Shortlisted for the Hawthorne Prize for Fiction. "An engrossing, inspiring depiction of traumatized individuals growing amidst challenges." - Kirkus Reviews He almost let her go. Her past could tear them apart. But a love like theirs is worth fighting for. Nine months after a heroic act leaves Phoenix Walker forever changed, he is determined never to hurt Orchid Paige again. The scars he carries are more than skin deep, and in his mind, protecting her means sacrificing himself. But Orchid has already made her choice. Ready to forgive, she reaches for the man she loves, determined to prove that her heart is stronger than his fears. Rebuilding their intimacy will take patience and courage, but their love has survived before, and she believes it can again. Their new beginning takes them to her mother's ancestral home in China, where they are confronted by long-held superstitions and cultural prejudices against people with disabilities. Phoenix's challenges and a friend's struggle bring the sting of discrimination into sharp focus, threatening to undo the fragile progress they have made. Told with the emotional depth of contemporary fiction and the heart of inspirational romance, Always Orchid is a story of resilience, compassion, and the belief that love can bloom even in the harshest soil. This novel is the sequel to Goodbye, Orchid and follows the events of Phoenix and Orchid's love story. The series chronologically begins with Orchid Blooming , a heartfelt prequel that reveals Orchid's early journey. While Always Orchid can be read as a standalone, reading the series in order offers the richest experience. Buy Always Orchid today and experience a love story that chooses courage over fear, again and again. American Fiction Award Winner Multicultural Fiction. Shortlisted Hawthorne Prize for Fiction. Chanticleer Chatelaine Finalist. Outstanding Creator Award. The Book Fest Honorable Mention. IAN Multicultural Fiction Finalist. Pulpwood Queens Book-of-the-Month. Publication order Book 1: Goodbye, Orchid Book 2: Orchid Blooming (prequel) Book 3: Always Orchid (sequel) Each book can be read as standalone Look for Dear Orchid , a collection that includes true stories of the wounded heroes who inspired Carol's writing and a finale for the characters you can't forget from the Goodbye Orchid series. " Carol Van Den Hende never disappoints. Her books are full of rich characters, real challenges and deep emotion." - Kristan Higgins, New York Times , USA TODAY , Publisher's Weekly bestselling author