When the Wildflowers Bloom Again

by Donna Jo Stone

Babies are a gift of God, a fact Marigold Parker knows full well.

Fourteen-year-old Marigold (Mary) Parker spends the summer of ’78 with her cousin and best friend, Sharon, biking the roads of their rural neighborhood in Pleasant Waters, North Louisiana. The girls while away the days at the local pond, listening to the BeeGees and talking about boys. Caring for her emotionally fragile mother is Mary’s only worry, until Sharon’s older half-brother finds Mary alone at the pond one day.

She can’t speak of what happened in the woods. The truth will destroy her family and cost her the relationships she holds most precious.

But secrets have a way of making themselves known, and when Mary finds herself pregnant, she’s forced to grapple with hard decisions. Babies are a gift from God. Mary knows this full well, but she doesn’t know how to deal with a pregnancy, or who to turn to for help.

Trials seem to multiply as Mary struggles to keep faith in the God her parents have taught her to trust.

Richly detailed and evocative, When the Wildflowers Bloom Again captures the emotions and the heart, vividly detailing the struggle of facing impossible choices, the true test of family ties, and of the hope found in new beginnings. Infused with both sorrow and faith, Marigold Parker’s tale is a story you won’t soon forget.

“Stories like When the Wildflowers Bloom Again spread empathy about heartbreaking topics. In this coming-of-age novel, author Donna Jo Stone delicately, yet directly, addresses such a topic with a grace and love for the main character that I wish every young woman who has faced such a horrific situation could feel. This is not an easy story to read, but it will, I pray, sprout compassion—and perhaps healing—in everyone who reads it.”—Danielle Grandinetti, author of Selah and Daphne du Maurier Award Finalist Confessions to a Stranger

Genres: Christian Fiction, Coming Of Age

380 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2024

Reviews

[James Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tale of Hard Lives and Hope
When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone is an engaging and well-crafted story. The author writes with vivid prose that paints a realistic picture. Her writing style is such that the pond in the woods itself becomes a character in the story.

Set in the summer of 1978 in North Louisiana, the story centers on Marigold Parker, a fourteen-year-old girl who goes by Mary. Mary is raped by her cousin, Brice. In the narrative that follows, Mary experiences one tragedy after another while trying to conceal the pregnancy that came from the sexual assault.

The book features extremely well-developed characters from different worlds and explores themes of friendship, family, faith, and overcoming challenging circumstances. The standout character is Mary. Her story touches the heart and takes you on an emotional journey. Mary’s best friend is her cousin, Sharon. The two girls grew up together and “spend more days together than not.” Sharon’s half-brother, Brice, is the antagonist. Daddy, Momma, Aunt Sister, and Aunt Melissa are all excellent supporting characters. The cast stayed with me for days after finishing the book.

I loved the setting and how it explores a time in history, particularly Northern Louisiana history. Donna Jo Stone descriptions make the story feel real and true to life. I grew up in the 1970s in a similar setting, so that aspect really connected with me.

Parts of this book were heart-wrenching. I cried when Mary finally revealed the truth to Momma. However, the book is also a story of healing and triumph. It is a tale of hard lives and hope.

Overall, the novel is thought-provoking, eye-opening, and heartwarming. The ending is beautiful. This is one of those books that I couldn’t put down.

I strongly recommend When the Wildflowers Bloom Again. While there are Christian elements throughout the book, you don’t have to be a believer to love a great story. Read this book. You will be blessed.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Sometimes I wish my momma understood me more, but sometimes I was glad she didn’t.”

The dulcet melody of well-written Southern fiction always wraps around me like a warm hug, despite the heavier topics it tends to address, and When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone does exactly this from its first line (which I quoted above) to its last. I felt fully immersed in the smells, sounds, and pace of late 1970s Louisiana but also – and more importantly – in the layered life of 14-year-old Marigold Parker. Books like this remind us that we are all in need of both mercy and empathy and shouldn’t be stingy in cultivating lives that reflect them.

Speaking of warm hugs, I wanted to give Mary one on multiple occasions as her story unfolds. We watch her go from a headstrong teenager who loves to be out in nature to a frightened young woman who jumps at shadows after a life-changing assault and a deep loss. Sometimes I just felt like I should wrap her up in my arms and not let go for several chapters… but there were also times, especially toward the end, when my heart felt her tentatively hug back. And those are the moments that are so rewarding as a reader, when you can see a character’s brokenness begin to heal and their strength begin to renew. Oh, and don’t get me started on how fiercely I loved her momma’s journey from brokenness to strength too. Or how much I adored Mary’s ‘Aunt Sister’ and the quiet but steady grace she infused into these women’s lives. Stone breathes vibrant life into all three women, as well as as Mary’s Aunt Melissa and cousin Sharon, and balances their increasingly-complex dynamics with so much heart.

