The Singing Trees

by Boo Walker

A young artist forges a path of self-discovery in an enriching novel about forgiving the past and embracing second chances, from the bestselling author of An Unfinished Story.

Maine, 1969. After losing her parents in a car accident, aspiring artist Annalisa Mancuso lives with her grandmother and their large Italian family in the stifling factory town of Payton Mills. Inspired by her mother, whose own artistic dreams disappeared in a damaged marriage, Annalisa is dedicated only to painting. Closed off to love, and driven as much by her innate talent as she is the disillusionment of her past, Annalisa just wants to come into her own.

The first step is leaving Payton Mills and everything it represents. The next, the inspiring opportunities in the city of Portland and a thriving New England art scene where Annalisa hopes to find her voice. But she meets Thomas, an Ivy League student whose attentions—and troubled family—upend her pursuits in ways she never imagined possible. As their relationship deepens, Annalisa must balance her dreams against an unexpected love. Until the unraveling of an unforgivable lie.

For Annalisa, opening herself up to life and to love is a risk. It might also be the chance she needs to finally become the person and the artist she’s meant to be.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Historical, Book Club, Art

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2021

About the author

Bestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman’s farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.

Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.

For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn’t change a thing. When was the last time you could say that about a book?

From the intriguing prologue through the touching epilogue, I was captivated by this story about a young woman coming of age in 1970s New England. Annalisa Mancuso is a budding artist determined to find success as a painter in the big city of Portland. While she has talent and determination in spades, life - in the form of first love, prejudice, and betrayal - makes her path a rocky one. The Vietnam War is also raging overseas, and even residents of Maine are affected.

Author Boo Walker started his creative career as a songwriter and musician, which is evident through his lyrical prose and storytelling. He also evokes the music of the era (The Beatles, Elvis, The Guess Who, etc.) to immerse readers into Annalisa’s world. For the hours I spent with this novel, I felt like I was living in the 70s.

The Singing Trees is the first book I have read by this author, and I’m thrilled to see he has a back catalogue for me to explore. I will definitely be turning to his previous (and future) works when I’m in need of touching stories with fantastic characterization, a lot of heart, and just the exact right amount of humor.

Boo Walker's novels (including this one) are currently available on Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync audio narration.

Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved the big Italian family. The setting. The time period. A lot of the characters were very likable. All positive things. However, I found the writing to be simplistic. The pace incredibly slow. The book overly long. And the biggest issue was it contained one of my biggest pet peeves...lack of communication. Nothing annoys me more than when a simple conversation would clear the air, thus avoiding all the drama and long separation. 🤬

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how I ended up with a love story on my shelf, but I'm not too upset, it was a good book. The writing was good. The characters were well-developed and likable. The overall story was a little on the cheesy side, but a very enjoyable read. We follow Annalisa a young Italian girl from small town Maine with aspirations of moving to the "big city" and becoming an artist. Now is it super realistic that she accomplishes all her life goals by her mid twentys....no. Would the book have been better had there been some more devastating setbacks....yes. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

[Nancy (Busy feeding 6 rescued baby bunnies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One day, I'm going to have an entire choir of them, like a big forest of singing trees, and I'm going to sit out there for hours and listen and let the world go."

The prologue of The Singing Trees by Boo Walker starts in present day 2019. From there, it goes back to 1969 and chronologically tells the story of Annalisa Mancuso, a passionate and talented artist trying to find her voice during a very unsettling period in U.S. history and a difficult period of her life. So many books have dual timelines that flip back and forth, so it was a nice change that this one only had the present day story at the beginning and the end.

Boo Walker is clearly a talented writer and a great story teller. His prose is subtle yet descriptive and I was brought to tears more than once while reading. As much as I grew to care about Annalisa and Thomas, I especially adored her nonna and Walt. What lovely characters they were.

Ultimately, this book is about people loving people in every form, from romantic love to familial love. This book really resonated with me and will easily be in my top 5 favorite books of 2021. This was my first Boo Walker novel, but definitely won't be my last. Now I'm really looking forward to reading his book An Unfinished Story. 5 glowing stars.

