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)

Slow moving, and not helped by the narrator

Now well into Chapter 7... for me, the start of this novel is very slow. Perhaps because of the narrator, I don't find any of the characters interesting or in the least engaging. I keep wanting the author to get on with her story. But it seems never to take off.

WOW!

I loved this story so much! The characters are endearing the plot full of lovely twists and it leaves you feeling happy. A great way to get lost in time.

good for YA, perhaps

If you're looking for an intricate story, move on. The setup of this story works very well for an epic tale, but then, no conflict follows and the book simply ends with no development whatever. Lovely narration, however.

I kept waiting for something exciting to happen.

I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. I was in shock when it got to the end of the book. Nothing developed that I thought would. I am returning this one. Disappointed!

Rich and deeply felt

A wonderful time stretched tale that could almost be believed as true. Satisfying with its warm depth Of adventure spanning centuries.

Beautiful Oldfashioned Romance

This story intertwines past and present so beautifully. The story of Eva and Daniel is so wonderfully described it was so hard to put it down. I felt drawn into the story from beginning to end. It was refreshing to listen to a book that was more romantic than sexual. It lets you draw your own conclusions in the bedroom.

My only complaint was that I didn't want it to end. I would recommend this book.

The narrator was great too.

Great story

I just loved this story. The time travel aspect is very appealing as is the historical significance. My only small criticism would be the Narrator not maintaining the accents for each character at times. This is a small point and certainly not one that stops me from recommending this book. It's a good "read".

Hard to put down!

Excellent time travel romance from modern times to 1700's. The story definitely sucks you in, and will have you carrying the book with you everywhere you go!

Loved it, but why is it called The Rose Garden?

I loved this book, even more than The Winter Sea, which I felt was a more uneven presentation--developing the plot of the past so much more than the present. In Rose Garden, the story is far more evenly told and therefore, we get a protagonist beautifully integrated in past and present.

My big beef with this novel (tho' I won't rate it down because of it) is the title, which is fairly meaningless and banal. Even after finishing the book, I have no idea why it was called The Rose Garden. Sure, there WAS a rose garden, but it was not an important element. Perhaps the image of the hybridization process was supposed to evoke some metaphor for Eva?

I agree with other reviewers who praised the romantic aspect of the story as being subtle and intense and therefore, very appealing. Also, I, too, would have liked the book to be a bit longer and contained more character development of Claire and of Daniel.

The reader, Nicola Barber, did a great job with the voices, especially Daniel's.

Loved, loved this book.

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

I loved the narrator, never read the print version

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

The first time Eva disappeared intot the past.

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

This is Nicola's first narrating to me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The great loves of here now and then!

Any additional comments?

When I first purchased the book, I was not sure I would like it. I was acually getting ready to return it but kept listening and got hooked 30 minutes into it.
This was a great love story.