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saram618's review against another edition
3.0
In this historical mystery we have 2 timelines going on. One is the present day and is narrated by Addison, who has some secrets in her past that unfold throughout the course of the book. Addison and her husband go to England to stay in his parents' newly purchased estate. Here is where we overlap with the historical storyline narrated by Flora. I will pause here to say that it was overkill to name a character Flora in a book with flowers as the main theme. Anyway, Flora arrives at this same estate in 1940 and gets caught up in the family (as their nanny) and the mysterious death of the lady of the house, Anna.
I really liked that as one part of the mystery developed in the past, the characters in the present day were also finding clues to this same mystery. I didn't really love the present day "mystery" Addison was dealing with. It felt forced and over-the-top. I got that it was meant to link the two story lines together, but it wasn't needed. Also, the constant mention of the camellias was a little much, but I get why it was there. That being said, this book was very engaging. I picked it up planning to read a few chapters and the next thing I knew I was 150 pages in (and ended up finishing it in one day). I'd recommend it to someone looking for a quick and entertaining read!
Side note... is/was flower thievery an actual thing??
I really liked that as one part of the mystery developed in the past, the characters in the present day were also finding clues to this same mystery. I didn't really love the present day "mystery" Addison was dealing with. It felt forced and over-the-top. I got that it was meant to link the two story lines together, but it wasn't needed. Also, the constant mention of the camellias was a little much, but I get why it was there. That being said, this book was very engaging. I picked it up planning to read a few chapters and the next thing I knew I was 150 pages in (and ended up finishing it in one day). I'd recommend it to someone looking for a quick and entertaining read!
Side note... is/was flower thievery an actual thing??
sbojo32's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book - it captured my interest, but it's nothing that is going to stick with me for long. It was nice, there was a little romance (very little), there was a little mystery and there was a little bit of historical fiction. It dabbled in each category without really commiting to any.
It is told in a dual storyline - Flora in the 1940's and Addison in the 2000's, as each try to figure out the secrets of Livingston Manor. The place seems a little creepy and no one seems to want to tell the truth (or at least the whole truth) and yet no one seems to want to ask any questions.
There are some glaring plot holes that were never tied up, but if you can suspend disbelief on those, it's a nice read.
It is told in a dual storyline - Flora in the 1940's and Addison in the 2000's, as each try to figure out the secrets of Livingston Manor. The place seems a little creepy and no one seems to want to tell the truth (or at least the whole truth) and yet no one seems to want to ask any questions.
There are some glaring plot holes that were never tied up, but if you can suspend disbelief on those, it's a nice read.
audreyjo85's review against another edition
4.0
I can't remember the last time I read a book this quickly! I really enjoyed it from start to finish. It wasn't what I was expecting, but in the best way.
paige1947_'s review against another edition
5.0
If you take a shadow of Jane Eyre and a ghost of Rebecca and add a scent of the Language of Flowers and mix it up you will get a great novel. The Last Camellia is a fresh story that hints at some favorites. A tale told in two different time periods that touch each other in wonderful ways. A mystery, a family sage, and a love story. Sarah Jio can add this one to the list of her other great novels.
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
3.0
From The Book Wheel:
In a nutshell, The Last Camellia is a mystery novel that takes place in two different settings (present day and 1940′s) but in the same location. Present day Addison’s past is catching up to her and so she convinces her husband to skip across the ocean to Livingston Manor. The manor’s main feature is its orchards, and in particular the camellias. Once there, she starts to uncover the mystery of several young women who died during the 1940′s and tries to figure it out while dealing with her own demons.
Then there’s Flora, who was hired as the nanny for the Livingston children but, really, she was hired to steal a very rare camellia called the Middlebury Pink. She arrives at the manor around the time that women are disappearing and doesn’t quite know what to make of the Livingston family. The whole place is a bit depressing after the recent (and questionable) death of Lady Anna, the mistress of the estate and lover of all things flowers.
