I absolutely loved this book and was totally immersed from the beginning. It was full of sadness and heartwarming at times. Summerhayes house sounded wonderful with its beautiful garden.s I loved that it was inspired by the lost gardens of Heligan. The character Elizabeth was inspirational.. For a 19 year old, at that time, I was delighted to see she had a mind of her own and knew what she wanted, or didn't want. It really showed her strength and the tough decisions she made for herself and her family.

I downloaded both of the two books in this series. I finished this one but with difficulty . I wanted to like it because of the book's description. However, I struggled to finish it. I will not be recommending.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved the cover of this book.

The story of this book was beautiful, i was unable to put it down as I wanted to know what happens next. There was some heartbreaking moments throughout the story too.

It showed how even in the bad times, times when circumstances are hard, love can shine through those times.

I recommend this book.

This cover and title got me intrigued… and I loved this!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.
An absolutely heartbreaking, gripping and beautiful story about how love shines brightly even in the darkest times, and the incredible sacrifices people make during a threat of wartime.

This book by the author of the Flora Steele mystery series centers on a deeply unhappy family on an English estate as WWI looms. Elizabeth Summer tries to find her way amidst unhappy and controlling parents, hostile and potentially dangerous relatives, a love interest considered unsuitable by a social climber father, and a younger brother with his own challenges. The war provides the looming backdrop for a tense family drama. It’s well written as with her other books, but it was almost too wrapped up in its characters’ internal struggles at times, punctuated by moments of action. The key romantic relationship felt like it developed a little too quickly to propel the story as it does. The novel does give a good sense of the fears of a nation almost at war.