What do you think?
Rate this book
A Life Without #2
A Life Without Flowers
Twenty-four years after losing her daughter in a tragic accident, Carol Denman has finally made peace with Katie’s father. But releasing her ex-husband from blame and facing how deeply she held herself responsible were only the first steps in Carol’s journey toward peace.
With the pain of her failed first marriage behind her, Carol is determined to mend her broken relationship with her mother. But she soon discovers she isn’t the only one who has been hanging on to bitterness. A road trip to face the past leads Carol’s mother, Judith, to unearth the seeds of past mistakes and deep resentments in ways neither of them would expect.
The roots of family animosity run deep and thick. While Judith seems hesitant to start digging, Carol commits to pruning away the thorns of the past so she no longer has to live a life without flowers.
With the pain of her failed first marriage behind her, Carol is determined to mend her broken relationship with her mother. But she soon discovers she isn’t the only one who has been hanging on to bitterness. A road trip to face the past leads Carol’s mother, Judith, to unearth the seeds of past mistakes and deep resentments in ways neither of them would expect.
The roots of family animosity run deep and thick. While Judith seems hesitant to start digging, Carol commits to pruning away the thorns of the past so she no longer has to live a life without flowers.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2020
About the author
Marci Bolden
37 books1,295 followersAs a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
Marci also writes as Marci Wilson.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
Marci also writes as Marci Wilson.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
November 27, 2021
EXCERPT: Tobias's garden flashed through Carol's mind. The flowers danced on the breeze. Their sweetness filled her senses. This time, Carol didn't feel calm. She felt the harsh slap of reality. All that stood between her and selling the house were a few signatures. A few scribbles, and she'd never see her husband's garden again. She had a thousand photos and videos. She had picked flowers and pressed them in Tobias's favourite book. She even had seeds he'd harvested from the plants so someday she could start a new garden in his memory.
Suddenly, that didn't seem like enough.
ABOUT 'A LIFE WITHOUT FLOWERS': Twenty-four years after losing her daughter in a tragic accident, Carol Denman has finally made peace with Katie’s father. But releasing her ex-husband from blame and facing how deeply she held herself responsible were only the first steps in Carol’s journey toward peace.
With the pain of her failed first marriage behind her, Carol is determined to mend her broken relationship with her mother. But she soon discovers she isn’t the only one who has been hanging on to bitterness. A road trip to face the past leads Carol’s mother, Judith, to unearth the seeds of past mistakes and deep resentments in ways neither of them would expect.
The roots of family animosity run deep and thick. While Judith seems hesitant to start digging, Carol commits to pruning away the thorns of the past so she no longer has to live a life without flowers.
MY THOUGHTS: Well I am pleased to say that my heart mostly remained intact during this read. That's not to say that A Life Without Flowers is not an emotional read; because it is, just in a different way.
While A Life Without Water examined Carol's relationship with her first husband and the loss of their daughter, A Life Without Flowers looks at Carol's relationship with her mother Judith. If you ever thought or cried out 'I don't know why you're doing this (to me)' as a child or teenager, you will be able to relate to this book.
I once read somewhere, 'There's not two sides to every story. There's three. There's person one's version, person two's version, and the truth, which usually lies somewhere in between. This is certainly true of Carol's relationship with her mother.
The problem we face as children, teenagers and young adults, is that we can never know our parents at these stages of their lives. We can't imagine them as children, or teenagers. We generally don't know what they were like, or what their dreams and aspirations were. And as adults, we probably try to hard to stop our children from making the same mistakes we did or, indeed, any mistakes at all, which often backfires in a spectacular way. As did Carol's relationship with her parents.
But having experienced unconditional love from both her first and second husbands parents, Carol decides to have one last try at building some sort of relationship with her mother. It's a rocky road . . . and an interesting one.
I enjoy Carol's character. She is definitely not a model of perfection. She has baggage. She can be snarky. Judith initially comes across as cold and unfeeling, but as we learned more about her life I began to warm to her. Believe me, she has a few surprises in store for the reader! Ellen, Judith's sister, is the meat in the sandwich, the peacemaker. More of a free spirit than her uptight sister, and with a wicked sense of humour, she loves both Judith and Carol and would like nothing more than for them to recognize their love for one another.
