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A Secret Garden Affair

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A Secret Garden Affair

By: Erica James
Narrated by: Laura Aikman
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Escape to the sunny British countryside with the Sunday Times bestseller that readers are calling ‘captivating’ and ‘a treasure of a read’…

* * * * *

Love grows where you least expect it…

July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby flees London – and her cheating fiancé Marcus – for the Suffolk countryside.

At Larkspur House, she hopes to put the pieces of her life back together. And Libby’s great-aunt Bess and renowned garden designer and former socialite Elfrida are happy to help.

But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.

* * * * *

Praise for Erica James:

‘She's so consistently good, isn't she? Wonderful on characterisation and family dynamics, and done very deftly, with that wry humour of hers’ Marian Keyes

'Erica James writes upliftingly and humorously about family life' My Weekly

'A heartwarming tale' Platinum

'Erica James explores the complexity of family relationships with skill and sympathy and her vividly drawn characters leap from the page' Sarah Morgan

'We're certain you're going to love it' Glamour

‘So, so good… shades of dark and light in every character which are gloriously done. A deliciously satisfying story’ Cathy Kelly

‘A wonderfully compelling family drama that deftly touches upon some serious issues. Her characterisation is excellent, the setting beautiful and the slow reveals are delicately and sensitively handled. In this warm, escapist and utterly uplifting read, she’s on top form’ Sunday Express

'Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever’ Veronica Henry

'A beautiful tale of self-discovery' Woman

* * * * *

Readers give A Secret Garden Affair five stars! :

‘Having read all of Erica James’s books and thoroughly enjoyed every single one, I absolutely loved this one!’

‘Captivating. Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, I didn't want the story to end’

‘Skillfully written, compelling family drama… Richly detailed, with intriguing characters, I was absorbed in this book, and highly recommend’

‘An excellent read from page 1. I love the way the reader is immediately enthralled’

‘I loved this book from start to finish, I was left wanting more of it. A definite favourite Erica James book’

‘Once again [Erica James] has not disappointed me… Highly recommended to lovers of romantic escapism at its best’

‘What a fantastic read. I absolutely loved this story it had everything I love about a novel: really interesting characters, secrets, relationships and love interests… Highly recommend this book’

Contemporary Contemporary Romance Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Royalty Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

Praise for Erica James:
‘A wonderfully compelling family drama… Warm, escapist and utterly uplifting’ Sunday Express
‘A brilliantly observational look at the complexities of family life’ My Weekly
‘A captivating read’ OK!
‘Glorious… a real treat’ Sunday Post
‘A beautifully written story’ Adele Parks
‘A brilliant read. A compelling family drama… Completely absorbing’ Sarah Morgan
‘Wise and warm with plenty of twists and turns, you'll love this’ Rachel Hore, bestselling author
‘You’ll be swept away… delightful!’ Veronica Henry
‘Peerless storytelling’ Miranda Dickinson
‘Deliciously immersive’ Iona Grey
All stars
Most relevant
I finished two days ago and I’ve already forgotten the story and the characters … it was ok. I think I just need more meaningful content

Honestly - it was ok

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I didn't think that I would be able to listen to this as I found the narrator annoying, however, having left it some time I went back to it, and although there are some mispronounced words, I found that I got used to the narrator and that I actually enjoyed the story. Whilst not Booker Prize winning material, it's sometimes nice to listen to a gentle, upbeat story and this is pretty much there.

Initially postponed because of the narrator

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It’s been a few years since I listened to an Erica James novel, and this one didn’t disappoint. It may get have been a bit predictable, but was no less enjoyable for all that. The characters and their relationships were totally believable, mostly likeable and the narration was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A comforting listen

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A good story. An easy enjoyable listen. Very well read and also well written. I would recommend it.

A secret garden affair

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I finished the book but with no real enthusiasm, about halfway through the ending was obvious but I wasn’t keen to find out if I was correct. The narration was a little irritating with mispronunciation and slightly odd accents. In all not a very inspiring 13hrs.

A bit of a lack lustre book

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