It's London, 1916, and as the men are off at war, Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, is having to take on women in the role of gardeners.

Ivy and Louisa. Two women from very different circumstances. But at Kew they find that plants aren't the only thing they have in common.

Kew becomes a haven for those who need a soft place to land as the tensions of WWI threaten to upend the Homefront and the lives that everyone once knew.
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A book about found family and doing what is right even when it's not popular. With a wide array of charming characters this book gives a niche view of the WWI Homefront that was engrossing and endearing.

I loved how these characters supported one another more and more and their lives became more interwoven. And how they easily brought new people into the fold.

This isn't a book full of shocking twists or elaborate plot orchestrations. It's a gentle stream of a story that flows and sometimes there is a ripple, but overall it's a story where you know what you are going to get and it leaves you with a warm fuzzy glow.
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Content Note: This is a historical fiction book with one fade to black scene. There are brief descriptions of war violence, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and bullying.

Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

The Kew Garden Girls by Posy Lovell is a delightful and informative novel that transports the reader to a fascinating and turbulent time in history, and that introduces them to a group of remarkable and memorable women. The novel is well-written, well-researched, and well-developed, and it offers a balanced and honest perspective on the events and the people of the era. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, gardening, or stories about female friendship. I would rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Content warnings: war violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, attempted rape, alcoholism, miscarriage, grief, loss of a spouse, loss of a child, draft dodgers

At the beginning of World War I in London, Kew Gardens is in need of skilled hands to maintain the gardens while most of the men in England are at war. Louisa has escaped an abusive marriage and uses her farm upbringing to land a job. Ivy Adams is the daughter of a flower merchant who also works at Kew. The two women form a friendship with each other and former teacher Bernie, who also is tending Kew Gardens.

When the girls find out that Bernie objects to the war and isn't "doing his bit," their friendship is tested. The women must reexamine the war, their opinions about conscientious objectors, and deal with providing for themselves in a time when women typically didn't work. Grief and the loss of family members in the war is also a strong theme.

Recommended only for readers who love World War I historicals.

Representation: Quaker, hearing impaired side character, working women in the early 1900s

As someone who grew up watching British television with my parents, The Kew Gardens Girls felt like a stepping into a delightful memory box. I instantly felt transported back to World War I, rooting for the women tending to the Kew Gardens. A delightful work of historical fiction, the Kew Gardens Girls is a tale of wartime struggles and chosen family, that I highly recommend.

I’ve read quite a few Historical Fiction novels now, set in WWII, so it’s refreshing to get a glimpse at life during The Great War.

I always enjoy a strong female friendship, and really loved the one between the women featured in THE KEW GARDEN GIRLS.

Inspired by true events, women were given more roles once the men were sent to war, and they were the backbone and strength holding their families together and even providing while the men were absent.

*many thanks to Putnam/Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

The Kew Gardens Girls is set during WWI. Since most male gardeners have enlisted or will soon be conscripted, the Gardens are considering hiring women. Mac, the head gardener, isn't too keen on the idea and doesn't think they are up to the task so he assigns them to weed the herbaceous border (where they can't do much damage) and move rock for the rock garden (where hopefully they will see they aren't able to do the hard work). But Louisa and Ivy are suffragettes and they are determined to prove they can do the job as well (if not better) than any man.

I haven't read as much about WWI as I have WWII so this was an interesting story. While we know London was hard hit during the latter war, the front is farther away during WWI. They still need to grow food for the war effort and part of the garden is transformed into a vegetable plot. The fight for women's vote has to take a backburner to support the boys on the front lines, but that doesn't mean they can't keep trying to improve women's lot in life. In fact, they hope the men at the top are taking notice of how well women are doing at the jobs that only men once held. Louisa and Ivy are joined by Lady Russell who is looking for something to do while her husband is leading the Dover Patrol. It is soon discovered that the female gardeners are making less than the male gardeners (even though the new male recruit Bernie has less knowledge and skills than the girls).

Conscription and the ethics of war, in general, are also themes explored in this novel. But it isn't all doom and gloom. There is love and the bonds of friendships forged out of the hardships.

