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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Three separate timelines, five female POVs, all intertwined through one beautiful, atmospheric setting, Highbury House and their immersive gardens. I have a thing for books about houses, it just a fact I've accepted. Add in an abundance of flowers? Sold.
Historical fiction usually isn't my jam, especially set in World War II, but the stunning cover drew me in. If there ever was hope of loving a WWII centric story, it would be this one. Where most WWII novels focus on the men serving, and thus lose my attention, this story is a glimpse into what life was like for the women who remained at home and their efforts during the war.
During WWII, Highbury House is transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. I was so hoping for one of the women to become a "reconstruction aide" (as they were known during WWI, e.g. modern day physical therapists) and assist in rehabilitating the injured men. There were subtle mentions about the health and wellbeing of the men, but overall this very much was a story about women. Even so, I thought the story was wonderful.
My only one regret is not looking into the audiobook before starting my physical copy from the library. After finishing the book, I noticed there are five narrators of the audiobook and it has received great reviews - now I'm kicking myself for not looking into the audiobook!
Historical fiction usually isn't my jam, especially set in World War II, but the stunning cover drew me in. If there ever was hope of loving a WWII centric story, it would be this one. Where most WWII novels focus on the men serving, and thus lose my attention, this story is a glimpse into what life was like for the women who remained at home and their efforts during the war.
During WWII, Highbury House is transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. I was so hoping for one of the women to become a "reconstruction aide" (as they were known during WWI, e.g. modern day physical therapists) and assist in rehabilitating the injured men. There were subtle mentions about the health and wellbeing of the men, but overall this very much was a story about women. Even so, I thought the story was wonderful.
My only one regret is not looking into the audiobook before starting my physical copy from the library. After finishing the book, I noticed there are five narrators of the audiobook and it has received great reviews - now I'm kicking myself for not looking into the audiobook!
I loved this for its history, its garden, and its women. What a captivating and enjoyable read. I think the experiences of the women in this book will stick with me for a while to come. I'm sad to say goodbye to them!
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m so sad this one didn’t work for me. Previous Julia Kelly books I’ve read have been wonderful but this one was a miss. I listened to it on audio, which I think may be the only reason why I actually finished it. While it was beautifully written, I just couldn’t find it in me to care about all of the garden talk. I didn’t care about the gardens at all so it was hard to follow the stories woven between the garden talk.
I did quite enjoy the three women’s stories throughout this novel, but a lot of it was really lost to me. I’m truly let down and sad I didn’t love this one but I guess I just wasn’t the right audience.
I did quite enjoy the three women’s stories throughout this novel, but a lot of it was really lost to me. I’m truly let down and sad I didn’t love this one but I guess I just wasn’t the right audience.
This story is told in three different timelines but centered around one very special garden at Highbury House in England.
1907: Venetia Smith is hired to design a garden for this beautiful home. She fashions several small garden "rooms" such as the tea garden, children's garden, and the winter garden. When her client requests that she use her brother's roses instead of the variety she had planned, Venetia is initially frustrated but becomes pleasantly surprised by the roses and by Matthew himself.
1944: Highbury House has been requisitioned as a convalescent hospital for injured soldiers in the war. Diana, the owner of the home, does her best to protect her garden from becoming crop land. She befriends Stella, her cook, and Beth, a neighboring "land girl".
2021: Emma, a specialist in English garden restoration, has been hired to restore the seriously neglected Highbury gardens to their original glory. When blueprints of the original gardens are found, secrets are discovered that tell a different story of the history of Highbury House.
I loved the beautiful writing of this story with descriptions of the characters in each time period. It reminded me a little of [b:The Secret Garden|2998|The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327873635l/2998._SY75_.jpg|3186437] with its mysterious abandoned Winter Garden with the locked gate.
Thank you to Gallery Books and Julia Kelly for the free ARC of this wonderful book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
1907: Venetia Smith is hired to design a garden for this beautiful home. She fashions several small garden "rooms" such as the tea garden, children's garden, and the winter garden. When her client requests that she use her brother's roses instead of the variety she had planned, Venetia is initially frustrated but becomes pleasantly surprised by the roses and by Matthew himself.
1944: Highbury House has been requisitioned as a convalescent hospital for injured soldiers in the war. Diana, the owner of the home, does her best to protect her garden from becoming crop land. She befriends Stella, her cook, and Beth, a neighboring "land girl".
2021: Emma, a specialist in English garden restoration, has been hired to restore the seriously neglected Highbury gardens to their original glory. When blueprints of the original gardens are found, secrets are discovered that tell a different story of the history of Highbury House.
I loved the beautiful writing of this story with descriptions of the characters in each time period. It reminded me a little of [b:The Secret Garden|2998|The Secret Garden|Frances Hodgson Burnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327873635l/2998._SY75_.jpg|3186437] with its mysterious abandoned Winter Garden with the locked gate.
Thank you to Gallery Books and Julia Kelly for the free ARC of this wonderful book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think I probably went into this book with the wrong expectations. It just didn't really work for me. Didn't hate it, didn't love it. It was just a bit okay. There wasn't really enough tying the three stories together.
Spoiler
What it boils down to is that at the end there were these reveals about Venetia Smith and Diana's son's death, but the modern characters didn't really seem that interested in those secrets at any point before the end.
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, War
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I was worried this book would have so much garden verbiage in it that I wouldn’t like it but i was totally wrong! This book was heart wrenching, uplifting, romantic, and powerful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!