Available now on Kindle Unlimited.

[Frosty61 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outlier here. For me this was barely okay. I wanted to like it, but the overkill on 1960's and 1970's culture became too much (JFK; Elvis; a VW Beetle; Teaberry gum; Woodstock; Three Stooges; Black Panthers; Kent State; Nixon; various causes and protests; incense; and on and on). The author seemed to be trying too hard to show all the research that went into the book. One thing that really drove me crazy (ha, pun intended) was the weird tendency to write the model of a car every time it's mentioned - the Plymouth Belvedere, the VW Beetle - can't it just be a CAR?

The kicker was that all the angst and the years-long separation of Annalise and the love of her life, Thomas, could've been avoided with a simple conversation between the two. My least favorite kind of plot - a misunderstanding leads to years of pain.

[Katherine Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Hallmark Movie in Book Form

I absolutely cannot believe the high ratings this book has received. It was completely predictable, overwhelmingly unbelievable, and the main character achieved all her life goals at warp speed (early 20s as I recall). This is the first time I’ve really disliked a book that had 4+ stars. Save yourself some time and possibly money on this one. PASS

[Suman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The storyline is weak and idiotic.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

so trite

This book had so many cliched tropes that there was no room for any story. I will never read another by this author.

[chasingholden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its 1969 and Annalisa Mancuso has closed into herself following the tragic loss of her parents. Inspired partially by her mother, Annalisa devotes everything she has left to her painting. She's desperate to find her voice and feels that the best way to do so is to leave her town and everything it represents. Seems simple enough, until Thomas enters the picture and changes the course of our heroines life leading her on a somewhat bumpy journey she never expected. Is risking everything the thing to do?

This is a stunning narrative with well developed characters that tug at your heart strings. From the first page perfectly chosen words draw the reader near, weaving a web that will leave you with an intense desire to crawl in to the story and never return.

Boo Walkers passion and brilliance is once again very evident in this book as with previous novels, anyone who is familiar with Boo Walker will know exactly what I'm talking about, and for those who aren't what are you waiting for? This novel present an excellent start to your love affair with this author.

A very big thankyou to Netgalley and Boo Walker for an advance copy for me to leave my honest response to the book in question. I will be singing praise for The Singing Tree's until everyone I meet is reading this one.

[Lynne Oakley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe I actually got through this book. I felt like I was watching a tennis match with the main characters thoughts and actions bouncing back and forth. Could have been a good story but her constant (and I mean constant) questioning of everything was insane. I don't feel she was a very likable person. I know I didn't care for her.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved ‘A Spanish Sunrise’ and was disappointed at discovering that this one didn’t hold my attention.

I felt that Annalisa’s accomplishments were almost too perfect and some of the plot was a little on the cheesy side. I almost tossed it several times because of pacing and yelled at the characters for walking blindly into consequences as a result of their poor communication skills.

I’ll be honest - I DNF’d this one and left it in Whittier, Alaska in a LFL. I hope it finds an excited reader.

[Haylee Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gosh, I just really didn’t like this. It was predictable, whiny, and not well written.

I think Annalisa was one of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read. She was so woe-is-me all the time, and she was the most immature and rash in her actions. I know she was young, but come on!

I think I didn’t really believe in her because the author was a man. The author just didn’t get her written right for me to like her.

I’m glad the ending worked out like it did, though, as I love a happy ending. Saw it coming from a mile away!

[Barbara Gillan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a predictable Hallmark movie buried in a too-long book.

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Singing Trees is a poignant exploration of the family ties that bind us—and pull us apart. Uplifting, lovingly crafted, with characters you’ll root for until the very end, this is a story that explores the sacrifices we must make to follow our dreams. Highly recommended.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's all about families and how they help us through our lives. . .and how they stand right in our way. Annalisa leads us through her life, her intense desire to be a great artist, to reach and achieve farther than her parents did. Thank goodness for her traditional Italian, very Catholic Nonna, and a steady cousin who step up when she needs to survive and move beyond the deep wells of grief that threaten to overtake her when the worst happens.

