4.49

4

Feb 06, 2016

This was a very satisfying end to a very enjoyable trilogy. It was also a bit of a scary book as the household ghost started to step up her haunting and actually started possessing one of the main characters. Creepy! Nora Roberts is a very talented writer of romance. She must be because it is not one of my favourite genres but I can always enjoy one of her books. Especially when she adds in a bit of the supernatural. A good read and I am sorry I have finished the series.

4

Nov 03, 2017

Solid ending to the series. Some of the characters were a bit irritating and the plot sometimes drooped a bit, but all in all a good ghost story.
Hayley’s character was the most irritating at times. Her and Harper’s love story seemed to lack some of Nora’s usual depth, but still it was a good story. And I learned a lot about horticulture, so there’s that.

5

May 11, 2008

I always hate when trilogies end, and the "In the Garden" trilogy (BLUE DAHLIA, BLACK ROSE, and now RED LILY) is no exception. You get to know the characters so completely, and feel such a connection with them, that they become almost real--and you just want to keep on reading about their lives!

RED LILY is the story of Harper Ashby, oldest son of Rosalind (BLACK ROSE), and Hayley Phillips. Hayley had come to Harper House the previous year, pregnant and alone, to beseech Roz, a distant cousin I always hate when trilogies end, and the "In the Garden" trilogy (BLUE DAHLIA, BLACK ROSE, and now RED LILY) is no exception. You get to know the characters so completely, and feel such a connection with them, that they become almost real--and you just want to keep on reading about their lives!

RED LILY is the story of Harper Ashby, oldest son of Rosalind (BLACK ROSE), and Hayley Phillips. Hayley had come to Harper House the previous year, pregnant and alone, to beseech Roz, a distant cousin through marriage, for a job. Unwed, with her baby's father out of the picture, Hayley wasn't looking for a handout, but for a chance to start over. What Roz offered her was so much more--a job, a place to stay at the renowned Harper House, and a family.

Now she has her daughter Lily, a great job, and a roof over her head, but lately she's been thinking of Harper, the man whose been her friend through it all, in a brand-new light--that of a love interest. Afraid to ruin their friendship by telling him how she feels, she keeps quiet. Harper, on the other hand, has wanted Hayley in a more than friendly fashion ever since he laid eyes upon her--pregnant and all--more than a year ago. But he's sure that she doesn't think of him in the same way, and he's leary of messing up the friendship that means to much to him.

As these two friends--both wanting to be so much more--fight their attraction to each other, the resident ghost of the house, the Harper Bride, kicks into high gear. She's always been loving and kind to the children in the house, singing them lullabies in the night, but she seems to hate men, and she's become especially violent now that Hayley is entertaining thoughts of romance.

As the whole crew--Roz and her new husband Mitch, a geneologist trying his hardest to discover who the Harper Bride really is; Stella and Logan, both employees of Roz's In the Garden shop; and Hayley and Harper, who live on Harper/Ashby land--try to figure out the Bride's agenda, their lives are in danger, and their hearts and passions intertwine with that of the ghost's.

I loved this entire trilogy, and read RED LILY in one day. It was a perfect conclusion to this powerful family saga, and I was especially happy to finally learn the answers to who the Harper Bride was, and what happened to her.

I will admit that there was one surprise twist to the storyline that I didn't see coming, and wasn't really thrilled with, but since Ms. Roberts wrote it and I didn't, I can't complain! Overall, the story was still great, and in time I learned to live with what I thought was an unnecessary plot device.

Pick up this trilogy today--you won't be disappointed! ...more

4

Apr 05, 2011

This was my favorite in this Trilogy.

At first I thought the trilogy got off to a bit of a slow start for me in Book 1, Blue Dahlia. But for me trilogies seem to hit the ground running and suck me right in, or it's a slower build when the groundwork is being laid and the characters are introduced.

I felt the trilogy built on itself and got better and better with each story, and this was a very fulfilling conclusion. When nearing the end I felt like I knew these characters and didn't want the story This was my favorite in this Trilogy.

