Where the Wildflowers Grow: A Novel

by Terah Shelton Harris

From acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris comes a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.

Leigh is the last of the Wildes. She knows this because she watched them all die.

Grief never truly fades and even as the tragedy haunts her, Leigh carries on, because survival is in her blood. So, when the transport bus taking her to prison careens off the road, killing everyone onboard except her, she does what's in her nature. She survives. 

While searching for a place to hide, Leigh stumbles upon an unexpected a flower farm in rural Alabama tucked away from the world. What Leigh doesn't expect is the found family there who have built something from the wreckage of their own lives. Especially Jackson, the farm's owner, who sees through Leigh's defenses, offers her small moments of tenderness, encourages her to face her own tragedies. Slowly, Leigh finds peace with the hard pace and soft nature of the farm, taking comfort in the life blooming around her. Maybe she's not beyond redemption, not too broken for something good. And maybe, just maybe, Leigh starts to heal.

But the past isn't so easily buried.

No matter how far she runs, the truth of who she is and the ghosts of the Wildes follow. And when those secrets catch up to her, threatening everything she's come to love, Leigh will have to truly face what she can survive.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Grief

484 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

TERAH SHELTON HARRIS is an author and former librarian, who now writes upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. She is the author of One Summer in Savannah and Long After We Are Gone. Her books have been chosen as a Target Book Club pick, LibraryReads pick, Kobo Best Book, Together We Read pick, Publisher’s Marketplace Buzz Book, and a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for Best Debut. Terah was also named Target’s first Author of the Year. Her third book, Where the Wildflowers Grow, will be published in February 2026.

Find Terah online:
Website: www.terahsharris.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terahsharris/
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/13825...

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where the Wildflowers Grow is a breathtaking meditation on survival—not just of the body, but of the heart, the spirit, and one’s sense of self after unimaginable loss.

Leigh’s story is not a light one—how could it be, when it begins in the wreckage of a prison bus crash? But what Terah Shelton Harris does so brilliantly is to offer light through the cracks. With prose that’s both raw and deeply compassionate, Harris invites us to walk beside a woman who has forgotten what it means to live, and watch as she begins to remember—through the rhythm of the earth, the quiet kindness of strangers, and the persistence of things that bloom in spite of everything.

The flower farm setting is more than just atmospheric—it becomes a metaphor for slow, organic healing. There’s something quietly radical about the way this book frames redemption not as a dramatic turnaround, but as a series of small, brave choices: to stay, to trust, to let someone in. And in Jackson—flawed, gentle, and real—we find not just a love interest, but a symbol of the kind of steady presence that trauma survivors are rarely granted in fiction.

But perhaps the most powerful element here is the exploration of identity and memory. Leigh is not simply running from the law—she’s fleeing the ruins of a life she never had the power to build in the first place. Watching her rediscover herself, not through grand epiphanies but in quiet routines and acts of care, is profoundly moving.

This isn’t a story about flowers and romance on the surface—though it delivers both with grace—it’s a story about how we piece ourselves back together, how we learn to trust the soil we once thought too barren to grow anything. It’s tender, atmospheric, grounded, and at times heart-wrenching, but never without hope.

Deepest thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this remarkable and emotional women’s fiction digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[bookandachai · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are just never enough stars for a Terah Shelton Harris book.

Have you ever thought of what shame really feels like? How you carry it on your back? How it permeates your soul and shows up in every aspect of your life? And how someone can LIVE with shame and survive. That is what this story is about to me.

[Liana Gold]

Love poignant stories of survival and redemption.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author, Terah Shelton Harris for an early eARC!

