📚Garden Themed #ContemporaryFiction. Rosie’s #BookReview of Gardens Of Delight by Erica James #BookTwitter #BookX
Gardens of Delight by Erica James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Gardens of Delight is contemporary fiction with strong family themes and an undercurrent of romance.
The book has two settings, one in Cheshire and the other in Italy near Lake Como. Early in the book we are introduced to several characters. Lucy and Orlando are best friends who share a house and a love of gardening. Helen is the third wife of business tycoon husband Hunter and they have recently moved into the village. Finally there are Uncle and Nephew duo Mac and Conrad.
A gardening theme runs throughout the book; the villages meet regularly for gardening club meetings. Lucy works at the local garden centre, while Orlando is breaking into the garden design business. Helen needs help to manage her new garden and Mac offers his advice based on his friendship with the previous owner.
As the story progresses there is an opportunity for the garden club members to go on a garden themed tour to Italy. Away from home new dramas surface for more than one character.
It took a while to get to know the main characters, there were also several strong secondary players who fought for attention. I enjoyed the gardening themes and the relationship dramas played out well, with a couple of surprises thrown in too.
Book Description:
The Gardens of Delight brochure promises the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and enchanting gardens in the Lake Como area of Italy. For Lucy, the chance to go to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is where her father lives and the last time she saw him was when she was just a teenager. Recently married Helen and her wealthy husband have just moved into the Old Rectory. With her husband spending so much time away from home, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden that was the pride and joy of its previous owner. But Helen needs help, and friends, and so decides to take the plunge and join the local Garden Club. Conrad isn’t the least bit interested in gardening. Widowed for five years, his life revolves around work and humoring Mac, his curmudgeonly elderly uncle who lives with him, and who has expressed a desire to go on the Gardens of Delight tour. But only if Conrad will accompany him. Reluctantly, Conrad agrees. “Anything for a peaceful life,” he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for.
