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Harry's Trees
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A grieving widower, a determined girl, a courageous librarian and a mysterious book come together in an uplifting tale of love, loss, friendship and redemption.
Thirty-four-year-old Harry Crane works as an analyst for the US Forest Service. When his wife dies suddenly, Harry, despairing, retreats north to lose himself in the remote woods of the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. But fate intervenes in the form of a fiercely determined young girl named Oriana. She and her mother, Amanda, are struggling to pick up the pieces from their own tragic loss of Oriana’s father. Discovering Harry while roaming the forest, Oriana believes that he holds the key to righting her world.
Harry reluctantly agrees to help Oriana carry out an astonishing scheme inspired by a book given to her by the town librarian, Olive Perkins. Together, Harry and Oriana embark on a golden adventure that will fulfill Oriana’s wild dream—and ultimately open Harry’s heart to new life.
A grieving widower, a determined girl, a courageous librarian and a mysterious book come together in an uplifting tale of love, loss, friendship and redemption.
Thirty-four-year-old Harry Crane works as an analyst for the US Forest Service. When his wife dies suddenly, Harry, despairing, retreats north to lose himself in the remote woods of the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. But fate intervenes in the form of a fiercely determined young girl named Oriana. She and her mother, Amanda, are struggling to pick up the pieces from their own tragic loss of Oriana’s father. Discovering Harry while roaming the forest, Oriana believes that he holds the key to righting her world.
Harry reluctantly agrees to help Oriana carry out an astonishing scheme inspired by a book given to her by the town librarian, Olive Perkins. Together, Harry and Oriana embark on a golden adventure that will fulfill Oriana’s wild dream—and ultimately open Harry’s heart to new life.
464 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2018
1871 people are currently reading
27542 people want to read
About the author
Jon Cohen
3 books720 followersA former critical care nurse, Jon Cohen is the author of "The Man in the Window" and "Max Lakeman and the Beautiful Stranger." Jon is the recipient of a creative writing grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and is the co-writer of the film "Minority Report," directed by Steven Spielberg. His latest novel is "Harry's Trees."
Jon lives with his wife outside of Philadelphia.
Jon lives with his wife outside of Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 3,664 reviews
October 29, 2023
***THIS IS A FANTASTIC BOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR***
Not since Flavia de Luce in the Alan Bradley books have I been as captivated by a young girl in a novel as I am with Oriana in Harry’s Trees. There are those who will licken this book to a fairy tale for adults but it is so much more. If you want to spend some hours with a book that will make you feel good, rescue you for a while from all of the bad news in the world, I direct you to Harry’s Trees.
Harry Crane has suffered the loss of his wife in a very cruel manner and he feels to blame for her accident. He has spent a year of misery in his house, never moving any of his wife’s things, even leaving her toothbrush next to his. He works for the Forestry Department but sits behind a computer every day, he longs to be outside among the trees. His wife had always told him to quit his job and find “Harry’s Trees” and one day he does just that. He quits his job, leaves everything behind and heads to the Pennsylvania forests. He has come here to see the end of his life but instead he finds a little girl, Oriana.
Oriana and her mother have suffered a loss of their own, her dad died unexpectedly one day, without warning and at a young age. Amanda and Oriana have been making their way in life, Amanda is a nurse, but the money is running out and Amanda is no longer sure which way her life is heading.
Oriana is one special girl who spends large amounts of time in the forests and in the amazing treehouse that her father built for her. She loves to read and her favorite person in town is Olive the librarian who feeds her love of books. Olive has secrets of her own and some of those are revealed in a very special book that she gives to Oriana to read, The Grum’s Ledger. This book will play a large part in furthering the plot in this story.
The story is told from multiple points of view, including the above named characters as well as Wolf, Harry’s brother, Ronnie and Cliff, friends of Oriana’s dad and Stu a down on his luck realtor with a devious nature. These characters are well described and very easy to visualize and understand.
This is not just a magical tale. There is real human suffering, grief, loss, greed, redemption and great love. Seeing life through a child’s eyes is always magical and difficult to write about, Mr. Cohen does it beautifully. There are gorgeous descriptions of the forest along with information of many of the trees found there. Harry tells us in depth about each tree, how it lives and grows, during the course of the story.
There are perhaps many of us who are “trapped” in jobs that we no longer care about and maybe Harry’s story will provide the nudge that we need to do something to change that or find something else that will enrich our lives. In any case, reading this book is a wonderful way to spend a weekend.
Have yourself a good weekend and read or listen to this book :)
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Not since Flavia de Luce in the Alan Bradley books have I been as captivated by a young girl in a novel as I am with Oriana in Harry’s Trees. There are those who will licken this book to a fairy tale for adults but it is so much more. If you want to spend some hours with a book that will make you feel good, rescue you for a while from all of the bad news in the world, I direct you to Harry’s Trees.
Harry Crane has suffered the loss of his wife in a very cruel manner and he feels to blame for her accident. He has spent a year of misery in his house, never moving any of his wife’s things, even leaving her toothbrush next to his. He works for the Forestry Department but sits behind a computer every day, he longs to be outside among the trees. His wife had always told him to quit his job and find “Harry’s Trees” and one day he does just that. He quits his job, leaves everything behind and heads to the Pennsylvania forests. He has come here to see the end of his life but instead he finds a little girl, Oriana.
Oriana and her mother have suffered a loss of their own, her dad died unexpectedly one day, without warning and at a young age. Amanda and Oriana have been making their way in life, Amanda is a nurse, but the money is running out and Amanda is no longer sure which way her life is heading.
Oriana is one special girl who spends large amounts of time in the forests and in the amazing treehouse that her father built for her. She loves to read and her favorite person in town is Olive the librarian who feeds her love of books. Olive has secrets of her own and some of those are revealed in a very special book that she gives to Oriana to read, The Grum’s Ledger. This book will play a large part in furthering the plot in this story.
The story is told from multiple points of view, including the above named characters as well as Wolf, Harry’s brother, Ronnie and Cliff, friends of Oriana’s dad and Stu a down on his luck realtor with a devious nature. These characters are well described and very easy to visualize and understand.
This is not just a magical tale. There is real human suffering, grief, loss, greed, redemption and great love. Seeing life through a child’s eyes is always magical and difficult to write about, Mr. Cohen does it beautifully. There are gorgeous descriptions of the forest along with information of many of the trees found there. Harry tells us in depth about each tree, how it lives and grows, during the course of the story.
There are perhaps many of us who are “trapped” in jobs that we no longer care about and maybe Harry’s story will provide the nudge that we need to do something to change that or find something else that will enrich our lives. In any case, reading this book is a wonderful way to spend a weekend.
Have yourself a good weekend and read or listen to this book :)
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
March 18, 2021
Harry's Trees by Jon Cohen (Author), Josh Bloomberg (Narrator)
I've rarely read fairy tales because they make me feel so sad or uncomfortable. I don't search out stories about bad things happening or about mean people trying to ruin peoples' lives. But here we have a magical, mystical, fairy tale of a story where a man loses his wife in a most horrible way and a wife/mother and her daughter lose their husband/father without warning.
Thirty four year old Harry is a Forest Service analyst. He loves trees but hates his job, which keeps him locked in an office, doing mounds of paperwork. His big wish was to win the lottery so he could quit his job and become the owner of Harry's Trees, some kind of tree business, to be determined when he won his riches. On the horrible, fateful day that his wife died, Harry knows that it's all his fault and he can never, ever forgive himself. He'll die (hopefully sooner than later) knowing he's the reason his wife is dead. He has no reason to keep going and every reason to want to not exist anymore.
Nurse, Amanda, and her young daughter, Oriana, lose their robust, healthy, bigger than life, husband/father in an instant. The shock and grief are overwhelming but practical Amanda keeps on trucking in a fog of responsibility (not realizing all the things she is letting slide) while Oriana knows her father is out there in the forest surrounding their home. Oriana has been given a strange, worn, handwritten book called The Grum’s Ledger and she knows this is the secret to bringing back her family.
