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The Heirloom Garden  By  cover art

The Heirloom Garden

By: Viola Shipman
Narrated by: Nan McNamara, Lauren Ezzo
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Publisher's summary

From the USA Today best-selling author of The Summer Cottage

In her inimitable style, Viola Shipman explores the unlikely relationship between two very different women brought together by the pain of war, but bonded by hope, purpose…and flowers.

Iris Maynard lost her husband in World War II, her daughter to illness and, finally, her reason to live. Walled off from the world for decades behind the towering fence surrounding her home, Iris has built a new family…of flowers. Iris propagates her own daylilies and roses while tending to a garden filled with the heirloom starts that keep the memories of her loved ones alive.

When Abby Peterson moves next door with her family — a husband traumatized by his service in the Iraq War and a young daughter searching for stability — Iris is reluctantly yet inevitably drawn into her boisterous neighbor’s life, where, united by loss and a love of flowers, she and Abby tentatively unearth their secrets, and help each other discover how much life they have yet to live.

With fascinating detail, Viola Shipman’s heartwarming story will charm listeners while resonating with issues that are so relevant today.

©2020 Viola Shipman (P)2020 HarperAudio

What listeners say about The Heirloom Garden

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Heartwarming

What a precious story of love and hope. This author has a way of tugging at your heart like no other!

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3 people found this helpful

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Heartfelt story

I read to escape reality. I am hooked on all of Viola Shipman’s book. With each book I’ve read (audio) I’ve been able to relate to more than one character. Feelings of loss and grief are so different for everyone and yet I have been able to understand my grief better through these books.

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  • Overall
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The characters

The pace of the story and narration were a bit slow. But once I was in, I had to finish.

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Heartwarming story but...

There were too many "he said she said" in this version. Perhaps the written version doesn't include those. Other than that I enjoyed the book.

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8 people found this helpful

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Abby’s narrator was terrible.

The narrator speaking the pet of Abby was terrible. She read to you rather than becoming Abby. Iris’ narrator was terrific and was the reason I didn’t send the book back.

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  • Overall
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I have been a gardener

I miss gardening and seeing my little plants to grow to blooming flowers but this year I will plant again
Thank you Iris for inspiring me

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Wow

This is a wonderful story spanning a Heritage Garden. Words can't describe how much this book shares of the loss of war. I will never look at my garden the same again. A wonderful book!

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6 people found this helpful

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when the last time you cried?

slow-ish ramp up but good good cry mid way. all around feel good and happy ending 😊

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Story a bit predictable; good info throughout.

Story well told. Nice to read about struggles resolved plus timely issues addressed.
PTSD still not addressed well and women still unequal in business.

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What a wonderful book

From the moment I started this book I felt like I was in magical place. It brought back so many memories of fine summers in my grandfathers and mothers garden .Excellent book.

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5 people found this helpful