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maddiedorsey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A really moving and heartbreaking dual timeline story about family secrets and one woman's vigilante resistance work during WWII.
I love stories like this one where we learn about parts of the past that have largely been unknown and books that highlight the courage and bravery of women during wartime. In this book a fictional character gets turned into a spy handle and a cat and mouse game with a Nazi turns life or death for all involved.
Highly recommended for fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Harmel. I found this a bit slow to start/get into but once I was absorbed by these characters I couldn't put it down. Good on audio too!
I love stories like this one where we learn about parts of the past that have largely been unknown and books that highlight the courage and bravery of women during wartime. In this book a fictional character gets turned into a spy handle and a cat and mouse game with a Nazi turns life or death for all involved.
Highly recommended for fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Harmel. I found this a bit slow to start/get into but once I was absorbed by these characters I couldn't put it down. Good on audio too!
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review against another edition
5.0
The Garden of Lost Secrets is beautifully written historical fiction with a romance element. Told through a dual timeline structure, it crafts the story of two sisters in the process of purchasing and renovating a chateau and of their great-grandmother who crafted fairy tales around it.
At turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, The Garden of Lost Secrets had me enchanted. I LOVED it.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from the story:
"It was the perfect apex of a perfect fairy tale—a moment that, had she been writing a make-believe story, should have been one of extraordinary elation and uninhibited happiness. Yet all that engulfed her was a feeling of profound heartache and regret. Because it was just that—fiction. No one lived in a fairy tale. And no one could undo the past."
Please be aware that the majority of this story occurs during the Second World War, so if this may be triggering for you, please check content warnings before picking up this book.
I received an advance copy from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
At turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, The Garden of Lost Secrets had me enchanted. I LOVED it.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from the story:
"It was the perfect apex of a perfect fairy tale—a moment that, had she been writing a make-believe story, should have been one of extraordinary elation and uninhibited happiness. Yet all that engulfed her was a feeling of profound heartache and regret. Because it was just that—fiction. No one lived in a fairy tale. And no one could undo the past."
Please be aware that the majority of this story occurs during the Second World War, so if this may be triggering for you, please check content warnings before picking up this book.
I received an advance copy from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
danidsfavereads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really enjoyable WWII historical fiction. I always love stories that center around the strong women who fight in the resistance.
It was very interesting to get the story from Stasia and Nicholas’ perspectives. Seeing them progress through the war and finally reunite.
And I liked seeing the present day, with Isabelle fixing the chateau and discovering her great grandmother’s secret.
I would definitely recommend this one to historical fiction fans.
It was very interesting to get the story from Stasia and Nicholas’ perspectives. Seeing them progress through the war and finally reunite.
And I liked seeing the present day, with Isabelle fixing the chateau and discovering her great grandmother’s secret.
I would definitely recommend this one to historical fiction fans.
karen62's review against another edition
5.0
This was incredibly well researched, in all the novels I've read set around WW2 I had never heard of Operation Catapult or the Jedburgh teams. The historical note at the end is very interesting.
shankl's review against another edition
4.0
The Garden of Lost Secrets is a compelling duel timeline story about WWII. Two sisters unearth secrets that align to their great grandmothers upbringing in France. The mythical tale of a Briar Rose, who aided the resistance, becomes the most hunted figure in the region during the war. Briar Rose's story haunts the region and an abandoned estate the two sisters are refurbishing near the family farm in France. The two storylines run seamlessly together.
Bowen again delivers another page-turner. This book is packed full of action, secrets and beautiful love story.
Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary copy.
Bowen again delivers another page-turner. This book is packed full of action, secrets and beautiful love story.
Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary copy.
mybooksandkidsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Garden of Lost Secrets by Kelly Bowen
I really enjoyed this story. It was charming right from the first chapter when a girl meets a boy in a garden. It is an excellent mix of adventure, wit, character building and mystery. A story that takes place in 2 timelines and 3 points of view which is a classic WW11 setup. Two sisters discovering the secrets of their great grandmother, while that boy and girl from the garden try to survive the war through different paths and heartbreak. The writing just really worked for me and I’d love to read more from this author
It was a bit long maybe, and a bit slow in parts, but overall I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Those initial low expectations were totally based on the cover which is such a shame. For a great story and a fantastic title to have such an unremarkable cover is disappointing.
I do recommend this one if you like historical fiction! Thank you to @readforeverpub for my copy!
I really enjoyed this story. It was charming right from the first chapter when a girl meets a boy in a garden. It is an excellent mix of adventure, wit, character building and mystery. A story that takes place in 2 timelines and 3 points of view which is a classic WW11 setup. Two sisters discovering the secrets of their great grandmother, while that boy and girl from the garden try to survive the war through different paths and heartbreak. The writing just really worked for me and I’d love to read more from this author
It was a bit long maybe, and a bit slow in parts, but overall I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Those initial low expectations were totally based on the cover which is such a shame. For a great story and a fantastic title to have such an unremarkable cover is disappointing.
I do recommend this one if you like historical fiction! Thank you to @readforeverpub for my copy!
yeagleyreads's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katebrk's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kjulie's review
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0