I’m still away on my holidays, but really couldn’t let today pass without sharing my review (with apologies, a little shorter than usual) of the wonderful new book from Amanda James, The Garden of Memories, published today (20th June) by One More Chapter and now available as an e-book on all major platforms, in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Mandy for providing my advance reading e-copy.
When Mandy got in touch to tell me that this was a book she thought I’d really enjoy, I was a bit embarrassed to see that I hadn’t read and reviewed one of her books since 2019. Isn’t that awful – and I’m so sorry Mandy! We go back a long way – she was one of the first authors I reviewed when I started blogging, way back in 2013, with A Stitch in Time (republished last year – you can read my original review again here). But I think the best way to share my reviews of her books over the years is to point you towards a special feature I wrote in 2020 (you’ll find it here) – my own little trip through our history together.
The only reason I disengaged a little was because her darker edged books weren’t (as you’ll know) quite my cup of tea – but it’s taken me considerably longer than it should have done to pick up one of the novels she’s now writing, which are very much my preferred kind of reading. And this one looked just perfect – let’s take a closer look…
People are like flowers. If you give them the right environment in which to grow, they bloom.
With nothing but time on her hands, retired nurse Rose Lanyon finds herself drawn to the garden that had once been her husband’s pride and joy.
It may have started as a means of honouring her husband’s memory, but her little Cornish garden soon becomes so much more – a place where the lost and lonely can find solace, the forgotten can be remembered, and second chances take bloom. Because, as long as new life is growing, there will always be hope and new memories to make…
It was so easy – from the very beginning – to identify with Rose, now living alone after the loss of her husband, facing retirement, and defining herself as “I used to be a nurse”. That feeling of having been set adrift and wondering how you’re going to fill your days was so familiar – I can remember deciding to tackle my neglected garden too, but with rather less success or enthusiasm. But (for me, with the help of a gardener) my garden became my happy place too, and I’ve also filled it with plants that hold particular memories, as does Rose.
Flora lives alone too, also retired, having made a fresh start where she has no-one else to answer to – some might find her eccentric, sometimes a little abrasive. But she also finds she’s sometimes a little lonely – and a part-time job at the library, given her love of books, might be just what she’s looking for.
As the two women become friends, spending time in Rose’s garden, they find there are so many others – at different stages in their lives – who are also in search of sanctuary and friendship. As the story unfolds, we discover their different stories, the memories that are important to them, the echoes of the past they might need to lay to rest. Every individual – and they’re all so very real, and wonderfully drawn – slowly begins to find their own path to joy and healing.
This book has such a special emotional touch – there’s plenty of laughter, but a few tears too, and a wonderful warmth to the story’s telling that I found particularly moving. There are serious issues at times, particularly sensitively handled – some gentle romance too, and a lovely focus on friendship, family, being there for each other, starting over and finding your own path to happiness.
With everything I enjoy between its covers, this was a book I couldn’t recommend more highly – it was gloriously heartwarming and uplifting, every individual found a place in my heart, the author’s storytelling has never been better, and I loved every single moment. Without question, this will be one of my books of the year.
About the author
Amanda James has written since she was a child, and as an eight-year-old, she asked her parents for a typewriter for Christmas. She never imagined her words would ever be published however. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when she had her first short story published for a Born Free anthology. She left teaching in 2013 to pursue her dream full-time.
Originally from Sheffield, Amanda now lives in Cornwall and is inspired every day by the wild and beautiful coastline near her home. She loves writing uplifting books with a twist of magic, as she thinks the world needs more joy in it right now. Amanda can usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.
High praises Anne!
Justified though – you’d love this one!