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Tending Roses #3
The Language of Sycamores
When a woman's whole life falls apart, she finds refuge in the home she left behind in this touching novel in the Tending Roses series from the New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours.
Karen Sommerfield has been hiding from the big questions of her life—the emotional distance in her marriage, her inability to have children, and her bout with cancer. Getting lost in her high-powered career provides the sense of purpose she yearns for. Until the day she's downsized out of her job and the doctor tells her the cancer may be back. It's a double blow that would send anyone reeling.
It sends Karen to Grandma Rose's old farm, where her sister has made a seemingly perfect life. Opening herself to the unexpected, Karen finds a lonely child in need of nurturing and insights into her family's past. In the quiet of the Missouri Ozarks, where the sycamore leaves whisper their soft, secret language, she begins to discover answers—and a joy...
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2005
777 people are currently reading
5442 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wingate
53 books13.3k followersLisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the bestseller list for over two years. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. She lives in Texas and Colorado with her family and her deceptively cute little teddy bear of a dog, Huckleberry. Find her at www.lisawingate.com, on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
May 26, 2012
The thing I like most about Lisa Wingate's books is that they are very enjoyable and a person doesn't need to have any concern about inappropriate material in her writings. It bothers me that so many authors think they need to stoop to sensationalism in order to get readers - it's more like "hooking" readers - that is not literary talent.
Thanks to Lisa!
These books are a series but you can read them "stand alone" - she explains things well. It's fun to read the series because they're all good.
Thanks to Lisa!
These books are a series but you can read them "stand alone" - she explains things well. It's fun to read the series because they're all good.
March 15, 2021
This is the story of Karen and James, a couple who immerse themselves in their work, have no children, and are at the point of being "happy" passing each other on the way out. Karen a high-tech in IT and James a pilot, are suddenly put through a test as Karen looses her job, faces another potential life crisis, and finds that James has been going to Missouri on his layovers and has a "secret" life there. When Karen looses her job and decides on a whim she is going to Missouri for the weekend, never did they realize it will change their lives forever.
With the realization that they need a fresh start, Karen fills in for the director of the summer camp, remembering how much she loved music and theater. But it is the natural ability and talent of young Dell, that really make Karen see what she gave up all those years ago to make others happy before herself. It is also the love of one child that bring Karen and James to realize, they have more love to give, to Dell and to themselves. With the newly found family coming together for a family reunion, Jennilee and her family included, to see the theater performance of the kids does the story of sisters, regret, love, and the insightful stories of Grandma Rose come to light.
I am so enjoying this series and cannot wait to start the next tomorrow.
With the realization that they need a fresh start, Karen fills in for the director of the summer camp, remembering how much she loved music and theater. But it is the natural ability and talent of young Dell, that really make Karen see what she gave up all those years ago to make others happy before herself. It is also the love of one child that bring Karen and James to realize, they have more love to give, to Dell and to themselves. With the newly found family coming together for a family reunion, Jennilee and her family included, to see the theater performance of the kids does the story of sisters, regret, love, and the insightful stories of Grandma Rose come to light.
I am so enjoying this series and cannot wait to start the next tomorrow.
January 5, 2020
I skipped all around within this series. I read book 4, when Dell had graduated from high school, then book three when Dell was in middle school and still terribly unsure of herself. I knew I had to find The Language of Sycamores so I could see how her relationship with Karen and James started. Even out of order these books were great.
This one felt a bit long, but I can't think of much that could be left out. It all fit together so well, and gave a complete picture of Karen's life, marriage, job situation (or lack thereof), her introduction to Jump Kids, and helping Dell's life improve from just plain sad to being wanted and loved.
I really enjoy Lisa Wingate's writing. She has such a way with words offering wisdom through her characters in delightful ways. Dell dreamt of Grandma Rose. Wise words came out of Dell as if Grandma Rose actually said them. Imaginative. Also, the life events of each character lead to ways God spoke into their lives. Growth through trials and joys shared such pearls.
The story behind Grandma Rose's sisters, who no one in the family knew even existed, told piecemeal throughout the story lead to an "ahhh" moment at the end.
Even though I've finally read through them all, I can't wait to restart Tending Roses, the one that began this journey, and the one that I just loved.
