The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: 23rd August 2011
Rating: 5/5
Source: Received from the publisher, thank you!
Publishers Summary:

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, aster for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes that she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market inspires her to question what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

Victoria’s life has been nothing if not consistent. Moving from one home to the next became a way of life for her until she met Elizabeth, but it’s hard to break a pattern as consistent as the one Victoria’s been on her whole life. After living with Elizabeth for longer than any other her life changes dramatically, she’s back in homes and eventually ends up on her own. When she’s suddenly reunited with someone from her past Victoria’s forced to face the decisions of her past and hopefully begin a healing process that should have begun years before.

This was a book I wanted to read from the first time I heard about it. When Chloe reviewed this novel just over a month ago and fell in love with it I couldn’t help but want to learn more. After seeing the video that Vanessa Diffenbaugh did regarding her own experience with foster children I felt compelled to pick up this novel as soon as I possibly could and I wasn’t disappointed. Not only was it a story I simply couldn’t put down it was also one that gave me hope and has inspired me to hopefully do more for others. It’s amazing!

Victoria was an incredible character. The way in which her story was told made it nearly impossible to stop reading about her journey. I’d find myself saying I’d only read one more chapter and end up stopping five chapters after that. Told from her past and her present situation you get to know where she came from as well as what she’s going through to put together the pieces of her shattered life. It’s hard to believe that anyone could recover from being left out in the cold all night simply because they were hungry enough to consider eating dog food as a child, but it did happen to her. It was so unbelievably sad and I couldn’t help wondering if there wasn’t something I could do to prevent all of this.

Not only was the story compelling from Victoria’s point of view, but the romance between her and the young man from the flower market was wonderful. I loved how they interacted through the language of flowers and how Victoria’s own version soon became a way for her to inspire others. The hope that she gave to people through her floral arrangements was a huge way for her to move forward with her life, not only financially but mentally as well. She felt accomplished by helping and connecting with others in a way she never had before.

This is simply a novel that must be read! The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a gorgeous story about a girl who has been damaged by years of neglect and heartbreak, but is able to recover. This is a story that slowly works it’s way into your heart, grabbing hold and never letting go. Diffenbaugh has created a place and a setting you know exists, though it shouldn’t, and a hope for better tomorrows for the young Victoria. I thoroughly enjoyed The Language of Flowers and cannot wait to read more by Diffenbaugh!

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