A Secret Garden Affair

Erica James

Mar 2023 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Recapture the summer sunshine this autumn with the Sunday Times bestseller that readers are calling ‘captivating’ and ‘a treasure of a read’...

🌼🌻

Love grows where you least expect it...

July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby flees London – and her cheating fiancé Marcus – for the Suffolk countryside.

At Larkspur House, she hopes to put the pieces of her life back together. And Libby’s great-aunt Bess and renowned garden designer and former socialite Elfrida are happy to help.

But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own secrets, lost loves, and tragedies...

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.

Readers love A Secret Garden Affair:

‘Having read all of Erica James’s books and thoroughly enjoyed every single one, I absolutely loved this one! The plot, characters and descriptions of beautiful Lake Como... were spot on. My only disappointment was that the book ended as I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Elfrida, Bess and Libby!’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Captivating. Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, I didn't want the story to end’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Skillfully written, compelling family drama. Erica James is expert at writing about families and relationships, and she skilfully brings the characters alive, exploring past secrets as the story unfolds. Settings are described beautifully, especially the gardens... Richly detailed, with intriguing characters, I was absorbed in this book, and highly recommend.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An excellent read from page 1. I love the way the reader is immediately enthralled’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book from start to finish, I was left wanting more of it. A definite favourite Erica James book’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Erica James is one of my long time favourite authors for a guaranteed agreeable read. Once again she has not disappointed me... Highly recommended to lovers of romantic escapism at its best.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a fantastic read. I absolutely loved this story it had everything I love about a novel: really interesting characters, secrets, relationships and love interests. Really enjoyed the relationship between between Elfrida and Bess and their background stories... Highly recommend this book’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

Enjoyable story, with likeable main characters, who all had flaws, but this added interest to the story. The story moved through some decades showing what happened to Elfrida and Bess in the 20's, to Nancy and Libby in the 80's, with woven in the 80's story line the time of the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. I remember watching their wedding on TV, and the almost godlike way they were revered and treated! Erica James is a consistent novelist, who writes stores that engage with the reader and offer a well written and plausible story. I also enjoyed the garden theme throughout the story and often stopped to google and check out the plants mentioned and what they looked like. Recommended.

About the author

Erica James is the author of twenty-four internationally bestselling novels, including most recently Mothers and Daughters, which was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Her books are loved by readers looking for beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settings.

A keen gardener, Erica lives in Suffolk and has a growing obsession for doll’s houses. She is also a keen follower of F1 motor racing and, when possible, loves travelling to Japan and the US to see her sons.