Enchanting and quietly powerful, this novel blooms with wonder, mystery, and a touch of magic. Iversen crafts a story that feels like stepping into a secret world where growth, grief, and transformation are beautifully intertwined. It’s a gentle, immersive read that leaves you feeling rooted and renewed.

It tells about a young woman Harriet who comes to realize her attributes and confidence. It is beautiful mix of magical realsim and domestic thriller. It definitely went into directions I was not expecting at all. The atmosphere is lush and the connection between Harriet and her garden is described with such love and care. She is a very complex character and the author has done a good job showing or describing the trauma she went through.
This story is gut wrenching with the mentions of domestic violence and sexual assault and being a WOMAN myself, I completely understand & relate to these things.
the ending was satisfying and the message was very much clear. The topics discussed were heavy and not for everyone.Please read the triggers mentioned as well.

Oofta, I wish I had known about the trigger warnings, Significant trauma dealt with by the main character, and I’m not entirely sure if it added to the story or plot. The atmospheric nature of the book was beautiful, though.

Oh, my heart. The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt hit me a lot harder than Chelsea Iversen's debut did though the brutality our FMCs see in both is unmatched. My heart ached for our naïve Harriet and all I wanted for her was happiness and no more bad men. There is a long string of bad decisions throughout the book, but I have to imagine that is what happens when you have that kind of childhood. She doesn’t know a lot about the world or have the wherewithal to spot all the nasty people out there who might have ulterior motives. I loved her garden and Iversen did an incredible job describing it and bringing it to life through her writing. In fact, I felt every emotion and saw every description in my head which proves her word choices were flawless.

Besides some minor editing issues (see: hearing the occasional swallow, breath, or pause), I really enjoyed the audiobook and I thought Anna Burnett was spot on with her narration of Harriet. She really got into it for lack of a better term, and I loved her voice and the way she made our FMC come alive. I loved the touch of magical realism and wish it had been explored even more, though after reading the interview with the author at the back (not to be missed) I can see why Iversen gave us just enough without a deep dive. The companionship as well as some good eggs and old fashioned redemption were the bright lights in the darkness of the storyline. Which leads me into saying this is a very dark read and I would recommend checking triggers before diving in.

Read this if you are looking for unique characters, a slower pace, and stories of finding your way in a world where it feels like the deck is stacked against you.

Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt - Chelsea Iverson
When Harriet’s father disappears and leaves her all alone, she manages the best she can. She prefers the comfort of home and the comfort of her garden. Her garden is where magic happens, it protects her, and in return, Harriet keeps it from getting wild and taking over.
When an inspector shows up at her door unannounced, it’s clear that he suspects her of having something to do with her fathers disappearance. Harriet tries her best to throw him off her trail, searching for the whereabouts of her father in the hopes of clearing her name.
When Harriet meets a curious man on the street who isn’t deterred by her quirks, in fact, he seems to find them fascinating, she has hopes that her life is about to change for the better.
The marriage turns all of Harriet’s hopes and dreams into despair as she feels trapped, and used, fearing her husband possibly more than she feared her father. With the power from the garden, can Harriet free herself from the vile men surrounding her?
This book was very out of the box; a girl who is seemingly connected to her garden, and a garden that has a mind of its own. However, it worked for me. I was very intrigued by the concept and couldn’t put it down. I found Harriet to be a worthy main character. A woman who seems to be a spinster because she doesn’t fit society's version of a woman. She lived her life as hidden away as possible until she couldn’t no longer. She broke her own barriers, her own rules, and finally pushed for the life she deserved. I gave this gem of a book 4 stars out of 5!
Thank you Netgalley for the incredible ARC!

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt was a decently entertaining story about a girl, wandering alone in her house and garden. I wanted to feel the magic of this story, but I couldn’t quite connect with Harriet, and the story was a bit heavier than I’d anticipated. Still a worthwhile read when you’re in the right mood.

Anna Burnett does a decent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Chelsea Iversen, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

My one star on top of the mandatory rated star is for the only thing I liked about this book: Harriet's special relationship with plants and trees. She is able to communicate with her garden but unfortunately she didn't start to explore that gift until the end of the book. She has spent her whole life terrified of it, trying to keep her emotions managed so the garden doesn't do something violent (again) to protect her. I think she should have been calling on it more! This is a truly, deeply miserable book. Harriet has been abused in many ways her whole life; by her father, the housekeeper, society, and later her husband. This has made her into a shell of a person who doesn't know even the beginnings of the ways of the world. We eventually get a happy ending, but at the cost of losing so many hours of our lives to utter misery. It's not worth it and I think this book should have been marketed differently. Whoever called this "enchantingly mesmerizing and fiercely feminist" needs to find a new line of work.

Historical woman’s fiction with dark elements and a sprinkling of magical realism. The story is dark both in atmosphere and topics but there are rays of light and hope. If you enjoy chick-lit, women’s literature, or historical fiction you will love this.

# The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt
# 3/4/2025 ~ 3/5/2025
# 4.0 / 5.0

Thanks to Sourcebooks & NetGalley for sharing this eARC in exchange for a fair review!

This did not really work for me, but it will work for some!
It's beautifully written, especially the descriptions of the garden, but at times it feels a bit too wordy.

I struggled with some of the pacing in the book. Once the story picked up in the last 35% I was rolling through, but there seems to be a lot of filler and probably-realistic-but-wholesale-unpleasant trauma.

I wanted so much more from Harriet! I kept waiting for a backbone to develop and it made her difficult to root for her because she wasn't rooting for herself.