At first I thought the trilogy got off to a bit of a slow start for me in Book 1, Blue Dahlia. But for me trilogies seem to hit the ground running and suck me right in, or it's a slower build when the groundwork is being laid and the characters are introduced.

I felt the trilogy built on itself and got better and better with each story, and this was a very fulfilling conclusion. When nearing the end I felt like I knew these characters and didn't want the story to end.

Specifically to Book 3, Red Lily:
I knew Hayley and Harper would make a great romantic match from their first meeting in Book 1. The slow build of friends to lovers and Harper's complete love and acceptance or Hayley's daughter Lily was so sweet. This story also puts the old ghosts to rest (literally) when they uncover the mystery of the Harper Bride, but not before she pulls some major creepy stunts. The continuations of Stella and Logan, Roz and Mitch, and David was nice as well and added a lot to the story.

Very nice trilogy, definitely a keeper. And leave it to Nora to create a rich and romantic gardening centered trilogy while managing to leave out tired flower cliches like rose petals in the bed. Very well done!
...more

2

Dec 18, 2012

I really hate to give Nora Roberts low marks on a book, but this one leaves me no choice. Instead of a neat wrap to a compelling trilogy, it was more of a dragged-out ending to a story that just didn’t stretch far enough. In “Blue Dahlia” we met the whole crew starring in this series and got an introduction to the Harper Bride, who haunts Harper House, where most of them live. In “Black Rose” we learned more about the Harper family, and how the Harper Bride fit into it. In this book, the rest of I really hate to give Nora Roberts low marks on a book, but this one leaves me no choice. Instead of a neat wrap to a compelling trilogy, it was more of a dragged-out ending to a story that just didn’t stretch far enough. In “Blue Dahlia” we met the whole crew starring in this series and got an introduction to the Harper Bride, who haunts Harper House, where most of them live. In “Black Rose” we learned more about the Harper family, and how the Harper Bride fit into it. In this book, the rest of the secrets about the Harper Bride were revealed, but as to the romance, it felt like a rehash of things we already read in books 1 and 2.

Hayley Phillips appeared at Harper House in “Blue Dahlia,” pregnant and alone in the world. She’s a distant cousin by marriage of Roz Harper, the mistress of Harper House, and the owner of the gardening center she started. Even six months pregnant, Hayley caught the eye of Harper Ashby, Roz’s eldest son who lives in a guest house on the property and works with grafting and other technical aspects of running the garden center. Hayley’s daughter Lily was born in the second book, and loves Harper like she would a daddy, so Hayley is fearful if she follows her feelings for Harper that everything will get messed up and she’ll have to leave her wonderful new home. When she finally acts on her feelings and finds that Harper reciprocates, there isn’t much more to be said. So, instead of having their budding relationship develop, there are too many scenes where Hayley discusses her feelings with Roz, while going on and on about how odd it is to discuss her love life with her lover’s mother.

Meanwhile, the Harper Bride is becoming a lot more than a benign ghost who sings to children and breaks the occasional dish. Amelia, as the ghost is known, starts to inhabit Hayley’s body and mind, often sliding her own peevish thoughts in with Hayley’s, and showing Hayley the world through her twisted view. Because of this, the crew at Harper House becomes a bunch of amateur psychologists who analyze the whys and wherefores of the ghost’s thoughts, feelings, and lifestyle. In short, it became a bit much. I half expected them to call Dr. Mira for her input, but they appeared to have it all worked out themselves, all the way down to determining that the resident ghost really wouldn’t have been a good mother after all. I also just didn’t care for the way the final showdown with the ghost went down. It was too obvious what was going to happen, as well as being a bit anticlimactic.