Publication date: February 17, 2026

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where the Wildflowers Grow by by Tera Shelton Harris is an emotional novel sharing a woman’s survival of a deeply dysfunctional family, utter tragedy, and the fallout and grief that is left behind. It follows “Leigh” who is the only survivor of a prison bus crash. But that is what Leigh does, she survives. The instinct has been drilled into her since she was a small child. She has experienced profound loss, emotional abuse, even prison. Now, after the bus transporting her to a new facility crashes and she alone walks away she must fight to survive again. But this isn’t just a story of physical survival. It is a deep dive into what grief, abuse and guilt can do to a person over the years. Leigh begins the very hard task of finding her way out of the emotional abyss. By chance she lands at a beautiful flower farm in rural Alabama where she begins her journey of healing. There she meets a close knit group of three men whom have all had their share of loss. Jackson, the owner of the farm, takes a special interest in Leigh, and through kindness, patience and friendship allows her to confront her past.
The novel does an excellent job exploring the feelings and thoughts of a deeply wounded Leigh as she begins to confront her demons. The flower farm is described beautifully and the connection between working the earth and connecting with inner self is done very well. The slowly unfolding relationship between Leigh and Jackson provides a blueprint for “being there” for another person. Jackson allows her to feel and share and is a strong sounding board for Leigh.
I mostly enjoyed the novel and how the story opened up little by little as Leigh herself did. It is an emotional look at one woman’s struggle to confront her past, make peace with it and move forward to truly live. One small detractor for me were the sex scenes…they were a long time coming but more than I needed to read. I’d rather some of that was left to the imagination.
All in all though it was a compelling story, well done and the ending was satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Charnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to Leigh and her found family! If you’re a fan of found family and romance then this is the book for you. Leigh’s journey was heartfelt and a tough road but her quiet strength was admirable. This almost read as a survivor’s memoir.
I can’t wait for more people to read this book 😭♥️

[Tiahne Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I struggled a lot to get into this book.
It follows Leandra who is a prisoner and, after the prison bus crashed into a lake, she escapes. We follow her life after the accident and her relationships that follow.
The writing was over-complicated and all of the flourishes felt massively unnecessary. The first half was really challenging to sink into and the second half just felt off.

[Teodora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This story takes us into the world of Leandra, whose life we follow through challenges and transformation. It is a tale of healing, survival, and the strength one can find when faced with life at its most difficult. Leandra’s journey is serious and often harsh, but it stands as a powerful testament to human resilience and hope.

[Lit_eraryqueen (Salena C.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Terah does it AGAIN 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

What I absolutely love her ability to hightlight the humanity in her characters. This book is emotional. It's romantic. It's also thrilling! We as readers are on the edge of our seats waiting to know Leigh's story and her full truth. It doesn't come all at once. This is a slow burn in the best way! Jackson and her found family provide a steady, patient love that is transformative and it was absolutely beautiful to watch it unfold! Great story!!!

[Cheryl Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears streamed down my face as I immersed myself in "Where the Wildflowers Grow." This deeply moving novel tells the story of Leigh, who escapes from a prison bus crash and embarks on a new life at a flower farm. Despite carrying significant emotional baggage, Leigh finds support in the three men on the farm—Tibb, Luke, and especially Jackson—who assist her in confronting her past and navigating her inner turmoil. This is undoubtedly a five-star read that deserves a place on your must-read list!

[Lee Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the Wildflowers Grow is a book about grief, discomfort, and sorrow that does not fit neatly in a box. It takes takes on years of layers that have broken the main character, Leandra. As the story opens we meet Leandra telling her story growing up in a double-wide trailer in rural South Carolina. She lived with her mother, father, and sister Lila. Both she and Lila were born on their kitchen floor and their parents never reported their births. Her father insisted they live off grid and he rejected the government. Early on Harris lets us know that Leandra is on a van being transported from a Richland County prison to one in Anderson, the upstate of South Carolina to finish out her prison sentence. The van crashes and Leandra is the only survivor. She chooses to walk away and then finds herself on a wildflower farm in Alabama. Her goal was to blend in as much as possible and begin a new life. It is on that farm that she tells her story of the past and begins to discover just who she really is in this world. This was my first book by Terah Shelton Harris and I flew through it in two days. The ending was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️

Thank you @NetGalley for this ARC.

Some books just aren’t for everyone, and unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. The premise sounded really strong—a convict escapes a prison bus crash and we follow her life after—but I struggled to connect with the execution.

The pacing felt off, weighed down by too many unnecessary details, and the story as a whole came across as disjointed. I truly wanted to love this, but it just didn’t land for me.

[Joana Macieira · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was reading I kept coming to the book's Goodreads page to see what everyone who gave five stars wrote, because I was just not feeling it. It just wasn't for me, in the first half I felt like I was reading a self-help book and in the second half I was thinking how much I don't like romances where people are just lying about everything. But I'm clearly the outlier here.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a winner for me. Leigh is telling the story of her life and must choose a beginning. She chooses the tale of her survival from a submerged prison bus. She has always been a survivor but has perhaps never lived life fully. As Leigh walks away from the wreckage with a plan to manage her limited funds and get far away, she is unexpectedly stranded in the town of Camden. It is here she finally learns to face her past, let others in and build community. Finally belonging, she is a different woman than the one who left the bus crash but she may have to keep running in order to survive. The author does a great job of painting the picture of these characters, the setting and the community. As a reader, I could imagine the glory of the flower farm and could imagine how breathtaking it would be - also how the manual labour and being one with nature could be healing. Luke was like an exuberant puppy and Tibbs seemed matter of fact with a soft side. I didn't get a good sense of the Carly character but it did not distract from the story telling. I was in tears towards the end although I found it a little wordy, reiterating all that the farm had done for Leigh and how she was healing; also the placement of what became of the farm in the years following seemed odd. But, again, none of these things detracted from my enjoyment. The author's note explains that Gee Bend and their quilts are real. Also the annual Cahaba Lily Festival is real. I loved that this story took place and referenced things/places that existed.
I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers copy. This book is expected to be published February 17, 2026.

