I tried so very hard to and wanted to love this but it was not for me. After trying multiple times to pick this up and continue on I decided to dnf the story @30%. I know this will be a fun read for many- I highly recommend that readers try it out and see what they think for themselves!

The peculiar garden of Harriet Hunt

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC.

What an enjoyable little gothic tale this was. We are presented with Harriet Hunt, her father missing for many years, the only solace – her garden. Isolated and alone, she lives for her time with Cousin Eunice, someone who loves her dearly, despite her reclusive ways until she needs to move away to help with family. She is forced to deal with being a single young woman at a time when it wasn’t respectable to be so, being told she would be sent to an asylum, she looks for ways to escape this threat and move on with her life.
By chance, meeting a handsome young man on the street one day, the story takes us through the rush of romance, a marriage, a birth, a mystery of her mother, the disappearance of her father and realisation that not all people are good despite their appearances.
Harriet’s garden is untameable, it bends with her will, it moves at her voice, it grows with her emotions. She must stay in control of it, lest others see what is happening beyond her garden walls.

A story of Harriet, coming into her own, finding herself through the trials and tribulations she has found herself in. Her naivety stemming from a traumatic childhood has led her into danger, but she has been through worse, and she can make it through more.

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt was a lovely historical fantasy full of unexpected magic, self discovery, and intrigue. I couldn't put it down!

In a past where women have very few rights, Harriet is controlled by her father, living with the guilt of being responsible for her mother's death and the strangeness that allows her to control the plants in her garden. When her father disappears one night she is confused and worried he'll re-appear but also happy to begin living her own life. When she meets and begins to love a handsome stranger she thinks her life is finally taking a turn for the better but how well does she really know the man she marries? Gothic and dark and thoroughly enjoyable.

This fantastical story about self-empowerment learning who and how you want to be in the world is bogged down by slow pacing and a rather expected character development.

The central story was really good, including the fantastical elements and the eventual wrapping up of the mystery, as well as the ending that all led to. In addition, the writing was quite pleasant, the playfulness of the prose and the imagery and so on was all a joy to read. However, the pacing and a remarkably static and expected character at the heart of the story held this back from being a win for me. The pacing was just interminably slow, with the first 50% being a variation of our main character feeling unsure of herself and vaguely threatened by everything around her, especially men, but then convincing herself to ignore it. If this story was a novella it would have felt a lot tighter and more directed. When tings did start happening that happened fast and furious, with a lot of things happening in the last 20% of the book, and if it had felt like the first part had been a careful setting up of dominoes to create that frenzied rush then that would have been fine, but it didn’t feel like that. Instead, it felt like being stuck in a rut, spinning in circles and going nowhere for a long time only to explode with energy that seemingly came from nowhere. Even that might have been fun if this character felt engaging throughout, but instead she was aggravating. The world-building does a lot of heavy lifting, reminding us of how patriarchal and parochial Victorian-era England was, and in that world, especially considering the traumas she has experienced, the way the titular character exists in the world when we meet her makes sense. But for literally the first 80% of the book she doesn’t change, repeatedly making the same mistake again and again, and not in a way that felt genuine to her nature but in a way that felt her behaving in any other fashion would force the plot to progress. I get her broken down, terrified nature when we meet her, but there needs to be actual character development, a growth or realization that happens in parallel with the story. Instead, she is constantly sabotaging herself in the exact same ways over and over again until she finally uses some common sense, and even then her hand is really forced. She spends so much of the story following the strangest, most insensible logic that I was actively frustrated for the whole central 50% of the story.

I suppose I am just disappointed. The story itself is good, and any individual bit of writing is good, and the exploration of how to discover yourself in the face of adversity, to nurture yourself and grow into the capable and exciting being you were meant to be, that is all ripe material begging to be juiced. But none of that is approached in an innovative way, it feels a bit formulaic. Yes, the fantastical elements are fun, and I especially like that we are in the dark regarding the veracity of these elements until more than 60% through, and only then can we know if there is something supernatural happening or if the fantasy is in fact an imagined one… but that suspense isn’t milked or exploited, it is just left dangling. The pacing and entirely expected characters held this story back from living up to the potential all the other elements promised.

