Julia Kelly has taken three “okay” stories about women finding themselves within the constraints of the times in which they live and woven them into a rich tapestry spanning a century within THE LAST GARDEN IN ENGLAND.

If you’ve ever toured a sweeping historical home and wondered about the lives of those who lived there in earlier eras, you will love this book. The author’s descriptions and details are so well-done that you need know nothing about gardening to immerse yourself in the Highbury House gardens.

Indeed, the gardens, as well as the cultural and societal mores of the times are as much important characters in this book as are our five women.

Venetia Smith is an artist who paints with plantings and garden designs in the early 1900s, a time when women were not granted membership in the men’s only Royal Horticultural Society. During World War II, we see the same gardens created by Venetia through the eyes of Diana Symonds, mistress of Highbury House; Stella Adderton, who was born into service; and Beth Pedley, who provides a face and voice to some of the ways British women helped the war effort. Finally, we meet Emma Lovett, a present-day landscape artist who has long admired and studied Venetia’s work and now is hired by Diana’s descendants to restore the gardens.

Julia Kelly has an exquisite talent for taking individual stories and weaving them into a beautiful whole. With a deft touch, she moved me from one era to another so smoothly that I never felt I was hanging onto cliffhangers. And as Kelly always has done so well, her historical research adds much to the overall product. I love learning about history while reading fiction. Her depiction of the British government’s requisitioning of property for war needs as well as the different services available to women is fascinating.

The plotting and pacing is so expertly done that I plan to re-read this THE LAST GARDEN IN ENGLAND. Now that I’ve seen the entire tapestry, I will enjoy rediscovering the individual pieces that inform the whole. And I would love to be able to enjoy my second reading within the gardens of Highbury House.

Julia Kelly weaves a story that is like a garden.
It meanders at first and is confusing. Which way is the past leading? What's happening with this color combination? Why are these three stories together in one place? Which character is which? What time period are we in now?
Then the theme begins to make sense, and the different stories blend together in different yet similar ways. I began to get to know the characters and appreciate their unique stories, colors and perspectives as I appreciate the value different plants bring to a garden.
Some of the characters and story plots included thorns. I cried in places from being emotionally pricked, and I felt angry at times at the character's choices.
Like a beautiful garden, I did not want to leave the book. I read too late into the night and felt disturbed when the book ended. The story sucked me into its beauty, depth and humanity.
History, gardening, family dynamics, friendship, romance, belonging, home, and growing up are the themes that combine to create a engaging reading experience in "The Last Garden In England."

This book was really intriguing. It told the story of three different women throughout 3 different time periods. I thought Julia Kelly did a great job giving each woman a different personality. I really enjoyed the different stories. However, when jumping back and forth between 3 stories, and all the different characters I admit it would take me some time to get into each story. Then I would have to remember where it left off. Because of this, I was not as emotionally involved as I would have liked to have been.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the advance copy which did have impact my review.

I enjoyed Julia Kelly's previous books and though this one was a bit different, I enjoyed it just as much. It took a little getting used to the characters as the story switched back and forth; but once I did, the changing timeframes were easy to follow.

I really liked all the characters and how the story connected them by the garden. Each character's story was complete in itself and it wasn't until the end when we were able to see exactly how everything tied together.

Reading this novel was a perfect escape - - something we all need right now!

Historical fiction set in Scotland on the grounds and in the gardens of an equally historic house? Yes, please! In this complex triple timeline tale of five women connected by the same gardens at Highbury House in Scotland, Julia Kelly tells a story of love, friendship, motherhood, war, and gardening. The first woman, Venetia, is commissioned to design and create the gardens for the owners of an already historic home (Highbury House at that point in 1907). The second, third, and fourth women are all intertwined with the same gardens and house, but during wartime 1944. The fifth woman, Emma, has been hired to recreate Venetia's gardens by the couple lovingly restoring the home in modern-day times. Each of the women are connected to the gardens and has a beautiful tale to tell. The history of a place is always interesting and the history of the gardens at Highbury House is not just interesting, but thoroughly engrossing.

Although it was a little more difficult to keep track of the three different timelines and all of the characters necessary to each story, the effort to do so was completely worthwhile! In the end, the gardens' mysteries are revealed and I was eager to read more all along to get to the resolution.

Do you like historical fiction? Read this book. Do you like dual timeline books? Read this TRIPLE timeline book. Do you like strong female characters? Read this thoroughly engrossing tale of FIVE different strong women. Although this was the first book by Julia Kelly I have read, it won't be my last!

