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A Secret Garden Affair
July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible.
Having caught her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside.
At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together.
But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…
Having caught her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside.
At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together.
But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2023
493 people are currently reading
952 people want to read
About the author
Erica James
55 books1,059 followersWith an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
March 30, 2023
This enticing cover had me excited to read this new release from Erica James. The books I have read by this author (so far!) have all been really enjoyable, but I found that this one didn’t capture my heart in quite the same way. I wonder if it is because it is a little similar to a recent book I have read: following a family over decades with secrets being revealed along the way.
Set in the 1970s in the summer of Charles and Diana’s wedding, I found it unusual that the ‘present day’ was still fifty years in the past. On reflection, I think this is intended to highlight the limited choices that women still faced with employment. Attending secretarial school and being office assistants was still an accepted role with the men usually in more dominant careers. Being a woman in the 1970s still meant being there for the husband and creating the perfect family home. Therefore, when Libby’s engagement ends along with her self-employed business share with her ex-best friend, she finds herself drawn to Bess and Elfrida, the constants in her life.
Bess, her great aunt, and Elfrida, Bess’s boss, have always lived a life of enjoyment and liberty. Shown through the non-linear flashbacks, I loved discovering what a colourful life these two women have had. Their adventures take them across to Italy and throughout their lives they encounter love and sadness. In the present narrative, they are like two old cronies and I loved the warmth of their friendship, particularly their approach towards Libby: whilst Bess is more mindful of upsetting her great-niece, Elfrida has a bluntness that makes her an even more endearing character.
Seeing these women grow together and Libby’s healing was quite therapeutic to read. Coupled with this, the writer’s descriptions of the gardens sounded amazing and I actually found myself having green-fingered envy! Yet, whilst the grounds that Elfrida has designed seem perfect, life has become the juxtaposition to this.
One of the elements that I struggled to engage with was the connection between Nikolai and Elfrida. I could not get a grasp of the deep relationship that they developed and I think this was because the past narrative was not ordered chronologically. Whilst I enjoyed how the disrupted timeline helped to answer questions raised in the plot, I would have preferred seeing this develop more naturally, rather than jumping around. For me, I could not quite believe the depth of feelings that the two had for one another.
Secondly, I think I missed the magic that other stories from James have given. I really appreciated the Italian setting but wondered if this could have been expanded further. A lot happens at Larkspur House in Suffolk, but I think I craved something more exotic at times, to reflect how colourful Bess and Elfrida’s lives have been. I felt a bit trapped in Suffolk, a bit like Bess does when she falls ill. For me, this meant the story was not as immersive as I had hoped, even though it is still a strong narrative.
This was an interesting story that explores family connections and the true extent that keeping secrets can have. The characters are all very warming and I enjoyed reading about the three women. They have all suffered in their own ways but grow from their experiences – a lesson we can all learn from.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the 1970s in the summer of Charles and Diana’s wedding, I found it unusual that the ‘present day’ was still fifty years in the past. On reflection, I think this is intended to highlight the limited choices that women still faced with employment. Attending secretarial school and being office assistants was still an accepted role with the men usually in more dominant careers. Being a woman in the 1970s still meant being there for the husband and creating the perfect family home. Therefore, when Libby’s engagement ends along with her self-employed business share with her ex-best friend, she finds herself drawn to Bess and Elfrida, the constants in her life.
Bess, her great aunt, and Elfrida, Bess’s boss, have always lived a life of enjoyment and liberty. Shown through the non-linear flashbacks, I loved discovering what a colourful life these two women have had. Their adventures take them across to Italy and throughout their lives they encounter love and sadness. In the present narrative, they are like two old cronies and I loved the warmth of their friendship, particularly their approach towards Libby: whilst Bess is more mindful of upsetting her great-niece, Elfrida has a bluntness that makes her an even more endearing character.
