(Part of the Little Duck Pond Café series)
This is the 23rd novella in the Little Duck Pond Café series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I have read Rosie Green’s books before and always enjoy them, so I was looking forward to reading Clara’s story. Clara’s Secret Garden is the first part of a trilogy.
It’s July and Clara Bowes (who is twenty-five) is trying to sort out her grandmother’s overgrown garden, when her long-time friend (and schoolgirl crush) Rory Angel turns up. He offers to help her with the project, which means they get to spend more time together. Could he still be an object of desire for Clara? Or what about her grandma’s neighbour Shaun with his twinkling eyes and naff jokes?
We find out about Clara’s background and her family. She lives with her stepmum Irene (whose latest boyfriend is called Damien), stepsister Lois (Irene’s grown up daughter) and her half-brother Bertie (who is six). Clara is single and doesn’t seem to have much of a life besides filling in for Irene on mothering duties.
The story is set in Sunnybrook, the usual setting for Rosie Green’s novellas, so regular readers are back in familiar territory. We also meet up with some of the characters from previous books, such as Ellie and Fen.
Rosie Green has a lovely light, humorous style to her writing and her characters are so engaging and believable. I fell in love with Clara early on. She is so kind and loving, yet life seems to treat her badly. I love Bertie too and kept wishing his mum would give him some quality time, instead of him having to rely on his half-sisters and his best friend’s mum. Oh and the dancing lettuce was just the best thing ever!!
I really enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the second and third parts soon.
9 out of 10
BLURB
Clara’s Secret Garden, Little Duck Pond Café
When Clara Bowes transforms a wilderness of a garden, she isn’t expecting to reconnect with someone special from her past at the same time. Having Rory Angel in her life again is a dream come true. But life is never straight forward – especially in matters of the heart – and soon, a devastating revelation looks set to bring Clara’s hopes for the future crashing down around her. Will she find the strength to reach for her dreams?
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3cZHJSR
Author Bio –
Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for ‘A Winter Wish’, published in October, the second book in a heart-warming trilogy centred around peacemaker Clara, who’s having to cope with the demands of her slightly dysfunctional family while searching for her own happy-ever-after . . .
The third book in the trilogy is ‘Clara’s Christmas Magic’, out in November 2022.
Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88
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