The Rose Garden

By: Susanna Kearsley

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed author Susanna Kearsley's previous works have won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award, and finaled for both the UK Romantic Novel of the Year and the RITA awards.

Eva Ward is a modern woman thrown back three centuries to 1715 - only to find that might be exactly where she belongs. There, she finds true love with Daniel Butler, but the discord surrounding Hanoverian King George plunges the lovers into a world of intrigue, treason, and romance.

©2011 Susanna Kearsley (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Kearsley masterfully writes authentic voices for Eva and Daniel as they wrestle with their improbable connection and its implications." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Kearsley makes the impossible seem real as sheweaves a tale full of genuine characters [with] a strong sense of place and makes history come alive." ( Booklist)

"Susanna Kearsley's The Rose Garden is an enthralling and achingly romantic read." ( BookPage)

Favorite!

This is officially my favorite book by Susanna Kearsley. It's been stuck in every dream I have throughout these few days of listening. It's perfect.

Sweet, Touching and Romantic

Sweet touching fantasy with a fun love story. A little predictable, but kept my attention until the end.

Love this story!

Where does The Rose Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love the story but was no as enamored with the narrator.

What other book might you compare The Rose Garden to and why?

The Rose Garden ranks with The Winter Sea, The Firebird, and A Desperate Fortune---all of which are magical! Wish I didn't have to wait so long for Susanna Kearsley's next one.

What aspect of Nicola Barber’s performance would you have changed?

Too whispery. She sounded like she was recording in a library. And I never noticed before how many t's are in our language! She enunciated every one. Her voice could've used more "substance." (I must admit I missed the talents of Katherine Kellgren, who read The Winter Sea, The Firebird, and A Desperate Fortune.)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love all the scenes between Eva and Daniel!

Loved it

I miss the story and characters now that it has ended.
I loved how easily Eva slipped from one time to the next. It just seemed so natural.

didn't want it to end!

This was a very enjoyable book. It's been some time since I've had a book that I enjoyed so thoroughly that I didn't want it to end. It's a light romantic story and easy read.

At times a little confusing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This was worth finishing but I probably wouldn't recommend it to a friend. It was a bit confusing as the author tried to weave a web and then tie it off neatly at all its ends.

Was The Rose Garden worth the listening time?

It was worth the listening time, but I wouldn't go back for more. The characters were likeable though, and I found myself wondering what happened after the story ended.

Slow Going But Still a Good Read

I did not enjoy this book as much as The Winter Sea by Kearsley. It developed very slowly. And the first quarter of the book basically focused on loss and the resulting depression. The plot premise - time travel - was fused into the plot well enough that the book didn't scream "fantasy!" My only argument with that aspect was the hero's automatic acceptance of the heroines abrupt entrances and departures. He hardly seemed curious about it and acted as if it was not a problem if the love of his life spent the rest of their lives uncontrollably entering and exiting his world.

However, the explanation provided near the end regarding how the time travel occurred and who else shared in the adventure was very well done. I wish this part had been expanded. This would have been a great subplot.

Unless you get board to tears if a book moves at a leisurely pace or you can't stand time-travel themes, I recommend this book.

loved the story !

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rose Garden to be better than the print version?

I have never read the actual printed version but for me sometimes it's nice to just relax and listen to a good story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rose Garden?

Definitely towards the end, when things started getting pretty exciting

Did Nicola Barber do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Okay, this is my one complaint about the audio. I didn't really like the fact that almost all her voices sounded similar... I really would have liked there to be men doing the reading for the male parts..instead of her attempting to do a male voice...just didn't wasn't right.

Suspend your disbelief...

Suspend your disbelief, sit back and enjoy this story. I loved it! You will, too.

Wow! This is a keeper

The Rose Garden takes the reader into a world of passion, friendship, and love while balancing the present and the past. The ending was fantastic and had such a twist I had to listen to the entire book again. I hope Susanna Kearsley writes more of this story and makes it a series.