Perennials

By: Julie Cantrell

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Eva - known to all as Lovey - grew up safe and secure in Oxford, Mississippi, surrounded by a rich literary history and her mother's stunning flower gardens. But a shed fire, and the injuries that it caused, seemed to change everything...especially when her older sister, Bitsy, blamed Lovey for the irreparable damage.

Bitsy became the cheerleader. The homecoming queen. The perfect Southern belle who could do no wrong. All the while, Lovey served as the family scapegoat, always bearing the brunt when Bitsy threw blame her way.

At 18, suffocating in her sister's shadow, Lovey turned down a marriage proposal and fled to Arizona - a place as far from Mississippi as she could find.

In time, she became a successful advertising executive and a weekend yoga instructor, carving a satisfying life for herself, free from Bitsy's vicious lies. But now that she's turning 45, Lovey is feeling more alone than ever and questioning the choices that have led her here.

When she gets a call from her father insisting that she come home three weeks early for her parents' fiftieth anniversary, Lovey is at wits' end. She's about to close the biggest contract of her career, and there's a lot on the line. But despite the risks, her father's words, "family first", draw her right back to the red dirt roads of Mississippi.

Lovey is welcomed home by a secret project - a memory garden her father has planned as an anniversary surprise for her mother. As she helps create this sacred space, Lovey begins to rediscover her roots, learning to live perennially in spite of life's many trials and tragedies.

Years ago, Lovey chose to leave her family and the South far behind. But now that she's returned, she's realizing things at home were not always what they seemed.

Southern Living Magazine Pick for Most Anticipated Books for Fall. Redbook Magazine Pick of 20 Must-Read Books by Women.

©2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Memory Garden = Memory Lane

Perennials was a walk down memory lane with the trip to Jackson and the Welty home visit. The detailed accounts of the Faulkner grounds, the gardens of the mother’s home, and the meaning of each of the flowers made listening a joy. The accent of the reader was also authenticity performed which is much appreciated. I highly recommend the story!!

Lovely Story of Flowers and Family

As a gardener, I loved this story of flowers, family, friends, and the fears that we all have deep inside.
A book that reminded me that we need to look to the choices we all make it life and how they are not just for us but also how they effect others. Good book and good life lessons.

Cut a few branches off

I ended up really liking this story. Felt there were a few storylines left underdeveloped and a few that could have evolved. Overall good.

Loved this book!

Such a great story and I think everyone could learn a little something about yourself! If not, it will hold your attention throughout.

Beautiful

Beautifully written
Beautifully narrated
Beautiful story
Touching and tenderly told, life endured and enjoyed. I will listen to this one again.