While A Life Without Flowers can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend that you read A Life Without Water first, not only for Carol's backstory and the character development, but because it is an excellent read.
A Life Without Flowers is another wonderful read from Marci Bolden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#ALifeWithoutFlowers
I: @marciboldenauthor #pinksandpress
T: @BoldenMarci #PinkSandPress
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #series #sliceoflife
THE AUTHOR: As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
DISCLOSURE: I purchased my digital copy of A Life Without Flowers written by Marci Bolden and published by Pink Sand Press via Amazon. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Suddenly, that didn't seem like enough.
ABOUT 'A LIFE WITHOUT FLOWERS': Twenty-four years after losing her daughter in a tragic accident, Carol Denman has finally made peace with Katie’s father. But releasing her ex-husband from blame and facing how deeply she held herself responsible were only the first steps in Carol’s journey toward peace.
With the pain of her failed first marriage behind her, Carol is determined to mend her broken relationship with her mother. But she soon discovers she isn’t the only one who has been hanging on to bitterness. A road trip to face the past leads Carol’s mother, Judith, to unearth the seeds of past mistakes and deep resentments in ways neither of them would expect.
The roots of family animosity run deep and thick. While Judith seems hesitant to start digging, Carol commits to pruning away the thorns of the past so she no longer has to live a life without flowers.
MY THOUGHTS: Well I am pleased to say that my heart mostly remained intact during this read. That's not to say that A Life Without Flowers is not an emotional read; because it is, just in a different way.
While A Life Without Water examined Carol's relationship with her first husband and the loss of their daughter, A Life Without Flowers looks at Carol's relationship with her mother Judith. If you ever thought or cried out 'I don't know why you're doing this (to me)' as a child or teenager, you will be able to relate to this book.
I once read somewhere, 'There's not two sides to every story. There's three. There's person one's version, person two's version, and the truth, which usually lies somewhere in between. This is certainly true of Carol's relationship with her mother.
The problem we face as children, teenagers and young adults, is that we can never know our parents at these stages of their lives. We can't imagine them as children, or teenagers. We generally don't know what they were like, or what their dreams and aspirations were. And as adults, we probably try to hard to stop our children from making the same mistakes we did or, indeed, any mistakes at all, which often backfires in a spectacular way. As did Carol's relationship with her parents.
But having experienced unconditional love from both her first and second husbands parents, Carol decides to have one last try at building some sort of relationship with her mother. It's a rocky road . . . and an interesting one.
I enjoy Carol's character. She is definitely not a model of perfection. She has baggage. She can be snarky. Judith initially comes across as cold and unfeeling, but as we learned more about her life I began to warm to her. Believe me, she has a few surprises in store for the reader! Ellen, Judith's sister, is the meat in the sandwich, the peacemaker. More of a free spirit than her uptight sister, and with a wicked sense of humour, she loves both Judith and Carol and would like nothing more than for them to recognize their love for one another.
While A Life Without Flowers can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend that you read A Life Without Water first, not only for Carol's backstory and the character development, but because it is an excellent read.
A Life Without Flowers is another wonderful read from Marci Bolden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#ALifeWithoutFlowers
I: @marciboldenauthor #pinksandpress
T: @BoldenMarci #PinkSandPress
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #series #sliceoflife
THE AUTHOR: As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
DISCLOSURE: I purchased my digital copy of A Life Without Flowers written by Marci Bolden and published by Pink Sand Press via Amazon. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 18, 2020
A Life Without Flowers is an emotional book you won't want to miss. A Life Without Flowers is a story of love and loss and relationships. It is a story about fixing a complicated mother daughter relationship.
A Life Without Flowers is the second book in the A Life Without Water series. I read the the first book in the series, A Life Without Water, before reading A Life Without Flowers. However, I think you would still enjoy and understand this book without reading the first book. I don't think you would be confused, but there might be some information you would want to know that was provided in the previous book. I also recommend reading the first book because both books are excellent. Reading the first after the second would ruin some things.
