He almost let her go. Her trauma could tear them apart. But a love like theirs is worth fighting for…

Phoenix Walker will never be the same. Nine months after a heroic act left him forever changed, he refuses to hurt Orchid Paige ever again.

Orchid is ready to forgive. Convincing her guy she still loves him, no matter his
injuries, she works to rebuild their intimacy. But their move to her family’s ancestral country unveils China’s superstitions against people with disabilities. Worse, their friend’s life has been upended by those prejudices.

Will Phoenix and Orchid find a way to beat the odds and turn discrimination into acceptance?

“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

“A powerful, emotional story. Propulsive and richly detailed. Absolutely gripping!”

—Jeannée Sacken, award-winning author of Behind the Lens and Double Exposure

“A compelling story of sacrifice, resilience, and acceptance, Always Orchid crosses countries and cultures to stir emotion and self-reflection.”

—Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree

“Profound and redemptive, Always Orchid made me understand the power of forgiving each other and ourselves.”

—Rebecca Rosenberg, award-winning novelist of Champagne Widows novels

“Phoenix and Orchid’s journey explores what it means to be a whole person, in body and in heart. It questions what it means to be fulfilled, whether alone or with another. Theirs is not an easy story, but Carol Van Den Hende tells it with kindness and care.”

—Jeffrey Dale Lofton, award-winning author of Red Clay Suzie

“Always Orchid hits it out of the park! The lovers may be fictional, but the emotions and physical challenges are genuine. I couldn’t put this book down!”

—Dr. Linda Olson, author of Gone a Memoir of Love, Body, and Taking Back My Life

“Honest and stirring, Always Orchid inspires hope for every wounded veteran. Always Orchid earns 5 Purple Heart decorated stars.”

—Purple Heart-decorated Sgt Bryan Anderson, author, actor American Sniper

“Always Orchid explores the power of love and perseverance in the face of trauma and discrimination. A heart-warming story with compassionate connections.”

—Rachel Barenbaum, author of Atomic Anna

“Always Orchid is an important book that will help people. Every detail of Phoenix’s reaction to his injuries is authentic. Reading the interactions, his thoughts, his actions, and reasoning behind them takes me back to my initial recovery and daily challenges a decade after injury.”

—Bronze Star of Valor decorated Navy Corpsman Doc Jacobs, author MaCoven and There and Back Again

2023 Hawthorne Prize shortlist