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The Summer Season
Passions flare, secrets unravel and love blossoms in the heart of the summer season. As summertime flourishes, it's time for new beginnings... Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many. Mum to twin girls, Lauren's life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she's determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it's a lot harder than she imagined ... Then erstwhile guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from? As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts? Kick off your sandals, enjoy a glass of rose and escape into a gorgeous novel this summer with Julia Williams.
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 28, 2020
Fulcro di questo romanzo è "Heartsease House" e il suo giardino .
Due storie in una. Quella del passato: Edward e Lily costellato da dispiaceri . Quella del presente o quelle del presente, perché i protagonisti sono diversi, intrise di speranze e nuovi inizi .
⭐⭐⭐,5
Due storie in una. Quella del passato: Edward e Lily costellato da dispiaceri . Quella del presente o quelle del presente, perché i protagonisti sono diversi, intrise di speranze e nuovi inizi .
⭐⭐⭐,5
September 4, 2021
The switch between the present and the past was very wel done.
June 1, 2016
Ich liebe Bücher über alte Familiengeheimnisse und wenn dann auch noch ein Garten eine tragende Rolle spielt, dann ist es meist um mich geschehen.
Die Atmosphäre in dem Buch ist sehr ruhig und stellenweise ging es mir manchmal etwas zu ruhig voran, auch das Lesetempo war manchmal etwas schleppend, aber dennoch habe ich diese Atmosphäre sehr genossen. Das kleine Dorf, viele liebevolle und sympathische Charaktere und eine wunderschöne und zugleich traurige Liebesgeschichte.
Besonders die Geschichte von Edward und Lily aus der Vergangenheit hat mich sehr berührt und ich habe mich immer wieder gefreut, wenn Briefe und Tagebucheinträge der beiden in die Geschichte eingeflossen sind.
Die Charaktere waren mir alle größtenteils sehr sympathisch, besonders Joel hat es mir hier angetan. Lauren war mir manchmal ein wenig zu naiv, aber dennoch hat sie ihr Herz am rechten Fleck. Kezzie hat alles mit ihrer turbulenten Art aufgewirbelt. Troy hatte es von Beginn an schwer bei mir und ich bin trotz seines verbesserten Verhaltens nie wirklich warm mit ihm geworden.
Ich fand es schön wie sich die Charakere im Verlaufe der Geschichte entwickelt haben und wie sie wieder ihren Platz in der Welt gefunden haben.
Das Ende war bis auf eine Sache absolut passend und zufriedenstellend für mich.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war angenehm zu lesen und mir hat es sehr gefallen wie sie die Gärten und allem drumherum dem Leser nahe gebracht hat.
Die Atmosphäre in dem Buch ist sehr ruhig und stellenweise ging es mir manchmal etwas zu ruhig voran, auch das Lesetempo war manchmal etwas schleppend, aber dennoch habe ich diese Atmosphäre sehr genossen. Das kleine Dorf, viele liebevolle und sympathische Charaktere und eine wunderschöne und zugleich traurige Liebesgeschichte.
Besonders die Geschichte von Edward und Lily aus der Vergangenheit hat mich sehr berührt und ich habe mich immer wieder gefreut, wenn Briefe und Tagebucheinträge der beiden in die Geschichte eingeflossen sind.
Die Charaktere waren mir alle größtenteils sehr sympathisch, besonders Joel hat es mir hier angetan. Lauren war mir manchmal ein wenig zu naiv, aber dennoch hat sie ihr Herz am rechten Fleck. Kezzie hat alles mit ihrer turbulenten Art aufgewirbelt. Troy hatte es von Beginn an schwer bei mir und ich bin trotz seines verbesserten Verhaltens nie wirklich warm mit ihm geworden.
Ich fand es schön wie sich die Charakere im Verlaufe der Geschichte entwickelt haben und wie sie wieder ihren Platz in der Welt gefunden haben.
Das Ende war bis auf eine Sache absolut passend und zufriedenstellend für mich.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war angenehm zu lesen und mir hat es sehr gefallen wie sie die Gärten und allem drumherum dem Leser nahe gebracht hat.
April 22, 2019
A great book. Full of good humour, as well as being a nice romantic read, with a hint of sadness.
June 23, 2011
This is a modern day story with it's roots firmly planted in history. Joel's family history.
The three present day characters are brought together in a little village, Heartsease.
Joel lives in the family house which has a famous historical Botanist as the original owner and creator of a neglected Love Knot Garden. He lives with his toddler son, Sam after tragically losing his wife Claire.
Lauren, Claire's best friend, lives nearby and looks after Sam for Joel.
Kezzie, a guerrilla gardener, comes to the village to stay in her aunt's cottage (next door to Lauren) to escape after the breakdown of her relationship.
Straight talking Kezzie, begins to revamp the unkempt gardens without permission from Joel, something she is used to doing. They both become aware of the importance of this love-Knot garden after finding documents belonging to Joel's Great, Great Grandfather Edward Handford and his wife Lily dating back to the 1800's .
The letters and diaries of Edward and Lily Handford reveal the significance of the love-knot garden. Joel and Kezzie are determined to restore the garden in memory of Edward.
What a lovely surprise this novel was. From the blurb and cover it looked like a chick-lit/romance novel. Once I started reading it, I realised that it combines two of my favourite genres chick-lit and historical fiction. Edward and Lily's story in the 1800's is an important part of the modern day story.
