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)

um, well...

Compared to the feast that is Diana Gabaldan this book was like microwave pizza. It will do if you're starving, but...
the time travel was heavily glossed over, the historical details were scant, the villian was just mildly ee-vil in a Scooby Doo way, the supporting cast was one dimensional and Eva and Daniel lacked fire. at one point I found myself wondering what they found irresistable about one another besides some vague, presumed sex appeal.
Everyone was quite pleasant, most of what happened was quite pleasant and the ending was - wait for it...exactly.
no one, including the pleasant heroine, seemed particularly shocked by the time travel aspect beyond being perplexed and borderline shocked.
something nice...well, the narration was good - a little too peppy to be excellent but good. the Cornish country was described beautifully and in dreamy detail. the intimacy was kept at an acceptable level between sweet and steamy - no heat but very romantic and well written.
I would only recommend this book if you enjoy lighter romantic fare and do not wish to invest 25+ hours per book on the heavier stuff. otherwise Gabaldan and Kinsale all the way!

Well done

What a beautiful story and the perfect voice to tell it. This book is full of beautiful descriptions that make you feel as if you're there. I wish it didn't end!

What a Romantic Story!

What made the experience of listening to The Rose Garden the most enjoyable?

the story was well written and very enjoyable to listen to, it was different from the usual story i like to "read" but I really enjoyed it

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

The "moment" in front of the fireplace where they first kiss, so romanctic without being sexual or cheezy

Have you listened to any of Nicola Barber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

beautifully written

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

when she would travel back in time

Any additional comments?

worth "reading"

Good story

This was a good story with twists and turns. Time travel and a romance to boot!

Really Enjoyable, Hard to Categorize

I really enjoyed this book, which has a whiff of romance and a whiff of time travel without being a bodice-ripper or a sci-fi novel. Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend her books. I wish audible had more of them.

Good believeable characters, great narration and a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

High Hopes

Would you try another book from Susanna Kearsley and/or Nicola Barber?

I had really high expectations for this novel after reading "The Winter Sea" by the same author. I loved "The Winter Sea" and would give that novel 5 stars all the way around. I was prepared to dive into another delicious novel and was frankly, disappointed. I almost stopped reading it and returned it after listening about 3 hours. The story was very similar to her other novel, but not nearly as cohesive or well written. In the end, I am glad that I stuck with it, because it picked up for me in Part 2. It was an average book, but not one that I would put at the top of my list. I am not sure if I will explore any other books by this author now.

Must read!!!

Loved this book! So well written and narrated perfectly. Could not put down. It kept you wanting to know more.

Simple, sweet. Nothing epic.

Nothing like Outlander.

If you are looking for a gentle, simple story with mild intrigue and light musings, this is a good choice. For people who are looking for a story with absolutely NO passion or sex, (not even sexual tension), this is the ticket. (Twilight is erotic compared to this book!) Be warned or encouraged, depending on what you are looking for.

I guess it's saying something that I did enjoy it - in a light way - because there was little action, or romance. The premise is intriguing, but a little disappointing because it could have been so much better...

I must compliment the narrator though. Nicola Barber has a very pleasant voice and sounds like she is the age of the young woman in the story. She was a VAST improvement over the matronly Rosalyn Landor, who sounds way too old for the characters she reads. I will definitely look for Barber's name in the future!

Don't hesitate to listen to this story

Absolutely lovely story as well as telling of it! Now off to find another book by the same author

a good read

I loved the characters in this book and the narrator brought them to life