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Where the Sea Lavender Grows
A woman restoring a historic cottage on the English coast uncovers a startling connection to the past in a haunting and bittersweet novel about art, loss, and love by the author of Closest Kept.
Elise, an artist grieving the loss of her son and a fracturing marriage, is in North Norfolk to restore Marsh House to its former glory, its walls adorned with the fading murals and paintings of its long-ago owner, Lilias Carter-Brown. Elise makes an immediate connection to the house, to Sam—a carpenter and a comfort—and to history itself when an old photograph draws Elise into Lilias’s heartbreaking past.
In 1939, with war threatening, Lilias and her sister turn Marsh House into a sanctuary for London evacuees—a young boy and his mother. But it’s the boy’s father, Harry, an enlistee soon to report for duty, with whom Lilias forms an unexpected and intimate bond. When Harry suddenly vanishes without a trace, it changes the course of Lilias’s life forever.
Now, as Elise and Sam work to solve the mystery of the disappearance, the restoration of Marsh House is bringing Elise back to life as well—to love again, to put her and Lilias’s pasts to rest, and to finally move on.
Elise, an artist grieving the loss of her son and a fracturing marriage, is in North Norfolk to restore Marsh House to its former glory, its walls adorned with the fading murals and paintings of its long-ago owner, Lilias Carter-Brown. Elise makes an immediate connection to the house, to Sam—a carpenter and a comfort—and to history itself when an old photograph draws Elise into Lilias’s heartbreaking past.
In 1939, with war threatening, Lilias and her sister turn Marsh House into a sanctuary for London evacuees—a young boy and his mother. But it’s the boy’s father, Harry, an enlistee soon to report for duty, with whom Lilias forms an unexpected and intimate bond. When Harry suddenly vanishes without a trace, it changes the course of Lilias’s life forever.
Now, as Elise and Sam work to solve the mystery of the disappearance, the restoration of Marsh House is bringing Elise back to life as well—to love again, to put her and Lilias’s pasts to rest, and to finally move on.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Kitty Johnson
4 books244 followersKitty Johnson is an awarding-winning writer of emotional stories about empowerment and living your best life. She lives in Norwich, Norfolk in the UK, with her partner and son. Her novel Five Winters was awarded the Star Award 2024 by the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
A nature lover, Kitty enjoys walking in the local woods and by the sea in Norfolk with her dog. Also an artist, she paints and makes collages in her studio when she has time. Kitty enjoys a challenge and once performed stand-up comedy as research for a book - an experience she found very scary but hugely empowering. Kitty has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and has also published as Margaret K Johnson.
A nature lover, Kitty enjoys walking in the local woods and by the sea in Norfolk with her dog. Also an artist, she paints and makes collages in her studio when she has time. Kitty enjoys a challenge and once performed stand-up comedy as research for a book - an experience she found very scary but hugely empowering. Kitty has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and has also published as Margaret K Johnson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 538 reviews
June 5, 2026
First 75% - 5 stars!
Last 25% - 3 stars
Overall rating - 4 stars!
A woman takes on an art restoration job at an English seaside cottage that holds a history she is drawn to.
Told through multiple timelines that had an equal pull on me, this novel explores a variety of topics that I was drawn to — wartime evacuee children’s programs, a dated English cottage in the countryside, a grieving mother, a house with a meaningful history that slowly reveals itself and dogs as main character companions.
The atmosphere within the seaside town was engrossing from start to finish. The beauty of nature was palpable. I could vividly picture the lush landscapes and intricate details of the cottage under restoration. The cottage was almost like a character itself.
Each timeline followed a strong yet flawed female lead. I was wrapped up in each perspective, feeling invested and engrossed in the storylines. These characters were endearing and root-worthy. The writing was real, raw and heart-wrenching at times.
The loss of a child is a theme that was emotional and well-explored. This was an impactful part of the story for me and I felt strongly for the grieving mother.
My intense connection to the novel did lessen toward the end of the book when the plot shifted to a heavy romance focus. I’m not a romance reader and this genre inclusion ended up negatively affecting my overall enjoyment and connection. I still really liked the story overall, but the romance was too heavy for my personal taste and I could have done without.
