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A Good Year for the Roses
Newly divorced and struggling to find a way to support her three boys, Molly Taylor is stunned when she inherits Harrington Hall, her late aunt's beloved yet dilapidated bed and breakfast. But does she really want to take over a three-hundred-year-old manor house on the Devon coast where the only thing that doesn't need urgent attention is the beautiful rose garden?
Once she gets over the initial shock, Molly is ready dive right in, but the universe has other plans: she must first overcome the needs of her eccentric uncle (and his pet parrot), the ambitions of her conniving brother, and the disquiet of her three sons. Not to mention an unexpected chance at new love. Nothing is going according to plan - and then Harrington begins to work its magic and the roses start to bloom . . .
Charming, uplifting and highly entertaining, A Good Year for the Roses is a story for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting over. Wonderfully warm and witty, it will have you smiling until you turn the very last page.
Once she gets over the initial shock, Molly is ready dive right in, but the universe has other plans: she must first overcome the needs of her eccentric uncle (and his pet parrot), the ambitions of her conniving brother, and the disquiet of her three sons. Not to mention an unexpected chance at new love. Nothing is going according to plan - and then Harrington begins to work its magic and the roses start to bloom . . .
Charming, uplifting and highly entertaining, A Good Year for the Roses is a story for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting over. Wonderfully warm and witty, it will have you smiling until you turn the very last page.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
142 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Gil McNeil
37 books265 followersGil McNeil is the author of the bestselling The Only Boy for Me, Stand By Your Man, In The Wee Small Hours and most recently Divas Don’t Knit. The Only Boy For Me has been made into a major ITV prime-time drama starring Helen Baxendale and was broadcast in 2007. Gil McNeil has edited five collections of stories with Sarah Brown, and is Director of the charity PiggyBankKids, which supports projects that create opportunities for children. She lives in Kent with her son and comes from a long line of champion knitters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
September 15, 2014
This book is absolutely delightful and absolutely plot-less. It is essentially a checklist of fantasy items that happen to a recently divorced woman when she inherits a large beautiful country estate in England. Adorable, intelligent, reasonably well-behaved children, check. Wacky yet lovable relatives, check. Gorgeous gardens she doesn't actually have to maintain herself, check. Fun, helpful, instant friends, check. Cute pets and farm animals, check. Charming village with fetes and parades, check. Sexy, wealthy boyfriend, check. Even sexier, gorgeous younger man, check. And most importantly, endless batches of delicious freshly-baked scones and pots of tea, double check. If all divorces ended like this, people would be begging for them! Highly recommended comfort food equivalent of a book-you can hardly call it a novel but really who cares???
July 7, 2014
This is one of those novels were when you beginning reading it, you will be hard pressed to stop. The wit and clever nature of the author are quite apparent even early on in this book and it makes for a delightful read.
I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the overall story very much, but what made me want to keep turning pages the most, was the relationship between the main character and her children. There were so many times during this novel that I laughed out loud and nodded my head in agreement. My boys do so much of the same thing and I felt I could easily identify with her position.
Very much a woman's novel, this is perfect for those who have loved and lost, and those who seek a new path in life. Gil McNeil is a master at getting inside the mind and heart of the reader and displaying human qualities in her characters that make it easy for the reader to connect with them.
There is a lot of humour in this book, which I liked very much. Even during serious situations the author managed to lighten the mood with her ability to toss out random phrases and thoughts that make you laugh.
For a book that is heavily dialogue driven, you definitely want to see good dialogue. That happens here and it felt very natural and not forced.
This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories of courage and family.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the overall story very much, but what made me want to keep turning pages the most, was the relationship between the main character and her children. There were so many times during this novel that I laughed out loud and nodded my head in agreement. My boys do so much of the same thing and I felt I could easily identify with her position.
Very much a woman's novel, this is perfect for those who have loved and lost, and those who seek a new path in life. Gil McNeil is a master at getting inside the mind and heart of the reader and displaying human qualities in her characters that make it easy for the reader to connect with them.
There is a lot of humour in this book, which I liked very much. Even during serious situations the author managed to lighten the mood with her ability to toss out random phrases and thoughts that make you laugh.
For a book that is heavily dialogue driven, you definitely want to see good dialogue. That happens here and it felt very natural and not forced.
This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories of courage and family.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2018
Four stars reduced to three***.
This was a fun, light, very British-cottagey story, light on plot and heavy on a menagerie of characters. Although I had a difficult time keeping the many quirky folks who wandered in and out of Harrington Hall straight at times, I did enjoy the funny narrator, Molly, with her many quips, asides, and sincere ways. I also liked Uncle Bertie, and all his cocktails. And his parrot, Betty, who could be rude but was also hilarious. Overall, this was a feel-good tale of a woman and her extended family and friends reinventing themselves in a rose-strewn country manor, and it often brought a smile or a giggle as I was reading along.
