The Orchard House

 

I have read a couple of books by Heidi Chiavaroli and I have enjoyed them immensely.  The Orchard House is no exception to this tradition.  Heidi tackles some hard issues, like spousal abuse, PTSD, abandonment, and even a touch on suicide in this novel that details parts of Louisa May Alcott's life, as well as in the lives of the modern characters.  Heidi does a great job telling a story within a story to make a cohesive whole. 

Taylor's mom leaves her with her Uncle Bob and never comes back.  When Uncle Bob is arrested, Taylor is taken in by her best friend's family and even adopted. She is given the same opportunities as Victoria Bennett, her newly adoptive sister, and grows up with all of the ideals Victoria's family can give her.  Even with all of this, Taylor never feels like she fits into her new family; and when it seems like they are pulling away from her, she pulls away from them. 

One of the opportunities that Taylor and Victoria took advantage of together was a writing camp at Orchard House--the home of Louisa May Alcott.  The two of them decide to write together and tell stories that need to be told.  

In telling Louisa's story, Heidi actually focuses on Johanna Suhre Bancroft, the sister of a soldier Louisa nursed during the War Between the States.  Because of the letters that Johanna and Louisa exchange, Louisa hires Johanna to care for her parents while she goes to Europe for a few months.  Johanna meets the next door neighbor and falls in love with a man who would become her husband and who would mistreat her.  

While Taylor and Victoria are in college, Taylor meets Will as a result of a bad blind date and they begin spending time together.  When Taylor has finished her last final in college, she comes home to find Will and Victoria kissing in front of the garage.  Taylor immediately packs up and runs away with no regard for anyone else.  Years later, Taylor comes back home because her adoptive mom has breast cancer.  But now, Taylor is a best-selling author and Victoria is the manager of the Orchard House museum.   While Taylor is back to help with their mom's appointments, Victoria asks Taylor to teach at the writing camp.  Through a series of events that were most unforeseen, Victoria, Taylor, and the whole Bennett family has much healing to go through.  The ending of this book left me completely satisfied.  

Heidi has done her research well and composed a story that not only tugs at the heart, but also ties up all of the loose ends that she created from the beginning of the tale. 

This is a full scale five star book, with two thumbs up, and a book of unpublished poems. 

Tyndale House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.