The Language of Flowers in Bound Together

Aug 26, 2012 ☮Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Maybe I’d just heard too often how amazing this book is and my expectations were set too high. Truly, the definitions of each floral species were quite intriguing, and I was happy to learn from the dictionary in the back of the book that my favorite flowers all have very lovely meanings (tulip: declaration of love; lilac: first emotions of love; lily of the valley: return of happiness, and so forth.) But I did have a hard time imagining this really being taken seriously in the real world today. ...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Irene rated it liked it

Diffenbaugh has given us a sweet story of new beginnings filled with love and flowers and the California sun. The story opens as Victoria is emancipated from the foster care system. She is an engaging character, caught between the anger, mistrust, isolation and rebellion she wears as a protective suit of armor against the world’s hurts and the longing for love and belonging she is afraid to want. However, the supporting characters lack Victoria’s credible complexity. We are given a boyfriend who ...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Mina rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-club-reads

Easily found myself involved with the main character and rooting for her. Some of the imagery was so descriptive I felt like I was standing in the corner of the room watching things happen. Wonderful read and good way to spend a few hours. I will read more by this author.

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Nov 24, 2011 Ellen Librarian rated it really liked it

I found this book so touching and full of heart. It sucked me in and I could hardly put it down most nights. The author does a fabulous job of portraying the main character, Victoria, a ward of the state who pushes people away at the same time she desperately longs for love.

I did have a problem with the angels who eventually show up and miraculously transform Victoria's life. They just didn't seem plausible to me and it also didn't seem plausible how she miraculously transformed. That's the only ...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Pat rated it really liked it

Disturbingly good "read" ! To me, the best thing about the book was learning what message each flower carries with it! I am going to keep Victoria's Dictionary of Flowers at hand - very interesting! I couldn't wait to finish the book because of its emotional content, which I guess is a rec in itself. ...more

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Sep 01, 2013 Karen rated it liked it

Good book, interesting premise. It received so many accolades I may have been expecting too much.

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Apr 24, 2012 Barbara rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads-won-giveaway

I won this book on Goodreads First Reads. I thank the author for the opportunity to read this.

I didn't love this book as alot of you have and I'm not sure why. Maybe this topic wasn't for me although I do love flowers. I know it was alot more than that. I liked it, got through it, and that being said I think this author had a well written book and would read other works when they come out. This book just wasn't for me so much.

I liked the flowers dictionary at the end of the book too. ...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-books, damn-good, 2011, 2020, magical-realism, multiple-reads

3/21/20 listening to this one again.Heartbreakingly full of hope and change. Part if my reread those books I love challenge I set for myself in 2020.

Original review: Loved this! Lush, heartbreaking, true.

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