Another enjoyable solid read from this author. Sort of a dual timeline but spans some decades, keeping it interesting and the story flowing. I did expect more from the Charles & Diana wedding angle rather than a nod to it, but a good read.

I enjoyed getting to know feisty Elfrida, companionable Bess and lovely Libby.
Although Larkspur House is idyllic it holds many secrets which are also what holds Bess and Elfrida together.
I loved the going back in time to the 1920’s and 30’s to the magnificent gardens and the decadent house parties
Once again Erica James has not disappointed. It’s a genuine feel good story.

A delightful, multigenerational story set in beautiful surroundings. You can picture yourself in these lovely gardens and see the flowers etc. as Erica has put her knowledge and love of gardening into the story by naming and describing everything- really good and enjoyable! Libby goes to stay with family when she calls off her wedding having found her husband to be in bed with her best friend. Lots of secrets abound, some of which are opened up, some not!

A story set over different timelines, following the lives and relationships between the main characters, Elfrida, Bess and Libby. Elfrida and Bess have a lots of secrets and experiences that they haven’t shared with anyone other than each other. Libby is seeking refuge after a disastrous relationship breakdown.

This is not my usual genre and I have not read Erica James before, but found the blurb interesting and was more than happy to give it a go.

It took a while to get into the story, it was very meandering and being set in 1981 was unusual. I did like the back story of Elfrida and Bess, but it seemed very dated writing, posh lady, her maid, parties, grand houses, et al, all very reminiscent of books my elderly female relatives enjoyed years ago.

It was a nice, easy read, no great denouement, all quite predictable, but perfect as a holiday read.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley.

Libby flees to stay with her great aunt and her friend having discovered her best friend in bed with her fiancé. The story is then told by the 3 narrators, with two time lines - the 1980s and going further back into the past lives of the 2 older women. It took me a while to get into the book, but after about a third of the way through it was quite gripping, ,though the pace did drift a bit towards the end. The relationships between the women is beautiful and the garden descriptions are absolutely wonderful. Gradually more and more secrets from the past are revealed. A good book, but not one of the best by Erica James.

Libby has escaped to Larkspur Cottage, her favourite place in Suffolk, after she learns that her fiancé Marcus, has been having an affair with her best friend.
Being welcomed by her Aunt Bess and friend, socialite Elfrida, stories and secrets from the past begin to emerge. The story covers 60 years up to the 1980’s, and told mainly from two viewpoints, Libby and Elfrida.
Erica James is expert at writing about families and relationships, and she skilfully brings the characters alive, exploring past secrets as the story unfolds. Settings are described beautifully, especially the gardens which have been created by Elfrida, a keen gardener.
Elfrida’s passionate relationship with Count Nikolai Demidov is sensitively described, and her unconventional lifestyle earning a living in what was considered a man’s job. She defied the conventions of her gender and class at the time, determined to earn a salary to enable her to keep Larkspur Cottage. The story graphically explores the years during the second world war, and its privations.
Libby’s story is set in the 1980s, and she finds comfort and support from Beth and Elfrida, and as their relationships develop she finds a new confidence in herself. The story steadily unfolds, with several twists and turns to add more interest.
Richly detailed, with intriguing characters, I was absorbed in this book, and highly recommend.

Erica James latest novel is a lovely story depicting gardening, friendship and love.
Bess and Elfrida are lifelong friends, Bess was originally Elfrida''s lady's maid but that has changed to a deep friendship following a series of travels , experiences, secrets and love stories.
The book has 2 timelines. The 1980s with Bes's great niece fleeing to her when she finds her fiance and best friend in bed together weeks befire they were due to get married.
The other timeline goes from 1920s to 1950s charts the friendship of Bess and Elfrida down the years and the events and secrets that shaped them.

A lovely escapist read which will appeal to many!

I enjoyed this romantic drama by Erica James. Set over two timelines, the present (1980s) and the past (1930s - 50s) the book tells the story of Elfrida and Bess in their younger days, and also now as they help Libby, Bess’s great niece, navigate a terrible break up.

