MAILBOX MONDAY: Wildflower Hill by Kimberly Freeman

Mailbox Monday is a meme originated by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It's now being rotated through different blogs monthly. During October, Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Savvy Verse & Wit. Bloggers can share info about the new books that have come into their homes during the week. It's a great way to discover what everyone else is reading -- and have your own wish lists grow exponentially.

I have been trying to put a dent in the pile of books by my bed but I keep getting distracted by new books. So I made a bargain with myself that I would use the library more, and stop buying books to pile up in various places all over my house. Most of the requests I've made have been new releases, which means going on the library's waiting list. Which is great because I know I'll get the books eventually but can concentrate on my piles for now. But then, for some reason, in one week I get calls that 8 books are in. Not all are new releases, but the ones that are can't be renewed. All this is prelude to explain why I ended up buying Wildflower Hill by Kimberly Freeman.

Goodreads summary:

Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she’s mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Emma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.

Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.

Wildflower Hill is a compelling, atmospheric, and romantic novel about taking risks, starting again, and believing in yourself. It’s about finding out what you really want and discovering that the answer might be not at all what you’d expect.


I've seen this book talked up on a couple blogs and it sounded like something I'd really enjoy. It's not exactly historical fiction. The prologue places us in 1989. However Beattie's life story starts us off in 1929 which counts as historical fiction for me. Mainly though I'm hearing this described as family saga, and I'm in the mood for some saga.

However, I apparently wasn't enough in the mood to read it before I had to return the book to the library. Time got away from me. So...I bought it.