Dear Orchid: Letters and New Beginnings—True Stories and Fiction filled with Heart, Humor, and Hope

by Carol Van Den Hende

“Powerful, haunting, and precise.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

These aren’t just stories. They’re love letters.

Told through a mix of true stories and new fiction, Dear Orchid opens the heart in unexpected through loss and love, silence and recovery, and the hard-won resilience of people who don’t always fit the mold.

With tenderness and heart, Dear Orchid is an Asian American author's homage to Mary-Louise Parker’s Dear Mr. You, through letters to a girl newly freed from East Berlin, an aunt lost to Communist-era borders, and Purple Heart-decorated heroes. These intimate portraits explore the messy beauty of friendship, family, disability, and belonging.

You’ll meet a wounded hero who jokes through his pain, a beloved cat with a crayon note taped to his back (“HELP ME”), and characters who refuse to be defined by what they’ve lost.

The final chapter brings a fictional reunion with the unforgettable cast from the Goodbye Orchid trilogy, offering healing, closure, and a second chance romance.

Written in a lyrical, letter-style format, this collection blends memoir and imagination in a deeply personal exploration of grief, identity, and human connection. It’s a window into private moments that echo something universal.
Underneath the heartbreak and humor runs the quiet pull between star-crossed lovers, whose stories unfold across time, distance, and impossible odds.

Whether you’re drawn to true stories of survival or fictional narratives filled with tenderness and truth, Dear Orchid offers an emotional journey that celebrates love in all its forms.

A collection for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or longed to understand the emotional truth behind the quiet moments that shape us.

Includes elements of multicultural and medical romance, true stories, and unforgettable moments of vulnerability and hope.

Also look for the Goodbye Orchid trilogy.

164 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2025

About the author

Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of forthcoming Dear Orchid, Orchid Blooming, Goodbye, Orchid and Always Orchid which are inspired by wounded veterans and have won 40+ literary awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and 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 all 3 Goodbye, Orchid books as Books-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.

Please sign up for Carol’s newsletter at carolvandenhende.com/contact or linktr.ee/cvdh

If you enjoyed reading the Goodbye Orchid series, she would appreciate it if you would:

Recommend them: Please help other readers find her books by recommending them to friends, readers’ groups, and discussion boards.

Review them: Please tell others you liked her books by reviewing them at Amazon, Goodreads and Bookbub. When you do write a review, please drop her a line at http://www.CarolVanDenHende.com/contact

Thank you!

ORCHID BLOOMING HONORS

■2023 Independent Press Award​ Best Contemporary Novel
■2022 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Award 1st Place Winner
■The Pulpwood Queen June 2023 International Book of the Month
■2022 Pinnacle Achievement Award Best Multicultural Fiction Book
■2022 Royal Dragonfly Awards 1st Place Winner Cultural Diversity, 2nd Place Winner Cover Design
■2022 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Top 100 Notable Book Winner
■2022 Best Book Award 1st Place Multicultural Fiction Winner
■2022 American Writing Award Winner Women's Fiction Finalist, Multicultural Fiction Winner
■2022 Reader's Favorite 5-star Review
■2023 Book Excellence Award​ Best Book Cover
■2022 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
■2022 NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION
■2022 BEACH BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION
■2022 JULY INTERNATIONAL IMPACT AWARD
■2022 HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION
■2022 OUTSTANDING CREATOR AWARDS: Women's Fiction, Literary & Contemporary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Drama, Best Couple
■2022 BOOK FEST 2nd Place Award
■2023 Independent Press Award​ Best Contemporary Novel

GOODBYE, ORCHID HONORS
■2020 American Fiction Award WINNER urban fiction
■2020 Pinnacle Achievement Award WINNER multicultural fiction
■2020 Outstanding Fiction IAN Book Award for Best New Novel 50-80K words
■2020 Royal Dragonfly Award WINNER Cover Design and Special Needs/Disability Awareness
■2020 New York Book Festival General Fiction Honorable Mention
■2020 Best Book Award Finalist: Best New Fiction and Fiction: General
■2021 Chanticleer International Book Chatelaine Award 1st Place Winner
■The Write Review Top 2020 Favorite
■In D'Tale Magazine Crowned Heart 5-stars
■Audiobook Reviewer 2020 New Author of the Year
■2021 Book Excellence award for Interior Design
■2021 Authorshout award Recommended Read
■2021 Kops-Fetherling International Award Multicultural Fiction Gold
■2021 American Advertising Award Hampton Roads branch Book Cover Gold Medal Addy
■2021 National Indie Excellence Book Award (NIEA) Multicultural Fiction Winner
■2021 Annie Award 1st Place Finalist
■2021 Zibby Award nominee for interior design
■2022 International Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys May Bonus Book of the Month
■ 2022 Summer Outstanding Creator Awards Grand Prize Honorable Mention; 2nd Place Women’s Fiction, Multicultural, Romance, and Drama; 3rd Place Literary & Contemporary Fiction; Honorable Mention Best Couple