Audio rating: 4.5 stars! The audio narrators did an incredible job performing this story. Their accents were wonderfully suited to the characters. Their tones and pauses complimented the flow and pace. I highly recommend the audio version!
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
Last 25% - 3 stars
Overall rating - 4 stars!
A woman takes on an art restoration job at an English seaside cottage that holds a history she is drawn to.
Told through multiple timelines that had an equal pull on me, this novel explores a variety of topics that I was drawn to — wartime evacuee children’s programs, a dated English cottage in the countryside, a grieving mother, a house with a meaningful history that slowly reveals itself and dogs as main character companions.
The atmosphere within the seaside town was engrossing from start to finish. The beauty of nature was palpable. I could vividly picture the lush landscapes and intricate details of the cottage under restoration. The cottage was almost like a character itself.
Each timeline followed a strong yet flawed female lead. I was wrapped up in each perspective, feeling invested and engrossed in the storylines. These characters were endearing and root-worthy. The writing was real, raw and heart-wrenching at times.
The loss of a child is a theme that was emotional and well-explored. This was an impactful part of the story for me and I felt strongly for the grieving mother.
My intense connection to the novel did lessen toward the end of the book when the plot shifted to a heavy romance focus. I’m not a romance reader and this genre inclusion ended up negatively affecting my overall enjoyment and connection. I still really liked the story overall, but the romance was too heavy for my personal taste and I could have done without.
Audio rating: 4.5 stars! The audio narrators did an incredible job performing this story. Their accents were wonderfully suited to the characters. Their tones and pauses complimented the flow and pace. I highly recommend the audio version!
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
May 11, 2026
This story offers a beautiful balance of heartfelt connection and intrigue. Moving between 2006 and the WWII era, the narrative weaves together the lives of several women centered around the Marsh House in North Norfolk, England. The setting—where the lavender marshes meet the sea—is atmospheric and vivid. I particularly enjoyed the audio version; the narrators did a wonderful job of distinguishing the different perspectives and bringing each woman's unique voice to life. An engaging and well-plotted historical read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This quietly engaging novel, set against the salt marshes, lanes and tidal skies of Norfolk, stitches together the lives of two women separated by eighty years and bound by paint, loss and the slow work of repair. In the present day Elise, a mother and artist, raw with grief after the death of her son, tries to make sense of the world by restoring a body of work in a house once owned by Lilias, a gifted Norfolk artist. She becomes fascinated with an old photograph she finds of a young boy who looks very much like her son and is tenacious in her attempts to find out more about him. In the 1940s timeline, Lilias herself becomes a kind of salvific presence when she takes in David, an evacuee boy who unexpectedly flourishes in the countryside despite his actual mothers dislike of the place. The story flips seemlessly between the two timelines, cleverly revealing more of the mystery and keeping the reader hooked. The ending is truly satisfying...but no spoilers! I found it well paced and the beautiful descriptions of the Norfolk countryside really bring it alive. I loved both sides of the story, but Lilias's really stands out. There is plenty here to appeal to book clubs as the themes of grief and difficult family relationship coupled with the historial aspects of the war would provide plenty to discuss. This is another wonderful book from Kitty.
April 4, 2026
I loved it, This is my first book from this author, I will be reading more of her books.
November 26, 2025
When Elise takes on a job restoring a WWII-era home, she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. At first it’s simply a project, a way to use her artistic talents. And yes, it’s a way to distract her from troubles at home…the recent death of her son as well as her increasingly troubled marriage. But it soon turns into far more than a DIY project. She finds herself drawn into a tale from the past. Someone, or something, is trying to get her attention. There’s unfinished business from decades ago, and it seems as if Elise is the only one who can help. This is a wonderful story. It has all of my favorite elements-historical fiction, WWII era, intriguing characters, alternating storylines and perspectives, and a bit of a mystery woven in. Five stars!
April 27, 2026
I wanted to like this book. It started off so well, too. Halfway in, I found myself intensely disliking quite a few things, so the second half of the book was tiresome to get through.