There is a very old librarian, named Olive, that is part of this fairy tale, too. But really, there are so many side players in this fairy tale, each with their part to play and their lesson to learn. Resentment, jealousy, fear, regret, wanting something for nothing, and more, play a huge part in this story. But it's all brought together by the kind, broken heart of Harry and the hopeful, broken heart of Oriana.
This is a beautiful story, beautifully narrated. I'm in the middle of Texas, often with no electricity, occasionally with no water, during the worst winter storm in Texas's history. This was a wonderful book to get lost in, during this time of extreme uncertainty, where sadness is a part of life, regret is a part of life, but life is worth living, worth working for, worth what will come next.
Published June 12, 2018
I've rarely read fairy tales because they make me feel so sad or uncomfortable. I don't search out stories about bad things happening or about mean people trying to ruin peoples' lives. But here we have a magical, mystical, fairy tale of a story where a man loses his wife in a most horrible way and a wife/mother and her daughter lose their husband/father without warning.
Thirty four year old Harry is a Forest Service analyst. He loves trees but hates his job, which keeps him locked in an office, doing mounds of paperwork. His big wish was to win the lottery so he could quit his job and become the owner of Harry's Trees, some kind of tree business, to be determined when he won his riches. On the horrible, fateful day that his wife died, Harry knows that it's all his fault and he can never, ever forgive himself. He'll die (hopefully sooner than later) knowing he's the reason his wife is dead. He has no reason to keep going and every reason to want to not exist anymore.
Nurse, Amanda, and her young daughter, Oriana, lose their robust, healthy, bigger than life, husband/father in an instant. The shock and grief are overwhelming but practical Amanda keeps on trucking in a fog of responsibility (not realizing all the things she is letting slide) while Oriana knows her father is out there in the forest surrounding their home. Oriana has been given a strange, worn, handwritten book called The Grum’s Ledger and she knows this is the secret to bringing back her family.
There is a very old librarian, named Olive, that is part of this fairy tale, too. But really, there are so many side players in this fairy tale, each with their part to play and their lesson to learn. Resentment, jealousy, fear, regret, wanting something for nothing, and more, play a huge part in this story. But it's all brought together by the kind, broken heart of Harry and the hopeful, broken heart of Oriana.
This is a beautiful story, beautifully narrated. I'm in the middle of Texas, often with no electricity, occasionally with no water, during the worst winter storm in Texas's history. This was a wonderful book to get lost in, during this time of extreme uncertainty, where sadness is a part of life, regret is a part of life, but life is worth living, worth working for, worth what will come next.
Published June 12, 2018
January 27, 2019
5 Incredible, Magical, Mystical Stars!
“Harry’s Trees” is Most Magical Novel of the Year! It’s a must-read novel and is simply unputdownable!
Harry Crane works for the forestry department. He is miserably unhappy with his job but is happily married to his wife Beth. He plays the lotto every week hoping against hope that he’ll win it big and be able to quit his job. One day while out with Beth, he stops to buy a lotto ticket and the worst thing imaginable happens - Beth gets killed in a freak accident and Harry becomes a recluse. Beth always wanted him to quit his job and find “Harry’s Trees” and after she passes, he does exactly that.
Amanda is also happily married, when her husband also passes away unexpectedly. She and her daughter Oriana have since been dealing in different ways. Oriana by going to the library and reading books and by going into the forest and hiding, playing amongst the trees and Amanda, by losing herself in others. Oriana’s favorite book is The Grum’s Ledger given to her Olive, the Librarian. The Grum’s Ledger is full of magic and it makes Oriana believe - in some of the most impossible things.. and yet.. life is full of possibilities.
While out in her forest, Oriana comes across Harry Crane. Since the forest is a safe place for both of them, they form an immediate bond. Wanting and needing to live there, Harry rents Amanda and Oriana’s treehouse and in turn, he and Oriana help each other find their way. Using The Grum’s Ledger as a guide, Oriana helps Harry believe in the power of Magic and in the power of helping others.
What starts out as a story of loss and grief turns into a wondrous tale of friendship, magic and pure love. It will make you smile through tears! These characters will live inside of you and warm you from the inside out. If there is one book you read this year, please let it be “Harry’s Trees” by Jon Cohen! I loved this book with my whole heart and hope you will too.
Thank you to Hoopla for allowing me to listen to this incredible story!
Published on Goodreads, Amazon and Twitter on 1.26.19.
“Harry’s Trees” is Most Magical Novel of the Year! It’s a must-read novel and is simply unputdownable!
Harry Crane works for the forestry department. He is miserably unhappy with his job but is happily married to his wife Beth. He plays the lotto every week hoping against hope that he’ll win it big and be able to quit his job. One day while out with Beth, he stops to buy a lotto ticket and the worst thing imaginable happens - Beth gets killed in a freak accident and Harry becomes a recluse. Beth always wanted him to quit his job and find “Harry’s Trees” and after she passes, he does exactly that.
Amanda is also happily married, when her husband also passes away unexpectedly. She and her daughter Oriana have since been dealing in different ways. Oriana by going to the library and reading books and by going into the forest and hiding, playing amongst the trees and Amanda, by losing herself in others. Oriana’s favorite book is The Grum’s Ledger given to her Olive, the Librarian. The Grum’s Ledger is full of magic and it makes Oriana believe - in some of the most impossible things.. and yet.. life is full of possibilities.
While out in her forest, Oriana comes across Harry Crane. Since the forest is a safe place for both of them, they form an immediate bond. Wanting and needing to live there, Harry rents Amanda and Oriana’s treehouse and in turn, he and Oriana help each other find their way. Using The Grum’s Ledger as a guide, Oriana helps Harry believe in the power of Magic and in the power of helping others.
What starts out as a story of loss and grief turns into a wondrous tale of friendship, magic and pure love. It will make you smile through tears! These characters will live inside of you and warm you from the inside out. If there is one book you read this year, please let it be “Harry’s Trees” by Jon Cohen! I loved this book with my whole heart and hope you will too.
Thank you to Hoopla for allowing me to listen to this incredible story!
Published on Goodreads, Amazon and Twitter on 1.26.19.
July 7, 2021
You know that feeling you get when a book ends and you want nothing more than to crawl back into those pages and stay awhile?
My heart wasn’t ready to leave this one.
Not since reading Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars have I felt more invested in a trio of characters' efforts to help and heal one another. Both stories were beautifully told and had that thread of magical realism that I love, immersed in a gorgeous forest atmosphere. It’s a story of grief and healing, but with its healthy sprinkling of fairy dust wrapped in Jon Cohen’s warm and witty humor, it keeps the story from ever feeling heavy or morose. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Josh Bloomberg while reading along, and his superb voice work took me straight to that forest and planted me amongst these wonderful characters.
To summarize (you can skip the next three paragraphs if you want to go into this blind):
Harry Crane, a 34-year-old U.S. Forest Service analyst with a deep love for both trees and his wife Beth, suddenly finds himself widowed after a freak accident he blames himself for not avoiding. Quitting his job and fleeing to the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania on the heels of receiving a windfall legal settlement his older alpha-male brother, Wolf, bullied him into pursuing, he’s intent on righting his perceived wrongs his own way.
Enter Amanda Jeffers, a kind but pragmatic, no-nonsense ER nurse and fellow recent widow who, in another twist of fate, discovers Harry wounded on her forest property. With her is her nine-year-old daughter, Oriana, an extremely bright child, who’s doggedly determined to believe her late father, Dean, still exists in the form of a wingèd (her word) creature, much to Amanda’s chagrin. Amanda offers to let Harry stay in the habitable tree house on her property in the hopes that Oriana seeing a male figure accept the reality of his loss will spur her to embrace her own.
Central to the book is a fascinating fairy tale within, called The Grum’s Ledger, which delightful octogenarian librarian Olive Perkins gives to Oriana to borrow. In this tale, Oriana is convinced she’s found the path that Harry needs to take to heal and move on from his late wife, and Harry is convinced will help Oriana accept her dad’s death. Theirs is really a sweet relationship to watch grow. Their ensuing adventure birthed by The Grum’s Ledger is fun and magical, with moments of tension, as some characters have other plans for Harry’s fortune.
