The Garden of memories by Amanda James

This book is a delight to read be it curled up in a cosy corner in your own home , or sat outside in your own garden on a sunny day !
Set in Cornwall , a newly retired nurse ,, also widowed , decides to bring her husband's garden back to it's former glory but somehow it brings joy and friendship to many others.

The Garden of Memories,is about women in their later years in life are tending to a garden filled with plants which reminds them of something close to their hearts.

It is a warm, nostalgic story which will make you laugh, feel calm, curse a few and sort out some niggling thoughts while you are at it.

When Rose retires from being a nurse after many years at the local GP surgery, she decides she must tackle her neglected garden. She lives alone in Cornwall and struggles to get motivated.
Rose eventually grows specific plants to remind her of a past love and also her late husband. As her community grows she encourages her friends to bring a plant that brings them happiness and place it in the garden. The garden brings everyone together. This a joyous read with no murders or violence and is a complete delight to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a nice quick read about a bunch of elderly women (and one young man), three of them with floral names, who are getting their mojos back. It all starts with Rose's garden kind of becoming a communal garden where everyone is invited to plant memories, and much is talked about the restorative properties of gardening. Each of the women are battling with personal traumas, but the garden helps their mental health recover, and they all become firm friends.

The descriptions of Cornwall and the garden are colourful and vivid, and the characters all quirky and lovable, however, I had problems distinguishing between them, and towards the end it got almost too sweet for me as everyone seemed to get their happy ending at double speed. It's a heartwarming story but I'm not sure I will remember it tomorrow. The cover is gorgeous though.

This is a simply lovely book that is full of heart and heartbreak all at the same time. It’s also great to have stories that focus on mid age characters.

What happens when you retire after forty years of being a nurse? Are you still a nurse? Or are you a "used to be" nurse? How will people treat you,will they still ask for advice as they used to? What do you do with your time, who are you ?

These are the questions that Rose asks herself the day she retires from her job as practice nurse in the local GP Practice. Her husband died two years ago so it's back to an empty house day after day.

As Rose looks out on her garden by the sea in beautiful Cornwall she remembers how invested her husband was in his garden which he tended with love and care. She decides to put all her energy into bringing it back to the way it was in memory of him.

May has recently moved into a house along the road after a lifetime living with and nursing her uncaring mother. She has sold the big house and garden and moved into a smaller house though regrettably without a garden.

May watches the goings on outside and wonders why the woman across the road is no longer leaving home at the same time every morning and she hopes she's okay.

As Rose tends her garden she also gathers friends and offers them the chance to plant something in her garden that bring back a memory for them just as she has done in her husband's memory.

What a beautiful uplifting story this is. The people who come into Rose's life, some she has known for a long time and some she has just met are like you and me. They have troubles or regrets or sadness but they also have memories and Rose gives them a physical way to make those memories last. As she does this Rose finds a place for herself in all their lives as they all heal from the therapeutic effects of the gardens and flowers.

The descriptions of the flowers, their perfume and colour are so vivid I felt I had walked through Rose's garden myself. The characters in this book are a joy. They restore your faith in human nature.

I'm never disappointed by an Amanda James book but this one is extra special. Loved it !

The subject of this book is something that we all wonder about - what to do when we retire? Well, for Rose a retired nurse all her plans suddenly get turned upside down, when her husband passes away, but she finds a way to get through this with her beautiful garden and all her friends, both old and new. A real feel good, thought provoking read.

Oh, this is one of those lovely heartwarming books that brings back memories from your own life too, and makes you realise that you’re not on your own. A great read – and I’d love there to be a follow on with Rose and Tristan! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

Rose after 40 years of nursing has retired but what will she do with herself. Her husband has passed away and her daughter and grandchild have moved away from Cornwall. Her husband had a beautiful maintained garden so Rose decides to bring it to life again with the help of the community and her friends. The garden becomes a sanctuary for all that need it. A garden of memories.
A beautiful heartwarming story with wonderful characters. A lovely weekend read.

