Read November 2020

I loved every single thing about this book. The different times frames and eras were magical. The description of the gardens, homes, countryside was amazing. I had to google a few things to get the right plant/flower in my mind.
I loved how the story went back and forth in time and how it they all ended up being connected. It was also good to see a strong female lead who didn't need a man. She was talented and brilliant on her own.

Well done, Julia Kelly.

I am smitten with this author.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

From the author of the international bestseller The Light Over London and The Whispers of War comes a poignant and unforgettable tale of five women living across three different times whose lives are all connected by one very special garden.

Since I absolutely loved The Light Over London, I was delighted to receive this ARC of Julia Kelly’s latest book. I was once again swept up into the historical and personal histories of these very different characters. I admire the extensive research the author employs when eloquently describing how time can often complicate family histories.

The story begins and ends with Venetia Smith a talented artist who designed magnificent gardens. She worked hard and valued the income she made to assist her brother Adam who lived in London handling the logistics of her work. It’s 1907 in England during WWI when Venetia is hired to work on her biggest project, restoring the garden at Highbury House.

This grand estate has weathered many storms over the years with only more to follow. Because of Venetia’s hard work and dedication she has earned the respect of the botanical community. The Melcourts under the magnificent project of restoring Highbury House to its once elegant state. Helen and Arthur are impressed with the unique detailed plans which Venetia has introduced for the vast landscape. Mrs Melcourt has many ideas to add which adamantly includes roses from her brother Matthew Goddard’s Wisteria Farms.

The story weaves Venetia’s story as the backdrop of the history of Highbury House as it passes through generations of families. Gardens are like families each with its own individuality and story to tell. The care and or neglect to such gardens are also an intricate part of the story. It is not unlike the tree which marks generations of families through its intertwining branches.

In 1944, Beth Pedley arrives at Temple Fosse Farm in Warwickshire after completing training in the Women’s Land Army to work for the Penworthy family. Having lost both her parents she was eager to move from her widowed aunt’s home to help the war effort. Little did she realize how she would come to love working the land and new friends she would meet. Temple Fosse Farm supplied rations to Diana Symonds who owned Highbury House which was now requisitioned into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers.

The story mainly focuses on the happenings around Highbury House around this time. There are many characters each with their own complex story. The cook, Stella Adderton, had big dreams to work in London and travel the world. Unfortunately, she wasn’t medically cleared due to asthma for any of the war groups to which she applied. She settled for following in her mother’s footsteps by working for the Symonds at Highbury House.

Then, we learn about the mistress of the house, Diana Symonds who is recently widowed after her physician husband joined the war. He left her with their 5 year old son Robin and a large mansion being used as a hospital. The only place she finds solace is her garden which had been designed by Venetia Smith many years before.

By 2021, the house is under the care of Sydney and Andrew Wilcox who hire Emma Lovell to restore the gardens to their original firm back in 1907. Emma has been a long time admirer of Venetia Smith and delighted to be asked to take on the project. Her small business, Just in Thyme, has kept her busy doing what she loves. She becomes entranced in discovering the history of the gardens and the people who lived there.

The story is a wonderful tale of love, romance, history, family, finding and living your best life. It explores tragedy and resilience and recreating a new unexpected life journey. I absolutely enjoyed this novel.

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is an excellent historical fiction novel that has a triple timeline story that weaves an enchanting story that kept me up because I couldn’t put it down.

I have read Ms. Kelly’s first two books ‘he Light Over London’ and ‘The Whispers of War’. When I was made aware that she had another novel coming out it immediately went on my list to read. I knew that if it was anything like her earlier novels this would be a great read. I am officially a Julia Kelly admirer and she has now become one of my all time favorite writers.

Ms. Kelly’s ability to develop a wonderful and thoughtful set of characters is awesome. The characters from each timeline were memorable and so beautifully created that long after the book is over they will stay with you. Ms. Kelly has a created complex, realistic, fallible, strong women protagonists. I loved Venetia, Diana and Emma.

The setting of the story at Highbury House Gardens was unforgettable. While you envision these gardens during all three timelines you feel like you are in a botanical garden. This is where Ms. Kelly’s research really shows. Learning about all the history, color, care, design of all the plants, trees and flowers in the story was masterful and not even a smidgen boring. There were so many times that as the reader you could feel yourself walking through the ‘garden rooms’. You could smell the roses, see the dogwoods and the hydrangeas, hear the crunch of your footsteps on the paths and the creak of the iron gates leading into one of the gardens These vivid descriptions made the story move seamlessly.

Another remarkable ability of Ms. Kelly is to take three timelines (early 1900’s, WWII and present day) and intertwine them effortlessly. Usually it is difficult for writers to work with two timelines but to have three timelines weave themselves in and out of each other was sheer delight. I thoroughly enjoyed the complexity, the mystery, the love stories, the twist and turns, and how they all were joined at the end. Ms. Kelly is a true storyteller.

