The Flowers of Bay C (Adult Contemporary Fiction)
Author: E. M. Carter
ISBN: 978-1915981363 RRP £10.99 Paperback (336pp) £2.99 Kindle
THE BLURB
Six women. One hospital ward. A last wish that could change everything. When life has worn you thin, sometimes the most unexpected friendships can make you bloom again.
Penny Fielding is done: with illness, with being a people pleaser while feeling like a burden. But when she’s admitted to hospital, she finds herself surrounded by five unforgettable women: Barbara, eighty-seven and desperate to see the sea one last time; Jodie, all laughter and hidden pain; Kat, the tattooed vicar who never puts herself first; Violet, proud and prickly; and gentle Amina, who sees the truth in everyone else.
As friendships spark and secrets surface, an impulsive plan to grant Barbara’s dying wish turns into something far bigger — a wild, life-affirming adventure that might just save them all.
Heartfelt and tender, The Flowers of Bay C is a story about second chances, fierce resilience, and choosing joy even when the odds are stacked against you.
THE REVIEW
I write from my own experience, I believe most writers do. Sometimes an author does that so honestly that it makes you stop and pause, as you realise that they have poured themselves into a book, drawing on real and painful realities, and as a result the story is all the more powerful, all the more moving. E M Carter has done that so well with her first contemporary fiction novel.
Blossoming friendships
The Flowers of Bay C centres around a group of women who find themselves as hospital inpatients all at the same time. It tells the story from Penny’s perspective, a woman who has long been enslaved to a debilitating and life-limiting chronic lung condition. She has spent so much time in and out of hospital that she is more knowledgeable about her disease and its treatment than many of the medics. Her experiences are retold in raw detail; you are drawn into her pain both physical and emotional.
Broken and beaten, self-depreciating and apologetic, Penny finds unexpected camaraderie with her fellow patients. This blossoms into a group friendship that will change her life . We are introduced to bubbly, forthright Jodie, who instigates everything. Quiet Kate, the less than traditional vicar. Barbara, who is quietly nearing the end of her days. And gentle Amina who prefers her own company and that of her family. Violet brings the contrast – judgemental and critical and yet as needy as any of them for human connection. An unlikely variety of ‘flowers’, they will ultimately come to share the closest of bonds.
Bittersweet yet heartwarming
This is a bittersweet, heartwarming tale of the power of friendship, but it also explores themes of self-forgiveness, self-worth and the power of quiet kindness to break down bigotry. The not so subtle power of fear to control and alter our behaviour is also explored very sensitively. There is reference to abusive relationships, betrayal, heartbreaking loss and past pains deeply buried. But this is a redemptive story, and I was engrossed from the start, willing Penny and her compatriots to find healing. Laughing, and crying too, at their hare-brained scheme to escape the confines of the ward in the middle of winter. And marvelling at the results of that excursion, both good and bad.
Poignant and gentle, a beautiful book
This is a lovely book. Poignant, gentle and yet hard-hitting in places. I could relate so well to the characters, empathise with them all, and cheer them on. As an ex-nurse I could also picture the hospital setting as it is described with such insightful detail. The message of the Kingdom is there – the power of love and hope and forgiveness – but it is subtly done. A beautifully written book, I can highly recommend it.
This book review is part of a Blog Tour celebrating the publication of ‘The Flowers of Bay C’ on 28th November, 2025. Copies of the book can be purchased online at Amazon and via Waterstones. To find out more about the author, here is her website
Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power.
She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here