Naturally, a person can’t read the first two books of this trilogy and skip the third. Just don’t expect as much from this one as the first two. All three books are filled with likeable and admirable characters. It just felt as if the story had already been told by the time we got to the third book.
...more

5

Nov 14, 2017

Full review now posted!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This was my favorite installment in the series! Hayley is Roz’s distant cousin from Little Rock, who packed up her life and moved after her dad passed away and she found herself “in trouble” from getting too cozy with a friend. When she showed up on the doorstep of Harper House, she was six months pregnant and banking on family ties to give her and her baby a chance at a fresh start. But she wasn’t looking for charity. Hayley is a hard worker, determined Full review now posted!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This was my favorite installment in the series! Hayley is Roz’s distant cousin from Little Rock, who packed up her life and moved after her dad passed away and she found herself “in trouble” from getting too cozy with a friend. When she showed up on the doorstep of Harper House, she was six months pregnant and banking on family ties to give her and her baby a chance at a fresh start. But she wasn’t looking for charity. Hayley is a hard worker, determined to earn every opportunity she’s given.

Now, Hayley’s baby, a gorgeous girl named Lily, is fourteen months old and has never known a home outside Harper House. Hayley has built herself a life here, and a family. She couldn’t be happier, except for the fact that she’s been celibate for almost two years and can’t seem to focus her attentions on anyone but Harper, Roz's son and Hayley’s coworker and semi-boss. Turns out the feeling is very, very mutual. But neither will act because they both assume that their not just alone in their feelings, but wrong to even have them. Thankfully, something changes, and we get my favorite of the three romances that make up this series.

We also get a lot more of our crazy, angry ghost. We finally find out who she is, what she wants, and how she died. And we find out all of these things in large part from Hayley, who the ghost has decided makes a perfect vessel. So, in the course of this trilogy, our haunting goes from mainly benign spirit with an almost singular interest in singing children to sleep, to a poltergeist with rage issues and a serious hatred for any male above the age of twelve and any women who develops a romantic interest in one of said males, to a sly, conniving entity who has discovered the fine art of possession, but with an even bigger heaping helping of lunacy that seems to be expanding all the time.

Like all Nora stories, we have a happy ending, with the mystery element neatly tied up. Which is why I enjoy her novels so much; I always know exactly what I’m getting, and sometimes predictability is a nice change of pace. Nothing is more comforting that sitting down with a book you already know you’re going to love.

Original review can be found at Booknest. ...more

0

Feb 11, 2019

DNF.

Not safe. Heroine mentions how hero has had female visitors to his place since she moved there.

Nora Roberts's stories always have the ability to draw me in, until I get to the part where the H inevitably:
1. was not celibate since meeting the h;
2. was a huge manwhore;
3. is still friends with one of his ex f-buddies; or
4. fondly reminisces about a girl he used to bang - often to the h.

3

May 24, 2012

by Nora Roberts

4 Star Trilogy

Nora Roberts introduces 3 women whose lives become intertwined: Roz, the elegant 40 something Southern belle and owner of Harper House/In the Garden nursery and retail store; Stella, the 30 something mother and perfectionist Yankee is manager of In the Garden: while Hayley is the pregnant 20 something distant cousin of Roz and also works at In The Garden. The store and gardening/gardens are very prominent in the trilogy. For those who don't like gardens or

by Nora Roberts

4 Star Trilogy

Nora Roberts introduces 3 women whose lives become intertwined: Roz, the elegant 40 something Southern belle and owner of Harper House/In the Garden nursery and retail store; Stella, the 30 something mother and perfectionist Yankee is manager of In the Garden: while Hayley is the pregnant 20 something distant cousin of Roz and also works at In The Garden. The store and gardening/gardens are very prominent in the trilogy. For those who don't like gardens or gardening, you won't like all of NR's descriptions and gardening details.

The Harper Bride and her story is a wonderful ghost story and her presence, the mystery of her identity, and what happened to her become paramount to the three women, especially when romance finds each woman. Roberts blends romantic suspense and a ghost story to lead the reader to last sentence in the trilogy.

The Blue Dahlia focuses on Stella who loses her husband and is left to raise her young sons. She moves back to Memphis to be closer to her father and step-mother while she manages Roz's In the Garden. Stella learns she must live in Harper House with Roz and David. She worries about her sons when she hears a lullaby sung by no-one she can see, but feels the chill of the Harper Bride. She is driving crazy everyone at work, especially hunky Logan. When Stella and Logan make a connection, the Harper Bride invades her dreams. Could the Bride-always benign in the past-hurt Stella by harming her boys and Logan?