*** I took off one star for a grammatical idiosyncrasy kept niggling at me throughout the book. The author omits the comma before addressing someone by his or her name. For example "Is that fine with you Ivy?" or "Please get me some jam and scones Alfie". This drove me batty! It is probably perfectly acceptable grammar, at least in Britain, or would never have made it past copyediting. It was not something I'd seen before, though, and it jumped out at me every time I read it and thus lessened my enjoyment of the book.
This was a fun, light, very British-cottagey story, light on plot and heavy on a menagerie of characters. Although I had a difficult time keeping the many quirky folks who wandered in and out of Harrington Hall straight at times, I did enjoy the funny narrator, Molly, with her many quips, asides, and sincere ways. I also liked Uncle Bertie, and all his cocktails. And his parrot, Betty, who could be rude but was also hilarious. Overall, this was a feel-good tale of a woman and her extended family and friends reinventing themselves in a rose-strewn country manor, and it often brought a smile or a giggle as I was reading along.
*** I took off one star for a grammatical idiosyncrasy kept niggling at me throughout the book. The author omits the comma before addressing someone by his or her name. For example "Is that fine with you Ivy?" or "Please get me some jam and scones Alfie". This drove me batty! It is probably perfectly acceptable grammar, at least in Britain, or would never have made it past copyediting. It was not something I'd seen before, though, and it jumped out at me every time I read it and thus lessened my enjoyment of the book.
January 10, 2015
Felt like I was visiting with a best friend. Absolutely loved this book!
July 17, 2014
Not many novels can actually make me laugh out loud, but this one did. Molly makes a delightfully human, overwhelmed heroine that harried moms on both sides of the Atlantic will happily relate to. Add to this a whimsically quirky cast of characters and a charming country setting, and a bit o’ magic ensues. Particularly when young Alfie comes on the scene. Oh my. Or Betty, the parrot. Oh, and I positively adored the gregarious and opinionated Lola, who made the most appealing BFF I think I’ve encountered in contemporary fiction.
Though there’s some rough language, on the whole I found this novel as light as a soufflé. What is it about dry British wit that so tickles the American funny bone? (And is it reciprocated? Somehow, I can’t see it.) Gil McNeil has the one of the deftest touches I’ve seen when it comes to this kind of humor. Is it chick lit? Yeah, I’d say so, which doesn’t normally appeal to me a great deal. And I have to admit, the ongoing travails did seem to go on a bit at length, but nonetheless, every page was delightful in itself.
All in all, a warm, entertaining read, perfect for summertime.
Thanks to Hyperion for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
Though there’s some rough language, on the whole I found this novel as light as a soufflé. What is it about dry British wit that so tickles the American funny bone? (And is it reciprocated? Somehow, I can’t see it.) Gil McNeil has the one of the deftest touches I’ve seen when it comes to this kind of humor. Is it chick lit? Yeah, I’d say so, which doesn’t normally appeal to me a great deal. And I have to admit, the ongoing travails did seem to go on a bit at length, but nonetheless, every page was delightful in itself.
All in all, a warm, entertaining read, perfect for summertime.
Thanks to Hyperion for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
May 7, 2014
A very nice light (despite the length) book about a woman taking on what most people would view as an insurmountable money-pit of a challenge...an honest-to-goodness ancestral family home, complete with traditional rose gardens, leaking roofs, and a profane parrot. Oh, and a cannon.
I really liked Molly throughout the entire book, especially whenever she put her foot down and stood up for herself against some of the pushier characters. I found the male "antagonists" were a tiny bit two-dimensional in their eeeeeevilness, but it wasn't distracting. When events really start picking up in the last 25% or so of the e-book, I enjoyed it the most.
I have rose gardens myself and really enjoyed reading about Helena's gardens, although the descriptions never go overboard so those who are less interested don't need to worry about being bored.
A very good book, I would definitely recommend it!
***A free copy of this e-book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.***
I really liked Molly throughout the entire book, especially whenever she put her foot down and stood up for herself against some of the pushier characters. I found the male "antagonists" were a tiny bit two-dimensional in their eeeeeevilness, but it wasn't distracting. When events really start picking up in the last 25% or so of the e-book, I enjoyed it the most.
I have rose gardens myself and really enjoyed reading about Helena's gardens, although the descriptions never go overboard so those who are less interested don't need to worry about being bored.
A very good book, I would definitely recommend it!
***A free copy of this e-book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.***
September 17, 2016
Mary Lewis beschreibt hier die Veränderungen, den sich ihre Protagonistin stellen muss. Vom Vater ihrer drei Kinder verlassen steht die Lehrerin plötzlich mit allen Alltagssorgen allein da. Vor allem wachsen ihr bald die Rechnungen über den Kopf. Molly taumelt so in eine ausweglose Situation, die aber durch das Testament ihrer Tante gelöst werden kann. Die Familie verlässt also ihren bisherigen Wohnort, um von der Großstadt aufs Land zu ziehen. Der Humor lockert den traurigen Anlass auf, sodass es schon wieder wie ein Abenteuer wirkt.
