I loved this book. First I’ve read by this author and wasn’t disappointed.
The story follows three main characters. Libby, Bess and Elfrida. Beautifully written, set in two timelines, 1981 and 1938.
A story of friendship, love, secrets, loyalty and heartbreak. The characters are all likeable and come to life.
A genuine feel good read. Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGallery and HQ for a arc of A Secret Garden Affair in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Erica James's style of writing and choice of topic. Her latest book is written over two different timelines following the interwoven lives of family and friends with drama, love,friendships and some twists and turns to keep you invested in the story.

After Libby finds her fiance in bed with her best friend just weeks before her wedding, she escapes to Larkspur House in Suffolk where her great aunt Bess lives with renowned garden designer, Elfrida. To pass the time, Libby offers to look through a trunk of photos and gardening notebooks which sets the older ladies to look back over their life. Told by Elfrida,, Bess and Libby, the story interweaves the past and present together as the older women put ghosts to rest.

This is a great book to lose yourself in.
Libby runs away to Larkspur House to the comfort of Bess and Elfreda after finding her cheating fiancé in bed with her best friend. With no support fr9m her mother, Libby turns her back on city life to enjoy the garden at Larkspur. However, the three women have secrets
This is another great read from Erica James with quirky characters, a strong storyline and of course a beautiful garden.

Erica james is back with a strong book with a storyline which we know and love.

Loved all these characters and just wanted to keep reading. Loved it

What a beautiful book. Erica James always makes me want to get out in the garden and plant some beautiful flowers. In 1981 Libby escapes to Larkspur House where her great aunt Bess and Elfrida live to escape her cheating fiancé. We also read about Bess and Elfrida through the 1930s onwards. Between the 3 women there are a lot of secrets to be shared and some not. An absolutely fascinating read with 3 strong women at the forefront. With the gardens of Larkspur House another character. Once started I couldn’t put this book down

From a failed romance, to family intrigue and history.

A well woven tale of love, loss and recovery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A great page turner - good for curling up in a cosy corner with, or reading on a sunny holiday.

Another brilliant novel from Erica James, her books are always a good read and this is definitely that. Must admit not always a fan of a book told in two generations, but this easily changed my mind. Highly recommend

I hadn't read an Erica James book for some time, and A Secret Garden Affair has reminded me just what I've been missing.
The main story is set in 1981, around the time of the build up to Charles and Diana's royal wedding.
Libby finds her fiance, Marcus, in bed with her best friend a few weeks before her own wedding. Fleeing London, she goes to stay with her great-aunt, Bess, and her friend, Elfrida.
The story is told between different timelines, telling us of Bess and Elfrida's life and adventures, from the 1920's onwards.
Erica James' clever story telling is evocative and puts you firmly in whichever decade the chapter is set.
I loved this book and the great characters.

The story starts in 1981 with Libby finding her fiance in bed with her best friend just before the wedding she leaves and goes to stay with her great aunt Bess and her lifelong friend and former boss Elfrida
As the book progresses it goes back and forward in time filling in Bess and Elfrida' stories spanning decades from the 1920's onwards along with plenty secrets and lies some of which are found out others never
Another great book from Erica

I have read every one of Erica James's novels, I look forward to reading them each year. This one does not disappoint.
We go back in time to the 80's so that we can also bounce back to the 20's and the wonderful gardens that were created by one of the sparky older part of our cast - Elfrida who was joined on her dalliance's around Europe by Bess. The story centers around Libby who has come to stay. She is rebuilding her life after been let down by her fiancée and her best friend.
The story moves seamlessly through the decades jumping backwards and forwards letting the story unravel and solving the mysteries at the same time, taking the reader to wonderful gardens with luscious descriptions to transport us to them.

Roll on the next book.

This is a story set in two easy to follow timelines over a 60 year period. Before, during and after WWII and 1981 around the time of the royal wedding. Elfrida is a well regarded garden designer and socialite. Her work takes her and her loyal assistant Bess to many large houses in Europe whilst also attending lavish parties. Elfrida is the owner of Larkspur House in Suffolk and when not travelling the women live there. Bess sees to the running of the house while Elfrida works her garden. Libby’s Great Aunt is Bess and as a child spent many happy holidays with Bess and Elfrida. When Libby discovered her fiancé cheating on her with her best friend she immediately cancelled the wedding and bolted from London for sanctuary at Larkspur House and her much loved Great aunt Bess and Elfrida. During Libby’s stay intriguing hints at huge secrets gradually gaining momentum kept me totally hooked on this book. Erica James characters are always vivid, colourful and a pleasure to get to know. She is a favourite author of mine having read almost all of her books so I was delighted to receive an e-arc and thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review

I have read all of Erica's books and loved them all. This one is no exception
Set in two timelines, 1981 just before the royal wedding and 1938.
Libby returns to Larkspur House after her fiance slept with her best friend just before they were due to get married.
Staying with her aunt Bess and Alfreda, she starts to mend her broken heart, deciding what to do with the rest of her life.
Alfred is an acclaimed garden designer which had taken her around the world.
Bess has always worked for Alfreda, and they became the best of friends.
The 1930s timeline takes us back to Alfreda and Bess's past.
There are plenty of secrets and revelations told by Alfreda and Bess in their own chapters.
The characters were so vivid and for me came to life.
Larkspur House sounded wonderful, and I could see why Alfreda wouldn't give it up.
There is romance as well as sadness but Erica writes with such empathy.
Loved Mallory, he sounded such a fun character.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.

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

I enjoyed reading this book and how the story goes back to the 1920 and 30’s where there was beautiful gardens and extravagant house parties.

It was lovely reading about Elfrida, her companion Bess and of course Libby.

I loved the setting of Larkspur House, the place that held many secrets as did Bess and Elfrida.

A fabulous book by Erica James.

I recommend this book.

Erica James has written some of my favourite books. This multigenerational, dual timeline story covers a period of 60 years and demonstrates social change, deep and abiding friendships and a love of horticulture and family. Expansive and hugely moving story which is highly recommended.

A lovely read that is very relaxing. Different time zones and an interesting setting of the early 80’s, lovely garden descriptions, secrets from the past and a satisfying conclusion.

I have read Erica James books in the past but I did not think that this was one of her best. It is set over a number of years and follows the lives of Elfrida and her maid Bess, both travelling and staying in the UK on country estates to exploring the South of France and Italy pre second world war. The 'current' timeline was set in 1981 and slowly describes the family dynamics, the trips into the past explains how they came about. A good holiday read but not one I will go back to.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this book.

What a beautiful, beautiful story, combining horticultural history with love, family and friends it really pulls you in and I enjoyed every moment

Quite an enjoyable story but a bit slow. The vivid description of the beautiful walled gardens of Libby's family home and the author's obvious horticultural knowledge makes up for the rather meandering and sometimes confusing dual-timeline plot. Love the way the historic relationship between Libby, Elfrida and Bess gradually unfolds. A good holiday read.

An amazing book, full of wonderful, warm characters and a few dastardly ones too! It spans the two time frames beautifully, drawing together the full story gradually, full of intricate twists. Heartache and love aplenty.