The characters were not likable. They were quite shallow. The gardener’s appearance (Cook) was completely irrelevant and unnecessary.
The dialogue was juvenile and embarrassing at times. The plot was predictable. As someone who is a prolific reader of historical fiction, this book barely scratched the surface of WW2 events.
Why didn’t the author, whose bio says she’s an artist, describe the art restoration process Elise was doing? This was one of the main points of the book and should have been expounded on.
This book was cringy in a lot of ways. I’m happy it’s finished. I’m also glad it was a free offering for the month through Amazon’s First Reads. I’ll be deleting it from my library without any guilt whatsoever.
The characters were not likable. They were quite shallow. The gardener’s appearance (Cook) was completely irrelevant and unnecessary.
The dialogue was juvenile and embarrassing at times. The plot was predictable. As someone who is a prolific reader of historical fiction, this book barely scratched the surface of WW2 events.
Why didn’t the author, whose bio says she’s an artist, describe the art restoration process Elise was doing? This was one of the main points of the book and should have been expounded on.
This book was cringy in a lot of ways. I’m happy it’s finished. I’m also glad it was a free offering for the month through Amazon’s First Reads. I’ll be deleting it from my library without any guilt whatsoever.
April 12, 2026
Here are the 5 main takeaways from Kitty Johnson's Where the Sea Lavender Grows (major spoilers included):
1. Grief Can Create Unexpected Bridges Across Time and Generations: Artist Elise arrives at Marsh House in North Norfolk, raw from the death of her young son and the slow collapse of her marriage. While restoring the fading murals and paintings left by former owner Lilias Carter-Brown, she discovers an old photograph of a WWII evacuee boy who bears a striking resemblance to her lost son. This visual echo pulls her deep into Lilias’s hidden past, forging an emotional connection that helps Elise process her own unbearable loss. The novel tenderly shows how shared sorrow—across decades—can offer solace, understanding, and a sense of not being alone in pain.
2. Art Serves as Both Preservation and Revelation of Hidden Truths: The core of the story lies in the murals and paintings at Marsh House, which preserve Lilias’s story while gradually revealing long-buried family secrets. As Elise meticulously restores the artwork, layers of history emerge, mirroring how creative work can uncover emotional truths that words alone cannot express. The book celebrates art not merely as decoration but as a powerful, enduring medium that connects people, documents love and heartbreak, and allows the past to speak directly to the present.
3. War Forces Ordinary People into Extraordinary Acts of Kindness and Moral Complexity: In 1939, as WWII looms, Lilias and her sister transform Marsh House into a sanctuary for London evacuees, including a young boy and his mother. Lilias forms a deep, intimate bond with the boy’s father Harry—an enlistee heading to war—leading to forbidden love and life-altering consequences. The story portrays the quiet heroism and painful compromises of those on the home front: opening homes to strangers, navigating duty versus desire, and carrying secrets amid national upheaval, all while highlighting the human cost of conflict on personal relationships.
4. Healing Often Begins with Restoring What Has Been Damaged—Both Places and Hearts: Elise’s commission to bring the neglected coastal cottage back to its former glory parallels her own emotional repair. Working alongside carpenter Sam (who becomes a source of comfort and potential new love), she confronts her grief and marital fractures while uncovering Lilias’s heartbreaking choices and their ripple effects through generations. The narrative emphasizes that restoration—whether of a historic house, faded artwork, or a shattered life—is slow, painstaking work that requires patience, support, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths before beauty and wholeness can return.
5. Love and Loss Are Intertwined, and New Beginnings Can Emerge from the Deepest Heartbreak: Both women grapple with profound loss—Lilias through wartime separation, forbidden romance, and its consequences; Elise through the death of her child and a fracturing marriage. Their stories converge around themes of maternal love, regret, and resilience amid the sea lavender–dotted Norfolk landscape. The bittersweet resolution suggests that while some wounds never fully heal, confronting the past, accepting help (from people like Sam or through discovered family ties), and choosing vulnerability can open doors to renewed purpose, connection, and a redefined sense of home and family.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a haunting, emotional dual-timeline novel set against the atmospheric North Norfolk coast. It weaves art, WWII history, grief, and quiet romance into a bittersweet exploration of loss, secrets, and the restorative power of place and creativity—perfect for readers who enjoy introspective historical fiction with strong emotional depth.