BUZZFEED Top 12 Most Anticipated Fall Reads
PARADE Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2020
TRAVEL+LEISURE Most Anticipated Books of Fall
POPSUGAR Best New

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so beautiful and informative <3 a story of grief, love, second chances !!!!!!!



𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i've received this alc from the author and im intrigued! they're written in the perspective of letters and that sounds really interesting!! not my usual genre but im trying new things

↪ started nov 10
↪ started nov 10

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Orchid is a unique blend of memoir and fiction taking readers on an emotional journey through a series of letters and essays. These lyrical passages will touch your heart as you read about family, friendship, grief, love, and so much more. The author has a special connection to the wounded warriors who have inspired her fictional books, and this is a wonderful companion to the three novels that make up the Goodbye, Orchid series. I received an advance copy of this book.

[Carissa Lambariello · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful collection of love letters to special people about special moments in time

i enjoyed this short story collection, the writing is beautiful as is the structure of the story telling. the imagery the author uses is powerful & impactful.

a lot of the short stories are based on characters from the author’s Goodbye Orchid series. at one point a few back to back stories were based in that universe. so, if you haven’t read that series - these stories will feel very out of context.

you can tell the author crafts her characters with care & passion. they feel very realistic & based on fact.

this is a beautiful book with purple printed edges, intricate borders on every page & colored pictures throughout.

thank you to the author, the publisher & booksparks for the gifted PR package.

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Book Review
Dear Orchid
A Novel Written By Carol Van Den Hende
Published November 2025
175 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a collection of letters written by the author. Through these letters readers get an insight into her life and the people who helped shape her into the person she is. Short fiction stories are also interwoven into this book. Some of the individuals readers will meet are people with traumatic injuries and disabilities who have thrived despite these setbacks.

This is a heartwarming book which is perfect for the holiday season.

“In a world of roses, be an orchid - unique and extraordinary.”

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Orchid is a beautiful,heartfelt tribute to the people who inspired this amazing author to write this series. These letters show all the heart of those that inspired these beautiful stories. You will tear up on some smile at others but thru out all you remember the parts of the prior books in the Orchid series and realize some of the feelings and thought that produced these amazing stories. Thank you, Carole Van Den Hende for honoring me to be an advanced reader for this new book and the three prior that make up the Orchid series.

[Kady M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Orchid is an extremely unique book where the author brings together memoir and fiction so the readers get a glimpse into her emotions and her personal life.

I thought this was beautifully written and heartfelt. My absolute favorite part is the author’s tribute to her heroes. The resilience shown by the men and women in this story is truly inspiring. There are moments when you will find yourself smiling and times when your heart will hurt.

Though this is a standalone, I would have enjoyed reading the Goodbye Orchid series first, just for a little better background. I would recommend this for readers who are new to this author like me! Even if you choose not to read the series first, I guarantee you will still love the author’s transparency as she writes about her journey through grief, love and her feelings of not truly belonging in her world.


Thank you Booksparks and Carol Van Den Hende for this gifted copy of Dear Orchid as part of the fall reading challenge. All opinions are my own.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a companion to the Goodbye Orchid series, this collection of short stories will immerse you in the author’s world. The stories are broken into three sections, each from a different part of the authors life. I loved reading these stories and getting a glimpse into the authors world. I especially loved the origin story for Goodbye Orchid.

While these are short stories they are not light reads. They delve into the complexity of humans, especially veterans and those that don’t fit into a perfect mold. The story that touched me the most was the veteran who did not give up as it reminded me of a family member who is no longer with me, no matter how much I wish they were. A truly wonderful read that you can enjoy if you have or have not read the Goodbye Orchid series.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @booksparks @carolvandenhende @azinepress for the gifted book. #FRC2025 All opinions are my own.

