Where the Last Rose Blooms - by Ashley Clark (Hardcover)

This stunning multi-generational trilogy that wends its way through the past and present day Charleston, binding families and hearts together, comes full circle with this satisfying latest installment. A captivating series, unique in that you can read them out of order or even as stand alones, but each book connects like a precision cut puzzle piece to the others, enriching the experience and lending deeper meaning to the stories. I loved how this book effortlessly shifted between various viewpoints and time periods. In the present day flower shop owner Alice searches for answers about her mother who went missing during hurricane Katrina, while in 1861 Clara takes a stand against her family's wishes, and works to reunite her friend Rose with her daughter. A beautifully written book that I wanted to savor and soak in. The characters are well developed, and I liked how faith was naturally woven into the fabric of the story, and it was wonderful to finally learn Rose's story. One of my favorite parts of the book was Alice and Sullivan's first meeting. A memorable read with compelling characters, and a heartfelt story of courageous women, faith and love, you will not regret picking up any one of this remarkable trilogy. One of my favorites! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark is the third book in the Heirloom Secrets series through Bethany House Fiction. I admit I haven’t read the first two novels in the series, and while I could tell characters in this story came from other books, I never felt lost or out of place in the story. This is a dual timeline book with a historical (Civil War Era) and contemporary timeline. The more I read dual time novels, the more I appreciate how skilled an author must be to craft not only one story but two–and to make them gently come together through the pages. Where the Last Rose Blooms really is a magnificent example of split-time fiction. I usually favor the historical timeline, but in this book, it didn’t matter if I was in the past or present, I had to know what happened next. I thought the shifting of the timeline was executed perfectly to keep the reader wanting to devour one more chapter! (Even past my bedtime!) I found the characters to be beautiful in their depth and growth, especially Clara and Alice. And while the themes of grief, abandonment, and abolition/freedom were heavy there was still a startling beauty in watching the characters move through them. The romance in these stories sits backseat to the major themes but is still swoon-worthy and sweet. I loved Teddy’s passion and willingness to sacrifice to further the abolitionist cause, and I loved Sullivan’s determined pursuit of Alice. So many deep sighs! Overall, I absolutely fell in love with this novel and its complex themes and characters. Fans of dual-time novels will want to read Alice, Clara, and Rose’s story. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.