1. Grief Can Create Unexpected Bridges Across Time and Generations: Artist Elise arrives at Marsh House in North Norfolk, raw from the death of her young son and the slow collapse of her marriage. While restoring the fading murals and paintings left by former owner Lilias Carter-Brown, she discovers an old photograph of a WWII evacuee boy who bears a striking resemblance to her lost son. This visual echo pulls her deep into Lilias’s hidden past, forging an emotional connection that helps Elise process her own unbearable loss. The novel tenderly shows how shared sorrow—across decades—can offer solace, understanding, and a sense of not being alone in pain.
2. Art Serves as Both Preservation and Revelation of Hidden Truths: The core of the story lies in the murals and paintings at Marsh House, which preserve Lilias’s story while gradually revealing long-buried family secrets. As Elise meticulously restores the artwork, layers of history emerge, mirroring how creative work can uncover emotional truths that words alone cannot express. The book celebrates art not merely as decoration but as a powerful, enduring medium that connects people, documents love and heartbreak, and allows the past to speak directly to the present.
3. War Forces Ordinary People into Extraordinary Acts of Kindness and Moral Complexity: In 1939, as WWII looms, Lilias and her sister transform Marsh House into a sanctuary for London evacuees, including a young boy and his mother. Lilias forms a deep, intimate bond with the boy’s father Harry—an enlistee heading to war—leading to forbidden love and life-altering consequences. The story portrays the quiet heroism and painful compromises of those on the home front: opening homes to strangers, navigating duty versus desire, and carrying secrets amid national upheaval, all while highlighting the human cost of conflict on personal relationships.
4. Healing Often Begins with Restoring What Has Been Damaged—Both Places and Hearts: Elise’s commission to bring the neglected coastal cottage back to its former glory parallels her own emotional repair. Working alongside carpenter Sam (who becomes a source of comfort and potential new love), she confronts her grief and marital fractures while uncovering Lilias’s heartbreaking choices and their ripple effects through generations. The narrative emphasizes that restoration—whether of a historic house, faded artwork, or a shattered life—is slow, painstaking work that requires patience, support, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths before beauty and wholeness can return.
5. Love and Loss Are Intertwined, and New Beginnings Can Emerge from the Deepest Heartbreak: Both women grapple with profound loss—Lilias through wartime separation, forbidden romance, and its consequences; Elise through the death of her child and a fracturing marriage. Their stories converge around themes of maternal love, regret, and resilience amid the sea lavender–dotted Norfolk landscape. The bittersweet resolution suggests that while some wounds never fully heal, confronting the past, accepting help (from people like Sam or through discovered family ties), and choosing vulnerability can open doors to renewed purpose, connection, and a redefined sense of home and family.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a haunting, emotional dual-timeline novel set against the atmospheric North Norfolk coast. It weaves art, WWII history, grief, and quiet romance into a bittersweet exploration of loss, secrets, and the restorative power of place and creativity—perfect for readers who enjoy introspective historical fiction with strong emotional depth.
May 4, 2026
Vivid, compelling, and immersive!
𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 is a captivating dual-timeline novel set in North Norfolk across 1939 and 2005, that is told through Elise, a grieving mother who takes on the restoration of murals in a country estate and becomes drawn into the hidden histories of its former occupants; and Lilias, a reclusive woman whose life is unexpectedly transformed by the arrival of a London evacuee after years marked by loss and heartbreak.
The prose is rich and evocative. The characters are passionate, resilient, and flawed. And the story is a tender exploration of loss, longing, healing, friendship, family, and love, all woven together with threads of nostalgia and quiet mystery.
Overall, 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 is a warm, atmospheric, engaging tale by Johnson that beautifully underscores the enduring power of art and storytelling.
𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 is a captivating dual-timeline novel set in North Norfolk across 1939 and 2005, that is told through Elise, a grieving mother who takes on the restoration of murals in a country estate and becomes drawn into the hidden histories of its former occupants; and Lilias, a reclusive woman whose life is unexpectedly transformed by the arrival of a London evacuee after years marked by loss and heartbreak.