Carol continues the roadtrip she started in A Life Without Water. Her first stop is to visit her mom and try to fix their relationship. With all the loss Carol has experienced and everything she went through in A Life Without Water Carol realizes the importance of making amends with her mother before it is too late. Carol is still grieving her husband. The one year anniversary of his death is approaching and she is still grieving and struggling. The book has flashbacks throughout the book. A Life Without Flowers shows the reader flashbacks of Carol's childhood with her parents and more about her marriage with her ex husband, John, who is a main character in A Life Without Water.
I really enjoyed A Life Without Flowers. The A Life Without Water series is one of those unique series where I cannot pick a favorite book because I loved them both so much. This book really brings the reader through different loss than A Life Without Flowers. I love Carol and am so happy Marci Bolden is writing another book in this series. I cannot wait to read A Life Without Grief.
I highly recommend A Life Without Flowers to anyone that likes emotional books and books about complicated mother daughter relationships.
Thank you NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for A Life Without Flowers.
A Life Without Flowers is the second book in the A Life Without Water series. I read the the first book in the series, A Life Without Water, before reading A Life Without Flowers. However, I think you would still enjoy and understand this book without reading the first book. I don't think you would be confused, but there might be some information you would want to know that was provided in the previous book. I also recommend reading the first book because both books are excellent. Reading the first after the second would ruin some things.
Carol continues the roadtrip she started in A Life Without Water. Her first stop is to visit her mom and try to fix their relationship. With all the loss Carol has experienced and everything she went through in A Life Without Water Carol realizes the importance of making amends with her mother before it is too late. Carol is still grieving her husband. The one year anniversary of his death is approaching and she is still grieving and struggling. The book has flashbacks throughout the book. A Life Without Flowers shows the reader flashbacks of Carol's childhood with her parents and more about her marriage with her ex husband, John, who is a main character in A Life Without Water.
I really enjoyed A Life Without Flowers. The A Life Without Water series is one of those unique series where I cannot pick a favorite book because I loved them both so much. This book really brings the reader through different loss than A Life Without Flowers. I love Carol and am so happy Marci Bolden is writing another book in this series. I cannot wait to read A Life Without Grief.
I highly recommend A Life Without Flowers to anyone that likes emotional books and books about complicated mother daughter relationships.
Thank you NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for A Life Without Flowers.
August 21, 2020
Life Without Flowers is the second book in this series. You can read the books separately, but the story has more depth if you read them in order.
The characters are well developed and you experience all the joy and sadness the characters endure. It grabs you and gives you all the feels! The story is about love, loss, grieving and finally healing. You will need a box of tissues next to you during this read.
I've read all her books and look forward to the next one!! I would recommend This second book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the opportunity to read an ARC and provide my review.
#NetGalley #ALifeWithoutFlowers
Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/ink_drinker64/
Book Bub Link
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/16052...
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/user/best_r...
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
The characters are well developed and you experience all the joy and sadness the characters endure. It grabs you and gives you all the feels! The story is about love, loss, grieving and finally healing. You will need a box of tissues next to you during this read.
I've read all her books and look forward to the next one!! I would recommend This second book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the opportunity to read an ARC and provide my review.
#NetGalley #ALifeWithoutFlowers
Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/ink_drinker64/
Book Bub Link
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/16052...
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/user/best_r...
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
November 9, 2021
3 stars
Through these characters, we're reminded that we are all shaped by those around us and there is always reason we behave like we do. If more people took the time to understand those reasons, we'd love in a kinder, more accepting and forgiving world.
Through these characters, we're reminded that we are all shaped by those around us and there is always reason we behave like we do. If more people took the time to understand those reasons, we'd love in a kinder, more accepting and forgiving world.
November 15, 2021
We find Carol Denman and her mother, Judith, at odds but trying to salvage a relationship with one another before it's too late in A Life Without Flowers.