At this point the book was a solid 4 stars. Naturally, there’s some love thrown in and manor living is predictable (snotty kids and gossipy servants). Most of the characters weren’t fully developed but I was able to gloss over that part, too. But then I got to the end and it plummeted. Now, I’m not one to judge a book by its ending just because I don’t like it, but I do have a problem with unfinished endings. And unfortunately, The Last Camellia left me confused and pretty irritated. Sure, I can speculate about what happened but I really have no idea. It’s not that it was complex, but rather that it seemed like the author had a page limit and rushed to stay under it. Honestly, 2 or 3 more pages would have fixed the whole problem.
For the full review, click here.
Allison @ The Book Wheel
What about you? Have you ever read two books by the same author and had entirely different opinions about their quality?
In a nutshell, The Last Camellia is a mystery novel that takes place in two different settings (present day and 1940′s) but in the same location. Present day Addison’s past is catching up to her and so she convinces her husband to skip across the ocean to Livingston Manor. The manor’s main feature is its orchards, and in particular the camellias. Once there, she starts to uncover the mystery of several young women who died during the 1940′s and tries to figure it out while dealing with her own demons.
Then there’s Flora, who was hired as the nanny for the Livingston children but, really, she was hired to steal a very rare camellia called the Middlebury Pink. She arrives at the manor around the time that women are disappearing and doesn’t quite know what to make of the Livingston family. The whole place is a bit depressing after the recent (and questionable) death of Lady Anna, the mistress of the estate and lover of all things flowers.
At this point the book was a solid 4 stars. Naturally, there’s some love thrown in and manor living is predictable (snotty kids and gossipy servants). Most of the characters weren’t fully developed but I was able to gloss over that part, too. But then I got to the end and it plummeted. Now, I’m not one to judge a book by its ending just because I don’t like it, but I do have a problem with unfinished endings. And unfortunately, The Last Camellia left me confused and pretty irritated. Sure, I can speculate about what happened but I really have no idea. It’s not that it was complex, but rather that it seemed like the author had a page limit and rushed to stay under it. Honestly, 2 or 3 more pages would have fixed the whole problem.
For the full review, click here.
Allison @ The Book Wheel
What about you? Have you ever read two books by the same author and had entirely different opinions about their quality?
emilyan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kellymc03's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy Sarah Jio's books. I haven't read one that I didn't like- and this didn't let me down!
c0reyann's review against another edition
4.0
I can always count on a Sarah Jio book to transport me to another time and place as well as to take up every spare minute until the book is finished, which is often in less than a day. The Last Camellia is no different than her previous novels but I would say that it would be even better than the past few. This novel primarily follows Flora and Addison and the house that ties them together, Livingston Manor, separated by 60 years. As with her other novels, each chapter follows a different person in chronological (for the most part) order until the end when everything comes together.
I really was drawn into this novel for many reasons, the flower intrigued me for some reason and Flora really won my heart. I really wanted to know what happened to her and where her life lead. The novel is really fast paced and kept me wanting more so I stayed up late to finish it.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of Jio's, those that like suspense and anyone wanting a Downton Abbey fix.
I really was drawn into this novel for many reasons, the flower intrigued me for some reason and Flora really won my heart. I really wanted to know what happened to her and where her life lead. The novel is really fast paced and kept me wanting more so I stayed up late to finish it.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of Jio's, those that like suspense and anyone wanting a Downton Abbey fix.
withloveandlights's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sarahprandall's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio book version, and the narrator was FANTASTIC - all of the characters had a distinct voice, which wasn't easy with the various accents throughout. This book was like The Secret Garden meets Downton Abbey meets an Agatha Christie book. The setting (a lush, English manor with beautiful orchards), the characters (a brooding Lord, a curious nanny, a woman in the present day running from her past), and the pace (weaving together two stories until they merge as one) made this a very enjoyable read. I've liked all of Sarah Jio's books, and this is another winner.