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The Dandelion

Michelle Leighton (Goodreads Author)

4.21 · Rating details · 525 ratings · 128 reviews

At thirty-five, Abigail Simmons has mastered only one thing—running. When tragedy strikes, she runs. This time her urge to flee brings Abi back to her hometown, where she hopes she can find the peace she’s always searched for. That hope is dashed when Abi’s ex, Sam Forrester, bumps his way back into her life.

Sam has flourished in ways Abi hasn’t. From the outside, he has ...more

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Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 387 pages

Published April 8th 2018 by Michelle Leighton

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Average rating 4.21 ·

Rating details

· 525 ratings · 128 reviews

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May 05, 2018 warhawke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fuck-buddy-read, family-friendship, tragic-heartbreaking, general-fiction

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person – Female, partially dual
Rating:

Abigail (Abi) Simmons was desperate for a break. To find the peace she needed she decided to go back to her hometown for the first time since she left years ago. But what greeted her was not serenity but a ghost from her past that threatened her well laid plan.

Sam Forrester was once the love of her life. Now as a doctor, he became the love of the small town with his beautiful wife and daughter. However, what ...more

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Mar 16, 2018 Dilek VT marked it as never-no-way

A dying woman wants to find someone who will love her child and husband after she has gone...
And who is a better option than his ex? The one with a secret... (hmm, it sounds like a secret baby but I don't know for sure.)

So far from my type of romance... So not my cuppa!

flag 33 likes · Like · see review

Mar 16, 2018 ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5starmustread, 5-stars, adorable, small-town-romance, beautiful, crying, exes, family, small-town, i-loved-it

another Dandelion gif ↓ - it doesn't have anything to do with the book, but it's sooo adorable - I just had to add it to my review☺

description

Abi left her home town in South Carolina with her mom when she was 17 years old.

Now, 18 years later, she's back.

She's 'running' from something. From pain that happened to her, but also pain that she caused. But we don't know any details.

She just wants a few nice summer months back home where she was happy as a kid and teenager. To find some peace and quiet.

And maybe ...more

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Mar 31, 2018 Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• rated it it was amazing

I don’t even know where to begin my review of this highly emotionally charged book. I guess I can start by saying that it was a really sad story but one filled with so much love, hope and second chances.

Abi has returned to her lakeside hometown after leaving the boy she promised she would love forever behind 20 years ago. When she sees Sam again she is glad to see that he is happily married and they have a beautiful wee daughter. She is also left with a sense of sadness too, of the life she coul ...more

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Jul 10, 2019 Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers) marked it as i-rather-throw-myself-over-a-cliff · review of another edition

Why can’t the heroine have a successful life, love and sex for once? Why does she needs to be this loser? Why is it always the hero who has to be successful, have a wife and kids that he loves? And I bet that secret is her having his secret baby. 🤔😏More importantly why do authors hate women so much?

“Sam has flourished in ways Abi hasn’t. From the outside, he has it all—a successful medical practice, a beautiful daughter, and a charming wife.”

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Jul 09, 2018 Jennifer Kyle rated it liked it

3-3.5 Stars

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May 06, 2018 Lo Bookfrantic rated it it was amazing

Shelves: f-br, in-the-feels, damage-people, ugly-cry, unforgettable-hero

4.5stars

This was a great read, I loved the chemistry, the story itself was different, sad and I was able to connect with the characters. I didn't ugly cried a lot but I definitely had my ugly cry moment 🙄😆

I most definitely will be checking out more of this author's books.