I loved the journey Harry, Amanda and Oriana took together, as each learned to trust and open their hearts to the other, like the blossoming leaves on Harry’s beloved trees. The secondary characters like the ever-menacing Wolf, spunky Olive, Dean’s hapless but good-hearted friend Ronnie, the various men humorously and pathetically vying for Amanda’s attention, and even a lovable Rottweiler named Brutus, all added depth to this already rich story. Cohen’s humor struck just the right tone for the subject material and had me laughing and smiling throughout, and his use of fairy tale imagery added to the magic. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming story and I loved every single moment of it!! This will definitely be on my year-end favorites and will stay rooted in my heart for a long time.
This gets 5 well-deserved stars, but what I REALLY want to give it is:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My heart wasn’t ready to leave this one.
Not since reading Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars have I felt more invested in a trio of characters' efforts to help and heal one another. Both stories were beautifully told and had that thread of magical realism that I love, immersed in a gorgeous forest atmosphere. It’s a story of grief and healing, but with its healthy sprinkling of fairy dust wrapped in Jon Cohen’s warm and witty humor, it keeps the story from ever feeling heavy or morose. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Josh Bloomberg while reading along, and his superb voice work took me straight to that forest and planted me amongst these wonderful characters.
To summarize (you can skip the next three paragraphs if you want to go into this blind):
Harry Crane, a 34-year-old U.S. Forest Service analyst with a deep love for both trees and his wife Beth, suddenly finds himself widowed after a freak accident he blames himself for not avoiding. Quitting his job and fleeing to the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania on the heels of receiving a windfall legal settlement his older alpha-male brother, Wolf, bullied him into pursuing, he’s intent on righting his perceived wrongs his own way.
Enter Amanda Jeffers, a kind but pragmatic, no-nonsense ER nurse and fellow recent widow who, in another twist of fate, discovers Harry wounded on her forest property. With her is her nine-year-old daughter, Oriana, an extremely bright child, who’s doggedly determined to believe her late father, Dean, still exists in the form of a wingèd (her word) creature, much to Amanda’s chagrin. Amanda offers to let Harry stay in the habitable tree house on her property in the hopes that Oriana seeing a male figure accept the reality of his loss will spur her to embrace her own.
Central to the book is a fascinating fairy tale within, called The Grum’s Ledger, which delightful octogenarian librarian Olive Perkins gives to Oriana to borrow. In this tale, Oriana is convinced she’s found the path that Harry needs to take to heal and move on from his late wife, and Harry is convinced will help Oriana accept her dad’s death. Theirs is really a sweet relationship to watch grow. Their ensuing adventure birthed by The Grum’s Ledger is fun and magical, with moments of tension, as some characters have other plans for Harry’s fortune.
I loved the journey Harry, Amanda and Oriana took together, as each learned to trust and open their hearts to the other, like the blossoming leaves on Harry’s beloved trees. The secondary characters like the ever-menacing Wolf, spunky Olive, Dean’s hapless but good-hearted friend Ronnie, the various men humorously and pathetically vying for Amanda’s attention, and even a lovable Rottweiler named Brutus, all added depth to this already rich story. Cohen’s humor struck just the right tone for the subject material and had me laughing and smiling throughout, and his use of fairy tale imagery added to the magic. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming story and I loved every single moment of it!! This will definitely be on my year-end favorites and will stay rooted in my heart for a long time.
This gets 5 well-deserved stars, but what I REALLY want to give it is:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
February 22, 2019
4.5 stars, rounded up
There is magic in our lives if we only open our eyes to see it. It’s the magic of seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. That’s the only magic there is in Harry’s Trees, an extraordinary book that brings this message home in such a lovely way.
There’s grief and sadness, but there’s also the magic of connection, of opening ourselves up to kindness, love, and hope, of giving and receiving. A book about grief and forgiveness, but also love and joy. It is charming and funny and is UpLit at its best. Heartwarming without being cheesy. It's a lovely reminder to choose kindness and love and open yourself up to a little bit of magic.
The quirky characters in this novel stole my heart:
* Harry, a 34-year-old employee of the Forest Service, whose grief, despair and guilt after the death of his wife (not a spoiler, as it happens early), goes on a mission and retreats into the forest in rural Pennsylvania.
*Oriana, a 9-year-old girl who has recently lost her father and engages in magical thinking. She’s a girl after my own heart…she loves books, libraries, and reading and is simply delightful.
*Amanda, Oriana’s mother, who is grieving the death of her husband but is a practical gal who does not suffer fools.
*Olive, the pipe-smoking, octogenarian town librarian, who has a story of her own to tell. She is desperately trying to save the town’s library. In her wise words: “Get a book. Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.” “What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.” I pretty much loved everything Olive said and did.
*Ronnie, Amanda’s husband’s best friend and co-worker. He’s a loyal friend and protector who feels personally responsible for everything. “Ronnie had never had a destiny. The fate of the world resting upon his shoulders. Or a little piece of the world, anyway…because that’s how the world is saved. Piece by piece, every day. Somebody like you has to step up. Somebody like you has to be wonderful”
* Wolf, Harry’s older brother who is a bully of the worst kind.
* Stu, the town’s bad guy who will do anything to get rich quick and he has a scheme of his own to do so.
Oriana meets Harry in the woods at a pivotal moment and is convinced she has the answers for both Harry and herself. She hatches an innovative scheme which she believes will save them both.
Ultimately, these characters will all need each other to save one another. How they go about it makes for a sweet, funny, and charming read, which will surely be an all-time favorite book that has earned a place on my keeper shelf. Do yourself a favor and read it!
This was another fantastic buddy read with my friend Marialyce.
*the author was interviewed on an episode of Anne Bogel’s (Modern Mrs. Darcy) podcast, What Should I Read Next. It gave me an appreciation for the author and made me love the book even more. Scroll down for a link to the podcast:
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/160-episode/
There is magic in our lives if we only open our eyes to see it. It’s the magic of seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. That’s the only magic there is in Harry’s Trees, an extraordinary book that brings this message home in such a lovely way.
There’s grief and sadness, but there’s also the magic of connection, of opening ourselves up to kindness, love, and hope, of giving and receiving. A book about grief and forgiveness, but also love and joy. It is charming and funny and is UpLit at its best. Heartwarming without being cheesy. It's a lovely reminder to choose kindness and love and open yourself up to a little bit of magic.
The quirky characters in this novel stole my heart:
* Harry, a 34-year-old employee of the Forest Service, whose grief, despair and guilt after the death of his wife (not a spoiler, as it happens early), goes on a mission and retreats into the forest in rural Pennsylvania.
*Oriana, a 9-year-old girl who has recently lost her father and engages in magical thinking. She’s a girl after my own heart…she loves books, libraries, and reading and is simply delightful.
*Amanda, Oriana’s mother, who is grieving the death of her husband but is a practical gal who does not suffer fools.
*Olive, the pipe-smoking, octogenarian town librarian, who has a story of her own to tell. She is desperately trying to save the town’s library. In her wise words: “Get a book. Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.” “What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.” I pretty much loved everything Olive said and did.
*Ronnie, Amanda’s husband’s best friend and co-worker. He’s a loyal friend and protector who feels personally responsible for everything. “Ronnie had never had a destiny. The fate of the world resting upon his shoulders. Or a little piece of the world, anyway…because that’s how the world is saved. Piece by piece, every day. Somebody like you has to step up. Somebody like you has to be wonderful”
* Wolf, Harry’s older brother who is a bully of the worst kind.
* Stu, the town’s bad guy who will do anything to get rich quick and he has a scheme of his own to do so.
Oriana meets Harry in the woods at a pivotal moment and is convinced she has the answers for both Harry and herself. She hatches an innovative scheme which she believes will save them both.
Ultimately, these characters will all need each other to save one another. How they go about it makes for a sweet, funny, and charming read, which will surely be an all-time favorite book that has earned a place on my keeper shelf. Do yourself a favor and read it!
This was another fantastic buddy read with my friend Marialyce.
*the author was interviewed on an episode of Anne Bogel’s (Modern Mrs. Darcy) podcast, What Should I Read Next. It gave me an appreciation for the author and made me love the book even more. Scroll down for a link to the podcast:
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/160-episode/
June 20, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up! Oh my! I was totally lost in the beautiful imagery of this fabulously and magically written novel!
