While the pandemic is officially over, I’ve discovered that the effects of those long months of isolation linger, keeping many of us feeling like strangers in our own homes. Like several of my friends, I’ve found the transition back to our normal lives difficult. One would think that after such a long period of staying home we would be hungry to return to the way life once was, and yet we’re not. The need for community, for gatherings, meetings, and girl time is there; yet there’s a hesitation, a reluctance. It’s safe to be with other people now but there’s an awareness that it could all happen again if we aren’t careful. And then because we are cautious, we return to what is now familiar: isolation.
It was this hesitancy to pick up the lives we once knew that prompted the story idea of MUST LOVE FLOWERS. My heroine, Joan, is in such a place, and it takes a notice from her HOA regarding her yard that stirs her into action. One thing leads to another and soon she’s on the road to regaining her life back from the black hole in which she’d buried herself. With the help of a young boarder, a puppy, and a support group, Joan faces this new beginning with optimism and hope for a brighter future.
Two women at different stages of life find themselves on a journey of renewal after hardship in this uplifting novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber. Order your copy today!
24 Comments
Anna Howdyshell
July 13, 2023 at 9:56 pmI just finished reading Must Love Flowers I loved the book. I love all the books you have written. You are my favorite author. I am so happy you decided to keep writing books. I will continue buying them.
Becky McDowell
July 14, 2023 at 3:54 pmI loved your new book, Must Love Flowers! Thank you.
Shirley Toburen
July 17, 2023 at 8:49 pmDebbie, you are just the best. I remember the fun we had at Cedar Cove Days. I treasure the memories.
Mary Franceschini
July 17, 2023 at 9:05 pmThank you, Debbie. You are an inspiration to me to keep on with writing. In this moment, I’m feeling in the dumps.
Janie Ellison
July 17, 2023 at 9:29 pmHi Debbie,
The pandemic gave me many more hours in my beloved garden, certainly a life saver for mental health during such a frightening time.
Yes, I would agree, gardening is a joy and reading about it is a pleasure too.
Thank you for your lovely, heartwarming books.
Janie Ellison
Drucilla Musgrove
July 17, 2023 at 10:06 pmI love you and all your writings. I’m on oxygen and trapped in my house everyday. When I read it’s like being there and free. Thank you for your stories.
Diane Furo
July 17, 2023 at 10:34 pmThank you Debbie. I have read almost all of your books and am halfway through this latest one. You are a lifesaver! If you are ever making an appearance here in Florida I would love to thank you in person! God bless you!
Debbie Schenk
July 17, 2023 at 11:49 pmI too have found the transition to normal life not normal. I retired when the pandemic started and I feel somewhat lost. Nothing feels the same. Thank heavens I have your books.
JoAnn
July 18, 2023 at 12:24 amI. Love your books every one of them. I have them ALL. THANK YOU for being YOU.
norma Gardner
July 18, 2023 at 12:48 amI just attended an online zoom meeting with a writer’s group I belong to. I kept saying to myself this is not right. Then I read your comments about trying to get back to normal after Covid. Really I thought I had, but tonight I realized I’ve not accepted it at all. I miss our in person meeting as writers and the smiling faces I can see and a hand shake I can feel. Will we ever get back to meeting in person? I hope so. I miss it. Keep writing your beautiful books.
Debbie Cafarelli
July 18, 2023 at 12:57 amDear Debbie, Thank you for continuing to write wonderful stories that inspire us to be better people. I hope you you are well.
I noticed that you mentioned that Covid is “over”. Not completely. Our son and new daughter-in-law delayed their honeymoon last September because Covid was still “rearing its ugly head”! They did have a “mini-moon” closer to home. They drove to Vermont for a 4 day vacation. They planned their honeymoon for this past May. Flew into Seattle, rented a car then drove down the Northwest of the US. The week before their flight, John felt like he was having a reaction to all of the gardening that he did over the weekend. Pam is in health care so she suggested that he take a Covid test. You guessed it! John tested positive for Covid. Well, they didn’t cancel their vacation as they wanted to wait out the symptoms, hoping he would improve with rest and soup. He did but not without some restless nights. Since May we know of many friends and family that have tested positive for Covid. They recovered. It is still around, just not as strong.
Stay well and safe. I enjoy reading your books and reading about your travels with Wayne.
Jackie Tessnair
July 18, 2023 at 1:54 amI love your books Debbie.
Pam Hegdale
July 18, 2023 at 4:29 amI can’t wait to read the new book.