Molly hat nicht nur ihre drei Söhne im Umfeld, sondern auch ihre beste Freundin Lola, mit der sie teilweise recht bissige Dialoge führt. Lola ist wie ein Anker, der Molly aus jedem Strudel herauszieht, vor allem wenn wieder zu viele Männer nur ihre Wünsche durchsetzen wollen. Onkel Bertie ist ebenfalls eine interessante Figur, die gern noch mehr in den Vordergrund gerückt werden könnte. Von ihm erhält der Alltag immer wieder Überraschungen, die andere Mütter nicht so kommentarlos hingenommen hätten. Dabei ist doch gerade der Dialog zwischen den Figuren besonders ausgeprägt. Mollys Sicht auf die Dinge wird in Ich-Form geschildert und vor allem mit jeden erdenklichen Gedanken ausgeschmückt. Das geht leider zu Lasten der Spannung. Man muss als Leser auch nicht über jeden Handgriff informiert werden. Auffällig ist auch, dass die Männer in diesem Roman nicht gut wegkommen.
Der Roman suggeriert schon vom Cover eine leichte Sommerlektüre. Auch wenn ich den Titel des Originals (A good year for the roses) treffender finde und das Eis am Stil im Inhalt nicht wiederfinden konnte, ist es dennoch hübsch anzusehen. Die Kapitel werden jeweils durch Beschreibungen verschiedener Rosensorten eingeleitet, was ebenfalls besser zum Rosentitel passen würde. Die Englische Ausgabe wurde außerdem unter dem Namen Gil McNeal veröffentlicht, die bereits mit ihren Büchern über den Strickclub Aufmerksamkeit erregte. Der Schreibstil ist einfach zu lesen, was dem ernsten Thema fast nicht gerecht wird. Die Autorin stellt die Veränderung in Mollys Leben in den Vordergrund, ohne sie gleich wieder in eine nächste Romanze zu verstricken. Es geht mehr darum, dass die junge Frau Verantwortung übernimmt und Entscheidungen trifft. Die Landschaftsbeschreibungen profitieren durch den überschwänglichen Dialogstil. Die hügelige Idylle ist farbig ausgemalt und weckt Fernweh. Wer sich mit leichter Lektüre nach Englands Westen versetzen möchte, ist mit diesem Roman gut bedient. Mein Lieblingssatz stammt übrigens von Bertie: „Das Alter ist nicht von Belang. Auf den Charakter kommt es an.“
Molly hat nicht nur ihre drei Söhne im Umfeld, sondern auch ihre beste Freundin Lola, mit der sie teilweise recht bissige Dialoge führt. Lola ist wie ein Anker, der Molly aus jedem Strudel herauszieht, vor allem wenn wieder zu viele Männer nur ihre Wünsche durchsetzen wollen. Onkel Bertie ist ebenfalls eine interessante Figur, die gern noch mehr in den Vordergrund gerückt werden könnte. Von ihm erhält der Alltag immer wieder Überraschungen, die andere Mütter nicht so kommentarlos hingenommen hätten. Dabei ist doch gerade der Dialog zwischen den Figuren besonders ausgeprägt. Mollys Sicht auf die Dinge wird in Ich-Form geschildert und vor allem mit jeden erdenklichen Gedanken ausgeschmückt. Das geht leider zu Lasten der Spannung. Man muss als Leser auch nicht über jeden Handgriff informiert werden. Auffällig ist auch, dass die Männer in diesem Roman nicht gut wegkommen.
Der Roman suggeriert schon vom Cover eine leichte Sommerlektüre. Auch wenn ich den Titel des Originals (A good year for the roses) treffender finde und das Eis am Stil im Inhalt nicht wiederfinden konnte, ist es dennoch hübsch anzusehen. Die Kapitel werden jeweils durch Beschreibungen verschiedener Rosensorten eingeleitet, was ebenfalls besser zum Rosentitel passen würde. Die Englische Ausgabe wurde außerdem unter dem Namen Gil McNeal veröffentlicht, die bereits mit ihren Büchern über den Strickclub Aufmerksamkeit erregte. Der Schreibstil ist einfach zu lesen, was dem ernsten Thema fast nicht gerecht wird. Die Autorin stellt die Veränderung in Mollys Leben in den Vordergrund, ohne sie gleich wieder in eine nächste Romanze zu verstricken. Es geht mehr darum, dass die junge Frau Verantwortung übernimmt und Entscheidungen trifft. Die Landschaftsbeschreibungen profitieren durch den überschwänglichen Dialogstil. Die hügelige Idylle ist farbig ausgemalt und weckt Fernweh. Wer sich mit leichter Lektüre nach Englands Westen versetzen möchte, ist mit diesem Roman gut bedient. Mein Lieblingssatz stammt übrigens von Bertie: „Das Alter ist nicht von Belang. Auf den Charakter kommt es an.“
July 28, 2014
A Good Year for Roses is by Gil McNeil. It is a very good novel about overcoming odds. The characters are realistic and believable. The plot is very simple and yet makes for a very good novel. Again it is one you can’t put down. I love the information about roses which precedes each chapter.
