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)

Enjoyed This Story - Good but Not Great

I'm not sure why the reference was made to Outlander, because this is certainly not the saga that Outlander was. Maybe because of the time travel element. I did, however, really enjoy this book. It's fairly light. Some of it is sad because it starts out explaining how Eva is feeling all alone in the world and why she travels to Cornwall where she spent some wonderful Summers as a child.

It's interesting mode of time travel portrayed in this book, sort of a merging between two worlds that Eva has access to, but cannot control. Plus there is an addition of another time traveler and a few twists that make it a really interesting read. The author made an interesting point that in our modern world the idea that time cannot be changed is so ingrained that we believe it to be true, but she wonders if it is actually true. Events in the book lead you to make a guess at her conclusion.

It's not Diana Gabaldan if that's what you are looking for, but it's a nice listen and I kept wanting more. In fact, I was sorry when it ended. I would like to have seen what happened next.

The narration was well done. Nothing outstanding, but I think the narratot's voice fit Eva's character well.

I believe I will try another of this author's stories. These kinds of books make my commute much more enjoyable.

Kept my interest

Although I didn't appreciate the profanity and swearing, it was not profuse, so could tolerate it. That being said, it kept my interest until the end and I did not want the story to end. Good character development and many twists and turns in the story line kept me guessing. Somewhat innovative in time travel

Wonderful book!

I love historical fiction and this was one of the best that I've listened to. Very well written and excellently performed. You could tell the voices apart and even the accents were discernible. It was a great listen and time well spent!

must read for romantic now to 17th century travel

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

This is one of the best books I have read balancing real life of the present and the 17th century. The book is set in UK and brings not only the characters to life but the history along with a romance story.

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

Diana Gabaldon series

What does Nicola Barber bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The words in this book allow the reader to easily picture not only the story line but the setting.

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

Poor Oliver who loves so deeply, gentle and kind gentleman get's push aside

Any additional comments?

The tie between characters that travel could be a litter clearer.

To dream

It all seems so wonderful to finds that we could have another life's story. There's nothing wrong with hope

Wonderful!

This was a wonderful book! Kept you intrigued and kept you wanting to hear more! Rounded out nicely!

A charming tail

A charming tail through many worlds. Very suspenseful and enlightening.I love books like this that take me to faraway places. Very difficult to put down. Enjoy

great read

couldn't put this book down. love the history and the way the author writes so eloquently

My favorite so far!

I first listened to Susanna Kearsley's 'The Winter Sea' and fell in love with her historical fiction style. A big plus is that my family's heritage is Scottish so her characters resonate with me. 'A Desperate Fortune' was next on the listen list and it didn't have the same magic for me, so I almost didn't buy another title, but did listen to the sample of 'The Rose Garden' and so glad I did get it after all. The disparate historical time travel is achieved differently in each novel and woven in the story so well it's wonderfully satisfying. There are enough twists to keep your interest up and and full character development. The narration was supremely done too.

Loved it!

Any additional comments?

I picked this book based on the reviews and was so glad I did. I loved it. This was a wonderful story. I wasn't ready for the story to end. The reader's voice was just right for this story which added that much more. I found myself listening to this in the grocery store parking lot because I just couldn't get enough of it.