This is a dark, claustrophobic gothic tale steeped in domestic violence. Fantastical themes make it feel like an old fairytale. The book's heavy, sinister feeling was done very well, keeping me interested enough to read it in one sitting while nursing a cold. The writing was beautiful, and the story felt gloomy and lush. Harriet is a character you want to win against all the evil in her world. The ending was eh, just ehhhh.

With that said, if you are going in expecting Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries or The Spellshop, you will be disappointed. It feels more like the films Crimson Peak and Dragonwyck than either of those books. 90% of this isn't a cozy green witch book; it's darker magical realism and should be marketed as such.

**3 Stars: *The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt***

This historical fantasy opens with a slow start, and while the premise of a magical garden responding to Harriet's emotions intrigued me, the story lost momentum with its focus on a predictable and lackluster love triangle. Despite these drawbacks, the narrator's performance added depth and kept me listening. Harriet’s journey of self-discovery and the garden's eerie magic had potential, but uneven pacing and underdeveloped relationships left the overall experience feeling uneven.

Following her mother's death, Harriet was abused and hidden away by her father for the majority of her childhood. Now he's been missing for months and an inspector is sniffing around suspicious of Harriet and what happened to her father.

If it wasn't for the inspector, Harriet would be perfectly content to live alone. After all she has her garden. One that is so attune to her emotions and needs that the plants often rush to her aid when needed.

As the inspector becomes more and more of a problem, Harriet decides a hasty marriage to a new suitor is just the thing to protect her. But, like most men in this book, he ain't no good either.

When the terrible plans laid by her father and husband come to light the garden bursts forth like never before to rescue its beloved Harriet.

My thoughts: I HATE how naive Harriet is. I get it, it makes sense she's been locked up and hidden away for years, but she's trusting and ignorant to the point of stupidity and it greatly annoyed me. Lack of any real communication is also a major theme throughout the book. Overall it's not the worst book I've ever read, but it's not one I'll be in a hurry to recommend.

I thought this was a great read/listen. Yes there were a few things that made my skin crawl but nothing to overt. It is a magical read in many ways. A tense read also. There is a lot going on and the main character, Harriet, is treated horribly by both her father and then her husband. The narrator was great and made it a fun yet intense read/listen. While listening and reading I felt so many emotions.

There is a magical garden and a young woman who tends this garden. Harriet's father disappeared one night after locking her in her bedroom. She does not know for sure where he went and why that is her responsibility is crazy. The law tends to think she should know though. Harriet's father was very abusive to her and threatened to have her committed to an asylum many times. That was his goal before he went away. Harriet had a garden that thrived under her touch. The plants came alive no matter what time of year. They also protected her when they could. From roses to thorn bushes, they all seemed to love her and come alive at her touch.

Harriet marries a man, Christian, who she hasn't know long and finds out he is not what he seems. He proceeds to treat her like she is nothing shortly after they are married. Harriet is confused as to why he even married her. He claimed to love her but then treated her horribly.

Harriet goes through a lot and her only escape is her garden. When her husband gets out of hand or does something extra bad the vines in Harriet's garden try to stop him. They fight for her in ways that he is not quite sure is happening. But he is afraid. When Harriet finally escapes and goes to her cousin's home things take a different turn for her.

This book was a fun read with some serious actions going on. It kept me turning the pages until the sweet ending. Yes I loved the ending very much. Harriet was a kind, caring, loving, young women who did not deserve the abuse she endured. She did not deserve the guilt she felt either.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Sourcebooks/Landmark, and #RBmedia/RecordedBooks, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts.

4.5 stars

This was a fairly pleasant read, but it did leave me wanting. I wanted the characters to be richer, and I wanted the wildness to be more untamed. That being said, I love a good fantasy of manners, and this was definitely that. It oozed with Victorian vibes, and you could almost feel the oppressive atmosphere. The plot and intrigue were really what let me down here, as I just wanted it to become a little more unhinged. That being said, if you are in the mood for a low stakes, Victorian fantasy with found family aspects, then this one could absolutely scratch that itch for you. It was good, but not life alteringly so.