Family are the ties that bind you, to people you aren’t related to that you love, and people you are related to that you might wish you weren’t.

This book is a must read if you like: Contemporary fiction, Snapshot of immigration’s effect on generations, General fiction, Historical fiction, Based on a True story, Generational Stories, Ann Hatchet

About the Book:

Title: Paper Roses: Inspired by a true story
Genre(s): Fiction
Author: Debby Show
Published by: Fieldmere Press
Date Published: 12/03/2025
Format Read: AudioBook
Where I Got It: Author gift
Stand alone or series Number: It is a stand alone book.

Snapshot: what do you need to know before you pick up the book.

Profanity: Adult, Some use of f- word and other curse words. Not a lot.
Intimacy: Moderate, mentions of adult intimacy, but not descriptions
Violence: Light, some intense moments but no graphic descriptions.
Themes: Adult, Family and culture Relationships, Ethics and morality, Drugs, death, the cycle of life

My Thoughts

This book has an expansive feel. It spans across generations. Not from mother to daughter, but from Caregiver to the daughter of her charge. It really shows the complications of family, culture, generational differences, and life in general.

I have actually read this book several times now. It has a deep exploration of how we are a product of where we come from and how we produce the next generation.

While I do not usually enjoy General Fiction, I did enjoy reading this book. The deep cultural nuances combined with interesting characters were the draw for me.

I loved knowing this book was based on true events. I also loved the honesty that it was built off of.

One of my favorite parts is when the older sister realizes she may have efforts from their upbringing that have affected her view on Ethics and how she finds her way through that challenge.

The narrator is excellent. I loved the diversity she provided to the roll.
I found this book a facinating read. I learned So much from reading this book.

Description

Some families leave you money. Others leave you scars.

Based on a true story, Paper Roses is a sweeping, emotionally resonant novel from the sister of Traciii Show Hutsona-the New York Times-featured serial con artist-about family secrets, inherited trauma, and the long shadow of betrayal.

When Abigail Jones learns of her sister Nikki’s third arrest, she’s pulled into a spiral of questions: Was it fate, family, or something buried even deeper? As Abigail begins to piece together the past, she uncovers a trail of silence and survival that stretches across continents and generations.

From a 1940s Moroccan household where a young maid quietly bears witness to the origins of a generational wound, to the sun-washed suburbs of 1970s California, and finally to 2023-told through podcast transcripts, court documents, and splintered memory-Paper Roses follows Abigail’s search for answers, her confrontation with the sister she thought she knew, and her reckoning with a legacy neither of them could escape.

A haunting story of loyalty, silence, and the cost of breaking free, Paper Roses is perfect for readers of The Vanishing Half, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Paper Palace.

I do get a small commission if you use the link above and it doesn’t cost you any extra, but you can use the link below if you don’t want to. Thank you!