DEAR ORCHID is an absolutely gorgeous book! The cover, the painted edges, the illustrations - all stunning! This will be displayed prominently on my shelf.

This is a powerful collection of essays, short stories, and reflections on the journey from child to adult. Each of the contributors plays a role in the author’s life. This is a collection that meanders and gives the reader a glimpse into the author’s creative process in crafting the Goodbye, Orchid series.

This was my introduction to this author and, while I enjoyed this collaboration, I think I would have connected more if I read the writings referenced within.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin with, this book is a work of art itself, comprising a collection of short stories and essays in the form of letters, all of which are exceptionally personal and touching.

One of my favorites is Dear Mr. Blue Sweater, which is the author’s real-life meet-cute with her husband and not only did they meet on a subway train, but they literally bonded over a book! Isn’t it such a dream come true!?

Anyways, this book is totally worthy of cherishing and owning a physical copy of! The cover is stunning and so is the interior design, where every page is framed by gorgeous floral design with blossoming orchids.

You’ll LOVE this book if you enjoyed…
💌second chance romance
🌸emotional healing
💌soulmates
🌸family drama
💌multicultural romance
🌸resilience & inner strength
💌epistolary style

***Massive thanks to the author and BookSparks for my complimentary copy!***

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

grateful to have received an ARC of this one! Dear Orchid is a unique collection of memoir and fictional passages, giving context around the inspiration behind the Goodbye Orchid series. The disability awareness that the memoirs, and the novels themselves, create is wonderful. I also loved the fictional pieces, specifically the interviews with the book characters! This is a really cool book, especially when read in conjunction with the trilogy itself.

[Carol]

This is a book of beautiful tales, brave truths, with heart in every line.

It started as a letter to the wounded hero who helped with my Goodbye Orchid series. He lost his legs and an arm to an explosion and taught me so much about life.

These personal letters and true stories will likewise warm your soul.

"Powerful, haunting, and precise. Each of the essays and stories in Van Den Hende’s collection—whether a three-page reverie of childhood’s joys and tragedies or a candid peek into the life of a wounded hero—land with a piercing clarity."

—FIONA DAVIS, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende is the fourth and probably final book in the Goodbye Orchid Series. This is one series that will grab your heart and twist. It is so heartwrenching and heartwarming, it really makes you really hope that perfect, gentle love really exists. I fall in love with love when I read these books. They make me have hope for humanity.

This book is a collection of letters, stories and new fiction. It brings back characters we have met before. It is reminiscent. I am going to be honest with you and tell you that I did not think that I would like this book. I thought it was going to be a big let down after reading the rest of the series. I do want to tell you that I was not disappointed. Carol Van Den Hende came through with flying colors. I loved it!

I will say that I had my favorite spots in the book and I am not going to say what they were because I feel everyone will have their own special favorites. There were some stories I wanted more of. There were some I just was ok with and there were not many of them. There was an interesting interview I think you will like. It kind of felt like Carol was sitting at her desk picking up old notes from her books and just throwing them in a file folder. Then she assembled them into what you get in Dear Orchid. I don’t know how she threw all of that in a folder and came up with such a wonderful book!

Look, I know Carol worked hard on this book and it was not that easy. I just think that it would be a wild experience to get to paw through the notes of an author on her books that you love. This was kind of like getting to know how her mind works. On the other hand, she always handles these stories with such love and empathy.

If I have intrigued you in just a tiny way, if you love short stories, and you have read any of the other books in this series, you will definitely need to put this book on your to be read list and add it to your nightstand. It is an absolutely wonderful book to read before bed. It does not require you to read for long stretches of time. So, be sure to check out Dear Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Bambi Rathman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Dear Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende

Dear Orchid whispers straight to the heart, a tender weaving of hope, healing, and the quiet strength that rises when life bends us in unexpected ways. Carol Van Den Hende writes with a gentle honesty that makes her characters feel alive—brave in their brokenness, real in their longing. Heartstrings of emotion are threaded through each passionate chapter, drawing you deeper into a story that feels both intimate and God-touched.

