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When the Daffodils Bloom: Charlotte's Story
Another story of love, friendships, and new beginnings with a touch of mystery for fans of The Guest Book Series. All books can be read as stand-alones.
In the 1920s, Charlotte Hayes grew up in a small, dusty Texas town where she and her mother dreamed of one day opening a diner; a place filled with warmth, laughter, and home-cooked meals. When her mother dies, Charlotte carries that dream with her to California, determined to find a new beginning.
A housekeeper in a luxurious hotel by day, at night she sings in the smoky lounge to make ends meet. She falls in love but is pulled into a web of mobsters, and when she witnesses a killing in one of the hotel suites, she knows staying in Los Angeles isn’t an option.
She flees to the quiet refuge of the Lake Arrowhead Mountains, to her friend Ruth Landry, (The Maidservant in Cabin Number One) and while rebuilding her life, she takes a detour when she reluctantly marries a man with ties to the Tudor House and Bugsy Siegel. After his death, she’s alone again, but discovers he’s left her with a shoebox filled with his memories and money.
With grit and determination, she restores a fire-damaged building in town and opens her diner. The only thing she’s missing now is love. Her heart still waits for it to find her.
A sweeping story of courage, reinvention, and the power of second chances.
In the 1920s, Charlotte Hayes grew up in a small, dusty Texas town where she and her mother dreamed of one day opening a diner; a place filled with warmth, laughter, and home-cooked meals. When her mother dies, Charlotte carries that dream with her to California, determined to find a new beginning.
A housekeeper in a luxurious hotel by day, at night she sings in the smoky lounge to make ends meet. She falls in love but is pulled into a web of mobsters, and when she witnesses a killing in one of the hotel suites, she knows staying in Los Angeles isn’t an option.
She flees to the quiet refuge of the Lake Arrowhead Mountains, to her friend Ruth Landry, (The Maidservant in Cabin Number One) and while rebuilding her life, she takes a detour when she reluctantly marries a man with ties to the Tudor House and Bugsy Siegel. After his death, she’s alone again, but discovers he’s left her with a shoebox filled with his memories and money.
With grit and determination, she restores a fire-damaged building in town and opens her diner. The only thing she’s missing now is love. Her heart still waits for it to find her.
A sweeping story of courage, reinvention, and the power of second chances.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 22, 2025
In the 1920s, Charlotte Hayes and her mother, Flo, lived in a small town in Texas. Flo worked at the local diner owned by Jasper Cook, and Charlotte helped out after school. When Flo expressed her desire for them to open a diner together and name it "Flo's Diner," it became their shared dream for the future. Unfortunately, a heart-wrenching accident shattered that dream, forcing Charlotte to start over more than once. As she watched and cheered for others as their dreams came true, she often wondered when it would be her turn.
With each turn of the page, I became increasingly captivated by Charlotte's story. From a young age, Charlotte has demonstrated hard work, strength, resilience, and a strong sense of self—a person you'd want as a friend in real life. Her journey is not just personal; it reflects the struggles and aspirations of those around her. The author masterfully brings Charlotte's internal conflicts to life, allowing readers to empathize with her challenges as she navigates societal expectations, friendships, and work dynamics.
The novel clearly depicts the socio-economic disparities during the Great Depression and Prohibition, cultural attitudes, and the collective experiences of women, including their support for one another. The narrative serves as both a historical reflection and an inspiring tale of resilience.
Perhaps because I read this novel just before the upcoming holiday season—a time when generations of women are together—I can easily imagine them sitting down long after the family meal has been enjoyed. The kitchen is quiet, except for the soft hum of the dishwasher, and one of the women begins the conversation by saying, I'd like to tell you a story. This is the joy of reading the author's novels; they create an intimate storytelling experience.
At the end of each novel in the series, you will find intriguing historical snippets related to various locations mentioned in the story. Additionally, there is a convenient guide that provides information on where to purchase the author's books, how to obtain signed copies and bookmarks, and details for book clubs that have chosen one of the author's novels.
Thank you to Chrysteen Braun, and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
With each turn of the page, I became increasingly captivated by Charlotte's story. From a young age, Charlotte has demonstrated hard work, strength, resilience, and a strong sense of self—a person you'd want as a friend in real life. Her journey is not just personal; it reflects the struggles and aspirations of those around her. The author masterfully brings Charlotte's internal conflicts to life, allowing readers to empathize with her challenges as she navigates societal expectations, friendships, and work dynamics.
The novel clearly depicts the socio-economic disparities during the Great Depression and Prohibition, cultural attitudes, and the collective experiences of women, including their support for one another. The narrative serves as both a historical reflection and an inspiring tale of resilience.