I think this works if you're ok with a very slow start and a whirlwind conclusion, and a true phoenix from the ashes protagonist, because man, Harriet was put through the wringer.

Quick and Dirty
-Victorian era histfic
-quirky, loner FMC
-abuse trigger warnings
-magical garden

So, let me start by saying I LOVED Iverson’s debut novel and had very high hopes for this book. While it didn’t quite stand up, I still enjoyed aspects of the book. Who doesn’t enjoy a book with a magical garden that can feel/sense the gardener’s thoughts and feelings? I wanted more magic garden! Who doesn’t want more magic garden?!? The mystery was good and wrapped up in a very satisfying way, but the story seemed to sag a little under the weight of the character development. We spent a lot of time in the minutia, the thoughts and feelings of the characters; I wanted a bit more action. Granted, the last chapters were action-packed, but I worry some readers may not get that far. The book’s villain was not a surprise, but they were nonetheless revolting, re-engaging me when I least expected it. All in all, I think it was a good sophomore novel, even if it didn’t have as much magic as I’d hoped, and I’m eager to see what Iverson does next!

This is a story of a woman with a unique gift and connection with nature…somewhat mystical, and being set in the 1800s , emphasized the restrictions placed on wo,en at the time…controlled by men including father and husband. Her father has disappeared and she is left to fend for herself. She is taken advantage of in her attempts to find him and the truth. The garden is another character that is on her side and the story winds to uncover all the deception leading Harriet to a wonderful life.

This was one of those books that leaves a deep impression on you. Dark, disturbing, with a dash of magic.

Book Review: The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen

Rating 3.5 Stars

When I first picked up The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen, the cover art immediately caught my eye. It's one of those beautifully designed covers that almost whispers promises of enchantment and mystery. And in many ways, the book delivers on that promise.

The story takes us to Victorian London, where Harriet Hunt finds herself ensconced in the crumbling estate of Sunnyside house. With her father mysteriously vanished, Harriet is left to her own devices, tending to her peculiar and magical garden—a sanctuary teeming with life and a certain otherworldly power. Harriet's reclusive nature and her affinity for the garden make her an oddity in the eyes of society, but she seems content with this solitude.

However, things take a dark turn when Harriet becomes the target of suspicion regarding her father's disappearance. In a bid to safeguard herself, she enters into marriage with a man who appears to appreciate her quirks. But as the story unfolds, it becomes painfully clear that her new husband may be entangled in a sinister plot, forcing Harriet to tap into the latent magic of her garden to uncover the truth and regain her freedom.

Iversen weaves a tale that is both enchantingly mesmerizing and fiercely feminist, exploring themes of independence and empowerment through Harriet's journey. The garden itself is a character full of vibrancy and potential—its magical elements are intriguing, though I found myself wishing for a bit more exploration into its depths. A deeper dive into the mystical aspects could have added an extra layer of richness to the narrative.

Despite this, I found myself flying through the pages, finishing the book in just two days. The pacing is brisk, and the writing engages effortlessly, pulling you into Harriet's world. While I craved a little more fleshing out of certain plot points and characters, The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt still offers an enjoyable escape into a world where magic seeps through the cracks of reality.

Overall, I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars. It's a delightful read with a premise that piques curiosity, even if it leaves you longing for just a touch more magic and complexity.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

"The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt" is a quirky, fun historical novel. Set in the Victorian era, Harriet has a certain talent with plants and her garden. However, this doesn't make her fit in with society. Gothic in feel at times, it does have child-like elements of "The Secret Garden". If you want something a little bit lighter to read but with structure then this could be the book for you.

The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen begins with Harriet, who’s father has recently disappeared and Harriet for the first time in her life finds herself alone and free to do as she pleases. One person understands Harriet’s peculiarities and her peculiar gardens and pops by whenever she can. The rest of the novel contains an inspector; Julian, a conniving beau; Eliza, a friendly maid; and a man that appreciates Harriet for who she is.

Initially, the sentient garden was captivating and lured me into the story. But that’s all the garden did. It mostly felt like an afterthought the editors of the book suggested when the book had already been finished and presented. The promise of the garden was so lackluster that I had to switch to an audiobook and do something with my hands while listening. I could not give my whole attention to the book. I did however enjoy all of Harriet’s relationships with the women in her life. She ultimately grows into her own and feels confident in her identity with their help.

This is not my usual sort of book. I'm not a big "gothic" novel reader, but this was different. It was a little women's lit, a little Victorian, a little gothic, and a little magical realism thrown in, which is why I wanted to read it and why I found myself not wanting to stop reading it.

Harriet is a lonely character; the men in her life don't treat her very well and she is looked upon with suspicion because of her strange garden that seems to have a life of its own. She's a lot stronger than she knows. I've seen the book described as "cozy" but I don't find dark, atmospheric, surroundings and heart-wrenching events to be cozy.

I will admit I found myself yelling at the book a few times, but overall, it was enjoyable and engaging. I'm a fan.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine and freely given.

This wasn't for me. I think it was wrong book/wrong time. I appreciate the world building attempt and do think the writing was good, the content just wasn't engaging.

I loooooooved the writing here! The author knew exactly how to describe the setting and how the garden had all this life to it. I adored Harriet and I really felt for her. The story touched on some heavier topics here, which I thought the writing gave it justice.

I chose not write a full-length review for this title. It was included in my Books for December round up.

No shrinking violet here. This was an interesting mashup of fairytale and Victorian heroine fiction. It kept a good balance of realistic integrity with the more fantastical elements.

This was okay but took too long in the beginning, only speeding up towards the end. It was bland in the magical realism department, which is what I was looking forward too the most. Not much female empowerment either.