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farmfreshlisa's review
5.0
Where the Last Rose Blooms is the conclusion to the series Heirloom Secrets, and I think, it's possibly the one that made me think the most. It's the one where I highlighted in my e-reader nearly entire chapters because it was so poignant and I wanted to remember. I have a lot of copying to do into my quote journal, that's for sure!
The Last Rose Blooms is primarily focused on the modern-day couple Alice and Sullivan (Friends of Harper, Lucy, Declan, and Peter), but it gives us (finally!) the story and connection between Clara and Rose, as well as some insight for Rose's lost daughter Ashley during the Civil War, and a little bit more about Eliza and Juliet.
I'm going to stop right there and say that I do not know how someone could read this as a stand-alone. They would be sooo very lost since all of the stories get tied into a big giant bow in book 3.
Before I talk about the exciting connections this brings together, I want to share why this book was a step above. This book shares with us sweet Alice. Alice who loves flowers and loves history and abhors change. Losing her mother when she was a child in a hurricane traumatized her. It's given her a crippling fear of abandonment. Alice deals with severe anxiety and depression as an adult. She lives in a mind that wants to control every possible outcome so that things can stay the same. Alice doubts God loves her or even finds her of value, because He's not answered her prayer for her mother's return. She consistently battles her anxiety and desperation for things to not change for when things change she loses control. And losing control means getting hurt.
This all culminates in a chapter near the end--after a day of intense feelings and emotions, she's analyzing everything hyper-critically to determine if she was "enough" in the situation and it boils and boils in her mind and when she goes to get a cup of tea, all the decisions and feelings and emotions and anxieties of the day just wash over her with so much intensity that her brain locks up and all of a sudden it's like deciding what tea she is going to drink will be a life-changing decision with earth-shattering consequences if she makes the wrong decision.
When I read this, I realized that I take for granted how my brain works. I've never been in a situation where all my anxieties press on me like that. And it came me insight and newfound compassion for those who do battle this every single day. I appreciate the way that authors like [a:Ashley Clark|19238286|Ashley Clark|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]are more willing now to share "flawed" characters who battle mental illness to show that it doesn't make you less Christian if you do have these challenges. And it gives those of us who do not, a chance to learn compassion and become more careful with our words. This is truly the power of books.
Now, I will share that once I realized this book was going to bind the series together I got myself some paper and made myself a family tree. LOL. this allowed me to keep Rose's family straight and Clara's family straight and see where the branches cross. Through that, I was able to note that the three friends Peter, Declan, Lucy, and Sullivan were all distant cousins. I just wish at some point, the author could have had that revealed, especially since this was the last book, and anyone reading it who has done the series has figured out how Sullivan's grandma Beth played into the lineage.
in case you missed it (And this is ONLY for those who have read all three books)---
*Peter is a grandson of Millie, which means he's a distant nephew of William (because Millie's husband was William's nephew Franklin)--so he's related to Declan and Sullivan through William--and also the only one related to Rose of the bunch through Millie.
*Declan is a great-grandson of William through William's first marriage making him related to Peter through many "cousin's removed"--so he's related to Peter and Sullivan through William
*Lucy is a great-grandaughter of Eliza (who is grandaughter of Clara) through Eliza's first marriage--so she's related to Sullivan through Eliza
*Sullivan is the great-grandson of Eliza AND William (second marriage for both) through their only daughter Beth.--so he's related to Lucy (through Eliza), Declan (through William), and Peter (through William)
Whew!
Also, I loved how we get more insight into the heritage of the buttons and how what info we had at the beginning of the series wasn't the WHOLE STORY. :)
So in summary, this was an excellent series! Books 1 and 3 with my favorite with book 3 pulling ahead slightly. It's not often that the whole series keeps my attention nor that book 3 so beautifully wraps up as many threads as possible for the series.
The Last Rose Blooms is primarily focused on the modern-day couple Alice and Sullivan (Friends of Harper, Lucy, Declan, and Peter), but it gives us (finally!) the story and connection between Clara and Rose, as well as some insight for Rose's lost daughter Ashley during the Civil War, and a little bit more about Eliza and Juliet.
I'm going to stop right there and say that I do not know how someone could read this as a stand-alone. They would be sooo very lost since all of the stories get tied into a big giant bow in book 3.
Before I talk about the exciting connections this brings together, I want to share why this book was a step above. This book shares with us sweet Alice. Alice who loves flowers and loves history and abhors change. Losing her mother when she was a child in a hurricane traumatized her. It's given her a crippling fear of abandonment. Alice deals with severe anxiety and depression as an adult. She lives in a mind that wants to control every possible outcome so that things can stay the same. Alice doubts God loves her or even finds her of value, because He's not answered her prayer for her mother's return. She consistently battles her anxiety and desperation for things to not change for when things change she loses control. And losing control means getting hurt.
