About
The Orchard House
a novel
Concord, Massachusetts
2001
Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louis May Alcott’s historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability…until Victoria’s betrayal changes everything.
1865
While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa’s aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa’s words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan’s proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband’s dark side, and she can’t hide the bruises that appear.
2019
After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett’s cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.
Endorsements
“The Orchard House is a captivating story of sisters, difficult relationships, and the mending of broken hearts….Heidi Chiavaroli has written The Orchard House with depth and soul.”
—ELIZABETH BYLER YOUNTS, CAROL AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE SOLACE OF WATER
“I knew from the very first page that this was going to be a special book. Lyric, evocative, and honest, The Orchard House is a book meant to be savored.”
— SUSIE FINKBEINER, AUTHOR OF STORIES THAT BIND US AND ALL MANNER OF THINGS
“Alcott fans, take joy! Heidi Chiavaroli has brought Louisa’s world of Concord to life through captivating characterization in her modern story line, and in her historical timeline through exquisite detail both carefully researched and respectfully imagined. The Orchard House is a home for the literary soul.”
— AMANDA DYKES, AUTHOR OF SET THE STARS ALIGHT AND WHOSE WAVES THESE ARE
“As a longtime fan of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, I was eager to read The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli, anticipating a glimpse into the life of the author who penned the classic. I got that and so much more….The Orchard House invited me in, served me tea, and held me enthralled with its compelling tale.”
— LORI BENTON, CHRISTY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF BURNING SKY, THE KING’S MERCY, AND MOUNTAIN LAUREL
“With insight into the complexities of female friendship and sisterhood, Heidi Chiavaroli spins a dual tale that is at once rooted in history and solidly contemporary. The Orchard House is sure to please historical fiction fans, readers of Louisa My Alcott, and anyone who has ever had a friend who felt as close as a sister.”
— ERIN BARTELS, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF WE HOPE FOR BETTER THINGS AND THE WORDS BETWEEN US
“A line from The Orchard House captures the very essence of this time-slip novel. Chiavaroli did an exceptional job ‘giving awareness through the power of this story,’ merging the poignant topic of domestic abuse between historical and contemporary. This is a story I had a hard time walking away from, even after reaching the epilogue.”
—T.I. LOWE, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE CAROLINA COAST SERIES
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