I think I put off reading Ashley Poston’s The Someday Garden because I was afraid it couldn’t live up to her novel, The Dead Romantics. The Dead Romantics was one of my favorite books of 2022. I enjoyed The Someday Garden with its gorgeous Maine location, lush (sometimes too lush) gardens, and appealing characters. I didn’t love it as I did the earlier book. But, I did cry over it. It stands on its own as a story of lost people trapped in their own stories.
Sophie Drear met her favorite person, Harriett Fisher, when they were in college. When they were about to go their separate ways after graduation, Harrie to California and Sophie as a horticulturalist at the New York Botanical Gardens, they made a road trip to Odetta, Maine to the Lilymoor House. Harrie fully believed the stories that said the gardens were magical there, “that sometimes you could hear the voice of your truest love.” Harrie was the magic in Sophie’s life, and they agreed to meet back there in ten years.
Ten years later, Sophie has a temporary job as head gardener at Lilymoor. Eula Beck, the owner, is about to retire and celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lilymoor. Sophie’s job appears to be endless and frustrating, but she loves the grounds, her co-workers, and Eula who still mourns the death of her husband Henry, the genius behind the gardens. Sophie understands. She still mourns Harrie, who is not there to celebrate with her ten years after they agreed to meet.
Then, one evening, at the golden hour, Sophie finds a blue door in the Hedges, a door that wasn’t there before. She finds an overgrown garden, and a man with coppery hair asleep under a tree. He’s onery, and trapped inside the garden. Even when she tries to take him with her, the door slams in his face before it disappears again. Sophie begins to suspect his fate is connected to Lilymoor, and before Eula can announce her successor, something must be done about that secret garden, the door that disappears and reappears elsewhere, and the man trapped in the garden.
Summaries I’ve seen of The Someday Garden give away too much of the plot. I’ll say it’s a story of lost people, trying to find answers in the gardens. There are several people lost, people who no longer have loved ones. A couple have totally lost their way in life because they closed themselves off to change and the future. This is a story of growth, of love remembered, of a willingness to move on despite loss. It’s a beautiful story filled with flowers and plants and engaging people. There are moments of humor, wild goose chases and fire engines. There are Harriet’s words as chapter headings, strange words that she collected, defined as they relate to the story. The Someday Garden is a golden hour book, one about discovering the magic in gardens, in life, and in love.
Ashley Poston’s website is https://www.ashposton.com/
The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston. Berkley, 2026. 400p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from the publisher, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
By coincidence, Jackie is reading this now. She’s talked about the “secret garden ” but not much else, other than what happened with the friend.
I think you said she was starting it, and I knew I was starting the book as well. It’s good, but it’s not The Dead Romantics.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lesa. I bought the book but haven’t read it yet. You’re right–nothing from Ashley Poston has been quite as good as The Dead Romantics, but I will definitely give this one a chance.
Jackie has read all her books, and so far, at least, doesn’t like it as much as the others. She said the others grabbed her right away, whereas this is “slow-moving and depressing.”
And, I just couldn’t get into Poston’s other books, unlike Jackie. I’ve been reading some slow-moving books lately, and like them. I’ve been finding them absorbing.
I’ve picked up the other books, Margie, but this is the only one that sucked me in. Something about the atmosphere, and then the people, attracted me.
Well, everyone, I’ll consider trying this one, but I’ll definitely try THE DEAD ROMANTICS!
Go for The Dead Romantics, Kim.
Kim, I will be very interested to know what you think of The Dead Romantics if you read it.
I know that I’m definitely in the minority, but I didn’t like it at all ha ha.
And, that’s why there are so many books published. We all enjoy different books.
Jackie says she likes the fantasy elements she throws in. SOUNDS LIKE LOVE was her second favorite.
I’ll take Jackie’s word for it, and see if the library has Sounds Like Love. I like the fantasy elements, too. Not quite as many in The Someday Garden.