A review by ciolaceum
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

emotional informative lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I need to sit down for a second and just appreciate this book. I initially picked it up because of my love for flowers—I thought it’d be a beautiful way to learn about their meanings and the language behind them. But I wasn’t expecting the depth it offered.

The book touched on so many things: growth, the struggle to cope, depression, motherhood, second chances. It didn’t dive too deeply into each topic, but when it did touch on them, it did so with care—nothing felt offensive or poorly handled. It ended up being a really powerful story about survival, love, and strength—about what it means to pull through life even when everything feels heavy.

The main character was flawed and insecure, but she was written in a way that made you understand her. I didn’t always agree with the choices she made, but her growth over time felt rewarding—maybe that’s not the perfect word, but it fits.

A solid 4.5 stars for me.