The triumphs and tragedies of women at the same location in three very distinct time periods of history. In 1907 where the garden was being designed by a master; in 1944 where the garden had to be used for the war efforts, and in 2021, where they are trying to recreate the original garden. I love the jump between these time periods, the characters were developed and rich, and made me want to keep reading about each of their lives. I highly recommend this book, but b e prepared for great happiness and deep sadness.

Three timelines and women’s perspectives weave together to bring this story centering around a garden to life. In 1907, Venetia is hired to design a garden for a manor house: multiple ‘garden rooms’, perspective and some input from clients allow us to see the garden as it comes into being. Then, when the house is requisitioned in the war in 1944, the house is again part of the story when we meet Beth, a Land Girl who arrived in the area and makes friends with both staff and the mistress of the manor. Lastly, the granddaughter and her husband have hired Emma to restore the garden as they work miracles to bring the house back to the original.

Emma is left with only rough plans and a very rough and overgrown garden but loving that the garden was the last one designed in England by Venetia, she’s more than intrigued by the work, the restoring, and finding clues and plans that harken back to the earliest design. While she works with the current owners, the story unfolds to explain why (and what) is behind the locked gates to an overgrown patch, and neighbors who are related to Beth – the land girl turned homeowner and artist after the war, are able to provide more information.

Most intriguing to me is the way that the author managed to mirror and distinguish the three women’s personalities, even as each was very much a distinct person. But all took chances, had losses and sorrows, and each became integral to the story of the garden as it started, existed and withstood requisitioning during the war, and is returned to the original plans and glory that was intended. A bit of mystery, plenty of romance and heartache, and lots of imagery to bring the vision of the garden to light for readers all kept me moving through the book, anxiously wondering what would befall each character next. Much like the romances that I’ve read from Kelly, the characters are engaging and dimensional, their issues are common to us all, and their stories wind together much as the garden matures: giving readers plenty of moments to enjoy and imagine.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQh /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

The Last Garden In England by Julia Kelley is a beautiful novel weaving 3 timelines together centered around the Highbury House Gardens. This historical fiction novel, with one timeline during WW2, showed me a side of the war I haven’t read about.
I absolutely adored the main characters and was completely engrossed in finding out how each of their lives would play out weaving them together.. Each of the strong women had a personality of her own and was expertly developed.

The description of the gardens had my imagination on overdrive and I can’t wait for the weather to improve to get outside in my out garden and create something beautiful.

I loved this novel set in a gorgeous setting with a bit of romance, friendship, heartbreak, and resiliency,

Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Kelley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Really good book about several women during 3 different time periods. Venetia in 1907, Beth and Stella and Diana in 1944 and Emma in 2021. Connected through an elaborate English garden at Highbury. The story tells about the life of each woman and how they are connected to the garden. Definitely recommend this book.

Actual star review 4.5

My thoughts:

-If you have any interest in horticulture or gardening, YOU MUST READ THIS. If you're a historical fiction lover, that will be the icing on the cake for you! The way that Julia was able to mesh these 2 very opposite concepts together in such a gorgeous manner is something to cherish. I loved learning more about different plants and flowers - especially through the eyes of Venetia (she was my favorite character).

-This one gave me some Downton Abbey vibes because Highbury House turned into a makeshift hospital during the war and I absolutely loved this aspect. Also, I really appreciated the relationships between the "upstairs & downstairs"- it added a nice layer of realism to the story.

-This writing in this novel was just beautiful. There were so many times that I forgot I was actually reading a book ... the story, the scenery and the characters leapt off the pages and it felt like I was reading someone's stolen diary. If imagery is your thing, you'll be swept away to English countryside. I now want to move to Highbury House and go read in the Celeste's garden.

-This book is told from multiple POVs in different time periods, so be sure that you're fully paying attention. There were a lot of characters to remember (and how everyone was related was a little difficult to keep up with), but everything locks in place at the end. There are a lot of really beautiful, but heartbreaking moments in this novel and it was absolutely delightful to read.

The Last Garden in England is three separate stories that all take place around the gardens of Highbury Estate. Each story is from three different time periods, the design of the gardens in 1907, life during WWII, and the garden’s restoration in present day. Julia Kelly weaves all of the characters so beautifully together, unveiling secrets that carry love and heartache.

My only complaint is there are many characters in each storyline, which became confusing on who’s who and how they are connected.

