SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS AND HALF THE WORLD, WILDFLOWER HILL IS A SWEEPING, ROMANTIC, AND COMPELLING STORY OF TWO WOMEN WHO SHARE A LEGACY OF SECRETS, HEARTBREAK, COURAGE, AND LOVE.
Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she’s mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Emma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.
Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—-but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.
Wildflower Hill is a compelling, atmospheric, and romantic novel about taking risks, starting again, and believing in yourself. It’s about finding out what you really want and discovering that the answer might be not at all what you’d expect.
my thoughts:
I just loved this book to pieces!
From the very first page, the story of the indomitable Beattie just captured my heart and wouldn't let go. Her journey from an unwed mother to a successful businesswoman is such a bittersweet and courageous struggle and I experienced such a range of emotions! Her life is filled with challenges and overwhelming obstacles from bigotry and sanctimonious hypocrites, but no matter how hard life knocked her down, she brushed herself off and forged ahead. The love for her child spurred her on to make a life for themselves (difficult as this was for a woman in the 1920's) and I cheered for her every difficult step of the way.
Intertwined in Beattie's story is the life of her granddaughter, Emma. Once a famous ballerina, an injury forces her to give up her career and reevaluate her life. With time on her hands and an inheritance of Wildflower Hill from Beattie, she travels to Australia to prepare the estate for sale. But once there, Emma begins sorting through Beattie's personal belongings and it seems that Beattie kept painful secrets from her family. As Emma examines the heart and life of her grandmother, she learns about her own confused and unsettled life. Sometimes pain can cause you to take risks and find the courage to do what brings you peace.
5/5 stars Beautiful, just beautiful!
Title: Wildflower Hill
Author: Kimberley Freeman
Touchstone Book
2011
526 pages
genre: literary fiction
8 comments:
Yes! I loved this one, too! A definite fav read this year.
I'm so glad you loved the book, Joanne! Beattie is a truly remarkable heroine. I think this book will make it on many reader's best of 2011 lists.
Yes, yes, yes, Christy and Melissa! This is definitely on my top ten list for 2011, and very close to the top!
I absolutely love your reviews...but you're bad for my TBR list!! I feel like I must read this one!!
Oh, Staci -- thank you for your kind words, and I truly hope you get a chance to read it. The story just flies off the page and sucks you in!
I have this one and I'm hoping to read it soon. Glad to read that you loved it. I think the cover is beautiful!
I gave this to my mother for her bday -- maybe I need to gift it bacak to me!
Mrs. Q and Melissa - This is such a wonderful book! I really hope you enjoy it.
Post a Comment