The Language of Flowers: A Novel

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.

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Published Apr 3, 2012

334 pages

Average rating: 7.8

317 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Language of Flowers* is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that creatively weaves Victorian floral symbolism into a compel...

Ann Bredemeier
Oct 18, 2025
8/10 stars
I liked the style of the author. The story was sad yet redemptive and it is always good when there is a positive resolution to the angst. I also was drawn into the language that flowers speak and the message that can be sent by them.
abookwanderer
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
I devoured this novel in one day. My birthday, in fact. It's one of those books I'd only heard wonderful things about, and it has been languishing on my shelf for years. One of my resolutions this year is to use books I already own to fulfill my reading challenges. It's making me so happy to finally get to those books that have been waiting patiently to be opened. This was a beautiful book. The perfect selection when you want to be entertained, but also want to be reflective. I read through the entire book just hoping there would be a Language of Flowers Dictionary in the back. I was so happy to find it.

#popsugarreadingchallenge2019 (prompt #6)
Heidi Reed
Apr 01, 2025
8/10 stars
Officially I have been reading this since the middle of December, but really I read it in a giant gulp from Thursday until today. Found parts of it less that plausible, but so loved Victoria that I just couldn't put it down, and was glad when she found some happiness.
Tarajo
Feb 08, 2025
10/10 stars
I really enjoyed this book, a little bit of mystery, but a lot of information about the meanings of flowers, i found it entertaining and educational
SincerelySteph
Dec 12, 2024
10/10 stars
A MUST READ for any and all. This book is a romantic, “edge of our seat, “Just one more page, kind of a read! A magical story for anyone that believes in the magic of stories and the beauty of Mother Nature in her blooming flowers. Relatable and exquisitely crafted novel.

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