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A Bittersweet Garden
Nora McNeill has always dreamed of exploring her Irish roots. When she finally gets the opportunity to spend a summer in the village where her grandparents grew up, the experience promises to live up to her very high expectations. Except for the ghost that is haunting her rented cottage and is soon invading her dreams.
Briana Devlin has arranged her life the way she likes it: a good dog, good mates, and work with horses. There’s no room in her life for a relationship. Especially with an annoyingly clumsy - and attractive - American who is only going to be around for a few months.
The weeks fly by, and Nora’s ghost becomes more demanding, seeking her help in solving the mystery surrounding her death. Briana watches as Nora becomes more wrapped up in the past, seeming to fade away before her eyes.
Past and present are on a collision course, leaving Nora and Briana caught in a ghostly intrigue that could cost them not only their chance of a future together, but their very lives.
Briana Devlin has arranged her life the way she likes it: a good dog, good mates, and work with horses. There’s no room in her life for a relationship. Especially with an annoyingly clumsy - and attractive - American who is only going to be around for a few months.
The weeks fly by, and Nora’s ghost becomes more demanding, seeking her help in solving the mystery surrounding her death. Briana watches as Nora becomes more wrapped up in the past, seeming to fade away before her eyes.
Past and present are on a collision course, leaving Nora and Briana caught in a ghostly intrigue that could cost them not only their chance of a future together, but their very lives.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 1, 2019
45 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Caren J. Werlinger
22 books296 followersFrom the author's website: Bestselling author Caren Werlinger published her first award-winning novel, Looking Through Windows, in 2008. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels, winning several more awards. Influenced by a diverse array of authors, including Rumer Godden, J.R.R. Tolkein, Ursula LeGuin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Willa Cather and the Brontë sisters, Caren writes literary fiction that features the struggles and joys of characters readers can identify with. Her stories cover a wide range of genres: historical fiction, contemporary drama, and fantasy, including the award-winning Dragonmage Saga, a fantasy trilogy set in ancient Ireland. Most recently, she created the magical setting of Little Sister Island (a place she and her readers wish were real) in When the Stars Sang and Face the Wind.
She lives in Virginia with her wife and their canine fur-children.
She lives in Virginia with her wife and their canine fur-children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 13, 2019
4.25 Stars. This was another good book by Werlinger. It seems like every time I read a new Werlinger book, I have lower expectations than I should. She is a damn good writer and I don’t know why I keep forgetting that. I need to read more of her back catalog. She is too good of a writer to only remember her when a new book comes out. Anyway, this was a good, sweet lesfic romance with a paranormal twist.
The story is about Nora, who is spending a long summer vacation in Ireland. She is renting a cottage in a small town that her relatives are from. Nora quickly falls in love with Ireland and its people. She also can’t help but have an attraction to a horse trainer Briana that works for her cousins. While exploring Ireland and a friendship with Briana, Nora realizes there is more to her rental cottage than meets the eye. The cottage it haunted and it seems like the ghost might have a message for her.
I really enjoyed this read. I was hooked after the first few pages and only put the book down because it was late am and sleep could no longer wait. This book actually reminded me a little of When the Stars Sang, which I also really enjoyed. Of course it is quite different because of the paranormal twist, but I think fans of that book will enjoy this one too.
The romance is very sweet. If I remember correctly the sex scenes are all fade to black. That is not my first choice, but the mains had a strong enough connection that I didn’t miss reading that extra intimacy.
Besides the mains, the secondary characters really added to the story. Werlinger is good at making you feel, as a reader, that you really are in a small Irish town. There was also a little mystery and suspense with the paranormal angle so this book had plenty to keep me entertained.
If you are a Werlinger fan or a paranormal-romance fan, I recommend this. I actually don’t think you have to be a big paranormal fan to still enjoy this. The book is so well written that the paranormal part doesn’t seem so unbelievable after all.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
The story is about Nora, who is spending a long summer vacation in Ireland. She is renting a cottage in a small town that her relatives are from. Nora quickly falls in love with Ireland and its people. She also can’t help but have an attraction to a horse trainer Briana that works for her cousins. While exploring Ireland and a friendship with Briana, Nora realizes there is more to her rental cottage than meets the eye. The cottage it haunted and it seems like the ghost might have a message for her.
I really enjoyed this read. I was hooked after the first few pages and only put the book down because it was late am and sleep could no longer wait. This book actually reminded me a little of When the Stars Sang, which I also really enjoyed. Of course it is quite different because of the paranormal twist, but I think fans of that book will enjoy this one too.
The romance is very sweet. If I remember correctly the sex scenes are all fade to black. That is not my first choice, but the mains had a strong enough connection that I didn’t miss reading that extra intimacy.
Besides the mains, the secondary characters really added to the story. Werlinger is good at making you feel, as a reader, that you really are in a small Irish town. There was also a little mystery and suspense with the paranormal angle so this book had plenty to keep me entertained.
If you are a Werlinger fan or a paranormal-romance fan, I recommend this. I actually don’t think you have to be a big paranormal fan to still enjoy this. The book is so well written that the paranormal part doesn’t seem so unbelievable after all.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
March 5, 2019
First off, Ms.Werlinger is a feel good author who writes stories that does not focus solely on romance. Family, friendship, the setting - Ireland ❤, local food, the four legged animals and yes, romance - all these elements are cleverly and beautifully weave in together and the outcome is nothing but perfection.
After a very stressful week + weekend, and the Monday blues just waiting to add in more miseries, A Bittersweet Garden is the best pick-me-up. I read this, playing Schindler's List theme song inside my head but after a few pages, Katrina & The Waves take over with Walking on Sunshine.
Nora the librarian and Brianna the horse trainer /lover/ groomer /ex jockey. Their love story develops at a slow pace (fans of F1 Grand Prix, please take note) but their attraction is visible from the start. After a few more meetings - every glance/look/touch are just simmering with something that Ms.Werlinger's Science teacher would be proud of. They have their work cut out for them as for what they want /expect from this relationship especially when
1.None of them experience this level of feelings before
2. Nora is there only for the summer.
For Nora, is it worth to move across the pond, leave everything that she's familiar with, her family, librarian job, to start a new chapter in Ireland - surrounded by beauty, amazing people, a Jill of all trades career and a someone who does crazy things to her mind, heart and other body parts. For Brianna, who has never been in a serious relationship, is it worthy to lay it all out only to have her heart broken when Nora leaves.
The link between all the characters are superbly done, I wish that Ms.Werlinger would consider writing a story on Sheila and Quinn - I would love to read about their past, present and future.
There's another element in this story that has me reaching out for the light switch + curse my imagination several times and fantastically written too.
No one writes quite like Ms.Werlinger, her story telling is quite flawless and her words are poetic and gorgeous. A Bittersweet Garden is another book that is so much more than romance. Highly recommended and maybe save it for the 'break glass in case of emergency' days.
After a very stressful week + weekend, and the Monday blues just waiting to add in more miseries, A Bittersweet Garden is the best pick-me-up. I read this, playing Schindler's List theme song inside my head but after a few pages, Katrina & The Waves take over with Walking on Sunshine.
