The Orchard House

GIVEAWAY

CHIAVAROLI, HEIDI

THE ORCHARD HOUSE

Concord, Massachusetts

2001

Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott's historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability...until Victoria's betrayal changes everything.

1865

While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa's aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa's words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan's proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband's dark side and she can't hide the bruises that appear.

2019

After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett's cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.

My Review:

I was not prepared for what an emotional read this turned out to be. I felt serious melancholic vibes throughout. Sniffle. I'm glad I listened to the audible version because I got to ugly cry right through the sad parts (and there are many!) My heart still feels bruised. Hiccup-y sigh...sometimes a reader just needs a good story to wallow in and The Orchard House fits that bill perfectly. 

Achingly beautiful and heartrending. Exquisitely written -- the historical details had my childish Louisa May Alcott fangirling heart all aflutter. She was my first ever author crush! 

And, oh how I felt for Taylor's struggle to find a place to belong. Fear is the barrier that keeps her at a distance and her agonizing journey of self-discovery completely gutted me. 

I'm literally too stupefied to say more...except The Orchard House is an emotional masterpiece. But I think I definitely need to balance it with a light-hearted rom/com to lift me out of the bibliophile doldrums. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Orchard House, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday February 20  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!