The Flower Arrangement

October 15, 2016

Lara, reeling from a failed pregnancy, decides to ditch her graphic design career and pursue the dream of owning her own flower shop. More than a businesswoman, she has a knack for matching people with the right flower--an intuition really--and every Dubliner who visits her shop is touched by this gift. Lara's life is tinged with sadness again after the loss of her beloved father and the demise of her marriage, but she is cheered by the presence of her brother Phil, who helps pull her out of the doldrums. Just when things start going really well, with Phil married to the woman of his dreams after years of playing the field and even Lara, at 40, thinking about a second marriage to a younger man, a tragic accident upsets the applecart of her life again. This time she must find the strength to face it on her own. VERDICT Griffin's charming and insightful third novel (after The Heart Whisperer and Postcards from the Heart) examines how random lives are connected, like characters in a Raymond Carver story. For fans of women's fiction, especially those who enjoy other Irish writers such as Marian Keyes and Cathy Kelly.--Karen Core, Detroit P.L.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2016
Flower arrangements often work best when a variety of flowers come together in new and unexpected wayswhich is a perfect metaphor for the characters of this charming, quick read. Lara has an amazing gift for flowers. She uses them, through her shop Blossom and Grow, to help customers and strangers find meaning in their lives. But as her own life falls apart, can she bear to do it anymore? Katy and Ben have been together for seven years, but after all this time do they really belong together? Becca has been keeping her son from the truth about his father, and Mia thinks she might have the perfect relationship if only she could make a few changes to the man. Lives intertwine, come together, break apart, and chance meetings seem like they're maybe not so chance after all. A compelling and human cast of characters, full of humor, heart, heartbreak, and the language of flowers make this perfect for fans of Marion Keyes and ensemble rom-com movies like Mother's Day and Love Actually.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)