[Michelle’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the writing in this was just so beautiful. This one made me cry and my heart dropped at the end but in a good way. Harris is just such a talented author I love her books and highly recommend this one.

[Rhonda McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. (Full review to come.)

[Kory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC! If you're looking for a beautifully written story that blossoms with emotion, resilience, and hope, Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris is a book that will leave you feeling inspired. This soulful novel takes you on a journey through life's ups and downs, set against the vivid backdrop of nature's resilience—wildflowers flourishing against all odds. Harris masterfully crafts characters who are real, relatable, and deeply human, each battling their own struggles while finding moments of grace and renewal. The narrative weaves between their stories, highlighting themes of healing, self-discovery, and the importance of community. The lyrical prose paints a picture of wildflowers blooming in unexpected places, symbolizing strength in vulnerability. What truly captivated me was how Harris balanced heartfelt emotion with uplifting messaging. The storytelling feels genuine, with tender moments that made me smile and poignant scenes that touched my soul. The pacing is steady, allowing time to savor each character’s growth while keeping the story engaging. A small critique: at times, some plot threads felt slightly rushed or could have been expanded for more depth. However, these minor hiccups don’t detract from the overall beauty of the book. In summary, Where the Wildflowers Grow is a charming, inspiring read perfect for anyone who appreciates stories of resilience and renewal. Harris’s lyrical voice and heartfelt storytelling earned this one a well-deserved 4 stars. Highly recommended for fans of feel-good, soul-searching fiction!

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars. I would give more if I could!

Where the Wildflowers Grow is an absolutely stunning novel. Terah Shelton Harris delivers a moving, lyrical story about grief, survival, and the fragile beauty of second chances. From the first chapter, I was completely absorbed. I laughed. I cried. I worried. I hoped. Even when I thought I could predict where the story was going, it surprised me in thoughtful and powerful ways.

Leigh is one of the most complex and unforgettable characters I have read in a long time. Her resilience, her pain, her moments of softness; they all felt so real. The author gave just the right amount of backstory to make every character feel fully formed without slowing the narrative down. And the setting of the Alabama flower farm was like a balm to both Leigh and the reader. It grounded the emotional weight of the book with something hopeful and tangible.

This story will make you ask yourself, “What would I do if I were in her position?” It is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page. A must-read for anyone who appreciates layered characters, emotional journeys, and the kind of redemption that feels earned.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, and it was a story worthy of its cover. Full review for NetGalley to come.

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This is a story of redemption and resilience that begins with the crashing of a prison bus carrying "Leigh" for transfer. Ever the survivor, Leigh manages to escape the underwater wreckage and make her way to Alabama, where she finds herself working at a flower farm with three men who have all worked to overcome their own losses to form a family. As she begins to trust and open up to them about the tragedies in her past, Leigh slowly begins to heal. The flower farm provides a perfect setting for Leigh's story, and the supporting characters were equally well developed. I have seen this book start to pop up on lists for anticipated 2026 reads, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories of survival, perseverance, and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where the Wildflowers Grow was on my list of most highly anticipated 2026 releases. I loved One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris. Unfortunately this book fell short for me in a few ways.

Leandra is an inmate on a transport when the bus she is on crashes. She is the sole survivor of the crash and she uses this opportunity to escape back into the world. This premise alone pulled me in! I thought it would be suspenseful as she is a fugitive on the run, but instead the news of the lost transport fizzled. Renamed, “Leigh” spends the majority of the first half of the book making a home for herself on a flower farm.

The flower farm becomes somewhat of a therapeutic retreat. This is where I thought the book dragged. The author got overly descriptive about insignificant points. Leigh is both running and recovering from her traumatic past and we only got small glimpses into what happened. Meanwhile there were pages of flower descriptions and an entire chapter in which she makes dinner.

