All the Flowers of the Mountain

by Christina Holbrook

In a Paris art gallery, physician Dr. Michael Pearce is forced to confront his past when he views a sculpture by the artist Katherine Morgan. The vivid bronze artwork evokes memories of a summer many years ago, when Michael and Katherine–Kit–first met as teenagers by a lake in New Hampshire. He was a small town boy who skied, played guitar, and was destined to run his father’s hardware store; she was the restless, troubled daughter of a wealthy New York family. Set amidst the mountains and farmlands, small country towns and elegant summer homes of rural New England, All the Flowers of the Mountain is the story of a pivotal summer for Michael and Kit. Michael’s ambitions are ignited by this young woman and he grows determined that their future will be together. But Kit dreams of becoming an artist and her struggle with a secret from the past leads her to a deadly showdown and choices that will break Michael’s heart. Holbrook captures the dark complexities of family secrets and the painful choices when the need to set one’s own course in the world opposes the demands of the heart. Perfect for fans of Delia Owens and Nicholas Sparks, All the Flowers of the Mountain is a haunting exploration of trauma and the abuse of privilege, of desire and the enduring power of love.

Genres: Fiction

388 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

ALL THE FLOWERS OF THE MOUNTAIN, Christina Holbrook's debut novel, is a 2023 IPPY Award Bronze Medal winner and 2023 Colorado Book Award winner. TABLE FOR ONE, her collection of short stories, is scheduled for July 2023 release.

A native of New York and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Holbrook now lives in Colorado with her husband, Alan Dulit. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Political Theory from Wellesley College. Holbrook’s column "Lark Ascending" ran in the Summit Daily newspaper in Frisco, Colorado from 2016 through 2020, and her collaboration with photographer Marc Hoberman, "Winelands of Colorado," was published in 2017.

For more information please visit www.christinaholbrook.com. Follow Christina on Instagram @christinaholbrookwrites.

Reviews

[Beth D'Ovidio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down, actually. I think the book's appeal for me was "the coming of age" theme. It brought back so many memories of that first, breathless love! The one you never get over. The one that haunts you. If you've ever experienced this, you know exactly what I'm talking about. And there were a number of other themes that attracted me to the plot - themes of class difference; deception; sibling relationships.
The author did a great job defining the book's setting, the north country in New Hampshire, which is as lovely as described. I also thought the character development was quite good.
Just loved the book!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully crafted love story with the suspense and tension of a thriller. Set in the White Mountains of New Hampshire it explores the tension between wealthy entitled vacation homeowners from the cities, and the locals. The protagonist, Kit, rebels against her wealthy parents who believe they know best. At the age of sixteen her desire is to become an artist and stay in New Hampshire near her new love. Instead, her parents convince her that she is mentally ill, and send her to school in Switzerland. Two years later she returns to the mountains and a horrible secret about what really happened to her is finally revealed.

The narrative is rich with yearning born within the beauty and grandeur of mountains and lakes, skillfully described in a way that draws you into a tangible story world. In the talented hands of Holbrook, the setting becomes a character in its own right, interacting with the characters seamlessly, creating such a tranquil place that the violence committed within it is even more shocking.

Kit is a richly drawn hero who is forced to choose between her own ambition and the love of her life. This is a must read for lovers of romance, suspense and resilient women.

[dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving it 2.5 stars. Too predictable and had me rolling my eyes at several parts. It’s just not my kind of story. I shouldn’t read romance novels as I’m always left feeling like there is just not much to them.

[Jan Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as my daughter, who lives in Breckenridge, Colorado is in a women’s group that is currently reading it and will have the author visit. The book is a coming of age novel and love story. After looking her up and reading about her, the novel appears to mirror her own life. The website also has some lovely photos of her growing up summers in the White Mountains which I thought would have been nice to have included at the end of the book. The author now lives in Breckenridge, Colorado and her own personal life story is similar to the one in the book. The story was a bit predictable but still worth the read.