4.25⭐️

Generational Women's Fiction Connected by a Garden
This is a wonderful story that I know I will read again and again. I would rate this a ten if I could. This is the story of an English garden and how it connects the lives of several different English Women. From the garden's designer in 1907, through WWII and the many women that involved, to the final story of today's woman who is restoring it to its original glory. This story has a wonderful backdrop of real plants, weather, garden design, and hardscape. It was very easy to imagine this in my mind as the author paints such a vivid word picture. The stories of the women touch just about every emotion possible. With war comes loss and the pain, grief, and rage that produces. But there is also love that must be acknowledged quickly in wartime. The book also covers the social class structure that was so pronounced in Britain in the 1900s. This is just a marvelous book that I highly recommend. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Julia Kelly’s The Last Garden in England is a delightful triple-timeline read. Alternating between the stories of three women associated with the gardens at Highbury House, it not only teaches readers a bit about British gardens, but also draws them into the lives of the women whose lives are changed by their time at Highbury.

In the winter of 1907, the Melcourts hire Venetia Smith to design their estate’s magnificent gardens, and little does anyone know this will turn out to be Venetia’s last Garden in England. Known as a young designer willing to stray from tradition but always garnering praise for her creative end results, she cannot anticipate how her latest project and the people she meets at Highbury and the surrounding area will affect her life.

In 1944, orphan and budding artist Beth Pedley, who has enlisted as a Land Girl, leaves the home of the aunt who never wanted her, to do her part in feeding England by working on a farm near Highbury. Complex Diana Symonds, a war widow and Highbury’s current owner, is now largely confined to one wing of the once majestic estate along with her young son Robin as first Highbury is taken over as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers and then a substantial portion of her gardens plowed under and converted to farmland for the war effort. The third woman to be drawn into sharing a secret with Beth and Diana is Diana’s cook, Stella, who soon finds herself responsible for her sister’s little son Bobby.

Finally, in 2021, Emma Lovett feels that a dream has come true when a new generation of Highbury owners hires her to restore the gardens created by the renown Venetia Smith more than a century earlier. With the aid of others, Emma gradually finds plans for and records of Venetia’s work as well uncovering other long-forgotten stories.

Although I experienced momentary difficulty identifying all the characters when Kelly first shifted to 1944, I soon sorted them out. Some of her characters’ love interests developed in little more than an instant and struck me as somewhat cheesy. Small details that bothered me briefly might not give many readers a second thought. Overall, I found the setting, characters, and plot thoroughly enjoyable.

Dual timelines abound in today’s popular fiction, but Julia Kelly’s ability to carry off a complex triple timeline impressed me. I also liked her choice of grouping chapters according to season--the cycle of nature, beginning with winter and ending with autumn. Her Author’s Notes at the back of the book explain her long-time desire to write a novel about several generations of women connected to the same garden as well as how she eventually discovered the way to achieve that goal.

The Last Garden of England is not likely to appeal to many male readers, but they aren’t Kelly’s target audience. Women of all ages should enjoy the time they pass in The Last Garden of England.

My thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Julia Kelly for sharing an advance reader copy.

The Winter Garden

This is a story that crosses three different time periods. It is a story of strong women.

In 1907 Venitia Smith created the first beautiful garden at Highbury House setting a standard for women in the garden design business. She left London never to return because of a secret forging a new life in America.

In 1944 Highbury house was turned into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Three strong women had close ties to Highbury House and the gardens. Beth(a land girl), Stella (the cook), and Diana the owner and Mistress of the house. Part of the garden was plowed up for vegetable garden during this time. There is some tragedies that take place during this time that cause much grief to these women.

In 2021 Emma is commissioned by the owners of Highbury house to restore the gardens to their original beauty in 1907. In trying to find out the original garden plans Emma uncovers secrets of the past.

The story is set out in the different time periods as you read along. It is easy to follow as the chapters are clearly marked. The book tells the story of those involved with Highbury house and the beautiful gardens. You will read about relationships, family quarrels, secrets left untold, the war and how it affected those living in and around the house and gardens and finally a rebirth of the gardens and of love and life.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others.

Thanks to Julia Kelly, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review

The Last Garden in England is a story that covers over 100 years, five different women, and has the garden as the main setting. This garden serves as the place where the women around it draw strength and clarity. By spending time in the garden they learn about themselves and the true desires of their hearts. They also find the strength to go after those desires.

What is refreshing is that the garden is the main character and these women are the secondary ones. This story is about a place of beauty bringing strength. It is how the garden helped each woman to grow and blossom into who they were destined to be.

I appreciated the focus to be on the garden and the women’s inner struggles, especially during the 1944 portions. Yes, there was talk of the war, but it was not consuming; life at home still went on and it was nice to read that instead of just war.

