Perennials

By: Julie Cantrell

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Eva - known to all as Lovey - grew up safe and secure in Oxford, Mississippi, surrounded by a rich literary history and her mother's stunning flower gardens. But a shed fire, and the injuries that it caused, seemed to change everything...especially when her older sister, Bitsy, blamed Lovey for the irreparable damage.

Bitsy became the cheerleader. The homecoming queen. The perfect Southern belle who could do no wrong. All the while, Lovey served as the family scapegoat, always bearing the brunt when Bitsy threw blame her way.

At 18, suffocating in her sister's shadow, Lovey turned down a marriage proposal and fled to Arizona - a place as far from Mississippi as she could find.

In time, she became a successful advertising executive and a weekend yoga instructor, carving a satisfying life for herself, free from Bitsy's vicious lies. But now that she's turning 45, Lovey is feeling more alone than ever and questioning the choices that have led her here.

When she gets a call from her father insisting that she come home three weeks early for her parents' fiftieth anniversary, Lovey is at wits' end. She's about to close the biggest contract of her career, and there's a lot on the line. But despite the risks, her father's words, "family first", draw her right back to the red dirt roads of Mississippi.

Lovey is welcomed home by a secret project - a memory garden her father has planned as an anniversary surprise for her mother. As she helps create this sacred space, Lovey begins to rediscover her roots, learning to live perennially in spite of life's many trials and tragedies.

Years ago, Lovey chose to leave her family and the South far behind. But now that she's returned, she's realizing things at home were not always what they seemed.

Southern Living Magazine Pick for Most Anticipated Books for Fall. Redbook Magazine Pick of 20 Must-Read Books by Women.

©2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

WOW, so greatful

So grateful for Audibles new Plus program because I never would have found this book. I hope we see more movies and books going this rout and I can’t wait to re-listen to it, and get my girls and myself a copy of her book Perennials. I feel so sorry for people that missed the boat in their bad reviews of separating Gods children and judging different cultures or religious/spiritual paths as tabu, separate, or less than theirs. So many rich beautiful pearls of wisdom this story shares about all of gods children and how he loves and enlightens all of us through all of our daily relationships with humans/plants/animals/nature-and spiritual/relegious practices throughout history. Thank you again to Julie for allowing this book in the Plus program, and Audible for creating this program which probably evolved from the Romance program which helped a lot of people. ❤️

A must read!!

I have bought copies of this book for several friends now! Keep your tissues handy while you read or listen to it! Absolutely wonderful!

Disappointed with ending

Waited the whole book for Lovey to stand up for herself and she never did.

She took Itsy's abuse and lies and never fought back. I assumed that it would come eventually and her parents would see it too but she never stood up for herself. I assumed that her sister would apologize for her behavior but she never did. Lovey just felt sorry for what her sister was going through.

I wanted her to tell Fisher about what Itsy said to Lovey that caused her to leave. They didn't even say who started the fire, which was the starting point of everything! There were no repercussions for Itsy about her behavior at all!

In the end, I was let down and felt that Lovey was still too weak to stand up for herself and her sister was still a bitch.

I would have given the book 5 stars if there was a stronger ending.

Circle of Life

This tale held many surprises, and taught lessons reminding us of the circle of life. It rang true to the paths we walk.

Wonderful book!

I Loved this book! So glad I came across it. Narrator was fantastic as always!

Sweet story

If you love flowers and everything Southern and genteel, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this book. The characters experience life and it’s heartbreak but continue to learn the lessons of family, forgiveness, grace, and love. If you want a book to help pass the lazy days of summer, this is a great one.

wonderfiul

I loved every minute of this book! It was full of happy and sad and full of love. Awesome!

Great story!

Loved this story of family and true life.
It’s touching and very real in today’s world.

Great southern book!

From the start it was great - kept your interest and was a wonderful ending. Story of a great southern family lifestyle - loves and twists.

Just beautiful

what a wonderful story! timeless story of family, pain, choices, and finding one's way home again. i love so many "F" words. get the book, be ready to laugh and cry and feel hope. amazing story read by a fabulous narrator!