Nora the librarian and Brianna the horse trainer /lover/ groomer /ex jockey. Their love story develops at a slow pace (fans of F1 Grand Prix, please take note) but their attraction is visible from the start. After a few more meetings - every glance/look/touch are just simmering with something that Ms.Werlinger's Science teacher would be proud of. They have their work cut out for them as for what they want /expect from this relationship especially when
1.None of them experience this level of feelings before
2. Nora is there only for the summer.
For Nora, is it worth to move across the pond, leave everything that she's familiar with, her family, librarian job, to start a new chapter in Ireland - surrounded by beauty, amazing people, a Jill of all trades career and a someone who does crazy things to her mind, heart and other body parts. For Brianna, who has never been in a serious relationship, is it worthy to lay it all out only to have her heart broken when Nora leaves.
The link between all the characters are superbly done, I wish that Ms.Werlinger would consider writing a story on Sheila and Quinn - I would love to read about their past, present and future.
There's another element in this story that has me reaching out for the light switch + curse my imagination several times and fantastically written too.
No one writes quite like Ms.Werlinger, her story telling is quite flawless and her words are poetic and gorgeous. A Bittersweet Garden is another book that is so much more than romance. Highly recommended and maybe save it for the 'break glass in case of emergency' days.
March 12, 2019
Wow. I never thought I'd one day find a true, unadulterated paranormal ghost story, NOT horror-focussed like my all-time paranormal/horror, "The Haunting of Hill House," but a pure, spirit-filled, ethereal, metaphysical-induced, classic, gothic ghost story that carries a consequential historical background that ties to the present time, in lesbian fiction!
Caren J. Werlinger's latest, "A Bittersweet Garden," was everything I was looking for in a good old-fashioned classic ghost story, with a hint of romance (an icing on the cake for me, really, because of how strong the main story was written and told!) to "sweeten" the deal, so to speak! The entire feel of the story - the visually stunning descriptions of the surroundings, the architecture, landscapes, animals and nature in a country that I've always felt a strange affinity to all my life (Ireland), its characters and most of all, the back story, the history of the ghost story which was so richly chronicled via a series of flashbacks that were effectively positioned throughout the present story - was so utterly mesmerising that I was completely spellbound from the first page onward until the very end! I couldn't believe just how superbly well-researched, developed and well-executed Werlinger's story was about Nora and her life-altering, life-changing journey of self-discovery and truth. Bloody well done, Ms. Werlinger!
The story began with Nora on a plane....
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
Caren J. Werlinger's latest, "A Bittersweet Garden," was everything I was looking for in a good old-fashioned classic ghost story, with a hint of romance (an icing on the cake for me, really, because of how strong the main story was written and told!) to "sweeten" the deal, so to speak! The entire feel of the story - the visually stunning descriptions of the surroundings, the architecture, landscapes, animals and nature in a country that I've always felt a strange affinity to all my life (Ireland), its characters and most of all, the back story, the history of the ghost story which was so richly chronicled via a series of flashbacks that were effectively positioned throughout the present story - was so utterly mesmerising that I was completely spellbound from the first page onward until the very end! I couldn't believe just how superbly well-researched, developed and well-executed Werlinger's story was about Nora and her life-altering, life-changing journey of self-discovery and truth. Bloody well done, Ms. Werlinger!
The story began with Nora on a plane....
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
March 16, 2019
Caren J. Werlinger takes us on a journey to the magical Emerald Isle. It’s a full sensory experience as the author vividly describes landscape, weather, nature and animals and it makes Ireland an extra and enchanting character in the book.
The romance is one of the slow burn variety. Like in When the Stars Sang there is an ex girlfriend (usually operating in the back ground) who is mentally abusive and/or controlling in such a way the protagonist has to break free from it. Nora feels she can breathe for the first time when she arrives in Cong, the home of her ancestors. She comes alive in Ireland to then almost die there (wait… what?! Made you curious didn’t I?) ;-)
Briana is the wee ginger horse whisperer that Nora feels a growing attraction to. Now don’t expect a big sweeping romance with loins put aflame, Werlinger don’t play that. Hers are of the more subdued kind but still nicely bobbing along through the story. Don’t expect buckets of angst.
A Bittersweet Garden has a big supernatural component. There are flashbacks to tie a 200-year old family tragedy to the rented (haunted) cottage where Nora is staying. There is a mysterious old woman living in the woods who has an ambiguous role up until the end. Is she good or is she bad news for Nora? Nora has some serious inner demons to slay before we get an answer to that.
There is a lively cast of horses and dogs and an extensive family of the American-Irish and Irish-Irish kind to familiarize yourself with. As per the usual with Caren Werlinger’s work, I highly recommend.
f/f fade to black
Themes: Ireland, unloved, ancestors, family, what’s with all the bread? They can’t visit without bringing a bread along, beware of gluten ;-) , horses, a witch in the woods, nightmares, genealogy, you gotta love all these impossible to pronounce Irish names.
5 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Corgyn Publishing LLC for an honest review.
The romance is one of the slow burn variety. Like in When the Stars Sang there is an ex girlfriend (usually operating in the back ground) who is mentally abusive and/or controlling in such a way the protagonist has to break free from it. Nora feels she can breathe for the first time when she arrives in Cong, the home of her ancestors. She comes alive in Ireland to then almost die there (wait… what?! Made you curious didn’t I?) ;-)
Briana is the wee ginger horse whisperer that Nora feels a growing attraction to. Now don’t expect a big sweeping romance with loins put aflame, Werlinger don’t play that. Hers are of the more subdued kind but still nicely bobbing along through the story. Don’t expect buckets of angst.
A Bittersweet Garden has a big supernatural component. There are flashbacks to tie a 200-year old family tragedy to the rented (haunted) cottage where Nora is staying. There is a mysterious old woman living in the woods who has an ambiguous role up until the end. Is she good or is she bad news for Nora? Nora has some serious inner demons to slay before we get an answer to that.
There is a lively cast of horses and dogs and an extensive family of the American-Irish and Irish-Irish kind to familiarize yourself with. As per the usual with Caren Werlinger’s work, I highly recommend.
f/f fade to black
Themes: Ireland, unloved, ancestors, family, what’s with all the bread? They can’t visit without bringing a bread along, beware of gluten ;-) , horses, a witch in the woods, nightmares, genealogy, you gotta love all these impossible to pronounce Irish names.
5 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Corgyn Publishing LLC for an honest review.
July 28, 2019
Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in getting myself to start a book by them. Eh, no idea what that’s about.
This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed). Also a real life location – Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals – including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine’).
The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another – one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost.
Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that.
Both elements are handled well – the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV – those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times.
Right, so, great book.
Rating: 4.78
March 30 2019
This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed). Also a real life location – Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals – including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine’).
The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another – one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost.
Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that.
Both elements are handled well – the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV – those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times.
Right, so, great book.
Rating: 4.78
March 30 2019
May 5, 2019
Nora Mary Brigid McNeill’s dream of visiting The Emerald Isle and specifically the small village of Cong, Ireland has finally come true. Nora’s grandparents were born in Cong and played extras in the 1952 filming of The Quiet Man with John Wayne and (my personal favourite actress ) Maureen O’Hara.
