by: Gloss Founder Erin Woodward
We’re kicking off January with a fierce, big-hearted, under-the-radar gem: Finding Flora by Elinor Florence — a Canadian author I adore and one who, in my opinion, didn’t get nearly the attention she deserved for this beautiful novel.
Set in 1905 Alberta, the story begins with a jolt: Flora, trapped in an abusive marriage, literally leaps off a moving train and bets her future on a legal loophole that allows her to claim her own homestead. From there, the book unfolds into a rollicking, deeply satisfying tale of grit, danger, reinvention, and—most of all—chosen family. Along the way she’s joined by a Welsh widow and her three children, two American chicken-raisers, and a Métis horse breaker. Together, they learn to “fire the heather” when the land—and their lives—are threatened, and their collective courage becomes the beating heart of the novel.
If you loved Outlawed, These Is My Words, or The Giver of Stars, this book hits that same sweet spot of frontier resilience, female solidarity, and page-turning stakes. But Finding Flora also stands apart: it’s hopeful without ever tipping into sentimentality, brave without bravado, and grounded in the kind of community-building that feels timeless and deeply relevant.
I chose it as our first Founder’s Choice of the year because it embodies everything I want us to read more of in 2026—stories about women who claim space, create family, and rebuild themselves one bold step at a time. It’s a reminder that starting over is rarely a solo act; it’s something we do with the people who show up for us, and the people we choose in return.
A perfect way to begin the year.
1 Comment
I’m delighted that Erin chose my novel Finding Flora, and I can’t wait to chat with book club members and hear their feedback. There is more than you ever wanted to know about me, plus lots of information about my historical research, on my website here: http://www.elinorflorence.com. I am wishing all Gloss members the very happiest of new years!