Published by Century

Publication date – 22 February 2017

Source – library copy

Romance, humour and happy-ever-after endings in Katie Fforde’s brand new novel for 2017.

‘What I want to know’, said Lorna, ‘is what lies behind those ash trees at the back of the garden?

Lorna is a talented gardener and Philly is a plantswoman. Together they work in the grounds of a beautiful manor house in the Cotswolds

They enjoy their jobs and are surrounded by family and friends.

But for them both the door to true love remains resolutely closed.

So when Lorna is introduced to Jack at a dinner party and Lucien catches Philly’s eye at the local farmers market, it seems that dreams really can come true and happy endings lie just around the corner.

But do they?

Troublesome parents, the unexpected arrival of someone from Lorna’s past, and the discovery of an old and secret garden mean their lives are about to become a lot more complicated…

The deliciously romantic new novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of A Vintage Wedding, Recipe for Love, and A French Affair.
Read more on the Penguin website.

Lorna is in charge of the garden at the country house estate of childhood friend Peter. She loves her job and also happens to love Peter. Peter meanwhile has met and fallen head over heels for Kirstie. Philly ran away from home with her grandfather. Together they live in a rather ramshackle holding, where Philly can raise her plants and Grand can bake his cakes that they sell at the local market. At a dinner party held for Kirstie, Lorna meets Jack and Philly meets Lucian. But as the year goes on and Lorna and Philly work on a newly discovered secret garden it appears that not everything is coming up roses in their relationships.

I always find myself speeding through a Katie Fforde novel. I would have finished A Secret Garden in a day if real life hadn’t got in the way. I was soon wrapped up in the lives and loves of Lorna, Philly and their friends.

As I’ve come to expect there was a mixture of characters. There were the lovely ones, easy to warm to. There were the awkward ones, snobbish ones and down right rude ones. All come together to create an entertaining and warm-hearted tale.

Katie Fforde novels are always great escapism. I don’t care that people fall in love almost immediately, and marry at the drop of a hat. There are some who say that they can be predictable. I like that. Yes real life isn’t always like that but sometimes is nice to escape from reality. In a time where life can be anything but predictable, settling down to read a story where you know there will be a happy ending is sometimes just what you need.

A lovely way to while away a few hours. I’m already looking forward to the next book by Katie Fforde.

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