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The Violets of March

by Sarah Jio (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 8,528 ratings · 1,553 reviews

A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author.

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.

Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the m

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ebook, 212 pages

Published April 26th 2011 by Plume Books

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May 26, 2012 Janet rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First off, the story sounds familiar-recent divorcee goes away to recover. Having just signed divorce papers, when she arrives at her great-aunt's place, she gets two dates within about 48 hours of arriving. I don't know if someone who is still shocked by a divorce would jump into dating quite so soon.

Second, there were too many characters whose names begin with the letter E. Emily and Evelyn are alive. Elliot and Esther are in the diary Emily finds. And at least one of these people is still al...more

31 likes · like · see review

Apr 02, 2012 Cathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: cathy-s-reading

"The Violets of March", was the book that got me out of my 2-3 month reading slump. This story is definitely laced with romance, it was the mystery of it all that really sucked me in. While reading I felt like I was right there on Bainbridge Island. I absolutely loved Emily, her family, and friends. I kept thinking to myself "this is like a COLD CASE, all the twist and turns, going back and forth in time. Cold Case was one of my favorite weekly TV shows.

10 likes · like · see review

Jun 06, 2011 Juju (Tales of Whimsy.com) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Juju (Tales of Whimsy.com) by: Danielle

While the story is definitely laced with romance, it was the mystery of it all that really sucked me in. Trying to figure out who was lying and why, propelled me to finish this one in one sitting.

Told in first person, with Emily periodically reading the diary entries, The Violets of March is a 4-star story best suited for those that appreciate dramatic love with their mysteries.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

To read my review in full please visit: http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2011/04/...more

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May 11, 2011 LAURA KAY A Novel Review rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/

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 anoth...more http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/

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.
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Aug 18, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, favorites

Part mystery, part love story...a touching tale that illustrates the undying fortitude of true love. I could not put it down.

Shortly following her divorce and less than graceful fall from prior bestselling novelist glory, Emily Wilson retreats to her great-aunt Bee's home on Bainbridge Island. As she settles in for her first night's stay, she discovers a red velvet journal hidden in her nightstand. Intrigued, she begins to read. However, the names remain a complete mystery to her and she finds h...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Colleen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I loved this book! I actually began it June 24, and not the date I entered into Goodreads. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. If Sarah Jio reads this, this was a wonderful book! I figured out the big mystery about 100 pages before the book ended, and I just loved the way it turned out.

----My Full Review----

I heard about this book from a Glamour writer, who wrote it. Intrigued if it was good, I got a sample of it for my Kindle. I tore through the first two chapters on it. I went a...more I loved this book! I actually began it June 24, and not the date I entered into Goodreads. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. If Sarah Jio reads this, this was a wonderful book! I figured out the big mystery about 100 pages before the book ended, and I just loved the way it turned out.

----My Full Review----

I heard about this book from a Glamour writer, who wrote it. Intrigued if it was good, I got a sample of it for my Kindle. I tore through the first two chapters on it. I went a couple of months before I bought a physical copy of the book (see that people? I own a Kindle and I still buy actual books). It sat on my shelf for a few weeks, because I was finishing another book while moving into a new house. I really wanted to read it, but I was busy. Finally, on Friday I read the book. I spent most of the time outside, sitting by the pool reading it.

I couldn't put it down. I was sucked into the world of Emily, Elliot, Esther, and the other characters in the book. I was mesmerized by the beauty described of Bainbridge Island, and I pictured it as a seaside village in Oregon, where I lived for two years before moving to California. I was torn between which guy Emily should date after the devastating dissolution of her seemingly-ideal marriage (secretly, I was leaning towards Jack--I am sucker for a dark-haired man).

I was also wrapped up in the secondary story of Esther and Elliot, whether or not they'd end up together, and whether Esther was going to die. Seeing how her marriage with Bobby was a polar opposite to her relationship with Elliot (tepid water compared to steamy waters of a jacuzzi), I wanted to know what would happen. It was like watching The Notebook.

All in all, it was an engaging story of love in the past, love in the present, and learning from your mistakes in the two worlds. It was also enjoyable to see Emily moving on, even when she'd given up on it ever happening for her.

