Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Overall this book was okay, it was easy, light and quick read at would you good mood but it was bit dull and slow paced. The cover was okay and the charachers were okay but needed to be more flash out.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Disappointingly, and despite the fact I love gardens I didn’t enjoy this book. I wanted to, I really wanted to. I thought it was the kind of summer read I needed right now.
I failed to engage with the main characters at all. I also think it needed a better edit. The phrase ‘x idea of Heaven’ was used twice within the same couple of pages in one chapter and in one paragraph two consecutive sentences ended with now. This didn’t seem to add to the power of the writing rather it detracted for me. For this genre I enjoy the writing of Jenny Colgan and Carole Matthews more.
I failed to engage with the main characters at all. I also think it needed a better edit. The phrase ‘x idea of Heaven’ was used twice within the same couple of pages in one chapter and in one paragraph two consecutive sentences ended with now. This didn’t seem to add to the power of the writing rather it detracted for me. For this genre I enjoy the writing of Jenny Colgan and Carole Matthews more.
This was such a lovely read, and I found myself almost entranced not only by the characters, but by the fictional location where the book is set. There is a little bit of everything in this fantastic book, from emotionally damaged people trying to find themselves again, to eccentric and interesting villagers, to wonderful ice cream flavours (and there are even a few recipes at the back of the book), to stunning locations that take your breath away, and to historical mysteries that will keep you guessing until the end.
The burgeoning friendship between Marnie and her former college friend and now boss Ned is perfect. There is so much symmetry between their experiences, that it can’t help but bring them together. This book is so much more than a romance though. There was certainly a mystical element to the book throughout, not only in the perfection of nature within the garden, but also around the village, and amongst the other characters. If you have read The Christmas Invitation by Trisha you will love to see a few familiar characters crop up in this new location, which is very close to the location in that book, but it must be said that this book is a standalone story where you absolutely do not need to have read the previous book.
I loved the historical element to the story, it fitted so perfectly with the garden, and the way in which the garden had evolved in the same way that the families had evolved over time. The mysteries held my attention, and the descriptions were so vivid that I found I was so completely immersed in this story that I felt like an onlooker, unable to look away (or put the book down). The way in which Trisha Ashley builds the worlds that her characters live in feels so effortlessly perfect, and I find her books give me such a feel-good experience that I forget the real world for a while, and what more could you want from a book?
One final thought must be to the fact that although I love pets in books, I must confess that it is no secret that I am a dog person, and people who know me know how much cats unnerve me. However, Caspar the cat in this story was so wonderful, that I found myself wanting a Russian-speaking character of a cat in my life! He was completely and utterly the most perfect pet accompaniment in the book!
This is a delightful pleasure of a book, which gave me a love for gardening that I never knew I had, and made me want to head in search of fairies.
The burgeoning friendship between Marnie and her former college friend and now boss Ned is perfect. There is so much symmetry between their experiences, that it can’t help but bring them together. This book is so much more than a romance though. There was certainly a mystical element to the book throughout, not only in the perfection of nature within the garden, but also around the village, and amongst the other characters. If you have read The Christmas Invitation by Trisha you will love to see a few familiar characters crop up in this new location, which is very close to the location in that book, but it must be said that this book is a standalone story where you absolutely do not need to have read the previous book.
I loved the historical element to the story, it fitted so perfectly with the garden, and the way in which the garden had evolved in the same way that the families had evolved over time. The mysteries held my attention, and the descriptions were so vivid that I found I was so completely immersed in this story that I felt like an onlooker, unable to look away (or put the book down). The way in which Trisha Ashley builds the worlds that her characters live in feels so effortlessly perfect, and I find her books give me such a feel-good experience that I forget the real world for a while, and what more could you want from a book?
One final thought must be to the fact that although I love pets in books, I must confess that it is no secret that I am a dog person, and people who know me know how much cats unnerve me. However, Caspar the cat in this story was so wonderful, that I found myself wanting a Russian-speaking character of a cat in my life! He was completely and utterly the most perfect pet accompaniment in the book!
This is a delightful pleasure of a book, which gave me a love for gardening that I never knew I had, and made me want to head in search of fairies.
Great bit of escapism. You know there will be a happy ending and what it is, but fun getting there. There is a lot of gardening in the book and several chapters where nothing happens, but a great book when you don’t want to think too hard. It also links to several other books by the same author, so you get a little update on previous characters.
medium-paced
I can recommend this book if you are really into gardening and below average romcoms. I originally gave it 3 stars but then your usual "let's get married after 2 weeks of dating" happened and that's my most hated trope, hence 2 stars.
Mildly concerned that no one in this woman's life thought to go to the police AND when it was happening to another woman didn't think to try and warn her about it? Also as is always the case -no one recommended that she seek counselling and support after she escaped her horrible husband. It was very much focussed on her being a gardener, and gardening and then coming back to the UK to the village where her mum grew up.
It's definitely a weird, slightly lacking novel IMO. But nice junk food for the brain.
It's definitely a weird, slightly lacking novel IMO. But nice junk food for the brain.