Title: The Violets of March
Author: Sarah Jio
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN: 978-0452297036
Genre: Fiction
A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author.
In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.
Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily’s good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.
A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.
My Review:
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio is a beautiful story surrounding the complex issues of loss, hope, love, family, and secrets. Emily Watson has been in a writer’s slump for the past eight years and to compound her issues, she has just signed her divorce papers, leaving her stunned and wondering what to do next. Fortunately her best friend Annabelle has suggested she go take some time for herself and Emily’s great-aunt Bee has welcomed her back to Bainbridge Island, Washington for the month of March. After a long ten-year absence from Bainbridge Island, Emily is eager to reunite with her great-aunt and heal. Little does Emily know just how much she will gain from her month on Bainbridge Island. Jio has created a beautiful backdrop for her book and when she has her protagonist stumble across a journal written in March of 1943, a bit of a mystery emerges. The story alternates from present day Bainbridge Island to 1943 Bainbridge Island told through the journal pages of Ester. Jio’s characters are quite interesting and I would have enjoyed getting to know them in deeper detail, yet the book is still an intriguing one, and the story makes for a wonderful summer read. I would recommend The Violets of March to any reader looking for a charming book to escape into for a few hours.
Sarah Jio is a frequent contributor to major magazines, including Real Simple, Glamour, Cooking Light, and Redbook, and is also the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She lives in Seattle with her family.
I received a complimentary copy of The Violets of March by Sarah Jio from the author to offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
This sounds fantastic! I’ve got it on my TBR list and can’t wait to read it. I like the concept of the journal and the mystery involved.
The excerpts from the journal and the mystery had be hooked.
This book caught my attention from the first moment that I heard about it and its been on my mind ever since!
It is a delightfully charming read, enjoy.
I’ve got this one on my kindle to read soon. I am so amazed by this author, she is so kind and open in her contacts with readers via social media. I look forward to reading, thanks Jennifer
It is a lovely book, enjoy reading.
I’d like to get to this as it sounds nice – the cover helps as well!
The cover is beautiful! The story inside is truly lovely and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
I absolutely adored this book and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! Fantastic review!
Thank you. I am pleased to hear you enjoyed it as well.
I have this here and really need to read it. I love charming books like this so I am sure to love this one. I love forward to even more after reading your review!
Enjoy The Violets of March is beautiful.
I’m so excited because I have a copy of this one..can’t wait to get to it after reading your great review.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I love that this book takes place on Bainbridge Island as I love it there. Looking forward to reading it.
The book made me want to visit so badly!
So glad to find this review. I’m going to read this sometime next week I think.
Enjoy the book!
Definitely one I want to read
I hope you do.
Wonderful review! I so want to read this!
Thank you, it was such a fantastic book.
It is an excellent book and series.
I’ve had my eye on this one; finally happy to come across a review. I think it needs to go on the wishlist!
Oh yes, it is lovely.