This one felt a bit long, but I can't think of much that could be left out. It all fit together so well, and gave a complete picture of Karen's life, marriage, job situation (or lack thereof), her introduction to Jump Kids, and helping Dell's life improve from just plain sad to being wanted and loved.
I really enjoy Lisa Wingate's writing. She has such a way with words offering wisdom through her characters in delightful ways. Dell dreamt of Grandma Rose. Wise words came out of Dell as if Grandma Rose actually said them. Imaginative. Also, the life events of each character lead to ways God spoke into their lives. Growth through trials and joys shared such pearls.
The story behind Grandma Rose's sisters, who no one in the family knew even existed, told piecemeal throughout the story lead to an "ahhh" moment at the end.
Even though I've finally read through them all, I can't wait to restart Tending Roses, the one that began this journey, and the one that I just loved.
April 4, 2019
2.5 stars. Started off good but started dragging towards the end for me. Granted, I didn’t read the others in the series. I really loved BEFORE WE WERE YOURS, but felt this was not up to that standard.
July 8, 2019
The third book in the Tending Roses series, The Language of Sycamores carries on the story, focusing on Kate's sister, Karen. There are a lot of things going on in Karen's life, and she is hiding her head in the sand over some really big problems - things like a cancer scare, the loss of a baby she was carrying and the inability to have more children, and the increasing distance from her husband and family. The shock of being laid off from her job - a job she basically created and excelled at and made a large income from - sends her back to Grandma Rose's Missouri farm and her sister and extended family. Here she finally begins to face all of the questions she has been running from, and becomes as well the answer to someone else's need.
Karen does a lot of soul searching and I like Lisa Wingate's way of showing us the process of wrestling with the big questions of life and faith, and how the support of friends and family can help us. This book also continues the story of Dell, the young girl who lives across the creek in unbelievable squalor and dangerous conditions. As Karen helps Dell find her gift, the gift of music, Karen rediscovers the loves of her life, the things that make her feel alive and bring her joy and fulfillment.
While this book wouldn't really make sense as a stand-alone, due to connections between characters and many references to events in the previous books, it is a solid link in the story. I can't wait to continue this series.
Karen does a lot of soul searching and I like Lisa Wingate's way of showing us the process of wrestling with the big questions of life and faith, and how the support of friends and family can help us. This book also continues the story of Dell, the young girl who lives across the creek in unbelievable squalor and dangerous conditions. As Karen helps Dell find her gift, the gift of music, Karen rediscovers the loves of her life, the things that make her feel alive and bring her joy and fulfillment.
While this book wouldn't really make sense as a stand-alone, due to connections between characters and many references to events in the previous books, it is a solid link in the story. I can't wait to continue this series.
September 22, 2019
Very average. Was disappointed as I loved Before We Were Yours
July 3, 2008
This is the 3rd in the "Tending Roses" series. The 2nd book I have not read ("Good Hope Road" I believe...) but skipping from the 1st to the 3rd was not a problem at all. The story stands alone very well, and is just as warm and sweet, although Tending Roses is still one of my all time favorites (thus the 5 stars for T.R. and 4 for Lang. of Sycamores)! These are wonderful, feel-good, sweet, loving, real-life, wholesome, check-out-what's-amiss-in-your-life-and-fix-it books, and I love them!
November 12, 2021
After reading Lisa Wingate's, Before We Were Yours and loving every word of it, I highly anticipated my read of The Language of Sycamores; unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
I say this a lot in my reviews, "there is nothing wrong with the book." It is beautifully written, using wonderfully visual, flowery words and phrasing, the characters are believable, likable, and endearing, and the story is good - and that's where it fell apart for me; the story was too good. Maybe it's just me, perhaps the older I get, the more cynical I become, or maybe, just maybe, my life is a unicorn, and all the pieces don't fall into a lovely, complete picture at the end of the day and I can't relate to such stories.
The Language of Sycamores is a story of two sisters, one who partly chose and partly did not choose a career over family, the other who chose family. Through life circumstances (one sister loses her job and has a second cancer scare), the girls come back together, join up to help care for a neighbor girl who lives in what we can guess is a bad situation, and reunite their long-lost distant family. The jobless sister becomes involved in a summer children's program and gains a job with the organization. She doesn't have cancer, the neighbor girl presumably has a good rest of her life with the two sisters and their families, and everyone lives happily ever after. Throw in a preachy undercurrent that doesn't entirely develop until the last few pages, and all boxes get checked.
