Hey there! It’s been a while so I thought it would be a good time for another book review. This year I made a goal of reading 25 books this year; Winter Garden was #15. I was recommended this book by a family member based on other books I’ve read. I enjoy reading books that have some sort of historical context. 

What is Winter Garden about? 

This book takes place during the early 2000s in Washington on the Whitson family apple orchard. Some of the main characters are Evan Whitson (father), Anya Whitson (mother), Meredith Cooper (oldest daughter), Nina Whitson (youngest daughter), and Jeff Cooper (Meredith’s husband). As adults, Meredith stayed home and helped her father run the orchard and Nina traveled the world as an award-winning photojournalist. The two sisters are complete opposites. As children, Nina and Meredith had a strained relationship with their cold and distant Russian mother. The only time they felt any connection to her was when she would tell her Russian fairy tales. 

When their father becomes sick the family is reunited and on his deathbed he makes each of the girls make a promise to get to know their mother. 

Months after his death Nina comes back to the orchard to spread her father’s ashes and she decides to not take no for an answer and keep her promise to her father and insists her mother tell her the fairy tale The Peasant Girl and The Prince which brings a whole new light of their mother’s life and why she was always so cold and distant. 

3 Things I liked about Winter Garden 

1. You never knew what was going to happen next.
   1. Personally, I think this is mainly because even though I enjoy American history I know very little about the World Wars outside of what was taught in my world history class in high school. 
2. I loved the dual storylines throughout the book.
   1. It’s not a true dual storyline exactly because one storyline is what’s happening and the other is the fairy tale Anya is telling. 
3. The writing was absolutely captivating.
   1. How Kristin Hannah describes the characters, their emotions, and the settings gave a clear picture of the story to your mind’s eye. 

Things I didn’t like about Winter Garden: 

1. Russian names are hard
   1. This is totally a personal thing. I’ve always had a hard time with anything besides American English names. 
2. Parts of this book are heavy.
   1. I like to read to escape the stresses of day-to-day life and parts of this book take place during battles in World War II.  When I would read before bed sometimes I would have to stop reading and do something else to ensure I wouldn’t dream about the book. 

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely yes! It’s captivating and insightful. I completed this book in 24 days. As a mother, it puts being a parent in perspective. Also, I enjoyed the audio version of this book as well. Because I subscribe to kindle unlimited, I was able to read when I could but also listen while I was driving or doing something else. 

Let’s do something new, write a book review! I’m not a big reader, which is something is should probably work on doing more of, but when I was given Jamie McGillen’s Book “In Sight of the Mountain” as a Christmas gift and I was excited to read! I knew I would probably like reading it because I like history and young adult novels since they are a great way for me to get out of my head and the current daily stresses. I enjoyed this book immensely! I think you will too.

Synopsis:

In Sight of the Mountain is a young adult historical fiction based in Seattle Washington in the early 1900’s. This book follows the main character Anna Gallagher as she dreams of becoming the first woman to summit Mt. Rainer. When Anna chooses to attempt to summit the mountain, she decides she must prepare in secret in fear of the disapproval friends and family. She is also afraid they will try to prevent her from attempting the summit as it is not what ladies do.

About the Author:

 The Review:

The story starts off in Seattle June 6^th, 1889 the day of the great Seattle fire. Jamie’s description of early Seattle paints the picture as if you were walking through the streets yourself. Anna Gallagher’s spunk and determination are evident as she tries to help with the fire. Though out the book Anna’s love for her family, the mountain, and her love interest, Ben a crew member on her brother’s fishing boat, are constantly pulling her heart in different directions. Through it all Anna stays true to herself.

Some of the things I liked about this book was that it kept my attention. I would sit and read multiple chapters until I HAD to put it down. I couldn’t wait to keep reading! Jamie paints such a vivid picture of how life was during the time period you felt like you were there watching it all play out. Jamie shows her love of Alaska with casting Anna’s brother Levi as a fisherman who fishes for Halibut in Alaskan waters. It made me smile every time she mentioned his ship being in port I recognized by living in Alaska myself. This story doesn’t stray from some of the realities of life for young single women of Seattle. One of Anna’s dearest childhood friend, June, is a prostitute at one of the city’s most respected brothels.

As I write I keep trying to think of things I didn’t like about the book and honestly, I can’t think of a single thing. This book is an easy read. It kept my attention, there is adventure, a love story, and history. What more could you ask for? Once I finish the next book In Light of the Summit, yes, I will be reviewing this one too, I will definitely be reading this again! As long as the 3^rd books isn’t out yet. I want to say a big thank you first to the Author Jamie McGillen for writing these books. They are a true treasure. Second to Jamie’s mother Beth for sending me the book! Until next time!