The prose is rich and evocative. The characters are passionate, resilient, and flawed. And the story is a tender exploration of loss, longing, healing, friendship, family, and love, all woven together with threads of nostalgia and quiet mystery.
Overall, 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 is a warm, atmospheric, engaging tale by Johnson that beautifully underscores the enduring power of art and storytelling.
April 4, 2026
Tragic, yet deeply touching. Where the Sea Lavender Grows explores a 70 year old family mystery, the devastation of war beyond the battlefield, and the fortitude of a mother.
“But that’s war, isn’t it? So much waste and injustice. So much loss.”
TW: infant/child loss
“But that’s war, isn’t it? So much waste and injustice. So much loss.”
TW: infant/child loss
May 3, 2026
Regardless of the slower pace at the start, this book is magnificent.
The stories of all of the characters invoke such a deep ache in my chest. Filled with grief, yearning, sadness, despair, hope, love.
Phenomenal.
The stories of all of the characters invoke such a deep ache in my chest. Filled with grief, yearning, sadness, despair, hope, love.
Phenomenal.
May 14, 2026
Unlike other WWII books I've read I really enjoyed the stories of these women during and after the war because of their parallel tragedies, and romances. I find that each book I read on this subject has been slightly different yet extremely knowledgeable and eye opening on the events and retellings during this time period.
——
Another dual POV & timeline read.
Elise is a present day artist who’s restoring Marsh House, a well known home for evacuees in the 1930’s where a famous artist lived. Before taking on the restoration process, she and her husband are visiting Norfolk and stumble upon an art exhibit where a photo stands out, and points her in the direction of restoration.
While at the Marsh house Elise befriends Sam, a carpenter, where the two bond over losses while working on bringing Marsh House back to life. But that’s not all the pair will do together, they’ll also begin uncovering secrets that Lilias; the original owner, has been pointing Elise towards.
The year’s 1939 and Lilias & her sister, Ruth, are turning their home, Marsh House, into a sanctuary for London evacuees. This is where their lives will be forever changed when a mother & her son, David, move in.
While at their home Lilias will form a deep bond with David, who she’ll come to see as her own. And when his father, Harry, comes to visit sparks fly. Between Harry’s sudden disappearance, & the boy returning home to London, Lilias will never be the same.
——
Another dual POV & timeline read.
Elise is a present day artist who’s restoring Marsh House, a well known home for evacuees in the 1930’s where a famous artist lived. Before taking on the restoration process, she and her husband are visiting Norfolk and stumble upon an art exhibit where a photo stands out, and points her in the direction of restoration.
While at the Marsh house Elise befriends Sam, a carpenter, where the two bond over losses while working on bringing Marsh House back to life. But that’s not all the pair will do together, they’ll also begin uncovering secrets that Lilias; the original owner, has been pointing Elise towards.
The year’s 1939 and Lilias & her sister, Ruth, are turning their home, Marsh House, into a sanctuary for London evacuees. This is where their lives will be forever changed when a mother & her son, David, move in.
While at their home Lilias will form a deep bond with David, who she’ll come to see as her own. And when his father, Harry, comes to visit sparks fly. Between Harry’s sudden disappearance, & the boy returning home to London, Lilias will never be the same.
April 20, 2026
Amazon Preview on Kindle
The story was good, I enjoyed it. I struggled with the obvious direction the twist was going in because the math was bad. The 2 timelines were about 60 years apart. Marie should have been Elise’s mother, not grandmother.
The story was good, I enjoyed it. I struggled with the obvious direction the twist was going in because the math was bad. The 2 timelines were about 60 years apart. Marie should have been Elise’s mother, not grandmother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
Heartfelt and touching
I really enjoyed this. I loved the historical aspect and it focusing on evacuees into the countryside during ww2. I love it was set in the salt marches in Norfolk.
I got such a vivid image of what they looked like. I really liked Lilias and Ruth.