Again, a nice story, nothing wrong with it, just so unrealistic to my understanding of the world it was difficult for me to lose myself in its pages. Perhaps I'm just jealous.
I would, however, recommend this book - it is a very well-written and crafted novel, and for the right reader, one not quite as seemingly jaded as this one, it would be a delightful read. As for me, perhaps I need to look for my language in the sycamores.
I say this a lot in my reviews, "there is nothing wrong with the book." It is beautifully written, using wonderfully visual, flowery words and phrasing, the characters are believable, likable, and endearing, and the story is good - and that's where it fell apart for me; the story was too good. Maybe it's just me, perhaps the older I get, the more cynical I become, or maybe, just maybe, my life is a unicorn, and all the pieces don't fall into a lovely, complete picture at the end of the day and I can't relate to such stories.
The Language of Sycamores is a story of two sisters, one who partly chose and partly did not choose a career over family, the other who chose family. Through life circumstances (one sister loses her job and has a second cancer scare), the girls come back together, join up to help care for a neighbor girl who lives in what we can guess is a bad situation, and reunite their long-lost distant family. The jobless sister becomes involved in a summer children's program and gains a job with the organization. She doesn't have cancer, the neighbor girl presumably has a good rest of her life with the two sisters and their families, and everyone lives happily ever after. Throw in a preachy undercurrent that doesn't entirely develop until the last few pages, and all boxes get checked.
Again, a nice story, nothing wrong with it, just so unrealistic to my understanding of the world it was difficult for me to lose myself in its pages. Perhaps I'm just jealous.
I would, however, recommend this book - it is a very well-written and crafted novel, and for the right reader, one not quite as seemingly jaded as this one, it would be a delightful read. As for me, perhaps I need to look for my language in the sycamores.
August 20, 2019
When I picked this up I didn't realize it was part 3 of a series (Tending Roses #3)... I just knew that Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours" was well-written and a gut-wrenching, tearful journey. I was sure "The Language of Sycamores" would be equally well-done. Wrong. This felt like a mediocre young adult book, cheese covered in more cheese, unrealistic beyond words. I don't DNF books, but this was one I felt like tossing across the room several times. I was frustrated with the whiney main character who imagined conversations and inferred reactions from the other characters. The first 3/4 of the book moves likes molasses, then the last quarter more quickly but then in the last 3 pages she ties everything up in a pretty package. Blah. This was a big miss for me, unfortunately.
April 26, 2019
Karen Summerfield loses her job and finally has to come face to face with the loss of her unborn child, the loss of her ability to bear children and the stalemate her marriage has become. She makes a last minute decision to visit her sister Kate and her family for the weekend, and ends up staying for two weeks to volunteer with a local program for the arts. This leads to two important things. The first is a re-evaluation of her career goals, and the second is the growing care for a young girl, Dell, who loses her caretaker (grandmother) to illness.
The character building and story are strong, but this is somewhat predictable in a few ways.
3.75 stars.
The character building and story are strong, but this is somewhat predictable in a few ways.
3.75 stars.
February 16, 2020
Beautiful book.
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: Karen Sommerfield has been hiding from the big questions of her life-the emotional distance in her marriage, her inability to have children, and her bout with cancer. Getting lost in her high powered career provides the sense of purpose she yearns for. Until the day she's downsized out of her job and the doctor tells her the cancer may be back. It's a double blow that would send anyone reeling. It also sends Karen to Grandma Rose's old farm, where her sister has made a seemingly perfect life. Opening herself to the unexpected, Karen finds a lonely child in need of nurturing and insights into her family's past. And in the quiet of the Missouri Ozarks, she begins to discover the joy to make her life complete.
REVIEW: Once again Lisa Wingate penned another wonderful book in this Tending Roses series. I would score it a 4.5 with the only reason being that I felt it started out a little slowly. Full of depth, emotion, and faith as sisters Karen and Kate rebuild their relationship and Karen discovers who she truly wants to be and what she wants to do with her life, gems of wisdom are sprinkled throughout the pages. I loved the character of Dell and how hard the entire family worked to build her up and show their love and compassion. The Jumpkids Program was an awesome idea, and I would love to see something like this available all over the world. Wingate's books are filled with substance and deal with real life that make them easy to read and relate. Each of the books in this series could be read as a stand alone; but I feel that there are tidbits that follow in each one that are better understood if you read them in sequence.