The Garden of Memories is a heartwarming story set in Cornwall. Rose, a retired nurse tends to her late husband's garden, turning it into a sanctuary of memories for herself and her friends, old and new.
This is a real feel-good read that reminds us to cherish memories, embrace new experiences, and find joy in the little things.
It’s simply wonderful - there’s no other words really 🪴

A gloriously uplifting book around a group of women who come together through flowering plants. Set in a coastal town in Cornwall with an endearing set of characters all with various relationship issues which they find encouragement to overcome in a common love of a garden. A gentle read which is certainly heartwarming and restores one's faith in community and friendship. I just loved three year old Wesley calling Louise 'weez', an endearing trait of young children and the name unexpectedly sticking.

This is an interesting story. About life after retirement , lost opportunities in your youth because of parents, a beautiful garden and so much more. I can’t write a review to do it justice but read it . You will love it and a neat ending not predictable .

Rose has retired after many years working as a nurse.
Looking for something to keep her occupied she becomes involved in looking after her garden and soon meets new and old friends and company along the way.
An easy read about friendships and community.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, poignant, endearing characters, a good spattering of relatable everyday truths, a few unexpected plot twists . . . everything a good book should be! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rose has retired from nursing and can't think what she's going to do with her time. She then decides to turn her garden into a garden of memories and it changes so many lives

Not for me. I do appreciate books about female characters from all walks of life finding friendship and support amongst their difficulties (abuse, bullying, broken hearts), but somehow these characters didn't resonate with me. Their stories being just that, not something I could feel below the surface. Didn't finish.

This is a charming, easy-read story about memories, friendships and plants that bring memories of loved ones and past events. It is a touching story of a nurse who, finding herself retired and with time on her hands decides to use her garden to plant memories. This leads to a new and supportive group of friends being made, who each add their memories to the garden. It offers new opportunities, romances and a sense of peace to everyone who becomes involved in the garden.

It is a well-written book with some lovely characters that develop throughout the story. The characters were mostly older, which was refreshing, but with a good mix of age ranges. I loved the idea of the garden bringing people together and helping to heal people.

If you want a nice heartwarming story, this one is a good choice.

I loved this! What a sweet story featuring “older” characters. Rose is finding purpose again after retiring and finds a whole group of new friends who help her create a wonderful garden in her backyard. Each person’s story unfolds along with the flowers that mean the most to them. Just a sweet story that I can’t wait to promote!

I always look forward to a new Amanda James book and this is great. A group of people come together and become friends because of the power of nature and a garden.
Very well written with great characters
Love it

"The Garden of Memories" by Amanda James is an enchanting and heartwarming tale that centers around Rose Lanyon, a devoted nurse who finds solace and purpose in her late husband's exquisite garden nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Cornwall. This extraordinary story delves into the profound themes of community, friendship, and the therapeutic influence of nurturing plants and flowers.

Rose's garden emerges as a sanctuary for those feeling misplaced and desolate, a haven where forgotten memories are revitalized, and opportunities for new beginnings unfurl like delicate blossoms. Set against the backdrop of the ethereal and idyllic Cornwall, the novel superbly emphasizes the captivating allure of nature and its transformative effects on emotional well-being. It is truly delightful to observe that the endearing characters are aptly named after blooming flowers, echoing the profound connection between individuals and the natural world.

Amanda James' writing style is nothing short of perfection, evoking deep emotions and transporting readers to a realm of solace and escapism. Through her adept storytelling, she effortlessly captures the profound sense of communal healing experienced through grief gardens, which have become a vital source of solace during the challenging times of the pandemic.

This beautifully crafted work is brimming with heartwarming moments and an enchanting ambiance, offering a truly uplifting and poignant reading experience for those in search of a touching narrative of love, loss, and renewal.

"The Garden of Memories" is a truly delightful and inspiring tale that radiates warmth and joy. It embraces the power of human connection, reminding us of the extraordinary capacity of gardens to heal and restore both our hearts and souls.