Nora has three months to explore and meet her relatives before she returns to her librarian duties back in Virginia. She will be staying at a small cottage which only has one drawback. It is haunted with a ghost which invades Nora’s dreams asking for help.
Briana Devlin works at a ranch dealing with horses. She has a gentle way with animals teaching them to trust humans and to eventually work as trail horses. Briana never planned on falling for an American on holiday nor competing with a ghost for Nora’s affection.
As Nora falls deeper under the spell of her ghost Briana tries to help her stay grounded in this world while reluctantly helping to solve the mystery of what the ghost wants with Nora.
Caren J. Werlinger is a new author to me however on the basis of The Bittersweet Garden I will be delving into her backlist of novels as quickly as I am able. It may only be coincidence that this novel is set in Ireland however the writing reminds me of many famous Irish writers with their attention to fine detail of village life and the comfortable pacing which draws you into each of the characters lives. This style of novel is my Achilles heel.
Caren J. Werlinger I am under your spell.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nora has three months to explore and meet her relatives before she returns to her librarian duties back in Virginia. She will be staying at a small cottage which only has one drawback. It is haunted with a ghost which invades Nora’s dreams asking for help.
Briana Devlin works at a ranch dealing with horses. She has a gentle way with animals teaching them to trust humans and to eventually work as trail horses. Briana never planned on falling for an American on holiday nor competing with a ghost for Nora’s affection.
As Nora falls deeper under the spell of her ghost Briana tries to help her stay grounded in this world while reluctantly helping to solve the mystery of what the ghost wants with Nora.
Caren J. Werlinger is a new author to me however on the basis of The Bittersweet Garden I will be delving into her backlist of novels as quickly as I am able. It may only be coincidence that this novel is set in Ireland however the writing reminds me of many famous Irish writers with their attention to fine detail of village life and the comfortable pacing which draws you into each of the characters lives. This style of novel is my Achilles heel.
Caren J. Werlinger I am under your spell.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 12, 2019
Oh My, Oh My, Oh My!!!!
I So thoroughly enjoyed this lovely drama SO gosh darn much!!! It was warm and fuzzy, spooky and shivery, there are connections with distant family and finding new friends (one more yummy than others) dogs and horses and oh yes, let’s not forget the ghostly goings on for, if ever a place for a ghost story surely the Emerald Isle would be just the place for it!
Nora travels to Ireland to spend the summer in her grandparent’s homeland, the very place where the legendary movie The Quiet Man was filmed. It doesn’t take anytime at all for the quiet librarian to meet local horse trainer Briana. While its not love at first sight it is friendship at second. All seems lost when the ghost or is that ghosts, or was it a witch… (That’s up to you to find out) takes possession of sweet Nora and that is all I will say on that matter! Trust me when I say that the incomparable Ms. Werlinger, who always writes a wonderful story, has given up a tale most endearing and enchanting. I know I loved the book and I’ll bet you will too!!!
I So thoroughly enjoyed this lovely drama SO gosh darn much!!! It was warm and fuzzy, spooky and shivery, there are connections with distant family and finding new friends (one more yummy than others) dogs and horses and oh yes, let’s not forget the ghostly goings on for, if ever a place for a ghost story surely the Emerald Isle would be just the place for it!
Nora travels to Ireland to spend the summer in her grandparent’s homeland, the very place where the legendary movie The Quiet Man was filmed. It doesn’t take anytime at all for the quiet librarian to meet local horse trainer Briana. While its not love at first sight it is friendship at second. All seems lost when the ghost or is that ghosts, or was it a witch… (That’s up to you to find out) takes possession of sweet Nora and that is all I will say on that matter! Trust me when I say that the incomparable Ms. Werlinger, who always writes a wonderful story, has given up a tale most endearing and enchanting. I know I loved the book and I’ll bet you will too!!!
October 27, 2022
I’m feeling more generous than usual so, 3.5 rounded up instead of down this time.
This was fun. I picked it up for an October read and because I’ve listened to this narrator before and really enjoyed her performance. (Also it was on sale and I got the audiobook too for a lil more, which is always a delight). I liked all of the characters, and the side mystery of the ghost hauntings/mystery was interesting and kept my interest. The romance was… fine. Good, even, but for me, there was something missing to give it that extra oomph. (Maybe it’s the fade to black sex scenes? I’m not totally sure, I could’ve put my finger on it, but I did enjoy their dynamic overall). I loved Nora and Shelia’s relationship though! All the family stuff was great.
I do we we had gotten a bit more of Eve and learned a bit of what happened/was going on there, but overall this was a fun read that I’d rec, and I would def check out more from this author (and def this narrator!)
This was fun. I picked it up for an October read and because I’ve listened to this narrator before and really enjoyed her performance. (Also it was on sale and I got the audiobook too for a lil more, which is always a delight). I liked all of the characters, and the side mystery of the ghost hauntings/mystery was interesting and kept my interest. The romance was… fine. Good, even, but for me, there was something missing to give it that extra oomph. (Maybe it’s the fade to black sex scenes? I’m not totally sure, I could’ve put my finger on it, but I did enjoy their dynamic overall). I loved Nora and Shelia’s relationship though! All the family stuff was great.
I do we we had gotten a bit more of Eve and learned a bit of what happened/was going on there, but overall this was a fun read that I’d rec, and I would def check out more from this author (and def this narrator!)
February 11, 2019
When Nora McNeill decides to spend the summer in her grandparents’ hometown of Cong, Ireland, she sees it both as a wonderful long-planned adventure, and as an escape—from her routine life as a university librarian and from her controlling ex-girlfriend. But maybe there’s an even deeper reason why she has always felt so drawn to Ireland…
The old cottage Nora rents provides a little more history than she bargained for. She finds herself caught up in a mystery connected to the area’s history. Nora is pulled away from the present by ghostly visitors and she nearly loses herself in the past. This is despite the fact that Nora’s present is much more alive for her than ever now that she’s met Briana Devlin, a local woman who has become a new friend—and possibly more than that.
A Bittersweet Garden brings its richly developed Irish setting to life—from the village of Cong, to the local forests and countryside, the majestic Ashford Castle and Lough Corrib, as well as other parts of the surrounding area. It incorporates different elements of daily life at the riding stable and garden centre owned by Nora’s relatives, visits to the local pub, and the narrow town roads crowded with tourists during the summer days. Local characters add to the ambience, including an enigmatic old woman who lives deep in the forest.
What differentiates this book, and Caren J. Werlinger’s other novels, is that it combines a lesbian romance with a complex dramatic storyline. In this case, it’s a historical storyline tied to the present day with a mysterious ghostly element. Well-researched historical scenes from the 1840s famine era, written in the present tense, are interspersed with the storyline throughout the novel. These scenes are a constant reminder of the dark past of the area—the poverty and starvation of the time, but also of the daily lives of the people of the era, those who had to live with death all around them. The contrast between poverty of the Irish and the plenty of the English landholders, and the injustice of the human causes behind the famine are apparent in these historical scenes. There’s something about Nora’s presence in Cong that brings these two timelines together, and creates an intricately crafted puzzle for readers. Caren J. Werlinger is deft at weaving a gripping plot that keeps you in suspense through all sorts of unexpected twists and turns.