The Black Rose is Roz's story, though Stella and Hayley are still living at Harper House. Stella is still lovingly General Rothchild and Hayley still amuses everyone with her charming naiveté and factoids. Roz loves being an honorary grandmother to Stella's boys and Hayley's Lily, but needs more and turns to her In the Garden business to create a new 'baby' for herself. Sexy Dr. Carnegie now can devote his time to the Harper Bride mystery and to Roz herself if she'll let him. But Bryce and the Harper Bride have other plans. Roz's reputation, business, and life are in danger. Could Blood kill blood? As Mitch Carnegie gets closer to Roz and the identity of the Harper Bride, the Bride grows more demonic and dangerous.

The Red Lily finishes the Harper's Bride story using Hayley as its prominent character. The Bride finds Hayley's sympathy and flesh inviting. Harper, Roz's son, finally admits to himself and to Hayley that he too loves her since he first saw her. Hayley feels the same towards Harper, but will she risk their friendship and his life to be with him? Lily is already calling Harper, Daddy, much to the displeasure of the Bride. Harper looks so much like Reginald, and must die. Will Hayley follow her heart or will she protect Harper from the Bride? Whatever she does, Hayley knows the Bride will be out of women's lives for good.

The Black Rose was the BEST in the Trilogy, while Red Lily was the weakest. In Red Lily, Hayley became a caricature of her character than in the other books. The character was crasser and less confident. In The Garden was perfect, despite major destruction in The Black Rose. Roberts tells her readers that the garden will be important in each book in her letters to the reader. Either Roberts lost her focus or was up against a hard deadline; however all in all the Trilogy is worth reading. I give 4 stars on this Trilogy.

...more

3

Feb 24, 2008

A very satisfying end to the In the Garden trilogy. Again, as with many of Nora's books, it was Harper, the male lead who I found to be the most interesting character. I liked his quiet, introspective ways, as well as his lean, hot sexiness, of course. And I liked him and Hayley together as a couple. They worked for me.

My one regret about this trilogy is that we didn't get a romance for David, Harper's best friend, Roz's right hand man and housekeeper and the best cook and babysitter alive. A very satisfying end to the In the Garden trilogy. Again, as with many of Nora's books, it was Harper, the male lead who I found to be the most interesting character. I liked his quiet, introspective ways, as well as his lean, hot sexiness, of course. And I liked him and Hayley together as a couple. They worked for me.

My one regret about this trilogy is that we didn't get a romance for David, Harper's best friend, Roz's right hand man and housekeeper and the best cook and babysitter alive. *grin* Yeah, I'd like Nora to be writing a little bit of gay romance. I'd be totally down with that.

So, looking for a fun and sexy romantic trilogy with fun heroines and sexy heroes and lots of terrific dialogue and hot sex scenes? Give the In the Garden trilogy a try. I don't think you'll regret it. ...more

3

Nov 04, 2017

Probably 3.5 stars on this one. The ghost story kept ramping up through each book, and in this one it moves into possession. I enjoyed the main characters but felt the ending was a little abrupt, maybe even a little flat after all that buildup. And I did kind of hope David would end up with someone, too. Review to come.

4

May 27, 2018

It was so nice to be back with these characters, and what a great way to end the trilogy. I loved the ghost aspect of this series and couldn't wait to see how it ended. I'm very pleased. I love Nora's writing and her friendships. She clearly knows what a positive relationship and friendship looks like.

