Review of 'A Secret Garden in Paris' by Sophie Beaumont

Review of 'A Secret Garden in Paris' by Sophie Beaumont

Release Date: October 29th, 2024

Publisher: Ultimo Press

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REVIEW 

This was without doubt one of the most beautiful, finely crafted Paris novels I have ever read. I loved the charming characters, the effortless flow between the three main points of view, the gorgeous descriptions of Paris and its gardens, and a delicately woven plot that pulls all three of these ladies together into a unique friendship and collaboration. They each have their own dramas to sort but one in particular is helped by them all. And Mattie, the grandmother is a sweet, gentle person with an incredible artistic talent. She also plays a vital role in the reunion with her granddaughter. Plus she is a ‘knowing soul’ with an awareness of a special love unfolding between two of her favourite people. In many ways, Mattie reminded me of my own adorable grandmother who left lots of sparkles on her path through her genuine kindness.

This novel is a treasure and a complete pleasure to read. I became truly wrapped up in these women’s lives, enjoyed each of their journeys to happiness and felt uplifted by the resolutions they achieved in dealing with their problems. I commend Sophie Beaumont for her exceptional story telling talent, her gift of poetic wording, her sharp relationship insight, and her ability to whisk me away to a place of great beauty and history. Paris stories always grab my attention and this one took my heart by storm!

A Secret Garden in Paris covers so many topics: grief, unexpected love, restored love, reconnection to the past, mystery, self-discovery and new passions, exploration of roots and family restoration, fear of failure and immobilising regrets and second chances. Plus the beauty, symbols and messages in flowers and the healing power of gardens—just to name a few! A lot of what happens is echoed in this phrase: ‘rebirth of a neglected garden.’ It represents not only Emma’s grandparent’s garden but also many of the relationships in this story.

Emma Taylor’s mother, Corinne has passed. But just before she dies, she digs out a photo ready to spill her story to her daughter. Sadly, Emma does not make it in time so she never gets to hear what her mother was going to tell her. Instead, she takes the photo with her and sets off to Paris to spend time with her grandmother and uncover the truth about her mother’s past life and choices. Corinne left Paris when she was a young woman and moved to Australia where Emma was born. Emma never knew who her biological father was, so this becomes part of her search for self-discovery in Paris. But that, as we see, is a difficult task for many reasons. She goes down a few dead ends but strangely the other women she meets in the flower business, help her in ways she will never expect. Emma learns a lot about her mother from people who knew her when she was young and although she loved her mother dearly, she does not want to share her tendencies for ‘secrets, silences and frozen feelings.’

Second point of view character Charlotte Marigny escapes to Paris from her trouble homelife in London. She is there to sort out the next step of her life. Her husband Tom has withdrawn from their relationship and everyone around him and she is not sure how to deal with it. Going back to her birth home will give her some perspective and a chance to reconnect with friends from her past. She was once best friend to Emma’s mother, Corinne (which will prove useful in Emma’s quest). While Charlotte is in Paris, she puts her garden design skills to work and meets Arielle and Emma. Their encounters are enlightening and energetic leading to many unexpected turns of events. 

The third point of view is Arielle Lunel. She has lost her husband and discovered he had some crippling debts. This puts a heavy burden on his surviving wife and their children. Unfortunately his parents are very controlling and they want to take from her, her most precious gifts. But she is determined to stand her ground. She is a woman who understands the meaning of flowers and how they can be arranged to offer a message of love, hope, joy, etc. to its recipients. She works at a stall to support her children and it is here where she meets Charlotte and Emma. Her personal journey is a rough one but a new love enters her life and gives her strength to battle the conflicts she faces.

Beautiful Paris gardens are at the heart of this novel. And I loved how Emma finds such joy in restoring her grandfather’s. It awakens new passions in her and leads her to many people who will enrich her life. Plus it gives her time to get to know her grandmother and create wonderful memories. She is able to bridge the gap in her roots that her mother’s distance caused. Between the once wide spaces— are now new shoots of flowers of hope springing forth. This is such a delightful novel that left my heart charmed and spirits uplifted. I highly recommend everyone take a walk through Sophie Beaumont’s A Secret Garden in Paris as it will invigorate your dreams and transform your soul as it did mine. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Ultimo Press for the ARC.