Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Call number
F MIT
Publication
Bethany House
Description
Fiction. Romance. Christian Fiction. Historical Fiction. Charlotte wants to continue working for her botanist father, but he has other plans for her future. Will she find a way to follow her heart and fulfill society's expectations?
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell is a lovely historical romance novel. It is such an enjoyable book to read (it made me laugh). Like a Flower in Bloom takes place in 1852 Cheshire, England. Charlotte Withersby is twenty-two and unmarried (very unusual for a girl in 1852). Since her mother
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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passed away, Charlotte has been taking care of her father. Mr. Withersby writes books on botany and Charlotte has gotten very knowledgeable on the subject. Charlotte takes care of the household (sort of), writes books and articles, collects specimens, does her father’s illustrations, and handles her father’s correspondence. Charlotte’s uncle, The Admiral, has decided that Charlotte should get married and has convinced Charlotte’s father. Mr. Withersby gets a new assistant, Mr. Edward Trimble, and sends Charlotte out into Society! Charlotte has never been out in “polite society” and does not know how to act nor does she have the appropriate clothes. Charlotte knows a great deal about plants, but nothing about finding a husband. What follows is a funny, delightful story. I hope you will read Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell and find it as enjoyable as I did! Happy Reading!I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member lanehillhouse
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell, © 2015
"In Victorian-era northern England, Charlotte Withersby, daughter of a prominent botanist, attempts to regain her role as his assistant, despite society's expectations and the presence of Edward Trimble, her father's new
"Not having a choice is different than not caring."
--Edward, Like a Flower in Bloom, 44
Charlotte Withersby has been caring for her father's correspondence and assisting in keeping a roof over their heads; well, not exactly, taking the pails in consideration to catch the rainwater... But, what would you think if all of a sudden ~ a suddenly ~ a man you have been answering mail to in place of your father, appears on your doorstep, is welcomed in? Before the course of the evening is over, he is at your dinner table and you must escort him to "his" room, as he is now your father's n~e~w assistant, in your place?
That is exactly what happens to Charlotte as her uncle has explained to her father that she needs to be available to society to be enhanced with a husband. Charlotte is quite satisfied with her life the way it is ~ assisting her father's botany research and writing articles. Well, they will just see when the first bills become due and his illustrated series lack subscribers. And Edward Trimble, or whatever his name is, knows the first thing about preserving specimens? Not according to the various shipments sent to them from him.
As Charlotte comes up with a plan to show them how necessary she is, she isn't so certain it was a good path to take. Not only are they not noticing her absence, they are carrying on as if she had never been there. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, isn't exactly happening. In fact, she is sure it isn't. Unexpendable.
Fortunately, so it seems, at her first outing with her uncle as guardian, she meets a Miss Templeton who merits each gentleman with their prone to matrimony. Since Charlotte is adverse to such an idea, two prospects are suggested, who may be in her line of thinking. Measuring everything in her botanical way, is is not surprising she surmises the attributes of gentlemen in the same manner.
Something about him reminded me of an invasive weed that has crept its way into a flower garden, trying to insinuate itself among the other plants. He looked harmless enough, he probably was harmless enough, but somehow he didn't quite belong.
--Charlotte, Ibid., 86
It is comical how the two young women proceed to procure a future meeting at two appointed times on the same afternoon to view each gentleman's collection of plants. The plan is to be seen coming and going with repeated invites to secure a visual accent of interest.
Charlotte is my very favorite character as she stays true to herself, even amid new norms thrust upon her of when to speak and when to keep her thoughts silent. To the end, you are not certain how it will all turn out. You may find your allegiance changing. The story is conversational between the characters throughout.
I thoroughly enjoy Siri Mitchell's writings. She is merriment and engaging as her characters come alive off the page as if you are eavesdropping. Somehow, I feel they would invite us in willingly.
***Thank you to author Siri Mitchell and to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of Like a Flower in Bloom for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell, © 2015
"In Victorian-era northern England, Charlotte Withersby, daughter of a prominent botanist, attempts to regain her role as his assistant, despite society's expectations and the presence of Edward Trimble, her father's new
Show More
assistant"––Provided by publisher."Not having a choice is different than not caring."
--Edward, Like a Flower in Bloom, 44
Charlotte Withersby has been caring for her father's correspondence and assisting in keeping a roof over their heads; well, not exactly, taking the pails in consideration to catch the rainwater... But, what would you think if all of a sudden ~ a suddenly ~ a man you have been answering mail to in place of your father, appears on your doorstep, is welcomed in? Before the course of the evening is over, he is at your dinner table and you must escort him to "his" room, as he is now your father's n~e~w assistant, in your place?
That is exactly what happens to Charlotte as her uncle has explained to her father that she needs to be available to society to be enhanced with a husband. Charlotte is quite satisfied with her life the way it is ~ assisting her father's botany research and writing articles. Well, they will just see when the first bills become due and his illustrated series lack subscribers. And Edward Trimble, or whatever his name is, knows the first thing about preserving specimens? Not according to the various shipments sent to them from him.
As Charlotte comes up with a plan to show them how necessary she is, she isn't so certain it was a good path to take. Not only are they not noticing her absence, they are carrying on as if she had never been there. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, isn't exactly happening. In fact, she is sure it isn't. Unexpendable.
Fortunately, so it seems, at her first outing with her uncle as guardian, she meets a Miss Templeton who merits each gentleman with their prone to matrimony. Since Charlotte is adverse to such an idea, two prospects are suggested, who may be in her line of thinking. Measuring everything in her botanical way, is is not surprising she surmises the attributes of gentlemen in the same manner.
Something about him reminded me of an invasive weed that has crept its way into a flower garden, trying to insinuate itself among the other plants. He looked harmless enough, he probably was harmless enough, but somehow he didn't quite belong.
--Charlotte, Ibid., 86
It is comical how the two young women proceed to procure a future meeting at two appointed times on the same afternoon to view each gentleman's collection of plants. The plan is to be seen coming and going with repeated invites to secure a visual accent of interest.
Charlotte is my very favorite character as she stays true to herself, even amid new norms thrust upon her of when to speak and when to keep her thoughts silent. To the end, you are not certain how it will all turn out. You may find your allegiance changing. The story is conversational between the characters throughout.
I thoroughly enjoy Siri Mitchell's writings. She is merriment and engaging as her characters come alive off the page as if you are eavesdropping. Somehow, I feel they would invite us in willingly.
***Thank you to author Siri Mitchell and to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of Like a Flower in Bloom for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
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LibraryThing member JoyAnne
Absolutely love Siri Mitchell's books, her writing is fresh, the plots are fabulous, there's romance and wit. Love Charlotte's character, she's so entertaining, kept me giggling the whole time.
The moral of the story is awesome, we must always be aware that our focus should be on God and not
Definitely a 5 star read!
I received a copy of this book free from Baker Books in exchange for an honest review.
The moral of the story is awesome, we must always be aware that our focus should be on God and not
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ourselves. Definitely a 5 star read!
I received a copy of this book free from Baker Books in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Virginia51
This book seemed to start a little slow for me but it is so worth finishing. Charlotte and Edward are so great together. Charlotte knows so much about flowers and nothing about men or how to act in society. Charlotte has helped her father write about and catalog all the flowers that they collect
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and study since she was 14 and her mother died. She does not think about marriage until her uncle insists it is time for her to find a husband. She does not want to go into society but then Edward shows up and he takes over all of her duties with her father. How will this end? You will need to read to find out. It is funny and romantic and a fun book. I received this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion. Show Less
ISBN
9780764210372