The first book, A Life Without Water, felt repetitive at times, but overall the story felt like it was moving forward and things were happening. A Life Without Flowers felt pretty stagnant in comparison. It took place in basically the same location (save for one scene of taking a one mile walk and one quick trip to Disney World) for the first half of the book. Without much change in setting, the intense dialogue between the characters felt heavy-handed. At some points it came off a bit like a melodramatic play.
Once the characters got onto the journey aspect of the story, things improved and felt more interesting. This helped the emotional progress the characters were making feel more engaging and believable. Although there were still instances that, again, were very heavy-handed. Sometimes several pages of internal psychoanalysis by Carol that made me think "she really should keep a journal on her at all times!" Haha. She's juggling a lot of compounding grief which was the case with the first book as well, but with even more thrown into the mix with this second book it could get overwhelming.
The highlights of this book for me were Aunt Ellen, more of the awesome Denman family, the flashbacks (much like ALWW these offered some great insight), Judith's confessions and apologies that were big for the character development, and the ending. It was a great tribute for Carol's daughter, Katie. It also holds promise for Carol's future.
I'm on to round out the trilogy. Hoping that Carol finds true and complete peace in the third installment of this series.
The first book, A Life Without Water, felt repetitive at times, but overall the story felt like it was moving forward and things were happening. A Life Without Flowers felt pretty stagnant in comparison. It took place in basically the same location (save for one scene of taking a one mile walk and one quick trip to Disney World) for the first half of the book. Without much change in setting, the intense dialogue between the characters felt heavy-handed. At some points it came off a bit like a melodramatic play.
Once the characters got onto the journey aspect of the story, things improved and felt more interesting. This helped the emotional progress the characters were making feel more engaging and believable. Although there were still instances that, again, were very heavy-handed. Sometimes several pages of internal psychoanalysis by Carol that made me think "she really should keep a journal on her at all times!" Haha. She's juggling a lot of compounding grief which was the case with the first book as well, but with even more thrown into the mix with this second book it could get overwhelming.
The highlights of this book for me were Aunt Ellen, more of the awesome Denman family, the flashbacks (much like ALWW these offered some great insight), Judith's confessions and apologies that were big for the character development, and the ending. It was a great tribute for Carol's daughter, Katie. It also holds promise for Carol's future.
I'm on to round out the trilogy. Hoping that Carol finds true and complete peace in the third installment of this series.
February 22, 2021
DNF at 50%
I enjoyed the first book, but this one isn’t working for me at all.
It’s slow moving / whiny / a constant recap of #1 and the mother character is awful. An absolutely terrible human and mother that constantly abuses her daughter. Carol refers to her as an “autocrat” but borderline personality disorder / narcissist is probably more accurate.
I also know from my own experience / understanding of psychology, that these types of “mothers” do Not change or “see the light” and most often if it better for the adult daughter to cut her “mother” out like a cancer.
This story is pushing up to “Hollywood” “hallmark” blah blah where the mother changes/explains/it is revealed and happy ever after. I just can’t 🛑
While I applauded the author for her realistic portrayal of alcoholism in the fist book, this book leaves me feeling frustrated by the disservice and unrealistic story is and how invalidating it is to real Carols.
However I might still try #3...
Read on Hoopla
I enjoyed the first book, but this one isn’t working for me at all.
It’s slow moving / whiny / a constant recap of #1 and the mother character is awful. An absolutely terrible human and mother that constantly abuses her daughter. Carol refers to her as an “autocrat” but borderline personality disorder / narcissist is probably more accurate.
I also know from my own experience / understanding of psychology, that these types of “mothers” do Not change or “see the light” and most often if it better for the adult daughter to cut her “mother” out like a cancer.
This story is pushing up to “Hollywood” “hallmark” blah blah where the mother changes/explains/it is revealed and happy ever after. I just can’t 🛑
While I applauded the author for her realistic portrayal of alcoholism in the fist book, this book leaves me feeling frustrated by the disservice and unrealistic story is and how invalidating it is to real Carols.
However I might still try #3...
Read on Hoopla
September 6, 2020
This is the second book in the series and carries on from “A Life Without Water”
Carol has recently lost her husband Tobias, she travels to Florida to try and make amends with her mother Judith in her camper van. They have never been close but the first anniversary of her husbands death is approaching and she wants to reconcile with her before it is too late.