HARRY’S TREES by JON COHEN is an engaging, fascinating, and an emotionally moving tale that definitely tugged at my heartstrings but in an uplifting and heartwarming way. Even though there was some sadness to this story it was the love, kindness, and hope that magically flowed through from the pages of this book to my very being that absolutely touched my heart.
JON COHEN delivers an endearing, thought-provoking and beautifully written novel here with a fairy tale interwoven into the storyline to make this a charming and an all around magical tale. I absolutely loved how a fairy tale was written into this story and all the underlying messages that this book had to offer.
I was immediately drawn into the fabulous setting and found the characters to be so intriguing and compelling and I was especially enchanted by young Oriana and how she played a major role in this story. Also, the descriptions of the library and the books from the librarian was such a welcoming part of this story for me.
The only time I would say that I wavered from this story was some of the references towards the trees. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was bored maybe just a little bit uninterested so that is where the book lost a half a star from me.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the symbolism that the trees had to Harry’s healing and how the fairy tale was incorporated into this story which was intertwined by a strong dose of reality. Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin and Jon Cohen for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
HARRY’S TREES by JON COHEN is an engaging, fascinating, and an emotionally moving tale that definitely tugged at my heartstrings but in an uplifting and heartwarming way. Even though there was some sadness to this story it was the love, kindness, and hope that magically flowed through from the pages of this book to my very being that absolutely touched my heart.
JON COHEN delivers an endearing, thought-provoking and beautifully written novel here with a fairy tale interwoven into the storyline to make this a charming and an all around magical tale. I absolutely loved how a fairy tale was written into this story and all the underlying messages that this book had to offer.
I was immediately drawn into the fabulous setting and found the characters to be so intriguing and compelling and I was especially enchanted by young Oriana and how she played a major role in this story. Also, the descriptions of the library and the books from the librarian was such a welcoming part of this story for me.
The only time I would say that I wavered from this story was some of the references towards the trees. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was bored maybe just a little bit uninterested so that is where the book lost a half a star from me.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the symbolism that the trees had to Harry’s healing and how the fairy tale was incorporated into this story which was intertwined by a strong dose of reality. Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin and Jon Cohen for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
March 17, 2021
5 tissue tale! 🤧
Enchanting and Magical !
This story is a modern day fairy tale, with a red coat (or two) a little girl who gets sidetracked in a forest, and a big bad wolf!
No, not “Little Red Riding Hood”.
This time we have Oriana, a 9 year old girl, who just lost her father, searching the woods for answers while she clutches a handmade book, called “The Grum’s Ledger” which was loaned to her, indefinitely, by Olive, the town’s wise octogenarian librarian.
She stumbles upon Harry, a 34 year old man, with the saddest eyes, because he is blaming himself for the loss of his beloved wife, Beth, just as he falls from a tree.
Oriana believes her Dad, who now has “wings” 🪶 led her to Harry for a reason.
She and her grieving but resilient mom, Amanda, rent to Harry, the tree house built behind their home, as a place he can live as he seeks solace among the trees he loves so dearly.
Before leaving him for the night, Oriana insists that they read “The Grum’s Ledger” together.
She is convinced that he IS the Grum, after learning how a LOTTERY TICKET, caused his pain. If he gives away his riches, as the grum did his gold, he will get his lost love back.
A secret plan is formed and Susquehanna Santa is born..But, with all fairy tales there are obstacles and evil and not every path leads to a happily ever after.
But this unlikely friendship, and a “one of a kind” book, will gently lead them out of their grief.
As our wise librarian knew, “TO EVERY STORY,WE BRING THE STORY OF OURSELVES “
Each character took away something different from the ledger because of this-finding what THEY needed, within its pages...
I hope you will choose to let this WHIMSICAL tale, and “The Grum’s Ledger” bring something special to your life. Even if it’s just a few hours of escape into a captivating book.
Now, I am off to find a gold wrapped mini snickers bar! 🍬
I will never look at them the same way again, either! 😉
A wonderful buddy read with several GR friends!
Available now!
Enchanting and Magical !
This story is a modern day fairy tale, with a red coat (or two) a little girl who gets sidetracked in a forest, and a big bad wolf!
No, not “Little Red Riding Hood”.
This time we have Oriana, a 9 year old girl, who just lost her father, searching the woods for answers while she clutches a handmade book, called “The Grum’s Ledger” which was loaned to her, indefinitely, by Olive, the town’s wise octogenarian librarian.
She stumbles upon Harry, a 34 year old man, with the saddest eyes, because he is blaming himself for the loss of his beloved wife, Beth, just as he falls from a tree.
Oriana believes her Dad, who now has “wings” 🪶 led her to Harry for a reason.
She and her grieving but resilient mom, Amanda, rent to Harry, the tree house built behind their home, as a place he can live as he seeks solace among the trees he loves so dearly.
Before leaving him for the night, Oriana insists that they read “The Grum’s Ledger” together.
She is convinced that he IS the Grum, after learning how a LOTTERY TICKET, caused his pain. If he gives away his riches, as the grum did his gold, he will get his lost love back.
A secret plan is formed and Susquehanna Santa is born..But, with all fairy tales there are obstacles and evil and not every path leads to a happily ever after.
But this unlikely friendship, and a “one of a kind” book, will gently lead them out of their grief.
As our wise librarian knew, “TO EVERY STORY,WE BRING THE STORY OF OURSELVES “
Each character took away something different from the ledger because of this-finding what THEY needed, within its pages...
I hope you will choose to let this WHIMSICAL tale, and “The Grum’s Ledger” bring something special to your life. Even if it’s just a few hours of escape into a captivating book.
Now, I am off to find a gold wrapped mini snickers bar! 🍬
I will never look at them the same way again, either! 😉
A wonderful buddy read with several GR friends!
Available now!
May 8, 2021
This book warmed my heart!💖
I thoroughly enjoyed the two storylines: Harry and his trees, Oriana and the fairytales in which she escapes. The parts with the two of them were simply magical! Cohen writes about characters who are going to stay with me. I let myself be immersed in this atmospheric tale and appreciated every minute of it.
It is a story of grief, of love, of family, of friendships... I cried after the first chapter (that is not usual for me), and then it got more and more hopeful and comforting. What a wonderful book!
For fans of Harry's Trees, I recommend My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, one of my favorite books ever.
I thoroughly enjoyed the two storylines: Harry and his trees, Oriana and the fairytales in which she escapes. The parts with the two of them were simply magical! Cohen writes about characters who are going to stay with me. I let myself be immersed in this atmospheric tale and appreciated every minute of it.
It is a story of grief, of love, of family, of friendships... I cried after the first chapter (that is not usual for me), and then it got more and more hopeful and comforting. What a wonderful book!
For fans of Harry's Trees, I recommend My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, one of my favorite books ever.
June 11, 2018
4.5 stars magical stars to Harry’s Trees! 🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲.5
Harry Crane is 34 years old and a lover of trees. I can relate! He works as an analyst for the US Forest Service office. Unfortunately, Harry’s wife passes away in a tragic accident for which he feels responsible, and he seeks shelter amongst the trees. He wants to be lost in the forest and never found.
But fate has different plans for Harry when he meets Oriana, a young girl who is also grief-stricken because she lost her father.
Oriana is a character to love. She spends time in her fantastical treehouse that her father built for her, and she absolutely loves to read. One of her best friends is Olive the librarian. Olive gives Oriana a special book, The Grum’s Ledger, that plays a central part in the heart of this story.
Harry shares with the reader his affinity for trees. He describes them with luscious detail, as a special side element to the story.
The way this book comes together is nothing short of magical. In Harry’s Trees, there is real human suffering through tragic loss. But there is also hope and healing, and most endearingly of all, magic through the eyes of a child.
Harry’s Trees is a captivating tale of discovering friendship in times of despair and traveling through tragedy to redemption.
Thank you to Jon Cohen, MIRA/Harlequin, and Edelweiss for the complimentary copy. Harry’s Trees will be released on June 12, 2018.
