Flora’s Wish Book Review

Book Description

From bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo comes a brand-new series of romance, adventure, and hidden identity.

May 1887—Flora Brimm is determined the fifth time is the charm. Back home she has a reputation as “Fatal Flora,” a woman whose previous four fiancés died in untimely accidents. Flora is desperate to marry, because producing an heir is the only way she can keep her family’s estate. She’s confident this visit to Eureka Springs with her grandmother will help her land a husband.

Pinkerton detective Lucas McMinn is hot on the trail of Will Tucker, the thief who broke his sister’s heart. When he discovers the slippery fellow with Flora, he thinks they are in on the devious plot together. Will Flora be able to convince Lucas of her innocence? Will Lucas catch the elusive Mr. Tucker?

And, more importantly, will Lucas survive if he pursues Flora’s heart?

An engaging story of how God can move circumstances to bring love, joy, and lasting fulfillment to the most hopeless heart.

My Thoughts

Whenever I crack open a Kathleen Y’Barbo book, I know I’m in for a rip roaring story full of humor, memorable characters, and hopefully, set in the South. With Flora’s Wish, I got all three!

I found the concept of Flora losing 4 different fiancés quite intriguing – I cannot imagine a lady’s reputation ever recovering from such circumstances. While she was mournful for those losses, she believed that if she wished and prayed, God would send her exactly the man she was meant to marry. On one such occasion of fervent prayer, Will Tucker practically falls in her lap with his smooth talking ways and Flora believes he is the answer to her prayers.

I was so happy that the book started off exploring Flora’s relationship with Lucas McMinn, and then filled me in about the connection with Will Tucker later. I was intrigued by Lucas from the beginning – both with his job as a Pinkerton detective and his penchant for inventing things. His hands were forever full with keeping up with Flora, especially her climbing habits. Their mutual love of chocolate cake was a cute addition to the story as well.

The next book in the series will follow another victim of Mr. Tucker, but it appears to be centered around Lucas’s Pinkerton partner, Kyle Russell. I enjoyed his character quite a bit, and considering the next book will be set in Memphis (my home city), you can bet I will be reading it as soon as I can!

My Favorite Segment

“Lord, you are in control, not this overbearing fool. While I know I’m supposed to love all Your children, I just cannot imagine You meant him too.” (Flora’s thoughts/prayers about Lucas.)

Jewelry Inspired by this Book

I promise I won’t spoil anything, but there is a sweet section in this book where Flora talks to Lucas about wishing on the first star she saw in the sky. He asked her what she would wish for, and she responded that she only ever wanted a happily ever after.

I wanted to design a pendant that incorporated that wish plus Lucas and Flora’s multiple midnight meetings with each other. The bead is a deep blue, and has a charm below that sparkles like the stars that Flora wished upon.

*This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated upon your purchase of any products through those links.