I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This was a cute story. It definitely gave off Lifetime movie vibes, so if that is your jam, you may love this one.

It was a very character driven book, but I was left wanting more, both in character development and the story.

This is my first book by Barbara Josselsohn and the third book in her Lake Summers series. Although I haven't read the first two books, I would consider this a stand alone.

I don't plan on adding any of the other books to my TBR stack, but remain appreciative of the opportunity to read a new author. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

A+ for the cover, which I think is beautiful.

A lovely story, filled with rich, well-rounded characters. I really enjoyed this female centred novel.

Beautiful and heartwarming - the kind of book that is perfect for a holiday, a day on the beach or even in the midst of a busy work day :)

A lovely romantic novel, with quite a few surprises!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Heart warming story with great characters where the protagonist rose to save her mother's lily garden. The writing was smooth and kept me engrossed for a great many hours.

I’ve become a big fan of this author. Her stories have always had a calming effect on me.
I think it’s because the stories are simple and don’t take a lot of brain power. There’s no criminal to catch, no psychological twist to figure out, no historical lesson to learn – just nice, easy plots that allow me to ride along with the characters’ experiences and enjoy them.
(That’s not to say that the other types of stories aren’t good as well, because I love those books. But everything in its own time and sometimes a break with something different is a good thing.)
In this case, we get the story of Caroline, and how she returns to a small town to help save a garden that was started by her mother many years prior.
I enjoyed the setup of this plotline. I think it was highly relatable in many ways. Caroline isn’t sure about her corporate job, and often wonders if she holds the position because of her family connections.
It’s obvious that her heart is in another place, even as she doesn’t realize it herself. It takes a message from an old friend to make her realize where her priorities should be. It’s also a good lesson for her daughter, Lee, who is being groomed to be the heir apparent to the corporation.
Back in Lake Summers, Caroline finds herself again, and also uncovers a family secret. It’s a good story, told in an approachable and interesting way. And, as with other books set in small towns, there is a literal townful of local characters.
I will say that in some ways, I actually liked the secondary characters better than Caroline. It’s not that she was unlikeable, but people like Maxine and Gull seemed to be much more fleshed out. Maybe because they were in their element in town already? I’m not sure.
I also liked Aaron. I definitely would have loved to read his papers, because they sounded interesting. I’m not sure that I bought the relationship between Caroline and Aaron, though. It didn’t seem very full or complete.
And the secret (as mentioned in the blurb) is revealed very late in the book – almost as if it was an afterthought. This was a shame, because the build-up was pretty well-done, and I expected it to take a bigger part of the story.
As it was, the last part seemed rushed. After an easy-going story that moved along, sort of like a stream trickling through, the revelation and wrap up felt like it had hit rapids. It was bumpier and fast moving – and didn’t feel as natural as the rest of the story.
But in spite of that, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a simple, relaxing beach read.

The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn
Source: NetGalley and Bookouture
Rating: 3/5 stars

The Bottom Line: I’m not sure I can agree with the tagline of “A heart-warming, feel-good summer romance.” While there is a bit of romance in this book, it certainly isn’t a particularly heart-warming, feel-good read. There is a load of drama in this book from the strained relationship between Caroline and her family to the long-held secret about Caroline’s relocation from Lake Summers to Chicago so many years ago. What’s more, Aaron’s story is anything but heart-warming and feel-good as he grapples with a reality he is trying to come to grips with. Finally, there is the fight to save the Lily Garden which is just about the only truly uplifting part of this book. I enjoyed the setting of this book immensely and the great sense of community, but beyond that, I can’t say I loved this read especially given the billing versus the reality of the read. I expected something a bit lighter and can’t honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by the heavier read. I can see this book appealing to a great many readers, but it missed the mark a bit for me.

A lovely heart warming and uplifting story.
This was a lovely book and a real pleasure to read..

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A lovely story with all the great elements for womans fiction, family secrets to uncover, a good storyline and great characters..... and being a gardener a garden at the centre of it. Well worth reading

A heartwarming and beautiful story about family, those you are born with and those you have chosen. Caroline switches her planned two week vacation with her daughter, Lee, to go home to where she has good memories of her mother and father. Caroline’s parents died when she was young, and she spent years living with Maxine and her sons. When her successful and wealthy aunt found out about her, Risa brought Caroline to Chicago, a move that resulted in Caroline losing touch with Maxine. Back to town when she hears that the library plans to expand and utilize the garden and footbridge her mother created out of love for the town, Caroline returns to fight the plan to preserve her mother’s legacy. Told with warmth, and filled with relatable and likable characters, I recommend this book to lovers of women’s fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book!!!!!! I am blowing it a few kisses, it really is amazing!
I am soooo excited to have read it.
I haven't read this author before but I will be definitely be looking up other books by her.
The story is sweet,sad and absolutely wonderful!
The author is able to so strongly convey what our main character is trying so hard to accomplish for her mother.
All about dreams and the continuation of them and discovering family bonds before it's too late.
Hope,love,self understanding and discovery play an important role in this book.
I can't recommend this women's fiction book enough so do yourself a favor and read this feel great book!

Pub Date 02 Jul 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This is such a lovely book. The author has masterfully included all the right elements for a satisfying family story with a touch of romance amid a beautiful historic garden at the heart of the story. I loved the gentleness of this book as the story weaved through the importance of a Mother's garden to her daughter and granddaughter. This is a must read for the best summer book you will read this year. I loved the gardens, the charcters and the well crafted story. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own .