Seeing these women grow together and Libby’s healing was quite therapeutic to read. Coupled with this, the writer’s descriptions of the gardens sounded amazing and I actually found myself having green-fingered envy! Yet, whilst the grounds that Elfrida has designed seem perfect, life has become the juxtaposition to this.
One of the elements that I struggled to engage with was the connection between Nikolai and Elfrida. I could not get a grasp of the deep relationship that they developed and I think this was because the past narrative was not ordered chronologically. Whilst I enjoyed how the disrupted timeline helped to answer questions raised in the plot, I would have preferred seeing this develop more naturally, rather than jumping around. For me, I could not quite believe the depth of feelings that the two had for one another.
Secondly, I think I missed the magic that other stories from James have given. I really appreciated the Italian setting but wondered if this could have been expanded further. A lot happens at Larkspur House in Suffolk, but I think I craved something more exotic at times, to reflect how colourful Bess and Elfrida’s lives have been. I felt a bit trapped in Suffolk, a bit like Bess does when she falls ill. For me, this meant the story was not as immersive as I had hoped, even though it is still a strong narrative.
This was an interesting story that explores family connections and the true extent that keeping secrets can have. The characters are all very warming and I enjoyed reading about the three women. They have all suffered in their own ways but grow from their experiences – a lesson we can all learn from.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2023
A little lack lustre; the sequences set on the past seemed a little lifeless and contrived. The whole story - character and plot -just lacked depth and reality. It didn’t have the usual Erica James flavor.
April 13, 2023
I loved this one, I think this was one of her best. Dual time-line and a fascinating story. I was sorry to finish it and I really wanted it to go on. I’ve read all of Erica James’s books so far and have enjoyed them all. This one will stay in my memory for a long time. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 14, 2025
Тази книга ме изненада доста приятно!
April 6, 2023
3.5 stars, I did enjoy aspects of this storyline but felt it jumped around the past/present (various random decades) and didn't flow very well at times. I got confused occasionally which character's viewpoint I was reading too. But the story overall was good, I was more interested in the present day (well...1980's!) which is unusual for me as tend to prefer the more historical side but that is where I found myself getting lost.
June 2, 2023
I really enjoyed reading A Secret Garden Affair by Erica James.
It was very timely with the coronation taking place earlier in May and I loved hearing about all the gardens in areas of England where beauty abounds.
This book has a beautiful garden cover.
There were many twists and turns in this story keeping it very interesting for the reader.
I always love an Erica James book 📖 💕 and look forward to the next one.
It was very timely with the coronation taking place earlier in May and I loved hearing about all the gardens in areas of England where beauty abounds.
This book has a beautiful garden cover.
There were many twists and turns in this story keeping it very interesting for the reader.
I always love an Erica James book 📖 💕 and look forward to the next one.
March 26, 2023
A multi layered dual time line story with a grand old manor house and of the people within and the secrets they keep. Loved this story with its English settings and gardens with strong female characters, highly recommend
April 27, 2025
Like a warm bath, perfect to read at night when during the daytime I listened to Bright Young Women. Similar awful mothers though.
March 26, 2025
Никаква последователност в разказа...
April 28, 2024
Slow start but soon picked up the pace once the drama kicked in!
June 8, 2024
3.5/5*
April 29, 2024
Readable but irritating. The messing around of the chapters to change the timeline and perspective meant that the story lacked continuity and the characters were so poorly drawn that you didn’t really engage with them. Despite chapters being written from Elfrida’s or Bess’ or Libby’s perspective the voice was always the same and clunky too. The cliff hanger at the end of several chapters was used throughout and didn’t work to inspire me either. I have read better books by her.
May 21, 2024
3.5 🌟 It is a while since I’ve read a book of this genre. I just felt I needed a change. I didn’t feel for me that there was anything particularly outstanding about it, but it was a really good storyline. It will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy this sort of story, with a dual timeline, it kept me interested and was nice to read on a sunny afternoon. Oh, and the cover is absolutely stunning!
