This is my first Julia Kelly book and it was a wonderful experience. This is historical fiction ~ A story about three different women in different times who have dedicated their lives to gardens. The descriptions of the gardens were wonderful and if you like the 1940's, you will enjoy this story, too.

Oh how I enjoyed this book!! I really enjoy reading historical romance, this one had a little bit of everything but I really enjoyed how it told about the history of the house, the families and their views on women and dating. True love always wins!

The gardens were a main point in this book, all those descriptions just make you want to be there. Plus a wonderful surprise at the end. Definetly loved this book. Thank you Netgalley!

This is my first Julia Kelly book and I enjoyed immensely. The tale about 3 different women in different times who have dedicated their lives to gardens & creating beautiful gardens was lovely. Thank you to Netgalley & Gallery for my honest review.

The Last Garden of England covers multiple characters in different time periods that all have something to do with a beautifully designed garden by Venetia Smith. They range from a WW2 land girl, a modern day landscaper/designer, a rich housewife, and Venetia Smith herself.
This book combines a lot of my favorite things. First, it’s historical fiction but covers a new topic that I hadn’t learned about: the requisition of wealthy estate homes as field hospitals and land girls during WW2. I loved the small town charm aspect of this; it reminded me of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Due to the four narrators, this book was multi-faceted both happy and sad; funny and sorrowful. I loved each of the narrators for varying reasons and it kept the book moving quickly for me as I always wanted to see why would happen to the next narrator. Kelly also does a fantastic job of weaving all the stories together and does an excellent job of plotting the book evenly and thoughtfully! I highly encourage you to go out and grab a copy of this!! I think you’ll love it!

Three timelines, three amazing women, and three wonderful stories all told around Highbury Estate Gardens. 1907 is the original designer of the Highbury Gardens. Venetia Smith takes the job and starts the story of the gardens. The experience she has while designing changes her life forever. 1944 takes us to Highbury during WWII. The house has been turned into a war hospital. 2021 is the time when the gardens have been neglected for years and the owners of Highbury Estate would like them to be brought back to their original glory.

I am not sure if I can pick my favorite era. Each era has its own charm and its own story to share. The book would not have been nearly as amazing as it is without all 3 eras. They each told a story that was important to Highbury Estates story. I love the current time and the recreating of the gardens. It was amazing to learn of the history, to picture the gardens as they were and how they were found today. I loved how respectful Emma was of the gardens and her will to bring them back to how they were meant to be. 1907 was intriguing. A single woman, Venetia, comes to the estate to plant the original gardens. It was not just planting flowers; she was making rooms of special meaning to the estate owners. The people of the house and the surrounding area all added to her story and made her story so much more than just the garden. 1944 is my era. While I hate the idea of war, I love learning more about the time. This was a unique look at the world left behind. The widows left to run a household, the men injured and wishing to return to battles, and the help that takes on tasks that are not usual for them.

The Last Garden of England is a book that I was looking forward to. Julia Kelly used amazing detail in describing the gardens, the people, and the estate. I could picture the different rooms of the garden, hear the characters living their lives, and feel the love of the Highbury Gardens.

One thing that draws me to a book is an old house, and Highbury House sounded amazing.

And with the mention of many gardens, I was pulled in from the start.

We meet Emma, present day, who was commissioned to restore the gardens of Highbury House that were designed by Venetia Smith to what they looked like in 1907. Emma had no photos but did some research.

Emma’s work was definitely cut out here, but it was so exciting for her to be able to recreate these famous gardens.

We also meet two other women who had something to do with the gardens and Highbury House. Each time we meet one of the women, we find a little more about the garden, their lives, and their connection to it all.

Venetia Smith, 1907, was the original designer of the many gardens at the Highbury House Estate.

Beth Pedley, 1944, worked on a nearby farm. She would deliver goods to Highbury House and loved the gardens. She also wanted to and did sketch the gardens. These sketches were helpful to Emma.

These three women were easy to like, and I loved how the gardens were the main focus for all three of them.

There were many gardens filled with flowers that represented the name of each garden.

The different gardens were: The Tea Garden, The Lovers' Garden, The Bride's Garden, The Poet's Garden, The Children’s Garden, and The Winter Garden that was behind locked gates and Emma didn't know why.

No one knew why it was kept locked or where the key was, but you will find out when you read this lovely book.

