The Gardener [Kindle Edition]

I don't usually write reviews but felt I needed to with this book.

Before reading this I'd heard of Prue Leith through food programmes and cookbooks she'd written and although I've enjoyed them I have to ask why she hasn't spent more time writing fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would love to read more like it. I read the book during a weekend away and didn't put it down until I finished it.

I love the fact that Lotte isn't perfect, she's a complex woman who's had some failure in her life and decided on a new path, taking her three children with her. She's extremely passionate, especially about Maddon, the garden she looks after in the book. This passion leads to obsession as she tries to restore the garden to its former glory.

Although only a novice gardener I fell in love with the gardens at Maddon and became homesick for my own garden, even though I'd only been away from it for a few days! The author's knowledge of gardening is clear as I felt I was being given a guided tour around the most beautiful garden.

The book follows Lotte as she takes on the owners of Maddon house, Brody and his wife Amber. Brody is the unpredictable, charming, Irish rogue who happens to be an internet millionaire and his wife Amber, the supermodel who has no interest in gardens or anything else but herself. Although there is a great potential to make characters like Amber very two-dimensional Leith manages to personalise her and expose her vulnerability at times.

During her attempts to restore the garden back to its former glory Lotte meets Peter, reliable and shy Peter. Their friendship develops immediately. While reading you can't help but be drawn to Brody and Peter for the same reasons Lotte is and constantly change your mind to who you think she should end up with.
The book constantly surprises you with twists and turns making it anything but predictable.

Leith's style is simple and beautiful and my only real surprise is that Lotte didn't seem to be a very good cook!

Charlotte Warren, known as Lotte, divorced mother of three, architect, garden historian and horticulturist is the protagonist of The Gardener.

The novel follows Lott's growing passion and obsession with Maddon Park after she takes the post of Head Gardener there. Working for the millionaire Brody Keegan and his spoilt young model wife Amber, she finds herself on an emotional rollercoaster. Brody is ignorant but passionate about the gardens; Amber however is so uninterested that she thinks `Who needs a vegetable garden with Waitrose six miles away.'

The history of Maddon Park and gardens makes this novel more than just another love story and I found the historical gardens aspect fascinating. I love gardens and gardening and always enjoy visiting places similar to Maddon Park.
I did feel at one point though that maybe Prue Leith was struggling to keep to the plot and tie everything together. For example about two thirds of the way through there is an episode concerning Annie, Lotte's eldest, a motorbike and a helicopter! I have been unable to understand the relevance of this episode and wonder if it was just padding, or did I miss the point?

I would certainly recommend this to any gardening enthusiast as that aspect is well written and interesting, though the love story intertwined is rather predictable. A good mixture of gardening and romance.

A lovely tale of a determined woman and her desire to show she can cope after her divorce. Really got into Lotte's character and found I couldn't put the book down. Couldn't wait to get to the end and when I did felt sad that I'd lost a friend. Enjoyable, romantic read.

Looking forward to the next one!