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The Last Garden in England Paperback – September 14, 2021
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Present day: Emma Lovett, who has dedicated her career to breathing new life into long-neglected gardens, has just been given the opportunity of a lifetime: to restore the gardens of the famed Highbury House estate, designed in 1907 by her hero Venetia Smith. But as Emma dives deeper into the gardens’ past, she begins to uncover secrets that have long lain hidden.
1907: A talented artist with a growing reputation for her work, Venetia Smith has carved out a niche for herself as a garden designer to industrialists, solicitors, and bankers looking to show off their wealth with sumptuous country houses. When she is hired to design the gardens of Highbury House, she is determined to make them a triumph, but the gardens—and the people she meets—promise to change her life forever.
1944: When land girl Beth Pedley arrives at a farm on the outskirts of the village of Highbury, all she wants is to find a place she can call home. Cook Stella Adderton, on the other hand, is desperate to leave Highbury House to pursue her own dreams. And widow Diana Symonds, the mistress of the grand house, is anxiously trying to cling to her pre-war life now that her home has been requisitioned and transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. But when war threatens Highbury House’s treasured gardens, these three very different women are drawn together by a secret that will last for decades.
“Gorgeously written and rooted in meticulous period detail, this novel is vibrant as it is stirring. Fans of historical fiction will fall in love with The Last Garden in England” (Roxanne Veletzos, author of The Girl They Left Behind).
- Print length384 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 14, 2021
- Dimensions5.31 x 0.96 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-101982107839
- ISBN-13978-1982107833
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"[A] touching, immersive read with definite appeal for aficionados of Downton Abbey and Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows’ The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2008)...Subplots involving love, loss, and hope for new beginnings gracefully intertwine, and readers will be enraptured by the garden theme…Like gardens themselves, these pages invite lingering and thoughtful reflection.”—Booklist
"Julia Kelly’s captivating novel, The Last Garden in England, is as immersive as it is enchanting...Historical fiction at its very best."—Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
"Three women across time are connected by a garden in Kelly’s enjoyable and richly detailed latest…Kelly balances Emma’s detective work reviewing papers and records found in the house with Venetia’s slow-burn tragedy and the twist that defines Beth’s relationship to the gardens. Kelly easily delivers everything her fans will expect.”—Publishers Weekly
"Kelly’s novel encompasses everything I love in historical fiction: a dramatic setting depicted so vividly I could’ve sworn I was strolling through the gardens of Highbury House as I turned the pages, and a series of stories that intertwine each other effortlessly, echoing the theme of love lost and found. A delight."—Fiona Davis, nationally bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
"Like the petals of Highbury House's enchanting roses, Julia Kelly's latest novel unfurls to reveal layered stories of long-lost secrets. The Last Garden in England is a compelling read, filled with loveable characters and an alluring twist of fates." —Ellen Keith, bestselling author of The Dutch Wife
"In this beautiful tale of love, heartbreak and re-invention, Julia Kelly draws us deeply into the heart of the English countryside and a mysterious garden where the destinies of women living decades apart collide in unexpected, transformative ways. Gorgeously written and rooted in meticulous period detail, this novel is vibrant as it is stirring. Fans of historical fiction will fall in love with The Last Garden in England."—Roxanne Veletzos, bestselling author of The Girl They Left Behind
"Bestselling author Julia Kelly plants the seed of an idea, nurtures it into a vivid, intriguing seedling, then fertilizes, prunes, and shapes its various twisting branches into a stunning garden. Connected across the decades by a garden in desperate need of their care, three fascinating women grow alongside one another, shedding secrets and insecurities, eventually blooming with self-realization, hope, and love." —Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child
"An engrossing portrait of three generations of women longing to find their place in the complicated times in which they live. Blooming with warmth and heartbreak."—Brooke Lea Foster, author of Summer Darlings
"The story-strands twine together like honeysuckle climbing up a trellis, sending out secrets and surprises all the way."—Jane Johnson, author of The Sea Gate and Court of Lions
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
JANUARY 1908
Her steps in sturdy walking boots are steady on the stone path despite the ice that crunches underfoot. All around her, snow-covered branches bend and bow, threatening to break. All is quiet.