[Lifleury · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the Flowers of the Mountain
There are moments in life: decisions, events, encounters, that will alter the course of one's life. Kit is a beautiful, talented young woman on the verge of going to a prestigious college and abiding by the expectations of her stifling upper class NY society life which include marrying into her social caste. A traumatic event one summer upends her life. The true, young love and strong emotions she feels for a "local", a young man whom she meets while summering in her family's New Hampshire, farm bring into focus what really counts for Kit and in her life, in sharp contrast with her family's expectations for her to carry on with their social codes and norms.
The story beautifully captures New Hampshire in the summer; the lakes, mountains, flowers, smells, and weather are a character of their own, and part of Kit herself. New Hampshire is the place that inspires her art, where she discovers first love, and breaks free from the ties that bind her to a fate she rejects. This story of love and awakening, after trauma and abuse, is satisfying and uplifting. A story of hope!

[Mary Kronenwetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Paris to New Hampshire. Two of my favorite places. Like Kit, I summered (much more modestly) in the White Mountains in the 1970s, complete with the intersection of class and clash of cultures, and heady teenage romances that ended as the leaves began to fall. I always imagined that the Granite State breathed a sigh of relief at the departure of the “summer people.” I am drawn to stories that reflect a deeply-felt sense of place. All the Flowers of the Mountain transported me back to the time period, the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of the White Mountains. The characters act on and are acted upon the environment they find themselves in - whether as residents or sojourners, with lifelong consequences.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story is about Michael Pierce and Kit Morgan. They meet as teenagers and fall in love, even though they have little in common. Michael is a hometown boy, probably destined to live his life in the town that he grew up in. Kit is the daughter of very wealthy parents from NYC. Her parents have no intention of letting her get involved with a local boy.

There is an evil presence in the story. Brandon is about to marry Kit's cousin, but not before he wreaks havoc in Kit and Michael's lives.

This story is predictable, but the book did a great job of getting me hooked into the lives of Michael and Kit.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love story with other sub-plots, which really carried the book for me. The characters were well described; the reader could get to know them well. The front cover of the book compares it to Where the Crawdads Sing, which is what attracted me to it. I don’t see that at all, but the beauty of New Hampshire and its lakes and forests, farmlands and quaint towns was lovely.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounding up

Honestly this was a beautiful book. It was slow at first and hard to get into but the second half was difficult to put down. I wish there was more of the characters together at the end, but I understand why there wasn’t.

Not at all related to the plot, but I hated the use of exclamation points in this novel. I can’t explain further.

[Caroline Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is well done for a first-time author. Definitely kept my attention and was relatable. There were a few moments that felt sort of "Nancy Drewish," but as the story progressed I got more and more into it. It's a lovely tale of love, loss and finding the courage to achieve one's authentic purpose.

[Isie Fader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda slow, it was a sweet book but not very much action and a little predictable

[Ann Singer-Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just didn’t love this book. The plot felt rushed, characters a bit cliche. I did read it very quickly on an airplane and it kept my attention.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Had an idea of the ending but kept me guessing. Loved reading about the names of various mountain flowers

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I just don't think romance novels are for me anymore.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

licked my chops when I finished this one fr

[Bree]

It was fun to read a book that took place local to me. I must say that the use of so.many exclamation points took away from the story at times, very often at awkward places.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this up. I hadn’t ever read a cross-class, tourist/local romance set in a mountain town. Christina Holbrook we see you in Summit County.

[Liz Bieler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book! I crawled into bed each night eager to open its pages and witness Kit and Michael falling in love. Holbrook is a master of description and storytelling. If you're looking for a delicious, heartwarming escape from the news, this is it!

[Lauren Davids · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book was the connection I felt to the environment as I bought this book IN Polly’s Pancake Parlor (mentioned in the book). I also enjoyed the way this love story unfolded as two beautiful sounds learned to chase their dreams and follow their hearts.