This week I finished reading Where the Orchids Grow by Shanda Ward (chapters 8–15), and let me tell you—I give this book a solid 10/10. When I first started, I’ll admit, I was a little thrown off by all the characters. I had to pause a couple times like, “Wait, who’s who again?” 😂 But babyyyy, once I kept reading and started seeing how everyone tied in, it all made sense—and then some!
This book is full of twists, turns, and tea that had me clutching the book and saying, “Just one more chapter…” for an entire week. The plot? Juicy. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. And the love story? Whew, Langston and Mahogany had me deep in my feelings. Like seriously… where is my Langston at? 😒
Watching Mahogany, who lost her memory, fall in love with Langston all over again—even when she didn’t know their history—was so beautiful. It gave The Vow vibes, but with way more flavor, depth, and realness. 🥰 For a moment, they were playing cat and mouse, both guarded and unsure, but eventually, Mahogany broke down and let that love in—and it was everything.
I don’t want to spoil too much, but just know this: if you’re into stories with emotional depth, strong characters, and shocking twists that’ll have you flipping pages like it’s a race—you need to read this book. And that ending?? Had me gasping. I cannot wait to dive into my next book by this amazing author.
🍷 Wine Pairing:
For this emotionally rich and layered read, I recommend pairing it with a bold red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. The complexity of the story—love, loss, memory, and redemption—deserves a wine with deep character and a little spice, just like Langston’s devotion to Mahogany. Pour yourself a glass, curl up, and let this story pull you in.
Until next time—cheers to love stories that heal, characters that stay with us, and wines that pair just right. 💜
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