I knew there must be a link with Elise and Lilias and I just couldn't figure out what it was until about 90% in. I wasn't quite sure about the supernatural aspect and it was sort of just accepted, I am a believer but felt this was a bit overdone.
There are a lot of heavy topics such as war, death, baby loss, child loss and grief so watch out for triggers.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the historical aspect and it focusing on evacuees into the countryside during ww2. I love it was set in the salt marches in Norfolk.
I got such a vivid image of what they looked like. I really liked Lilias and Ruth.
I knew there must be a link with Elise and Lilias and I just couldn't figure out what it was until about 90% in. I wasn't quite sure about the supernatural aspect and it was sort of just accepted, I am a believer but felt this was a bit overdone.
There are a lot of heavy topics such as war, death, baby loss, child loss and grief so watch out for triggers.
May 25, 2026
Fabulous read, story pulls you in and keeps you there
The characters were well done, you feel like you know them personally.
The story was gracefully handled switching between time periods until the surprising coming together at the end.
Brava!
The characters were well done, you feel like you know them personally.
The story was gracefully handled switching between time periods until the surprising coming together at the end.
Brava!
May 4, 2026
I really really enjoyed this book! The characters, the dual timeline, a touch of the supernatural, the story, everything was so well done. So much love and loss and tragedy, such a heartfelt book.
May 26, 2026
a little predictable, but beautiful story. I loved lilias❤️
May 8, 2026
This was offered to me free on Kindle as a pre-publication edition, although I was not asked to review it or even read it. These views are entirely my own.
Kitty Johnson is not a writer I have come across before and on the surface this was not a book I would have considered without prompting. Especially as it has a somewhat esoteric theme of extra sensory perception.
Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Set in two era's - the 1930's W W 2 and the present day - it centres on the story of a young artist who is commissioned to restore the various paintings and murals in a country house in Norfolk which has been unoccupied for some time.
She becomes fascinated by the resident who made the paintings and tries to discover more about her. This is further prompted by the fact the occupant took in a young boy as an evacuee, a picture of which the artist sees at an exhibition, and which bears an uncanny resemblance to her recently deceased son.
The story is told thorough the eyes of both historical characters and those centered in the present day. This is a cleverly worked trope which gives enough information without giving away the surprise ending.
Recommended and I will be looking at other books by Johnson.
Kitty Johnson is not a writer I have come across before and on the surface this was not a book I would have considered without prompting. Especially as it has a somewhat esoteric theme of extra sensory perception.
Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Set in two era's - the 1930's W W 2 and the present day - it centres on the story of a young artist who is commissioned to restore the various paintings and murals in a country house in Norfolk which has been unoccupied for some time.
She becomes fascinated by the resident who made the paintings and tries to discover more about her. This is further prompted by the fact the occupant took in a young boy as an evacuee, a picture of which the artist sees at an exhibition, and which bears an uncanny resemblance to her recently deceased son.
The story is told thorough the eyes of both historical characters and those centered in the present day. This is a cleverly worked trope which gives enough information without giving away the surprise ending.
Recommended and I will be looking at other books by Johnson.
May 20, 2026
Set both during WWII and 2006, this engaging tale follows the lives of two women who appear to be somehow more and more connected, yet they’ve never met. Another book I couldn’t put town, one that pulls on your heartstrings in unique ways, and keeps you guessing nearly til the end. Would highly recommend!
May 21, 2026
The story is very well told. The pacing is good, and I like the time-slip between WWII and the 2000s. I also really appreciate that the author chose not to be explicit with the characters' sexual relationships.
May 26, 2026
I already know that I will be thinking about this book for months to come! I loved the dual story lines and although the ending was quite predictable, I really enjoyed the book!
June 3, 2026
Enjoyed this story!
April 24, 2026
Well, I should know better than to bother with the Amazon first reads picks. This book was silly. Ghost leads great-granddaughter to her old house to restore it, and inhabits her body long enough to PAINT OVER the very mural she's been hired to restore. Lots of very obvious connecting of dots. This book actually had some potential to be sweet, which is why I kept at it, but no, just schlocky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2026
I received this book from First Reads, a free teview book. Thank you, Kindle Books.
