Blog Tour (Review): The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman

I like books where I learn something new, in addition to a great plot, of course. The Heirloom Garden fits the bill in both cases. And just take a look at that gorgeous cover!

I liked the main plot of the book. Iris lost her family in the 1940s and has since become a hermit, tending only to her flowers (and boy does she have a lot of them). Abby and her family rent the house next door (owned by Iris) but are dealing with their own set of problems. Through a few events, the two women forge a bond that develops. It is an emotional and uplifting story.

I liked Iris and her story the best. She was an interesting character, and the way she dealt with loss and her life after WWII felt realistic. A lot of her perspectives seemed familiar, as they sounded like things my grandmother used to say. I also know that I have eaten in her kitchen, right down to the table and chairs that matched the countertops, and everything being color-coordinated. Those descriptions brought back great memories for me.

Additionally, Shirley’s comments on her husband’s return from the war were especially real, as that same thing happened to my grandfather. He died before I was born, but my mom still tells stories of how different he was when he came back from the South Pacific. I think that is true for a lot of men.

It certainly was true for Cory. His experience was certainly similar to that of men returning from WWII. However,  they didn’t have the diagnosis of PTSD in the 40s and 50s. I thought this was a good parallel to be made, and it connected the two families nicely. Less successful were Abby’s attitudes about feminism and the workplace. While I recognize that chauvinistic attitudes still exist, the ones described seem more fitting to the 1980s or 90s than to the book’s setting of 2003. That note didn’t hit for me, nor did her reluctance to let Lily play with dolls (but that’s another issue altogether).

I learned more about the cross-breeding and care of flowers than I ever thought I would. I understand the need to highlight Iris’s intelligence and passion, given her past renown.  It did get a little bit heavy at times, sometimes going for more than a few pages. I loved the detail (because I love learning), but there were times that it detracted from the story. I wanted the plot to move along.

Ultimately, however, there was a strong message that family is always with you. I also thought a sub-message was “family is where you find it” as the relationship between Abby and Iris progressed. I loved how Iris honored her family going back generations, and how much importance she put on traditions. People are quick to create their own sets of memories these days, and I wish that more people cherished the items and memories of their past. Iris is someone I would love to know in real life.

Author Bio

Viola Shipman is the pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his writing. Rouse is the author of The Summer Cottage, as well as The Charm Bracelet and The Hope Chest which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and become international bestsellers. He lives in Saugatuck, Michigan and Palm Springs, California, and has written for People, Coastal Living, Good Housekeeping, and Taste of Home, along with other publications, and is a contributor to All Things Considered.

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This review is part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tour. Come back on April 30th for my review of The Summer Villa – the last book until we head into summer reading!