laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Red Lily
3 Stars
At Harper House, Hayley Phillips has found a home and a family for herself and her small daughter, Lily. But Hayley feels restless and unsettled, primarily due to her growing attraction to Harper Ashby - the oldest son of her friend and employer. Unfortunately, the house's resident ghost isn't at all pleased with the development of Hayley and Harper's relationship. Will the truth about her past finally be revealed and enable Hayley and Harper to find happiness together?
Of the three romances in the series, Harper and Hayley's is the best. They have great chemistry and their feelings for one another are believable. The connection between Harper and baby Lily is particularly engaging.
While there is still some focus on the horticultural themes, they definitely take a back seat to the revelations regarding the identity and fate of the Harper Bride. To be honest, I was expecting a more exciting conclusion to this arc, but it sort of fizzles at the end.
Moreover, as the details about Amelia's life and her actions emerged, I found what little sympathy I had for her dissipate.
All in all, this is not one of Nora's better series and I cannot recommend it for readers new to her work.
3 Stars
At Harper House, Hayley Phillips has found a home and a family for herself and her small daughter, Lily. But Hayley feels restless and unsettled, primarily due to her growing attraction to Harper Ashby - the oldest son of her friend and employer. Unfortunately, the house's resident ghost isn't at all pleased with the development of Hayley and Harper's relationship. Will the truth about her past finally be revealed and enable Hayley and Harper to find happiness together?
Of the three romances in the series, Harper and Hayley's is the best. They have great chemistry and their feelings for one another are believable. The connection between Harper and baby Lily is particularly engaging.
While there is still some focus on the horticultural themes, they definitely take a back seat to the revelations regarding the identity and fate of the Harper Bride. To be honest, I was expecting a more exciting conclusion to this arc, but it sort of fizzles at the end.
Moreover, as the details about Amelia's life and her actions emerged, I found what little sympathy I had for her dissipate.
Spoiler
The fact that she was willing to kill her own child reinforced her selfish and self-absorbed nature. Despite his father's despicable actions, young Reginald was much better off with him than he ever would have been with his mother.All in all, this is not one of Nora's better series and I cannot recommend it for readers new to her work.
juliannef's review against another edition
3.0
Oh.. Is that it?
The ending felt rather abrupt after the two previous books building up to it. I admit to being a little disappointed.
The ending felt rather abrupt after the two previous books building up to it. I admit to being a little disappointed.
sjj169's review against another edition
3.0
Cute follow up on a good series. I think the story with Amelia wrapped up too fast but otherwise I liked it.
aminowrimo's review against another edition
4.0
The last bits of this book are definitely not something one should read at night without something at one's back to protect from scary ghosts.
… The possession was interesting. Very interesting. And Hayley is probably my favorite of the women. Not sure what to think about Harper, to be honest. I like him and his grafting. And I was a bit surprised when I knew what he was talking about when he was explaining hybridization (I went through a plant phase, same as I did with animals).
Wow. Amelia was twisted. I can't quite get my head around how twisted she was. It's a good foray into twistedness if I ever decide to get into horror and true crime and stuff like that. I don't think I'd ever be able to handle the twistedness for an entire book. But good. Very good.
… The possession was interesting. Very interesting. And Hayley is probably my favorite of the women. Not sure what to think about Harper, to be honest. I like him and his grafting. And I was a bit surprised when I knew what he was talking about when he was explaining hybridization (I went through a plant phase, same as I did with animals).
Wow. Amelia was twisted. I can't quite get my head around how twisted she was. It's a good foray into twistedness if I ever decide to get into horror and true crime and stuff like that. I don't think I'd ever be able to handle the twistedness for an entire book. But good. Very good.
amandaj6's review against another edition
5.0
What a story!
What a story this trilogy has been! Having each couple and then the continuing story of Amelia, it’s been great! I really like Harper and Hayley. I could have a read a nice long epilogue of their happily ever after, lol.
What a story this trilogy has been! Having each couple and then the continuing story of Amelia, it’s been great! I really like Harper and Hayley. I could have a read a nice long epilogue of their happily ever after, lol.
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
The last of the In The Garden trilogy this was the best of the 3 books in my opinion. The professional genealogist hired to learn the identity of the bride ghost of Harper house is now part of the family. Love is in the air for other family members too and this makes the ghost unhappy and looking to revenge. Her story must be learned, then her grave found to put her to rest.
I don't care for ghost stories or romances but this series was well written and I actually enjoyed the books. Good escape reading.
I don't care for ghost stories or romances but this series was well written and I actually enjoyed the books. Good escape reading.
bdowning81's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this series, and the inevitable wrap-up - the characters built here, even the Bride, were (mostly) consistently complex and relatable and people I want to be friends with, and the locations places I'd want to be. I did feel like Harper suddenly became someone very different in this book than he'd been in the others - there was an unpleasant authoritarianism that came out that if I'm honest, would have had me telling Hayley to put the brakes on.
dja777's review against another edition
4.0
Great conclusion to one of my most favorite romance series. Knocked off a star because the hero is a little bossy.