January 12, 2021
NetGalley
Gallery Books
Historical fiction, arc, digital
368 pages
5/5
ISBN: 9781982107826
1/14/2021- 1/17/2021
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
From the author of the international bestseller The Light Over London and The Whispers of War comes a poignant and unforgettable tale of five women living across three different times whose lives are all connected by one very special garden.
Since I absolutely loved The Light Over London, I was delighted to receive this ARC of Julia Kelly’s latest book. I was once again swept up into the historical and personal histories of these very different characters. I admire the extensive research the author employs when eloquently describing how time can often complicate family histories.
The story begins and ends with Venetia Smith a talented artist who designed magnificent gardens. She worked hard and valued the income she made to assist her brother Adam who lived in London handling the logistics of her work. It’s 1907 in England during WWI when Venetia is hired to work on her biggest project, restoring the garden at Highbury House.
This grand estate has weathered many storms over the years with only more to follow. Because of Venetia’s hard work and dedication she has earned the respect of the botanical community. The Melcourts under the magnificent project of restoring Highbury House to its once elegant state. Helen and Arthur are impressed with the unique detailed plans which Venetia has introduced for the vast landscape. Mrs Melcourt has many ideas to add which adamantly includes roses from her brother Matthew Goddard’s Wisteria Farms.
The story weaves Venetia’s story as the backdrop of the history of Highbury House as it passes through generations of families. Gardens are like families each with its own individuality and story to tell. The care and or neglect to such gardens are also an intricate part of the story. It is not unlike the tree which marks generations of families through its intertwining branches.
In 1944, Beth Pedley arrives at Temple Fosse Farm in Warwickshire after completing training in the Women’s Land Army to work for the Penworthy family. Having lost both her parents she was eager to move from her widowed aunt’s home to help the war effort. Little did she realize how she would come to love working the land and new friends she would meet. Temple Fosse Farm supplied rations to Diana Symonds who owned Highbury House which was now requisitioned into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers.
The story mainly focuses on the happenings around Highbury House around this time. There are many characters each with their own complex story. The cook, Stella Adderton, had big dreams to work in London and travel the world. Unfortunately, she wasn’t medically cleared due to asthma for any of the war groups to which she applied. She settled for following in her mother’s footsteps by working for the Symonds at Highbury House.
Then, we learn about the mistress of the house, Diana Symonds who is recently widowed after her physician husband joined the war. He left her with their 5 year old son Robin and a large mansion being used as a hospital. The only place she finds solace is her garden which had been designed by Venetia Smith many years before.
By 2021, the house is under the care of Sydney and Andrew Wilcox who hire Emma Lovell to restore the gardens to their original firm back in 1907. Emma has been a long time admirer of Venetia Smith and delighted to be asked to take on the project. Her small business, Just in Thyme, has kept her busy doing what she loves. She becomes entranced in discovering the history of the gardens and the people who lived there.
The story is a wonderful tale of love, romance, history, family, finding and living your best life. It explores tragedy and resilience and recreating a new unexpected life journey. I absolutely enjoyed this novel.
@SSEdLib
Simon and Schuster
https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=1982107820&g=4400
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1629581736
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