This is such a beautifully written book that had me on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I just adored this and didn’t want it to end!! Top tip is to have some tissues close to you!!
A must read series that will keep you engrossed from the first page and will stay with you long after finishing the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Carol has recently lost her husband Tobias, she travels to Florida to try and make amends with her mother Judith in her camper van. They have never been close but the first anniversary of her husbands death is approaching and she wants to reconcile with her before it is too late.
This is such a beautifully written book that had me on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I just adored this and didn’t want it to end!! Top tip is to have some tissues close to you!!
A must read series that will keep you engrossed from the first page and will stay with you long after finishing the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
April 28, 2025
Sad but sobering series
What a wonderful series so far. Thank goodness I didn't cry as much in this book as I did in A Life Without Water (A Life Without #1). This series takes you on a journey of healing and processing emotions through loss. Child loss, in particular, would be one of the worst pain anyone could ever go through in this life and it is sobering seeing what that pain may look like through someone else's eyes. This type of series makes me thankful for the times I have with my daughter and I hope that I never have to go through the pain and suffering and healing journey of losing a child - I don't know if I could ever be as strong as the mom, Caroline. More to come as I progress through this series.
What a wonderful series so far. Thank goodness I didn't cry as much in this book as I did in A Life Without Water (A Life Without #1). This series takes you on a journey of healing and processing emotions through loss. Child loss, in particular, would be one of the worst pain anyone could ever go through in this life and it is sobering seeing what that pain may look like through someone else's eyes. This type of series makes me thankful for the times I have with my daughter and I hope that I never have to go through the pain and suffering and healing journey of losing a child - I don't know if I could ever be as strong as the mom, Caroline. More to come as I progress through this series.
September 16, 2020
A Life Without Flowers by Marci Bolden picks up the story of Carol Denman where A Life Without Water ends. Having not read the first book, the onus was on me to piece together the gaps in my knowledge, but Ms Bolden does an admirable job of revisiting the plot up to this point without ever becoming redundant, and I very quickly felt that I was in the frame.
Carol is a woman who has suffered unimaginable loss, and must now learn not only to forgive herself for the past, but to rebuild a life that will sustain her moving forward. The relationship between Carol and her mother Judith is at the centre of the journey this time around, and I am curious to see what is in store for Carol as the series continues.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Carol is a woman who has suffered unimaginable loss, and must now learn not only to forgive herself for the past, but to rebuild a life that will sustain her moving forward. The relationship between Carol and her mother Judith is at the centre of the journey this time around, and I am curious to see what is in store for Carol as the series continues.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 7, 2021
A Life Without Flowers is the 2nd book of a three book series. This is an emotional book that is carefully crafted to show each character’s strengths and flaws in a way that is so relatable. You could read this book on its own, but I recommend starting with A Life Without Water so you get the full picture of Carol, the main character.
November 27, 2020
This book was so much more for me than the first. I loved A Life Without Water, this one though touched me in some personal way. It starts in a where Without Water ended. Again, it is about love and forgiveness of people who are not perfect. However, they are real people who deserve it. I can't wait to read the last book. I have a feeling it's going to be juicy.
October 20, 2020
I did not enjoy this anywhere near as much as A Life Without Water. Water was raw and emotional while Flowers felt, for me, repetitive and whiny and not suited to a character that is supposed to be 50 years old. Just my opinion.
February 25, 2021
A Life Without Flowers
This was a read full of many emotions. Sadness is the first, it picks where the cost book ended and the loss from that book carries over with a broken heart. Anger is next as Carol tries to figure out why her parents raised her the way they did. Love wind as understanding takes hold and the one that surprised me was the laugh out loud humor that is hiding in the pages. Great read!
This was a read full of many emotions. Sadness is the first, it picks where the cost book ended and the loss from that book carries over with a broken heart. Anger is next as Carol tries to figure out why her parents raised her the way they did. Love wind as understanding takes hold and the one that surprised me was the laugh out loud humor that is hiding in the pages. Great read!
