Review - The Summer Season

Published by Avon 23/6/11
ISBN 978 1847560889

The Blurb

As summertime flourishes, it’s time for new beginnings…

Heartsease House is in desperate need of renovation. Its owner, widower Joel, is struggling to come to terms with life as a single dad. His plans to refurbish the house and garden suddenly seem like one burden too many.

Mum to twin girls, Lauren’s life is a constant juggling act. When her ex Troy turns up she’s determined to keep her distance while he gets to know his daughters. But it’s a lot harder than she imagined …

Then guerrilla gardener Kezzie bursts into their lives with her infectious enthusiasm to restore the gardens of Heartsease. But who is Kezzie? And what is she running away from?

As the warm days of summer draw closer, Heartsease House and its beautiful love-knot garden are transformed. But will Joel, Kezzie and Lauren be able to restore their own hearts?

  

This is a modern day story with it's roots firmly planted in history. Joel's family history.  


The three present day characters are brought together in a little village, Heartsease.  
Joel lives in the family house which has a famous historical Botanist as the original owner and creator of a neglected Love Knot Garden.  He lives with his toddler son, Sam after tragically losing his wife Claire.


Lauren, Claire's best friend, lives nearby and looks after Sam for Joel.


Kezzie, a guerrilla gardener, comes to the village to stay in her aunt's cottage (next door to Lauren) to escape after the breakdown of her relationship.


Straight talking Kezzie, begins to revamp the unkempt gardens without permission from Joel, something she is used to doing.  They both become aware of the importance of this love-Knot garden after finding documents belonging to Joel's Great, Great Grandfather Edward Handford and his wife Lily dating back to the 1800's .  


The letters and diaries of Edward and Lily Handford reveal the significance of the love-knot garden.  Joel and Kezzie are determined to restore the garden in memory of Edward.



What a lovely surprise this novel was.  From the blurb and cover it looked like a chick-lit/romance novel.  Once I started reading it, I realised that it combines two of my favourite genres chick-lit and historical fiction.  Edward and Lily's story in the 1800's is an important part of the modern day story.

The novel touched on many emotions visiting love,  the loss of a loved one, the complications of relationships and single-parenting, but it was an upbeat, feel good story full of hope and achievement. 

Lots of gardening references that will appeal to those who love flowers and gardening.  It will also appeal to those who enjoy family history.


I could not put this one down, wanting to know more about Edward and Lily's Love story, which was unravelled piece by piece,  just as much as what would happen to the modern day characters Joel, Kezzie and Lauren. 

Another one to add to my Top Summer 2011 reads.


5 out of 5 for me!


DizzyC


I received a copy of this novel from Avon Books for my honest review. Thank you HarperCollins/Avon