A nice, gentle story set in Norwich and Suffolk. As I live close to the main location it was interesting to read a story set in an area I am very familiar with.

Likeable characters and I feel I have learned more about gardening.

A little predictable in places, but this did not spoil my read and certainly got me in a festive mood!

This book gave me ALL the feels!!!!!!!
Thank you to Books and The City and Simon and Schuster for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I am a HUGE fan of Heidi’s writing, especially her Christmas books.
In this book, we return to Nightingale Square and Prosperous Place. This is the third book set here but all can be read as standalones. This is the first time we’ve been here for Christmas and it has everything we have come to expect from a Heidi Christmas book. Winterfest is definitely something I could get on board with. I loved the sound of the sessions and I wish there was something like that I could go to. I also always love going to Christmas Markets and for obvious reasons, there won’t be any this year. This really saddens me so I really enjoyed visiting them through this story.
Freya has been through so much recently. She has really had her confidence knocked and is a little reserved to begin with but as the book progresses, she really starts to believe in herself. I just loved watching her become so settled and at home. I was so happy for her.
Finn is a real hunk of a man. He’s likened to Thor. He sounds very dreamy and if I’m honest probably too much man for me. He’s the sort of man I could appreciate and I can see why Freya falls for him but never the sort of man I would be with. His brother Zak, on the other hand, seems much more me and I really hope we get a book on Zak.
Little Nell. She is so sweet and it was so lovely to watch her blossom. That gorgeous little dog just needed a little love and a happy environment which she gets in abundance in her new home.
The Garden is magnificent. I am not green-fingered. Like not in the slightest but that didn’t stop me enjoying it. I would absolutely love to visit the Winter Garden. It sounds like such a magical place.
Heidi touches on the subjects of mental health and seasonal affective disorder. This book teaches us that just because its cold and dark there are still things to look forward to. I think it’s a real message of hope that we need right now.

Heidi knocks it out of the park once again.
What a wonderful story, I loved Freya and Nell, and found the relationships developed around the characters so well I felt I knew them all.
Reading Heidi's books feel like a snuggly blanket and hot cocoa. She weaves her tales so exquisitely that I never want them to end. And The Winter Garden was probably up there as my favourite.
Thanks to Netgalley and S&S for the opportunity to read and review.

Best read in front of an open fire with a mug of hot chocolate!
Freya, against her better judgment leaves her home and takes up a new job, home and makes new friends, in a beautiful house and gardens in Norwich.
The issues of seasonal affective disorder are sensitively addressed and promotes going outside no matter what the weather.
Really friendly characters and superb storyline kept me gripped throughout!

I do love Heidi Swain, I always know I’m guaranteed a great read full of happiness. This is another great addition to her books, a sweet, heartwarming, fun romance with cute characters, great chemistry, a fabulous community feel and just so lovely you don’t want to leave the book when it ends. Such a lovely read, very Christmassy and I loved the touch on mental health, something present for a lot of people over winter. Just a wonderful read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Freya moves to Nightingale Square to work on the winter garden. She and Finn don't get off to the best of starts, but will they make up in time for Christmas?

A great festive read.

The Winter Garden returns to Nightingale Square and introduces new characters Freya and Finn along with the characters of the previous two Nightingale Square books.
Although the ending if this type if book is usually predictable, the joy of Heidi Swain's books is that she always takes you on a wonderful journey with fantastic writing which makes you feel you are actually there.
As with all previous Heidi Swain books this is a definite 5 stars and is highly recommended.

I loved this book I like the characters they become your friends a few old favourites from others books book into the story I want to go here just loved it all so easy to read a lovely plot I recommend to you all

The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain is the most charming contemporary novel set during the autumn in the run up to Christmas. It is the third book in the Nightingale Square series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.
Once more the characters are warm and welcoming. Strangers quickly become friends as arms reach out to include new faces into the fold.
Everything is community based. People work together for the good of all. Much love and encouragement is offered as people’s dreams soar. Neighbours are so much more, they become family.
There are relationships budding but there is an underlying tension as the past is misunderstood. Families that are fractured and need work to repair the cracks.
I loved the inclusion of rescue dog, Nell. She captured my heart and was very much an integral part of the story.
Bereavement hits hard. Loss leaves a hole but the love still lingers.
Using local produce, goods and talent means that the carbon footprint is reduced as well as helping the local community to thrive.
I always love Heidi Swain’s novels. She creates wonderful characters who warmly welcome the reader into their fold. She always leaves me smiling.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

The Winter Garden is such a wonderfully cozy and festive read!

Set in the stunning surroundings of Nightingale Square, this novel truly captures the friendships and camaraderie between its Inhabitants. I loved the way Freya was being welcomed and accepted into this close knit community of such special characters.

The Winter Garden that Freya brings to life with the help of her new found friends sounds so idyllic and wonderful and I had no problems picturing this gorgeous place in my head.

Heidi Swain’s writing is beautiful and captivating and this novel was such a welcome escape.