The novel touched on many emotions visiting love, the loss of a loved one, the complications of relationships and single-parenting, but it was an upbeat, feel good story full of hope and achievement.
Lots of gardening references that will appeal to those who love flowers and gardening. It will also appeal to those who enjoy family history.
I could not put this one down, wanting to know more about Edward and Lily's Love story, which was unravelled piece by piece, just as much as what would happen to the modern day characters Joel, Kezzie and Lauren.
Another one to add to my Top Summer 2011 reads.
5 out of 5 for me!
I received a copy of this novel from Avon Books for my honest review. Thank you HarperCollins/Avon
The three present day characters are brought together in a little village, Heartsease.
Joel lives in the family house which has a famous historical Botanist as the original owner and creator of a neglected Love Knot Garden. He lives with his toddler son, Sam after tragically losing his wife Claire.
Lauren, Claire's best friend, lives nearby and looks after Sam for Joel.
Kezzie, a guerrilla gardener, comes to the village to stay in her aunt's cottage (next door to Lauren) to escape after the breakdown of her relationship.
Straight talking Kezzie, begins to revamp the unkempt gardens without permission from Joel, something she is used to doing. They both become aware of the importance of this love-Knot garden after finding documents belonging to Joel's Great, Great Grandfather Edward Handford and his wife Lily dating back to the 1800's .
The letters and diaries of Edward and Lily Handford reveal the significance of the love-knot garden. Joel and Kezzie are determined to restore the garden in memory of Edward.
What a lovely surprise this novel was. From the blurb and cover it looked like a chick-lit/romance novel. Once I started reading it, I realised that it combines two of my favourite genres chick-lit and historical fiction. Edward and Lily's story in the 1800's is an important part of the modern day story.
The novel touched on many emotions visiting love, the loss of a loved one, the complications of relationships and single-parenting, but it was an upbeat, feel good story full of hope and achievement.
Lots of gardening references that will appeal to those who love flowers and gardening. It will also appeal to those who enjoy family history.
I could not put this one down, wanting to know more about Edward and Lily's Love story, which was unravelled piece by piece, just as much as what would happen to the modern day characters Joel, Kezzie and Lauren.
Another one to add to my Top Summer 2011 reads.
5 out of 5 for me!
I received a copy of this novel from Avon Books for my honest review. Thank you HarperCollins/Avon
May 7, 2021
Its a breezy read with not too difficult vocabulary but the story is so heartfelt and empathetic. It very beautifully describes how life is entwined with sorrows and guilt and yet we learn to live with them and even thrive. Its mesmerizing how the author flicks between the past and the present to portray how people accept sorrows and slowly start new ventures to be happy.
Set against the backdrop of restoring a desolate garden, its beautifully summery, passionate and "flowery". The subtleties of flowers and how their meanings have been used to express emotions is a notable point in this book. Although the ending is the cliched "happy ending" (it is a lightish read so, oh well!),overall it is a refreshing read about how with the restoring of the garden, people rebuilt their lives too....
Set against the backdrop of restoring a desolate garden, its beautifully summery, passionate and "flowery". The subtleties of flowers and how their meanings have been used to express emotions is a notable point in this book. Although the ending is the cliched "happy ending" (it is a lightish read so, oh well!),overall it is a refreshing read about how with the restoring of the garden, people rebuilt their lives too....
October 16, 2012
I got so involved in this story....even found myself crying as parts of it were so desperately sad about Edward and Lily's life together but I loved the way the story would switch from the past to the present day and liked the characters,esp Kezzie.....and there was the happy ending I love which made it perfect reading.
October 25, 2020
Julia Williams is yet another new author for me this year, and I absolutely loved this book.
Heartsease House, has been in widower and single dad, Joel Lyle's family for five generations, but both the house and garden are in desperate need of renovation.
Single mum to twin girls, and long time friend of Joel, Lauren has her life turned upside down when ex Troy 're-appears on the scene.
Into the mix comes guerrilla gardener Kezzie, who is determined one way or another, to restore the once beautiful love knot garden at Heartsease House, but what is she trying to run away from ?
Throughout the warm summer will it be just the garden that gets restored, or will these three people, manage to restore their lives too ?
One thing I particularly liked about the book, was how the love knot garden came in to being in the first place, which is how the story starts off at the very beginning.
The past and present were woven together very well indeed.
Heartsease House, has been in widower and single dad, Joel Lyle's family for five generations, but both the house and garden are in desperate need of renovation.
Single mum to twin girls, and long time friend of Joel, Lauren has her life turned upside down when ex Troy 're-appears on the scene.
Into the mix comes guerrilla gardener Kezzie, who is determined one way or another, to restore the once beautiful love knot garden at Heartsease House, but what is she trying to run away from ?
Throughout the warm summer will it be just the garden that gets restored, or will these three people, manage to restore their lives too ?
One thing I particularly liked about the book, was how the love knot garden came in to being in the first place, which is how the story starts off at the very beginning.
The past and present were woven together very well indeed.
March 25, 2025
A generous two and a half stars.
I really wanted to like this, thinking "Oh, chic lit, simple and easy and quick." Not so much. The story itself is fine, but too long by half for what it professes to be with too many stories not really intertwining as easily as Edward's knot garden did. Worse still, the bad editing and proof reading throughout were jarring: From the name of Connie's fiancé changing, to myriad grammatical anomalies, I soured on it early on. Someone really should go back over this book and sort it out.
