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The Language of Flowers

By Vanessa Diffenbaugh

This is a beautiful novel written from the perspective of a young woman who spent most of her childhood in foster care. Her story very accurately portrays her challenges, her resilience, and how having one person who cared for her unconditionally made a difference. Best of all, it’s set right here in San Francisco!

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.