July 11, 2023
A good read with interesting characters. The different narrators and settings in time and place were successful. It was just a bit drawn out at the end, my only criticism
May 15, 2024
Na het lezen van Moeders en dochters heb ik hoge verwachtingen van deze nieuwe roman van Erica James. Van Uitgeverij de Fontein ben ik een van de gelukkigen die een recensie-exemplaar verscheen. De verschillende covers van Erica James vormen duidelijk een lijn maar zijn goed te onderscheiden.
1981, Engeland. Libby reist in de zomer af naar haar oudtante nadat ze haar verloofde in bed heeft aangetroffen met haar beste vriendin. Haar oudtante woont op het platteland van Suffolk, in Larkspur House. Daar staat het huis met de tuin van de bekende tuinontwerper Elfrida Ambrose en haar oudtante Bess. Deze levenslange vriendinnen besluiten Libby te helpen met het vinden van een nieuwe weg voor de toekomst. Om daar te komen moeten ze eerst hun eigen geheimen en verleden onder ogen komen. En geheimen brengen ook zo hun gevaren met zich mee.
Erica James heeft een meeslepende en levendige schrijfstijl. Ze weet de omgeving, gebeurtenissen en personages met gevoel en detail te beschrijven waardoor je je helemaal een beeld kan vormen van de situatie en plaats. Wel zorgt dit ervoor dat het verhaal hierdoor soms wat langzaam verloopt en er weinig gebeurt.
Het verhaal is geschreven vanuit drie verschillende personages: Libby, Bess en Elvira. De personages zijn goed neergezet en je kan een goed beeld vormen van de personages en hun denk- en handelswijze. Daarbij wisselt het verhaal ook nog eens tussen het heden en het verleden, waardoor de puzzelstukjes uiteindelijk tot een totaal vormen. Wat me in het vorige boek van Erica James opviel en nu weer, is dat in haar verhalen vooral de nadruk ligt op de personages en de psychologie, het handelen ten opzichte van elkaar en de verhoudingen tot elkaar heel sterk in beeld weet te brengen. Dit doet ze bijzonder goed.
De verhaallijn kent een mooie opbouw en vormt naarmate het verhaal zich vordert een ontknoping van een hoop geheimen en puzzelstukjes in het verleden. Deze zorgen er uiteindelijk voor zorgen dat de verhoudingen van de personages tot elkaar veranderen. Daarbij weet ze weer verschillende taboe en gevoelige onderwerpen op een krachtige wijze in de verhaallijn te verwerken. Persoonlijk vond ik het verhaal soms wat aan de trage en langdradige kant en had er voor mij wel wat meer tempo in gemogen.
De verborgen tuin is een mooie roman. Erica James heeft de personages prachtig en met aandacht en gevoel weten neer te zetten. Met name de psychologie, hun handelen en de verhoudingen tot elkaar weet Erica James goed in beeld te brengen, daarbij gaat ze verschillende taboe onderwerpen niet uit de weg.
1981, Engeland. Libby reist in de zomer af naar haar oudtante nadat ze haar verloofde in bed heeft aangetroffen met haar beste vriendin. Haar oudtante woont op het platteland van Suffolk, in Larkspur House. Daar staat het huis met de tuin van de bekende tuinontwerper Elfrida Ambrose en haar oudtante Bess. Deze levenslange vriendinnen besluiten Libby te helpen met het vinden van een nieuwe weg voor de toekomst. Om daar te komen moeten ze eerst hun eigen geheimen en verleden onder ogen komen. En geheimen brengen ook zo hun gevaren met zich mee.
Erica James heeft een meeslepende en levendige schrijfstijl. Ze weet de omgeving, gebeurtenissen en personages met gevoel en detail te beschrijven waardoor je je helemaal een beeld kan vormen van de situatie en plaats. Wel zorgt dit ervoor dat het verhaal hierdoor soms wat langzaam verloopt en er weinig gebeurt.