If you're looking for a quick easy summer read, give this a pass.
I really wanted to like this, thinking "Oh, chic lit, simple and easy and quick." Not so much. The story itself is fine, but too long by half for what it professes to be with too many stories not really intertwining as easily as Edward's knot garden did. Worse still, the bad editing and proof reading throughout were jarring: From the name of Connie's fiancé changing, to myriad grammatical anomalies, I soured on it early on. Someone really should go back over this book and sort it out.
If you're looking for a quick easy summer read, give this a pass.
August 26, 2018
4.5 stars
I loved this book from the very start, especially the character Kezzie. I wasn't so sure of Joel but warmed to him as the book went along.
I loved the way that the past and the history linked to the house and gardens, was interspersed with the present story of the book.
It was a nice, light hearted, easy read. All the talk of gardening and flowers gave it a very summery feel.
I loved this book from the very start, especially the character Kezzie. I wasn't so sure of Joel but warmed to him as the book went along.
I loved the way that the past and the history linked to the house and gardens, was interspersed with the present story of the book.
It was a nice, light hearted, easy read. All the talk of gardening and flowers gave it a very summery feel.
August 1, 2023
Very Boring in my opinion. Too many stories going on at the Same time. Felt like I was reading the Same thing over and over again. Could’ve just been about the gardens, lily, edward, joel and kezzie.
June 28, 2018
A big waste of time
August 3, 2020
Loved this light really easy to read book
January 17, 2023
The summer season was a good read. However, it did take a few chapters before it got interesting. There were also a few repetitive sentences, but overall, it was good.
March 31, 2023
About the knot garden. Interesting, but slow near the end.
May 31, 2023
Enjoyed and would look for more from the same author/series.
November 27, 2024
It was a simple easy read. I loved the story and enjoyed reading it 🩷
June 7, 2011
I’m a big ol’ fan of Julia Williams, having read her first novel Pastures New way back in 2008 and thoroughly enjoying the warmth Julia managed to encapsulate into the novel. I quickly followed it up by reading Strictly Love and Last Christmas, and her fourth novel The Bridesmaid Pact is sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read. She’s an author whose books I really look forward to, and I was incredibly pleased to receive a copy of her new novel The Summer Season. It has a pale green cover – I was surprised, actually, when I pulled it out and saw it – which is incredibly beautiful and because I hadn’t officially started anything when the postie brought it, I decided to read it immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and although the front cover is summer-themed, I do also think it would be the perfect novel to curl up with on a cold day, as well.
What I like best about Julia Williams’s novels is that she takes two or three characters, introduces us to them and makes us care for them deeply. Although the plot of the novel is wonderful, for me it’s her characters that I truly read her books for because she has such a good grasp for writing sympathetic and warm characters. I always scoff when people liken a novel to a hot drink, it’s so cliched that it makes me cringe, but Julia Williams’s novels do rather make me feel pretty much how I suspect a hot chocolate would. It’s warm and inviting and pretty wonderful, actually. Oh God, I’ve become a reviewer who talks in cliches. Please forgive my indulgence just then. A lot of the novel is about gardening, and I must admit, I’m not exactly ‘up’ on flowers or trees although I do know what a rake and a hoe and other gardening tools are. I found that Williams put a lot of care into the flowers she choose to exhibit as Joel and Kezzie restore Joel’s great-great-Grandfather’s garden. I never once found the flower explanations boring, in fact quite the opposite, I found it very intriguing and the explanations are enough that a gardening novice like me is well able to understand what’s going on.
My absolute favourite part of the novel though, was the backstory of Edward and Lily Handford, Joel’s great-great-Grandparents. Regularly, throughout the novel, we have excerpts from their diaries and we see letters they wrote to each other in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. We get to bear witness to their great love, learn of their life together, their tragedies, but most of all it’s the core of the novel, with the knotgarden Edward created for Lily for her wedding present. Most of the time I’m allergic to novels set in anytime other than the 2000s, but I found Edward and Lily’s life to be enchating, and I longed for more chapters from them, longed to know more of their story. Julia Williams says in her acknowledgements that her editor made her make Edward and Lily’s story a more important part of The Summer Season and I thank her for that because it was a wonderful addition and I can’t bear to think there was less of them in the novel at one point.
I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, from Lauren, Joel and Kezzie in the present day to Edward, Lily and their family way back when. Lauren seemed a bit wiser than her years (she was meant to be 25, if my adding up is correct, but seemed more in her thirties, but I presume having her twins has made her that way!) but I really felt for her, struggling to bring up her twins solo. I felt sorry for Joel, who had lost his wife Claire a year earlier, and was since bringing up their son Sam. His guilt was horrible to witness, and I just wanted someone to make it OK for him again. I had my doubts about Kezzie, but she grew on me quite quickly. I wasn’t a fan of the dope-smoking (yeah, I know, everyone does it, blah blah blah and I’m old before my time at 21) but I just found it quite immature for someone aged 30. I loved her energy though and her enthusiasm for gardening was brilliant. I didn’t think much of Troy, Lauren’s ex, he was too slimy and overconfident for my tastes.