I highly recommend this book. You might be skeptical that it's good, but you will be pleasantly surprised.(less)

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Jun 19, 2011 Pam Barton rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Emily lives in New York and just gets a divorce. Her best friend convinces her to go to Bainbridge Island and visit her Aunt for a while to grieve. While visiting her aunt she comes across a diary and begins reading it. She is fascinated by the story and is trying to figure out who wrote it and why she found it in the room she is staying in. As she continues to read it she realizes there are some connections to her own life and family. She also meets Jack who she becomes more and more attracted...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 31, 2013 Andrea at Reading Lark rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 5-stars, adult, contemporary, historical-fiction, pacific-northwest, read-in-2011

Review Posted on Reading Lark 4/28/11: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2011/...

"Love is not a hothouse flower, forced to reluctant bud. Love was a weed that flashed unexpectedly into bloom on the roadside." ~ Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes

Sarah Jio's debut novel, The Violets of March, is a truly beautiful novel that brings characters, setting, and plot to life. Her words float across the page like a cool sea breeze creating shivers of delight and intrigue. The story follows Emily as she...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 13, 2012 Suze rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. The relationships between the characters were very complicated and complex, but in the end, eminently satisfying. The setting of Bainbridge Island in Washington state suited the story perfectly.

I loved the characters, too. I know I've thoroughly enjoyed a book when I hate to come to the end, and that was certainly the case with this one. However, I closed the book with a smile on my face. I like that.

Highly recommended.

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 14, 2011 Lee Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, historical-fiction, ebook, mystery, romance, realistic-fiction

from goodreads recommendation. This is a hard one to put into a genre, a little mystery, some romance, some historical fiction and a love story for all times. A delightful read that captures your heart and makes you want to keep reading. The characters are real, flawed and strong. A truly enjoyable read. Beautifully crafted to include Bainbridge Island to add to the mystery and character of the story. I will now always look for those march violets.

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 Chanpreet rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amazing! For such a short book, about 300 pages, there was so much packed into it! I could not help but being drawn into the book. Sarah Jio has done an absolutely wonderful job describing the scenery and surroundings. She makes you feel like you are a bystander even in the flashbacks. And best of all, she kept me guessing as to who was whom in the book. Anyway you look at it, this is a heart wrenching love story and I could not help but feel touched by it. It's hard to believe this is her debut...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Dandy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

I was sucked into this book from the beginning. Dual stories play out, connecting the past and the present and keeping me guessing until the very end. Although I had some of it figured out there were still surpises throughout the book. Part romance, part mystery this novel was a pleasure to read. I look forward to reading another book by Sarah Jio.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2012 Becky H. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

Emily's world has turned upside down when her husband has left her. After her divorce she decides to escape life for a while and she goes to visit her Great Aunt Bee, who lives on Bainbridge Island. While there she discovers an old diary. Written about Esther in 1943 that has many similarities to her own life and hold secrets to her family that she did not know before.

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Mar 19, 2013 Linda Georges rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this book. I can't wait to see what happens, but I never want it to end. Will write more when done :) I knew things would end the way they did, but it didn't keep me from being excited about the storyline. I haven't found another book I want to read after reading this one :(

I liked the way all the ends tied up. For those people who thought it was predictable and not possible... weird things happen, 6 degrees of separation!!

I hope Sarah is at home writing another book...

1 like · like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Janis Stonehocker rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not usually the kind of book I read but it was a fun read. One of those kind of books that you just don't have to think a lot about. I really enjoyed this book! A super fast read! Not really a book club type book though.

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Jul 20, 2011 Sandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Still reading this but am loving it I am intriged there are two stories going on and each story has me wondering what is going to happen next

I loved this book from beginning to end a must read I'm looking for another book by sarah jio

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Sep 27, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book--my standard mystery/love story with alternating past/present chapters set on a beautiful island off the coast of Washington State. The most interesting thing is that several of the characters are obsessed with this book called Years of Grace, which according to the book won the Pulitzer Prize in the early 1930s. I was curious to see if this was a real book or just the author's creation, and low and behold, it is a real book! I just ordered it from our public library a...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Bethany carroll rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved the antique mystery of it. Captured some Pacific NW magic with setting on Bainbridge Island.