As I said, the writing itself is pleasant, and I appreciate where the story eventually ended up. If you want to spend time within some lush, fantastical gardens in Victorian England there are worse places to do so, especially if you don’t mind watching a young woman look around at her difficult circumstances and then repeatedly shoot herself in the foot again and again instead of using the intelligence and wit she does display to gradually develop into the agent of her own liberation. I mean, she does have her moment of transformation, but you will have to wait for it. If that slow pace and familiar tropes are your jam then this will be a comforting story spiced with some fantastical elements.

I want to thank the author, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Unfortunately this book was not living up to expectations for me. I'm unable to want to continue reading at this time. I ended at 30%.

This book was challenging and at times hard to read. I rooted for Harriet and my heart went out to her from the first chapter. The pacing was good and the tension built just enough. Each character was well written. I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a little magic and a lot of encouragement to live the life they were meant to live.

“The Peculiar Garden if Harriet Hunt” is a haunting and emotionally charged fantasy novel that captivates readers from the first page. Set in a dark, atmospheric world filled with secrets and sorrow, the story follows Harriet, a young woman grappling with loss and the burden of her own cursed legacy.

The author expertly weaves a tale of grief and redemption, immersing readers in Harriet’s struggle against deadly powers that threaten her very existence. The prose is beautifully lyrical, creating a sense of melancholy that lingers long after the final chapter. The vivid descriptions of the desolate landscapes and eerie settings enhance the book's haunting quality, drawing readers into a realm where hope feels fleeting.

Character development is a standout aspect, as Harriet’s journey is both poignant and relatable. The supporting characters are complex, each with their own traumas and motivations, adding depth to the narrative. Themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight against inner demons resonate throughout, making the emotional stakes feel profound.

Overall, "this title is a masterful exploration of darkness and resilience. Its evocative storytelling and rich emotional landscape make it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy. Prepare to be both enchanted and unsettled by this remarkable tale. Highly recommended.

Harriet Hunt is deemed a strange woman by Victorian society, which makes her dangerous. However, her strangeness is actual a beautiful, complicated tie to the garden of her house. Throughout her life, Harriet is controlled by cruel men when all she desires is freedom. After a slow start, I was drawn into the world of Harriet Hunt!

set in 19th century London, we find Harriet Hunt tending her only love, her garden! Through the death of her father and the turbunlent times she always comes back to her garden. Following a woman and her journey in taking her power back. This was so good!

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt reminds me so much of Cinderella, and not the Disney version. With supernatural aspects, grounded magic, dark abuses, and keeping to an inner strength this book hones into it all.

There’s a lot I love about this book from the themes and the green witch aspects and the dark undertones but I also wasn’t blown away at the same time. But what more can you ask for? It was a good reading experience and that’s exactly what you expect from any book you give your time to.

It’s possible I have read too many low-stakes, cozy fantasy novels this year, but to me, The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt was just okay. It felt very similar to The Honey Witch - a young, nature-loving FMC who recently lost a close family relative and must adapt and take care of what the relative left behind. While I did enjoy this more than The Honey Witch, I still didn’t find it to be anything particularly special. If you’re a fan of cozy fantasies and don’t mind the low-stakes, it might be a perfect read for you. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc

A hint of magical realism and gothic vibes. Harriet’s connection to plants was beautiful and related so well to her personality.
I do wish there were some trigger warnings for the heavier content. Mentions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and childhood neglect was much heavier than I was expecting with this.
Women supporting each other and taking back their power will always be an A+ to me.

This really felt nostalgic in a way like revisiting Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden and The Little Princess all in one go.

You will fall in love with our MC Harriet Hunt and your heart will break over and over for her. But she is a true heroine of her own story and what a harrowing, powerful, yet beautiful story she has.

If you love a little bit of magic with a true underdog story with true love and beautiful selfless friendships sprinkled in, you will love this book!