July 26, 2020
This is the second book in the series, where it picks up after Carol and her first husband, John, heal and find forgiveness with each other in their journey to visit all the places that their daughter, Katie, wanted to see.
Carol Denman heads to Florida with a mission to heal her relationship with her mother. She realizes it's something she wants before it's too late. Carol's father passed away, but she has a chance to get to know her mother. Through Carol's eyes, her childhood was one of always disappointing and not living up to her parents expectations. Believing that her good, just wasn't good enough with parents who were cold and harsh.
Carol's parents never cared for John from the start, so Judith is incensed that Carol had anything to do with John on his death bed. It is unconscionable to Judith, that Carol has forgiven John.
It becomes very clear to Carol that the path to healing the relationship with her mom isn't going to happen overnight. There has always been a push and push back between them. Carol's Aunt Ellen often plays peacekeeper between them.
Carol extends an invitation to her mother and aunt to travel with her in her RV where she plans to make stops along the way before heading to a dedication in Dayton, Ohio. Much to Carol's surprise, Judith and Ellen accept.
It is through this trip, that Carol is able to see her parents through a different lens than that of her childhood. She gets to see her parents as human beings with faults like everyone else, which brings greater understanding to why her parents were the way they were. As Judith shares experiences from the past, a door is opened where Carol comes to know that she was and is still loved. Carol, also is able to see the hurt she caused. The healing begins!
I love this series, which the very core of is forgiveness. So often, we expect others to react as we would like them to, and fail to see ourselves in anything other than rose tinted glasses. Life is never so simple. I highly recommend this series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Pink Sand Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Carol Denman heads to Florida with a mission to heal her relationship with her mother. She realizes it's something she wants before it's too late. Carol's father passed away, but she has a chance to get to know her mother. Through Carol's eyes, her childhood was one of always disappointing and not living up to her parents expectations. Believing that her good, just wasn't good enough with parents who were cold and harsh.
Carol's parents never cared for John from the start, so Judith is incensed that Carol had anything to do with John on his death bed. It is unconscionable to Judith, that Carol has forgiven John.
It becomes very clear to Carol that the path to healing the relationship with her mom isn't going to happen overnight. There has always been a push and push back between them. Carol's Aunt Ellen often plays peacekeeper between them.
Carol extends an invitation to her mother and aunt to travel with her in her RV where she plans to make stops along the way before heading to a dedication in Dayton, Ohio. Much to Carol's surprise, Judith and Ellen accept.
It is through this trip, that Carol is able to see her parents through a different lens than that of her childhood. She gets to see her parents as human beings with faults like everyone else, which brings greater understanding to why her parents were the way they were. As Judith shares experiences from the past, a door is opened where Carol comes to know that she was and is still loved. Carol, also is able to see the hurt she caused. The healing begins!
I love this series, which the very core of is forgiveness. So often, we expect others to react as we would like them to, and fail to see ourselves in anything other than rose tinted glasses. Life is never so simple. I highly recommend this series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley via Pink Sand Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
February 8, 2022
I loved the first book and this one is very good. It jumped around n time and filled n lots of details. Made me want to make sure my girls know how special they are to me! ❤️
August 18, 2020
There just aren't enough stars in this world to give this book. Five just doesn't cut it. This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me to read. I found myself putting it down for a few minutes here and there because it was too hard emotionally to read. My heart just shattered. Carol's relationship with her mother, Judith is so similar to my relationship with my mother. Marci has a way of writing that is so close to the truth. Carol's journey into healing is raw and gut wrenching but, is absolutely beautiful. To watch her heal and try to repair her relationship with her mother is beautiful, real and one of the best reads that I've ever read. Just as good if not better than the first book. A book that will leave you drained but satisfied. You won't be disappointed. So grab a tissue box and follow Carol of her journey.
October 23, 2020
Excellent book! A page turner. Yes, it is sad but it's learning to forgive and moving on. I loved it, cried, made you smile, made you laugh ..A must!!