4

Jan 20, 2015

Red Lily by Nora Roberts is book 3 of a series. Each book can be independently read. Young love and new love gives you a special spring to your steps and a glow to your cheeks. Hayley lost herself a little when her father died. A young premed student helped with her loss but unfortunately left her pregnant. She was at a loss, angry at first, but she couldn't have an abortion. When she went to confront the baby's dad, he had met the love of his life and she decided to do all by herself. She sold Red Lily by Nora Roberts is book 3 of a series. Each book can be independently read. Young love and new love gives you a special spring to your steps and a glow to your cheeks. Hayley lost herself a little when her father died. A young premed student helped with her loss but unfortunately left her pregnant. She was at a loss, angry at first, but she couldn't have an abortion. When she went to confront the baby's dad, he had met the love of his life and she decided to do all by herself. She sold the house, packed up the car and drove to her cousin Roz to see if she could stay with her until she got on her feet. Roz welcomed her and gave her a place to live and a job at the nursery. When Hayley had the baby she named her Lily. The resident ghost Amelia became active. Harper helped Hayley a lot with the baby. Harper is Roz's oldest son. He likes Hayley. Lily loves Harper. She always goes to him. Amelia, the ghost, possesses Hayley's body. Roz's husband Mitch is researching the ghost. Hayley is rather smitten with Harper. She takes manners in her own hands and kisses Harper. He kisses her back. Will they learn Amelia's mystery in time to prevent harm coming to them? ...more

2

Nov 28, 2009

I'm totally disappointed with Nora Roberts. I really wanted to like her but I couldn't. I thought there must be a reason for why she is so famous, but this series was not a good one. I only enjoyed the first book in the series, the rest were not very good.

I really hated the ghost story, I really didn't care for it, it was boring. I did enjoy the first book because the ghost was a secondary element in it, but in the 2nd and 3rd book it was mentioned too much.

And about the romance, it never did I'm totally disappointed with Nora Roberts. I really wanted to like her but I couldn't. I thought there must be a reason for why she is so famous, but this series was not a good one. I only enjoyed the first book in the series, the rest were not very good.

I really hated the ghost story, I really didn't care for it, it was boring. I did enjoy the first book because the ghost was a secondary element in it, but in the 2nd and 3rd book it was mentioned too much.

And about the romance, it never did develop correctly, I felt most of the time like something was missing. The characters talked in a way which did not let you get to know them. All the time I felt like actions were taking place but feeling and emotions were left as secondary elements, you never get to know the characters. I really wanted to get finished with this series. I wouldn't recommend it. I mean, it had some good parts, just not good enough. With all the amazing books that are out there I would not loose my time with this one. ...more

4

Jan 11, 2012

Oh, Nora Roberts of the swoony heroes; you got me with Red Lily .

::: The Plot :::

We first meet Hailey in the first book of the In the Garden Trilogy, Blue Dahlia, when she shows up at Roz's (the heroine of the second book in the series) house -- a distant cousin related by marriage in the way only old Southern families seem to keep track of -- pregnant, alone, and looking for work.

We've known from the first book that Harper, Roz's oldest son and the one who shares her love of gardening and Oh, Nora Roberts of the swoony heroes; you got me with Red Lily .

::: The Plot :::

We first meet Hailey in the first book of the In the Garden Trilogy, Blue Dahlia, when she shows up at Roz's (the heroine of the second book in the series) house -- a distant cousin related by marriage in the way only old Southern families seem to keep track of -- pregnant, alone, and looking for work.

We've known from the first book that Harper, Roz's oldest son and the one who shares her love of gardening and works with her at her garden shop, is attracted to Hailey, but until Red Lily , Hailey is occupied with being a new, single mother and adjusting to her new life working at the garden center and living in Roz's home.

But as Hailey's feelings for Harper spark, so does her link to the house's resident ghost, Amelia, resulting in the creepiest of the three books, and a romance between the two that might be torn apart by the ghost herself.

::: Hokey? I'll Take It :::

Okay, reading that description makes it sound ridiculous, and on the surface, any ghost story, especially with a ghost who changes her M.O. as often as Amelia does, pretty much is. But where Roberts excels is in making Harper such a swoon-worthy guy you could have the entire cast of Barney singing "I love you" at a wedding and you'd barely even notice the purple dinosaur suit.

Harper is that guy: willing to take on a woman with a child who isn't his; perfect even in his imperfections of a quick temper and an often clueless demeanor when it comes to dealing with women; and wanting so badly to be the chauvinist who takes care of his little woman, yet able to step back when he realizes she can take care of herself.