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May 06, 2018 Rebecca Woodward rated it really liked it

Shelves: finished

This author is one hell of a story teller. I enjoy reading when an author talks about the scenery and gives us the reader a visual of the story. This way I can get the whole picture.
A second chance love story with angst and heartbreak. Little blonde girl takes the whole story to a different level. Noelle is her name and she is three with a mind of a grown up. Sam Forrester and his wife Sara are heading into the most painful goodbyes. Before she dies she is determined to find a new love for her ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Jessica (Angie & Jessica's Dreamy Reads) rated it it was ok

I had such high hopes for this book after reading the blurb. It had me pumped for what I thought would be a profoundly emotional story full of depth and second chances. I was geared up for heartache, for angst, for... something. Unfortunately I struggled with connecting much to the story at all. There's a lot more telling than showing in this book, and because of that, I never felt the chemistry between Sam and Abi, I never felt grief or loss or heartache. It existed, the characters say they're ...more

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Apr 11, 2018 Rejane marked it as not-interested

Shelves: should-i-cry-oops, not-enough-reviews, not-my-kind-of-story, lets-kill-someone

With a blurb like that I just can't read it. And don't think it's because of the supposed sadness. It's more for the silliness. I may sound cold, what I really am, but this kind of situation just annoys me. And I don't think any dying person would be on the hunt for another love for their partner and a parent for their kid. Just one situation this worked for me: it was an episode of GOLDEN GIRLS and a woman who was dying was trying to get Sophia to date her husband so she could look after him wh ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 Libby Harrison rated it it was ok

Shelves: already-married, abuse, cheating, cringe-scene, poor-taste, pushover-heroine, too-much-drama, second-chance, dead-soulmate

There was something about this which reminded me of 'sister-wives'

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Apr 07, 2018 Anne OK rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-arcs, 2018-reads

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED

With its eye-catching cover that is indicative of the story inside and a book blurb assured to grab and hold the attention of readers, I won’t be giving away much more of this plot. I would only be spoiling the overall effect and the unexpected revelations you should encounter on your own. Not a story that's always easy on the heart, this is a soul-searching journey and one that won’t soon be forgotten. The Dandelion was a lot different from what I expected – and so much mo ...more

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Apr 22, 2018 The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog rated it really liked it

Shelves: surj-s-reviews, 4-hearts, arc-received-for-honest-review, reviewed, april-2018

This is only the second book I have read by Michelle Leighton but once again, I have been blown away by this emotionally charged story she has written. From reading the synopsis, I knew "The Dandelion" was going to be a heart breaker of a read and I wasn't wrong. Abi, Sam and Sara's story absolutely devastated me. From start to finish, I read this book with a such heavy heart, a lump in my throat and the threat of tears never far away because of the impossible situation these characters found th This is only the second book I have read by Michelle Leighton but once again, I have been blown away by this emotionally charged story she has written. From reading the synopsis, I knew "The Dandelion" was going to be a heart breaker of a read and I wasn't wrong. Abi, Sam and Sara's story absolutely devastated me. From start to finish, I read this book with a such heavy heart, a lump in my throat and the threat of tears never far away because of the impossible situation these characters found themselves in. It was tragic with a sense of despair at the forefront of every page I read. Each of these characters was going through so much and I felt every ounce of their pain and suffering.

"The Dandelion" (very much like "The Empty Jar") was one of those books I know I'll remember for a long time, the storyline definitely leaving its mark on me. Why? Well because so much of it felt so real. The situation the characters found themselves in, their actions, their sacrifices and their selflessness really made me think and question, "what would I do in their shoes?" Would I have the strength and courage to do as they did? Would I be brave enough? I honestly don't know but for me, the story definitely toyed with my conscience. For me, the best kind of books are the thought provoking ones and this was 100% that!

Michelle Leighton bought this heart breaking tale to life two fold. Firstly, the emotionally charged writing that ensured I felt every single thing the characters went through and secondly, because of her excellent use of imagery that ensured I was able to quite literally live this story right alongside the characters. I was a part of the small town. I was a resident at the lake. I felt the beautiful sun on my face and I watched the world go by as I sat on my adirondack chair on my porch. I loved the sense of family and nostalgia that came with the setting too. For the few hours it took me to read this book, I felt like I was home.