I totally enjoyed her author’s note at the end. I always look forward to seeing where the story has derived and what the author’s inspiration was. I love looking back to see fact vs. fiction. Again, Ms. Kelly did not disappoint.

I think that this book could easily be one of my favorites with Ms. Kelly now becoming one of my favorite authors. She has most certainly done it again. Well done! I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

Thank you Gallery Books, the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I LOVED this book!! It took a few chapters to understand how it was laid out and who all the characters were, but the addition of the date at the beginning of each chapter helped a great deal!!

In 1907, Letitia Smith was hired to create a show garden for a nouveau riche couple at Highbury House estate. They want something that will WOW their friends and possibly get publicity also. At that time, a woman garden planner was very unusual and Letitia was glad to have the opportunity for such a large and important work.

In 1944, Land Girl Beth Pedley is assigned to a farm near the estate and discovers the gardens when she delivers food from the farm where she works. A gifted artist, she makes sketches of the gardens and the people around the house, which has been converted to a hospital for the soldiers returning from WWII.

In 2021, Emma Lovett is hired to reclaim the long-unattended gardens and restore them as closely as possible to their original plan by Letitia Smith, who happens to be an inspiration and idol of Emma's.

The stories of these three women, as well as others who live in and around the estate, provide a rich and wonderful story of one small corner of England through the years.

Although it took me a little while to get into this book I really enjoyed it. The chapters alternate between three different timelines, all taking place at Highbury House in Scotland. The earliest timeline is1907 and tells the story of the design and creation of the gardens at Highbury House. The second timeline is during WWII, when the property is commissioned for use as a hospital for wounded soldiers. The third timeline is current when the gardens are being restored. The stories all intertwine and some shocking secrets are revealed. The book is full of strong, complex and interesting female characters, sweet love stories and some sadness as well.. I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the beautiful gardens. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

WOW, I absolutely loved The Last Garden in England. Julia Kelly sucked me in with her lovely writing, strong characters and perfectly executed plot. Her research was impeccable. I especially loved the scenes in the gardens. It was as if I was completely immersed in a brand new, fragrant world. I never wanted the story to end.

I almost stopped this one before I got halfway because it wasn't holding my interest. But I pushed through and ended up enjoying it, even though the different timelines and many characters were difficult for me to follow. I think anyone interested in gardening or historical fiction might appreciate this one.

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelley was a beautiful look into the gardens of Highbury House through the lives of three women: present day restorative gardener Emma, the original garden designer Venetia in 1907, and Beth, a house servant during WWII. The lives of these women are tied in a bundle of secrets hidden deep within the gardens and history. This book was a delightful and romantic treat, a more mature twist of The Secret Garden, reminiscent of Downton Abbey.

"The Last Garden In England" by Julia Kelly is a story of love and loss set against the backdrop of a splendid garden at Highbury House. Using shifting narratives and timelines, the author weaves the beautiful tale of six women who are all connected by the garden. Their stories intertwine to reveal the secrets the garden contains.

In 1907, Venetia was hired by the Melcourt family to design an elaborate series of garden rooms for their large country estate at Highbury House. Fast-forward to 1944 when the house was converted into a hospital for injured soldiers where Beth, a land girl, Stella, the cook, and Diana the lady of Highbury House all add to the story of the gardens and come into their own as well. Fast-forward again to 2021 when Sydney, the current owner of Highbury House hires Emma to restore the gardens to their former glory and together they discover the secrets of the Winter Garden.

This book has everything I look for in a story-strong women characters, an accurate depiction of the historical era in which it is set, emotional events that pull at my heart, an element of intrigue, and even a touch of romance. Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely and touching book about several determined women connected through a British country estate's pleasure garden. In 1907, Venetia is designing the garden and establishing a name for herself as a female landscape architect; in 1944 mistress of the house Diana struggles to maintain her pre-war routines as her life is disrupted by the convalescent hospital that has taken over her home while cook Stella and land girl Beth dream of better lives after the war; in the present Emma is unravelling Venetia's original design through the remaining plants and historical documents as she strives to bring the garden back to its original glory. All 3 women share determination, and personal struggles as they endeavor to make their mark on the world. Love, loss, and hope in stories blended across a century.

recently visited an online show (ah, 2020!) with displays of the garden Red Books of Humphry Repton. He designed an overlay map that showed the before and after plans for a garden. I had those beautiful designs in mind as I read “The Last Garden in England”.

Last Garden uses three timeline stories to tell the story of a great estate garden in England at the time of its design, its defense against loss to farming during World War II, and in its now-time restoration. All three stories have interesting women as main characters, and although I felt like the ties between the stories were a bit heavy-handed, they were all colorful and engaging.

I thought this was a good historical romance, with extra points if you enjoy gardens and gardening.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Gallery Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Julia Kelly is such a great author! I love her historical fiction books! She does such a good job of connecting the characters to the historical time in which they lived. This book is about five women who live in three different times in history. Even though the women live at different times, the author uses a beautiful garden to connect their stories. This is a beautiful story! Highly recommend for all historical fiction lovers!