The story is great. I just have a personal dislike of ghosts or supernatural, so I wish she could have told the story somehow without that. The ending was anticlimactic, but the story behind the house was very good.
The story is great. I just have a personal dislike of ghosts or supernatural, so I wish she could have told the story somehow without that. The ending was anticlimactic, but the story behind the house was very good.
May 15, 2026
The entirety of Where the Sea Lavender grows is tragic and deeply heartfelt. We get Ellie, who arrives at Marsh House in North Norfolk shortly after the death of her son and collapse of her marriage and who, when restoring old murals left by the previous owner, finds a photograph that looks just like her son. This sends her on a bit of a manic mission to find out more about the boy in the photograph and how the previous owner of the house came to own it.
The photograph, from 1939 has Lilias and her sister opening their home to evacuees during the early days of World War II, including the little boy in the photograph.
I loved the visual of sea lavender being both fragile and resilient as a metaphor for how the main characters in both timelines were healing and enduring through their grief. It was subtle, but incredibly well done.
I did think that the book got off to a slow start, but it picked up about a third of the way in and easily caught itself back up.
The dual timeline was really well done, exploring Ellie in her current day grief and Lilias and her unwavering resiliency during the war- plus her own loss when Harry leaves.
The audio version provided a layer of depth and complexity which really tied in the dual story and timelines together.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is due to be published May 1, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I did also obtain a copy of this book from Amazon First Reads.
The photograph, from 1939 has Lilias and her sister opening their home to evacuees during the early days of World War II, including the little boy in the photograph.
I loved the visual of sea lavender being both fragile and resilient as a metaphor for how the main characters in both timelines were healing and enduring through their grief. It was subtle, but incredibly well done.
I did think that the book got off to a slow start, but it picked up about a third of the way in and easily caught itself back up.
The dual timeline was really well done, exploring Ellie in her current day grief and Lilias and her unwavering resiliency during the war- plus her own loss when Harry leaves.
The audio version provided a layer of depth and complexity which really tied in the dual story and timelines together.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is due to be published May 1, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I did also obtain a copy of this book from Amazon First Reads.
May 17, 2026
A predictable novel with alternating modern and 1940s settings both set in England. The lovely setting sucked me in, but the middle was slow, some plotlined and characters felt misplaced, and details of the war were lacking. Something about the writing style bothered me, but the speed picked back up and I was intrigued enough to get to the end. When I finished I found I hadn’t highlighted a thing (definitely unusual for me). I was not surprised by the lackluster author’s note. More fiction than historical fiction, and not one I’d recommend.
May 2, 2026
A novel that doesn't demand attention but earns it
Kitty Johnson’s Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a quietly captivating novel that unfolds with a gentle, almost tidal rhythm. From the very first chapter, I found myself drawn in—not by dramatic twists or high-stakes action, but by the deeply human stories that emerge piece by piece.
Each chapter feels like its own small world, offering glimpses into characters whose lives are intertwined in subtle and meaningful ways. Johnson has a talent for layering emotion beneath everyday moments, allowing the reader to slowly uncover the depth of each story. This structure makes the novel feel intimate and reflective, as if you’re being entrusted with fragments of lives that gradually form a larger, cohesive picture.
The coastal setting plays an essential role in the narrative. Much like the sea lavender itself—resilient, delicate, and rooted in a shifting landscape—the characters navigate change, memory, and connection. Johnson’s descriptive writing brings this environment vividly to life, enhancing the emotional tone without ever overwhelming the story.
What stands out most is how effortlessly the book pulls you in. There’s a quiet magnetism to the storytelling; with each chapter, I felt more invested, more curious, and more emotionally connected. It’s the kind of novel that doesn’t demand attention but earns it, gently and persistently.
Overall, Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a beautifully written, contemplative read that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven stories and a strong sense of place.
Kitty Johnson’s Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a quietly captivating novel that unfolds with a gentle, almost tidal rhythm. From the very first chapter, I found myself drawn in—not by dramatic twists or high-stakes action, but by the deeply human stories that emerge piece by piece.