"The Dandelion" was a story about love, loss, atonement and second chances that weaved itself into my emotions right from the get go. A job well done to this author for writing a story so was just so heart felt. I rated it ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ...more

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Apr 12, 2018 Karen Mc rated it liked it

I have wanted to meet a Michelle Leighton story for YEARS, as I’ve hoarded a couple of paperback pretties on my shelf of hers but never met them. When offered an opportunity to read The Dandelion, I was so THRILLED to finally meet this author’s words. Finally, I’d soak up a story from an author who’s been on my TBR for a long time.

The cover of The Dandelion is STUNNING with an ethereal beauty that didn’t quite reach the story. With an emotionally-wielding blurb, small town setting, and allure of ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Desirae (Dee) rated it it was amazing

arc provided by the author for an honest, unbiased review

im just sitting here, in public, trying not to cry. im trying. I will not do it. ladies, its not working. I just feel so emotionally raw right now. like if people look too close, they'll see how my broken heart is justflayed open from reading this.

this whole story has felt like one huge heart crushing story. in one way or another, this story is going to break your heart in two . Whether it's Sara's story or Abi's, you are going to ache fo ...more

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Apr 06, 2018 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

Memories…..they can haunt you for years or bring you joy from the fondness. For Abi – decades have come and gone since she fled her hometown, leaving the boy of her dreams behind in her wake. Life was anything but easy for Abi, and now she is determined to put it all behind her. To return to the one place she can seek solace and peace.

Abi knew that there was a possibility that she would run into Sam. Yet – nothing could have prepared her for just how much his life had changed in her absence. As Memories…..they can haunt you for years or bring you joy from the fondness. For Abi – decades have come and gone since she fled her hometown, leaving the boy of her dreams behind in her wake. Life was anything but easy for Abi, and now she is determined to put it all behind her. To return to the one place she can seek solace and peace.

Abi knew that there was a possibility that she would run into Sam. Yet – nothing could have prepared her for just how much his life had changed in her absence. As the town doctor, Sam seems to ‘have it all’ with a beautiful wife and daughter. Looks can be deceiving and Sam is far from living the life one might think from looking from the outside.

Nothing in life is perfect. Something Sam knows all too well. His wife Sara is slowly dying and there isn’t a single thing he can do to stop it. In the face of her grave prognosis, Sara shows nothing but devotion for Sam and Noelle. Determined to make sure they have someone to lean on when she is no longer around. Giving her a peace that will only come from knowing that there will be someone around to pick up the pieces for Sam and Noelle.

When Abi returns to town, Sara knows that this could be the answer to her prayers. A shoulder to lean on for Sam, and a role model for Noelle. Time is running out for Sara, and Abi may be the only person that will fill the void. While Abi agreed to help Sam in any way possible, she didn’t count on Sara or the devotion that this town has for Sam. All of it sits like a weight on Abi’s shoulders. Nothing can make Abi believe that she deserves the love, friendship or kindness that has come her way. Is there any way to change Abi’s mind before Sara is out of options?

Let me take a moment……I’m not crying, YOU are crying!!! The Dandelion was unlike anything I prepared myself to read. It was beautiful and poignant. A tribute to the writing style that Michelle Leighton is known for when she puts pen to paper. There will be heartbreak and sadness, but the story has an underlying tone of hope and mercy. There will be moments of adoration and others that will leave you in tears as you follow in the footsteps that Sam and Abi will travel.

One thing that this book does is make you think….and I mean think HARD!! What would you do if you traveled in the shoes of these characters? Right or wrong….good or bad….the choices that these characters make will leave you thinking and feeling with all of your heart. Michelle Leighton always seems to write with such beauty, depth and thought provoking story plots. This novel is no exception.
The Dandelion is simply……..BEAUTIFUL!!!
...more

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Apr 08, 2018 Shelley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018

*4.5 Stars

My curiosity level was at an all-time high as soon as I read the synopsis for The Dandelion. I was fully aware that this was going to be an emotional read – there was absolutely no way around that, but I had to know how Michelle Leighton was going to tell Abi, Sam, and Sara’s story.