From there life seems determined to thwart her every good thing. Or does it?

An evolving romance for quiet moments. As Annalisa figures out how love fits in her life, you'll find yourself back on your own shaky path . . . frissons aplenty.

A Sincere Thanks to Boo Walker, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.
#TheSingingTrees #NetGalley

[Rhogal2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his red mountain series….this book however is not up to the caliber I expected. It is certainly a quick predictable soap opera. The characters lack the depth I expected. They are shallow and silly folks. Caught in webs of their own thinking and un able to communicate their hopes and dreams to each other. Not worth your time…

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried my eyes out! What an amazing book! Couldn't put it down, read it in one day!

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have about 20 pages left but I needed to gather my thoughts first, because I just know I will bawl my eyes out once I finish this book. I remember I reading the blurb on Netgalley and thought it intriguing because it said so much but revealed very little as well. That and the pretty cover were enough to pick my interest.

This story is set over the course of a decade during the 70s, in New England, and revolves around Annalisa, a young woman whose one true desire is to live and breathe as an artist. Painting is a craft she has honed her whole life and not even the small town she has grown up in can stop her from soaring. However, on the eve of her taking a new step toward fulfilling her big dreams, she meets Thomas and his unexpected presence (and his family baggage) puts her beautiful but fragile aspirations at risk. I do want to say more, but I believe this book will be appreciated best if you go in mostly blind.

I've never read any Boo Walker story before this one and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to get an ARC of "The Singing Trees." It was just so good. Talk about giving a new meaning to slow burn! Be warned, I felt on the verge of tears most of the time, and though I admit I can be moved more or less easily, to be able to leave me as a wreck page after page is really a feat in itself. Two thirds in, I thought my heart really could not handle the pain any longer (I still did). The author has a way with his words and his characters; every thing seems very humble and very touching at the same time, as if you were just taking your time inhaling and exhaling, connecting and contemplating. It looked simple but it really isn't. It's not as spiritual as I make it sound, but the story, the protagonists and their experiences felt so very human in all of their complex glory. I can't quite give it justice with my words here, but it was really beautiful.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh golly-golly-gosh! What a splendidly outstanding story of love and forgiveness. And the inspiration behind how it came to be is truly amazing, as well. Just wow – clap! clap!

This was my first read from Boo Walker, a masterful storyteller and wordsmith. Compelling and beautifully written. His writing is exceptionally impressive. I was sucked in from page one and never wanted it to end. I absolutely fell in love with this book. It was impossible not to become an instant fan of this new-to-me author.

From the details to the range of emotions and, of course, the superbly layered characters throughout the casting, the plotting was laid out clearly and succinctly. It made the whole reading experience much more appealing – especially with the large span of time involved.

I’m going to be stingy with details and let you enjoy their story as they live it. You’ll enjoy it so much more, and it won’t spoil the journey that you’ll share with such lovable characters as Annalisa Mancuso and Thomas Barnes.

In a star-crossed love story, two young people face many obstacles in their relationship, among them manipulation and lies, selfishness and social class differences. For several years, they were separated by the war in Vietnam, along with some cruel and ugly interferences thrust upon them by those who fought to keep them apart. There's laughter and tears, heartbreak and elation.

Annalisa Mancuso is a character who has faced adversity from an early age, but she has always been filled with determination even with so much stacked against her, and courageously succeeded despite the odds. With her Italian background, there are some strong personality traits in her large family – sometimes fun and sometimes not.

Thomas Barnes is her knight-in-shining-armor. Picture him as a young Robert Redford. He’s from a Coastal Maine elite background, but with a kind and gentle heart. And his childhood hadn’t been a barrel of fun either and still wasn’t with his father’s tough expectations. It was kismet in its truest form when Thomas and Annalisa met quite by accident.