Het verhaal is geschreven vanuit drie verschillende personages: Libby, Bess en Elvira. De personages zijn goed neergezet en je kan een goed beeld vormen van de personages en hun denk- en handelswijze. Daarbij wisselt het verhaal ook nog eens tussen het heden en het verleden, waardoor de puzzelstukjes uiteindelijk tot een totaal vormen. Wat me in het vorige boek van Erica James opviel en nu weer, is dat in haar verhalen vooral de nadruk ligt op de personages en de psychologie, het handelen ten opzichte van elkaar en de verhoudingen tot elkaar heel sterk in beeld weet te brengen. Dit doet ze bijzonder goed.
De verhaallijn kent een mooie opbouw en vormt naarmate het verhaal zich vordert een ontknoping van een hoop geheimen en puzzelstukjes in het verleden. Deze zorgen er uiteindelijk voor zorgen dat de verhoudingen van de personages tot elkaar veranderen. Daarbij weet ze weer verschillende taboe en gevoelige onderwerpen op een krachtige wijze in de verhaallijn te verwerken. Persoonlijk vond ik het verhaal soms wat aan de trage en langdradige kant en had er voor mij wel wat meer tempo in gemogen.
De verborgen tuin is een mooie roman. Erica James heeft de personages prachtig en met aandacht en gevoel weten neer te zetten. Met name de psychologie, hun handelen en de verhoudingen tot elkaar weet Erica James goed in beeld te brengen, daarbij gaat ze verschillende taboe onderwerpen niet uit de weg.
April 18, 2024
A nice typical romance story, with pleasant characters and interesting storyline. Some of the situations were predictable and some were a little cringeworthy. That being said, it was still a pleasant read
April 21, 2023
I loved this audiobook so much and enjoyed being in the company of these wonderful women.
The story is set in 1981, as Libby flees London to spend time with her great aunt Bess and friend Elfrida, in Suffolk. Whilst Libby stays with them, they remember their pasts full of family secrets and romances spanning 60 years.
I really liked Libby, and I loved Elfrida and Bess, they were brilliant characters that jumped off the page. I loved finding out about their past lives especially in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
I loved Laura Aikman’s narration, she was superb at all the different characters through the decades.
Highly recommended if you enjoy dual timeline historical fiction set through the decades.
The story is set in 1981, as Libby flees London to spend time with her great aunt Bess and friend Elfrida, in Suffolk. Whilst Libby stays with them, they remember their pasts full of family secrets and romances spanning 60 years.
I really liked Libby, and I loved Elfrida and Bess, they were brilliant characters that jumped off the page. I loved finding out about their past lives especially in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
I loved Laura Aikman’s narration, she was superb at all the different characters through the decades.
Highly recommended if you enjoy dual timeline historical fiction set through the decades.
May 8, 2023
I am a big fan of Erica James' novels and wanted to love this story as much as I have her others, but I didn't get to that point, unfortunately. Firstly, I am not a fan when every other chapter is a different period of time with younger characters. I find that a very disjointed way of telling the story and it disturbs the flow for the reader. Why not tell most of the backstory first then carry on with present day, maybe revisiting the backstory once or twice later on? It would be much easier for the reader to follow. In addition, I found that a lot of this story was repeated over and over in both time periods (ie - Elfrida and Nikolai's affair kept secret and why; Marcus and Serena ruining Libby's marriage plans; Nancy and her adopted mother, Joan, being mean and cruel to Bess, even though Bess was Nancy's birth mother; Elfrida and her sister, Prudence's relationship with each other and their deceased brother, Bobby; etc, etc) Over and over we heard variations of these same themes throughout the whole story. It could have been told in a much shorter version and still had a great impact on the reader.
December 21, 2022
I have read a few of Erica James' books in the past, and the evocative stories have always enthralled me.
A Secret Garden Affair was no different.
Partially set in the early 1980s and with a timeline starting sixty years previous, the story follows several characters. Libby, a woman whose wedding plans are cancelled when she finds out her fiance is cheating on her, and her great aunt, Bess, who has worked for the third main character, Elfrida, for the best part of her life.