FAVORITE QUOTES: (Again too many to list them all.)
"...sometimes people in your family do things that aren't right just because they don't know any difference. It doesn't make you a bad person, but it doesn't mean you should do the same wrong things, either."
"If there is any reason to be grateful for a storm, that must be it: It reminds you who you can rely on."
"Life isn't all about getting what you need from people. Sometimes you're put with someone because you have what they need."
"When things around you change--where you are, where you're going--the one fact that remains constant, the one anchor that holds fast, is where you have been. "
"Hard words can't turn a heart."
"..live a good life. Be happy, be content, be silent. Do not waste time. Time is a limited and precious gift. Live in a way that every moment matters."
REVIEW: Once again Lisa Wingate penned another wonderful book in this Tending Roses series. I would score it a 4.5 with the only reason being that I felt it started out a little slowly. Full of depth, emotion, and faith as sisters Karen and Kate rebuild their relationship and Karen discovers who she truly wants to be and what she wants to do with her life, gems of wisdom are sprinkled throughout the pages. I loved the character of Dell and how hard the entire family worked to build her up and show their love and compassion. The Jumpkids Program was an awesome idea, and I would love to see something like this available all over the world. Wingate's books are filled with substance and deal with real life that make them easy to read and relate. Each of the books in this series could be read as a stand alone; but I feel that there are tidbits that follow in each one that are better understood if you read them in sequence.
FAVORITE QUOTES: (Again too many to list them all.)
"...sometimes people in your family do things that aren't right just because they don't know any difference. It doesn't make you a bad person, but it doesn't mean you should do the same wrong things, either."
"If there is any reason to be grateful for a storm, that must be it: It reminds you who you can rely on."
"Life isn't all about getting what you need from people. Sometimes you're put with someone because you have what they need."
"When things around you change--where you are, where you're going--the one fact that remains constant, the one anchor that holds fast, is where you have been. "
"Hard words can't turn a heart."
"..live a good life. Be happy, be content, be silent. Do not waste time. Time is a limited and precious gift. Live in a way that every moment matters."
February 6, 2018
The language of sycamores by Lisa Wingate
Inspriational quotes at the start of the chapters. Karen had heard what her grandmother Rose had said she just never paid attention.
Karen Summerfield has avoided her problems and is driven by work, power and success are the things she needs.
She might have cancer, again. She had lost a child and will never birth a child again. She had to get back to work because the company is announcing the layoffs. She finds piano playing her peace til her sister calls.
Her husband, James will be there-layover from being a pilot, and she will fly out and spend time on the family farm.
They are to meet with cousins they never knew they had.
So many secrets and a lot of mysteries come to light as they try to figure it all out. Lots of characters as they are geared to music and meet for camp during the summer months.
Other neighbors that are more like family have entwined their lives with the family at the farm. Medical emergency has led them to change plans. Love hearing of the camp and the production they put on.
Top point for me was when another relative comes to the forefront-priceless!
Love all the mysteries and how they are all linked together.
I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.
Inspriational quotes at the start of the chapters. Karen had heard what her grandmother Rose had said she just never paid attention.
Karen Summerfield has avoided her problems and is driven by work, power and success are the things she needs.
She might have cancer, again. She had lost a child and will never birth a child again. She had to get back to work because the company is announcing the layoffs. She finds piano playing her peace til her sister calls.
Her husband, James will be there-layover from being a pilot, and she will fly out and spend time on the family farm.
They are to meet with cousins they never knew they had.
So many secrets and a lot of mysteries come to light as they try to figure it all out. Lots of characters as they are geared to music and meet for camp during the summer months.
Other neighbors that are more like family have entwined their lives with the family at the farm. Medical emergency has led them to change plans. Love hearing of the camp and the production they put on.
Top point for me was when another relative comes to the forefront-priceless!
Love all the mysteries and how they are all linked together.
I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.