My reviews can also be found my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Harry Crane is 34 years old and a lover of trees. I can relate! He works as an analyst for the US Forest Service office. Unfortunately, Harry’s wife passes away in a tragic accident for which he feels responsible, and he seeks shelter amongst the trees. He wants to be lost in the forest and never found.
But fate has different plans for Harry when he meets Oriana, a young girl who is also grief-stricken because she lost her father.
Oriana is a character to love. She spends time in her fantastical treehouse that her father built for her, and she absolutely loves to read. One of her best friends is Olive the librarian. Olive gives Oriana a special book, The Grum’s Ledger, that plays a central part in the heart of this story.
Harry shares with the reader his affinity for trees. He describes them with luscious detail, as a special side element to the story.
The way this book comes together is nothing short of magical. In Harry’s Trees, there is real human suffering through tragic loss. But there is also hope and healing, and most endearingly of all, magic through the eyes of a child.
Harry’s Trees is a captivating tale of discovering friendship in times of despair and traveling through tragedy to redemption.
Thank you to Jon Cohen, MIRA/Harlequin, and Edelweiss for the complimentary copy. Harry’s Trees will be released on June 12, 2018.
My reviews can also be found my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
February 22, 2019
4.5 magical mystical stars
There are times in all our lives when what we truly need is a little bit of magic. In the book, Harry's Trees, Harry is due for some and so is Amanda and Oriana. For you see these three people have just experienced the very worst tragedy. Harry has lost his beloved wife, while Amanda has lost her husband and Oriana a father. “There are no guarantees, except that every morning, the sun will rise. No matter what happens, good or bad, each day will be followed by a new day.”
As is so often the case, they blame themselves for the loss. Harry's if only is one in which if only he had stayed with his wife instead of leaving her standing on the street, when he went to buy a lottery ticket, she would still be alive. Amanda, a nurse, has her if only moments when she believes she could have saved her husband from the terrible fate that befell him. If only she had been there, if only she had kissed him goodbye. While Oriana, their daughter, is fraught with grief. She is given a book by a wonderful old librarian and in that book is the bit of magic she believes she needs to bring her father back. “What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.”
It's the book, the forest, Harry's love for trees and a tragedy that will befall Harry, that brings these three together and sets them upon an adventure into the mystical, the magical, a tale of the whimsical delight, a tale of love. “Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.”
It's a lovely story, one that evokes the ways in which sometimes in our search for money, we often lose our pathway. It is a story of blame, of wounding ourselves because we can't face the loss of love. It is a story of always trying to be something, anything than what you are. It is a story of love, a love so strong it propels people to the realization that finding a way through tragedy is often found by helping others who also have traveled this same sad road.
The characters, the story line, the tragedies, the love, all come together to provide the reader with a walk on a magical road. Recommended for those who not only believe in magic but also for those who dream of ways in which we can all come together and make our days and nights something wonderful.
Jan and I shared our love for this book together. It made us cry and that, dear book friends, to me, is always a sign of a good book.
There are times in all our lives when what we truly need is a little bit of magic. In the book, Harry's Trees, Harry is due for some and so is Amanda and Oriana. For you see these three people have just experienced the very worst tragedy. Harry has lost his beloved wife, while Amanda has lost her husband and Oriana a father. “There are no guarantees, except that every morning, the sun will rise. No matter what happens, good or bad, each day will be followed by a new day.”
As is so often the case, they blame themselves for the loss. Harry's if only is one in which if only he had stayed with his wife instead of leaving her standing on the street, when he went to buy a lottery ticket, she would still be alive. Amanda, a nurse, has her if only moments when she believes she could have saved her husband from the terrible fate that befell him. If only she had been there, if only she had kissed him goodbye. While Oriana, their daughter, is fraught with grief. She is given a book by a wonderful old librarian and in that book is the bit of magic she believes she needs to bring her father back. “What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.”
It's the book, the forest, Harry's love for trees and a tragedy that will befall Harry, that brings these three together and sets them upon an adventure into the mystical, the magical, a tale of the whimsical delight, a tale of love. “Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.”
It's a lovely story, one that evokes the ways in which sometimes in our search for money, we often lose our pathway. It is a story of blame, of wounding ourselves because we can't face the loss of love. It is a story of always trying to be something, anything than what you are. It is a story of love, a love so strong it propels people to the realization that finding a way through tragedy is often found by helping others who also have traveled this same sad road.
The characters, the story line, the tragedies, the love, all come together to provide the reader with a walk on a magical road. Recommended for those who not only believe in magic but also for those who dream of ways in which we can all come together and make our days and nights something wonderful.
Jan and I shared our love for this book together. It made us cry and that, dear book friends, to me, is always a sign of a good book.
June 6, 2021
What a terrific book! I thought that it was a debut, so I had to correct myself.
I’m speechless.
This book is simply spellbinding. It’s magical. It’s a gem!
The writing is superb!
And the storyline is amazing and so skillfully developed. It’s heartbreaking and, at the same time, joyful.
How do you cope with the loss of a loved one? How do you cope with carrying a guilty feeling?
There is so much heart added to this book, which is filled with incredible and believable characters. The human nature is perfectly showcased here.
As the blurb says, “this is a story about grief and the many ways to heal; about redemption; about forgiveness; about letting go; but most of all, about the power of the human spirit to soar above tragedy and reunite with joy.” It’s a perfect summary without spoilers.
I can’t praise this book enough.
What a great talent this author has.
Do not worry about trying to fit this book into a genre. It’s pure entertainment at its best.
I’m speechless.
This book is simply spellbinding. It’s magical. It’s a gem!
The writing is superb!
And the storyline is amazing and so skillfully developed. It’s heartbreaking and, at the same time, joyful.
How do you cope with the loss of a loved one? How do you cope with carrying a guilty feeling?
There is so much heart added to this book, which is filled with incredible and believable characters. The human nature is perfectly showcased here.
As the blurb says, “this is a story about grief and the many ways to heal; about redemption; about forgiveness; about letting go; but most of all, about the power of the human spirit to soar above tragedy and reunite with joy.” It’s a perfect summary without spoilers.
I can’t praise this book enough.
What a great talent this author has.
Do not worry about trying to fit this book into a genre. It’s pure entertainment at its best.
June 12, 2018
3.5 Loneliness and grief are explored in this sometimes humorous and sometimes magical, novel. Of course there is plenty of sadness, but these characters are so different, touching that there is much to applaud within. A young girl Orians, who believes in magic, was my star here. A fairy tale for adults, in fact an actual book called The Grums Ledger plays an inportsnt part. Oh yes, and I loved the librarian who without payment for her services, keeps the library open. From the symbolim, Oriana and her red coat, Harry's brother named Wolf, to the search for something to live for after a marked grief, this was at times an entrancing, but also sometimes a unevenly paced read.
It was different, clever, like a jigsaw puzzle with the pieces waiting to find a place. It also helps if you love trees, because there is quite a bit of tree names, climbing of trees, and even an amazing treehouse. So much to like and enjoy here, but for me also times where I found myself bored, skimming to find a part that kept the plot moving. So a mixed read for me, but one that is definitely a worthwhile read for readers with more patience than I.
ARC from Edelweiss.
It was different, clever, like a jigsaw puzzle with the pieces waiting to find a place. It also helps if you love trees, because there is quite a bit of tree names, climbing of trees, and even an amazing treehouse. So much to like and enjoy here, but for me also times where I found myself bored, skimming to find a part that kept the plot moving. So a mixed read for me, but one that is definitely a worthwhile read for readers with more patience than I.
ARC from Edelweiss.
April 28, 2024
The most remarkable story imaginable!
6 Star rating!
As I sit contemplating the impact of this book, I grow teary eyed from joy. Jon Cohen has created a masterpiece by weaving a story within a story about a small group of people in the Endless mountains of Pennsylvania. Not only are the characters memorable, they embody the beauty of life, love and forgiveness.
Harry Crane's life falls to the depths due to the sudden death of his wife. His first mistake is taking unnecessary blame for the accident. A lifelong lover of trees and the forest, the discovery of an unusual tree house seems like the perfect place to grieve. What unfolds is a fairytale like journey of redemption due to the impact a little girl and her mother have on his life.
