Refreshing!

Any additional comments?

I don't usually write reviews but this book was so beautiful I had to share. Not only was the story great the narration was wonderful Barbara Rosenblat is one of my fav narrators but she out did herself on this book she made the characters come alive for me. The story made me cry and Barbara made it real. I love romance novels and don't get me wrong I do like a little trashy sex scenes sometimes but this story just didn't need it. I loved it! Buy it! Worth your credit ? Yes!

10 people found this helpful

1879 Liberty Meets Her Match

In Colden, Massachusetts a rag-tag family of Romanian squatters have moved into Professor Sawyer's home . . . brusque, oddly handsome and protective, yet totally out of line, taking over their house, Michael manages to charm Liberty (Libby), the professor's daughter . . . for a little while . . . with the court case looming to prove who actually owns the house, Libby and Michael begin to forge a friendship . . . as do Libby and Michael's sons, Luke and Andre . . . and Libby learns more about Michael's wounded sister, Mirela . . . the story is multi-layered, very interesting . . . with the inventions of Professor Sawyer, Libby's paintings, the story of the roses, and the wonderful weaving in of the making of perfume . . . but the very best . . . its the heart of a woman to see the best in others . . . to seek out good . . . which only comes from our Lord . . . not from a book, not from school, not from a university, but only from God . . . for He gives us beauty from ashes . . . The Rose of Winslow Street is one of the most satisfying, and GOOD books I've ever listened to . . . its not religious, but it is full of the kind of love that only God gives . . . BRAVO, Elizabeth Camden!

5 people found this helpful

You will enjoy this book

Great read. Some places in the book should have been expanded but the book was enjoyable. The main character (Libby) eventually got a backbone to stand up to her father with the help of Michael (the other main character). Romance, intrigue/mystery. Finished the book in a day.

3 people found this helpful

Original

Loved this story, and the narration was perfect! I'm so glad I listened to it instead of read it, because all the accents were so well done. Such an interesting tapestry of characters and conflict.

1 person found this helpful

Heartwarming and Engaging

This story wrenched my heart because I also struggle with learning difficulties and the isolation they sometimes bring. I felt the Author covered beautifully the struggles we all face with the many differences we face in our society. The negative ways we sometimes handle them and the ability to overcome and accept each other as the wonderful creations of a Higher Being. A Beautiful love story illustrating how we sometimes find the beauty within ourselves thru the the eyes of another, and the enabling power of service to those around us. The Narrator skillfully pulled us along and I was pulled in till the wonderful ending. Bravo!

Not bad - a little strange, decent narrator

This story was just a little too far-fetched for me. Also, although the author attempted to show that God can bring beauty out of pain or redeem suffering, I thought she went a little too far (to the point where the suffering was God’s will). The narrator did a decent job with the voices, except the main male character sounded a little gruff and the female kind of cavalier at times. It was my first book by this author - probably won’t read another one.

A Full Five Stars!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.

When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.

As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

MY TAKE
I found this book via Audible's Romance Package (I forget what they changed the name to). I've never read/listened to anything by Camden, so I specifically chose it for two reasons: (1) the reviews said it was a clean listen; and (2) Barbara Rosenblat narrated it. I've listened to many books by Barbara and knew she'd do a wonderful job. She didn't disappoint.

Now, about the story. It's got a very intriguing beginning with Michael breaking into a house so he can lay claim to it. Camden did a great job of establishing motivations for the point of view characters while still keeping the mystery elements going: What were they supposed to find in the house? What was the deal with Michael's sister and the roses? Where were Libby's father's mechanical drawings?

I loved how defensive Michael was of his family. It was a stark comparison to Libby's, and that kind of made me a little crazy. She put up with too much terrible treatment from her father. She was loyal and defensive of him way beyond anything he deserved. He was a serious jerk. In many ways her compassionate heart, the one that let her reach out with compassion to the family who was trying to take her father's home away from him also made her vulnerable to the very people who should have loved and defended it. And don't even get me going about her brother and sister-in-law.

But that was part of Libby's story arc. I wanted her to be stronger sooner, but I can see how someone who's been beaten down for so long will question her worth and her personal strength. With Michael's support, Libby was finally able to begin stepping out of the role of a doormat.

There are some hilarious misunderstandings due to cultural differences. But the romance is sweet, and Michael is amazing. His sons were a delight, and his sister's story is heartbreaking and yet uplifting in the end.

A full five stars for this one. I'd give it more if I could.

Slow Start-Great Finish

Good plot, rich in history. Camden imparts knowledge of plants and perfume-making in an interesting way and wraps it all in a sweet, passionate, and well -written novel

Great book held hostage by the narrator!

This book has all the bones of 'well written.' Unfortunately Barbara Rosenblat overshadowed the storyline with her drama ... Rosenblat made her claim to fame excellently in the audiobook realm through her marked performances via culinary mysteries. It worked. Sadly that same talent has obliterated the solid writing skills presented in the Rose of Winslow Street.
I'll buy the book and turn the pages to complete the read.

Good Thinking!

Story very interesting. Feel you are "in the time" , and the dialog and thinking reflect those years and those living them. Enough controversy to peak interest in final resolution and enough curiosity to wonder if the outcome would be satisfying. It is!