Stasia Niemec had been spending her summers in the French countryside visiting her grandparents' farm. In 1935, she meets Nicolas Navarre, and the two teenagers form a close bond while spending time in the overgrown, untended garden of the nearby Château de Montessaire. But as friendship turns to love, war alters their plans to be together. Stasia's home city of Rotterdam is bombed by the Germans causing massive casualties. France has surrendered. Stasia and Nicolas each find a new purpose through protecting others and are separated. In the present day, sisters Isabelle and Emilie purchase the old château and hope to restore it and turn it into a destination. As they explore the property, they find themselves drawn to the garden that enchanted their great-grandmother, Stasia. As the project gets underway, wartime secrets start to emerge that might be connected to their family.
The Garden of Lost Secrets is the type of historical fiction I enjoy. While WWII stories are never easy to read, I find tales of heroism and bravery, inspired by real people, very appealing. And as with author Kelly Bowen's last book The Paris Apartment, the present-day story involves one generation uncovering new information about the past. I enjoyed Bowen's storytelling, which included themes of friendship, mystery, intrigue, and some romance. And a great description of the decaying château.
Many thanks to Forever / Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this engaging book in advance of its publication.
Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: May 16, 2023.
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