The Summer Season would have been a perfect novel. But I was incredibly disappointed that Lauren gave slimy Troy a second chance. It was inevitable he would come back on the scene, and it’s one of the worst things in Chick Lit. Seriously, there’s nothing that gets on my nerves more than the main character giving her slimy ex another chance because he says he’s changed. I personally think it’s quite lazy, and I find myself increasingly saying it as most authors do it consistently. (I feel a horrible sense of deja vu typing this, I’m fairly sure I’ve whinged about it already somewhere in a review.) It’s my biggest Chick Lit bug bear, and it did knock the shine off what was, up until then, a magnificent read. Julia Williams is a stunning writer, all of her stories manage to suck me in and keep hold of me until I reach the end and The Summer Season was no different. I absolutely loved it, apart from that one thing, and it’s definitely a book to curl up with. I really, really liked it.
What I like best about Julia Williams’s novels is that she takes two or three characters, introduces us to them and makes us care for them deeply. Although the plot of the novel is wonderful, for me it’s her characters that I truly read her books for because she has such a good grasp for writing sympathetic and warm characters. I always scoff when people liken a novel to a hot drink, it’s so cliched that it makes me cringe, but Julia Williams’s novels do rather make me feel pretty much how I suspect a hot chocolate would. It’s warm and inviting and pretty wonderful, actually. Oh God, I’ve become a reviewer who talks in cliches. Please forgive my indulgence just then. A lot of the novel is about gardening, and I must admit, I’m not exactly ‘up’ on flowers or trees although I do know what a rake and a hoe and other gardening tools are. I found that Williams put a lot of care into the flowers she choose to exhibit as Joel and Kezzie restore Joel’s great-great-Grandfather’s garden. I never once found the flower explanations boring, in fact quite the opposite, I found it very intriguing and the explanations are enough that a gardening novice like me is well able to understand what’s going on.
My absolute favourite part of the novel though, was the backstory of Edward and Lily Handford, Joel’s great-great-Grandparents. Regularly, throughout the novel, we have excerpts from their diaries and we see letters they wrote to each other in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. We get to bear witness to their great love, learn of their life together, their tragedies, but most of all it’s the core of the novel, with the knotgarden Edward created for Lily for her wedding present. Most of the time I’m allergic to novels set in anytime other than the 2000s, but I found Edward and Lily’s life to be enchating, and I longed for more chapters from them, longed to know more of their story. Julia Williams says in her acknowledgements that her editor made her make Edward and Lily’s story a more important part of The Summer Season and I thank her for that because it was a wonderful addition and I can’t bear to think there was less of them in the novel at one point.
I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, from Lauren, Joel and Kezzie in the present day to Edward, Lily and their family way back when. Lauren seemed a bit wiser than her years (she was meant to be 25, if my adding up is correct, but seemed more in her thirties, but I presume having her twins has made her that way!) but I really felt for her, struggling to bring up her twins solo. I felt sorry for Joel, who had lost his wife Claire a year earlier, and was since bringing up their son Sam. His guilt was horrible to witness, and I just wanted someone to make it OK for him again. I had my doubts about Kezzie, but she grew on me quite quickly. I wasn’t a fan of the dope-smoking (yeah, I know, everyone does it, blah blah blah and I’m old before my time at 21) but I just found it quite immature for someone aged 30. I loved her energy though and her enthusiasm for gardening was brilliant. I didn’t think much of Troy, Lauren’s ex, he was too slimy and overconfident for my tastes.
The Summer Season would have been a perfect novel. But I was incredibly disappointed that Lauren gave slimy Troy a second chance. It was inevitable he would come back on the scene, and it’s one of the worst things in Chick Lit. Seriously, there’s nothing that gets on my nerves more than the main character giving her slimy ex another chance because he says he’s changed. I personally think it’s quite lazy, and I find myself increasingly saying it as most authors do it consistently. (I feel a horrible sense of deja vu typing this, I’m fairly sure I’ve whinged about it already somewhere in a review.) It’s my biggest Chick Lit bug bear, and it did knock the shine off what was, up until then, a magnificent read. Julia Williams is a stunning writer, all of her stories manage to suck me in and keep hold of me until I reach the end and The Summer Season was no different. I absolutely loved it, apart from that one thing, and it’s definitely a book to curl up with. I really, really liked it.
July 9, 2011
I have just finished Summer Season by Julia Williams. I have previously only read one of her books which was Last Christmas which I thoroughly enjoyed. Having seen this on the shelves in my local WHSmith store I decided I needed another Summer read to try and bring this great British weather to an end!
Plot
As summertime flourishes, it’s time for new beginnings…
Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many.
Mum to twin girls, Lauren’s life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she’s determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it’s a lot harder than she imagined …
Then erstwhile guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from?
As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts?
Kick off your sandals, enjoy a glass of rose and escape into a gorgeous novel this summer with Julia Williams.
My Opinion.
In my opinion what really makes Julia Williams books so enjoyable to read is her characters. The storyline of this novel is a joy to read but for me it is the characters that shine out for me in this book. Each of the characters in this book are so gentle in their own ways. They all have their own problems in life which are gradually brought to us throughout this book but at a gentle pace rather than bombarding us with all of the details in one go this keeps us reading as we are keen to know what each of their stories are. This is the first book I have read in a long time that doesn’t just have one but three main characters and this was a refreshing change for me. My favourite character had to be Joel his story really touched me.
