The Violets of March: A Novel

This is a treasure!

The Violets of March is a delightful intricate family saga about secrets that join the past with the present. Emily, the main protagonist, is a best-selling author who is suffering from writer's block after her husband leaves her (for the usual reason) after ten years. Emily escapes from New York City and takes refuge for a while with her eccentric Great Aunt Bee on Bainbridge Island in Washington. While doing research for her new book she comes across an old diary written by a woman named Esther in 1943. Things aren't the way they seem and there are many dark secrets to be found out. The truth behind Esther's tragic disappearance will keep you guessing until the very end. But it's so worth the suspense until then. The mystery slowly unravels as relationships expand, especially that of a former teenage involvement who still lives on the Island and a handsome painter who is a mystery unto himself. There's unexpected romance and as secrets are revealed Emily's world is turned upside down as she discovers her real self. This is a treasure!

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

New Favorite

Emily Wilson had it all. Married to a GQ handsome hubby, bestselling author her life was picture perfect. Suddenly, it was all over. Her husband leaves her for another woman and her best-seller writing career is going know where because she has writers block. Where can she go? She decides to go back to one of her favorite places in the world, Bainbridge Island, where she spent her summers growing up visiting her Aunt Bee.
There to deal with the loss of her marriage and hopefully to find some inspiration for a new book, what she finds instead is an Island full of secrets and two love interests. Love interest number one is Greg, an old high school boyfriend and the other good looking local artist, Jack. While figuring out her own love life, she stumbles onto an old diary dated from 1943. As Emily begins reading the story of diary, she finds her own life to have parallels to the author, Ester's, life. Emily begins to realize the sort of love she wants and deserves. Feeling so close to Ester, she realizes she must solve the mystery, but the more Emily learns the more questions arise.
I have a very messy house right now, because I could hardly put this book down. I read it in one day and that is not an easy feat in my home. When I read the journal entries (which are more of a story within a story) I felt transported to another era. I was completely engaged in the story and lost track of time. The descriptions are very well written. I could smell the salty air and I could feel Emily's frustration. The entire time I was trying to figure out the puzzle of the story and I could not figure it out. I wanted the mystery solved, but at the same time I didn't want the story to end.
This book has goosebump moments and brought me to tears! I LOVED this book! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading!
This is Jio's debut novel. I cannot wait to see what she writes next. And this is a book I will read again and I almost never do that!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

So romantic!

I loved this book! I took a chance when I read a good review in a magazine and I was not disappointed. This book has suspense, romance, and a plot that moves along at a nice pace without being predictable. The author is talented and I look forward to her next novel!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Great Story!

Sarah Jio's debut novel, "The Violets of March" is a wonderful story, set on beautiful Bainbridge Island, in Washington. Jio's characters are throughly believable and the plot develops beautifully. I loved the aspect of a story within a story, via a diary. It is such an integral part of the story, but flows WITH the story. The lovely description of the setting of Bainbridge Island allowed me to immerse myself in the book and feel i was there. A great story, a lovely setting. Let yourself just enjoy it!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

I picked this book by chance and could not put it down! I definitely recommend it.Happy Reading!!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Quite possibly, the worst book I have ever read. An incredible w

Quite possibly, the worst book I have ever read. An incredible waste of time. The author simply cannot write. Please do not buy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome book!!

I absolutely loved this story...couldn't put it down. Highly recommend it to EVERYONE!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!!

This is a great book. You may think you'll know how it ends but you don't & you'll spend reading the entire book trying to figure out who is who but well worth the read. Couldn't put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hated to end the book! Loved it!

This book was recommended on Facebook by Jodi Picoult, & since I love Jodi's books I decided to try it. I'm so glad I did! I loved the book, kept me interested on every page, & I hated to see it end. I will definitely be looking for more books by Sarah Jio!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read!

Great story line, intriguing characters. Can't wait for Sarah's next book! A sequel maybe??

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Where Do I Begin???

This is a story that involves family, friendship and lost love. Has there ever been two people in your life that you cared for? One, the dependable, caring but somewhat dull person everyone thinks is good for you. The other, one that is also a good and caring person, but not quite as dependable. There are skyrockets going off in your head every time you are near them. You find youself unble to carry on a decent sentence, not to mention clumsy. These are the two men Emily Wilson encounters, not once but twice in her life. When her husband decides he should marry another woman, Emily makes the trip for a month long stay with her dear aunt Bee. Here she meets two men, one she knew from her past, the other only a chance encounter. It is also here that she makes the mysterious discovery of a red velvet diary. One that leaves her with more questions than answers about her family. She simply cannot stop reading the diary written by a young woman named Esther. The more she searches for answers the more she learns the truth about herself, her family and her new love. The characters in this books are well written and well rounded. Each have their own special mystery to be learned in the end. You won't be able to put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read

I am an avid reader. I love to read. I love to read all sorts of genres. I have been asked over the years, "what is your favorite book," well I don't have one. There are just too many good ones out there. But from now on I have an answer. I will from now on answer, "The Violets of March by Sarah Jio."
Emily Wilson had it all. Married to a GQ handsome hubby, bestselling author her life was picture perfect. Suddenly, it was all over. Her husband leaves her for another woman and her best-seller writing career is going know where because she has writers block. Where can she go? She decides to go back to one of her favorite places in the world, Bainbridge Island, where she spent her summers growing up visiting her Aunt Bee.
There to deal with the loss of her marriage and hopefully to find some inspiration for a new book, what she finds instead is an Island full of secrets and two love interests. Love interest number one is Greg, an old high school boyfriend and the other good looking local artist, Jack. While figuring out her own love life, she stumbles onto an old diary dated from 1943. As Emily begins reading the story of diary, she finds her own life to have parallels to the author, Ester's, life. Emily begins to realize the sort of love she wants and deserves. Feeling so close to Ester, she realizes she must solve the mystery, but the more Emily learns the more questions arise.
I have a very messy house right now, because I could hardly put this book down. I read it in one day and that is not an easy feat in my home. When I read the journal entries (which are more of a story within a story) I felt transported to another era. I was completely engaged in the story and lost track of time. The descriptions are very well written. I could smell the salty air and I could feel Emily's frustration. The entire time I was trying to figure out the puzzle of the story and I could not figure it out. I wanted the mystery solved, but at the same time I didn't want the story to end.
This book has goosebump moments and brought me to tears! I LOVED this book! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading!
This is Jio's debut novel. I cannot wait to see what she writes next. And this is a book I will read again and I almost never do that!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sweet Story

Has a nice ending.

Highly Recommended

Amazing story! You will be immediately drawn into the characters lives. Sarah Jio has a gift!

Absolutely highly recommended.

What a wonderful heart warming love story. It was hard to put the book down once I started it. It has you really thinking though. I loved it. Sarah Jio is a wonderful author.
Thank you.

Beautiful

An unexpected love story and an absolute treat to read

Great Story

Great story, could not put it down

Loved this book

Couldn't wait to pick it up when I had to put it down. Very well written and good character developement.

My first encounter with Sarah Jio books in The Violets of March and The Bungalow Both compelling stories...Will be looking for more.

This page turner has you wondering how and why these older people of this era had to spin this web of secrecy to hide the past. A very compelling read as was The Bungalow. Upon Discovering the Diary Emily follows the clues to her ancestry well hidden by her Great Aunt Bee and others on the Island.

Great Read

A love story and a mystery rolled into one. This novel has taken me on a great ride!