Elfrida is a real force to be reckoned with and a thoroughly modern woman as she carved a name for herself as a garden designer, whilst also having a great love affair with a married man, while Bess, as her lady’s maid has a more conventional life. But between them they hold dark secrets which are revealed as the story is told.

The author as ever brings the story to life with brilliant descriptions and characterisations, I really enjoyed this. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review..

The crux of this story is a formidable friendship that spans many decades. Both coming from different social backgrounds, where their roles change throughout the years.
The story covers the changes in social society, forbidden love as well as hidden secrets.
A great read.

What a lovely book. Really heartwarming tale that I would really reccomend. The plot and characters are woven really well.

What a fantastic read. I absolutely loved this story it had everything I love about a novel really interesting characters, secrets, relationships and love interest. Really enjoyed the relationship between between Elfrida and Bess and their background stories bought about so many revelations and told along side Libby's story they married together perfectly. Highly recommend this book a 5 🌟read

Once again Erica James does not disappoint. Her latest offering is a fabulous read.

It's 1981 and the royal wedding is happening. As they gather at Larkspur House relationships are also in the fore as Libby is reeling from her fiance's infidelity.

As her great aunt Bess and friend Elfrida look after her and advise her how to handle it, their stories are told.

A fantastic book built on love and family.

A beautiful story covering generations and how what happened back then impacts now. With some laughter and some tears this book will captivate all that read it.

As with all Erica James books, a very enjoyable read. Focusing on 2 old friends who have lived in the same old house for most of their lives we flit back in time to their early adult lives, and present time which is 1981. Throughout the book we eventually some long hidden secrets.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy of #ASecretGardenAffair by #EricaJames
A perfect feel good novel for a cosy afternoon curled up with coffee and chocolate.

I enjoyed this book, loved the back and forth learning all the secrets and lies told over the years. Long winded at times but overall well worth it. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy although the words copyright and materials constantly through the book were annoying and off putting

I have always enjoyed Erica James's novels - I've found her characters to be well-drawn and warm, realistic and intriguing. This book was no different! Set in varying timelines from 1920s to the summer of the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981, it tells the life stories of three women connected by their shared history - Libby, Elfrida and Bess.
Although I enjoyed the characters and their stories, it did take me awhile to get into the plot and found it to be a little meandering - in the first third of the book I wasn't quite sure what the main story line was supposed to be about.
I also had to keep reminding myself that Libby's story was set in the 1980s and not 2020s - for me there was not quite enough historical detail other than the reference to Charles and Diana to have that 80s feel to it!

A decent read but not one I'd rush back to. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read many of Erica James' novels in the past, and was interested to see how this latest one compared to others. It did have a slightly other wordly feel to it, set in a very privileged family surrounding, but with the intertwining of the different time slots there was much to enjoy.
The three ladies, Bess, Libby and Elfrida are all interconnected in their stories. I'd love to have known more about the history of the garden designer.
It's a pleasant book to take your time over reading it. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to review this book.

I’ve always enjoyed books by Erica James and although I did enjoy this it didn’t grip me as much as other books by her. I did like how the narration was from all of the three main characters, Libby, Bess and Elfrida, and also the different locations. There chapters are also written from different timelines which along with the location and from whose point of view made it easy to keep track. It follows the lives of these main characters, their relationships and how their life experiences have influenced them. Thank you to HQ publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by Norah Lindsey the socialite and garden designer, this novel contains an insight into life between the Wars. The characters are captivating as we hear of past events which moulded them to what they had become in later life. It’s both a sad and joyous novel, full of suspense and the transition between the different time periods is very skilful, encouraging the reader to continue forward.

The protagonist of this novel is Libby who seeks refuge, after learning that her fiancé has cheated on her, with her elderly relative Bess and Bess’ lifelong friend Elfrida, whence we encounter secrets, deception, heartbreak, loyalty and love. A brilliant storyline by one of my favourite authors.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HQ Stories for the opportunity to read this advance copy.