Review of 'The Garden of Memories' by Amanda James

Review of ‘The Garden of Memories' by Amanda James

Release date: June 20, 2024

Publisher: One More Chapter

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REVIEW

What a lovely uplifting story with beautiful descriptions and delightful characters that I truly cared about! At the core of The Garden of Memories is the power of nature on the human heart. Sitting in a garden of beautiful flowers can be calming and as this story shows, there’s a magic in the greenery that draws out emotions and allows wounds to heal. ‘Memories can be awakened…at a familiar flower or smelling its scent’ as character Rose, a retired nurse, points out. She started this garden initially in memory of her late husband but this haven became so much more. It resulted in a place for wounded hearts to come together in a welcoming community. Where they felt free to share and where friendships developed, matured and took shape.

Digging around in the dirt and planting flowers and vegetables, connects us to the earth we are part of. It has been long shown that nature has a way of reducing stress and can bring balance and inner peace. Rose knows how much it has helped her and she is willing to share that magic with her neighbours. Many people come her way and find the tranquility and release in her garden. Then they tell others and the circle of friends widen and next thing you know there are parties happening! Everyone is sharing their innermost thoughts and finding solace, solutions and healing in amongst the flowers. Flora, Daisy, Louise, Sally and even her daughter Bella are just a few, who receive emotional refreshment, direction and courage to fulfill their dreams. Some even to change their circumstances and to give themselves permission to be themselves: to be human, not perfect but free to love, laugh and grow.

Big cheers particularly to the women in this novel who had the courage to stand up for themselves and say ‘enough is enough’: to no more be dominated and diminished by the male figures in their lives or manipulated by controlling mothers! It is clearly shown how damaging this behaviour has been on these victims’ lives.

The novel is mostly focused on Rose but Flora and Sally share their perspectives, too. Another important character is Daisy. (Three of these women share flower names which fits nicely into the story!) Rose, as mentioned before, is not only a retired nurse still helping those in need (including her daughter Bella) but she has another gift. In her younger days she was a great singer. Through Daisy’s prompting, she manages to get lost again in the rapture of music and puts her talent back into use. Flora is a retired schoolteacher and is seen as the lighthouse of the group. Often an encourager, pointing fearful souls to safer shores—in this case Rose’s garden. Daisy, a librarian assistant, is tall, willowy, showy and outspoken with auburn curls and machine-gun-fire-words who makes everyone smile, lifts them up when down, lends an ear and heart, and has been friends with Rose since childhood. Sally is a late bloomer who joins in the garden restoration by creating a beautiful pond. In doing so, she transforms herself into a confident fit woman. No more being a door mat or under control of her abusive husband’s poisonous tongue!

This is a novel about transformation: Rose sets out to transform the garden but in the end, the garden transforms her and others who enter its domain. The salt, the sea and the scent of flowers are a balm to troubled souls. This is a beautiful story about new beginnings, the warmth of friendship, the healing and energising powers of nature, connecting with others who make you feel as Bella says, ‘like coming home’ where acceptance and love are in abundance. As Rose demonstrates: ‘flowers can evoke such wonderful memories’ that ‘keep hope alive.’ Plus, they can sow new ones, too. And as the visitors to the garden get a chance to plant a flower in memory of someone or an event, old memories live on forever. While new ones are created, too, resulting in the past and present coming together in a healthy harmony. The Garden of Memories is an important story by Amanda James about relationships and one I certainly will never forget! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.