Scan barcode
A review by chrys_marin
Black Rose by Nora Roberts
3.0
3.5 stars.
The second installment in the "In the Garden" trilogy does not disappoint! Roz Harper, a widow in her later 40s who owns a gardening business, hires 48-year old divorcee Dr. Mitch Carnegie to find out the history of her family, specifically the identity of the ghost who is a permanent resident of Harper House, Amelia. Amelia has been haunting the house of the Harper family since the late 19th century, albeit always in a benign way. But recent events have made that change, and Amelia now will resort to spooky and sometimes even harmful tricks to keep Roz away from Mitch, who has fallen in love with Roz. But nothing, not even a scary and lunatic ghost, tells Roz Harper what she can and cannot do, or who she chooses to love.
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it was a fun and quick read! I love the characters and the family that Roz has created. It is interesting to see how a relationship of a couple in their late 40s develops, since Roberts usually focuses more on people who are in their mid-30s. I thought she made it very relatable even for people like me who are in their mid-20s. Some of the background story of Roz and Mitch felt a bit out of character for me, though (i.e., how could have Roz marry someone like Bryce and misjudged his character so completely?), but I guess everyone can make uncharacteristic mistakes, even strong, smart women.
Overall, although I still like "Blue Dahlia," the first book in the series, better, "Black Rose" was an enjoyable read and great second book for this trilogy.
The second installment in the "In the Garden" trilogy does not disappoint! Roz Harper, a widow in her later 40s who owns a gardening business, hires 48-year old divorcee Dr. Mitch Carnegie to find out the history of her family, specifically the identity of the ghost who is a permanent resident of Harper House, Amelia. Amelia has been haunting the house of the Harper family since the late 19th century, albeit always in a benign way. But recent events have made that change, and Amelia now will resort to spooky and sometimes even harmful tricks to keep Roz away from Mitch, who has fallen in love with Roz. But nothing, not even a scary and lunatic ghost, tells Roz Harper what she can and cannot do, or who she chooses to love.
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it was a fun and quick read! I love the characters and the family that Roz has created. It is interesting to see how a relationship of a couple in their late 40s develops, since Roberts usually focuses more on people who are in their mid-30s. I thought she made it very relatable even for people like me who are in their mid-20s. Some of the background story of Roz and Mitch felt a bit out of character for me, though (i.e., how could have Roz marry someone like Bryce and misjudged his character so completely?), but I guess everyone can make uncharacteristic mistakes, even strong, smart women.
Overall, although I still like "Blue Dahlia," the first book in the series, better, "Black Rose" was an enjoyable read and great second book for this trilogy.