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(as of Nov 08, 2025 03:43:49 UTC – Details)
Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family business; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, these two estranged sisters will find themselves together again, standing alongside their disapproving mother, Anya, who even now offers no comfort to her daughters. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise: Anya will tell her daughters a story; it is one she began years ago and never finished. This time she will tell it all the way to the end.
The tale their mother tells them is unlike anything they’ve heard before—a captivating, mysterious love story that spans more than sixty years and moves from frozen, war-torn Leningrad to modern-day Alaska. Nina’s obsession to uncover the truth will send them all on an unexpected journey into their mother’s past, where they will discover a secret so shocking, it shakes the foundation of their family and changes who they believe they are.
Mesmerizing from beginning to end, Winter Garden is that rarest of novels — at once an epic love story and an intimate portrait of women poised at the crossroads of their lives. Evocative, lyrically written, and ultimately uplifting, it will haunt the listener long after the last word is spoken.
Customers say
Customers find this book to be a beautiful heart-wrenching story that they couldn’t stop reading, with well-developed characters and strong female characters. Moreover, the book is based on historical research, making it fantastic historical fiction. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it very moving while others say it starts a bit slow.
Michelle –
Another great read by Kristin Hannah
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah is a slower-paced novel compared to some of her other works, but it is every bit as beautiful and moving. The story unfolds with patience, drawing you deeply into the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Hannah’s gift for weaving history and personal narrative shines as the characters’ journeys gradually reveal hidden truths. While it may take longer to settle into the rhythm, the emotional payoff is powerful and unforgettable. The prose is rich, the storytelling heartfelt, and the themes of love, loss, and resilience resonate long after the last page. A highly recommended read for anyone who appreciates Hannah’s ability to craft stories that stay with you.
Jjspina –
An exceptionally emotional and heartfelt read!
Winter Garden was an emotional story of the relationships between daughters and their mother. It is told in two timelines, one from the present and the other from the mother’s past life. It is a heartbreaking read as the story unfolds with the mother’s recall of her life explaining the reason for her coldness and lack of love for her daughters.The author created an extraordinary read that expands across time and place as she takes the reader on a journey they will never forget. The story told by the mother is related to a fairy tale which she has been sharing with her daughters at bedtime since they were young. She never tells the whole story until she is forced to after her husband’s sudden death leaving her to live with her daughters.It is heartbreaking to see how the two sisters struggle with life and decision making after they lose their father who has been their support. He never explains why their mother is so distant and strange toward them. He keeps telling them that it is their mother’s story to tell.I thoroughly enjoyed this story that swept me away to the past life of their mother, Vera. Like all books created by Kristin Hannah, this is an exceptional story that is full of interesting characters, fascinating storylines, and expertly written prose.I highly recommend it!
Steph –
Not my favorite KH book
I’m a big KH fan – I love historical fiction, and I love the way she tells stories. However, I have a love/hate reaction to this book.*Spoilers*What I loved:- the story of Leningrad; just like in her book, The Women and the mostly untold story of women in Vietnam, I was so interested in the story of a woman who survived the siege of Leningrad. I have read so many books that took place during WWII, but this was a new perspective that kept me interested- the story ending was both heartwarming and heartbreaking- the unraveling and development of Anya, Meredith, and Nina’s characters and storyWhat I hated:- I didn’t really understand why she treated her daughters the way she did… it wasn’t really explained. Yes, I understand her difficult past, but never felt that it was justified. You can love your husband, but not your children?- how quickly the book ended – SPOILER —- she vaguely says she was sent to a camp and then was rescued from it — WHAT? We’re just going to breeze right past that? Lame.- Also, what did she do to get onto that train?? She can’t just say “I won’t tell you because I wasn’t myself” – I’m pretty sure I can assume, but I don’t like how it was presented.
Michele Q –
5 stars
I have sat on this review for a week now. I just didn’t have the right words to sum up my feelings. To be able to express to you all my thoughts and feelings on this book. This book absolutely ruined me. It shattered every fiber of my heart. But I am going to try to express, in words, as best as I can, how amazing this book was.I found Winter Garden to be both breathtaking and magnificent, yet heart-wrenching. It made me feel things I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling. This book evoked such emotion in me. There are books that I read and I love and then there are those few that change me. That shake me to the core. This was one of them. What began as a family mystery turned into an epic story of love and survival.Kristin Hannah’s writing is absolutely exquisite. She writes with a deeply profound and insightful way. Her research and understanding of people was absolutely amazing.As a mother, I cried so many tears. There was no way I couldn’t read this through the lense of what I would do in Anya’s shoes. All I wanted to do was hold my daughter a little longer while reading this.As I was reading, my rating went from maybe 4 stars at first, to 4.5, to 5, then it was a solid 5 stars.Please note the genre of this book is women’s fiction, and not specifically romance even though there is indeed a beautiful, powerful, and heart-wrenching love story at the heart of the book.The other important things to know before you read is that I do think some readers might find the book a little slow at first and maybe even find that they didn’t ‘like’ the characters. Don’t let that worry you. I promise you there’s a reason for this. This is a story that builds in layers of complexity and emotional depth. It is absolutely worth it to stick with the story because the impact and delivery of both the second half of the book and especially the ending is just so incredible and powerful!Because this book’s genre is indeed different from my usual recommendations, I strongly suggest that you read the blurb before purchasing. It’s a very accurate representation of the story. For me personally, I knew I wanted to read this book the moment I read the blurb. This book is a forever top favorite of mine, now.This was my first Kristin Hannah book and I seriously can not wait to read more of her books this year.
Petra Hennig –
That intertwines the complexities of family dynamics with the harsh realities of war. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the author crafts a narrative that effortlessly transports readers into the life of the characters, evoking a wide range of emotions. The story’s dual timeline adds depth and intrigue, keeping readers engaged until the very end. With beautifully written prose and richly developed characters “winter garden” is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit, it’s definitely a 5star read for anyone seeking a powerful and unforgettable story … may or may not be a historical and contemporary fiction … a story that is exploring the hard history and human connection to remember it …
marcia cosenza fernandes –
Foi um livro muito intenso.
Annie –
Great holiday reading! What intriguing relationships between the characters! Interesting to see what happenings force certain characters to reveal inner feelings!
BP –
I couldnt put this book down as it reminded me of my own mother’s will to simply survive amid suffering. She too was less than open about her past, heartaches and disappointments. However, she encouraged me to pursue my own dreams and forge my life own path in life.
Josh C –
An excellent read in which all the main characters change as the mother reveals her hidden past, through a fairytale. The culmination of the story has a final surprise.! The themes of love and sacrifice are ever prevalent.