I own almost all of Julia Kelly's books, dating back to before she was trad published. I was really looking forward to reading this novel, but it fell flat for me. I was approved for an ebook copy, but I ended up listening to the audiobook on Libby to see if it would be better for me in a different format. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with any of the characters or the plot.

I just rediscovered this novel and it is so wonderful! It has the feel of a Kate Morton story - a story that crosses time and has memorable women protagonists. This is my favorite type of historical fiction and I loved the different storylines. Highly recommended!!

Julia Kelly always pulls one into the story and keeps you interested page by page until The End.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, gardening, or stories about women’s lives and relationships. The Last Garden in England is a novel that will touch your heart, stimulate your mind, and delight your senses. It is a novel that celebrates the power and beauty of nature, and the resilience and courage of women. It is a novel that you will not want to miss.

I really love reading historical fiction with multiple timelines. There are multiple times lines and multiple POVs so you have to pay attention but each had distinctive voices. The setting is beautiful and each timeline kept me interested.

Dnf at 50%. I tried several times but really couldn't get into the story or the characters. The premise seemed interesting, however.

This author expertly weaves in beauty and symbolism throughout the book. I loved the complex characters and the hint of mystery. The author expert you intertwines the characters even though they span decades.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Julia Kelly for this ARC. It took me a while to decide to read this. I just started reading historical fiction about 2 years ago, so it’s not my normal read… but having said that, I found the storylines a bit boring and the characters kind of flat… I did read half and then skim to the end….the cover was absolutely beautiful though,3 stars

This was a cute book! I want to own a garden. It was interesting to see the three different historical periods. Kind of reminded me of outlander? If Outlander was way more domestic and simple. I thought it was a pretty decent story, enjoyable for fans of Jane Austen.

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
A special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc of this book. I voluntarily read and review this book all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows three women during three different time periods. The early 1900’s, 1940s and present day. Set in Scotland at at the historic Highbury House and it’s gardens. The first story goes through the construction and the building of the gardens. Then the gardens during WWII when the house became a convalescent home for soldiers. And finally then the restoration of the gardens back to its original state in present day. Each woman has a different position and status in life. They all are at different points in their romantic relationships as well. Each woman’s story deals with loss secrets and heartbreak. It was a charming and captivating story that I didn’t want to put down.

We follow five different women who are connected by the lure and love of this garden garden.
The gardens come to life and are resurrected through these women and we see how these gardens influenced and connected their lives in very different yet similar ways.

I admit The Last Garden in England was indeed the perfect book for me. A grand English house, an engaging story, characters I cared about and all tied together with a believable connection through the decades. Ms. Kelly’s rich descriptions of the garden really enriched the story which made this a very appealing read.
I only regret it took me so long to read it, but now just having finished it I realize this was the perfect time with spring arriving and my garden crying for attention.

If you’re like me, and want to be delightfully transported to a country estate garden, I highly recommend this wonderful novel.

See full review at https://www.bookbarmy.com

I listened to the audiobook of The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly on Overdrive. It was brilliantly narrated by Shiromi Arserio, Marisa Calin, Danielle Cohen, Katherine Littrell and Siobhan Waring. This book captured the lives, hopes and desires of five different but very strong women. These women were connected by the lure and love of one very special garden. They lived during three different and distinct time periods.The gardens came to life through these women and influenced, impacted and connected their lives in very different yet similar ways. The cover of The Last Garden in England was beautiful. Julia Kelly masterfully created a touching and heart warming book that boasted impressive research.

Emma Lovett had been commissioned to restore the gardens of Highbury House in present day time. The gardens of Highbury House were first designed by renowned designer, Venetia Smith in the 1907. Emma held Venetia Smith in the highest regard and was determined to restore the gardens as Venetia had first intended them to be. Venetia skillfully imagined each garden as its own entity. With the help of the new home owners and the handsome young man who lived on the neighboring farm the original plans and photos were found to help Emma accomplish this. The one puzzle was the Winter Garden. Why was it locked and what was it initially intended to be?

The third timeline occurred during World War II. It was a time when lives were lost, men were away fighting the war, and women were relied on more and more to fill some of the jobs once held by men. Diana Symonds had become a widow when her husband was killed in the war. Now the mistress of Highbury House, she had given permission to make part of the house into a Convalescent Hospital for injured soldiers. Diana’s story and that of her cook, Stella Adderton and the land girl, Beth Pedley all became intertwined and connected around the mysterious Winter Garden.