With the historic surroundings, from the cottage to the old graves in the local churchyard, and the ancient, gnarled trees, it’s not difficult to see how easily Nora can slip between present and past. It’s her personality and desire to help others that makes it so understandable that Nora could somehow get so caught in the past that it’s hard to return her thoughts to the present.
Indeed, the paranormal element is developed in a very believable way—ghosts and other things that may not seem real in a normal context do not feel out of place in the Irish setting of A Bittersweet Garden. These range from beautiful but haunting scents filling the air to unexpected events in the cottage.
The novel has a strong sense of place, and it shows us that the past is a layer behind the present. Or with regard to the paranormal element of the story, sometimes the past and people from it exist on a layer that remains even closer to the surface of the present. While people lived differently and were confronted with much harsher realities than most of us in the developed world now face, their relationships and emotions were no different from our own. The sadness of Ireland’s past struggles and the resulting mass emigration are ever-present in the context of the novel.
While both main characters, Nora and Briana, go through changes in their lives and the way they see themselves and their relationships with others throughout the course of the novel, their journeys are, in a broad sense, hopeful and positive. A Bittersweet Garden shows us that most difficulties can be overcome—it might be a matter of changing our perception of ourselves or standing up for ourselves. We see a tremendous amount of personal growth in the character of Nora, and this book will be uplifting for those who might feel that they aren’t capable of really loving someone and for those who always feel inadequate no matter how much they achieve.
One thing that sets this book apart is that Nora and Briana are people that I feel could be me. This is not just because we, as readers, see the everyday aspects of their lives, their insecurities about life, careers, family connections, or relationships, and what others might think about them. It’s also because I could picture myself acting and reacting in the same way as Nora and Briana do in most aspects of their lives, as well as the situations in which they find themselves in throughout the course of the book. I find that I feel this way about at least one of the characters in all of Caren J. Werlinger’s books and I think it’s a testament to her writing and character development that readers connect so completely with her characters, whether they are similar to us or not.
Briana works at the local stables, and we come to understand the difficult aspects of her past that brought her to Cong. We find out about her closeness to her family who lives in Dublin, but also why she sometimes feels as if she can’t fully connect with them. We learn about Nora’s background as the second-oldest daughter of four in a family that she feels she doesn’t measure up to, and a difficult relationship with her ex-girlfriend.
Anyone from North America who’s spent a few months living in Europe, and those with an interest in family history who long to see their ancestors’ hometowns, will find a lot to identify with in the character of Nora. The story incorporates themes of an American abroad, and family connections over the generations and across oceans.
Nora has long been fascinated by Cong, which was not only the home of her grandparents growing up, but also the filming location of her favourite movie, The Quiet Man. I’d never seen The Quiet Man before I read A Bittersweet Garden but the book inspired me to watch the movie and I really enjoyed it. Indeed, keen viewers of the movie will love the way the book explores the movie’s scenery, as well as its homages to the plot.
Another thing that Caren J. Werlinger achieves is bringing to life some characters that we don’t formally meet on the page, as well as those of the four-legged variety. We know Nora’s family in the States through Nora’s memories of her experiences with them, as well as her contact with them over email and Skype, but I felt a fondness for Nora’s grandparents nevertheless. Adding to mix of unique mix of characters are the horses Briana works with, each with a unique and interesting personality, and a very special Irish wolfhound mix who has a large presence, both literally and figuratively.
Caren J. Werlinger’s writing style is both literary and vivid. While at times one gets so caught up in the story that one seems to hardly notice the choice of words, it is because of those carefully considered word choices, and the meanings they convey, that one becomes so immersed in the story. The words themselves give the story its essence. Feelings and ideas flow from the narration and characters. At other times, the words themselves cause us to pause and reflect.
Here’s an excerpt that really stood out to me, both in its wording and its meaning. It’s part of a conversation between Nora and her cousin, Sheila:
This quote provides just one example of how beautifully the title fits the story. Plants, flowers, and their cultivation provide metaphors for love and loss in different respects throughout the novel.
The green landscape and blooming flowers offer a stark difference from the potatoes affected by blight rotting in the ground in this same part of the west of Ireland during the Great Hunger. Again, there is a striking contrast between barrenness and beauty within the historical scenes and between the historical and present-day scenes.
A Bittersweet Garden also leads readers to ponder the different ways in which people love—the love of parents for their children, love for animals, romantic love between women—but also the ways in which we might lose that love, whether it’s through loss or through the breakdown of a relationship. It reminds us that all love can at times be bittersweet, but it is always worth seeking.
If you long to spend a summer in Ireland, I highly recommend A Bittersweet Garden as the best way to do so without getting on a plane!
Disclaimer: I was involved in editing this manuscript, but my opinions here are from my perspective as a reader.
The old cottage Nora rents provides a little more history than she bargained for. She finds herself caught up in a mystery connected to the area’s history. Nora is pulled away from the present by ghostly visitors and she nearly loses herself in the past. This is despite the fact that Nora’s present is much more alive for her than ever now that she’s met Briana Devlin, a local woman who has become a new friend—and possibly more than that.
A Bittersweet Garden brings its richly developed Irish setting to life—from the village of Cong, to the local forests and countryside, the majestic Ashford Castle and Lough Corrib, as well as other parts of the surrounding area. It incorporates different elements of daily life at the riding stable and garden centre owned by Nora’s relatives, visits to the local pub, and the narrow town roads crowded with tourists during the summer days. Local characters add to the ambience, including an enigmatic old woman who lives deep in the forest.
What differentiates this book, and Caren J. Werlinger’s other novels, is that it combines a lesbian romance with a complex dramatic storyline. In this case, it’s a historical storyline tied to the present day with a mysterious ghostly element. Well-researched historical scenes from the 1840s famine era, written in the present tense, are interspersed with the storyline throughout the novel. These scenes are a constant reminder of the dark past of the area—the poverty and starvation of the time, but also of the daily lives of the people of the era, those who had to live with death all around them. The contrast between poverty of the Irish and the plenty of the English landholders, and the injustice of the human causes behind the famine are apparent in these historical scenes. There’s something about Nora’s presence in Cong that brings these two timelines together, and creates an intricately crafted puzzle for readers. Caren J. Werlinger is deft at weaving a gripping plot that keeps you in suspense through all sorts of unexpected twists and turns.
With the historic surroundings, from the cottage to the old graves in the local churchyard, and the ancient, gnarled trees, it’s not difficult to see how easily Nora can slip between present and past. It’s her personality and desire to help others that makes it so understandable that Nora could somehow get so caught in the past that it’s hard to return her thoughts to the present.
Indeed, the paranormal element is developed in a very believable way—ghosts and other things that may not seem real in a normal context do not feel out of place in the Irish setting of A Bittersweet Garden. These range from beautiful but haunting scents filling the air to unexpected events in the cottage.
The novel has a strong sense of place, and it shows us that the past is a layer behind the present. Or with regard to the paranormal element of the story, sometimes the past and people from it exist on a layer that remains even closer to the surface of the present. While people lived differently and were confronted with much harsher realities than most of us in the developed world now face, their relationships and emotions were no different from our own. The sadness of Ireland’s past struggles and the resulting mass emigration are ever-present in the context of the novel.