Along with the beautiful writing of Ms. Kelly, the gardens, and the story line, there also is some romance in each time period.

If you enjoy Ms. Kelly's books, you will not want to miss this one. 4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Emma has been hired to recreate the old gardens at Highbury House. She is determined to restore the garden to its historical magnificent with accuracy. During her research she discovers several mysteries surrounding the house and the garden. The more she uncovers the more tragic the tale becomes.

What a unique and interesting read. I loved the way the author connected the characters and the time periods. Sometimes this can be a problem in a novel. But Julia Kelly creates such an uncommon story surrounding the garden, the house and the characters that I could not put it down.

I have been a fan of this author for a quite a while. I always enjoy learning something new. And Julia Kelly introduces me to something new in every novel.

From 1907 to 1944 to present day, this is a beautiful, tragic tale about love, loss and family. Do not miss this one!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

The Last Garden in England was a revelation of a book. This is the 1st book that I have read by author Julia Kelly and what a book it was. I am a fan of dual time novels, however this was my 1st triple time period novel. The novel covers three time periods, 1907 when famous garden designer Venetia Smith is hired to design a garden for Highbury House. 1944 when England is in the depths and deprivations of WWII, and the present when garden restorer, Emma Lovett is hired to restore the gardens.

The story covers all three time periods well, but I think the WWII era was my favorite, I really felt for chatelaine Diana Symonds and her struggle to keep her pre-war life, as well as live with the requisition of her home. As a fan of historic homes, I really enjoyed reading about Highbury House and the garden that is the catalyst for all three storylines. I am not much of a gardener but love reading about beautiful gardens and this book was a window to that world.

The 1907 timeline with garden designer Venetia Smith was interesting as well, I loved reading how she came up with the ideas for the different garden “rooms”. It was interesting reading about a woman pioneer in what was thought to be a man’s world.

If you like a novel of beautiful houses, gardens and strong women through different time periods, this book is for you, also the cover is absolutely beautiful. I was delighted with my 1st novel by Julia Kelly and look forward to reading more from her.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author Julia Kelly, and the publisher Gallery books for the chance to read and review this book.

The Last Garden in England is a lovely romance taking place in the same spot in England: a garden, but in three different time periods: 1907 when it was originally designed and planted, 1944 when it was part of an estate requisitioned as an army hospital, and the present day. It is Highbury House where in 1907, noted landscape designer Venetia Smith arrives to design and plant the garden, and falls in the love with brother of the mistress of the house. The inhabitants of the house are less than thrilled with the direction things have taken, and do their best to thwart it. In 1944, Diana Symonds has lost her husband to the war and has been forced to give over her house to the war effort. The worst part is that the warden of the hospital is her sister-in-law, who had never quite accepted that the house was not hers. Also part of the story is land girl, Beth Pedley, who ends up married to on of the patients in the hospital and is an aspiring artist. Her drawings and paintings end up as instrumental in the restoration of the gardens 75 years later. The cook at the home, Stella Adderton plays a huge part in the story, helping both Beth and Diana in numerous ways over the years, although she doesn't stay at Highbury House, she moves to London. Finally Emma Lovett arrives in the present day to restore the gardens to their former splendor and finds a life at Highbury as well.

This was a well-written piece of historical fiction, encompassing lives of many different stratas of life and really, changing life for the current owners. The characters were well rounded and their stories well told. There were multiple plots that all fit together nicely as the text jumped from time to time. At times, the story was heart wrenching; it was always real and heart warming. It was all about a garden and the things that happened in and around it. Who knew? I recommend it heartily.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Last Garden in England by Net galley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thelastgardeninengland

The Last Garden in England is a very typical Julia Kelly book--and, in that way, it is an enjoyable book. Kelly has built her reputation on World War II women's fiction. The Last Garden in England has the hallmarks I've come to expect from her--shifting POV, engaging characters, and bouncing between time periods. Overall, I enjoyed this book, though I struggle to say more about it than that it was a pleasant way to spend a day and, particularly in these times, that merits four stars.

This is a really beautiful and engaging book. The writing is very aesthetically powerful--it feels as lush as a garden should feel and it's riveting to watch this garden unfold over different time periods. HOWEVER! For blog purposes it is a DNF for me because it was marketed as a romance and it is not one. Although I can tell I'm going to love the complex and beautiful story lines in a personal capacity, it's not technically a romance.