Running to Larkspur House, where Bess works, and a place filled with happy memories for Libby, she tries to make life easier for the two older women who mean so much to her but unearths truths and secrets she had no idea about.
A story of friendship, classism, forbidden love, disappointments and celebrations, losing and finding precious memories and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.
A Secret Garden Affair was no different.
Partially set in the early 1980s and with a timeline starting sixty years previous, the story follows several characters. Libby, a woman whose wedding plans are cancelled when she finds out her fiance is cheating on her, and her great aunt, Bess, who has worked for the third main character, Elfrida, for the best part of her life.
Running to Larkspur House, where Bess works, and a place filled with happy memories for Libby, she tries to make life easier for the two older women who mean so much to her but unearths truths and secrets she had no idea about.
A story of friendship, classism, forbidden love, disappointments and celebrations, losing and finding precious memories and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.
December 30, 2022
Oh I was so looking forward to this one. I love a Erica James book. But this one just fell very short for me. It just didn't have any of the things I have come to know and love about an Erica James book. Sorry
March 6, 2024
Hmm not a fan of this one I’m afraid. Chaotic story lines at times, trying to tell the tales of three lead characters whilst chopping and changing between the decades. Also felt slightly repetitive in places.
December 25, 2022
Having read a few books by this author I was looking forward to reading this one, I just couldn't get into it for some reason iam not sure sorry not for me
August 1, 2024
| Záhrada tajomstiev - Erica James -
Sľuby a tajomstvá. O tom je nový román Ericy Jamesovej Záhrada tajomstiev. Pútavo vyrozprávaný príbeh o neobyčajnom priateľstve dvoch žien, ktorých životy boli ako jeden. Znie vám to zvláštne? Je to však tak, až chytíte túto knihu do ruky a začítate sa, všetko pochopíte.
Elfrida Ambroseová má svoj domov nadovšetko rada. Dom na stračej nôžke v Suffolku by si nikdy nokým nedala vziať. Viaže ho k nemu puto, ktoré sa nedá pretrhnúť. Rokmi sa vypracovala na vyhľadávanú záhradnú návrhárku, tvorenie záhrad je jej celoživotným dielom. Ale v súkromnom živote nemá až také šťastie. Mnohí ju považujú za excentrickú, drzú a nelomvenčnú. Ale nikto ju skutočne nepozná tak ako jej priateľkq Bess, ktorá u nej začínala ako pomocnica. Jej verná služba prerastie do dlhoročného priateľstva. Keď sa Bessina neter na istý čas prisťahuje do Domu na stračej nôžke k Elfride a Bess, a začne s upratovaním podkrovia, nájde niečo, čo otvorí Pandorinu skrinku oboch priateliek.
“Jedna druhej strážili tajomstvá votkané do látky ich dlhého priateľstva. Niektoré z tých tajomstiev boli ako vtáčiky v klietke a potrebovali sa dostať na slobodu, no iné boli až príliš desivé, aby sa mohli dostať von.”
Záhrada tajomstiev je úplne iná ako predošlá kniha Matky a dcéry. Je to predovšetkým historický román, v ktorom sú v dvoch dejových linkách zachytené tie najsilnejšie momenty zo života postáv - Elfridy, Bess a jej netere Libby. Je o ženách, pre ženy. O zradách, minulých hriechoch, nešťastných láskach a dobre skrývaných tajomstvách. Ale nie je to smutná kniha. Je písaná s nádejou, s krásnymi postavami a dobre vyskladaným dejom.
Keď som knihu dočítala, zažila som pocit z dobre odvedenej práce, lebo autorka tromfla svoju predošlú úspešnú knihu Matky a dcéry, ktorá sa mi veľmi páčila. Takže, asi viete, čo máte robiť - bežať do kníhkupectva pre Záhradu tajomstiev.
