In Every Flower
by Patti Hill
Mibby is now married to Larry McManus, but upon their return from their honeymoon, Mibby is learning that marriage is not the piece of cake she’s imagined. Her mother-in-law has almost moved in with them, going so far as to rearrange the kitchen and getting them a cat while kicking the dog outside. Not to mention Mibby’s sixteen year old son, Ky, is not taking this whole blended thing very well. He’s started hanging out with a bad crowd and is risking losing his place on the team.
And then there’s the part Mibby didn’t expect: the intrusion of memories she’s made with Scott.
Larry is not making any extra effort either. While he refuses to confront his mother and tell her to back off, he’s not so hesitant about stepping up to the plate with Ky. He’s even trying to push the boy out so he can have his “bachelor pad.†Mibby is against this, but how far is she supposed to go in the whole submission thing? Will this marriage fail before they have time to bond?
IN EVERY FLOWER is the third book in the Garden Gates series, and I recommend reading the other books in the series first so you have a grounding on who the characters are and what has happened in their lives. Even though I’ve read the books in order, there’s been enough time between them that I was having trouble remembering who Larry was for a time.
I enjoyed reading the ending of this series, but I must admit I wondered how far Mibby would go. The mother-in-law overstepped boundaries the first day they got back from their honeymoon, removing pictures of Ky with his father that Mibby had set out, and other things. And Larry turned out to be a mama’s boy. I wondered if and when Mibby would put her foot down and say enough is enough and start defending her rights as a parent, as a business owner, and as a woman. Readers aren’t going to want to miss this conclusion to the popular Garden Gates series. The faith message is expertly woven in and isn’t preachy. In addition to a wonderful story, readers can visit Patti’s website for gardening tips and recipes. $12.99. 316 pages.
Reviewed by Laura V. Hilton
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