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mgbell0712's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jillyfay's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly what a beautiful story!! I just finished listening to "Quiet" (a book about introverts) and many of the aspects about Ruby matched what I just learned about introverts. This story was so very well told. But at the same time not every single detail was told or experienced. Time would pass and things would happen and she would reflect on the specific event. The story opened and blossomed and bloomed so well.
cinta's review against another edition
3.0
I got a free copy of this book from Penguin Books as part of their First to Read program.
I have to say that I was suffering from a really bad case of insomnia and this book made my problem disappear. I would read a chapter every night. Just one, because I was already sleeping before I could start a second one. I didn't start kind of liking this book until it was almost finished.
I found the book boring and repetitive, and I think the flowers had much more prominence than the characters, when it should have been the other way round. The story is predictable, the characters are kind of flat, and they all had pretty much the same voice. I know the protagonist is a florist, but she doesn't need to talk about flowers in every single conversation, and the fact that she changes lives with her arrangements made me roll my eyes big time.
As I said, I only enjoyed the final part of the book, because the writing improved quite a lot the moment the author stopped mentioning all the flower names she could find in Google, and when finally we the readers could see the sense of community the author had been trying to convey from the beginning, although I didn't see it at first.
Not the kind of book I would like to read. I only recommend it if you like flowers or if you want a remedy for insomnia.
I have to say that I was suffering from a really bad case of insomnia and this book made my problem disappear. I would read a chapter every night. Just one, because I was already sleeping before I could start a second one. I didn't start kind of liking this book until it was almost finished.
I found the book boring and repetitive, and I think the flowers had much more prominence than the characters, when it should have been the other way round. The story is predictable, the characters are kind of flat, and they all had pretty much the same voice. I know the protagonist is a florist, but she doesn't need to talk about flowers in every single conversation, and the fact that she changes lives with her arrangements made me roll my eyes big time.
As I said, I only enjoyed the final part of the book, because the writing improved quite a lot the moment the author stopped mentioning all the flower names she could find in Google, and when finally we the readers could see the sense of community the author had been trying to convey from the beginning, although I didn't see it at first.
Not the kind of book I would like to read. I only recommend it if you like flowers or if you want a remedy for insomnia.
carriekitzmiller's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
momwithareadingproblem's review against another edition
4.0
The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard is a story about Ruby Jewell, the local florist, and how she begins to live again twenty years after the death of her baby sister. Ruby is alone, save her dog Clementine, and she's okay with that, or at least she thinks she is. The arrival of Will, a ten year old orphan living with his grandparents after the death of his mother, and her first date since college with Captain Dan Miller help her realize otherwise.
This story is so beautifully written! The author weaves Ruby's tell so intricately with the work she does as a florist that it flows seamlessly. I never knew flowers could be so beautiful or mean so many different things to different people, but that is what makes Ruby's character so special. With her arrangements that she works so hard on, she creates not only a visual masterpiece, but also a heartfelt one as well. Using different elements and colors to promote love, health, and forgiveness, Ruby is special to those who know her, yet she doesn't know it at the beginning of the story. To Ruby she is alone.
Nora and Jimmy, her employees and closest friends, know her best and slowly work on breaking the wall around her heart. Then enter Will, a young orphan with a passion for flowers, and Ruby opens herself fully to him, understanding his grief unlike anyone else. Their bond is so sweet, I just fell in love with little Will, and Ruby says it best:
For anyone that has lost a loved one, especially one that died before their time, it is easy to relate with Ruby. The author portrays very real feelings and even after twenty years the heartbreak and loneliness of losing that loved one. This story deals with love and death in a way that I've never read before. I loved every word! Though this book is geared towards an older audience, it's message and meaning can go for all ages. With hints of Christianity throughout the story, I would recommend this to anyone looking for an inspirational, up-lifting read.
I received a copy of this ebook for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story is so beautifully written! The author weaves Ruby's tell so intricately with the work she does as a florist that it flows seamlessly. I never knew flowers could be so beautiful or mean so many different things to different people, but that is what makes Ruby's character so special. With her arrangements that she works so hard on, she creates not only a visual masterpiece, but also a heartfelt one as well. Using different elements and colors to promote love, health, and forgiveness, Ruby is special to those who know her, yet she doesn't know it at the beginning of the story. To Ruby she is alone.