Midway through, we're left to choose an antagonist: A) Harry's big brother; B) a friend of the girl's mother or, C) a local realtor; the reality comes as a surprise. Spurned by the girl's 'magical book', Harry commits to a unique action he prays will heal the faultless wrong he'd done. Going from forest ranger to 'Susquehanna Santa' was the furthest thing from his plan.
As readers we all know the importance of books and how some can be life changing. Such is the case when the elderly librarian's cherished story passes from her to the girl and to Harry. Theories are one thing; reality will often be quite another.
In a word, this is a rare, unique and extraordinary story that's well written, paced to perfection and engaging at deep levels. Highly recommended regardless of your favorite genre; Harry's Trees stands alone.
6 Star rating!
As I sit contemplating the impact of this book, I grow teary eyed from joy. Jon Cohen has created a masterpiece by weaving a story within a story about a small group of people in the Endless mountains of Pennsylvania. Not only are the characters memorable, they embody the beauty of life, love and forgiveness.
Harry Crane's life falls to the depths due to the sudden death of his wife. His first mistake is taking unnecessary blame for the accident. A lifelong lover of trees and the forest, the discovery of an unusual tree house seems like the perfect place to grieve. What unfolds is a fairytale like journey of redemption due to the impact a little girl and her mother have on his life.
Midway through, we're left to choose an antagonist: A) Harry's big brother; B) a friend of the girl's mother or, C) a local realtor; the reality comes as a surprise. Spurned by the girl's 'magical book', Harry commits to a unique action he prays will heal the faultless wrong he'd done. Going from forest ranger to 'Susquehanna Santa' was the furthest thing from his plan.
As readers we all know the importance of books and how some can be life changing. Such is the case when the elderly librarian's cherished story passes from her to the girl and to Harry. Theories are one thing; reality will often be quite another.
In a word, this is a rare, unique and extraordinary story that's well written, paced to perfection and engaging at deep levels. Highly recommended regardless of your favorite genre; Harry's Trees stands alone.
July 1, 2025
How could I not be enchanted? Or sad all the time? Or hopeful? Or desiring something more? What did I want for Harry?
As a reader could I hope that he could overcome his grief over the loss of his wife? Or even the guilt of the loss? Does anyone ever forgive themselves for such a great loss, when they believe they may be the cause of it – even if it isn’t their fault?
Grief is such a difficult emotion, isn’t it?
Will I personally be able to address all these questions this book led me to ask?
Maybe, maybe not. But isn’t that what we typically hope a book will do for us? Get us to think? Or feel? Or wonder? Or reflect? Certainly, this one did that for me. Will it do that for you, too?
Harry’s answer for his grief is to escape to the forest. In his escape he encounters Oriana. A young girl, who believes her father has become a tree. Between them, readers can only hope that the magic and beauty of nature will help heal them both.
This is a story of overcoming intense and immense grief. Finding oneself through loss. There is also hope for a renewed sense of purpose. This is not an easy read, but there is something poetic and heart-felt about this journey, if readers are willing to take it. Yes, and Kleenex is encouraged.
As a reader could I hope that he could overcome his grief over the loss of his wife? Or even the guilt of the loss? Does anyone ever forgive themselves for such a great loss, when they believe they may be the cause of it – even if it isn’t their fault?
Grief is such a difficult emotion, isn’t it?
Will I personally be able to address all these questions this book led me to ask?
Maybe, maybe not. But isn’t that what we typically hope a book will do for us? Get us to think? Or feel? Or wonder? Or reflect? Certainly, this one did that for me. Will it do that for you, too?
Harry’s answer for his grief is to escape to the forest. In his escape he encounters Oriana. A young girl, who believes her father has become a tree. Between them, readers can only hope that the magic and beauty of nature will help heal them both.
This is a story of overcoming intense and immense grief. Finding oneself through loss. There is also hope for a renewed sense of purpose. This is not an easy read, but there is something poetic and heart-felt about this journey, if readers are willing to take it. Yes, and Kleenex is encouraged.
May 19, 2018
You're walking into a forest of trees....and you get lost in this novel.
Jon Cohen beautifully intertwines trauma and grief with human connection. I think what I loved most about this is the powerful message that Jon conveys through Harry's Trees. Harry Crane suffers a loss with the death of his wife in a tragic accident and lives the next year in somewhat of a daze. Amanda and her daughter Oriana are also suffering from a loss and push through their tragedy the best they both know how.
These three characters stumble upon one another ultimately by fate. Amanda, Oriana, and Harry connect deeply through their loss, grief, and love. The characters are so raw, real, and beautiful. The supporting characters of Ronnie, Olive, and Wolf add even more to the ultimate depth of the story.
Cohen balances a unique mix of nature, fairy tale, and reality in this story. I loved how Oriana brought the magic to life as part of her healing.
The only issues I had with this one is that Cohen references many latin terms for the trees and I wasn't particularly fond of this. It got a bit much for me ... but others may love this. I found some of the story to drag in some areas but overall this was a very unique and different story!
I feel that this is going to be a very high contender for fiction fans!
3.75 stars :).
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced arc.
Publication date: 6/12/18
Published to GR: 5/19/18.
June 11, 2024
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. several GR friends seemed to have enjoyed this story when it came out a few years ago; and,
2. May 2024 is my self-appointed "Flora Titles" Month.
Praises:
1. I liked this feel-good, realistic story that had a fairytale feel to it, making it a unique read, and, at times, quirky;
2. it had some interesting characters, but my favorite had to be Olive, the town librarian, who brought the "magic" into this story; and,
3. living in a rural area myself, I love the setting portraying a variety of tree species in a dense forest, with a cozy treehouse to boot!
Niggles:
1. I wasn't too crazy about Amanda's characterization, especially all the time devoted to describing her incredible attractiveness and sexual frustrations;
2. at times, this story felt longwinded. Besides Niggle #1, I thought all the descriptiveness about Harry climbing EVERY tree in the forest got a little monotonous. And speaking of which, unless you have hollow bones like a bird, climbing to the top of a tree would be extremely difficult for any human being.
Overall Thoughts:
A good story about love, loss, greed, and friendship. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy fairytales with a unique twist.
1. several GR friends seemed to have enjoyed this story when it came out a few years ago; and,
2. May 2024 is my self-appointed "Flora Titles" Month.
Praises:
1. I liked this feel-good, realistic story that had a fairytale feel to it, making it a unique read, and, at times, quirky;
2. it had some interesting characters, but my favorite had to be Olive, the town librarian, who brought the "magic" into this story; and,
3. living in a rural area myself, I love the setting portraying a variety of tree species in a dense forest, with a cozy treehouse to boot!
Niggles:
1. I wasn't too crazy about Amanda's characterization, especially all the time devoted to describing her incredible attractiveness and sexual frustrations;
2. at times, this story felt longwinded. Besides Niggle #1, I thought all the descriptiveness about Harry climbing EVERY tree in the forest got a little monotonous. And speaking of which, unless you have hollow bones like a bird, climbing to the top of a tree would be extremely difficult for any human being.
Overall Thoughts:
A good story about love, loss, greed, and friendship. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy fairytales with a unique twist.
November 13, 2021
There were some things I didn’t like but most of it I did and yeah.. I cried some!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 15, 2021
This is a beautiful story with a hint of magic and It wasn’t until after I finished the book that I realized just how special this book was. There are some beautiful lessons here, one of which is to share. Share your love and share your burdens. For me, this book had it all: Nature, trees, birds, love, redemption, forgiveness and perseverance. And let’s not forget our love of reading.
Harry has lost the love of his life, his wife. Oriana, has lots her father, her hero.
Harry heads to the forest, for what, he isn’t quite sure. But he does meet an angel in 9 year old, Orinda; a little spitfire. Through forest wanderings, climbing trees, absorbing nature, plants, birds and a very unlikely friendship, Harry’s life begins to have a pulse.
“... he imagined himself a dweller in a serene place he called Harry’s Trees. Floating in the sea of green, safe among friends, some of whom had wonderfully strange names like fire cherry, pignut hickory, shagbark hickory.”
