bookish_manda 's review for:

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

3.0

challenging hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

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The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is a historical fiction that follows three different timelines with five narrators. Venetia (set in 1907) is a garden designer who creates gardens for wealthy families, and is hired to create a garden for Highbury House. Beth (set in 1944) finds herself working in a farm near Highbury House with the owner Diana and her cook Stella. She is seeking a place where she belongs after being shoved into the world by her aunt. Lastly, Emma (set in 2021) has a passion for reviving historical gardens with her business. 

I think the number of narrators was tricky to follow while listening to this audiobook. I think had I read it, I would’ve followed along better. I liked the characters, but  I wish there were fewer narrators. Two is usually one too many for me... I would’ve been okay with two timelines instead of three as well. It was a lot.