Nora and Jimmy, her employees and closest friends, know her best and slowly work on breaking the wall around her heart. Then enter Will, a young orphan with a passion for flowers, and Ruby opens herself fully to him, understanding his grief unlike anyone else. Their bond is so sweet, I just fell in love with little Will, and Ruby says it best:
[Children] seem to unfold the easiest. They're the ones who love with abandon, the ones who keep putting their hearts out there to be broken. They're the ones who teach the rest of us what it is to love.And Ruby learns this from Will. Then there's Captain Miller, a former astronaut who is dying and takes it upon himself to slowly bring Ruby back to life. His wisdom and guidance, but most importantly his friendship is just what Ruby needs.
For anyone that has lost a loved one, especially one that died before their time, it is easy to relate with Ruby. The author portrays very real feelings and even after twenty years the heartbreak and loneliness of losing that loved one. This story deals with love and death in a way that I've never read before. I loved every word! Though this book is geared towards an older audience, it's message and meaning can go for all ages. With hints of Christianity throughout the story, I would recommend this to anyone looking for an inspirational, up-lifting read.
I received a copy of this ebook for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
bridgeca2's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who worked/managed a flower shop for more than five years, Branard really gets it. The details of the day to day life of crafting unique bouquets for individuals/situations, getting to know particular customers, the behind the scenes aspects - I was transported back to my days in the shop. Some of the story lines and characters are a little to simplified/magical but I still enjoyed getting lost in this book.
optmst's review against another edition
4.0
Although I wasn't entirely sure I would enjoy Branard's tale, I did. I liked her characters. Her skipping past significant events, such as Will's adoption along with other events of importance, fit very well into her story. Her focus on grief and growth and opening of the heart and soul were quite touching.
ncrabb's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a moving and memorable read. Ruby is 45, has never married, and owns a flower shop in a small Washington town. She seems to have effectively walled her heart off from the world. Her beloved sister died, and that death was a major factor in her decision to erect those barriers. Yet, she has no problem facilitating romances of people in her community. She expertly uses her ability to arrange flowers and her uncanny ability to read hearts to bring people together in unusual and moving ways. But Ruby learns that barriers aren't necessarily permanent. A former astronaut and a motherless little boy help break down those walls.
You'll need time to ponder this book as you read it. It's not long, but it's something you'll want to take your time with and perhaps reread a passage or two as you go. You'll probably want to at least know where the Kleenex box is, because you'll likely need it in a place or two. One of bonuses for me with this book is that I actually learned some things about the structure of plants that fascinated me. Best of all, the author uses that knowledge to enhance the story.
You'll need time to ponder this book as you read it. It's not long, but it's something you'll want to take your time with and perhaps reread a passage or two as you go. You'll probably want to at least know where the Kleenex box is, because you'll likely need it in a place or two. One of bonuses for me with this book is that I actually learned some things about the structure of plants that fascinated me. Best of all, the author uses that knowledge to enhance the story.
kerrikins's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting... It would have been nice if it was clearer that the book isn't really an all-out romance but more a general story with some romance thrown in. Expectations matter when heading into a book!
The writing dragged in a few places, and I felt it was a bit too flowery in both senses of the word. The characters didn't feel quite as well developed as I would have liked - it all felt painted with a high gloss, nice and shiny but with no real depth, and no real extreme of emotion, either. It made it a bit difficult to connect with the characters and actually care about what was happening in the book.
The lyricism is definitely there, though, and that's why I would pick this author up again at some point in the future - she has talent, even if this story didn't quite work for me.
The writing dragged in a few places, and I felt it was a bit too flowery in both senses of the word. The characters didn't feel quite as well developed as I would have liked - it all felt painted with a high gloss, nice and shiny but with no real depth, and no real extreme of emotion, either. It made it a bit difficult to connect with the characters and actually care about what was happening in the book.
The lyricism is definitely there, though, and that's why I would pick this author up again at some point in the future - she has talent, even if this story didn't quite work for me.