The one thing I was a little nervous about reading this book was the whole garden and flowers topic. I have to hold my hands up and say my knowledge of flowers is very little I received a bunch of “pink” flowers 3 years ago from my partner and that is as much as I can give! I did worry that there were going to be parts of the book which would go into too much detail on the topic and that I would be skimming over but I am pleased to say this is not the case. We were given enough information without it being too overwhelming but enough to set the scene for the novel. The part where a different type of flower was planted for each child I found very moving.
The start of the book begins in the 1890’s with Joel’s great great grand parents. The book then continues swapping from the 1890’s to the present time. Julia dies this so well I have just finished a book which has a similar structure to this book but it didn’t quite work for me so you can imagine my thoughts as I started to read this book and realised it was a similar style. I am so glad that I actually enjoyed both the past and the present storyline to this book and I don’t think I could actually pick which I preferred I think both the past and present storyline in this book compliment this book beautifully.
What I really feel I have to mention is the additional parts to this book which in my opinion were perfect little touches just like the bow being placed on that beautifully wrapped present and that is the family tree, the map of the village and the design of the Knot garden. It just felt as though every detail of this book has had so much time and though put into it that there is just nothing missing from it.
I would defiantly recommend this book. It is an easy, gentle read which has an ending which is ended nicely not leaving you guessing what happens next and the book flows at a nice pace not having an low points to the book.
Book review also on my book blog *** http://reabookreview.blogspot.com ***
Plot
As summertime flourishes, it’s time for new beginnings…
Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many.
Mum to twin girls, Lauren’s life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she’s determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it’s a lot harder than she imagined …
Then erstwhile guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from?
As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts?
Kick off your sandals, enjoy a glass of rose and escape into a gorgeous novel this summer with Julia Williams.
My Opinion.
In my opinion what really makes Julia Williams books so enjoyable to read is her characters. The storyline of this novel is a joy to read but for me it is the characters that shine out for me in this book. Each of the characters in this book are so gentle in their own ways. They all have their own problems in life which are gradually brought to us throughout this book but at a gentle pace rather than bombarding us with all of the details in one go this keeps us reading as we are keen to know what each of their stories are. This is the first book I have read in a long time that doesn’t just have one but three main characters and this was a refreshing change for me. My favourite character had to be Joel his story really touched me.
The one thing I was a little nervous about reading this book was the whole garden and flowers topic. I have to hold my hands up and say my knowledge of flowers is very little I received a bunch of “pink” flowers 3 years ago from my partner and that is as much as I can give! I did worry that there were going to be parts of the book which would go into too much detail on the topic and that I would be skimming over but I am pleased to say this is not the case. We were given enough information without it being too overwhelming but enough to set the scene for the novel. The part where a different type of flower was planted for each child I found very moving.
The start of the book begins in the 1890’s with Joel’s great great grand parents. The book then continues swapping from the 1890’s to the present time. Julia dies this so well I have just finished a book which has a similar structure to this book but it didn’t quite work for me so you can imagine my thoughts as I started to read this book and realised it was a similar style. I am so glad that I actually enjoyed both the past and the present storyline to this book and I don’t think I could actually pick which I preferred I think both the past and present storyline in this book compliment this book beautifully.
What I really feel I have to mention is the additional parts to this book which in my opinion were perfect little touches just like the bow being placed on that beautifully wrapped present and that is the family tree, the map of the village and the design of the Knot garden. It just felt as though every detail of this book has had so much time and though put into it that there is just nothing missing from it.
I would defiantly recommend this book. It is an easy, gentle read which has an ending which is ended nicely not leaving you guessing what happens next and the book flows at a nice pace not having an low points to the book.
Book review also on my book blog *** http://reabookreview.blogspot.com ***
June 26, 2011
As soon as I saw the ‘Family Tree’ at the beginning of the book I knew there had to be family history involved and I wasn’t disappointed! In fact the story begins with Joel’s great, great grandparents Edward and Lily in 1890. Heartsease House is the family home and Edward had created the knot garden and was quite well-known for his botany and his contributions to the village community.
In the present day, Joel’s mother had inherited Heartsease House from her great Uncle Jack but due to her illness it was impractical for her to live there so Joel and his wife had brought the cottage and moved from London to the Sussex Downs.
Joel knows very little about his family history but as he and Kezzie work their way through a discovered trunk and Edward’s diary, a few secrets come to light.
Besides the journey through the present day grief-stricken hearts, Edward and Lily’s story is also woven through at key points. Their love story is very poignant.
I liked the way Julia Williams introduces us to her characters by giving us brief details at first …………. where they’re at in their lives but not why. We are left to infer what may have happened to bring them all to Heartsease. We get to know a little bit more about their circumstances as the story unfolds until it all comes together for Joel, Lauren and Kezzie.
The thing I did find annoying (which is only in the first part of the story) is where certain things are repeated and quite close together. For example, Joel’s job is harrowing due to planned cutbacks, which adds to his distressed emotions. A few times the author tells us the same thing using similar words. I thought there could be another way to emphasise how exhausted he was at the end of the day – and similarly for Lauren’s grief for her best friend. This didn’t put me off though as I assumed it was for emphasis in relation to the deep emotions the characters were feeling.
Community spirit is a theme running through which I felt started with the arrival of Kezzie to the village. Kezzie has the motivation not only to renovate the knot garden but also other important areas in the village. For me, the community spirit and reviving it was one of the most enjoyable parts of the story. The tangled emotions and misunderstandings are always a part of this genre so this gave it added interest. Also, looking back in time to Edward and Lily and relating it to the present day made it a much more interesting read.
