Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards

☆☆☆☆☆
Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2019 by Kensington Books & A John Scognamiglio Book
About the Book:
Set against the backdrop of a 1970s commune in Northern California, Clover Blue is a compelling, beautifully written story of a young boy’s search for identity. There are many things twelve-year-old Clover Blue isn’t sure of: his exact date of birth, his name before he was adopted into the Saffron Freedom Community, or who his first parents were. What he does know with certainty is that among this close-knit, nature-loving group, he is happy. Here, everyone is family, regardless of their disparate backgrounds—surfer, midwife, Grateful Dead groupie, Vietnam deserter. But despite his loyalty to the commune and its guru-like founder Goji, Blue grapples with invisible ties toward another family—the one he doesn’t remember. With the urging of his fearless and funny best friend, Harmony, Clover Blue begins to ask questions. For the first time, Goji’s answers fail to satisfy. The passing months bring upheaval to their little clan and another member arrives, a beautiful runaway teen named Rain, sparking new tensions. As secrets slowly unfurl, Blue’s beliefs—about Goji, the guidelines that govern their seemingly idyllic lives, and the nature of family itself—begin to shift. With each revelation about a heartbreaking past he never imagined, Blue faces a choice between those he’s always trusted, and an uncertain future where he must risk everything in his quest for the truth. Part coming-of-age tale, part love story, part mystery, Clover Blue tenderly explores an unconventional but no less complex family that resonates with our deep-rooted yearning for home.

Eldonna Edwards is a brilliant, master story teller. I was really impressed with this book and her message. Clover Blue is a wonderful piece of writing. The characters are authentic, vulnerable, and flawed. The dysfunctional family dynamics are painful and real. Ms. Edwards addresses relevant issues: family, loyalty, love, relationships, judgment and forgiveness. She asks the reader to look at the complexities of situations. To examine multiple points of view and invites you to witness life lessons and personal growth. This is a powerful book. I devoured it, not wanting to put it down. At the same time, I wanted to savour it. I enjoyed spending time with these people and was reluctant to finish as that meant saying goodbye to my new friends.

I recommend Clover Blue to anyone who enjoys meaningful literature. It is a great read for everyone who has ever made a quick and unfair judgment about something or someone and I think it will speak to everyone who has a family. This book is so well written you feel all the heartache all the sadness and longing. You will shed many many tears while unable to put this book down. The characters are all so different and you will feel everything right along with them. Pity, sadness and heartbreak. This one that will stay with you for a long long time. This book is impressive, to say the least.

Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Books, A John Scognamiglio Book and Eldonna Edwards for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#CloverBlue #NetGalley