Leigh builds friendships with 3 men working on the flower farm. One is like a brother, one teaches her yoga (PAGES of yoga!), and the owner of the farm becomes a love interest. The way Leigh and Jack’s relationship built was believable and I did feel like they had chemistry. The odd part was that as much as she opened up, she was hiding that she was an escaped convict. On his end it felt like he was pushing her emotionally in a therapist type of way.

While the first 80% of the book was overly descriptive the last 20% was a whirlwind. In a tell not show type of fashion everything comes together and crashing down until the end. By the end I was quite sick of the heavy handed metaphors about flowers and regrowth. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying.

I will admit that while I didn’t connect with this book, I can see how some readers will. They may have more patience for the descriptive writing and use of figurative language. I know there is an audience for this book that will really love it but unfortunately it was not me.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like her previous two novels, this one by Harris is one of those wonderfully delicious books that begs you to read immediately! Leigh is on a prison bus when it crashes and everyone drowns except for her, Walking a long distance, she arrives at a flower farm where Jack, the owner, takes her in and gives her a job cleaning cabins. Terrified of someone discovering who she is, she does what she's told, keeps her head down, and never accepts a compliment as she is used to hard work. Things unfold slowly but it's such a lyrical, lovely novel that I cried often as Leigh realizes that your scars are "a reminder of what happened or proof that you survived."
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i won't lie to you. at first, i almost DNF'd this book because at some point the prose felt too much for me. but i'm really glad i didn't stop reading, because it was worth it!

this book is quite long and focuses a lot on Leigh's character development. the pacing is pretty slow, and the conflict isn't very strong either, but that fits the kind of story this is.

the story follows Leigh. after surviving a prison transport bus accident, she runs and looks for a place to hide. that's how she ends up at a quiet flower farm in rural Alabama. instead of just hiding, she meets a lot of people there. this is where i really loved the found family trope. the people on the farm help her, take her in, and slowly become her family. this is also where she meets Jackson. even better, the characters here are mostly very likeable (except for one person, you'll know who).

i really enjoyed watching Leigh's journey. even though she's still haunted by her past, she slowly learns from the people around her and starts to accept kindness and care, things she never thought she deserved. i could really relate to her confusion about why people could be so kind. the author wrote this part really well. by the end, i rooted for both Leigh and Jackson.

this book isn't dramatic and doesn't to make everything seem more 'beautiful' that it is. everything feels simple and just enough for me. the ending did feel a little rushed to me, so i'm giving this book 4.5 stars, rounded down. but yep, you're right, i really recommend this book.

[Courtney Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terah Shelton Harris truly has a way with words unlike any other—her prose and storytelling are just so richly gorgeous. Each of her stories seems to center around a specific theme, and with this one, that theme is belonging. Leigh has already lived many lives by the time she finds herself as an accidentally-ish escaped convict on Jackson’s flower farm, which is where she finally discovers where she truly belongs.

The found family between Jackson, Luke, and Tibbs was so precious, and the way they accepted and embraced Leigh into that family unit without question or hesitation felt truly magical and beautiful. Everyone working at the flower farm has a history and something they’re trying to heal within themselves, and they openly share the strategies that have helped them as Leigh begins learning how to heal too.

At times, I did feel like the story leaned a bit preachy—very “just meditate, do yoga, walk barefoot, yadda yadda yadda.” And while I do get it (those things can help and were important to the story), I think there was maybe a bit too much emphasis on that aspect.

Overall, I truly loved this story and the way it all turned out, and it left my eyes wet on more than one occasion.

[Kelly Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terah Shelton Harris writes solid books, and Where the Wildflowers Grow is no exception. Her latest novel begins with a note about the content of the story and how it might be triggering. This was not a short, by-the-way kind of note. It was heartfelt.

The novel begins with Leandra (Leigh) in a prison transport vehicle that crashes into the water. While she survives, her future is uncertain. She keeps her head down, trying to get far away from the crash, and she lands in a small town in Alabama. Despite not wanting to get to know anyone and stay invisible, she stays.