September 25, 2020
I try not to read books that make me cry, but when I read A LIFE WITHOUT WATER, I had to read Book 2. And so I needed a box of tissues. It's the continuing story of Carol Denman. Years after losing her daughter (cry) she is finally making piece with herself, her husband (daughters father) her recently passed husband and finally her mother.
Mother/Daughter relationships are hard and while they never got along - like oil and water I would say - there is an attempt when Carol sells her house, gets an RV and decides to continue going to places her daughter would have loved, in order to spread her ashes.
This time she is taking along her mother and aunt and find the time spent with them unearths deep resentments and mistakes done on both sides. A refreshing book that digs deep into our inner souls making us think about relationships and what is really important in this short life of ours. #fourstars #bringtissues #audiobook
Mother/Daughter relationships are hard and while they never got along - like oil and water I would say - there is an attempt when Carol sells her house, gets an RV and decides to continue going to places her daughter would have loved, in order to spread her ashes.
This time she is taking along her mother and aunt and find the time spent with them unearths deep resentments and mistakes done on both sides. A refreshing book that digs deep into our inner souls making us think about relationships and what is really important in this short life of ours. #fourstars #bringtissues #audiobook
January 4, 2021
As a child that did not see eye to eye with her own mother, this book was a good read. The rekindled mother/daughter relationship was full of hurt, miscommunication, family dynamics, strained relationships, at times verbal abuse, and the acts of forgiveness and tender love. I too have been able to rekindle my own relationship with my mother. It was a beautiful story that easily followed the first book. In fact, thinking about it, it was my mother that recommended the first book (she didn't know there were 2 more). I have had the pleasure to share these reads with her. Book 3 is next when audio comes out later this month. Looking forward to it.
April 18, 2021
I'm sorry it took so long to get this book read, life distractions!! What another great book by Marci Bolden, so many losses in one person's life, I loved being on her journey with her as she developed her need for finding peace. Beautifully written, I had trouble reading some pages due to big tears in my eyes. I can not wait to read A Life Without Regrets. I will definitely be reading more books by Marci Bolden!!
September 17, 2020
this book gave me goosebumps at certain times. very well written! this is the 2nd book in the series and it carried the flow from the 1st book nicely. it was a good book based on family relationships, primarily mother/daughter. this book also had a forgiveness aspect to it and i really enjoyed how Carol learned alot about her parents lives and grew a new/deeper understand/appreciation for them.
September 10, 2020
Brilliant read great discovering new things about Carol’s life journey whilst she’s taking a road trip.
A story about love loss and relationships can’t wait for the next book in the series which is out December 2020!
A story about love loss and relationships can’t wait for the next book in the series which is out December 2020!
January 7, 2021
A Life Without Flowers by Marci Bolden is the second novel telling the story of Carol Denman, who had lost her young daughter in an accident. She's always felt unloved by her parents and it became worse after the death of her daughter, when she took off without a word because she couldn't handle it. Years later, after the death of her second husband, in an effort to make up with her mother and get to know her, she takes off on a road trip with her mother and her aunt in order to scatter her daughter's and first husband's ashes in places they would have loved to go together. This trip allows them to get know each other better and begin to make amends for all years gone by.
This novel is a very emotional telling of the rift between a child and her parents and the lengths that some will go to in order to mend them. As with the first novel, I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you to the author, Pink Sand Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This novel is a very emotional telling of the rift between a child and her parents and the lengths that some will go to in order to mend them. As with the first novel, I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you to the author, Pink Sand Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2020
A Life Without Flowers is a must read follow up to A Life Without Water. This books continues for follow Carol/Caroline as she continues to heal from the losses and pain she has suffered throughout her life. Carol takes us on a journey of mending the relationship with her mother and learning to forgive others. I could not put this books down as it took me on an emotional journey of healing, forgiveness and understanding. Have your tissues ready, you need them.
August 19, 2020
A Life Without Flowers was an emotional rollercoaster ride. It was a heart wrenching journey to make peace with not only her mother, but forgiveness for herself and others. Carol endured so much during her lifetime, and you definitely don't want to miss this read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and all opinions expressed here are my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and all opinions expressed here are my own.
