This heart wrenching story about womanhood set in rural Kentucky opens with mysterious circumstances. Tig is visiting Darren, Kentucky at the request of her father who isn’t prepared to take the trip himself to honor the father he never knew. The beloved mayor murdered 50 years ago by Eloise Price.

When Tig gets to Darren however, she finds the one person who might actually know something about her grandfather is the woman who murdered him. Through Eloise, Tig discovers all sorts of uncomfortable truths - the painful burden women in her family have carried and the truth in her own blood. She makes her mark on the Costello legacy in Darren in her own way, putting together the pieces and honoring history with her art. Tig and her story are so deeply grounded in reality that the mystery of Darren is so much more plausible.These are real stories that speak to real truths. Abigail Rose-Marie creates a rich atmosphere in rural Darren where you can hear the creak of the old floorboards and Mae in the kitchen making her soap. The dialogue is rooted in real southern charm.

The men in this story show so much range. You cannot comment on the skill this author exhibits without talking about her understanding and portrayal of men. There are great examples of good hearted men and so much of what rips your heart out in this story is the multitude of people - what someone is really like, so full of layers, lies, and misunderstandings. Peter Pan and Wendy, desperately trying not to grow up. What it is like to know someone in so many stages of life and the stories and misunderstandings that haunt you even years later.

Someone can be good to you and hurt someone else.

Good intentions don’t soften harsh blows.

Him loving you doesn’t keep you safe from him.

Why is the love of a man so often coated in violence and hate?

Why can’t people respect what they don’t understand?

These stories are so universal you feel the tendrils of the women in your family pull at you through time, reminding you of how hard life was and can still be. How much more work there is to go. This story is more relevant than ever, especially coming out of the middle of the United States in 2024. This is the history of Darren and so many other small midwestern and Appalachian towns. I hope people everywhere read this. I hope women’s book clubs everywhere analyze and decode this, adding and sharing their own stories about the women nearby, in their past and their families who have helped each other.

This story is so incredibly important, told so beautifully I highly recommend it. Everyone should read this book. Well done Abigail Rose-Marie. This is a stunning story that ripped my heart out and touched me to my core. I can’t stop talking about it. You should be so proud of yourself. Creating, writing and telling this story is such an accomplishment. I can’t wait to see what other stories you will tell us.

5/5 Stars

I was happy to be back in the state of Kentucky even if only a short while.
I enjoyed the family history of Tig. Her secrets are what kept me turning the pages of this book.
Wonderful captivating characters that will leave you thinking about them long after their story is finished.
I don't really have a favorite character because I loved all of them.
I didn't really like the writing style but the storyline was captivating and thats why I chose the book.
This will be a 5 star book for me because each of these characters touched my heart in more ways than one.
I highly recommend this book! It will leave u spellbound throughout these characters' journey of healing, love and hope for the future.
My thanks for this great debut novel. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

RELEASE DATE: August 24, 2024
GENRE: historical fiction
TOPICS& THEMES: abortion, abuse, family secrets, assault, rape, grief

Well, it is surprising that this is a debut novel. I am pleasantly surprised by that fact.
We follow Tig, who comes back to the small town that has strong connection to her family. She is planing to commemorate a grandfather she has never met and who is a town hero. Along the way she meets with his killer and learns a lot about town history, her grandfather, her family, but also comes to understanding about herself.

I recommend it!!

4,25 stars

- thanks to Netgalley and the publisher or the copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion

I received this ARC from NetGalley and I'm choosing to leave a review. I really loved this one. It took me too long to read, but that was just because I'm in a weird semi-slump mood.

This story is about courage, and bravery to do the right thing even if you are ostracized for it. The story was sad and heartbreaking at so many times. It really focuses on the treatment of women during the 40s and 50s. And how even today women are seen as property and objects. Also how some men can be viewed as heroes because of their public persona but they can be evil behind closed doors. And through the years that is often over looked or forgotten. It honestly reminded me of a Fried Green Tomatoes vibe, which happens to be one of my all time favorite movies. Especially the relationship between Ruth and Eloise, it reminded me so much of Ruth and Idgie.

It was just a very moving story. I have a feeling I will think of it often. I would definitely recommend.

4 1/2 stars. This is a beautifully written puzzle, search for one’s identity, gothic overtones and historical fiction wrapped up in a beautiful captivating novel. Why only 4 1/2 stars? I am still left with some unanswered questions. I selected this novel to preview before publication based on the beautiful cover but I was completely captivated from start to finish. The author created some very interesting characters and compelling story lines. She included twists and turns to hold the reader’s interest. I don’t want to add any spoilers but one story line is particularly relevant in our current history. This is also a story about strong, courageous women. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

many thanks to netgalley, lake union, and the author for this advanced copy! requested this book intending to read it for women's history month and it's april now but i'm always down to learn more of different women's stories throughout history. i do have monthly reading themes though and this month is spring/rebirth (but really it's just books with colorful/flowery covers lol) and this book also fit somehow!

this is a story of a woman uncovering a town hero's past and discovering the truth about the three women who saved the life of her own grandmother and countless other women. rebirth, a new chance at life away from abusive households and traumatic experiences—this is what women seek coming up the hill to whitmore halls. it's heartbreaking yet hopeful.

