The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

 323 pages / 10 hrs, 50 mins

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.  --from the publisher

I enjoyed the first 80% of this book very much. The last 20% was a bit too unbelievable for me. I will say that I wish all of us had good people in our lives who patiently loved us and acted in our best interests when we were hurting and lashing out and acting selfishly. I give it four out of five stars.