January 3, 2021
Loved this sequel as much as the first book!! Very emotional journey for the characters and reader! I cannot wait to read Book #3 - “A Life Without Regrets”!!
January 12, 2021
Manipulated drama?
I got so sick of all the disfunction! This story certainly didn’t take two books...
Oh wait there’s a third! A big no thank you!!!
I got so sick of all the disfunction! This story certainly didn’t take two books...
Oh wait there’s a third! A big no thank you!!!
September 6, 2023
I don't post many reviews but I do rate every book that I read. With that said I feel like I need to explain my 1 star rating. I have no idea how this book is rated 4+ stars. You could read this book without reading the first in the series and not miss a beat. Why you may ask....well because this book rehashes that entire book. The main character, who I liked in book #1 becomes such an annoying narcissistic character. She whines all the time and repeats things over and over and over again. My conclusive thoughts are....OMG get over it already and move on past your upbringing. And wow the world is all about you and what you are experiencing and the heck with everyone else. She picks unnecessary fights, she complains about everything, she takes no responsibility for her own behavior although she claims she does. WHEEW.....just UGH. Also her daughter (who passed away at 6...not in this book) is mentioned endless amounts of times. If I read "Katy would have wanted it this way" one more time I was going to scream. SHE WAS 6! And somehow you knew exactly how she would have wanted her remains distributed!? Um....no. Find another book to read, this one is not worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2020
This novel is the second book in the series of a life without water. In a life without flowers Carol is hoping to mend her broken relationship with her mother. And she is also trying to find peace with her father. As she continues her road trip to spread the ashes of her deceased daughter Kaitlyn and ex husband John, she invited her mother Judith and aunt to join her in her travels. However, during this road trip Carol was able to get answers and reasons to many of the questions she had about her cruel upbringing as a child from both her parents. At the end she was able to find peace with her deceased father and mother. She learned how to forgive and live at peace with the knowledge of knowing that her dad did indeed love her, and had also been broken. Judith her mother also told her that she was depressed and had seeked help to treat her depression. It was this that made Carol understand the reasoning behind her mother's lack of love and compassion she wished her mother would have given her.
July 25, 2020
A Life Without Flowers is the continuation of Carol Denham's story and is the second book in the series. It was quite the journey and I do feel it's important to have read A Life Without Water as well so you have the backstory.
Carol is at a crossroads in her life and she has decided it is time to try to mend her relationship with her mother. She heads to Florida where her Mom, Judith, now lives with her Aunt Ellen. Carol knows that this is going to be a challenging time as it seems that Carol has never been able to live up to her parents expectations and she and her Mom always seem to push one another's buttons. With her father having been gone for a few years, Carol wants to try to understand where the disconnect has always been with her parents so she can continue moving forward towards the peace she craves.
Carol, Judith and Ellen set out on a journey to say goodbye to Katie, Carol's daughter who passed more than twenty years earlier, as they scatter her ashes in places she would have loved, the question is will this family come out of this stronger or will the divide be even greater when they are done?
This book gives you the full range of emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, honesty, forgiveness and empathy. I enjoy following Carol's journey and she's come so far in these two books and I'm looking forward to what lies next for her next.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Carol is at a crossroads in her life and she has decided it is time to try to mend her relationship with her mother. She heads to Florida where her Mom, Judith, now lives with her Aunt Ellen. Carol knows that this is going to be a challenging time as it seems that Carol has never been able to live up to her parents expectations and she and her Mom always seem to push one another's buttons. With her father having been gone for a few years, Carol wants to try to understand where the disconnect has always been with her parents so she can continue moving forward towards the peace she craves.
Carol, Judith and Ellen set out on a journey to say goodbye to Katie, Carol's daughter who passed more than twenty years earlier, as they scatter her ashes in places she would have loved, the question is will this family come out of this stronger or will the divide be even greater when they are done?
This book gives you the full range of emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, honesty, forgiveness and empathy. I enjoy following Carol's journey and she's come so far in these two books and I'm looking forward to what lies next for her next.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews