A good read for two reasons: Heidi Swain never disappoints, and a welcome addition to the Nightingale Square and gardens book. Two delightful new characters with a slow build to romance. This book is well written and has already made me reach for a gardening book.

I have not read any of the previous books in this series, so I am reviewing this book as a standalone story.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so relaxing to read. It had a lovely wintery feel, and Christmassy too. I loved reading about the development of the garden, and Freya’s forming friendships with the locals. I really liked Freya, and many of the characters of Nightingale Square, it seems like a lovely community. I have slightly mixed feelings about Finn though. He seems like a lovely, kind and considerate person, but his habit of rushing off and disappearing every time something he didn’t like happened is irritating and unkind. I don’t think I could tolerate being in a relationship with someone who won’t permit explanations or working through things. However, he is otherwise kind, and I feel like it’s something he might grow out of, given time.

Overall, this was a relaxing, comforting and heartwarming read, full of Christmas atmosphere. Perfect to read curled up in front of the fire with a beverage of your choice.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Wow, did I absolutely adore this. Would you believe that I'm a reader of this genre for 10 years now and this is the first time I've picked up a Heidi Swain? I saw so many lovely tweets about it that I HAD to come request it from NetGalley.

My family are gardeners, so listening to all the winter garden talk with Freya made me feel soothingly at home, and the festive spirit that was created throughout this book was magical. Reading about the lovely community in Nightingale Square and the Winterfest was a joy, and these are definitely the kind of events that I would visit on a winter weekend.

If you're looking for a gentle, cosy and wonderfully festive read, you really, REALLY can't go wrong with this one. Utterly adored it. I'll be buying it for my Mum to read this Christmas, and eagerly looking forward to the next one!

I love Heidi Swain books and this was the perfect read to pick up during my staycation whilst dodging the angry skies. My first festive read of the year and what a book to kick off with, it captured me instantly as we venture back to Nightingale Square and meet friends old and new.

Freya is a girl after my own heart with her massive love of tending the gardens come rain or shine. I loved how the gardens were linked back to health gains which is one of the many reasons I love my garden so much as it is so good for both mental and physical health. This was a book that I loved more as I kept reading and I didn't want my visit to Nightingale Square to end.

An aptly named book that I can't wait to shout about as I just loved it. I really hope we get to visit these wonderful characters again with its subtle nods to Wynbridge sprinkled throughout.

What a book to kick off my festive reads with as we approach one of my favourite times of year.

I have to start by saying I loved this book. I've read the previous Nightingale Square books so it was lovely being able to return to an area that's already familiar to me. The usual characters were there, as expected, but what we also got was the chance to meet newcomers Freya and Finn who move into the square for quite different, but similar, reasons.

Freya moves to the square after feeling she has no alternative but to leave her previous employment for reasons I won't go into but safe to say any keen gardener would understand her feelings. An earlier chance visit to they square results in a job, and a home as has happened there before, and before she realises she's being swept up in the community that exists in the square. Finn, already living nearby, doesn't seem to be as excited by her arrival as everyone else is and it takes a bit of time to find out why that is, and what his own troubles are.

I love these books, reading this one has made me want to go back and re-read Poppy's Recipe for Life for some reason. These books always give such a brilliant feeling of community and warm and welcoming people. I don't even mind that they seem to drag everyone into their plans whether they like it or not because they do it with such good intentions.

The descriptions of the gardens and houses are brilliant and easily make you feel as if you are there. I'd love to move into one of the houses on the square because they sound so cosy and warm and safe. The description of the garden was excellent but I also really enjoyed the amount of information there was about winter planting, both from a perspective of being pleased that it wasn't being skimmed over but also of getting ideas for my own garden.

I liked the interactions between Freya and Finn. Even the misunderstandings were understandable and although I was, at times, irritated because I knew the truth, I could at least understand why they thought what they did. There was also another character, more minor but still important, whose journey I loved and that was Chloe. I'm not going to say anything else as I don't want to spoil it but it was really nice to see where her journey went and how it turned out.