My favourite character has to be Kezzie as I felt that Joel and Lauren were too wrapped up in their separate grief whereas Kezzie had spirit and motivation despite being heart-broken. I thought Troy’s character was portrayed really well – exuding all that charisma but not engaging with life on a deeper level.
The epilogue had me crying ……………….. I thought it was a great way to end!
I would like to thank Avon Books for sending me a copy to review.
In the present day, Joel’s mother had inherited Heartsease House from her great Uncle Jack but due to her illness it was impractical for her to live there so Joel and his wife had brought the cottage and moved from London to the Sussex Downs.
Joel knows very little about his family history but as he and Kezzie work their way through a discovered trunk and Edward’s diary, a few secrets come to light.
Besides the journey through the present day grief-stricken hearts, Edward and Lily’s story is also woven through at key points. Their love story is very poignant.
I liked the way Julia Williams introduces us to her characters by giving us brief details at first …………. where they’re at in their lives but not why. We are left to infer what may have happened to bring them all to Heartsease. We get to know a little bit more about their circumstances as the story unfolds until it all comes together for Joel, Lauren and Kezzie.
The thing I did find annoying (which is only in the first part of the story) is where certain things are repeated and quite close together. For example, Joel’s job is harrowing due to planned cutbacks, which adds to his distressed emotions. A few times the author tells us the same thing using similar words. I thought there could be another way to emphasise how exhausted he was at the end of the day – and similarly for Lauren’s grief for her best friend. This didn’t put me off though as I assumed it was for emphasis in relation to the deep emotions the characters were feeling.
Community spirit is a theme running through which I felt started with the arrival of Kezzie to the village. Kezzie has the motivation not only to renovate the knot garden but also other important areas in the village. For me, the community spirit and reviving it was one of the most enjoyable parts of the story. The tangled emotions and misunderstandings are always a part of this genre so this gave it added interest. Also, looking back in time to Edward and Lily and relating it to the present day made it a much more interesting read.
My favourite character has to be Kezzie as I felt that Joel and Lauren were too wrapped up in their separate grief whereas Kezzie had spirit and motivation despite being heart-broken. I thought Troy’s character was portrayed really well – exuding all that charisma but not engaging with life on a deeper level.
The epilogue had me crying ……………….. I thought it was a great way to end!
I would like to thank Avon Books for sending me a copy to review.
June 7, 2016
Ein vergessener Garten, vom Leben gebrochene Menschen und ein Familiengeheimnis, welches seit Generationen ungelöst ist. Genau diese Mischung hat mich mehr als positiv überrascht, denn das Buch konnte mich von Anfang an überzeugen und fesseln. Es kommt eher leise daher und hat trotzdem so viel Kraft. Die 3 Hauptpersonen Lauren , Joel und Kezzie könnten unterschiedlicher nicht sein. Allen voran Kezzie, die vor ihrem alten Leben geflüchtet ist und im Cottage ihrer Tante erst einmal abschalten möchte. Dazu dann noch Lauren und Joel, die beiden den Verlust der geliebten Freundin/Frau betrauern und dazu noch ihre ganz eigenen Sorgen haben. Ein herrlich bunte Mischung an Charakteren und Probleme, die alle durch den vergessenen Garten von Joels Familie geeint werden. Bei der gemeinsamen Arbeit, den Garten wieder herzurichten, kommen die 3 der Geschichte von Joels Familie näher – all den tragischen Ereignissen der Vergangenheit – und zudem sich selber.
Bei diesem Roman stimmte irgendwie alles so in Kombination. Die Geschichte von Joels Urahn, der einst den Garten aus Liebe für seine Frau angelegt hat, wird immer mal wieder in Rückblenden erzählt und man wird sich der tragischen Vergangenheit in seinem vollen Ausmaß erst so nach und nach bewusst. Auf der anderen Seite sind die Personen in der jetzigen Zeit alle 3 auf ihre eigene Art sehr real und man leicht und leidet und verzweifelt mit ihnen. Kezzie stach für mich dabei noch ein wenig mehr raus furch ihre Energie und Lebensfreude und ihre Anpack-Mentalität, die einen einfach mitgerissen hat. Aber nicht nur ich als Leser war motiviert, sondern auch das ganze Dorf im Buch ist zu Höchstleistungen aufgelaufen, was mehr als inspirierend war.
Für mich die perfekte Lektüre für den Sommer, welche durch tolle Wendungen in der Geschichte überzeugen konnte, sodass man sich nie sicher sein konnte, ob diese Beziehungskonstellation jetzt so bleibt oder sich doch noch einmal alles dreht. Dazu hat das Buch die Kraft, durch Vergangenheit und Neuzeit zu inspirieren und den Leser nachdenklich, aber auch das Leben anpackend zurückzulassen.
Bei diesem Roman stimmte irgendwie alles so in Kombination. Die Geschichte von Joels Urahn, der einst den Garten aus Liebe für seine Frau angelegt hat, wird immer mal wieder in Rückblenden erzählt und man wird sich der tragischen Vergangenheit in seinem vollen Ausmaß erst so nach und nach bewusst. Auf der anderen Seite sind die Personen in der jetzigen Zeit alle 3 auf ihre eigene Art sehr real und man leicht und leidet und verzweifelt mit ihnen. Kezzie stach für mich dabei noch ein wenig mehr raus furch ihre Energie und Lebensfreude und ihre Anpack-Mentalität, die einen einfach mitgerissen hat. Aber nicht nur ich als Leser war motiviert, sondern auch das ganze Dorf im Buch ist zu Höchstleistungen aufgelaufen, was mehr als inspirierend war.