While both main characters, Nora and Briana, go through changes in their lives and the way they see themselves and their relationships with others throughout the course of the novel, their journeys are, in a broad sense, hopeful and positive. A Bittersweet Garden shows us that most difficulties can be overcome—it might be a matter of changing our perception of ourselves or standing up for ourselves. We see a tremendous amount of personal growth in the character of Nora, and this book will be uplifting for those who might feel that they aren’t capable of really loving someone and for those who always feel inadequate no matter how much they achieve.
One thing that sets this book apart is that Nora and Briana are people that I feel could be me. This is not just because we, as readers, see the everyday aspects of their lives, their insecurities about life, careers, family connections, or relationships, and what others might think about them. It’s also because I could picture myself acting and reacting in the same way as Nora and Briana do in most aspects of their lives, as well as the situations in which they find themselves in throughout the course of the book. I find that I feel this way about at least one of the characters in all of Caren J. Werlinger’s books and I think it’s a testament to her writing and character development that readers connect so completely with her characters, whether they are similar to us or not.
Briana works at the local stables, and we come to understand the difficult aspects of her past that brought her to Cong. We find out about her closeness to her family who lives in Dublin, but also why she sometimes feels as if she can’t fully connect with them. We learn about Nora’s background as the second-oldest daughter of four in a family that she feels she doesn’t measure up to, and a difficult relationship with her ex-girlfriend.
Anyone from North America who’s spent a few months living in Europe, and those with an interest in family history who long to see their ancestors’ hometowns, will find a lot to identify with in the character of Nora. The story incorporates themes of an American abroad, and family connections over the generations and across oceans.
Nora has long been fascinated by Cong, which was not only the home of her grandparents growing up, but also the filming location of her favourite movie, The Quiet Man. I’d never seen The Quiet Man before I read A Bittersweet Garden but the book inspired me to watch the movie and I really enjoyed it. Indeed, keen viewers of the movie will love the way the book explores the movie’s scenery, as well as its homages to the plot.
Another thing that Caren J. Werlinger achieves is bringing to life some characters that we don’t formally meet on the page, as well as those of the four-legged variety. We know Nora’s family in the States through Nora’s memories of her experiences with them, as well as her contact with them over email and Skype, but I felt a fondness for Nora’s grandparents nevertheless. Adding to mix of unique mix of characters are the horses Briana works with, each with a unique and interesting personality, and a very special Irish wolfhound mix who has a large presence, both literally and figuratively.
Caren J. Werlinger’s writing style is both literary and vivid. While at times one gets so caught up in the story that one seems to hardly notice the choice of words, it is because of those carefully considered word choices, and the meanings they convey, that one becomes so immersed in the story. The words themselves give the story its essence. Feelings and ideas flow from the narration and characters. At other times, the words themselves cause us to pause and reflect.
Here’s an excerpt that really stood out to me, both in its wording and its meaning. It’s part of a conversation between Nora and her cousin, Sheila:
“A bittersweet garden. That’s what I think the heart is. Everyone writes about love and joy and hope with flowery language, and all of it lasting for the rest of our lives. But how often does that happen? I think there’s more pain and loneliness and heartache when you wish and pine for something that isn’t there. We pray the lovely things will bloom, but so often the thorns take over, obscuring everything else.”
Sheila reached across the table and clasped Nora’s hand. “But does it follow that the thorns choke out the beauty? Even bushes with thorns bloom. And when the thorns are carefully cleared away, who knows what you might find?”
This quote provides just one example of how beautifully the title fits the story. Plants, flowers, and their cultivation provide metaphors for love and loss in different respects throughout the novel.
The green landscape and blooming flowers offer a stark difference from the potatoes affected by blight rotting in the ground in this same part of the west of Ireland during the Great Hunger. Again, there is a striking contrast between barrenness and beauty within the historical scenes and between the historical and present-day scenes.
A Bittersweet Garden also leads readers to ponder the different ways in which people love—the love of parents for their children, love for animals, romantic love between women—but also the ways in which we might lose that love, whether it’s through loss or through the breakdown of a relationship. It reminds us that all love can at times be bittersweet, but it is always worth seeking.
If you long to spend a summer in Ireland, I highly recommend A Bittersweet Garden as the best way to do so without getting on a plane!
Disclaimer: I was involved in editing this manuscript, but my opinions here are from my perspective as a reader.
March 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The story behind the ghost was quite sad and I shedded some tear over it. The romance between Briana and Nora was slow burn, which I really like. What made me really enjoyed this book more was that their family are close, come together and get along. It always warm my heart and long for it. With paranormal added in to it, trying to solve the ghost mystery, the odd behaviours and dreams that Nora had, etc, they really made the story really intrigued and enjoyable. All characters are likable and I like them all.
All in all, I really have no complaint with this book.
All in all, I really have no complaint with this book.
May 13, 2022
3,5 stars
A good ghost story a slightly above mediocre romance.
I had fun, even though I was frequently confused.
A good ghost story a slightly above mediocre romance.
I had fun, even though I was frequently confused.
April 25, 2019
This book introduces you to Nora McNeill, fulfilling her lifelong dream to visit the birthplace of her ancestors.
With "A Bittersweet Garden", Caren J. Werlinger has created a wonderful story of exploring one's Irish ancestry, dealing with a ghost, as well as a little history of Ireland and a touch of romance. It is a very enjoyable and compelling read, drawing you in as you learn more about Nora and the other characters. Caren J. Werlinger paints a clear picture of Nora and Briana's minds while the story evolves. I was drawn very close to Nora – a woman who follows Ireland's calling needs to find herself and has to deal with a strong-willed ghost. The characters are complex, believable with their flaws and virtues; the author's care for each of them shows. As for the Irish locations – I was thrilled to return to the familiar places – without having to travel for once. The story is very nicely woven and has a wonderful flow.
This is a book for you if you like realistic protagonists, believable and often very likeable characters, Ireland, ghosts, and/or lesbian fiction.
Recommended!
With "A Bittersweet Garden", Caren J. Werlinger has created a wonderful story of exploring one's Irish ancestry, dealing with a ghost, as well as a little history of Ireland and a touch of romance. It is a very enjoyable and compelling read, drawing you in as you learn more about Nora and the other characters. Caren J. Werlinger paints a clear picture of Nora and Briana's minds while the story evolves. I was drawn very close to Nora – a woman who follows Ireland's calling needs to find herself and has to deal with a strong-willed ghost. The characters are complex, believable with their flaws and virtues; the author's care for each of them shows. As for the Irish locations – I was thrilled to return to the familiar places – without having to travel for once. The story is very nicely woven and has a wonderful flow.
This is a book for you if you like realistic protagonists, believable and often very likeable characters, Ireland, ghosts, and/or lesbian fiction.
Recommended!
January 11, 2026
Interesting story. I really liked it.
April 10, 2019
Intriguing story with adventure and ghost hunting included. Entertaining, good, just not excellent. That's how I see it, I just can't seem to find the reason for the 4th star. But it didn't disappoint.