"There are so many things for a woman to be afraid of, I think. Crowded bars. Empty rooms. Parking garages. Dark alleys covered in graffiti. It's so easy to think that much of the world is bad."

This is a dark and emotional story that I completely devoured! I enjoyed the mystery and loved to hate the evil characters. This one is definitely a story that will generate many emotional responses as you read!

Intensely moving and provocative tale set against the backdrop of the Appalachians and the people, especially the women who lived there.

Tig Costello arrives to paint a portrait of her grandfather 'a great man' of Darren Kentucky. instead she unravels the true tale of Benjamin and the woman who murdered him, 50 year's ago, Eloise Price, who sits in her room in the local asylum with her lifetime of memories.

Eloise shares her memories of Tig's mysterious grandmother and the tales of the women who desperately sought help in the hills of Whitmore Hall.


Tig slowly begins to piece together her families true history and the strong line of women she came from.

Wow what a book. This is the authors debut novel and it was an adventure. She definitely has the talent of reeling you in and keeping you intrigued. Make sure you check out the synopsis and the trigger warnings before reading as there is a lot of violence against women, rape, and abortions. The story follows a woman who visits a town in Appalachia to paint a portrait of her Grandfather for a memorial for him and while there learns her family history. It’s the story of women from several generations that depend on each other.

The Moonflowers is a story about women, healers, courage and the strength it takes to bloom in the dark.

Tig Costello has been commissioned to paint a portrait of her late grandfather whom she never met honouring his legacy as soldier and mayor of Darren, Kentucky. While in the small Appalachian town, Tig uncovers a dark family history involving the murder of her grandfather by a mysterious woman named Eloise Price. Tig speaks to Eloise and learns about the endangered women, healing plants, and abusive men whose blood, pain, and memories were found in Whitmore Halls, the refuge where Eloise grew up and which holds the key to discovering the truth about Tig's grandfather. She comes to learn about the brave women who sought out Eloise's help by moonlight to heal them and rid them of their pain and pasts and the way that love, choice, and freedom can be both a cure and poison depending on the dosage.

Once I started reading The Moonflowers, I could not put it down. The mysteries and secrets supported by an eerie Appalachian atmosphere pulled me in from the first page. The story was layered with art and herbalism and was part murder mystery, medical drama, and historical thriller. I loved reading about women healers, and this aspect of the story, while not witchy. still contained a beguiling quality that gave off dark whimsical vibes, despite nothing fantastical happening. Flowers, folk herbalism, and nature were important parts of this story that helped to drive home the message about nature's ability to heal, reveal, and conceal the truth. The intricate storyline was full of surprises and shocking twists which made it a real page turner.

The topics discussed in this story were serious, heavy, and heartbreaking but important to learn about as the stigmas and taboos surrounding them are prevalent. I love reading stories about women helping women and the bravery and fearlessness of the characters was written with honesty and special care. Each character was well developed and detailed with their light, shadows, blooms, and thorns exploring the complexities of the wounded.

Lunar and floral and rooted in pain, The Moonflowers is a harrowing story about women, their health, their choice, and their freedom. Perfect read for fans of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

This book was brilliantly written and told a story that kept me turning pages. New author to watch for.

The Moonflowers is a stunning first novel - a brilliantly told story that kept me hooked. Tig travels to Darren to paint a portrait of Benjamin, her grandfather and local hero. To find out more about him, Tig meets many Darren residents including Eloise, the woman who murdered Benjamin. This is a novel about family ties, secrets and the power and strength of women in the face of abuse and violence.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to netgalley for this ARC
#TheMoonflowers #NetGalley

Loved it. Very emotional. Strong women portrayed exceptionally well. The setting was perfect. I cried in parts.

Thank you @Netgalley.co.uk and Lake Union Publishing, for an arc copy of this novel. I have loved reading this fabulous author's work.

From the Publisher:
Tig Costello has arrived in Darren, Kentucky, commissioned to paint a portrait honoring her grandfather Benjamin. His contributions to the rural Appalachian town and his unimpeachable war service have made him a local hero. But to Tig, he’s a relative stranger. To find out more about him, Tig wants to talk to the person who knew her grandfather, Eloise Price, the woman who murdered him fifty years ago.

At the beginning of the story, we learn that Tig is looking into the history of her late grandfather. The role her grandfather played in a small Kentucky town, and the revered man her grandfather was, bring some amount of curiosity to Tig and her father David.
However, as the story unfolds, a much more important tale is uncovered. Are things really as they seem? Was her grandfather's murderer all she appeared to be? Tig wants answers.
Through conversations, some easy, some more difficult, Tig uncovers the truth about her grandfather, her grandmother, and her father.
A wonderful debut novel, Abigail Rose-Marie has captured the imagination and left me feeling in awe of the strong female characters of this novel, who are the backbone of this story.