This all culminates in a chapter near the end--after a day of intense feelings and emotions, she's analyzing everything hyper-critically to determine if she was "enough" in the situation and it boils and boils in her mind and when she goes to get a cup of tea, all the decisions and feelings and emotions and anxieties of the day just wash over her with so much intensity that her brain locks up and all of a sudden it's like deciding what tea she is going to drink will be a life-changing decision with earth-shattering consequences if she makes the wrong decision.
When I read this, I realized that I take for granted how my brain works. I've never been in a situation where all my anxieties press on me like that. And it came me insight and newfound compassion for those who do battle this every single day. I appreciate the way that authors like [a:Ashley Clark|19238286|Ashley Clark|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]are more willing now to share "flawed" characters who battle mental illness to show that it doesn't make you less Christian if you do have these challenges. And it gives those of us who do not, a chance to learn compassion and become more careful with our words. This is truly the power of books.
Now, I will share that once I realized this book was going to bind the series together I got myself some paper and made myself a family tree. LOL. this allowed me to keep Rose's family straight and Clara's family straight and see where the branches cross. Through that, I was able to note that the three friends Peter, Declan, Lucy, and Sullivan were all distant cousins. I just wish at some point, the author could have had that revealed, especially since this was the last book, and anyone reading it who has done the series has figured out how Sullivan's grandma Beth played into the lineage.
in case you missed it (And this is ONLY for those who have read all three books)---
*Peter is a grandson of Millie, which means he's a distant nephew of William (because Millie's husband was William's nephew Franklin)--so he's related to Declan and Sullivan through William--and also the only one related to Rose of the bunch through Millie.
*Declan is a great-grandson of William through William's first marriage making him related to Peter through many "cousin's removed"--so he's related to Peter and Sullivan through William
*Lucy is a great-grandaughter of Eliza (who is grandaughter of Clara) through Eliza's first marriage--so she's related to Sullivan through Eliza
*Sullivan is the great-grandson of Eliza AND William (second marriage for both) through their only daughter Beth.--so he's related to Lucy (through Eliza), Declan (through William), and Peter (through William)
Whew!
Also, I loved how we get more insight into the heritage of the buttons and how what info we had at the beginning of the series wasn't the WHOLE STORY. :)
So in summary, this was an excellent series! Books 1 and 3 with my favorite with book 3 pulling ahead slightly. It's not often that the whole series keeps my attention nor that book 3 so beautifully wraps up as many threads as possible for the series.
stormshultz's review
4.0
Split timelines are quickly becoming a favorite of mine because of Ashley’s books! Good storytelling and an engaging book ♥️
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
This series is a new favourite! And this book was a beautifully stirring finale!
maryfaithreads's review
4.0
"I think it's very brave that even though you're struggling, you keep going. That's the very definition of bravery if you ask me."
I really enjoyed this book! The espionage aspect really elevated the story and made it difficult to put down. I also appreciated the mental health representation. The only thing I didn't like was how abrupt the ending felt. Like...wasn't there more to wrap up?
In this series, the present day timeline was told in order, while the timeline from the past was told backwards. That's such an interesting way of doing things, and I like the idea, but that led to some confusion for me at the end.
That being said, this was still a fantastic book. Ashely Clark is a gifted writer and I'm looking forward to what comes from her next.
I really enjoyed this book! The espionage aspect really elevated the story and made it difficult to put down. I also appreciated the mental health representation. The only thing I didn't like was how abrupt the ending felt. Like...wasn't there more to wrap up?
In this series, the present day timeline was told in order, while the timeline from the past was told backwards. That's such an interesting way of doing things, and I like the idea, but that led to some confusion for me at the end.
That being said, this was still a fantastic book. Ashely Clark is a gifted writer and I'm looking forward to what comes from her next.
kristensreadingnook's review
4.0
Thank you to UpLit Reads and Bethany House for a gifted copy of this book and inviting me on the book tour.
In 1861 Charleston, Clara is just beginning to find her way in the world and that way is contrary to her parents slaveholding ways. Rose, one of her father’s enslaved workers, opens up to Clara about her daughter who was sold. Clara joins efforts with some other abolitionists to gain intelligence for the Union Army while at the same time trying to find out where Rose’s daughter is. The group uses coded messages inside embroidery samplers to share their secret information.
In present day New Orleans, Alice is a florist who bouquets uses the language of flowers to create incredible bouquets for her customers. Alice is also still grieving the loss of her mother during Hurricane Katrina. She hasn’t quite given up hope of finding her since her body was never recovered. When Alice finds a collection of embroidery samplers in the attic of her childhood home, she sets out on a journey of discovery where she just might find more than what she was initially looking for.
Since I am such a sucker for multiple timelines, this book was right up my alley. I enjoyed the characters in each timeline equally so the jumping back and forth in time was seamless. This is the third in a series, but they do not need to be read in order. I am sure the reading experience would be even richer if you read all three, but you will not be missing anything to jump into it with this book.