Sľuby a tajomstvá. O tom je nový román Ericy Jamesovej Záhrada tajomstiev. Pútavo vyrozprávaný príbeh o neobyčajnom priateľstve dvoch žien, ktorých životy boli ako jeden. Znie vám to zvláštne? Je to však tak, až chytíte túto knihu do ruky a začítate sa, všetko pochopíte.
Elfrida Ambroseová má svoj domov nadovšetko rada. Dom na stračej nôžke v Suffolku by si nikdy nokým nedala vziať. Viaže ho k nemu puto, ktoré sa nedá pretrhnúť. Rokmi sa vypracovala na vyhľadávanú záhradnú návrhárku, tvorenie záhrad je jej celoživotným dielom. Ale v súkromnom živote nemá až také šťastie. Mnohí ju považujú za excentrickú, drzú a nelomvenčnú. Ale nikto ju skutočne nepozná tak ako jej priateľkq Bess, ktorá u nej začínala ako pomocnica. Jej verná služba prerastie do dlhoročného priateľstva. Keď sa Bessina neter na istý čas prisťahuje do Domu na stračej nôžke k Elfride a Bess, a začne s upratovaním podkrovia, nájde niečo, čo otvorí Pandorinu skrinku oboch priateliek.
“Jedna druhej strážili tajomstvá votkané do látky ich dlhého priateľstva. Niektoré z tých tajomstiev boli ako vtáčiky v klietke a potrebovali sa dostať na slobodu, no iné boli až príliš desivé, aby sa mohli dostať von.”
Záhrada tajomstiev je úplne iná ako predošlá kniha Matky a dcéry. Je to predovšetkým historický román, v ktorom sú v dvoch dejových linkách zachytené tie najsilnejšie momenty zo života postáv - Elfridy, Bess a jej netere Libby. Je o ženách, pre ženy. O zradách, minulých hriechoch, nešťastných láskach a dobre skrývaných tajomstvách. Ale nie je to smutná kniha. Je písaná s nádejou, s krásnymi postavami a dobre vyskladaným dejom.
Keď som knihu dočítala, zažila som pocit z dobre odvedenej práce, lebo autorka tromfla svoju predošlú úspešnú knihu Matky a dcéry, ktorá sa mi veľmi páčila. Takže, asi viete, čo máte robiť - bežať do kníhkupectva pre Záhradu tajomstiev.
March 28, 2023
July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible after catching her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside. At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together. But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies.
A dual timeline book between the 1980’s & 1920’s, a very well written book which drew me in from the start & had me devouring this engrossing read in two sittings. Dual timelines are not my favourite but the author certainly did a very good job of changing my mind. The characters have depth & were well portrayed &the pace is good. There was friendship spanning decades, tragedy & secrets as well as some twists & surprises. A delightful read which I recommend
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A dual timeline book between the 1980’s & 1920’s, a very well written book which drew me in from the start & had me devouring this engrossing read in two sittings. Dual timelines are not my favourite but the author certainly did a very good job of changing my mind. The characters have depth & were well portrayed &the pace is good. There was friendship spanning decades, tragedy & secrets as well as some twists & surprises. A delightful read which I recommend
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
November 5, 2023
July 1981: As the world prepares to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from weddings as she can be. Discovering her finance has been unfaithful to her with her best friend, Libby seeks refuge with her great-aunt Bess and Elfrida Ambrose a renowned garden designer. Elfrida's home for all her life has been Larkspur House in Suffolk.
1923: Elfrida is 21 and enjoying the life of a socialite on the Cote d'Azur. Accompanying her is her faithful ladies maid, Bess. During Elfrida's travels she meets Mallory Vaughan who and she knows immediately that they will be friends. While enjoying the company of Mallory and friends at his home Villa Bellevue. it is during this time that Elfrida meets the dashing Count Nikolai Demidov.
Taking this story from 1923 up to 1981, here is a story of family, of love and loss and friendship that lasts a lifetime.