Of the three books, as usual, I love the third one the best, because Roberts seems to always save her favorite hero for the final book of a trilogy. I may have to turn in my Girl Power card for saying it, but Harper is enough to give anyone the vapors. This book -- and really, the whole trilogy -- are a guilty pleasure you shouldn't feel all that guilty about indulging in. ...more

2

Aug 02, 2013

Red Lily was a very romantic book, but kinda freaky. The house ghost decides that she wants to invade Lily's body and Lily decides that Lily must take the ghosts place. The romance goes on between Lilly and Harper and is a wonderful love story with a two year old in the middle. I liked this one just a little bit, not as much as number one, but better than number two. It was nice to finally finish the series. I was disappointed that with all Nora Roberts research, she said that they found the Red Lily was a very romantic book, but kinda freaky. The house ghost decides that she wants to invade Lily's body and Lily decides that Lily must take the ghosts place. The romance goes on between Lilly and Harper and is a wonderful love story with a two year old in the middle. I liked this one just a little bit, not as much as number one, but better than number two. It was nice to finally finish the series. I was disappointed that with all Nora Roberts research, she said that they found the Harper Bride that they were looking for in the 1890 Census. The 1890 Census was lost in a fire and only certain places remain, and the place where the woman was found was not one of those remaining places. I was very disappointed. ...more

3

Nov 16, 2017

Romances are not my favorite or even second favorite genre but my mother had the book and she said I should try it. You know you should do what your mother says...right? It wasn't a terrible book or even a bad book...it just wasn't my type of book. I did find parts of it that caught and held my interest. The last part of the book seemed to ramble a bit...or in all fairness it could have just been me. Overall it was an entertaining read but if I hadn't needed a book that fit a category for a Romances are not my favorite or even second favorite genre but my mother had the book and she said I should try it. You know you should do what your mother says...right? It wasn't a terrible book or even a bad book...it just wasn't my type of book. I did find parts of it that caught and held my interest. The last part of the book seemed to ramble a bit...or in all fairness it could have just been me. Overall it was an entertaining read but if I hadn't needed a book that fit a category for a challenge I probably wouldn't have pick this up..but isn't that the whole point of a challenge? ...more

3

Jan 14, 2015

Well - Roberts did not turn me...I still don't like Hayley. Book three of trilogies always lets me down. But, I still gave it three stars because the other characters were still interesting enough to me to keep me reading until the end even though I knew how things would work out with Haley and Harper.

Red Lily should have been a final ending to what was a compelling and moving trilogy. But what the reader got instead was a very over-drawn and labored ending to a story that didn't really exist Well - Roberts did not turn me...I still don't like Hayley. Book three of trilogies always lets me down. But, I still gave it three stars because the other characters were still interesting enough to me to keep me reading until the end even though I knew how things would work out with Haley and Harper.

Red Lily should have been a final ending to what was a compelling and moving trilogy. But what the reader got instead was a very over-drawn and labored ending to a story that didn't really exist in the character of focus: Hayley. In Blue Dahlia we met the intriguing cast of characters in the series to include the infamous "Harper Bride" ghost lurking in the halls of Roz Harper's home. Black Rose showed us more of the secrets of the ghost and how the choices the women were making in their lives impacted the behavior of the ghost - particularly with regards to men. And Red Lily basically rehashed it all through Hayley - a character I could simply not care about. And to honest, I found myself struggling to understand how Stella or Roz were friends with her - and Harper, Roz's son loving her? It just didn't add up - Hayley is a snot.

She originally arrived on Roz's door step alone and pregnant in book one. Because of a very distant cousin relationship, Roz Harper, the owner of Harper House takes her in. And even though she's six months along, her son Harper has eyes for Hayley. WAIT - WHAT????? That in and of itself was weird to me. Hayley's daughter Lily arrives in book two, and she latches onto Harper like he's her daddy putting Hayley in an awkward position - should she act on her feelings with Harper or snap his head off again - which is how she treats him for pretty much the entire trilogy. (Hence why I couldn't buy their romance at all). When she finally acts on her feelings and Harper is in agreement, well - that's that. Their relationship doesn't grow for the reader, and when there are moments of interaction they seem to just be mad at each other: All. The. Time. And then Hayley babbles about her feelings with Roz, while persistently reminding us that it's awkward because she's his mother. It's creepy. It's weird. And it's unrealistic - I get that this is fiction but it should somewhat mirror real life.

The Harper Bride is terribly upset at Harper and Hayley's newfound love (you could see why in this case). Amelia, the ghost, starts to possess Hayley reliving her life with men as a lady of the night. And again - this is creepy. Amelia is Harper's great great grandmother (as the genealogy done by Mitch shows) and there are scenes where Amelia possesses Hayley while she's having sex with Harper - yep...incest. I don't care if she's a ghost - that line of thinking was just too much for me. The final showdown with the ghost was obvious and anticlimactic.

Trilogies should be read in full and I'd normally say not to give up on them - but Nora, on this one I'd tell the reader to just skim it, because there just isn't much story here. I liked all the characters in this series, except Hayley, and she didn't merit her own novel.

This won't stop me from picking up a Nora Robert's book again, but sadly this ending just didn't do it for me. ...more

3

Aug 20, 2012

My least favorite of the trilogy, but it's not a bad book, I don't think. Since Hayley has been my favorite of the three women of In the Garden, I'm sad I didn't like her book better. There's a lot to like with a perky, optimistic girl facing difficulty with a smile and willingness to dig into the hard work to get where she wants to be.

Unfortunately, there were two large facets of the novel that really grated on me. First, and unsurprising if you've read my reviews of the other two, is Amelia My least favorite of the trilogy, but it's not a bad book, I don't think. Since Hayley has been my favorite of the three women of In the Garden, I'm sad I didn't like her book better. There's a lot to like with a perky, optimistic girl facing difficulty with a smile and willingness to dig into the hard work to get where she wants to be.

Unfortunately, there were two large facets of the novel that really grated on me. First, and unsurprising if you've read my reviews of the other two, is Amelia Connor. The ghost hunt takes center stage for much of this novel as the group homes in on who she was and why she might be sticking around beyond death. How anybody can maintain any degree of sympathy for Amelia after learning the details of her life and death is beyond me. Selfish people harming innocent others don't get to play on my sympathy, I'm sorry, they just don't.

Second, while Harper is an enigma through most of the first two novels, he didn't improve any on further acquaintance. Yeah, he's great with Lily and has a sincere attachment, even love, for her and Hayley and that's all good. But he is also one of those guys who thinks autocratic declarations and unilateral action are not just manly but good and even right. I'm sorry, but I just do not find those traits attractive in a man and that put a lot of distance between me and his relationship with Hayley. Yes, she's the perfect partner for him because a) she doesn't give in to those episodes and let him have his way and b) she doesn't hold them against him, either. And yes, he provides Hayley with love and unconditional support (when he isn't all autocratically unilateral and stuff). Still, his fits of macho were off-putting and uncomfortable to me.

Still and all, Roberts excels at showing the good in her characters, as well as their flaws, and the story was entertaining enough to grab and hold my attention despite those things I didn't like. And in the end, that's all I really ask for.

A note about Steamy: Again, the steam was pretty light in this novel. I wonder if this series was deliberately lighter steam than normal for some reason—an experiment for Roberts, maybe? It seems striking that all three would have fewer and shorter explicit scenes than I find “normal” for Nora Roberts. ...more

3

Feb 19, 2010

I was pretty confused when I first began this audiobook but once again here I am coming into a series at the end . . . The book starts out in the past. A mistress, who apparently has lost all good sense, decides to chase down her infant son whom she was told died. She shows up at her lover's home, mumbling incoherently to the sleazebags wife that she wants her son back. The ticked off wife admits that she has the son and is none too happy about it, let me tell you, but must do her duty and raise I was pretty confused when I first began this audiobook but once again here I am coming into a series at the end . . . The book starts out in the past. A mistress, who apparently has lost all good sense, decides to chase down her infant son whom she was told died. She shows up at her lover's home, mumbling incoherently to the sleazebags wife that she wants her son back. The ticked off wife admits that she has the son and is none too happy about it, let me tell you, but must do her duty and raise the child as her own because she was unable to bear a son to her horny hubby (the three girl babies she birthed just don't count). The crazed, dazed. slutty mistress is then booted out the door and the book then jumps to the present.