I love books where the main characters goes on a journey to the past to dig up old family drama. The writing style took me a chapter or two to get into but after that I consumed this book within a few hours. The ending made me tear up.

I received this arc on behalf of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book requires patience. It’s a beautiful story but it does not unfold quickly. It’s like drying flowers—you can’t get impatient or the flowers won’t completely dry, but you waiting the entire duration feels taxing. on one hand I loved the depth, but on another hand I think this book needs to catch most people in a certain mood or mindset. Regardless, such a strong debut with so much depth. The author is so very clever and I’m anxious to pick up her next creation.

I am reviewing this for Net Galley.

In this story we follow Eloise as she gets herself into awkward situations that will have people believe she could be guilty of something she didn't do. Eloise lost her mother at a young age. She started helping a woman give other woman options to be able to have an abortion. When Eloise was younger a young boy named Benjamin was fond of her. So fond of her in fact no matter what Eloise did he would follow her everywhere. When Benjamin got married, Eloise found herself in a very awkward situation of helping his wife.

Tig Costello visited the town that Eloise lives in. She wanted to find out from the woman who killed her grandfather the real story. She found herself intrigued by Eloise's story and continued to go back to visit her. Until one day the mayor stopped her and told her she couldn't visit Eloise anymore.

I found this story interesting. It was kind of hard to follow in some spots because in one section of the chapter it would be talking about Eloise's story than jump to Tig's story without some kind of notification change like a time change. What I mean by that is at the beginning of a chapter most books tell what year it is and you can figure out who you are reading about. In this case, it would jump to the other woman in the chapter. So I had to slow down and re-read some parts.

There are trigger warnings of abuse and abortions. I enjoyed reading about Eloise telling her story to Tig. It shows how different the world can change in a short amount of time. This is historical fiction. It also has some mystery to it. I really enjoy books with those two genres mixed in together. It is interesting to read how woman had abortions in those days compared to today. I rate this a 4 because as interesting as the story line is, I found myself re-reading some parts. Otherwise if you are looking for a Historical Fiction novel with some mystery I recommend this.

The cover sucked me in orignally but I stayed for the story! I can't even point out what exactly made me fall in love with it but it's just so damn good. I highlighted a lot during my reading because I liked a lot of the viewpoints the author made on different things and felt very understood on a personal level. The way she talked about family and how important it is was one of my favourite parts.
Everyone should go and see themselves what it is about because it's worth it!

What can I say about this book? It just contained so much, especially for a debut novel.

First of all, let's talk about Abigail Rose-Marie's prose with her captivating figures of speech. As an English teacher, I fell in love with her To Kill a Mockingbird references. Throughout the book, I also highlighted many of her examples of personification and several metaphors that resonated with me, too.

Wow, this story is a powerful one. It's about women and the rights of women. It's about men and false pretenses and false impressions and undeserving accolades.

It's about family and the importance of family and those who love us as much or more than family. It's about secrets and fighting for the truth and fighting for the underdog.

I loved the setting of rural Darren, KY post WW II juxtaposed with present day Chicago and Minneapolis. I loved Tig (Antigone) as the narrator delving into her family's past to help form her family's present.

After the finishing the book, you will come away loving some of the characters (and they are not the ones you at first expected). You will come away hating some of the characters and finding them utterly despicable (again, not the ones you expected). All of which, I believe, proves to be the mark of excellent author characterization.

If you have a chance, pick up this book and go on Tig's journey with her back to Darren, KY, where her job is to commission a painting of her grandfather, who is being honored by the town with a huge brass statue and a museum in his memory. Things are going to get very interesting before her time in Darren ends. Secrets will be uncovered and identities will surface for the first time in 50+ years.

It's not an easy read (topic-wise). You will encounter rape, abuse, incest, chauvinism, and just plain hatred. None of these are described graphically, however, and whether they were from the 1940s timeline or the present timeline, they help to shape the story. You will also encounter love and compassion.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. It is truly a powerful, exquisitely well written debut novel.

The Moonflowers, the debut novel from writer Abigail Rose-Marie, will sit with me for some time. A story about women and women's health while taking place so far in the past couldn't be more timely as what we're currently living today. I will admit that I nearly DNF'd this book before the halfway mark due to the uncomfortable feelings certain aspects of the story were inspiring in me, but something told me to stick with it and I'm glad that I did. The women in this story were utterly awe-inspiring in their bravery and courage and I found myself cheering for them throughout while utterly. disparaging many of the sneering male voices that populated the small town of Darren this novel takes place in.

I found the prose of this story utterly haunting and was captivated by the detail in which Abigail Rose-Marie captured in describing Darren and it's inhabitants. To that end, Rose-Marie has such a way of writing characters that are so utterly despicable and for lack of a better word, ugly, that I found my lip turned up in disgust whenever they opened their mouths. You'd think this wouldn't be an enjoyable experience but it truly wasn't.

Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this spellbinding novel! I will be adding Abigail to my "must read" author's list moving forward. 5⭐️