Oriana is a forest dweller and nature is her playground. She’s been given a loaner book called the “Grum’s Ledger”. The book has special meaning to her, which she shares with Harry. The two become the unlikeliest of friends and Oriana convinces him to read the book together and perform some of the tasks in the book. It’s their special secret.
The town has some interesting and quirky characters, which I ended up loving (some seemed a bit dowdy in the beginning). But one single act of kindness,morphs into another and I couldn’t help enjoying the ripple effect throughout the town.
I also love that the library is such an important fixture in the town and the love of books is so heartfelt.
“What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.”
I, too, am a forest dweller and I am lucky enough to live in the woods where redwood trees majestically grow. I’ve spent hours outside, it’s my meditation. Nature is my lifeline. So I loved the story of the forest and talk of feathers and Red-tail Hawks. This book took me on my own little journey.
This was an enchanting, wonderful story and if you’ve ever been lost this might be a good read for you. Believe. 💫
Many thanks to Jayme C. Dorie (Cats and Books) and MarilynW for their wonderful reviews that put this book on my radar.
Harry has lost the love of his life, his wife. Oriana, has lots her father, her hero.
Harry heads to the forest, for what, he isn’t quite sure. But he does meet an angel in 9 year old, Orinda; a little spitfire. Through forest wanderings, climbing trees, absorbing nature, plants, birds and a very unlikely friendship, Harry’s life begins to have a pulse.
“... he imagined himself a dweller in a serene place he called Harry’s Trees. Floating in the sea of green, safe among friends, some of whom had wonderfully strange names like fire cherry, pignut hickory, shagbark hickory.”
Oriana is a forest dweller and nature is her playground. She’s been given a loaner book called the “Grum’s Ledger”. The book has special meaning to her, which she shares with Harry. The two become the unlikeliest of friends and Oriana convinces him to read the book together and perform some of the tasks in the book. It’s their special secret.
The town has some interesting and quirky characters, which I ended up loving (some seemed a bit dowdy in the beginning). But one single act of kindness,morphs into another and I couldn’t help enjoying the ripple effect throughout the town.
I also love that the library is such an important fixture in the town and the love of books is so heartfelt.
“What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.”
I, too, am a forest dweller and I am lucky enough to live in the woods where redwood trees majestically grow. I’ve spent hours outside, it’s my meditation. Nature is my lifeline. So I loved the story of the forest and talk of feathers and Red-tail Hawks. This book took me on my own little journey.
This was an enchanting, wonderful story and if you’ve ever been lost this might be a good read for you. Believe. 💫
Many thanks to Jayme C. Dorie (Cats and Books) and MarilynW for their wonderful reviews that put this book on my radar.
January 5, 2022
My heart is full after this Magical, Mystical book of the most unlikely friendships that save each other after suffering so much loss.
"Persevere. See. Believe." is the motto for this part fairy tale and enchanted forest. So many have read and listed it as one of their top ten for this past year!!!! I can see why! After so much darkness, this was truly enlightening, but you first have to go through the characters' grief before you can truly appreciate how far they have come.
Harry Crane works daily from a computer for the US Forest Service in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains and his knowledge of trees is astounding. His wife Beth is the light of his life and their love is portrayed beautiful and refreshing. When Harry tells Beth to "Wait here" on the sidewalk, while he enters a market to buy a lottery ticket, Beth is killed in a freak accident. In exchange for a lottery ticket, it cost him the love of his life. That ticket becomes monumental and he carries it daily to remind him that he was the reason she died.
After a year of the "same routine" at work, he walks out the door and decides to end his life by hanging from a tree in the US Forestry. When the limb breaks he is greeted by a 9 year old girl, Oriana and her mother, Amanda.
They have suffered a loss also when Oriana's father died suddenly. She imagines her dad now as a "winged" creature and feels Harry is the connection to help her find her dad because Harry's lottery ticket she finds on the ground was bought the same day her father died.
A friendship that grows like a golden adventure played out by a book "Grum's Ledger" gifted to her by the local librarian, Olive. She plays an outstanding role in Oriana's life.
What a treasure this book is and gives you all the feels love, grief, greed, strength, redemption and endurance. The characters as real as if they stepped out of life into a fairy tale. You do not want to miss this one!
"Persevere. See. Believe." is the motto for this part fairy tale and enchanted forest. So many have read and listed it as one of their top ten for this past year!!!! I can see why! After so much darkness, this was truly enlightening, but you first have to go through the characters' grief before you can truly appreciate how far they have come.
Harry Crane works daily from a computer for the US Forest Service in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains and his knowledge of trees is astounding. His wife Beth is the light of his life and their love is portrayed beautiful and refreshing. When Harry tells Beth to "Wait here" on the sidewalk, while he enters a market to buy a lottery ticket, Beth is killed in a freak accident. In exchange for a lottery ticket, it cost him the love of his life. That ticket becomes monumental and he carries it daily to remind him that he was the reason she died.
After a year of the "same routine" at work, he walks out the door and decides to end his life by hanging from a tree in the US Forestry. When the limb breaks he is greeted by a 9 year old girl, Oriana and her mother, Amanda.
They have suffered a loss also when Oriana's father died suddenly. She imagines her dad now as a "winged" creature and feels Harry is the connection to help her find her dad because Harry's lottery ticket she finds on the ground was bought the same day her father died.
A friendship that grows like a golden adventure played out by a book "Grum's Ledger" gifted to her by the local librarian, Olive. She plays an outstanding role in Oriana's life.
What a treasure this book is and gives you all the feels love, grief, greed, strength, redemption and endurance. The characters as real as if they stepped out of life into a fairy tale. You do not want to miss this one!
December 11, 2025
‘That’s how the world is saved. Piece by piece, every day. Somebody like you has to step up. Somebody like you has to be wonderful’. ― Jon Cohen, Harry's Trees
Pure magic… my heart is full!
It has been a long time since I have come across a book that just made me glow from the inside out… but this sweet story did just that. I adored these characters even the not-so-nice ones. Each one will worm their way into your heart. I really believe that these are the kinds of stories our world needs more of right now. I’m going to buy a hardcover version, so that I can be reminded often of its wonderful message. This is a story that should be shared with everyone. Highly, highly recommend. 5 magical stars!
‘Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.’
‘There are no guarantees, except that every morning, the sun will rise. No matter what happens, good or bad, each day will be followed by a new day’.
‘Of all the glorious enchantments of this world—spring, snow, laughter, red roses, dogs, books—love is by far the best’.
‘To every story we bring the story of ourselves’.
Pure magic… my heart is full!
It has been a long time since I have come across a book that just made me glow from the inside out… but this sweet story did just that. I adored these characters even the not-so-nice ones. Each one will worm their way into your heart. I really believe that these are the kinds of stories our world needs more of right now. I’m going to buy a hardcover version, so that I can be reminded often of its wonderful message. This is a story that should be shared with everyone. Highly, highly recommend. 5 magical stars!
‘Reading solves most things. Or at least assuages the heart.’
‘There are no guarantees, except that every morning, the sun will rise. No matter what happens, good or bad, each day will be followed by a new day’.
‘Of all the glorious enchantments of this world—spring, snow, laughter, red roses, dogs, books—love is by far the best’.
‘To every story we bring the story of ourselves’.
March 19, 2021
5 fairy tale stars
This one was terrific! Based on the number of reviews on Goodreads, I'm clearly late to the party. If you haven't read it yet, rush out to get your copy. This is one of my favorites for 2021!!
This one definitely has a fairy tale theme and I loved the characters. Many of them are suffering loss and grief. Harry has lost his wife to a terrible accident and Amanda has lost her husband. Oriana is the wonderful child in this one (Amanda's daughter) and she's lost a father way too early. The three of them come together in a magical forest and tree house and end up finding a way to process their grief and magical things happen!
Harry has worked for the forest service for years, and while he loves trees, he's grown to hate the bureaucracy of his job but he's been afraid to leave. The tragic death of his wife causes him to reevaluate life and he heads to the forest for solace. He meets Oriana and the two become fast friends. Oriana confides in Harry and she brings out the best in him. Oriana is a child of the forest and she and Harry have that in common.