She handles trauma and recovery with the care of someone cupping something precious—never rushing, never forcing, simply honoring the slow blossoming of a wounded soul. The moments of doubt, the flickers of courage, the soft victories… all of it feels like watching light return after a long dusk.

This final book wraps the Orchid Trilogy with a bow—beautiful, hopeful, and full of second chances. Second chances at love. At identity. At believing that even shattered pieces can be shaped into something strong, meaningful, and new. By the closing pages, I found myself grateful for the reminder that grace meets us right where we are, especially in our most fragile places.

And the audiobook? A treasure in itself. Read by the author with phenomenal depth and tenderness, it feels like being personally invited into the heart of the story.

A deeply inspiring read—perfect for anyone who believes in hope’s steady glow, the resilience of love, and the quiet miracles that carry us forward.

I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of experiencing Ms. Van Den Hende's beautiful novel. This is my heartfelt review of an amazing read. So deserving of five orchid stars and more!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book. It touches on grief, friendships, love and second chances. Each chapter felt like the author was telling me a personal story. I was so captivated by her storytelling in each chapter. It was a blend of true stories and fiction. I was very interested in hearing about the different people she met in her life. It makes you think about all the people you met in your own life and the way it impacted you. The people she wrote chapters on clearly continue to stand out in her mind. The chapter named My Wild, Wild Twin had me tearing up at the end. It was cool to see some pictures inside the book. The border on each page was beautiful as well. Hearing about Bryan Anderson’s story was tough. I loved reading about all of his accomplishments and awards that he was given. He really shows everyone that he doesn’t let his disability hold him back from anything. I’m glad the author has such a special connection with him and was able to tell his story. There are multiple mentions in this story of this author’s previous books. This is my first book from this author and I will look up the other books in this series. There is so much passion and love in her writing that the words just flow on the page. Overall this was such a great, unique and wonderful read

[M. K. French · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a literary collection of stories that serve as a love letter to the Asian American experience. They cover the reality of friendship, family, disability, and belonging, and the final chapter features characters from the author's novel Goodbye Orchid.

The book has beautiful, deep lavender edging to match the purple orchids of the front cover, floral designs on each page, and occasionally photos or drawings to add detail to letters and vignettes. They are addressed to "you," which brings the reader closer to the stories. They’re fragments in time, slivers of lives lived by the author or family members. A few stories are based on characters from her novel, which I haven't read, but they still work independently. Some stories are cute, some are tinged with melancholy or nostalgia since they're written years later by an adult looking back.

I don't usually read literary fiction because the times that I tried, I couldn't connect with the protagonists. Heroes in fiction felt more approachable, even if I didn't live through an apocalypse. Here, maybe because it's so autobiographical, I have no trouble seeing Carol. Her snippets and essays are so intensely personal, I feel like she's having a conversation with me.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Carol Van Den Hende, the author of the Goodbye Orchid series, comes this latest title, Dear Orchid. Written as a series of letters, the book shows glimpses into Carol’s life as a child and young adult that ultimately shaped her fiction. It ends with entries of her fictional characters from the series. Though I enjoyed seeing a bit more into the characters lives, I found myself wanting more of the real life stories.

I love a vehicle like letters or diary entries. The first letter makes so much sense being first as it is part of the origin story for the Orchid series…then it rolls right into the authors own real life origin story with the next letter peeking into her childhood with a 1-2 punch of reality that sucked me right in! This book has an edge - it is sharp in a way the rounded, smoother prose of the prior books is not. Besides the second letter, I was the most moved by Dear Secret Auntie, Dear Mr. Blue Sweater, and Mother - all of which had me tearing up a little.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that like Carol’s precious books - the book itself is literally gorgeous! From the covers to the sprayed edge to the interior floral design bordering each page - it is stunning !

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.5✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 -

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• second chance romance
• emotional healing
• slow burn
• soulmates
• family drama
• heartwarming moments

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Dear Orchid is such an emotional and heart-touching read. Orchid’s journey of love, loss, and self-discovery is written so beautifully that it feels real and relatable. I loved watching her grow, heal, and slowly open her heart again. Phoenix is such a perfect addition to her story, bringing warmth, care, and that swoony protective vibe that makes your heart flutter.
The chemistry between them is slow-burning but so worth it, every glance and conversation feels meaningful. Family moments, personal growth, and romance are blended so perfectly, making the story feel cozy and deep at the same time.
The pacing is smooth, the emotions hit you in all the right ways, and the story left me smiling, crying, and swooning. Definitely a 4.5-star read I will remember for a long time.
Thank you so much author for the free ARC!

[Meghan ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told through a lyrical, letter-style format that blends true stories and new fiction, Dear Orchid is an intimate, heartfelt collection.Carol Van Den Hende ‘s homage to love, loss, and the hard-won resilience of people finding where they belong. You’ll meet unforgettable characters, including a wounded hero and a beloved cat, as their intimate portraits explore the messy beauty of friendship, family, disability, and identity. For fans of the Goodbye Orchid trilogy, the final chapter offers a satisfying reunion and a tender second chance romance. These aren’t just stories; they’re love letters.

Read If You Like: Epistolary format - Emotional Literary Collections - Stories blending memoir and fiction - Exploration of grief and identity - Uplifting tales of survival and human connection.

This is a beautiful and thoughtful read that I highly recommend as a gift for a book exchange or for compiling a meaningful gift basket!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dear Orchid” isn’t your typical short story collection—it’s a series of love letters, blending true stories with fiction in a way that feels raw, heartfelt, and deeply personal.

Carol Van Den Hende writes with tenderness and honesty about loss, resilience, and love in all its complicated forms. Some letters made me tear up, others made me smile, but all of them made me pause and reflect.

What I appreciated most is how seamlessly this book balances grief and hope. The letter format gives each piece an intimacy, like you’ve stumbled across something private yet universal.

Overall, it’s powerful, emotional, and beautifully done.

If you like stories that mix truth with imagination and linger in your heart, Dear Orchid is definitely worth reading.

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Susan Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Carol Van Den Hende’s Goodbye, Orchid trilogy—and new readers just now
discovering her storytelling gifts—will love this mixed-genre collection of twenty-seven
essays and stories that build on her themes of loss, love, and perseverance in a variety of
settings. In Dear Orchid, she honors her childhood and Chinese history, boyfriends,
family, and real-life heroes who inspired her books. Van Den Hende reminds us that
tragedy, which often leads to “disability,” can also open hearts and souls to lives fully lived
in unexpected circumstances.—Susan Cushman, author of nine books, including the mixed-
genre collection, Pilgrim Interrupted, and the novels John and Mary Margaret and Cherry
Bomb. Cushman is the adoptive mother of two South Korean children and grandmother to
four mixed race granddaughters. Her sons are retired Army and Air Force veterans.

[ReadIntoWonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I have truly never experienced a book like this before. The blend of portions of the story being non-fiction and parts of the story being fiction was highly intriguing. I enjoyed my time with it and found they worked better together than I imagined. If you are looking for something unique to pick up, consider adding this to your TBR.

It was a quick read with a fantastic audiobook. The narrative felt more personal than even most fully non-fiction books I have read. I loved doing an immersion read with my gorgeous physical edition. The interview at the end of the audiobook added a lot of value. Getting a moment with a real-life hero like that was wonderful.

I can truly say the reflective nature of this book will stick with me for a long time. It has inspired me in many ways.

I received this book as a gift. My review is honest.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Orchid is a beautiful and heartfelt conclusion to Van Den Hende’s Orchid series. I especially loved the author’s biographical snippets woven throughout—they touch on everything from friendship and family to culture, romance, secrets, love, and loss. Each piece adds depth and warmth, giving readers an intimate glimpse into the experiences that shaped her storytelling.

The sections about her encounters with injured veterans are particularly powerful. They’re moving, inspiring, and written with such compassion that you may want to have tissues close by.

And best of all, the book delivers an incredibly satisfying ending to the entire series. Anyone who has followed the Orchid books will not want to miss this grand finale! It’s a rewarding, emotional, and beautifully crafted send-off to a beloved world and its characters.

[Michele Ardente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to @BookSparks & @CarolVanDenHende for this beautiful hard cover edition, brimming with heartfelt expressions of human emotions, photos, stenciled pages, and sprayed edges.

I really enjoyed reading these letter style stories a few at a time. I fet spending time afterward with each story gave me the opportunity to reflect and absorb the meaning and love behind the messages.

The personal nature and use of "you" in the letters gave me the feeling of being deeply connected to the story. At turns being the receiver and even a time or two felt I could have been the one to write such a letter. Many of the stories made me nostalgic for a simpler time.

The postcards are representative of some very poignant moments in the authors life, and I appreciate having them so that they can invoke those feelings again just with a glance.

[Darla Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review:
Dear Orchid by Carol Van den Hende

For me, reading Dear Orchid was like getting insight to who the author, Carol, really wanted us to see plus so much more. She held nothing back by sharing her younger days with us and how she met the man of her dreams, which by the way was my favorite part. 🥰 Also, all the parts that shaped her into the beautiful, kind and caring person that she is today. By meeting and inquiring about wounded heros, she gets to know who they really are, especially Sgt. Bryan Anderson, and in turn we get to journey into the world of Phoenix and Orchid. Thank you Carol for opening our eyes to some of the situations that we can never truly understand unless you go through it. But thru your stories, I felt more compassion, warmth and especially pride. Your amazing book gets 5 stars from me!!! 🤩

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Orchid is a collection of what the author calls love letters, both fact and fiction, which take us through some memories from her childhood to the writing of her Goodbye Orchid Trilogy. I was especially touched by the stories about Goldie Forever and Dear Luna Moth
.
The Meeting My Heroes section talks about Navy Corpsman Daniel “Doc” Jacobs, Sgt. Noah Galloway, and Sgt Bryan Anderson. Quoting Carol, “This is why meeting your heroes is reckless: because they just might change you.” These three men truly are heroes. They have overcome many challenges with positive, upbeat attitudes, and live rich, full, happy lives.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan (The Book Bag)]

I loved the Goodbye Orchid series and absolutely devoured all three books. Dear Orchid is right up there at the top of my favorite reads.

This book is filled with letters and memories that link to the series or the writer's experiences during her journey to get the Orchid books written, and to her life in general. The chapters are touching and heartwarming, and demonstrate the author's love and respect for wounded veterans.

Dear Orchid is the perfect companion book to the series and I highly recommend it. First, read the three books in the series and then this one and you will see how it all ties together. Such a beautiful tribute to life, love, and determination.

[Laurel Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Dear Orchid” is the first book I’ve read by Carol Van Den Hende. It’s an easy-to-read sampling of vignettes encompassing so many emotions. Told in a series of short love letters, they showcase Ms. Van Den Hende’s empathy and kindness in a thinly-veiled fictional/reality amalgam.

In the author’s words, “In orchids, the male and female parts of the flower-the stamen and the pistil-are not separate, but gracefully merged into a single, elegant structure known as the column. It rises from the heart of the bloom like a secret kiss, a symbol of unity, and a botanical act of love that sets orchids apart from all others.”

My favorites of the collection were “Mother“ and “Doc Jacobs”. Very sweet book.

[Garima Bais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Dear Orchid expecting short stories, but it felt more like reading a collection of personal letters meant to be shared quietly. Some are clearly drawn from real life, others from fiction, but they blend so naturally that I stopped trying to separate them. Each piece carries emotion in a gentle, honest way.

What stayed with me most were the small details. A wounded soldier using humor to cope, a cat with a handwritten note taped to its back, family ties shaped by borders and history. The final chapter felt especially comforting, offering closure and hope.

This book is thoughtful, tender, and deeply human. It’s for readers who appreciate quiet emotion, reflection, and love in all its imperfect forms.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. This book is amazing! I loved the mixture of fiction and nonfiction. This collection of stories was like a love letter to the heart. It read like a collection of poetry.

While each story is short, they were impactful. In fact, I re-read some of them to absorb what I had just read better. Each story played in my head with vivid images. Having read Carol's Orchid books, I really loved reading those stories a lot.

Not that I did not already know Carol is an amazing writer, but this book showcased her talent. So, if you are fan of Carol or just looking for your next great read, pick up a copy of this book.

[C.W. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been eager to get my hands on this book ever since I interviewed the author on her release day! Dear Orchid is a beautifully written, memorable collection of short stories, letters, and a reunion of her characters from her debut trilogy (which I haven’t read yet, so if you have read her first three books, you’ll likely appreciate the last couple chapters so much more). There are stories of love and friendship lost and found, cats and moths, and an aunt who was lost to the Communist takeover in China. I appreciated her vignettes with Veterans, and how she met her heroes. Overall a quick, emotional read that will surely tug at your heartstrings.