Abi just wanted to spend a few quiet months by the lake where her fondest memories took place. She wanted to find some much needed peace while offering a helping hand in her former community. Abi never expec *4.5 Stars

My curiosity level was at an all-time high as soon as I read the synopsis for The Dandelion. I was fully aware that this was going to be an emotional read – there was absolutely no way around that, but I had to know how Michelle Leighton was going to tell Abi, Sam, and Sara’s story.

Abi just wanted to spend a few quiet months by the lake where her fondest memories took place. She wanted to find some much needed peace while offering a helping hand in her former community. Abi never expected her good deeds would go so far as granting a dying woman’s wish to spend time with her husband, love him, and help to raise his adorable daughter. Would it be so difficult for Abi to love Sam again?

As a reader, I always try to put myself in the shoes of the characters that I’m reading about. How would I be if I found myself in a similar situation? Would I react the same way? Well, this was a tough one. I like to think of myself as a good person, but I came to the conclusion that I may not be quite as selfless as I would like to believe. It didn’t matter which character’s shoes I was wearing, it was all incredibly difficult, awkward, and hurtful. There was nothing easy or painless about this situation.

I began reading The Dandelion one night and finished it the next. I was invested in these characters’ lives. I didn’t want to put it down while I was reading it – I needed to find out what was going to happen next. To say that I was surprised by a few things that were revealed would be a definite understatement. I knew that there were secrets that we weren’t privy to yet, but I didn’t expect it to go the route that it did. I love it when that happens!

The Dandelion was an all-consuming reading experience. I felt as though I was right there with the characters, sitting beside them on an Adirondack chair and listening to the waves lapping on the shore, and navigating the rough waters with them. I was able to feel every emotion that they were experiencing as they were thrust into this unconventional situation. My heart beat alongside of theirs, broke with theirs, and was put back together again.

As I mentioned earlier, I wondered how Michelle Leighton was going to tell this sensitive and emotional story. She did it with the utmost care – eloquently and beautifully.
...more

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Apr 16, 2018 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: emotional-reads, devoured, intriguing, inspirational, second-chance-love

Michelle Leighton has always been one of my go to authors. She just writes stories that speak to my soul. She is one of the first authors I read so many moons ago and she continues to bring us these amazing stories that have me glued to my kindle. She just has a gift and if you’ve not discovered her amazingness you need to one click The Dandelion. I admit its an unconventional second chance love story but that is what I loved about it! It’s not the same ole love story that is about losing y ...more

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May 27, 2018 JPT rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Ebook
Grade: C-/D+

Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers. Really. Spoilers galore. (I'm writing this for myself, so if anyone else ventures beyond this point, it's totally their own fault.)

A lot of people liked this book and I had high hopes for it, but it was a real miss for me, to the extent that I was pretty pissed off most of the time while I was reading it. I repeatedly thought about ditching it, but felt like I had to stick with it. So, what bugged me so much? He ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Richelle Robinson rated it liked it

Review to come on release day.

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Apr 19, 2018 Tammy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, own, romance, favorites

5+ Stars - another 2018 Favorite.

This was an emotionally stunning, angst filled, second-chance love story. An there is absolutely no cheating in this book. I would highly recommend this book to anybody, but you might want Kleenex close at hand just in case.

You first meet Abi and Sam at 17 and so much in love with each other. Then Abi's mother forces her to leave town and Sam behind. Then we forward 20 years later when Abi returns home for various reasons. One of the first people that she runs i ...more

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Apr 03, 2018 Mary Mooney rated it it was amazing

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
When this book came up on the TBR list, I knew I had to read it even without reading the synopsis, this author and her writing style is one I love. She can rip out your heart, throw it on the ground, stomp on it and then pick it up, dust it off, put it back in your chest and jump start it and you are back to breathing again. She can transport you into any story and make you feel every emotion. And that ...more

