The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season: A Novel

Molly Fader

Jun 2020 · Sold by Harlequin

About this ebook

“A stunning story about family and hope that unfolds unexpectedly but beautifully, like a Michigan summer sunset over an orchard.” —Viola Shipman, bestselling author of The Clover Girls and The Secret of Snow

In cherry season, anything is possible…

Everything Hope knows about the Orchard House is from the stories of her late mother. So when she arrives at the northern Michigan family estate late one night with a terrible secret and her ten-year-old daughter in tow, she’s not sure if she’ll be welcomed or turned away with a shotgun by the aunt she has never met.

Hope’s aunt, Peg, has lived in the Orchard House all her life, though the property has seen better days. She agrees to take Hope in if, in exchange, Hope helps with the cherry harvest—not exactly Hope’s specialty, but she’s out of options. As Hope works the orchard alongside her aunt, daughter and a kind man she finds increasingly difficult to ignore, a new life begins to blossom. But the mistakes of the past are never far behind, and soon the women will find themselves fighting harder than ever for their family roots and for each other.

Look for these other warm multigenerational novels from Molly Fader:

• The Sunshine Girls
• The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets

Ratings and reviews

The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader has Hope and her daughter, Tink arriving at The Orchard House in the middle of the night. They have nowhere else to go and danger could follow them to the farm. Peg is surprised to see Hope after so many years and especially in her condition. Hope and Tink need a place to stay which Peg is willing to provide. She can use their assistance with the cherry harvest. Peg has lived on the farm her whole life and she cannot imagine living anywhere else. She is alone, though, through choices she made. As Hope helps with the harvest, she spends time with Abel who co-owns the cherry orchard with Peg. As time passes, Hope begins to dream of a happy future for herself and Tink. Unfortunately, trouble is not far away and soon the women will find themselves in a difficult situation. The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season is a novel of secrets, drama, and romance. It has strong female characters who have made mistakes and have secrets. Hope’s face tells Peg all she needs to know as to why Hope and Tink arrived in the middle of the night looking frightened. Tink refuses to talk and does not want to be touched. Peg has a room that is off limits to Hope and Tink. I liked getting to know the three women. I thought the characters were realistic and I enjoyed the descriptions of the farm. It was interesting learning how cherries are harvested. There is drama and excitement later in the story that will have readers on the edge of their seats. I do want to warn you that there is violence that can be upsetting. I did feel that the romance with Hope was too soon considering her recent trauma. I did not appreciate the foul language in the book (not everyone uses that type of language). The point-of-view alternates between Hope, Peg and Tink. It does allow a reader to see what each female is thinking and feeling. However, I did find it confusing and it messed with the flow of the book. I was happy with the epilogue and how this sweet story ended. My favorite line was, “It was surprising how sharp happiness was. Bitter and sweet all at once.” The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season is a story about finding forgiveness, surprising secrets, missing memories, female relationships, succulent cherries, and family.

The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader is a journey of discovery; discovery of family, of one’s self, of strength, of forgiveness, of trust, and of love. Warning: keep tissue nearby as you read this amazing story. Hope and her ten-year-old daughter are on the run from an unstable and slightly abusive man who wiggled his way into their lives. Hope is trying to find Orchard House where an aunt she never met lives. Her only knowledge of the place comes from the stories her late mother shared of the family farm in northern Michigan. Aunt Peg has lived in the Orchard House her entire life and Hope is unsure of their welcome; turned away with a shotgun or accepted. Peg agrees to take them in as long as Hope helps with the cherry harvest. As Hope works the orchard alongside her aunt, daughter, and a kind, gentle man she is finding difficult to ignore. In cherry season, anything is possible, and a new life begins to bloom for these people. As the mistakes of the past are seldom far behind, or hidden, these amazing women find themselves fighting for their family roots and for each other. I loved watching the growth, confidence, and love that evolved in these women as the story occurred. I totally and absolutely loved how Ms. Fader utilized alternating POVs in order to tell this wonderful and amazing, three generational story; a tale that was emotional, tragic, filled with wonderful dialogue, endearing characters, and a community of support and friends, that is definitely must read. I highly recommend The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Wow, this story packed a punch of wonderful love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and happiness. It also had the repercussions of pain, loneliness, isolation, and depression. It started out so hurtful, but as things unfolded, and we got to see things from Hope, Tink, and Peg, the strength and the power these females showed, it was beyond beautiful. As they learned to live again, for each other, for themselves, the synergy of the force they created was a kaleidoscope so bright, you were drawn into the vortex. And in that, you felt their feelings, and you rejoiced with them as everything washed over and through you. None of it bad, none of it good, but all of it becoming part of who they were and are in the moment. Truly and honestly, invigorating in its’ story and the life they are living. I feel privileged to have witnessed it.

About the author

MOLLY FADER is the award-winning author of more than 40 romance novels under the pennames Molly O'Keefe and M. O'Keefe. She grew up outside of Chicago and now lives in Toronto. The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets is her first women's fiction novel.