January 17, 2020
I think I was entirely spoiled by Wingate's Before We Were Yours, and The Language of Sycamores doesn't measure up to that fine historical novel. I realize that this is part of a series and maybe I'd better appreciate it if I was following along from the start and subsequent books. Still, the language seems too simplified, as do the characters' actions. I had trouble believing in the plot and the characters. Who observes a child in obvious distress and doesn't take immediate and preemptive action to improve the child's lot? Who, in this day and age, allows a pre-teen to go fishing alone with an older man (even if he is an airline pilot and the hero's husband)? Who dithers about the idea of a god, and suddenly seems to be converted to a fundamental level of Christianity by one sermon? Okay--I had issues with the book. Still, I was glad that it ends well. I just hope Wingate doesn't get too wrapped up in this series and doesn't ever write to her best again.
July 4, 2013
I got this book in a Christmas book exchange. It sat on the shelf for 6 months until I needed something "light" to read after my daughter's wedding. The story caught me off guard. I usually read a lot of non-fiction. I like books filled with new ideas, inspiration to change, truth presented in a fresh way. Lisa Wingate wove all of this into her work of fiction and more. I totally related to the story of a middle-aged woman who didn't even know her authentic self (went through that crisis last year) until she got fired. I bawled like a baby and thanked God for all the gifts He so graciously gives me as the plot came to a resolution. I found The Language of Sycamores to be deeply satisfying and a perfect post-wedding read. I'll be keeping this one on my shelf.
March 24, 2020
Didn't realize this was 3rd book of a series, though it can be read as a stand-alone novel.
I've enjoyed reading other Lisa Wingate's books, and this one is just as good. Great story of family lost, forgotten and found again.
I've enjoyed reading other Lisa Wingate's books, and this one is just as good. Great story of family lost, forgotten and found again.
April 14, 2017
Perfect...
December 2, 2020
I have read the entire series of this collection and loved them all. They flow together very well and I love the writing of Lisa Wingate. Light and Airy books to pass your time away.
January 17, 2022
I am loving this series!
This story was very uplifting and I love all the life lessons that are in all of these books.
This story was very uplifting and I love all the life lessons that are in all of these books.
April 17, 2024
Such a sweet story of family history, secrets & redemption. Grandma Rose of Missouri was the glue that brought everyone together. Sisters Karen & Kate were different....Karen, the artsy one & Kate the intellectual. Karen loses her job as a high tech director & heads to Missouri, looking for healing. Dell, a country waif, is part of the Missouri family & weaves her way into everyone's heart. The Lion King production, sponsored by a camp counselor is one of the focal points. A book worth reading!
September 7, 2019
Love Lisa Wingate's books - the series especially. I love her insights and how people deal with setbacks, problems, relationships, and just life. Great advice from Gma Rose even though she has been gone for a while now. I love have she left notes and were found when most needed. She left her love in recipes and the farm.
July 16, 2025
Entertaining and emotional. I was swept away in the story, just like when I read “before we were yours” (also written by her). Such a powerful story teller. I loved seeing how all of the pieces fell into place. Beautiful story and beautiful message about life and family, what’s planned vs what happens.
June 22, 2023
Beautiful Story!
This is another story full of such beauty, music, art, life hurts and healings! It’s another one of those to read over and over, gleaning more life lessons and adventures each time. Family divided brought together again as only God, the Father can do!
This is another story full of such beauty, music, art, life hurts and healings! It’s another one of those to read over and over, gleaning more life lessons and adventures each time. Family divided brought together again as only God, the Father can do!
September 13, 2023
Although I enjoyed this book and it tied up the connection to the previous book, I found the story to be predictable.
The gardener in me had a hard time overlooking blatant errors. Blackberries are not ripe and edible in May even in Missouri. Also you would be very hard pressed to find any true huckleberries in Missouri at all.
I wish the author had done a bit more research.
The gardener in me had a hard time overlooking blatant errors. Blackberries are not ripe and edible in May even in Missouri. Also you would be very hard pressed to find any true huckleberries in Missouri at all.
I wish the author had done a bit more research.
July 2, 2020
Boring. I did not finish the book.
February 13, 2023
I am really enjoying this series. Lisa Wingate has a great talent of portraying emotion in her storytelling.
August 1, 2023
3.5. A good summer read.
April 4, 2024
This has been my favorite of the series so far😍
October 31, 2025
Great story of realizing what's really important in life!
January 22, 2023
Another sweet story of family restoration; third in a series. Love this author. If you like Kristen Hannah and Viola Shipman, you will like Wingate’s books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews