No one survives war unscathed. But even in the darkest days, seeds of hope can grow.

It is 1946 and in the village of Oakbourne the men are home from the war. Their bodies are healing but their psychological wounds run deep. Everyone is scarred – those who fought and those left behind.

Alice Rayne is married to Stephen, heir to crumbling Oakbourne Hall. Once a sweet, gentle man, he has returned a bitter and angry stranger, destroyed by what he has seen and done, tormented by secrets Alice can only guess at.

Lonely and increasingly afraid of the man her husband has become, Alice must try to pick up the pieces of her marriage and save Oakbourne Hall from total collapse. She begins with the walled garden and, as it starts to bear fruit, she finds herself drawn into a new, forbidden love.

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book is stunning, and brings the story more to life. The book is set in 1946 and the men are home from the war. Alice’s husband Stephen is experiencing the side effects that the war has had on him. Alice doesn’t know to be around him and doesn’t like the man he is now. So to try and distract herself she goes and gets her herself stuck in with transforming the walled garden and she falls in love with the dramatic changes she can make if she sets her mind to it. I liked how the story flowed and it was interesting to learn a little bit more about PTSD and how it can affect one’s mind. It is heart breaking, tender and full of hope. I want to re-read this book multiple times and always remember it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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