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Apr 03, 2018 Nadine Bookaholic rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: anyone that enjoys a great book that pulls at your heartstrings

Recommended to Nadine Bookaholic by: Krissy

Shelves: goodreads-year-in-review-2018, z2018-ammp-badge-lover-challenge, trope-second-chance-at-love, genre-romance-contemporary, z-2018-books-i-read-for-a-challenge, not-available-for-loaning, arcs-read2review-completed, parent-or-guardian-of-child-ren, content-illness-or-addiction, genre-womens-fiction

This story ripped my heart apart but slowly put it back together again. I read this book knowing that it would be a tough one to read because of the subject, a dying wife wanting her husband to find love again before she passes so she can get to know the woman that will help Sam raise their daughter, Noelle. As I sit here writing my review there are tears streaming down my face because I would want the same thing for my family.

I will not give any spoilers because YOU MUST READ THIS EMOTIONAL ST ...more

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Mar 14, 2018 Eleanor (The Book Hammock) rated it it was amazing

Angst galore.

I think for half the book my heart was aching. The other half it was aching and I was crying my eyes out.

I loved Abi. Abi is so strong, only she doesn’t know it. She’s in so much pain, physical and emotional. She’s running, true, but she doesn’t realize she’s running towards her true home, toward redemption and towards a second chance.

Deciding on four months of vacation before she’s free of her old life, Abi is determined to live life helping others. She volunteers, doing everything ...more

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Apr 11, 2018 Donna ~ The Romance Cover rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-5-stars-read-2018

The Dandelion by Michelle Leighton
4.5 stars!!!

“We saved each other. And my mother saved us all.”

Abigail Simmons is thirty-five and has returned to her home town for some respite and to lay some old ghosts to rest. The only thing Abigail has ever excelled at is running, she has run her whole life, but now, with nothing else to run from she returns to her happy place, a place that holds her fondest memories, a place that she just wants to see and feel once again. The trouble with ghost ...more

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Mar 04, 2018 Teresa Mary Rose rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, contemporary, for-review, arc, cover-love, re-readable-books, favorites, 2018

The Dandelion is a stunning read with a beautiful romance, that is not your average love story. It is heartwarming and heartfelt and the author clearly poured her heart and soul into the book. It is a story not to be missed.

This book is impossible to review without spoiling things, so I’m going to go the short and sweet route here. I could talk about this book for days on end, but there are a lot of twists along the way and I don’t want to take those twists away from the reader. This book is sim ...more

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Apr 09, 2018 Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) rated it it was amazing

What a beautifully written story about the life journey of two strong women. Sara is dying and makes her husband Sam promise to find love again. Abi is running--again-- and plans to spend her summer chilling at the lake near her home town. Sam is the man that has loved both of these women in his life.

Even with this little bit of information about the story, you know your heart is just going to get crushed. It's a slow burn about second chances, and wishes, and dreams. It's about first love and ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Tanya Vought rated it it was amazing

This book is an emotional, wonderful read!
The Dandelion is filled with incredible characters, fabulous setting and a whole lotta heartache too!!

If you're looking for a book that will keep you captivated until the end, one that will make you cry tears of joy/pain, love, loss, friendship.... this is the book for you!!!!

Trust me, this is one book I won't forget about anytime soon! It's one of a kind and one that you'll be envious of... I'd love to have that man, Sam in my life!!! #totalbookboyfrien ...more

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Mar 06, 2019 Kim Carter rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle-unlimited, second-chance-romance

I loved Sam, not so much a fan of Abigail (she has issues and I get it, but I just got frustrated with her and her negative 'tude). I could tell that Sam never stopped loving her in some way, even though they were torn apart as teens.

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Jul 05, 2018 Darcy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, e-book, romance

This is a love story, an unusual one to be sure. One that will break your heart with every turn. One that will have you questioning if you would have the same grace as Sara, Sam or Abi.

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About Michelle Leighton

Michelle Leighton

9,554 followers

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels ...more