Like a Flower in Bloom

Like a Flower in Bloom

Author:  Siri Mitchell

Website: www.sirimitchell.com

Number of Pages: 368

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN-13:  978-0764210372

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Market: Christian

Genre: Inspirational, Romance

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

Description (from the back cover):

It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

How and Why I Acquired this Book

I acquired a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My Expectations

I have read a Siri Mitchell book before, and I enjoyed her work.  I liked the cover and what appeared to be a flower theme.  Of course, I really enjoy Christian romance books.  I feel like my expectations were met.

Prose and Dialogue

Because I read a review e-copy, the book wasn’t in its final form.  There were lines of dialogue from two different people in the same row.  The “ff” was missing in all words that required them, and I’m certain these minor inconveniences will be fixed before the book is printed in final form.  The dialogue was natural, and it really helped to bring out the personality and upbringing of each of the characters.

Characters and Viewpoints

There were a nice amount of characters without having too many to keep track of.  They were developed enough for me to understand them.  Unfortunately, I completely identify with Charlotte’s lack of filing ability.  I, too, am one who makes piles of papers.  I would have liked to read more description of the people – what did they look like?  The physical description was more sparse than rich.

Story Structure and Pace

There was a lot of backstory, but it was almost necessary to help show Charlotte’s personality.  Scientific minds are definitely different from creative minds.  Charlotte was a bit slow in awakening to her emotions.  She was so scientific it made her naïve to being a woman.  I would have liked to see her awaken prior to finishing 60% of the book.

Conflict and Tension

The story is moved along by Charlotte’s false search for a husband and her learning how to perform in social situations.  At the beginning of the novel, her bantering with Mr. Trimble was funny, but the romantic tension wasn’t there until the end.  Charlotte did grow and change over the course of the novel, but it did develop slowly.  She was definitely single focused until the end.

Research and Story World

Siri Mitchell did an excellent job displaying the research she did for this novel.  She also captures the public sentiment on women’s roles and responsibilities.  I do appreciate the picture she paints of Charlotte’s life and how it all seems to fall apart, yet truly comes together for her own good as the story moves along.

Romantic Tension

I thought the beginning was funny, and I found myself laughing out loud.  However, the characters weren’t being romantic at the time.  It is probably time and personality of the characters (which is true for some in life), but they did seem to have difficulty expressing romantic feelings.  Charlotte did overcome both personal and external conflicts, while Edward’s were not focused on at length.  I’m glad they ended up happy in the end, but I would have liked to see more tension amongst the major characters.

 

Spiritual Aspect

The spiritual aspect of this book wasn’t emphasized.  It did bring out a relationship between religion and science.  How? vs Why?  That is certainly realistic.  With a rector, there was some spiritual talk, but it was more muted.

Questions I Have

I would like to know the story of Miss Templeton and Mr. Stansbury (in another book?) as well as what happened to Charlotte’s father.  What does life look like in New Zealand?

Audience Appropriateness and Appeal

This book will appeal to people with knowledge of botany and those who don’t want a bunch of romance.  I think non-Christians would enjoy this book because it doesn’t have a strong spiritual message.

Engagement, Entertainment, and Investment

I felt a range of emotions while reading this book:  I laughed.  I cried.  I was suspicious of Miss Templeton.  Definitely, a person who loves plants in a scientific way will enjoy this book.  I think there is room to write another book that focuses on Miss Templeton and what happens next in New Zealand.  I would read that next book.

Conclusion

Overall, this book didn’t fit the normal pattern for inspirational romances.  Normally, the romantic conflict starts by chapter 4.  I can excuse that because I see Charlotte as someone who lost herself in botany and helping her father, while ignoring typical social obligations of the day.

Pros:

§  Intelligent, strong female character

§  Funny

§  Nice depiction of life for a female botanist

Cons:

              §Slowness of the romantic development