This is a story about someone realising that her life needs to change, and finding it change in ways she didn't expect. She finds community and friends and somewhere she can really call home and I think that's all anyone can really hope for in times of change.

If you want something that will warm you from within and leave you feeling cosy and part of a community then this is the book for you. Perfect for cold, winter evenings with a roaring fire and a mug of hot chocolate. However, if you don't have a fire (and let's face it many of us don't) this books works equally well with a cosy blanket and a warming drink, definitely a book to snuggle up with regardless of where/when you read it!

I am always a sucker for Heidi Swain books and this one is no exception.
Full of winter wonders, mulled wine and love. Not too christmassy for those who are not keen on Christmas reads... More of a winter dream.
Just enough sparkle that would rival a winters morning frost.
Freya fuller is a wonderful character as is Finn. Together they seem to rub each other up the wrong way although they do really want to be friends!
Heidi's writing style always gets me wanting to read one more page, this book was definitely no different.. Now I just have to wait for the next instalment.. Hurry up please Heidi!!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

After Freya loses both her friend and employer, she’s in a difficult position.

After a spur-of-the-moment visit to Nightingale Square, which then leads to a new job offer.
So, along with Nell, her friend's dog, Freya on her way to a new life in Norwich to create a Winter Garden.

as she’s settling in to life in the Square, she meets Finn, who has been commissioned to by the owners to create sculptures for the new garden. But, can they put aside their initial fiery encounter and work alongside each other??

This book was a fabulous trip back to Nightingale Square.

It’s always feels good to meet new characters and also to catch up old friends.

Heidi, whose once again, from her cosy book of spells, conjured up a cosy, romantic read with heart.

This book also mentioned places in Heidi's other books, such as Wynmouth Wynthorpe Hall. Reading her other books previously to this will give you an insight to these places and characters.

You won’t regret it if you pre-order your copy for 1 October.

Thoroughly recommend it.

Heidi Swain has done it again. This book gives me all the feels! I loved visiting nightingale square again & loved all the characters. The way Heidi describes everything in her books makes me feel like I’m right there. Already can’t wait for cosy season!

It's still August. Technically still summer I guess so reading a book set in winter might have felt a bit odd. However, as I look out at the weather today it feels like winter so it's an absolutely perfect book to stay indoors and devour. It's the story of Freya who is the daughter of posh (don't get their hands dirty) landscape gardeners. She is firmly of the creative, get your hands dirty school of gardening and she takes on her dream job.
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it as one to be read while sitting cosily in the house with some hot chocolate, listening to the horrible weather outside!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This was one of those pleasant, cosy, warm reads which you need to enjoy sitting by the fire with a cup of cocoa. I think this is my first read by this author and she can certainly write an entertaining story.

It's not really my cup of tea but it is well written and very nice. I can imagine that if this is the kind of book you like - it will totally satisfy you. It offers a cosy and comfortable setting. and a nice happy ending.

This year I joined bookstagram and the one author whose name kept popping up all the time was Heidi Swain. I will hold up my hands and say that I'd never heard the same before - I know I'm ashamed! I realised that I absolutely must read her, as she was getting so many recommendations from readers with whom I shared a love of books.

I delved in with her latest The Winter Garden and was instantly hooked. Having discovered a love of gardening recently this was right up my street. The story is about Freya and Nell, the whippet/Bedlington cross, as they move into the Wentworth estate in Norfolk. After losing her job due to the death of her former employer Eloise, Freya is taken on to become the head gardener at Prosperous Place where they are building a community Winter Garden and creating a Winterfest.

I loved how the book emphasises the benefits of being in the open air with gardening being an ideal form of physical exercise. It tackled the mental health of both humans and dogs sympathetically and knowledgeably. And I loved the ethos of creating art from scrap and promoting creativity and arts and crafts.

The Winter Garden is full of lovely people, new friendships, and new beginnings. I loved Kate and Luke the owners of Prosperous Place, but especially loved Nell, I think she was my favourite character of all. By the way, did anyone else picture Finn as Jason Momoa or was that just me? ;-)

I really didn't want to put it down and will definitely be reading more.

