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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Orchids in Moonlight by Riordan Yun, Sorrel Hollis takes a job restoring the Wolcott estate’s neglected gardens, focusing on reviving an ancient rose and a rare orchid linked to Kenton Wolcott’s late mother. Kenton takes an eventual interest in Sorrel’s work and background as a scientist. They form a cautious bond, sharing botanical knowledge. Sorrel's world is shattered when a letter arrives informing her of the custody battle with Maia’s father, Wystan, arguing that she has an unstable past. To fight back, Sorrel and Kenton collaborate on documenting her scientific expertise through a formal botanical survey to prove her stability and competence. Still, Sorrel’s trauma repeatedly triggers intense fear and distrust, and when a seemingly simple touch pushes her to the edge, both her custody battle and her connection to Kenton are put at risk. '“Nothing is too broken,” he said, his voice a low, fierce vow. “Not for you.”'
Orchids in Moonlight by Riordan Yun is a really moving and achingly accurate look into how trauma can, and usually does, impact the very fibers of a woman's soul. Yun's handling of Sorrel's emotional collapse is sympathetically rendered, not used as a prop or a driver for the story, but as part of a healing arc for both Sorrel and Kenton. Perhaps the most interesting character to me is the formidable Winifred Spence, who comes across as something of a wild card. She is, quite literally, the gatekeeper to the gardens, keeping a tight rein on the spaces in the house and on the estate that are off-limits. The narrative is in the third person, although it operates in bursts of short, punchy sentences that have the feel of a stream-of-consciousness. Overall, this is a read that's worth the time commitment. Very highly recommended.
