>Victoria Jones is 18 years old and being emancipated from the foster care system. Her life having been  filled with different foster homes, group homes, schools and teachers, Victoria leaves the system with no job or social skills–her only interest is in flowers and their meanings, taught to her by one of her foster parents. Sleeping in a public park and tending a garden she has created by stealing flowers from other parks and home gardens, Victoria realizes that she needs a job to survive and demonstrates her abilities to choose and arrange flowers to  a florist, who offers her work. She begins to develop a relationship with the florist as well as with a young man, Grant, who works at the flower market, and has a loyal following of customers who appreciate her ability to choose flowers that have just the right meaning. Victoria’s story is told in alternating chapters, describing her life as a 9 year old and as an 18 year old. The reader understands that Victoria’s adult attitudes of fear,  isolation and mistrust of others are based on her childhood experiences. Can she overcome her past flaws and hurts and move forward to find happiness in relationships with others and peace within herself? This is a touching and thoughtful novel, with vivid characters and a unique  insight into expressing emotions through The Language of Flowers rather than words.