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Erica James

Gardens Of Delight Paperback – 24 June 2014

by Erica James (Author)

205 ratings

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The Gardens of Delight brochure promises the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful gardens in the Lake Como area of Italy. For Lucy, the chance to go to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is where her father lives and the last time she saw him was when she was just a teenager.

Recently married Helen and her wealthy husband have just moved into the Old Rectory. With her husband spending so much time away from home, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden. But Helen needs help - and friends - and so decides to take the plunge and join the local Garden Club.

Conrad isn't the least bit interested in gardening. Widowed for five years, his life revolves around work and humouring Mac, his elderly uncle who lives with him, and who has expressed a desire to go on the Gardens of Delight tour. Reluctantly, Conrad agrees to accompany him. 'Anything for a peaceful life,' he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for...

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Product details

Publisher : Orion; 1st edition (24 June 2014)
Language: : English
Paperback : 496 pages
ISBN-10 : 1409153452
ISBN-13 : 978-1409153450
Dimensions : 13.3 x 3.3 x 19.5 cm

Customer Reviews:
205 ratings

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Review

Intense, compelling stuff ― OK! Magazine

A dramatically dark tale of the joy, pain and all-consuming passion of first love ― COSMOPOLITAN

The author writes with a sturdy, feel-good optimism -- Elizabeth Buchan ― SUNDAY TIMES

It is a captivating read: beautifully written and heartrendingly sad ― DAILY TELEGRAPH

An utterly moving read, you won't want to put down ― ULSTER TATLER

Review

Intense, compelling stuff - OK! Magazine

A dramatically dark tale of the joy, pain and all-consuming passion of first love - COSMOPOLITAN

The author writes with a sturdy, feel-good optimism - SUNDAY TIMES - Elizabeth Buchan

It is a captivating read: beautifully written and heartrendingly sad - DAILY TELEGRAPH

An utterly moving read, you won't want to put down - ULSTER TATLER

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Erica James
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Customer reviews

5 star		71%
4 star		17%
3 star		8%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top review from Australia

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This not such a delightful story

Reviewed in Australia on 24 April 2016

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Gardens of Delight, by Erica James, was not a good read, imo . The following were the problems I had with Erica James' novel:
I found the plot pretty confusing and there were quite a few characters to get my head around. Ok, by the end, I'd finally put everything and everyone together, but in the meantime the various subplots, viewpoints etc. made it tricky to follow. All this effected the flow of the storyline.
Another problem was a lack of plot and character development. Further, the characters occasionally 'acted out of character' and the backstories were not seemless, but were too detailed, jerky and obvious...some were even unnecessary.
All of these negatives stopped me from making the usual connections you expect to make...connections that are essential elements to good writing. My overall feeling was, did the author have a clear idea of what she wanted to create in this book?

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Sissel M. Østdahl

Delightful and heartwarming

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 August 2014

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Many have called this book comfort food, easy holiday reading, chick lit.

I don't agree. OK, there are some beautiful women (but also some not so beautiful ones), handsome fellows, but also someone older, frail and over the most strapping youth. In fact, both at home in England and on the garden tour cum holiday to Italy we meet quite a selection of very different people, with very different lives. What most of them have in common is gardening, which leads to lovely discreptions of gardens in both countries. Not bothersome long and detailed, just enough to give a glimpse of garden beauty to all admirers of gardening.

As for the character gallery, a bit stereotype, perhaps. But then again, isn't life full of stereotypes. Garish millionaire Hunter busy on the mobile at all times, making even more money and cheating on his wife. Bored, spoiled daughter Savannah used to getting her own way. Nice and gentle Helen, true to her marriage vows in spite of it all.... Old English gentleman Mac worried about failing health and his dignity. His nephew Conrad who after long sorrow may finally once again see love... And Lucy and Orlando, two young garden fans and best friends; or perhaps not only friends after all...

These are a few of the people we meet in this warm and lovely story, which is in fact not only romantic goody stuff but quite realistic as well. In the midst of Italian beauty and romance life happens. Love comes and love goes. Health is not a given thing and old bitterness and conflicts must be faced and dealt with.

It's nice that this story is set in such beautiful surroundings. Erica James knows Italy well and describes Bellagio and Lake Como to the reader's delight.

A wonderful story recommended to all Erica's fans as well as new readers.

4 people found this helpful

Jill in East Kent

3.5 stars ??

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2015

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I read this directly after re-reading "Behind the Scenes at the Museum". Perhaps if I'd read this one first I'd feel slightly differently about it.

Overall, it's an OK read and the Italian sections have an Italian feel to them so the sense of place is good. The characters are mostly well-drawn. However there were quite a few characters in the story, each with their particular story-lines and at times it felt just a bit "crowded".

I also felt that there was a bit too much exposition and a degree of repetition. A little more "show not tell" and some judicious editing would mke the book a bit shorter (it's quite long) and not so cloggy round the edges. But, as I said earlier, it's OK.

I'm so glad Savannah was included - one of those characters you would dearly love to slap but she did provide some of the funnier moments (well - I thought they were funny!)

Intheamazone

Perfect Backdrop Of Italian Sunshine....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2019

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A cluster of characters - some very likeable, some not so - together with some very well woven and well threaded storylines, against the perfect backdrop of Italian sunshine makes for an enjoyable, highly escapist read. Ideal holiday reading - for the armchair traveller or otherwise.

One person found this helpful

Colby

One of James's Best

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2016

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Delightful book with characters I came to care about. This book is among the best of Erica James's novels, to me, because it combines disparate people whose lives all come together in sometimes unexpected ways. It has a few terrific subplots, and is unpredictable but perfectly coherent in the resolution of all those plotlines. I've read and reread this book, because I'm so fond of some of its characters.

One person found this helpful

Sprat

Superb!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2013

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I think this is one of Erica James' best novels. It combines an interest in gardening and travel - I've never been to Italy, but reading this made me feel as though i was truly there.
the characters are brilliant, and Erica covers topic of reuniting father and daughter so cleverly and with great sensitivity.
I have read every one of Erica James' books and there are many that I could read over and over again, and this is one of them. If you haven't read this amazing authors books, then I suggest it is time you did!

2 people found this helpful

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