May 3, 2019
4.5*
Fulfilling what seemed like her lifelong dream, Nora McNeill has arrived in Ireland and is on her way to Cong, the location of her favourite film, The Quiet Man. Nora’s grandparents had been born there, were extras in the film’s village scenes, and Nora had been raised on stories of their home town. Now she was here for the whole summer—breaking ties with her domineering ex girlfriend and leaving behind the routine of life as a university librarian. An old friend of her grandfather’s has a cottage for rent that will be Nora’s home while she’s in Ireland.
Sióg Cottage is haunted, according to the locals, who give it a wide berth. Nora soon finds herself caught up in unresolved events from the past with intriguing flashbacks gradually revealing the sad history of the cottage’s previous inhabitants during the famine. The Irish setting lends itself perfectly to the evolving paranormal mystery that ties in to the present. It’s a mystery that draws Nora in almost before she realises what’s happening.
Between them, Nora’s cousin Sheila and her husband Quinn, run a nursery and riding school with stables. Through them, Nora meets Brianna Devlin. Brianna’s life is just how she likes it. She has her dog, Shannon, an Irish Wolfhound, her work with the horses she loves and her friends. She doesn’t want or need a relationship, especially with someone who is only there for the summer.
Nora’s story doesn’t just take the form of travel, it’s also a journey of self discovery and learning to realise her worth, amid the beautifully realised Irish countryside. I love the descriptions of Cong (I love The Quiet Man too, regardless of how un-pc it is) and the vivid sense of place really comes alive. Stories that make me want to visit the area in which they’re set have a strong appeal.
There’s a marked development in Nora’s character as the story progresses with changes mainly in her perception of herself, realising she can be her own person without being influenced by negativity or what other people want her to be. Both she and Brianna become aware of themselves in a more positive light. This is my first book by Caren Werlinger and I enjoyed it very much. I’m sure I’ll be reading more of her work.
I chose to read and review A Bittersweet Garden for Rosie Amber’s book review team, based on a digital copy kindly supplied by the author.
Fulfilling what seemed like her lifelong dream, Nora McNeill has arrived in Ireland and is on her way to Cong, the location of her favourite film, The Quiet Man. Nora’s grandparents had been born there, were extras in the film’s village scenes, and Nora had been raised on stories of their home town. Now she was here for the whole summer—breaking ties with her domineering ex girlfriend and leaving behind the routine of life as a university librarian. An old friend of her grandfather’s has a cottage for rent that will be Nora’s home while she’s in Ireland.
Sióg Cottage is haunted, according to the locals, who give it a wide berth. Nora soon finds herself caught up in unresolved events from the past with intriguing flashbacks gradually revealing the sad history of the cottage’s previous inhabitants during the famine. The Irish setting lends itself perfectly to the evolving paranormal mystery that ties in to the present. It’s a mystery that draws Nora in almost before she realises what’s happening.
Between them, Nora’s cousin Sheila and her husband Quinn, run a nursery and riding school with stables. Through them, Nora meets Brianna Devlin. Brianna’s life is just how she likes it. She has her dog, Shannon, an Irish Wolfhound, her work with the horses she loves and her friends. She doesn’t want or need a relationship, especially with someone who is only there for the summer.
Nora’s story doesn’t just take the form of travel, it’s also a journey of self discovery and learning to realise her worth, amid the beautifully realised Irish countryside. I love the descriptions of Cong (I love The Quiet Man too, regardless of how un-pc it is) and the vivid sense of place really comes alive. Stories that make me want to visit the area in which they’re set have a strong appeal.
There’s a marked development in Nora’s character as the story progresses with changes mainly in her perception of herself, realising she can be her own person without being influenced by negativity or what other people want her to be. Both she and Brianna become aware of themselves in a more positive light. This is my first book by Caren Werlinger and I enjoyed it very much. I’m sure I’ll be reading more of her work.
I chose to read and review A Bittersweet Garden for Rosie Amber’s book review team, based on a digital copy kindly supplied by the author.
May 1, 2019
A Bittersweet Garden is a mystery story set in Ireland, which also describes a romance between American Librarian, Nora McNeil and Briana Devlin, a groom and horse trainer in the village of Cong in County Mayo. After a failed relationship and the death of her long-loved cat, Nora has come to see the home village of her grandparents. Intending to stay for several weeks she has rented Sióg cottage, a run-down property in the woods, reputed to be haunted. After a disastrous first meeting with Briana, Nora begins to come closer to this reserved young woman and she enjoys helping her cousin, Sheila in her garden nursery. She is even able to start writing a novel, but the subject matter is dark. Frequent dreams of a tragic family, who once lived in the cottage, begin to obsess her and she sleep walks into the woods in search of Rowan, a young girl who disappeared mysteriously in the 1840s.
Nora needs to value her own worth and a relationship with Briana might give her happiness, but she must return to Virginia. The sad story of Móirin and Donell, who once lived in the cottage, needs resolution but this may endanger Nora’s life. The warm community in this picturesque Irish village rally round but only Nora and Brianna can solve the past in order to give themselves a future.
Caren J Werlinger has created two complex characters with whom the reader can identify and I was intrigued to discover what had happened to the little girl in the yellow dress over 170 years earlier.
Nora needs to value her own worth and a relationship with Briana might give her happiness, but she must return to Virginia. The sad story of Móirin and Donell, who once lived in the cottage, needs resolution but this may endanger Nora’s life. The warm community in this picturesque Irish village rally round but only Nora and Brianna can solve the past in order to give themselves a future.
Caren J Werlinger has created two complex characters with whom the reader can identify and I was intrigued to discover what had happened to the little girl in the yellow dress over 170 years earlier.
February 14, 2019
I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.
Nora is a librarian and she decide to spend her summer in Ireland after hearing so much about it from her grandparents.
When she arrives she rent a cottage that known to be haunted instead of scaring her off she decide to stay. As she get to know her cousin Shelia and her husband Quinn she starts to see what people are saying about the cottage when she start seeing a ghostly figure.
While she exploring she get startled by a dog and fell and this is where she meets Brianna who is,a horse trainer at first they get off the wrong foot but as they spent time together a slow romance develop between them. I like the romance even though the sex scenes was fade to black which I admit I didn't like but didn't make the romance any less.
As she investigate what happening at the cottage she starts to have dreams about a child name Rowan when she realize the figure she seeing is the mother who keep calling Rowan and this is when Nora and company decide talk to a woman name Eve who knows what happening but then we found out she knows more then what she saying. I won't tell you the ending but it's all connected and I have to say this,was a great read I really enjoy it just like I enjoy her other books.
Nora is a librarian and she decide to spend her summer in Ireland after hearing so much about it from her grandparents.
When she arrives she rent a cottage that known to be haunted instead of scaring her off she decide to stay. As she get to know her cousin Shelia and her husband Quinn she starts to see what people are saying about the cottage when she start seeing a ghostly figure.
While she exploring she get startled by a dog and fell and this is where she meets Brianna who is,a horse trainer at first they get off the wrong foot but as they spent time together a slow romance develop between them. I like the romance even though the sex scenes was fade to black which I admit I didn't like but didn't make the romance any less.
As she investigate what happening at the cottage she starts to have dreams about a child name Rowan when she realize the figure she seeing is the mother who keep calling Rowan and this is when Nora and company decide talk to a woman name Eve who knows what happening but then we found out she knows more then what she saying. I won't tell you the ending but it's all connected and I have to say this,was a great read I really enjoy it just like I enjoy her other books.