Throughout the novel, the reader learns more and more of Leigh’s past and how she is the only living member of her family. The emotional scars she carries help her connect with others, and she slowly starts revealing more of herself. While there is romance, the story is just as much about Leigh’s journey to healing.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where the Wildflowers Grow is an extraordinary story of our protagonist Leigh that weaves, past, present, and bits of future with gorgeous prose and intention. Leigh reclaims a new life after she survives a terrible crash. While her instinct is to run away with her secrets and anonymity, she’s drawn into the beautiful and holistic community of flower farming in Alabama. She meets a community of people bravely working through their grief and trauma, and finds her own healing and renewal in a flower field. The storytelling was captivating from the start, and I loved the continuous allegories of blossoms and growth.
The romance is slow, yearning, deep and beautiful, and the book holds a lot of trauma-centered therapy speak and philosophy that I found powerful for anyone working through their own dark struggles or mental barriers. At the core, Harris empathizes with people who have survived the worst of circumstances, and uplifts those who choose to surrender do the hard work of facing demons and choosing happiness. I absolutely loved this book, and I included some of my favorite quotes below:

“We have to say the hard things. Out loud. I’ve learned that our past insists on coming back, whether we want it to or not. But that doesn’t mean it has to dictate who we are now.”
“Our relationship unfolded the way winter melts into spring: It doesn’t announce its arrival—it slips in imperceptibly, the subtle rise in temperature, the tender return of the grass, until you’re standing in the middle of it.”

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[Terilynn Knezek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully and emotionally written book! Leigh is being transferred from one prison to another when the bus crashes down a ravine into a river and she is the sole survivor. The story follows her as she moves forward surviving on her own. You learn as she reflects that her life has been about survival! She meets a wonderful man Walt who gives her a job and becomes a father figure. Then she meets Jackson the owner of the Flower Farm. She goes to see this place of beauty and is totally taken with this place! She meets and develops a relationship with workers there Jackson, Luke and Tibbs! As she joins the staff little does she know the impact they will have on her life! She is not just performing a job but they are helping her unload and process her past and learn to live! As part of that she falls in love with Jackson and becomes more alive! This story is beautifully written and can speak to all people!

The cover is beautiful depicting the beautiful wild flowers of the Flower Farm which brings much beauty and symbolism to this story.

Wild flowers - are these the flowers growing there or the people working and growing in character there?

This is one that will require tissues and will stay with you!!

Thank you for sharing an ARC with BTP!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Terah Shelton Harris has crafted a deeply moving story of resilience, healing, and love that lingered with me long after finishing.
Leigh, the main character, has endured a childhood shrouded in mystery and marked by abuse. Watching her slowly begin to face the shadows of her past—especially with the gentle support of Jackson, whose kindness and patience truly shine—was both heartbreaking and hopeful.
What stood out most was the emotional depth and authenticity of the characters. The pacing is beautiful, the writing evocative, and the journey toward self-discovery feels earned and powerful.
A quietly stunning read for anyone who appreciates character-driven novels and stories of strength, healing, and the slow blooming of hope. Highly recommend for your next book club or cozy weekend read.

[Dawne Mccurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous story. Terah Shelton Harris puts the most beautiful words on a page that kept me captivated.

The love of found family and the kindness of strangers are two very important themes in this book. I loved Leigh and Jack’s story written so masterfully.

This book will stay with me for a long time

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks goes to Sourcebook Landmarks and Goodreads Giveaway for the ARC. Where the Wildflowers Grow will be for sale on February 17, 2026.

The first 40 pages of the book were confusing. I didn’t understand the timeline, the prose, the story and to whom it was being told. When I was about to DNF, something clicked. I still didn’t “get it”, but I was sucked in. I had to find out more about Leandra’s life; the tragic past, struggling the present and hopeful future. This quote stuck out. “Healing wasn’t a destination, but a winding road that never truly ends. I realized that I couldn’t move on if I kept rereading the same page.” Wow! I hope everyone has a Walt, Tibbs and Luke in their life, but, especially, a Jackson. If you get a chance to read Terah Shelton Harris’ latest, please do. Stick with it in the beginning because the ending is worth it and will definitely stay with you for a long time…

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy bananas, this book. From the very first page, I was IN IT. I have read a lot of books, expected those books to change me, to touch me, to impact me in some way, but never have I ever read a book that had such a hold on me and made me want to FEEL in ways that surprised me.

From visiting a flower farm and attending the Airing of the Quilts festival in Alabama to truly uncovering all the layers of myself and the acceptance and love that requires, this book left me wanting. Wanting more of my memories, wanting more of my relationships, wanting more of my dreams, wanting more of my hopes and especially, wanting more of myself.

These words have become part of me. In the book, Leigh talks about her first life and her second, a line drawn in the sand by a significant event. For me, my first life was before reading this book. Turning the final page on it starts the second. There’s such growth, transformation and love in this book and it seeps into your skin as you hold the pages close.