The Forbidden Garden

A Novel

By: Ellen Herrick

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Sarah Jio, this lush imaginative novel takes listeners into the heart of a mysterious English country garden waiting to spring to life.

Every garden is a story waiting to be told....

At the nursery she runs with her sisters on the New England coast, Sorrel Sparrow has honed her rare gift for nurturing plants and flowers. Now that reputation, and a stroke of good timing, lands Sorrel an unexpected opportunity: reviving a long-dormant Shakespearean garden on an English country estate.

Arriving at Kirkwood Hall, ancestral home of Sir Graham Kirkwood and his wife, Stella, Sorrel is shocked by the desolate state of the walled garden. Generations have tried - and failed - to bring it back to glory. Sorrel senses heartbreak and betrayal here, perhaps even enchantment.

Intrigued by the house's history - especially the haunting tapestries that grace its walls - and increasingly drawn to Stella's enigmatic brother, Sorrel sets to work. And though she knows her true home is across the sea with her sisters, instinct tells her that the English garden's destiny is entwined with her own, if she can only unravel its secrets....

©2017 Ellen Herrick (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

im not a Fabio fan.... too much blah blah blah...

oh? she can't control her longing and he hints at everlasting love..... blah blah...... romance novels make me cringe.

The wting is amazing, fragrant, sensual, unique

I so loved the writing and all the smells and flowers, and herbs and the sensory delights that they offered. I wanted the reader to slow down and let me savor all these delicacies. But the narrator seemed to be a great hurry to finish the story and the story itself was a little outrageous and too typically a romance to keep me engaged beyond a certain point.

Magical realism, garden style.

The Forbidden Garden by Ellen Herrick is the sequel to The Sparrow Sister. As we know from the first book the sister process unique abilities when it comes to plants and flowers, some might even call them magical.

After the events of The Sparrow Sister, the three sisters are trying to get their lives back and get back to normal. For Sorrel, the eldest of the sister, this has become hard as she finds herself drifting without a real purpose. Her youngest sisters have become involved in relationships and have downs stability in that and in their gardening. Feeling adrift, Sorrel accepts an offer from an English lord to come to his country estate and plant a Shakespeare garden in a plot of land that seems to be curse. While in England, Sorrel forms a bond with the Kirkwoods and even falls in love with Lady Kirkwood's brother.

As with the first book the writing is beautiful and very descriptive. I think the author must have some botany degree or something because her mastery of plants is impressive (says the person who knows nothing of plants). The magical realism is well drawn, the style here is magic that isn't outwardly magic. Sorrel's abilities are considered more of a "gift". There is a mystery, which was entertaining, but not very mysterious. it was pretty clear early on what happened to make the land "cursed". The romance was alright. I like both the characters but I thought the they fell in love really quickly and Andrew came off as a little needy. Not my thing...

The narrator, Fiona Hardingham, was good though her American accent could use some help. I wasn't bothered too much by it, it was more amusing to me than anything. But she needs to work on it. Otherwise, I though she did a good job.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, it wasn't complex enough in the depth of the characters and the story for me to give it more stars. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read the book, it was entertaining.

Gardening? Nope.

I am an avid gardener and was looking for a book to help me get to next spring, when I can be back in my garden. I was very disappointed in this book. It was part romance, part weird mystery, but very little gardening. Many reviewers said it was full of garden description, I just don't agree. The story was fine, not great and could have been weaved better into the rich but fleeting garden scenes.

I really really wanted to love this book

Would you try another book from Ellen Herrick and/or Fiona Hardingham?

Not sure. I would wait for reviews. After absolutely loving The Sorrel sisters, I could not wait for this book. But sadly, I was very disappointed. I simply never was interested or vested in any of the characters.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm reading reviews much more closely.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was fine. The material was simply not interesting.

Do you think The Forbidden Garden needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

I almost turned the book back in for my credit back twice. But I kept thinking I was missing something. Sadly, I was not.

thoroughly enjoyable. will listen again!

beautiful story especially for anyone who appreciates thinking hearing musing about Gardens and growing gardens. I believe this narration was the best narration that I've ever heard on audio books. I am going to look for more books narrated by this reader.

The story unfolds like the petals of a flower

This book had a lovely balance of discovery, healing, mystery and love. The characters were rich, with depth and humanity. I found it a satisfying story with the light overcoming the dark sadness that had hounded generations. I would recommend it.

Sweet and mysterious

This was a lovely story. One can't help but fall in love with the characters. I hope there's another one with more of Andrew and Sorrell's story.

Love !!

For some reason the author knows just how to enchant your senses. One minute your walking on a misty path the next a fragrant garden.

Believable

I hadn’t read The Sparrow Sisters, but throughly enjoyed this book. Lots to love in the characters and the Garden. Magic and reality woven together.
Well written and perfectly read.