March 29, 2019
Nora a college librarian has had dreams of visiting Ireland to try to reconnect with family members there and see where her grandparents were from. She broke off ties to her weekend girlfriend when’s said girlfriend told her she was in another relationship with another woman. So this seem like the time that Nora could take off from work and travel to Ireland to complete her life‘s dream. One of the first people she meets there is Briana who works with and is very good with animals. Briana is a quiet and unassuming woman who does not relate well to people and has never had a steady girlfriend. These two somewhat odd women develop a very beautiful friendship . One of the things that’s beautiful about this book is the development of the main characters and also the set of secondary characters. This book is so beautifully written you fall in love with the country but more important the characters in the small village just grab your heart.
People are concerned that Nora is staying in the cottage that has a history of having ghost. As time moves on these ghost appear to Nora and she becomes embroiled in a mystery that is somehow connected to her family and is very dangerous. This book has so many unexpected twist and turns it was hard to put down once I started to read. Between the changing story line plots and the beautiful environmental descriptions you could see why people are pulled toward Ireland and its beauty and history.
I highly recommend this book not only because it’s so well written but because it’s different in so many ways from other lesfic romances. Caren Werlinger is the phenomenal writer and well this is the first book of hers I’ve read I will be sure to look for other books of hers.
People are concerned that Nora is staying in the cottage that has a history of having ghost. As time moves on these ghost appear to Nora and she becomes embroiled in a mystery that is somehow connected to her family and is very dangerous. This book has so many unexpected twist and turns it was hard to put down once I started to read. Between the changing story line plots and the beautiful environmental descriptions you could see why people are pulled toward Ireland and its beauty and history.
I highly recommend this book not only because it’s so well written but because it’s different in so many ways from other lesfic romances. Caren Werlinger is the phenomenal writer and well this is the first book of hers I’ve read I will be sure to look for other books of hers.
April 29, 2019
Nora McNeil lands in Dublin, Ireland and heads to Cong, the home of her ancestors. She plans to stay for the summer, visit relatives, write a book, and head back to the U.S. So, she arrives in this idyllic setting for a well-deserved rest, and relaxation, then things happen. Caren Werlinger writes so beautifully about the Irish countryside and coastal area I want to revisit Ireland and head to Cong. Ms. Werlinger aptly titled the story; A Bittersweet Garden-I thought it very appropriate. “Do thorns choke out the beauty?” Find out what that means. I enjoyed how this story introduced me to the lives of several special people who were caring, loving, timid, and ghostly — the characters in the book all exhibited passionate emotions for different reasons. Anger showed its ugly head occasionally, but how are issues resolved? Does Nora find an unexpected romance, that could show promise? Find out! Surprises kept me reading until late on many nights to the last page. (sort of didn't want it to end) Loved it-Highly Recommend!
Read
January 7, 20263 stars. Paranormal romance in small town Ireland. An American woman comes to Ireland to visit her grandparents' home and connect with the country she's come to love from afar, and falls for a tiny grumpy horse trainer, while staying in a haunted cottage and unravelling a centuries-old mystery. It's a bit slow moving; not necessarily in a bad way, but not in a good way, either. Because I've LOVED and been bowled over by this author's writing before, (specifically in Invisible, As Music) I have to confess myself a liiiiittle underwhelmed with the writing here. The characters were interesting and endearing, and the plot kept me mostly engaged. But I was hoping for a win. Instead, this was just... good! And mostly because of the audiobook. (Lovely accent.)
Review to come.
Review to come.
April 12, 2019
Caren J. Werlinger is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her books have always shocked me by how well written they are. A Bittersweet Garden is no exception. It is a beautiful written paranormal romance that will suck you in from the very first page.
A Bittersweet Garden is like nothing I have ever read before. It is a mixture of ghost story and romance novel. I was sucked into the history of the cottage and its past inhabitants. The haunting of the cottage is so interesting it really sucked me into the book. I wanted to know what had happened to the past inhabitants. But I don’t want to spoil any of the story so I will stop here.
The romance aspect of A Bittersweet Garden is great. Briana is the strong silent type. She might come across as hard and uncaring but that isn’t the case at all. She is just very selective about who she lets in. Nora on the other hand never really thought that she deserved love. She was used to being everyone’s second choice. When they come together their chemistry is amazing.
I really loved the side characters in this book. Eve is one of the most interesting characters that I have ever read. I can’t say too much about her because it would spoil the story, but she is my favorite character. As most of you know I love the addition to pets in a story and Shannon, Briana’s wolfhound, is a great addition. The way she reacts to the haunted room and protective nature make Shannon a great addition to the book.
The one thing I wish was different about this book is the lack of an epilogue. I think it could have really added to the book. I would have loved to know what happened to everyone at the end of the book.
If you are looking for steamy sexy scene this book might not be for you. The sex scenes are all fade to black. But there is some sexy build up to where there would be sex.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal romance and to anyone who likes a good ghost story.
A Bittersweet Garden is like nothing I have ever read before. It is a mixture of ghost story and romance novel. I was sucked into the history of the cottage and its past inhabitants. The haunting of the cottage is so interesting it really sucked me into the book. I wanted to know what had happened to the past inhabitants. But I don’t want to spoil any of the story so I will stop here.
The romance aspect of A Bittersweet Garden is great. Briana is the strong silent type. She might come across as hard and uncaring but that isn’t the case at all. She is just very selective about who she lets in. Nora on the other hand never really thought that she deserved love. She was used to being everyone’s second choice. When they come together their chemistry is amazing.
I really loved the side characters in this book. Eve is one of the most interesting characters that I have ever read. I can’t say too much about her because it would spoil the story, but she is my favorite character. As most of you know I love the addition to pets in a story and Shannon, Briana’s wolfhound, is a great addition. The way she reacts to the haunted room and protective nature make Shannon a great addition to the book.
The one thing I wish was different about this book is the lack of an epilogue. I think it could have really added to the book. I would have loved to know what happened to everyone at the end of the book.
If you are looking for steamy sexy scene this book might not be for you. The sex scenes are all fade to black. But there is some sexy build up to where there would be sex.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal romance and to anyone who likes a good ghost story.
April 1, 2019
A Bittersweet Garden is a wonderful novel that is well written and has great characters. I loved this book and hope to read more from this author. Fabulous book.
July 13, 2020
A longing so real that bittersweet is every adventure until you find the garden of home.
Nora was making the trip of a lifetime. Ireland had always help a place in her mind. Her travel there brought a feeling of home but yearning of something lost. She had a connection that seemed centuries old. 3 women who were family but never lived together will find rest in Nora's journey. Briana had come to Cong to heal and live the life her way. They meet in an awkward way but their connection will save both their lives.
This was an exquisite story that weaved centuries of life together. The author wrote with great detail in the surroundings and people. The mystery that surrounds the cottage where Nora lives is wrapped in such ghostly stories it bring an edge to her adventure. The love story that Briana and Nora share is steeped in family and such love that in the end can save Nora. It is a great book with so many wonderful characters with historical connection. The folklore of Ireland is a draw for any book but the experience is one of a kind. I love this book, enjoyed the very history of this romantic journey.
