Was absolutely delighted to read the new Erica James. A wonderful read that I was reluctant to finish, savouring each chapter!
The story centres around three main characters, Libby, Elfrida and Bess and I soon became completely engrossed in each of their stories, which are told by moving seamlessly between times in each of their lives. It becomes clear as the story moves on, that they all have their secrets which unwittingly impinge and affect each other. One or two surprises too which really added to the read. Really well written and a hugely enjoyable read. Highly recommend

I absolutely loved this latest Erica James novel, it was perfect to curl up on the sofa with and just relax and lose myself in its pages. It slipped between the years seamlessly, full of lovely characters , with a great storyline. Highly recommended!

An absolutely brilliant read from Erica James again.
It is a brilliant family drama which covers a large timescale from the early twentieth century until the 1980,s.
The basis of the story is about the secrets and lies that individuals tell to protect them selves but ultimately can have a devastating effect on the people who they are trying to protect.
Beautifully woven story which kept you gripped to the very last page.

Beautiful well written book with amazing characters and some suspense to keep you guessing. Thrending didn,t disappoint either

A Secret Garden Affair by Erica James

Set over a fairly large time scale and up to the time of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer wedding day in July 1981 , I had high hopes for this book as it is wrote by the wonderful Erica James who writes in depth family dramas that really ( usually ) for me are un putdownable.
Whilst I enjoyed the story in the book and the strong female characters , I was left with the feeling that it wasn't quite up to her usual brilliant standard.
Having said that , it wouldn't put me off from looking out for further titles by this author.

I have enjoy many of Erin book this one it so e ell written with some fantastic detail. I could see things so clean I jot sure if I like or not but I carry on I did find it slightly difficult to get into, but I kept on with it and it turned out to be a really good read just a bit slow to hooked me but I guess that part of a good book I did like it

I enjoyed this dual narrative/timescale novel - partially set in the early 1980s around the Royal wedding and going back over 60 years, the novel revolves around several characters who lives interact. Libby whose own wedding plans are suddenly cancelled, her great aunt Bess and Elfrida who she works for and who has had an extraordinary life!

Libby goes to stay with Bess and Elfrida at Larkspur House with its magical garden created by Elfrida. During her stay she finds out more about their secrets, lost loves and tragedies and finds a way to move forward in her own life.

A feel good story which did not disappoint.

Oh I was so looking forward to this one. I love a Erica James book. But this one just fell very short for me. It just didn't have any of the things I have come to know and love about an Erica James book. Sorry

Having read a few books by this author I was looking forward to reading this one, I just couldn't get into it for some reason iam not sure sorry not for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. The novel, which is set in the UK during the 1981 royal wedding and also in the 1920s and beyond, follows two parallel narratives that reveal the impact of past decisions and life paths on the 1981 present. Libby, recently betrayed by her fiancé and best friend, takes refuge in the countryside at Larkspur House where her Great Aunt Bess has long been the housekeeper and then close friend of former socialite and garden designer, Elfrida. Libby has long treasured the relationship she’s had with the two women, so different from the one she has with her stiff and critical mother and perfect sister. While at Larkspur House Libby decides to create a memory book of all the gardens Elfrida has designed to distract her from her distress. The new young doctor who attends Elfrida also provides a welcome diversion too. But the review of Elfrida’s past brings memories to the fore and the danger that long held secrets will be revealed.

I haven’t read Erica James before and I might not be used to her style and tone, but this particular novel seemed very old fashioned in its approach and feel. The structure of two time lines, the flashbacks with both Elfrida and Bess’s viewpoints added to that feeling. So much of the critical points in the story happen off stage, through narrative telling so it made it hard to engage with the story that deeply. And events that might have been shocking and powerful, lost their impact because the reader was told after it happened and not in the moment. Overall the effect creates a gentle novel that meanders along and has a heart warming conclusion.

My late mother used to read Eric James' novels and loved them. I hadn't read any so when the opportunity arose to read this one, I took it, partly through nostalgia, I have to admit. The novel switches between time frames of the 1920s and 1980s, juxtaposing characters' lives (Elfrida, the aunt; Bess, the aunt's friend, and Libby, the nice.) The multi-narration works well, and the nod to historical events, such as Charles and Diana's wedding helps to ground the narrative and provide a hook for the reader. Elfrida and Libby are unlucky in love, in different times, and the setting of Larkspur House provides a descriptive backdrop.

This is a very old-fashioned novel. It's written in an old-fashioned way, and I say this because it contains characters who are privileged and 'other' to what we might consider to be 'everyday'. There's a big old house, left to Elfrida, and there's a Count who provides caviar and a special champagne from his brother's vault, on a boat, during a date. There's a mother who insists her daughter marries a man who has slept with someone else, and the man himself who thinks it's perfectly fine. For me, and I appreciate that Erica James has a massive following, this whole novel came perilously close to cliche, and the layer upon layer of stereotypical characters and situations were too distracting for me to enjoy it for what it is.

I'm pretty sure I'll be in the minority, and I'm pretty sure my late mother would have absolutely loved it. I'm very grateful to the publishers and to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have read a few of Erica James' books in the past, and the evocative stories have always enthralled me.
A Secret Garden Affair was no different.
Partially set in the early 1980s and with a timeline starting sixty years previous, the story follows several characters. Libby, a woman whose wedding plans are cancelled when she finds out her fiance is cheating on her, and her great aunt, Bess, who has worked for the third main character, Elfrida, for the best part of her life.
Running to Larkspur House, where Bess works, and a place filled with happy memories for Libby, she tries to make life easier for the two older women who mean so much to her but unearths truths and secrets she had no idea about.
A story of friendship, classism, forbidden love, disappointments and celebrations, losing and finding precious memories and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Well written with some fantastic detail. I did find it slightly difficult to get into, but I kept on with it and it turned out to be a really nice read.

A very well observed view of class, prejudice and the importance of being able to talk to your friends and family about your feelings, with the rider - Be true to yourself. Although I found the start slightly slow, this was really just excellent scene-setting. The two pairs of sisters, from the opposite ends of the class spectrum, are very believable, their actions mostly understandable and make a fascinating read. The only bit I didn’t really like was Libbys ex-fiancé and his actions.I really wanted him to get what he deserved. Really interesting characters all round and a very satisfying read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"A Secret Garden Affair" is another great family drama from Erica James. It is full of family secrets, lifelong friendships, romance and family rifts. The majority of the key characters are female and, as the action covers about 60 years up to 1981, we see the prejudices and constraints they had to deal with in the earlier parts of the last century. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking read.

Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book.

Well written as all Erica's books are, it seemed a different way forward than her other books. I did find it harder to get into than usual but this isn't a criticism just an observation as I wasn't expecting such a different type of story. Both bitter sweet and heart rending this is well worth a read.