Molly Taylor is having to deal with a divorce from a wandering husband, the death of her aunt, the sale of her house so she can pay her husband half of the profit, working, and raising three sons without the benefit of a father. Luckily for Molly, her sons are dealing with the divorce quite well and the family is beginning to start over with a new attitude. Without Pete in the picture daily, the whole family attitude has become less stressful. Now she has to deal with her father at her aunt’s funeral.
Molly’s father is domineering and tyrannical. He expects her mother and Holly, to follow his rules exactly and to behave in a very strict manner. Holly has always run afoul of his temper as she doesn’t follow rules well. Her mother just takes whatever he dishes out and tries to make things smooth for him.
Molly is not going to be run over by a man again. She is independent and not subservient. She just wants to make a living for herself and her sons. Where to go and what to do with her life when her house sells is something her Aunt Helena will answer for her. Molly inherits Harrington Hall, a Georgian home that has been in the Harrington family for years. There are no other Harrington heirs to inherit. Helena married Molly’s mother’s brother, Bertie. The idea that Molly inherits and not her brother makes Molly’s dad and brother angry. They want Harrington Hall to expand the hotel business. Everything has always been about Roger as he is male. Molly has always taken second place.
Not only must Molly survive her father’s anger; but she must rejuvenate Harrington Hall; move her boys down to Devon from London and their friends; cope with an eccentric old uncle who has a potty mouth parrot; and make a new home and life for herself and her sons. Will she make it?
Molly Taylor is having to deal with a divorce from a wandering husband, the death of her aunt, the sale of her house so she can pay her husband half of the profit, working, and raising three sons without the benefit of a father. Luckily for Molly, her sons are dealing with the divorce quite well and the family is beginning to start over with a new attitude. Without Pete in the picture daily, the whole family attitude has become less stressful. Now she has to deal with her father at her aunt’s funeral.
Molly’s father is domineering and tyrannical. He expects her mother and Holly, to follow his rules exactly and to behave in a very strict manner. Holly has always run afoul of his temper as she doesn’t follow rules well. Her mother just takes whatever he dishes out and tries to make things smooth for him.
Molly is not going to be run over by a man again. She is independent and not subservient. She just wants to make a living for herself and her sons. Where to go and what to do with her life when her house sells is something her Aunt Helena will answer for her. Molly inherits Harrington Hall, a Georgian home that has been in the Harrington family for years. There are no other Harrington heirs to inherit. Helena married Molly’s mother’s brother, Bertie. The idea that Molly inherits and not her brother makes Molly’s dad and brother angry. They want Harrington Hall to expand the hotel business. Everything has always been about Roger as he is male. Molly has always taken second place.
Not only must Molly survive her father’s anger; but she must rejuvenate Harrington Hall; move her boys down to Devon from London and their friends; cope with an eccentric old uncle who has a potty mouth parrot; and make a new home and life for herself and her sons. Will she make it?
July 1, 2016
Danke an Netgalley und Piper für das Rezensionsexemplar.
Das Buch hat mir einige schöne Lesestunden passiert. Es passiert zwar nicht außergewöhnlich viel, aber ich fand es einfach toll Molly in ihrem Jahr nach der Scheidung zu begleiten.
Die Atmosphäre in dem Herrenhaus war einfach toll und es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht die Geschichte mit den Charakteren gemeinsam zu erleben.
Die Charaktere waren mir von Beginn an absolut sympathisch. Man war sofort mittendrin und hat sich direkt zu Hause gefühlt. Molly hat mir als Heldin der Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Sie hat besonnen ihre Entscheidungen getroffen, aber hat dennoch keinen perfekten Eindruck gemacht. Sie ist ein Mensch wie du und ich, mit der man sich leicht identifizieren und anfreunden kann. Auch sämtliche andere Charaktere waren mit ihren Eigenarten sehr sympatisch.
Positiv fand ich auch, dass hier mal nicht eine Liebesgeschichte im Vordergrund stand. Manchmal habe ich sie ein wenig vermisst, aber dennoch fand ich es so gut und unterhaltsam.
Ich bin leider kein Fan von extrem langen Kapiteln und 8 Kapitel auf 480 Seiten waren mir einfach zu wenig. Der Unterhaltung hat es keinen Abbruch getan, aber dennoch hat es sich dadurch manchmal etwas gezogen und das Buck kam einem deutlich länger vor.
