Forget-Her-Nots

Forget-Her-Nots

Author: Amy Brecount White

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Pages: 374

Read Time: Three Days

Rating (1-5): 5

Tag Words: The secret language of flowers, Victorian flowers, Tussie-Mussies, first love, coming-of-age, memories, death of mother, private school, learning from emotions, asking for forgiveness

My Summary:

“Bright cut flowers, leaves of green, bring about what I have seen.” With those words Laurel opens her world up to the magic of flowers and their hidden meanings. 

Will this well-meaning young girl turn her school upside down before she’s done, or will her calling put all things to order? 

My Review:

This book has born in me a new obsession. Flower. Meanings. I am creating a collection of the flower books, and they are sitting pretty next to all my baby-name books. I think Forget-Her-Nots completely served it’s purpose; I am in complete raptures over all the possibilities of this secret language! 

FHN’s is a MG debut from author, and Tussie-Mussie enthusiast, Amy Brecount White who will be here tomorrow to welcome in the Spring-Season with me! 

White did a fabulous job of creating a character of substance, truth, human weakness and wisdom. Laurel has so much in her that all readers can identify with. She has suffered great loss and is awaiting the spring of her life, when everything will go back to some-what normalcy. She suffers from bad-decision making and fights with those she loves most. Laurel is a real girl and her flower magic has worked it’s charms on me! 

This is a rather long book, and sometimes the pace would drag here and there, this is not a book choke-full of fast-paced actions and high stakes. FHN’s is rather a beautiful story, a truthful story, a story full of the purest kind of magic, the magic of the heart and the beauty of the Earth. 

Notes on the Names: 

You’ll hear more about my take on flower names tomorrow as Amy and I have conspired to write a joint post, but I do want to mention that after reading this book, Cicely has joined my list of favorite names! One day I may have a baby Cicely, called Cissy, or Celie and it all started with this book, isn’t that cool? I love the inspiration books drench it’s readers in. 

Thoughts on the Cover:

I really like it, I almost wish there was texture over the blossoms, as if they were dried, pressed flowers. I am surprised by the color of the flowers and the cover, because Forget-Me-Nots are blue, not pink. I would guess that the flowers are Laurel blooms.

Parental Book Review *spoilers*

Sexual Content: 

Mild.

After Tara brings a passionate orchid into the prom the room becomes awash in desire and many couples kiss. 

Justin and Laurel’s kisses are very tender, not exactly chaste, but not heavy on sensuality. 

A senior asks Laurel to create her a repellent Tussie-Mussie to keep her boyfriend from demanding sex after the dance; Laurel complies, but the girl is dumped at the dance and it becomes a non-issue. 

Language: 

Mild

D- 3

H-2

B-2

Laurel curses in french a few times, as well. 

Violence: 

None. 

Other Notables: 

There is fear of the Prom-Punch getting spiked with alcohol. 

Students fear that the ghost of Gladys, the schools founder, haunts the conservatory.