Marked as three stars because it was mis-marketed but is also undeniably well-done.

I wanted to read The Last Garden in England because my dear mother-in-law was in the WAAF, became the first war bride to arrive in Indianapolis, and was a wonderful gardener. I loved this book. It explored English society through the lives of people connected to Highbury House Estate during three different time periods 1907, 1944, and 2001.

I laughed, cried, got angry, and was frustrated as I became involved in the lives of Venetia Smith , the Melcorts, (1907); Diane Sybold, Beth Pedley, Stella Adderton, (1944); and Emma Lovett who has been commissioned to return the gardens to their 1907 design.

There are secrets that need to be solved in the story. The reader is constantly guessing as to how Julia Kelly is going to tie these three time periods together. My favorite character is Diane Sybold. She changes the most which is very satisfying to the reader. I learned a lot about gardening as well as a lot about do’s and don’t of society in each time period. My one suggestion would be to make a chart for the three time periods and write down the characters for each time period. If you are in a bookclub, I think this book would be an excellent choice for good discussion.

I would give this wonderful book 4.5 stars and rounding up to a 5. My thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This book was a perfect mid-winter read. It felt like a watercolor or a Masterpiece Theater show; Gentle English countryside, independent women, a slight mystery through time.

Gardening is something I wish I did more of and understood better. The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly has me quite fascinated! How is it that someone could look at a space and envision specific plants that would go well there? And then create a different atmosphere in a variety of gardens at one home?! Absolutely amazing!

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is much more than creating a garden, though. It’s about life in different eras of 1907, 1944, and 2021. Three distinguished time periods with varying lifestyles and economics. Not only does this book discuss the gardens, but also the people of the time, their relationships, as well as ways of life.

More importantly, this book shares the relationships between individuals related to Highbury House. It’s amazing that they shared the same space, yet approached the gardens differently. Love and romance seem to occur in each time period. Hurts that has headlined too many are expressed in this book as well.

My favorite character is Emma Lovett of the 2021 time period. She’s contracted out to restore the long neglected gardens at Highbury House. She has the owners and relatives dig up whatever they can find from Venetia Smith, the 1907 garden designer. Not only are invoices found, but also sketchbooks and photos! It must be so exciting to rebuild something that was once so grand.

I really disliked the most was Venetia’s employer, Mrs Melcourt. She seemed very square and stuck in her rich, debutant ways. She wanted all these things in her garden, but only if it met her desires. She seemed to be stubborn and very strict with her staff.

One thing I would chance in this book is mentioning 2021 without the mention of a pandemic or that the setting of the story is under strict lockdowns due to a new strain of this virus.

A digital ARC of The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly was provided complimentary by Gallery Books via NetGalley. While a review is not required, I feel readers and authors appreciate honest thoughts. I give this book 4 out of 5 tiaras because of the amaziNG storyline for each time period.

Highbury, or the Secret Garden for grownups.

A lushly descriptive and imaginative read that spans three generations.
From 1907 when the gardens at Highbury House were designed in 1907 to 1944, when war comes to England, to the present day.

The lives of the women who tended the garden, from birth to rebirth are treated with a deft hand and nuanced emotions.

Recommend.

In The Last Garden in England, the lives of three generations of women become as intertwined as the vines of the one garden they all love. Kelly’s story slips effortlessly between the three time periods of 1907, 1944, and present day with characters and storylines true to their own unique eras. Gently and beautifully told, The Last Garden in England is like slipping away to a secret garden whose story takes root and blooms in your heart.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Have I mentioned I love Julia Kelly's books? Well, I do. I think she is a great writer. I started reading her books back when she wrote in a different genre and although there are only little traces of romance in her books now, I still love them. I've seen people complain about the small bits of romance in her books now that she's writing women's fiction and I don't understand it. Is romance not a part of life in one form or another? Her books are about strong women that may not always get things right, but they forge ahead until they do, make hard choices, and carry on. I was surprised to find this book had three timelines instead of two, but enjoyed them all. You have garden designer, Venetia Smith, in 1907-8. A land girl, Beth Pedley; a woman in service with big dreams, Stella Adderton; and a high society widow, Diana Symonds, in 1944. And last, a garden design business owner, Emma Lovett, in present day. They are all connected by gardens of Highbury House. It's about the women themselves and the changes they experience, some during war, and the connection between them all. It exposes the limits of the time period they all lived in and how they adapt. Yes, there is a bit of romance, but very little. The author did an excellent job of making all of these characters (and many others), individuals that you care about and can't wait to see what happens. My only warning is, make sure you have some tissues handy once you reach about halfway. I'll be shocked if you don't need them like I did.