In 1861 Charleston, Clara is just beginning to find her way in the world and that way is contrary to her parents slaveholding ways. Rose, one of her father’s enslaved workers, opens up to Clara about her daughter who was sold. Clara joins efforts with some other abolitionists to gain intelligence for the Union Army while at the same time trying to find out where Rose’s daughter is. The group uses coded messages inside embroidery samplers to share their secret information.
In present day New Orleans, Alice is a florist who bouquets uses the language of flowers to create incredible bouquets for her customers. Alice is also still grieving the loss of her mother during Hurricane Katrina. She hasn’t quite given up hope of finding her since her body was never recovered. When Alice finds a collection of embroidery samplers in the attic of her childhood home, she sets out on a journey of discovery where she just might find more than what she was initially looking for.
Since I am such a sucker for multiple timelines, this book was right up my alley. I enjoyed the characters in each timeline equally so the jumping back and forth in time was seamless. This is the third in a series, but they do not need to be read in order. I am sure the reading experience would be even richer if you read all three, but you will not be missing anything to jump into it with this book.
randikaye's review
4.0
Where the Last Rose Blooms is the third and final installment in the Heirloom Secrets series. While I do think this could be enjoyed okay as a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading the series in order.
I must admit that while I enjoy historical fiction, I find that personally stories set during the Civil War don't tend to be my favorite, and I often struggle to get into them. Likewise, I can be rather picky about dual timeline novels as well. Had I not fallen in love with the previous books in this series, I might have skipped over this one for those reasons alone... Still, I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did, but I found myself unable to put it down. Ashley Clark does such a wonderful job of weaving together past and present to create a heartwarming story that you cannot help but be drawn into. It offers just the right amount of mystery with bits of the story being revealed slowly throughout to keep me wanting more and more. History, faith, mystery and romance... this story truly does have it all.
If you enjoy historical fiction, this is absolutely one not to be missed.
** I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
I must admit that while I enjoy historical fiction, I find that personally stories set during the Civil War don't tend to be my favorite, and I often struggle to get into them. Likewise, I can be rather picky about dual timeline novels as well. Had I not fallen in love with the previous books in this series, I might have skipped over this one for those reasons alone... Still, I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did, but I found myself unable to put it down. Ashley Clark does such a wonderful job of weaving together past and present to create a heartwarming story that you cannot help but be drawn into. It offers just the right amount of mystery with bits of the story being revealed slowly throughout to keep me wanting more and more. History, faith, mystery and romance... this story truly does have it all.
If you enjoy historical fiction, this is absolutely one not to be missed.
** I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
gretchenlouise's review
4.0
A truly beautiful conclusion to the Heirloom Secrets series! Where the Last Rose Blooms pulls together the remaining threads as we discover all the ways the stories of Millie, Eliza, and Clara intertwine with those of Harper, Lucy, and Alice. Ashley Clark weaves an intricate split-time storyline that honors historical detail and brings beauty to present-day Charleston and New Orleans, as well.
shankl's review
4.0
This novel is told from two points of view - present day and during the Civil War. Secrets are unearthed in a home in New Orleans that trace back to a spy network during the war. The special embroidery used symbols of flowers to convey messages to the fighters battling to end slavery.
Where the Last Rose Blooms can be read as a stand alone in the series. It is part mystery and romance as the characters uncover the language of flowers. It is a story of hope, healing and survival that applies to both storylines.
I enjoyed learning about Floriography, the language of flowers. Every flower has a unique meaning and how fascinating that something so simple could deliver a powerful message.
Thank you to the author & Uplitreads for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Where the Last Rose Blooms can be read as a stand alone in the series. It is part mystery and romance as the characters uncover the language of flowers. It is a story of hope, healing and survival that applies to both storylines.
I enjoyed learning about Floriography, the language of flowers. Every flower has a unique meaning and how fascinating that something so simple could deliver a powerful message.
Thank you to the author & Uplitreads for the complimentary copy to read and review.
mrsj_readsbooks's review
4.0
I enjoyed this historical novel and was pulled in from the first page. I had my doubts as to how the 2 different timelines were going to mesh, but they come together beautifully. Both timelines feature strong women who will do what they know is best, no matter the struggle and heartache it will cause them.
It was interesting to learn how flowers were used as a means of communication during the Civil War.
Even though this is the 3rd in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to UpLit Reads and Ashley Clark for my gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was interesting to learn how flowers were used as a means of communication during the Civil War.
Even though this is the 3rd in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to UpLit Reads and Ashley Clark for my gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
melmo2610's review
4.0
Another fantastic read from Ashley Clark! I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, with the storyline that is a thread of all the books and the group of characters that I have come to know and love. Alice and Sullivan are fun characters and with the added mystery of Alice's missing mother, I was hooked early in the book. The other timeline in the book set during the Civil War was exciting and added a fun layer to the current day storyline. Great read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.