A Bittersweet Garden

By: Caren J. Werlinger

Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Nora McNeill has always dreamed of exploring her Irish roots. When she finally gets the opportunity to spend a summer in the village where her grandparents grew up, the experience promises to live up to her very high expectations. Except for the ghost that is haunting her rented cottage and is soon invading her dreams.

Briana Devlin has arranged her life the way she likes it: a good dog, good mates, and work with horses. There’s no room in her life for a relationship. Especially with an annoyingly clumsy - and attractive - American who is only going to be around for a few months.

The weeks fly by, and Nora’s ghost becomes more demanding, seeking her help in solving the mystery surrounding her death. Briana watches as Nora becomes more wrapped up in the past, seeming to fade away before her eyes.

Past and present are on a collision course, leaving Nora and Briana caught in a ghostly intrigue that could cost them not only their chance of a future together, but their very lives.

©2019 Caren J. Werlinger (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Sweet romance with a paranormal side mystery

This was fun. I picked it up for an October read and because I’ve listened to this narrator before and really enjoyed her performance. I liked all of the characters, and the side mystery of the ghost hauntings was interesting. The romance was… fine. Good, even, but for me something was missing to give it that extra oomph. I loved Nora and Shelia’s relationship though! I do we we had gotten a bit more of Eve and learned a bit of what happened/was going on there, but overall this was a fun read that I’d rec, and I would def check out more from this author (and def this narrator).

Heart warning

What a wonderfully written story! Very touching! I highly recommend! A truly loving book! Great narration as well!

spooky and cute!

very fun, i liked the aspect of the mystery taking the front seat of the storyline but maintaining the relationship in a way that doesn't take away from the other friendships or plot line. well done!

Definitely worth listening to

I bought this book on an audible sale and questioned my purchase several times before I actually listened to the book. I am so glad I did. This was a great love story along with a fascinating ghost story. I love the folklore, and all the detail put into every chapter. The writing was truly good, I look forward to finding more books by Caren J. Werlinger.
The narration was wonderful. Alana Kerr Collins did a fantastic job with her accent switching, going from Irish to a pretty decent American accent.

A little about why I review.

I am recovering from a brain injury that has caused difficulty for me in many areas including reading, or watching any type of screen. Audiobooks have become the only form of entertainment I can engage in. I started reviewing books in order for me to remember whether or not I should re-listen to a particular book. I fallen into that trap too many times. On average, I listen to approximately 250 hours of audiobooks or podcasts per month. I’m an easy-going person so, if I don’t like something it’s pretty rare. A bad narration is my sticking point though, I will disregard the best book if the narrator is terrible.

Good! But hard to understand without separations

I really liked this book.. The only issue I really had was the fact that they didn't do anything to separate view points or time periods.. The book took place in the present, with two different women's view points, and 100s of years in the past... It's just blurred them together without separating them. It was like they flowed together and the didn't jump 100s off years in the past, as if it was all the same moment. So it made out hard to follow at times because of this... If it wants for the fact I liked the actual story line so much and everything else I would stop reading it because of this issue. But it was readily good and worth it though.

Bittersweet Garden

Highly recommend. This book takes you on a beautiful, yet dark journey to Ireland. Family is found, friends are made, abs there’s even the possibility of love. Performed beautifully, this is a must listen.

Great read

Another wonderful read from Caren J Werlinger. Seem to fly by. Do I want to rest after this? Yes and no! Finished this in one setting.

really got into this one

I was a little worried if it would all feel together right when I started reading it, but quickly realized it was amazing written almost like a dance. The voice actress did an amazing job, switching back and forth from American to Irish can be tricky, but she did it amazingly!

Sweet paranormal mystery

This was a sweet paranormal romance. Nora has always wanted to travel to Ireland to see where her family came from but struggled with inertia holding her back. She manages to break away for a summer and rents and old cottage, which happens to be haunted. She also meets Briana, a prickly horse whisperer who works for Nora's cousin.

I enjoyed the story as it unwound - it was one of those kind of slow quiet books. There was enough going on to keep it interesting, but it uncoiled slowly and drew you in in a quiet way. The mix in of the story of what had happened centuries ago was well-done and overall I enjoyed it. The narration was excellent.

Great.

I liked A Bittersweet Garden better than I thought I would. I don't like books with supernatural things, But I love Caren J. Werlinger's writing. So I ventured into this book. I really liked it. Intriguing. With all the family history and history of the cottage. Nora and Briana are loveable characters. My favorite theme is how kind and gentle Briana is with the horses. Alana Kerr Collins did an excellent job with the narration.