Each chapter feels like its own small world, offering glimpses into characters whose lives are intertwined in subtle and meaningful ways. Johnson has a talent for layering emotion beneath everyday moments, allowing the reader to slowly uncover the depth of each story. This structure makes the novel feel intimate and reflective, as if you’re being entrusted with fragments of lives that gradually form a larger, cohesive picture.
The coastal setting plays an essential role in the narrative. Much like the sea lavender itself—resilient, delicate, and rooted in a shifting landscape—the characters navigate change, memory, and connection. Johnson’s descriptive writing brings this environment vividly to life, enhancing the emotional tone without ever overwhelming the story.
What stands out most is how effortlessly the book pulls you in. There’s a quiet magnetism to the storytelling; with each chapter, I felt more invested, more curious, and more emotionally connected. It’s the kind of novel that doesn’t demand attention but earns it, gently and persistently.
Overall, Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a beautifully written, contemplative read that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven stories and a strong sense of place.
April 19, 2026
This is Kitty Johnson’s best novel yet!
I loved every minute spent in the company of these characters and the North Norfolk sea marshes.
I adored Lilias; such an incredible woman. Strong and resilient in the midst of so much loss during wartime.
Decades later, Elise with her own loss and grief finds healing in the landscape and people connected to Marsh House, which was Lilias’ home for 40 years.
Both women talented artists whose lives are interwoven in such an enthralling and compassionate tale.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a perfect blend of historical fiction, dual timelines, mysterious discoveries, a picturesque setting, riveting characters and the most captivating storyline.
I loved every minute spent in the company of these characters and the North Norfolk sea marshes.
I adored Lilias; such an incredible woman. Strong and resilient in the midst of so much loss during wartime.
Decades later, Elise with her own loss and grief finds healing in the landscape and people connected to Marsh House, which was Lilias’ home for 40 years.
Both women talented artists whose lives are interwoven in such an enthralling and compassionate tale.
Where the Sea Lavender Grows is a perfect blend of historical fiction, dual timelines, mysterious discoveries, a picturesque setting, riveting characters and the most captivating storyline.
May 9, 2026
This is a good one friends.
It’s multiple points of view with a dual timeline of 2005-2006 and 1939-1943 all set in North Norfolk in England.
There is drama, romance, grief, multiple generations, art, dogs, the paranormal, and an interesting twist.
In 2005, Elise is an artist restoring murals in Marsh House. One reason she has taken this job is that a photograph taken in 1939 has a boy in it that looks eerily similar to her son who passed away six months prior.
In 1939, Lilias who is an artist that lives at Marsh House takes in a child and his pregnant mother who have left London due to impending attacks.
I won’t say more. Each timeline is well balanced and exceptional on its own. When they intertwine, it’s got this really interesting mix of paranormal and historical.
It’s multiple points of view with a dual timeline of 2005-2006 and 1939-1943 all set in North Norfolk in England.
There is drama, romance, grief, multiple generations, art, dogs, the paranormal, and an interesting twist.
In 2005, Elise is an artist restoring murals in Marsh House. One reason she has taken this job is that a photograph taken in 1939 has a boy in it that looks eerily similar to her son who passed away six months prior.
In 1939, Lilias who is an artist that lives at Marsh House takes in a child and his pregnant mother who have left London due to impending attacks.
I won’t say more. Each timeline is well balanced and exceptional on its own. When they intertwine, it’s got this really interesting mix of paranormal and historical.
May 17, 2026
I really liked the premise of this book…. a duel timeline set 60yrs apart, with one being during WW2 and the other in 2006. There’s a supernatural aspect that isn’t explained really, which is ok, but it moves the plot forward a lot which is interesting. I feel like the plot twist was a bit predictable, and I found myself wishing the author had gone into more detail about things. Idk it was good but I’ve read so many other historical fiction books that have been way better
June 12, 2026
This book has all the right ingredients for a perfect historical fictions. An intriguing unique artist twist of a WW2 narrative entangled with alternating perspectives of a modern day art restorationist. These two story lines are riddled with grief, romance, heart break, and a slight mystery that keeps you eager to read. I truly loved this book more than I thought I would.
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