xianliya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
jgwc54e5's review against another edition
3.0
This was an easy read, an historical romance mystery in 1487 at a french chateau and a modern romance set mostly in Tasmania plus Spain, italy and France. I found the modern story weaker probably because I didn’t like the characters. Jack just didn’t seem worth it. This part is overwritten really, I could’ve done without all the later chapters. The link between the two stories is also pretty weak. Some medieval French pots end up in Tasmania and nobody had opened up and found the parchment recipes/herbal until Pip was given them? The medieval story was far more interesting, and lacked closure for me. What happened to the abbot? Did he get what he deserved in the end?
The book is well researched and detailed particularly in the food including recipes and menus, multiple herb uses and mushrooms types and uses.
An enjoyable light read but I preferred her more recent book,[b:The Lost Jewels|52219016|The Lost Jewels|Kirsty Manning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579613261l/52219016._SY75_.jpg|70216118].
The book is well researched and detailed particularly in the food including recipes and menus, multiple herb uses and mushrooms types and uses.
An enjoyable light read but I preferred her more recent book,[b:The Lost Jewels|52219016|The Lost Jewels|Kirsty Manning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579613261l/52219016._SY75_.jpg|70216118].
susani90's review against another edition
3.0
I was very lucky to win this book in a giveaway by Allen and Unwin! Besides the fact I was able to score a free book, I was grateful to be given the opportunity to read [b:The Midsummer Garden|33835745|The Midsummer Garden|Kirsty Manning|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484615522s/33835745.jpg|54766998] by [a:Kirsty Manning|16298061|Kirsty Manning|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1485818442p2/16298061.jpg]. This is her debut book and my oh my what a book!
I am going to be honest here in which if I never won this book I do not think I would have ever read/purchased this book. The reason is that I am so used to reading books in genres I like; I often ignore literature/fiction books. This is a fantastic combination of a beautiful written Australian story mixed with historical fiction.
In this book we follow two main female characters Pip Arnet who resides in 2014, in Tasmania Australia and the second is Artemisia in France 1487. These two incredible women are separated by time but their love for food, nature (gardening, herbs etc), their journey towards love, reaching their goals and facing restrictions/hardships is what connects them. I was able to connect with both of these female characters, I felt for them, I cheered for them and the love of food in this book made me constantly hungry! What I loved was the input of nature, different herbs usage (from what is popular in 2014 and what was in 1487), the description of the landscape, food (yes I love food) and both of the stories connected so well together.
[a:Kirsty Manning|16298061|Kirsty Manning|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1485818442p2/16298061.jpg] is fantastic Australian Author (which was one of my goals to read more Aussie authors) and I cannot wait to see what else she publishes!
I am going to be honest here in which if I never won this book I do not think I would have ever read/purchased this book. The reason is that I am so used to reading books in genres I like; I often ignore literature/fiction books. This is a fantastic combination of a beautiful written Australian story mixed with historical fiction.
In this book we follow two main female characters Pip Arnet who resides in 2014, in Tasmania Australia and the second is Artemisia in France 1487. These two incredible women are separated by time but their love for food, nature (gardening, herbs etc), their journey towards love, reaching their goals and facing restrictions/hardships is what connects them. I was able to connect with both of these female characters, I felt for them, I cheered for them and the love of food in this book made me constantly hungry! What I loved was the input of nature, different herbs usage (from what is popular in 2014 and what was in 1487), the description of the landscape, food (yes I love food) and both of the stories connected so well together.
[a:Kirsty Manning|16298061|Kirsty Manning|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1485818442p2/16298061.jpg] is fantastic Australian Author (which was one of my goals to read more Aussie authors) and I cannot wait to see what else she publishes!
robinwalter's review against another edition
I was a bit iffy seeing the medieval French "lot" translated as "a lot", it did not inspire confidence. The time switching tale and the predictable arc soon made it clear this was not the book for me, and was instead another chance to strengthen and exercise my DNF finger.
janerel's review
3.0
3 1/2 stars. An easy, pleasurable read where two stories, one current day and one medieval, overlap and intertwine throughout the novel. I did enjoy reading The Midsummer Garden but didn't love it. I probably enjoyed the medieval part more and did find it a bit hard to relate to Pip, the main modern day character. I wondered why she would not leave her broken relationship alone and be the independent woman that she seemed to want to be. Thank you to Bookstr and Allen & Unwin for this copy.
lunamoss's review
4.0
Very easy to read, great for beautiful ideas and getting swept away.
Ready to go plant a herb garden.
Ready to go plant a herb garden.
jgwc54e5's review
3.0
This was an easy read, an historical romance mystery in 1487 at a french chateau and a modern romance set mostly in Tasmania plus Spain, italy and France. I found the modern story weaker probably because I didn’t like the characters. Jack just didn’t seem worth it. This part is overwritten really, I could’ve done without all the later chapters. The link between the two stories is also pretty weak. Some medieval French pots end up in Tasmania and nobody had opened up and found the parchment recipes/herbal until Pip was given them? The medieval story was far more interesting, and lacked closure for me. What happened to the abbot? Did he get what he deserved in the end?
The book is well researched and detailed particularly in the food including recipes and menus, multiple herb uses and mushrooms types and uses.
An enjoyable light read but I preferred her more recent book,[b:The Lost Jewels|52219016|The Lost Jewels|Kirsty Manning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579613261l/52219016._SY75_.jpg|70216118].
The book is well researched and detailed particularly in the food including recipes and menus, multiple herb uses and mushrooms types and uses.
An enjoyable light read but I preferred her more recent book,[b:The Lost Jewels|52219016|The Lost Jewels|Kirsty Manning|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579613261l/52219016._SY75_.jpg|70216118].
nevena's review
2.0
but of course ed sheeran was on their wedding playlist
this was seriously one of the straightest™ things i've read in a while + the characters' motivations were just ???????
this was seriously one of the straightest™ things i've read in a while + the characters' motivations were just ???????
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