Tragedy , loves and secrets accumulate over the years and when Libby arrives from London in a vulnerable state it seems a good time to try to confront the issues of the past. A story of friendship, classism, forbidden love, disappointments and celebrations, losing and finding precious memories and forgiveness. Bess herself lives with Elfirda the woman she became a maid to when she was a teenager, although now it is more of a friendship, than master and servant. Though Liby may be running from the present she may find a lot more about their past and how it affects her. You really get a sense with these women that they're having to deal with losing trust in people and are fearful of being deceived again, which makes it very difficult to move on and trust new people that come into their lives. I really loved the setting as the house and gardens are very much part of them as people and a place where they feel safe to start the trust process and dealing with the personal tragedies that they have faced. It was so easy to feel emotionally attached to the three lead women in this story. All are very likeable – actually, that goes for the siblings of Elfrida and Bess and Libby’s mum too – even though they are harridans (and yes, they are cold and emotionally unavailable for a reason).

We witness the passion for creating gardens that sees a character feeling at one with nature. And there is also a grande passion that not even death can break. Life is for living. We need to make the most of each day because we never know when life will be cruelly cut short. The Secret Garden Affair immerses you in the world of beautiful gardens, and difficult family relationships through the eyes of three women - young Libby who has had her heart broken, and the two characters who have been a steady influence on her throughout her life, Elfrida and Bess. Libby heads to Larkspur House looking for stability as a time when she cannot trust her own feelings, but little does she know that former socialite Elfrida and her close friend (and her former lady's maid) Bess have been keeping secrets from her too. July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible. Libby hopes to find a way forward in the house which has happy childhood memories and the magical garden created and maintained by Elfrida A Secret Garden Affair" is another great family drama from Erica James. It is full of family secrets, lifelong friendships, romance and family rifts. The majority of the key characters are female and, as the action covers about 60 years up to 1981, we see the prejudices and constraints they had to deal with in the earlier parts of the last century. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking read.From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama. From Erica James, bestselling author of Summer at the Lake , comes an enchanting tale of one family coming together and finding their way. It's the summer of 1939, and after touring an unsettled Europe to promote her latest book, Romily Temple ret...

The protagonist of this novel is Libby who seeks refuge, after learning that her fiancé has cheated on her, with her elderly relative Bess and Bess’ lifelong friend Elfrida, whence we encounter secrets, deception, heartbreak, loyalty and love. A brilliant storyline by one of my favourite authors. Another heartbreaking but glorious tale of secrets and love from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James… Seeing these women grow together and Libby’s healing was quite therapeutic to read. Coupled with this, the writer’s descriptions of the gardens sounded amazing and I actually found myself having green-fingered envy! Yet, whilst the grounds that Elfrida has designed seem perfect, life has become the juxtaposition to this. If she hadn't been so distracted at the thought of having to witness the one true love of her life get married, she would have seen the car coming. Erica James does this by having the main story take place during the Summer of 1981 at a time when the then Prince Charles was marrying his first wife Lady Diana Spencer, which gave the novel a fixed period in time.

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A sumptuous tale set over 2 timelines in history and centring around female characters and I became totally swept up in their lives and struggles and adored it!! We are introduced to three strong women whose stories are all entwined, we have Libby who was a bride to be until just before the wedding she walked in on her fiancé and bestfriend. Libby needed to escape and she knew the one place she could find comfort and support would be at Larkspur House with her great aunt Bess and Elfrida. Hilary Parker is very happy: she has a kind, caring husband, David, two lively children, and she immerses herself in both family life and life in the village of Hulme Welford, which has been her home since childhood.

I also had to keep reminding myself that Libby's story was set in the 1980s and not 2020s - for me there was not quite enough historical detail other than the reference to Charles and Diana to have that 80s feel to it!

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Where the magic happens. I have a lovely booklined study where I write, it’s a room that has a very ‘blingy gold’ theme to it and with a hint of Japan to remind myself of my youngest son who lives in Tokyo. This enticing cover had me excited to read this new release from Erica James. The books I have read by this author (so far!) have all been really enjoyable, but I found that this one didn’t capture my heart in quite the same way. I wonder if it is because it is a little similar to a recent book I have read: following a family over decades with secrets being revealed along the way.