The chimes play a touching role of their own in this story. Now I want my backyard filled with “singing trees” and plan on adding wind chimes to my Christmas list for sure – a little coperta to soothe the soul and celebrate the joys this book brought me. Those 60s and 70s were among some of the best and worst years of my life, so this story was a direct hit to the heart. Books like this don’t come around every day. And I’ve learned to appreciate the magic and wonders within the pages of those that do.

I wasn’t sure that I was going to get the happy ending I hoped for. That kept the tension building and drama rising until the delivery of a very satisfying and meaningful ending – one that made the angst and hard times all worthwhile. A thoroughly engaging and spellbinding read from start to finish.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This started well, but the author did a lot of showing THEN telling, which annoyed me to no end. Also, the audio narrator made this a lot more treacly than it already was. I really do need to make a note to never listen to anything else narrated by Cassandra Campbell.

I probably wouldn’t read more by this author, but by about the last quarter, I was fully invested and really wanted to see how this would turn out. I was able to spend time with the paper book toward the end, which helped me avoid the awful audio performance.

If this would have been more focused on the art of making wind chimes, which is what I assumed based on the title, I think I’d have liked it a lot more. Instead, there was an insta-love story, and a lot of talking down by a male writer to a mostly female audience. In light of current events and a bunch of old white men wanting to stick their noses into the personal lives of a whole bunch of women they’ve never met, it just upped the annoyance meter for me. I did like the way the book wound up, but I wouldn’t really recommend this unless you’re a fan of the author. And the audio performance is definitely one to avoid. I can’t even give half a star to it.

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very long book for what actually happens. 416 pages that could have been half that many pages.
Takes place in the 60-70s with Vietnam war looming and then occurring.
A love story between Anna and Thomas. Anna doesn’t want to give up her art career for anything. She eventually gives in and things go well for awhile. Then Thomas goes to Vietnam. Then things do not go well for awhile. I am not going to give the ending away but was not very suspenseful or intriguing to me.
I will say I did like the singing trees title and it’s meaning.
Not a bad story but can’t recommend just because of the length.

[Lori Tremain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, youthful ignorance, different social classes, and different views. Annalise is poor Italian and blames herself for her parents death and no longer opens her heart to believe. She is 17yrs old and wants to leave her grandmother to become the an artist with pictures in museums. Thomas is a believer despite his horrible father. He is upper New England born. Money does not matter. The two meet in several off chance places and Thomas won't take no for an answer. He is adorable. Anna is younger and holds her heart tight. Art is her future and she does not need Love or a man in her life. Life teaches many things and thru living it, good and bad, they learn love. But can they hold onto it?
Cons: I loved this book but I do feel the author went overboard at times to make us find Anna blaming herself, then bam her world opens up and colors fly. Then again, another several pages of blame. It got tiring, but as a reader I had to remind myself of youthful ignorance. Still, the author could have written less self blaming.

[Mariah W · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30%.

This book is so boring; I’m having a hard time understanding why there are such high reviews. I was a third of the way through & felt like the plot had moved about 1 degree. Gah! Whhhhyyy people??

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate stories like this where couples too easily believe lies they are told and give up on each other.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the 52 book challenge prompt 8 “involving the art world”.

I don’t know if I would have found this book if it was not for this challenge, but boy I am glad I did.

I am a judge a book by its title/cover kind of reader, and the title didn’t exactly called to me, so I think I would have never picked it up if it wasn’t for the blurb. I was running out of time to decide what to read for the Challenge while I was putting all my time on the Crescent City series and its 1600 pages, but this book fit the prompt so I decided to dive in.

What a journey.

I truly loved the characters. Even if at the beginning I was a bit annoyed by Thomas, as Annalisa kept rejecting him and he kept insisting. Take a no as an answer, man! But in the end I am glad he didn’t give up because the love story was soooo sweet!

