Good morning, everyone! I’m reviewing The Unfinished Garden by Barbara Claypole White today for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
From the publisher (and me):
James Nealy is haunted by irrational fears and inescapable compulsions. A successful software developer, he’s thrown himself into a new goal – to finally conquer the noise in his mind. And he has a plan. He’ll confront his darkest fears and build something beautiful: a garden. When he meets Tilly Silverberg, widowed too young, he knows she holds the key…even if she doesn’t think so. Tilly has found salvation in gardening and has been able to turn her passion into a business. The demands of her business and the care of her young son give her the excuse she needs to hide from the rest of the world. When James demands that she take him on as a client, her answer is a flat no. And the story develops from there.
My review:
Though I am a romantic, I tend to shy away from romance novels. But this one sounded intriguing – two damaged people meet and forge a friendship, in spite of and because of their individual fears and pain. I tend to believe we are all damaged in one way or another and that sometimes we are lucky enough to meet that person who understands us and helps us heal. These characters, beautifully written by the author, are trying their utmost to move forward, in spite of their pain. They are compelling, honest and raw and I found myself cheering them on.
They are surrounded by a wonderful group of supporting characters. The story takes us from North Carolina to Tilly’s native England. The settings – both in North Carolina and England – are written with great detail by Ms. White. The gardens, the flowers, the trees, the topography are so lovingly drawn, so vividly detailed that what emerges is not unlike a beautifully realized painting. When gardens and gardening are so much a part of the story, this attention to detail is greatly appreciated. The same attention to detail is given to each and every character. You cannot help but be drawn in to their world.
I never give away the plot. I will say that I love it when a writer creates characters that live and breathe and are real – warts and all. Barbara Claypole White has done that in this excellent novel.
About the author:
Barbara Claypole Write grew up in the English village of Turvey with big dreams of becoming a novelist. After a detour through women’s and medieval history at York University, she landed a job promoting London fashion. She was part of the first British Designer show, measured celebrities in their underwear, and worked for the queen of the international rag trade, Vivienne Westwood.
One day her boss sent her to New York, and she fell in love with an American professor who followed her around JFK airport. Eighteen months later, she was a faculty spouse, freelance writer and marketing director in Champaign, Illinois, a small Midwest college town. She also started writing her first novel – a love story set against the world of eighties fashion and AIDS.
Five years passed; then Barbara learned she was pregnant, and her husband was offered a distinguished professorship at UNC Chapel Hill. The family moved to the North Carolina forest and Barbara became a stay-at-home mom and a woodland gardener – factors that would shape her writing voice. She returned to her manuscript, took evening classes in writing at the local arts center and slammed into another detour; her young son developed obsessive-compulsive disorder.
From that moment, fascination with mental illness framed her life. She ditched her first novel and began writing Dogwood Days, which turned into The Unfinished Garden. She also joined a non-fiction project for parents of children with invisible disabilities and blogs through the highs and lows of OCD at www.easytolovebut.com. (Her son is now an award-winning teen poet.)
Barbara is consistently drawn to the theme that people who need each other find each other, and is hard at work on her next novel…when she’s not gardening.
There isn’t an official giveaway this time, but because of some delivery problems, I ended up with two copies of this book. Would you like a copy? Just leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Friday night.
Claudia, you did it again. What a wonderful review of this book. I have overcome many things and felt somewhat successful in my venture to be the best I could be. Then, somehow after retiring and now at age 62 life has hit me in the face. The sadness I’ve had in my life seems to have come back around again. I have forgiven and moved forward and yet each step some days seems to be hard. This book sounds like just the right book for me. Thank you for such an inspiring review. ~ Rita
Thank you, Claudia. This is a wonderful review. And Rita, trust me: I understand. While launching this novel, my son’s OCD came back full blast. But, as Sir Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” BTW, gardening helps. :)
Thanks for the review – this sounds like a book I would like and I am adding it to my Amazon wish list :-)
This book sounds really good. Thanks for the review!
I just got back from a weekend in the the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. I came home with something I didn’t take with me- a ruptured right Achilles. Now in a cast until my surgery next week and then another cast so I have plenty of time to read!
Good Morning Claudia. Great review. I’ve put it on my ‘Read Next’ list because I love romance novels – good romance novels – and I myself have an unfinished garden. Maybe I can pick up a few tips. :)
Have a good week.
Cassandra from Renaissance Women
I’d love a copy of this one. Thanks for the offer.
This book sounds really good, Claudia! I’d love to read it! Please count me in the giveaway, and thanks for the honest review. xo Jennifer
Claudia I love your book reviews since I learn about new authors! I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance! Hugs, Linda
You write the best reviews I think I have ever read. You never say too much,but always just enough to get my interest peaked. I can’t wait to read this. I would be delighted to be entered into the drawing and very happy to win this extra copy that you have.
P.S. I love Mabel! She really does deserve a place of honor. The flowers on the table match the shelf’s color so exactly that I am sure she is quite happy with her new home. Doesn’t it make you wonder what all she has seen start as fabric and an idea, and come out a finished item?
It sounds interesting and you are a good book reviewer! I would like to be included in your extra book giveaway. ~ xo, Patti
I would LOVE to read this book! Have a wonderful day!
As a gardener and mental health professional, and a bit of a romantic myself, this book sounds like one I will enjoy. If I don’t win a copy, I will buy one!
Sounds like a book I would enjoy! I would love to have a copy! Thanks!
That book sounds great. I would love to read it. The author also sounds very interesting. She has really lived her life!
I loved your review. I’m not usually a roman reader, but your review hooked me! I would love to win, and like others, even if I don’t I will buy a copy of it. Mabel looks right at home on that table!
Oh, my goodness…I would love to read that book. It has everything that I love in it. I love a love story and when it involves England and gardens…I am hooked.
By the way…the little sewing nook is so well put together. Just enough room for your things.
Balisha
I don’t normally comment but you have made me want to read this book. So please pick me. I love your cottage and decorating finesse. I have a small house as well but am not as adapt as you at using the available space.
I would love to read the book “Unfinished Garden” I hope you pick me … Thank You
You make the book sound so exciting, I would love to win this book. I’m a huge reader and always need a new book on my night stand. Enter me and I’ll keep my fingers crossed. janleeatk@gmail.com
You write reviews that make me want to read the book NOW. It sounds intriguing especially after reading about the author.
You always give such compelling reviews, one naturally wants to read the book too.
Brenda
I don’t know if this contest includes your Canadian readers, but I would love to read this book. I’m pinning the review so I don’t forget it.
Sounds like a lovely book since I’m a garden fan! Thanks for the giveaway, Jean
Well, I tend to be a hopeless romantic even tho at times it has cost me a piece of my heart. This book intriques me, so of course, I would love to read it.
I hope I get the chance soon.
Thank you,
Susan
Oh, what fun! I just found you and have that same shelf only in red! I LOVE my Featherweight and use it for all the machine work I do! Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!
Thanks so much I would love to win this………….
I’m so glad you found yourself rooting for the characters in this book! What a treat to connect with characters that way!
Thanks for being on the tour.