Roses

This was an amazing story and extremely well told. I can hardly wait to read more of her books. Highly recommended.

A saga to be sure. Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down. Kudos to Ms. Meacham for crafting a wonderful tale of a town and the families who founded it.The legacy of the land , consequences of decisions, and how they affected the families over the generations was marvelously told. A good beach read!

The future will miss Leila’s heart wrenching way of writing. When you read her books, you become a part of the landscape and community of which she writes.Definitely read Somerset first. Even though Roses was written first, Somerset sets the foundation for the families in the stories.I’ve read both books twice and both times, it was in a marathon read, I could barely force myself to leave the story for a bathroom break!

I bought a copy of this book for my best friend for Christmas because I loved and just knew she would too….and she did! Great read!

Fabulous! This book had everything... generational family history and sooooo many secrets, drama, deceit, betrayal, love, regrets, ... so many times it was super hard to put down, but other times I just HAD to... just to process the latest twist and turn. I can often guess where a story might be going, but this one... there were so many that kept me guessing to the very end. I adore family history/stories that span generations and Roses is definitely that kind of story. It was very reflective and also well written. You ached for the characters and cheered on others. I just heard about Somerset (which is apparently the Prequel), so will be reading that out of order, but looking forward to more from this author!

Although I thought it might be too much to read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book...and stayed up late nights as it was very well written... Kept me wanting more...

I am a HUGE fan of family saga's, especially when they're done right. I too was a bit leery of the 600+ pages, but you just can't rush a good saga. I won't summarize this book since it's already been done here, and I don't have all day to type out the many reason why I loved it, but I did...and I absolutely recommend it to anyone interested.If you're a fan of southern reading, family saga's, strong women, and/or love stories, then this is a book for you! The story spans the years of 1916 to 1985 and follows the lives, loves, and heartbreak of three prominent families. It's broken into four parts which helps to break the story up. I honestly FLEW through these 624 pages.Overall, I just can't say enough about this book. However, I do want to point out...DO NOT go into this expecting a carbon copy of 'Gone With The Wind', cause you're not gonna get it. While they have a few similarities, they are two completely different books which focus on two completely different things. GWTW is a great book in it's own right, and so is 'Roses'. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author, and am anxiously awaiting her next novel.

I bought Roses with the thought that it might be something similar to a Barbara Taylor Bradford novel and I guess I got that, but it just wasn't as unique as I thought it might be, even with the Texas backdrop. The story is woven about the lives of descendants of three families who settle in Texas and build up cotton, lumber, and mercantile dynasties. The love of land over people and it's tragic consequences unroll through the eyes of Mary, a cotton planter; Percy, a lumberman; and Rachel, Mary's great-niece and expected heir of the cotton plantation. I found this story all too true in its depiction of the single-minded dedication and hardship of a farmer and a bit depressing, but I felt it truly showed how the responsibilities of a love for land can override and smother personal relationships.This was a reasonably good family saga; however, a bit too predictable. I enjoyed Mary and Percy's stories, but I didn't feel that Rachel's story was strong enough to fill an equivalent number of pages. The ending seemed to drag on and then wrap up as an afterthought.

Although she wrote this book first and then wrote Summerset. I would suggest you read Somerset first then Roses. It flows better that way. Both books are enjoyable and hard to put down.

Well written with clear themes and captivating story line. But not very original, much like 'Gone with the wind' themes. Nevertheless, a book that keeps you hooked with a somewhat unlikely 'happy ever after' ending. Focus on highly priviledged and wealthy society characters can be a bit tiresome, but if taken as presented it makes a good read.

The book arrived in very good condition, although I did have to remove sticky residue from the front cover where the price ticket had been. It is a very absorbing story and I would recommend it to friends.

Good read

Fabulous read great book for pure escapism and get away from the problems of the world today