Review Tour: Rocks and Flowers in a Box by Cynthia Hilston

Welcome to the Review Tour for Rocks and Flowers in a Box by Cynthia Hilston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Rocks and Flowers in a Box
Author: Cynthia Hilston
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Release Date: December 21, 2019

SYNAPSIS

The wedding bells for Lorna and Tristan Blake toll doom right as the honeymoon begins with an unexpected turn in Tristan’s health. While World War II winds down, Lorna receives a letter from the War Department informing her that the brother she thought killed in action is still alive. She is overjoyed, but his return will dredge up a devastating secret about their parents’ tragic death –a secret that could destroy her new marriage and threaten her husband’s physical and mental well-being. What unfolds is balancing act of keeping the faith and shattering the pieces of the life she’s worked so hard to put back together.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Bookbub

My Review ♥️

There are certain books that you want to love but they just fall flat for you. One of those books for me is Rocks and Flowers in a Box. My heart immediately went out to Lorna, her ache for a family, and the situation that she has found herself in, but the real disconnect for me was with Tristan's character. You don't find out too many details about Tristan's back story, just the important things to note, which I'm sure the majority of his story is in the first book in the series, but all I saw from this character was selfishness, whininess, and negativism. Granted, he was sweet to Lorna, and I could feel the conflict, but I never felt truly close to him, and many of his tendencies were grating to me.

I won't spoil any part of the book, but there is one part that repeats a large part of the story over again, but gives certain thoughts that come from another character's perspective, and I thought this drew out the story, though I can understand the author's reason behind going in this direction.

The story itself is decent, if not on the depressing side, but it does have a sweet, satisfying happy ending and the writing is decent, but like I said before, I really wanted to love this novel, but sadly it's not a favorite.

My Rating: ★★★

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Hilston is a thirty-something-year-old stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she finally stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction.In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, watches Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, pets her orange kitty, looks at the stars, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.