Goodbye, Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende
Contemporary Women's Fiction, 320 pages
Published October 1, 2021 by Koehler Books
Can love blossom after life changes in an instant?
One July morning in Manhattan, handsome athlete and entrepreneur Phoenix Walker accompanies his love, half-Asian beauty Orchid, to the airport. Neither believes today is goodbye.
But after she leaves, disaster strikes. Phoenix wakes in the hospital, broken, forever changed. He longs for Orchid but remembers the tragedy in her past that makes her panic over images of trauma.
Now, he's faced with the hardest decision of his life. Does he burden the woman whose traumatic childhood makes him feel protective of her? Or does true love mean leaving her without explaining why?
Rising from ashes is hard. Giving up the one you love is harder.
My thoughts about Goodbye, Orchid ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)
First lines—"Phoenix never believed today was goodbye. Even though hellos come with goodbyes. Like black holes and Stephen Hawking. Like doughnuts and doughnut holes."
Okay, this book took a spin that I was not expecting. I imagined a continuation of a potentially great love story that started bubbling up in Orchid Blooming. That is not the road the author took.
As Orchid takes off on her trip of a lifetime—one that could change her whole life—Phoenix suffers a tragedy that does indeed change his whole life. In addition to the physical challenges he faces, Phoenix is torn over whether to contact Orchid or not. I just want to say, his decision stirred up some emotions in me and I sometimes just wanted to shake him!
Orchid Blooming seemed to be more focused on Orchid herself so I loved that we get a better look at Phoenix and his life in this book. He feels more real to me now. I can't wait to see where book three takes me!
The tagline for Goodbye, Orchid is "To love her, he had to leave her." I absolutely love this line and it truly represents the tone of this book. The story is heartbreaking while also beautiful. I am in love with both Orchid and Phoenix and am rooting for their relationship. I'm so excited to read book three, Always, Orchid, coming soon!
I received a copy of Goodbye, Orchid from SparkPoint Studio and this is my honest opinion.
Book #1
Book #3
Pub date ~ October 24!
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About the author
Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of Orchid Blooming and Goodbye, Orchid which are inspired by wounded veterans and have won 20+ literary awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and 2020 Royal Dragonfly for Disability Awareness.
Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named “heartwarming, heartbreaking” Goodbye, Orchid a most anticipated read. Glamour Magazine recommended this “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens, selected Goodbye, Orchid as a 2022 Bonus Book-of-the-Month.
Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. ~ Goodreads
Connect with Carol
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Beautiful words, Susan, I can't wait to hear what you think of Always Orchid!
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