The Last Garden in England, or the wonderful multi-generational story of Venetia Smith, Diana Symonds, Stella Adderton, Beth Pedley, and Emma Lovett. Each one of these women's destinies are intertwined around Highbury House and the Highbury Gardens.

Venetia Smith is a talented botanist/gardener who is hired by the Melcourts to plant a garden on their large property. Venetia is in her 30s, never married and no children, which was unusual in 1907, and is committed to planting the most wonderful garden for her newest clients. Little does she know that Matthew, Mrs. Malcourt's brother, is going to walk into her life and turn it upside down.

Stella Adderton is Mrs. Symonds' cook at Highbury. She has dreams of traveling around the world and get a job that will take her to London so she can live the life she always dreamed of. Until her sister Joan shows up at the house one and imposes her son Bobby upon Stella as she needs to leave to work in London for the war. Stella has no clue what to do with this boy. Diana Symonds, the lady of the house, who lost her husband Murray at war (Murray is the grandchild of the 1907 Melcourts), helps her figure things out, despite her cold front. We will soon find out what instances made this woman turn so sour.

Emma Lovett owns Once Upon a Thyme and is hired to restore the Highbury Gardens. She struggles to keep her business afloat. This job will end up changing her life and she will help current owners Sydney and Andrew uncover buried family secrets.

This book was a gem of a historical fiction. The gardens were so poetically described that I often times googled some of the depicted plants for visual accuracy. The characters, especially the female ones, were really strong, had much depth, and all came to life into my head. I grew particularly fond of Diana Symonds; her story was touching and I can imagine many married women see themselves in her and the sacrifices she made to make her marriage work and make her husband happy. She is also the epitome of goodness and selflessness. An admirable woman.

I finished this book with a smile on my face, a sense of hope. This book reminds you that when your life could not feel worse, when you feel like you hit rock bottom, there are always better days ahead.

You should read this book if you enjoy 20th century historical fiction set in rural England, multi-generational family stories, love stories, and a book featuring strong women.

I sincerely thank Net Galley and Gallery Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wonderful historical novel that takes place in three different timelines: the present day, 1907 and 1944.
It tells the story of a magnificent garden and its secrets, from the point of view of various women: Emma, in charge of the restoration of the garden in the present day, Venetia Smith (1907), the original designer of the gardens of Highbury House. Beth, a land girl that delivers the produce to Highbury House that, during the war (1944) is functioning as a Hospital, The cook, Stella. And Diana, a young widow that is the owner of the house.
Who would have thought that the history and different types of gardens would be so fascinating! And of course the highly appealing historical background of the novel makes it an amazing reading. I love Julia Kelly prose. She masters the use of language in her dialogues and descriptions.
I would highly recommend this book for those readers who loves be historical fiction. Is a must read!

2021

Emma is the owner of Turning Back Thyme and has been hired by Sydney and Andrew Wilcox to return the gardens of their home, Highbury House, to its former beauty. The gardens were established in 1907 by the famed Venetia Smith. They are so overgrown it is difficult to understand how they once looked. Several neighbors whose families have lived in the area for many generations produce some drawings done in the past by relatives to help her know how to reproduce how the gardens.

1907

Venetia is designing the gardens at Highbury House owned by Mr. and Mrs. Melcourt. She has huge plans for the different gardens and is excited to get started.

1944

Diana Symonds became a widow after her husband, a doctor, was killed in the war. She has a 5-year-old son to care for. She is the owner of Highbury House which is being used by the military as a convalescent hospital. Her sister-in-law lives there with her in support of the military but spends too much time trying to boss Diana around. Diana is holding in her grief the best she can.

The cook, Stella Adderton does her best to prepare good meals with the reduced rations available. Her sister went to London to work leaving her 5-year-old son with Stella to care for. Thankfully, he and Mrs. Symonds son have become good friends.

This book encompasses three different time periods that knit together the history of the gardens of Highbury House. The suffering of so many people in the war to include not only the loss of lives but the many people who did without food and other staples of life. The pain of this is well exhibited in the book, but there is also hope and love too that kept life going for so many. Very well done. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.