This book has THREE timelines, and many, MANY characters. Once I "settled in" and found the groove of the story, it was easy to get invested in the characters' lives. I'm not a gardener, at all, but I loved all the descriptions of nature and plants and how a very special garden -- and a unique rose! -- linked three women together across history. This book made me want to learn even more about the "land girls" of WWII. Lovers and readers of historical fiction (think Kate Quinn and Kate Morton) will really enjoy this one.

I love reading something that inspires me to do my own independent research - and The Last Garden in England did that. I felt like a period landscaper by the time I finished. Loved all the relationship dynamics and the multiple timelines. Just the right amount of romance!

Multiple timelines, gardening (history of the development and restoration of a large garden on a fictional English country estate), strong female characters, I was drawn in. Yes, it is romantic historical fiction, so if you hate any type of romance in your historical fiction, skip this, as there was romance in all three of the timelines. There was a bit of predictability about some of the story lines. Nevertheless, I liked all the main characters and enjoyed the book. An engaging, light read. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is a beautiful historical fiction read unlike any I have read before!

Set in three different time periods—the early 1900s, WWII, and modern-day—the stories of four women and their connection to Highbury House is explored through loss, friendship, and resilience during tumultuous times.

Venetia Smith is tasted with designing the gardens of Highbury House. What unfolds from there is the story of how the gardens of Highbury House interweave a family for generations, giving the modern-day woman, Emma, the opportunity to uncover a secret that shook occupants of Highbury house during WWII while the house was requisitioned as a convalescent hospital.

There is so much I loved about this book. The characters were strong but still had room for growth and development. Sometimes it can be difficult to follow the connections between multiple storylines, and this one was set in three different time periods, but Julia Kelly does a beautiful job of writing these stories and connecting them. I cried multiple times, and I appreciated the botany throughout the story (and I don't have a green thumb!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book!

The stories woven through three different time periods and three women whose link to each other is a beautiful garden outside the village of Highbury, is wonderfully told. Each woman was distinctly different, and yet at the same time, had many things in common.....strength, resolve, and the unique talent of visualization. Each could look at something, see the hidden beauty of it, and bring it to life for all to enjoy. Emma Lovett (present day), Venetia Smith (1907) and Beth Pedley (1944) had something else in common....they were all looking for their own personal happiness and fulfillment. In Beth's story, we also find two other strong women whose lives are extraordinarily different, and yet they come together to complete part of the mystery of Highbury House Gardens that Emma is trying to discover. Each woman lets a man into her life whom they love, and yet they do not allow that love to alter their ultimate life-plan., which I found fit the women's stories. The author has given the reader a very enjoyable read that makes you want to finish it quickly to see how the lives of these women unfold, and yet allows you to leisurely read the wonderfully descriptive words that allow you to "see it all" as she meant for us to do. . I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity. #NetGalley #TheLastGardeninEngland

A garden on an old country estate links several women and their connections to the house and garden over three different time spans. Most of the times are marked well but on occasion you must make the distinction, especially when it is referring to an event around one specific area. It got a little bogged down about half way but eventually picks back up to a satisfying ending. No ghosts, just their connections to the garden. Jacket cover gives adequate description. A nice leisurely read and one you can put down and.pick up without feeling that you've missed something. Overall a very pleasant read with wonderful descriptions of flowers and garden layouts.
I was provided an ARC of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I have found my new favorite book! The Last Garden in England is an emotional walk through the lives of several women through different times, all connected by one entrancing garden.
From early 1900s, to WWII and into modern day, each character is as interesting as the others, and their stories of love, loss and tragedy binds them all together. Reading this powerful book will take you into each woman’s life, feeling as though you are her best friend and confidante. This is a book that I couldn’t put down, and am actually sad that I’ve finished. This is one I will read again and again!
(I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. Thank you Gallery Books! )
#TheLastGardeninEngland #netgalley

The Last Garden in England is a beautiful story full of gorgeous imagery and strong female comradery.

The story revolves around the lives of five women who all are connected to the gardens of Highbury in England. Kelly was able to write her story through the points of view of all five women and three different time periods. One would think that this would be too much for and author and reader to take on, but it wasn’t. The story flowed seamlessly, and I found myself fully immersed in the lives of all five strong female characters. It was so interesting to see how their lives were impacted by the time periods and social circumstances.

The central theme of the story revolved around Highbury House Gardens. I still can’t get over how Kelly was able to transport me into a lush land full of beautiful flowers, plants and tons of color. She really must have put a lot of time and effort into her research in order to transport the reader into a botanical paradise. I felt as if I was right there taking in the sights and working along side the characters in the story. You could smell the earth and feel the sun. Kelly truly has a gift for cinematic imagery. Overall, this was quite the enjoyable read. If you are someone who loves a story with a beautiful setting, friendship, romance, engaging characters and a steady pace you should pick this book up!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the gifted copy of this digital book in exchange for my honest review.