A Garden in Cornwall
Laura Briggs
With their lives exactly what they’ve always dreamed, Matt and Julianne await the arrival of the third member of their family — but their happiness is threatened when their landlady Mathilda announces her intention to sell their beloved Rosemoor Cottage for an impossible value. Devastated, Julianne struggles to accept the cold reality of her and Matt making their home elsewhere.
Matt’s life has taken a new turn as he finally puts aside his academic work to pursue his gardening hobby as a career: his first new job as a landscape designer involves neglected Penwill Hall’s ‘lost’ garden — one with a truly romantic Cornish past. But the task of restoring its legendary beauty from nearly seventy years ago proves difficult among the ruins lost in weeds and wilderness.
With notions of secret gardens and wartime stories echoing in her thoughts, Julianne is determined to help Matt and the estate’s new owner after the discovery of a hidden mural in the hall itself, depicting a breathtaking garden that may well be the lost one. Her efforts to uncover the past lead her to a curmudgeonly local gardener who just may hold the knowledge that would restore the ‘lost garden’ to its former glory. Will Julianne’s quest help her find a way to deal with losing the home she loves?
Hellos and farewells abound as Dinah returns to lend a helping hand at Cliffs House and Julianne relives her favourite memories of her and Matt’s beloved cottage in Book Twelve — the final instalment in the bestselling series A WEDDING IN CORNWALL.
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My Review
I loved this book so much, I wish I had read the whole series. However, A Garden In Cornwall worked just fine as a standalone.
The main characters Matt and Julianne are anticipating a new arrival but are dismayed to hear that their rented cottage is to be sold. Matt is pursuing his dream career as a landscape gardener and his first challenge is to restore the mysterious secret gardens at nearby Penwill Hall. Julianne is determined to discover the truth behind the forgotten garden so that Matt can plan an authentic restoration. She goes out of her way to find a link to the gardens and uncover its former beauty.
Back at Cliff’s House, a new housekeeper, Mrs. Norbit has arrived. She is determined to whip Cliff House and everyone in it into shape. I loved how everyone was secretly scared of her, (including the owners) and giggled at her colour coded cleaning sponges!
Would we get to see a softer side of the new housekeeper? Will Matt and Julianne find a new home before the baby is born? Are the secrets of the lost gardens uncovered?
I really enjoyed A Garden In Cornwall, there were characters rich in personality, history, mystery and a wheelbarrow full of love!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Laura Briggs for providing me with a copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly.
About the Author
Author Bio – Laura Briggs is the author of several lighthearted romance novels and novellas, including the bestselling Amazon UK series A Wedding in Cornwall. She has a fondness for vintage-style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.
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