I loved this story, all of it, but I particularly enjoyed the 1981 section of the story where all of the past of Elfrida and Bess and their families is revealed.
A house as a character in a story is always an attraction for me and I loved the descriptions of Larkspur House and the gardens over the years.
A Secret Garden Affair is a beautifully written story, great characters, a delightful read.
1923: Elfrida is 21 and enjoying the life of a socialite on the Cote d'Azur. Accompanying her is her faithful ladies maid, Bess. During Elfrida's travels she meets Mallory Vaughan who and she knows immediately that they will be friends. While enjoying the company of Mallory and friends at his home Villa Bellevue. it is during this time that Elfrida meets the dashing Count Nikolai Demidov.
Taking this story from 1923 up to 1981, here is a story of family, of love and loss and friendship that lasts a lifetime.
I loved this story, all of it, but I particularly enjoyed the 1981 section of the story where all of the past of Elfrida and Bess and their families is revealed.
A house as a character in a story is always an attraction for me and I loved the descriptions of Larkspur House and the gardens over the years.
A Secret Garden Affair is a beautifully written story, great characters, a delightful read.
February 21, 2023
I have read all of Erica's books and loved them all. This one is no exception
Set in two timelines, 1981 just before the royal wedding and 1938.
Libby returns to Larkspur House after her fiance slept with her best friend just before they were due to get married.
Staying with her aunt Bess and Alfreda, she starts to mend her broken heart, deciding what to do with the rest of her life.
Alfred is an acclaimed garden designer which had taken her around the world.
Bess has always worked for Alfreda, and they became the best of friends.
The 1930s timeline takes us back to Alfreda and Bess's past.
There are plenty of secrets and revelations told by Alfreda and Bess in their own chapters.
The characters were so vivid and for me came to life.
Larkspur House sounded wonderful, and I could see why Alfreda wouldn't give it up.
There is romance as well as sadness but Erica writes with such empathy.
Loved Mallory, he sounded such a fun character.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Set in two timelines, 1981 just before the royal wedding and 1938.
Libby returns to Larkspur House after her fiance slept with her best friend just before they were due to get married.
Staying with her aunt Bess and Alfreda, she starts to mend her broken heart, deciding what to do with the rest of her life.
Alfred is an acclaimed garden designer which had taken her around the world.
Bess has always worked for Alfreda, and they became the best of friends.
The 1930s timeline takes us back to Alfreda and Bess's past.
There are plenty of secrets and revelations told by Alfreda and Bess in their own chapters.
The characters were so vivid and for me came to life.
Larkspur House sounded wonderful, and I could see why Alfreda wouldn't give it up.
There is romance as well as sadness but Erica writes with such empathy.
Loved Mallory, he sounded such a fun character.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.
March 6, 2024
Mainly about three strong women and their trials and tribulations over the years. Libby seeks refuge, as she has done on many occasions, with Elfrida and Bess. This is especially needed when her heart is broken just days before her wedding. Although there are some harridans in this story, these three are a delight (as is the book cover). I’ve been a fan of Erica’s books ever since reading my first one a while ago and this is no letdown either. She has a lovely way of writing and describing scenes/gardens etc as if the reader was actually there. I would love a follow up purely to see how the marriage turned out! I was given this ARC by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2025
A wonderful dual timeline novel, set in 1981 and 1938. Libby returns to the Suffolk countryside, Larkspur House from London following her breakup with fiancé, Marcus. There she is greeted by her great-aunt Bess and socialite Elfrida, who try to help her piece her life back together and in doing so stir up their own past. I loved this story full of secrets and tragedies.
February 19, 2024
A sprawling but enjoyable family saga in which an abandoned wedding is the trigger to release some skeletons from the closet of a posh family in Suffolk. The time frame skips around as three generations reopen old wounds before aiming for closure and redemption.
April 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this lovely story that followed 2 friends spanning the decades. It was a bit slow to get going but it really engaged me once I got to know the characters. I will definitely be checking out some more of Erica James' books.
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