I loved this novel and devoured it in big chunks over just a few days. The writing flows so well and the characters are all fleshed out. There are plenty of descriptions of plants and the gardens to add a wonderful atmosphere to the story.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, April 12 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/04/the-beautiful-backdrop-of-kew-gardens.html

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

I recently finished a treasure trove book of historical fiction by Kerry Barrett: THE KEW GARDENS GIRLS, written under the pen name of Posy Lovell. This novel is filled with layer upon layer of historical fiction goodness, spanning the First World War and the fight for Suffrage in Britain through the eyes of women suffragists working as gardeners in Kew Gardens in place of its men who were off to fight. However, many of the themes Barrett tackles that the women confront in the book are still forefront in the women’s issues of today — ranging from fighting for equal pay to match their male counterparts’ wages, for a voice in their country and its government through voting, and against domestic violence. She also explores the difficult journey of and the attacks against the conscientious objectors, such as the Quakers, during the War through one of the characters of the book. Yet overarching and encircling all of these complex subjects is the author’s tribute to the purely beautiful and simply enchanting “Language of Flowers”, where every flower communicates a different message or has a symbolic meaning.

The book’s protagonists start as strangers then develop the strong deep friendship shared by women where friends can become family. A friendship where any challenge can be dealt with head on or any struggle tackled if the women worked together side-by-side and remained constant in the end. Furthermore, Barrett’s story is only enriched even more by a supporting cast of characters that are just as endearing and paramount to the story as its protagonists. The reader becomes invested in each character and the relationships shared amongst them as well as their life paths. Their development is so rich that it appears on the author’s social media pages that a second book was already released earlier in the UK, this time centered around the next generation of women Kew gardeners during WWII. In this latest release, THE KEW GARDENS GIRLS AT WAR, old and new heroines will again bravely struggle for what’s right but this time it’s amidst a new World War (WWII). Current release date for the USA book version of the second installment is unknown.

This book would pair great with or draw similar fans to the books of THE KITCHEN FRONT by Jennifer Ryan, THE LAST GARDEN OF ENGLAND by Julia Kelly, and STORIES FROM SUFFRAGETTE CITY by multiple various accomplished authors. (For more detailed information, all three were featured and reviewed right here on THE ERUDITE BIBLIOPHILE WITH WANDERLUST Facebook page! Check these out and/or the award-winning movie SUFFRAGETTE to enhance the reader experience. This inspirational book is a dedication from the author not only to the British Women who were fighting for their vote and voice (all while still working during a World War), but also to the powerful importance of gardens and their marvelous flowers.

This is a great, compelling book, in a beautifully imagined WWI adventure. Definitely worth reading.

To be honest, I haven't really read many books based on WWI, I find myself reading more about WWII. The Kew Gardens Girls gave me an insightful look at an important time and place in London during the war. Based on true events the Gardens brought together a group of people working together to maintain the flowers and vegetables, while also nurturing a strong family bond among the strangers who found themselves working on the grounds. It was a time of great stress for everyone, but they were there for each other.

There are many wonderful characters and relationships in this story and I found myself transported to the place and found myself among people I came to care about. The Kew Gardens Girls will be a story that I will think about long after I close the book. I highly recommend it for all readers of historical fiction for a glance at an important part of the past.

Posy Lovell has written an interesting story about the historic Kew Gardens in London during 1916. England is at war and the women of the country have to step up to take care of the gardens. The women face many different challenges along the way and have to work together to overcome these obstacles.

I found that this book was a slow start for me but after about 1/3 of the way through it picked up and I became invested in the characters.

I have not read many books about women's suffrage. I found this enlightening and educational.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I pretty much devour all books about WWI and WWII so this book was straight up my alley, especially since it's a part of the war history I previously did not know about.

This novel follows two main characters from vastly different backgrounds - Ivy and Louisa - after they meet while working for the Kew Gardens. However there's more that join the ranks of the employees at Kew and many of these smaller characters are just as engaging as the main.

There's a lot of stories going on at once but that is really what made this book shine. It's definitely a worthy read for anyone that enjoys (such the wrong word!) the same genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

#20percentreview :: Posy Lovell's well-researched book is inspired by real events in London and Kew Gardens during World War I. This trend of using real life events as an inspiration for fiction reminds me of Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. Perhaps adjacent to Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig.