Now we meet a young lady named Hayley who recently quit her job to move into the Harper's home to raise her baby Lily and mooch off the Harper's. We should all be so lucky, eh? She's doing some gardening work at the estate and is crushing on the estate owner's gorgeous older son, Harper, who seems enthralled with her and her infant daughter. Again, we should all be so lucky.

Roberts starts the book assuming we know these people and I'm left confused about a lot of things. This is book three in a trilogy and I haven't read the previous two so I'm betting that's a big source of my confusion. Still, books like these should stand on their own a bit better than this. Not all of us can keep up with the prolific Nora Roberts, you know!

As I read along things began to make more sense. The story features a pesky ghost hellbent on destroying all budding, happy romances in the making. This time she's coming between Haley and Harper just as their friendship begins to blossom into something more.

Overall this was an enjoyable, if not memorable, romance. The addition of the ghost added a little mystery to an otherwise forgettable romance between two characters who were a bit blah. ...more

5

Jan 04, 2010

This was, by far, my favorite book of the trilogy! Of course, this is the book where the storyline comes to a head and all my questions got answered, so I suppose that will always make a book better...but I also enjoyed so much the romance of Hayley and Harper. (I called that way back in book #1, by the way)

The wrap up of the Harper Bride was unexpected and thrilling. I could not put the book (Kindle) down and that is exactly how a good mystery should be!

This trilogy as a whole was a very This was, by far, my favorite book of the trilogy! Of course, this is the book where the storyline comes to a head and all my questions got answered, so I suppose that will always make a book better...but I also enjoyed so much the romance of Hayley and Harper. (I called that way back in book #1, by the way)

The wrap up of the Harper Bride was unexpected and thrilling. I could not put the book (Kindle) down and that is exactly how a good mystery should be!

This trilogy as a whole was a very enjoyable read although a bit predictable in the romance category. I will continue to read Nora Roberts books to try out other series but I continue to say that, so far, JD Robbs romances are more titillating and realistic to me. ...more

5

Jul 17, 2018

This trilogy is amazing. My mother recommended me this author and her books... and it's amazing! You can find love, family, friendship... in this book, I really, really, really loved Harper. He is... such a romantic, protector man. The characters are amazing, the story is awesome, the writing is wonderful.

5

Sep 17, 2007

Love this series. Present day setting-three single women brought together by circumstances and how they each find friendship and love. Ghost story intertwined.

5

Dec 26, 2009

I have just finished listening to this. The third in the Garden trilogy. It was very good and I gave it five stars because the narrator was great. Nora Roberts of course did her usual great story.

5

Jan 22, 2008

I have read and enjoyed every book from Nora Roberts. She is one of my favorite authors!! The Garden Trilogy was very good, some love, some romance and a bunch of mystery.

4

Mar 19, 2018

The last in this series, I felt that the ghost story took over which in turn took something away from Hayley's and Harper's story. The other two books had enough about these two to give you a sense of where they were headed, but I would have liked it if the second half of the book had been as much about them as the first half. The ghost's story wasn't very satisfying. There were a few loose ends that I would have preferred to see tied off, like the willow tree that Harper planted, but at least The last in this series, I felt that the ghost story took over which in turn took something away from Hayley's and Harper's story. The other two books had enough about these two to give you a sense of where they were headed, but I would have liked it if the second half of the book had been as much about them as the first half. The ghost's story wasn't very satisfying. There were a few loose ends that I would have preferred to see tied off, like the willow tree that Harper planted, but at least we got to see Jane again briefly, which was great. I found the wrap-up too fast and slick and would have liked a bit more detail. ...more