Having read another book by this author that I loved I gave this ago. Didn't realise it was part of a series but it can be read as a standalone, I didn't feel I was missing anything. However, this book just didn't do it for me, disliked the 2 main characters and found it all a bit odd.

Ah I can think of nothing better than kicking off the festive season with Heidi Swain's newest release The Winter Garden.

Heidi Swain does Christmas and she does it well, it just wouldn't be Christmas without her.

The Winter Garden oozes festive spirit and charm and I couldn't put it down. The Characters are completely lovable and you can relate to each and every one of them.

I am a huge fan of Heidi Swain and was so excited to see the new Christmas addiction to her collection and equally as excited when I was given the opportunity to review it from NetGalley, Heidi and the Publishers so thank you so much.

It was lovely to catch up with familiar characters and also meet some fantastic new ones – however you do not need to have read other books from the author to enjoy this as a stand-alone story. I loved Freya and Finn and how their romance blossoms, but I must admit my favourite character has to be Nell (just adorable). I felt as if I knew Prosperous place personally and would love to visit the Winter Garden myself (and hunt for those dragons and hares). If you love a feel good Christmassy book then this is definitely one for you!

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book. I simply adore Heidi Swain's books and was so happy to download and begin reading. In all of the chaos of late this was like having a friend give you a big hug and then wrap you up in a snuggly blanket with tea and chocolates.
When you first meet our gardener Freya she is mourning a close friend and her future looks uncertain but then she happens upon Nightingale Square and is enveloped in their warm community. There she meets another person who is searching for his own path and bears in my mind an uncanny resemblance to Jason Momoa! It is set in my favourite season Autumn and leads into Winter and it is unusual to have it set mainly in a garden with all the magic that these seasons bring. I especially like the way SAD was highlighted and the way other characters admitted they struggled with the darker skies at this time of the year. The way the story is written leaves you wanting to know more and I held my breaths for Finn's brother Zak who also has his own journey. It was nice to have a mention of Wynbridge Hall and hopefully look forward to possibly a book in the future with these characters too. .This is another Christmas present from Heidi Swain wrapped in glittery sparkles. Thank you

Loved it. Lovely to be back in the Nightingale sqaure. A cosy good feel story. I loved the garden descriptions and how her parents came round. Another great read from Heidi Swain

Welcome back to Nightingale Square! It was lovely too catch up with characters from the other books and meet new ones. It’s the third instalment and even though you don’t need to have read the others, they fit perfectly with this one and they are all fabulous. Heidi’s books are always a joy the read and this is no exception. The story follows Freya who moves to Nightingale Square to take up a new job creating a Winter Garden. I will definitely read this again nearer Christmas. A lovely festive read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Heidi Swain and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this fabulous book!

Nobody does Christmas like Heidi Swain! This book is a festive treat with crafts, food, nature, love, humour and gin - it has it all! A fabulous book for the Christmas season (and beyond!)

Wow what can I say?! Heidi never fails to whisk me away from what’s going on in my life to the wonderful location in her book that always leaves me with a warm glow from the setting and the characters themselves. It’s only August and this story as left me looking forward to Christmas already and left me with that warm Christmas feeling. Yet again I didn’t want the story to end as I always feel with Heidi’s stories. I already can’t wait for the next one! Just amazing

Another great read from Heidi Swain.

For this one we are taken back Nightingale Square. The story focuses on Freya who jumps at the chance of a job to design a winter garden in the Nightingale square.Freya and her dog Nell move to the square and quickly get to know all the residents with a warm welcome, well almost everyone but local artist Finn. Will they be able to work together to create a winter garden.

I was quickly sucked into the story. I loved Freya and Finn and it was great to see other characters not just from this series but there were mentions of others too.(However this could easily be read as a standalone). The story was easy to read and had a good pace to it and there was plenty of drama to keep you reading and I would love to visit a winter garden just like the one described in the book.

Overall Heidi has written another great fun, heartfelt, sweet story that I really enjoyed reading. This is the perfect book to read snuggled up in the winter and a hot chocolate by the the fire.

Thanks to Netgalley, Heidi and the publishers for an ARC.