The Garden of Forgotten Wishes
The Garden of Forgotten Wishes
By Trisha Ashley
A heartwarming, funny, beautiful read that will leave you wanting to revamp your garden!
Published: Bantam Press (23 July 2020) Hardback, ebook & audio.
Book review, no spoilers I swear!!!
Bookish friends don't I have news for you! By news I mean treat and by treat I mean the new Trisha Ashley book that is absolutely lovely! This is my fifth Trisha Ashley book and each time I pick up her books its like returning to old friends, the characters feel like home and her quick wit and original story lines transport you into the quirky, magical world of Trisha Ashley and this book is no exception. But before I tell you more about my thoughts of this gorgeous book perhaps I should give you an idea of what it's about...
Blurb:
All Marnie wants is somewhere to call home.
Mourning lost years spent in a marriage that has finally come to an end, she needs a fresh start and time to heal. Things she hopes to find in the rural west Lancashire village her mother always told her about.With nothing but her two green thumbs, Marnie takes a job as a gardener, which comes with a little cottage to make her own. The garden is beautiful - filled with roses, lavender and honeysuckle - and only a little rough around the edges. Which is more than can be said for her next-door neighbour, Ned Mars.
Marnie remembers Ned from her college days but he's far from the untroubled man she once knew. A recent relationship has left him with a heart as bruised as her own.
Can a summer spent gardening help them recapture the forgotten dreams they've let get away?
Thoughts:
I loved this book! Oh my there aren't enough words to describe how much I adored this book which is just perfection.
Marnie is an incredibly written character who voices the book. Flawed and kind-hearted Marnie is a strong heroine who isn't afraid to admit to her past faults nor express her passion and speak her mind. Ashley writes Marnie in a way that is relatable and down to earth making her in my opinion, the best kind of character, which undoubtedly makes it even harder for you to leave.
Ned is like a big friendly giant. At first he seems to be this tough guy who is afraid to get close to anyone unless that anyone is a plant. Marnie's appearance at the garden isn't a welcomed one on Ned's side but as the two work together on the garden they both begin to heal themselves. Both Marnie and Ned learn things about themselves and each other that has the potential to bring them closer or pull them apart.
The pacing of this book is slow to start with but it goes without saying that Trisha Ashley has a great talent for pacing her books so that we as the readers get to learn about the characters, the landscapes and allows you to be fully emerged in the world of the story. The descriptions of plants, the scenery makes its so real, the story so alive that you can find yourself walking amongst the characters. The slow burn romance between Ned and Marnie is heartwarming, fun and so full of love that I felt my heart on the edge of bursting.
The story, the characters (some appearances from The Christmas Invitation too!) and the descriptions are just so amazing that I feel like amazing wouldn't do this book justice so excuse me while I find some 'better' words... its astonishing! Stunning in fact!
Just like any other Trisha Ashley book, this one will leave you feeling warm inside, with a smile on your face. Making it the perfect read during these times, so what are you waiting for?
Rating: 5* out of 5
After all tomorrow is another day spent reading,
Till next time,
Phoebe x
The Garden of Forgotten Wishes is available to buy from Amazon and all good bookstores.
If you are able to, support your local high street and bookstore.