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bethtabler's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Angela Mann for providing me with a copy in return for my review!
In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker was the perfect novel to tuck into on an autumn night with a coffee in hand. It is a story that is not light and airy. Instead, it embraces some of the darker themes of literature with a perfect blend of storytelling, the supernatural, and the strength gardeners know of plants that reach through the rich dark soil toward the light.
"Stalks of basil to keep the evil eye at bay. A head of broccoli to heal the body. A bunch of cilantro to mend the soul. Three tomatoes for passion in the bedroom. A cucumber to keep that passion from burning a relationship to the ground. The finishing touch--- one piece of fruit from the shadow garden to amplify it all."
The story is about a power struggle in a small town between two prominent families whose roots go deep. The Haywood and Bonner families could not be more different. One is a high and mighty whiskey manufacturer, the other a family of witches, and the tension between them simmers for decades. Still, this story starts with the death of the Bonner Patriarch and the return of the Bonner prodigal son after 25 years. His return is met by a community that barely remembers him, so much so that it edges on the bizarre.
The Haywood side of town can take the darkest emotions from people and settle them into the ground, essentially feeding The Shadow Garden, their garden. They are three generations of witches who will meddle if asked to. But their magic starts to go haywire as well. What follows is a "who done it and why" that delves deep into the very root of things 25 years ago and what happened on that fateful summer in 1997.
I loved the juxtaposition of this high and mighty whiskey family and this Earthy family of witches. They couldn't be more different, and their hate could not be stronger. Their stories intertwine and involve magic, gardens, history, and love.
In the Shadow Garden was a whiskey-soaked story that was exciting as it is lyrically beautiful. There are second chances to be had, even for families like The Haywoods and the Bonners.
In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker was the perfect novel to tuck into on an autumn night with a coffee in hand. It is a story that is not light and airy. Instead, it embraces some of the darker themes of literature with a perfect blend of storytelling, the supernatural, and the strength gardeners know of plants that reach through the rich dark soil toward the light.
"Stalks of basil to keep the evil eye at bay. A head of broccoli to heal the body. A bunch of cilantro to mend the soul. Three tomatoes for passion in the bedroom. A cucumber to keep that passion from burning a relationship to the ground. The finishing touch--- one piece of fruit from the shadow garden to amplify it all."
The story is about a power struggle in a small town between two prominent families whose roots go deep. The Haywood and Bonner families could not be more different. One is a high and mighty whiskey manufacturer, the other a family of witches, and the tension between them simmers for decades. Still, this story starts with the death of the Bonner Patriarch and the return of the Bonner prodigal son after 25 years. His return is met by a community that barely remembers him, so much so that it edges on the bizarre.
The Haywood side of town can take the darkest emotions from people and settle them into the ground, essentially feeding The Shadow Garden, their garden. They are three generations of witches who will meddle if asked to. But their magic starts to go haywire as well. What follows is a "who done it and why" that delves deep into the very root of things 25 years ago and what happened on that fateful summer in 1997.
I loved the juxtaposition of this high and mighty whiskey family and this Earthy family of witches. They couldn't be more different, and their hate could not be stronger. Their stories intertwine and involve magic, gardens, history, and love.
In the Shadow Garden was a whiskey-soaked story that was exciting as it is lyrically beautiful. There are second chances to be had, even for families like The Haywoods and the Bonners.
embrcko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up
This book gave me tons of Practical magic vibes!! A small town, a history of magic, dark secrets, second chances and a malevolent presence that is threatening to overturn the well-being of people's lives.
Great on audio with a full cast narration, this book is twisty and has something for everybody - from romance, suspense and a few thrills too.
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book gave me tons of Practical magic vibes!! A small town, a history of magic, dark secrets, second chances and a malevolent presence that is threatening to overturn the well-being of people's lives.
Great on audio with a full cast narration, this book is twisty and has something for everybody - from romance, suspense and a few thrills too.
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review
4.0
A small town defined by a bourbon distillery and a magical garden, three generations of women residing in one house, a mystery from long ago, and a summer no one in town can remember form the framework of In the Shadow Garden. This one was refreshingly different from what I typically read.
The Haywood women take away pain by carefully untangling its roots over cups of tea before burying that heartache back into the magical garden behind their home. The Bonner family’s bourbon takes away offered memories during an annual festival every year.
There are different ways to handle remorse, grief, and heartache, but which is better for the town? Is it the careful removal that still leaves some memories to heal, or is it the surgical removal that leaves no trace?
When the long lost Bonner son returns to town and the youngest Haywood tries to save the magical garden, what happened twenty years ago during the summer with no memories begins to come to light.
I enjoyed the character growth and what felt like honest, not sugar-coated characterization. I liked that romance is woven into the story but that the familial relationships—with their ups and downs—are what really shine in this one. It’s a quiet, cozy read with lots and lots of magic.
I received a copy from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
The Haywood women take away pain by carefully untangling its roots over cups of tea before burying that heartache back into the magical garden behind their home. The Bonner family’s bourbon takes away offered memories during an annual festival every year.
There are different ways to handle remorse, grief, and heartache, but which is better for the town? Is it the careful removal that still leaves some memories to heal, or is it the surgical removal that leaves no trace?
When the long lost Bonner son returns to town and the youngest Haywood tries to save the magical garden, what happened twenty years ago during the summer with no memories begins to come to light.
I enjoyed the character growth and what felt like honest, not sugar-coated characterization. I liked that romance is woven into the story but that the familial relationships—with their ups and downs—are what really shine in this one. It’s a quiet, cozy read with lots and lots of magic.
I received a copy from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
batmanjenkins's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
I am calling this a fantasy because it takes place in a world where magic is the everyday. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and there were multiple narrators, but I found some of them harder to understand. I liked the mystery element to the story and the way the characters uncovered what happened in the past. I may have had an easier time keeping the characters straight it I had read it in print!
the_not_so_perfect_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Forever pub and netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This took me a minute to get into but once I was in I was hooked. If you just pick this one up based on the beautiful cover you will not be disappointed. This book has it all small town magic, lies, deception, romance and murder. If you drink tea, you will love this book.
I look forward to reading what Liz Parker writes next.
This took me a minute to get into but once I was in I was hooked. If you just pick this one up based on the beautiful cover you will not be disappointed. This book has it all small town magic, lies, deception, romance and murder. If you drink tea, you will love this book.
I look forward to reading what Liz Parker writes next.
charcheney's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
edawhitby's review against another edition
5.0
This book had so much to love. Light romance, a mystery, magic, and tea. The pacing was good, and I don't feel like I ended up with unanswered questions. It was cozy, yet there was an element of danger that all mysteries should have, but they played well together. I got this as a library book, but I'm honestly considering getting my own copy because I loved the cover, and I'd probably read it again.