A definite must read. Best book I read this year. I love the way the author has written 3 stories, in 3 different time periods, centering around one garden. From the beginning and design of the garden in 1907 by Venetia Smith. To 1944 and life during World War II and the hardships and heartbreaks. To present day restoration and solving the mystery of Winter Garden.
Three determine females and and cast of wonderful characters will not disappoint you.

The Last Garden in England is a beautifully written story spanning 3 different time periods about a lovely set of gardens at Highbury House.
You’ll meet 5 strong women throughout the book starting with Emma, who is brought in to restore the gardens to their original design in 2021. Going back in time, there is Venetia, the original designer in 1907. In 1944, we meet Diana, the widowed lady of the house that has been requisitioned as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers, as well as Stella, Diana’s cook, and Beth, a field girl on a neighboring farm.
Each woman is determined to make their own mark on the world in male dominated capacities. There is loss and secrets hidden in the garden that are woven together very well to create an enjoyable read.

I LOVED this book. This is absolutely something I would pay money to read, and will likely do so (I plan on buying it for myself, and my mom)! Kelly's writing is beautiful, and despite the 5 competing storylines, I felt drawn to each of the women and all the stories were woven together beautifully. I adored the concept that all their storylines (and lives) were connected by a garden; and what a quaint backdrop for this exquisite piece of historical fiction. Each of the women was a complete individual with her own thoughts, feelings, and goals. Stories with even fewer "main" characters than this have trouble fleshing them out fully, but after the initial speed bump of name learning, it was easy to keep track of them because they were all so distinct. The supporting characters were also all lovely. I just thought Kelly breathed life into these people so believably, I wanted to step right into the world(s) she had created.

A wholehearted 5/5 stars. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In Julia Kelly’s novel, The Last Garden in England, the gardens at Highbury House serve as the setting for four different women finding love, a home, and beauty in three different time periods. Emma, in our time, has been hired to restore the gardens to their original state. During World War II, Beth and Diana find people to love. And in 1907, Venetia designs a series of gardens for the wealthy Melcourts. This book was like a bouquet, a spray of characters arranged to satisfy readers who love English country houses and unexpected love.

So much happens in this book that I can’t summarize it other than in broad strokes. The Last Garden in England is absolutely the kind of book that you have to just inhale, because you’ll want to know what happens to all the characters. All of the women in this book—Emma, Venetia, Diana, and Beth—share qualities that put me instantly on their side and had me rooting for their happiness. All of them are deeply independent, the kind of women who are used to going it alone against all challenges so that they can live the kind of life they want. Emma and Venetia are gardeners and won’t let anything stand in their way. Beth wants a homey life where she can put down roots. Diana wants to be the mistress of her own estate, free from the interference of in-laws and government dictates about how she can use her house and property. All of them are deeply caring and nurturing—although some of the women in this book would argue that they’re not good with anything other than plants. And all of these women are characters I’d love to make friends with.

All of the plotlines throw up challenges for the women to deal with. Some of the challenges are heart-breaking, but the hope that everything will turn out alright (and it does!) kept me rapidly turning the pages. Kelly never lets things get too easy for her characters, which makes all the conclusions feel earned. I love a happily ever after as much as the next reader, but I always feel a bit cheated if that ending arrives as a result of too many coincidences or if characters have to suddenly go against type. When that happens, I always wonder if the happy ending last past the honeymoon phase.

A lot of the books I read are grim and contain elements that I feel I have to warn other readers about when I recommend them. For me, The Last Garden in England is one of the rare books I would hand to any reader looking for a good read without any word of warning. As such, I think The Last Garden in England is an excellent choice after this annus horribilis. Characters we care about grow and find genuine happiness in beautiful gardens that will have the green thumbs among us writing down species names and googling pictures of plants. It is the best comfort book I’ve read in a long time.

In this fascinating tale of one garden, one house, and three different time periods, there is a secret waiting to be uncovered. Venetia, the original garden designer in the early 1800s, struggles with finding her place in a profession dominated by men. Will she find her heart's desire as she works on the gardens at Highbury House, an English country manor? Beth was sent to Highbury village as a land girl during World War 2. What part does she play in the Highbury House saga? Emma, the present-day gardener tasked with restoring the gardens of Highbury House to their former glory is seeking to unravel the mystery behind the locked gate to a secret, long-neglected walled garden. Will she find what her heart is seeking as well? Find the answers to these questions in this page-turning puzzle that will keep readers enthralled. For fans of gardening, mysteries, and English country villages, this book is a treasure. It would make an excellent addition to any adult historical fiction collection.