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.

This book is part of the Nightingale Square series of books. It can be read as a standalone book, but is more enjoyable if you have read the other books.
Heidi Swain always writes the most fabulous festive stories. This one focuses more on the lead up to Christmas, with Halloween and Bonfire night featuring at the beginning of book.
It is a lovely cosy book to curl up with on a cold Winter's day.
I liked the theme of SAD throughout the book, and how being outside and active can sometimes help. There were great descriptions of the gardens and the sculptures and I could visualise them in my mind.
The book is easy to read and very entertaining. It is a little predictable, but still a lovely and enjoyable read.
It was nice to catch up with old characters, as well as meeting new ones. I hope that there will be more books set in Nightingale Square.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Freya Fuller is the newest resident on Nightingale Square. Initially she is a gardener for another huge estate but a turn of events leads her to moving with her late friends dog Nell. Freya is tasked with the new Winter Garden on Nightingale Square and it is here where she meets new friends and quickly becomes part of such a tight knit community.

Heidi has done it yet again and has written such a huge hit of a story which I fell utterly in love with. It felt like I had been sucked into the fast turning pages and I was physically part of Nightingale Square. Reading Heidi’s stories is like snuggling down with your best friend. It’s the perfect story to get comfortable with on a cold and grey day as it will soon brighten it up! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Freya and the gorgeous Finn as well as catching up with old friends like Poppy.

‘The Winter Garden’ is about love, friendship and community spirit. I give ‘The Winter Garden’ a dazzling 5*/5* 😊❄️

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for a copy of The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain.

I adore Heidi and her books, I have devoured each and every book she has written and they just get better and better, if that’s even possible, her first was outstanding. So I was incredibly excited to read her latest work.

About the story:

Freya Fuller is living her dream, working as a live-in gardener on a beautiful Suffolk estate. But when the owner dies, Freya finds herself forced out of her job and her home with nowhere to go. However, with luck on her side, she’s soon moving to Nightingale Square and helping to create a beautiful winter garden that will be open to the public in time for Christmas.
 
There’s a warm welcome from all in Nightingale Square, except from local artist Finn. No matter how hard the pair try, they just can’t get along, and working together to bring the winter garden to life quickly becomes a struggle for them both.
 
Will Freya and Finn be able to put their differences aside in time for Christmas? Or will the arrival of a face from Freya’s past send them all spiralling?

Oh Heidi, this was fantastic!!

I loved re-visiting Nightingale Square and getting to know it’s newest residents, and catching up with old ones.

The story was descriptive and captivating with a heartfelt and sweet plot. The characters kind and well adored. This perfect feel good book is a great build up to Christmas on these cold and chilly evenings. It’s a beautiful story that I enjoyed, and miss all at the same time. I can’t wait for my next Heidi Swain fix.

5 out of 5.

This is the first book in the Nightingale Square series I have read, but I was captured at once by this warmhearted, close-knit community who are preparing to Christmas.
Unfortunately the two main characters were the ones I did not feel rapport with. I sometimes felt Freya's ruminations too lengthy and tiring. And I think it was maddening that they did not communicate with Finn properly.
Also, not being an avid gardener myself, I thought there were too many detailed descriptions of the garden and gardening. However, I found the main idea that spending time outdoors in beautiful surroundings can be beneficial to people's mental health, very important.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, but it did not become one of my favourites.

Ahh would it be Christmas without a Heidi Swain novel - I think not! Another absolute gem that was a direct transportation into the story which is what I've come to gleefully expect.

In this delightful tale we revisit Nightingale Square and the Grow Well crew that have captured my heart from previous novels. The focus is on Freya, a kind-hearted gardener who seemed so sweet, and Finn who definitely deserved someone as sweet as Freya! Freya comes across as quite shy initially but it was lovely to see her character grow (no pun intended) and she got really stuck into the garden and community.

I was a little worried that I was reading this too soon (end Sept) before Christmas for a festive novel but I needn't have worried as the majority was the lead up to the main event and with halloween and bonfire night as a background in the early stages.

There is so much to enjoy from Heidi's stories but something I well and truly love is meeting up with characters from previous works, it makes me want to re-read the others again to get reacquainted properly! Despite it being part of a series, this book could absolutely be read as a standalone however trust me you'd be missing out!

4 fabulous stars!

My many thanks to Simon & Schuster UK via Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy which I have reviewed honestly.

Hiii bookworms! I’m back with another Christmas novel recommendation! I got approved for the e-arc of The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain recently, and I just finished reading it last night. It’s the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood. I rated The Winter Garden with 3.5/5 stars.

