat place.
Story goes back to 1940’s
Iris and she lost her spouse Jonathan, then Mary to the war. She recalls her dad tending to vegetable garden while her mom tended to flowers.
She went to college for botany and knows all about flowers. She still makes Mary a cake and brings it to where the trillium grow to remind her of when she was born.
I have a handful of the ones mentioned in the book and can’t imagine how stunning the garden would look if I had the same flowers growing.
Love the part about how the flowers tell a story as do mine, especially where they came from
Current date and we find Iris in her own cottage with high fence with her flowers and greenhouse. She also owns the house next door
where Cory and Abby and their little girl Iris live.
Like hearing how she hybridizes, love cross planting and how to use the nylons.
Ends with acknowledgements and discussion questions.
A book to treasure! A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
Graydon House via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheHeirloomGarden #NetGalley
The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman is another story that will touch your heart in several different ways! This author always writes stories that reach the very core of family, true feelings of love and overcoming the great disappointments in lives. The bitterness and loss of war always break the hearts of families across the world. In The Heirloom Garden, there are two women who are trying to survive the best way possible as they come to terms with the aftermath of how war has affected their family. Iris has suffered great losses, her young husband in WWII and her only daughter, Mary died with polio. Iris railed against the effects of war on humanity and was labeled a protester and a traitor. Iris walled herself away from the world and created her own reality in her magnificent gardens.
Abby is a young engineer with creative ideas, a young daughter, and a troubled husband home from Iraq. Life is hard and she does not know how to save her family and help her husband through the debilitating PTSD and his withdrawal from the public. To make her life even more disappointing, at work her formulas for a beautiful new paint has been reassigned to another employee. She knows she will never advance at this company, but the is the sole support for her family.
This story has so many beautiful scenes, of lives being transformed by the power of botany, patience, and the healing of souls and spirits. I loved this story and the characters!
There is no doubt that this will be one of my favorite books of the year!
Viola Shipman has written a fantastic, heartfelt and loving novel of family, hope fear, sadness and joy.
. The descriptions of the seasons, flowers,and surroundings are just astounding! It makes you believe you are living on Lake Michigan!
We meet Iris, and her new neighbors Lily, Abby and Cory in Michigan.
Iris, now elderly, has no intentions of knowing her new neighbors. The wall has been built both around her home and her heart and she needs to keep people away and out of her life. Too many tragedies!
Her garden blossoms are her family and friends. The love for each and every floret is extreme, but it keeps her “going”.
However, the little girl named Lily, is curious and soon not only finds a way in to Iris’s garden, but in to her heart.
I love the relationship between these two beautiful souls. Lily learns from Iris and Iris learns from Lily.
“All any of us- whether people or flowers-desire is to feel a part of something bigger, to know our stories won’t die.”
This is THAT story of true love! Excellent!
“But once we rid ourselves of something, we can no longer get it back … We think we can re-create everything, but we can’t.”
The Heirloom Garden is populated with intricately drawn characters that embed themselves in your heart and draw you inexorably into the tapestry that is their lives. Tears fall for Iris, as they fall for Abby; for what might have been, indeed what SHOULD have been, but for the fickleness of war. But smiles will fill your heart as well.
Shipman’s narrative is heart wrenching, yet allows us to see glimmers of hope woven between the lines like shiny gold threads. Healing is written between the rows of The Heirloom Garden; Shipman is masterful at sowing hope and sunlight where it’s needed most.
Read this one knowing that you will come away changed. A change for the better.
PS – have tissues handy!