Für mich die perfekte Lektüre für den Sommer, welche durch tolle Wendungen in der Geschichte überzeugen konnte, sodass man sich nie sicher sein konnte, ob diese Beziehungskonstellation jetzt so bleibt oder sich doch noch einmal alles dreht. Dazu hat das Buch die Kraft, durch Vergangenheit und Neuzeit zu inspirieren und den Leser nachdenklich, aber auch das Leben anpackend zurückzulassen.
May 19, 2016
Julia Williams - Der vergessene Garten - mtb
Heartsease, Sussex,1880/2011
Der junge Botanikstudent Edward Hardford aus London besucht seine Mutter in Sussex.
Das herrliche Cottage ist Schauplatz vieler Überraschungsbesuche, die Veranda ist schon von einer kleinen Teegesellschaft besetzt. Anfangs, etwas ärgerlich, dass er seine Mutter teilen muss, freut er sich über die hübsche Lily, die ungeachtet ihres weißen Musselinkleides auf der Wiese zwischen den Blumen sitzt. Ein Bild zum Festhalten und nichts anderes, will Edward fortan mit Lily tun, sie nie wieder loslassen.
Edward legt für Lily, als Hochzeitsgeschenk, einen elisabethanischen Knotengarten an.
2011
Der Ururenkel der Hardfords, Joel Lyle, wird mit 35 Jahren zum Witwer. Sein nur 17 Monate alter Sohn Sam, ist wie ein Spiegel der Erinnerung, zu seiner großen Liebe Claire. Auch, wenn auf dem Grabstein ihr Name steht, begreifen kann er es nicht.
London
Die 30jährige Landschaftsgärtnerin Kezzie Andrews sitzt auf gepackten Kartons, vor den Scherben ihrer Beziehung. Tante Jo aus Sussex,, präsentiert Kezzie, ihr kleines Cottage als Schlupfloch, denn in London hält sie nichts mehr. Bei einem Rundgang durch das malerische Heartsease, klettert sie auf eine alte Eiche und entdeckt einen vergessenen Garten. Er muss einmal wunderschön gewesen sein, es juckt die Alternativ-Gärtnerin in den Fingern, heute nacht noch, macht sie Brombeerranken und Unkraut den Garaus.
Leider wusste sie nicht, dass in dem alten Cottage noch jemand wohnt, Joel erwischt Kezzie und droht ihr mit der Polizei..
Eine wunderbare und berührende Liebesgeschichte, erfrischend, wie ein Sommerregen.
Liebevoll gezeichnete Charaktere, nostalgisch charmant.
Kurzweilige Lesestunden und gute Unterhaltung. Emphehlenswert!
Besonders erwähnenswert:
Ein Stammbaum der Hardfords, eine kleine Karte von Heartsease und ein architektonisches Muster des elisabethanischen Knotengartens, nebst Bedeutung der darin gepflanzten Blumen.
Heartsease, Sussex,1880/2011
Der junge Botanikstudent Edward Hardford aus London besucht seine Mutter in Sussex.
Das herrliche Cottage ist Schauplatz vieler Überraschungsbesuche, die Veranda ist schon von einer kleinen Teegesellschaft besetzt. Anfangs, etwas ärgerlich, dass er seine Mutter teilen muss, freut er sich über die hübsche Lily, die ungeachtet ihres weißen Musselinkleides auf der Wiese zwischen den Blumen sitzt. Ein Bild zum Festhalten und nichts anderes, will Edward fortan mit Lily tun, sie nie wieder loslassen.
Edward legt für Lily, als Hochzeitsgeschenk, einen elisabethanischen Knotengarten an.
2011
Der Ururenkel der Hardfords, Joel Lyle, wird mit 35 Jahren zum Witwer. Sein nur 17 Monate alter Sohn Sam, ist wie ein Spiegel der Erinnerung, zu seiner großen Liebe Claire. Auch, wenn auf dem Grabstein ihr Name steht, begreifen kann er es nicht.
London
Die 30jährige Landschaftsgärtnerin Kezzie Andrews sitzt auf gepackten Kartons, vor den Scherben ihrer Beziehung. Tante Jo aus Sussex,, präsentiert Kezzie, ihr kleines Cottage als Schlupfloch, denn in London hält sie nichts mehr. Bei einem Rundgang durch das malerische Heartsease, klettert sie auf eine alte Eiche und entdeckt einen vergessenen Garten. Er muss einmal wunderschön gewesen sein, es juckt die Alternativ-Gärtnerin in den Fingern, heute nacht noch, macht sie Brombeerranken und Unkraut den Garaus.
Leider wusste sie nicht, dass in dem alten Cottage noch jemand wohnt, Joel erwischt Kezzie und droht ihr mit der Polizei..
Eine wunderbare und berührende Liebesgeschichte, erfrischend, wie ein Sommerregen.
Liebevoll gezeichnete Charaktere, nostalgisch charmant.
Kurzweilige Lesestunden und gute Unterhaltung. Emphehlenswert!