Das Buch hat mir einige schöne Lesestunden passiert. Es passiert zwar nicht außergewöhnlich viel, aber ich fand es einfach toll Molly in ihrem Jahr nach der Scheidung zu begleiten.
Die Atmosphäre in dem Herrenhaus war einfach toll und es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht die Geschichte mit den Charakteren gemeinsam zu erleben.
Die Charaktere waren mir von Beginn an absolut sympathisch. Man war sofort mittendrin und hat sich direkt zu Hause gefühlt. Molly hat mir als Heldin der Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Sie hat besonnen ihre Entscheidungen getroffen, aber hat dennoch keinen perfekten Eindruck gemacht. Sie ist ein Mensch wie du und ich, mit der man sich leicht identifizieren und anfreunden kann. Auch sämtliche andere Charaktere waren mit ihren Eigenarten sehr sympatisch.
Positiv fand ich auch, dass hier mal nicht eine Liebesgeschichte im Vordergrund stand. Manchmal habe ich sie ein wenig vermisst, aber dennoch fand ich es so gut und unterhaltsam.
Ich bin leider kein Fan von extrem langen Kapiteln und 8 Kapitel auf 480 Seiten waren mir einfach zu wenig. Der Unterhaltung hat es keinen Abbruch getan, aber dennoch hat es sich dadurch manchmal etwas gezogen und das Buck kam einem deutlich länger vor.
May 26, 2017
Picked up this book at a community book sale.
It was a super easy read! Although, there were wayyyyy to many characters! At times it was difficult to keep track of who was who!
It's a nice light, summer read
It was a super easy read! Although, there were wayyyyy to many characters! At times it was difficult to keep track of who was who!
It's a nice light, summer read
July 15, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Now, I can't say that it was very exciting. But for someone who loves gardening, old houses, and the English countryside, it was just a lovely experience. I read it on a cruise ship and found myself wanting to skip activities so that I could read more and immerse myself in this charming story.
March 15, 2017
What a charming, delightful book this is. In some ways it could have been a typical story of a recently-divorced mother and her struggles. But the author did not do anything typical. The story is fun, interesting and a lovely picture of how to make lemonade out of lemons.
July 23, 2014
Gil McNeil is an author I have always enjoyed! I count The Only Boy For Me as one of my favourite Chick Lit reads of all time, and I've always enjoyed her work. So I was super pleased to see her new novel A Good Year For The Roses on Netgalley - I wasn't sure Gil was writing books any more, so it was a very nice surprise to see she was! I was pre-approved for the title (always a joy to not have that anxious will I be approved or not? wait) so downloaded it to my Kindle straight away and I couldn't wait to get stuck in!
Some of my favourite plots in novels is the whole "starting over" theme, I like the idea of going somewhere new and starting again, somewhere fresh and unknown, and that's the theme of A Good Year For The Roses. Molly Taylor is divorced, isn't a big fan of her job as a teacher, and finds she's having to sell the home she lives in with her three sons, so when her beloved Aunt Helena passes away, and leaves Harrington Hall to Molly, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to start again, in the country! The hall is in need of desperate renovation to get it back to its best, but Molly is more than up for the job, and along with her eccentric Uncle Bertie, and Ivy and Dennis, the couple who tend to the house, Molly soon finds she's got her hands full, and she's not entirely sure she's going to be able to manage it all, but Molly Taylor does not give up on a challenge, and Harrington Hall is more than worthy of that challenge...
Gil McNeil has a very distinctive writing style - her chapters are long (like thirty minutes long) and her dialogue between character lacks the usual "he said, she said" approach, which is actually quite refreshing. We don't really NEED to be told who's speaking at any one time, especially when the dialogue itself lets us know, without any additional knowledge. But, I could have done with shorter chapters. It's hard to take a book to work, to read during your lunch hour when the chapters are so blimming long! There are natural breaks in the chapters, but I felt the chapters could have been shorter, but that's Gil's way! I really enjoyed A Good Year For The Roses, Gil is such a great writer and she manages to make you laugh and be serious, all at the same time. Her novels ALWAYS give me a chuckle, and in this case, the rather amazing Betty, the parrot, provided a lot of laughs and light relief. Bless her. She was a rude parrot, make no mistake, but she was funny. I liked the idea of her learning the ring tone to the telephone and chirping it out at all hours of the day.
A Good Year For The Roses is filled with typically warm, enjoyable characters. I feel Gil McNeil really excels with her character writing, she always makes you care, and I loved Molly, and her kids. As well as all the surrounding characters - Bertie, Ivy and Dennis, they all brought Harrington to life and it was so lovely to see the Hall restored to its former glory, and brought back to life by Molly and everyone. It was such a wonderful, warm read and it's so great to see Gil McNeil writing novels again! I've always enjoyed her novels, and here's hoping for many more in the future! A Good Year For The Roses was such an enjoyable read, and Gil's many fans will love it just as much as I did!