When I first discovered your books more than a year ago, I devoured them. Being a retired gal, means I can spend my time as I choose so I did the compulsive thing and printed off the list from your website. With the list in hand I headed to my favorite used book store and carted home everything I could find on their shelves. I am not a fast reader, and actually my daughter used to tease me because she could read a novel in one day or two and I like to savor the story, taking sometimes 5 or 6 days, stopping to take care of household tasks or grocery shopping. Then at the end of the day I would curl up in bed and read for hours until my eyes were trying to close.
My favorites are the series, and I look forward to each successive volume as I work my way through them. I recently discovered the Hallmark Cedar Cove Series and while I enjoy watching a couple episodes at a time, I much prefer a book in my hands and find that I want to get my set off the shelf snd read them again. (Yes I have saved everything I’ve read. I know – but I can’t bring myself to part with them right now, although I did buy some for a cousin who always has a book in her purse and has a budget more limited than mine.
Eventually I’ll pass on the ones I don’t plan to read again.
Thank you ;->
Pam Hegdale
Sue Barron
July 18, 2023 at 11:49 amLoved reading Must Love Flowers. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Another great read.
Isilda Silva
July 18, 2023 at 5:24 pmHi Debbie, I said this before but its worth repeating I truly enjoy your novels. I bought “Must Love Flowers” and cannot wait to start reading. Your writing always leaves me with hope. Thank you. Love, Isilda
Mj
July 19, 2023 at 1:38 amPlease keep creating. It’s never summer here without a MK Andrews novel in my bag. I look forward to adding your newest novel to my reading list this August! Take good care, and thanks!
Mary Ann Smith
July 19, 2023 at 4:54 amI couldn’t agree more about your thoughts on the days following the Covid pandemic. I did have it and not exaggerating in stating I am fortunate to be alive. I lost 13 pounds (I am about 4’10 1/2′), lost a lot of hair, but NOT complaining. My real reason for writing is that we moved back to our old neighborhood including buying back our place we sold. It has been over a year and I cannot seem to find the energy to finish unpacking boxes, and getting totally settled. And it does not seem to bother me and that is disturbing! I ended up with some short term memory loss and I am aware of that. So I was glad to learn that maybe this is normal for the situation and just appreciate one day at a time. Love your books and thank you for being an inspiration and human if you know what I mean! I am 86 and not ready to kick it!
Cheers,
Lynn Berzins
July 19, 2023 at 1:03 pmDebbie, thank you for all your books, they really helped me through the pandemic (took me out of the house on journeys I could never take).
Bonnie Cash
July 20, 2023 at 3:58 pmDebbie wrote an article about her morning routine and the three(3)? Journals. I wanted to save article for inspiration and I can’t find it. I read it this week. I’m trying to work on a morning routine.
Judy Porter
July 21, 2023 at 5:08 amDebbie I just received Must Love Flowers. I’m looking forward to reading it. I have to finish the book I’m currently reading. I have enjoyed many of your books.
Karen
July 21, 2023 at 9:40 pmOh this book spoke to me on so many levels! I was widowed at 51 years of age (26 years ago) and it’s almost as if you were writing my story. The only difference was I did not need a support group. My family and friends and my Lord Jesus got me through.. After Five years of finding out who I was the Lord brought a wonderful Christian man into my life. For anyone going through this there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Today my step daughter daughter turns 60 and her first birthday since her husband has passed. As part of her gift I am giving her Must Love Flowers. I know she will enjoy this book as much as I have. Thank you Debbie for coming out of retirement. This to me is your best book yet.
Carol K
July 23, 2023 at 9:51 pmWhat is the CS Lewis book title that Joan’s grief counselor recommends she reads? I meant to write it down, but forgot to do it before returning the book. I requested the book again and am way down on the wait list!
Joyce Sabo
August 2, 2023 at 7:52 pmThank you for writing the novel ‘Must Love Flowers’! I am happy that retirement for you was reversible and that you found a publishing schedule that is a win-win for all concerned. Woo hoo! Best wishes on your new and improved publishing schedule 🙂
Pam
August 4, 2023 at 1:32 pmA wonderful book, Debbie! You’ve captured the thoughts and feelings of the widow perfectly! Sometimes hard reading it as a result. My husband died 18 months ago from complications of COVID. I would encourage others to join a grief therapy group and seek counseling as needed to try to move forward without the love of your life. It really does help to talk to others who are also grieving.