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Jun 19, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed both stories contained in this novel, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

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May 27, 2011 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: babel-barry-maitland

Not what I usually read, however after reading recommendations on RIF and Goodreads thought I would give it a go. Just a couple pages and I will be finished. Thoroughly enjoyed.

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Mar 18, 2012 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There is some secret going and I can't wait to find out what it is! Loving the book so far.

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Oct 03, 2011 Corey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, read-in-2011

It isn't often that a book captures me so much that I will spend an entire day curled up with it but that's exactly what The Violets of March did. While I put it down a few times, I could't bear to be away from this story long. From the get-go this novel captured me into its net and while some things I was able to guess, some were still surprises right up until the end.

My only disappointment is that I wish there had been a bit more at the tail end, but it was still a good one.

One of my favorit...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great story - twists and turns....I read it in one sitting!

1 like · like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Laurie Petty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Perfect book to read on a rainy day. Couldn't put it down. Takes place primarily here in Washington state on Bainbridge Island. Great story.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Chelle added it · review of another edition

On about chapter 5. I'm liking it so far. Characters are believable, and it has me interested in learning more about them and the family mystery at the center of the story.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 17, 2013 Christa Sgobba rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As soon as I was done reading this book, I thought it was solid 3. But then I started to think about it, and now I'm wondering if the little things that irked me were actually put in there intentionally, as a way to tie the story together.

I tried this book because I liked Sarah Jio's other book, Blackberry Winter, not because the storyline appealed to me--wronged woman goes to island to regroup, meets two very suitable men, and gets caught up in a couple whirlwind romances while trying to get to...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Ricki Treleaven rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This week I read The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. Little did I know it would be the perfect book for Mother's Day!

This book centers around a twenty something Emily Wilson. She has won life's trifecta: she is a New York Time's bestselling author, she is married to a successful man who could moonlight as a GQ model, and she is living in New York City. Life. Is. Good.....until her husbands leaves her for another woman.

Devastated, Emily wants to visit her Great Aunt Bee on Bainbridge Island near S...more This week I read The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. Little did I know it would be the perfect book for Mother's Day!

This book centers around a twenty something Emily Wilson. She has won life's trifecta: she is a New York Time's bestselling author, she is married to a successful man who could moonlight as a GQ model, and she is living in New York City. Life. Is. Good.....until her husbands leaves her for another woman.

Devastated, Emily wants to visit her Great Aunt Bee on Bainbridge Island near Seattle. She spent many happy summers there growing up, and it has always felt like home. Seeking comfort, Emily returns to Bee's beach house at the beginning of March. Her goal is to heal her heart and to start writing again.

Bee puts Emily in a guest room that is unfamiliar to her and was aways locked when she was a child. She finds an old red velvet diary in the nightstand, and she begins reading the story inside. The story is about love, betrayal, and heartbreak. The more Emily reads she realizes that the story, which occurred during the nineteen forties, parallels her own life. The names are unfamiliar yet there is something familiar about the story. I absolutely love the way Jio has two stories within the same family that parallel each other in an almost supernatural way. Emily's character is slowly developed as she uncovers family secrets, solves a mystery, and learns to trust in love again. This book is also about relationships between mothers and daughters and how they dramatically impact who we become as women.