This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
Some of my favourite plots in novels is the whole "starting over" theme, I like the idea of going somewhere new and starting again, somewhere fresh and unknown, and that's the theme of A Good Year For The Roses. Molly Taylor is divorced, isn't a big fan of her job as a teacher, and finds she's having to sell the home she lives in with her three sons, so when her beloved Aunt Helena passes away, and leaves Harrington Hall to Molly, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to start again, in the country! The hall is in need of desperate renovation to get it back to its best, but Molly is more than up for the job, and along with her eccentric Uncle Bertie, and Ivy and Dennis, the couple who tend to the house, Molly soon finds she's got her hands full, and she's not entirely sure she's going to be able to manage it all, but Molly Taylor does not give up on a challenge, and Harrington Hall is more than worthy of that challenge...
Gil McNeil has a very distinctive writing style - her chapters are long (like thirty minutes long) and her dialogue between character lacks the usual "he said, she said" approach, which is actually quite refreshing. We don't really NEED to be told who's speaking at any one time, especially when the dialogue itself lets us know, without any additional knowledge. But, I could have done with shorter chapters. It's hard to take a book to work, to read during your lunch hour when the chapters are so blimming long! There are natural breaks in the chapters, but I felt the chapters could have been shorter, but that's Gil's way! I really enjoyed A Good Year For The Roses, Gil is such a great writer and she manages to make you laugh and be serious, all at the same time. Her novels ALWAYS give me a chuckle, and in this case, the rather amazing Betty, the parrot, provided a lot of laughs and light relief. Bless her. She was a rude parrot, make no mistake, but she was funny. I liked the idea of her learning the ring tone to the telephone and chirping it out at all hours of the day.
A Good Year For The Roses is filled with typically warm, enjoyable characters. I feel Gil McNeil really excels with her character writing, she always makes you care, and I loved Molly, and her kids. As well as all the surrounding characters - Bertie, Ivy and Dennis, they all brought Harrington to life and it was so lovely to see the Hall restored to its former glory, and brought back to life by Molly and everyone. It was such a wonderful, warm read and it's so great to see Gil McNeil writing novels again! I've always enjoyed her novels, and here's hoping for many more in the future! A Good Year For The Roses was such an enjoyable read, and Gil's many fans will love it just as much as I did!
This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
August 25, 2016
Wer einen schönen Sommerschmöker sucht, der ist meiner Meinung nach bei diesem Buch an der richtigen Stelle.
Die Protagonistin Molly ist alleinerziehende Mutter, nachdem sie ihr Mann sitzengelassen hat. Sehr überraschend erbt sie ein riesiges Anwesen, das aber leider schon ziemlich baufällig ist. Es beinhaltet außerdem ein Bed&Breakfast, also wird Molly kurzerhand von der Lehrerin zur Gutsbesitzerin und Gastgeberin.
Die Geschichte ist aus der Sicht Mollys erzählt, was mir sehr gut gefallen hat. Sie ist eine starke Protagonistin, die sich nicht unterkriegen lässt. Auch wenn einiges nicht so klappt wie geplant und sie mit vielen Hürden zu kämpfen hat, bleibt sie immer ruhig und versucht, das beste daraus zu machen.
Auch die anderen Figuren des Buches sind herzallerliebst und richtig authentisch. Am besten hat mir Onkel Bertie gefallen. Er ist sehr exzentrisch und sein Verhalten hat mir mehr als einmal ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Die Geschichte ist auch sehr schön erzählt. Es gibt Höhen und Tiefen, die richtig großen Katastrophen bleiben aber aus. Das ist natürlich auf der einen Seite sehr schön - auf der anderen Seite plätschert die Geschichte dann aber auch manchmal einfach so vor sich hin. Hier hätte mich mir doch gewünscht, dass vielleicht mal etwas schlimmeres passiert, denn ich hätte gerne gewusst, wie Molly sich dann da wieder heraus manövriert. Es hätte dem Buch auch noch einen Hauch Spannung verliehen.
Aber so ist es wie gesagt eine sehr schöne und angenehme Lektüre mit einem tollen Schreibstil. Wer gerne in die englische Gartenwelt abtauchen und sich auch mal als Gutsherrin fühlen will, der wird dieses Buch lieben!
Die Protagonistin Molly ist alleinerziehende Mutter, nachdem sie ihr Mann sitzengelassen hat. Sehr überraschend erbt sie ein riesiges Anwesen, das aber leider schon ziemlich baufällig ist. Es beinhaltet außerdem ein Bed&Breakfast, also wird Molly kurzerhand von der Lehrerin zur Gutsbesitzerin und Gastgeberin.
Die Geschichte ist aus der Sicht Mollys erzählt, was mir sehr gut gefallen hat. Sie ist eine starke Protagonistin, die sich nicht unterkriegen lässt. Auch wenn einiges nicht so klappt wie geplant und sie mit vielen Hürden zu kämpfen hat, bleibt sie immer ruhig und versucht, das beste daraus zu machen.