Bottom Line: Stories so often help us walk a mile (or forty-nine chapters) in someone else’s shoes and see life from a perspective otherwise foreign to us, hopefully increasing our compassion for others in the process. Richly and warmly written, When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone drops us into Mary Parker’s emotionally-layered story and allows us to ride shotgun with her for a while, bare feet up on the dashboard and the smell of honeysuckle drifting through the open window, down a road that is equal turns tragic and redemptive. While we stay in Mary’s POV throughout, we get to know several other women who will also leave their mark on our hearts, and I loved getting to know all of them. Additionally, the message that, “Trials were sure to come, and evil stalked the world, yet God still kept His word,” is so timely and life-giving. If you love books by authors like Francine Rivers, T.I. Lowe, Robin W. Pearson, Valerie Fraser Luesse, and Varina Denman, then you definitely need to read When the Wildflowers Bloom Again!

Reviewer’s Note: The author explores emotionally-complicated issues like adoption, assault, loss, church hurt, family rifts, chronic illness, teenage pregnancy, and abortion – tactfully and with a compassionate voice and a lot of grace – but if one of those is especially tender for you, guard your heart as needed.

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Parkland Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Completed: Jan. 25/25

Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #47 of 50 - "written in first-person POV"

Book #12 of 2025: new-to-me author

Get this novel. Seriously. Just go and get it. This is a beautifully written novel where it's like you feel, taste, smell, hear, and touch every aspect of this story.

I was a very young girl in the 70s. Not only was I transported back to the smells of Bonne Bell Lipsmackers, impractical but trendy shoes, and Shaun Cassidy, this story just immersed me. I stayed up late to finish it. The details were beautiful without being hit over the head. I felt like I was there.

It has gritty topics of an assault (only before and after) on a teen girl, a resulting pregnancy, family strain, loss, and finding Jesus in the midst of the chaos. It's very well done. Kudos to the author.

[Jeaneen Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, as a member of the ARC team, and it is one of my favorite reads of the year! In order to give a book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ it has to engage me to the point that I’m setting my alarm to get up and read before work, I’m reading during my lunch break, and I’m losing sleep at night because I can’t bear the thought of not reading “just one more chapter”. This book is all that and more! It is a coming of age story set in the 1970s that deals with a very tough, emotionally charged subject and the author’s handling of the matter was masterful (No spoiler alerts here). I can’t recommend this book highly enough! This is my first Donna Jo Stone book but it definitely won’t be my last!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When The Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone is a poignant and much needed read for today. In this gritty, yet truthful read Ms. Stone transports the reader back to 1970s Louisiana and introduces the reader to 14 year old Marigold “Mary” Parker. Mary, always the one to speak her mind and push the boundaries her Parents set before her, is enjoying life until in a span of a few weeks her world comes crashing down and Mary is irrevocably changed. Taken advantage of by a teenaged relative and then losing her father to a stroke in short succession, Mary becomes numb to the world, holding everything inside, until she can no longer keep the secrets hidden. As the secrets come to light, Mary learns more about God and His Truth–learning that she can hold onto His Promises when her world is continuously changing and falling apart.

Donna Jo Stone’s When The Wildflowers Bloom Again is a book that I needed to read and just didn’t know it. I have read just about every book that Donna Jo Stone has written and to me this is her best work to date, making When The Wildflowers Bloom Again a favorite of mine. The reason When The Wildflowers Bloom Again is a favorite of mine is because it held no punches when it came to the subject of abuse within a family and how the Church perceives it’s Survivors. I thought the way it portrayed Mary’s situation was realistic. I really appreciated how Ms. Stone wrote Mary’s story. Ms. Stone honestly and delicately shows Mary’s struggles and vulnerability, not sugarcoating the situation but dealing with them realistically, showing how long the reporting process takes and that healing and moving forward with one’s life does not happen overnight. I could not put When The Wildflowers Bloom Again down. Mary’s story got me from the get-go. My heart utterly shattered for Mary. My heart completely understood where Mary was coming from and the decisions she made. I applauded Mary for standing up for Godly Principles, while needing to handle things in her own way, which were still God Honoring. (I love that Mary read about Corrie Ten Boom and that what she read impacted her.) I was angered at those that did not take Mary’s story seriously after the truth came out, especially those in her family who didn’t believe her. I’m thankful that Ms. Stone wrote When The Wildflowers Bloom Again the way she did, wrapping up the story with Grace and giving Mary the room to heal, assuring the reader that Mary’s healing will continue. I encourage and highly recommend that you read When The Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone!