Besonders erwähnenswert:
Ein Stammbaum der Hardfords, eine kleine Karte von Heartsease und ein architektonisches Muster des elisabethanischen Knotengartens, nebst Bedeutung der darin gepflanzten Blumen.
December 29, 2016
This is the first Julia Williams books I have that is not Christmas themed !!!!
In this summer read we head over to Heartsea, where Kezzie has run away to mend her broken heart well try at least as she is finding it hard to let go of the man that holds her heart.
We also meet Joel a widower and father to a little boy called Sam. Joel has a heavy burden that he is carry around the death of his late wife and has not moved on from her living in Heartsea house that needs renovating everywhere include the gardens that surrounds the house which catches the eye of Kezzie and sparks a new relationship between them.
Joel just about gets thought the day from doing up the house looking after Sam and holding down a job , which he would not be able to do all this with out the help of His good friend Lauren.
Lauren is a single mother of twins girls which is a task on its own but also she has Sam when Joel needs her she just about has enough hrs in a day but she loves it until her ex Tony walks in her life wanting to be part of the girls life , will she be able to in him back into her life and is he trustworthy to be in the girls life ?
Through the renovation of the house gardens and the village playground for the children to actually play in Kezzie , Joel and Lauren become the best of friends throughout the book but will a secret break the pack. Will Kezzie mend that broken heart of hers, will Joel let go of the past and move on and will Lauren really let Tony in or admit who she really loves...
Well you will have to grab a copy and find out for yourself.
Read
June 8, 2011As summertime flourishes, it’s time for new beginnings…
Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many.
Mum to twin girls, Lauren’s life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she’s determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it’s a lot harder than she imagined …
Then erstwhile guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from?
As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts?
Kick off your sandals, enjoy a glass of rose and escape into a gorgeous novel this summer with Julia Williams.
Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many.
Mum to twin girls, Lauren’s life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she’s determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it’s a lot harder than she imagined …
Then erstwhile guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from?
As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts?
Kick off your sandals, enjoy a glass of rose and escape into a gorgeous novel this summer with Julia Williams.
October 25, 2019
Im not a lover of historical books so the beginning of this book made me think i'd chose the wrong book to read.
How wrong can a girl be and it just proves that you should carry on reading as little treasures will pop up.
i found myself looking forward to reading about Edward & Lily and what happened in the earlier days.
This book is wonderful for any gardeners as well as people tracing their family tree ( as i do).I adore the village life feel to the book too aswell as the other characters in the book. A definate worthy read.
How wrong can a girl be and it just proves that you should carry on reading as little treasures will pop up.
i found myself looking forward to reading about Edward & Lily and what happened in the earlier days.
This book is wonderful for any gardeners as well as people tracing their family tree ( as i do).I adore the village life feel to the book too aswell as the other characters in the book. A definate worthy read.
October 22, 2016
Een boek met terublikken naar het verleden het is mijn ding niet.
moest ik dat dus op voorhand geweten hebben, dan zou ik het boek nooit gekocht/ gelezen hebben.
en helaas ook nu weer dezelfde ervaring. Die terugblikken halen voor mij de vaart uit het verhaal. En toch was het in dit boek niet eens slecht. het verleden was best leuk om te lezen en het paste mooi in, in het huidige verhaal. Het probleem lag hem bij mij is het huisige verhaal. Traag, trager, traagst en heel er nietszeggend.
sorry echt niet mijn ding
moest ik dat dus op voorhand geweten hebben, dan zou ik het boek nooit gekocht/ gelezen hebben.
en helaas ook nu weer dezelfde ervaring. Die terugblikken halen voor mij de vaart uit het verhaal. En toch was het in dit boek niet eens slecht. het verleden was best leuk om te lezen en het paste mooi in, in het huidige verhaal. Het probleem lag hem bij mij is het huisige verhaal. Traag, trager, traagst en heel er nietszeggend.
sorry echt niet mijn ding
November 8, 2011
I usually love Julia Williams' books but must admit to being slightly disappointed by this one. It was as well written as ever, the sort of superior chick lit we expect from her, but I thought the historical passages seemed a little "bolted on" and some of the characters didn't engage me as much as those in her previous novels. Ultimately forgettable and highly predictable, she's still far better at this kind of book than so many of her competitors... just think I expected more.
July 6, 2013
This book is a brilliant read. The way it has historical parts to it as well as modern parts is really good although I wasn't expecting it. The characters were all different and individual and I love the way they each have different backgrounds. I love the little map of the village although it is pretty predictable throughout the whole book. But, everyone loves a good love story right? I wanted to give it a four, but I just couldn't, it's not as good as some other books i've given a four.
September 21, 2011
Lovely story of a family that spans over 5 generations. One generation building a garden and the 5th reconstructing the garden after years of neglect. The story touches on drugs, single parents, vandalism and bored youths, but brings village life alive with the support net work that grows over a year.
Loved the story & the history.
Loved the story & the history.
June 25, 2012
Overall, despite it sometimes being repetitive and boring, I did quite enjoy this book. I was looking for a light and cheery story, and nothing too intense, and this book was exactly what I was looking for!
I like the easy-to-follow - and quite predictable - plot, and the characters are fun and their stories easy to understand. I would recommend for a nice summer read, just don't expect too much.
I like the easy-to-follow - and quite predictable - plot, and the characters are fun and their stories easy to understand. I would recommend for a nice summer read, just don't expect too much.
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