But the thing that impressed me the most - and the reason because of the 5 stars - was Annalisa’s journey though her art. How she tried to stay away from love, hoping not to make her mom’s mistakes, just to find herself as an artist in that love. A love for a man first, then for her family who stayed by her side when she lost it and then in herself when she figured out who she was.

I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope and, even if it’s understandable the reason why they lost these 18 months, I wanted to punch them both in numerous occasions, as - even without the prologue - it was clear what was going on.

I loved the ending, and I wish I was as forgiving as Annalisa.

Such a strong woman!

Best character: Nonna, she felt like home to me!

[Meri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for giving me this ARC in return for an honest review.
The story starts off in the late 60s. After the death of her parents Annalisa Mancuso has closed herself off. She lives with her grandmother and dreams of persuing a career in arts. Annalisa is determined not to let anything interfere with her goal of finding her own voice in her paintings and leaving the small town behind. Shortly before her planned move, however, she meets Thomas and she begins to question her plans and which risks are worth taking.
The characters are well developed and feel very real. I was extremely engaged with the characters and was on the verge of tears a few times. I especially loved Annalisa. Her devotion to painting and her determination to fulfil her dreams despite all that she struggles with is truly inspiring.
I wholly enjoyed the writing style. It seems simple but is very touching, humble and real. It was so easy to get immersed in this story which encompasses themes like aspiration, love and foregiveness.

Thanks to this ARC I have added Boo Walker to my list of favorite authors.

[JoAnn Whell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading but frustrating

I'm Italian so I could relate to the family ties in this book. What was hard for me was the lack of communication between the characters. It was hard to believe that Anastasia would not meet Thomas in person after she thought he was having an affair with a Vietnamese woman. The lack of communication between two people that's supposedly loved each other, was ridiculous. The ending was also disappointing. Forgiveness should have came to Thomas so many years before his sister was dying. I can't totally like a character that can't forgive. So to sum it up parts of the book was beautifully written, but the characters lacked normal communication that should exist in all relationships.

[Kory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo Walker's The Singing Trees is a breathtaking literary journey that captivated me from the very first page. With its evocative prose and beautifully drawn characters, this novel is a testament to the power of storytelling and the profound connections we forge with nature and each other. Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town, the story follows a diverse cast of characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. At the heart of the narrative is a mystical tree that serves as a symbol of hope, healing, and transformation. Walker masterfully weaves themes of loss, redemption, and the enduring impact of the past, creating an emotional tapestry that lingers long after the last page is turned. The characters are richly developed and authentically flawed, making them relatable and engaging. Each character’s journey is thoughtfully explored, revealing their struggles, dreams, and the secrets they carry. Walker’s keen insight into human emotion allows readers to feel deeply connected to their experiences, evoking empathy and reflection. The lyrical quality of Walker’s writing draws readers into the lush, vibrant world he creates. His descriptions of the natural landscape are so vivid that you can almost hear the rustling leaves and feel the salty breeze. The tree itself feels like a character, embodying the spirit of the community and the healing power of nature. What really sets The Singing Trees apart is its ability to blend magical realism with poignant life lessons. The interplay between the extraordinary and the ordinary invites readers to ponder the mysteries of life and our place within it. This novel is not just a story; it's an experience that encourages introspection and wonder. Overall, I cannot recommend The Singing Trees highly enough. Boo Walker has crafted a remarkable and moving tale that will resonate with readers who appreciate rich storytelling and deep emotional engagement. It’s a book that deserves a place on every bookshelf, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read it through NetGalley. A definite five-star read!

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a prime reads book and my first by this author. While the story itself didn't blow me away, I really liked the book. I liked the characters (most of them), I liked the plot, and I loved the descriptions of where they lived and what they did. My only issue was that it might have been a little too long...it just didn't need to be, in my opinion. :) I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Linda Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally involved in this book. Having lived in Maine for 18 years, reading The Singing Trees brought me back. Boo Walker was right on about the places, 1970s styles, even the food that was eaten in this coastal town of Portland. I love reading his books. He just has a way of pulling you in and living his words. Enjoyed loving this book!