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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Pressing Flowers" by Katie Blanchard.]

On the night of her husband's death, Miriam Jones lost more than just a partner. Her grief and her guilt run deep, and she is unable to face her loss. Without any closure, Miriam simply puts her life on pause. Over the next three years, everything around her goes on, yet Miriam cannot join in. On most days, she can barely get out of bed. In a way, the accident that took her husband's life stole away Miriam's life as well.

Pressing Flowers is a heartbreaking portrayal of grief, but it is also a story about the resilience of human condition. What do you do when your entire life is shattered in an instant? Can you build a new life out of the pieces you have left, and if so, what will it cost you?

Though Miriam has all but given up, there is one thin thread still connecting her to her old life. Her daughter Penelope is still here, and while she has become a self-sufficient little girl, she needs a mother. Miriam's own mother, Emma, delivers an ultimatum that finally shocks Miriam back to the present: if Miriam cannot get herself together, Emma will file for custody and take Penelope away.

Now with the help of her lifelong ally, her sister Charlotte, Miriam must find the motivation to take control of her life again. Emma provides her daughter with a to-do list of sorts. It contains seven conditions Miriam must satisfy. With Charlotte's help, Miriam must complete the list as proof that she can provide a proper life for her child, or else risk losing that last piece she has left of her husband forever.

Pressing Flowers is a heart-wrenching, emotional ride. At times, Miriam's grief is so clear that it is nearly tangible. Katie Blanchard draws her characters in such vivid strokes that their emotions become the reader's emotions. Miriam's pain and struggle are relatable to anyone who has lost someone, or even loved someone. Blanchard takes the reader on Miriam's roller-coaster as she faces her loss, finds joy in her family, and wonders if her wounds will ever fully heal. Above all else, Miriam (and Blanchard's audience) come to the wonderful, terrible realization that life goes on.

I nearly drowned in a river of tears while reading this story. I found Pressing Flowers to be touching, uplifting, and heartbreaking, all at once. It is a very realistic story about things that no one wants to think about, yet happen every day. Losing someone is devastating and Blanchard attacks the emotions of grief and depression head-on. But she also tells the story with a compassion that makes you root for Miriam. I cheered for her successes and cried for her pain.

This isn't a fast-paced, thrilling story, so if you like a really action-packed novel, this isn't it. But it is a page-turner in its own right, as it is so engaging that you find yourself needing to see how Miriam's story ends up. If you want a story that completely pulls you in and makes you feel all the feels, Pressing Flowers will do just that.

I gave Pressing Flowers 4 out of 4 stars. This is Blanchard's debut novel, and she exploded out of the gate with a winner. I really enjoy a character-driven story that makes you feel completely invested in the protagonist. I look forward to seeing what else Blanchard will do, and her first book really deserves to be read. Just make sure to have the tissues nearby when you do.

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Pressing Flowers
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When I read few pages of this book I wonder what it is like to be on the shoes of Miriam how will I cope up with the lost of my husband what is life for me? Anyone will never want to experience that, but if I have a daughter like Miriam I know whom shall I draw my strength from, it will not be easy to anyone who have lost their loved ones but if he or she has this strong faith in God she or he surely survive the test of time.

Oh dear - it sounds wonderful, thank you for writing about it so beautifully, but I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to books that I know are going to make me cry.

I feel for my namesake. I am a terribly weepy person, so I will need a ton of tissues for this book. I hope Miriam keeps Penelope and moves on.

I got a feeling of what Miriam was going through by reading the review. Hope to read the book soon. How sad that things we do not like will always happen in life. However, the reality is that life will always go on no matter what happens. Emma did a great job helping Miriam otherwise Penelope would have been affected greatly too.

I'm very happy about this story. It brought me to a junction. One is you can either let that grief swallow you up your who life and tare you apart or you buckle up your self and learn to move on. I know it is difficult but if you cannot live for you, live for your daughter. She has a life. Thank you for summoning that thought to me through your review!

In reading few pages. It's really a heartbreak that you lost your partner. It is beautiful and i think it will be so good turning it to movie.

Snowhite189 wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 05:18 When I read few pages of this book I wonder what it is like to be on the shoes of Miriam how will I cope up with the lost of my husband what is life for me? Anyone will never want to experience that, but if I have a daughter like Miriam I know whom shall I draw my strength from, it will not be easy to anyone who have lost their loved ones but if he or she has this strong faith in God she or he surely survive the test of time.

It’s probably one of the most painful things you can go through. I think lots of people fear it happening because if you love someone, you probably worry about losing them at least once in awhile. It was very relatable.

Libs_Books wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 05:46 Oh dear - it sounds wonderful, thank you for writing about it so beautifully, but I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to books that I know are going to make me cry.

It’s a real tear-jerker. It was a great book and I cried A LOT.

Miriam Molina wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 05:54 I feel for my namesake. I am a terribly weepy person, so I will need a ton of tissues for this book. I hope Miriam keeps Penelope and moves on.

It was a great story!

Kibetious wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 06:29 I got a feeling of what Miriam was going through by reading the review. Hope to read the book soon. How sad that things we do not like will always happen in life. However, the reality is that life will always go on no matter what happens. Emma did a great job helping Miriam otherwise Penelope would have been affected greatly too.

I hope you enjoy it if you get to read it. I’d love to know what you think!

Sahani Nimandra wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 07:30 I'm very happy about this story. It brought me to a junction. One is you can either let that grief swallow you up your who life and tare you apart or you buckle up your self and learn to move on. I know it is difficult but if you cannot live for you, live for your daughter. She has a life. Thank you for summoning that thought to me through your review!

Thanks for commenting. It is so true about grief. So hard to pull yourself back up sometimes.

Blanchard sounds like an author to follow. Your review alone is so moving. Can't wait to read the whole book!

While sad romances aren't usually my books of choice, my favorite books always have a defining, difficult moment that forces personal growth. Your review is moving and provides a deep insight of how the book will feel. Thank you for your review; I'm going to set a reminder to read this in the future.

kdstrack wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 09:42 Blanchard sounds like an author to follow. Your review alone is so moving. Can't wait to read the whole book!

I loved it. It was very well-written. I think Blanchard could find herself on the best-seller list in the future.