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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This book was so beautiful, but a bit different from my usual reads, and I am very glad I decided to read it. The women drove the book, all so passionate and expressive in their own ways that they gave the gardens and themes of the book their power. This book was exuberant and tragic simultaneously as the characters experienced much loss and heartbreak, but so determined to change their own worlds for the better. The beginning was slow, but further on it was difficult to put down. Although I found it quite difficult to imagine the gardens and the home as magnificently as they were described, I still found myself enjoying the detail put into the meaning behind each action taken in the garden and the way these enormously changed the way the women lived. I absolutely adored Venetia’s character and story, and really loved Diana and Beth as well. The differences between the time periods are striking with each point of view, but it molds and evolves so well with each of the passing days. The modern tie to Emma comes across well, and in a few years I would love to reread this.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
This book could have been tailor made for me--a vast gorgeous garden with a secret, three strong complicated women on the English countryside in three historical settings: 1907, the Second World War and present day. The pacing of all three interwoven stories was brilliant. Together the stories lifted hopefully and then took a turn where I genuinely thought no one was going to have a happy ending. The secrets gradually uncovered in the present day through journals and drawings added a satisfying mystery to the historica character drama.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel details the relationship between a garden and various women from its beginning through restoration. The story is told through multiple timelines: 1907, when Venetia Smith has been commissioned to create a new garden at Highbury House; 1944 — and how Highbury House and three women living there deal with WWII; and the present, when Emma Lovett is hired to work on restoring the garden. Kelly is able to tie all of these time periods together quite well, all the while letting the reader become involved in the lives of the various women connected to the garden, as we’ll as some of the “secrets” the garden holds.
Overall, this was an interesting and very enjoyable read. It is the first book by Julia Kelly that I have read, and I look forward to reading other by her. Thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Overall, this was an interesting and very enjoyable read. It is the first book by Julia Kelly that I have read, and I look forward to reading other by her. Thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Lovely read! The different POVs gave me an insight to the grand picture of life at Highbury House and how the characters (were) all related to one another.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Gardeners who love historical fiction will not want to miss this newest novel from Julia Kelly. Set during three different timelines, each story revolves around Highbury House and its beautiful gardens.
In 1907, readers meet Venetia Smith, a talented garden designer who laid out the plans for the garden rooms and stayed on for months to see that they came to fruition.
In 1944, readers meet Diana and Beth. Diana is the current owner of Highbury House and a recent war widow. The house is currently being used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Beth, a land girl from a farm nearby meets Diana and they form a friendship, with Diana allowing Beth access to the gardens in order to draw.
Moving forward to the present day, readers meet Emma, who has been hired to restore the gardens to their former glory. Through her research, Emma learns the past of the gardens and the people who were involved in creating them.
I loved all three timelines. I also liked that the story focused so much on the land girls and how they helped out during WWII.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
In 1907, readers meet Venetia Smith, a talented garden designer who laid out the plans for the garden rooms and stayed on for months to see that they came to fruition.
In 1944, readers meet Diana and Beth. Diana is the current owner of Highbury House and a recent war widow. The house is currently being used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Beth, a land girl from a farm nearby meets Diana and they form a friendship, with Diana allowing Beth access to the gardens in order to draw.
Moving forward to the present day, readers meet Emma, who has been hired to restore the gardens to their former glory. Through her research, Emma learns the past of the gardens and the people who were involved in creating them.
I loved all three timelines. I also liked that the story focused so much on the land girls and how they helped out during WWII.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.