Emily does become romantically involved with not one but two men on the island, and I was uncertain where the story was headed. The ending is very satisfying, and when both stories intersect it will bring tears to your eyes! Bainbridge Island has a legend about wild violets that (rarely) appear in March. These violets cannot be cultivated, and the legend states that wherever these violets appear they are meant to heal a past hurt. What a concept. I think we could all use some violets of March from time to time.
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Jan 18, 2013 Nan G. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wanted to like this book. The jacket description sounded intruiging, set on an island, it had promise. I enjoy the books of Karen White and The Violets of March seemed to fall in that genre. I read The Bungalow (Jio's second novel) last summer and enjoyed it so picked this one up when I saw it. From the sound of the other reviews, many people have found it to be delightful and romantic and enchanting. I knew within the first 50 pages (and it is just under 300 pages long) that it was not as goo...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Margaret rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was just an ok read for me. The plot of a recently divorced woman whose husband found a new love interest is pretty common. So is the idea of the woman going back to her comfort zone; in this case, Bainbridge Island in Washington. Emily Wilson flees to her Great-aunt Bee to "heal" and in the process she discovers a complicated family secret that no one seems to want to talk about.( I have a problem with female characters wanting to heal from a romantic relationship just jumping into new rel...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Teatree_elle rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ever since I've discovered the joys of reading self-published works by multiple talented authors on Amazon, it is extremely rare that I purchase a book for more than $7.99. Having just finished "Blackberry Winter" by Sarah Jio, I was excited to read more of her novels. At the end of "Blackberry Winter," there were a couple chapters, a sneak preview, of "Violets of March." After reading a bit of it, I decided to venture onto Amazon and was a taken aback by the price - $12.99. Gulp! I hadn't paid...more Ever since I've discovered the joys of reading self-published works by multiple talented authors on Amazon, it is extremely rare that I purchase a book for more than $7.99. Having just finished "Blackberry Winter" by Sarah Jio, I was excited to read more of her novels. At the end of "Blackberry Winter," there were a couple chapters, a sneak preview, of "Violets of March." After reading a bit of it, I decided to venture onto Amazon and was a taken aback by the price - $12.99. Gulp! I hadn't paid that in a long time but I figured I would go for it as I had really enjoyed her other novel and was fond of her writing style. Needless to say, three very short hours later, I was infuriated and wanted my money back.

The mysterious character, Esther, revealed herself to be a thoroughly despicable and selfish character. Was I supposed to be happy for the woman who faked her own death because she was suffering from heartbreak, who not only placed an extremely disproportionate guilt trip on her lover and best friend? She was a hot-headed cavewoman, always quick to anger but too immature to search out a resolution. That poor woman who in the 1940s was engaged to what was apparently a very handsome man who had no qualms getting into debt so long as she wore this beautiful engagement ring. Man, what a tough life she had! Apparently, she loved Elliott so much but was so quick to assume the worst of him. Yep, that's real love there.

Was I supposed to feel compassion when she showed none to the daughter she had easily left behind, the daughter who grew up immensely insecure of her mother's love for her? I'm sure her daughter will feel loads better after she meets her half-sister who grew up loved by their mom. Yes, this will certainly draw Emily's mom out of the distance she had previously created between her and the island. Her mother loved her enough to leave her so easily. Ridiculous.

So Esther went on to visit the world - good for her because she was so stifled before! GTFOH. This book had me until the end as the story miserably attempted to wrap up a really fucked up ending with a nice shiny bow.

As for the relationship between Emily and Jack, the falling in love so quickly aspect was unbelievable. This woman just wasted seven years of her life with someone she thought she knew only to discover that he was unfaithful and left her for another. In what world would a woman that experienced that betrayal quickly fall into the arms of someone she just met? Oh, but this was needed to desperately demonstrate parallels between the main character and the grandmother who she coincidentally looks exactly like. Lets throw in the fact that of course Emily and Jack, the grandchildren of the story's ill-fated star crossed lovers, are meant to be. This makes up for everything.

Also, this whole charging $12.99 for a story that took so little time to read is abhorrent. Never again. I do not recommend this book on any level.(less)

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About Sarah Jio

Sarah Jio is the New York Times bestselling author of BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH (a Library Journal Best Book of 2011), THE BUNGALOW, and the forthcoming, THE LAST CAMELLIA (5/28/13), all from Penguin/Plume. Sarah is also the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She has written hundreds of articles for national magazines including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, SELF,...more

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The Bungalow/ The Drop/ The Best of Me/ Love in a Nutshell

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“If summer had a flavor, it was pink bubble gum.” — 22 people liked it

“I was making scrambled eggs smothered in Tabasco, his favorite, when he told me about Stephanie. The way she made him laugh. The way she understood him. The way they connected. I pictured the image of two Lego pieces fusing together, and I shuddered. It’s funny; when I think back to that morning, I can actually smell burned eggs and Tabasco. Had I known that this is what the end of my marriage would smell like, I would have made pancakes.” — 5 people liked it

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