Nora was making the trip of a lifetime. Ireland had always help a place in her mind. Her travel there brought a feeling of home but yearning of something lost. She had a connection that seemed centuries old. 3 women who were family but never lived together will find rest in Nora's journey. Briana had come to Cong to heal and live the life her way. They meet in an awkward way but their connection will save both their lives.
This was an exquisite story that weaved centuries of life together. The author wrote with great detail in the surroundings and people. The mystery that surrounds the cottage where Nora lives is wrapped in such ghostly stories it bring an edge to her adventure. The love story that Briana and Nora share is steeped in family and such love that in the end can save Nora. It is a great book with so many wonderful characters with historical connection. The folklore of Ireland is a draw for any book but the experience is one of a kind. I love this book, enjoyed the very history of this romantic journey.
June 2, 2020
Nora travels to a small town in Ireland where her grandparents grew up to get in touch with her roots. Odd things start happening in the cottage she rents, and her dreams are full of turmoil. But during the day she's surrounded by friendly townspeople and the enchanting Briana who fills her life and her heart. Will the ghostly presence in the cottage move out of the darkness of the night and threaten their very lives and their future?
I loved Briana, I thought her character was so strong. The setting itself was almost a character in itself - both the small town and the cottage Nora was renting. Gosh there were some downright spooky moments that kept you on the edge of your seat. I loved the balance in Werlinger's writing between the romance and the mystery and the two women's individual journey's that ultimately bring them closer together.
I am always wowed by Werlinger's works - the richness and the depth and the all encompassing stories she creates are something very special.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2022
I’m ready to move to Ireland now…
As far as I know, I don’t have a bit of Irish blood in my veins. But, this story, the characters and the setting near the castle on a lough make me feel like Ireland could welcome me “home.” A little bit fantasy, a lot of family, add an old tragedy, some Guinness and a cautious dance around love, cover and bake for three months and you have an Irish tale that Brian Boru would be proud of. I love this book. I think you will too.
As far as I know, I don’t have a bit of Irish blood in my veins. But, this story, the characters and the setting near the castle on a lough make me feel like Ireland could welcome me “home.” A little bit fantasy, a lot of family, add an old tragedy, some Guinness and a cautious dance around love, cover and bake for three months and you have an Irish tale that Brian Boru would be proud of. I love this book. I think you will too.
February 27, 2019
A sapphic romance set in Ireland between an American and Irish girl?
Yes, please!
I very much enjoyed A Bittersweet Garden. I'm not a fan of the book cover but after reading the actual book it sort of fits. I expected going into Bittersweet that we were going to get a RomCom and while there are pieced of one, this book is so much more. There's a little history, a little mystery, a little paranormal, and a lot of culture. I would absolutely love to see A Bittersweet Garden made into a feature film. 📚💕🎬
I recommend The Bittersweet Garden to fans of Maureen Johnson.
***Gratitude to Netgalley and Corgyn Publishing for a review copy. All opinions are my own. Quotes are subject to change. ***
Numbly, Nora nodded. “You know those movies or books where someone misses a train and some alternate reality plays out, where their life goes in a whole different direction? I think I’m experiencing one of those moments.”
Nora didn’t know what to say. “I’m just a librarian.”
Mary Fran smiled. “My kids think librarians are superheroes.”
I very much enjoyed A Bittersweet Garden. I'm not a fan of the book cover but after reading the actual book it sort of fits. I expected going into Bittersweet that we were going to get a RomCom and while there are pieced of one, this book is so much more. There's a little history, a little mystery, a little paranormal, and a lot of culture. I would absolutely love to see A Bittersweet Garden made into a feature film. 📚💕🎬
“You don’t believe the stories about the cottage being haunted, do you?”
He just shrugged. “We’re Irish. We believe all kinds of things.”
I recommend The Bittersweet Garden to fans of Maureen Johnson.
***Gratitude to Netgalley and Corgyn Publishing for a review copy. All opinions are my own. Quotes are subject to change. ***
March 5, 2019
She frowned. “You don't believe the stories about the cottage being haunted, do you?”
He just shrugged. “We're Irish. We believe all kinds of things.”
Many things called me to this book: the sapphic romance; the Ireland setting, the haunted cottage; the good dog promised in the summary. And let me tell you something. I was not disappointed at all.
I don't know what to say except for the fact that I love everything about this story? I love Nora and Briana, our two main characters, I love their slow-burn romance that I would kill for, I love Briana's dog, Shannon, such a good doggo, I love all the descriptions of Ireland, if you don't feel like you're there when reading this book you're clearly not reading it right, I love Nora's relationship with Sheila, her cousin she meets for the first time when she decided to spend the summer in Ireland, I love the mystery behind the cottage and its ghost, how it wasn't an evil ghost wanting revenge and all, I love the many horses and all the animals love in this book. I love how happy I felt when reading the ending, this is the kind of feel-good I LOVE to read.
October 24, 2022
4 stars. I love a good ghost story and Werlinger delivered as usual. I always go on about how absolutely gorgeous her writing style is and it was here as well. It’s atmospheric and takes place in Ireland and I loved it. The author really utilizes the setting and paints a vivid picture of it. The plot was entertaining and well paced. I was immediately drawn in from the beginning and I loved the way the story took its time.
Nora’s haunted cabin was eery and mysterious and the way it slowly started to takes its toll on her was fascinating. Nora herself was a very likable character (as are all of the other characters really) and I really loved her romance with Briana. Briana was awesome, a bit prickly at first but she and Nora really go through some great character development. I liked their chemistry and how much they really came to love one another.
The ending was good but definitely left me wanting to more because it’s a bit open but I also just want another book of these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was the perfect balance of spooky and romantic.
Nora’s haunted cabin was eery and mysterious and the way it slowly started to takes its toll on her was fascinating. Nora herself was a very likable character (as are all of the other characters really) and I really loved her romance with Briana. Briana was awesome, a bit prickly at first but she and Nora really go through some great character development. I liked their chemistry and how much they really came to love one another.
The ending was good but definitely left me wanting to more because it’s a bit open but I also just want another book of these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was the perfect balance of spooky and romantic.
April 25, 2022
This book was amazing! I had never read anything by this author before so I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved the description. It was spooky and mysterious at the same time but the author managed to keep things from getting too heavy by allowing for lighter moments in between. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good ghost book with a bit of romance and mystery thrown in as well.
May 7, 2023
This was a sweet paranormal romance. Nora has always wanted to travel to Ireland to see where her family came from but struggled with inertia holding her back. She manages to break away for a summer and rents and old cottage, which happens to be haunted. She also meets Briana, a prickly horse whisperer who works for Nora's cousin.
I enjoyed the story as it unwound - it was one of those kind of slow quiet books. There was enough going on to keep it interesting, but it uncoiled slowly and drew you in in a quiet way. The mix in of the story of what had happened centuries ago was well-done and overall I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the story as it unwound - it was one of those kind of slow quiet books. There was enough going on to keep it interesting, but it uncoiled slowly and drew you in in a quiet way. The mix in of the story of what had happened centuries ago was well-done and overall I enjoyed it.
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