Perhaps because I read this novel just before the upcoming holiday season—a time when generations of women are together—I can easily imagine them sitting down long after the family meal has been enjoyed. The kitchen is quiet, except for the soft hum of the dishwasher, and one of the women begins the conversation by saying, I'd like to tell you a story. This is the joy of reading the author's novels; they create an intimate storytelling experience.
At the end of each novel in the series, you will find intriguing historical snippets related to various locations mentioned in the story. Additionally, there is a convenient guide that provides information on where to purchase the author's books, how to obtain signed copies and bookmarks, and details for book clubs that have chosen one of the author's novels.
Thank you to Chrysteen Braun, and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
October 22, 2025
When the Daffodils Bloom is a new genre for me. I typically avoid books that are part of a series because I fear the commitment—but this one can absolutely be read as a standalone story. Fans of the Hallmark Channel will settle right in to this heartwarming tale of love lost and love rediscovered.
Charlotte, our main character, faces many disappointments and heartbreaking losses on her journey to achieve her dream of owning a diner and creating a family. I admit, I didn’t see the ending coming (no spoilers here!), and that surprise earned the book an extra star from me.
I do wish some of the characters and storylines had been developed more fully. For instance, Charlotte risks her job to help Ruth after knowing her for only a short time—why? She hardly knows Dino, doesn’t even seem to like him, yet marries him anyway—why?
The book is very dialogue-driven. Personally, I found the abundance of conversation a bit tedious and wished for more narrative to help me visualize the scenes and connect more deeply with the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and this review is my honest, voluntary opinion.
Charlotte, our main character, faces many disappointments and heartbreaking losses on her journey to achieve her dream of owning a diner and creating a family. I admit, I didn’t see the ending coming (no spoilers here!), and that surprise earned the book an extra star from me.
I do wish some of the characters and storylines had been developed more fully. For instance, Charlotte risks her job to help Ruth after knowing her for only a short time—why? She hardly knows Dino, doesn’t even seem to like him, yet marries him anyway—why?
The book is very dialogue-driven. Personally, I found the abundance of conversation a bit tedious and wished for more narrative to help me visualize the scenes and connect more deeply with the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and this review is my honest, voluntary opinion.
November 3, 2025
Charlotte dreams of owning a diner, a place where friends and neighbors congregate and enrich a community. When her mother passes aways, she decides to move out west and chase her dream. She’s a housekeeper by day and at night she sings in speakeasy to make ends meet. She rubs elbows with mobsters and witnesses a murder. Fleeing north, she ends up in Lake Arrowhead. Twists and turns take her life in different directions. But she’s determined to open her diner. Can she finally make her dream come true?
When the Daffodils Bloom is a story of friendship, grief, love, romance, and a bit of mystery. The narration and characters captivated me. The setting, though, is the best part and becomes a character itself. The setting is magnificent Lake Arrowhead. The narration is so visual, so vivid in detail, I read late into the night.
The characters are well-written and are a fountain of emotion. I connected with them all but especially Charlotte. She’s a wonderful heroine and so realistic. She’s gone through such turmoil but it’s her strength which truly makes me love reading from her point of view. The other characters fill out the story and add depth.
Chrysteen Braun uses words to soak you in her story and it’s such an immersive experience. Each cabin’s story is masterfully written. I enjoy this subplot because it doesn’t overtake the story. Each storyline interplays with the rest to create an unforgettable read.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
When the Daffodils Bloom is a story of friendship, grief, love, romance, and a bit of mystery. The narration and characters captivated me. The setting, though, is the best part and becomes a character itself. The setting is magnificent Lake Arrowhead. The narration is so visual, so vivid in detail, I read late into the night.
The characters are well-written and are a fountain of emotion. I connected with them all but especially Charlotte. She’s a wonderful heroine and so realistic. She’s gone through such turmoil but it’s her strength which truly makes me love reading from her point of view. The other characters fill out the story and add depth.
Chrysteen Braun uses words to soak you in her story and it’s such an immersive experience. Each cabin’s story is masterfully written. I enjoy this subplot because it doesn’t overtake the story. Each storyline interplays with the rest to create an unforgettable read.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
December 5, 2025
Excellent! Another fascinating tale in a series of heartfelt stories by this author. Each one nicely done, and each able to stand alone. That being said, this one may be the best ... but read the entire series and decide for yourself.
November 6, 2025
When the Daffodils Bloom tells a groundbreaking perspective on Charlotte's life, filled with emotional battles, unexpected series of events, and heartwarming moments.
Rating: 5 stars
Rating: 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews