The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley Review

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
Format: paperback, 448 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Pub. Date: October 4, 2011

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

"Whatever time we have," he said, "it will be time enough."

Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.

But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs.

This book is a must-read for everyone who loves a good romance novel. It has all the pros of romance novel without the awkwardly detailed sex scenes that Nora Roberts is famous for. The story is about Eva Ellen Ward, who has just lost her best friend and sister and travels back to Trelowarth her childhood summer vacation home to release her sisters ashes to the winds. During her stay, Eva's life is flipped around as she travels back to the early 1700s and meets the dashing Daniel Butler. He is so charming, several times I had to stop reading the book just to swoon like a school girl.

1) The book is very well written. The diction is neither too high nor too low. I think that any lover of romance would be attracted to this story.

2) Daniel Butler and Fergal's relationship can be described as what many of us call a bromance. I find them both very charming and lovable, I could read about these two forever.

1) Too many characters. Although I generally liked all of the characters, I found that they were underdeveloped and the author was forced to tell more information instead of showing it in a scene.

2) I wanted more scenes with Eva and Daniel. For me, their relationship developed quickly and I wasn't sure what exactly made them fall in love with one another.

I would say that this is one the best romance novels that I've ever read and I would definitely look for more books from Susanna Kearsley in the future.

"Whatever time we have," he said, "it will be time enough."

Knowing that the battle will not end the way he wishes does not make it any less worthwhile the fight.

"When I meet a wind I cannot fight," he said, "I can do naught but set my sails to let it take me where it will."