She walks deeper into this winter garden. Stark and beautiful, with its clusters of silver birches broken by dogwood, bloodred stems violent against mournful grasses bending in the wind. Pure white hellebores—the Christmas rose—dot the border. It pains her to think that, in a month, the first green heads of snowdrops will burst forth through the snow in elegant white blooms before purple crocuses with vibrant yellow stamen follow. She will not see these heralds of spring. Others will have to read the signs that this garden is ready to relinquish its crown.
She stops at the edge of the stone path, sorrow clawing at her like a feral beast desperate to break free. She wipes away a half-frozen tear. She should not be here, yet she could not leave without once again seeing this place of love and loss.
No. She won’t stay long. Only the length of a goodbye.
Product details
- Publisher : Gallery Books (September 14, 2021)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1982107839
- ISBN-13 : 978-1982107833
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.31 x 0.96 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #31,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #175 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- #720 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Julia Kelly is the international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical mystery novels about the extraordinary stories of the past. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2021
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Barbara Miller
I think the story of Venetia was my favorite because she was so far ahead of her time with regard to her hopes and aspiration. She just didn’t really fit in anywhere, though she really did have talent and skill and the drive to succeed in supporting herself as a garden designer.
Emma, too, was clearly a talented designer and historian. I enjoyed watching her meet someone who shared her interest and admired her talent and skills.
It was Diana’s story the I found most interesting and complicated. She clearly loved being a mother, and did it well. She’d sublimating her love for music in her role as a mother, trying to ignore the person she had once been.. After the death of her husband, at first she hid herself away even further, but after her son also passed away, the anger she’d locked inside herself came out. It gave her the strength to push back against her sister in law, to step in with Stella and offer to become Robert’s mother, knowing full well that if she didn’t Stella would be trapped in the same position Diana had herself been in, with thwarted dreams and a life lived only to others’ expectations. I loved that she had the courage to move forward into the life she wanted.
That said, I love the romance if the “land girl”. It was the first I’d learned of this British phenomenon. I loved that she was strong and determined and happy to do her part by working out of doors. Also that she was willing to speak up and broach the subject of what she wanted out of life with her new husband!
But Venetia’s story touched me deeply. To solve the mystery of Celeste and learn why she’s never returned from America was lovely. While I could stand Mrs.Melcourt, I loved her brother and I was gratified that my faith in him turned out to be well placed.
Lastly, I enjoyed the young couple who had purchased Hightower from her Grandfather. Though I still believe that our society tends to give more value to married women than single (still), it was nice to see that some of our class consciousness is subsiding. Slowly, yes, but enough that they could join in with Emma to sole the mystery of the Garden and the mystery of her grandfather of which Sydney had been unaware. It speaks to Diana’s live for Robert that no one knew her secret.
Great read!
After searching visuals of English gardens, I discovered several beautiful photos which added ambiance to reading this wonderful book.
However, everything isn’t coming up roses as the characters face challenges and decisions:
In February 1907 Venetia Smith was hired to design the gardens of prestigious Highbury House. The prickly ‘old money’ proprietress becomes Venetia’s boss and a figurative thorn in her side - pun intended.
An avowed bachelorette at thirty five, Venetia is focused on designing, her love of gardening, and being outdoors. When Mrs. Melcourt insists that Venetia incorporate her brother's roses into the garden plans, Venetia silently seethes but meets with Mr. Goddard as requested.
In 1944 at the height of the war, Highbury House was requisitioned to be used as a military hospital. A place for wounded soldiers to recuperate. The beloved gardens designed by the now famous Venetia Smith are in danger of being torn up and used as crop land.
The estate has passed down through the family and Diane Melcourt is charged with holding it all together. She’s met with resistance from her deceased husband’s sister who has moved herself into the house and is on the verge of a coup.
These were the most complicated sections of the book but the most interesting and fleshed out in my opinion. Sorting the numerous characters and their stories was well worth the effort as there were many touching moments.
Lastly, we have present day Emma who’s hired to restore the gardens and is intent on discovering the secrets of the Winter Garden. She’s long been a fan of Venetia Smith and is overjoyed to be on the project.
Three timelines and multiple characters challenged me during first portions of the book. However, it became cohesive as all the stories verged around the Highbury estate, family secrets, and the farm next door.
I loved the creative passion of the main characters - two garden designers and a painter. They spoke to me with their insightful determination and the design aspect was especially appealing.
I loved this! I would recommend it to those liking historical fiction, resourceful women, and a bit of intricacy. The sophisticated writing drew me in and I’d like to read more by this author.
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