Cute idea somewhat lacking in the execution. I really really liked the concept of Flower-speaking and using that as a backdrop for a coming of age story. Overall, I liked the plot but the characterizations were very weak (and in some cases, utterly incomprehensible to me) and stereotypical (e.g., mean girl, jock, nerdy girl, etc.). What could have been a fantastic and deep story ended up shallow and fluffy. ( )

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White is about a young woman discovering her talent at reading people through flowers and learning more about her deceased mother in the process.

The book opens with Laurie giving a presentation on the language of flowers. in the process, though, she realizes she can also feel a connection with the person she's designing the bouquet for.

I read the book in the midst of the Enola Holmes mysteries which also use the language of flowers as a recurring motif. So while I remember enjoying the magical aspects of the flowers, the specific details haven't stuck with me. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Cute YA book filled with magic, new love, and a fun story.

Opening Sentence: Lily reread the letter to her daughter and signed her name at the bottom.

The Review:

14 year old Laurel has just started her freshman year at a new boarding school. Her mother passed away a few years ago and she couldn’t stand living with her dad since he started dating again. She begged him to let her go to the school her mother attended as a young girl. It is an all girl school, and most of the students have known each other since kindergarten. Being the new girl, Laurel would love to fit in but that’s easier said than done.

For one of her first assignments she has to give an English presentation and she chooses to do it on the language of flowers. Every flower has a meaning and if you put them together properly it can relay a special message. Laurel and her mother have always had a special love for flowers, and she found a book in the school library about their language. As Laurel learns more about the flower language she starts to realize that flowers have a magical power that she can control. Certain flowers enhance love; others help your memories and so on. Laurel starts to experiment and soon others start to notice and ask for her help. At first the attention is nice and she really is able to help some people, but soon she realizes that there are some things that should be left alone.

Laurel is a sweet girl, but she was pretty naive at times. She is young and has a lot to learn about life and love. She was a little too nice at times and didn’t stick up for herself very well, which was a little frustrating. She tried to be a good friend and she really tried to help others as much as she could. Some of the time her efforts were successful and other times they were hurtful. But she learns and grows from her mistakes which made her a very likable heroine. Overall, I thought that she had a good voice and I really ended up liking her even with her flaws.

This was a really cute and fast read for me. The characters were fun and easy to connect with. I loved learning all the different things that flowers can represent; it was an interesting addition to the story. The plot wasn’t anything unique, but it was still fun. The romance was sweet and honest. There were a few moments that dragged, but for the most part the pacing was good. Overall, this was a good read for me. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a clean coming of age story with magic and cute characters.

Notable Scene:

Now! She thought. Her right hand seemed to lift on its own and reach toward the bouquet. “Bright cut flowers,” she whispered, “leaves of green, bring about what I have seen.” What the last word left her tongue, her whole body tingled and hummed, as if a note was reverberating deeply inside her. She closed her eyes and pictured the bow-tie man walking hand in hand with Miss Spenser … him taking her in his arms. That was what she wanted to see.

When Laurel’s eyes opened, the air around the vase seemed to shimmer-like heat rising-with the sudden explosion of fragrance. Someone sneezed twice, and the professor slowly straightened and blinked at the flowers.

At the far end of the table a tall woman with olive-toned skin stood up and looked around urgently. She lifted her nose and then turned toward Laurel, who dropped her hand. The woman’s eyes met hers in a question, but Laurel took a step backward.

FTC Advisory: Greenwillow/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Forget-Her-Nots. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

Very cute, original plot, and a fun read. Real review coming in a few months time. ( )