Caroline finds out that her mother’s garden in Lake Summers is going to be torn down. When Caroline left thirty years ago she never looked back and didn’t even talk about her childhood. After her mother’s sudden passing a distant aunt came to claim her and moved her to another state and gave her a whole new life. Now she’s a mother and her daughter will be going off to college soon and she can’t help but wonder about the people who she left behind, and how she can help save the only tangible thing left of her mother.
Caroline and her daughter are welcomed back with open arms into the home that feels like she never left. It really does feel good to be around her mother’s friends who were more like family, but why didn’t they want to raise her? Caroline is going through many changes in her life and it feels like a very confusing time. She will have to decide if the fight with the city is worth saving the garden, she will have to let go of the firm grip she has in her daughter, and she’ll need to heal old wounds and find forgiveness in order to move on and be happy.

Just finished Barbara Josselsohn‘s The Lily Garden. It was a lovely read, and especially in this kind of weather (it‘s been pouring for days) it was lovely to imagine the beautiful garden that the protagonist‘s mum had built. If you‘re looking for a heart-warming story, try this one. 😊

An emotionally satisfying small town romance perfect for curling up with on a warm summer afternoon with a glass of something sparkly, Barbara Josselsohn’s The Lily Garden is a story about coming home, old ghosts and healing from the past perfect for Debbie Macomber and Robyn Carr fans.

Caroline never imagined that she would return to Lake Summers. The town is full of painful memories and a constant reminder of the loss of her parents. When Caroline hears that the lily garden her mother had built and looked after so lovingly is going to be destroyed, she vows to do whatever it takes to save her beloved mother’s legacy. Dropping everything at her Chicago office, Caroline and her daughter head to Lake Summers where they are welcomed with open arms by Maxine, her mother’s dear friend. Caroline immediately gets to work to try and save the lily garden. But she soon realises that she isn’t the only one who wants to rescue it. Handsome historian Aaron also wants to help her in her quest to leave the lily garden intact and as she begins to spend more and more time with him, her feelings for him quickly intensify.

However, when Caroline finds out that Aaron has his own reasons for being in Lake Summers and for wanting to save the lily garden, she begins to wonder just how well she knows the man she has fallen head over heels in love with. Can she trust Aaron? Does he have any more secrets he hasn’t divulged yet? As more shocking revelations come to light, Caroline makes another painful discovery about the day her mother died, leading her to wonder whether her dream to call Lake Summers home again has been shattered once and for all.

Will Caroline have to give up the man and the people who have come to mean the world to her? Or will she realise that there is no place she’d rather be than Lake Summers?

Charming and emotional and full of warmth and heart, Barbara Josselsohn’s The Lily Garden is a gorgeous romantic escape set in a beautiful town I’d move to in a heartbeat. A poignant, feel-good and captivating tale about family secrets, new beginnings and falling in love when you least expect it that is brilliantly layered with drama, pathos and intensity, Barbara Josselsohn’s The Lily Garden is a wonderful summertime romance readers will thoroughly enjoy.

I have never read a Barbara Josselsohn novel before, but I’m sure glad I read THE LILY GARDEN! What a beautiful story! I’m very excited to read her previous books now. This absorbing story combines both the beautiful sensory details of a summer lake town with heartfelt characters, a moving plot, and a story with so much depth. THE LILY GARDEN is a lovely read with characters I rooted for, and some lovely sensory details that brought the town of Lake Summers to life. I highly recommend this story if you need a complete escape from life.

THE LILY GARDEN explores family dynamics, loss, secrets, and a new romance! Barbara Josselsohn handles difficult topics and has the reader cheering for everyone to succeed. When I started reading THE LILY GARDEN, I didn’t know I’d come to love it this much. Where to start? Caroline is such a great character, full of life and warmth. I loved how she didn’t let her past tragedies destroy herself completely. Her decision to come back to Lake Summers is a turning point in her life. I am so happy for that she made this choice. She grew and learned a lot about herself and life itself while being there. The interactions between all the characters in this small town, where everyone knows everyone else, are vividly told and enjoyable to read. Love, hope, second chances and the importance of community are the threads that bind this book together beautifully.

I enjoyed the language, the conversations and the very real feel of THE LILY GARDEN. Caroline goes back to a very special place from her childhood to save her mother’s garden. The town is ready to mow it over and expand the library that sits in front of it. It’s been thirty years since Caroline left Lake Summers and she fears she is too late to stop the garden from being destroyed.

I don’t want to say too much for fear of giving away too much of THE LILY GARDEN, but once I started reading this beautiful and heart breaking story, I could not stop! Everyone should have this unforgettable book on their summer/fall reading list. The dialogue between Caroline and Aaron is sometimes funny and other times frustrating! They both have secrets and without letting them out, they will not be able to move forward. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters from page one and I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cute book with solid characters. It was easy to read and enjoy. You don’t have to think while reading as the storyline is straight forward.

This book was such a delight. It was a perfect summer read. It was both driven by the characters, but also the setting! Filled with themes that the reader will relate to, which allows the reader to get lost in the story! I cannot recommend this book enough if you want a story that warms the heart and keep you fully engaged cover to cover!

I was immediately drawn to this book by the absolutely beautiful cover 😍 Perfect summer read!

So I struggled to get into The Lily Garden, some parts are the beginning I just felt a little meh about 🤷 But once you got past that and into the story it was much easier to read 🙂

I did feel that some parts were made to be a huge deal when in reality they weren't, that might just be me...

Saying all that, I still actually really enjoyed this one. I loved all the descriptive writing about the garden and it made me think a lot about how I feel when I go back to my old hometown, reminiscing in the past!

I enjoyed the sub plot going on, how even though we were on the quest to stop the destructive of the garden we had lots of other things going on to keep us interested!