In 1915, during World War I, Kew Gardens in London found itself in dire need of gardeners. Mac, the head gardener, had few candidates answer his Help Wanted ad, either men, who would be eligible for the draft, or women, which Kew never had hired thinking they were too delicate for the work. With reservation MAC hired Louisa Taylor who grew up on a hop farm, and Ivy Adams, from hackney, and Bernie who had absolutely no experience. Unknown to Mac, both girls hid their Suffragette pins as Kew had reasons to dislike suffragettes. Later, after the women proved they could do the work, Lady Winifred Ramsay (Win) and other women were hired. This wonderful story was based on actual facts about Kew Gardens and I know this book was published in England, but I would have enjoyed a bit more background on Kew, size, history, etc.

I saw this book right after I had finished another book about English gardens, so the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. This story takes place during WWI in the Kew Gardens in London. With most of the male population having enlisted, the garden (which does not employ women) has no choice but to interview women for the job. Louisa has left her abusive husband in Kent and moved to the city to start a new life. She currently lives in a small flat and works in a dress hop. She is an excellent gardener (as evidenced by the beautiful and large garden on her porch) and applies to work in the garden. Ivy is sixteen and the oldest of a large family with a much absent father. She grew up around the garden, but now wants to work there in an official capacity with her boyfriend, Jim. The head Gardner, Mac, reluctantly hires both women, who discover that not only do they have gardening in common, but they are both suffragettes. At the same time he also hires Bernie, who is A former school teacher and silently a conscientious objector. A short while later, Win joins the garden staff as a volunteer while her retired husband rejoins the Royal Navy. These women form a very strong bond that gets them through the very worst of times. We see the suffragettes doing their part to help the war effort while still fighting for equal rights, the White Feather movement which shines a light on the difficulties of conscientious objectors, a help for a surprisingly illiterate character and the tragedy of loss. The garden is the main character throughout and has a story of it’s own to tell while at the same time providing a home to an unlikely crew. A wonderfully written story, but a little predictable at times. Well worth the read. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book.