Have you read When The Wildflowers Bloom Again? What did you think of the book?

Thank you to Donna Jo Stone for giving me a copy of When The Wildflowers Bloom Again to review and for letting me be on When The Wildflowers Bloom Again Launch Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since a book has moved me to tears. And that is saying something because I am not a reader of exclusively fun or happy books. I like real life stories filled with real emotions and experiences. But Donna Jo Stone did just that in her coming-of-age novel When The Wildflowers Bloom Again. The book, set in a small Louisiana community in the 1970s, is told in the first person voice of Mary Parker. At fourteen years old, Mary is filled with excitement for the future, with a bit of curious rebellion built in. Her family would say she’s a handful, but really she is a a typical young teenager. That is until her life is shattered by an unspeakable trauma and a life-altering grief. The era portrayed is spot-on. I know, because I grew up during the same time period. And the circumstances Mary faces are also true to life. Mary is left desolate and alone — fearful to reveal her trauma to her grieving and fragile mother. But God’s grace shows through in her Aunt Sister, her mother, and others who choose to stand with Mary. Church and family are portrayed realistically as well. Some are judgmental, while others exhibit the love of Christ. I think that’s pretty accurate. No community or congregation is perfect, only Jesus is. While the book is pretty hard to read — I put it down numerous times to settle my emotions — it is at the end hope-filled.

When The Wildflowers Bloom Again won the 2025 Carol Award (ACFW) for outstanding contemporary fiction. It is well-deserved. Grab some friends to read this one together. You are going to want to talk about it.

Highly recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

Great for book clubs.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone, was my first read by this author and it is guaranteed to not be my last it was so well written and very engaging.

Stone created a realistic setting. An area most people believe could never happen to their family. Mary and Sharon are cousins and best friends. They have been raised together, went to the same school, and spent lots of time at each other's houses. They like the same music, taking off on their bikes, roaming the woods, and enjoying life until one day Mary was tricked by Sharon's older brother convinces her to "go into a shack to see something." The consequences change her life, and ruin family friendships.

To compound the shame, Mary's father, the only man she respected and loved, dies of a stroke before she can tell him what happened. Mary doesn't know what to do. Sharon's mother won't let her visit Mary anymore.

The story is well developed, keeping us in Mary's young point of view the whole time.

Highly Recommend

[Shelene Wilhelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late 70s, Mary is a feisty 14 year old about to have her world flipped upside down. She learned the difference between her parents fighting her vs her parent fighting for her. She is put through the wringer over and over.
I struggled with this book. Mostly I struggled because it has situations in it that made me uncomfortable. It addresses secrets, rape, teen pregnancy, the church’s judgement, death and more. Tears were shed as I read this. It doesn’t contain graphic details but was detailed enough for me to struggle.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Penny Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

In When the Wildflowers Bloom Again, Donna Jo Stone masterfully crafts a story that explores the raw, often painful realities of life. Set in the late 1970s, the novel takes us deep into the heart of a young girl’s world, where difficult family dynamics and challenging life events shape her journey toward healing and self-discovery. Stone doesn't shy away from the tough topics—secrets, rape, teen pregnancy, faith, and the judgment of others—but does so with a sensitivity and authenticity that leaves an lasting impression on the reader. While these are not graphically described, they may be distressing for some readers.

[Phylicia Joannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crafting a story of this nature is no easy task, but the level of care for the subject as well as the characters is clear. Mary is a child forced to make grown up decisions, and I was engaged throughout the entirety of her journey. One of the things I love about Donna's writing style is how it transports you to a place and time through the imagery and familiarity of the characters within it. I felt this story, and it left a strong impression. It also served as a reminder that there's still work to do in making sure we support and encourage one another as women. Well done, and I highly recommend it!

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartrending
Reviewing a book of this calibre cannot do it true justice.
The author makes the reader feel fully immersed in the perception of goodness and non-complicated way of life of the late ‘70’s, but also in the immediate rejection of anyone not conforming to the expected standards.
The double tragedy Mary experiences as a young teenager, and the strength of character she demonstrates in her efforts to protect her Momma, would put many adults to shame.
This review copy, received from the author, will resonate for a very long time…

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about real! I got the sense of not reading a story, but living a story! So many emotions crowded my thoughts, yet each one was felt separately and deeply. The author did an exemplary job and leaves no doubt in the mind of the reader Who directed her thoughts and her pen! If it were possible, I would give this book 100+ stars!

[Rosalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story of a young woman on the brink of her life, when everything changes.
This story will linger in my heart for a very long time.
It has given me a picture of what it must be like for someone walking in these shoes....when the unthinkable happens.

Trigger warning: this book deals with the topic of rape.

[T. Rash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to read because of its difficult topics, but I didn’t want to put it down. I read it in one day because I wanted so badly to see how it worked out for everyone.

I could easily see people in the same situations reacting the same ways with the same emotions. The author did a great job of making us care.

[Kevin Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Moving Summer Story

This book takes you back to small-town life in the late ’70s, full of music, friendship, and family ties. But it also shows the darker side of secrets and the heavy choices a young girl faces. Honest, emotional, and deeply human, it’s a story that lingers after the last page.

[Carla Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader. I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down. Being from the same generation, the descriptions and details were spot on. The author tackled difficult subjects with a light hand but still was able to make it profound. I believe everyone would enjoy reading this book!

[Lynn Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Jo Stone's debut novel, When the Wildflowers Bloom Again, is a beautiful coming-of-age story, powerfully told. The story is raw and real, but the words sing beautifully of hope and resilience.
This book is special. Exceptional!

[Beth Honea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was so full of raw emotions. You could feel all the pain the main character Mary was going through. A coming of age store that touches on such a sensitive subject with tenderness and understanding.

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story

This book deals with very real and difficult family issues. While very well handled it could easily trigger those who had abuse or loss.
It was a new to me author and I felt she did a good job of sharing both the sadness and the hope of moving forward in life.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard, but well done.

This book is hard to read, but well written without any graphic commentary, but handled in a way that the readers know the hard truth that occurred to this dear little girl. Well done.

[nikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaves you thinking

I love how this book talks about some really heavy topics, and I respect how it shows that healing is possible after hard experiences. The writing of Donna Jo Stone pulls you in and it feels real, but at times it got a bit too slow or serious for me.

[Andra Loy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously written, raw and redemptive story. Stone uses a deft, delicate hand to handle hard topics, infusing hope into the darkest family secrets.

[Eileen Keir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written! I have a new favorite author.

[Stephanie Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Donna Jo. She has handled a very sensitive issue with compassion and a depth of understanding that instantly draws you into Marigold's traumatic story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read.

[Sarah Heatwole · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite reads of the year. Donna Jo is supremely talented and it's no surprise this won a Carol. LOVED the complexity and depth of these characters.

[Carrie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In When the Wildflowers Bloom Again, Donna Jo Stone artfully weaves a tale that takes us to hard places, and authentically illustrates some very difficult realities. With characters written to feel real, she shows the struggle within family and what it means to really belong, while shining the beauty of faith in the darkest of times.

I would recommend noting the trigger warnings on this book in case you may be sensitive to any of the topics covered. There are many hard topics covered in this book and it doesn't shy away from the pain surrounding those. While handled in a 'not graphic' way, some readers may find it difficult.

[Christina S · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the unthinkable happens, how do you move forward? This story follows Marigold who has the unthinkable happen and keeps living, first in fear, but then with the love of her family and the Lord she moves through there grief and pain, not to a place of forgetting but instead of forgiveness and moving forward on faith.

This is a real and gritty book, not overly so, but there are definitely topics that are challenging. I will list some below hut know that they are handled with care and evil is never condoned. This book was beautiful and I highly recommend it.

Tw: rape (from family), abortion, church hurt

[Elizabeth Eckmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is wow. I've never read anything by this author before so I didn't know what to expect. Her wisdom and understanding of this sensitive subject has shown through her story.

Mary an adopted daughter is raped by her cousin. She then finds herself pregnant and alone struggling to tell her parents what happened to her. She is fourteen lost somewhere between living a life as a normal fourteen year old girl and coming to the realization that her life would never be the same.

The characters in this story certainly made the details of this story more real and raw. It was a painful storyline that I certainly felt with Mary and her mother.

This is a story that was hidden in this generation. Women didn't report what happened often. Most women were afraid to come forward and with Mary being so young she hardly understood what was happening. The author did such a great job not only giving this story words but showing God's love, grace, and mercy in such a difficult story. I recommend this read.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Aileron Books through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

[Deena Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written coming of age story dealing with some hard, deep subjects and how a family deals with pain and grief. The author does a great job with vivid descriptions and authentic southern dialogue, while addressing difficult topics with compassion, grace, and wisdom.

Some may want to check out trigger warnings before reading.