The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen - Review

I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. 

Book details

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (February 12, 2019)

ISBN-13: 978-1542040112

Book description

From the bestselling author of The Tuscan Child comes a beautiful and heart-rending novel of a woman’s love and sacrifice during the First World War.

As the Great War continues to take its toll, headstrong twenty-one-year-old Emily Bryce is determined to contribute to the war effort. She is convinced by a cheeky and handsome Australian pilot that she can do more, and it is not long before she falls in love with him and accepts his proposal of marriage.

When he is sent back to the front, Emily volunteers as a “land girl,” tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. It’s here that Emily discovers the long-forgotten journals of a medicine woman who devoted her life to her herbal garden. The journals inspire Emily, and in the wake of devastating news, they are her saving grace. Emily’s lover has not only died a hero but has left her terrified—and with child. Since no one knows that Emily was never married, she adopts the charade of a war widow.

As Emily learns more about the volatile power of healing with herbs, the found journals will bring her to the brink of disaster, but may open a path to her destiny.

Meet the author - Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including In Farleigh Field and three award-winning historical mystery series. Her works have garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and MacAvity awards.

My thoughts

This was a well written story. I have enjoyed Rhys' Molly Murphy series and was looking forward to try an stand alone book by her. I enjoyed that the author did her research for the historical aspect of the book. Then you add a bit of romance to round out the story. Makes a perfect fit. Emily was a favorite character of mine and I loved the things she did for the war effort and gets others to help her. All the characters were well developed and the settings/scenes well described. A good read