A Secret Garden Affair

· Sold by HarperCollins UK
4 reviews
Ebook
400
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

Escape to the sunny British countryside with the Sunday Times bestseller that readers are calling ‘captivating’ and ‘a treasure of a read’...

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Love grows where you least expect it...

July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby flees London – and her cheating fiancé Marcus – for the Suffolk countryside.

At Larkspur House, she hopes to put the pieces of her life back together. And Libby’s great-aunt Bess and renowned garden designer and former socialite Elfrida are happy to help.

But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own secrets, lost loves, and tragedies...

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.

* * * * *

Praise for Erica James:

‘She's so consistently good, isn't she? Wonderful on characterisation and family dynamics, and done very deftly, with that wry humour of hers’ Marian Keyes

'Erica James writes upliftingly and humorously about family life' My Weekly

'A heartwarming tale' Platinum

'Erica James explores the complexity of family relationships with skill and sympathy and her vividly drawn characters leap from the page' Sarah Morgan

'We're certain you're going to love it' Glamour

‘So, so good... shades of dark and light in every character which are gloriously done. A deliciously satisfying story’ Cathy Kelly

‘A wonderfully compelling family drama that deftly touches upon some serious issues. Her characterisation is excellent, the setting beautiful and the slow reveals are delicately and sensitively handled. In this warm, escapist and utterly uplifting read, she’s on top form’ Sunday Express

'Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever’ Veronica Henry

'A beautiful tale of self-discovery' Woman

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Readers are swept away by A Secret Garden Affair! :

‘Having read all of Erica James’s books and thoroughly enjoyed every single one, I absolutely loved this one!’ ★★★★★

‘Captivating. Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, I didn't want the story to end’ ★★★★★

‘Skillfully written, compelling family drama... Richly detailed, with intriguing characters, I was absorbed in this book, and highly recommend’ ★★★★★

‘An excellent read from page 1. I love the way the reader is immediately enthralled’ ★★★★★

‘I loved this book from start to finish, I was left wanting more of it. A definite favourite Erica James book’ ★★★★★

‘Once again [Erica James] has not disappointed me... Highly recommended to lovers of romantic escapism at its best’ ★★★★★

‘What a fantastic read. I absolutely loved this story it had everything I love about a novel: really interesting characters, secrets, relationships and love interests... Highly recommend this book’ ★★★★★

Escape to the sunny British countryside with the Sunday Times bestseller that readers are calling ‘captivating’ and ‘a treasure of a read’... * * * * * Love grows where you least expect it... July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby flees Lon...

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Ratings and reviews

4 reviews
Roslyn Holman
April 1, 2023
Enjoyable story, with likeable main characters, who all had flaws, but this added interest to the story. The story moved through some decades showing what happened to Elfrida and Bess in the 20's, to Nancy and Libby in the 80's, with woven in the 80's story line the time of the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. I remember watching their wedding on TV, and the almost godlike way they were revered and treated! Erica James is a consistent novelist, who writes stores that engage with the reader and offer a well written and plausible story. I also enjoyed the garden theme throughout the story and often stopped to google and check out the plants mentioned and what they looked like. Recommended.
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ann bishop
October 20, 2025
If you enjoy a story that shifts back and forth between different decades this is a book for you. superbly written, a few surprises and brilliant characters makes it n excellent read.
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About the author

Erica James is the author of twenty-four internationally bestselling novels, including most recently Mothers and Daughters, which was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Her books are loved by readers looking for beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settings.

A keen gardener, Erica lives in Suffolk and has a growing obsession for doll’s houses. She is also a keen follower of F1 motor racing and, when possible, loves travelling to Japan and the US to see her sons.

Erica James is the author of twenty-four internationally bestselling novels, including most recently Mothers and Daughters, which was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Her books are loved by readers looking for beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settin...

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