Julie Carrick Dalton has written a thoughtful, female-centered novel that blends climate fiction, family drama, mystery, and a touch of the surreal into something that feels both deeply personal and profoundly connected to the natural world.
The story follows three women whose lives become intertwined around a controversial housing development. Stella is a real estate agent desperately needing her next sale. Polly, known throughout the community as “Tree Girl,” is determined to save the forest she feels connects her to her late mother. Hazel is carrying immense grief and guilt after a tragic accident that cost her unborn child, and she begins experiencing a mysterious condition that changes the course of her life.
At its heart, this is a novel about what we owe the earth, what we owe future generations, and how deeply our identities can become tied to the places we call home. Polly’s fight to protect the forest gives the story a strong environmental core, while the mystery surrounding the land’s ownership adds an intriguing layer that kept me invested.
I will admit that the beginning is a slow burn. Dalton spends considerable time developing her characters and laying the emotional groundwork. My advice is to trust the author. The story eventually introduces a highly unusual element that I suspect will be divisive among readers. Some may find it too strange or even unsettling, while others will appreciate its symbolism and originality. Personally, I loved it. It reminded me of the way Shark Heart embraces the unconventional to explore grief, transformation, and human connection.
Thematically, this book brought to mind The Lorax and The Giving Tree, but for an adult audience. It examines the relationship between women, nature, caregiving, sacrifice, and renewal in ways that felt powerful and memorable. The novel asks readers to consider the value of every living thing and challenges us to think about our responsibility to the world around us.
The audiobook is excellent. With multiple narrators bringing the different perspectives to life, the performances added depth to each character. I was especially impressed by the narrator portraying Polly. Adult narrators reading child characters can sometimes feel exaggerated or patronizing, but that was never the case here. Polly’s voice felt authentic, emotional, and completely believable.
If you enjoy climate fiction, character-driven stories, books with magical or speculative elements, and novels that aren’t afraid to take risks, I highly recommend this one. It’s an unusual story, but one that has stayed with me long after I finished listening.
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.
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