A tender, emotional story of love, loss, and hope set against the backdrop of 1920s Seattle — from the bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
 
In Songs of Willow Frost, Jamie Ford brings his gift for lyrical storytelling and historical detail to a deeply moving tale about family, forgiveness, and belonging.
 
Twelve-year-old William Eng, a Chinese American boy living in a Seattle orphanage, believes his mother died years ago — until he sees her on the silver screen. Her stage name is Willow Frost, and she’s alive. Determined to find her, William embarks on a journey through Depression-era Seattle that leads him into the heart of his mother’s past — a story of ambition, sacrifice, and the power of love to endure.
 
As William pieces together his mother’s life — from her struggles as a Chinese American woman in 1920s Seattle to the devastating choices she made to survive — he begins to understand the price of love and the courage it takes to begin again. Ford paints an unforgettable portrait of two generations separated by circumstance but bound by heart.
 
Evocative, compassionate, and rich in atmosphere, Songs of Willow Frost is a story about identity, redemption, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Beautifully written, emotional historical fiction.
Explores the bond between mother and son with depth and grace.
Vivid depiction of Depression-era Seattle and early Hollywood.
Perfect balance of heartache and hope.
From the acclaimed author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and The Nightingale.
Readers who enjoy family sagas and historical fiction with emotional depth.
Book clubs exploring identity, love, and second chances.
Anyone drawn to stories about cultural history and redemption.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Songs of Willow Frost, you might also like:
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See — family and tradition across generations.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See — women’s friendship and sacrifice in China.
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai — family resilience through hardship.