The Will of Wisteria

When wealthy Edward Wilcott dies, his children have to "earn" their inheritance. Attorney Elizabeth must work pro bono for a year; plastic surgeon Jeffrey must find a less superficial practice; Mary Catherine has to stay in one place and teach; and Will is to build homes for the poor. Will they defy Wilcott's wishes---or end up rich? 320 pages, softcover from Nelson.

Four headstrong siblings must satisfy their father’s dying demands--or risk losing his fortune. Let the clash of wills begin.

Charleston blue blood Clayton Wilcott "got religion" late in life; so late, it turns out his kids never took to it. So he’s left a provisional will delivered in a highly unorthodox way.

Now they’re going to have to honor Daddy’s commandments from beyond the grave--for a full year--or be cut off from their substantial inheritances.

The scent of wisteria lingers in the air as the four spoiled Wilcotts battle for their birthright. Told in Denise Hildreth’s trademark blend of humor and heart, this Southern tale is about learning to love, learning to live, and learning to bend.

Average Rating:

8 of 9 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Lynn Tuerff (Nashville, TN), June 29, 2008

This may be my favorite book I've read lately. I couldn't put it down and have recommended it to many friends. Awesome book!

Reviewed by Mike (Lexington, NC), February 29, 2008

I started this book one Saturday morning as I sat in the doctor’s office awaiting the opportunity to be seen. This book made the three hours that I had to wait with people coughing and sniffling all around me rather painless. The plot could be compared to that of the Ultimate Gift as the book is about four siblings who have to complete a task in order to inherit their father’s 1 billion dollar fortune. The journey draws you into the life of four self-centered people, whom you will immediately find similarities with, as they begin to experience life change. I ended up finishing this book late Saturday night and I’m pretty sure from a little over halfway through till the end of the book, there must have been something in my eyes because I couldn’t seem to keep them from watering. This is one of the few books that I’ve ever read that I consumed the entire thing in one day.

Reviewed by nora (Mall of GA), February 27, 2008

Life as Elizabeth, Jeffery, Mary Catherine and Will know it is about to be over after they are read the terms of their fathers will. Elijah Clayton Wilcott wants them to do the unthinkable for a while year!! All the children think he has got to be kidding. This had to be some extreme joke. Not!! No money for any of the children that do not comply with their late father’s wishes. They can’t believe their father would do this to them. Who else could they talk to? There had to be a way around these demands so they could get the money now. Each one was determined to find that way on their own. Denise says this about herself “The one thing I believe the Lord has gifted me to do is to take the human relationship and strip it down to the place we all live:. She does this so well. It’s very true with this book and the others I have read by her. One the surface this seems like a light hearted fun book a no brainer. But after reading a few chapters I felt that Denise had a way of pirecing my heart and mind as I read parts of this story I started to feel uncomfortable as the Wilcott children struggled with the situations they found themselves in. I found myself searching my soul, my motives, hurts in my life and the lives of others around me. I walked away from this book knowing that in the middle of the “stuff” of life, (the good, bad, and the ugly). God sets us up for victory. Denise says “He surrounds each of us with everything necessary to win…Each of us will taste “life”. It’s inevitable. But each of us has been given every necessary tool for our refining, our taming, our potential:. In the end it’s a matter of our will. Will we trust God with our whole life, our dreams, our heart or not?? This is a powerfully moving book!! It will change your life and the way you look at people and yourself if you let it. I highly recommend this book and the other books that Denise has written. Nora St.Laurent www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Reviewed by Kristy L. (Benn's Church, VA), February 26, 2008

It's pretty amazing that an author can go from rollicking comedy, to a book with only a handful of funny parts, and still leave you hungering for more! That's just what Denise has done. I haven't read Flies on the Butter yet, but after Will of Wisteria, I really want to. All of the characters were amazing individuals, and for once, when the book switched to a chapter about a different character, I didn't skip it expecting it to be boring. The only thing I half-way resented was that there wasn't more of a story for Will and Olivia. I think my favorite character was Mary Catherine, just because she really was the sweetest, and I loved the whole situation she got herself into...but I don't want to give anything away. For all of you who haven't read this book: ya gotta read it!

Reviewed by Kristen (Rockville, MD), January 19, 2008

The story line for the Will of Wisteria was fascinating. The characters were really interesting and it was cool to watch them change through what their father required of them. This is definetly her best book yet.

Reviewed by Darlene James (Belton, MO), January 09, 2008

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First time I've read anything by this author and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. The lessons learned by the characters into their own lives was poignant and something all of us need to do. And the realization that they couldn't save one of their own was heart-wrenching.

Reviewed by Lynn C (Lake Stevens, WA), December 23, 2007

I enjoyed The Will of Wisteria - first time I've read a work by this author. The characters were believable and I felt I learned something about the region and Southern manners. Some might think one of the underlying plots was too easily explained away, but I appreciated that it was not tedious or boring. The resolution of the "issues" of one of the characters actually made me cry, it was that heartrending! I freely passed it on to my friends and look forward to more by Denise Hildreth.

Reviewed by paul (kennewick, washinton), November 30, 2007

I am a reader of many Christian books and I can say that this book is the best Christian book I have read so far this year. Fabulous!

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