The Winter Garden was a really cozy read! I had no idea that the book is the third book in a series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. From a loving cast of characters to a mesmerizing set up, it was such a lovely festive book to read, even when winter hasn’t officially started. :’)

I loved knowing about Freya’s life in Nightingale Square. Seeing her find the best version of herself, after facing a series of ups and downs, made me feel so happy. This is the first book that I’ve read about a gardener as a main lead, and that made reading The Winter Garden more fascinating. The book also had such a heart-warming community feel to it. The residents of Nightingale Square were the sweetest people ever! I loved each of their interactions with Freya. All the celebratory occasions that were held throughout the book literally transported me to Nightingale Square. <3

The romance between Finn and Freya was really sweet too. Finn was such a softie, I loved how much he cared for Freya. I just wanted to see more of their relationship in the book, because it started almost toward the end. Freya annoyed me a bit with her judgmental attitude sometimes, so I had a bit trouble warming up to her in the beginning of the story. These were the only things that I didn’t enjoy the book.
I’ll definitely recommend reading The Winter Garden if you’re a fan of cozy & festive books. <3

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book!

I adore Heidi Swain books. The perfect read during a pandemic, her writing transports you to wherever it is set - in this case, the winter garden, and makes you forget about life as you jump into that of the characters ❤️

It’s so easy to fall in love with all of the characters... Finn especially! And Nell the dog 🥺😍

My favourite part of the book however, was the acknowledgement. Beautifully written and present to the time, I just feel like Heidi is a dear friend. It’s like a hug Ah the end of the book!

The only thing about this one is that there was less drama than usual, and it seemed very predictable. But it was comforting in a way, knowing what was going to happen. I just didn’t fall in love quite as much as usual...

So for me, Heidi Swain is as close to a guilty pleasure book as I get. Not because it’s chick-lit, I make no secret that I love the genre, but because there’s a slightly quaint feel to it that in my opinion can make them appeal a little more to older audiences than I usually like. But her books are set around East Anglia where I live and I’ve always enjoyed them well enough as they are a nice and fun easy read.

Which is why the moment I saw The Winter Garden was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it, even though I knew it would make my mum – the massive Heidi Swain fan – a little jealous, ha!

This book follows Freya, a gardener who had been working in gardens in Suffolk when she is turfed out of her home after the loss of a friend. During a trip out she receives what she considers a sign and finds herself on Nightingale Square with a job working on a winter garden for Prosperous Place. There she makes many new friends including her co-worker Chloe and a temperamental artist in resident, Finn. As she works hard to get the garden ready in time she has to deal with getting involved with people again.

One of the things I liked best about this book were the friendships. Chloe was probably my favourite character and I’m pretty sure is new to the series with this book. She was fun, mischievous and trying to help Freya in a lot of areas. There were also new side characters Zac who started off as someone who made me roll my eyes but showed actual growth and made me love him not to mention the adorable doggy sidekick for Freya, Nell. I loved the poor, anxious pupper. She deserved all the love.

Admittedly, one of the areas that I found was kind of weak was actually the romance. I didn’t hugely care for Freya or Finn and I had a lot of issues with them. It was both too fast and yet it felt like nothing really happened? Like one moment he didn’t trust her due to his past and then the next he loved her and knew she wouldn’t hurt him on purpose. And though I’m glad he did trust her, it seemed like the lack of trust should have been the big drama and…not much happened? It just made the romance feel too easy but because of what happens early on, it wasn’t a nice cosy easy romance where that sort of thing can work.

Unfortunately, that was a big issue for a lot of the book. Not much really happened. Heidi Swain’s books aren’t too soul-destroying, they tend to be easy reads but they do usually have a bit more drama. And I wasn’t really feeling it with this book. I’d have liked to see more drama with the whole garden situation but I didn’t really get it so the ending didn’t feel like much of a payoff.

I did finally get some sort of pay off with the location though! My complaints for the earlier Nightingale Square books were that it was set in Norwich but it felt like some sort of quaint village. Even when the city centre or the college was mentioned you didn’t really get to see it. So they could have just been driving in basically but here you see them walking into the city. There’s interactions going on with it being Christmas and it was just so nice to finally see! I’ve been wanting that so bad so yay for that!

Overall this book wasn’t bad. It was still a typical Heidi Swain and it was pretty light-hearted and enjoyable. It wasn’t my favourite that I’ve read by her but if you love Heidi Swain then you’ll definitely adore this new addition.

I'm packing my case and moving to Nightingale Square. I loved this book. It's the perfect book for escaping to when these days all you read about and see on television is miserable.
Freya works as a gardener after leaving the family business but is then devastated by the death of her friend and employer Eloise. When the new owner of the huge house and grounds she lives and works in takes over and intimidates her Freya knows she will have to move on.
Freya is used to the countryside and moving to the busy Nightingale Square is such a huge move for her but the neighbours are welcoming. She is employed by a Luke to design a winter garden to help people's mental health during the dull dark days of winter.
Freya seems to get on with everyone apart from a Finn who seems to be a temperamental artist, but he is the one who makes her skin tingle.
I loved everyone in this book, well apart from one man and even Freya's dog didn't like him.
A book that brings back your love for your fellow human beings. I wish I live in Nightingale Square and was surrounded by such lovely people . Such a feel good book.