The Forbidden Garden: A Novel by Ellen Herrick

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Sarah Jio, comes a lush imaginative novel that takes readers 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…

my thoughts:

I love the cover of this book - so pretty! I have to admit that it made me want to read The Forbidden Garden.  Yes, I do judge a book by its cover.  I know its a bad habit, but I can't help myself.  Luckily, this cover led me to an unputdownable story that I can't seem to forget. I just loved The Forbidden Garden to bits!  It has England, a Shakespeare garden, a missing tapestry, a family curse, romance, and magic?  What more could I want in a story, right?  Oh, and that title - who doesn't want to read a book with the word "forbidden" in the title?

Sorrel and her sisters (apparently, there is a book all about the Sparrow Sisters - I need to read it ASAP!!) are all settled into their lives.  The nursery they run is flourishing - Sorrel seems to have a magical green thumb when it comes to flowers.  Her reputation lands her an opportunity to travel to England and revive a cursed Shakespeare garden.  Jumping at the idea of a change of scenery and a challenge, Sorrel sets off for the English countryside.  She arrives at Kirkwood Hall and is shocked to find the garden in such a depressing and disastrous state.  However, she senses a darkness and sadness that prevents the garden from blooming.  She sets out to learn more about the family, their home and history - she needs to figure out what caused the garden's demise before she can truly begin to work her magic.  The more she learns, the closer she becomes to Andrew (Stella Kirkwood's brother).  Sorrel's heart is beating for this broken man - can she help him heal his heart?  And what about the garden - will she be able to bring it back to life?

Herrick has written a wonderful story filled with flowers, mystery, and the magic of love.  She writes with such vividness, I can practically smell England and all its greenery as I turn the pages.  I loved getting to know these quirky characters and learning about their past.  The suspense of whether or not Sorrel would figure out what to do - with Andrew and the garden - was addictive.  I just LOVED reading this book!  It was truly a delightful story.

I would happily recommend The Forbidden Garden to fans of Ellen Herrick and anyone looking for their next great read - you will most definitely fall in love with this story.

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Forbidden Garden

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!