Auch die anderen Figuren des Buches sind herzallerliebst und richtig authentisch. Am besten hat mir Onkel Bertie gefallen. Er ist sehr exzentrisch und sein Verhalten hat mir mehr als einmal ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Die Geschichte ist auch sehr schön erzählt. Es gibt Höhen und Tiefen, die richtig großen Katastrophen bleiben aber aus. Das ist natürlich auf der einen Seite sehr schön - auf der anderen Seite plätschert die Geschichte dann aber auch manchmal einfach so vor sich hin. Hier hätte mich mir doch gewünscht, dass vielleicht mal etwas schlimmeres passiert, denn ich hätte gerne gewusst, wie Molly sich dann da wieder heraus manövriert. Es hätte dem Buch auch noch einen Hauch Spannung verliehen.
Aber so ist es wie gesagt eine sehr schöne und angenehme Lektüre mit einem tollen Schreibstil. Wer gerne in die englische Gartenwelt abtauchen und sich auch mal als Gutsherrin fühlen will, der wird dieses Buch lieben!
July 8, 2014
A divorced mother of three, Molly is struggling to support her boys and find a new home. When her adored Aunt dies and leaves her a 300 year old manor house, Molly is shocked and surprised. But, the thought of returning to her childhood hometown is intriguing and Molly soon finds herself settled on the Devon coast in Harrington Hall.
With three lively boys, a dysfunctional family and quirky friends and relatives, there is no loss of charm and drama at Harrington. But, as she settles in, Molly soon discovers her strengths and finds a new path.
Being married to The Doctor, we are quite the mix of British and American in our household. Because of that, I adore British novels and A Good Year for the Roses is quintessentially British and quite funny. However, it was a book I struggled to get into and very nearly didn't pick it up again. Molly grated on me for most of the story and I thought she was whiny and complained incessantly. She complained in her head most of the time, but incessantly. Towards the end though, she grew on me.
I didn't like the first person narrative and there was too much unnecessary profanity. But, I adored Harrington Hall and I loved the change in life and attitude among Molly's family.
I saw a review that compared the author to Rosamunde Pilcher. While I can't agree with that comparison, the story had its charm and that compelled me to finish it.
With three lively boys, a dysfunctional family and quirky friends and relatives, there is no loss of charm and drama at Harrington. But, as she settles in, Molly soon discovers her strengths and finds a new path.
Being married to The Doctor, we are quite the mix of British and American in our household. Because of that, I adore British novels and A Good Year for the Roses is quintessentially British and quite funny. However, it was a book I struggled to get into and very nearly didn't pick it up again. Molly grated on me for most of the story and I thought she was whiny and complained incessantly. She complained in her head most of the time, but incessantly. Towards the end though, she grew on me.
I didn't like the first person narrative and there was too much unnecessary profanity. But, I adored Harrington Hall and I loved the change in life and attitude among Molly's family.
I saw a review that compared the author to Rosamunde Pilcher. While I can't agree with that comparison, the story had its charm and that compelled me to finish it.
January 5, 2015
A Good Year for the Roses is a book that contains all of my favorite ingredients for a delicious read...Spunky heroine, bad divorce from rotter husband, adorable children, country manor houses and gardens and endless cups of tea. As a matter of fact, if I had a dollar (or pound) for every cuppa made in the text, I could afford a week-end at the Devon Bed and Breakfast run by Molly Taylor.
It happens to follow a formula I really enjoy and I recommend this novel to anyone who feels the same way. It's a gem of the genre, and the laughs keep coming every few pages. At the most propitious time, Molly has the chance to return to the coast where she grew up. She is surprised to inherit her Aunt Helena's 300 year old manor house which comes equipped with a dotty Uncle and his foul-mouthed parrot, the required London bff, an antique rose garden, and the heart-of-gold cranky retainers. There is also the requisite bad guy (her brother) and also the old boyfriend. And her stern father fits that description as well.
In the process, you will find out more than you wanted to know about antique roses and cleaning. That said, if its your cup of tea you'll love it too.
It happens to follow a formula I really enjoy and I recommend this novel to anyone who feels the same way. It's a gem of the genre, and the laughs keep coming every few pages. At the most propitious time, Molly has the chance to return to the coast where she grew up. She is surprised to inherit her Aunt Helena's 300 year old manor house which comes equipped with a dotty Uncle and his foul-mouthed parrot, the required London bff, an antique rose garden, and the heart-of-gold cranky retainers. There is also the requisite bad guy (her brother) and also the old boyfriend. And her stern father fits that description as well.
In the process, you will find out more than you wanted to know about antique roses and cleaning. That said, if its your cup of tea you'll love it too.