There are other wonderful characters in this one, the town librarian, who has given up her salary in order to keep the library open. Cliff who runs a local dairy farm and Ronnie, the man who feels a debt to Amanda and Oriana because he didn't save Amanda's husband. There's a lot of survivor guilt in this one!
I found this one to be a wonderful read and I rooted for certain outcomes. There were a few surprises, but I loved how everything turned out.
Thank you to my friends who buddy read this one with me and to my local library for the e-copy. This one will be hard to follow!
This one was terrific! Based on the number of reviews on Goodreads, I'm clearly late to the party. If you haven't read it yet, rush out to get your copy. This is one of my favorites for 2021!!
This one definitely has a fairy tale theme and I loved the characters. Many of them are suffering loss and grief. Harry has lost his wife to a terrible accident and Amanda has lost her husband. Oriana is the wonderful child in this one (Amanda's daughter) and she's lost a father way too early. The three of them come together in a magical forest and tree house and end up finding a way to process their grief and magical things happen!
Harry has worked for the forest service for years, and while he loves trees, he's grown to hate the bureaucracy of his job but he's been afraid to leave. The tragic death of his wife causes him to reevaluate life and he heads to the forest for solace. He meets Oriana and the two become fast friends. Oriana confides in Harry and she brings out the best in him. Oriana is a child of the forest and she and Harry have that in common.
There are other wonderful characters in this one, the town librarian, who has given up her salary in order to keep the library open. Cliff who runs a local dairy farm and Ronnie, the man who feels a debt to Amanda and Oriana because he didn't save Amanda's husband. There's a lot of survivor guilt in this one!
I found this one to be a wonderful read and I rooted for certain outcomes. There were a few surprises, but I loved how everything turned out.
Thank you to my friends who buddy read this one with me and to my local library for the e-copy. This one will be hard to follow!
November 28, 2021
Sometimes a book comes along right when you need it, and Harry's Trees was that book for me. It is a magical tale of love, loss, greed, the different ways in which we deal with grief, and redemption. The characters are well developed and each was given their own distinctive personality. It is told through multiple POVs and they are weaved together beautifully and seamlessly. Although the overall message is one I've read before, the story is told in a very creative way and will be one that I will not easily forget. Now that I've finished reading it, I am sad it's over. This book will not resonate with everyone, but I absolutely adored it. 5 magical stars!
October 5, 2020
Enthusiastic reviews from GR friends persuaded me to try this novel, although I was prepared to bail early. Magic and fairytales are not a good combo for me (unless Murakami is the writer). Surprisingly, I found Harry’s Trees quite charming. At least for a couple hundred pages. Unfortunately, once Oriana and Harry hatched their childish scheme, it devolved into a silly Hallmark movie and I ended up skimming to the end.
November 21, 2020
I saw another review that said if you like Hallmark movies... Yeah, I can kind of see that. But regardless, if you're looking for a sweet, heartwarming story with a touch of magic, definitely give this one a try.
It's about three people who are working through their grief after the loss of a loved one. We have Harry, who feels responsible for his wife's death in a freakish construction site accident. Inconsolable and always feeling most at home among trees, Harry up and leaves his desk job, ending up in a local forest. There he meets a woman and her daughter, who have recently suffered their own loss in the untimely death of their beloved husband/Dad. You'll have to judge for yourself whether there is a little sprinkling of fairy dust with the spirit of the Dad bringing them all together in that fateful moment. The Mom has been concerned with how her daughter has been processing the loss of her Father, reading books about magic and fairies, convinced there's a way in the forest to bring the spirit of her father back to her. These three forge a close friendship, and the Mom feels that Harry is helping her daughter process her grief, relieved that she seems to be leaving the fairies behind. Meanwhile, Harry's older brother, aptly named Wolf, had convinced Harry, in the midst of his grief, to sue the construction company responsible for his wife's death for $4 million, which he wins. Wolf thinks he's getting a cut, but Harry and the little girl have other ideas about how to spend the money, that will help them heal after the loss of their loved ones. Will they be able to work through their plan or will Wolf pounce and steal it all away? You'll have to read this charming story to find out!
It's about three people who are working through their grief after the loss of a loved one. We have Harry, who feels responsible for his wife's death in a freakish construction site accident. Inconsolable and always feeling most at home among trees, Harry up and leaves his desk job, ending up in a local forest. There he meets a woman and her daughter, who have recently suffered their own loss in the untimely death of their beloved husband/Dad. You'll have to judge for yourself whether there is a little sprinkling of fairy dust with the spirit of the Dad bringing them all together in that fateful moment. The Mom has been concerned with how her daughter has been processing the loss of her Father, reading books about magic and fairies, convinced there's a way in the forest to bring the spirit of her father back to her. These three forge a close friendship, and the Mom feels that Harry is helping her daughter process her grief, relieved that she seems to be leaving the fairies behind. Meanwhile, Harry's older brother, aptly named Wolf, had convinced Harry, in the midst of his grief, to sue the construction company responsible for his wife's death for $4 million, which he wins. Wolf thinks he's getting a cut, but Harry and the little girl have other ideas about how to spend the money, that will help them heal after the loss of their loved ones. Will they be able to work through their plan or will Wolf pounce and steal it all away? You'll have to read this charming story to find out!
January 4, 2018
As a librarian, I'm partial to any book that features a spunky librarian character and Harry's Trees features one of the most feisty librarians I can remember. Olive, the novel's librarian, is just one of a series of memorable characters living in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania's Endless Woods. The titular character, a dispirited employee of the US Forest Service, finds his way to this small town after an unspeakable tragedy. There, he encounters Amanda and her daughter Oriana, still reeling from a tragedy of their own. Oriana's belief in magic and a mysterious fairy tale supplied by Olive set Harry, Amanda, Oriana and their entire town on a path toward healing. This magical story about loss reminded me a bit of Frederick Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, and should appeal to anyone who enjoyed Backman's novel.
October 16, 2022
🌳 m a g i c a l 🌳
What a special book! Harry’s Trees was recommended by Anne Bogel on her podcast What Should I Read Next numerous times, but my library didn’t have it so I waited. And waited. And magically, one day it appeared on the new books shelf and I brought it home and I read it slowly over the past week. It’s so quirky and lovely and slow and special. I adored it. It’s magical but doesn’t actually have magic in it. It’s a fairy tale but not. It’s about grief and hope. And trees.
If this book falls into YOUR life someday, I hope you treasure it as I did ❤️
What a special book! Harry’s Trees was recommended by Anne Bogel on her podcast What Should I Read Next numerous times, but my library didn’t have it so I waited. And waited. And magically, one day it appeared on the new books shelf and I brought it home and I read it slowly over the past week. It’s so quirky and lovely and slow and special. I adored it. It’s magical but doesn’t actually have magic in it. It’s a fairy tale but not. It’s about grief and hope. And trees.
If this book falls into YOUR life someday, I hope you treasure it as I did ❤️
November 24, 2020
“Because it’s worth it. Worth the risk and the pain. Of all the glorious enchantments of this world- spring, snow, laughter, red roses, dogs, books- love is by far the best.”
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This big hearted story was such a delight. Vivid characters that come together under circumstances beyond their control. A series of serendipitous and magical events lead them exactly where and to who they need.
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It was charming, heartbreaking, hopeful and just so lovely. Fabulous writing, unforgettable characters and an engaging story= happiness! I read this book a couple of weeks ago and I still find myself thinking about it. Don’t you love when that happens?
4.5 stars
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This big hearted story was such a delight. Vivid characters that come together under circumstances beyond their control. A series of serendipitous and magical events lead them exactly where and to who they need.
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It was charming, heartbreaking, hopeful and just so lovely. Fabulous writing, unforgettable characters and an engaging story= happiness! I read this book a couple of weeks ago and I still find myself thinking about it. Don’t you love when that happens?
4.5 stars
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October 28, 2018
Loved this book! Starts off sad but it is really up uplifting book! This is definitely in my top 10 this year!
January 28, 2019
My kind of novel!! And EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. It's only January; the bar is set high for my Best Read of the Year.
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