The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published April 3rd 2012 by Ballantine Books (first published August 23rd 2011) 

 The Language of Flowers was suggested to me in a Young Adult list early last year. I cannot remember 

the exact source, so please excuse me for not citing it. But I was surprised when beginning the story

that our main character is actually 18  years old and the story deals with more adult content, but of course 

suitable for teens and adults.  And of course could definitely be added to the new current label of 
"new adult"

Reminiscent of White Oleander with a bit of   Where the Heart Is 

The Language of Flowers had a lot more depth to the story than just the relationship that orphan Victoria 
and her love for flowers and the meaning behind them. Victoria has just turned 18 and evicted from the
 underage orphanage she was living at. She has a solitary and pensive way of living her life. Considered 
picky and hard to manage by the head mistress of the home. Now it's time for Victoria to find a job,
 and a home. It was natural that she approaches a local flower shop for a job and the owner takes her
 in and helps her find a home as well. Soon Victoria is finding friendships and even though a bit awkwardly
 begins forming a family all her own. 

When going into this book I did expect all the details about the flowers, it's a given. But something deeper
 was the detail paid to each subject brought up in the story. From Victoria's sporadic eating habits, her
 youth testing grapes,  to her giving birth. The descriptive language not only paid to the portions of flowers, 
but every detail of her life.  The writing style was very poignant and sticks with you, even the more
 uncomfortable scenes as the giving birth chapters that was even a bit too detailed for my taste. 

I really enjoyed reading this book because of the beautiful writing and unique character Victoria. 
Her life, her friends and her family.