All the Pretty Places: A Novel of the Gilded Age is the latest book written by Joy Callaway. Set to release in May 2023, this novel centers around the Fremds, an upper middle class family who came from poor roots and made something of their lives during the Industrial Revolution. Settling in Rye, New York (an upstate town not too far from NYC and the border of CT), they built a nursery that had collected flowers from around the world and services all the 5th Avenue society folk's country mansions. Daughter Sadie wants to run the family business when her father is ready to retire but all he wants to do is marry her off. Once her two brothers leave town to start their own lives on an entirely different career path, Sadie's hopes grow but are dashed when an ultimatum issued: marry one of the suitors who has proposed or go live with her grandparents in Germany where she will be nothing more than a maid. Sadie is stuck, but she finds hope in the most surprising places.

Callaway thrilled me with her novel about the Greenbrier a few years ago, and when I heard about this new one, I had to grab a copy. What beauty transcends these pages, both in the nursery and gardens and the words on each page. Callaway truly transports you to the 1890s in a rural-ish town not too far from NYC, where society still runs everyone's lives and the poor have hardships none of us know today. I loved the balance of heart and education in this novel, and I found myself excited to understand how life differed for so many people almost a century and a half ago. Sadie is a memorable character who at times seems a bit petulant but always has a desire to help others in her insistence to take over the family business. Definitely a recommended read.

Joy Callaway does such a great job at inviting the reader into the story world, and ALL THE PRETTY PLACES provides another example of this. Immediately we are sympathetic to Sadie and her quest to further her horticulture career at a time when women are expected to focus on finding a husband. The romance angle with Sam draws the reader in further as Sadie's past decisions implicate her present. The economic climate and the possibility of Sadie's family running out of money adds an additional layer of tension and intrigue.

I especially enjoyed the evocation of the Gilded Age time period and the settings in Rye & NY. Sadie's desire to share nature with everyone regardless of social class is to be commended.

A winner for fans of historical fiction, this would be wonderful for bookclubs.

Set against the backdrop of economic uncertainty this tells the story of Sadie Fremd. Daughter of a wealthy nursery she has a love of plants. She wants to take over from her father but it’s a time when women in business are oddities.

A really unusual and enjoyable read. The beauty of nature theme is explored, Sadie wants everyone to experience it, not just the rich. This was not my usual type of read but I enjoyed it nonetheless

All the Pretty Places: A Novel of the Gilded Age by Joy Callaway is a wonderful historical fiction and romance that takes us into the beautiful and fascinating worlds of gardening, horticulture, and the joy that it can bring to everyone in the infamous Gilded Age of New York.

I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, The Grand Design, so I was excited to read this one as well.

I love gardening, plants, and the peace, happiness, and health that it brings to oneself, so I was enthralled to read about how this was based on a true story involving the author’s ancestors in Rye, NY.

I loved everything about the book. The inspired character cast, the inclusion of real events, places, and times, the fictional narrative attached…but most of all…I loved the descriptions and pages of plants, flowers, landscapes, architecture, and the satisfying ending. The positive message was also very uplifting and needed.

The author’s note explaining her inspirations and relatives really added to my reading experience.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

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

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/9/23.

If you love historical fiction with a little bit of forbidden romance this book is for you! Sadie is strong minded and meets her match going head to head with her German father to purse her hopes and dreams instead of becoming another woman of society. An excellent read, I could not put down. I was also surprised to find that the book is based on the Authors family history! Love that!

The only thing I may add, none to which the authors fault. The Harper Muse branding on every, single, page, and lack of actual chapter formatting was very distracting as a reader. Obviously it will not be in the finished copy but still it was far too much even for an ARC.