The Lost Garden in England was beautifully written and featured strong and dominant women characters. It was a captivating and compelling historical fiction novel that captured my heart. The themes of love, loss, hope, secrets and friendships were prevalent. The gardens represented joy and peace but also sadness and loss. I enjoyed reading this book very much and recommend it very highly.

I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't want to review a book that I didn't finish.

The Last Garden in England is actually three separate stories at three different times involving three sets of characters. Any one of them alone would make interesting reading, but combined itis almost (but not quite) overwhelming. There are sad tales and happy tales, but all of them are interesting and come alive through Julia Kelly's writing. You definitely don't have to be a gardener to find pleasure in this book.

This was an easy historical fiction/romance told in three different years (1907, 1944 & 2021). Centering on a grand country house (Highbury) in England and the expansive garden at the home. The 1907 year is for Venezia, who has been hired to create the gardens at Highbury. 1944 focuses on three women, Diane (Highbury's owner), Stella (HIghbury's cook) & Beth (a local land girl) during the war where the house has been turned into a convalescent home, most of the lawn has been taken for crops and the gardens are slowly decaying. 2021 finds Emma being hired by the current owners of the home (Diane's great-granddaugher?) to return the gardens to Venezia's original vision, which is difficult due to the age and lack of documents.

Thankfully, the three different time periods were defined well enough that I had no issues discerning which era I was in, even when there were multiple storylines (1944) twisting together. The lives of these women are wholly separate but tied together by the gardens of the house and you see how being at Highbury has affected their lives, for good (mostly) and bad, however every character has a happy ending even if there was tragedy along the way. I definitely recommend this book if you like gardens, the English countryside & historical romance.

I received a free ebook from NetGalley & Gallery Books.

I went into this book an existing fan of Julia Kelly and, not surprisingly, TLGIE was yet another beautifully written story by this wonderful author.

Not only was the setting, the garden at Highbury House, so lovely and really gave a strong sense of place, but the plot was compelling and kept me turning pages as quickly as I could. This story brims with secrets and I enjoyed how it was all woven together and came together in the end. There are quite a few timelines and characters (three generations worth) that I will admit did take me a while to keep straight, but don't let that deter you because it is all so well developed and the characters ones you'll come to be impressed by that I promise you it's completely worth the investment.

While the WWII historical fiction thread is strong, this story almost reads more like a women's fiction, and therefore I think wold be perfect for those on the fence of the hist fic genre. There's elements of romance and even some mystery, tied together with friendship, love, loss, and hope. A perfect blend if you ask me! I really loved this book and it's one I highly recommend!

Enjoyable historical read across three different time periods. The story is woven together very well. I enjoyed the interesting characters. I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

For me this book was very hard to follow at times. Once I was able to separate them all in my mind, the story started to flow and the secrets became more interesting.

This is a triple timeline book. I really enjoy books that use that format. The characters are well developed and the strong women involved were impressive. The setting of the garden at Highbury House was interesting especially viewing it through the multiple timelines. The book includes a romance which is not my cup of tea, so I would have enjoyed it more if that aspect had been left out. But when you factor other factors that were threaded through the pages…love, secrets, friendships, hope, loss, etc., it balances out. A beautifully written story that you need to put on your to-be-read list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Trigger warnings: war, death of a family member, miscarriage

In 1907, garden designer Venetia Smith begins work on the gardens at Highbury House. Her design for the garden mirrors the stages in life, moving from the children's garden to the lover's garden to the winter garden that reflects death and grief.

During World War II, Lady Diana Symonds is the mistress of Highbury House. Her husband died in the war and the house has been requisitioned as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Beth Pedley is an orphan who volunteers for the war effort as a land girl, coming to Highbury to plant crops to feed the troops. She becomes friends with Highbury cook Stella Adderton. Stella is trying to get out of Highbury, but her ambitions and savings take a hit; her sister drops off nephew Bobby because he'll be safer in the country but leaves her no money to care for him.

Each of the WWII women is in a different stage of life -- Mrs. Symonds is a widow, Beth is just beginning to find her way in the world, and Stella has motherhood thrust upon her when she'd rather be alone. The three women's stories weave together and create the most interesting part of the novel.

Fast forward to 2021, where Emma Lovett is hired to restore the overgrown gardens to their former glory. Emma's love for Venetia Smith's designs makes her the perfect person to head the project, and Emma also hopes that she will discover why Venetia moved to America after working at Highbury. While searching for more detailed drawings of the gardens, she discovers secrets about Venetia and the WWII residents of Highbury.

Recommended for fans of historical women's fiction.

This book is beautiful in every way; from the cover to the writing. Three generations of women in three different timelines will totally have you immersed in this story.