It's the summer of 1915 and London businesses need workers now that so many men are fighting in France. New and exciting opportunities are open to women - including manual labor jobs such as working the grounds at Kew Gardens. The young suffragists who take up their posts at Kew Gardens are "doing their bit for king and country", but they're not sure the war should pause their other political efforts. By chapter 7, all the main characters have been introduced - and some of their secrets. Ivy and Louisa are both suffragists and fast friends despite their 20 year age difference. Although 16 year old Ivy grew up in the city, she learned gardening at a young age following her father at his post. Louisa grew up in the country and the small container garden in her courtyard makes her feel at home in the middle of the noisy city. After a traumatic incident at his school, Bernie traded in life as a teacher for a gardener - despite being a complete novice with a black thumb. I predict that this unlikely trio of gardeners will build friendships in the midst of war and personal loss. And perhaps even fight for each other when their secrets are eventually revealed.

The Kew Gardens Girls is a historical novel about two women, Ivy and Louisa, who work to keep the Kew Gardens open in the midst of World War I.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction. I am interested in World War I but don't see fiction set during this period as often.

I love the glimpse of the 1910's in this beautifully told and well crafted novel. I found Ivy and Louisa interesting and well drawn characters. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction.

I've actually been to the Kew Gardens, so when I saw this book available I was excited to request it. I wanted to hear about the adventure and intrigue the ladies encountered during wartime at the gardens, but sadly the main characters were more on about gardening tips and the ins and outs of green houses than war. The blurb makes you think the women used their innocent position as guardian of gardens but really they were deeply involved in England's war effort. Which, yes, was talked about, but not as much as gardening was. I was trying to decide if I was reading Gardening For Dummies or a historical fiction novel. I'm torn. I'm not sure how to rate this, so I'll just go with 3.5 stars (ALMOST 4 mkay)

Thanks netgalley for giving me the pdf so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

Having visited Kew Gardens, I was so excited to receive The Kew Garden Girls from NetGalley and Putman Group. It was fast easy read. It told of the story of how the women took over the gardening in Kew Gardens during World War I. Once the war started, all the men left for the war and the women stepped up to get the job done. The surviving records show the women were paid an equal wage as the men. We sure can’t say that today! The fictional three lady friends are a true testament to friendship. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

A wonderful story that I'm sorry came to an end. I wanted to keep reading! Based on facts, with some fiction woven in.

Set in World War 1 in Kew which is a suburb of London, most of the British men have been sent off to War; so they are looking for women with gardening knowledge who can tend the large gardens at the Kew Gardens. Louisa, Ivy, Henrietta, and Lady Wyn all get chosen to work at the gardens. All of them are also involved in the huge suffragette movement to gain the vote for women. The 4 ladies become a close knit group as they help each other with their lives during the early stages of World War 1. They are joined by a young man who is a conscientious objector and being targeted by those who feel he should be serving in some sort of capacity.

The wonderful connection by the characters in this story plays out throughout the story line as they work together and help one another with problems that occur. This new-to-me author's descriptions of the garden and all the work the ladies were doing made me want to hop a plane and visit these amazing gardens that began in 1840 and are still in existence today. Easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable fiction novel.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

It’s the early 1900’s and the world is at war. In England, the Kew Gardens is a beautiful place full of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables and is considered a jewel in the crown of London. While the men are fighting abroad, women are taking over care of the gardens and proving to be just as good at the job as men.

Ivy is a sixteen year old beauty with an alcoholic Dad and secrets. Louisa came to London to escape an abusive husband and to grieve the loss of her child. These two women build a friendship while working at Kew Gardens and become involved with the Suffragette movement. They become close to Bernie, a young man with his own secrets, trying to avoid the draft and a forced enlistment during war.

This book is about friendship, loyalty, the horrors of war, the birth of women’s rights and love for country. It is good historical fiction and I enjoyed learning about Kew Gardens, a real place in London that employed women during WWI.

This book is available today-happy pub day! 🎉

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinbooks for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
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3.5/5 ⭐️- I liked it.
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Wonderful historical fiction! This was a lovely story based on fact. A really remarkable time in history. The Kew Gardens Girls gave us lots of insight into that time period with the war and the Suffragettes, conscientious objectors and class differences. The characters were very well drawn and very likeable. Louise, Ivy, Bernie, Win, Mac & Jim were done brilliantly and you felt that you knew them. The Gardens were painted in words so that you could envision them and all their glory. You felt the horror of the war and empathized with everyone and their views. Great read!!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.