It is 1919, the War now over, the Spanish Flu having run its course and what poses as Emeline's life is in total shambles. Does she acquiesce to the will of her uncle or flee as far away as she can to heal her wounded soul? Fifty years later, a young solicitor is charged with finding the evidence to support accusations of Emeline's ill mental health or her demise in order that the estate she and her now dying brother inherited can be be liquidated by his greedy children. The solicitor, by chance, discovers Emeline's diary and is struck by the circumstances in which she found herself. His conscience is heavy. Does he have the strength of character to do the right thing?

This tender story of loss, grief, sorrow, fear, anxiety, love and healing was lovely and well told. The primary character was well developed. However, in my opinion, the secondary character could have stood a bit more development in order that the reader better understood his motivations.

The descriptions of Catalan cooking were rich and savory - thoroughly delighting the senses. The settings were so well described that one could taste the tang of the Mediterranean breeze across one's tongue or feel a shiver as "La Tramontana" blew down from the snow covered mountains. I was transported in time and place through the rich prose of this story. Well done Ms. Madeleine!

I am grateful to author Laura Madeleine, publisher St. Martin's Press and Goodreads First Reads for having provided an advance uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone. ( )

Where the Wild Cherries Grow by Laura Madeleine
Source: Netgalley and Audible purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Yet again, Laura Madeleine has written a book that drew me in and didn’t let go until the very last page! Yeah, between Audible, insomnia, a damn good book, a serious disregard for adulting, I blazed through this book in a single sitting and regret nothing 😊

In 1919, Emeline Vane is in the midst of her own personal war. Though the Great War has ended, Emeline has lost most of her family and is on the verge of losing her family home. In a moment of panic, shear desperation really, Emeline abandons her remaining family member, a beloved younger brother, for the south of France and a life beyond her wildest imaginings. The train ride to what is commonly referred to as the end of the world, is both terrifying and liberating for Emeline. In fact, it is during that train ride Emeline meets a kind young man who reminds her, in her new life, she can be anyone she wants to be. With that, Emeline Vane disappears, and Emilie Fischer is born.

From the moment she arrives, Emilie is certain she has found her true home and, in her determination, will work hard, learn all she can from the kind woman who has taken her in, and become an accepted member of the small community she now calls her home. Emilie’s days are filled with hard yet satisfying work, an education beyond her social class, and acceptance she never had at home. She knows, with all confidence she will never return to her old life which means being accepted by the members of the small, tight-knit community. Through food, good food, Emilie is brought into the community, their families, and traditions. With every new experience, every new recipe, Emilie becomes more attached to her new home. That attachment is made all the more real by her growing feelings for a young fisherman, a man who brings more joy to Emilie’s life than she ever could have thought possible.

Fast forward fifty odd years . . . .

Bill Perch is an up and coming solicitor who has been asked to find Emeline Vane. Emeline’s extended family has an opportunity to sell off the old family estate, but before they can do that, they must prove Emeline is, in fact gone for good. What begins as a first case, great opportunity, quickly turns into an obsession that leads Bill, much like Emeline to hop on a train and solve the mystery of the missing woman. What Bill discovers is not just to fate of Emeline, but a life beyond what his family expects and far more exciting than he could have ever imagined.

The Bottom Line: I have always loved a past meets present book, and Where the Wild Cherries Grow absolutely delivers on that front! Emeline is a character you want to like, you want to succeed. From her introduction right on through to the epilogue, I was invested in Emeline’s story and couldn’t stop reading/listening to this book. While Bill’s story is all about revealing Emeline’s life, and is necessary to the overall plot, I found myself breezing through his chapters in order to get to more of Emeline’s story. Beyond the full-bodied characters, Where the Wild Cherries Grow has a rich setting, beautiful though not overwhelming descriptions, and a pacing that is perfectly to suited to the unfolding nature of the plot. There is just enough mystery, just enough romance, just enough of everything to make this a perfect read and certainly an early favorite for 2018! ( )

3.5 It is 1919, the war over, but for young Emmaline Vane, her life will never be the same. She has lost much, her grief overwhelming, her Uncle and young brother the only two left. Her Uncle wants to sell the ancestral home, debts to settle, and money so they can start new lives. Worried about the mental state of Emmaline he makes a decision that will set Emmaline on a different path, one far away to the end of the world.

1960, a young solicitor is given the task of proving Emmaline dead. This charge will set him on s different path, one in which he surprises even himself. Two timelines, two very different people.

This is a very readable, tenderly written book. Very flavorful descriptives. The setting of part of this is France, the last town before Spain, a town rich in the bounty of the sea. Catalin cooking, it's decriptions and traditions, so mouthwatering, a place that becomes important in Emmalines life.

Would have rated this higher because I did enjoy it, but the characters past, especially the 1969 story. The back story of the young solicitor was not really presented enough for me to understand his motivations, Emmalines story was much more fleshed out. The ending of course ties the two threads together, and although one outcome was expected, there was still much to learn, not previously discovered.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )

This was a great book - mystery, romance and dual time line. All items that when they work well together create a wonderful story -- and they definitely worked well together in Where the Wild Cherries Grow.

The historical part of the story is told by Emeline Vane in 1919. Her mother has just died and she isn't handling life well. Her uncle wants to send her to a mental hospital to get better -- or is he really concerned and just wants to get her out of the way so that he can sell the huge family home? She escapes from the train to start a new life in France with a mother and son who own a restaurant. Can she find happiness in a new life as a working person after living such a rich life growing up?
Fifty years later, a law firm is contacted by the family who wants to sell the house but need to prove that Emeline is dead. Since no one has heard from her in 50 years, the new solicitor, Bill Perch is handed the job and starts to try to find out what happened to her.

This is a lovely well written novel about love and family - not just family by blood but the people who take care of you and love you most.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Where the Wild Cherries Grow by Laura Madeleine is a historical novel that takes readers from 1969 to 1919. In 1969 William “Bill” Perch is a solicitor’s assistant at Hillbrand and Moffat Solicitors. Mrs. Mallory and her brother need the firm’s assistance in locating Emeline Vane. Emeline is one of the estate’s heirs, and she has been missing for fifty years. They are unable to sell the derelict manor house until they can prove that she is dead. It is up to Bill to locate Emeline or proof of her death. Bill travels to the family estate in Norfolk where he discovers an old diary of Emeline’s along with other papers. Through Emeline’s words, Bill feels a connection with this woman from the past. Bill knows that she disappeared at the train station in Paris and this is where he begins. The journey to uncover Emeline’s whereabouts starts Bill on a new path and a chance for rich, full life.

Where the Wild Cherries Grow is a dual timeline novel. The story is told from Bill and Emeline’s point-of-views in alternating chapters. Ms. Madeleine has a nice descriptive writing style. The pace is a little slower than I normally like, but it does go with the story. The author provides vivid descriptions that allow the reader to visualize the scenes (brings the scenery of France alive). The food depictions will have your mouth watering. Emeline and Bill are well-developed characters. I found them to be real and fit into their time periods. I found the slang from 1969 to be entertaining (made me chuckle). Readers experience Emeline’s journey and I can certainly understand why she took off. Life was very different for women in 1919 especially if they were under the age of majority. Where the Wild Cherries Grow is a unique tale that will keep you reading to find out what happened to Emeline. ( )