December 24, 2017
I love Gil McNeil but for some reason this book bored me. I couldn't get into the story at all. There seemed to be pages of narrative that didn't need to be there. I think the story could have been told in a lighter fashion in 240 pages than a long drawn out story in 370 plus. I hated rating it so poorly but for me it just didn't work at all. The characters were not too appealing ....I don't know what it was about them but sorry Gil I will read others of yours. You have worked for me in the past and hopefully will again in the future.
January 9, 2024
Just about perfect; my favorite plot line with a twist of British charm. Such fun.
August 6, 2015
Fabulous set-up utterly ruined by a dull, pointless plot and frankly blah cast of characters. However the cover is beautiful. Which makes it harder..such a lovely book to be so dreary inside.
November 15, 2017
(3.5 stars) Molly’s family has been the hotel business for years, but she has never felt comfortable with the way her brother and father have managed the business. Being a recent single mother of 3 boys, she is shocked to find out that her Aunt Helen has left her Harrington Hall in Devon. She decides to take the leap and move the family out of London, working on turning the property into holiday rentals, starting with expanding the existing bed and breakfast. In addition to the property, she also inherits her eccentric Uncle Bertie, who delights in shooting off a cannon, and his parrot, Betty, who has a salty tongue and a penchant for destroying electronic devices. As she and her boys adjust to a new life, she entertains the possibility of an old love returned, but must balance her feelings with her new independence and sense of what is best for her and her family.
November 5, 2017
I saw this on the shelf at the library and was glad to see it, I have been waiting to find another one of her books for awhile! This was really good. I loved the characters, really liked Molly and her family. Her boys were cute, even Dan the teenager. It was nice to see her mom finally stand up to her dad and brother. I was worried at the end that Molly was going to be pregnant, but happily she just embarked on a relationship with Eddie. I wouldn't mind a sequel to see how this one turned out.
January 15, 2022
I really like Gil McNeil’s writing style. It’s comfortable, realistic and down to earth. I liked her knitting shop series the best and didn’t want it to end. I found this book is almost too similar to the series….newly single mom with 2 or 3 boys inherits a home/small business from a strong female relative….moves there and starts over juggling raising boys, running a business and half way restarting her live life. Seems like I read the same story with different names for the characters.
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March 18, 2022A single mother with three boys struggling to figure out what is the best lifestyle for her family. She inherits an old mansion on the Devon Coast and with it comes some fun local characters. Our heroine gains confidence throughout the book and it is a joy to see her put her brother and father in their place. This is a story about healing, standing up for what one thinks is right and the value of new and old friendships. Strong females abound.
January 4, 2023
A reread because I needed something fluffy on a flight. A typical McNeil - feisty woman with several kids starts over in a seaside town, annoys various snooty townspeople by succeeding in unexpected ways. Money, while tight, always appears at the right moments. Exotic, beautiful friend pops in periodically to contrast big-city glamour with small-town coziness. Everything ends happily, except, spoiler alert, for the pigs. Who could ask for more?
December 18, 2024
Good indeed, you can see the garden.
As noted, Gil McNeil has a distinct jovial style of storytelling. Life may not always be a bed of roses but "A Good Year for the Roses" is a delightful story. Molly becomes the owner of her aunt's manor house soon after her divorce. With three young boys in tow, she finds that a new life in southwest England agrees with her just fine. For those who love to explore other cultures and countries, this is a nice read.
As noted, Gil McNeil has a distinct jovial style of storytelling. Life may not always be a bed of roses but "A Good Year for the Roses" is a delightful story. Molly becomes the owner of her aunt's manor house soon after her divorce. With three young boys in tow, she finds that a new life in southwest England agrees with her just fine. For those who love to explore other cultures and countries, this is a nice read.
March 14, 2017
I fall in love with all McNeil's characters and I just want to spend more time with them.
McNeil's character are delightful as always and I just want to hang out with them. Sassy, strong women whose journeys take them on a trip of rediscovery ending with an appreciation of who they really were all along.
McNeil's character are delightful as always and I just want to hang out with them. Sassy, strong women whose journeys take them on a trip of rediscovery ending with an appreciation of who they really were all along.
November 22, 2019
Not a fast-paced action-packed book, but such a pleasure to spend a year in this lovely setting with these characters. I wish I had been half as good a mother as the main character Molly managed to be! It was a hopeful and uplifting book that made you feel a little better about life and its possibilities.
February 11, 2024
I needed a peaceful book right now so was quite happy with this book of delightful characters. I enjoyed the British ,cottage atmosphere. Most of all I loved how this divorcee put the welfare of her family first and that her friends and relatives were there to support her, because she was a genuinely good person.
June 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, it felt like it would be adapted by BBC or ITV as a miniseries. The pacing at times was a bit rushed but I forgive it because I love stories about women forming a brand new life after a major life event/setback.
August 9, 2017
This was a light refreshing read, well written and humorous. As a mother of boys I could relate to her incessant threats and bribes although they were delightful children. A feel good finish left me wanting more!
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