I read several reviews before I dove into this book, and I was looking to be disappointed. I am glad I chose to read this book for myself. I loved Harriet's garden, and my heart was torn for Harriet. I am a gardener, so this title caught my eye. I found that this is the best-written book I have encountered this year. The author did a marvelous job and I would love to read more from her!

I received a copy per Netgalley, I was not obligated to leave a positive review.

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt - Chelsea Iverson

Wow, this book blew me away! So grateful to Netgalley for approving me for this arc! It gave me some Eleanor Oliphant vibes, but mixed with magic, and Victorian England. It was so descriptive, and visually alluring. The prose was amazing, and it was really well paced. Christian is, well, I’ll let you find out what Christian is! Let’s just say, his behaviour isn’t particularly Christian … I loved Harriet’s character, I loved her development and her friendship with Amelia. I loved her witchy links with the garden, and the magic that imbued her plants. Eunice is so sweet, and a truly wonderful cousin & best friend! I also loved Greenwood, and his particular love for cooking breakfast foods. I was not expecting the ending whatsoever, and I was so pleased that after all that; we got a HEA! I implore you to read this once it’s published in December, because it was a complete delight to read, and I’m so grateful I got the chance. I’m very glad I ignored the other reviews for this book, because I found it to be a beautiful, really well written book, with very dark undertones, but ultimately a wonderful example of female rage and empowerment! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Trigger warnings - domestic violence, survivor guilt, attempted rape, child abuse/cruelty,

The main character is this story is somewhat reclusive, staying home to tend to her mysterious garden and avoid the outside world. The deeper story in this one is the way that people avoid dealing with hard memories and can get stuck in avoidant cycles. The main character is somewhat naive, so she makes choices that I cringed at for her, but ultimately you could see it was due to her own experiences in the past.

I liked the positive focus on friendship between women in this one, and how that can help sustain us.

Harriet Hunt has lived her entire life at Sunnyside under the oppressive thumb of her father, who has recently disappeared, giving her what should be her first real taste of freedom. And while her very best and only friend, Eunice, has recently moved away Harriet has found herself being courted by a hansom young man, something she could never have ever dreamed of while her father was at home. And while Eunice has some apprehensions about Harriet's young man, Harriet has agreed to marry him, if only to stop that Inspector from coming by and asking questions about what happened to her father. She knew she shouldn't have told Inspector Stokes they had argued that evening, but she did and now he's convinced that something very sinister is happening at Sunnyside and that Harriet is at the heart of it.

This is essentially any other book with a young woman who comes into money and the evil scheming men around her who plot to get her thrown into an asylum. Except the girl can control plants. Which simply wasn't enough to save this from being predictable to the point of not holding my interest for about 85% of the book.

Overall, I think people will enjoy this because of its predictability. However, that's the reason I found myself bored. It was too predictable, which I found was a waste of adding in the whole sentient garden thing. I would have loved to see that portion of this be something more than a euphemism of Harriet's anxiety.


As always, thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt shows us some of the truest horror is found in the mundanity of living with a monster in the house. Every time Harriet tries talking herself out of taking her husband's abusive behavior seriously I wanted to scream!! Christian's lurking presence on every page (with that of her father layered underneath) made this read feel claustrophobic in the best way.

On another note, Harriet's musings on misogyny felt a little too aware of modern feminist language to a borderline anachronistic degree. I appreciate a journey of self-awareness in a protagonist, but the several explicit declarations of personal freedom in the face of objectification felt like a very modern understanding of gender + society! Not a deal breaker by any means, just a personal pet peeve.

All around a neat little gothic horror to join the "woman barely clinging onto sanity in old creaky house" literary universe.

Be aware this is a negative review. I went into this book having the complete wrong ideas. I don’t really know what bothered me in this book, it could be that it has too much description which did not keep my focus. I wanted the book to have a little more magic and I really did not expect this book to go in the direction it did. I skim read the last 20% because I was DESPERATE to be done with it.